"I burned everything on the escape, so I can't do the Winners' Stage. Makes sense, right?"
Stardust Phantom was arguing her case with staff.
She truly didn't want to go. Sure, it earned cheers and love—but prancing in a skirt on stage like an idol? No way.
"But this was a big-escape win. Everyone's excited to see your outfit," said female staffer Furuya Koharu, who'd once given Stardust a post-race massage.
Familiarity made it hard to be too blunt, so Stardust kept trying to reason with her—avoiding bad press.
"There'll be plenty of chances for the outfit. Don't G1s require performance outfits on track?"
"You plan to dodge the Winners' Stage until a G1?!"
Furuya finally grasped the plan, eyes wide.
She'd never heard of a horsegirl who eagerly signed up for races yet refused the Winners' Stage. Only true winners get to shine there; the race isn't complete without it. Who would run and skip the podium?!
"I have my reasons," Stardust muttered. She couldn't exactly confess that some transmigrator pride rejected being an idol…
"But—"
"Alright, Koharu, let me handle this."
A voice from the doorway cut in. Furuya turned to find her own boss—the Chukyo Racecourse Manager—beaming in the frame.
"Step out a moment," said the beer belly, waving her away.
"I'm Hayashi Yōichi, manager here."
He introduced himself politely, then plopped into the chair opposite Stardust, smiling obsequiously.
"Too spent to do the stage? No problem—I'll have it coordinated. It's just a maiden. The stage isn't as important as your condition."
His slightly fawning smile made Stardust uneasy.
She'd been trying to persuade them to let her skip it; for him to agree so easily made her suspect a catch.
"Really? I can skip?"
"Of course. At Chukyo, a horsegirl's well-being comes first!"
He made the call on the spot.
Once he'd hung up, the same smile returned.
"With that settled, I do have a small favor—could you help us out?"
Hearing "favor," Stardust actually relaxed; at least he didn't have some scheme against her.
"What is it?"
"There's a press conference after the race. Originally we'd do it after the stage with all entrants. Since you're not going up—could you take a few questions now?"
"Just a media Q&A?"
She confirmed. Compared to the Winners' Stage, that was far preferable.
"Right—mostly local Nagoya outlets…"
His deferential look made her smile despite herself.
So he's a good guy after all?
Her guard dropped. She understood the ask.
Chukyo had long sought to raise its profile enough to land a Classic G1. She knew that much.
In her previous world's future, Chukyo would eventually host the sprint G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen.
So they want to leverage me for buzz?
[Use this race to declare your arrival.]
Rokuhei's words echoed. Stardust Phantom looked up at Hayashi and nodded.
"Let's do it. I'll give you the answers you're looking for."
"One more thing."
As she stood to leave, he called out:
"You're from a Local academy, correct?"
"Mm."
"Consider joining Chukyo's academy? As a horsegirl who debuted here, we can offer you many conveniences. In exchange—please identify yourself publicly as 'from Chukyo.' How about it?"
She stared, puzzled by the lavish offer.
"I've only run two races. Is that necessary?"
He chuckled. She'd understood perfectly, so he laid it out:
"It's an investment. You know how Kasamatsu boomed thanks to Oguri Cap… We want that too."
"Oguri Cap? You think I have her potential?"
His grin broadened.
"You do—at least, that's my eye. You run escape—that's catnip for fans.
"Your potential shows across two races. And even the Emperor has already specially admitted you to Central's Tracen, hasn't she?"
"You know about the special admission?" Stardust blinked. "Then you know I'll be reporting to Central early next year. I can't stay to promote… Ah, so you want me to self-identify as 'from Chukyo'?"
He smiled without answering.
Despite the bowing and scraping, he was no fool.
By laying the cards on the table, he bet she wouldn't refuse.
It was all upside for her.
He wasn't about to fish the pond dry, either. If she agreed, they'd back her, help craft her persona.
Package her as a star. Follow the plan. Grow her popularity.
He was certain she would make the track money.
"I'll leave it till after the interview," she said at last, smiling.
She patted his shoulder and headed out.
"What do you mean?" he sputtered.
But she only waved.
"Nothing. You'll understand after you hear the interview."
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