Just a few years back, the world of umamusume racing had been struck by a deadly drought.
Following the ending of Symboli Rudolf's career, Japan was left reeling. Her career had been too dazzling to be forgotten—her achievements too notable to slowly fade away into the halls of history. Her shadow had been too large, and none could step forward to match the hole her departure had left. A dark period known as the Era of No Heroes, where the future of this beloved sport remained uncertain.
Yet no one could have predicted that things would change so drastically in just a few years.
It all began with a trio of umamusume from the town of Kasamatsu. A trio who refused to let themselves be confined to the Regionals. They had gazed upon the throne of Central and dared to claim it their own.
And they did. In a dazzling performance that left our country reeling, they proclaimed their intent to the world. They would not be silenced. They would not be forgotten. They were born to run, and they had come to take over the world. They were Team Kitahara, a name I'm sure many of us have now come to know.
That could've easily been where it ended.
But the Goddesses denied such a paltry ending.
From seemingly nowhere, many other heroes began appearing, seemingly called forth by them. Dicta Striker, Yaeno Muteki, Mejiro Ardan, Sakura Chiyono O, Super Creek—one after another they came forth to challenge these newcomers, like the defenders to the throne.
We were blessed with the Generation of Miracles.
And now, for the first time, this entire miraculous generation will come together in tomorrow's [Takarazuka Kinen]. A true clash between the heroes who have defined this generation.
It wouldn't just be them either.
Tamamo Cross and Obey Your Master join them as well. The White Lightning has struck the world asunder, and the Joker returns to shake the board. They've shown the world the mystical world of Domains back in the [Japan Cup], and I'm sure they would deliver an even greater performance now.
Who will come out on top? Who will take home the crown?
We can only wait with anticipation.
—Fujii Sensuke, reporter from Tokyo News
…
I was leaning on the railing as I took a slow breath, gazing at the stars as they shone amongst the night sky. The night's been getting warmer as of late—the Spring months would soon come to an end, and with it the arrival of Summer.
I smiled faintly as I thought of last year's summer camp. It was still hard to believe that it'd been an entire year since then. I could still remember those days like it was yesterday; running across the beaches, scaling the forested mountainsides, the late night talks, watching the fireworks during the summer festival—they were memories I held dear to my heart.
Of course, we couldn't just head off to the oceans just yet.
The [Takarazuka Kinen] was tomorrow, after all.
My smile grew to a small grin as I thought of the upcoming race. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited about tomorrow. This [Takarazuka Kinen] was special. There were only 10 participants this time around, mostly because no one else was willing to run against us. Everyone from the Generation of Miracles were here, alongside Tamamo Cross and Obey Your Master.
Was I confident that I'd win?
Hell no.
For one, Oguri Cap would be running with me. Her Speed and Strength were undoubtedly higher than mine, and considering the [Takarazuka Kinen] was only 2200 meters long, the chance of me pulling a win was highly improbable.
Then there was also the fact that Tamamo Cross and Obey Your Master would also be running in the race. Combined with Belno Light, that meant that there would be three Domains during the race, and I still remembered the pressure I had to force my way through back in the [Japan Cup].
Yet, I was fine with that. I didn't really mind losing. It wasn't as if the [Takarazuka Kinen] would be the very last race I'd ever run—I still had my promise to Secretariat to fulfil after all.
But more than anything, I was just happy to have the chance to run against everyone. This impossible scenario had now come to reality, and whether I win or lose, the fact that this was happening at all made me giddy with anticipation.
"So this is where you were."
I blinked, and then turned to see Kitahara walking toward me. I smiled slightly. "Yo, Kitahara. What're you doing here?"
The man huffed as he came up to the railing I'd been leaning on, glancing at the river on the other side. "Got curious. I couldn't find you anywhere in Tracen." He grinned. "Thought you escaped or something."
I returned a wry grin. "What? Am I a pet or something?" I smirked as I leaned towards him. "Maybe you should put a collar around me~"
"You sure act like one when you're with Oguri." He easily returned.
I coughed as I backed away, my cheeks warming slightly. "Agh, geez. What a cold reply." I sighed mournfully, placing a hand over my chest with mock regret. "Where did the pure-hearted Kitahara go?"
"Never had one." He returned a cheeky grin. "I'm the Demon King, after all."
I chuckled. "Can't argue about that."
A pleasant silence fell between us. Kitahara leaned on the railing as he gazed out at the river, a small smile on his lips as he listened to the sounds of the moving waters. He didn't ask about the upcoming race, and he didn't need to. We'd been together for almost two years by this point—we knew each other like the back of our hands.
And for a moment, I marvelled at just how far he'd come. Sure, Kitahara was our trainer, but in a way, he was also a 'member' of Team Kitahara. He'd improved alongside us when we made our charge to Central. He came to Tracen Central just as inexperienced as us, and us four had faced the world together.
Much had changed since then. Kitahara was no longer the inexperienced trainer he'd been back then. He held himself with a confidence he'd earned over the past two years, one he'd built himself.
Kitahara Jo had truly come far.
"Shouldn't you be sleeping by this point?" Kitahara then asked.
"I will, I will~" I smiled wryly. "Besides, Oguri will drag me back home if I don't come back in time, and there ain't no way I'm winning against an unstoppable force like that."
"Ah, right…" Kitahara muttered, smiling wryly as he recalled the last time that'd happened. "How did Oguri even find you back then?"
I shrugged. "Who knows?" I said, similarly confused. I mean, she somehow found me while I was in a random convenience store down in Shinjuku, and did so without calling me or asking anyone for help. By this point I wouldn't be surprised if Oguri somehow learnt a Skill that allowed her to find me at all times.
"But I think I'll stay out here for a little longer." I smiled softly. "It's been a while since the sky was this clear."
Kitahara nodded. "Then I'll stay here too."
I nodded back.
We enjoyed the night sky for several more minutes before we began our trek back home.
.
.
.
And as planned, a few hours before noon, the Hanshin Racecourse exploded with the cheers of tens of thousands as the [Takarazuka Kinen] began.