Just then, Kuroha's phone alarm rang.
He instinctively picked it up and glanced at the reminder note.
"Takarazuka Kinen" — this was set yesterday, so he wouldn't miss the starting time of this year's race.
After all, the Takarazuka Kinen was held at Hanshin Racecourse.
Kuroha wasn't so idle as to attend every G1 in person, but this was a race he was genuinely interested in.
Tamamo Cross and Akitsu Teio —
A head-to-head between two of the top runners of their generation.
Missing a race of this caliber would be a huge loss.
He leaned out the window and called for Fujimasa March and Inari One to come back in.
Then he patted Tokai Teio's small head, signaling her to keep quiet.
He reached for the remote beside the sofa and switched on the massive screen mounted on the training room wall.
Not long after, Fujimasa March and Inari One came in from the track, still sweating and sipping from the water Kuroha handed them — eyes already locked on the television.
"Trainer, what race is this?"
Teio rubbed her sleepy eyes, curiosity sparking in her voice as she leaned forward like a kitten seeing something new.
Kuroha adjusted the volume.
"Hanshin Racecourse, Takarazuka Kinen — Tamamo Cross versus Akitsu Teio. Didn't the news keep building hype for this match?"
Teio let out an "oh," her eyes lighting up as she curled back against Kuroha's leg, resting her chin on his arm while focusing on the screen.
Mejiro McQueen set down her teacup, brushed a crumb from the corner of her mouth, and kept her posture perfect.
"Teio, don't block Trainer's view," she reminded softly.
For McQueen, Tamamo Cross — the spring Tenno Sho champion — had always been a focus of interest.
Nearby, Sakura Chiyono O and Mejiro Ardan also stopped chatting.
Ardan shifted slightly closer to Kuroha, pale blue hair gleaming softly in the sunlight.
"Tamamo Cross racing against Akitsu Teio? That's something to look forward to," she said gently.
Chiyono O also sat properly, her eyes fixed on the broadcast.
After a moment, she seemed to remember something.
"Come to think of it… didn't Oguri Cap head straight for the paddock after class today?"
Ardan tilted her head thoughtfully.
"I think she did… though she left us a 'gift' before she went."
"Gift?" Chiyono O looked at her in surprise.
"Some rice cracker cookies… about 500 pieces."
Chiyono O gave a "figures" kind of look.
Seated on a small stool near Kuroha, Fujimasa March chuckled after hearing yet another "legendary" Oguri Cap anecdote.
"That girl sure always has everyone in mind~"
On the TV, Hanshin's green turf spread wide under the summer sun, as nationwide live coverage played.
The commentator's voice rose in excitement:
"A clash between two top-class Uma Musume — who will claim the crown of the Takarazuka Kinen?!"
Kuroha leaned back into the sofa, feeling Teio's soft weight on his lap and catching McQueen sneaking him another piece of dessert.
The room's relaxed afternoon mood shifted subtly, replaced by the tension of competition.
Onscreen, the runners appeared on the turf, loosening up.
The camera paused to focus on the two most important competitors.
Tamamo Cross — small and petite in build, yet radiating an innate fighting spirit.
Her victory outfit, Swift as the Wind, exuded pure gallantry.
Akitsu Teio — in stark contrast, her style was bold and wild.
A striking marking on her forehead, high ponytail swaying, and her victory outfit daringly tied at the chest with a ribbon, leaving her toned legs and pale skin exposed.
Kuroha's mind recalled her profile.
Akitsu Teio— conqueror of three G1 titles, an incredibly strong runner.
But in her retirement race, she encountered a fully-bloomed, peak-form Tamamo Cross and was blown away like a speed bump.
She was also the start of the infamous "First-Favorite Curse" in the Autumn Tenno Sho, nicknamed the "Monster of Fuchu" — where for 12 years after, any first-favorite in that race failed to win.
This curse was eventually broken by T.M. Opera O, the "End-of-Century Overlord," through sheer dominance.
In reality, Tachyon's pedigree traced back to Haruurara, the local racecourse's perennial underdog — a curious quirk in the Uma Musume world.
As Kuroha pondered, the runners entered the starting gates.
Inari One, Fujimasa March, and Chiyono O all tensed.
Kuroha, however, wore a knowing look.
[Domain].
Tamamo Cross — on the brink of entering her full peak, poised to become the "Strongest Active Runner" — had clearly stepped into the first stage of the [Domain].
A thunderous light flashed deep in her eyes, her invisible aura sweeping across the field.
"Man, her [Domain] is so intense you can see it through the screen…" Kuroha thought.
She hadn't yet experienced the life-or-death pressure of Oguri Cap's "Gray Monster" moment to awaken fully, but her True Self Mode was clearly mastered.
Hanshin Racecourse, Turf 2000m, Fine Weather, Slightly Heavy Going.
G1 — Takarazuka Kinen… Start!
Clang! The gates flew open.
Tamamo Cross bolted out like silver lightning, her victory outfit cutting a brilliant arc in the sun.
Her steps were light and swift, each one tearing through the air.
Akitsu Teio followed right on her heels, high ponytail flying, her cool expression filled with resolve.
The ribbon across her chest fluttered in the wind, her waist taut like a drawn bow, a predator ready to pounce.
"Wow! Tamamo-senpai is so fast!"
"But Tachyon's even faster! She's already out in front!" Teio squirmed in Kuroha's lap, gripping his sleeve.
Since seeing Tamamo Cross in training at Central Tracen Academy, Teio had been captivated by her speed.
But Teio didn't realize — Tamamo's strategy was usually to hold back early, while Tachyon was a pure Front Runner, much like Fujimasa March.
Her trademark was seizing the lead to disrupt others' rhythm, a proven strategy of the top Classic-year runners.
"What explosive starting speed!" Fujimasa March frowned, leaning forward — as a fellow Front Runner, she instantly recognized Tachyon's strength.
Onscreen, Tachyon was a chestnut-red blur, her ribbon snapping in the wind, every step powerful and aggressive as she sought to control the pace from the start.
"She's storing power," Chiyono O murmured, eyes fixed on the tiny figure keeping perfect position a little behind — Tamamo Cross.
Inari One took a swig of water, wiped her mouth, and smirked.
"That one's not someone you underestimate."
The room fell silent, all eyes on the screen.
Tachyon held the lead all the way to the final stretch.
As she used her last reserves to widen the gap…
A silver flash erupted down the outside lane!
Tamamo Cross's late charge ripped past the other runners as if they were standing still, her brutal stride churning up turf.
The inner-track runners tried to respond, but could only watch as the "white lightning" roared past — overtaking Tachyon in a heartbeat.
The commentator's voice cracked with excitement:
"Tamamo Cross surges ahead! Tamamo Cross takes the lead!!!"
She crossed the line first — her seventh straight win — capturing the Takarazuka Kinen crown.
Before the screen, even Fujimasa March and Inari One wore stunned expressions at the ferocity of that final burst.
Kuroha's eyes gleamed white as he quietly analyzed:
"Overall physical stats around 1000, speed slightly higher… track technique above average for Central, though just a hair below Inari One and March.
First stage of the [Domain]…"
In his [Body and Breath Perception], her numbers unfolded clearly.
Once Tamamo Cross completed her True Blooming, her speed could reach 1200, with other stats between 1000–1100.
Combined with above-average racing skill and the second stage of the [Domain]…
"Strongest Active Runner" — fully deserved.
Still, this version of Tamamo Cross might not appear again until year's end in the Arima Kinen.
"How did Oguri, still in her Classic year, manage to beat a mature-year Tamamo Cross head-on…?"
He remembered her 800+ stat sheet from the Japan Derby.
"Could her numbers really be the key?"
"Her speed might not even top 1200…"
(End of Chapter)
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