Afternoon, at Nagoya Training Track.
Stardust had wanted to start the next day, but Ginjirou wanted Oguri to learn the "Holy Night's Runner" right away, so the three came over after lunch.
He had booked the venue to keep Oguri's training under wraps; Stardust, incidentally, could enjoy top Central treatment for once.
"After warm-ups, I need you to do a parallel run with Oguri. You know what that is, right?"
After a few hours, Stardust found this firm-seeming elder not so stern. As long as it didn't concern Oguri, he was like this—kind and easy.
"Parallel running?" she recalled from her previous world. In the Uma world, you could understand it as horse girls training together in a mock race—but the goal wasn't to win; it was to learn from each other.
"But the gap between Oguri and me…"
She knew her limits. Even in training, she and a peak-form Oguri Cap aiming at Arima were worlds apart.
"It's fine. Oguri will match pace with you. The main goal this time is for her to watch your form in parallel. You can learn from her too, can't you?"
Off to the side, Oguri was folded up like a cat against the ground, doing a hyper-flex stretch. Hearing her name, she lifted her head, looked blankly at them, and twitched her ears as if asking, "What are you talking about?"
"Oguri, during the parallel run, until the last 200 meters, stay behind or beside Stardust Mirage and observe—don't pass her. Okay?"
"No problem. I'll work hard," Oguri said.
When it came to running, the dopey air on her face dissipated. She nodded and continued to stretch her supple body.
Seeing those exaggerated stretches, Stardust remembered another horse girl renowned for flexibility—hailed as a genius for it…
"Very flexible, isn't she?" Ginjirou seemed to read her thoughts. He explained:
"Generally, when a horse girl has Oguri's level of flexibility, it helps running a lot. You could call it a G1 ticket. But it comes with injuries."
"In her third year, Oguri's had several injuries for various reasons. That's the main reason we made Arima her retirement race. After that, she can continue in the Dream Cup under the Three Goddesses' blessing, and her body won't be a hassle."
"Injuries, huh?" Thinking of Teio's unfortunate career, Stardust understood—flexibility was a double-edged sword.
Her own system-tuned body, by contrast, guaranteed she wouldn't get hurt—her unique edge. (And, come to think of it, the system did list a "Panacea" as a quest reward, didn't it?)
"All right—if you're ready, step into the gates."
After checking their warm-ups, Ginjirou led them to the starters.
This training track matched JRA standards. You could say this course was a standard winter, counterclockwise, 1600m "good turf."
As Stardust and Oguri entered the stalls in turn, Stardust felt Oguri's aura suddenly change—like a dragon about to wake.
This is… what I felt back at the restaurant!
She flashed back to the first glance in the diner—that hair-raising dread—and to the time she'd felt her throat squeezed by Rudolf's presence.
So this is the pressure of a top horse girl?!
"Ready, both of you."
Ginjirou stood by with the button for the gates and raised his right hand:
"Three, two, one… go!"
Bang!
They sprang together, right feet slamming the turf, a pop of air as both shot out like arrows.
Oguri's break was even a touch quicker, but she immediately dialed back, letting Stardust slip past.
Stardust was impressed; she'd been confident in her own break.
In fact, Oguri's break wasn't truly faster; but she snatched that sliver of instant when the gates cracked open—gaining a hair's advantage in time.
Focus—or single-mindedness?
Stardust guessed inwardly at Oguri's possible skills.
She held a pace near her top speed; Oguri loped easily on her outside.
They didn't look at each other, but from the corner of her eye Stardust could tell—Oguri was far from full out. Each step seemed light; there was none of that heavy, driving power of acceleration.
"Seems speed is her edge, but she's lacking in power; stamina doesn't look abundant either," Ginjirou muttered as he watched, building a plan.
It wasn't that he was ignoring Oguri; based on studying the replay, Stardust's special form should trigger in the back half near the final spurt. Before that, there was no rush.
They soon entered the back half. Stardust felt the warmth of her second recovery skill, and fixed her eyes on that last turn—the "777" mark lay there.
If you want to see Holy Night's Runner, I'll show it there!
With that, she kicked a straight-leg stomp. Her posture snapped forward; it was as if she blinked ahead, suddenly half a length in front!
Skill—Shukuchi acti—huh?!
Bang!
Almost as soon as she moved, a scorching aura hit her from behind. Oguri's body leaned so low she was nearly skimming the ground; her footfalls tightened in a rapid patter.
Skill—Straight-Line Acceleration, activate!
Oguri left Stardust no time to react, closing right back up. Side by side, they hugged the inside as they dove into the final turn.
"Trying to pass Oguri in this state is too forced. Is her will to win really so strong?" Ginjirou frowned.
He could see clearly: Stardust was in a state where Shukuchi would tax her legs severely. Too frequent use could mean injury.
Looks like she needs more fundamentals. Otherwise, overreliance on tricks would be putting the cart before the horse.
He made a note to himself.
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