Mejiro McQueen won her debut with overwhelming dominance.
That result was exactly what Kuroha expected—and what many spectators, drawn by the names "Chasing Light" and "Mejiro," had also anticipated. Her strength already stood a full tier above the rest of her generation. This victory was merely the first newborn cry of a brilliant new star declaring herself to the world.
And just as McQueen's name began catching the eyes of veteran fans and reporters alike…
Two days later, the silver-haired tempest of Chasing Light—Fujimasa March—once again demonstrated her ironclad rule over the Central circuit. From gate to wire she left no room, not even a sliver, for anyone else to act. She crushed the field and seized yet another G1 trophy—the Sprinters Stakes—and tucked it neatly under her arm.
Her victory sounded the bugle for the autumn campaign.
Almost in the same breath, another bombshell detonated across Tracen Academy.
The ash-gray monster—Oguri Cap—had returned.
And she didn't slink back in quietly. She came like thunder, taking back-to-back wins in the Sankei Sho and the Mainichi Okan. Two emphatic graded triumphs—two blunt proclamations to all: that legend who felled Tamamo Cross head-on in last year's Arima Kinen has lost none of her edge.
…
On the very day Oguri took the Mainichi Okan, a race in Kyoto had just ended.
"Maintains the lead to the line!"
"The winner of the Kyoto Daishoten is—Super Creek!!!"
The caller's voice climbed with excitement: "The time is 2:23.5—a new race record!"
At the finish, more than a dozen horse girls panted hard, staring in disbelief at the tall, composed silhouette standing calmly ahead.
"What a monster!"
"A G2 over 2400 meters… and she didn't sweat a single drop!"
"Didn't she lose to Inari One in the spring?"
"Just one summer later and even the memory of that…."
"Damn it!"
The target of their muttering—Super Creek—looked up at the big screen with a gentle smile.
"It's still hard to sustain elsewhere, but on the Tokyo course, there shouldn't be any problems anymore."
She whispered—and at once, several unseen blue currents sliced the air and scattered. Creek's hand brushed her chest, as if feeling a vast, awe-inspiring power flowing steady within.
"A free Domain."
"At last… finished before the autumn Tenno Sho!"
"Inari—this time, I won't lose so easily!"
…
In the Mejiro family's private training grounds, Kuroha watched that serene blue figure cross the line on TV, surprise flickering through his eyes despite himself.
When he opened Body and Breath Perception, he saw far more than any spectator—or even most trainers—could. The faint, here-and-gone blue halo that flared around Super Creek as she finished was the outward spill of Domain power.
"So… she mastered the second step of Domain alone? Even if it's still incomplete."
Leaning back on the sofa, Kuroha drummed his fingers thoughtfully. Super Creek truly lived up to the word "prodigy" of this era.
The first time this incomplete Domain control surfaced in the world, it was used by "Obey Your Master." By imposing brutally strict conditional restraints on herself, she could seize total control of the Domain born from "Passion State," but only under very specific circumstances.
Kuroha didn't know what conditions Creek had set for herself. But one way or another, she had grasped that power—and she would surely unveil it when she faced Inari One in the autumn Tenno Sho.
Click.
He switched off the TV. In his head, simulations of the autumn landscape were already rolling.
He trusted his own girls. As they were now, they could have shone brilliantly in any era. But the track has never been a one-woman stage.
This autumn, aside from the ever-unpredictable Japan Cup—where horse girls from all over the world could appear—there were really only two rivals demanding absolute, undivided focus.
The ash-gray monster, Oguri Cap.
And the one who just revealed a new form, Super Creek.
Both of them had entered the late stretch of the twelve "Senior Years" after True Blooming—bodies and minds honed to their peaks. Two of the undisputed "Eternal Three." (Though… that title probably won't stick anymore.)
In pure numbers alone, both now stood shoulder-to-shoulder with anyone in Chasing Light's camp—anyone except Inari One.
"This autumn is going to be even more exciting than I thought."
Kuroha looked out at the indoor track of the trainers' hall.
"Boom—!"
A crimson streak blasted across the preset finish, revealing the small, fierce figure of Inari One.
"Ha—! That felt great."
Hands on hips, the twin-tailed girl laughed bright and loud, then took the towel and bottle Aoi Kiryuin handed over. She twisted the cap, took two swigs—then arched a brow, noticing Kuroha watching from afar. She raised one hand high and waved like a flag.
"Trainer—!"
"Honestly. Already a senpai, and you still act like a kid."
Kuroha couldn't help smiling at that playful side of hers and lifted an arm in reply.
"Hee-hee."
Satisfied with his response, Inari gave the bottle and towel back to Aoi. "Aoi-onee-san, how many sets left?"
Aoi flipped through her little notebook. "Three more."
She looked up, voice gentle. "Inari, want a few minutes' rest?"
"No need. I'm in top condition right now."
Inari clenched her fist, wild fighting spirit burning in her eyes though her voice stayed calm. "Besides, if I stop here, someone's going to catch up to me…"
Her gaze swept the training grounds.
Aside from McQueen grinding away at simple, honest strength work, four different Domain auras speared toward the sky—silver-white, cherry blossom, pale blue, star-studded night.
Four distinct, surging powers crisscrossed and collided high above. Four horse girls standing atop Central's summit, testing and tempering one another, honing their edges against one another's steel.
All of them were stockpiling power fierce enough to tear the heavens—waiting for an autumn fated to be storm-tossed.
"Heh… no slacking, then," Inari murmured.
Soon, a crimson current flashed onto the track again. This time she was faster, her momentum fiercer—like she meant to dye the entire grounds her color.
(End of Chapter)
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