The resonant commentary echoing across the Tokyo racecourse continued:
"The moment of destiny has arrived!"
"The entrance music for the Japanese Derby plays!"
"These Horse Girls, who have set their sights on the pinnacle of this generation and harbor their own great ambitions, are about to step into their respective gates!"
...At this moment, Mom, Little Sister, and Kitahara must be watching me from over there...
Amidst the stirring music, led by the staff, on the way from the paddock to the starting gate, Oguri Cap looked at the spectator stands for the first time.
The cheers there rose and fell like a tide, seeming to make the very air vibrate.
For a moment, she could only see a blurry scene of throngs of people waving their arms and shouting, unable to find the figures she had just thought of.
I can't quite find them, but they must be watching me.
Thinking this silently, she couldn't help but reach for the golden star on her chest and press it gently.
A soft, squishy sensation came through the ornament and into her palm, and she involuntarily curled the corner of her mouth into a smile.
"Are you perhaps nervous, Oguri Cap? That's not like you."
Suddenly, the voice of Dicta Striker came from beside her. Oguri Cap, startled, pressed her chest and turned to see her opponent from several past clashes smiling gently at her.
Behind Dicta Striker, as if echoing the last Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas), were the figures of Super Creek, Mejiro Ardan, Sakura Chiyono O, and Yaeno Muteki.
The line of Horse Girls was walking toward the gates at the starting point. When Dicta Striker suddenly spoke to Oguri Cap, the footsteps of the girls near her slowed slightly.
"Nervous? Oh, no."
Shaking her head in denial, Oguri Cap showed a happy smile. She reached into her collar, fumbled for a moment, and pulled out a red omamori (amulet).
Waving the omamori next to her cheek, her eyes curved like crescent moons, and she laughed:
"I suddenly thought that Mom, Little Sister, and Kitahara must all be watching us from over there."
"I've never paid attention to the spectators before in a race, but for some reason, I really care about it today. It's a shame there are too many people today, so I couldn't find them."
"But it's okay, my sister gave me this, and Mom and Kitahara are also sending their blessings. They are running this race together with me."
At these words, the other Horse Girls were all stunned. They instinctively looked towards the spectator stands as Oguri Cap had just done, and their hands unconsciously rose up.
However, their gaze was directed differently than Oguri Cap's, and their hands reached out in different directions.
"A four-leaf clover's blessing, huh…"
Looking toward the uppermost stands in the distance,Dicta Striker smiled, smoothed the hair at the nape of her neck as if styling it, and then casually tugged on the hood of her racing uniform and put it on.
"It's not surprising, after all, only the luckiest Horse Girl can win the Japanese Derby."
Although the other Horse Girls didn't speak, they were either gripping their collars, touching their waists, or staring at a certain corner of the stands, or gazing through the stands into the distance.
Slightly aware that her rivals and friends seemed to be experiencing an emotional shift, Oguri Cap paused, then paused again, and then showed a look as if she had suddenly recalled something.
"Oh, right."
Tucking the omamori back, Oguri Cap's expression became serious. "I forgot earlier. Kitahara told me several times to give you some advice when I had a moment."
"That is, this Japanese Derby is actually not the final stage."
"Er, I don't really understand what he means, but since he asked me to say it, I thought I should tell you. I was too busy training and forgot when I saw you in class."
She repeated it again, and Yaeno Muteki and the others paused simultaneously, their expressions becoming varied.
Super Creek and Ardan instinctively exchanged glances, both showing a wry smile.
"Oguri, actually, Ardan and I have told Helios and the others this already, but…"
With a complex look, Super Creek shook her head and slightly bit her lip. Ardan, meanwhile, looked at Dicta Striker, Sakura Chiyono O, and Yaeno Muteki.
"Although we've mentioned it, since Oguri brought it up again, I still want to clarify for her and Chief Kitahara that he doesn't mean to look down on you."
"…Ah, I know. Chief Naise said that, besides training, that old guy is a bit of a worrywart."
Facing Super Creek and Ardan's reassuring looks and Oguri Cap's confusion, Dicta Striker smiled again, joking:
"Oh, his training methods are also nothing like most men's. They are too detailed, almost on par with that Little Uchi."
"But that kind of advice…"
Her expression gradually deepened, and her eyes became sharp.
"I'm very sorry, but this is the Japanese Derby."
"Oguri Cap might not quite understand, but Super Creek and Ardan, I think I said this last time, didn't I?"
"Chiyono O and Yaeno… they said something similar, didn't they?"
"What Striker means is what Chiyono O and I mean."
Before the Eisei Team Horse Girls could respond, Sakura Chiyono O directly finished her teammate's sentence.
"The debt from the Satsuki Sho… will definitely be repaid."
"I'm sorry, but that's all I can say."
Yaeno Muteki also spoke, her words, as always for the taciturn girl, remaining concise.
"Indeed."
After these two words, she said no more and immediately sped up her pace toward the gate at the starting point.
This Horse Girl's action seemed to be a signal. Dicta Striker and Sakura Chiyono O nodded slightly to Oguri Cap and the other two, and did the same. The Horse Girls a little further away also quickened their pace.
Slightly slower, the three Horse Girls from the Eisei Team instinctively glanced at each other, then, with looks of confusion and emotion, they too quickened their pace and entered their respective gates one by one.
"Whew—Alright, all the Horse Girls have completed their entry into the gates."
The commentator was clearly trying to calm his excitement. A long exhale was heard through the broadcast, reaching every corner of the racecourse. What also echoed across the track was the declaration, forced into composure.
"And now, the G1 Japanese Derby, 2400 meters on turf, a stage that comes only once in a lifetime…"
"Start!"
"Excellent! They all had a very clean start! Taking the early lead is… Ah—!"
In typical commentary, the order of runners is usually announced quickly after the start to allow distant and non-present spectators to understand the situation at the break.
However, this time, the commentator, immediately after the customary opening remarks, let out a very abrupt gasp of surprise.
The words that followed, although clearly an effort to resume his professional role, were still filled with astonishment.
"After the runners broke out in a line, Dicta Striker immediately sprinted from the far outside to the very front!"
"An absolutely astonishing speed! A speed that seems impossible to appear at the beginning of any race!"
"Sakura Chiyono O is right behind her. The speed of both Horse Girls is clearly faster than usual. The lead position has opened up a two-length gap from the rest of the field in an instant after the start."
"Are these two treating the opening stage of the race like the final straight-line sprint?!"
The broadcast carried not only the commentator's voice but also the guest analyst's comments.
"The speed of Dicta Striker and Sakura Chiyono O is clearly much faster, but both have excellent adaptability to leading the race. This running style still suits them."
"Especially Dicta Striker, who has achieved victory almost entirely by leading the race multiple times. Her last NHK Mile Cup saw her lead all the way and cross the finish line with a six-length advantage."
"One might think that she and Sakura Chiyono O want to open up a sufficient distance at the start to leave more strategic room for the middle and final stages."
"After all, their opponents in this race are extraordinarily strong."
Following the guest's analysis, the commentator's voice picked up appropriately. This time, the commentary was noticeably calmer, influenced by the guest.
"That is indeed the case. The starting pace of this Japanese Derby is noticeably faster than usual, but considering the adaptability of the participating runners, the race situation is understandable."
"Dicta Striker and Sakura Chiyono O are leading, while their fellow Chouetsu Team member, Yaeno Muteki, is in a Late Surging position."
"This Horse Girl excels at Pace Chasing and Late Surging running styles, and she has clearly opted for the latter this time."
"It looks like she doesn't plan to make any extra moves in the opening stage, intending to keep the decisive moment for the middle or final stage."
"And as formidable rivals to the Chouetsu Team, the three Horse Girls of the Eisei Team seem to have the same idea as Yaeno Muteki."
"Oguri Cap, Super Creek, and Mejiro Ardan have all chosen the Pace Chasing running style."
"Although the distance between the lead and the front-running group is widening due to the high speed of Dicta Striker and Sakura Chiyono O, the extent of the widening is not very significant."
"After the opening stage, only 100 meters in, the gap has only increased from three lengths to four lengths."
"The Eisei Team Horse Girls are biting down very tightly."
"And perhaps with a tactical consideration to replicate the Satsuki Sho strategy, the positions of Oguri Cap, Super Creek, and Mejiro Ardan are somewhat restricting the subsequent Horse Girls."
"If they maintain this state, the Horse Girls behind them will be in great danger."
"So, Dicta Striker and Sakura Chiyono O have broken away from the constraint of their opponents. Can Yaeno Muteki also break out later?"
As the commentator and guest alternately reported the situation on the track, all the spectators in the stadium also gasped or cheered in response to the key moments being described.
Besides gasps and cheers, there were similar explanations, or rather, analyses.
"Naise… this is too reckless."
Standing in the spectator area near the finish line, looking across several hundred meters toward the start, Symboli Rudolf gradually frowned. Arms crossed, she spoke with a focused voice.
"It's true that there's a noticeable downhill section right after the start of the Japanese Derby. The decision to use greater power to mitigate the effect of the slope is not wrong in itself."
"But…"
She gritted her teeth, her hands at her elbows involuntarily clenching. "Dicta Striker and Sakura Chiyono O raced just over half a month ago. Even if they choose to lead, this speed is too risky."
"Truly…"
Gritting her teeth again, she wanted to say more but knew that if she were in the race under these circumstances, she probably wouldn't be able to hold back her speed either.
Her leading adaptability is also second to none among Horse Girls. A leading Horse Girl who can't open a gap is no different from losing.
Leading must secure enough distance before the final acceleration to allow for adjustments before the sprint.
However, in any other race, she might relax a bit. It would be acceptable if she didn't lead by much immediately after the start; she could slowly widen the gap later.
But not in this race. This is the Japanese Derby, a race that brings together the 24 most elite Classic-year Horse Girls of this generation.
All opponents will give their absolute best in this race. There is no room for relaxation, and the idea of slowly widening the gap later is non-existent.
Because the further they go, unless they can no longer take a step, the opponents' speed will only get faster, never slower.
...Sigh, I'm still not mature enough. I know I don't have a better solution myself, yet I still criticize Naise and Dicta Striker...
Sighing silently, her hands, clasped at her elbows, tightened once more. She unconsciously turned her head back, gazing into the distance at the last and highest spectator stand.
"…Is Chief Naise and the others over there?"
She suddenly heard a voice next to her. She instinctively looked and saw Kitahara's somewhat thoughtful face.
"…Ah, in the private viewing box I arranged, besides the students of the Central Tracen Academy, there are also some trainers who could make it."
Taking a silent, deep breath to calm herself, she nodded slightly. "Chief Naise and the others from the Chouetsu Team are also there."
Hearing this, Kitahara merely nodded, saying nothing more, and silently turned his attention to the Horse Girls speeding toward them from the starting point.
He had heard Symboli Rudolf's earlier low murmur and understood what she meant.
The moment the gates opened, he also suddenly widened his eyes.
Although he had anticipated it, the starting situation in this Japanese Derby still made his heart pound.
Training and a real race are fundamentally different.
In training, the Horse Girls' speed is not necessarily much worse than in a real race; sometimes the training speed even surpasses some actual races.
What's different is the momentum.
In training, the momentum immediately after the start would never be like that. That kind of momentum, in an instant, gave Kitahara a feeling of deep-seated terror.
In that split second, he suddenly felt that Horse Girls could sometimes become such fearsome creatures.
Under that pressure, he instinctively felt that the starting speed of this Japanese Derby was faster than he had expected, so fast that he couldn't help but worry about a potential accident.
Fortunately, as a trainer, he always carries a stopwatch and other equipment, and he didn't forget to press the stopwatch.
Quickly confirming with the speed sensors on the track and his stopwatch that the start of the race was only visually intimidating and was actually within an acceptable range, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
...But still, it's fast. Oguri Cap and the others followed my instructions to increase their starting strides, which was all anticipated, but it still feels fast...
Especially Dicta Striker and Sakura Chiyono O. Originally, based on data comparison, even if they chose to lead, they wouldn't open a gap of more than two lengths. But now they've pulled it to four lengths...
No, it's close to four and a half lengths. This speed...
Unconsciously, he also slightly gritted his teeth, just as Symboli Rudolf had.
Are they running themselves ragged?
For a moment, he couldn't help but share Symboli Rudolf's earlier thought. Then, the Horse Girl suddenly spoke in a steady voice, changing the topic.
"The opening stage is about to end. The next part… won't be as simple as the opening. You must have further arrangements, Kitahara."
Despite the sudden worry earlier, Kitahara's gaze remained intently fixed on the track.
As Symboli Rudolf said, under this clearly extremely fast pace, the opening stage was virtually over in the blink of an eye.
His and Symboli Rudolf's viewing spot was directly opposite the finish line, with the starting point several hundred meters to their left.
About 150 meters to the right of the finish line they faced was the first bend of the course. After that bend, the opening stage ends, and the middle stage begins.
"...It's not exactly a further arrangement."
Shaking his head slightly, the 24 Horse Girls flashed past his eyes. Following them as they looked to the right, Kitahara said solemnly:
"The arrangement for the opening stage was just to use more power for the start, hoping that no problems would occur."
"For the first 1100 meters after the start, I told Oguri Cap and the others not to worry about the opponents."
"I admit the opponents in this race are fast enough, and the lead distance has opened up more than I expected, but that's not a problem; they won't be able to widen the gap any further."
"If I have to say…"
His gaze focused on the figure in the leading ranks of the race, with chestnut-colored long hair and a dark-blue racing uniform.
"Super Creek has a further arrangement. She… is going to start warming up and accelerating."
"It is that tactic after all…"
Staring intently, just like Kitahara, at the group gradually entering the first bend, Symboli Rudolf nodded and said gravely:
"Pre-heating early, entering the sprint state early, demonstrating the generational maximum speed earlier than all opponents, and sustaining it until the very end with the top-tier stamina…"
"This is indeed the most excellent plan for Super Creek."
"So, will she be able to pull it off…?"
Kitahara and Symboli Rudolf didn't spend much time discussing the opening stage, just a few, dozen sentences worth.
However, in this short period, the Horse Girls on the track had already completed the break, the start, the opening straight, and the first bend.
Simultaneously, the atmosphere in the stands gradually grew hotter, and the voices of the commentator and guest analyst could no longer contain their excitement.
"The Horse Girls have entered the first bend. Next is a long, continuous flat bend that will last until the end of the second bend."
"It's still Dicta Striker and Sakura Chiyono O leading, and the Pace Chasing group is still spearheaded by Oguri Cap, Super Creek, and Mejiro Ardan."
"However, it's clear that after opening a gap of about four lengths, the two leading Horse Girls seem unable to widen the distance further."
At this moment, the commentator interjected:
"It seems that although the Eisei Team entrants haven't gone through a race warm-up, their form is almost on par with the Chouetsu Team."
"A very excellent response in the opening stage."
"Simply relying on daily training to have such alertness, and to keep up with Dicta Striker and Sakura Chiyono O's high-speed start, Oguri Cap, Super Creek, and Mejiro Ardan have shown outstanding reactions and abilities."
"However, the speed of this Japanese Derby is clearly higher, so the variables should also be greater."
"Based on past experience, the variables will probably appear on the Eisei Team's side, after all, the chief trainer of that team is known for his 'unexpected' tactical strategies…"
"It's happened! It's a brilliant maneuver! This must be Chief Trainer Kitahara of the Eisei Team's tactic!"
The commentator's sudden raised voice interrupted the guest's commentary and analysis.
"Perhaps it can't be called a brilliant maneuver, after all, it has appeared in previous races."
Quickly denying his own statement, the commentator continued:
"Although it doesn't look obvious, the speed sensor shows that Super Creek has chosen to begin warming up in the long bend between the first and second bends."
"Her speed is gradually increasing. If she maintains this state until exiting the second bend, her speed will quickly reach sprint state!"
Although the guest was interrupted, his reaction was not slow. He immediately responded:
"Yes, this fits Super Creek's running style. This tactic has had similar manifestations in previous races."
"Although it didn't secure victory back then, judging by the smooth unfolding of the plan now, Super Creek will reach her maximum speed no later than 700 to 800 meters before the finish line."
"At this maximum speed, if her opponents accelerate even 0.1 seconds late, they will lose the chance to win the championship."
"Including her own Eisei Team members, Oguri Cap and Mejiro Ardan!"
Speaking up to this point, the guest couldn't help but get a little excited.
The commentator and the spectators were as excited as he was. Not only them, but Kitahara and Symboli Rudolf in the open-air viewing area also had their eyes focused and their expressions tense.
And in the viewing box at the back, highest point of the stands, others and Horse Girls were showing the same expression.
"…Striker, Chiyono O, can those two withstand this acceleration from Super Creek…"
The one who spoke these words was Aoi Hoshi. As a student of the Central Academy, she was naturally assigned to the viewing box by Symboli Rudolf.
Being a member of the Chouetsu Team, the closest person to her was naturally their chief trainer, Fumino Naise.
A little further away were Yoshioki Dizuno and Tadashi Kouchi.
Hearing Aoi Hoshi's words, the latter two trainers slightly moved their gaze away from the private viewing box's screen and silently looked at Fumino Naise.
"…It's difficult."
Staring at the private viewing box's screen, and hearing Aoi Hoshi's murmur, after a long silence, Fumino Naise spoke the single word softly.
In her eyes, the 24 Horse Girls were between the first and second bends. The formation was gradually becoming flatter from the conventional "spindle shape" of the opening stage after the break.
And the one who was first to narrow the gap between the trailing group and the two leading Horse Girls was Super Creek, with her chestnut-colored long hair, graceful figure, and dark-blue racing uniform.
"…The Eisei Horse Girls' ability has exceeded my imagination."
After uttering that word, Fumino Naise's gaze flickered.
"Based on the analysis by Senpai Dino, Kouchi, and myself, Striker and Chiyono O's leading run should have opened up a distance of five to six lengths in the opening stage."
"But it was only a little over four lengths."
"Oguri Cap, Super Creek, Mejiro Ardan… their speed, stamina, and power… are stronger than we thought."
"If we tried again, it would probably be difficult for them to widen the gap any further."
"Then, with the stamina Super Creek has demonstrated in past races, between the second straight and the third bend…"
"No, perhaps even earlier, she will close in on Chiyono O and Striker, and possibly…"
She took a deep breath, slowly exhaled, and after a moment of silence, she bit her lower lip and spoke softly.
"Overtake them directly."
After her words, there was a moment of silence on the Transcendence Team's side.
The already taciturn Yoshioki Dino and Tadashi Kouchi redirected their gazes to the race screen, intently watching their respective assigned Horse Girls, Yaeno Muteki and Dicta Striker.
And against the backdrop of the grim-faced trainers beside her, Aoi Hoshi's expression and posture appeared even more vivid.
Also intently staring at the screen, her gaze constantly scanned the fast, blurring figures of her friends and rivals. Her eyes were filled with the light of fire, and her hands, hanging by her sides, were tightly clenched.
Her body was trembling slightly, and her heart felt the same.
This is… such a pity. Such an exciting race, and I wasn't qualified to participate...
But, just you wait, Striker, Chiyono O, Yaeno…
And Oguri Cap, Super Creek, Ardan…
I will definitely step onto the racecourse that currently belongs only to you!
Just like the various emotions in the commentary box, the spectator stands, and the viewing area, the 24 Horse Girls speeding on the Tokyo racecourse at this moment were also harboring a variety of emotions.
Damn it!
Why can't I pull away?!
How can Oguri Cap and the others… be so strong?!
Dicta Striker originally didn't want to expend energy thinking about this, but the completely unexpected situation in this race made her involuntarily feel shock.
During the Satsuki Sho, there clearly wasn't such a situation. Even if they could catch up, it wouldn't be this easy, but…
Such steady breathing, strides, arm swings…
Super Creek… What kind of monster are you?!
She could already hear it. In the position closer to the inner track behind her, there were two sounds, one ahead and one behind.
The sounds included the rush of the wind caused by the high speed, as if the entire air was being cut open by a sharp knife. Both sounds of the wind were equally swift and sharp.
But the other sounds were different.
The breathing in the sound ahead already had a slight gasp, which was unavoidable. The cost of a high-speed start is a rapid consumption of stamina.
The only way to deal with this situation is through willpower, ensuring that the maximum speed during the subsequent cruising and sprinting doesn't drop too much due to stamina issues, and that she can sustain the sprint to the end.
The strides and arm swings were still steady enough.
These were all trained in advance. Even if the start consumed a considerable amount of stamina, and there was a risk of losing some speed on the finish line, the physical condition at this stage would absolutely not weaken.
However, the breathing in the sound behind was long and steady to a frightening degree, as if the Horse Girl making that sound wasn't using her full power at all.
The strides and arm swings were also equally steady… No, they were more steady and powerful.
For a moment, Dicta Striker even suspected that the Horse Girl gradually catching up to third place behind her, and constantly pressuring second and first, wasn't Super Creek, but Oguri Cap after special stamina training.
…So, did you not use your full strength at the Satsuki Sho, or what exactly happened…?
How could you all… become so terrifying…?
The word "terrifying" came to mind, but her expression and eyes showed no sign of fear.
Her mouth was stretched into an exaggerated grin toward her ears, making her smile look somewhat maniacal at this moment.
Her eyes were completely filled with madness, and she felt an unprecedented excitement.
Terrifying… That's right!
This is the Japanese Derby!
If the opponents weren't this terrifying, how could it be worthy of being called the No. 1 race in Japan?!
Come on, Super Creek!
Even if you've become this strong, I won't give up this position easily!
She roared internally. The next second, Dicta Striker was incredibly glad that she had that sudden thought.
Because she inexplicably felt a power of unknown origin. This was not an Area; she knew the Area wasn't like this. And precisely because of that, she was momentarily confused about where this power came from.
She quickly stopped caring where the power came from.
She simply poured that power without hesitation into her legs, distributing it throughout her body, making the maximum speed she had already reached after the break increase by a few more notches.
In a trance, she seemed to hear the sounds behind her change again, and she faintly heard the commentator's voice, which had been ringing across the track, suddenly on the verge of cracking.
"Oh my goodness, Horse Girls truly are a synonym for miracles!"
"The speed, which was already extraordinarily fast, has accelerated again!"
"The leading group is now Dicta Striker, Sakura Chiyono O, and Super Creek who is gradually catching up, and under the lead of these three, the entire field has accelerated again!"
"This is the Japanese Derby? This is the Japanese Derby!"
The guest analyst was similarly excited but managed to maintain some composure.
"It must be potential, it must be potential!"
"Super Creek's acceleration is gradually showing. They are about to exit the second bend now. If they followed the previous pace, Dicta Striker and Sakura Chiyono O would soon be overtaken."
"But perhaps sensing the pressure from behind, the two leading Horse Girls have unleashed their potential and accelerated a step further!"
"This is the miracle of the Japanese Derby!"
The commentator's role was initially to build excitement, while the guest analyst was supposed to remain calm and analytical.
Now that even the guest was starting to get excited, the spectators in the stadium were only becoming more frenzied.
However, the Horse Girls on the track were still maintaining sufficient calmness.
Years of practice had turned their strides, arm swings, and breathing into instincts. They didn't need to devote any extra thought to these basic abilities and could focus their energy on race judgment.
And among all 24 Horse Girls, the one who was the most calm and best able to analyze the race situation was naturally Mejiro Ardan.
Wiggling her ears slightly, Mejiro Ardan thought to herself:
Are they going all out, Helios, Chiyono O…?
No, they went all out from the very beginning, not just the two of them, but Yaeno as well…
At extreme speed, the strong wind hitting her face caused her pair of long ears to press back.
But having undergone sufficient "race-sensing training" and recently experienced even more exaggerated wind speeds in a wind tunnel, she was not at all affected by the whistling wind.
She collected the race information precisely, analyzing it silently.
Helios and the others are at their maximum speed now, but Super Creek, Oguri Cap, and I still have reserve energy.
From the perspective of the commentators and spectators, we should still be in a tangled state now, right?
But… the second bend is over, and the up and down slopes of the second straight and third bend are right ahead.
Thinking this, she suddenly sighed inwardly.
I'm sorry, Helios, Chiyono O, Yaeno, and the other rivals…
Given the condition you've shown and the unusually high speed of this race, this up-and-down slope will consume a considerable amount of your stamina.
If you choose to maintain this high speed here, by the next bend, the final bend, the stamina you should have used for the final bend and the final straight will be completely exhausted.
In other words, after this up-and-down slope, you…
Will have no chance left.
Her mind focused, Mejiro Ardan's eyes also became sharp.
She clearly saw that the ground after the second bend was gradually rising.
She also knew that, as planned before the race, the upcoming up-and-down slope after this bend would present great chaos.
She had to find the most energy-saving breakthrough route in this chaos to rush into the leading group.
Otherwise, if her stamina were consumed by the confusion, she would, like the vast majority of her rivals, lose the opportunity to compete with the two ultimate rivals in this race at the finish line.
Wait for me, Super Creek, I'll catch up soon, and also…
Her gaze shifted slightly forward, staring at the chestnut-haired figure a little further away, and then glanced slightly to the side.
Don't get stuck in the chaos later, Oguri…
After shifting her gaze and thinking silently for a moment, she quietly and seamlessly adjusted her position within the group.
The up-and-down slope arrived, and just as Mejiro Ardan had anticipated, the entire field fell into disarray.
Visibly, due to the demanding power required for the uphill, the stamina consumed, and the demands for speed control and acceleration on the downhill, the 24 Horse Girls, based on their respective abilities and conditions, uncontrollably shifted their original positions.
Overtaking, counter-overtaking, lateral movement, diagonal shifting, jostling for position, and some physical bumping—all this chaos happened almost instantaneously.
The commentator also started shouting as if he had lost his mind.
"The up-and-down slope chaos, common to the Japanese Derby, has begun, and it is especially fierce this time!"
"The high speed of this race has clearly consumed the runners' stamina, and the degree of displacement on the up-and-down slope is much greater than usual."
"Dicta Striker, Sakura Chiyono O, and Super Creek, who broke away from the field early, have not been affected much. Their running posture and speed remain at their previous state."
"Mejiro Ardan has successfully broken through and accelerated, moving into the fourth position!"
"Her acceleration is still continuing, gradually catching up with the leading group. The distance between the four leading Horse Girls is constantly shrinking, very close!"
"But the subsequent Horse Girls have fallen into confusion, and the current order is hard to distinguish… Ah!"
"Yaeno Muteki seems to have been subjected to some bumping. She appeared to be attempting a breakthrough, but she is now caught in the chaos again. This is troubling… Oh no!"
"Not just Yaeno Muteki, Oguri Cap seems to have been similarly affected!"
The commentator suddenly exclaimed in alarm.
"In the chaos of the up-and-down slope, due to what seems like improper handling, Oguri Cap is surrounded, just like Yaeno Muteki!"
"This is bad! Oguri Cap has always chosen the far outside lane for her overtaking and breakout in previous races. Now that she is stuck in the middle of the Horse Girl pack, this is truly bad!"
"Theoretically, with her monstrous speed and power, forcing her way out shouldn't be a problem, but that kind of speed and power could potentially result in a foul!"
"This, this…"
Clearly unprepared for the current situation, the commentator stumbled for a moment.
The spectators in the stadium also burst into an uproar. The cheers and shouts, which had been relatively unified, immediately became chaotic, just like the Horse Girls on the track.
"Perhaps there's no need to panic so much."
The one offering reassurance was the guest analyst, who seemed to have calmed down from his previous excitement due to the sudden incident on the track.
"It is still the second straight leading to the third bend. There are still over 700 meters left in the race, and there are still many opportunities for a non-foul breakthrough."
"Especially when exiting the final bend, based on past Japanese Derby situations, the entire field will spread out into a line, which is the best opportunity for a breakthrough."
"Perhaps then, Oguri Cap will once again showcase her skilled far-outside breakout technique and leave us amazed."
With the guest's analysis, the commentator on the side immediately settled down a lot.
"Yes, yes, that's right!"
"Oguri Cap still has many opportunities, and as a Horse Girl who came all the way from the Kasamatsu region to the Central circuit, she has already created many miracles and has no lack of luck in her career so far, so she will definitely have her chance."
"Let's wait and see!"
"Now, looking at the race situation, the field is gradually approaching the end of the downhill, which means they are approaching the final bend. The chaos in the entire field is also slowly subsiding."
"Although Oguri Cap and Yaeno Muteki are still in the center of the field, as just mentioned, they should have an opportunity to break out when they exit the final bend."
"The lead is still… The lead situation has changed!"
"It's Super Creek and Mejiro Ardan!"
"The speed of the two runners has been raised!"
"Incredibly fast! They overtook Dicta Striker and Sakura Chiyono O in an instant!"
"You can see that Dicta Striker and Sakura Chiyono O are still trying, but the distance is clearly widening, and… Ah!"
"Their speed is even faster than before!"
"Oh my God, they truly live up to the name of Miracle Horse Girls, and this is worthy of being called the No. 1 race, the Japanese Derby. This speed… is unheard of!"
"The leading group has instantly… pulled away from the subsequent field!"
The spectators in the stadium were no longer in an uproar or confusion, but had returned to excited cheers and shouts.
However, some places were still filled with worry.
"Just like what happened to me and Inari during the Hanshin Daishoten and Tenno Sho (Spring), Super Creek and the others…"
In the viewing box, staring intently at the screen, Tamamo Cross said nervously: "Area—they used their Area."
This area was where the Eternity Team was staying. Next to her was Inari One, and further along were training members like Komiyama and Nice Nature.
Unlike the team's usual race viewing, further still were a group of Horse Girls who were quite close to the Eternity Team.
"Area… what is that? It sounds interesting."
The question came from a curious Gold Ship, next to whom were a group of younger Horse Girls, like Vivlos and Gold Allure, who had specifically rushed over from the kindergarten to experience the racecourse environment early.
At Gold Ship's question, these little ones who didn't quite understand the race all showed similar curious expressions.
Tamamo Cross, Inari One, and the others, who knew what "Area" was, did not respond. They were all frowning, staring at the race screen.
The response came from Special Week and King Halo.
"Um… I generally know it's a very special ability. It makes us run faster… I think that's it…"
"Hah—hahaha, you can tell just by hearing it that it's something very flashy. You are still little, so it's normal not to understand."
After the two Horse Girls—one hesitant, one exaggerated—finished speaking, Gold Ship and the little ones were still puzzled. However, Tamamo Cross and the others were still frowning, staring at the screen, and saying nothing.
But the next second, they all turned their heads because of two somewhat worried, deep murmurs.
"I do know what the Area is. If that's the case, Super Creek and the seniors should be pulling a huge gap from the back. As for Oguri Cap senior…"
"Oguri Cap senior should be in some danger. An excellent Horse Girl like her should also have mastered the Area, but being stuck in the middle of the pack now is not a good time to use the Area…"
Also staring at the screen and frowning, Narita Brian, who was chewing on a twig, and Air Groove, who was crossing her arms and pinching her chin, said almost simultaneously.
"Well, I didn't expect you to know quite a lot for not having debuted yet."
Although her eyes held a bit of worry, after exchanging a glance with Tamamo Cross next to her, seeing that she had the same look, Inari One spoke up with a comforting tone instead.
"That Oguri is in a bit of trouble right now, but…"
Just as she was about to continue, she was suddenly interrupted by a firm voice.
"Big Sister will be fine."
The group of Horse Girls all heard this voice and instinctively looked at Oguri Roman, who was standing in the center.
The moment Oguri Roman spoke, all the surrounding gazes converged on her. Normally, this introverted and timid Horse Girl would surely be unable to speak due to shyness.
But at this moment, with an uncharacteristic expression of firm determination, she pressed her hands to her chest, her eyes fixed unblinkingly on the screen, staring resolutely at the silver-grey figure. She said, word by word:
"Big Sister said that she will become an amazing Horse Girl, she will win this Japanese Derby, and she will run forever and become a Horse Girl that can make me happy."
"So, Big Sister will be fine."
"…She's right. I don't think this current situation will affect that Oguri much."
Hearing Oguri Roman's words, Tamamo Cross, who had spoken first, suddenly relaxed her brow, looked back at the screen, and grinned.
"After all, that girl has the nickname 'The Monster'."
"So, whatever you want to ask or worry about, wait until you see just how much of a 'monster' she is before you talk about it."
"Just…"
Her grin widened. "Don't be too shocked."
The race entered the final bend.
Moving her steps silently, breathing steadily, and gradually starting to swing her outer arm with force, Oguri Cap suddenly felt a moment of sentimentality in the race, which was uncharacteristic of her.
...Sure enough, just as Kitahara said, whether they are deliberately blocking me or not, Yaeno and the other rivals, many of them still want to break out from the far outside lane...
Relying on the accumulated speed, power, and stamina, she had already easily passed the fourth bend.
And relying on her ability to see the entire racecourse as if from an overhead view, with all the race situations displayed in her mind like a holographic image, she "saw" the situation of all her rivals.
At the very front, Super Creek and Mejiro Ardan had already pulled ahead of the main field by four to five lengths.
Dicta Striker and Sakura Chiyono O, who had led at the start, had dropped their speed due to the effort of the break and the stamina consumption from the previous up-and-down slope.
They still had the strength to finish the race, but they no longer had a chance to compete in the final sprint. They had slowed down to the point of merging with the main field.
Yaeno Muteki and the other rivals also had little stamina left. Most of them indeed wanted to break out and overtake from the outer lane, and some wanted to rush out from the inner lane.
However, at best, they could only break out and overtake the main field. They no longer had a chance to compete with Super Creek and Ardan for the victory.
So, as for me...
My steps are still powerful, and my breathing is still ample.
My preparatory stance for a super-high-speed lane change is also fine. I shouldn't accidentally crash into anyone, since my power is a bit immense...
Kitahara worried about this the most and we trained it the most, so there won't be a problem.
The Area… I haven't used it yet.
But, conveniently, the lead of Super Creek and Ardan is just right to be chased down using the Area.
And then…
Win over them.
In an instant, the Tokyo racecourse erupted.
"She's made her move! She's finally made her move!"
"Completely beyond everyone's expectation! She, who used the far outside lane for overtaking in all 15 previous races, has actually pulled off a never-before-seen inner-lane overtake in the Japanese Derby!"
"No!"
"That is not just an inner-lane overtake! What is that?!"
"How can she break out at such high speed, from such a crowded group of Horse Girls, without touching any opponent?!"
"Is she… a monster—?!"
The commentator's voice had cracked again, and the guest analyst was utterly at a loss for words.
Just a moment ago, in the massive group of 22 Horse Girls, excluding Super Creek and Mejiro Ardan, Oguri Cap, who was clearly surrounded within it, suddenly burst out with an unfathomable running style.
That unprecedented sprint had the momentum, like a collapsing snow mountain, that brought a despairing fierceness, just as in her past 15 races.
Just one glance from afar made it feel as though if one wasn't careful, they would be smashed by that suffocating presence and body.
But that "avalanche"… could actually "drift"?!
For a moment, the commentator frantically debated whether to risk her career by using the ridiculous descriptive word, but in the end, she couldn't help but shriek it out.
"She is a monster!"
"Where is the Horse Girl who drifts on the Tokyo racecourse, on the track, in the Japanese Derby—?!"
"That instantaneous breakthrough was practically a drift! Oguri Cap's high-speed sprint through the final bend was like a 'drift,' forcefully turning her body without touching any opponent!"
"She is DRIFTING! She burst out relying on this 'drift' that only a monster could pull off!"
"She's out! She's chasing after Super Creek and Mejiro Ardan! This moment will surely be one for the ages in URA history!"
The commentator's voice suddenly paused for less than half a second.
In the next half-second, she completely overturned what she had just said, and then overturned what followed.
"No, no, no, no!"
"THIS moment right now will be recorded in the annals of Horse Girl history!"
"No!"
"The final 526-meter sprint of this Japanese Derby will be forever remembered!"
"Ahead, Super Creek and Mejiro Ardan are in a fierce contest!"
"The two Horse Girls have been in competition since the start of the final bend, pulling away from the rest of the field!"
"Their one-on-one battle has lasted for the entire final bend, 249 meters!"
"Their threat has arrived!"
"Here it comes, here it comes!"
"The grey shadow… has burst out from the fourth bend!"
"It is currently Super Creek leading… it has turned into Mejiro Ardan leading! Oguri Cap's speed has increased again—it is an unbelievable high speed!"
"Mejiro Ardan is in first place… Super Creek is in first place—now it's Super Creek in first place! Oguri Cap's speed is still increasing!"
"Oguri Cap is trying to catch up, Oguri Cap is trying to catch up!"
"Her speed is getting faster and faster, her speed is getting faster and faster!"
"Still leading is… the lead has changed to Mejiro Ardan! But…"
"Oguri Cap has caught up!"
"She's caught up!"
"At the 200-meter mark… Oguri Cap has caught up!!"
"Mejiro Ardan has dropped to second… Super Creek is in second place, Mejiro Ardan is now third!"
"The current leader is Oguri Cap!"
"The current leader is Oguri Cap!!"
"The current leader is Oguri Cap!!!"
"No loss of speed, no loss of speed! Oguri Cap shows no sign of losing speed!"
"Still accelerating, still widening the gap! Oguri Cap is still accelerating, still widening the gap!"
"100 meters left, 100 meters left! This is the Ash-Haired Monster, this is the Ash-Haired Monster!"
"50 meters left!!"
"Cross—the finish line!"
"The one who takes the Japanese Derby crown is…"
"OGURI CAP—!!!!!"
Kitahara had thought that, having deliberately chosen a spot directly opposite the finish line, he would be able to leap over the railing the moment the champion appeared and offer his congratulations.
The spectator area in the blank space was separated only by a railing just over a meter high, so climbing over wouldn't be difficult.
He had always been confident that one of his three Horse Girls would win this Japanese Derby.
There were many reasons for this confidence: his training methods, the facility conditions, the resources invested, and so on.
But witnessing the silver-grey figure cross the finish line with his own eyes, he realized that his confidence seemed to be somewhat differentiated.
The figure that flashed past his eyes was the one he had the most confidence in.
There were many reasons to prove this supreme confidence.
Forgetting his initial plan to offer congratulations, being unable to hear the synchronized cheers of the tens of thousands of spectators at the Tokyo racecourse, and his blurred eyes being unable to see the scene before him—all these were the most powerful evidence.
Perhaps, many years from now, when he stands again in this exact spot, directly facing the Japanese Derby finish line at the Tokyo racecourse, he should be able to recall what happened in the moments that followed.
But for a long time after hearing the announcement of the champion and seeing the silver-grey figure flash past the finish line, he didn't know what had happened.
He didn't know what was happening outside, or what he had thought, said, or done himself.
Upon personally witnessing Oguri Cap win the Japanese Derby, achieving a dream she didn't even qualify for in another world, Kitahara was completely submerged in a state like being lost in a hazy sea, unable to feel anything.
However, when he finally came back to his senses, he was somewhat aware of where he was.
"…Winning Live…?"
He murmured, looking at the blurred outline of the venue in the darkness before him, and the dense crowd of figures within the outline, with fluorescent light sticks in their hands. He sounded a little lost.
Then he heard a voice next to him, tinged with a little laughter and emotion.
"Oh? You've finally come back to your senses, 'Derby Trainer' Kitahara Jō-san? Or should I say, Chief?"
The voice was slightly teasing, and Kitahara immediately recognized it as Maruzensky's voice.
"Maruzensky…?"
He looked over in surprise. In the slightly dark environment, he could only make out the Horse Girl's silhouette.
A little further away were two short figures, whose silhouettes suggested they were also Horse Girls, likely Tamamo Cross and Inari One. They seemed to be looking this way.
Further still, there were more gazes directed towards him. Most were Horse Girls, of varying heights, making them difficult to distinguish.
There were also people, whose figures were even harder to make out.
However, Kitahara mused that the people there should be members of the Eternity Team or Horse Girls he was quite familiar with.
"I… have I been spaced out all this time? I'm sorry, after the Japanese Derby…"
Kitahara only managed half a sentence before Maruzensky interrupted him with a laugh.
"You completely zoned out after the Japanese Derby. No matter what anyone said to you or did to you, you only responded with 'uh-huh' and 'ah-ah'."
"There was no other way. I could only manage to help you deal with some interviews, autograph requests, and similar issues."
In the darkness, Maruzensky seemed to shrug, then continued to laugh:
"But, let's forget about what happened earlier. You can ask for details tomorrow."
"What's coming up next is the closing song for today's Winning Live."
"A solo song, by the way."
"And the performer, of course, is your Derby Horse Girl."
My… Derby Horse Girl…
"Oguri Cap…?"
Stunned, Kitahara said instinctively. In that instant, he felt a return of the muddled feeling he'd had earlier.
"…Heh, looks like you're still out of it. Oguri Cap won the Japanese Derby, so of course, she's the 'Derby Horse Girl'."
Maruzensky's laughter was full of helplessness and teasing.
"What, don't you believe it?"
"…No, it's not that I don't believe it, it's just…"
Kitahara couldn't describe how he felt right now, nor did he know how to explain his current strange state.
He stammered for a moment, managed to calm himself down, and subconsciously followed Maruzensky's lead, asking:
"Solo song… what is that?"
He managed to construct a logic. "Was it specially prepared for Oguri Cap? For Winning Live… shouldn't it be the collective song 'Winning the Soul' after she won the Japanese Derby?"
"Oh? It seems you haven't lost your mind entirely," Maruzensky said, nodding in the darkness, and seemed to look toward the completely dark stage.
"The song for winning the Classic Triple Crown is, of course, Winning the Soul."
"Unfortunately, that song was already sung earlier. You were still in that dazed state, and you unluckily missed it."
"However, fortunately, the solo song that Symboli Rudolf specifically arranged for Oguri Cap is about to begin."
"While it's a shame you missed Winning the Soul, you can consider asking Oguri Cap to sing it just for you."
"But if you miss the solo song coming up, that would truly, truly be a pity."
"Because this is the first time in URA history for a track to be performed exclusively for a single Horse Girl."
"...Rudolf? The first solo song?"
Kitahara's mind was slightly more active than before. He recalled the setting of "solo songs" from the original work.
In the original work, sufficiently excellent Horse Girls each had their own exclusive solo songs. These songs were a depiction of them and even a microcosm of their careers.
For instance, Symboli Rudolf's exclusive solo song was called Seven, naturally representing the legend of the first-ever seven-crown Horse Girl in history.
And as for Oguri Cap...
Just as he was thinking, he heard Maruzensky speak softly.
"Yes, I only found out after the Japanese Derby that Rudolf… she secretly reached some agreement with the URA Chairman."
After saying this briefly, she leaned closer to Kitahara, her voice dropping to a whisper:
"The agreement included a clause to customize a track specifically for the winner of this Japanese Derby."
"Of course, later on, such a thing will be implemented as a regulation, and customizing solo songs won't be limited to the Japanese Derby."
"But for now, Oguri Cap is the first example."
She laughed quietly at this point.
"This girl has changed so much already…"
She then continued:
"In any case, you can ask Rudolf for the details later. For now, just enjoy it."
"Enjoy your Derby Horse Girl's exclusive solo song."
"Unbreakable."
As if to confirm Maruzensky's words, the moment she finished speaking, a change occurred on the pitch-black stage.
A light beam, shining like snow, seemed to descend from the sky, piercing the darkness of the stage and illuminating the figure that seemed to have been standing right in the center all along.
The figure had silver-grey long hair, a bright yellow diamond headpiece, a slightly aloof and chilly demeanor, and a tall physique.
She wore a pure white top, with gold diamond buttons on the collar and cuffs, red and blue epaulets on the shoulders, and a red neckerchief.
Her lower half consisted of a dark blue pleated skirt, black stockings that revealed the powerful curve of her thighs, and metallic racing boots.
At this moment, Oguri Cap lacked her usual natural, spacey cuteness. Instead, matching her face, her whole being exuded a strange cold severity.
The music started, and her movements followed the music with a certain coldness.
Holding the microphone in her left hand, she raised both hands and held them horizontally in front of her, then slowly and powerfully pulled them apart to the sides, as if tearing open destiny or some kind of darkness.
Walking forward, the left hand holding the microphone gradually lifted. Accompanying this movement, the spotlights on the dome above the spectator stands simultaneously illuminated, bathing her in a brilliant white light, as if driving away the grey hue on her body.
In the spectator stands, countless light sticks were raised, gathering like a flurry of snowflakes.
The microphone was lifted to her pale lips, and the singing began.
"Do you still remember that day, that night when the blue moon emerged?"
"You once said that, on my back like this, though I have wings, I cannot reach."
"The hands reaching out, merely swipe through the sky, both reluctant and sad."
"Wishing upon the stars, saying it's okay to fight even if you miss…"
"There is no such thing in the world."
When the cool voice sang this verse, the stage colors were still black and white.
The distinctly separated two colors seemed intentional, demarcating the area within arm's reach of Oguri Cap from the darkness beyond.
But when the chorus started, as if something was ignited, the darkness of the entire stage vanished. In its place, the stage was filled with gorgeous, fire-like lighting.
Like the outermost to innermost rings of a flame, there was a little bright red, moving inwards to more orange-red, then bright yellow, goose yellow, and pale yellow.
At the center of the flame was a searing white, and the dazzling white figure in the center of the stage under the lights happened to form the searing white core of the "flame" composed of the massive stage lighting.
In this flame-like light that resembled hope, the chorus was no longer cold; it too seemed to ignite, becoming passionate.
"Because I do not want to betray the promise with you, and my own determination,"
"I will only sigh silently in my heart, until the moment the fervent flower withers."
"I will keep going like this, keep going."
When the song returned to the next verse, the vocal line became cool again.
But the stage lighting no longer reverted to black and white, instead continuously remaining in that fire-like intensity, persisting until the next chorus.
"On an uncertain road, why were you able to keep walking?"
"Even when there was nothing you could believe in, you shone in the darkness of hope."
"This is painful, so painful, and escaping is not hateful."
"But this one thing, the decision made, the thing yearned for, will one day become reality."
"If there is only one possibility, the one who realizes it, I think it is only me."
"Swearing to look at each other, gazing, walking toward tomorrow."
The cool and passionate verses and choruses interwove, accompanied by the rhythm of the flashing light sticks waved by the audience.
Gradually, as the singing softly ceased and the stage lights transitioned from the fire-like intensity to a somewhat cool, pure white, Kitahara finally shook off the inexplicable daze he had been in.
Standing in the uppermost section of the spectator stands, he gazed out at the stage in the distance.
Reflected in his eyes was the snow-white figure on the stage, bathed in the pure white light, with her arms raised high.
He suddenly curled the corner of his mouth into a smile.
It won't happen. It won't be like the other world, where there's anything you can't reach anymore.
It won't be an uncertain road anymore; you won't encounter an uncertain road.
There will be no darkness, pain, or escape. You just need to keep running.
Because I promised you, whether you want to become an amazing Horse Girl...
Or simply because being able to stand and run is a miracle, because you love running and want to keep running forever.
I will help you achieve it.
Because you are a Horse Girl who represents hope...
Oguri Cap.
(End of Chapter)