Hachiman's POV
— Kyoto Racecourse —
"It's been a full year since I last stood here," I muttered, the words feeling heavy in the morning air.
Rice stayed silent, her gaze fixed on the ground.
"There's no need for concern, Brother," Rudolph said, stepping up beside us. Her voice was as steady as a bedrock. "The fans learned their lesson at last year's Tenno Sho. They understand now. Besides, if anyone dares to cast stones at Rice again, I will stand at the vanguard with her. As you likely know, my mother, grandmother, and the rest of the URA executive board are in the stands today. They're watching."
"I figured," I replied. "It would be weirder if they weren't."
After what happened here last year, anyone skipping this race would have their sanity questioned. Rice's season started just like the last—beginning with the Nikkei-sho—and she had been met with nothing but cheers and blessings then. But there was no guarantee the fickle crowd at Kyoto would offer the same grace today.
"Well, we won't know until we try, right?" Mr. CB chimed in, her tone airy and light. "Let's get a move on. Rice needs to get through her prep."
"Right. Let's—"
"Oh? Trainer Hikigaya. I see you've only just arrived."
I turned. "Ah, Hayahide. And Taishin and Ticket are with you, too."
"Hey there, Trainer!" Ticket chirped, practically vibrating with energy. "I'm not running today, but I'm here to scream my lungs out for Hayahide and Taishin! I just want them both to win so bad!"
"And how exactly does that work?" I asked dryly. "Which one do you actually want to take the trophy?"
"Eh? I… well… now that you mention it, who do I want?!" Ticket's face went through three different stages of a minor existential crisis. "I want Hayahide to win, but I want Taishin to win too! Argh! I don't know anymore!"
"Quiet down…" Taishin sighed, looking pained. "It doesn't matter. Just pick one at random and be done with it."
"I can't do that! Fine! I'm going to sit here and think really, really hard until I decide who I'm rooting for!"
I shook my head. "With your mental capacity? You're going to blow a fuse."
"I concur," Hayahide said with a faint, sharp smile. "Setting that aside, Trainer Hikigaya—how is Rice Shower's condition? For my part, I believe I've reached a level of fitness that leaves nothing to be desired."
"I'll say this much: she's not quite at the terrifying peak she hit last year, but she's more than ready to deliver a perfect performance. Whether that meets your expectations or not… well, that's up to you."
Hayahide let out a short, amused huff. "Bold words. I'll take that wager. I look forward to seeing what she can do."
"Just so we're clear," Taishin added, her eyes narrowing, "I'm not holding back for anyone."
Rudolph looked at them all, a proud warmth in her expression. "It is heartening to see everyone so driven. Even I am starting to feel the spark of competition. But now is not the time; we must husband that fire until the gates open."
"Come on, everyone! Move it or lose it!" CB called out, already walking ahead.
She always did go at her own pace. I couldn't deny, though, that her breezy attitude had saved us more than once. Regardless, Rice had to get ready. It was time to go.
— The Spectator Stands —
"As expected of a G1," Rudolph remarked, surveying the crowd. "The atmosphere is electric."
"Is it just me," CB added, "or is the energy even more intense than when I ran?"
"It's the first time in a year Kyoto's seen a potential back-to-back champion," I said. "It makes sense. Still… the way these people can just flip the script and act like they loved her all along? It's enough to give me whiplash."
"That's a conversation for another time, Brother," Rudolph said softly. "Let's just choose to believe they've finally learned to see the truth."
"I hope so. I really do."
Over the loudspeaker, the announcer's voice boomed: "And finally, the girl the world is waiting for! Gate 12, Frame 8: Rice Shower! She enters today as the undisputed first favorite!"
"In the Senior Class, she is peerless," the color commentator added. "Last year's Spring Tenno Sho champion and the first horse girl to bring home a G1 victory from overseas. As a stayer, her talent is unrivaled in this field. With that legendary stamina of hers, we expect nothing less than a masterclass today."
Rudolph scanned the program. "Rice is at the top, followed by Biwa Hayahide and Narita Taishin. It seems the BNW duo are the primary challengers. With all due respect to the rest of the field, it looks like a three-way race."
"Monsieur Siecle might keep pace if the stars align," I noted. "But yeah, the favorites are the only ones who can really push Rice. Then again, you don't make it to a G1 without talent. We can't afford to be complacent."
"Hey, Hachiman," CB said, leaning over. "If I were in the Senior Class, would you put me in the Tenno Sho?"
"Hmm. Hard to say. You can handle 3,000 meters, but 3,200 is pushing it. If you're asking if you could beat Rice at this distance… honestly? No. You'd lose."
"Figures," CB laughed. "I guess my Senior debut will have to be the Osaka Hai, then."
"You're getting ahead of yourself. You've got the Derby before we even think about next year."
"Brother," Rudolph interrupted gently. "Before all that, we have to cheer for Rice."
I blinked, coming back to the present. "…Right. Of course."
She was right. I was getting ahead of myself, too. My job right now was to be there for Rice.
"Actually, Hachiman," CB said, giving me a little nudge. "Shouldn't you go see her? I bet she's waiting for a final word of encouragement from her 'Big Brother.'"
"I'm going. You two stay here—we'll probably have guests arriving soon."
— The Waiting Room —
I knocked softly. "Rice? It's me. Can I come in?"
"Onii-sama! Yes, please!"
I stepped inside and took a quick breath. She looked composed. Her racing silks were pristine, and her eyes were clear. "Looking good. You seem ready."
"Ehehe, thank you. So, Onii-sama… what's the plan for today? Should I stay right behind Biwa Hayahide?"
"No," I said, my voice dropping into a serious, tactical tone. "Today, you're marking Monsieur Siecle. Hayahide is a front-runner; she'll aim for a forward position early. You could follow her, sure, but in a final sprint, it would be a toss-up. I want you to tuck in behind Monsieur Siecle instead. Start your move between the third and fourth corners. That's where your long-striding acceleration will be most effective."
Rice nodded slowly, processing the math of the track. "I see… okay! Understood! Um, Onii-sama? For that move between the corners… should I kick off early? Or should I wait to see what Hayahide does first?"
I couldn't help but smile. She was sharp. She was seeing the same race I was.
"Go early. Hayahide is dangerous when she has the lead to herself—that's when she finds her second wind. Rice… I want you to go out there and take that lead away from her before she even knows she's lost it."
Rice's expression hardened into one of pure, quiet determination.
"I will!"
The Tenno Sho was finally here.
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