The Japanese Derby, a fierce battle won by Special Week, came to an end.
The main event of the day was over, and some spectators began to get up and leave their seats—but they weren't going home.
The 12th race at the Tokyo Racecourse was the Meguro Kinen. Although it's not as well-known or as big as the G1 Japanese Derby, the G2 Meguro Kinen was the next race on the schedule.
Those who got up from their seats weren't going home. They were leaving to go see the paddock parade for the next race.
"Wow, that was amazing."
"Right? It wouldn't have been weird if either Special Week or Oguri Cap won."
"Next is the Meguro Kinen... It's not as big as the Japanese Derby, but since the TMR are running, I can't miss it."
The people heading to the paddock were talking about the Japanese Derby and the upcoming Meguro Kinen.
The Japanese Derby, where a galaxy of new stars gathered—perhaps too many—was wonderful, but they must also be looking forward to the Meguro Kinen. Yep, please cheer for Rice!
(Wait, TMR...? Did they take the initials from Tokai Teio, Mejiro McQueen, and Rice Shower? Rice is at the end of that lineup, though...)
I thought about going and having a serious talk with the fans who said "TMR," but I was short on time, and it couldn't be helped that Rice was at the end when you looked at their records.
Tokai Teio has 9 wins in 13 races, including 5 G1 wins.
Mejiro McQueen has 9 wins in 20 races, including 3 G1 wins and 3 G2 wins.
Rice has 6 wins in 14 races, including 3 G1 wins and 1 G2 win, so her record is a step behind Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen.
Of course, she's only inferior to Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen in terms of their records; Rice's record would still be in the top tier of all Uma Musume at Tracen Academy. Also, regardless of her record, Rice's recent reputation is not inferior to Tokai Teio or Mejiro McQueen.
That's probably why they're calling the three of them "TMR." Despite it being a G2 race right after the Japanese Derby, they're so popular and so highly anticipated that the excitement at the racecourse hasn't died down.
(They were competing against each other in the final stages of both the Osaka Hai and the Tenno Sho (Spring)... Well, it's a good thing that she's popular.)
I listened to the voices around me and arrived at the paddock. I tried to make my way to the front row, saying, "I'm Rice Shower's trainer, please let me through."
But there were too many people, and I couldn't move forward... "Hey, get out of the way, I'm Onii-sama!" I couldn't just say that and push through.
However, when people saw Urara, who was with me, a few of them looked surprised and moved out of the way. I heard "That's Onii-sama" and "That's the one from the rumors," but damn, I'm so curious, but I don't have time to ask now! You have no right to call me Onii-sama!
"Gate 1, post 1, Going Noble."
While I was thinking that, the parade started, and I finally made it to the front row. Urara... is right behind me. Good!
"Gate 3, post 3, Mejiro McQueen."
I almost missed Mejiro McQueen's parade.
The Meguro Kinen usually has 18 entries for a full gate, but many Uma Musume avoided it, so there were only 14 entries.
Mejiro McQueen was the favorite and was waving a little to the crowd with her usual dignified posture.
Her condition... seems good. The Meguro Kinen is 2500 meters, so maybe it's a good idea for Rice to mark Mejiro McQueen, right?
"Gate 5, post 7, Rice Shower."
Rice was running as post 7 today. She looked a little nervous, but when she noticed Urara and me in the front row, her face lit up with a brilliant smile.
When the spectators saw her expression, they cheered loudly. Rice waved modestly, and the cheers grew even louder. How's my Rice? Isn't she cute?
"Gate 8, post 13, Tokai Teio."
While I was bragging about Rice in my mind, Tokai Teio, the other Uma Musume I needed to be wary of today, appeared.
She seems to be in good condition, as she was doing the Teio Step...
(Comparing Mejiro McQueen and Tokai Teio... is it Mejiro McQueen today? They both seem to be in good condition...)
I was a little hesitant to make a decision. If 10 is the best condition, Mejiro McQueen would be an 8 or 9, and Tokai Teio would be a 7 or 8.
If my judgment is correct, Mejiro McQueen seems to be in slightly better condition.
(And besides, there are no Uma Musume who seem stronger than Mejiro McQueen or Tokai Teio... I have to be a little wary of post 9 Mini Cactus, as she has raced against Rice many times, but...)
In addition to Mejiro McQueen and Tokai Teio, I also paid attention to an Uma Musume named Mini Cactus.
She was the one who competed with Rice in the final straight of the G2 Kyoto Kinen, which Rice ran in before. Although Rice won with a significant lead in the end, Mini Cactus came in second.
(But can she beat Mejiro McQueen or Tokai Teio...?)
Unfortunately, I have to conclude that she's a few steps below them. But I can't let my guard down. There's a chance she's suddenly gained a lot of strength.
I checked the physique and condition of each Uma Musume one by one. I stared at their slightest expressions and gestures, observing them as if to burn a hole through them.
(...It's definitely Mejiro McQueen.)
And I came to a final conclusion. I had checked all the Uma Musume besides Mejiro McQueen and Tokai Teio, and I concluded that their preparation and condition were far inferior to the two of them.
"Onii-sama."
Rice, who had finished her parade, came up to me. I faced her over the fence and told her who to mark today.
"I think Mejiro McQueen is the better one to mark today... What do you think, Rice?"
"Rice thought McQueen-san and Teio-san were about the same, but if Onii-sama says so, it must be right."
"...No, I could be wrong, you know? But I just chose the one who seemed to be in better condition because I think the race will turn out the same no matter if you mark Mejiro McQueen or Tokai Teio, okay?"
If there were other strong Uma Musume, I would have had to think about the strategy a little more. But with today's lineup, I think it's just going to be a battle between Rice, Mejiro McQueen, and Tokai Teio.
I said that and sent Rice off—and my words became a reality.
"The same scene we saw in the Japanese Derby is unfolding! The trio of Mejiro McQueen, Tokai Teio, and Rice Shower have completely pulled away from the rest of the pack! They're charging into the third corner, changing positions with each other!"
The Meguro Kinen had already transformed into a fierce battle between Rice, Mejiro McQueen, and Tokai Teio.
Rice, Mejiro McQueen, and Tokai Teio all got a clean start, but they caught up to the runaway on the opposite side of the track and were already fighting for the lead by the time they reached the third corner.
(Hmm... This isn't even about marking anymore.)
Perhaps it was the heat of the racecourse, or maybe the other Uma Musume were in worse condition than I thought, but the strategy of marking Mejiro McQueen and overtaking her failed early on.
Among the Uma Musume other than the ones I was paying attention to, those with actual ability had avoided the Meguro Kinen and were running in open races held on the same day. They might have decided that it was better to aim for a first-place finish in an open race than to compete with Rice and the others.
And looking at the race in front of me, that seems like a reasonable reason.
"Mejiro McQueen is slightly ahead and entering the fourth corner—oh! Tokai Teio passes Mejiro McQueen from the inside and takes the lead, and now Rice Shower is coming up!"
"Are you all right? You're not getting carried away, are you?"
The commentator was in a state of confusion from the frequently changing positions. The commentator for the analysis immediately jumped in, but it was understandable, as Rice and the others were having a relentless back-and-forth race.
The spectators in the stands were also hyped up by the fierce battle between the three Uma Musume with outstanding abilities. They were all shouting the names of the Uma Musume they were cheering for, desperately trying to get them to go even a little bit ahead of the other two.
"The gap between them and the rest of the pack is already 7... no, about 8 lengths!? Mini Cactus is at the front of the pack, trying to catch up, but can she reach them from that position!?"
"The 1000-meter passing time was 58.1 seconds, which is a very fast pace. When these three compete, a new record is often set, and it's going to be a key point to see how they make their move in the final straight."
Rice, Mejiro McQueen, and Tokai Teio all see each other as rivals. That also means they know each other's abilities, and they must think that if they let the other get ahead and create a gap, they might not be able to catch up in the final straight.
If this were a long-distance race like the Kikka Sho or the Tenno Sho (Spring), they wouldn't have competed so early. However, the 2500-meter Meguro Kinen is an easy distance for Rice and Mejiro McQueen to run, and a slightly unfavorable distance for Tokai Teio.
Thus, the three-way battle between Rice and Mejiro McQueen, who are trying to crush the competition with their overflowing stamina, and Tokai Teio, who initiated a high-paced race to prevent that, was getting more and more intense.
"They've passed the 200-meter mark! In the battle for the lead—oh, Tokai Teio has reached her limit!? She's falling back slightly, but surely! Rice Shower and Mejiro McQueen aren't giving an inch!"
The race, which had been at a high pace from the start, had completely drained Tokai Teio of her stamina. But Rice and Mejiro McQueen put more power into their legs, as if this was the real race, and accelerated.
"100 meters to go! It's a one-on-one battle between Rice Shower and Mejiro McQueen! Can Tokai Teio not make a comeback!? The gap has widened to 2, no, 3 lengths!"
"Go, go, go! Overtake her, overtake her!"
"Go, Rice-chaaaaaan!"
I and Urara cheered for Rice as she ran through the home stretch. The battle between Rice and McQueen, who were running the last 100 meters in just a few seconds. The winner was—
"Rice Shower has barely overtaken her!? Can Mejiro McQueen catch up!? But the gap is already—Rice Shower! She's overtaken her and crossed the finish line! The winner is Rice Shower!"
Rice Shower barely overtook Mejiro McQueen and crossed the finish line in first place. The spectators who witnessed it erupted in a thunderous cheer. The air was vibrating, and the sound pressure was so intense that it felt like a physical shock.
"Second place is Mejiro McQueen! Third place is Tokai Teio, with a gap of about 2 lengths!"
Rice, who was the first to cross the finish line, was smiling, even though she was breathing heavily. Mejiro McQueen and Tokai Teio were also breathing heavily and were saying something to Rice, looking a little frustrated, but.
(Hmm? Putting Tokai Teio aside, does Mejiro McQueen have a little bit left in the tank...?)
I looked at Mejiro McQueen's face and thought that. She was sweating and breathing heavily, but she seemed to have a little more to spare compared to Rice.
I don't think she lost on purpose, but I was a little curious about Mejiro McQueen's expression.
(And Tokai Teio seems to be recovering quickly for someone who ran out of stamina at the end... She's gained more stamina than before.)
Rice won today, but the Takarazuka Kinen is 2200 meters, which is 300 meters shorter than today's race. Considering that she was at her limit with 200 meters to go in a high-paced race, a 2200-meter distance—
(A win is a win, but I can't let my guard down. I thought Rice had enough stamina and was focusing on her speed, but maybe I should train her stamina a little more in parallel...)
Even though she won this time, there's no guarantee she'll win next time. In particular, Tokai Teio at a middle distance is scary.
(I have one month until the Takarazuka Kinen... I wonder how much I can train Rice...)
I thought that as I watched Rice, who was smiling and waving at the crowd while Mejiro McQueen and Tokai Teio patted her on the shoulder and back.
And on the way home that day.
Rice's winning live performance was a great success, and we were about to leave the Tokyo Racecourse, but—
(...Hmm? Is that Kiryuuin-san and Meek...?)
I saw a familiar face in the corner of my eye and looked in that direction. I saw Kiryuuin-san and Meek in the shadows, away from the flow of people going home.
It was purely by chance that I noticed them. No, Meek's hair color is so noticeable that it's not really a coincidence, is it?
Kiryuuin-san was hugging Meek and crying. She seemed to be saying something, but I couldn't hear what it was from this distance. However, judging from Kiryuuin-san's expression, she seemed to be apologizing to Meek. Meek looked troubled, but she was hugging Kiryuuin-san back, with tears in the corners of her eyes, as if she were a little emotional.
"......"
Meek, who came in 14th in the Satsuki Sho, placed 5th in the Japanese Derby. That's something to be happy about, but she still lost. Kiryuuin-san must be apologizing for that.
"Ah, Meek-chan..."
Perhaps because I stopped and looked, Urara also noticed Kiryuuin-san and Meek. When she noticed they were crying, she tried to run toward them.
"You can't do that, Urara-chan."
But before I could stop her, Rice stopped Urara. Yeah... that's right. Good girl, Rice.
There's nothing to say to two people who are crying in frustration over a loss. If they were laughing calmly, I would have said something. But it's natural for them to be upset, as Meek isn't the type to be happy and have fun just by running, unlike Urara from before.
Especially since Rice just won the Meguro Kinen. What face would I even make to talk to them?
If they can shed tears of frustration from losing, it's a sign that they'll grow from this. Kiryuuin-san and Meek will surely become even stronger by learning from this loss.
Well, that's why even though Rice won the Meguro Kinen, I can't let my guard down for the Takarazuka Kinen, and I can't even think about taking it easy with her training.
"Let's go, Urara."
"...Okay."
Urara came back when she heard my words. I patted Urara's head as if to say, "You're a good girl," and then turned my gaze to Rice.
"Alright, today's a celebration for Rice's win. What do you want to eat?"
When I asked that to brighten the mood, Rice looked at me with sparkling eyes.
"Rice wants to eat Onii-sama's carrot hamburger steak!"
"Alright, then let's stop by the shopping district on the way back. I have to buy the ingredients!"
"Huh? Trainer's carrot hamburger steak? Yay!"
Urara also jumped up and down excitedly. To show how happy they were, both Urara and Rice were wagging their tails fiercely.
(...It's from here on out, Kiryuuin-san.)
I gave one last look at Kiryuuin-san and then left the Tokyo Racecourse with Urara and Rice hanging from my arms.
The Meguro Kinen was over, and it was now June.
The exciting race video of the Japanese Derby was featured in the news that night, and Special Week, who won the Derby, became the talk of the town, or rather, the talk of the Uma Musume.
It was the same in the magazine "Monthly Twinkle," for which Otonashi-san had interviewed me before. The cover of the June issue of "Monthly Twinkle," which was sent to me as part of my payment for the interview, featured a picture of Special Week crossing the finish line in the Japanese Derby.
They must have waited until the last minute to print it. The first 10 pages after the cover were filled with information about the Uma Musume who ran in the Japanese Derby and pictures from the race, and the last 4 pages were all about Special Week.
The magazine also included an interview with her after the race, but with this, Special Week might have a lot on her plate with interviews this month.
"It's June, and it's all about Special Week... Hmm, not a great joke."
I mumbled a terrible joke to myself and turned the pages of "Monthly Twinkle."
It was a short break from work. I was going to give "Monthly Twinkle" to Urara and Rice, but I wanted to check the contents first. Wait, is this a break...? No, it's not work, so it's a break, yeah.
—"Getting to know the new Tracen Academy team, Team Kitarufa."
With that headline, there was a center-color article about Team Kitarufa in the middle of the magazine. Of course, it was treated as a lighter topic compared to Special Week, who won the Japanese Derby, but it was still a pretty good feature for a new team.
The color pages had pictures of Urara and Rice's faces and pictures from their races. Urara's pictures were from the recent Tango Stakes and Seiryu Stakes, and Rice's were from last year's Arima Kinen and this year's Tenno Sho (Spring).
Hmm, as expected of a professional photographer. They do good work...
The article also listed Urara and Rice's current records: Urara's 3 wins and 3 records in 8 races, and Rice's 7 wins and 2 records in 15 races, including her recent win in the Meguro Kinen. The team record since the establishment of Team Kitarufa was also listed as 5 wins and 3 records in 8 races.
And there was a flashy headline that said, "100% Placement Rate!" Reading it in a monthly magazine format rather than as a draft gave me a mix of happy and embarrassed feelings.
When I turned the page, there was an article in a Q&A format using the content of my interview with Otonashi-san.
Yeah... I was a little worried that they might have replaced the draft at the last minute and made a weird article, but it was the same as what I had confirmed before.
There was nothing strange about it, from the memorable moments in past races and the things I keep in mind when training Urara and Rice, to the fact that Rice calls me Onii-sama, the Uma Musume I'm paying attention to, and our future goals.
Urara's goal was the Unicorn Stakes, and Rice's goal was the Takarazuka Kinen. The article listed those goals based on the information I provided during the interview, but if the timing had been slightly different, it might have listed the Japan Dirt Derby as Urara's goal.
And it also listed my career history, but I wonder if someone who doesn't know anything about it would think the part about me establishing a team in my first year at Tracen Academy is a typo. My face was also in the article in black and white, and it was a rather plain-looking young man's face. Well, it is my face. I chose the best picture, too. It's sad.
"...Huh?"
After I finished reading the Team Kitarufa page, there was an article about Smart Falcon on the next page. When I checked the contents, it was about the true meaning behind her declaration to run in the Unicorn Stakes during her winning live at the Housou Stakes.
There was a picture of a smiling Smart Falcon, and she had provided a comment as well.
"Hmm... To get more people interested in dirt races, which are less popular than turf races. Well, that's..."
I couldn't help but smile wryly. I can't deny that dirt races are less popular than turf races. It's partly a matter of aptitude, but a big reason is the lack of a deep talent pool.
The presence of star players also plays a big role. There aren't many star players or prominent figures on the dirt course in the classic class right now. The number of Uma Musume who can run in dirt races increases, but for now, the only Uma Musume who run exclusively on dirt are Smart Falcon and, if I may say so myself, Urara.
When I turned the page, perhaps because I said I was paying attention to Smart Falcon in the dirt races, they also interviewed Smart Falcon about who she was paying attention to.
Along with a picture of Smart Falcon with a bright, yet somewhat fabricated smile, like an idol, there was her answer to the question.
"It's Haru Urara-chan. Let's make the dirt route more exciting together!"
It's a very lighthearted answer, whether it's because of the writer who wrote the article or because Smart Falcon said it just as it was.
However, combined with her declaration to run in the Unicorn Stakes, this is probably.
"Not a provocation... a challenge? She won the last race, though... She doesn't have to declare something like this; Urara will be there as long as she's not injured."
Urara lost to Smart Falcon in the Shoryu Stakes, and that's what made her realize her frustration. Thinking about that, Smart Falcon is the one who's a step above her. But Smart Falcon is saying she's paying attention to Urara.
(We've both set records... The fact that I'm not the only one paying attention to her... Well, it gets me fired up.)
It's not as strong a rivalry as Rice and Mihono Bourbon or Mejiro McQueen and Tokai Teio. But the fact that Smart Falcon, who beat Urara, is paying attention to her is a very big deal for me.
To put it in a bad way... "This is interesting, let's do it!" something like that?
Urara is the one who will be running the race, but I'll be even more enthusiastic about coaching her.
(I've already submitted the draft for Urara's racing uniform, and the Unicorn Stakes at the end of this month is more important than the Japan Dirt Derby in mid-July... If Smart Falcon is definitely going to be there, this time I have to get revenge for Urara's loss and give it back with interest.)
I thought that strongly and closed "Monthly Twinkle."
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