Fujimasa March's joint training with Inari One was proceeding in an orderly fashion.
Before long, the promised date between Kuroha and March arrived.
March 6th — the G3 Pegasus Stakes!
This was Oguri's first race since transferring from the local circuit to the Central scene.
Truth be told, Kuroha was quite interested in this race as well.
After giving March a day off, he brought her along and headed to the Hanshin Racecourse.
Honestly, it truly lived up to its name as a graded stakes race in the Central circuit. The grandstands were filled with roaring spectators, and wild cheers erupted continuously from the crowd.
It was an experience entirely different from Kasamatsu Racecourse.
Kuroha led March to their seats, gazing at the stretch of green track below with a hint of sentiment.
Grass...
It was his first time seeing a turf race since becoming a Trainer.
But he couldn't blame the locals.
After all, maintaining a turf course was far too costly — only the Central Racecourses could afford it.
Once the crowd began to settle down—
"Bzzz—"
A faint electrical hum sounded, followed by a passionate female voice delivering the opening remarks.
"The G3 Pegasus Stakes is finally about to begin!"
"I'm Akasaka, today's director, and the commentator will be Mr. Igawa. We look forward to enjoying this race with everyone!"
As the standard preamble ended, Kuroha's gaze had already shifted to the track.
In the Central circuit's graded stakes races, every competitor made a proper "runway walk" as their entrance.
It made sense. Uma Musume were practically idols in their own right.
A full pre-race catwalk, followed by a victory stage if they won.
These days, Kuroha often spotted Uma Musume models while strolling through Tokyo.
"The top favorite is making her entrance now! She's riding high on a four-win streak and in incredible form!" the commentator spoke in a timely tone.
"She won the Violet Stakes by three lengths in her last race!"
A black-haired Uma Musume walked proudly toward the crowd.
One step, two steps...
Then she grabbed one side of her coat and dramatically flung it off, revealing her athletic figure clad in sportswear.
"Black El Condor!"
The black-haired girl wore a proud smirk as she waved to the cheering crowd.
Up in the grandstand—
"If Oguri loses today, are you going to go comfort her?" Kuroha turned toward Fujimasa March with a teasing tone.
"Oguri won't lose!"
March clenched her small fists, filled with confidence in her friend.
"And if she wins, will you celebrate with her?"
"..." March suddenly froze.
After all, she had once said she wouldn't approach Oguri again until she made a name for herself.
"Alright, enough teasing. Look, Oguri's coming out now."
After a bit of playful banter with his Uma Musume, Kuroha pointed toward the stage.
The commentator's voice returned.
"Next up is the second favorite — the mysterious transfer student who stormed in from the local circuits—"
A leg in black tights stepped onto the stage — it was a silver-haired Uma Musume with a calm expression.
Her delicate, serene features were framed by long, silvery hair, and on her forehead was a diamond-shaped yellow flower hairpiece.
Her figure was slender and elegant, and like Black El Condor before her, she too wore a coat — which the bashful girl was now removing.
And then...
She casually tossed it at her feet.
The utterly ungraceful action made even the commentator pause.
"...Er, her record up to this January since debuting in Kasamatsu is actually 12 races, 10 wins!"
"Oguri Cap!"
"It's Oguri!" March gripped Kuroha's hand, trying not to look too excited at the sight of her former rival.
Oguri Cap.
Kuroha stared intently at the dopey-looking gray-haired Uma Musume below.
Unlike March, Oguri Cap was a true world-class Uma Musume.
Talent, effort, mindset — she was flawless in every category.
As the Student Council President of Central Tracen Academy once put it — "An Uma Musume worthy of defining an era."
In the original timeline, she had achieved a terrifying record of 22 wins in 32 races.
Even in her retirement match — with her physical condition declining after her prime — she had still managed to defeat the new generation's strongest and bring her career to a miraculous close.
And now, her path to glory was only beginning!
"Preparations complete. All Uma Musume are entering the starting gates!"
On the turf, Oguri Cap stared at the gate in front of her and let out a soft breath.
"Huu—"
A gust of wind blew across the track, rustling the grass as it followed the direction of her gaze, soaring into the vast, endless blue sky.
Oguri Cap found her attention drawn to it.
Her clear eyes reflected the deep azure as she slightly widened her eyes.
Out beyond the horizon, only infinite light remained!
A strange emotion rippled through her chest.
Nervousness? Fear? Thrill?
Her entire body began to tremble as a smile of excitement unconsciously spread across her lips.
The scent of the grass...
The cheers of the crowd...
The caress of the wind...
It was all completely different from the local circuits!
Everything was overwhelming her senses.
As mentioned before — the more naturally gifted an Uma Musume, the more terrifying and intense their fighting spirit.
And Oguri Cap, with her era-defining talent, was no exception.
Now, her bottomless, almost beast-like fighting spirit was being awakened by the atmosphere of the Central stage.
Her blood boiled. Her body trembled...
The gray-haired girl's eyes sharpened like blades, locking onto the course ahead as an invisible pressure surged outward!
...
Click! The gate opened.
"The race has begun!"
With the gates flung open, the Uma Musume surged forward nearly side by side onto the track.
"Did one of them stumble at the start?! Taking the early lead is Sugar Tracks!" One of the girls had hesitated at the start and was immediately called out by the commentator.
Kuroha sat silently, analyzing the race.
The G3 Pegasus Stakes — a 1600-meter classic mile race.
The same distance as March's last C-Class race at Kasamatsu.
But...
The pace was different!
Uma Musume in local circuits were generally inferior in physical ability to the Central circuit's geniuses. As a result, the races tended to be slower-paced.
This race was nothing like that.
The intense early battle for position — it wasn't cruising speed. It was an all-out clash from the start.
Every girl was doing everything she could to disrupt her competitors' rhythm.
Physique, technique, mental strength.
Any of these alone would make someone stand out in the local scene — but every single girl here was exceptional, and a few even exceeded that level!
Boom!
The clash of iron horseshoes shattered the air, grinding against the turf.
A sudden burst of speed — one Uma Musume broke free from the leading pack and surged into second place!
"Move it!"
Black El Condor charged forward with terrifying momentum, intimidating those around her with sheer presence.
"She's here! Black El Condor charges out from the far outside with full force!" The commentator shouted, brimming with energy.
"The lead pack is rounding the third corner now — Black El Condor is absolutely bloodthirsty out there, applying immense pressure to the others!"
"She's basically saying, 'That fifth win is already in the bag!'"
The commentator did his part hyping up the crowd — the stands were packed, the cheers deafening!
Meanwhile, the gray-haired Uma Musume ran calmly in third-to-last place, following the main group without hurrying.
"Oguri's going with an End Closer strategy?"
March watched the positions of each Uma Musume on the board and murmured.
"Exactly," Kuroha nodded. "I've seen the footage of your race with Oguri. Her late-stage burst is top-tier, even in the Central circuit."
"She's not forcing an advantageous position in her first Central graded race. Instead, she's conserving stamina for a final sprint — it all comes down to personal ability."
(End of Chapter)
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