Half a month flashed by in a blur of tight, satisfying training.
At last, the pinnacle that decides spring's long-distance sovereign—the Tenno Sho (Spring)—raised its curtain.
As one of this far-eastern nation's most storied races, the grueling 3200m distance is not only the ultimate test of stamina and endurance for Uma Musume, but also the final trial of racecraft and strategy. It's hailed as the "Spring Long-Distance Queen Decider," the highest honor every long-distance specialist dreams of.
Especially for houses like the noble Mejiro line, bearers of the finest staying blood—"Conquering the Tenno Sho" has been a vow pursued across generations.
With stakes so high, Kyoto Racecourse was a sea of people—every seat taken. Fans had flocked in from all over the country; the roar alone felt like it could peel the clouds from the sky. Everyone wanted to witness, with their own eyes, who would claim this year's long-distance throne.
Amid the tide of noise, Kuroha seemed quietly calm. He led his girls into Kyoto. Today, only Mejiro Ardan, Mejiro McQueen, and the soon-to-battle Inari One were at his side. The rest either had scheduling conflicts or simply weren't that into the Tenno Sho (Spring).
"So this is… the Tenno Sho stage…"
Walking beside Kuroha, McQueen looked up at the stands, packed like a living mountain and sea. Her violet eyes shimmered with a tangle of reverence, yearning, and resolve; even her voice came out softer without meaning to. To her, this wasn't just a race—it was the sacred stage carrying the Mejiro clan's generations-old wish.
"Yeah," Ardan murmured, smiling at McQueen before glancing to the small figure walking at the head. "But today, we're here to cheer for Inari."
"Mhm, that's right! Today's stage belongs to Inari-dono!"
Inari One planted fists on hips, chin high and utterly brash. She seemed to burn with the excitement and fighting spirit of stepping onto the field.
"A festival this lively is worthy of my first Central G1 debut!"
Seeing her in such spirits, Kuroha chuckled and waved. "Come on—prep room first."
He shepherded the three through the buzzing corridors into the participants' area. When the door shut, the tidal cheers vanished, leaving only a crisp stillness.
Kuroha didn't waste a second. He laid out materials he'd prepared long ago—every detail of Kyoto's 3200m course, dossiers on every key opponent, and multiple tactical branches for different race shapes. He walked through it all with clean, methodical clarity.
Inari One set aside her usual carefree act, arms folded, listening intently, eyes glittering with thought. McQueen and Ardan were just as focused—as if they themselves were about to set foot on the course of their dreams.
Meanwhile, in another prep room—
Fumino stood with a marker in hand, more serious than ever.
"…This is Kyoto's defining trait: for the Tenno Sho (Spring), there's practically no real downhill anywhere on the route." She tapped the posted course map; every word was precise and firm. "So the endurance demand is massive—which favors you, Creek."
Across from her, Super Creek sat straight-backed, eyes never leaving the map, committing every line of her trainer's guidance to heart.
"Beyond the course, you need to mind the field," Fumino said, sitting beside her and opening a thick notebook crammed with competitor notes. She skimmed quickly past most entries with brief pointers until the last page—a photo of a petite twin-tails girl.
"Inari One."
Fumino said the name. "She's the strongest enemy in this race."
"Since arriving in Central, she's only run one G2 graded race—but her performance was astounding. Not to be underestimated."
"And—she's a member of Chasing Light."
At the team name, Fumino's gaze gained weight. "Since the spring season began, the Chasing Light girls each ran a graded race—none of them lost. Fujimasa March even dominated to win the G1 Osaka Hai."
"So, Inari One is not someone easy to deal with."
Super Creek listened quietly, utterly unflustered. Her gentle blue eyes rested on the notebook page with the petite girl's photo—but in her mind replayed a scene from half a month ago at the training ground: that torrent of blazing red aura erupting skyward from the twin-tails girl, like it would set the sky itself on fire.
"I know, Trainer."
Creek's voice stayed soft, but it carried composure. She lifted her head to meet Fumino's worried look and offered a reassuring smile.
"I've felt Inari One's strength in person."
Fumino blinked at that—then relaxed. A week at Kuroha's facility… of course they'd crossed paths.
"But," Creek continued, clear and firm, "I will win."
"Creek…"
Seeing such confidence and resolve, Fumino finally felt the knot in her chest loosen. She drew a deep breath and nodded hard.
"Mm! I believe in you, Creek."
"Ladies and gentlemen—welcome to Kyoto Racecourse!"
"Clear skies, perfect footing—it's a beautiful day for racing!"
With the announcer's voice booming across the grounds, the atmosphere rocketed to a peak.
"Uoooooo—!!!"
Cheers like a mountain crashing at sea rolled over the stands.
Back inside, after sending a fighting-spirit-aflame Inari One into the tunnel, Kuroha led Ardan and McQueen out toward the grandstand.
"So many people…"
McQueen kept close at his side, whispering in awe, green eyes wide. Since her True Blooming, this was her first time stepping into a G1 stage—even from the stands, the feeling was completely different.
"Don't be nervous, McQueen," Ardan teased with a smile. "You'll see a lot more than this in the future."
They turned a corner—and ran into another trainer who'd just sent her own girl off.
"Kuroha?"
Fumino raised a hand in greeting—by now, they were used to calling each other by name.
Kuroha nodded, his gaze resting on her for a heartbeat. He smiled. "Go together?"
"…Alright."
Fumino hesitated a moment, then agreed.
And so, two teams who should've been rivals merged into one small group, flowing with the crowd. They found seats in a prime, front-row section—settling in to await the start of the battle that would decide spring's long-distance crown.
(End of Chapter)
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