Chapter 23 – Fujimasa March POV
So You're Saying… I Still Have a Chance?
I decide he's a fraud in the first five minutes.
There's no other explanation.
Every local trainer in Hokkaido is circling me like birds that smell blood in the snow. Clipboards out. Voices loud. Promises louder. "You'll be our ace." "You'll dominate regionals." "Central can wait." They all say the same things, just with different smiles.
And then there's him.
Standing off to the side. Not pitching. Not interrupting. Watching like he's here for weather, not me.
So when he introduces himself as a Central Tracen trainer, I don't even hesitate.
I challenge him.
"If you're really Central," I say, crossing my arms, tail flicking sharp, "prove it."
He doesn't look offended. He looks… unsurprised.
"How?" he asks.
I point toward the track. "Race me. One of your Uma Musume. Someone my age."
The local trainers murmur immediately. Some scoff. Some grin, already deciding he's finished. Central trainers don't risk reputation like that. Not here. Not against someone with my entrance results.
He nods once.
"Alright," he says. "Oguri Cap."
The name ripples through the air.
I blink.
"Fine," I snap. "Her."
We race two days later.
No crowd. No announcer. Just trainers pretending not to watch and Uma Musume pretending not to care. Oguri shows up cheerful as ever, stretching like this is playtime. She waves at me.
"Hi!" she says. "Is this for fun?"
"…Sure," I mutter.
The gates open.
And from the first stride, I know.
Her stride is loose, powerful, waste-free. She doesn't surge early. She doesn't panic. She just… keeps moving, eating ground with a calm certainty that makes my chest tighten.
I push. I really do.
I pace better than ever. I don't burn out early. I apply everything I've learned on my own. For a moment, just a moment, I think I can hold her.
Then she exploded, pulling ahead.
Just naturally.
When it's over, I'm not humiliated.
I'm hollow.
Oguri slows and jogs back, smiling, breathing easy. "That was fun! You're strong."
I can't even answer.
The human approaches after, hands in pockets, expression unreadable.
"Well?" I demand, forcing my voice steady. "Satisfied?"
"Yes," he says.
"…I lost."
I laugh bitterly. "So that's it? Proof I'm not Central material?"
"No," he says. "Proof that you are."
I freeze.
He gestures toward Oguri, who is already eating something enormous. "She's going to Central. On time. I recruited her early."
That word hits harder than the loss.
Central.
On time.
"She's not late?" I whisper.
"No," he says. "She won't miss a thing."
The world tilts.
Oguri Cap. The gray. The monster. The one everyone here assumed would peak locally and fade. She's going to Central Tracen like she belongs there.
"…Then what about me?" I ask quietly.
He looks directly at me now.
"You're more than qualified," he says. "Your entrance results put you above most of the field. Local trainers know it. That's why they're fighting over you."
"Then why are you here?" I ask.
"Because," he says, "if you stay, you'll always be 'the one who a dragon in a pond.' If you go Central, you get to prove yourself against the best in all of Japan."
My fists clench.
"This is my only chance, isn't it?"
"Yes."
No sugarcoating. No false comfort.
"If I don't go now," I say slowly, "I'll never know if I could've stood with the best."
He nods. "Exactly."
I look back at the local trainers. At the familiar track. At the ceiling I've been pressing against for months without realizing it was there.
Then I look at Oguri again.
She waves with a rice ball in hand.
I exhale.
"…If I lose again," I say, "I won't forgive you."
He smiles. Not smug. Not victorious. Just steady.
"That's fine," he replies. "Just don't forgive yourself if you never try."
Silence stretches.
Then I bow.
"Alright," I say. "I'll go to Central."
My heart pounds. Fear, excitement, resentment, hope, all tangled together.
This isn't surrender.
This is escalation.
Oguri Cap is going to Central.And I refuse to be left behind.
If this is the only path that lets me prove I'm one of the best in Japan.
Then I'll take it."
Name: Fujimasa March
Nickname: The Champion of Kasamatsu
Origin: Uma Musume from Cinderella Gray, a standout student from Kasamatsu Tracen who first appeared as a rival to Oguri Cap, inspired by the real Japanese racehorse March Tosho, who famously beat Oguri Cap several times in direct competition early in their careers.
Trainer Type: Hard‑Work Specialist + Emotional Drive
Personality
Driven Competitor: Obsessed with proving her ability against her rival, especially Oguri Cap early in her story.
Stoic and Reserved: Often serious, quiet, and introspective before opening up; takes racing and training personally.
Growth Through Rivalry: Defeats and setbacks sharpen her resolve and help her gradually grow emotionally and strategically.
Later Supportive Spirit: After realizing her limits, she becomes more supportive of peers and rivals alike, channeling competitive fire into motivation rather than frustration.
Unyielding Heart: She doesn't quit a challenge, even when results don't match expectations, her persistence defines her.
In‑Race Mindset:
Focused and unrelenting, she measures her rivals' moves carefully and adjusts her pace with a determined spirit. She doesn't panic under pressure but pushes harder when challengers draw even.
Physical Traits
Lean, Athletic Build: Balanced physique suited for mid‑distance racing and tactical positioning.
Quick Reflexes: Capable of rapid responses to pace changes or obstacles on the track.
Stable Acceleration: Not a pure burst sprinter, but she can seize critical moments with timely shifts in pace.
Focused Vision: Horse‑girl gaze locked on the finish line — rarely distracted once the race begins.
Strengths
Relentless Resolve: Never surrenders under pressure; stays competitive even when outpaced.
Race Awareness: Reads pacing shifts well and positions herself intelligently in mid‑pack.
Emotional Growth: Determination fuels improvement; she learns from defeats and becomes stronger mentally.
Peer Respect: Her work ethic earns respect from teammates and rivals alike.
Weaknesses / Limitations
Natural Talent Slightly Below Elite: Not born with innate dominance; her skill comes from effort and adaptation.
Pressure Reaction: Sometimes overthinks or tightens up in high‑stakes moments early in her career.
Distance Limitation: Less explosive in extreme sprint or endurance races compared to the very top tier.
Racing Style
Steady Mid‑Pack Runner: Prefers to stay close to the leaders without burning out early.
Calculated Push: Finds openings in the final stretch and commits with precise timing rather than raw speed.
Competitive Closer: Often strongest from behind when she finds the rhythm and stays calm.
Trainer Relationship
Responds best to trainers who are patient, adaptive, and emotionally supportive, helping her turn drive into efficient performance rather than stress.
Trainers who build confidence and pacing strategy enable her to unlock her full tactical potential.
Symbolic Representation
Fujimasa March represents the spirited underdog with heart, someone whose journey isn't about instant glory, but the refinement of spirit through rivalry and growth. Her evolution from Oguri's challenger to a supportive peer reflects strength through adaptability.
Taglines
"I run not just to win, but to prove I've grown."
"Every race is a chance to rise."
"I chase not shadows, but progress."