Chapter 124 - Chapter 124: The Sudden Great Escape

[Another 9k words chapter 😭😭]

"But it doesn't really feel like that tactic, does it?"

Inari One looked puzzled. "Little Creek's tactic used to be much more refined than this. The way she's running now… it's way too rough. If I weren't standing right here, I'd think I was the one out there running."

Kitahara and the other trainers were exclaiming in surprise as well, and amidst the commotion, Mejiro Ardan spoke up a little nervously.

"S-sorry… it might be because of me…"

Her voice wasn't loud, but the horse girls like Oguri Cap all had excellent hearing. One by one, they turned their heads toward her.

"Huh? Because of Ardan? Why?" Oguri was the first to ask, and Tamamo Cross and Inari One also turned to her in shock.

Their reactions drew the attention of Kitahara and the others toward Mejiro Ardan as well.

"It's because I told her earlier… that I wanted her to go all out."

Biting her lip, Ardan looked anxious. "I think that's why she started at such a high speed right from the beginning. Maybe she planned to drag the others into speeding up. And if they didn't… then she would just run all the way to the finish line herself…"

"Chief Kitahara, if she runs like this, will it affect the race?"

She looked at him worriedly in the end.

Everyone else also turned their eyes to him. Kitahara, who had been startled at first, had already calmed down by now.

"So that's it—Ardan, you told Creek to go all out. No wonder."

He chuckled lightly and shook his head with confidence. "If it was your wish, then there's no problem with her running like this."

The reason he hadn't let Creek run a Front Runner tactic before wasn't that she couldn't—it was because he didn't want to put too much pressure on Ardan, who hadn't debuted yet and was still recovering.

In truth, while Super Creek wasn't especially suited for an all-out Front Runner, her advantages in this debut race were overwhelming. In this kind of situation, she could completely run just like in the first training scenario from the game: pick "Front Runner" without a second thought.

With her speed, stamina, strength, and tactical sense all superior, seizing the lead early on meant she had no need to worry about rivals blocking her or creating surprises.

In other words, given the circumstances, it was actually one of the best choices Super Creek could make.

After comforting Ardan, Kitahara continued explaining:

"Super Creek already has excellent stamina and control. This race isn't especially long. So even if she can't keep accelerating the whole way, it's no problem to speed up in phases at the right moments."

"This type of tactic isn't just mindlessly running at full throttle. It's about using superb talent and technique to keep an average pace at a high standard. Thanks to focused training, your stamina drain isn't too bad as long as you don't accelerate too often. Only during bursts does it drain faster."

"Even though She hasn't trained much specifically for this, her stamina is just too good. Even if she wastes some energy maintaining a high pace while cruising, it's well within what she can handle—or even outright ignore."

He smiled. "So if she can keep a high pace right from the start, her stamina won't be the one affected. Her rivals' will."

"If I'm not mistaken, her opponents must already be panicking. They'll unconsciously accelerate, which means they won't be able to manage their stamina properly."

"And that's exactly how the tactic 'Swinging Maestro' comes into play."

As if on cue to support his analysis, the commentators' excited cries echoed again.

"Eh?! Super Creek's speed just dropped! Could it be that her Front Running wasn't some ingenious tactic, but a reckless mistake?!"

The spectators' cheers also turned into cries of alarm."What's going on? Was that a bad choice?"

"Does her trainer not even know how to set tactics?"

"What a pity! I thought we'd get to see an amazing running…"

"Hope she doesn't lose too badly…"

It was no wonder the crowd's mood shifted. No matter what kind of Front Running style it was, the runner had to keep pace and hold the lead. Once the pace dropped too sharply, you didn't even need to watch further—you knew she was likely doomed.

The commentators analyzed the same way.

"Too bad. Super Creek must've recklessly changed her tactic. She was fast at the start, but now she's slowed far too much. It looks like she's run out of steam."

"She had a lead of about four to five lengths. Now it's barely over one length. That slowdown is way too obvious."

"The horses behind her are all pushing forward at once… ah! They're closing in! Closer, closer still! They're nearly on top of her!"

"Half a length! Less than half a length!"

"Super Creek… she's about to be overtaken!"

"A total tactical failure for this horse?!"

…Oh no, dear commentator lady. Quite the opposite.

Breathing steadily, eyes calm as the turf blurred beneath her hooves, the training fences and spectators swept by in her periphery, the heavy breaths from behind growing closer and harsher—Super Creek's lips curved in a faint smile before flattening again.

The first time trying the "Swing Maestro" tactic…

The results were better than expected.

I'm not really an Front Running horse. I just… well, have a bit too much stamina.

That opening burst was about ten seconds. The drain was heavy. If I were racing against Oguri and the others, I'd already be done for—no stamina left to accelerate again.

But these opponents…

She listened again. The ragged breathing right behind her, nearly upon her. This time, she clearly noticed a hint of irregularity in the hoofbeats accompanying those breaths.

…No worries at all.

So then—sorry, everyone, but…

I'll just have to waste more stamina.

"Eh?! What—what's this?! What's going on with Super Creek?! Wasn't she slowing down?! Why is she speeding up again?!"

The commentator's voice rose in shock.

"What's happening?! I don't think I've ever seen anything like this before! A horse that can accelerate even after slowing down?!"

"Could that slowdown just now… have been fake?!"

"Did she trick everyone?!"

The commentator was bewildered, but her professional instinct kept her voice rousing, and the audience's doubts turned back into cheers.

"Maybe it was just a misstep? I read about her in the papers—while she's not suited to Front Running, her overall abilities are really high. Maybe she's just using this debut race to try a new running style?"

"Makes sense she'd slip up a little then. But whatever! Go, Super Creek! Run, run all the way to the ends of the earth!"

Not all doubts were dispelled—some viewers still questioned things.

"Does this Uma Musume really know how to run a Front Runner tactic? She doesn't look like she does…"

"And do you know how to? Just watch."

"Doesn't matter—just keep running! Go, Super Creek!"

Compared to the crowd's shock, Kitahara and the others were calm.

"The tactic's fully in play now, Super Creek." Kitahara smiled.

The others who knew her "Swinging Maestro" tactic nodded. Yuzuhara spoke next.

"Yeah. With her stamina, at this debut distance, she should be able to accelerate three times—three full sprints, even if it burns her stamina."

Thinking it through, he analyzed:

"She already used one at the start. Now's the second. If she pulls away again here, and her rivals still don't realize what's going on and keep burning stamina to chase… they'll have nothing left to finish the race."

In a horse girl's race, normal cruising pace consumes relatively little stamina. Acceleration burns through it geometrically faster—but also covers more ground in the same time. Which meant… with fixed distances, controlling acceleration timing and duration was everything. To use the same stamina for a faster finish, you couldn't just accelerate whenever.

"That's about right," Kitahara nodded, then shook his head regretfully.

"Looks like her opponents still haven't realized."

Just as he said, after Creek's second acceleration drew them into another chase, she slowed again—and the commentary and spectators erupted in shock once more.

In the midst of this noisy uproar, Kitahara and his group grew even calmer. He turned to Komiyama and Kyoko.

"This tactic—Little Cap and Tama can both try learning it. One has terrifying leg strength, the other superb balance. If they control stamina right, they can fully replicate it."

"So make sure to gather and analyze Creek's data from this race. This will be our team's ace card."

"Got it!" the two girls answered firmly.

Meanwhile, after her second sprint, Super Creek listened intently again to the pounding breath and hooves behind her. Her expression grew serious.

…No more chances, everyone.

Next comes the third—and final sprint.

"Ladies and gentlemen! I don't even know how to describe this race anymore—this is completely against common sense!"

"Super Creek has adopted an unprecedented Front Running tactic! Three slowdowns, three accelerations! In the entire history of the Twinkle series, we've never seen anything like this!"

"But perhaps those 'slowdowns' weren't mistakes at all—but part of her strategy!"

"Because this third acceleration… she shows no signs of slowing again!"

"She's going, and going, and going!"

"After the third acceleration—she hasn't stopped at all!"

"She's pulled four, five lengths ahead again!"

"Six! Seven! No—almost ten lengths!"

"A massive lead!"

"Her opponents have all run out of steam! The gap is widening!"

"An unprecedented, common-sense-defying escape! An unprecedented distance gap!"

"My God—is this really the power of a horse girl debuting for the very first time? Ah! She's about to cross the line!"

"She's crossed!"

"Let's all congratulate Super Creek for showing us this never-before-seen escape, and for her dazzling debut victory!"

"She wins by a huge margin—beautifully done!"

The day after Creek's debut, Kitahara sat staring at the newspaper in his hand, his expression complicated. Around him, others wore bitter smiles.

The stack of papers he held bore massive, eye-catching headlines:

"Debut Victory by 14 Lengths! Strongest Front Running Horse Girl of a Generation is Born!"

"A Common-Sense-Breaking Escape! Three Slowdowns, Three Accelerations—A Stunning Tactic!"

"Following the Gray Monster, White Lightning, and Oi's Ultimate Weapon—the Eternal Team's Other Ace: Unconventional Creek!"

"Mejiro Family Joins Forces! Blazing Hot Central Rising Star! Eternal (Eisei) Team Secrets Revealed!"

"Sigh. Tall trees catch the wind. Fame brings trouble. Headache…"

Setting the paper down, Kitahara sighed.

Creek's debut had been brilliant. Her "uncommon-sense" tactic and 14-length victory both shocked the racing world.

It also encouraged Mejiro Ardan, who threw herself into rehab training with renewed energy—specifically, by eating more. Thanks to Oguri Cap's "digestive supplements" and other tonics, she could now eat two-thirds as much as Oguri in one meal.

If that were all, it would've been good news. The problem was—the entire Eternal (Eisei) Team had become famous overnight.

The papers already hinted at it. Reality was even more intense.

Barely two days had passed, and Oguri and the others had already heard countless interview requests via Shizuna Haru. Kitahara's group had declined them all with the excuse of "focused on training."

But that wasn't the end. Kitahara lived at the academy, but Komiyama, Kyoko, and Yuzuhara lived in Tokyo. On their way home or to work—or even eating at home—they were hounded by reporters.

"Isn't it a pain?" Komiyama groaned. "At first, I thought—fine, let them interview me. I can talk more about Tama and everyone, maybe boost our team's name a bit."

"But later I realized, just like you said—too much fame isn't good."

"Now I can't even go to the bathroom without getting a phone interview. It's driving me crazy!"

"If I'd known, I wouldn't have agreed to that first one! Aaaargh!"

At his words, Yuzuhara and Kyoko exchanged wry smiles, though they didn't complain aloud.

"This is trouble."

Kitahara sighed. "Fame's not bad, but too much is dangerous. Let me think of a way to handle it."

He already had some ideas.

The simplest: bring Komiyama and the others to live at the academy. With the academy covering, they could deflect reporters easily.

But their families lived in Tokyo. They couldn't just hide forever. And reporters swarmed and dispersed with the winds of news cycles. Soon enough, the frenzy would pass, and then there'd be no need to hide.

Besides, if they all stayed in the academy, that meant Shizuna Haru would be the one blocking the press. She'd already been helping the Eternal Team constantly—it would be unfair to dump more work on her.

Another option: Kitahara could personally handle the interviews. He was no stranger to the media and wouldn't be bothered like the others.

But he really didn't want to waste time. Oguri and the others needed training and race prep. Kawabayashi Enterprises was expanding into Tokyo under Tomomi Konan's plans. Long-term arrangements, especially international intel, needed his attention. As head trainer, his schedule was already tight.

Maybe… set up a personal press team, like before? Appoint an official spokesperson under Kawawan Enterprises, and handle everything that way. That'd solve things once and for all.

As he was thinking this, his phone rang.

The caller ID: Maruzensky.

They'd only met once at Kasamatsu, then again at the New Year's UAA party, where they'd exchanged numbers. So it wasn't too surprising she was calling now.

But still… what did she want?

Signaling to Yuzuhara and the others, Kitahara stood and stepped aside into his office to answer.

"Hello? Maru—"

"You're quite the celebrity lately, Mr. Kitahara."

Before he could finish, Maruzensky's cheerful voice cut in."So, I wonder—does this busy man have time today to stop by the student council for some tea?"

Tea at the student council?

Surely she had business with him?And the student council…

In his mind appeared a horse girl with long brown hair and a crescent-shaped white fringe. Kitahara thought it over.

"Is it something important?" he asked.

"You'll know when you get here. Anyway, we'll be waiting, Mr. Kitahara."

She giggled and hung up.

…What was that supposed to mean?

With a wry smile, Kitahara decided he'd have to go regardless. After informing the others, he soon arrived at the Central Tracen Academy student council office.

The "big three" of the council were all present: President Symboli Rudolf, Vice President Maruzensky, and Mr CB.

The three were clearly prepared for Kitahara's visit. Maruzensky, his closest acquaintance, rose to welcome him.

"You've been here at Central Tracen for a few days now. How are you settling in, Mr. Kitahara?"

She smiled warmly, carrying a cup of black tea."Busy training, I bet? Care for a cup? I, ah… borrowed this from Sirius Symboli—well, no, she gave it to me. She brought it back from overseas. Tastes quite good."

…You were about to say "borrowed," weren't you? I heard you change it to "gave."

Kitahara gave a silent chuckle, ready to tease her—when another voice spoke up.

"Oh-ho? So this is the famous Trainer Kitahara everyone's talking about?"

The one who spoke was a horse girl wearing a small, pure-white hat, eyes glinting with curiosity.

Mr CB, Vice President of the Student Council. Career record: 15 races, 8 wins, 3 seconds. Known victories: Satsuki Sho, Japanese Derby, Kikuka Sho, Tenno Sho (Autumn). The third "Triple Crown horse girl" in URA history.

"From the reports I've read, your training style and race tactics are rather unique?"

She held a steaming cup of tea in her hands, seemingly "borrowed" from Maruzensky.

"I don't quite understand what's going on exactly, but I really like unique people and things. You've caught my interest~"

"Oh right, I'm Mr CB. But with the intel you've got, you probably already knew that, right?"

As she said this, she lifted her teacup slightly in a gesture toward Kitahara.

…Likes unique things? Oh, so her setting is basically a willful free spirit, both in personality and in racing style…

Kitahara thought for a moment, about to offer his thanks, when a calm and dignified voice spoke from behind the desk.

"Mr. Kitahara, nice to meet you."

"I've heard about you from the Chairman and from Maruzensky. I even looked into you specifically. You're a very capable trainer—it's an honor to meet you. Congratulations, and welcome to the Central Academy."

Just a simple greeting, yet it carried the impression of someone forever composed and in control of everything.

The voice itself was so steady and measured, as though its owner were seated on a wide leather sofa, legs crossed, casting you a casual, indifferent glance.

Perhaps with a cup of steaming tea in her hand, brewed by Maruzensky.

Indeed, her bearing and aura were exactly like that.

Career record: 16 races, 13 wins, 1 second. Known victories: Satsuki Sho, Japanese Derby, Kikuka Sho, Arima Kinen, Tenno Sho (Spring), Japan Cup.

The fourth "Triple Crown horse girl" in URA history.

The first "Undefeated Triple Crown horse girl."

The first "Seven G1 victories horse girl."

Even among the nearly 2,000 elite gathered at Central, she reigned at the pinnacle with overwhelming strength…

The Student Council President of Tracen Academy Central—Symboli Rudolf.

Hearing Rudolf's words, Kitahara felt a faint heaviness in his chest. Not fear, exactly, but the sheer pressure radiating from her every word and movement—it was suffocating. Just a phrase, just a posture, was enough to make one feel short of breath.

After some hesitation, Kitahara decided to respond to the President's greeting.

But before he could speak, the President suddenly let go of all that imposing aura and broke into a cheerful smile.

"Mr. Kitahara, you've come at just the right time. I just discovered something very amusing, and was discussing it with Maruzensky and Mr CB. Would you care to hear it?"

He'd only intended to exchange a few polite words, but Rudolf spoke again—graciously, even warmly—leaving Kitahara a little puzzled.

"Uh… sure, I'd be happy to hear it, President."

Kitahara forced a smile of interest and turned his attention to the horse girl behind the desk.

At that moment, he failed to notice that Maruzensky and Chiaki, standing on either side of the desk, had exchanged subtle, complicated glances.

"Hahaha, excellent!"

With an enthusiastic laugh, Rudolf leaned forward eagerly.

"We were just discussing what kind of nutrition to give the students this semester. The topic came up that cheese is very high in calories, so perhaps we could include more cheese."

"And then I suddenly realized—many horse girls should really like cheese."

"Because most horse girls excel on turf, and the word 'cheese' (チーズ) contains the character '芝' (turf/grass) at a 50% rate. Hahaha, isn't that funny?"

Clearly amused by her own joke, Rudolf grew animated, standing up from behind the desk, hands on hips, and laughing loudly.

After a round of laughter, she noticed Kitahara's thoughtful expression and paused, kindly offering clarification.

"Didn't get it? That's okay, I'll explain."

"You see, the kanji for 'grass/turf' (芝) and the '芝' in 'cheese' are the same. Since most horse girls are good at running on turf, it means many horse girls should like cheese."

"Hahaha, I came up with this myself! Funny, right?"

"Hey, hey, I've explained it again! Maruzensky, Chiaki, don't you two find it funny?"

"Uh… ha, ha, ha… y-yes, very, very funny…"

"Ah… heh, heh, heh, r-right, it's really hilarious…"

Struggling to play along, Maruzensky and Chiaki both raised their teacups, sipping just enough to hide their faces, and quietly exchanged glances.

…CB, why didn't you stop her…

…You're her senior. If you won't stop her, how could I…

…You're her peer, same generation, and even closer to her than I am…

…Ugh, don't remind me. Back when we raced, she always made me bet that if she won, I'd have to listen to her cold jokes. I've had enough…

…Fine, but I didn't think she'd still be doing this… Anyway, what about Kitahara…?

…Oh, right. Why hasn't he reacted? Is he frozen solid by the bad joke…?

Just as Maruzensky and Chiaki looked toward Kitahara with complicated expressions, Kitahara's thoughtful look suddenly turned into realization, and his face broke into a genuine smile.

"Ohh, I get it now! As expected of President Rudolf. I never thought of it that way—'grass' and '芝' in cheese written the same. That's hilarious, hahaha!"

…He actually finds Rudolf's joke funny?! ×2

"Right, just the other day someone mocked me, saying I should 'leave with my tail between my legs.' I found that hilarious. I couldn't possibly leave with my tail between my legs—because I don't have a tail."

"Ah? Hahahaha! Mr. Kitahara, so you understand humor too! I've actually compiled a whole notebook of jokes I've thought of. Come on, let me show you…"

…He's actually swapping jokes with Rudolf now?! ×2

For a moment, Maruzensky and CB felt as if the world were collapsing.

And yet, seeing the shared sparkle of mutual understanding between the two, and Rudolf really reaching for her drawer to pull out her "joke notebook," the two of them hastily stepped in to change the subject.

They could not let these two keep swapping jokes. That would really freeze the room solid!

"Ahem, Rudolf, Mr. Kitahara not only trains on his own but also manages a whole team. He must be very busy. Shouldn't we get down to business first?"

"Y-yes, Rudolf, you also have other matters later, don't you? Maybe we should make the most of the time now?"

Working in perfect sync, Maruzensky and CB distracted Rudolf and Kitahara.

"Hmm? Ah, yes, that's right. We should first talk business."

With clear regret on her face, Rudolf nodded to Kitahara. "Then let's save the joke collection for next time."

"So, shall we discuss business?" At those words, her demeanor once again shifted back to composed authority.

Kitahara wasn't as regretful as Rudolf—he thought jokes were fine once in a while, but compiling a whole collection was a bit much.

More importantly, he was very curious about why Rudolf had invited him here, so he also nodded.

"Please go ahead, President Rudolf."

Rudolf pondered briefly.

"Mr. Kitahara, along with your 'Eternal Team,' you've been the hottest topic in Tokyo lately. You may have been busy with training and not noticed, but the media has been covering you extensively."

She picked up a thick folder from her desk, opened it, and pushed it toward him. "Please take a look."

Kitahara stepped closer to the desk, just as Maruzensky kindly brought over a chair.

Catching Kitahara's glance, Maruzensky smiled and gestured, "Please sit."

She then went to the tea table, fiddled a bit, and returned with a steaming cup of tea and a plate of mousse cake. "Please enjoy."

"Ah, thank you, President Maruzensky."

Gratefully nodding, Kitahara blew on the tea, thoughtful.

…If this level of hospitality isn't just courtesy, then what's coming next must be very important…

Drawing on past experience, he guessed as much, sipped his tea, and turned to the folder.

Inside was a scrapbook of clippings.

Each page had newspaper articles neatly pasted on it. Every headline and piece of text was about his team.

"The Heir of the Fairy Godfather! The Comeback of a Kasamatsu Trainer!"

"Tokyo University Medical School Prodigy, Star Disciple of Professor Kokubo, Rising Star of Medicine—Why Did He Turn Down So Many Offers?!"

"An Ordinary Girl Turned Trainer! Exclusive Interview with Katsumi Komiyama!"

"What Will the Return of This Talented Youth Bring to Japan's Horse Girls?"

"The Gray Monster Legend of Kasamatsu—Can It Continue at Central?!"

"The Top Trainee at This Year's Central Academy Exam Was Actually This Horse Girl…"

"A Thunderous Three-Win Streak, Leading by a Combined 16 Lengths—How Long Will the White Lightning Shine?!"

"This Is Oi's Ultimate Weapon!"

"After Hibernation, a Shocking 14-Length Breakaway—She Finally Spread Her Wings!"

…Yes, a collection of headlines both flashy and dramatic, very Japanese-chuunibyou while also perfectly clickbait.

Sigh. Once again, this fame was going to be a problem…

Most of the clippings were about members of his newly formed "Eternal" team. The headlines were flashy, but upon closer reading, the content was surprisingly detailed and not overly exaggerated—especially Komiyama's exclusive interview. The dialogue matched her usual tone.

Interesting. So that's the interview she'd mentioned. Pretty impressive, that reporter… convincing Komiyama to cooperate.

A closer look revealed that most of these articles came from the same journalist: Izusuke Fujii.

He even remembered this character from the original story: a somewhat unlucky reporter, often rebuffed by horse girls, even kicked out when trying to interview Oguri Cap.

In the original, it had been Roppei Ginjiro who drove him away, because Kitahara (in that worldline) hadn't prepared early for the Central Trainer Exams, and after Oguri was recruited by Rudolf, Kitahara had been separated from her for a long time. During that time, Oguri was cared for at Central by Roppei Ginjiro.

According to Roppei, journalists interfered with horse girls' training and races, and their reporting was always sensationalized, detached from reality, and unreliable.

To be fair, Kitahara agreed in part. Interviews did disturb horse girls—Oguri's real-world counterpart had suffered from such treatment during her grueling campaign, when she badly needed rest but reporters kept filming and photographing, affecting her recovery and later races.

He also agreed that reporting could be biased. Many journalists would write anything for sales and fame.

But because of his experience, Kitahara also knew that if handled properly, media could bring great benefits to his team and business. If he engaged with them, they could learn how to cover horse girls without disrupting them.

And personally, he had a favorable impression of Fujii. Despite being a bit emotional, the man was diligent, multilingual, fast in his reporting, knowledgeable about horse girls, and even a huge Oguri fan.

With that, Kitahara began considering whether to reach out, perhaps nudging him into becoming the "official spokesperson" of the Eternal Team—at least, one aligned with Kitahara's vision. That way, the team wouldn't have to worry about the media hounding them anymore.

For now, though, he turned his attention back to Rudolf.

"These reports are quite thorough. Aside from the flashy headlines, there aren't really any problems."

After a quick assessment, Kitahara nodded, then asked: "Is this what you wished to discuss, President Rudolf?"

Rudolf had been sipping her tea patiently while he read. At his words, she finally spoke solemnly.

"Yes. In short: To wear the crown, one must bear its weight."

Kitahara stirred, sensing where this was going.

"I admit, Oguri Cap and the others performed far better than I expected. I thought it would take them a few races at Central before the public noticed them. But I underestimated both them—and the fervor of these reporters."

"Now, your 'Eternal Team' has become the lifeblood of the news industry. And of course—who doesn't love a story of underdogs rising, glory after hardship, a shining new star? Such tales attract attention in any era. That's why the media are chasing you so relentlessly."

"But as I said—to wear the crown, one must bear its weight. If your team keeps winning, all will be well. But…"

Rudolf's expression hardened.

"…What if they lose?"

"Forgive the harshness, but as a trainer you know: no horse girl wins forever. Not every one of your girls can have a career like Maruzensky's."

Kitahara's face grew grave as he met her piercing gaze.

"I understand. Even now—Oguri and Inari already faced victory and defeat against each other in the Shiwasu Tokubetsu. Now that they're both at Central, such clashes will only increase."

Rudolf nodded, then shook her head.

"If it's only rivalries within your team, that's fine. Public opinion won't change—after all, whether Oguri or Inari wins, the 'Eternal Team' still wins in the public eye."

"But what if your entire team loses?"

Her eyes flashed with sharp concern.

"For example… this year's Japan Cup."

Kitahara was struck by how far her foresight reached. Despite her earlier cold-joke antics, she truly was the "Emperor" and Student Council President.

Most horse girls and trainers only thought ahead to the Triple Crown races. Few considered the year-end Japan Cup so far in advance.

But Rudolf had already leapt nearly a year forward.

She was right. Even with Kitahara's "cheats," there was no guarantee they could overcome the foreign contingent in such a global race.

And if they lost…

Kitahara's thoughts slipped out aloud:

"If we lose the Japan Cup, all the cheers we've built will instantly turn into disappointment—into doubt, even into pain and scorn. Not to be pessimistic, but… that's just how people are."

He gave a wry smile.

Rudolf, however, smiled approvingly.

"I knew I wasn't wrong about you, Mr. Kitahara. You understand."

She sighed softly.

"And it's not just humans. Horse girls are the same. The higher the hopes, the greater the despair. I've felt it myself."

"I ran in the Japan Cup twice."

"The first time… I lost."

Her eyes grew distant with memory.

"Before that year, 19 years had passed since the Japan Cup first opened to the world. In all that time, not once had a Japanese horse girl won it."

She glanced toward Chiaki Representative, whose expression was equally complicated.

"That year, CB and I both entered, determined to end that curse. With two Triple Crown horse girls, surely Japan would finally win. Everyone believed it."

She pressed her lips together.

"But… we both lost."

"I can't even imagine what would have happened to public opinion if Katsuragi Ace hadn't won that day. Even so, the pressure on us was unbearable."

"I don't know how I endured it. I only remember… the pain. I wanted to think of nothing, do nothing—never race again."

"I'm sure CB suffered too."

"In short, the weight of expectation, followed by failure, can crush any horse girl."

"And even after I won the Japan Cup the next year, the scars lingered. When I went to America, I still couldn't shake it entirely—I only managed sixth in the San Luis Stakes. I'm not making excuses. Losing means you lacked strength. But still…"

Her eyes locked on Kitahara's.

"I want Oguri and the others to understand this pressure in advance."

"And prepare for it—fully."

Kitahara, who had been silent throughout her story, felt the air growing heavy as both Chiaki and Maruzensky sighed. He sensed it was time to ease the mood.

"Thank you for the warning, President Rudolf. So then…"

After a pause, he steered the conversation forward. "Do you three have some specific ideas for preparation?"

Rudolf's eyes brightened with approval.

"Indeed. The three of us have a concrete plan."

She leaned in, solemn once more.

"To spare them the pain CB and I endured, we intend to help your girls become stronger."

"I presume at least one of them has already brushed against it?"

"We mean to guide them… in mastering it."

"That is—'Domains.'"

Kitahara nearly jumped.

He hadn't expected this at all. Rudolf's invitation was actually to bestow such a "gift"?

They were going to help Oguri and the others learn Domains?!

He was thrilled.

Without doubt, Rudolf, Maruzensky, and CB were top horse girls who had mastered Domains. The original story made this clear, and their words now confirmed it.

Based on both canon and his recent analyses with Urahara and others, he knew that any horse girl who touched Domains was already a powerhouse.

Of course, there were levels:

"First contact" horse girls—who could trigger an incomplete Domain, more like a skill that only sometimes activated.

"Entered Domain" horse girls—who could fully unleash its power, though not always at will.

And finally, "Domain Masters"—who could control its use freely.

In the original, Tony Bianca from Italy was such a "Domain Master," able to take fifth in the Japan Cup even while racing with a broken bone.

And now…

Kitahara thought to himself:

Rudolf Symbol and the others should also qualify as the type who "can grasp a domain if they are to lead their era." Later on, horses like Tamamo Cross and Oguri Cap would also be the same.

It's just that Tamamo and Oguri don't yet have that level of strength. If they could receive the help of a powerhouse like Rudolf Symbol right now, they'd definitely grow into it much faster.

Excellent—what a delightful surprise…

Feeling invigorated, Kitahara was just about to readily agree to Rudolf Symbol's proposal when a thought struck him, and he hesitated in confusion.

"President Rudolf, I do have a question."

Rudolf Symbol had been waiting for Kitahara's agreement. She had already discussed this many times with Maruzensky and Representative Chimei, and they all believed assisting Kitahara and the Eisei Team was absolutely necessary.

Even before the media began reporting on the Eisei Team, the "three giants" of the student council had already been keeping an eye on them. With their insight, it was easy to tell that Oguri and the others were undeniably geniuses qualified to grasp a domain.

Especially Tamamo Cross—her performance in the Naruo Kinen wasn't particularly striking, but in the Kyoto Kimpai she had clearly shown signs of brushing against the domain.

By analyzing various data, Rudolf Symbol and the others had judged that Tamamo Cross had likely already entered a domain before, though neither she herself nor Kitahara seemed to realize it.

As top-class horses of their generation, they understood how important domains were. It wasn't about making arbitrary distinctions; rather, it was because every international top horse was a "domain-level" powerhouse, especially in Europe and America.

If they wanted to compete with those rivals, Rudolf Symbol and her peers knew exactly what needed to be done. That's why she instinctively assumed Kitahara would agree without hesitation.

So when he instead posed a question, she was caught off guard—then a thought struck her.

Could it be… he really doesn't know about domains?

Well… it wasn't impossible. For various reasons, this had never been made public before. Internationally, there was little open research on it. Trainer Ubara might have come across it, but they probably didn't understand its significance and never paid it much attention…

Seems I'll have to explain it properly.

But first, I should hear exactly what he's asking.

Turning her thoughts around, Rudolf Symbol nodded patiently.

"Please go ahead, Mr. Kitahara."

"All right." Kitahara nodded and thought aloud:"We've done some research on domains within my team, and we also understand that they're very important for horse girls."

This immediately disproved Rudolf's suspicion, leaving her briefly stunned. Kitahara, focused on his own thoughts, didn't notice, and continued:

"And judging from what you've said, all three of you not only have mastery of domains yourselves, but also the ability to teach other horse girls how to master them. So…"

He frowned slightly, looking at Rudolf Symbol."Why not try teaching all horse girls?"

Rudolf was stunned again, then gave a wry smile and shook her head.

"Well…"

She was about to explain when a cheerful voice cut in.

"All right, Rudolf, leave the rest to me."

It was Maruzensky. She walked over with a smile, patted Kitahara on the shoulder warmly, then winked at Rudolf.

"We already agreed beforehand—once you explained the basics to Mr. Kitahara, the detailed assistance would be my job."

"Besides, don't you still have other duties? You and Chimei can take care of those."

And without further ado, she tugged the somewhat bewildered Kitahara straight toward the office door.

"Hey, Maruzensky…"

Rudolf Symbol raised her hand a beat too late; the door had already opened and shut again.

"…That girl runs fast as ever. No wonder they call her the 'Phantom Supercar.'"

She pursed her lips, muttered to herself, then suddenly found it hilarious. Covering her mouth, she giggled for a while, then turned toward CB.

"CB, actually—huh?"

She blinked. "Why are you shivering?"

"…Oh, it's nothing."

CB twitched her ears, trying to shake off the chill from Rudolf's bad joke. She reached for her teacup to warm herself, but found the tea had long gone cold. With a sigh, she set it down again.

"What is it you wanted to say, Rudolf?"

"I was thinking that Mr. Kitahara might have a point."

Ignoring CB's little reaction, Rudolf Symbol mused:

"Although there are reasons why domains can't be openly promoted, now that we have the Eisei Team, perhaps we should consider doing a little more."

As Rudolf's peer, once a rival, and now a fellow council member, Chimei thought briefly, then nodded.

"You want me to check which of Oguri's upcoming opponents have potential, and teach them about domains too?"

Rudolf Symbol nodded, but sighed regretfully.

"It's not that I don't want every horse girl to master domains. But given the current state of Japanese horse racing, there simply aren't enough resources for everyone to even reach the threshold."

"In such circumstances, making domains public would have no real effect—and might even backfire."

Chimei sighed as well, agreeing:

"Exactly. Once they know the value of domains, no horse girl could resist the temptation to force her way in."

"But to enter and master a domain, you need to reach a certain standard in every aspect of ability. That requires significant resources to cultivate."

"And as you said, resources are limited. Not every horse girl can make it."

"In that case, domains become nothing more than castles in the sky, moons in the water. If you chase them recklessly, you only waste time and energy, even squandering the divine gift of true form."

Rudolf grew serious.

"Precisely. That's why domains must not be disclosed publicly. That's also why there's so little open research even abroad."

"…I just hope Maruzensky can explain everything clearly to Kitahara."

"And CB, I hope you'll be able to find more promising talents among Oguri's opponents."

CB nodded, stretched lazily as she stood up.

"No problem. I'll take a look at this year's talented newcomers."

"Let's see… in the Eisei Team, Oguri, Super Creek, and Mejiro Ardan all signed up for the Classic Triple Crown, right?"

"As it happens, there are a few others in their class who also registered."

"In that case, I'll go check if any of those juniors are especially outstanding."

At this point, Kitahara had no idea that Rudolf not only wanted to give Oguri and her friends extra training, but thanks to his question, was also planning to secretly coach their rivals.

But even if he knew, he wouldn't mind.

On the contrary, he would fully support it—he always wished that all horse girls could enjoy better conditions and compete fairly in any race they wanted to enter.

For now, though, he was simply walking alongside Maruzensky toward the training grounds, chatting casually.

"If I understood correctly…"

After listening to Maruzensky's casual explanation, Kitahara mused :"You mean that only horse girls who have touched a domain themselves can perceive the domains of others."

"And that domains, like true form, are a blessing from the Three Goddesses—once fully mastered, a horse girl can receive more divine revelations from them and learn the true nature of domains?"

This was something Kitahara had never considered. He had thought of domains only as a special state in competition, not something connected to the Three Goddesses.

But then again, in this world the goddesses were real, so perhaps it wasn't so strange.

"Mhm, you could put it that way… but it's not quite the same."

Maruzensky nodded, then shook her head.

"The truth of domains is something that I, Rudolf, CB, Ramonu, and the other domain masters often discuss, but even we can't fully explain it."

She sighed. "It's like an oracle, like a dream, or sudden inspiration—it just appears in your mind out of nowhere. We can't say clearly what it is, only vaguely grasp its outline."

…Feels like the Three Goddesses are making phone calls to horse girls, but the signal's terrible…

Kitahara muttered inwardly, then pondered.

"So, based on what you're saying, every horse girl really does have her own unique domain. But because of limits in their environment and the unknown conditions for entering, not all of them can awaken it?"

Maruzensky nodded.

"Yes. We're quite sure every horse girl has her own unique domain—especially our seniors feel this most strongly."

"But because of limited resources, not everyone can reach the conditions needed to touch the threshold."

"That's why Rudolf said domains can't be made public."

Kitahara realized this too without needing her to say it.

"Right… like if touching the threshold of a domain requires a horse girl to have 90 speed, then those with only 50 or 60 should focus on training up to 90 first, instead of chasing something so far beyond them."

"Otherwise, it's just a waste of time."

Maruzensky smiled approvingly. "Exactly."

"And using your analogy also shows that domains aren't the only thing we pursue."

"A domain can indeed boost our ability in a short time, but that boost is built on our own foundation."

"For example, if one horse girl has 90 speed, entering a domain might raise it to 95 or 99. But another with 100 speed—even without a domain—could still win the race."

"Of course, real races are more complicated, but that's the general idea."

Then her expression grew solemn.

"More importantly, domains grant another ability beyond raw improvement."

"When fully mastered, a domain lets us control every function of our body with 100% precision. We can use our full potential without ever exceeding our limits."

"And unlike true form, domains don't expire. Once you master it, you keep it for life."

"That is the true meaning of domains—that's why we call them the goddesses' blessing."

Kitahara was shaken. He fully grasped Maruzensky's point: the immense importance of domains to horse girls.

Domains, like true form, were blessings and protection from the goddesses.

To use a metaphor: true form is like a "beginner's protection," allowing every horse girl to freely unleash her talent for three to five years, to run to her heart's content. But only for a few years—even if some last longer, it eventually ends.

Domains are different.

Once mastered, it's like gaining another protection period—except this one lasts a lifetime!

Maruzensky's explanation differed from the original design of domains. In the original version, domains were "incomplete," allowing potential to be unleashed but at the cost of the body.

Now, however, domains were presented as the "complete version": not only unleashing potential, but also protecting horse girls so they could keep running forever.

"So… if all horse girls could step into domains, then… then this world…"

Kitahara's voice trembled.

Because that was the very world he dreamed of: a world where all horse girls could run freely without worry.

Maruzensky froze, then seeing the urgency in his eyes, smiled softly—only to sigh right after.

"Mr. Kitahara, you really do love horse girls. That's wonderful…"

She shook her head. "But sadly, that kind of world… Rudolf, CB, myself, many people and many horse girls all long for it. Yet it's difficult—nearly impossible—to achieve."

"Impossible…?"

The sudden splash of cold water darkened Kitahara's tone, his brow furrowing.

"Yes. As I just said—resources alone make it almost unachievable."

Her sigh deepened.

"Not every horse girl has the opportunity to step into a domain. It requires the right growth conditions: a good environment, enough races and experiences. Only then can they gain the protection of a domain."

"Japan simply doesn't have that."

"With our current resources and technology, we're far from being able to give all horse girls equal training, living conditions, and racing opportunities. Only those with overwhelming talent can overcome external limitations."

"The URA Association has existed, the Twinkle Series has run for decades… and as far as I know, only about a hundred Japanese horse girls have ever touched a domain. Fewer than fifty have fully entered one, and perhaps fewer than twenty can be said to truly master it. Almost all of those are Hall of Fame horses."

"Yet in Europe and America, there are many more."

"In European countries where horse racing thrives, each nation has over thirty fully domain-mastered horse girls. In the U.S., every state has several. Even New Zealand and Australia, though fewer, each have over a dozen."

"And those numbers aren't historical totals—they're the current, living generation. That shows just how wide the gap is between Japan and the international level."

At this point, Maruzensky, usually so relaxed and easygoing, could only wear a bitter expression.

"So you're saying, with such a gap, in this kind of reality…"

"It will come true."

Kitahara suddenly interrupted.

"…Eh?"

Maruzensky turned her head in surprise. To her astonishment, Kitahara, who had cut her off, wasn't even looking at her but was staring far into the distance.

Instinctively, she followed his gaze, only to realize they had unknowingly arrived outside the training grounds.

In the vast field of Tracen Academy, countless horse girls ran with joy, sweat glistening as they sprinted. Their radiant figures, brimming with passion and energy, were so dazzling that one could not look away.

"It will come true."

Fixing his eyes on those vibrant horse girls, overflowing with innocence and vitality, Kitahara repeated his earlier words in a low voice:

"A world where every horse girl can master Domains, a world where every horse girl can run freely without worries—that world will definitely come true."

Maruzensky hadn't come along just to explain matters about Domains. As she had mentioned back in the office, she was also here to assist the Eisei Team's training.

Compared to standard training, what this legendary horse girl needed to pass on was far more specialized, time-consuming, and something Kitahara and the others hadn't yet explained in detail to Oguri Cap. To the girls, they had only said that a senior legend would be helping out with training.

With someone as accomplished as Maruzensky aiding them, the horse girls were naturally overjoyed. Even the airheaded Oguri Cap could feel how powerful she was, leaving her excited and happy.

To coordinate, Kitahara shared with Maruzensky the team's recent research on Domains, surprising her greatly.

"…This level of research. While the raw data may not rival what the Academy archives, many of your approaches surpass their work. Did you all really come up with this yourselves?"

Koyama and the others, of course, credited Kitahara for arranging it. Kitahara couldn't explain in full, so he pushed it off as things his uncle had once told him, combined with his own time spent gathering resources. Since Ginjirō Roppei was abroad at the moment and had always trained at a high standard, no one found this suspicious.

Kitahara also took some time to contact Shibasaki about Domains.

After first asking about his old colleague and March Song's situation—and confirming they were fine—he brought up Domains.

"…Basically, that's how it is. During the Golden Youth Cup, my team set up medical monitoring equipment all around the field. Based on the readings, the period when she pulled ahead of Oguri Cap until the finish line should have been because she brushed against a Domain."

After explaining, Kitahara paused.

"I'm telling you this because I want to hear your thoughts."

"If you want to recommend Fujimasa March to Central Academy right now, there'd be no issue. Any horse girl who touches a Domain is a rare genius. The Academy would have no reason to pass her up. However…"

After giving one option, his tone shifted. "My personal view is that you should keep training March yourself. Maybe it's just my habit with Oguri and the others, but to be honest, I'm selfish. I would never hand over my own horse girls to someone else."

"No matter what you decide, though, I'll pass along all our Domain research and training methods to you—or to March herself."

"What do you think, Shibasaki?"

Kitahara was being sincere. He wanted his former colleague and Oguri Cap's friend to have the best possible future.

Especially since March had deliberately altered her promise with Oguri, hoping this friend could shine on a greater stage. Kitahara deeply respected that, and wanted to help.

At the same time, he wanted to test if his training system could be expanded further.

Changing the entire horse girl world couldn't be done by him alone, nor even by one team. It was a reform, perhaps even a revolution. It needed many like-minded allies.

Perhaps, given the talent March was showing, Shibasaki might one day turn Kitahara's methods into a rival force. But after his talks with Symboli Rudolf, Kitahara's perspective had shifted. What he truly looked forward to now was seeing more trainers and horse girls side by side on the grand stage of the Japan Cup and other international races, winning matches that captured the world's attention.

Shibasaki was silent for a long time. When he finally spoke, his voice was filled with emotion.

"I really underestimated you before, Kitahara. I never imagined you'd grow into someone with such vision."

"I understand. I'll think carefully about this and give you an answer in a few days."

Kitahara didn't wait idly for Shibasaki's reply, instead continuing the usual rhythm of training and competition.

After Super Creek's successful debut, it was time for her scheduled rest, with the next race depending on her recovery.

The closest upcoming event was Inari One's OP-class race, the Saiho Stakes, on February 16. Naturally, the team's training focus shifted to her.

With their prior experience preparing Creek, Eisei Team was even more familiar with arrangements for Inari One. Add Maruzensky's legendary assistance, and everything progressed smoothly.

Unfortunately, the weather wasn't ideal—it had poured heavily the previous night.

Rain and snow were key factors affecting races. Depending on severity, horse girls might suffer obstructed vision, stronger wind resistance, and lower temperatures impacting their performance.

On top of that, water worsened track conditions. Muddy ground made running harder.

Track states were classified into five: Firm, Good-to-Firm, Soft, Heavy, and Bad.

Firm: no deformation underfoot, running normally possible.

Good-to-Firm: ground deforms slightly, needing more effort to perform at full ability.

Soft: visible puddles, footing slippery, requiring much more strength.

Bad: standing water obvious, extremely slippery, testing raw power.

Dirt tracks worked similarly but were inherently heavier than turf. After rain, they became even more demanding.

In a sense, Oguri Cap and Inari One's unmatched strength stemmed from their backgrounds—being raised and racing on dirt tracks.

Normally in such weather, Kitahara would schedule indoor strength training or swimming to build endurance, saving heavy-ground practice for later.

But since the rain had stopped before dawn, he chose to test their track adaptability right away.

"Today's conditions aren't good. Practice will be tough."

Before starting, he gave a short speech: "But in real races, anything can happen. Sudden downpours mid-race aren't rare, especially in summer or autumn when the weather shifts suddenly."

"To handle every situation, we need to build up experience daily."

"So, even if today's hard, I hope you'll give it your all."

"I'll be right here with you the whole time."

"Yeah!" ×N

Seeing their confidence, Kitahara felt pleased. Training began.

Soon—

"That's enough, Kitahara."

Watching closely, Taro nodded. "They're at a level now where the 'Swinging Maestro' strategy can be taught to others without issue."

"Yes, their previous training already showed signs of it," Kitahara agreed.

"Now with debut race data, the next step is making sure they all master it."

Both trainers were pleased. Maruzensky, however, looked puzzled, though with her sharp mind, she quickly guessed what the "Arc Artist" strategy was.

"I see. So Creek wasn't really doing a simple runaway race—it was a sophisticated tactic."

She touched her chin. "The slowdown and acceleration were just illusions. In reality, Creek had extraordinary stamina, allowing multiple accelerations. Rivals who tried to keep up fell into the trap."

She looked at Kitahara and Ubara with intrigue. "A clever tactic indeed."

Both trainers were stunned.

"…As expected of a legend."

Kitahara admitted earnestly: "Yes, it's about trading exceptional endurance for control over race tempo. If opponents take the bait, they lose their chance to sprint at the finish."

"So that's it…"

Maruzensky tilted her head. "Aren't you afraid I'll tell others how to counter it?"

Kitahara chuckled. "First, I don't believe you're that kind of horse girl. Second, even if you did, it wouldn't matter."

"Oh? Why not? Do you think no one could counter it?"

"Not that they couldn't. But truly adapting to this tactic requires time and the right sparring partners."

He gestured to the field confidently. "Right now, the only one in this generation with the stamina to use it is Super Creek. Of course, among seniors like you, Maruzensky, there are others who could."

"But that means most horse girls won't have Creek as a sparring partner."

"Without that, even if they know the tactic, they'll still get baited into accelerating out of pride. And then… what difference does knowing make?"

Clap, clap, clap.

Maruzensky applauded, then sighed."Now I see why international racing shifted to team-based training."

"Just practicing the same tactic against each other gives horse girls valuable experience—something lone training can't match."

"Maybe your team model, Kitahara, could spread across Japan someday."

Kitahara nodded firmly.

"It definitely will."

"Sharing this tactic and counters is also part of that attitude."

Maruzensky blinked. "Attitude?"

"Yes."

He nodded seriously. "Neither I nor my team believe in hoarding knowledge. We all share one dream: to make this world better, where every horse girl can run freely wherever she wishes."

"We don't just think this—we're working toward it."

"With that in mind, why would we hide tactics or techniques? If not for URA rules, we'd be more open about it already."

"And since even a strong horse can stumble, there are no true weaklings among horse girls. Rather than hiding, we'd rather go all out."

He smiled confidently.

"The best tactic is a new tactic. The best technique is a new technique."

"Hiding is meaningless. Others aren't fools. Just like you saw through Creek's strategy instantly, others will too."

"They might even come up with it themselves."

"So why wait? Better to present it openly, master it thoroughly, and then move on to the next."

"That's our Eisei Team's approach. You could call it strategy."

Maruzensky was silent for a moment, then smiled.

"So Rudolf and CB were right after all."

Kitahara blinked. "Eh? What do you mean?"

"Oh, they went and taught your rivals. The horse girls competing against your Eisei Team."

Her lips curled with amusement. "Oguri, Creek, and Ardan are all in this year's Classic Triple Crown, right? I remember they're registered."

"After hearing you talk about spreading Domains, Rudolf and CB agreed. They went to find other contenders for the Triple Crown, to see if any were promising, and started teaching them how to master Domains too."

"Well? Feel any pressure?"

Kitahara paused, but didn't feel pressured. Instead, he thought carefully.

"Chiyono O should be registered too. She's a great candidate."

Nodding seriously, he looked at Maruzensky—whose expression had turned increasingly shocked.

"But remind her not to overtrain. As long as she sticks with her trainer and Rudolf or CB, training step by step, she'll be fine."

"She should be able to grasp a Domain, no problem."

"Dido Shooter as well, and Yaeno Muteki has a chance too."

"I don't know who exactly the two presidents picked, but those are my personal recommendations."

(End of Chapter)