Only then did Yasui realize—Bamboo Memory must have noticed him sitting there deep in thought, maybe even worried, and had come over on purpose to reassure him.
The warmth rising in his chest unexpectedly gave him a bit more confidence about the Kikuka Sho.
Even something like "a Classic-year contender for the Arima Kinen"… he couldn't help but feel slightly hopeful about it now.
After all, for a Classic-year Umamusume to compete seriously at the Arima Kinen was easier said than done.
Those Senior-year Umamusume, stronger and more experienced, stood in the way like towering mountains. Breaking through that barrier was exceedingly rare.
Yet precisely because it was so difficult, if a Classic-year Umamusume actually won the Arima Kinen, she would undoubtedly forge a legend—or at least mark the beginning of one.
In the distant past was Oguri Cap's glorious history. Closer to today, Manhattan Cafe and Symboli Kris S had shone brilliantly. More recently, Victoire Pisa, Orfevre, and Gold Ship had all left unforgettable marks on the track.
Just thinking about it made Yasui's pulse quicken, his blood surging.
But he quickly calmed himself. The most critical issue right now was the Kikuka Sho, just around the corner.
Currently, Kitasan Black topped the Kikuka Sho's entry list as the fans' favorite.
If she won, selection for the Arima Kinen would be a natural next step.
But if she fell short and disappointed, fans could easily shift their votes to other Umamusume.
Fans were unpredictable, and there was no shortage of outstanding Umamusume, whether Senior-year or Classic-year—the competition was ruthless.
So even though there was only one week left until the Kikuka Sho…
No—precisely because only one decisive week remained, they couldn't afford to waste a single second.
As Yasui mulled this over, he suddenly heard hurried footsteps approaching rapidly.
"Bamboo-senpai, senpai! Look—… huh? Trainer, you're here too?"
Yasui and Bamboo Memory both turned, seeing Kita-chan jogging up, her face flushed with excitement.
She held a plush toy with an oversized head, round body, pale-green skin, and a thick tail lined with dorsal spikes.
At first glance, it looked like a cartoon Godzilla—but a closer look revealed an adorable chibi Umamusume face.
"This is…"
Feeling he had seen it before, Yasui blurted out, "Oguri…?"
"Mm-hm! It's 'Ogurizilla'! Roar~"
Kita-chan lifted Ogurizilla up, imitating a monster with a soft, powerless roar that was more ridiculously cute than anything else.
Then she tilted her head playfully, beaming at Bamboo Memory.
"Senpai! I got it for you! It's yours!"
So she'd won it for Bamboo Memory—which made sense, given Bamboo Memory idolized Oguri Cap.
As that flashed through Yasui's mind, Bamboo Memory froze for a moment, then smiled gently and waved at Kita-chan.
"If you caught it, Kita-chan, then it's yours."
She rolled up her sleeve dramatically.
"When there's something I want, I always fight for it with my own hands—just you wait!"
"I came ready with a full hundred tokens. I'm definitely getting it!"
After that exaggerated declaration, her smile softened again into something warm and encouraging.
"But thank you, Kita-chan."
"Keep it as a memento. Give it everything you've got at the Kikuka Sho—and at the Arima Kinen at the end of the year, too."
"I was just telling Yasui—I'm really looking forward to seeing how you do in both races."
Kita-chan blinked, then her eyes shone with excitement.
She slowly tightened her grip on the plush toy. Ogurizilla's goofy expression, with its mouth turned slightly upward, seemed to smile too.
She nodded vigorously, held Bamboo Memory's gaze, then looked at Yasui with absolute determination.
"Yeah! I'll give it everything—I won't let senpai down, and I won't let Trainer down either!"
...
October 25, Kyoto Racecourse.
The stands were packed to capacity, roaring with noise.
Many had stayed overnight in line, rushing in as soon as the gates opened.
Posters and cheering flags were everywhere, with faces glowing in excitement and anticipation.
Race fans argued passionately, rattling off each Umamusume's past performances, strengths, and weaknesses—some growing so heated they nearly came to blows.
The event staff were kept busy managing disputes across the venue, escorting out aggressive spectators, and diligently inspecting the track and underground passages, ensuring safety and security.
Logistics and medical teams moved swiftly, and the commentator's voice echoed clearly above the racecourse.
"Listen!"
"Fate's gears are turning!"
"Today marks the final chapter of the Classic Triple Crown—the Kikuka Sho! Right here, at Kyoto Racecourse, the strongest of this generation will be decided!"
"This is no ordinary race! This is a clash of iron wills! A duel where souls blaze! The final rhapsody of their Classic year!"
"So—who will it be?!"
"Who will make the decisive move on this board of destiny, rewriting history itself?!"
"Let us witness it together—the birth of an eternal legend!"
With the commentator's words, the race hadn't even begun, yet the atmosphere had already reached a fever pitch.
The crowd cheered and shouted, rallying behind the Umamusume they supported.
In a single moment, the racecourse exploded with sound, seemingly powerful enough to tear the roof off. Countless glowsticks rose and fell like stars tumbling through space, accompanied by cries for beloved Umamusume.
"Crush everything—Real Steel!"
"Jun Tsubasa! Unbeatable!"
"Musee Alien! Victory! Musee Alien! Victory!"
"Break every barrier—Satono Rasen!"
"Kitasan! Kitasan! Kitasan Black! Kitasan! Kitasan! Kitasan Black!"
Amid the din, Bamboo Memory, sitting in a VIP box, covered her ears and glanced around wryly.
"You've gotta be kidding me… are crowds always this over-the-top now?!"
She shouted the last part toward the silver-gray-haired head beside her.
Seated next to Bamboo Memory was an Umamusume with a cool, composed expression and long silver-gray hair.
At Bamboo Memory's shout, her ears twitched slightly. She lifted five skewers of delicious-smelling grilled meat, then shook the bento bag dangling from her wrist, printed with the words "Gold Ship Bento."
"Want some? It's good. Maybe we should tell Belno and Roman—see if we can work something out."
"W-work something out…?"
Bamboo Memory blinked, then laughed in disbelief.
"I seriously admire you, Oguri-senpai. To think you can still eat at a time like this… It's the Kikuka Sho, you know."
"Mm… I was fine until you mentioned the race. Now that you did…"
The Umamusume beside Bamboo Memory was Oguri Cap. At Bamboo Memory's comment, she rubbed her stomach.
"I think I just got even hungrier."
"The paddock segment hasn't even started yet. Want to go buy some more?"
---
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