At Tracen's suburban training grounds, a pink figure sat in the middle of a pool.
The cold seeped into her skin. Her molars chattered uncontrollably. Before her body could freeze completely, Kyoei March stood up and hurriedly dried herself off.
There were only three days left until the race. If she caught a cold now, it would defeat the whole purpose.
To temper her will, she had to place herself in a harsh environment. Meditating in the freezing lake water helped her focus her mind, and the mind was the key to entering the Domain.
Kyoei March felt she was lucky, because she had been recognized by a senior trainer. Her strength had been acknowledged. But through the training that followed, Kyoei March gradually discovered her own shortcomings.
Her ability could not keep up with a senior trainer's teaching.
The Domain.
A technique that developed an uma musume's body to its utmost limit.
It was the final goal pursued by all uma musume. From the moment she signed with her trainer, Kyoei March had begun chasing the mystery of the Domain. Yet even though her trainer had explained it clearly, her progress in exploring the Domain was still slow.
Then there was Fujiwara Shirayuki.
Kyoei March thought of that white-haired girl. Her trainer was only an intermediate trainer, yet she had understood the mystery of the Domain faster than Kyoei March and had even successfully used it.
That extraordinary feeling was completely different from an ordinary uma musume.
Compared to her, what exactly am I lacking?
Kyoei March reflected on herself.
If it was about trainers, then her trainer was among the best in Japan. The plans arranged for her were also more efficient and reasonable. As for natural aptitude, the two of them should be evenly matched.
She had seen Shirayuki's training. It was true that Shirayuki's body possessed flexibility far beyond other uma musume. But in exchange, Kyoei March's legs had been naturally more powerful than others since birth.
So if someone said Shirayuki's talent was overwhelmingly superior, Kyoei March did not think that was true.
If it was not those two things, then where was the difference between them?
Kyoei March thought of that trainer.
The trainer who was always beside his uma musume.
The trainer who even massaged and relaxed his uma musume right there on the training ground.
If there really was a difference, then it was probably in that area.
Her own trainer almost never interfered after arranging the training plan. He only occasionally watched and gave suggestions. Shirayuki's trainer, on the other hand, practically stayed by his uma musume's side at all times and cared for them personally.
Was that really the difference?
Could a difference in attitude alone create a difference in an uma musume's strength?
Kyoei March did not believe that.
Just as she did not believe in this idea of trainer and uma musume becoming one in heart and body.
An uma musume's strength depended entirely on the uma musume herself. Training alone was the foundation of everything. Just as her trainer had said, an uma musume must always value her own strength above all.
And she would prove to everyone that her trainer's words were correct.
Only a harsh enough environment could force an uma musume's spirit to its limit.
Only then could she break through herself.
Always thinking of relying on one's trainer was a sign of weakness.
After changing her clothes, Kyoei March exhaled a turbid breath. She carried her changed clothes on her back, then began running across the vast grassland.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
Soon, it was the day of the Oaks.
Spectators gathered early at Tokyo Racecourse, waiting for the race to begin.
The second race of the Triple Tiara.
Its popularity was unprecedented.
Naturally, the uma musume receiving the loudest cheers was the winner of the Oka Sho, Snow Dancer.
She stood in the competitors' waiting room, listening to the cheers outside, and took a deep breath.
Was she nervous?
Not really.
Was she excited?
That did not feel quite right either.
Even though this was a very important race, Shirayuki felt strangely calm, as if it were only an ordinary training race.
Do I think the Triple Tiara no longer matters?
No.
That was not it.
The problem was not the race.
Her mindset had changed.
She no longer saw the Triple Tiara as the finish line, nor did she see this race as an obstacle. Once she had decided to challenge a higher goal, the Triple Tiara became only another step leading toward that higher place.
All she had to do was place one foot after another and climb.
The higher one stood, the farther one could see.
Now, Shirayuki understood why those seniors had chosen to give up the once-in-a-lifetime Triple Tiara.
New trainers thought it was important.
Uma musume thought it was important.
The audience also thought it was important.
But in the eyes of those veteran trainers, those races were only one possible path for an uma musume. They could choose a longer, farther path, and in doing so, abandon that once-in-a-lifetime Triple Tiara.
Those unwilling to give anything up would gain nothing.
What Shirayuki saw now was a view completely different from the one she had seen before.
She asked herself.
Was the Oaks important?
It was.
But to me, it is no longer that important.
Because my goal is the world.
…
"Tokyo Racecourse will soon welcome the moment of departure! The entire venue is surrounded by astonishing enthusiasm! The second race of the Triple Tiara, two thousand four hundred meters, is a race that will test every uma musume's stamina and endurance to the utmost!"
"Now, please welcome our most popular contender! Snow Dancer!"
As the announcer's voice fell, a white figure stepped onto the stage.
The crowd shouted the name of the Empress.
She had stood out among powerful opponents such as Special Week, Seiun Sky, and Mejiro McQueen. She had shown her brilliance in the speed-deciding Oka Sho. She was the uma musume who inherited the name of Empress, one of the representative uma musume of the current generation.
Looking at that figure, Air Groove felt deeply moved.
Once, she had stood in the same position as Shirayuki.
That race had been the battle that made her name.
Shirayuki had become famous earlier than her.
And she was stronger than her.
"That child no longer needs to learn from me," Air Groove said softly. "That child will go farther than I did."
Symboli Rudolf glanced at her.
"It feels like watching a child grow up, doesn't it? I understand."
"Actually, Shirayuki is more mature than I am, especially when it comes to dealing with people. But as an uma musume, I am still her senior."
"Heh… I think Shirayuki probably sees it that way too."
Standing on the stage, Shirayuki placed one hand on her waist and swung her right arm outward.
That was Air Groove's signature movement.
The symbol of the Empress.
For a moment, Air Groove seemed to see her past self.
Back then, she had said these words:
"To become the supreme guide. To become the ideal for all uma musume. To shine as an unrivaled flame before every runner. That is my reason for becoming the Empress."
To my beloved mother.
Today, I have finally fulfilled my dream.
Air Groove's face became endlessly gentle.
She looked at the white figure, and as if Shirayuki had sensed something, those blue eyes looked upward.
A confident smile appeared on that fair, beautiful face.
"Will all uma musume please enter the gates!"
As the signal lights flashed, eighteen uma musume burst out of the gates.