The Icho Tokubetsu wasn't exactly a huge race. Normally, it wouldn't attract such a massive crowd—but today, even before arriving, Kagura had already realized how terrifyingly popular Rudolf ojou-sama was.
I never knew the train could get this packed…
She barely squeezed into the carriage, feeling as though her small body might be swallowed up by the crush of people. Everyone was pressed tightly together, reminding her vividly of those days she fought for space on crowded buses back when she still went to work every morning.
Thankfully, Maruzensky was right next to her, equally squeezed yet shielding Kagura with her own body, so at least she didn't have to worry about encountering any of those weirdos she'd only ever seen in neon-lit romance-action videos.
"Maruzensky-san… are all these people fans of Ojou-sama?"
Pressed firmly against the door and held securely by Maruzensky, Kagura struggled to turn her head and ask.
"Well~ I can't say all, but probably most of them."
"How terrifying…"
Kagura had thought the race she'd attended back in Niigata had been absurd enough, but clearly she'd underestimated the scale of Rudolf's popularity. After all, this was Tokyo; obviously, the crowds here would be even bigger.
"You know, Kagura-chan, maybe when you finally step onto the track, you'll have even more fans than this~?"
"Mm…I'm nowhere near as brilliant as Ojou-sama, you know…"
Kagura took Maruzensky's words as a playful joke. She didn't feel she was someone like Symboli Rudolf, dazzling equally on both track and stage.
Still, Kagura did indeed plan to race eventually. After all, she'd heard that even if an Uma Musume didn't place first, finishing within the top five could still earn considerable prize money. Though she lacked confidence in definitely placing first, after observing Rudolf's rivals, she believed she could easily train enough to secure a spot in the top five.
Finally arriving at Fuchu Station after a torturous ride, Kagura practically hopped out of the cramped train carriage. Glancing back, she saw the endless stream of people following behind, and it took some searching before she finally spotted Tojo-sensei buried within the crowd.
Tokyo Racecourse was already bursting at the seams. If Kagura's group had been any slower, they wouldn't even have made it to the entrance. Thankfully, the organizers always reserved special passages and seating for Tracen students. After some brief jostling at the gate, Kagura quickly got inside.
Symboli Rudolf was still waiting inside the entryway. She quickly spotted Kagura slipping in first. Today, Rudolf seemed to be in an excellent mood, clearly having enjoyed a restful sleep the night before.
"Good morning, Kagura. I fell asleep again last night without realizing, didn't I? Thank you for taking care of me afterward."
"It's nothing, really. If it helped Ojou-sama be in good condition today, that bit of effort was worth it."
"How about we go out to eat after this race?"
Rudolf suggested out of habit.
"I don't mind, but didn't you mention before you wanted to taste my cooking?"
"Ah…true. The restaurants around here aren't as good as your cooking anyway."
Reminded by Kagura, Rudolf realized there wasn't really any need to look for restaurants at all. A little trouble on Kagura's part would bring a meal of equal or better quality.
"Isn't there something you personally want?"
Rudolf always wanted to do something to repay Kagura and Tojo-sensei for their thoughtful care over the past months. But thinking it over, she realized they'd never really shown desires of their own—especially Kagura. Rudolf knew nothing of Kagura's hobbies, birthday, or even her favorite foods because Kagura never openly expressed them.
"There's nothing I particularly want. Ojou-sama giving her best in today's race—that's the best gift I could ask for."
Kagura shook her head, smiling warmly as she gave Rudolf an encouraging thumbs-up.
"I agree with Kagura," Tojo Hana finally arrived, joining their conversation. "Rudolf, your victorious return would be the best reward for both of us who've been looking after you."
"Both of you…" Rudolf suddenly found herself speechless. She gently crouched to hug Kagura, then stood to embrace Tojo-sensei.
Seeing their supportive smiles, Rudolf straightened her posture, placing a hand over her heart, solemnly responding:
"I'll bring back a magnificent victory for you. I promise not to let you down, so please watch over me closely."
"Do your best, Ojou-sama. Go, run with everything you've got."
…
"Maruzensky-san, where did you disappear to just now? Didn't you want to talk with Ojou-sama?"
Watching Rudolf enter the track, Kagura returned closer to the entryway and saw Maruzensky standing there, quietly staring toward the starting area.
"It's fine for me to wait here! Your conversation just now… I didn't want to intrude, you know..."
"I don't understand…"
"Oh, it's nothing~ Don't think too much about it, Kagura-chan."
Maruzensky smiled gently and stroked Kagura's head. But there was a faint hint of envy and regret in her gaze as she watched Rudolf walk onto the track.
Tojo-sensei lightly patted Maruzensky on the shoulder without a word, and Maruzensky responded with just a slightly helpless smile.
Run, Rudolf…take my dreams with you…
…
As the announcer began explaining today's track conditions and race details, Kagura and Maruzensky returned to their seats in the stands.
Maruzensky's mood brightened once more, and she resumed playfully squeezing Kagura's cheeks, wearing an expression of absolute contentment.
Maruzensky-san seemed kind of strange just now, didn't she?
Kagura wasn't oblivious. She'd noticed Maruzensky's envy toward Rudolf and the subtle helplessness in Tojo-sensei's eyes. But she had no idea what was going on beneath the surface. Why was Maruzensky envious of Rudolf, who was just about to race? And why did Tojo-sensei appear somewhat resigned?
"Maruzensky-san, you've already started racing too, right?"
"Yup, I have. Why?"
"Do you have any dreams yourself? For your racing career."
After some thought, Kagura decided to test the waters.
At Kagura's question, Maruzensky froze briefly, falling silent for a moment before finally responding:
"Dream, huh… I suppose winning the Classic Triple Crown and facing powerful rivals on that stage—that counts as a dream."
"The Classic Triple Crown…"
Kagura remembered hearing about those three races. Any Uma Musume who managed to win all three major races within a single year would earn the prestigious title of "Triple Crown Uma Musume." But achieving this feat was incredibly challenging, requiring luck, strength, and relentless effort.
Maruzensky fell quiet upon mentioning the Triple Crown. Clearly, her brief drop in mood earlier was connected to this—but Kagura still couldn't piece together exactly why.
Eclipse-san, do you know why Maruzensky-san seemed envious of ojou-sama when mentioning the Triple Crown races?
——She looks perfectly healthy to me, and definitely able to run. Asking an ancient foreigner like me about this sort of thing won't help! How would I know what someone from this era, in this place, is thinking?
Eclipse-san's reply swiftly flashed across Kagura's phone. Evidently, Eclipse didn't know either.
CLACK!!
While Kagura was still puzzling over it, the sharp, distinct sound of the gates opening jolted both her and the distracted Maruzensky back to reality.
The race had begun.