Early the next morning, Shirayuki was awakened by a sharp burst of pain.
When she turned over, she pulled a muscle, and a cutting pain shot through her body.
The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe had already ended. After performing on the winners' stage, Shirayuki had gone to the hospital for treatment. Large bruises covered her body, especially on her arms and chest. Those were from when the two uma musume in front had struck her during her breakthrough.
Her thighs and calves also had varying degrees of muscle strain. With no strength left, she had forced herself to run the final fifty metres on sheer willpower, causing her body to become seriously overloaded.
During training, everything had been fine.
Even when she crashed into stones, she would not get injured.
So why, the moment it became an actual race, did her body fail her?
The impact of the race should not have been greater than training.
Shirayuki's idea that her body had been trained into something invincible was completely shattered.
In the end, she was still made of flesh and blood.
The doctor told her to cold-compress the bruises, massage the affected areas properly to improve circulation, and rest quietly for the time being. She was not allowed to train.
Not only had she lost the race, she had ended up covered in injuries too.
What a complete loss…
Of course, that was not the most important part.
The most important part was that she had failed everyone's expectations.
Last night, Fujiwara Chiya's phone had nearly exploded from all the calls. Tracen, Central, and reporters. Everyone had been calling Fujiwara Chiya. In order to deal with them, Fujiwara Chiya had not slept the entire night. Only in the morning had he finally closed his eyes in a daze.
Most people had called to congratulate him.
After all, even if it was only second place, that was unprecedented in the history of Japanese racing. They had never once come so close to the championship. Central even said directly that this race had been excellent, and once he returned, Fujiwara Chiya should come to Central's building so they could give him a special commendation.
As for Nishizaki Ryuu and the others, they had said outright:
"Who said only first place counts as victory? Uma musume aren't only about first place."
They used those words to comfort Fujiwara Chiya.
Aside from those who had called to congratulate him, the rest were asking when he would return.
People like Akikawa Yayoi and Hayakawa Tazuna had only briefly mentioned the race. More than anything, they wanted to know when Fujiwara Chiya would come back to Japan.
"Trainer, once the race is over, come back. Don't keep playing around over there."
Seiun Sky had said the same thing.
Once I finish handling things here, I'll go back.
That was what Fujiwara Chiya told them.
It was time to say goodbye to the European racecourse.
But this was not the end.
There was still the senior year.
At that time, Shirayuki might be stronger than she was now.
Of course, she might also be weaker.
But no matter the result, he would let Shirayuki walk the final stretch that belonged to an uma musume.
He would take responsibility for Shirayuki.
And for his own life.
Fujiwara Chiya hoped that by relying on this experience, he could let Shirayuki stand at the summit of the world.
This trip to Europe had truly benefited him greatly.
After returning, he absolutely had to organise all the knowledge he had learned here. When the time came, he would discuss it with Nishizaki Ryuu and the others to see whether they had any ways to optimise it.
While Shirayuki was lying in bed and thinking about the future, the door opened.
An orange little foal stepped in with light, cheerful steps.
The moment Shirayuki saw her, she instinctively tried to sit up. Pain immediately made her grimace, and she lay back down again.
"Ah, don't move around, Shirayuki."
Trêve sat beside her and helped cover her with the blanket. In her hands was a large flower basket.
"How is your body?"
She placed the flower basket by Shirayuki's bedside.
"I'm boroboro… totally worn out."
"That really is terrible."
Trêve stroked Shirayuki's head.
"One of your fans asked me to bring this flower basket to you. She said she hopes you recover soon, then overtake me in the next race."
"…She really said that?"
"I didn't get mad at her, you know. She was just a little kid."
Shirayuki hummed softly.
In truth, she had already received quite a few flower baskets. But Chiya had helped her accept them. Shirayuki's body was no longer in any condition to go out and deal with those fans herself.
Trêve reached out and played with Shirayuki's bangs.
"The race is over. Shirayuki will probably go back soon, right?"
"Mm. Maybe in another three to five days?"
"I see…"
Trêve's eyes dimmed with disappointment.
"How do you even have time to come here? The media should be looking for you everywhere right now, shouldn't they?"
Five starts, five wins.
Trêve had become the second uma musume in French history to win the French Oaks, the Prix Vermeille, and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. All of France had fallen into celebration. Every news page was filled with Trêve's name.
She had already become the centre of the world.
Her name would be engraved forever in the history books of French racing.
"I asked Master to handle those things for me. I wanted to come and see you."
"I'm not really anything special right now…"
"Shirayuki, do you still remember our promise before the race?"
"Ah… the dance, right?"
Shirayuki took a deep breath and tried to sit up, but Trêve stopped her again.
"I'm not asking you to fulfil the promise right now. You're already injured like this, so heal properly first."
For her injuries to recover, it would take at least a week.
By then, she would already have gone back.
"It's okay."
As if seeing what Shirayuki was thinking, Trêve said, "We'll meet again, Shirayuki. The next time we meet will be when we fulfil our promise."
As she spoke, Trêve took off her shoes and lay down beside Shirayuki.
Her hand rested gently on Shirayuki.
"Hey…"
"Shirayuki is leaving soon. For a long time after this, I won't be able to see you. So before you leave, leave me with an unforgettable memory. Isn't there that saying? Uma musume respect strength above all, and the strong should tease the weak."
As she said that, Trêve's hand slipped beneath Shirayuki's clothes.
"That saying does exist, but is this really what it means by teasing?"
"Maa maa, don't worry about the details. I'm the queen of France now, aren't I? What's wrong with acting a little selfish?"
"Your selfishness means pushing away all the major European media and running into my room to mess with me?"
"What's wrong with that? This is better."
Trêve smiled.
Her leg slowly slipped between Shirayuki's.
"Trêve, I'm injured right now."
"I know. Trainer already told me about your injuries. Bruises and muscle strains, right? You don't move. Leave it to me."
As she said that, Trêve lifted her head and kissed Shirayuki's slender neck.
The day after Shirayuki was overtaken by Trêve on the racecourse, she was thoroughly teased by Trêve in bed as well.
…
"Chiya, are you ready?"
With her luggage on her back, Satake Mei called out to him.
"Coming."
The man walked out of the room.
Outside, Gold Ship and the others had already finished packing.
Their European journey had ended.
Soon, they would return to Tracen, which they had been away from for three whole months.
Looking out at the vast city, Fujiwara Chiya took a deep breath.
"Goodbye, Arc."
"I'll come back again."