The Japan Cup.
This year's race was buzzing with an intensity far surpassing the norm, no doubt an effect of the horse girl known as Rampage. Some competitors arrived with fiery determination, eager to smash that World Record. Others were seen desperately steeling themselves to run their own race, trying not to be swallowed by the ghost of that time.
Even if someone set a World Record here, the consensus was that it would never truly surpass Rampage. The reason was simple:
"Mejiro Rampage's World Record was set at Longchamp, in the worst possible conditions imaginable…"
That opinion was deeply rooted. Frankly speaking, setting a World Record in that quagmire was the feat of a monster. Thus, the general target was considered to be the record time she had set in the Japan Cup.
As horse girls who had crossed the ocean to challenge that time waited for the moment to arrive, one horse girl approached Turbo.
"Ah… u-um, Twin Turbo?"
"Hm? What, what?"
Turbo turned around energetically to find Silverstone trying her best to construct a sentence in Japanese. She had studied the language, but when it came time to speak, the words caught in her throat. Seeing this, Nature stepped forward to help, but—
"English is okay! Turbo understands!"
"Th-That helps. I'm sorry, I know it's polite to speak Japanese…"
"Don't worry, don't worry! It's hard, right? Turbo makes mistakes all the time and gets scolded by Ran. Let's have a good race today, Silver! I won't lose!!"
"Yes, I won't lose either!! I'll prove that I'm the faster one!!"
Nature froze as Turbo began speaking in fluent English. That Turbo? The Turbo who sleeps through half her classes is speaking English!? And her pronunciation is actually good!?
As she stood there in shock, Ikuno tapped her on the shoulder.
"Apparently, she studied with overseas expeditions in mind. Rampage-san suggested she change her games to English to get used to the language."
"Ah… right. If Turbo is actually motivated, she's surprisingly brilliant in that kind of stuff…"
Come to think of it, Turbo edited videos as a hobby, so she was strong with computer terminology and programming logic. By extension, if she set her mind to learning English, she could do it. The only problem was directing that motivation… It seemed Rampage had successfully guided her. If only she put that effort into her other studies… Nature thought.
Meanwhile, Turbo and Silver were high-fiving and shouting "Yeaaah!!" creating a lively atmosphere. In the tense air where one would usually ask, "Is this really the Japan Cup?", the two headed to their gates waving like old friends.
Watching them, the others headed to their gates as well—but Turbo's eyes sharpened.
Entering the gate, the world narrowed. She wanted to burst out right now; her gauge was already full and overflowing. Turbo lowered her hips and focused, closing her eyes and straining her ears, mimicking Rice.
『Turbo, listen carefully. A horse girl can catch the signs of the gate opening if she truly puts her mind to it.』
Throughout the special training leading up to today, Rampage had drilled her running philosophy into Turbo. The "Full Body Drive" was impossible for Turbo to master, but Rampage had crammed everything else she could into her disciple. One of those lessons was—
『They're off! It's a clean start—but one horse girl has already rocketed out to a three-length lead!! It's Twin Turbo! Twin Turbo!! The Triple Tiara winner has executed a rocket start!! But Silverstone has launched almost simultaneously!! They are neck and neck, with Silverstone slightly ahead! Behind them follows the Double Crown winner Miho no Bourbon. Relic Earth goes from the inside. Ikuno Dictus takes the innermost rail, with Tokai Teio and Nice Nature holding back behind her!』
"I'm taking pole position!! I won't give it to anyone else!!"
Even while thinking, As expected of a horse girl recognized by Ran, Turbo held back just a fraction. Even so, to the other runners, she was in the fast category. Bourbon, watching the two leaders, was calculating the timing to break away. A "Great Escape" runner had taken the lead. If you chased too recklessly, you'd run out of gas. But if you saved too much, it would be too late. That was one reason why the Great Escape strategy was so troublesome.
『Leading the pack are Silverstone, Twin Turbo, and Miho no Bourbon. Doctor Dearest has moved up slightly, while Relic Earth sits in fourth, carefully assessing the situation. Tokai Teio and Ikuno Dictus are also watching and waiting, but now Nice Nature begins to make her move! They've climbed the hill and are now entering the downhill slope!』
Silver felt a sense of euphoria at how easy it was to run on Japanese turf. What a fast course this is. The sensation of the air flowing over her skin and the wind was magnificent. While surrendering herself to that comfort, a corner of the spectator stands caught her eye.
It was a section practically occupied by a group of foreigners. They weren't causing trouble, but a large number of them were shouting unified encouragement with desperate intensity. Silver couldn't help but smile. After all, that was the F1 team her parents belonged to.
"Go, Silver!! Gooooo!!"
"Keep it up, keep it up! You got this!!"
Perhaps influenced by the heat of the Japanese fans, they were raising their voices just as loudly. The Japan Cup often felt like an away game for foreign runners, but today, that wasn't the case. With my family cheering for me, I absolutely will not lose. She kicked the turf even harder.
『Now passing the Great Zelkova, and here comes Ikuno Dictus beginning her ascent! As they prepare to enter the final straight, more horse girls are joining the leading group!! Who will break out!? Who will break out!!? Here comes the straight! Miho no Bourbon initiates her spurt right here!! Declaring that she won't lose to the Senior Class at this distance, she accelerates!! Challenging her, Ikuno Dictus and Nice Nature surge forward!!』
"Impressive! But at this distance, I will not lose!!"
"The same goes for me! I've run this countless times!!"
"I'm not kind enough to just let you pass that easily either!!"
The thoroughbreds began their charge, with Silver continuing to lead at the front. But from behind, a tremendous presence was approaching. Something was closing in fast.
『And here comes Tokai Teio!! Tokai Teio has surged forward!! The undefeated Triple Crown winner is showing incredible acceleration, as if to wash away the regret of the Tenno Sho!!! It's a fierce run that screams, "For the third year in a row, a Japanese horse girl will conquer the Japan Cup, and that horse girl will be me!!"』
Teio stretched out as if piercing through the pack—a combination of the Teio Step and the Full Body Drive. Initiating her spurt with what could be called the Ultimate Teio Step, her sharpness was so intense that even Ikuno and Nature couldn't hide their shock, noting it was no less impressive than Ran's.
"I am the Emperor! The absolute Emperor is me!!"
『Tokai Teio is closing in!! Will she catch Miho no Bourbon!? She won't even let her run alongside!! She passes her instantly!! As expected of the undefeated Triple Crown winner—a run that declares the difference in class to the Double Crown winner!!』
"This is… the summit… I aimed for!!"
The goal she couldn't reach because she lost to Rice. Seeing it up close, Bourbon trembled—with joy. And she wished. I can still become stronger. That is why I run. Even running desperately, she couldn't catch the accelerating Teio. But that was fine. For now. But I will definitely surpass you. She ran with that resolve.
『Now she has caught Twin Turbo and Silverstone!! Twin Turbo, she's alongside Twin Turbo!! A clash between Triple Crown winners of the same generation! Who will go!? Who can go!!?』
"Ya! Turbo!"
"Hn! Teio!"
""...The winner is ME!!!""
For an instant, their gazes met. In that moment, both laid their fighting instincts bare.
"The absolute Emperor… IS ME!!!!!"
"TRUE・DOKKAN TURBOOOOO!!!!!"
Simultaneously, they played their trump cards.
Turbo, who had been conserving energy until this very moment, unleashed the supreme Dokkan Turbo, controlled by her own will. The final trump card. The G-force and wind pressure form the sudden acceleration assaulted her body, but she sprinted as if to say she would leap over such things.
Teio, bounding as if springing off the earth with every stride. Her step was likely one of the ultimate forms of the running style Monseny had sought. And she displayed it now.
『Twin Turbo and Tokai Teio! Tokai Teio is stretching—no, Twin Turbo is stretching too!! Here it comes! This is the terrifying part of Twin Turbo—the second-stage acceleration has finally arrived!! One length to Silverstone! Can she pass!? Will she be passed!? Can Silverstone hold on!? Less than 100 meters remain!! Here they come, here they come! The three-way battle continues!! The Emperor and the Explosive Turbo are closing in on the Silver Comet!! They're lined up! Lined up!! And they cross the finish line!!! It's a three-way photo finish!!! We don't know who is first!! 4th is Ikuno Dictus, 5th is Miho no Bourbon, 6th is Nice Nature!!』
After a deathmatch, the result was taken to a photo finish. The Comet from overseas? The Emperor of Japan? Or the Two-Stage Turbo? Everyone held their breath, wondering who the victor was.
And after what felt like an eternity—it appeared on the board.
『The results are in!!! 1st place is———TOKAI TEIO!!! Tokai Teio conquers the Japan Cup!!! 2nd place is Twin Turbo, a difference of a nose—only 7 millimeters!! 3rd place is Silverstone, just 1 centimeter behind Twin Turbo!! This is incredible!! An endless finish to the Japan Cup!!! And the time is astonishing—2:22.1!! Tokai Teio has come this close to Mejiro Rampage's course record!!!』
"I… I won..."
She had won, but Teio was heaving, her shoulders rising and falling with every breath. Usually, she would wave with a smile, but this time, she was slumped over, devoid of that leeway. To think Rampage won with a time that makes me this exhausted… she really is absurd, she thought.
"I LOOOOSST!!!!"
"I was beaten toooooo!!!"
Just as she was thinking that, Turbo and Silver let out loud wails. Their runs had been perfect. It was such a close battle that Teio felt luck had merely swung her way this time.
After venting their frustration, the two turned to face her and applauded.
"Congratulations, Teio!! I lost fair and square, Turbo did!! But I'll win next time, so be prepared!!"
"Ghh! I was so close to beating Rampage's time!! That was amazing!!"
"Ahaha, thanks, you two."
The three shook hands, turned to the audience together, bowed, and then waved with smiles.
Amidst the crowd was Rampage. She sent her praise to Turbo, who had run the race of her life. She may have missed the victory, but there was no doubt it was a magnificent race.
"Minami-chan."
"Yes?"
Minami-zaka, standing beside her, answered without looking away from the turf.
"I've finally made up my mind."
"Yes. I think 'Oha-Kon-Hallo-Ciao' would work fine."
"Then let's do that———Time to make the URA foam at the mouth."
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