"Good morning, Trainer Chiya."
After dropping Shirayuki off at the racecourse, Fujiwara Chiya was escorted to the VIP observation deck. There, he ran into Rudolf, who greeted him with a warm smile.
"Morning, President."
Chiya walked over to her side. Rudolf smiled and made room for him.
Down on the track, the announcer was introducing the runners.
"Fourth in popularity, Air Groove!"
A dazzling figure stepped onto the stage, dressed in a black top and a blue miniskirt. The bright yellow accent over half her chest flashed under the light, adding a sharp, commanding edge to her look. The single black thigh-high stocking on her left leg gave off a sleek, captivating sheen.
Standing on the stage, Air Groove waved to the crowd.
A roaring wave of cheers crashed through the racecourse.
"How lively," Rudolf said, one hand resting against the window. Her eyes shone with happiness and quiet pride, and a gentle curve lifted the corner of her lips. "The entire racing world is becoming better and better, Trainer Chiya. And that is all thanks to you."
"President, please don't flatter me too much. I'm just one little trainer. There's no way I could influence the entire racing world."
Chiya smiled.
"Still, you're right about one thing. There really are a lot of spectators this year."
The stands were packed. Even the central field was crowded with people. Compared to last year, the number of spectators had to have increased by at least a third.
"I am not flattering you," Rudolf said. "Uma musume racing has flourished like this because of your contributions. You have trained many outstanding uma musume, brought fresh blood to the racecourse, and raised an incredibly powerful Double Tiara winner like Shirayuki."
Her gaze softened.
"You took her to Europe, challenged the world, and returned with results that stirred all of Japan. Even across the entire trainer community, accomplishments like that are few and far between."
"So, in my opinion, with your achievements, Trainer Chiya, you fully deserve this praise."
Looking into Rudolf's clear, dignified purple eyes, Chiya scratched his head.
"Then I'll accept your praise with thanks, President. Honestly, I've never had some grand ambition to change the whole racing world. I just wanted them to race properly, without leaving regrets behind on the track."
His voice grew a little softer.
"But if what I've done really helped make the world of uma musume a better place, then that's my honor."
Rudolf blinked.
For a moment, Chiya's face overlapped with Shirayuki's.
Back when Rudolf had thanked Shirayuki for helping those children, Shirayuki had worn that exact same gentle expression.
"As expected of the Fujiwara siblings. The two of you really are exactly alike."
"Maybe. Though Shirayuki and I aren't siblings."
"You are not?"
"No."
"Then what exactly is your relationship with Shirayuki, Trainer Chiya?"
"A very special one. When the time is right, I can tell you, President Rudolf. But not now."
"What is that supposed to mean? Acting all mysterious like that only makes me more curious. Promise you'll tell me when the time comes."
"Of course. I'm sure it'll shock you."
"Do not tease me like that."
Chiya laughed, and then the two of them turned their attention back to the track.
"Second in popularity! Last year's Japan Cup champion descends upon the turf! The uma musume from Britain, Pilsudski!"
A brown-haired figure stepped onto the stage.
She wore that white-and-gold outfit.
"And now, our most popular runner! The uma musume from Japan! This year's Double Tiara winner! The current Empress of Japan, the Snow Dancer!"
"OOOHHHHHHHHHHHH!!"
In an instant, it was as if a bomb had gone off in the racecourse.
The entire venue erupted.
Dressed in her race outfit, Shirayuki stepped onto the stage. Her heels struck the floor with crisp tap, tap sounds.
Pilsudski turned her head and looked at the white-haired girl walking up from behind her.
For a brief moment, she froze.
Even though her heart belonged entirely to Air Groove, she still found herself captivated by Shirayuki's appearance.
She had not expected Shirayuki to look this beautiful in her race outfit.
No.
I can't let this girl steal my mind.
The only one in my heart is Air Groove!
Pilsudski looked back toward Air Groove.
Only to find Air Groove staring fixedly at Shirayuki without blinking.
Ah…
"In late autumn, the Tokyo Racecourse is dyed in the colors of the season! The world's strongest have gathered here today!"
"The silver notes of the entrance fanfare ring all the way into the heavens! Japan Cup runners, please enter the gates!"
Shirayuki walked toward the starting gate.
From behind, El Condor Pasa slapped her on the shoulder.
"This time, I won't let you get in my way again, Yuki-chan!"
"Shirayuki! We finally get to race together again!"
Special Week came running over with a bright, excited grin and gave Shirayuki a thumbs-up.
"Let's both do our best!"
The girls entered the gates.
Shirayuki slowly settled into her starting stance.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Pilsudski lowering her body. The other girl's eyes were fixed straight ahead on the track.
Faintly, Shirayuki could feel the force radiating from her.
Before the race, Shirayuki had studied Pilsudski's data.
Her races in Britain.
Her training videos.
And her footage from last year's Japan Cup.
Chasing after the stride Pilsudski had developed into, Shirayuki kept raising her estimate of Pilsudski's strength. Again and again, she simulated that speed in her mind and chased it with everything she had.
And that unreachable figure, the one she had pursued through training over and over again, had finally been overtaken.
Shirayuki raised her head and gazed far into the distance, toward the room at the very top of the entire racecourse.
Thump!
Two heartbeats overlapped as one.
"The race begins!"
Bang!
Eighteen figures shot forward at once.
Watching their movements, the announcer launched into rapid commentary.
"All uma musume have made a clean start! As expected of the world's top runners, they are lined up almost evenly! The one currently taking the lead is—"
"It's me! Deeesu!!"
El Condor Pasa broke out of the pack first.
Her body turned into a streak of red light, shooting to the very front like an arrow.
Right behind her was Pilsudski in her white-and-gold race outfit. Her gaze swept quickly across the field, then she lowered her body and stuck tightly to El Condor Pasa's back.
Watching the two of them move, Special Week swallowed hard.
As expected of Japan's greatest race.
This felt completely different from an ordinary GⅠ.
The uma musume from Europe gave off an intense pressure. Before the race, Shirayuki had warned her that overseas uma musume approached races differently from Japanese runners.
When facing opponents, they attacked first.
Suddenly, Special Week heard movement behind her.
She jerked her body to the side.
A figure tore past, brushing right by her shoulder.
C-Close!
That runner had almost slammed straight into her!
Sure enough, this race was nothing like any race she had ever run before.
But still.
For the sake of standing on the same stage as Shirayuki, Special Week kept cheering herself on.
She was Shirayuki's best friend.
The two of them had promised that, someday, they would keep racing together happily.
So no matter how difficult it became, she would overcome it.
Keeping careful watch on the runners around her, Special Week shifted toward the inside lane.