The day of Fujiwara Chiya's race against Orfevre finally arrived, and the training field was packed.
One was a trainer with the strength of an uma musume.
The other was a newly enrolled uma musume with Classic-year potential.
The instant their showdown was announced, it blew up. Even a few reporters went absolutely feral, pounding on Tracen Academy's gates in hopes of covering this unofficial race.
Unfortunately for them, Hayakawa Tazuna stopped them cold.
"I'm sorry. This is an internal Tracen Academy race and is not open to the public. My sincerest apologies."
"Nooo! Let us in for just one look! Just one look!" The reporters clung to the iron bars, begging like their lives depended on it.
"I'm very sorry. However, after this race ends, you may interview the participants of the Japan Cup."
"Really?"
"Really."
Well, that worked too.
There were still ten days until the Japan Cup. Posters of European uma musume had flooded the streets, but the one sitting firmly at the top of every headline was still Japan's current strongest uma musume, the Empress, Shirayuki.
Her opponent would be the previous Japan Cup champion, Pilsudski. At a press conference several days ago, Pilsudski had declared that she would go all out to defeat the Empress and give her absolutely no chance of victory.
Naturally, her words set off a heated debate, and anticipation for the Japan Cup only climbed higher. The younger reporters wanted to find some explosive side story amid the overwhelming Japan Cup coverage, and a race between a trainer and an uma musume was perfect bait.
Too bad the secretary blocked them.
At least they had secured interviews with the participating runners. If they couldn't beat the trend, they might as well join it. Interviewing the Japan Cup runners would definitely generate buzz.
After handling the reporters, Hayakawa Tazuna turned and headed toward the training field. The race was about to begin. She wanted to see just how far Chiya had grown.
Once, she had hoped to raise Chiya into an excellent trainer while carefully recording his growth.
Now, he had not only achieved that, he had exceeded her imagination entirely.
Chiya had successfully evolved from trainer into uma musume.
That was a tremendous qualitative leap!
Every time Hayakawa Tazuna saw Fujiwara Chiya running on the track, her heart fluttered wildly. She had thought she was already a mature woman. Who would have guessed that seeing Fujiwara Chiya like that would still awaken impulses in her like a teenage girl in the middle of puberty?
Chiya. Chiya, Chiya...
Let me see more of you!
With her heart thumping in excitement, Hayakawa Tazuna hurried toward the racecourse.
Inside the competitors' lounge, Rice Shower and the others had gathered around Fujiwara Chiya, cheering him on.
"We believe Onii-sama absolutely won't lose!"
"That's right. As long as Trainer runs properly, he'll definitely win."
"Crush her, Trainer!"
Looking at his own uma musume, Fujiwara Chiya's expression turned complicated.
"Please don't, seriously..."
Uma musume cheering on a trainer?
Wasn't this completely backwards?
On the other side, Orfevre and Dream Journey were sitting together in a room.
"How are you feeling, Orfevre?"
"Splendid. I can hardly wait to make that trainer mine."
"That trainer is very strong. He might be stronger than every opponent Orfevre has ever seen."
"And? A trainer is still a trainer."
"I believe Orfevre can win. And if it is that trainer, perhaps you should be willing to accept him."
"I will never accept him. I will conquer him with my own strength."
"Mhm. True. He may not be the most experienced trainer, but he is absolutely the most interesting one. If you are with him, Orfevre, you will never be bored."
"Heh heh. I can hardly wait to see what kind of miserable expression the Empress will make after I take away the Empress's Scepter."
Taking off her jacket, Orfevre left the room.
At the same time, the door across from hers opened, and Fujiwara Chiya stepped out.
Their gazes met.
"Yo, Trainer. Are you ready to become my possession?"
"You're the one who should be ready, Orfevre. This time, I'm taking you for myself."
Fujiwara Chiya threw out his bold declaration.
Behind him, several uma musume immediately stared at him.
The look in their eyes sent a shiver down his spine.
"Ahem. Let's hurry up. The audience is getting impatient."
"I shall walk first. I am the main character."
"You sure do have a lot of demands. Fine, go ahead, go ahead."
Orfevre puffed out her cheeks, clearly displeased with Fujiwara Chiya's attitude.
Still, considering he was about to become her property, Orfevre decided not to say anything more. She gave a little huff and walked in front, while Fujiwara Chiya followed behind her.
"Please welcome our competitors, Trainer Chiya and Orfevre!"
"Why did they introduce you first?"
"No idea. Maybe my name rolls off the tongue better."
"My name also rolls off the tongue."
"..."
"Now, would both competitors please enter the gates!"
There was no time to deal with Orfevre throwing a tantrum like some little girl. The two entered the starting gates.
"It is time for me to reveal my true power! Trainer, sing praises of my glorious figure!"
"Don't shout before the start. Otherwise, your breathing might get uneven when you launch."
"Guh... Don't act like a trainer right now! You are my opponent!"
"Yeah, yeah."
This trainer was infuriating.
After Orfevre conquered him, she would make him hold her feet every single day!
She would step on him ten times a day!
The signal lights flashed.
Then, with a metallic clang, the golden figure shot forward in the blink of an eye, her speed so fast it left everyone stunned.
"The race has begun! Orfevre takes the lead!"
In order to defeat Fujiwara Chiya, Orfevre had spent this entire period drilling her starting dash. She had seen Fujiwara Chiya run, and she knew he was not an opponent to underestimate. Her elder sister had been right. Trainer Chiya was stronger than every opponent she had ever faced.
And that was exactly why she wanted to make him hers!
Stealing the Empress's possession was one reason.
The other was that she found this trainer interesting.
Far more interesting than all those people she had already conquered!
Lose obediently to me.
Then become my possession!
Orfevre could hardly wait to make the Empress watch, with her own eyes, as her trainer humbly wiped Orfevre's shoes.
Humiliation.
Delight.
Nothing gave Orfevre more pleasure than conquering an opponent!
Well, Trainer? Does my running form dazzle you?
Being able to admire my figure from this close is a privilege I grant you.
"It's Orfevre! Orfevre is gradually widening the gap from Trainer Chiya! One length... two lengths! The gap between them has reached two lengths!"
Everyone began to worry for Fujiwara Chiya.
Mejiro Dober nervously turned toward Shirayuki, only to find that she was staring at a butterfly in the sky.
"The race is now entering the final corner!"
A smile curved Orfevre's lips.
I've won!
The moment that thought appeared in her mind...
Bang!
A tremendous sound tore through the air.
A black figure shot to her side like a cannonball.