Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen.
These two names, so familiar they couldn't be more familiar, instantly brought Kuroha's memories flooding back.
They were the protagonists of the second season of the Uma Musume anime.
Also, they were the inheritors of the spotlight after Oguri's era.
Tokai Teio — the Emperor's successor, the Miracle Queen. From a young age, she admired the shining figure of "Emperor" Symboli Rudolf and aimed to become an "undefeated Triple Tiara Uma Musume."
But the same miraculous body that gifted her unmatched flexibility came with a glass-like fragility. Three major fractures shattered the dreams of the undefeated genius.
Yet, after nearly a year of recovery, she made a miraculous comeback — defeating many world-class contenders in the Japan Cup, and then conquering the strongest central Uma Musume of her era in the Arima Kinen!
A miracle runner, who surpassed her limits to make a legendary return.
Mejiro McQueen — the third top-tier gray-haired Uma Musume following Tamamo Cross and Oguri Cap.
A perfect heir to the Mejiro family's prestigious stamina lineage, she was born with elite talent for long-distance races. Ultimately, she lived up to the expectations of her family and friends, claiming back-to-back victories in the Spring Tenno Sho.
She was the undisputed queen of long-distance racing in her generation.
Kuroha looked at the cheerful and lively Tokai Teio, and the graceful, composed Mejiro McQueen by her side.
In his eyes, the glow of Body and Breath Perception shimmered faintly.
These two adorable, not-yet-True Blooming little Uma Musume could very well be the strongest of the next generation from Central Tracen Academy.
Hmm... Tokai Teio was the strongest miler and middle-distance runner, and Mejiro McQueen reigned supreme in the long-distance category.
Calling them the strongest pair together wasn't much of a stretch.
Based on the information provided by his Body and Breath Perception, these two girls, even though they hadn't debuted yet, already possessed extraordinarily gifted physiques.
Tokai Teio was practically a copy of Oguri Cap — that same incredible flexibility granted her a natural running form.
But where Oguri was defined by a forward-leaning, overreaching stride, Teio's form relied on the peak-level suppleness of her ankles, creating an unparalleled burst acceleration!
Just watching this little girl excitedly bounce on the spot, Kuroha could tell — the famed "Emperor's Step" was already second nature to her.
"If not for the injury risk, this form's final spurt would be terrifying," Kuroha mused quietly.
As for Mejiro McQueen, her strength lay in plain, raw stamina. Even before True Blooming, she already had endurance rivaling that of post-Blooming local rookies.
Until now, Kuroha had only ever worked with post-Blooming Uma Musume.
Even the two in his current team had transferred in.
So, encountering these two super-talented, super-newbie little girls stirred Kuroha's dormant desire to teach.
In just a few seconds, Kuroha had already come up with several training plans tailored just for them!
"Hey, onii-san, are you a Trainer?"
A clear, chirping voice suddenly brought Kuroha out of his thoughts.
He looked down toward the sound and saw Tokai Teio clutching his shirt hem, blinking her sparkling eyes as she asked.
"Hmm? Oh, yeah, I'm currently a Trainer at Oi Tracen Academy!" Kuroha responded with a small pause.
"So you are a Trainer! The Trainers at our school never come to see our class's races. And our teacher even says we don't need special training at our age — so annoying!"
Tokai Teio first looked surprised, then puffed her cheeks and placed her hands on her hips in frustration.
Given how people saw things in this era, her teacher wasn't technically wrong. Uma Musume only entered their explosive three-year growth period after True Blooming.
Top-tier Uma Musume could even improve their stats by nearly tenfold during that time.
Before that? Training barely had any effect — it was mostly about building interest.
"Well, if it's just building basic athletic foundations tailored to your physical traits, that's not a problem."
Kuroha paused for a moment and said, "Maybe your Trainers at Central are just too few. They probably can't do in-depth testing for every student in the elementary division."
"Ehh, really?"
"Then onii-san, you're a Trainer too — can you look at me and McQueen?"
This little gremlin tilted her head up and activated her cuteness attack straight at Kuroha.
Beside her, Mejiro McQueen tugged on Teio's hand gently and whispered, "Teio…"
As a young lady of the prestigious Mejiro family, McQueen lacked neither funding nor connections.
And what Kuroha had just mentioned — evaluating and designing fundamental development plans for pre-Blooming Uma Musume — had never been proposed by any Trainer.
Even at Central Tracen Academy, the top school in all of Japan, nothing like that existed.
Outside of academic classes, all they did during P.E. was run a lap around the field. The winner got a candy as a prize. That was it.
"Hmm… It's not that I can't, but..."
Kuroha suddenly paused mid-sentence, then crouched down and gently patted Tokai Teio's little head, speaking warmly.
"You're still too young. What you should be doing now isn't training."
"Eat well, play with your friends — that's what little girls like you should be doing, Teio."
As much as Kuroha wanted to draw up training plans for these two adorable little ones...
That way, when he moved to Central in October, he could try and recruit them into his team early.
But this wasn't a game — this was real life. They were still just little girls in elementary school.
Every age has its own rhythm and responsibilities.
Kuroha had once been caught in the rain. That's why he wouldn't tear away someone else's umbrella.
"Heehee, I knew you couldn't do it, onii-san!"
To his surprise, the little gremlin let loose a verbal bombshell, hands on her hips as she burst out laughing. "Our teacher never said anything about that! Onii-san, you're a liar!"
"..."
The whole scene froze in an instant.
Inari One was trying not to laugh out loud, Fujimasa March tilted her head with a helpless sigh, and Mejiro McQueen… just completely shut down, lost for words.
"ε=(′ο｀*))) sigh..."
Kuroha suddenly reached out and tickled Teio under her arms, lifting her clean off the ground like pulling a green onion from the dirt.
"Eh?"
Teio blinked in confusion — her world had just grown taller, but instead of panicking, she wrapped her arms around Kuroha's neck with excitement, looking around from the elevated view.
"You two little troublemakers, follow me. Oi Academy isn't far. Let's call this a little tour."
...
Oi Tracen Academy, Training Field No. 5
Kuroha set Tokai Teio down and let the little one run wild. Fujimasa March and Inari One didn't have training this afternoon, so they could keep her company for a while.
"Mejiro McQueen, was it?"
Kuroha pulled out a notebook, crouching so the purple-haired girl could clearly see the information inside.
"Yes, Trainer Kuroha!"
Mejiro McQueen replied, tiptoeing curiously to look at the notebook in his hands.
[Entry: Uma Musume – Mejiro McQueen (Temporary)]
Mejiro McQueen
Track Aptitude: Turf A / Dirt E
Distance Aptitude: Short G / Mile F / Medium A / Long A
Running Style Aptitude: Front Runner B / Pace Chaser A / Late Surger D / End Closer F
Unique Skill: None
Domain: None
Skills: None
Speed: 57
Stamina: 106
Power: 61
Gut: 34
Wit: 78
(End of Chapter)
"You girls are still too young. The official training that active Uma Musume go through isn't something you can handle just yet," Kuroha began, setting the tone for the conversation.
"If you're going to train, it should be focused on building athletic fundamentals and preserving growth potential. In that regard, your teachers at school aren't doing a bad job."
As a top student, Mejiro McQueen could naturally understand the meaning behind Kuroha's words and nodded along. But she couldn't help but voice her doubts at the end.
"Didn't our teachers help us build athletic fundamentals?"
Kuroha paused for a moment, then offered a more tactful explanation. "Let's just say… they didn't help you build excellent athletic fundamentals."
"You girls are too young, and to avoid imbalances in physical development, you can't focus solely on one type of training. It needs to be paired with other forms of exercise. Striking the right balance is difficult."
"Also, the load — how much weight, how many reps, how long you train — is hard to quantify."
"That's why your teachers only have you run simple laps, to maintain energy levels and spark interest in running. And honestly, there's nothing wrong with that."
Mejiro McQueen kept nodding as she listened.
This kind of knowledge had never been taught in any of her school lessons.
"But I'll help you establish the correct training plan and routine, so you'll be ready with a stronger athletic foundation once you enter your True Blooming."
Kuroha scribbled a few lines into his notebook.
"Movement pattern training. Basic aerobic endurance training. Body awareness and flexibility training."
"By practicing foundational movements like running, jumping, changing direction, and balancing, we'll strengthen your coordination, shock absorption, and nervous system responses — all to build your basic athletic habits."
"As for you, McQueen, you'll need to focus more on aerobic endurance, to lay the groundwork for cardiovascular capacity."
"..."
Kuroha softly explained the purpose and methods behind each training type, gradually helping Mejiro McQueen understand.
"But among all these, the most important rule—"
Finally, Kuroha's tone became serious. "Every session must be done within my line of sight. The intensity will be determined by me. No doing things on your own, got it?"
"Teio's a bit of a wild card — I'll need you to help keep an eye on her, okay, McQueen?"
"...Understood, Trainer!"
Mejiro McQueen's pupils shrank slightly as she looked at the densely packed notes in his notebook. Hearing his words, she quickly responded with seriousness.
At some point, her way of addressing him had subtly changed — from "Trainer Kuroha-san," to just "Trainer."
"Alright then, go call Teio over."
Mejiro McQueen had her own training plan. Naturally, Kuroha had a different one in mind for Tokai Teio as well.
It was something only someone with Body and Breath Perception could manage.
As McQueen ran off to fetch her friend, Kuroha tapped the tip of his marker against the notebook.
Since he'd decided to help build their athletic foundation, then he would see it through to the end.
For Mejiro McQueen and Tokai Teio — their True Blooming would still be at least two years away.
But once he passed the exam to enter Central later this year, Kuroha was determined to register them into his team. Even if it meant going up against Symboli Rudolf or the Mejiro family, he wouldn't back down.
That was Kuroha's resolve — to raise an undefeated Triple Tiara champion and a long-distance queen from scratch!
But...
Looks like he'd better prepare to raise four Uma Musume now.
Once Teio was brought over, Kuroha also explained a personalized training course for her.
While Mejiro McQueen would emphasize aerobic endurance to boost her cardiovascular base, Tokai Teio's regimen would focus on body awareness and flexibility.
Dynamic stretches and other training would prevent muscle strains and enhance joint flexibility and toughness.
Since it was already getting late, Kuroha organized a simple one-hour foundation course for them.
Aside from the essential Body and Breath Perception work — which every member of his team went through — he guided them through their respective training plans.
...
"Teio, don't just focus on speed — remember the techniques I told you."
"McQueen, your bounding jump's form is a bit off — like this..."
Kuroha stood beside the two girls, correcting them when necessary.
They had no prior formal training — most of what they knew was instinctive.
They understood with their ears, but their minds couldn't fully grasp it, and their bodies followed instinct rather than instruction.
But these were still two of the most talented Uma Musume of the next generation. Their learning speed was incredible — they quickly absorbed everything Kuroha taught them.
Soon, their movements started to take proper shape.
While they hadn't entered their True Blooming yet and couldn't show extraordinary growth, there was still one result they could feel immediately.
Their running became smoother and more comfortable. Their breathing more natural and stable. Their stamina more plentiful and sustained.
Combined with Kuroha's professionally structured course and hands-on instruction...
Even these still somewhat clueless little girls began to realize just how skilled their Trainer was.
And before they knew it — an hour had passed.
Bang!
Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen crossed the finish line at the same time.
It was a basketball shuttle run — meant to develop cardiovascular endurance, not speed or high-intensity stamina. There was no need to determine who finished first.
But what surprised Kuroha was — after three sets, both girls were only breathing lightly.
As if this hour of training was just their warm-up.
Kuroha could feel it — with every passing moment of training, their bodies were tapping into an infinite well of potential.
"So this is what the top of the generation looks like..." he muttered in awe.
Though Inari One could also be counted among them, she was already a fully developed Uma Musume — she didn't give Kuroha that sense of nurturing growth.
"Excellent. That's it for today!"
He noted down their training results and nodded.
The two girls blinked, as if waiting for further instruction, then looked up at the sky.
The faint hues of sunset had already begun to paint the clouds.
"Ah... that was so fast..."
Tokai Teio slumped a little, disappointed. Just an hour — most of it spent on stretching and correcting form.
For someone brimming with energy like her, it felt far too short.
McQueen glanced at her friend and wiped the sweat from her forehead.
Unlike Teio, she was far more composed — raised in the Mejiro household, she had seen her share of top-tier Trainers at work.
Her calm nature also let her fully grasp just how significant this hour of training had been.
This Trainer from the local circuit — Kuroha — had a training level that surpassed every Trainer Mejiro McQueen had ever known.
"If you'd like to continue, you're welcome to come here every afternoon after class," Kuroha offered with a smile.
Then, his tone suddenly shifted as he stared directly at Tokai Teio, his expression darkening.
"But you are not allowed to train secretly on your own. Understand? To—kai—Te—io?"
Kuroha enunciated every syllable of the unruly little girl's name.
"Eek—!"
"U-understood, Trainer!"
Teio quickly nodded.
"Alright, let's get you both back to your dorms."
Kuroha turned to wave toward Fujimasa March and the others.
"March, you girls go on ahead. I'll walk these two back home first."
"Oh, and don't forget — starting tomorrow, we begin your training on those Domains. No staying up late."
"Got it, Trainer!" Fujimasa March and Inari One nodded in unison.
(End of Chapter)
As Kuroha walked the two girls — Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen — back to Central Tracen Academy, Teio skipped and hopped the entire way, overflowing with boundless energy like any child her age.
McQueen, on the other hand, quietly walked by Kuroha's side, occasionally asking about training details with her usual elegance.
Before long, the three passed by a bubble tea shop. Teio suddenly stopped in her tracks.
A spark lit in her eyes — she remembered what she'd come out for in the first place.
To buy honey water!
"Trainer, McQueen, wait for me~!"
The little girl called back and ran over to the counter, stretching up on her toes to hand over the money.
"Big sis, three cups of your Honey Special, please!"
"Teio, you're here late today?"
The clerk clearly recognized her and smiled. "You're usually here earlier!"
"Because I was training hard to become an undefeated Triple Tiara Uma Musume!" Teio declared proudly, patting her flat little chest with a beaming face.
"Wow, Teio, that's amazing!"
The staff humored her with a warm smile, and soon after, handed over three cups of the Honey Special, all neatly packed.
"Here you go."
"Thanks, big sis!"
Teio nodded sweetly, carrying the drinks back to Kuroha and McQueen.
"Here, Trainer! Try it! It's really tasty!"
"And this one's yours, McQueen..."
Kuroha took the drink Teio eagerly shoved into his hands and couldn't help but feel… a bit strange.
Getting treated to bubble tea by an elementary schooler?
This was a first.
The three of them stood by the side of the road, sipping the icy drink deeply and letting out satisfying "aaah"s together.
"...Pretty good, actually." Kuroha swirled the honey drink in his hand. Anything with honey couldn't possibly taste bad.
"Right? Right?" Teio's ponytail bounced wildly as she shook with excitement.
...
"Say, Trainer... when are you coming to Central?"
As the trio waited at a crosswalk for the light to change, Teio suddenly spoke up.
"Me?"
Kuroha glanced down at her, then looked ahead, thinking for a moment. "If nothing changes in the system, then the latest would be November this year."
"November... That's still..."
Teio began counting on her fingers. "Eight months!"
"So long—!"
"Long? Girl, even if it were eighteen months, you'd still be in elementary school."
Kuroha chuckled and rubbed her head when he heard her exaggerated sigh.
Based on the original timeline, Mejiro McQueen would hit her True Blooming stage around the second half of next year. Teio would follow about six months after that.
They would both undergo their transformations during the final year of Oguri Cap's racing career — perfectly poised to carry the torch into the next era.
"Hey, Trainer... do you want to add us to your team someday?"
McQueen's voice was calm, but filled with intent. They had only met Kuroha for the first time today.
It was hard to believe that a Trainer this skilled would take the time and effort to design training plans and personally instruct two elementary schoolers just because Teio pulled a cute face.
It had to be that he saw potential in them—
Even if that sounded a bit far-fetched, it was the only explanation that made sense.
It couldn't just be because they were cute... right?
Coming from a prestigious lineage, McQueen had a fair sense of her own potential.
Even though she inherited the elite bloodline of the Mejiro family, her childhood was plagued with frailty — constant fevers, injuries, and even periostitis.
The senior Trainers affiliated with the Mejiro family had never seen her as someone with top-tier potential.
And Teio? Even more ordinary. Just an outgoing little Uma Musume with nothing but a weirdly close bond with the legendary "Emperor" Symboli Rudolf.
(In the Uma Musume universe, Teio isn't actually Rudolf's daughter. They're more like idol and fan — so in the eyes of others, there's no bloodline advantage.)
"You're asking if I want to recruit you two?"
Kuroha repeated McQueen's question softly, then nodded without hesitation.
"Of course. The moment I enter Central, the first thing I'll do is register both of you into my team."
The two girls blinked in surprise at the straightforward answer.
"Eh? So it is because I, Teio-sama, am just that talented?"
Teio froze at first, then broke out into a huge grin, bursting with confidence.
McQueen, however, couldn't hold back her curiosity. "Why? We've only known each other for less than two hours."
Yeah, seriously. How are you two already this familiar with someone you met today?
Kuroha couldn't help but roast them silently in his mind. These two little gremlins weren't afraid of strangers at all...
But then he remembered the terrifying sight of two 1.2-meter-tall girls running a 30-yard dash like professional athletes.
...Right. No one's kidnapping Uma Musume. Kidnappers can't even outrun them.
"Well... if you really want to know why..."
Kuroha paused for a moment, then smiled and gave the answer he'd already prepared: "Because you two will be the ones who usher in a new era."
"A new era?"
The two girls tilted their heads at the same time, question marks practically popping above them.
Kuroha crouched down and met their eyes, his smile soft and sure.
"Because you're the strongest."
"I believe in you. And belief... doesn't need a reason."
For just a moment, something like stardust flashed in McQueen's pale purple eyes.
She stared at Kuroha's calm, confident smile — and her porcelain cheeks suddenly flushed bright red.
She lowered her gaze, staring intently at her toes.
Mejiro McQueen was a tough, quietly confident Uma Musume.
From the moment she was born, she carried the heavy expectations of the Mejiro family legacy.
But due to her health, she always seemed frailer than her peers. Though she never voiced it, confusion and pressure had long weighed heavily in her heart.
And now, the warm, unwavering trust from this young Trainer shattered that weight like glass.
An emotion she couldn't quite name welled up, and she suddenly couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes.
"Mm! Teio also totally believes in herself!"
Teio's cheerful voice rang out at just the right moment.
She dashed behind Kuroha and — plop! — jumped onto his back, wrapping her arms around his neck with a big grin.
"Trainer, you've got great taste!"
Ding—
The light changed at the crosswalk.
Kuroha grabbed Teio's legs and hoisted her up with ease.
"Alright, let's get you two back."
(End of Chapter)
After sending the two little ones back, Kuroha returned to the trainer's office and gave Fujimasa March a massage, fulfilling her "wish" before finally falling into a deep sleep.
...
The next day.
Another early morning.
After picking up Fujimasa March and Inari One from the dorms, the three of them had a quick breakfast and headed straight for the training grounds.
The morning atmosphere at Oi Training Field was the same as when Kuroha first arrived—nearly empty. He deliberately picked a more secluded area of the grounds.
As a result, at a glance, the entire training field had only the three of them.
"Starting today, your training will focus on the Domain."
Standing in front of his two horse girls, Kuroha's voice wasn't loud, but each word was steady and clear.
"The Domain is a power that transcends conventional limits."
"It is not a gift from an external force, but something born from the deepest desire and pursuit within your hearts. The first step to awaken it is learning to enter your Heart Lake."
Kuroha tapped his chest with a pen.
"Now, close your eyes and relax your bodies. I'll guide you into your Heart Lakes."
Heart Lake—just like the Domain—is a rather fantastical concept. Kuroha learned this as one of the methods of Domain awakening through information from the system.
His skill, Body and Breath Perception, not only let him determine the best breathing rhythm for Uma Musume while running, but also let him identify the breathing pattern that would bring them the greatest inner peace.
By guiding them into that rhythm, he could help calm their hearts.
From there, he would lead them to discover their deepest wishes, dreams—or in other words, their pursuit. That emotional seed would allow them to sink into their Heart Lake.
To put it simply—it was about discovering their reason to run!
Fujimasa March obeyed and closed her eyes, her silver-white hair cascading down like a waterfall as a gentle breeze brushed her shoulders.
Eyes shut, she listened to the steady and clear guidance of her trainer as he helped her shift her breathing rhythm.
Gradually, she felt herself falling into a deep abyss. All around her was a hazy glow—indistinct shapes and colors that she couldn't quite make out.
"March, what drives you to run to this point?" Kuroha's voice echoed in her mind.
"I want to win!" she declared.
Suddenly, a figure formed from the haze—Oguri Cap.
She had first noticed her because of the Tokai Derby, but it was during her debut race—when she felt the terrifying pressure of Oguri's closing speed—that a strange emotion had surged within her for the first time.
That emotion was unwillingness to lose. She pursued victory, longed for it, and held it in the highest regard!
And with that thought, she saw—
An endless racetrack, surrounded by a sea of roaring cheers, waves of applause crashing over her like a tide.
A golden trophy gleamed under the sunlight, and she stood atop the highest podium, basking in all the attention.
"Is it only victory that you seek?" Kuroha's voice called again.
The hazy glow in her Heart Lake only began to shape a third of the scene.
"What else... is there...?"
Standing upon the surface of her Heart Lake, a trace of confusion flickered in Fujimasa March's eyes.
Every Uma Musume seeks victory. But it's never just victory. And that's precisely why most of them can never reach the threshold of the Domain.
They can't see their true hearts.
Had Kuroha not been here, March would've ended up just like those Uma Musume who, by chance, once saw the Domain but could never take another step forward.
But there were no ifs...
"March, when you won those races back in Kasamatsu, did it make you happy?"
Kuroha stood before her, speaking softly.
At his words, March's Heart Lake rippled slightly. Beneath the podium, a few silhouettes began to appear.
"Yes! I was happy!" The crimson in her eyes lit up as she looked toward the crowd below the stage.
"I was happy too, March."
Buzz—
The blurry glow shifted, and suddenly she was back in Kasamatsu. Amid the thunderous cheers, those figures below the stage became clear.
Oguri Cap, Brand-new Brilliance, Noren Ace...
All the friends from Kasamatsu appeared beneath the podium.
That sense of being acknowledged—of being admired—was like sweet spring water nourishing her heart.
"I want to be recognized by everyone!"
Fujimasa March voiced her desire once more, clearer than ever.
The Heart Lake rippled again, another third forming.
For the final third, March didn't wait for Kuroha's voice. Her heart already held the answer.
Amidst all the noise and spotlight, she saw Kuroha.
He stood at the edge of the track, gaze calm and warm, eyes focused solely on her.
A faint smile touched his lips. He seemed to be cheering for her, proud of her.
In that moment, she felt a warmth and satisfaction beyond words. A burning emotion, like molten lava, surged in her chest—so intense it felt like it would burst from her body.
Waves surged across the Heart Lake. The final third completed.
Fujimasa March stepped across the lake's surface. A dazzling white radiance flashed from her pupils, trailing behind her like twin streaks of dreamlike light with each step she took.
...
While Fujimasa March was submerged in her Heart Lake—
Inari One appeared far more restrained.
She sat quietly, eyes closed, her expression stern, as if waging a silent inner battle.
Her Heart Lake didn't become clear like March's.
Victory?
Inari One didn't know. The glow around her didn't seem to accept that as the answer.
"What is my wish? Not victory? Not the championship? Not being the strongest?"
She stared blankly into the unknown emptiness before her.
"Inari, spacing out already?" Kuroha's voice echoed within her Heart Lake, tinged with a playful tease.
"Trainer, what is my wish?" Inari One asked, confused.
"That's not something you should be asking me."
Kuroha replied softly. He looked at the petite girl in front of him, barely 1.4 meters tall. That normally fiery and energetic face now showed a rare trace of weariness.
He let out a quiet sigh.
"Inari... Are you running for yourself?"
(End of Chapter)
"Inari, are you truly running for yourself?"
Kuroha's words struck Inari One's heart like lightning.
Who am I running for?
Her mind drifted back to her childhood.
She remembered herself crying and sniffling until Tatsuko Yuzuhara found her.
"Don't worry. Everyone in this town is your friend—we're all family," Tatsuko had said with a warm smile.
"So stop crying all the time. You can't become a strong Uma Musume if you cry every day."
The memories came rushing back.
Tatsuko, the neighbors who'd pass her coarse rice snacks and sesame treats, the group that looked like a gang but were full of loyalty and love...
"I'm going to become... a strong Uma Musume too...!"
Finally, Inari One's Heart Lake appeared.
It was a uniquely Oi racetrack—somewhat chaotic but brimming with vitality. The stands were packed with familiar faces: the old friends she'd made at Oi, the food stall owners, the audience who silently supported her.
They weren't the glamorous type of fans, but people steeped in the scent of everyday life—warm, earthy, and real.
Their eyes sparkled with hope, calling out her name, cheering her on.
She saw herself crossing the finish line, all the hardship she'd endured over the years turning into that final moment of triumph.
She would carry that glory to all the people who believed in her.
To become an Uma Musume more brilliant than anyone else!
Not just for herself, but for everyone who saw her as their pride and their hope.
That heavy—yet incredibly sweet—sense of duty wrapped tightly around her heart like an invisible net, pushing her forward.
Her fists clenched unconsciously, knuckles whitening, her body tensed as if she were ready to burst forward at any second.
Suddenly, a hand landed gently atop her head.
That familiar warmth radiated from above, snapping her back to herself.
"The bond of family shouldn't be your chains. Everyone should grow together and support each other like real family, don't you think?"
"Bear!!"
It was like fire erupting inside her.
A wild, unshakable aura burst from her body. Though her breathing grew heavy, it remained rhythmical—like a beast poised to strike.
She felt a fire burning inside—not anger, but a determined will to crush all obstacles in her path.
...
"She's no longer just running for others. Inari's hidden danger is resolved."
Kuroha quietly observed the two. He could feel the fierce energy emanating from them—an invisible pressure made of will and desire.
He knew they had taken that first step.
"Good."
He spoke softly, a trace of satisfaction hidden in his tone.
What should have been a shackle that trapped most Uma Musume—the so-called Domain—was pierced through effortlessly by Kuroha.
"Now, open your eyes. You've already found your reason to run."
Fujimasa March's lashes trembled slightly before slowly lifting.
Her gaze was clear, filled with an unprecedented resolve.
From her eyes, a dazzling white glow radiated—the first stage of the Domain, which Kuroha had named True Self Form.
Inari One, on the other hand, exuded raw aggression. She already had the potential to step into the second stage of the Domain.
Now, her eyes burned with magma-like red light, and her entire body began to emit black-and-red streaks of energy.
The light lashed against the ground, leaving behind searing flames in its wake.
Watching such an unreal spectacle, Kuroha's eyelid twitched slightly.
He had seen lightning-wrapped Uma Musume like Tamamo Cross before, but seeing the second stage of the Domain up close like this—it was a first.
Passion Form.
That was the name Kuroha gave to the second stage of the Domain.
The two girls stretched out their limbs. Every motion radiated power.
"Now comes the real training."
Kuroha led them to the track. It hadn't rained recently, so the dirt was fairly dry—barely passable as a Good Track.
"A full awakening of the Domain requires intense confrontation. You need to unleash the power you felt in your Heart Lakes through extreme competition."
"Remember—right now, the two of you are rivals."
He stood by the starting line, stopwatch in hand.
"This parallel run has no finish line. Run until your strength is completely exhausted—or until the Domain manifests."
As he said those last words, his eyes turned toward Inari One.
For Fujimasa March, entering True Self Form was already her current limit. But Inari One was different.
Kuroha wanted her to fully master Passion Form through this race!
Their stat differences didn't matter. What he sought was for March's Domain to trigger Inari One's own.
Domain versus Domain—that was the essence of this parallel sprint.
A streak of silvery light flashed across Fujimasa March's eyes. She met Kuroha's gaze and instantly understood his intentions.
Unlike Passion Form, which ignored all tactics, styles, and technique in favor of raw explosive power—
True Self Form released 100% of one's physical potential while maintaining a state of extreme mental clarity.
Fujimasa March and Inari One stood side by side at the starting line.
The atmosphere turned heavy in an instant—even the air felt thicker.
No words were spoken.
Only their eyes met, locked in silent understanding, clashing and sparking.
March's gaze was like a bottomless vortex—calm and deep.
Inari One's was ferocious and invasive—wild and intense, like a wildfire sweeping across the plains.
"Ready—!"
Kuroha's voice echoed powerfully through the empty field before he blew his whistle.
Boom! Boom!
Two figures shot forward like arrows released from the string.
At first, their speed was neck and neck. The dirt beneath their hooves echoed with rhythmic thunder, and their suppressed breathing could be heard between each stride.
Fujimasa March ran with fluid and elegant steps, each motion carrying a precise rhythm—like a marching symphony.
Yet she clearly felt the terrifying pressure surging beside her.
Inari One's every step landed with explosive force, like she was trying to break the ground itself.
Even the breathing Kuroha had taught her had transformed into a searing blaze, each exhale like fire hissing from her lips.
"Still not enough!"
Kuroha's voice rang out again, like a hammer pounding at the last barriers in their hearts.
"Feel that longing. Turn it into fuel for your bodies! Fight for it! Surpass it!"
Fujimasa March's breaths grew ragged, her lungs burning—but she refused to slow down.
She remembered the cheers she heard in her Heart Lake. She remembered Kuroha's gentle and proud gaze.
She wanted to make that vision real!
Her body instinctively adjusted. She leaned slightly forward, each arm swing cutting the air like a blade.
She felt a hot surge rise from her core, spreading through her limbs—a tingling, blazing current.
This was the kind of overwhelming power only Uma Musume destined to create legends could wield.
And right now, it flowed through her—pushing her to race against Inari One with everything she had!
(End of Chapter)