The gray-haired girl now had a kind of PTSD toward the words "three races."
Just last year, her dearest friend Tamamo Cross had retired in a flash during her Senior Year, after running those very three races.
And now… even Fujimasa March was going to retire?
"…Eh? No."
Noticing Oguri Cap's misunderstanding, Kuroha smiled and shook his head.
March would only just be entering her peak after this year ended. There was no way she would be forced to retire so soon.
"What I meant is that the Sprinters Stakes doesn't suit your distance range—it should never have been part of your schedule in the first place.
As for the Mile Championship and the Arima Kinen…"
Kuroha's voice grew more serious:
"Between those two races lies the Japan Cup. And the gap between them is sometimes less than a single week!
If you really want to race March, my advice is to prepare yourself to be in your very best condition. Don't repeat last year's reckless schedule again."
He added, firmly: "That's what March wants too."
In the original worldline, Oguri Cap's autumn schedule had been inhuman.
After the Tenno Sho (Autumn), she ran the Mile Championship just 20 days later. Then came the Japan Cup only 7 days after that. Finally, the Arima Kinen 28 days later.
Four consecutive G1s!
What kind of horse girl could endure such a schedule? Even iron horses would be broken by it.
Though Kuroha's tone was calm, his words pressed down heavily on Oguri Cap's heart.
She stared blankly at him, chewing over his meaning. The confusion in her eyes gradually faded, replaced by faint clarity and thought.
"Reckless… unreasonable…" She didn't fully understand the words, but she felt the weight of his seriousness, and the concern behind them.
And most of all—the phrase:
"This is also March's wish."
Oguri Cap froze completely. In her pure gray-blue eyes, emotions swirled more complex than ever before.
Lifting her head, her voice trembled with uncertainty:
"March… she wants me… to rest properly too?"
"Of course." Kuroha answered without a trace of hesitation.
His voice softened, but his reasoning was precise:
"To March, you are her first true rival, and also the first opponent to defeat her.
What she longs for is to face you at your strongest, to fight on equal footing with the best you can be—not to beat a body broken down by reckless over-racing.
That kind of victory would mean nothing to her."
"…!"
Berno Light, standing beside them, nodded furiously. She finally gathered her courage, tugged on Cap's sleeve, and pleaded:
"Kuroha Trainer is right! Cap, your races last year were way too much!! I… I was worried the whole time!"
Her friend's concern, her rival's expectation, and a top trainer's advice…
Oguri Cap lowered her gaze to her right leg, still wrapped in bandages.
She remembered the autumn of last year—running until her body was nearly falling apart, yet forcing herself forward on sheer instinct.
Back then, she had only thought of running, only of winning. Never once had she thought about whether it was truly respectful to her rivals, or whether it was the right answer to her friends' hopes.
After a long silence, she lifted her head again.
In her eyes, the confusion was gone—replaced by a crystal clarity and determination she had never shown before.
"…I understand."
Looking at Kuroha, she nodded firmly.
"I'll rest well. And then, I'll race March in the greatest match we can have."
"That's good. I look forward to that day," Kuroha said with a smile. Then he stood up. "Alright, you two take your time with lunch. I'll head back first."
"See you, Kuroha Trainer!" Berno Light waved hurriedly.
Oguri Cap, cheeks puffed out, also waved before turning her focus back to the food.
But this time, though she ate with the same speed, her eyes carried a new light—one called "purpose."
"…March…"
For the sake of their fated duel, she was willing to wait.
Willing to sharpen herself into her sharpest blade.
From their very first race in Kasamatsu two years ago until now, the bond had only grown stronger.
Now, just remembering it was enough to make the "Grey Monster" of Central tremble with excitement.
"Light, I want to run!"
"Dame!!!" Berno Light crossed her arms in an X.
"Uuuh…"
—Back at the dorm.
As usual, Kuroha opened the door. "I'm home."
"Welcome back!"
Several sweet voices chimed at once.
Inari One was sprawled lazily on the wide sofa, clearly full and drowsy.
Fujimasa March and Obey Your Master sat quietly on the other side—one reading a book, the other studying racecourse data.
Mejiro Ardan, with her gentle smile and elegant manners, was seated at the main seat, serving tea for everyone.
Other than Sakura Chiyono O, the Senior Year horse girls all lived with him now.
Fortunately, since Kuroha had been promoted to a full trainer, he had been able to move into a new dormitory—a place almost like a small villa.
The dorm was two floors.
The first floor had three bedrooms, a living room, kitchen, and bath.
The second floor had four bedrooms and another bath.
Plenty of space for the four of them.
And since the student dorms were cramped two-person rooms, they had simply all moved here together.
Each week, they even took turns deciding which of them would stay in Kuroha's room at night.
Even if more joined, it would still be more than enough space.
As for Sakura Chiyono O… she was still too shy to move in, since her relationship with Kuroha hadn't gone that far yet.
Kuroha smiled as he changed into slippers. This warm daily life had long become the most precious part of his world.
"Welcome back, Trainer."
Mejiro Ardan handed him a freshly brewed cup of tea, smiling brightly.
"Thanks, Ardan." He accepted the tea and sat down on the sofa.
"So, have you all thought about where you'd like to go for vacation?" he asked, glancing at the horse girls around him.
He had already told them about going to Tōkō (東煌) for a school trip.
With the long summer break, they could go anywhere.
"Wherever Trainer decides, I'll be fine," March said with a smile, her voice full of trust.
"Me too!" Inari One raised her hand.
The others nodded casually in agreement.
Kuroha chuckled. "Then I'll make sure to plan it well. I promise you'll all be satisfied."
As vacation approached, training wasn't as harsh as usual.
Even Aoi Kiryuin, serving as an intern trainer, had gone back to school to handle her duties.
So now, "Team Chasing Light," under Central's spotlight, was ironically enjoying a rare spell of free time.
…Well, except at night.
(End of Chapter)
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