After adjusting the race strategies and running styles for Oguri Cap, Mejiro Ardan, and Super Creek, Kitahara and his team offered their usual words of encouragement. Once that was done, they left the waiting room to the Horse girls and decided to head toward the spectators' stands.
Just as they stepped outside, they unexpectedly ran into a rather strange group.
There was Nishijin Company's president, Masato Kurokawa, Shining Press reporter Isuke Fujii, as well as Oguri Cap's mother and younger sister, White Narubi and Oguri Roman.
Behind this unlikely group stood several casually dressed horsegirls who didn't look like competitors. They seemed to be paying attention to the group—but their eyes wandered, scanning the surroundings more than anything.
"Eh? You all are…" Kitahara asked in surprise. He couldn't figure out how they happened to arrive together.
"Kitahara, my friend, I came uninvited," said Kurokawa with a casual wave and a smile. "As for Mr. Fujii here, he's just the same as ever—trying to get some first-hand interview material."
At the mention of his name, Fujii Isuke, usually excitable and energetic, suddenly became quite reserved. He gave Kurokawa a small bow, then nodded politely to Kitahara, raising the camera hanging from his neck as a greeting.
"And as for Mrs. White Narubi and her daughter," Kurokawa continued, nodding warmly toward them, "they've come to cheer for Oguri Cap."
"I see…" Kitahara began, intending to invite them inside the waiting room, but before he could finish, a lively set of footsteps came rushing from within.
Accompanying the sound of footsteps was an unmistakable, delighted voice.
"Mom! Little Oguri! You came?!"
Bursting out from the waiting room with eyes sparkling in surprise and joy, Oguri Cap ran straight toward them. Her expression lit up with excitement as she lifted her arms and spun in place like a little girl showing off a new dress.
"Hehe, Mom, look! I'm wearing a new outfit!"
She leaned close to her mother, her ears twitching, tail wagging, her face practically saying, "Aren't I pretty? Praise me, Mom!"
Seeing her daughter like that, White Narubi smiled gently and reached out to pat her head.
Oguri Cap's eyes softened with bliss as she rubbed her head against her mother's palm. Meanwhile, Oguri Roman's eyes sparkled as she jumped in excitement.
"Big sis, you look so cool! With how cool you are today, you're definitely gonna win, right?"
"Mm-hm! I'll do my best—I won't let you down, Little Oguri!"
With a loving smile, Oguri Cap reached out and stroked her little sister's head. Just like her elder sister moments earlier, Oguri Roman hummed happily, rubbing against her sister's palm with a look of pure bliss.
The tender family scene was so heartwarming that Kitahara and the others didn't have the heart to interrupt. Exchanging knowing glances, they quietly left toward the stands.
After walking a short distance, Kitahara paused and looked to Komiyama.
"Junior, wait here a moment."
He pointed toward the Narubi family. "Mrs. White Narubi's probably never been to Nakayama Racecourse before. She must've come with Kurokawa-san's help, but she doesn't know her way around."
"Help guide them to their seats later, just in case they get lost."
"OK! Leave it to me!" Komiyama replied brightly, then teased with a grin, "Didn't expect you to be so thoughtful, senpai!"
Kitahara simply smiled in response and said nothing more, continuing toward the stands with the others.
Before long, the rest unconsciously began walking faster—especially Fujii, who practically charged ahead like a runaway horse, as if leading the way. Kitahara and Kurokawa, meanwhile, fell behind at a slower pace.
Following them were the casually dressed horsegirls. Kitahara glanced their way and noticed that, despite their relaxed demeanor, their eyes occasionally flashed with a chilling sharpness. He couldn't help but suspect—
Could they be Kurokawa's bodyguards?
Noticing Kitahara's gaze, Kurokawa turned around, smiled, and said,"Ah, yes—those are indeed bodyguards. My mother helped arrange them. Normally, horsegirls don't work as private security; they usually serve in public safety roles."
"But since my mother used to have many horsegirl acquaintances, we managed to request their help."
Kitahara had already guessed as much. What puzzled him was Kurokawa's reason for being here.
As if anticipating his thoughts, Kurokawa went on, "Actually, I came by coincidence. The 'Moe Monster Project' officially launches tonight. Media coverage and offline promotions are all set—Ms. Konan's side is ready too."
"Since everything's prepared, I figured I could relax a bit—and personally share the good news with you, Kitahara."
He smiled lightly.
"When I was young, I often came here to watch races, but I rarely have the chance nowadays. Even when I do, it's usually for business partners or official functions."
"Being able to just enjoy a race like this—it's rare."
"So, Kitahara, you don't mind me tagging along, right?"
"Of course not," Kitahara replied with a smile, then mused aloud, "But starting the project today of all days…"
Before he could finish, Kurokawa chuckled.
"I knew you'd catch on. You're a business genius, Kitahara—you immediately figured out my reason."
"Today's Satsuki Sho has the whole country talking. The first leg of the 'Undefeated Triple Crown'—no one can contain their excitement."
"We tried diverting the media's attention before, but once race day comes, that's nearly impossible."
"With my project launch today, I can redirect some of that attention—and if Oguri Cap wins, the project's popularity will soar with her."
"If she loses, the disappointed fans will naturally look for something else to focus on—like my project."
He grinned. "Isn't that the best of both worlds?"
Kitahara laughed softly. "You really are cunning—ah, that's a compliment. You're clever."
"Clever? You flatter me. You're the true tactician of the racing world."
Kurokawa smirked. "Sure, I'm hedging my bets—but I bet you have full confidence in Oguri Cap, don't you?"
"Not just her. I believe in all the horsegirls in our Eisei team," Kitahara replied.
Kurokawa's grin faded when he saw Kitahara frown slightly.
"What's wrong? Don't you have confidence in this race?"
"It's not about confidence," Kitahara said thoughtfully. "No matter the strategy or the training, victory ultimately depends on the horsegirl's own ability."
"According to our data, Oguri Cap and the others hold a slight edge in strength—of that there's no doubt."
"Then what are you worried about?" Kurokawa asked. "Is it… Chouetsu's side?"
As expected of Nishijin's president, he quickly grasped the key point.
"Yes," Kitahara nodded. "The real uncertainty lies with Chouetsu."
"Naise Fumino is a genius, yes—but she hasn't been a trainer for long, and her time as chief of Chouetsu is even shorter."
"Although Dino Yoshitaka and Konai Tadashi joined her team, they're both veterans. Whether they joined for the team's benefits or out of respect for Naise Eito's legacy, who knows."
"In such a dynamic, even if they follow Fumino's directions, their own adjustments might differ slightly."
"And those differences… will show in their horsegirls' performances."
Kurokawa nodded, enlightened. "I see. So the uncertainty comes from internal inconsistencies within Chouetsu. Meaning you not only have to consider their horsegirls' intentions but also the trainers' instructions."
"Exactly," Kitahara said. "I've already accounted for that in our own prep—but I didn't tell Oguri Cap and the others why."
He continued, "For example, in the Yayoi Sho, Dicta Striker was a case like this. I told Oguri Cap that Dicta had a fiery temper and would likely run as a front-runner. That deduction came from analyzing Fumino's tendencies."
"Didu's trainer wasn't Fumino but Konai Tadashi. Similarly, Yaeno Muteki's trainer is Dino Yoshitaka, who's more accustomed to his own methods."
"These differences didn't stand out in the Spring Championship—but they might in this race."
"Still, I've briefed our team—without giving reasons. As long as they respond naturally during the race, it'll be fine."
"So there are such differences, huh…" Kurokawa said in admiration. After a moment, he asked curiously, "Then why not tell them the full reason?"
"Actually, I didn't tell even Yuzuhara or Komiyama," Kitahara smiled. "Because these are logical guesses, not proven facts. Saying them aloud could harm Chouetsu's reputation—and more importantly, it might make Oguri Cap's team subconsciously relax, thinking their rivals have problems."
"Such thoughts are subtle but can affect performance."
"So, pointing out Dicta's and Yaeno's styles was enough. The girls will handle the rest."
He concluded quietly, "Beyond that, it's my job as chief trainer to bear these worries."
"…You really don't have it easy as chief," Kurokawa sighed, then smiled faintly. "Well, I suppose these are trade secrets. Don't worry—I won't tell anyone."
"I knew I could count on you," Kitahara chuckled. "After all, you're a chief yourself—the CEO of Nishijin. You must face similar pressures."
Talking as they walked, the two soon reached the stands.
After the parade phase, White Narubi and her daughter, guided by Komiyama, also took their seats.
The program quickly moved into the starting gate introductions.
With the orchestra playing the G1 race's signature entry fanfare, the commentators' voices rang out over the solemn brass and percussion—more passionate and dignified than ever.
"As everyone knows, the fastest horsegirl wins the Satsuki Sho! Among the sixteen competitors today, who will deliver the speed that makes the world take notice?"
"The most popular entry is from gate number 11—Oguri Cap, the undisputed favorite!"
"Fourteen races, fourteen wins—she steps onto the track for the first leg of the Classic Triple Crown undefeated! Can she become the second Undefeated Triple Crown Horsegirl after Symboli Rudolf, the Emperor himself?"
"The cheers of the crowd say it all—everyone's hoping to see the Emperor's elegance reborn!"
"Surprisingly, the second favorite isn't Mejiro Ardan, Sakura Chiyono O, or Super Creek, who won the Spring Stakes and Wakaba Stakes—they're ranked fourth, third, and fifth, starting from gates 1, 7, and 3 respectively."
"Second in popularity is Dicta Striker from Team Chouetsy! While everyone's excited for Oguri Cap, they also hope to see her challenged!"
"In past races—Yayoi Sho, Hanshin Stakes, and her debut—Dicta Striker has shown tremendous burst power. Because of that, she's earned the nickname Chestnut Bullet! In terms of explosive speed, she rivals the Gray Monster Oguri Cap!"
"Today's Satsuki Sho marks the second showdown between the Chestnut Bullet and the Gray Monster! Will this be a battle of pure finishing speed?!"
"Who will win—the Bullet, or the Monster?!"
Those familiar with the sport—Kitahara, the horsegirls, and seasoned fans—were used to such dramatic commentary. They knew that past victories meant little compared to the day's condition, strategy, and pacing.
Casual fans, however, only remembered streaks—like Oguri Cap's 14 straight wins, or Tamamo Cross's 5-win streak.
In truth, most horsegirls experience cycles of wins and losses—rising and falling with every generation. For every shining champion, countless others spend their careers struggling.
The audience cheered the victors—but trainers and racers knew the truth: racing was merciless.
Yet for White Narubi and Oguri Roman, first-timers at the Tokyo circuit, the commentator's words struck them with real concern.
"...Uncle Kitahara, that Dicta lady sounds really strong…" Little Oguri tugged at his sleeve, her face full of worry. "Will big sis be okay? Won't it be dangerous?"
"Yes," White Narubi added anxiously, "I remember hearing that those close finishes can be dangerous… I hope she won't get hurt…"
At that, Kitahara and the others, including Tamamo Cross, quickly reassured them.
"Don't worry, Mrs. White Narubi," Kitahara said. "Oguri and the others are in excellent health, and all the precautions are built into their training. No matter the result, injury is very unlikely."
Komiyama chimed in, "Right, right! He's right!"
Pulling over Kyoko Miyamura, she said proudly, "Mrs. Shiroboshi, this is Kyoko, a student of the world-renowned medical expert Dr. Renkoku Furukubo! She handles our team's health management—everything's under control!"
Usually humble, Kyoko added a bit of pride this time.
"Yes, please rest assured," she said gently. "I graduated from Tokyo University's medical school and am about to begin my doctoral studies."
"And…" She hesitated briefly, then bit her lip before adding, "Dr. Furukubo is actually my grandfather. I usually don't mention it because he doesn't want me relying on his name."
Her words drew gasps from everyone—none of them had known.
"So, Mrs. White Narubi," she said with a faint blush, "please don't worry anymore, all right?"
"Ah, I see… I'm sorry, it's just that—"
Even the White Narubi looked a bit embarrassed. She bowed slightly toward the others and said softly,
"I was just worrying aloud, not doubting anyone. I believe what you all said — Oguri-chan will be fine."
Meanwhile, over by Oguri Roman, Tamamo Cross and Inari One were busy comforting her.
"Hey, hey, hey, don't be scared, little Oguri! Look at my arm! And Inari's too—hey, Inari, show yours!"
The two petite girls comforted in the most straightforward way possible — each raised an arm, rolled up their sleeves, and flexed their biceps, which honestly didn't look all that impressive.
"Go on, give it a squeeze, little Oguri!"
Oguri Roman blinked in confusion at first, but seeing Tamamo Cross and Inari One's encouraging faces, she hesitantly reached out and pinched.
"…It's really hard."
"Right? Right? We don't look that buff, but the quality's top-notch!"
Tamamo Cross placed her hands on her hips, then her eyes sparkled as she waved Inari aside.
"Hey, Inari, move over a bit."
Being called over to "show off muscles," Inari One had a vague idea what she was planning — probably just a physical display of strength — but didn't understand why she had to move away. Still, she obediently stepped aside.
And then she saw Tamamo Cross drop into a wide horse stance, take a deep breath, and—
"Haaaah!"
Boom!
A loud shout and a sharp punch — the railing that extended dozens of meters around the track shook violently. On the thick, metal rail, there was now a visible fist-shaped dent.
"Hsss… heh heh, see that? This is the kind of body I've got!"
Tamamo Cross tried to play it cool as she hid her sore punching hand behind her back, the other furiously rubbing it, her face twisting as she tried to grin proudly.
"Let me tell you, little Oguri — this punch? I learned it from Sister Yae, same as your big sister did. It's amazing stuff — your sister knows it too!"
"Actually, your sister's even stronger than me. People call her a monster!"
"So really, if anyone should be worried in the end sprint, it's not your sister — it's that Dido Shooter!"
"You just need to cheer your sister on, that's all!"
Like Inari One, Oguri Roman quickly understood what Tamamo meant, and a bright smile lit up her face.
"So my sister's even more amazing than I thought!"
She waved her little hands and ran to the rail, eyes sparkling as she looked toward the track."Sis! Go for it! You won't lose!"
While the little one was cheering happily behind her—
"Pfft… sorry, but…"
Hiding behind her fox mask, Inari One muffled a laugh. "Your hand…"
"Shut up…"
Tamamo gritted her teeth, whispering through the pain as she glared at Inari. "Don't think I didn't hear you laugh…"
"It hurts so bad…"
As the others comforted the White Narubi and her daughter, the race commentator's excited voice echoed across the stadium.
"All right! All the horsegirls are in the starting gates and ready!"
"Now, the first leg of the Classic Triple Crown — G1 Satsuki Shō, 2000 meters on turf — ready…"
"Start!"
"The horsegirls are off to a clean, synchronized start!"
"The ones taking the early lead are Dicta Striker and Dicta Earth — quite the coincidence, same names!"
"Dicta Earth has used a front-run tactic before, so that's expected. But in the Yayoi Shō, Dicta Striker ran Late Surging. Choosing to go all-out this time — is it a surprise move or tactical adjustment?"
"The battle for the front is fierce — both runners showing incredible speed… Ah, the lead's been decided! Dicta Striker ahead by a full length!"
"Following are the pace chasers — the group is tightly packed!"
"Oguri Cap, Super Creek, Mejiro Ardan, Sakura Chiyono O, and My Breeze — five horsegirls are taking the pace chasing approach!"
"Starting from the outer gate at No. 11, Oguri Cap couldn't secure an inside position early on — she's boxed out wide."
"Whether by chance or not, it seems the Eisei Team's horses attract too much attention — they're always getting pushed to the outer lanes!"
"What's more surprising is that, despite being teammates, Super Creek and Mejiro Ardan aren't giving an inch to each other."
"With their inside gates, they've secured the two best inner lanes, blocking Oguri Cap's path and forcing Sakura Chiyono O and My Breeze even farther back."
"And because of that, the late surgers led by Yaeno Muteki can't close in either."
"It's easy to imagine — when they hit the final corner and straight, the mid and rear groups will have to work even harder to break through that five-horse wall in front."
"So, this encirclement pattern — is this another brilliant scheme from the 'strategist' Kitahara-sensei?"
"This formation not only restricts Sakura Chiyono O and Yae Muteki, but also adds pressure to Dicta Striker up front!"
"If this keeps up until the end, being three-against-one up front could spell disaster for Dicta Striker!"
"As expected from the Eisei Team's head trainer — what a masterful tactic!"
…Well, that was the idea, but—
Watching the track and hearing the commentary, Kitahara couldn't help feeling a little helpless.
Why does it sound like I'm some kind of villain scheming behind the scenes?
I didn't tell them to block anyone's path, okay? No traps here — pure coincidence.Really.
As Kitahara grumbled inwardly, the pack cleared the first corner, 16 horsegirls thundering toward the second.
Though Dicta Striker couldn't see behind her, she could feel everything.
She didn't see the Dicta Earth trailing close as a threat — among front-runners, you could tell instantly what kind of rival you were dealing with.
Running in front didn't mean charging blindly — it required delicate control.
Sensing one's stamina, feeling the distance — especially that.
Like two duelists locked in combat — that's what front-running was like. The gap between them was like the space between two swords, requiring perfect precision. Even a small mistake could be fatal.
In racing terms, you didn't actually strike — but the moment your rival "swung their sword" by accelerating, you had to ensure their "blade" stopped short — never letting them touch you.
That minimal gap was the margin that guaranteed your win before the finish line.
And Dicta Striker was a specialist in this. She lived for these high-speed duels. The one behind her? Her distance control was awful. That alone told her everything.
As for her real competition — Sakura Chiyono O and Yaeno Muteki — she'd raced and trained with them for ages. She knew she could beat them.
No, the pressure came from elsewhere — three shadows behind her.
…The one nearest the inside — her stride was measured to perfection, like it was drawn with a ruler. Each step evenly spaced, each breath and arm swing perfectly in rhythm — textbook form.
That could only be Mejiro Ardan.
Dicta Striker's grin twisted wide, pupils tightening with a manic glint.
Of course. Mejiro Ardan.
Ha… hahaha…
Hahaha! What the hell, Eisei Team?!
Are you all monsters?!
In such a fierce, nerve-racking Triple Crown opener, she could still maintain that calm, elegant posture — like she was giving a class presentation!
As expected of the Mejiro heiress, Ardan…
And that other one — she could tell. That steady rhythm, gentle but endless breathing —Super Creek.
Her stride wasn't the fastest, her swing not the strongest — but that breathing… too soft, too smooth. Was she even running?
No way — this was strolling!
Ha ha ha! Incredible! I thought only Oguri Cap was a threat, a real monster, but all of you—!
Now I'm dying to see Tamamo Cross and Inari One again — those two veterans must be absolute beasts now!
That would be… so much fun!
But—
She forced herself to calm down, breathing deeply several times.
Can't get too excited.
For now, both Ardan and Creek hadn't shown their full tactics yet. Their pace and state hadn't changed.
We've already seen through their tricks. As long as I don't get lured in, I'll be fine. But—
Ha… as if I could stay calm. Because the one farthest outside—
That one's terrifying.
Dicta Striker wasn't exaggerating. From a runner's instinct, she could feel the monstrous pressure from her left rear.
Each pounding hoofbeat struck like a drum in her chest. The rhythmic, powerful breathing didn't sound human — more like some low growl from a creature in the dark unknown.
And the shrieking wind being torn apart — only one horsegirl could make that sound.
The "White-Haired Monster" herself.
But that "monster" — Oguri Cap — didn't even notice.
…Hmm? Did Dicta just look back?
With her unique low-gravity running form, body leaning forward, Oguri Cap charged ahead, her mind painting a crystal-clear map of the race.
She'd always had an innate sense of the track. After blindfold training enhanced her perception, it grew even sharper.
Before, she could use all her senses to form a mental "hologram" of the course — now, it was so vivid it was almost like she could see her rivals face to face.
She "saw" Dicta Striker's manic expression, the strain on the runner behind her…
She "saw" Mejiro Ardan's calm composure, Super Creek's serene focus…
And further back — Yaeno Muteki and the rest — each with their own determined look.
She understood them all. She'd run fourteen races, trained alongside countless peers — she knew exactly how each racing style felt.
But—
Something puzzled her.
What's going on with Chiyono O and that runner beside her…?
This is still the start — why are their breaths so rough, their steps so fast?
There's no need to push now.
As she wondered, the commentator's voice rose with alarm.
"Oh no! It seems the strategist Kitahara's plan has worked — Sakura Chiyono O and My Breeze…"
"They've grown impatient! Their pace is surging!"
"We're only in the second straight — still 1100 meters to go! They can't hold that up!"
"They're trying to break through from the inside, rapidly closing the gap on Mejiro Ardan and Super Creek!"
"But there's no room! With those two running side-by-side, there's nowhere to slip through!"
"There's a tiny opening to the left, yes, but right beside them is Oguri Cap! Forcing through there would cause interference — a diagonal foul!"
"Let's hope they calm down quickly before wasting too much stamina!"
The unexpected tension on the field made the crowd's cheers falter for a moment.Cries of "Stay calm!" echoed from the stands, along with murmurs about the danger.
Everyone familiar with horsegirl racing knew — they were simple, earnest beings. When agitation struck mid-race, victory usually slipped away.
Panic threw off rhythm — judgment of distance, timing, and speed all failed. They'd accelerate or shift lanes at the worst moments.
Front-runners would overextend their stamina; pacers would surge too early and burn out; Late Surgers and End Closers the same.
Whatever the case, they'd always spend extra stamina — and with shaky control, that drain was fatal.
If they didn't recover in time, they'd lose power before the finish — or worse, slow down completely.
Knowing this, both commentators and crowd grew tense — and so did Kitahara's team.
But before worry could take root, little Oguri Roman spoke up nervously.
"Um… that announcer lady said it might affect my sister…? Will it?"
It was her first time at a race, and she hadn't entered the academy yet. She didn't know the rules — she only cared whether her sister was okay.
Everyone in Team Eisei adored her, so they all rushed to reassure her.
"Don't worry. A diagonal foul like that shouldn't affect your sister."
Kitahara lifted both hands to demonstrate — one upright, one angled.
"See, your sister's running straight like this. If someone cuts across like this, it blocks her — that's a foul."
"If they want to pass cleanly—"
He slid his lower hand aside, tilting the top one upward.
"They'd have to run diagonally forward but away from her line — that's fine, no interference."
"We've gone over this in training many times — they know exactly how to avoid it."
Team Eisei's awareness of this came from Kitahara's memories of another world — where Super Creek had once committed a lane violation.
In that world, the punishment was harsh — demotion at best, disqualification or suspension at worst.
So he'd drilled this into them repeatedly — just part of routine discipline. With that, there was nothing to worry about now.
While Kitahara calmly reassured the little one, the race roared past the third turn and sped toward the fourth.
The crowd's tension turned to unified cheers again, and the commentator's voice hit its peak.
"Luckily, Sakura Chiyono O and My Breeze regained composure in time — all runners have cleared the third corner!"
"Now comes the fourth and the final straight — the key to victory!"
"Nakayama's 2000-meter course has a long final stretch — the last corner runs from 1450m to 1690m, and the straight from 1690m to 2000m — that's 600 meters total!"
"And don't forget the 2-meter incline at the end — the 'Heartbreaker Hill'!"
"With the final challenge approaching… who will make the first move?"
"Will it be before the corner? During? Or—wait, there it is!"
"It's Super Creek! She accelerates just after the third corner!"
"With 600 meters left, she's going for it early! Rare, but—if it's her 'Swinging Maestro' strategy…"
"Is this a feint — or the real acceleration?!"
"How will the others respond?!"
(End of Chapter)