Who is the most famous racehorse girl in this generation of Japan?
Everyone might have a different answer, but the two most talked-about teams are undoubtedly Eisei (Eternal) and Transcendence — something that's clear just by the popularity rankings of today's Hanshin Daishōten, where Tamamo Cross and Inari One are ranked first and second in fan votes respectively.
Behind the red curtain of the parade ring, Inari One stood with her arms crossed.The impatience and hesitation she had shown earlier in the waiting room were gone, yet her expression was still complicated.
Silently, she stared forward — and standing in front of her was Tamamo Cross, who had just finished her parade appearance.
"Eh? Inari, what's wrong with you?"Tamamo tilted her head, confused. "It's your turn to go out there now. Why are you just standing here spacing out?"
As if responding to her confusion, the announcer's voice echoed through the loudspeakers, sounding both explanatory and urging.
"It seems that contestant Inari One is still preparing. Dear spectators, please wait a moment. Once Inari One is ready, she will proceed to the parade ring."
"Yeah, yeah, I know," Inari replied casually, waving her hand dismissively toward the announcement. "I just wanted to say a few things to you."
She turned her gaze slightly aside, then back again, locking eyes with Tamamo Cross.
"I'm actually not mad about that joke you made anymore. I'm not that petty."
"Eh? Then what's this about?" Tamamo asked, puzzled.
"I'm just... frustrated."Inari pouted slightly. "Is the difference between central and local circuits really that huge?"
"It's not even been a year's difference in training between us. The gap in experience shouldn't be that big. We've both been training under Eisei for so long, and yet—why is it that, in recent practice runs… I'm always just a little behind you?"
"I don't think I'm worse than you at all, so why is it that every training race… I always lose by just a little bit?!"
She suddenly pressed down on the fox mask on her cheek; the edge left a deep mark on her skin. Grinding her teeth, her eyes burned with unwillingness.
She wasn't ignorant.She might not have the same level of technical knowledge as Kitahara, Yuzuhara, or Komiyama, but as a naturally talented horse girl, she could clearly feel that she'd been performing just a fraction below Tamamo Cross in recent practices.
Every time they ran side by side, she was always a little behind — the strongest proof there could be.
To outsiders, the difference of a "hair's breadth" between racehorse girls might look like a few meters, or even less than a meter. But for them, that seemingly tiny gap was a chasm — one that might never be crossed.
Those who had never chased from behind could never understand the feeling —That helplessness, when you've already pushed your body beyond its limits, squeezed every ounce of strength and breath from your being, yet still can't reach that back that seems so close and yet impossibly far away.
It's like that old fable — the monkey trying to scoop the moon from the water.The moon seems right there, within reach, yet no matter how hard you try, it always slips away.
Inari One didn't fully understand what this feeling meant, but her instincts told her one thing —If she still felt this way before the race even started, then she might as well not race at all.
Damn it… what the hell am I missing?!
Even if the difference really is due to "central vs. local" training levels, it shouldn't be this huge!
Big Sis and Taro are excellent trainers — they work so hard!
And I haven't been slacking at all since joining Eisei!
So why is there still this gap?!Don't tell me this race… will end up just like all the training runs — always one step behind?!
She had thought about using her Domain to make up for that gap, but ever since Kitahara and the others talked about it, they'd been very clear —A Domain isn't a weapon of guaranteed victory.
Compared to "a timely help in need," a Domain was more like "a finishing touch."
Only when your own physique and foundation were strong enough could a Domain truly shine. Otherwise, even with a Domain, you might still lose to someone with stronger fundamentals.
Damn it… Oguri's been winning even without using a Domain, and she's even beaten opponents who've already touched that realm…Then I… I should be able to do it too!
But… Tamamo has already touched the Domain before.
Taro and Uncle both said she might truly step into it this time…If that's the case, then how could I possibly—
B-but… they also said that in terms of raw ability, I'm not worse than Tamamo, so…
So what should I do for this race…?!
"Geez," Tamamo Cross suddenly said, grinning as she watched Inari's troubled face, "I knew I was strong, but I didn't expect to be so strong that I'd stress you out like this."
"Wow~ I'm so scary~ My power's terrifying~"
Tilting her head, she pressed a hand to her temple in an exaggerated, joking way.
"…What are you even talking about…?"
Inari blinked, a little dumbfounded, then grew irritated."Hey, you—"
"Hey, Inari," Tamamo suddenly interrupted, voice turning calm, "do you know why I'm this strong?"
"Eh? Isn't that because—"
Inari was caught off guard. She didn't quite understand what Tamamo was getting at.
"Well," Tamamo smiled faintly, "Uncle Kitahara helped me figure out some of my mental issues, and all that specialized training he gave me — those are definitely part of it."
"But you know what I think?
It's also because… I really want to win.That's a big part of it."
She turned her head slowly, gazing past the red curtain of the parade ring into the distance.
"Because back in Kasamatsu, I met her…That other gray-haired one who's just as amazing as me."
"That amazing gray one… you mean Oguri…"Inari frowned.
"Yep. Oguri."
Still looking through the gap in the curtain, Tamamo nodded.
"That day, I just knew — sooner or later, I'd face that airheaded girl on th racetrack.Someday, she'd become my greatest rival."
"I don't want to lose to her.I want to win."
"But you know what, Inari?" Tamamo suddenly turned back, her tone shifting again.
"If I had to face Oguri right now in a normal race… I'm not confident I'd win."
"…Huh?" Inari was stunned.
"You're not confident…?"That didn't make sense to her.
After all, Tamamo was already touching the Domain.
Her understanding of tactics and pace, her experience in central races — she was clearly ahead of Oguri in all that.Inari couldn't imagine how Tamamo could not have confidence.
"What are you talking about?" she asked, utterly confused.
"I'm saying," Tamamo replied softly,"it's perfectly normal to not have confidence.No one — no matter who they are — can face every opponent with full confidence."
She stepped closer and placed a firm hand on Inari's shoulder.
"You said you lack confidence because your practice results lately weren't as good as mine, right?That's a fair reason.But I've got my own reason to worry too."
"Just like you worry about training results — I worry because Oguri… is too pure."
"…Pure?" Inari echoed.
"You've never seen her worry about anything, have you?" Tamamo asked suddenly.
Inari paused. "…Now that you mention it…"
"I haven't either," Tamamo said with a faint, wistful smile.
"If I had to name one thing, it'd be when she worries the cafeteria might be closed someday. Other than that, she never worries."
"In all her races — past or recent — no matter who her opponent is, no matter how much pressure there is… she never worries."
"On the track, she has only one thought—"
"I want to win."
"No matter what, I want to win."
"That's why she keeps winning."
"No matter if her opponent's stronger than her, even if her opponent has already touched the Domain like me — she just keeps going, giving everything she has, simply because she wants to win."
"So tell me, facing someone like that — could you ever feel 100% confident?"
"I can't. She scares me a little."
"Opponents like her… they always pull out something unexpected. Facing her, you can never have complete certainty of victory."
Tamamo let go of Inari's shoulder and started walking toward the path leading from the parade ring to the track.
"I'm not telling you all this to erase the gap between us from training these past few days."
"Because a gap is a gap — you can't just wish it away."
"I just want to say: even if I were facing Oguri on the track, even if I'm worried or unsure, I'd still give it everything I've got."
"Otherwise… what's the point of racing?"
"So what about you, Inari?"
"You're worried about our training gap — does that mean you're not planning to go all out today?"
"Or what? Would it be better if you didn't even race?"
The entrance of the parade ring fell silent.Only the announcer's voice echoed again, now mixed with urgency.
"If any staff members or horse girls see contestant Inari One, please remind her to proceed to the parade ring immediately…"
A few moments later—
"Ah! Contestant Inari One has finally appeared!Let's welcome today's second-most popular racer — Inari One!"
"Just like the earlier crowd favorite Tamamo Cross, Inari also represents the rising star team Eisei!"
"I'm sure no one has forgotten the three thrilling clashes between Eisei and Transcendence during the recent Satsuki Sho trial races!"
"Although none from Transcendence are participating this time, this internal Eisei showdown is one of the biggest highlights of today's Hanshin Daishōten!"
"According to pre-race reports, both Tamamo Cross and Inari One are highly suited for long-distance runs and may choose a come-from-behind strategy."
"This Eisei team duel is bound to be an intense one — let's look forward to it!"
As the commentary continued, Inari One completed her parade with a different aura than usual.Then came the introductions of the remaining ten competitors.
Soon, it was time for the starting gates.Once all the racehorse girls were inside, the commentator gave the final announcement.
"All right — all racers are in the gate.The G2 Hanshin Daishōten, turf 3000 meters — is about to begin!"
Tamamo Cross was in gate number 9. Not the outermost lane, but still some distance from the ideal inner position.She wasn't worried about positioning — her balance was excellent, and she could adapt to any pace or location.
What did worry her… was her teammate, Inari One.
She hadn't told Inari, but she was worried about her too.
…When it comes to final acceleration, that girl's actually a bit stronger than me. She's been so focused on the gap over most of the race, she's completely forgotten that she's got that edge…
Tch.
Didn't Uncle and Yuzuhara remind her of that already?
Did she just… not listen?
Well, if she really didn't realize it, there's no helping it.I can only pray she figures it out herself. As for reminding her again…
Maybe next time.Uncle Kitahara always jokes, "Next time, for sure," right?
If she really doesn't notice and loses this race — then let that be her lesson.Besides…
I really want to win this race too!
"—Start!"
The Eisei Team had special training for starting out of the gate.
Since Kitahara first began coaching Oguri Cap, who often had problems with slow starts, he made this a particular focus in their daily practice.
The method was simple.
They brought an actual starting gate to the training ground and practiced over and over again.
The entire gate weighed only about one or two tons — not too much for horse girls. Three or four of them could move it into place, use it, and then carry it back afterward.
They repeated starts just like in real races.
According to Kitahara, if the horse girls could associate the sight of the gate opening with stepping forward — turning it into a conditioned reflex — then in an actual race, no matter their mental state, they would dash out the instant the gate opened, purely by instinct.
During practice, Tamamo Cross and the others often joked that this training was just like Oguri Cap's reaction when she heard the cafeteria bell — she'd bolt forward in a flash.
Kitahara, always serious, replied that if they could dash from the gate as eagerly as Oguri Cap ran to the cafeteria, they'd probably shave off a few tenths of a second.
He even came up with a corny line:
"If you're not eager to eat, something's wrong with your brain."
In the past, aside from Oguri Cap — who agreed wholeheartedly — Tamamo Cross and Inari One just found it funny.
But after several successful starts that clearly came from this "half-joking" training, no one treated it as a joke anymore.
The results of their everyday practice showed clearly in this race.Tamamo Cross could feel her start was slightly faster than her nearby rivals.She sensed that Inari One was probably the same.
When Tamamo switched lanes toward the inside, Inari One — who had the positional advantage of Gate 1 — had already taken the innermost lane.
Since Inari had reached the best position first, Tamamo had to settle for a spot just behind her, slightly diagonal.She couldn't help but think:
"She's doing great. Worried about me, huh? But you're the one holding the advantage now."
Well, Inari's race sense was still a bit less refined than hers.
She hadn't realized that what worked in training wouldn't necessarily be the same in an official race.
Given the Hanshin track's mostly flat terrain, this slight difference in position wouldn't matter much until the last two corners — their stamina wouldn't differ too drastically.
Unless something unexpected happened, Tamamo knew she'd have to fight Inari in the final sprint.
That wasn't ideal — the finishing sprint was exactly her weak point.So…
"I'll need to start accelerating earlier. I can't leave everything to the final stretch — I have to widen the gap in advance!"
Determined, Tamamo made no rash moves.
She knew this wasn't yet the time to unleash her power.
This race was 3,000 meters long.Both she and Inari had chosen the " end closer" style — staying back early and conserving energy.In such races, the best tactic was to quietly bide their time, saving every bit of stamina until the final turn, and then burst forth all at once.
No rush — just pace herself steadily.The moment of decision was still far, far ahead.
Because of their calm, patient running, even the race commentary sounded subdued — more like a report than an impassioned broadcast.
"The 3,000-meter race appears quite stable so far."
"The front-running group is setting the pace patiently, and it's hard to tell if their lead is widening by eye alone."
"But from the timing board, we can see the lead has been gradually expanding."
"The leading runners have stretched their early advantage from two lengths to about two and a quarter."
"The front-runners are clearly conserving stamina — and the midpack and end closers don't seem eager to chase just yet. They're likely saving their strength for the second half."
"Among the end closers, the most anticipated pair this race is Tamamo Cross and Inari One."
"Both had excellent starts and quickly seized the inside lanes."
"For now, Inari holds the better position. Tamamo tried to overtake once, but gave up quickly. It seems she intends to stay just behind, waiting for the perfect opportunity."
The commentary was calm, but the spectators were anything but. Hanshin Racecourse's stands were packed, arms waving, cheering for their favorite horse girls.
In the observation room, the atmosphere was just as animated — but the conversation here wasn't cheering, it was analysis.
"If I were running in this Hanshin, I'd probably choose to lead from the front like Maruzensky-senpai, right, Naise-san?"
Sakura Chiyono O, ever since entering school, had dreamed of becoming a horse girl like Maruzensky — the type who ran far ahead of everyone else.
Her white-tipped ears perked up, trembling with excitement as she eagerly looked to her trainer for validation.
From the start of the race, Naise Fumino had been glued to the track through her binoculars, keeping her focus fixed on the two smallest figures in the back pack — Tamamo Cross and Inari One.
She hadn't hidden her reason for coming today.She was here to study the Eisei Team — her team's future rivals.
Not only Oguri Cap, Mejiro Ardan, and Super Creek, who were competing with her own horse girls in the Triple Crown, but Tamamo Cross and Inari One as well — both deserved careful observation.
After all, central-grade racing wasn't limited to the Triple Crown.There were the Osaka Cup, the Tenno Sho, the Takarazuka Kinen, the Arima Kinen — all top-tier G1 races.
And with Tamamo Cross and Inari One's strength, it was inevitable they'd appear in those too.
Meeting them was only a matter of time.
Coming to the racecourse in person came from her father's influence.
Fumino remembered how busy her parents had always been when she was young, taking turns spending time with her.
Her father's way of bonding with her was by taking her to the track — sometimes to watch his own horse girl's race, sometimes to observe competitors.
Back then, she knew nothing of races or training and once asked him why they needed to observe opponents in person.
His reply was simple:
"Some things you just can't see on video. Only at the track can you truly grasp them."
At the time, she hadn't understood.But as a trainer herself now, she knew exactly what he meant.
Even horse girls often couldn't perceive their own small habits or tells — you had to see them live, not secondhand.
Unfortunately, even after watching through the binoculars for so long, she couldn't see anything particularly unusual about those two petite horse girls.
She could tell clearly that, just as Kitahara said, they were simply using a standard "closer" strategy.
So… was the outcome really going to depend — as Kitahara claimed — on who could break through and overtake on the final corner?
Lost in thought, she finally registered Sakura Chiyono O's question — and answered absentmindedly, still peering through the lenses.
"No."
"Eh? Maruzensky-senpai, look! My trainer said— Wait, no?!"
Sakura Chiyono O froze mid-sentence, her fluffy ears and tail standing straight in surprise.
"N-No? How come?!"
"But… my front-running aptitude's fine, isn't it?"
Seeing her panicked face, Maruzensky couldn't help laughing softly before offering a thoughtful remark.
"Maybe… it's a matter of stamina?"
Maruzensky spoke first.Fumino pressed her lips together, then turned to Chiyono O.
"Your aptitude for front-running is good," she said calmly, "but not top-tier."
"In the Wakaba Stakes, you won, yes — but compared to Super Creek, your stamina was noticeably lower."
"Creek lost that race mainly due to a tactical mistake — she slightly lagged in pace. When she realized it, she spent all her strength catching up and still almost overtook you at the end."
"In other words, compared to her, your stamina is lacking."
"And neither of you excels in explosive speed. If you'd had more burst power, you could've won by a wider margin — or she could've turned the tables.
""So, even Creek — who isn't a natural front-runner — could still try a front-run strategy in a 3,000-meter race. But if you insist on leading, you'll likely run out of stamina too early."
"R-Really…?"
Chiyono O's ears drooped visibly, her voice filled with disappointment.
Seeing her deflated mood, Fumino offered comfort.
"It's okay. Don't worry — I'll think of a solution."
"Besides, while your stamina might not support a 3,000-meter front run, you can still handle a 'pace chaser' position."
"Pace Chaser…?"Chiyono O blinked, puzzled."But isn't that the style that uses the most stamina and needs burst power too? Didn't you just say I lack both?"
Her voice wavered with doubt.
Before Fumino could answer, someone else cut in cheerfully.
"It's fine, Chiyono O! If you're low on stamina or power, you just have to eat more!"
Oguri Cap, who'd also been watching the race, offered the advice enthusiastically.
"When I was little, I was weak too. My mom told me to eat a lot, and later Kitahara said the same — so I did! That's why I'm so strong now!"
She flexed her arm proudly."If you eat as much as I do every day, you won't have to worry about a thing!"
"…But not every horse girl can eat as much as you, Oguri…"
Chiyono O said, half-laughing, half-exasperated.
She didn't mean much by it, but Fumino was listening closely.
It seemed her earlier guess was right — the Eisei Team's strong performances were heavily related to their diet.
Trainer Konai had also mentioned that Chiyono O's body stats were slightly lower than Oguri Cap's group.That kind of gap couldn't be filled by training alone — they needed proper nutrition too.
But her girls already ate as much as they could. You couldn't just force-feed them…
"How on earth do Eisei's horse girls all eat so much? What's their secret?"
Puzzled, Fumino turned to Kitahara.
"Um, Chief Kitahara, could I ask you something about what Chiyono O just said—"
Kitahara didn't hear her.He was completely absorbed in watching the race.
This match carried extraordinary importance.
If Tamamo Cross and Inari One succeeded in triggering their Domains, it would mean the Eisei Team had found a way to artificially invoke that phenomenon — something that would shake the entire horse girl world.
He had to observe every second of it.
Then, suddenly, the commentators' excited voices broke his concentration.
"OHH! Something's changing—something's changing!!"
"Unbelievable! In most 3,000-meter races, nothing major happens in the first three minutes — often not until the two-minute mark at least! But this race—at just over one minute in—there's a massive shift!"
"The end closers Tamamo Cross and Inari One… they're fighting for position!?"
"Is this a new tactic? A brand-new strategy from Eisei's 'Master of Gambits,' Chief Kitahara?!"
"After the first pass through the fourth corner, the two are battling fiercely for the inside lane! Their duel is forcing all the others to increase their pace!"
"Could this be another brilliant, unpredictable strategy — like Super Creek and Mejiro Ardan's before? Truly worthy of the 'Master of Gambits'!"
"...'Master of Gambits'? What the hell?"
Kitahara muttered, not even sure when he'd earned that nickname.
But he had no time to care — his eyes stayed locked on the two streaks of silver-gray and deep brown clashing along the curve.
The commentator's guess wasn't exactly wrong — but not quite right either.
It wasn't a "tactic," per se — it was a strategy:They were attempting to trigger Inari One's Domain.
The timing was perfect.The Hanshin Daishoten was held on the inner course — one lap was 1,689 meters.The race began on the second straight, passing corners 3 and 4, then 1 and 2, and finally 3 and 4 again.
That meant more turns than in shorter races.If they stayed on the outer lanes during both laps, the extra distance could exceed 100 meters — nearly an entire stretch more, close to the Spring Tenno Sho's length.
Even though Tamamo and Inari could handle long races like that, in this 3,000-meter Hanshin Daishoten, an extra hundred meters was still too costly.
So they had to fight for the inner lane now — after the first pass of the fourth corner.
Perfect timing, Kitahara thought. Go, Tama. Go, Inari.
"Now then… 'Midpack, after the first lap, engaging in position competition'…"
"Will it trigger, Inari… your Domain…?"
Meanwhile, the commentator's voice erupted again—
"It's intense! So intense! Are they treating this stretch as the final sprint already — Tamamo Cross and Inari One!?"
"The fourth curve is followed by a straight stretch of about 900 meters — and we're only halfway through it! Both racehorses have already accelerated multiple times, fiercely battling for the optimal inner lane position!"
"Their duel has clearly driven up the entire pack's pace! Judging by the mid-race timing past the first turn, this 3000-meter event might end up being run at a 2000-meter speed!"
"Is that the North Plains strategist's plan — to deliberately push the tempo like this?"
"If so, then around the 2500-meter mark, every horse girl might be running on fumes! Could it be that his true objective is to turn this race into a battle of endurance and sheer willpower?"
"He… is that man really that confident in Tamamo Cross and Inari One's stamina?!"
"Eh? Wait—Inari One! It's Inari One! She's accelerating again!"
"She's clearly pulled away from Tamamo Cross — that speed advantage is unmistakable, and she's starting to overtake!"
"Unbelievable—she just overtook several rivals—no, not several—most of them! She's suddenly surged to the very front of the leading group!"
"Can the front-running horses maintain their lead speed?!"
"It looks like they can! The frontrunners still have a few body lengths of advantage, but Inari One is rapidly closing the gap—they have no choice but to accelerate again!"
"The formation's stretching out! Tamamo Cross also tried to accelerate, but it didn't work well—she's now been left far behind by her own teammate!"
"It's obvious now! In this Hanshin Daishoten, the chief trainer of Team Eisei — the famed strategist Kitahara — has chosen an endurance-focused tactic for his two horse girls!"
"He's clearly betting everything on Tamamo Cross and Inari One's tenacity once the others start losing speed!"
The commentators' voices were loud enough that even though Kitahara didn't want to listen, every word still reached his ears, making him pause in thought.
That commentator… wasn't entirely wrong. Endurance could indeed develop into a viable tactical concept.
But that was still premature — right now, the Domain was what truly mattered.
Just then, a voice interrupted Kitahara's concentration.
"...Chief Kitahara, this race… are you really going with an endurance tactic?"
It was Fumino Naise who asked, gazing at him with a puzzled look.
Endurance tactic? Maybe later, but not right now, Kitahara thought silently. After all, I've only just begun to explore the Domain theory...
He almost replied briefly but decided instead to pretend he hadn't heard, keeping his binoculars fixed on the track.
Normally, he would have patiently explained his team's strategic intentions to Fumino.There was nothing to hide — after all, CB's delegation to the Trancendence Team had the same purpose as Maruzensky's cooperation: to master the concept of the Domain.
Once he identified the activation conditions, the others would soon know as well — this discovery would benefit all horse girls.
But now was a critical moment for confirming that theory; he couldn't afford to lose focus.
Especially since, as the commentator had exclaimed earlier, Inari One's acceleration spike had been unusually strong — Kitahara could see it clearly through the lens.
That meant she had likely touched the Domain—she was inside it right now!
He had to capture every single detail of what was happening!
Holding his breath, a mix of tension and excitement coursing through him, Kitahara zoomed in even closer on Inari One's every movement.
Her breathing was steady, her arm swings and strides — previously rough — were noticeably more refined. Even her aura felt different.
Most importantly, she hadn't been like this in the earlier half of the race—so…
There could be no mistake—Inari One was in the Domain state!
It worked! His hypothesis about the Domain being triggered through an innate skill had been correct!That meant any horse girl could potentially touch the Domain! This was—
But before the thought could even finish, Kitahara frowned.
Inari One's form and expression suddenly returned to normal.
…The Domain ended? Seems so.
That segment lasted maybe 10 seconds? 6 or 7 at most. A bit short.
Still, the effect was undeniable — normally, she'd need much longer to push from the back to the front, but with the Domain's help, she'd done it instantly and even forced everyone else to burn more stamina.
At this rate, every competitor in this race would start to lose speed between the 600- and 400-meter mark — at worst, around 800 meters out.
Based on her physical stats, Inari's stamina should last long enough to start fading after breaking clear of the pack.As for Tamamo…
Hmm… that's tricky. If she keeps trailing without advancing position, she might never make it to the front…
Come on, Tama… whether or not you trigger your Domain, you've got to secure a good spot early…
While Kitahara silently worried, a similar thought echoed in Inari One's mind out on the track.
Uh… was that the Domain just now?
That sensation of omnipotence — it felt incredible… but—
Sweat streamed down her temples, across her cheeks. One droplet slid over her left eye, forcing her to squint, gritting her teeth as she kept sprinting forward.
Is it because my Domain isn't complete yet...?
Why does it drain so much stamina...?
Still—fine. Everyone else's stamina took a hit from my earlier acceleration.And my position now is excellent.If I keep this up, my chances… are huge!
Even if Tama's been slightly stronger in training matches these past few days — in this state, I can—
Thump!
Without warning, Inari One's heart gave a violent jolt.
Then — skipped a beat. Like the air itself had vanished.
What… is this feeling...?
It was as if she had been thrust into an endless void — or had seen something utterly horrifying. In an instant, everything around her felt ripped away: air, warmth, even the blood in her veins.
Something terrifying was closing in from behind.No — not approaching—it was already upon her.
"...Heh. Inari—did you really think you could run away?!"
"Don't even dream of it!!!"
"If you want to win that badly, then show me—just how far you'll go!!!"
(End of Chapter)