I stood beneath the shadows of the athlete's tunnel, my face barely illuminated by the light coming from the end of the tunnel. My breaths were light as I stood in place, my expression blank as I stared out into the light.
I closed my eyes as I listened in on the distant noises. Even from here, I could already hear the loud roars of the crowd, their excitement clear to hear. I could hear the announcer's words as they announced each runner that would be participating in today's race. I could hear the symphony of trumpets—a musical opening fitting for one of the legs of the Spring Triple Crown.
I took a small breath as I savored this tranquil moment.
It'd been a while since I last experienced what it was like to be inside an athlete's tunnel. Sure, I'd raced in the [Santa Anita Handicap] barely a month ago, but the Santa Anita Park didn't have an athlete's tunnel. I was immediately shoved into the track from the moment I entered.
But here, it was different. It was quiet. Peaceful. The literal calm before the incoming storm.
I basked in it for a good moment, all while waiting for the announcer to finally call for my name.
Then, my ears twitched, and a smile came onto my lips.
"Wow, didn't think it'd be you of all people, Kitahara."
He chuckled as he appeared from behind me, an embarrassed smile on his lips. "So I got caught, huh?" He sighed as he tipped his hat down. "Geez, how'd you even know it was me?"
"Everyone's steps sound different." I said simply, and he whistled in admiration. "Anyway, what's up? Shouldn't you be at the stands by this point?"
"Normally." He agreed, his expression turning serious as he leaned against the wall. "But I have a message to give—both from Super Creek and Nase-san."
I raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Alright then, what is it?"
Kitahara smiled deeply. "Don't hold back." He simply said. "Run, even if it means leaving everyone behind." His expression turned complicated for a moment. "Nase-san told me that Creek wants to see how far ahead you are. If she's to lose, then she wants to lose completely."
I pursed my lips. "Well that's a…" I didn't finish my words. I didn't need to. It was clear that Kitahara shared the same complicated feelings I had about that request.
"Yeah." He finished, looking pretty uncomfortable.
We remained in silence for a few moments, before I sighed as I ran a hand through my hair. "Well, if that's what she wants, then I'll oblige." I smiled faintly. "Not that I ever planned to hold back or anything—that'll be even more rude."
He stared at me for a moment, before he nodded. "Yeah, I guess the request wasn't really needed." He smirked. "Then I'll say it as well." He pushed himself off the wall and held out his fist towards me. "Run, Star. Win this race. Show Japan how much you've improved."
…haha.
You really haven't changed, have you?
I smiled fondly as I bumped his fist with my own. "Watch me, Kitahara."
.
.
.
"And now, the undisputed star of today's race…!"
"Japan has not seen her for nearly six months since her amazing display in the [Japan Cup], and now she makes her return onto the Japanese Turf!"
"We've seen a fragment of her strength in her recent victory over the G1 [Santa Anita Handicap], making her the first Japanese umamusume to achieve a foreign G1!"
"Team Kitahara's White Comet—a shooting star that blazes a path towards victory-!"
"No.9, BLOSSOM STAR!!"
An umamusume walked out of the athlete's tunnel, garbed in white cloths befitting of a Hero's visage. The pauldrons on her shoulders gleamed bronze beneath the warm sunlight, and the blue cloak attached to them swayed as she walked, extending her shadow as she walked forth.
And the crowd that easily surpassed 50,000 roared with excitement, welcoming home an umamusume that had ventured out to the United States and returned home a Hero.
Faced with such overwhelming support for one umamusume, most of today's runners shrunk back, recoiling with fear. None of them had elicited cheers even remotely close to the overwhelming support Blossom Star had gotten. Not even today's 2nd favorite, Super Creek, could compare.
Though Creek herself only gave a small smile as she watched Star walk towards her gate, caring little for the outside world. She would be lying if she said she wasn't daunted, but more than anything, she was just glad to see Star finally walking once more.
She still remembered the first time she saw Oguri and Star bedridden, with no one knowing when they'd wake.
She never wanted to see that again.
"Now, all runners are to head to their respective gates!"
Nase Fumino smiled wryly as she sat back amidst the roaring crowd, her silence a deep contrast to everyone else's excitement.
It was only natural; she knew Creek had little chance of acquiring victory in this race. Blossom Star's strength shined the longer a race was, and the [Spring Tenno Sho] was the longest G1 race Japan currently offered. A staggering distance of 3200 meters, capable of leaving most umamusume drained by the final stretch.
But Star wasn't like most umamusume. This race was her domain, and Creek was a challenger far below Star's level.
Yet she and Creek had bravely registered anyway. Even though only 9 runners would be running today—with half of them dropping out due to Star's participation, they would make their stand against one of this era's greatest heroes.
Because this was not the end. Her journey with Creek—it would continue on towards a destination she couldn't see.
She might not win this race, and that was fine. They would use this race as a whetstone; Creek would sharpen herself against the champion, and they would come out stronger for it.
"All runners have entered their gates!"
"It's time for this historic moment to begin…!"
The world grew quiet as the final seconds counted down. All nine runners prepared to surge forward, waiting for the moment the gates would open.
And it was in this quiet that Creek noticed it.
Blossom Star had bent her knees so far down that her head had dipped below the gates. She could faintly see the back of Star's legs extending past the back of the gate. And though she couldn't be sure, she swore she could see Star placing her fingers on the Turf as she arched her back.
Her eyes narrowed as a chill ran up her back. She couldn't help but feel like she'd seen that strange stance somewhere—she just couldn't remember where.
…She could think about it later.
She focused back on her own gate. Her ears remained sharp, vigilant for the moment she heard the gates open.
And then–
BANG!
The gates slammed open, and nine umamusume surged forward.