The cafeteria is crowded as usual. The air was thick with the rich, comforting scent of roasted spices and sweet boiled carrots, an aroma no mortal could resist.
SNIFF SNIFF
"Hmm~ you smell it too, right?!" Oguri pointed at the counter.
"I could even smell it from the outside"
Every single of umamusume here comes for one particular dish, the carrot curry. Now, carrots is pretty common in a curry, but they put more carrots in the special carrot curry.
Just imagine a normal curry with a lot of carrots.
A bit more.
More.
Come on, don't be shy.
There you go.
"Look, the third counter is moving fastest! Let's go grab our portions!" Oguri pointed, grabbing her by the sleeve.
"Ohh, isn't Oguri Cap?" the lunch lady greeted enthusiastically, it seems she knew what is she dealing with. "You brought a new friend it seems, then..."
The lunch lady's arms were a blur as she hoisted two trays that looked more like silver platters than actual tableware. She ladled up twin mountains of steamed rice, smothered them in a thick curry sauce, and then proceeded to pile on the carrots.
A handful.
Another handful.
A whole bowlful.
By the time she finished, the orange pyramids towered well above the rims, glistening under the cafeteria lights like glowing monuments.
"Eat up, girls! Gotta keep those legs strong for the big races!" she cheered, sliding the heavy trays across the counter.
"Thank you for the food," Oguri Cap declared with absolute, reverent gravity.
Before Astonishing could even politely request a normal-sized portion, Oguri had already lifted her tray effortlessly and was navigating the bustling crowd toward an empty table near the window. Astonishing swallowed hard, carefully balancing her own absurdly heavy tray as she hurried after the grey-haired honse.
By the time she put her tray down, Oguri is already begin to eat her food.
Astonishing stared at her own mountain, never once she doubts Tracen's capability to feed the students.
"Is... something wrong?" Oguri asked with with mouth still full. "Is the portion too little for you? I can ask the lunch lady for extra"
"T-too little?!" Astonishing wheezed, "No, no, this is more than enough"
"It's just..." she continued, "I don't think I can finish it this time"
Oguri swallowed the food she had been chewing. "Aren't you a big eater?"
"It's... true..." Astonishing can't dodge this one. "But I don't have that much appetite right now..."
"....." Oguri stopped eating. "During our run, were you trying to copy me?"
Astonishing winced slightly, lowering her gaze. "I... yeah," She admitted, rubbing the back of her neck with a defeated sigh.
"Why?"
"..... I just thought if I can run the way you do, there might be a chance for me to win the Kikuka Sho" Astonishing said.
Oguri set her spoon down. "...I think you run better with your own running."
Astonishing looks up.
"I mean... every umamusume runs differently, right?" she continued. "My friend said umamusume's running reflect their feeling and personality. I think what she means is that your running should express who you are, not someone else."
Oguri Cap puts on a little smile as she looked at Astonishing, "So next time, let's have a proper conversation together"
Their eyes locked for a moment.
A grin appears on Astonishing's face, "Right, of course"
She looked back down at the towering mountain of curry. "I guess I shouldn't leave all this behind then,"
The students watching knew that the battle for food has become more competitive.
.
.
.
By the time they are back to the track, the sun had lowered a bit, though the heat doesn't dissipate much. Astonishing and Oguri Cap, leaned on the railing, waiting for their trainer to arrive
They noticed footsteps coming towards them. Takeda walked up to the railing with Kitahara trailing right beside him.
"Sorry to keep you waiting," Kitahara said.
Takeda stepped up beside her, "Feeling lighter?"
"I felt heavier..." Astonishing simply said.
He dropped a sweat. "Let's start then,"
The two umamusume stepped onto the turf, taking their positions at the starting line.
Oguri gave Astonishing a brief glance, "Let's have a proper conversation."
TWEEEEEEET!
The two umamusume launched forward for the second time. Oguri Cap took the lead instantly, and this time Astonishing doesn't try to mimic her running. She let her stance settle naturally, finding the balance point where her flexibility worked for her instead of against her.
Ahead of her, Oguri Cap maintained a steady and punishing pace as they passed the two-thousand-meter mark.
With the final turn approaching, the "conversation" on the turf had officially begun.
Oguri planted her feet deep into the grass and launched herself forward even faster. It was an overwhelming display of raw force.
Astonishing too, followed. With an explosive burst, she launched herself out from Oguri's draft.
Side by side, the two umamusume tore down the home stretch. However, experience soon show its worth.
Oguri Cap's pace remained relentless. The distance between them didn't shrink, in fact, it grows and keep growing.
'I can't get close at all', Astonishing gritted her teeth.
'This won't do... I'm not strong enough" she watched as Oguri pulled slightly farther. 'At my current strength, there's no way I can compete.'
'But, it's normal right? After all, she's my senior. It's normal for seniors to outperforms their juniors, right? It's fine, right?'
Suddenly, the vision of Oguri Cap ahead is replace by another figure.
It's herself.
.....
No, it's Astonishing, or perhaps the reflection of the real Astonishing.
"Catch me" she said. "And you will be one step closer to the answers"
The answer... for everything.
THUMP
Astonishing planted her feet onto the ground and launched herself forward.
The gap stopped widening.
'Not enough!', Astonishing roared internally, digging her toes deep into the grass. 'Faster!'
Inch by inch, the distance began to shrink. Three lengths became two and a half. Two and a half became two. She feels like she can finally catch her, and she swears if she did she's going to force her mouth to open no matter what.
Two lengths became a length and a half. A length and a half became one.
The phantom turned its head slightly with a smirk "That's it,"
SNAP.
The vision dissolved like shattered glass. In its place was Oguri Cap. Everything is back to normal.
Oguri Cap crossed the finish line first with two lengths ahead.
Both umamusume gradually slowed down. Astonishing dropped her hands onto her knees as she gasps for air. Footsteps closing towards her, she looks up to see Oguri Cap standing in front of her with a smile.
"That was a good run," she said.
She slowly straightened her back, even though her legs still trembling. "Yeah..." Astonishing said, wiping her forehead with the back of her forearm. "It really was. Thanks, Oguri-senpai."
Oguri nodded. "You were so close, just a bit more and I'm sure you're going to surpass your limit"
"You will be one of us" she continued. "I'm going to watch your race from the very front"
"Surpass my limit, huh?" Astonishing let out a soft laugh, "Then I won't let you down"
Takeda and Kitahara watches as their trainees exchanged words.
"So, what do you think?" Kitahara asked.
"... I guess we're one step closer" Takeda replied with a faint smile.
.
.
.
Today's training finally comes to and end. Takeda and Astonishing went back to the team room to review some things while Kitahara went to grab some snacks for Oguri to eat, otherwise he'll become the snack.
"Oi, Oguri!"
Oguri Cap turns her head around ans sees a familiar figure approaching. "Dicta..."
"Hey, hey, what's this? Don't tell me you got tired after running around with a junior"
"Not at all" Oguri simply replied.
Dicta stopped right beside her. "Feeling like a teacher already?"
A question mark appear on Oguri's head. "What do you mean?"
"Tch, you forgot already? Remember that night when we run together?" Dicta tried to suppress her little bit of anger.
Oguri blinked. "..... Ah, that's when you showed me your Zone"
"Yeah, that time!" Dicta crossed her arm. "I can't believe you really teaching her the Zone."
"But, weren't you taught me too?"
"No, you already had a grasp of it, I only guided you a little"
"I see," Oguri said softly, "Then maybe I didn't teach her either. I can already feel she had a potential"
"Heh, since when did the Ashen Beast able to see other people's potential" Dicta smirked, "Though, I really want to see how she'll hold up"
.
.
.
-Shuka Sho, Turf 2000 Meters-
Today's race is just like any other G1 races with the seats filled with enthusiastic fans. Though some people might noticed that the spectator were less crowded than last year. With what might be another Triple Crown title looming, many people choose to save their money for the Kikuka Sho instead.
This year Triple Tiara already has two different winners. The Oka Sho is won by Ambrose, and the Japanese Oaks is won by Silver Venture. Will the Shuka Sho produce a new winner, or a double tiara? Today will reveal the answer.
Inside the prep room, Dora fidgeting incessantly. It doesn't take a sharp eye to notice she's uneased.
"I'm gonna throw up," Dorazora muttered, "I'm actually gonna throw up. Aston-chan, tell me I'm not gonna throw up."
"Hey, get a hold of yourself!" Astonishing said while shaking her body.
"Wait, wait, wait! I'm gonna throw up!"
BLEEEUUUGHHH
"Oh crap, I thought you were not serious" Astonishing panicked.
Fortunately there's an empty bucket in the corner of the room, whoever owns it won't be happy thought.
Just as things get calmer, Dora's trainer, Yamada Satomi entered the room. "Dora? What happened here?"
"Sorry trainer, I'm just a little anxious" she wheezed.
Trainer Satomi sighed, she gives Dora the bottled water she originally bring for herself. "Here, rinse your mouth"
Dorazora accepted the bottle with trembling hands and takes a few gupls, "T-Thanks, Trainer..."
"Are you sure you're okay? I dont't want to send you out if you don't feel well" Satomi asked.
"I'm fine, really," she assured. "I really, really want to go"
Trainer Satomi couldn't help but put a worried face.
"Hey, hey, don't be sad, Trainer! Put up a smile!"
"You ridiculous girl," Satomi murmured, putting one hand on Dora and ruffled her hair. "Go out there and shine"
"Got it!" she said before storming out of the room, leaving Astonishing and Satomi in the room.
"She must have been a pain to take care for you" Astonishing said.
"I don't think I can deny that" She smiled, "But she's a strong girl, I know it."
Satomi clenched her fist. "A bit more, it's always a bit more."
"Please be strong out there"
.
.
.
"Yet another day for another G1! Welcome everyone, to the Shuka Sho!"
"The final jewel of the Triple Tiara is finally upon us! With the Oka Sho claimed by Ambrose and the Japanese Oaks snatched away by Silver Venture, the crown is completely fractured! Will today crown a double tiara winner, or will a brand-new heroine carve her name into history?!"
The camera zoomed in on the track, where sixteen runners were parading toward the gates.
"The runners are making their way to the starting line! The first favorite, Silver Venture is in gate 3. The second favorite, Ambrose in gate 6. The third favorite, Lotus Garden in gate 1. The fourth favorite, Freesia in gate 11. Finally the fifth favorite of today's race, Dorazora in gate 5!"
Amonge the crowd of spectators, Astonishing can be seen standing at the very front. Besides her is Takeda accompanying her to watch.
"Thank you for coming with me, trainer" she said.
He chuckled, "Well, even if you didn't invite me, I'll be the one to. You can learn a thing or two, and so do I"
"Sure, sure" Astonishing said with a small smile.
Before Takeda could mutter another word, the sound of heavy breathing comes from behind them. It's Trainer Satomi, she squeezed into the narrow space right beside Takeda, resting her hands on the bar as she caught her breath.
"I made it..." Satomi panted, wiping a thin sheen of sweat from her forehead. "Did I miss the anything?"
"Just in time," Takeda said, glancing over with an amused smirk.
"All participants has entered their gates" The commentator interrupted.
"Once again, welcome to the Shuka Sho 2000m, the final leg of the Triple Tiara!