"I'm back—Uncle Ginjirou!"
Just as the group in the corner of the stands were watching the horse girls enter below, a crisp, pleasant voice broke the quiet of that secluded section.
Berno Light came trotting over with a huge plastic bag in hand. Inside were bottles of ice-cold mineral water, packed full.
"Huh? Kuroha-sensei, Mr. Naise—hello!"
The girl, who had been grinning a moment ago, clearly froze when she saw these two big names. She immediately fumbled a little, hurriedly smoothing her skirt.
"No need to be so stiff, Light."
Kuroha smiled and waved, taking the bottle she offered. "Thanks."
Light handed the water out one bottle at a time.
When she reached Ginjirou's side, she realized Naise Hideto was sitting in the empty seat. She blinked, then naturally scooted over to Kuroha's other side instead.
"Ah, good afternoon—want some water?"
Light had been tagging along with Oguri Cap to the Mejiro training ground for "classes," so she naturally recognized the new-generation young horse girl Kuroha treasured.
Mihono Bourbon remained expressionless, posture perfectly straight. She turned her head, looked at the bottle being offered, and nodded with meticulous precision.
"Yes. Thank you, senpai."
"S-senpai…"
Those two syllables carried some kind of magic. Light's pretty eyes instantly curved into crescents, and it was like pink bubbles were floating all around her.
"Ehehe… no problem, no problem~"
She scratched her head shyly, then sat down beside Bourbon with obvious satisfaction.
…
On the track, the announcer's voice rang out again.
"Next to enter—though she has tasted defeat many times, she has never once lost her fighting spirit. The hot-blooded wind—!"
"Fourth favorite—Bamboo Memory!!"
As the introduction boomed through the venue, a horse girl with a headband and resolute eyes strode out of the tunnel, head held high.
She pumped her fist, showing the crowd her unstoppable momentum.
However—
Bamboo Memory's trainer, seeing her entrance, frowned slightly.
"…"
This middle-aged man, usually known for his coldness, fell silent. His gaze was deep and complicated. Only after a long moment did he finally speak.
"Every era… always has one."
Looking at that upright figure brimming with spirit below, he continued in a low voice:
"Even when you know you're destined to lose, know you're destined to become the backdrop for that era's protagonist… you still have to send her onto the battlefield."
"The last time I felt this… was when I faced Symboli Rudolf."
That helpless feeling—when the girl you raised was already outstanding, yet fate still demanded she run into the cruel truth of "why was I born in the same era as you."
"Hmph."
Ginjirou shot him a sideways glance and spoke bluntly.
"If you feel that bad, then don't enter her."
Naise Hideto's expression didn't change. He merely shook his head.
"If only it were that simple."
"Those of us who've stayed in Tracen for decades can see the cruel gap clearly… but the children themselves rarely can."
"And as trainers, we don't have the right to stamp out the flame that wants to challenge the strong."
"…Ahem."
Hearing that, Kuroha couldn't help but fake a cough twice.
"What are you two doing?"
"Are you taking shots at me?"
Naise Hideto turned his head. Seeing Kuroha's awkwardness, the cold lines of his face softened a fraction.
"Trainer Kuroha, please don't misunderstand."
"I'm not targeting you. I only want to ask you a question."
Just then—
The atmosphere in the venue surged sharply. The cheers that had still been somewhat orderly instantly transformed into a deafening tidal wave that shot straight into the sky.
Even the announcer's voice turned excited.
"The next horse girl to enter is—!"
"The ash-gray monster from Kasamatsu! As a Classic Year horse girl, she conquered the Arima Kinen, and showed an invincible posture that autumn—an absolute powerhouse!"
"Second favorite—Oguri Cap!!!!"
"WOOOOOOOO—!!!"
"Oguri Cap! Oguri Cap!"
The cheer that had been building for so long nearly tore the roof off the stadium.
Under the gaze of the masses, Oguri Cap—dressed in her victory outfit—walked slowly onto the path.
She lifted her head, those clear eyes sweeping the arena. She made no exaggerated gestures—
Yet that natural, inborn presence still drew every eye, as if the entire venue was compelled to look at her.
Up in the stands—
"Oh, it's Oguri Cap?"
Naise Hideto watched that figure and nodded.
Then he turned toward Ginjirou.
"By the way, Ginjirou…"
"How have you thought over what I told you before?"
Ginjirou, who had been bouncing his leg, suddenly stiffened. He fell into silence and didn't answer right away.
Before?
Kuroha grew curious and glanced over.
Naise Hideto didn't mind Ginjirou's silence. He kept his eyes on the track and continued his analysis as if speaking to himself.
"In terms of physical talent, Oguri Cap is unquestionably world-class—honestly, you could even call it historical."
"But even if her raw specs are a notch above Fujimasa March… in this race, and in future races too, it will be difficult for her to win."
He didn't notice Ginjirou's face darkening by the second. He also didn't notice how Kuroha's expression was becoming stranger with every sentence. He continued:
"If that's the case, staying in Central will only waste what little of her active career remains."
"Rather than stubbornly grinding against Fujimasa March here, it would be better to use her remaining time on a broader stage."
Naise Hideto turned, fixing his gaze on Ginjirou.
"Oguri Cap's condition is better than expected. There's no sign of physical decline even now. Holding out to the end of the year—maybe even next year—won't be a problem."
"Go to Europe. Go to USA."
"That's where the schedules and tracks truly match her. That's the kind of grind and challenge she needs."
He delivered his conclusion with calm certainty.
(End of Chapter)
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