On the day of the Satsuki Sho, to avoid congestion, Kagura, Trainer Tojo, and Rudolf arrived at the track early in the morning to make preparations.
But even though they came early, many fans had already gathered around them. To avoid exposing Kagura, who preferred to keep her Support Uma role discreet, Rudolf sent Kagura ahead into the preparation area to wait.
It had to be said—the reversal at the Yayoi Sho had truly been stunning. As Kagura entered, she noticed barely any of Bizen Nishiki's fans present. Instead, Rudolf's fans dominated the stands, her name echoing from every corner.
It feels a bit strange somehow…
Seeing Bizen Nishiki's previously abundant supporters reduced to only a few scattered voices gave Kagura an odd feeling.
——This is the racetrack. Only the victor has the right to everything. Fans are just one small part of that.
Eclipse-san's words briefly flashed across Kagura's phone screen, then quickly disappeared.
By now, Kagura had a basic understanding of Eclipse-san's strength—she was powerful to a degree beyond comprehension. Kagura could scarcely imagine how lively the stands must've been back when Eclipse-san raced.
——Not really. It wasn't as wonderful as you think. Sometimes, I couldn't even get a race at all.
Why was that?
——Everyone ran away. Whenever word spread that I'd compete, nobody else wanted to race against me. A competition without challengers is as meaningless as a hunter without prey.
From Eclipse-san's words, Kagura sensed profound loneliness and resignation.
"Sorry, Kagura. It must've been boring to wait here alone."
Just then, Rudolf finally finished dealing with the fans and entered the preparation room through the athlete's passage.
"It's okay. This is part of my job, after all. Ojou-sama, do you feel alright?"
"Thanks to you, I'm feeling perfect today."
Saying this, Rudolf knelt and gently embraced Kagura, softly stroking her head. Rudolf knew there was nothing more she could currently do to repay Kagura's dedication—nothing except deliver a spectacular victory.
"I'll win this race for you."
"Mm. Good luck, Ojou-sama."
Kagura hugged Rudolf in return, gently patting her shoulder, filling Rudolf with renewed determination.
...
After savoring Kagura's comforting embrace for a moment, Rudolf finally said goodbye and headed toward the track.
Having already exchanged their usual pre-race banter, Bizen Nishiki—who'd been warming up at the starting line—suddenly felt intense pressure. She vividly recalled this sensation from the Yayoi Sho, where this inexplicable anxiety had caused her late start. She quickly looked toward the athlete's entrance:
"Rudolf-san…"
"We meet again, Bizen Nishiki-san."
Rudolf calmly approached, extending her hand. For some reason, despite Rudolf's peaceful expression, Bizen Nishiki felt overwhelmed by her intimidating presence.
"I won't lose to you again this time!"
Bizen Nishiki desperately suppressed her anxiety and shook Rudolf's hand firmly.
"I feel the same, Bizen Nishiki-san."
Because—I have a reason I absolutely must win.
Rudolf briefly glanced toward the stands, then quickly turned back.
...
Soon, all racers were in their gates. Every Uma Musume at the starting line felt a powerful, invisible tension—especially Bizen Nishiki, who clearly understood the terrifying source was Rudolf herself. Even though Rudolf hadn't raced since the Yayoi Sho, her condition seemed even better now.
Of course, ordinary spectators couldn't perceive this uneasy atmosphere from afar—only the racers themselves felt the tension.
Amid the deafening chants of "Rudolf!" that filled the stands, the gates burst open, and the Satsuki Sho began.
"Oh no! Bizen Nishiki had a late start!!"
"The gate opened?! When did it—"
In her momentary distraction, Bizen Nishiki repeated the same disastrous mistake she'd made in the Yayoi Sho—an unconscious late start.
Before today's race began, online opinion had overwhelmingly favored Rudolf. Even after Bizen Nishiki's win in the Spring S, popular sentiment remained firmly behind Rudolf, with many confidently declaring Rudolf would easily claim this first jewel. Thus, Rudolf had easily become the overwhelming favorite, with Bizen Nishiki considered merely the closest challenger. This disastrous start had already shattered the hopes of Bizen Nishiki's remaining supporters.
A strong front-runner emerged early in the race, pushing the pace higher than expected. From her distant position, Kagura could clearly see the difficulty the chasing pack had keeping up. But Rudolf was different: having trained extensively for two months specifically for this track, she was utterly comfortable, effortlessly conserving stamina using the technique Kagura had taught her, gradually closing in on the runaway leader.
Rudolf-san…she's completely at ease… How can she be so strong…?
Bizen Nishiki, trailing behind, was already out of rhythm. She desperately adjusted her pace to match the race's overall rhythm, but between her disastrous start and the accelerated tempo from the strong pacesetter, she was struggling just to keep Rudolf in sight, already covered in sweat.
...
"…"
Trainer Narumiya, standing beside Kagura in the Tracen seating area, frowned deeply. He saw clearly that Bizen Nishiki was in terrible shape. Compared to Rudolf—who looked as casual as if strolling through her own garden—the difference was like heaven and earth.
"Again, that hyper-specialized track strategy…"
Clearly, Rudolf had completely mastered the track's layout. Normally, the course wasn't available for practice, meaning even trainers couldn't obtain such detailed course data, including Trainer Tojo. But Rudolf had not just Trainer Tojo helping her—she also had that legendary Inari Kagura's support. Such thorough preparation could only have come from Kagura's hand!
...
However, Bizen Nishiki was still a veteran who had won multiple races. Even after her poor start and disrupted rhythm, she managed to regain some momentum, gradually maneuvering through the pack and closing in on Rudolf at the front.
"I refuse… to lose to you again!!!"
Burning with humiliation from her defeat in the Yayoi Sho, Bizen Nishiki's eyes locked fiercely onto Rudolf. For an instant, every Uma on the track felt an even greater pressure surging from behind. Fueled by regret, Bizen Nishiki broke free from the chasing pack with astonishing force, pouring every last ounce of her strength into her sprint.
Stay steady… don't move recklessly or I'll be penalized…
Rudolf recalled a crucial tip Kagura had mentioned during their practice—she breathed a silent sigh of relief, having nearly surged instinctively forward. Had she acted rashly, she'd likely have been penalized for interference, or worse, collided directly with Bizen Nishiki, causing injuries more serious than just a few days off racing.
Feeling Bizen Nishiki closing in, Rudolf stopped holding back. At the very moment she started her final sprint, she leaned forward slightly and unleashed her full power—
"You're strong, but this ends here."
Hearing Rudolf's cold declaration, Bizen Nishiki's eyes widened—Rudolf suddenly increased her speed drastically, leaving Bizen Nishiki, already at her absolute limit, far behind!
"Is this for real…?!"
Watching the distance she'd fought so hard to close open up again with ease, even Bizen Nishiki's resolve began to crumble.
"Rudolf bursts ahead of the pack! It's her signature front-runner sprint! Incredible speed—the fast pace didn't affect her stamina at all! She's in perfect form!!"
"The distance keeps widening! Can anyone catch her?! Bizen Nishiki is still chasing, but the gap isn't closing fast enough—it's too late!"
"Across the line!!! Rudolf displays overwhelming strength, flawlessly claiming this victory!!"
The announcer's exhilarated voice and spectators' cheers immediately filled the track, while the Tracen supporters remained stunned silent. Trainer Tojo stared at her stopwatch—2:01.1, the fastest Satsuki Sho ever recorded.
Rudolf, just having crossed the finish line, wasn't yet aware of the extraordinary record she'd achieved. She simply caught her breath for a moment, then turned toward the stands, calmly raising one finger toward a certain someone watching from afar.
---
T/N: yippeee
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