"The next Uma Musume to appear—the second favorite—Through Audina!"
The announcer's voice rolled across Kyoto Racecourse, sending an already boiling atmosphere to a brand-new fever pitch.
With that call, Uma Musume in dazzling race outfits filed out from the tunnel, strides light and powerful, and stepped onto the emerald battlefield. Every one of them was a standout who'd clawed her way through brutal competition—household names on the Central stage.
Amid these star-lit silhouettes, Inari One's petite frame looked almost inconspicuous. She was on the turf doing warm-ups. Many others, however, watched the tunnel with grave faces—waiting for the tall figure about to emerge.
On the big screen's popularity board, Inari's name sat third—a stunning rank for a "newcomer" with only one Central G2 victory. A big slice of that buzz, though, came from her identity as a member of Chasing Light—a team that hadn't lost since its founding, a name that had shaken Central's forest of powerhouses in just half a spring.
"And finally—yesterday's gentle creek, today's mighty river—bring the glory of the Kikuka Sho back to Kyoto's stage! The top favorite—Super Creek!!!"
At that name, the course erupted like a volcano—an unbelievable wave of sound detonated skyward.
"Uoooooooo—!!!"
The cheers slammed together into a physical shockwave, the stands faintly shuddering beneath it.
Bathed in that tidal welcome, a serene, gentle figure stepped from the tunnel. Super Creek wore her signature warm spring-breeze smile. Calm steps, elegant bearing; she walked and waved to the stands in turn. Her tall, willowy lines, set off by the blue-and-white of her race outfit, looked all the more statuesque.
"Hmm?"
The instant Creek set hoof on the course, a dozen gazes snapped to her—battle-tempered graded winners seeming like beasts ready to bite, their bodies radiating wariness and will to fight. Creek paused. A sliver of chill flashed in her narrowed eyes.
"Marked already, huh…"
"…That's… not great."
Up in the stands, Fumino and Kuroha sat side by side, quietly watching the infield.
Kuroha chuckled under his breath.
"Creek's popularity is through the roof. As expected of a Kikuka Sho winner."
Fumino cut him a sidelong glance. "Trying to get me to compliment you too? I'll pass."
Their relationship had indeed warmed since Creek's treatment week—but today, they were opponents. Whatever happened after, there'd be no backing down during the race.
"Haha."
Kuroha's laugh brimmed with confidence. "No need to be so tense—Inari is winning anyway."
"Victory isn't about aura alone," Fumino answered, tone even but point for point—steel wrapped in silk.
An invisible powder-smoke spread between them—two trainers speaking calmly like knives crossing just before the gong.
After a beat, Fumino exhaled softly, sheathing that edge. She looked down at the tiny yet pressure-radiating Inari One and murmured:
"I'll admit it—you're frighteningly good at training. It makes me jealous."
"Fujimasa March, Mejiro Ardan, Sakura Chiyono O, Obey Your Master… and now Inari One—all strong enough to carry a race on their own."
It was sincere. She'd watched Creek's miracle recovery up close and knew exactly what Kuroha had achieved in three short months.
A sudden compliment?
Kuroha glanced over. "You're not bad yourself. From Creek's body and spirit, it's obvious—you're excellent, too."
He wasn't buttering her up. During treatment, he'd sized up Super Creek carefully. His conclusion then: all stats in the 900s—comparable to Inari One at the same time frame. In fact, more precise: beyond what Inari (without Kuroha's guidance) had shown at the same point.
Both were "Eternal Big Three," natural leanings different but talent neck-and-neck. Still, Inari was heavily skewed—stamina lower than power, and Wit laughably low. Super Creek, by contrast, was balanced 900+ across the board—her top-end stamina even cracked four digits.
With similar talent ceilings, Fumino's steady hand mattered—a lot.
Fumino went oddly quiet, then turned back to the course, face unreadable.
"I lost to you in the Kyoto Kinen. You saying this now—are you mocking me?"
"I'm serious."
Kuroha smiled. "Across Central's trainer field—even counting the decorated old guard—you're easily top five."
"…"
Fumino didn't answer—arms folded, head lowered. Kuroha didn't notice the almost invisible curve at her lips, born when his straightforward praise rang true.
"Top five… huh…"
Down on the course, every runner had loaded into the gates. Kyoto fell silent—thousands holding their breath.
The duel in the stands was over. The battle on the turf was just beginning.
"…Huh?"
Kuroha coughed lightly. In his sightline, one of the gates—within that rank of stalls—was glowing with a dense, uncanny red.
That wasn't the flowing light of a Domain. It was something else—a strange, alternative force.
"That gate… the second favorite, Through Audina, right?"
Kuroha narrowed his eyes and murmured.
(End of Chapter)
[Get +20 Extra Chapters On — P@tr3on "Zaelum"]
[Every 500 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter Drop]
[Thanks for Reading!]