Tokyo Racecourse was packed.
Following Shirayuki, Fujiwara Chiya was also brought to the VIP observation deck.
Now, the Empress and the Emperor were allowed to sit at the same table. However, Fujiwara Chiya felt that the title still did not quite match reality. Shirayuki's two crowns and second place in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe could not yet be compared to Rudolf's undefeated Triple Crown.
At the very least, she would have to win the Japan Cup and the Arima Kinen before she truly had the qualification.
After walking around the small private room for a bit, Fujiwara Chiya sat down on the sofa. Shirayuki leaned against the glass and looked outside.
There were some cheap candies on the table, so Fujiwara Chiya casually grabbed a handful and stuffed them into his mouth.
Shirayuki stared fixedly at the racecourse.
After finishing their warm-ups, Mejiro Dober entered the gate.
Bang!
With a sharp sound, the uma musume rushed out one after another. Mejiro Dober charged into third place and moved toward the inside. At the same time, the announcer's voice rang out.
"The race has begun! Currently leading is Seeking the Pearl! In second is Sunshine Miracle, and in third is Mejiro Dober!"
Unfortunately, because Shirayuki's body had not yet recovered and she had not adjusted back to her proper condition, she had no choice but to give up the final crown.
She had already prepared herself for that.
However, what surprised Shirayuki was that she had originally thought that if she failed to win after the Arc, she would surely fall into a deep low. In reality, her mental state was actually quite good. Both her body and her heart had been tempered.
And Shirayuki discovered that her strength had grown by far more than just a little.
When the uma musume started just now, Shirayuki had seen the mistakes of three runners at a glance. Because of anxiety and a lack of focus, their movements had slowed by zero point five seconds.
Ever since being shaken off by Trêve's godspeed-like zero point one seconds, Shirayuki had become unbelievably sensitive to time.
Half a second was already very long to Shirayuki.
She was confident that within half a second of the start, she could open up half a length on the other uma musume, then take control of the front.
Seeing the front positions being taken, those uma musume ran to the side to search for chances. But when they saw how tightly packed the others were, they had no choice but to fall back.
In this situation, they should pressure the position.
They just gave it up like that?
Looking at the movements of those uma musume, Shirayuki frowned.
So gentle…
After spending every day squeezing between uma musume over there, Shirayuki realised that Japanese races were truly too gentle. After clashing head-on with those muscular girls, Shirayuki felt that the uma musume here were so delicate they seemed as if they would fall with one push.
During the turn, some uma musume began fighting for position. They moved inward, but the front runners had already adjusted their bodies and straightened themselves again. The uma musume behind had no choice but to stop their advance.
At a time like this, if they collided once and took back the inner front position, they could gain an even greater advantage.
Shirayuki rapidly analysed the situation.
Even she herself did not realise that her understanding of racing had already far surpassed who she had been half a year ago. The entire racecourse looked incredibly clear in her eyes. She knew exactly what she should do there, and how she should do it.
The surrounding uma musume were far too orderly.
There were no reckless fools charging around wildly at all.
There was no difficulty in analysing a race like this.
The voices of the spectators grew louder and louder.
Mejiro Dober rushed out from the pack.
Shirayuki stared blankly at that figure.
There was only one thought in her mind.
So simple…
No one blocked her.
No one interfered.
Everyone ran along their own route in an orderly manner.
All she needed to do was find the timing and break out from the pack.
Was the Shuka Sho really this simple?
No.
That was not right.
Races had always been like this before.
She was the one who had changed.
An environment could change a person.
The quality of European uma musume was not necessarily far above Japan's, but the environment over there gave uma musume enormous tempering.
And without realising it, Shirayuki had also been assimilated by it.
She finally understood why, in past Japan Cups, those world-class uma musume who came to Japan always carried a hint of disdain when speaking about them.
Their races were so gentle, it was like playing house.
If that was the case…
Shirayuki looked at the racecourse.
There had been no need for her to avoid this race at all.
Even in her current condition, she was still fully confident she could have won.
"The race has entered the final straight! Mejiro Dober is accelerating! Right behind her is Kyoei March! Who will be the final winner!? Mejiro Dober continues to accelerate and opens the gap from Kyoei March! Half a length! Half a length!"
The cheers grew louder and louder.
Mejiro Dober gradually broke free from the crowd. She stepped forward with all her strength, continuing onward. Behind her, Kyoei March clung tightly, and the distance between them slowly began to close.
Finally—
"They cross the line!"
With the announcer's shout, the race came to an end.
"The final crown of the Triple Tiara! The winner of the Shuka Sho is—Mejiro Dober!"
"OOOOOOOOH!"
Fujiwara Chiya applauded for her while walking to Shirayuki's side.
He reached out and stroked Shirayuki's head.
"I should have raced," Shirayuki said.
"Even with this body, I should have participated. Even if I couldn't win the Arc, at least I would still be the Triple Tiara champion. When did I start thinking I was weak?"
Perhaps Shirayuki was not born with overwhelming talent.
But at the very least, through her own effort, she had already reached a place where other uma musume had to look up to her.
Shirayuki was not weak at all.
Fujiwara Chiya looked at the white-haired girl in front of him.
He would absolutely make Shirayuki known throughout the world.
Shirayuki reached out, wrapped her arms around Fujiwara Chiya's waist, then turned and leaned against his chest. Her long ears rested against him, and a strong heartbeat reached her ears.
This was his own heartbeat.
And also a heartbeat that belonged only to her.
He would become the greatest trainer.
And she would become the greatest uma musume.
Before the next Arc arrived, Fujiwara Chiya would not lose again.
That was his promise to Shirayuki.
And also his promise to himself.
…
"Dober, congratulations."
By evening, Fujiwara Chiya had held a grand celebration party. Mejiro Dober sat in the most central seat.
"Thank you, Trainer."
Mejiro Dober was extremely emotional as well.
This was the first GⅠ race she had won, and it was also a Triple Tiara race. The value of that victory went without saying. The entire Mejiro family had congratulated her.
Originally, the Mejiro family had planned to hold a celebration party for her tonight, but Mejiro Dober refused.
She wanted to be with Trainer.
"Now our team has a Triple Crown winner too!" Gold Ship shouted.
"Where did this Triple Crown winner come from?"
"Shirayuki and Dober. If you add those two together, doesn't that make a Triple Crown winner?"
Gold Ship grinned.
Mejiro Dober thought for a moment, then called Shirayuki over.
"Sit on my lap."
Shirayuki did so in confusion.
"All right. Now I'm a Triple Crown winner."
"Come, come! Let's raise a toast to this year's Triple Crown winner!"
Fujiwara Chiya raised his glass.
"Cheers!"