The day before the Oka Sho, Shirayuki did not train. Instead, she went to the training grounds to watch the others run.
Seiun Sky walked over to her side.
"Is this really okay, Trainer? Taking it so easy?"
With both hands behind her head, she wore that same unreadable smile as always.
"The race is tomorrow, you know. Isn't it a little too early to start relaxing?"
"Observing opponents is also part of racing."
Shirayuki looked toward Seeking the Pearl and Kyoei March, who were galloping across the track. The two of them were making their final adjustments before the race.
"Speaking of which, I tricked Trainer last time, didn't I? So I'll give you a warning. Those girls aren't running at full strength right now. Their true ability is much stronger than it looks."
"I can feel that."
"Feel it, huh… Looks like beating you in a race from now on is going to be troublesome. What a headache, what a headache."
Although she said that, Seiun Sky's tone remained as light and airy as ever.
"What are you doing here, Sky? Observing opponents? They're not your opponents, are they?"
"Sky-chan came here, of course, because she wanted to cheer Trainer on. But it looks like you don't really need that."
The sky-blue eyes on Shirayuki's face held a gleam Seiun Sky had never seen before. Even when facing a once-in-a-lifetime race, there was no trace of nervousness or wavering in them.
Her mindset was completely different from before she had gone to the training grounds.
"But Sky-chan still has something she wants to give Trainer."
"What?"
She smiled mysteriously, then hugged Shirayuki from behind.
"This is Sky-chan's heartbeat. The heartbeat of obsession and the desire to win. Now, Sky-chan is giving it to Trainer. I hope Trainer can bring back victory from the race."
Her soft chest pressed tightly against Shirayuki's back. Shirayuki could feel the steady thumping sound inside Seiun Sky's body.
Half a minute later, Seiun Sky let go.
"All right. Now Sky-chan's heart is with Trainer. I'll be looking forward to tomorrow's race."
A hint of shyness appeared in Seiun Sky's smile. She waved to Shirayuki, then left the track in a cheerful mood.
Her heart, huh…
Shirayuki watched Seiun Sky's departing back.
I've definitely received it, Sky.
Just watch tomorrow's race.
…
The next day, Fujiwara Chiya was woken up by Katsumura Yota knocking on his door. The other man was dressed in his uniform, fully prepared to head out.
"Where are you going?"
Fujiwara Chiya asked sleepily.
"To the racetrack, obviously. What's with you? You're not even awake yet?"
"It's not time to get up yet."
"Are you kidding me? Today is a Triple Tiara race! And it's Shirayuki's race too! You're just sleeping here without a care in the world? Ryu-nii and the others already went to the racetrack!"
"Why are you all more excited than I am…"
"That's what I want to ask you. How can you still be so relaxed before a Triple Tiara race?"
After being pulled around by Katsumura Yota, Fujiwara Chiya finally put on his clothes.
As a major GⅠ race, most trainers would come to the venue to watch. His colleagues greeted Fujiwara Chiya one after another.
"Do your best, Chiya! We made a bet. If you win, he's treating us to seafood buffet for a whole week!"
They joked with him.
Everyone knew the pressure of the Triple Tiara. This was not only a test for the uma musume, but also for the trainer. Some trainers became so nervous before the race that they had to be hospitalized. Some uma musume, when facing a once-in-a-lifetime race, became so nervous that they threw up.
So this group of trainers teased one another partly to help Chiya ease his nerves.
Although the current Chiya was not anxious at all.
He felt strangely at ease.
After thanking them, Fujiwara Chiya went to his team. They had already gathered. Fujiwara Chiya looked at Mejiro Dober, then at Shirayuki.
Both of them had already changed into their racing outfits.
Fujiwara Chiya closed his eyes and took several deep breaths. Then he said to them,
"Let's go. To the racetrack!"
"Welcome to Hanshin Racecourse! The first battle of the Triple Tiara, the sixteen-hundred-meter Oka Sho! Eighteen runners will be taking the stage today, and every single one of them belongs among the strongest lineup!"
The announcer's voice rang across the venue.
Cherry-pink petals drifted over the track. Outside Hanshin Racecourse, rows of cherry trees were in full bloom, dyeing the entire city in shades of pink.
After leaving the waiting room, Shirayuki saw Kyoei March, who had just come out from the opposite side. Those pink eyes met Shirayuki's gaze, and in that instant, Shirayuki felt a surging fighting spirit from her.
She had not been the only one training that night. If Kyoei March had encountered her so late, that meant the other girl had also been training through the night. Under the guidance of a senior trainer, Kyoei March would certainly have a trump card of her own.
Shirayuki did not dare underestimate her.
"Hi~ Lady!"
A distinctly accented voice sounded beside her ear.
A brown figure threw an arm around Shirayuki's neck, raised her brows, and said,
"Wow~"
It was Seeking the Pearl.
The strange woman who called herself a villain, Gold Ship Number Two. She greeted Shirayuki in an extremely familiar manner. After touching Shirayuki's shoulder, she looked very surprised, then curiously reached out and pinched her.
That part was exactly like Gold Ship.
"Interested in becoming my body pillow? Five thousand yen per night."
"Shirayuki is mine."
Mejiro Dober stepped out the door and issued a warning to Seeking the Pearl.
"Has her heart already been claimed? But that's fine. I'm Red, after all! I can steal her away when you're not paying attention! Hahaha~!"
Mejiro Dober narrowed her eyes and ignored Seeking the Pearl's words.
Ever since entering Tracen, Mejiro Dober had dreamed of winning the Triple Tiara. Not only for the honor of the Mejiro family, but also for herself. At this moment, Mejiro Dober was more nervous than anyone else. She was in no mood to joke around.
Seeing her expression, Shirayuki came to Mejiro Dober's side and patted her back.
"Dober-nee," Shirayuki said. "Who do you think the cherry blossoms will adorn this time?"
Mejiro Dober froze for a moment.
She looked at the firm expression on Shirayuki's face and recalled the promise she had made in their last race, the promise to defeat her.
Then, with resolve, she said,
"Naturally, me."
"Then once again, let's settle this."
"Mm!"
"Looks like she's not as easy to steal as I imagined. But I won't give up!"
Seeking the Pearl was still saying something ridiculous. Kyoei March looked at the three of them and clearly had no intention of joining in.
The four of them stepped onto the racetrack. From the stands came a roaring wave of cheers.
Symboli Rudolf, Narita Brian, and Air Groove stood inside a private viewing box overlooking the course.
Watching the cherry blossoms drift over the grass, Air Groove felt a thousand emotions. Back then, because of a fever and poor physical condition, she had withdrawn from the Oka Sho at the last moment. That had become the greatest regret of Air Groove's life.
"Do you think that child Shirayuki can continue the legend of the Empress?" Rudolf asked.
"I believe in her," Air Groove said.
Narita Brian, however, shook her head. Looking at the white figure stepping onto the racetrack, her instincts were shouting.
It was a warning sent from one hunter to another.
"She will surpass the Empress."
As the signal lights on the gates flashed, eighteen figures started running at the same time.