Bourbon's POV
"…"
"Bourbon," Kuronuma-san began, his voice cutting through the silence of the training room. "The Satsuki Sho is over. On paper, we won. But tell me—what are your actual thoughts?"
I remained silent for a moment, processing the data from the race. "To be completely honest, Master… while I crossed the line first, I feel that Rice-san is the superior athlete. Logically, there is no other explanation for how she managed to close a gap of four or five lengths in the final stretch, especially given the steep incline at Nakayama."
Kuronuma nodded slowly. "So you felt it too. I went into that race expecting a comfortable margin, but I never anticipated her having that much left in the tank. Her late-game explosive power is… abnormal."
Master was right. If the home straight had been just a few meters longer, I would have been overtaken. My top speed at the finish was mathematically inferior to hers. If my stamina had wavered even slightly, or if my baseline speed was any lower… Rice-san would have stood alone at the top of the podium.
"Bourbon, we're going to lean out your conditioning even further for the Derby," Kuronuma said, his eyes narrowing. "The Tokyo track is 2400 meters, and that final straight is 500 meters long. If we run the same way we did yesterday, she will catch you. We need speed that can't be matched and stamina that refuses to break."
"Understood, Master."
"One more thing," Kuronuma looked me in the eye. "Are you actually happy with this win?"
"No," I replied instantly. "As I stated, I recognize that Rice-san's raw ability currently exceeds my own. I believe I won the Satsuki Sho because her final spurt was delayed… or, more simply, because luck was on my side. Forgive the lack of a more concrete analysis."
"Luck, huh? A fair assessment," Kuronuma sighed. "We won because the variables fell in our favor. Next time, we make sure we win because the variables don't matter. We won't rely on luck again."
Master is right. The Japan Derby is 2400 meters. As I am now, I will lose. I have a month to reshape my body and my spirit to handle a distance I was never meant to run.
I didn't expect my rival to be this terrifying.
"Tomorrow, we go back to work," Kuronuma declared. "They'll be coming at us with everything they've got after yesterday. If we aren't in peak condition, we're done. Are you ready for the hell I'm about to put you through?"
"Of course, Master. My goal is the Triple Crown. To achieve it, I will gladly walk a path of thorns."
"Good."
Rice-san… at the Derby, I will win through skill, not luck. I will not let you pass me.
Rice's POV
"Look, losing is disappointing, I get it," Big Brother said, leaning against the wall of the stable. "But that race gave us a mountain of data. And losing by a mere 'head' after that kind of performance? There's no reason to be depressed."
"B-but… I'm sorry, Big Brother," I whispered, looking at my shoes. "I just… if I had pushed a little sooner, I could have caught her…"
"I told you already—stop apologizing," he said, his voice firm but not unkind. "Today isn't for regrets; it's for the Derby. And as far as I'm concerned, we have the advantage."
I looked up, blinking. "Because of the stamina you mentioned?"
"That's part of it, but just look at the physics of yesterday's race. Rice, you cornered Bourbon using only the final straight. Think about it: Nakayama's straight is only 310 meters long with a brutal 5.3-meter vertical climb. You made up nearly five lengths of distance on that hill. You were the only one in the entire field who was actually gaining on her. That proves that while she has the stamina to finish, she doesn't have the speed to pull away from you when you're at full tilt."
"So… am I faster than her?"
"In the final stretch? Absolutely. And the next race is at Tokyo. The straight there is 526 meters—over 200 meters longer than Nakayama. The hill is longer but much gentler. It's a track that rewards pure, sustained stamina and a long, punishing spurt. Bourbon is a sprinter by blood; adding another 400 meters to the distance is going to be a nightmare for her. She won't have the luxury of training for speed when she's struggling just to survive the extra distance. On paper, the Derby is yours to lose."
It was true that when I was running, I felt like I could see her back getting closer and closer. Does that mean… Rice is actually faster right now?
"But," Hachiman added, his expression hardening, "complacency is the enemy."
I straightened my back.
"We have to train harder than we ever have. Just because the conditions favor us doesn't mean the win is guaranteed. We have one month to become stronger than the version of us that lost yesterday. Let's get to work."
"O-oh! Right!" I chirped, feeling a new surge of energy.
"Good. That's the spirit. Meeting adjourned. Sorry to keep you after class; I know you probably wanted to go relax, but I needed you to hear this."
"No, thank you, Big Brother! I feel like… like I really want to win the Derby now!"
"Glad to hear it."
I have to do it. I have to get stronger so I can beat Bourbon-san next time! I'll give it everything I've got starting tomorrow!
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