'The dream-like race is about to begin. All the Uma Musume have completed their gate entry--and they're off!'
With a bang, the gates opened, and the Uma Musume burst out all at once.
'Shooting out from the start is none other than this girl, number 5 Twin Turbo. Is she going to go full turbo engine from the start again today? Following her are number 3 Mihono Bourbon, number 11 Seiun Sky, and number 14 Mejiro Palmer. Then come number 6 Rice Shower, number 1 Mejiro McQueen, number 4 Tokai Teio, number 2 Grass Wonder, number 10 Oguri Cap, number 13 Biwa Hayahide, number 12 Nice Nature, and number 7 Happy Meeku. Slightly behind them near the back are number 8 Matikane Tannhauser and number 9 Winning Ticket.'
'There aren't any Uma Musume who specialize in comeback wins today. The main pack is running almost as one, following the escape artists.'
In today's race, many Uma Musume specialize in leading from the front. There are no comeback specialists, and even the "sashio" (late-surge) specialists are only two: Matikane Tannhauser and Winning Ticket. As a result, with the exception of the escape artists, a large group including Rice Shower runs together.
From the first turn to the second turn. The sight of the Uma Musume gradually approaching has the spectators in a frenzy, even though it's still early in the race, just the first lap.
'Number 5 Twin Turbo is still in the lead. Number 14 Mejiro Palmer has moved up to second place. Following them are number 11 Seiun Sky and number 3 Mihono Bourbon. Number 6 Rice Shower remains in fifth place.'
'The two leaders running side-by-side like this is a sight we also saw in the Japan Cup. Will they be able to escape and win, or will their engines fail again...? Which will it be?'
'The Uma Musume are rounding the fourth turn and entering the home stretch. Listen to this roar from the crowd. It's so loud I'm worried they can't even hear it.'
The Nakayama Racecourse is a right-handed course, so from the stands, the Uma Musume run from right to left. Twin Turbo and Mejiro Palmer are vying for the lead, and as the commentator said, the development is reminiscent of the Japan Cup.
However, the distance is different from the Japan Cup, and the lineup of Uma Musume is also different. The determination of Rice Shower, who is eyeing the front with a steady gaze, is also incomparable to the Japan Cup.
From the fourth turn to the final straight, there is a slope with a height difference of about two meters. Then, from the end of the straight to the first turn, there is another slope with a height difference of about two meters, and from there to the back stretch, there is a downhill slope with a height difference of over four meters.
'Twin Turbo and Mejiro Palmer are running nimbly. They're through the home stretch and into the first turn. They'll pass the 1000-meter mark in a little bit.'
'The 1000-meter passing time is... 1 minute and 0.1 seconds. That's a fast pace.'
Today, Twin Turbo and Mejiro Palmer were running at a slightly restrained pace. Even so, it's still quite fast for a long-distance race. However, the distance between each Uma Musume is not that great.
'From the leading Twin Turbo to the backmarker Winning Ticket, it's about 5 lengths. This doesn't seem like the escape artists are holding back; it seems like the pace is fast for everyone.'
'That's right. They're probably trying to get to the front as early as possible. In a race like this, things often pick up all at once in the latter half.'
Unlike Twin Turbo's previous races, her pace is a bit restrained. In recent races, she has often been good in the beginning but then lost speed and lost badly at the end, so perhaps her senior at Canopus instructed her to hold back the pace.
'The Uma Musume are going through the second turn and entering the back stretch without any major changes. Twin Turbo and Mejiro Palmer are still vying for the lead. Following them about 3 lengths back are number 11 Seiun Sky and number 3 Mihono Bourbon. A length behind them is number 6 Rice Shower. A large pack of Uma Musume is following closely, changing positions. The backmarker, number 9 Winning Ticket, is about 6 to 7 lengths behind the leaders.'
'This... It seems like they're saving their energy for the final stage. When each of them makes their move will likely be the turning point.'
The Arima Kinen is 2500 meters. The time from start to finish will be a little over 2 minutes and 30 seconds. In other words, the winner will be decided in a little over 150 seconds.
I stare at Rice Shower. I stare intently at her, in fifth place from the start, eyeing the front with a steady gaze.
Right now, Rice Shower probably has nothing but winning the Arima Kinen on her mind. She's focused on what's ahead, but she's not conscious of anyone else, like she would be if she were marking someone.
Even from a distance, I can tell what Rice Shower is thinking. Her stamina, her top speed, the condition of the track. From these, she's probably calculating when to make her move and how to cross the finish line in first place.
She might not even be conscious of the other Uma Musume, let alone hear the roaring cheers from the stands.
She might be shutting out the crowd's cheers, grasping the course of the Uma Musume ahead of her and the position of the Uma Musume running alongside her just by sound, and deciding where and when to pass them.
'They're passing the 800-meter marker and entering the third turn from the back stretch. Twin Turbo and Mejiro Palmer are still in the lead, and here, number 11 Seiun Sky has made her move. She's accelerating to pass Twin Turbo and Mejiro Palmer... but she can't! Twin Turbo and Mejiro Palmer are accelerating too!'
And just as they entered the third turn, the race changed. Seiun Sky, who had been in third place, tried to take the lead, and Twin Turbo and Mejiro Palmer, noticing this, accelerated all at once.
Mihono Bourbon... hasn't moved. But the movement in front seems to have triggered the other Uma Musume in the back to gradually pick up their pace.
'They're passing the 600-meter mark, and the fourth turn is in sight. The leader is Twin Turbo, full throttle! And Mejiro Palmer seems to be full throttle too! Right behind them is Seiun Sky! At the 600-meter mark, each Uma Musume is gradually accelerating--and here she comes! The number one favorite, Rice Shower, has made her move! She's accelerating and has moved up to fourth place!'
'Her long spurt keeps accelerating until the very end. We'll see what the result of her saving her energy until now will be. The name of the strongest stayer in active duty isn't for show--huh?'
The male commentator lets out a bewildered voice. That's natural. Rice Shower, who was thought to have started her long spurt with less than 600 meters to go, suddenly put it into top gear and accelerated instead of a long spurt.
'Rice Shower is suddenly accelerating with 600 meters to go! What amazing speed, but will it last until the end?! Following her is number 4 Tokai Teio! And moving up even further is number 1 Mejiro McQueen! On the grand stage of the Arima Kinen! The three of the TMR group are all rushing to the front at once!'
'Rice Shower has more than enough stamina, so she should be able to last until the end, even though it seems like a gamble. Mejiro McQueen will also last. Tokai Teio might have a tough time, but she can't back down now!'
'They're in the fourth turn and have passed the 400-meter mark! The full-throttle Twin Turbo is in front, but here she comes, here she comes, Rice Shower! She's caught her before the turbo engine could backfire! This is a rare sight! Following Rice Shower, Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen are also passing Twin Turbo!'
At Rice Shower's sudden acceleration, followed by Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen, the spectators all stand up at once. And each of them sends even louder cheers to the Uma Musume they're supporting.
'Go, go, go! Rice Shower! Your 6th G1 victory! Go, go, go!'
'Show us your second consecutive Arima Kinen victory! Please!'
'That's not all you've got, Tokai Teio! You're the Emperor! You're the Absolute! Win!'
'You said you were going to be an Uma Musume like Symboli Rudolf! Go, go, go!'
'Mejiro McQueen! I want to see you win! Win! Win!'
'Win against those two!'
Cheers of all kinds fly to the three who have taken the lead. Of course, there are also cheers for the Uma Musume in the back, but from what I can hear, the voices cheering for Rice Shower, Tokai Teio, and Mejiro McQueen are louder and more numerous.
The Classic-class Uma Musume in this Arima Kinen are certainly full of brilliant talent.
But it was undoubtedly Rice Shower, Tokai Teio, and Mejiro McQueen who led this year's Senior class. Their pride seems to be pushing them forward.
The Uma Musume in the back are also desperate. I can see Oguri Cap, Biwa Hayahide, and Grass Wonder accelerating and trying to catch up. Their legs are certainly good enough to compete in the Senior class, and they would have easily reached their opponents if they were fighting against half-hearted Uma Musume.
These are excellent horses who have polished their talents, which are in no way inferior to Rice Shower's, through constant effort. Their legs are extending, they will certainly reach... but not now.
I was convinced that no Uma Musume could beat Rice Shower at this very moment, let alone a year from now, in next year's Arima Kinen.
'And now! They're rounding the fourth turn and entering the final straight! The Nakayama straight is short! And there's a hill with 200 meters to go!'
'The battle for the lead is the TMR! No, is it RTM now?! Or TRM?! This is where the Senior class shows their pride! The final straight is 310 meters! This is the climax!'
'The Uma Musume in the back are also desperately extending their legs! The escape artists are chasing the three in the lead! Moving up are Mihono Bourbon and Nice Nature from the Senior group! And can the Classic class reach them? Oguri Cap, Biwa Hayahide, Happy Meeku, Grass Wonder!'
The final straight, 310 meters.
As I watch the three in the lead, the races of this past year flash through my mind.
The Osaka Hai, the Spring Tenno Sho, the Takarazuka Kinen, the Autumn Tenno Sho, the Japan Cup. The moments from those races, where Rice Shower ran, sometimes losing, sometimes winning, and competing, come back to me.
Rice Shower, who is running in the home stretch now, is superior to the Rice Shower who ran in those races. She has worked hard, grown, and exerted herself, and she is my Rice Shower, who has won five G1 races alongside Tokai Teio.
This Arima Kinen is a big race, with the Autumn Senior Triple Crown and a second consecutive victory on the line. Rice Shower, no, any Uma Musume, must be inspired not to lose.
'Break away! Riceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!'
So win. Even though the Arima Kinen is a short long-distance race at 2500 meters, there's no Uma Musume who can beat your stamina, speed, and spirit in a long-distance race.
'The leader is... Rice Shower! Rice Shower has broken away! With a little over 200 meters to go! Rice Shower has started to pull away from her rivals by one, two lengths!'
The Nakayama straight, 200 meters to go.
Rice Shower accelerates beyond her top speed, a speed she's never shown before. With the two-meter-high slope in front of her, she puts all her strength into the legs that are kicking the ground. She accelerates with such force that it looks like she's not just kicking the turf but denting it.
At this moment, Rice Shower has undoubtedly surpassed her own limits. I am convinced that she will never show a better run than this. She was in the best possible condition.
...That's why, it was probably inevitable.
'…Rice?'
Rice Shower's body, which was running in the lead, wobbled.
Her running became disjointed as she stumbled, and she started favoring her left leg. When I looked at her face, her teeth were clenched as if she was trying to stifle a scream, and a cold sweat, different from the one from running, was pouring down her face.
Her legs, which were climbing the hill, slowed down. Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen, who had been pulled away, widened their eyes and closed the gap.
Something was clearly wrong with Rice Shower.
No matter how much you prevent injuries in training, you can't prevent a sudden breakdown in a race. That's what I've been worried about all along.
But even so, couldn't it have happened in a different race?
I felt like my vision was going dark, and the strength drained from my body, and I was about to collapse--but I gripped the railing and held on. I gritted my teeth and took a deep breath.
Rice Shower's face was distorted in pain. However, her eyes were not dead.
'Oh, what's this?! Rice Shower suddenly slows down! It's like a sudden brake, a lie compared to her running just a moment ago!'
'That looks like... some kind of accident has occurred. Her movement is strange--hmm?!'
Rice Shower ran.
She kicked the ground with her right foot to regain her lost speed, and she ran, scattering a cold sweat.
The kick from her left foot was weak. But since she was still able to run, her femur or tibia probably wasn't broken. It didn't seem like her joint had shattered either. If it had, she wouldn't be able to run physically.
She might have strained a muscle, or maybe a bone in her instep, around her metatarsal, was broken. I guessed that it was probably something like that since she could still move even with the pain.
'Rice! Don't go any further--'
I was about to shout at her to stop. That would be the natural judgment for a trainer. But the moment I saw Rice Shower's face, my throat shook and froze as if it were paralyzed.
Rice Shower was smiling. The pain must have been terrible, with a sharp pain with every step. Still, Rice Shower was smiling.
Was that smile to reassure me, to encourage herself, or both?
Rice Shower's running form returned to normal. As if she didn't feel the pain, or was ignoring it, she put strength into her left leg.
Rice Shower suddenly accelerated again. She ran up the hill, chasing after the backs of Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen, who had passed her.
Arima Kinen--100 meters to go.
'Go, go, go! Rice-chan! Go, go, go!'
Urara shouts with tears in her eyes. While understanding what had happened to her best friend Rice Shower, she desperately cheers her on.
'Rice senpai! Don't lose!'
Discarding her usual dignified expression, King also shouts. Telling the current Rice Shower not to lose is cruel. It's a miracle that she's even able to run on her injured leg. Still, King shouts. For Rice Shower, who she has trained with since she joined the team.
'Rice! You're the strongest stayer!'
I pound the railing and shout with all my might. That's right, that's right. Rice Shower is not going to be the strongest stayer. She already is the strongest stayer.
That's why she won't lose in a long-distance race, can't lose. Her running form is starting to fall apart from the pain, but she still moves forward. She runs as if to say she won't lose.
Seeing Rice Shower like that, the spectators also start to cheer. They were murmuring and shaken, but seeing Rice Shower running so desperately, the chain of voices calling her name grows.
The sight of Rice Shower and the others running towards the finish line seemed to be in slow motion. I will never forget that sight of them running up the last hill in the final straight and heading for the finish line.
--The sight of Rice Shower winning.
'Ri-Rice Shower has passed Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen! She's passed them?! She was able to pass them?! And now, the finish line! The finish line! She's crossed the finish line!'
'This is... surprising... She was able to reach them from there...'
Rice Shower pulled away slightly and crossed the finish line. After confirming that, I wanted to jump over the railing and run to Rice Shower, but the race wasn't over yet. If I did that now, it would be a hindrance to the race.
After crossing the finish line, Rice Shower gradually slows down. She tries to turn to the stands, but her left leg must be hurting. She loses her balance and is about to fall--and Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen support her, holding her from both sides.
How can I describe the expressions on Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen's faces at that time? There was regret, bewilderment, and surprise. I could almost hear them say, 'How were you able to pass us from there? Are your legs okay?'
'The order of finish has been confirmed. First place, number 6, Rice Shower. Winning time is 2 minutes and 30.9 seconds. Second place, number 4, Tokai Teio, by a neck. Third place, number 1, Mejiro McQueen, by a nose. Fourth place, number 13, Biwa Hayahide, by two lengths. Fifth place, number 12, Nice Nature, by a neck.'
The order of finish is confirmed, and a great roar of cheers descends. Rice Shower looks at the results board and raises both hands while being supported by Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen.
She extends only her index finger on her left hand and all five fingers on her right hand.
--The 6th G1 victory.
With that performance, the Nakayama Racecourse shook with the biggest cheer of the day.
Rice Shower won the Arima Kinen. It was a joyous, happy occasion. But there was one problem.
'Ah... onii-sama...'
I waited for her in the hallway leading to the waiting room from the course and came face to face with Rice Shower, who was being supported by Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen.
Rice Shower was moving by hopping on her right leg so as not to put her left leg on the ground, and Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen seemed to be wondering if they should just carry her.
And Rice Shower, the moment she saw my face, averted her eyes. She must have felt guilty about her injury, even though she won the Arima Kinen.
'Tokai Teio, Mejiro McQueen, thank you for carrying Rice Shower here.'
I thanked Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen and took Rice Shower from them. I hugged her once from the front and then lifted her up in a horizontal hold, a so-called "princess carry," so that her left leg wouldn't touch the ground.
'Rice.'
When I called her name, Rice Shower looked up at me with an anxious expression. I gently bumped my forehead against hers.
'You... you won... But, but... you did something so reckless...'
I wanted her to win the Arima Kinen. But if it was at the cost of an injury, I would have been okay with her losing.
That would be an insult to an Uma Musume who wishes to win even at the cost of an injury. There must be many Uma Musume who would wish to win on the grand stage of the Arima Kinen, even if it meant giving up their career.
Tears fell from my cheeks onto Rice Shower's, who was sweating from the intense pain. I was happy that she won. But tears came to my eyes because Rice Shower was injured, and they wouldn't stop.
Should I have stopped Rice Shower? No, this injury was a sudden one. Until the race started, until Rice Shower surpassed her limits, I didn't think this would happen.
'Uncle, don't scold Rice.'
'That's right. If I were in Rice-san's shoes, I would have done the same thing.'
I was shedding tears, but Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen admonished me. Although their expressions and voices were filled with a wry smile.
'Ah... I can't believe I got passed right at the end. That was a surprise.'
'It really was. I was just thinking that the outcome would be decided by an accident, and then Rice-san was right next to me. I was surprised.'
They had thought they had passed the injured Rice Shower, only to be passed again. They must have been truly surprised.
I looked at Rice Shower in my arms. I had already taken my forehead away from hers, but Rice Shower was frozen and stiff. Did my forehead bump hurt? Or was her left leg still hurting?
'Um... excuse me...'
As we were talking, a middle-aged man in a suit spoke to us. We were in a special hallway that only trainers and Uma Musume could use, but...
'I'm a staff member of this facility, but, um, is a Winning Live possible?'
And at the question that came flying, my cheeks twitched. Where on earth did he get the idea that Rice Shower could do a Winning Live? But thinking about the fans who gathered to watch the Arima Kinen, it was difficult to just say, 'Of course not!'
...No, thinking about Rice Shower's body, I should refuse. I have to take her to the hospital and get her examined.
There would be a huge booing from the fans, but I could just forcefully take her to the hospital. If I announced that Rice Shower wanted to do a Winning Live but I, as her trainer, refused, the blame would fall on me.
'Onii-sama, Rice wants to do the Winning Live.'
But before I could say anything, Rice Shower said that. When I heard her, I furrowed my brows in worry.
'But, Rice. With that leg, you can't...'
'It might be the last time I get to do a Winning Live with Teio-san and McQueen-san... Onii-sama, please.'
Saying that, Rice Shower looked up at me with tears in her eyes. I wanted to prioritize Rice Shower's will above all else... I want to, but. A Winning Live has singing, but also intense dancing. If she dances with her current leg, her injury will get worse.
'...Rice, where exactly on your left leg does it hurt?'
I thought for a few dozen seconds and then asked Rice Shower.
'Uh... around my instep, I think?'
That means the possibility of a broken metatarsal bone is high after all. Even with humans, people sometimes go to the hospital because their foot has been hurting for a while and find out it was broken...
'Can you walk? I mean, dancing is impossible, right?'
'I-I'll try my best.'
'You shouldn't try your best... What should I do...'
Her face is still red, and she must be in so much pain that she's sweating a cold sweat. After the race is over, the tension has been released, and she must be feeling the pain more intensely.
Taping it... no, if I take off her shoe, it will swell, and she won't be able to put it back on. Setting the bone and fixing it... I can't do that, of course...
It's impossible after all. It didn't take long to come to that conclusion. But--.
'So, she just shouldn't dance, right?'
Suddenly, Tokai Teio said that.
And now, I was in the front row of the spectator seats for the Winning Live, anxiously waiting for that moment. Urara and King were next to me, but they were calmer than I was.
'Calm down. My trainer is not to be seen acting so pathetic.'
'But it's a broken bone, you know? It's a broken bone!'
I checked without taking off her shoe, but Rice Shower's left instep was clearly swollen like it was broken. I also checked her femur, tibia, ankle, and knee joints with a physical examination, but they were only slightly warm from the race.
I checked both of her legs, but only her left instep... two of her metatarsal bones were broken, and the rest was fine. Still, it must have been very painful, and I was on pins and needles.
As I was getting nervous, the Winning Live began. The spectators had seen that Rice Shower was injured, so they were whispering to each other if the Winning Live would really happen and if Rice Shower would be okay, but when they saw Rice Shower slowly coming onto the stage, leaning on Tokai Teio, they let out a mixture of cheers and screams.
Rice Shower, who won first place, stood in the center, but she only sang and didn't dance. Only Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen danced, and one of them would support Rice Shower according to the song part. It was an unprecedented Winning Live.
We contacted Tazuna-san, and she confirmed with the URA through the director, and we got permission, so the live was on. The URA also thought that it would be a shame for such an exciting Arima Kinen to end without a Winning Live, and they gave us permission surprisingly easily.
The only problem was Rice Shower, who would be singing without dancing--.
'...You're such a bad girl.'
I couldn't help but murmur.
When the music started, Rice Shower stood on her own and started singing. She was careful not to put weight on her left leg, but from the stands, it looked like she was standing and singing on her own.
She didn't dance, of course. I could tell that Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen were dancing while keeping an eye on Rice Shower so they could support her immediately if she lost her balance.
Seeing Rice Shower and the others like that, the initially confused spectators gradually began to cheer. They understood that even with her injury, she had held a Winning Live for them.
As I watched the Winning Live, I was at a loss whether to smile wryly, be happy, or cry. A mixture of emotions jumbled up, and I didn't even know what expression I was making.
--Then, suddenly, someone stood next to me.
'I really wanted to stand on that stage with Rice-san at the end... but it's a shame.'
It was Mihono Bourbon who said that. She narrowed her eyes as if looking at something dazzling and watched Rice Shower sing.
I was about to say something to Mihono Bourbon. But her eyes, which were looking at Rice Shower, were gentle and at the same time a little lonely, and the words wouldn't come out.
I decided that I shouldn't say anything. I followed Mihono Bourbon and watched Rice Shower.
She must have been in pain after all. Rice Shower was sweating on her forehead. But to not let the spectators notice, she kept a firm smile on her face.
When I saw that smile, I remembered Rice Shower's face when I first met her. Her face when she was timid and depressed because of the booing she got at the Kikka Sho.
I compared that face to Rice Shower's face now and thought.
Rice Shower has become stronger. She has grown greatly as an Uma Musume and as a person. If I could be greedy, I would have wanted to raise Rice Shower from the beginning, but... when Rice Shower was in the Junior class, I was still a student at a trainer's school. This can't be helped.
Then, I suddenly noticed that Rice Shower's gaze was directed at me. But she wasn't looking at me. She was staring at Urara and King.
I understood the meaning of her gaze, and I patted King's back, who had tears in her eyes while watching Rice Shower sing.
'Next year will be King's turn.'
'...Even if it's a baton pass, I wish she was a little more careful about the weight and how she passed it. But, yes... it's Rice-senpai's baton. I will take it firmly.'
Urara looked at her as a friend, and King looked at her as someone who would inherit her legacy.
And so, the Winning Live ended in great success.
I had to take Rice Shower straight to the hospital from here, but for now, I just watched Rice Shower hugging Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen on the stage with tears in her eyes.
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