Since it wasn't like she had nothing to do, the two short days passed quickly, and before she knew it, the day of her debut race was officially here.
Before they set off, Trainer Tojo had originally said she wanted to come along, but Kagura also knew Rudolf still had training today—so Trainer Tojo had to stay behind. The Mejiro ladies had wanted to go too, but because of their training plans, they couldn't leave either. Ardan had said she wanted to come, but this summer training camp was basically for her to debut smoothly, so she didn't abandon training to follow along. In the end, only Bizen Nishiki—who couldn't train—and Maruzensky, who had nothing to do, came.
Without even realizing it… watching this kid go from enrolling to stepping onto the track today… wow. It really is something. Feels like my own little sister finally grew up.
As she drove, Maruzensky glanced at Kagura in the passenger seat, marveling at how fast time had flown.
In her mind, the outcome of this race was already pretty clear. Maruzensky didn't think Kagura could possibly lose. Kagura's performance in the School Selection Race had been far too shocking—at her age, opening up a fifty-length gap over 2000 meters was honestly hard to believe. If someone with that kind of talent could still fail at her debut, what kind of monster opponent would she have to run into? Maruzensky couldn't even imagine it.
As for Kagura's condition, Maruzensky turned her head slightly to look. Kagura was leaning back with her eyes closed, resting. Her complexion was rosy, her color excellent—it was obvious she'd rested really well these past few days. Today should be Kagura at her absolute best.
"Kagura, are you nervous?"
From the back seat, Bizen Nishiki leaned forward, pressing up to the back of Kagura's seat. She reached out from behind to lightly hold Kagura's shoulders, then craned her head over.
"I'm fine. Nervous or not, I still have to run in a minute, right? Being nervous won't magically make me stronger, so what's the point of getting nervous?" Hearing Bizen Nishiki, Kagura opened her eyes and smiled at her.
Maruzensky had been about to remind Bizen Nishiki to be careful not to disturb Kagura's rest, but seeing Kagura smile like she didn't mind the conversation, Maruzensky ultimately swallowed the warning. She only frowned a little, then faced forward again.
"Ah… your mindset is so good, Kagura. I was super nervous at my debut! I was always scared something unexpected would happen… But you really do have that kind of strength. In the selection race you opened up such a huge gap."
"Ahaha~ Speaking of which, I remember Maruzensky-senpai usually drives really fast. Today you're surprisingly gentle?"
"Well, it's because I've got you in my car, Kagura-chan. I can't go scaring you. What if you got mad and stopped cooking for me after this?"
Maruzensky replied with a joke, but in a way, it was also the truth. She honestly couldn't imagine how miserable she'd be if there ever came a day when she couldn't eat Kagura's cooking.
"Hehe. Don't worry—if senpai wants, just come find me in the Cafeteria. If I'm there, I'll definitely cook for you."
"Ah…"
Her casual joke getting such an unexpectedly earnest reply made Maruzensky's smile brighten even more. The more she looked, the more she felt this kid really was just that lovable.
...
Over the past year, Kagura had accompanied Rudolf into the racecourse prep rooms and backstage areas more times than she could count.
But this time, at last, it was Kagura's turn—stepping onto a path that belonged to her.
In the prep room, already changed into her sportswear, Kagura sat alone on her chair, waiting for the broadcast to announce that it was time to enter. She took a long, deep breath. She'd been in places like this plenty of times, but this was different in the end—this time, she would be the one walking out onto the track. She found her heartbeat speeding up a little, but it wasn't from nerves. It felt more like a faint, growing excitement and anticipation.
——Huh? You look kind of conflicted—confused? Should you have brought those two friends of yours into the prep room with you, maybe?
Eclipse sensed the shift in Kagura's mood. Soon, a line of cyan-blue text appeared on Kagura's phone screen.
No, I'm not confused… I've just wondered about this for a long time. Why am I excited? I used to feel like I was dying if I so much as moved a little…
——That's an Umamusume's instinct~ Loving to run is in our nature. You have to understand—you're an Umamusume, after all.
——And there's something else. Most people don't actually hate running. They just can't do it, so they don't want to. But now you can—you can run as fast as a car with this body. Of course you'll like it~
Thinking Eclipse's words over, Kagura found them pretty convincing. Without thinking, she reached up to touch her ears, and she could feel her tail swishing too, lightly tapping against her waist.
The phone on the table buzzed. Kagura lowered her hand, picked it up, and turned on the screen.
[Symboli Speed]:Kagura, how are you feeling? You're not nervous, are you?
Only then did Kagura remember—this debut venue wasn't exactly far from the Symboli Household. Speed would definitely come to watch. And Mejiro Iris might be here too.
[Kagura]:Thank you for your concern, Family Head. I'm doing great. I'm in the prep room right now, waiting to go out.
[Symboli Speed]:Good. Mejiro Iris, your friends, and I are all in the stands. Don't hold back—run free. We'll be cheering for you.
[Kagura]:I understand. I won't let you down!
[Symboli Speed]:Good. Good luck! 🌸🤗🤗
Pfft—Speed-sama's message… why does it feel so old-school…?
Looking at that very parent-like text, Kagura couldn't quite hold back a laugh. It felt like she was chatting with her own mom.
"Next, all competitors, please enter!"
Just then, the broadcast in the room sounded, announcing that it was time for the racers to go in.
Kagura stood from her seat, took a deep breath, then pulled open the door and walked into the entry tunnel.
Finally… it's here.
...
——Time really does fly. And now, this moment has finally arrived.
——My proudest child—don't hold anything back. Go. Just run forward.
——With your footsteps, proclaim to the world that nightmare they feared… that lightless "Eclipse"… has returned!