After the celebration of her victory in the Saudi Arabia Royal Cup and a period of recovery, Shirono Lily began a strategy meeting with her trainer and Rice Shower in preparation for her showdown with Ash Stone.
"Alright, let's get right into it. Here's the plan and training focus for the Daily Hai Nisai Stakes.
First off, the key contenders in this race are you, Lily, and Ash Stone. The others can be ignored.
Based on that, here's the strategy: this time, we're going for a front-runner tactic. You'll maintain a position ahead of Ash Stone, make your move early, hold your distance advantage through the corner, and burst away on the final straight! That's the plan. And—no marking Ash Stone at all."
"Eh? But it's supposed to be a countermeasure against Ash-chan—shouldn't we mark her?"
"That's exactly the key point. Listen, Ash Stone's a sprinter who can handle the mile.
Every race she's run—except her debut—has been short-distance. Her training focuses on speed and power.
That's where you and she differ most."
The trainer showed them the data summarized on her laptop—Ash Stone's past races and training results neatly organized.
Four races, three wins.
Her victories were in the Maiden Race, GIII Kokura Nisai Stakes, and Momiji Stakes.
Her only defeat—her debut race against Shirono Lily.
A natural sprinter, she mostly runs short distances but can also handle miles.
This time's race is 1600m—a mile. In terms of experience, Lily holds the advantage, but Ash Stone will surely adapt.
---
"Lily, your main focus is the mile, right?
And you've been training stamina for future middle- and long-distance races, with speed as a secondary focus.
That's why I believe Ash Stone currently has the higher top speed—she's a pure sprinter, after all.
And that's exactly why we'll use the plan I mentioned earlier."
"…We'll use my stamina advantage to stretch the distance and make up for my speed disadvantage, right, Onee-sama?
Not marking her means I can focus entirely on getting ahead."
"Exactly, Rice. Well done.
So from today until the Daily Hai, Lily, we'll focus on speed training.
We'll polish your speed until you can rival Ash Stone herself—so be ready!"
"Got it! Alright! Lily-chan will do her best!"
"Rice will help too, Lily-chan!"
For the sake of defeating Ash Stone, the three of them were fired up.
This race would surely be the toughest yet—the first true wall Lily would face.
The trainer could feel it.
Time passed quickly, and on the day before the race, the three of them were staying together at a hotel in Kyoto, where the race would take place.
They'd done all they could. All that was left was to trust themselves and go forward.
The Night Before the Battle
Two girls walked hand in hand under the Kyoto night sky.
Their linked fingers were intertwined—like lovers.
With their elegant looks and gentle laughter, they hardly looked like competitors about to race the next day.
The golden glow in Lily's eyes outshone the stars themselves, while her white hair shimmered under the moonlight, making her appear ethereal.
Rice Shower couldn't help but stare—at the beautiful, pure-white girl who looked like she'd stepped out of a dream.
"…Lily-chan, how do you feel… about tomorrow's race?"
It was a vague question. Rice almost apologized for it, but Lily answered softly without hesitation.
"…Tomorrow's race? Hmm… I'm a little scared. But also excited."
She smiled gently, and that alone filled Rice's heart with warmth.
"…My debut race, and every one after that—they were all tough.
But none of them were truly all-out, not life-on-the-line races.
Tomorrow will be the first one like that."
"…Lily-chan's first all-out race being against Ash-san… that's unfair.
I wanted to be your first…"
Lily gave a small, awkward laugh, and Rice couldn't help but smile too.
"…Hey, Rice-chan. Watch me, okay? Watch me win."
"…There's no way Rice would ever take her eyes off Lily-chan."
Rice's amethyst eyes locked on Lily.
Her pure, unclouded gaze made Lily blush.
"…When you say things like that… I get embarrassed…"
"…I'm not gonna stop, though."
"…!"
Flustered, Lily turned her face away, cheeks red.
Rice gently cupped her cheek, guiding her to look back.
They gazed into each other's eyes. Lily placed her own hand over Rice's, closed her eyes, and basked in the warmth.
How long did they stay like that?
It felt eternal—but knowing tomorrow awaited, they reluctantly parted hands.
Lily looked at Rice's retreating touch with quiet longing.
"…Let's go back."
"…Yeah."
The moonlight bathed the two girls.
Was it a blessing—or a trial?
They slept, holding each other for warmth, as the night faded and the sun rose over Kyoto.
The battle was about to begin.
Race Day
Ash Stone sat quietly in the waiting room, eyes closed.
Despite her calm appearance, her heart burned—like a volcano about to erupt.
A knock sounded. After a moment's pause, her trainer entered.
"…How are you feeling, Ash?"
"…Surprisingly calm. Even I'm shocked."
"Today, you're in your best shape yet…
Yeah. You really are the best."
"Normally, I'd laugh that off… but I'll let it slide today.
…Trainer."
"…What is it?"
"…Thanks."
"…Ash…"
"…I'll win."
With a calm smile, Ash Stone stood and strode toward the turf—slowly, but powerfully.
"…I believe in your victory."
Meanwhile, Lily and her trainer were alone in their room. Rice was already waiting in the stands.
"Lulu-chan, sit there."
The trainer obeyed, curious. Then Lily climbed up and sat gently on her lap.
"…What's this about, Lily?"
"…I used to do this with Rice-chan, but I've never done it with Lulu-chan before."
"Oh my… that's true. So? How is it?"
"Hmm… I think I like Rice-chan's better."
"Oh dear, I've been rejected. …Lily."
"…What is it?"
"…I believe in you."
"…Ehehe."
The trainer gently stroked Lily's silky white hair.
Lily smiled peacefully, then suddenly hopped off and turned around with a bright grin.
"…I'm off!"
"…Go get 'em!"
In the stands, Lily's parents watched with pride.
"She's really running in a GII already… time sure flies."
"It really does. I'm nervous, and it's not even my race…"
They'd never missed a single one of their daughter's races since her debut—always taking time off work to be there.
"Remember my own race record?"
"…Hmm? Not really. I only remember you winning your first maiden race."
"Well, I only ever won that one.
Thirty-four races, one win, one fifth-place finish on my final race before retiring.
Pretty bad record… but running was so much fun. I wanted to win more, sure—but I loved every moment."
"When you ran, your smile was so bright and beautiful…
That's when I fell for you."
"Wha—! You can't just say that out of nowhere! That's forbidden!
…Anyway—Lily's grown so strong. I never imagined it… I'm proud, but it makes me a little lonely."
"Yeah… kids grow up fast, but with Lily, it feels even faster."
Then, the racers entered the field—including Shirono Lily.
Her usual sweet smile was gone—her face now that of a true warrior.
"She's so far away… I wonder if our voices can reach her."
"They will. They'll reach her heart."
"Fufu… yeah! Let's cheer her on!"
"…Do your best, Lily."
"…You can do it, Lily-chan!"
The Race Begins
Ten runners. Every one worthy of the stage.
Yet all of them felt the pressure—emanating from just two girls: Ash Stone and Shirono Lily.
The two exchanged a brief glance.
Lily smiled faintly; Ash responded with a small grin.
Though calm on the surface, Ash exuded a sharp, cutting aura—while Lily radiated a serene, burning will.
They entered the starting gate.
A long silence… then—clang!—the gates burst open.
The Battle
From the start, two front-runners fought for the lead.
Lily had her best start yet, quickly positioning herself third—right where she wanted.
(Ash-chan's… seventh? No—eighth. She's conserving energy… Then I'll move up now!)
Lily began closing in on the leaders, disrupting their rhythm.
One sped up to escape her pressure, and Lily kept closing the gap.
(More… faster…!)
The pace quickened. One front-runner broke under the strain, leaving Lily and another girl ahead by five lengths.
Lily stayed right behind, using the slipstream to conserve energy.
As the uphill section approached, she made her move—passing the leader and surging forward.
The slope was no obstacle—her power was immense.
She dug into the turf, muscles roaring, propelling herself into the corner.
Her body strained under the centrifugal force, but she forced it into line and accelerated even more.
The energy reached its peak—
And then, all at once, an overwhelming killingintent swept across the track.
(—!)
Every other runner froze for an instant.
That raw, violent aura—it was Ash Stone's unleashed fury, anger, and frustration.
(She's coming…!)
Lily responded in kind, unleashing her full power.
The white girl and gray beast became streaks of light, roaring across the turf.
Lily kept her eyes forward.
She would not look down—there was only the road ahead.
But slowly, inch by inch—
Ash Stone overtook her.
Lily did not give up.
Suddenly, without warning, she found herself standing in a pure white space.
"…Where am I?"
Endless white. Nothing else.
She began walking, guided by instinct, until she came upon a white wall—stretching infinitely upward and sideways.
She understood instantly.
This wall was her limit.
Without hesitation, she punched it with all her might.
Boom!
No mark.
Deep breath. Fill the body with air and power—and strike again.
And again. And again.
Fists flying, echoing through the void.
No cracks. No damage.
But she didn't stop.
She knew—
To achieve something, one must never stop walking forward.
Even if the path is endless—only persistence brings results.
How long had she been striking that wall?
Then—she heard something.
Not the sound of breaking.
A warm, gentle sound.
『─…─ey─! …─ly──!』
She knew that voice.
『Go for it, Lily-chan!!!』
"…Mama…"
『Go, Lily!!!』
"…Papa…"
『Smash through, Lily!!!』
"…Lulu-chan…"
『Lily-chan!!! You can do it!!!』
"…Rice-chan…"
She knew it.
She wasn't alone.
She was loved.
A warm, bright fire lit within her heart.
Her strength returned.
This wall—was nothing now.
She stood before it again, light gathering around her fist.
And then—
"Lily-chan…
PAAANCH!!!"
With a radiant strike, Shirono Lily shattered the white wall—
and her own limits.
『Ash Stone overtakes Shirono Lily! The gap's widening—』
『Wait—no! Lily's coming back! She's closing in! They're neck and neck! Who will take the lead!?』
『They're both blazing down the final stretch! The others can't keep up! It's a two-horse race! They cross the finish line almost simultaneously! Who's the winner!?—』
『It's Shirono Lily!! Shirono Lily wins!!』
---
Lily collapsed onto the turf, arms spread, drenched in sweat and gasping for air.
But her expression—was brighter than the sun itself.
"Daaahhh!!! Dammit! Lost again!!!"
Despite her words, Ash Stone wore a wide grin.
She dropped down beside Lily, equally drenched and breathless.
"I was sure I had that one! What the hell was that re-acceleration!? That was insane!"
Laughing, she ruffled Lily's hair messily.
Still too winded to speak, Lily just smiled up at her.
"Hah, you used up everything, huh?"
Blink. Blink. Then a vigorous nod.
Ash burst into laughter.
"Damn… losing to someone like that actually feels good. Thanks, Shiro."
Finally catching her breath, Lily smiled up at her.
"…I heard their voices.
When I was running as fast as I could—when I thought I couldn't go any faster—I heard them.
Mama's voice, Papa's, Lulu-chan's… Rice-chan's!
Everyone's voices!
And then, somehow, my legs started moving faster and faster… and I caught up to you!"
Her eyes sparkled.
Ash was mesmerized.
"It's because of everyone… because of you, Ash-chan… that I broke my limits!
So, thank you, Ash-chan! Thank you for running with me!"
"…Right back at you. I'm glad I got to run with you."
Ash stood and offered her hand.
"…Can you stand?"
"Nope!"
The quick reply made Ash burst out laughing.
After laughing herself breathless, she picked Lily up—princess-style.
"Whoa! Ash-chan, you're strong!"
"You're light—wait, no, you're kinda heavy. What's in this body?"
"Muscles! It's all Lily-chan power!"
"Ha! Yeah, sure… hey, Shiro."
"What is it, Ash-chan?"
"…Running sure is fun, huh."
"…Yeah!"
The turf erupted in cheers.
Lily waved to the crowd with a radiant smile.
The battle was over.
She had broken her limits and won.
This experience would make her even stronger.
A breeze swept over the track—
refreshing and gentle, like the smiles of the two girls.
---
Epilogue
The next day, having burned through every ounce of energy, Shirono Lily was immobilized by severe muscle pain.
"Ababababababa!"
"…Now I can take care of Lily-chan as much as I want…"
"…Rice, your eyes aren't smiling…"