The results of the Shiwasu Special Cup were announced first.
"Photographs! Oh my! The results of this Shiwasu Special Cup are being judged by photographs! Incredible! Oguri Cap, Inari One! Truly the star of Kasamatsu and the ultimate weapon of Oi! Their performance is amazing!"
The next moment, the cheers turned into astonished shouts.
"W-what?! Oguri Cap and Inari One are still running?! What's going on? The race is over! Did something happen to them?!"
It's not… over! X2
Come on! Tama, Super Creek! The last 400 meters, let's settle this! X2
This time… I absolutely will not lose! X2
The Naruo Kinen is still ongoing.
"The third turn! Approaching the third turn! Will anyone make a move here?! Who?! Who will… Tamamo Cross! She's starting to accelerate first!"
"Oh my! What speed is that! One, two, three… she surged from her front-runner position, overtaking all the Uma Musume ahead at once! She's in first place!"
…First? Not necessarily…
Super Creek should have overtaken her.
Her stamina is strong, but unfortunately, she hasn't yet developed a strategy that matches that level of endurance…
Earlier, in the early-to-mid phase, she used a bit too much stamina to take the lead. Even though she seemed ahead all along, in reality, my recent burst… she can't catch up!But Oguri, Inari…
Tch, you two are terrifying…
Nearly 600 meters of sprinting. Don't think I didn't notice the little private scheming you two were doing.
Acting like I'm not a real Uma Musume — I heard everything…
Planning how to turn a 1600m race into 2000m to beat me, at least give me a little leeway…
But since you're going all out, I…
I'll go all the way with you!
"Tamamo Cross accelerates again! She can still accelerate! She's already a length ahead of second place… no! Two lengths! Three lengths! The gap keeps increasing!"
"Is something chasing her?! Or is she chasing something?!"
"The fourth turn! Passing the fourth turn! Final stretch! Here comes the final straight!"
"Tamamo Cross… still accelerating! She's still accelerating!"
"Four lengths! Five lengths! Six… six lengths! Is she really the least popular?!"
"She's truly like white lightning, stunning all the spectators!"
"The final 100 meters!"
"The last 50 meters!"
"Crossing the line! Tamamo Cross crosses the line!"
"Six lengths! Six lengths! Tamamo Cross! The least popular Tamamo Cross!"
"Tamamo Cross wins with an astonishing six-length lead! A victory as swift as thunder! A stunning debut win in a high-stakes race!!"
"Let's cheer for the name Tamamo Cross!!!"
Hearing this from one of Kyoko Miyamura's phones, Kitahara glanced at it, then quickly looked at the track in front of him.
At that moment, commentary came from the other phone, though this one sounded flustered and confused.
"Stop… they've stopped! Oguri Cap and Inari One have finally stopped. After crossing the finish line side by side, they ran about 400 meters more before stopping…"
"Ah, the photograph results are out. The results are…"
"Oguri Cap first! Oguri Cap first!"
"What a pity! Inari One comes second by a nose, but her performance was also spectacular! Truly deserving of the title 'Oi's Ultimate Weapon'!"
"Let's congratulate them!"
Tama first, Oguri Cap second, Inari One third, and then…
Focusing on the track, the moment the only chestnut figure passed the finish line, Kitahara pressed the stopwatch button.
…Super Creek is fourth.
Kitahara's gaze lingered on Super Creek at the finish line for a long moment. He couldn't tell what she was thinking.
He only saw the Uma Musume gently breathing, slightly lifting her head, gazing into the distance.
After a brief silence, recalling the night Super Creek lost in the training race, Kitahara sighed lightly and walked toward the finish line.
The sound of footsteps on the muddy ground echoed. He clearly saw Super Creek's ears twitch as she turned her head.
"…I guess I lost, Kitahara-san."
Her voice carried no emotion, calm and gentle, just like her gaze.
Her eyes, like her name, were soft and serene, like a shallow blue sea.
Yet, in the deeper, farther part of that sea, faint waves seemed to be surging, quietly gathering.
After another pause, Kitahara nodded.
"Your finish time of 117.4 seconds places you fourth among the four of you."
He didn't say how much slower she was than Tamamo Cross, Oguri Cap, or Inari One, nor did he tell her she had actually surpassed all the remaining competitors on the other track.
He simply felt that Super Creek didn't need to hear that now.
"I see… fourth again…"
She nodded slightly, her long ears drooping briefly before springing back and shaking.
"Looks like I still have a long way to go."
She smiled, eyes forming a beautiful crescent moon shape, hiding most of her bright blue pupils. She chuckled softly: "Let's go, Kitahara-san. Let's head to Kasamatsu Racecourse to congratulate Oguri and Inari."
She turned and walked without waiting for a reaction from Kitahara and the others.
I won't… always be fourth.
She thought to herself.
On the way to Kasamatsu Racecourse, in Inari One's preparation room:
"…Inari, are you serious?"
Frowning at Inari One packing her things, Tarō looked troubled. "Kitahara-san has been taking care of us so much recently. Leaving without a word… isn't that rude?"
Inari One didn't respond. The fox mask on her side face now covered her entire small face, only muffled, heavy breaths escaping from it.
After a moment without response, Tōbara stepped forward. "Hey, Inari…"
"Oh, I know! One sentence is enough! Light, why are you acting like Kitahara-san, becoming a nagging old man too?!"
She suddenly turned her head, growling roughly. The fox mask shook, and a low hum came from within.
"…Sorry, Ligjt, I didn't mean to snap at you…"
Tōra's frown softened.
"…You need to fix that temper of yours, Inari," he said softly.
After a long pause:
"…Mm." A muffled hum from beneath the mask.
"Losing isn't much. The chance to win back is still very high."
"…Yes."
"When we go back, you'll need extra training. Next time we meet, you must be stronger."
"Okay."
"I'll greet Kitahara-san. Once you're ready, we'll go straight to the station."
"…Mm."
At Hanshin Racecourse, the Winning Stage preparation room.
"Well, Komiyama, you really worry too much. It's just a Winning Stage. I haven't performed in a long time, but it's not like I haven't practiced."
"Relax, relax. Go out and enjoy our performance. I'm going to change clothes now."
"Alright, alright. I won't push you. Go wait in the audience, and after it ends, we'll go get okonomiyaki."
Pushing, the door closed. Silence filled the room.
…Come early, Oguri, Inari, Super Creek.
This time… it's my turn to treat you to okonomiyaki.
(End of Chapter)