"Will Ten Point finally even the score? Or will Tosho Boy continue her dominance?!" The pre-hype for the Takarazuka Kinen was good, in Riku's opinion. All eyes were on those two Umamusume for this Takarazuka Kinen, but that doesn't mean someone can't upset them, just that it is unlikely. The Takarazuka Kinen is an all-star or grand prix race, meaning it was decided by fan vote rather than previous race victories. Green Grass and Maruzensky were both voted in with this batch, surprisingly, but both declined to rest after the Tokyo Yushun.
[Little Note after some research, I got the running styles of Tosho Boy and Ten Point mixed up, with Tosho Boy actually being the frontrunner. I'll keep them as is, since I set a precedent in chapter 1, but just something to note down.]
His eyes tracked the highlight race footage they were showing, as he leaned back in the private viewing area, showcasing some other competitors in this race, but mainly focusing on the frequent duels between the top two. Tosho Boy and Ten Point had met multiple times already, in different races ranging from G1 to G3. Tosho Boy held a lead in most of their outings and was touted as the superior Uma. It'd all come down to who wanted it more between the two, and just how the injury Tosho Boy sustained after the Arima Kinen would affect her going into this race.
"Neh Opal, who do you have for this race?" Buckshot's voice echoed out, cutting his introspection as he glanced back. Buckshot had leaned over, looking at Opal directly with her arm on the shorter woman's shoulder, uncaring of the flat expression she received in turn. Had this been the two a few months ago, Opal would not have let Buckshot ever touch her, hm.
Opal flatly gazed bore into Buckshot before looking away, a small huff escaping her. "Ten Point, she's looking fresher and better rested." Her eyebrows rose at the smirk on Buckshot's face.
"Hoh? I believe it'll be Tosho Boy, she looks far stronger." Her grin grew as an irritated tick was briefly visible on Opal's forehead. Buckshot was totally doing it just to irritate Opal; he had recalled that she answered similarly to how Opal did to him earlier, but was probably just trying to rile her coworker up. His gaze went from the two to his phone, which had pinged him twice. A glance down led to Riku frowning, seeing that his mother still hadn't replied to his message. Maybe he should call. However, he soon smiled seeing the notification that Maruzensky had arrived with her father and mother, a rare moment where he gets to see both of them. His other surprise guest hadn't made an appearance yet.
Both of his bodyguards perked up seeing him stand up. He waved them off and walked down towards the entrance to their viewing area, where Maruzensky was waiting to be let in. Several people bowed respectfully to him as he passed, his smile still in place as he continued. It had already been just under half a year since his promotion, and sometimes it still didn't feel real. All these people around him, looking at him with respect that is slowly starting to feel earned. It was very surreal to the young man, who was turning twenty-one later this year. He'd be legal to drink in the United States by then, hah. He was the Chairman of the URA, the biggest force within Japan outside of the government, directly, perhaps even on the same level, if not higher, and he wasn't legally allowed to drink in the States.
"I really need to stop with these shower thoughts as I walk," Riku shook his head as he reached the entrance, a couple of security guards standing by with a very familiar Umamusume standing there, waving at him with a bright smile while her parents stood by. Maruzensky's fashion outside of racing once again had him blinking, as she wouldn't have been out of place in the 50s or 60s in the US. Her father was dressed in his usual attire and colors, probably having multiple similar outfits on hand. This was his first meeting with Maruzensky's mother, Shill, though.
"They're with me, thank you," Riku called out as he approached, the guards glancing his way before bowing and moving aside. His greetings were cut off as Maruzensky eagerly surged forward, wrapping him in a hug, thankfully not treating his bones like a suggestion. Something Tazuna (which he still liked) and Opal did. He patted her back lightly until she let go, her smile still shining through.
He glanced over and gave a nod to Vincent, who did the same back; however, Shill looked slightly bemused as she looked at the two of them with a small smile, before she walked forward. She gave her daughter a pair of taps on the shoulder, startling Maruzensky as her ears and tail stood up, her expression turning sheepish as she stood away.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Chairman Riku." She purposefully enunciated his title while raising an eyebrow at her pouting daughter, before looking his way with a smile. He was then caught off guard when she mimicked her daughter and hugged him. "Thank you. Truly. Thank you for what you've done for my family." She pulled back quickly, giving him a blinding smile. Ah.
It was like dealing with an older, more mature Maruzensky. In other words, someone who was quite bad for his heart. "Just doing my job, Ma'am." He grunted as her grip tightened along with her smile.
"Shill." She insisted while staring at him intently.
"Uhm.. that's," He began, only for her to lean further forward, eyes closed as she smiled. Her expression seemed serene, but a menacing aura seemed to emanate from her.
"Shill." She merely stated once more.
"Shill." Riku nodded robotically as she beamed while stepping back. Vincent gave him a look of pity. However, Maruzensky's look of understanding somehow made him worried. Just what are you understanding here? "Ahem!" Riku coughed, trying to get things back on track. "Please follow me, our seating is this way." He smiled as he turned around, his expression looking exasperated as he turned. He quickly marched on, Maruzensky quickly keeping step with him as her parents followed along.
"Hey, Mr. Chairman~," Maruzensky cheerfully talked as they walked, her expression curious. He looked back at her as they neared the viewing room. "Who do you think will win this race?" Her parents, who were clearly eavesdropping, also looked interested in his answer.
He tapped his right cheek several times as he thought it over. "To be honest, I don't know." This clearly wasn't expected, as they all looked at him in slight surprise. "Is it that surprising? I've followed the careers of bot; it's an honest toss-up. Tosho Boy has looked stronger, but Ten Point could just as easily win." He shrugged, Maruzensky frowning in thought as she looked ahead as they reached the doors. Before he could open them, Maruzensky spoke.
"Tosho Boy and Ten Point." She said aloud, drawing a curious look from the group. "I'll have to beat them this year, huh?" Maruzensky had her eyes closed with a smile as she stated that, missing the incredulous looks everyone else gave her at that statement.
"Haha! You bet, my daughter is the best after all." Vincent chuckled as he rubbed Maruzensky's hair, getting a pout from her. He could understand the sentiment; it's one thing to believe that Maruzensky could beat the two big stars of this generation, but it's another to hear her confidence in saying that.
"Yes, yes. Let's watch the race and see your opponents then, yeah?" Riku shook his head as he opened the door and led the way up. He really is interested in seeing how she'll do against those two.
"Oi, the party has arrived!" Buckshot called out as they came into view, giving a mock-whistle as she did so. Her sharp teeth were on display as they climbed up the stairs, giving Shill, whom she had not yet met, a look-over.
Riku could only sigh as he took his seat, gesturing nearby to the open booths for the family. He glanced down at his phone, missing the vibes from White Narubi, Green Chateau, Oguri Cap, and Tamamo Cross. The extended family had decided to rest and watch from home on the day, planning on having an outing together afterwards. Honestly, he hoped they had a fantastic day; he certainly just missed the warm aura the group gave off and how little Oguri/Tamamo could make his day.
The Mejiro/Symboli families both decided to skip as well, likely watching the races from whatever mansion or manor they were holed up in. He suspected that Rudolf and Ramonu, who were the closest to debuting, were throwing themselves into training hell after the performance their seniors had been putting up. Who knows, maybe they'd see completely different versions of those monstrous racers in the future. A soft pat caught his attention to Maruzensky, helping herself to the seat next to him with a smile.
"Ah. Maruz–" Riku began, only for Maruzensky to lean forward with a smile.
"Maru." She insisted, an expectant expression on her face.
"Maruz–" She took it a step further, placing a lip on his lips as he stared at her in disbelief. This was the lesson you took from your mother earlier!? He glanced over in his peripheral, her mother Shill looking a mix between disapproval and pride of her daughter.
"Maru." The aura of menace that emanated from Maruzensky matched her mother perfectly. He never really had a chance, huh.
"Maru, then." He looked flatly at the smug Umamusume, her expression not too dissimilar to memes he remembered about a Smug Tokai Teio. Huh, did she have any relations with Teio? He's going off-tangent again.
Truly, he didn't know how to read Maru at all. What she was doing didn't feel like flirting, but then again, he wouldn't know. He settled for poking her forehead as he turned his gaze back to the track. A muffled, "ouch", echoed out. He doubted he had managed to hurt her at all. Umamusume were known for their exterior durability, and a regular human would be hard-pressed to harm them normally.
"I'd watch closely…Maru." He added on when Maruzensky continued to stare at him, her gaze going back towards the course with a smile afterwards. "These two will be your biggest competition if you try for the Japan Cup or Arima Kinen, after all." A look of seriousness appeared on Maruzensky's face, her smile falling briefly as she looked intently on.
They had already missed the introductions, but he could see on the screen that Tosho Boy was the favorite, with Ten Point right behind her. He narrowed his eyes as they were finishing the final introductions and were entering the paddock. Would Tosho Boy continue her streak? Or would Ten Point get a win over her rival finally? Time to find out.
On the Track
"All runners have entered the paddock! The race is about to begin!" Rookie commentator Misato Akasaka took the reins on commentating in this race. Ten Point glanced over from her position in gate 3 towards gate 12 at her rival with narrowed eyes. She wouldn't waste this opportunity; she was going to win!
A very brief moment of quiet entered as Ten Point stared ahead, her eyes focusing on her path. "Come on…" She grit her teeth, and after a brief moment, the gates opened. The sound of the buzzer followed a fraction of a second after, but the race had already begun, and Ten Point didn't waste her time.
"Ten Point! Ten Point has surged into first and is leading the pack!" Misato exclaimed. A Ten Point surged forward, kicking hard to take her spot at the front of the pack before relaxing. She had built up a lead of two lengths and was maintaining it. This was a 2,200-meter race. It wasn't considered long distance but sat on the cusp between that and medium. Ten Point knew how important conserving her stamina was, as she'd need all of it to hold off Tosho Boy's inevitable surge.
"The runners have settled in comfortably! Ten Point leads with a lead of 2.5 lengths! Tosho Boy is currently sitting in eleventh and biding her time! We have just passed the halfway mark!" Ten Point huffed lightly as she continued to lead; she was burning more energy than she liked. Quiet Free, who was positioned just behind her in second, had tried twice now to take the lead position, but she's held on for now.
"Tch," Ten Point let out a sound of irritation, wondering what she should do. If Quiet continues to press her, it might be best to concede the first position so that she still holds the ability to surge. However, if she does so, she risks being boxed in when the final corner comes, and she'd have no chance of victory then. She frowned as she glanced back once more. Only 800 meters left, it's best if she maintains her position. The rest of the pack had begun to close in, and her lead was only one length now. Flickers of light began manifesting at the edge of her eyes. She was determined to win this race.
The sound of rapid steps caused Ten Point's eyes to widen briefly before narrowing in concentration. She recognized those steps, and a glance behind revealed exactly what she already knew. "Tosho Boy! Tosho Boy has begun her surge at the 600-meter mark! She's quickly moved into fourth!" Ten Point gritted her teeth as she met the eyes of her rival, who had quickly reached toward the top ranks of the pack.
"Not this time!" Ten Point growled as she began her surge as they hit the 500-meter mark, gaining a lead of three lengths over the pack. Tosho Boy's eyes narrowed before she followed, quickly falling into second place. The rest of the pack began to fall back, unable to keep up with the pace of the two leading the race.
"Ten Point leads, we've hit the final 200 meters! Ten Point leads by one length! But here comes Tosho Boy! Tosho Boy! Ten Point! They're neck and neck! Who will win!?" Misato's commentary sounded frantic, if not frenzied, which was echoed by the crowd roaring as the two battled in the last few meters for victory. The rest of the race was a forethought, anywhere between 5-6 lengths behind the two.
Ten Point's eyes glowed as she grit her teeth, trying to hold out against Tosho Boy's surge. The aura around her eyes began to fade as the same happened to Tosho Boy, both's partial use of the domain(zone) beginning to leave them as they reached the finish. "Ahhhhhhhh!" Ten Points yelled as she pushed everything into her weakening legs that matched her rival. Would it be enough? Could it be enough? It had to be enough. But… it wasn't.
"Tosho Boy! Unbelievable! Goal in! Tosho Boy wins by a head over Ten Point!" Misato's call was echoed by the crowd, a roaring cheer going up as the crowd deliriously cheered for the end of the race. Ten Point panted, her body aching like it never had before. She frustratingly wiped the sweat that had gotten into her eyes, causing them to sting painfully. That's what Ten Point would say anyway, to hide the angry tears wanting to fall from her eyes as she had fallen short. Again. To that wall she could still not overcome, Tosho Boy. Her eyes, which began to leak, took in the form of Tosho Boy, who held up a fist to the crowd, a tired but relieved smile on Tosho's lips.
"How many times… must I fall short!?" Ten Point ranted as she huffed, wiping her eyes as she stalked off, heading to the tunnel. She completely missed Tosho Boy's gaze locked onto her, flecked lightly with worry, before it faded. Tosho's gaze went back to the crowd, waving to them as she etched another victory into her legacy. Their fight would continue in the Autumn Tenno Sho.
CHAPTER END