A little later, in the VIP section of the stands.
"…So aside from Dia-chan, you're all in the same year…"
After brief greetings and grasping the basics of Satono Crown and the others' relationship with Kitasan Black, Bamboo Memory nodded, then looked at Oguri Cap with a wistful gaze.
"It really is… nostalgic, isn't it, Oguri-senpai?"
Oguri Cap remained as cool and aloof as ever. As she nodded, memories of her own races came flooding back.
Besides Bamboo Memory, there was Super Creek, whom they'd mentioned earlier, along with Tamamo Cross, Inari One, Yaeno Muteki, Mejiro Ardan…
Back then, just like Satono Crown in front of her—and like Kitasan Black, who had already left the underground passage for the gates—they'd been friends in daily life and training, and rivals on the track.
"Your races were all amazing, senpais!"
Satono Crown spoke with a mix of excitement and anticipation. "Oh, right—Oguri Cap-senpai, my next race is the Tenno Sho (Autumn)."
"So, um… I have a favor to ask. Could you…?"
She trailed off halfway, suddenly awkward.
Not only her—Bamboo Memory and Satono Diamond froze too, sharing that same awkward, troubled look.
Only Duramente, after a brief blank stare, stayed expressionless—her brows knitted, eyes distant with memories.
Oguri Cap, meanwhile, remained unchanged.
"Tenno Sho (Autumn)… you want advice?"
Satono Crown hesitated, bit her lip, then nodded. Oguri Cap flashed a quick, faint smile.
"Then I'm afraid… I'm not the right person."
"Tenno Sho (Autumn)… I ran it three times, and I lost all three."
"B-but your performances were incredible, senpai…!"
As Satono Crown quickly spoke up, Bamboo Memory cut in at the same moment:
"How can you say that, Oguri-senpai?"
"The first two times were against Tamamo-senpai and Super Creek-senpai—everyone knows how strong they were. And you still finished second!"
"And the third time—if it weren't for those awful reporters interfering with your training, you would've won for sure!"
Oguri Cap's expression barely changed; she just gave another small smile.
"Not winning means I have no winning experience. It's all in the past now. It's fine."
She fell silent for a moment.
"How about this—though I don't have experience, I can ask Tama and Super Creek. They'd probably be interested in helping you."
"But they're not in Tokyo, so they might not come…"
She paused again.
"I'll ask anyway. And I'll ask Inari too, while I'm at it—it's been a long time since I've seen her. It'd be nice to get together."
When she'd made the request, Satono Crown had thought, Maybe it's worth a shot.
But the instant the words left her mouth, she realized the senpai standing before her hadn't exactly done well in the Tenno Sho (Autumn), and she'd instantly grown embarrassed and nervous.
Now, hearing Oguri Cap agree so readily, she was stunned—and thrilled.
"T-thank you so much, senpai! I promise I'll—"
The announcer's suddenly rising voice cut her off.
"Ladies and gentlemen—! The battle for the title of strongest of the generation… is about to begin!"
"As if answering destiny itself, eighteen Umamusume enter the gates one by one…"
"And now—the final chapter of the Classic Triple Crown…"
Oguri Cap's okonomiyaki carton had been empty for a while. Suddenly, it made a quiet click-click in her hand.
Bamboo Memory unconsciously tightened her grip on the railing. Satono Crown's nails left crescent marks on her palm. Satono Diamond and Duramente leaned toward the track without noticing.
The roar of the stands seemed muted—as if over a hundred thousand people were holding their breath at once.
Then, as though her ears trembled of their own accord, Oguri Cap's lips curled into a fierce angle that clashed sharply with her icy aura.
"Everyone… is loaded beautifully. Good…"
She murmured, almost to herself:
"…Kyoto Racecourse, turf 3000 meters, G1, Kikuka Sho…"
"…Start."
As if responding to those words, the call echoed over Kyoto Racecourse.
"Kyoto Racecourse, turf 3000 meters, G1, Kikuka Sho… Start!"
The commentator's voice remained calm at first.
Then the pitch shot upward.
"No. 7, Stieglitz, was slow out of the gate—she's dropped all the way to the back on her own!"
"The rest break cleanly, surging neatly onto the course."
"Heading for the slope—No. 6, Red Solomon, accelerates and snatches the lead."
"The favorite, Kitasan Black, is in second—starting from gate 4 on the inside has, as expected, put her at a slight disadvantage."
"Right beside Kitasan Black is No. 8, Musee Alien. Will these two battle it out for the front again after the St. Lite Kinen?"
"Kitasan Black pushes toward Red Solomon, Musee Alien right behind her—"
"Wait!"
"Up the hill!"
"No. 17, Lia Fail! No. 18, Spirits Minoru!"
"Both runners rocket inward toward the rail, compressing the pack—and complete the overtake right at the crest!"
"Spirits Minoru is now first by a fraction."
"Lia Fail is right there, just behind in second."
"Third is Red Solomon. Fourth is Musee Alien."
"And Kitasan Black… is currently in fifth!"
The stands had already erupted.
Anyone at Kyoto Racecourse watching live clearly loved Umamusume—and loved the Twinkle Series.
No matter who they supported, most spectators knew these runners extremely well.
Especially given the extensive pre-race coverage, detailing each Umamusume's past results, preferred running style, and tactics, again and again.
So, the instant Kitasan Black's position was announced, waves of shocked cries swept through the crowd.
"Kitasan Black… couldn't take the lead?!"
"What's going on? Where's my Runaway? I came to see Kitasan Black go do a runaway!"
"If a Front Runner can't get to the front, how is she supposed to win? Where's the trainer—what were those instructions?!"
"A misplay, huh… whatever! The race isn't over!"
"Go, Kitasan Black!"
Amid the overlapping shouts, Kitasan Black was the center of attention—and here, Oguri Cap's group gasped as well.
"Kita-chan… what happened?"
Satono Crown's eyes widened. "She's not aiming for the lead?"
"Kita-chan…"
Satono Diamond clenched her fist, whispering the name under her breath.
Duramente said nothing, but the worry in her eyes as she stared across the track was unmistakable.
Compared to their juniors, Oguri Cap and Bamboo Memory were clearly calmer.
"As expected of the Kikuka Sho…" Oguri Cap gave a slight nod.
"Yeah. They're just as desperate as in the Satsuki Sho or Derby."
Agreeing, Bamboo Memory folded her arms, her gaze heavy.
"First and second probably changed their running style on the fly—or at least, they've never run as Runaways before."
"Trying to trick the pace like this… that shouldn't work so well, right?"
She tilted her head slightly toward Oguri Cap as she asked.
"Not necessarily."
Oguri Cap shook her head without hesitation. "Tricking the pace always works—if the timing is right."
"Arima, Tenno Sho (Autumn), Yasuda, Mainichi Okan… no matter the level, no matter the distance—if the prior races and current track conditions align, tricking the pace is a valid tactic."
"Besides…"
Her eyes flickered.
"This is the final battle of the Classic Triple Crown—the Kikuka Sho."
"They're all… nervous."
---
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