"The photo finish results are in! Second place goes to Oguri Cap! She won against Tamamo Cross by the narrowest of margins! Now no one can definitively say who's stronger between them!"
"And so, this thrilling edition of the Japan Cup is drawing to a close, but don't forget, everyone, the Winner's Stage is still to come! Don't miss it!"
With those words, the Japan Cup concluded. Not every Uma Musume achieved the result she desired, but each had given her all.
--+--
Backstage.
"My girl!"
Oguri Cap's mother enveloped her freshly raced daughter in a big, warm hug.
"Mom... don't... my clothes are all sweaty..."
Oguri Cap squirmed, her entire body still steaming with heat, her racing silks damp with perspiration. Her mother's chest was instantly soaked where she held her.
"It's fine, dear. I wore dark colors today."
Her mother seemed completely unbothered, even taking the opportunity to gently rub Oguri Cap's ears.
"It's not just sweat... I probably smell too..."
Oguri Cap muttered under her breath.
Her adorable demeanor drew knowing smiles from everyone present.
True, the heat radiating from her carried a distinct scent, but it was far from unpleasant; if anything, it held a faint, almost fragrant quality.
But of course, none of those present were the type of perverts who'd get off on sniffing someone else's sweat—that kind of behavior was far too intimate and weird for normal people.
"Hehe, so you've grown up now, have you? Getting shy in front of your own mother." With a slightly teasing glint, she fanned her own nose playfully.
Watching Oguri Cap's face instantly flush a deep crimson, her mother gave her a gentle push. "Go on, get cleaned up. The Winner's Stage will be starting soon."
Oguri Cap nodded and turned to head towards the restroom. But halfway there, her steps gradually slowed, then halted completely. Her small fists clenched tightly at her sides, and she turned back to face her team, bowing deeply.
"Everyone, I'm sorry I couldn't win this time. And... thank you for being here with me."
After saying her piece, an uncharacteristically shy Oguri Cap quickly ran off.
"She's really something else, isn't she, Mr. Musaka?"
"..."
A faint smile touched Musaka Ginjirou's lips before he shook his head slowly.
--+--
In another restroom, Tamamo Cross was sprawled across a sofa, looking utterly soul-drifted, her eyes slightly glazed and unfocused.
Just outside the door, Trainer Komiyama was dealing with the press corps. She was feeling intensely irritable, even fantasizing about hurling the clipboard in her hand at them.
The reason? Just look at this pack of vultures.
"Miss Komiyama, what are your thoughts on Tamamo Cross, the top pick, only managing to secure third place?"
"Miss Komiyama, as a Japanese G1 prestige race, what do you have to say about the victory being taken by a foreign Uma Musume?"
"Trainer Komiyama, did Tamamo Cross's performance today live up to her title as Japan's top champion? Is her position as the strongest in Japan being challenged?"
A barrage of hostile questions assaulted her, pushing Komiyama's temper to its absolute limit.
"You lot... that's enough!"
SLAM!!
With a resounding crash, Komiyama forcefully shoved the door open and stormed into the room, leaving the reporters outside staring at each other.
None dared to push their way in for an interview; barging into a private room reserved for the Uma Musume would be like signing their own death warrants.
Back inside, Komiyama finally let out a long, heavy sigh.
"Finally, some quiet. Those bastards... they're like parasites. They don't care about anyone else's feelings, just satisfying their own selfish desires. Absolutely despicable!"
Recalling the ordeal, even the usually gentle-tempered Komiyama couldn't help but curse.
"Sorry, Komiya. I was just too weak. All the fans who believed in me... they must be so disappointed."
Tamamo Cross lay with her left arm draped over her eyes, forcing a laugh, but the tremor in her voice betrayed her true feelings.
"It's not your fault. I'll handle the apologies later—"
"Stop making assumptions like that!"
Trainer Komiyama, brimming with fury, rapped Tamamo Cross sharply on the head, making the white-furred Uma Musume yelp and curl into a ball, clutching her head.
"Nobody is disappointed! Everyone in that stadium got their money's worth and more! Do you have any idea how incredible that race was?! The spectators were all smiling! Your effort wasn't wasted!"
The trainer's firm words gave Tamamo Cross pause. Slowly, she lowered the arm covering her eyes, revealing their slightly reddened corners.
"Really? Even though I didn't get first place... they were still satisfied?"
"I promise you."
Komiyama placed a hand over her own heart, her expression more serious than ever before.
"That's good then... My family probably won't be disappointed either."
Tamamo Cross wiped her eyes, sniffled, and then a genuine smile bloomed back on her face. "Then what are we waiting for, Komiya? Give me a hand! The Winner's Stage is about to start, right?"
"You, honestly..." Trainer Komiyama shook her head in fond exasperation.
--+--
Obey Your Master was alone in her restroom.
To maintain a low profile, she had come to this race alone; her trainer hadn't even accompanied her. And to hide her identity before the race, she'd had no contact with anyone, so naturally, no one came to see her now.
"Ah, it's so quiet. I suppose... a part of me did hope someone would be here to celebrate with."
Obey Your Master let her hair down, returning to her usual appearance.
'That race was far too close for comfort. As expected of Japan's ACE, Tamamo Cross is no pushover. In the end, I was just one move behind her.'
Recalling the life-or-death struggle decided by mere centimeters on the track, a lingering fear gripped her.
'I have to thank Nearl. That technique of hers, freely changing the shape of her Domain... it gave me so much inspiration.'
'I just wonder... if she'll still be willing to speak with me the next time we meet. What I did was despicable.'
'I not only interacted with her under a false identity and secretly learned from her techniques, I even used what I gleaned against one of her comrades.'
The thought filled Obey Your Master with sorrow. One hand unconsciously clutched at the fabric over her chest, twisting it tightly.
"Impossible, of course."
She let out a derisive snort, a sound dripping with self-mockery.
"After committing such a vile act, how could I expect her to hold no grudge? She'll definitely hate me."
"There's nothing to be done about it."
Releasing her grip, Obey Your Master began changing into her performance costume.
"Perhaps I could have maintained this 'Butler' persona and kept interacting with her peacefully. But I want no part of such a hollow, fake friendship."
"I'll go to see her as my true self, and explain everything. Even if it costs me any chance of us being friends, that's what I must do!"
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.