Kuroha swept his gaze over Sakura Chiyono O's stats.
They were… outstanding.
Just after a single instance of over-accelerated True Blooming, her overall stats had already surpassed Seiran Nichirin, who had undergone True Blooming twice.
In fact, among the five attributes, her Speed was even about 10 points higher than Fujimasa March.
If she continued progressing steadily, by next year—her Senior Year—her overall stats should reach the level Kuroha had seen in Inari One when they first met.
After only one True Blooming, purely in terms of numbers, she was already at the same tier as the scions of elite families from the same period.
Sakura Chiyono O's potential was indeed not bad.
"Alright, ready—"
At Kuroha's command, Sakura Chiyono O stepped onto the track and began her slow jog.
Each stride landed firm and powerful. She focused on adjusting her breathing and rhythm, trying to feel that flow of energy in her body that Kuroha had just helped smooth out.
The wind roared past her ears, lifting her pale pink hair.
The railings along the track and the scenery in the distance zipped by, but right now, all her attention was on her body.
As time went on, Sakura Chiyono O gradually felt a lightness unlike anything before.
Her limbs seemed more flexible; every step brimmed with power, yet she didn't feel the slightest fatigue.
It was as if the strength within her had been awakened, surging through her veins, filling her with endless energy and drive.
Compared to her runs from before…
Now, it was like those invisible but very real shackles had been removed—she could run in pure, unrestrained joy!
A rush of intense joy and excitement welled up in Sakura Chiyono O's chest.
She finally understood—Kuroha's massage hadn't been in vain. He truly had been helping her better control and harness her strength.
By the track, Kuroha and Maruzensky silently watched her back.
"At last. That bad feeling I had watching Chiyono-chan run the other day is gone~" Maruzensky said with a bright smile.
"Only for now."
Kuroha's eyes glimmered faintly as he stared intently at Sakura Chiyono O's form.
"If she doesn't fully recover by the end of this month, my advice is still the same—"
"Skipping the Derby would be better for her."
At those words, even Maruzensky fell into rare silence.
As they watched Sakura Chiyono O pass the halfway point, her gaze tilted slightly upward toward the vast blue sky.
In her deep, glass-green eyes shimmered a trace of memory.
"Kuroha Trainer~"
Maruzensky's voice was gentle.
Kuroha turned to look at her—and saw that faintly broken, dim expression.
"I… once missed the Derby because of the Central's rigid rules…
"For the races I ran, I've never regretted them—because I gave my all every time!"
Her low eyes seemed to reflect the shadows of a time long past—years dazzling beyond compare!
A legend of the Hall of Fame, unbeaten in eight starts!
History would remember her as: unmatched, invincible, infinite!
She had flown free in every race she was allowed to run, crossing the finish line to the cheers of her fans… then waving to the world like an innocent girl.
But the Central's inflexible system had stopped this legend of an era.
Her stride halted before this mountain—and could never move forward again.
"Sometimes… I can't help but imagine…"
Maruzensky's voice was so light, it was unclear whether she was speaking to herself or to him.
"If I had run in the Japanese Derby back then…
"How would it have turned out?"
Kuroha didn't answer. Instead, he turned his gaze back.
On the track, the pink-haired girl still ran happily—
As if running… was her entire world.
A quiet sigh escaped him.
He heard every word Maruzensky had said.
Uma Musume were pure, lovely girls—
And he wanted them to stay on the track for as long as possible.
If Sakura Chiyono O's trainer forced her to skip the Derby for her health, she would obey.
She would understand—it truly was for her own good.
But one day, when she looked back on this moment…
Would she truly have no regrets?
The Classic Triple Crown—once in a lifetime for any Uma Musume.
Now Kuroha understood that meaning more deeply than ever.
"The Satsuki Sho—won by the fastest Uma Musume."
Kuroha closed his eyes and spoke softly, drawing Maruzensky's gaze.
"The Kikuka Sho—won by the strongest Uma Musume."
"And the Japanese Derby—"
Beside him, Maruzensky placed one hand over her chest, her eyes trembling faintly before curving into an endlessly radiant smile.
"—is won by the Uma Musume with the best luck."
Their voices overlapped—one strong and firm, the other gentle and warm.
Kuroha blinked at her. The chestnut-haired beauty looked straight at him, eyes shimmering, smiling softly.
After a brief pause, she said with utter confidence:
"And I am the greatest luck in this world."
At that moment, Kuroha remembered the reason he had come to this world.
Had all his efforts, all his struggles, been for himself alone?
No—absolutely not.
It was also for these Uma Musume—so they could gallop freely on this stage, so they would never have any regrets.
I came here for these adorable girls!
I have the power to change their tragedies—why wouldn't I use it?
"Sakura Chiyono O will stay at my place before the Derby."
"Maruzensky, talk to Central Tracen Academy and arrange a one-month leave for her."
Kuroha's voice was firm and powerful, each word carrying an irresistible force.
Maruzensky stared blankly at the boy beside her, her glass-like eyes reflecting the sunlight.
"Don't call me 'Maruzensky-san.' It sounds so distant~"
"Just call me Maruzensky… or…"
The alluring onee-san tapped her glossy lips, pretending to think for a moment, then smiled playfully:
"If you don't mind, you can call me 'Maru-nee'~ I won't mind."
You might not mind, but I sure do!
You're not even that much older than me, you know!
"…Maruzensky."
"Got it!"
At last, Sakura Chiyono O finished her lap and stopped in front of them, gasping for breath—but her eyes were bright.
Suddenly, she noticed something was… off.
While Kuroha was seriously assessing her condition, Maruzensky wasn't even looking at her—instead, she was looking at Kuroha.
With that look… like she was about to melt into him.
But she shook her head hard. Now was not the time to think about that.
"H-how is it, Trainer?"
She asked eagerly, awaiting his evaluation.
Kuroha nodded.
"Not bad. Your recovery is faster than I expected."
"But remember—this is only the beginning. You still need more training and rest to get back to full form!"
Hearing that, Sakura Chiyono O's heart flared with fighting spirit.
"Yes, Trainer! I'll keep working hard!"
"Right—later, go back with Maruzensky and pack up your things…"
"From today, you'll be staying at my place—about a month."
"…?"
At that, her small horse ears twitched sharply.
She looked at Kuroha's serious face, then at Maruzensky's encouraging smile…
And tilted her head slightly, wearing a confused but polite expression.
"Eh???"
(End of Chapter)
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