"The horse girls participating in this Golden Youth Cup are now entering the gates."
"And still the number one in popularity is our Kasamatsu star, Oguri Cap!"
"We've heard that Central Tracen Academy has already reached out to our star — she may have already accepted their invitation. Perhaps this will be her last race in Kasamatsu."
"It's a bit regrettable, but Oguri Cap is representing Kasamatsu at Central. I'm sure she will give us the most thrilling race ever!"
"Let's look forward to it!"
The announcer's words stirred the crowd, and a deafening cheer erupted inside Kasamatsu Racecourse.
…Wow, so many people. The crowd at Kasamatsu seems to grow each time, but today it's more than ever — the stands seem full beyond capacity…
And that announcer knows so much… how does she know I'm going to Central…?
Oguri Cap was slightly puzzled.
Already inside the gates and quietly waiting, she looked through the narrow side view and still saw packed stands.
Compared to her debut race over half a year ago, it seemed that the audience grew larger each time — though she didn't realize that many of these spectators had specifically come to see her race.
Not just from Nagoya; if one checked, audiences came from all over Japan.
The Kasamatsu star herself was unaware of her growing fame. Or rather, she didn't feel much about it.
She only knew about Central because Kitahara had mentioned it — she had no objections.
A few months ago, she had visited Central, felt the strength of horse girls there, trained for over a month with Tamamo Cross, and competed many times. She didn't need anyone else to say it — she was extremely eager to transfer to Central.
Running was the nature of horse girls, and they were full of fighting spirit. She longed to compete against various strong opponents and defeat them all.
…If she transferred to Central, she might no longer race with everyone in Kasamatsu, except for the Tokai Derby she would return for…
The Tokai Derby… she'd face March…
Thinking of this, Oguri Cap glanced at the gate beside her.
She was in gate five; March was in six, right next to her.
Coincidentally, as she turned her head, their eyes met. March looked at her.
Before turning, Marches normally stern face had a trace of frostiness, but that instantly melted into a gentle smile when she saw Oguri Cap.
"Listen, Oguri Cap, the announcer keeps talking about you. Your popularity is enviable."
"Ah?"
Oguri Cap was momentarily stunned, then scratched her head.
"I wasn't paying much attention, I was thinking about something else."
"Hmm? What were you thinking about?" March also paused, curling her lips slightly, speaking softly.
"I was thinking about the Tokai Derby."
Oguri Cap nodded, then paused again, smiling.
"It's kind of like our first race — we were talking about the Tokai Derby back then too."
She clenched her fists, feeling motivated.
"Let's make a promise again. When the Tokai Derby comes, we'll race each other again!"
"I promised you — we'll race again for sure!"
"The Tokai Derby…"
A flicker of something unusual passed in March's eyes. She suddenly turned her head, her gaze sharpening.
"…Oguri."
Expecting her friend and rival to respond, Marche was surprised by Oguri Cap's reaction. Oguri Cap hesitated, then instinctively replied.
"Ah…? Um, March, you…"
March didn't wait for her to finish.
"Sorry, I'll break our promise. I'm not entering the Tokai Derby."
Her tone grew serious.
"I've decided — after this race, I'm moving to Central."
"I want to compete with you there."
"As for you… let's make a new promise, Oguri Cap."
"If you lose this race, I'll keep the old promise and race the Tokai Derby with you."
"But if you win…"
"Go for the 'Triple Crown,' Oguri Cap."
"That's the stage you're meant for."
"Triple Crown…? That's…"
Oguri Cap didn't immediately recall what the "Triple Crown" was. She was about to focus, when suddenly — snap! — the gates opened.
The announcer's voice rang out at the perfect moment.
"Start!"
"All the horse girls start beautifully… Ah! What's this?! The most anticipated, number one in popularity — Oguri Cap — made a late start?!"
"Unbelievable! Her last late start was during her debut. What's wrong this time?!"
"Anyway, due to the false start, Oguri Cap is currently at the back… Ah! She's accelerating! Is she trying to move to the front and use her specialty — Pace Chasing tactics?!"
"No! Oguri Cap is running the outer lane! So this is her new tactic?"
"Let's check the lineup!"
"In first is the number two in popularity — Fujimasa March. She's also a Kasamatsu star, and widely recognized as Oguri Cap's rival!"
"Though she has lost multiple times before, Marche's repeated second-place finishes have proven she hasn't given up!"
"Can she defeat Oguri Cap in this race and prove herself?! We'll see!"
"Second is the sixth most popular, Sothern Female, third is fifth-ranked Wild Henry, fourth is Bet Sugar, fifth is Gyro Dancer… Ah! Have the spectators noticed? Among the participating Uma Musume, aside from Oguri Cap, they're all her former opponents!"
"I see! This is a full-on challenge against Oguri Cap! Coincidence? Or has her strength unconsciously united her opponents?!"
"She's running the outer lane — is it forced?!"
"17 rivals pressuring her — even a strong horse girl like Oguri Cap must adopt a never-before-seen outer-lane tactic?!"
"Can she withstand the pressure and complete an astonishing 12-win streak?!"
This was already the 12th time the Kasamatsu announcer was narrating Oguri Cap's race. Familiar with both Oguri Cap and her rivals, she stirred the emotions of all spectators effortlessly.
"Amazing! Kasamatsu's Oguri Cap truly lives up to her name! Targeted by all rivals… Central Uma Musume don't even get this treatment, do they?!"
"Go, Oguri Cap! I came all the way from Hokkaido! You can do it!"
"Don't get surrounded, Oguri Cap! With 17 opponents, no one could break through — stay in the outer lane to victory! Oguri Cap!"
From the stands rose wave after wave of cheers.
(End of chapter)