Sakura Chiyono O no longer needed to glance to her right to know—Oguri Cap had already pulled ahead by half an Uma Musume length. And just a little more than a length behind, Dicta Striker was unleashing her full power, closing the gap with alarming speed.
The race had taken a sharp turn, developing into a situation dangerously unfavorable for Sakura Chiyono O.
"Am I going to lose? Am I going to give up?" she bit down on her lip, every muscle screaming. Having carried the lead for so long, her stamina was running thin—far less than Oguri Cap's or Dicta Striker's.
"But I want to follow Sister Sakura Star O's footsteps! How can I lose here, in the Yayoi Sho?!"
Her pink eyes widened, the edges trembling with burning resolve.
"If it's possible… I'm willing to pay any price! I must win—I must!" Sakura Chiyono O chanted it like a mantra, her legs pounding harder, desperate to snatch back the lead in the next stride.
Oguri Cap couldn't hear her rival's thoughts, but she could feel the determination blazing beside her.
"She hasn't given up," Oguri realized, reading the fierce rhythm in Sakura Chiyono O's steps.
This was different—utterly different—from the local races at Kasamatsu or Mombetsu.
"When I was running in the local circuits, once I overtook them, they would all give up… except Fujimasa March."
Her heart raced faster. "But now, even with this advantage, Sakura Chiyono O hasn't surrendered, and Dicta Striker's still pressing forward too."
"If no one's giving up, then how can I think victory is already mine?" With that realization, Oguri Cap leaned in further, accelerating again.
"I can't relax until I've crossed the finish line!"
The stopwatch ticked down. The commentator's voice trembled, straining to keep up—
"Oguri Cap breaks out from the pack! Mogami Funny can't stop her charge! Only Sakura Chiyono O steadfast in pursue!"
"Dicta Striker's bullet-like burst is tearing through the field—three lengths, two lengths, one! Now she's in third place, joining the fight for the Yayoi Sho's crown!"
"Can Sakura Chiyono O, who's led until now, defend her glory just like Sakura Star O last year—against the challenges of the Golden Bullet and the Star of the Region?!"
"Sakura Star O last year?" Shuta An's lips curved faintly as he heard the commentator. "Not every Uma Musume can do what she did."
"Indeed," Tokai Teio nodded, then murmured, "If it weren't for her injury…"
"It's not about injury." Shuta An shook his head. "She didn't participate in that race. Bringing her up now is disrespectful to those who actually ran."
"You're right!" Teio quickly realized the mistake.
"But for an Uma Musume, missing a race they believed in because of injury…" Shuta An's gaze shifted toward her. "If it's a race that can come again next year, it's bearable. But if it's a once-in-a-lifetime race…"
"Then there's not even time to cry," Teio finished softly. "But whether we get injured or not that's not something we can control, is it?"
"Injuries are often accidents, yes," he said calmly, "but we can always lower the risk. Teio, you said you have a dream. For that dream, I might demand harsh training or enter you in races you don't want. If you're unwilling, tell Miss Rudolph tonight."
Teio hesitated, then asked quietly, "If I follow Trainer's guidance, can I reach that dream?"
"I can't say one hundred percent," he replied, eyes steady. "But I have the utmost confidence."
Then, turning his gaze back to the track, he added under his breath, "She should have won by now."
"Still can't catch up?!" Sakura Chiyono O gasped. "The finish line is right there! Am I going to lose here?!"
If she could've seen her own eyes at that moment, she would've noticed faint cherry blossom patterns blooming in her pupils.
From the stands, Shuta An narrowed his eyes, tapping the railing lightly, muttering to himself, "I didn't expect to see that here"
"How strange" Tokai Teio whispered. "Senior Sakura Chiyono O's presence—it feels so familiar. Like President and the others."
"But not as strong," she added, frowning. "Just faint, like it's flickering."
"Eh?" Berno Light blinked in confusion. "Did you two see something I didn't?"
...Oguri Cap felt it too. Behind her, to the left, came the sound of cherry petals rustling through invisible wind. To the right, a sharp whine—like a bullet ripping through the air. But she didn't falter. She already held the advantage, and whatever was happening around her didn't matter now.
"Who cares about that!" Oguri Cap poured every ounce of strength into her stride, piercing the headwind and charging toward the finish.
"They run for their own dreams but I'm different." The Star of the Region clenched her teeth. "I carry my Trainer's dream too—and that weight is far heavier than yours!"
Dicta Striker grimaced. "Why can't I catch her?! My final burst has never failed—how can she stay out of reach?!"
Sakura Chiyono O, still resisting Dicta Striker's assault while clawing for Oguri's lead, screamed in her heart, "I don't understand! I've already given it everything—so why… why can't I catch up?!"
The commentator could not see their turmoil. His voice roared over the stands, echoing through the stadium—
"The Star of Kasamatsu has conquered the Central track with overwhelming force!"
Then came the inevitable cry that resonated through every spectator's heart:
"Are you really, really, really not considering transferring to the Central circuit for this year's Classic Series?!"
After crossing the finish line first, Oguri Cap swiftly steadied her breathing and slowed her pace. Standing tall on the grass, she glanced back toward Sakura Chiyono O and Dicta Striker—both crossing the line moments after her—before turning toward the stands.
There, fans from Kasamatsu erupted in cheers. Having just witnessed their hometown star's stunning "underdog victory," they waved flags adorned with a chibi illustration of Oguri Cap and the bold words "Star of Kasamatsu — Oguri Cap."
Those flags were not confined to one section. Across several corners of Tokyo Racecourse, identical banners fluttered brightly under the afternoon light. Shuta An only noticed them after the race had ended; throughout the event, the Kasamatsu supporters had kept their flags folded, waiting until Oguri's victory was certain.
"They came all the way from the Tokai region to cheer for her," he murmured in mild astonishment. "What a cute and devoted group—they've got real heart."
"How wonderful… Senior Oguri has such loyal fans," Tokai Teio sighed, her tone tinged with envy. "I want to debut soon too—so I can have fans cheering for me like that."
"You still have a few years before your full development begins," Shuta An replied, lightly pressing a hand on her head. "Focus on training and building your foundation before you think about debuting. That's what truly matters right now."
"I know, I know," Teio said, sticking out her tongue playfully.
On the left, Berno Light joined in. "Trainer, your vow has been fulfilled."
"Defeating Central?" Shuta An chuckled and pinched her cheek. "This is just a G2 race—it hardly represents Central."
"Exactly!" Tokai Teio quickly agreed, proud of her home turf. "How could a mere Yayoi Sho stand for all of Central?"
"Then which race does represent Central, Teio?" Berno Light asked teasingly. "No one here would know better than you."
"If I had to name one…" Teio's answer came without hesitation. "It's the Japanese Derby. Winning that means standing at the very top of Central's generation."
"But Oguri can't even enter," Berno Light said coldly. "Not with the URA's registration rules."
Having seen Oguri's brilliance firsthand, Teio also felt the sting of unfairness. She smiled awkwardly. "It's true the rules aren't ideal. But President has actually discussed revising them—starting next year, local Uma Musumes might finally be allowed into the Classic Races."
"Is that the only unreasonable rule?" Shuta An exhaled sharply. "The ban on late entries is just as absurd. Are Uma Musumes who mature slower not allowed to chase their dreams?"
"Trainer" Teio looked down, caught off guard. She had never thought about it that way before.
After a moment of silence, she said earnestly, "I'll tell the Kaichou about this."
"Teio really is a kind child," Shuta An said softly.
"Don't treat me like a child!" Teio pouted, puffing her cheeks in protest. The sight was so endearing that the Trainer couldn't resist poking them with his finger.
Meanwhile, on the track, Oguri Cap had finished waving to the crowd and turned to greet Sakura Chiyono O and Dicta Striker. It was almost poetic—these three, who had pushed each other to the limit, only now exchanged words after the results were decided.
"Oguri Cap, you're really strong." Sakura Chiyono O smiled ruefully. "The pressure you gave me it's completely on par with Sister Sakura Star O."
"I'm not that strong," Oguri Cap said with sincere humility. "I still have a lot of room to grow."
Dicta Striker's lips twitched. 'She beat us both and still says that?' The brown-haired girl clenched her fists in quiet frustration.
But she couldn't argue. After all, Oguri Cap was stronger.
"What a pity," Sakura Chiyono O sighed. "If only you could enter the Satsuki Sho. I'm sure you'd give us an incredible race."
Dicta Striker wanted to agree, but a sharp pain shot through her leg, forcing her to grit her teeth and bear it.
Oguri Cap didn't notice her condition; she simply smiled. "It's fine. Missing the Classic Race isn't the end. Let's meet again in the second half of the year's races!"
"Mm! By then, I won't be so easily overtaken by you again!" Sakura Chiyono O clenched her fist with renewed resolve. Though she had lost today, that mysterious feeling she'd touched upon in the final straight lingered in her heart. If she could grasp and refine it, she knew she would grow much stronger.
Oguri Cap's final time for the Yayoi Sho was 2:00.6, finishing 0.5 seconds ahead of Sakura Chiyono O—about seven lengths of distance. For her Central debut, it was an astonishing result.
Shuta An could already picture tomorrow's headlines praising her victory.
Of course, he also knew that after the praise, every article would mention the same frustrating fact—that because of her regional status, Oguri Cap was ineligible for the Classic circuit.
"But that's all they'll say," he thought. "Maybe a few will urge her to transfer to Central—but it's too late for that now. None of them would risk offending the URA Association by calling the rule unfair."
Still, that wasn't absolute. If Oguri Cap achieved results overseas, the URA would have no choice but to take notice—and panic.
"They're asking for it," Shuta An muttered, his lips curling. "Barring a Uma Musume from the Classics because of her birthplace… no other region is that ridiculous."
Just as he was thinking this, Berno Light poked his side and chirped, "Trainer, we've arrived at the restaurant!"