Before the commentator could even finish the usual pre-race lines, a flash of white burst out from the gate—Fujimasa March exploded forth with overwhelming speed. Her powerful legs pounded the dirt, propelling her straight to the inside lane!
[Focus] and [Good Track Condition]!
These two skills had long since become instinctual for her. With her body leaning forward and her stride smooth, Fujimasa March began her lead run with perfection.
"A beautiful start! Fujimasa March blasts ahead with a stunning performance to take the lead!"
The horse girls behind her didn't even have the chance to contest the lead—instead, they fought among themselves for the best remaining front-running positions.
The lineup in the early stage wasn't stretching out—it was bloated and messy, only easing up slightly after the first corner.
This said a lot about the quality of local horse girl races.
Kuroha glanced once at the group behind March, then relaxed and focused entirely on her.
The wind howled past her ears. The scenery of the track rushed by with each stride.
Her body felt so light.
March inhaled rhythmically, arms swinging fluidly. All outside noise faded—leaving only the wind, the sound of hooves striking dirt, and—
The sound of victory!
It was calling her name!
This was the first time Fujimasa March had ever felt such a powerful, mysterious sensation.
I can win! I must win! I will win!
She exhaled and settled into her stride, as if she were in a training run. Her steps were fast and compact, pounding into the ground like a thunderous symphony—radiating sheer power.
Accelerate… then accelerate again!
The clash of iron shoes and earth echoed throughout the track. The distance between her and the trailing pack steadily widened.
To March, she was simply managing her stamina while keeping an even pace.
But to the other horse girls—it looked like a massive runaway!
The gap continued to grow: four lengths… six lengths...
Finally, a few Pace Chasers could no longer hold back and began to pursue.
Hoofbeats thundered behind her as the field approached the third corner. By then, March's lead had stretched to seven lengths!
Those who tried to catch her found themselves off rhythm, dragged into a pace that wasn't their own, and ended up ruining their stamina control.
"Damn it!"
Letting out cries of defeat, those Pace Chasers began to falter, overtaken by the rest of the pack.
"Number 3, Fujimasa March still holds the lead! The gap has stretched to seven lengths as they pass the 1000-meter mark! Approaching the fourth corner—will anyone break out and challenge?!"
The commentator's voice began to rise, excitement creeping in.
Close the distance!
The few horse girls nearest to March gritted their teeth and surged forward.
They had to close that gap before the final straight, or else no amount of burst speed could recover such a lead!
But...
They couldn't.
Even pouring out everything they had left—it was meaningless.
The distance between them and March didn't shrink even a little!
How?! She's been running a massive runaway this whole time—does she still have stamina to spare?!
They couldn't understand it.
[Corner Adept] and [Mindfulness]!
Fujimasa March glided through the inside lane like a feather, breathing deep and steady.
"I've still got stamina. My legs are holding up fine. Then—right here!"
With about 100 meters before exiting the turn, March stomped down hard, kicking up a spray of dust. Emotion welled up in her chest—fueling a surge of incomparable strength!
"She's nearing the final turn—Number 3, Fujimasa March is still holding her lead! Are the others not going to challenge?!"
"She's accelerating again! Does she still have stamina?! The gap is growing—eight lengths! Nine lengths! She's flying—unbelievably fast!"
The white silhouette raced down the track, as if cut off from the rest of the horse girls—like they were in different worlds.
Kuroha watched March's figure and raised his camera toward the finish line.
The girl's graceful figure dashed across it—and the commentator announced:
"First to cross the line—Fujimasa March!"
Snap!
The camera captured this unforgettable moment.
[Uma Musume Data Update]
[Fujimasa March]
Unique Skill: None → Unique Skill: Verse of the Wind Lv1
A Unique Skill—representing a horse girl's personal mastery and expression.
Kuroha looked at the glowing panel on the system. Before him stood March, just past the finish line.
"You've grown, March…"
...
Athletes' Tunnel
Fujimasa March stood in a daze.
The race had been too easy. No one had posed even a remote threat. It was her first time crushing her opponents with such a massive lead.
For someone with an 11-race, 2-win record, it was hard to believe.
Then came footsteps.
She looked up to see a boy standing at the tunnel exit, backlit by sunlight, smiling at her.
"What's the matter, March—"
Before Kuroha could finish, the gray-haired horse girl sprinted toward him and threw herself into his arms.
"Trainer, I did it! I won! I won!!"
Her voice was full of excitement and youthful energy, ringing clearly in his ears.
Feeling the joy in the girl's embrace, Kuroha didn't say anything to kill the mood. He simply stood there and let her celebrate.
After a long while, March finally stepped back, wiping away tears of joy from her eyes.
"Shall we go?"
"Mm!"
Side by side, the two left the tunnel.
...
They'd earned a small fortune—500,000 yen. The financial pressure eased, at least for now.
Of course, 20% would go into March's personal account, as per the rules.
Now back in the trainer team room, March and Kuroha sat together planning her future.
"According to Kasamatsu custom, once you make a name for yourself here, the next step is usually Nagoya Racecourse."
Kuroha opened his notebook and pointed seriously to one section:
"Your original plan was to enter the jointly-hosted series between Kasamatsu and Nagoya—the Tokai Triple Crown."
"Jun-Tee Sho, Tokai Derby, and Gifu Kimpai. All SP1-grade races. They'll be the highest-level stakes races you've ever entered."
The Tokai Derby…
Hearing that familiar name, Fujimasa March grew a little dazed. It used to be her highest goal.
But ever since the Oguri Cap incident...
She looked away from the Tokai Triple Crown section and pointed to another part of the notebook.
"What about this one?"
The South Kanto Triple Crown!
The words were written boldly across the page.
Kuroha had thought long and hard about March's future. First of all, the Central Classic Triple Crown was totally off the table.
That rotten policy requiring registration two years in advance effectively blocked all local horse girls from transferring to Central circuits last-minute.
And Kuroha didn't have a Central Trainer License yet anyway.
So, he had no choice but to aim for high-level local graded races.
The Tokai Triple Crown, being March's original goal, stayed on the list. It was also easier to enter due to being co-hosted by Kasamatsu and Nagoya.
But now, March was pointing at a different future—
The South Kanto Triple Crown.
(End of Chapter)
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