May.
A new month.
Spring was slowly beginning to give way to the warmer days ahead.
The temperatures were mild, the air was still comfortable, and the humidity had yet to reach the oppressive levels that would arrive with June's rainy season.
Across Tokyo, the scenery had begun to change.
Late-spring flowers were in bloom.
Parks and gardens were filled with color.
Traditional festivals were beginning to appear throughout the city.
And for the students of Tracen Academy, another thing had arrived with May.
Another race day.
Another test.
Another opportunity to make history.
The previous month, April, had already delivered one of the biggest surprises of the new racing season.
King Halo had done it.
She had won the Oka Sho.
The first leg of the Triple Tiara.
A mile race.
A distance that many had questioned whether King could truly dominate.
Yet she had answered every doubt in the loudest way possible.
Six lengths.
That was the margin.
Six.
By the time she crossed the finish line, the rest of the field was nowhere near her.
The victory had immediately pushed her back into the spotlight.
Reporters wanted interviews.
Spectators wanted photographs.
Commentators wanted to discuss her chances.
And the racing world wanted to know one thing.
Could King Halo actually do it?
Could a Triple Crown winner really win the Triple Tiara as well?
Could she become the first Umamusume to claim both crowns?
The Oka Sho had answered the first question.
But it had created an even bigger one.
Could she do it again?
Because the second race was no longer a mile.
It was no longer about raw acceleration alone.
It was the Japanese Oaks.
Two thousand four hundred meters.
A completely different challenge.
A completely different kind of race.
And unlike the Oka Sho...
There would be nowhere to hide.
It was Sunday morning.
Tokyo Racecourse was already beginning to come alive.
Thousands of spectators had begun arriving hours before the scheduled race.
Trains were filling.
Roads around Fuchu were becoming increasingly busy.
Merchandise stalls were being prepared.
Food vendors were setting up.
Large screens were being tested.
The main grandstand was slowly filling with spectators carrying banners, flags, and photographs of their favorite Umamusume.
And among all the conversations...
One name kept appearing.
King Halo.
"Do you think she can win again?"
"She won the Oka Sho by six lengths!"
"But that was a mile."
"Two thousand four hundred meters is completely different."
"She's a Triple Crown winner, though."
"That's exactly why I'm watching!"
The debate continued throughout the racecourse.
Some believed King Halo had already proven herself.
Others believed the Japanese Oaks would expose the weakness in her distance aptitude.
And some simply wanted to witness history.
Because if King won today...
The impossible would suddenly feel possible.
But before the crowds arrived...
Before the cameras.
Before the commentators.
Before the gates opened...
There was only the morning.
The sun had barely begun to rise over Tracen Academy.
Most of the campus was still asleep.
Dormitory windows remained dark.
The hallways were quiet.
The training facilities had yet to fill with the usual sounds of footsteps, whistles, and trainers calling out instructions.
Even the roads surrounding the academy were unusually quiet.
Only a handful of cars passed in the distance.
And among the sleeping campus...
One Umamusume was already awake.
King Halo.
She jogged along the campus pathways at a steady pace.
Her red-and-white tracksuit moved naturally with every stride.
Her breathing was controlled.
Her posture was upright.
Her arms moved rhythmically beside her body.
She wasn't pushing herself.
Not today.
This was simply her morning routine.
A way of waking her body.
A way of clearing her mind.
The only sounds accompanying her were the soft rush of the morning breeze, distant traffic, leaves rustling overhead, and birds chirping somewhere within the trees.
Her shoes tapped softly against the pavement.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
Another corner.
Another stretch of pathway.
King Halo maintained her pace.
The Japanese Oaks was coming.
She knew it.
Everyone knew it.
But for the moment...
She wasn't thinking about the race.
She wasn't thinking about the Triple Tiara.
She wasn't thinking about the reporters.
She wasn't thinking about her mother.
She was simply running.
Eventually, her breathing became slightly deeper.
King glanced toward the sky.
The sun was beginning to climb above the horizon.
Golden light slowly spilled across the academy buildings.
She eased off her pace.
A jog became a light jog.
Then a brisk walk.
Then finally...
A normal walk.
King Halo slowed as she approached the dormitory entrance.
She wiped a small amount of sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand.
Then reached into the pocket of her tracksuit pants.
Her phone.
She unlocked the screen.
There were several notifications.
Messages from classmates.
Messages from fans.
Race-related updates.
And one conversation that immediately caught her attention.
Her mother's.
King stared at the message thread.
For several seconds, she simply looked at the screen.
Then opened it.
The conversation was from the previous evening.
King: Are you going to see the Japanese Oaks race tomorrow?
There was a pause before her mother replied.
Mother: I might. A couple of the races do pique my interest.
King's eyes narrowed slightly.
She typed.
King: ....
Then another message.
King: What about me?
The reply came several minutes later.
Mother: Sure... You too...
King stared at those three words.
You too.
That was it.
No congratulations.
No encouragement.
No mention of the Oka Sho.
No acknowledgment of the six-length victory.
Nothing.
Her ears slowly drooped.
Her expression fell.
"..."
She locked the phone.
For a moment, she simply stood there beneath the early morning sunlight.
Then sighed.
"Mother..."
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
"Why...?"
Her left eyebrow twitched.
The frustration she'd been trying so hard to keep buried began to surface again.
"When will you ever acknowledge what I've accomplished...?"
Her hand tightened slightly around the phone.
She had won the Triple Crown.
She had won the Arima Kinen.
She had won the Oka Sho.
She had spent countless hours training.
She had sacrificed sleep.
She had endured injuries.
She had endured criticism.
And yet...
To her mother...
It still seemed like nothing.
King closed her eyes.
She inhaled slowly.
Then exhaled.
"No."
Her grip relaxed.
"Not today."
She slipped her phone back into her tracksuit pocket.
"Today isn't about her."
She opened her eyes.
"It is about me."
With that, King turned toward the dormitory entrance.
The automatic doors opened with a quiet mechanical sound.
She stepped inside.
The warmth of the building immediately surrounded her.
The quiet hallway greeted her.
King walked toward the staircase.
One step.
Then another.
Her footsteps echoed softly through the otherwise empty stairwell.
She climbed to her floor.
Then walked down the corridor toward her room.
She stopped outside the door.
Her hand rested on the handle.
She slowly opened it.
Just enough to peek inside.
Her roommate was already awake.
Haru Urara sat on the edge of her bed, still looking half-asleep.
Her hair was slightly messy.
Her eyes were barely open.
She yawned and rubbed one eye.
"G-Good morning, King-san..."
King's ears immediately perked up.
Her left ear twitched once.
Then again.
The frustration from moments earlier disappeared from her face.
A softer smile formed.
"Good morning, Urara-chan."
Urara blinked.
Then slowly pulled the blanket away from her legs.
She picked up her large carrot plush and carefully placed it beside the wall.
Then slid her legs over the side of the bed.
Her feet touched the floor.
She stood.
Another yawn.
She rubbed her right eye.
"You went for an early run, right?"
King nodded.
"That's right."
She walked toward her bed.
Then sat down.
King leaned forward and began removing her red-and-white running shoes.
She loosened the laces.
One shoe came off.
Then the other.
She pushed both shoes underneath the bed.
Then sat upright again.
Urara watched her quietly.
She could tell something was bothering King.
She didn't need to ask.
The expression on King's face was enough.
Urara walked over.
Then sat beside her.
For several seconds...
Neither said anything.
Finally, Urara spoke.
"Cheer up, King-san."
King glanced at her.
Urara smiled.
"I know you're going to smash today's race."
King's expression softened slightly.
Urara continued.
"Don't worry about what your Mom said."
"Just focus on yourself."
"Focus on the race."
She raised one finger.
"It's just you..."
Then pointed toward the imaginary track in front of them.
"...and whatever is blocking your path to victory."
King stared at her.
Urara's eyes were practically glowing with optimism.
There wasn't a trace of doubt in them.
King couldn't help but smile.
"Thank you, Urara-chan."
She placed a hand against her chest.
"I really appreciate it."
Urara nodded rapidly.
"Your Mom might be quite the character..."
She paused.
"...but you are what defines you!"
King blinked.
Urara raised both fists.
"And don't forget!"
"You've got a whole school cheering for you!"
"And hundreds of thousands of fans!"
"Everyone wants to see you win!"
King chuckled.
She lifted one hand to cover her mouth.
"You really know how to cheer someone up."
Urara smiled proudly.
"That's what roommates are for!"
King lowered her hand.
She looked toward the window.
The sunlight had become brighter now.
The campus was beginning to wake.
She could already hear footsteps in the hallway.
Doors opening.
Students talking.
The distant sound of vehicles.
Another race day was approaching.
King took one final breath.
Then smiled.
"I really do appreciate it."
"Not just from you..."
"But from everyone."
Urara nodded.
"Then go show them what you're made of!"
King stood.
She stretched both arms above her head.
Her back straightened.
Her shoulders rolled backward.
She twisted slightly from side to side.
Then let her arms fall.
"I'm going to take a shower."
She reached toward the side of her bed and picked up a towel.
"After that, I'll head to the track."
Urara blinked.
"You're training again?"
"Of course."
King placed the towel over her shoulder.
"I want to get some practice in before the race."
She glanced toward the clock.
"Better to do it early before the track gets too busy."
Urara nodded.
"Alrighty, King-san!"
King walked toward the door.
She stopped briefly.
Then turned around.
"Urara-chan."
"Hm?"
King smiled.
"Thank you."
Urara smiled back.
"Anytime!"
King opened the door.
Then stepped into the hallway.
She pulled the door closed behind her.
Click.
Silence returned to the room.
Urara looked toward the closed door.
Then smiled.
"She's going to be okay."
Outside...
King Halo walked down the corridor.
Her towel rested over one shoulder.
Her casual clothes were tucked beneath her arm.
Her footsteps were steady.
Her ears stood proudly upright.
The frustration was still there.
The disappointment was still there.
But it no longer controlled her.
Her mother could doubt her.
The critics could doubt her.
The racing world could doubt her.
It didn't matter.
She had already answered them once.
She would answer them again.
King reached the staircase.
She began walking down.
One step at a time.
Toward the showers.
Toward the training track.
Toward the racecourse.
And eventually...
Toward the second crown.
The Japanese Oaks was waiting.
And King Halo was coming.
Time slowly passed.
The sun climbed higher into the spring sky, gradually washing the campus in warm morning light.
What had been a quiet and sleepy academy only a few hours earlier was now almost unrecognizable.
The dormitories were alive.
Doors opened and closed.
Students hurried through the hallways.
Trainers carried equipment toward waiting vehicles.
Race participants gathered their bags, race gear, and personal belongings before heading toward Tokyo Racecourse.
The atmosphere was different from an ordinary Sunday.
There was an unmistakable sense of anticipation hanging over Tracen Academy.
Today was the Japanese Oaks.
And everyone knew what was at stake.
For those driving themselves, Tokyo Racecourse was only around ten to fifteen minutes away under normal traffic conditions.
But with a major race taking place, the surrounding roads were already beginning to fill.
King Halo had finished preparing.
She stood alone in front of the mirror inside her dorm room.
For several seconds, she simply stared at her reflection.
Everything was in place.
Her clothes were neatly arranged.
Her hair was perfect.
Her expression was composed.
Yet...
Something lingered behind her eyes.
Doubt.
Not doubt about her ability to run.
Not doubt about her training.
Something deeper.
The words from her mother earlier that morning still remained in her mind.
Sure... You too...
Three words.
Yet somehow...
They had managed to hurt more than an entire page of criticism.
King slowly exhaled through her nose.
Her lips pressed into a thin line.
Her ears lowered slightly.
Then—
Two arms wrapped around her from behind.
King blinked.
A familiar voice came from behind her.
"Don't think about the doubter, King-san."
King's ears immediately perked up.
Haru Urara rested her chin lightly against King's shoulder.
"We've got your back."
She smiled.
"Win or lose."
King remained silent for a moment.
Then her expression softened.
She placed one hand over Urara's.
"And I appreciate all the support, Urara-chan."
She gently squeezed her hand.
"From you..."
"And from everyone else."
Urara smiled.
King slowly turned around.
She carefully moved Urara's arms aside and crouched down until they were at the same height.
King looked directly into her eyes.
"You..."
She placed both hands lightly on Urara's shoulders.
"...and everyone else here at Tracen..."
"You are the reason I'm not going to quit."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
Her confidence returned.
"Not now."
A pause.
"And not ever."
Urara's smile widened.
King then reached up.
She gently patted Urara's head.
Then ruffled her hair.
"Thank you."
Urara giggled.
"Hehe..."
King stood back up.
She walked toward the small table beside her bed.
A set of car keys sat there.
She picked them up.
The familiar shape of the Nissan key fob rested in her palm.
Her R32 GT-R.
For race days, it had become her preferred choice.
King then reached down and picked up her duffle bag.
Inside were some personal accessories, additional clothing, and her race suit.
She slung the bag over her shoulder.
Then walked toward the door.
Before leaving, she turned around.
"I'll eat at the racecourse."
She adjusted the bag.
"And after that, I'll get some practice jogging around the course."
Urara nodded.
"Okay, King!"
She raised one hand and waved.
"I'll see you later for the race!"
King smiled.
"I'll see you there."
She opened the door.
Stepped into the hallway.
Then closed it behind her.
Click.
King continued down the dormitory corridor.
Her footsteps echoed softly.
She reached the staircase.
Then descended toward the first floor.
The lobby was considerably busier now.
Several students passed by carrying bags.
Others were already leaving for the racecourse.
King gave a few polite nods as she passed.
"Good luck today, King!"
"Thanks."
"Go get another victory!"
"I intend to."
She stepped outside.
The spring air greeted her.
The dormitory parking area was now considerably more active.
Cars were starting.
Doors were closing.
Engines idled.
A few Umamusume were loading their belongings into trunks.
King walked between the rows of vehicles.
Past several familiar cars.
Then finally...
She reached hers.
Her R32 Skyline GT-R.
The Kyoseki Green coupe sat quietly in its parking space.
Unlike her Gemballa Mirage GT, the R32 didn't attract nearly as much attention.
It was still an unmistakable performance car.
Still modified.
Still powerful.
But compared with the extravagant Mirage GT...
The R32 was almost understated.
King walked around toward the rear.
She pulled the key from her pocket.
Inserted it into the trunk lock.
Click.
She lifted the rear trunk lid.
Inside was enough space for her duffle bag.
She gently placed it inside.
Then reached upward.
Thud.
The trunk closed.
King then walked around toward the driver's side.
She unlocked the door.
Pulled the handle.
The door opened.
She lowered herself into the driver's seat.
The familiar bucket seat immediately surrounded her.
King adjusted herself slightly.
Then reached for the four-point harness.
She pulled the lap belts across her hips.
The first tongue slid into the central buckle.
Click.
She pulled the second side across.
Click.
Then she reached behind herself.
Grabbed the shoulder belts.
Pulled them forward.
One over her left shoulder.
The other over her right.
She guided both toward the central buckle.
Click.
Click.
King tugged on each belt.
Secure.
She reached toward the ignition.
Inserted the key.
Then paused.
Before starting the engine, she lowered the window.
The cool spring air immediately flowed into the cabin.
King smiled faintly.
Then—
"King-san!"
King looked to her left.
A familiar figure was jogging across the parking area.
Mejiro Palmer.
King pulled the driver's door closed.
She leaned toward the open window and rested one elbow against the door frame.
"Ah, Palmer."
She smiled.
"Good late morning."
Palmer chuckled as she reached the R32.
She leaned against the roof, resting one arm over it.
"What's up, King-san?"
"You heading out this early?"
King nodded.
"That's right."
She glanced toward the clock on the dashboard.
"Better to have lunch at the racecourse."
"Then I'll get some practice jogging around the course before everyone else arrives."
Palmer nodded.
"Yeah, makes sense."
She looked around the parking lot.
Then back toward King.
Her eyes eventually settled on the R32.
She raised an eyebrow.
"So..."
King waited.
"What's with the R32?"
Palmer tapped the roof lightly.
"You usually drive that Mirage GT, right?"
King nodded.
"Correct."
"But during races, I usually drive the R32."
She patted the top of the door frame.
"I don't want people thinking I'm showing off by arriving at a race in a rare, high-end supercar."
Palmer slowly nodded.
"I..."
She glanced at the R32 again.
"...see."
King smiled.
"Besides, this car is more than capable of getting me there."
Palmer chuckled.
"Fair enough."
She gave the roof one final pat.
"Well, I won't hold you up."
She pushed herself away from the R32.
"Better not delay you any further."
Palmer started walking away.
Then stopped.
She turned around and raised a hand.
"See you later for the race!"
"All the best!"
King smiled.
"Thanks, Palmer."
Palmer waved.
"Go get 'em!"
King watched her jog away.
Then turned her attention back toward the dashboard.
She reached for the ignition key.
Her fingers wrapped around it.
She twisted it toward the accessory position.
The electrical system came alive.
The dashboard illuminated.
The fuel pump primed.
King waited a moment.
Then twisted the key farther.
Chk-chk-chk-chk-chk—
The starter engaged.
A moment later—
BRRRAAAAMM—
The RB26DETT fired to life.
The familiar inline-six exhaust note echoed through the parking area.
King smiled.
She reached toward the shoulder strap adjusters.
Pulled them slightly.
Then tightened both shoulder belts another notch.
Secure.
Comfortable.
She raised the window.
The cabin became quieter.
King placed her left hand on the steering wheel.
Her right hand rested near the shifter.
She glanced toward the exit of the parking lot.
Then toward the sky.
The morning was already becoming brighter.
Today was different.
The Oka Sho had been the first step.
The Japanese Oaks would be the second.
She knew exactly what was waiting for her.
Two thousand four hundred meters.
A left-handed turf course.
A field of determined Umamusume.
And thousands upon thousands of spectators waiting to see whether the winner of the Oka Sho could do it again.
King's grip tightened slightly around the steering wheel.
Her eyes narrowed.
"One race at a time."
She shifted into first.
Released the clutch smoothly.
The R32 began rolling.
Slowly at first.
King guided the GT-R through the parking area.
She reached the exit.
Paused.
Looked left.
Then right.
Clear.
She eased onto the road.
The RB26 settled into a smooth cruise as she headed away from Tracen Academy.
Behind her, the dormitories slowly disappeared into the distance.
Ahead...
Tokyo Racecourse waited.
And with it...
The second battle for the Triple Tiara.
King Halo leaned back into her bucket seat.
Her expression was calm.
Focused.
Confident.
The doubt from that morning was still somewhere inside her.
But it no longer mattered.
Because today...
She wasn't running to prove her mother wrong.
She wasn't running to silence the critics.
She wasn't running simply because history demanded it.
She was running because she wanted to.
And as the R32 continued toward the racecourse, King allowed herself one small smile.
"Let's see..."
"...how far I can take this."
The RB26 responded with a deep, steady growl.
And King Halo continued toward the Tokyo Racecourse.
Traffic was mild.
It was still relatively early in the morning, and the streets of Fuchu had yet to become crowded. Cars moved steadily through the familiar suburban roads, passing convenience stores, residential buildings, small businesses, and the occasional cyclist making their way along the side of the road.
King kept the R32 at a comfortable pace.
There was no reason to rush.
She had left the dormitory early enough to give herself plenty of time before the race.
The RB26DETT hummed beneath the hood, its exhaust note restrained as King moved through the streets. Every time she gave the accelerator a little more pressure, the turbochargers responded with a faint whistle before settling back down once she lifted.
King kept both hands on the steering wheel.
Her eyes remained focused on the road ahead.
But her mind kept returning to the same thought.
The Japanese Oaks.
Race Two.
The second leg of the Triple Tiara.
The midway point.
One victory already secured.
One more victory needed.
And then...
One final race.
King's ears twitched.
She briefly glanced toward the dashboard before returning her attention to the road.
"One race at a time."
She quietly reminded herself.
The R32 continued through the streets of Fuchu.
Soon, the familiar surroundings began giving way to the roads surrounding the Tokyo Racecourse.
The large structures of the racecourse gradually appeared between buildings and trees.
King slowed slightly as she approached the entrance.
Even from outside, she could already tell that the course would become packed later.
The Japanese Oaks attracted an enormous crowd.
Thousands of spectators would eventually fill the stands.
But for now...
The parking area remained surprisingly quiet.
King turned into the parking lot.
The large expanse of asphalt stretched out before her.
Rows of spaces were still vacant.
Only a handful of cars occupied the lot.
A gentle breeze moved through the surrounding trees, rustling the leaves overhead. Every now and then, a small pile of leaves would break apart and scatter across the pavement.
The morning was peaceful.
Almost too peaceful considering what was waiting for her later.
King drove farther into the lot.
She looked around.
"Pretty empty..."
Her eyes moved across the vacant spaces.
"Won't stay that way for long."
She spotted an empty parking space beside a light pole.
King activated the turn signal.
The R32 slowed.
She pressed the clutch pedal and gently applied the brakes.
The car rolled forward another few meters.
Then came to a smooth stop.
King pulled the handbrake upward.
Click.
She reached for the ignition key.
Twist.
The key turned counterclockwise.
The RB26DETT immediately fell silent.
The engine's mechanical hum disappeared.
The turbochargers gradually wound down, their faint whistle fading away.
For a few moments, the only sound around the car was the faint ticking of hot metal cooling beneath the hood.
Tick.
Tick.
Tick.
King remained seated.
Her hands rested loosely on the steering wheel.
She stared through the windshield toward the empty parking lot.
Then she slowly inhaled.
And exhaled.
"Race Two of Three."
Her voice was quiet.
"The midway point."
Those words carried considerably more weight than they sounded.
The Oka Sho was behind her.
The Japanese Oaks was ahead.
And if she succeeded today...
She would be one race away from accomplishing something no Umamusume had ever done before.
The Double Slam.
Winning both the Triple Crown and Triple Tiara.
King's ears lowered slightly.
The thought alone was enough to make the pressure return.
Everyone was watching.
Her classmates.
Her friends.
Her trainer.
The racing world.
And, most importantly...
Her mother.
King's eyes narrowed.
She shook her head.
"No."
She reached down and released the four-point harness.
Twist.
Click.
The main buckle released.
She pulled the shoulder straps away from her body and loosened them before pushing them aside.
Then she reached for the driver's door.
Pull.
The door opened.
Cool morning air immediately flowed into the cockpit.
King slid her legs out from underneath the steering wheel and planted her shoes onto the asphalt.
She pushed herself upward and stepped completely out of the car.
The driver's door remained open for a moment.
King stood beside the R32.
She closed her eyes.
Inhaled deeply.
The air smelled faintly of asphalt, trees, and the lingering scent of fuel and exhaust.
She slowly exhaled.
Her eyes opened again.
The nervousness was still there.
But it wasn't controlling her.
Not anymore.
She looked back at the R32.
The Kyoseki Green paint reflected the pale morning sunlight.
The car looked almost comically aggressive sitting alone in the quiet parking area.
King smiled faintly.
"At least you're coming with me today."
She closed the driver's door.
Thud.
The sound echoed softly across the empty parking lot.
King then walked around the car toward the rear.
Her duffle bag was still in the trunk.
She reached into her pocket and pulled out the key.
She inserted it into the trunk lock.
Twist.
Click.
The trunk released.
King placed one hand underneath the lid and lifted it.
The trunk opened.
Her duffle bag sat inside.
She reached in and grabbed it.
The bag was heavier than it looked, containing her race suit, accessories, spare clothing, and other equipment she would need throughout the day.
King pulled it out and rested the strap over her shoulder.
Then she reached up and pulled the trunk lid downward.
Before it could close completely...
A familiar engine note reached her ears.
King stopped.
Her ears immediately perked up.
A deep mechanical rumble echoed across the parking area.
Not a normal V8.
Something sharper.
Something more exotic.
King slowly turned her head toward the road.
The sound grew louder.
A flat-plane-crank V8.
Her eyes narrowed.
Then a familiar red shape appeared.
A Ferrari F40 slowly entered the parking area.
The sound of its twin-turbocharged V8 echoed between the surrounding buildings.
King recognized it instantly.
Symboli Rudolf.
The F40 approached the parking space directly beside her R32.
King watched it roll closer.
The Ferrari slowed.
The brakes were applied.
The F40 coasted into the parking space and came to a smooth stop.
The engine continued idling for another few seconds.
Then...
The ignition was switched off.
The V8 fell silent.
A faint metallic ticking followed as the engine bay and exhaust system began cooling.
King folded her arms.
A smirk appeared on her face.
"Showoff..."
The driver's side door opened.
The carbon-fiber-and-Kevlar door swung outward.
Rudolf leaned out of the cockpit.
She immediately spotted King.
"King. Good morning."
King raised an eyebrow.
"Good morning, Kaichou."
The passenger-side door then opened.
Mr. C.B stepped out.
She stretched her shoulders and looked around the parking area before noticing King.
"King! Hey there!"
King shook her head.
She placed her right hand against her hip.
"You two are such showoffs."
Rudolf chuckled.
She stepped out of the F40 and gently closed the door.
Thud.
She inserted the key and locked the door.
C.B walked around the front of the Ferrari and joined them.
King glanced at the F40.
Then at her R32.
Then back at the F40.
"You couldn't have arrived in something less conspicuous?"
Rudolf raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
"You drove an F40."
Rudolf shrugged.
"It's my car."
King sighed.
"Exactly."
C.B immediately laughed.
"You're just jealous."
King's eyes narrowed.
"I am not."
"You totally are."
"I am not."
"Are too."
Rudolf chuckled.
"Enough, you two."
C.B laughed again.
King shook her head.
She adjusted the strap of her duffle bag.
Rudolf looked at her more seriously.
"Are you ready for the halfway point?"
King didn't hesitate.
She nodded.
"Ready as I'll ever be."
C.B gently nudged Rudolf's shoulder.
"Why are you saying it like that?"
She gestured toward King.
"Look at her. It's not like she's feeling the pressure at all."
Rudolf looked at King.
King simply stood there with a calm expression.
C.B then grinned.
"From what I'm guessing, those relaxing late-night drives helped you out, huh, King?"
King chuckled.
She shrugged her shoulders.
"Pretty much."
C.B nodded knowingly.
"Thought so."
King smiled faintly.
"There's something about being alone on the road at night."
She looked toward the distant city beyond the parking area.
"No crowds."
"No cameras."
"No reporters."
"No one asking questions."
"Just the road."
She paused.
"And the car."
Rudolf smiled.
"Your own way of clearing your mind."
King nodded.
"Exactly."
C.B crossed her arms.
"And somehow you still manage to arrive at training late afterward."
King's expression immediately changed.
She looked at C.B.
"...That happened once."
C.B raised an eyebrow.
"Once?"
Rudolf looked between them.
"More than once, actually."
King's ears flattened.
"Kaichou..."
Rudolf laughed softly.
"I'm merely stating the facts."
King sighed.
"Fine."
C.B grinned.
"At least you're sleeping afterward."
King nodded.
"Eventually."
The three began walking toward the racecourse entrance.
King carried her duffle bag over one shoulder while Rudolf and C.B walked alongside her.
The parking area was slowly becoming busier.
More cars were beginning to arrive.
Some spectators were already walking toward the entrance.
Others were unloading bags, cameras, and other belongings from their vehicles.
King glanced around.
"We should probably get inside before this place becomes completely packed."
Rudolf nodded.
"Agreed."
As they continued toward the entrance, King glanced at C.B and Rudolf.
"Speaking of which..."
She looked toward Rudolf.
"How's Sirius doing so far?"
Rudolf nodded.
"She's doing alright. She already began her trip home."
King's eyes widened slightly.
Her ears straightened.
"Oh, really?"
C.B nodded.
"It's quite a long trip for her."
She chuckled.
"She's basically going halfway around the world just to get back here."
King tilted her head.
"How long is the route?"
C.B raised both hands behind her head as if leaning against an invisible chair.
"Well..."
"She'll go to the West Coast first."
"Then up through Canada."
"Then Alaska."
"After that, across the Pacific."
"Then Russia."
"Then Northern Japan."
"And finally here."
King stared at her.
"...That's a hell of a trip."
C.B nodded.
"Yep."
Rudolf chuckled.
"Considering the aircraft she's flying, it isn't exactly like catching the train."
King looked toward Rudolf.
"So Sirius is landing in Chofu?"
Rudolf shook her head.
"No."
King tilted her head.
"Tokyo?"
C.B nodded.
"Tokyo."
"Chofu's runway is too short for her Starship."
King blinked.
"Really?"
"Really."
C.B then added.
"The Beechcraft Starship needs considerably more room than her Bonanza."
King thought for a moment.
"But her Bonanza is still parked in Chofu, right?"
C.B nodded.
"Right."
King hummed thoughtfully.
"So she'll be using the Starship for the long trip and the Bonanza for shorter flights?"
"Pretty much."
King shook her head.
"Sirius really doesn't do anything normally, does she?"
Rudolf laughed.
"That's Sirius for you."
C.B nodded.
"She could have simply flown commercial."
King glanced at her.
"She absolutely could have."
"And she absolutely didn't," C.B replied.
King laughed.
"Of course."
The three continued walking.
The entrance to the Tokyo Racecourse was getting closer.
Behind them, the parking lot was gradually beginning to fill.
More engines could be heard in the distance.
More spectators were arriving.
The peaceful morning was slowly disappearing.
The racecourse was waking up.
And with every step King took toward the entrance...
The Japanese Oaks drew closer.
Race Two of Three.
The midway point.
King's expression became serious again.
She adjusted the strap of her duffle bag.
Then looked toward the massive racecourse ahead.
"Alright."
Her ears lifted.
"Let's get this done."
Rudolf glanced at her.
C.B smiled.
"That's the spirit."
Rudolf nodded.
"One race at a time."
King smiled.
"One race at a time."
Together, the three walked through the entrance.
And behind them, the Kyoseki Green R32 sat quietly in the morning sunlight.
Waiting patiently for its owner to return.
But by then...
King Halo would either be one step closer to history—
Or perhaps, one step closer to finding out just how difficult the impossible really was.
The trio continued through the corridors of the Tokyo Racecourse.
The sounds of the outside world slowly faded behind them.
The distant chatter of spectators.
The occasional announcement echoing through the racecourse speakers.
The footsteps of staff members moving through the corridors.
Everything gradually became quieter as King Halo approached the racers' locker rooms.
She eventually stopped at the entrance.
Rudolf and C.B remained behind for the moment.
King glanced over her shoulder.
"I'll see you two later."
C.B raised a hand.
"Good luck with your preparation, King."
Rudolf nodded.
"Take your time. There's still plenty of time before the race."
King smiled.
"I know."
She then turned around and entered the locker room.
The atmosphere inside was considerably calmer.
Several lockers lined the walls.
Benches occupied the center of the room.
Some Umamusume had already arrived and were preparing themselves for the race.
Others were still talking amongst themselves.
King didn't pay much attention to them.
She simply walked toward an empty bench.
Her duffle bag landed gently on the seat.
She sat down.
Then unzipped it.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Almost ceremonially.
Her hand reached inside.
And she pulled out her racing outfit.
Her G1 race attire.
The outfit everyone had become familiar with over the years.
A green dress decorated with violet stripes running down the sides, accented by gold trims.
Six large white buttons ran down the center.
The upper portion featured a clean white collar that contrasted against the green fabric.
King unfolded the dress across her lap.
She stared at it for several seconds.
Her fingers lightly traced the fabric.
This wasn't simply another racing outfit.
It had been with her through some of the greatest moments of her career.
The victories.
The defeats.
The criticism.
The celebrations.
And most importantly...
The Triple Crown.
King's expression softened.
She remembered standing on the podium after her third Crown victory.
The cameras.
The crowd.
The roar of thousands of voices.
The trophy in her hands.
And the person she had wanted to hear from more than anyone.
Her mother.
King's ears slowly lowered.
She shook her head.
"No."
Her expression hardened again.
"Not today."
She stood up.
Walking over to her locker, she opened it.
The metal door swung outward with a faint creak.
King carefully hung her racing dress inside.
She adjusted the shoulders.
Straightened the collar.
Then stepped back.
Perfect.
She closed the locker halfway.
Then returned to her duffle bag.
Her accessories came next.
First was her green shadow roll.
She picked it up and examined it briefly before placing it with the rest of her race equipment.
Then came her gloves.
Violet.
A white slit running across each glove.
Six polka dots.
Three of those dots were gold.
Each one representing one of her Triple Crown victories.
King stared at them.
Six races.
Three victories.
Three moments that had changed her career forever.
She gently placed the gloves into the locker.
Then came her white Mary Jane buckled heels.
She placed those neatly at the bottom.
Everything had its place.
Everything was ready.
King folded her duffle bag and placed it beside her accessories.
She closed the locker.
Click.
She crossed her arms.
Her eyes narrowed.
"All set."
She gave herself one final nod.
Then walked away.
She didn't immediately go looking for Rudolf or C.B.
Instead, she headed toward the track.
The path took her through the underground tunnel system beneath the racecourse.
Her footsteps echoed against the concrete walls.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
The further she went, the brighter the light ahead became.
King eventually saw the opening.
She walked toward it.
The brightness increased.
She raised one hand above her eyes like a visor.
Then stepped outside.
The sunlight hit her face.
She blinked several times.
Her eyes slowly adjusted.
And then she saw it.
Tokyo Racecourse.
The enormous turf course stretched out before her.
The grandstands towered along one side.
The railings followed the contours of the track.
The turf itself looked immaculate.
Freshly maintained.
Perfectly trimmed.
Waiting.
King stood there silently.
She turned her head.
Left.
Then right.
Only a handful of Umamusume had arrived early enough to begin their preparations.
Three were already jogging around the course.
Others were still making their way toward the paddock and preparation areas.
King smiled faintly.
"Plenty of room."
She stepped forward.
Following the red path toward the track.
Once she reached the edge, she stepped onto the turf.
Her shoes sank slightly into the grass.
She paused.
Looking down.
Then forward.
The Japanese Oaks.
Two thousand four hundred meters.
Left-handed.
A completely different challenge from the Oka Sho.
The Oka Sho had been a mile.
Short.
Fast.
Explosive.
The Japanese Oaks was something else entirely.
It demanded patience.
Judgment.
Stamina.
And the ability to maintain composure for a much longer period.
King knew that.
She had spent months preparing for it.
But knowing something intellectually and experiencing it on the course were two very different things.
She began walking.
Counter-clockwise.
Following the direction of the upcoming race.
Her steps were relaxed.
Controlled.
She wasn't trying to set a time.
She wasn't trying to impress anyone.
She was simply feeling the surface beneath her feet.
After a few moments, she began to jog.
Her pace gradually increased.
Her arms moved naturally.
Her breathing remained controlled.
One lap.
Then another.
King settled into her rhythm.
Up in the grandstands, Rudolf and C.B watched.
C.B leaned against the railing.
Her eyes followed King as she passed underneath them.
For several moments, she said nothing.
Then she sighed.
"I know she's doing very well."
Rudolf glanced at her.
C.B continued.
"But sometimes I can't help but wonder."
She watched King disappear around the bend.
"All of this..."
Her voice became quieter.
"All this training. All this pressure."
She looked back at Rudolf.
"Just to prove her mother wrong."
Rudolf remained silent.
C.B continued.
"You've met Goodbye Halo a handful of times during your racing career, haven't you?"
Rudolf nodded.
"I have."
"What was she like?"
Rudolf's expression softened.
"Goodbye Halo was never cruel."
C.B raised an eyebrow.
Rudolf continued.
"She was competitive, certainly. Ambitious too."
"But she was always supportive of the younger Umamusume around her."
Rudolf looked back toward the course.
"She had a very positive personality."
C.B frowned slightly.
"Then what happened?"
Rudolf didn't immediately answer.
She watched King approach the next turn.
"I don't know."
Her voice was quiet.
"Perhaps success changed her."
"Perhaps expectations changed her."
"Perhaps she simply became convinced that her daughter had to achieve greatness in a very specific way."
C.B crossed her arms.
"And King never accepted that."
"No."
Rudolf shook her head.
"King decided that if her mother wouldn't acknowledge her achievements..."
She paused.
"Then she would simply achieve more."
C.B sighed.
"That's one hell of a way to motivate yourself."
Rudolf smiled faintly.
"That's King Halo."
The two continued watching.
King passed them again.
Her pace remained consistent.
No wasted movement.
No unnecessary acceleration.
She wasn't trying to prove anything to the spectators.
She was simply working.
C.B watched her for another few seconds.
Then suddenly her eyes widened.
"Wait."
Rudolf looked at her.
"Hm?"
C.B pointed toward King.
"If she actually wins the Tiara..."
Rudolf already knew where this was going.
"Yes."
C.B's jaw dropped slightly.
"She could become one of the greatest Umamusume racers ever."
Rudolf nodded.
"Potentially."
C.B blinked.
"Potentially?"
Rudolf smiled.
"Statistics don't lie."
She rested both arms against the railing.
"King has already accomplished more than most racers could dream of."
"She won the Triple Crown."
"She has won the Arima Kinen three consecutive times."
"And now she's attempting the Triple Tiara."
C.B's eyes widened further.
"Wait."
She looked around.
Then back at Rudolf.
"Are you saying she could actually surpass you?"
Rudolf chuckled.
"I wouldn't be offended by the question."
C.B immediately waved both hands.
"N-Not that I'm saying you're not the greatest, Dearest Emperor!"
Rudolf laughed.
"C.B."
"Yes?"
"You don't need to panic."
Rudolf looked back toward the track.
"King is already statistically ahead of me in several categories."
C.B slowly lowered her hands.
"Seriously?"
"Seriously."
Rudolf watched King move through the far bend.
"King has accumulated more victories."
"She has already won the Crown."
"She has won the Arima Kinen three times consecutively."
"And if she wins the Tiara..."
Rudolf paused.
"She would accomplish something no Umamusume in this era has managed to do."
C.B nodded slowly.
"The Double."
"Yes."
"The Triple Crown and Triple Tiara."
Rudolf nodded.
"The Second Triple."
C.B looked back at King.
The Umamusume continued jogging.
Steady.
Controlled.
Almost stubbornly consistent.
C.B smiled.
"She's really serious about this."
Rudolf nodded.
"She is."
"And yet she doesn't look nervous."
"That's the interesting part."
Rudolf's eyes followed King.
"King has always had an unusual way of dealing with pressure."
C.B chuckled.
"By pretending she's above it?"
Rudolf smiled.
"Partially."
C.B tilted her head.
"And the rest?"
"She drives."
C.B laughed.
"Right."
"The Wangan."
"The Shuto."
"Late-night cruises."
"Exactly."
Rudolf watched King enter another corner.
"She clears her mind behind the wheel."
"Instead of thinking about expectations, criticism, rankings, or her mother..."
"She focuses on the road."
C.B nodded.
"The car."
"The engine."
"The steering."
"The next corner."
"The next exit."
Rudolf nodded.
"Nothing else."
C.B's expression became thoughtful.
"Maybe that's why it works."
"It gives her somewhere she can be King Halo instead of being Triple Crown winner King Halo."
Rudolf glanced at C.B.
"Exactly."
A brief silence followed.
Then C.B smiled.
"Still..."
Rudolf looked at her.
"What?"
C.B pointed down toward the track.
"She's got one hell of an attitude."
Rudolf chuckled.
"Her First Rate Attitude."
C.B grinned.
"Always high."
"Always mighty."
"And absolutely refusing to give anyone the satisfaction of seeing her quit."
Rudolf's smile softened.
"Even if the person she's trying to prove wrong..."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"...is her own mother."
Down on the course, King continued her jog.
She passed the grandstand once again.
She could hear distant voices.
Spectators beginning to arrive.
Staff moving around the course.
The occasional announcement echoing across the grounds.
But none of it distracted her.
Her eyes remained forward.
Her breathing stayed steady.
Her stride remained consistent.
Two thousand four hundred meters.
One race.
One more step toward the impossible.
King's ears flicked backward for a moment.
Then forward again.
She smiled.
"One race at a time."
And she continued running.
Because the Japanese Oaks was no longer simply another race.
It was the second test.
The first had been the Oka Sho.
She had conquered the mile.
Now came the longer distance.
The longer straights.
The demanding turns.
The final stretch.
The pressure.
The expectations.
The doubters.
And somewhere beyond all of that...
Her mother.
King's expression hardened.
"Just watch me."
She accelerated slightly.
Not enough to turn the jog into a sprint.
Just enough to remind herself that she still had another gear.
Another level.
Another answer.
And perhaps, by the time the afternoon was over...
She would have one more victory to add to her growing legacy.
And perhaps, more importantly—
One more victory standing between her and the impossible.
Time slowly passed.
Lunch came and went.
The quiet atmosphere of the morning had completely disappeared.
The Tokyo Racecourse was now overflowing with spectators.
The grandstands were packed.
The walkways were crowded.
Students, families, racing enthusiasts, trainers, journalists, and countless supporters had all gathered for one of the biggest races of the spring season.
The Japanese Oaks.
The second leg of the Triple Tiara.
And for the students of Tracen Academy, this was more than just another race day.
URA-sanctioned races were officially recognized as school events.
That meant attendance was mandatory for students.
And, as usual, everyone was expected to arrive in their school uniforms.
Hundreds of Tracen students had filled sections of the stands, creating pockets of school colors throughout the enormous racecourse.
The atmosphere was electric.
Every conversation seemed to revolve around the same questions.
Who would win?
Who had the best strategy?
Who had the stamina for 2,400 meters?
Would the previous Oaks winner reclaim her crown?
Would Buena Vista add another major victory to her record?
Or—
Would King Halo continue her march toward the Triple Tiara?
The Oka Sho winner had become the overwhelming public favorite.
And that came with its own kind of pressure.
Two weeks ago, King had won the first leg by six lengths.
Now everyone expected her to do it again.
The difference was that this time, the distance was significantly longer.
The Japanese Oaks demanded patience.
Endurance.
Mental discipline.
One mistake could ruin everything.
And standing near the front of the crowd, close to the railings, were five Umamusume who had no intention of missing it.
Symboli Rudolf.
Mr. C.B.
Maruzensky.
Orfevre.
And Gentildonna.
They could have gone to the exclusive Crown Lounge.
They could have enjoyed the race from a much more comfortable position.
Instead, they chose to stay down with everyone else.
They wanted to be close.
They wanted King to see them.
Maruzensky rested her arms against the railing and looked toward the distant starting area.
She smiled.
"You think King-chan's got this?"
Orfevre stood beside her with her arms crossed.
Her eyes were closed.
"Positive."
Gentildonna slowly turned toward her.
Her jaw dropped.
"That's it?"
Orfevre opened one eye.
"Like I got anything else to say, Gentil."
She closed her eye again.
"She's a friend."
A small pause.
"A good one, in fact."
She shrugged.
"Us being here and supporting her is enough."
Gentildonna stared at her.
Then sighed.
"Fair enough."
Rudolf nodded.
"She's right."
She looked toward the track.
"Us being here to watch her race says quite a lot about what King is trying to accomplish."
C.B crossed her arms.
"We're trying to keep her in a good mental state."
She looked toward the starting area.
"She's already proven that she can handle the racing."
"But this is the second race."
Her expression became more serious.
"This is the part that supposedly breaks everyone."
Maruzensky nodded.
"The mental pressure."
"The distance."
"The expectations."
C.B nodded.
"Exactly."
She lowered her voice.
"We're trying to prove her mother wrong."
Her eyes followed the track.
"And we'll do whatever it takes to keep King focused."
Orfevre scoffed.
"Her mother still deserves a thousand deaths."
Maruzensky immediately covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
"I think calling her a bitch is enough, Orfe."
Orfevre shrugged.
"That works."
Gentildonna rubbed the side of her head.
"You two are unbelievable."
C.B chuckled.
"At least we're supportive."
Rudolf smiled.
"That's what matters."
The group returned their attention toward the track.
The crowd was getting louder.
The runners were beginning to appear.
Names were being announced over the public-address system.
One after another.
The cheers rose with each name.
Then—
"King Halo!"
The response was immediate.
The stadium erupted.
Thousands of voices shouted her name.
Some students stood on their seats.
Others waved banners.
A few even held handmade signs.
The favorite was clear.
King Halo.
The first leg winner.
The Umamusume attempting something that so many before her had failed to accomplish.
The second crown was within reach.
But there were still several dangerous opponents standing between her and it.
Daring Tact.
The previous Oaks winner.
A proven 2,400-meter runner.
And Buena Vista.
Another accomplished Umamusume with an Oaks victory already under her belt.
Neither intended to simply hand King the crown.
And standing among the crowd near the front railing was King Halo's trainer.
Fumino Nase.
She stood silently.
Both hands were inside the pockets of her coat.
Her eyes followed the runners moving toward the starting gate.
She didn't cheer.
She didn't shout.
She simply watched.
Analyzing.
Thinking.
Remembering every training session.
Every lap.
Every time King had practiced controlling her pace.
Every time she had been told not to waste energy too early.
Fumino leaned forward slightly over the railing.
Her eyes narrowed.
"Just remember your training, King."
She smiled faintly.
"Run late."
A pause.
"Push late."
Her eyes followed the distant figure.
"And trust yourself."
Behind the starting gate at the south end of the racecourse, King Halo prepared herself.
She raised her right arm.
Her left hand wrapped around her elbow.
She twisted her body to the left.
Then to the right.
Again.
Left.
Right.
She extended her arm.
Then repeated the movement with the opposite side.
Her body was loose.
Her muscles felt ready.
She lowered her stance.
Then shook her entire body three times.
Her arms punched toward the ground.
One.
Two.
Three.
She stood straight.
Her ears twitched.
The other Umamusume began making their way toward their respective gates.
King walked toward hers.
She stepped inside.
The gate closed behind her.
CLACK.
She was sealed in.
King looked to her left.
Then her right.
Her expression remained calm.
She placed one hand over her chest.
Closed her eyes.
One breath.
Deep.
Slow.
Controlled.
She held it.
Then exhaled.
Her eyes snapped open.
The noise of the stadium seemed to fade.
She could still see the enormous crowd.
Still hear the cheers.
Still feel the vibration of thousands of footsteps and voices.
But her mind was somewhere else.
The practice track.
The late-night roads.
The silent cockpit of her cars.
The headlights of Tokyo reflecting against glass and metal.
Those night drives had given her something she hadn't realized she needed.
Silence.
A place where nobody expected anything from her.
A place where she could simply exist.
And now she brought that same calmness onto the racecourse.
One race.
One moment.
One stride at a time.
She lowered herself.
Ready.
Her heart beat once.
Hard.
Then—
CLANG!
Every starting gate burst open simultaneously.
The field exploded forward.
The grandstand erupted.
"So they're off!"
"What a fantastic start!"
"Excellent reaction from the entire field!"
Dozens of Umamusume launched forward.
Their footsteps hammered against the turf.
Chunks of grass scattered behind them.
The opening moments were chaotic.
The field surged together.
Buena Vista immediately got away brilliantly.
"BUENA VISTA GETS AWAY BEAUTIFULLY!"
"AN ABSOLUTELY EXPLOSIVE START FROM THE FORMER OAKS WINNER!"
"AND SHE'S IMMEDIATELY CONTESTING THE LEAD!"
The runners swept forward.
"And look at King Halo!"
"The public favorite has settled just behind the leaders!"
"She's fallen back into second!"
"And Daring Tact is right behind her!"
"THE FORMER OAKS WINNER IS GOING TO HAVE PLENTY OF WORK TO DO IF SHE WANTS TO CLAIM ANOTHER OAKS VICTORY!"
King Halo remained calm.
She allowed herself to settle.
Second.
Then briefly third.
She didn't fight it.
She didn't try to regain the lead immediately.
She simply ran.
Her breathing remained controlled.
Left.
Right.
Left.
Right.
Every stride was deliberate.
Every movement had a purpose.
No unnecessary acceleration.
No wasted energy.
Exactly as planned.
The pack continued around the opening section.
The course gradually began to curve.
King Halo remained in position.
Her eyes remained focused ahead.
She could hear footsteps behind her.
She could feel competitors moving around her.
But she didn't react.
"Wait."
She told herself.
"Wait for the final moment."
Her breathing remained steady.
"Preserve your stamina."
The runners entered the long sweeping turn.
King Halo leaned slightly into it.
Her stride remained smooth.
Then—
Movement.
From the outside.
Daring Tact.
The former Oaks winner gradually increased her pace.
There was no sudden burst.
No reckless move.
She simply began carrying more speed through the turn.
Buena Vista responded.
She accelerated as well.
The former Oaks winner moved forward.
King Halo narrowed her eyes.
No panic.
No frustration.
Just focus.
"Keep this pace."
She breathed in.
"You've still got time."
Another stride.
"Keep preserving your stamina."
Daring Tact moved ahead.
Buena Vista remained in front.
King stayed behind them.
Waiting.
Watching.
Preparing.
They exited the opening turn.
The long backstretch unfolded ahead.
The field began stretching apart.
The pack was no longer one giant group.
Every Umamusume began finding her own rhythm.
King Halo continued running.
Her breathing was heavier now.
But controlled.
Her legs were working.
But they weren't burning yet.
That was what mattered.
She still had plenty left.
"Keep it clean."
One stride.
"Steady."
Another.
"Don't waste energy."
Another.
"We still have time."
The race continued.
The crowd roared as the runners passed the distant stands.
King Halo heard the noise.
But she didn't look.
Her eyes remained on Daring Tact.
Then Buena Vista.
The gap wasn't enormous.
It was manageable.
King slowly began moving toward the inside.
Her pace increased.
Just slightly.
Then again.
One small adjustment.
Then another.
She wasn't sprinting.
She was building momentum.
Daring Tact was still ahead.
But King was closing.
Slowly.
Surely.
The distance between them disappeared.
Three lengths.
Two.
One and a half.
Then—
King moved alongside Daring Tact.
The crowd noticed.
The roar intensified.
"KING HALO IS MAKING HER MOVE!"
"SHE'S MOVING UP THE INSIDE!"
"DARING TACT IS BEING CHALLENGED!"
King's eyes narrowed.
She didn't look at Daring.
She looked ahead.
One stride.
Two.
Three.
King Halo edged ahead.
Then cleared her.
Daring Tact was behind.
At the railing, Fumino Nase immediately clenched her fist.
"That's it, King."
She rocked her fist once.
"Slowly gain the pace."
She exhaled.
"Might be a pace-chaser strategy..."
A smile formed.
"But it's working."
She watched King closely.
"Keep doing what works for you."
King Halo was now chasing Buena Vista.
The gap was still there.
But it was shrinking.
The final turn was approaching.
The race had become a battle of endurance.
Some runners were beginning to shorten their strides.
Others were falling backward.
But King Halo remained composed.
She could feel the fatigue.
She could feel the weight in her legs.
She could feel her lungs working harder.
But she still had something left.
The final left-handed turn approached.
Buena Vista entered first.
King followed.
The final straight appeared beyond the curve.
The finish line was visible.
King gritted her teeth.
Her eyes narrowed.
"Wait..."
One beat.
"Wait..."
Another.
Her heart hammered.
The crowd was deafening.
Buena Vista began preparing her own final acceleration.
King Halo lowered her body.
Her ears flattened.
Her arms tightened.
One final moment.
One final decision.
Then—
Her eyes snapped wide.
"NOW!"
Her right heel slammed into the turf.
The ground compressed beneath her stride.
Then—
She exploded.
The acceleration was immediate.
Violent.
Precise.
Her body surged forward.
Her arms pumped harder.
Her stride lengthened.
Her speed increased dramatically.
Buena Vista reacted.
But King was already moving.
"LOOK AT THAT INCREDIBLE FINAL SPURT!"
"KING HALO HAS FOUND ANOTHER GEAR!"
"SHE'S ACCELERATING INTO THE FINAL STRAIGHT!"
"BUENA VISTA IS TRYING TO RESPOND!"
"But SHE CAN'T!"
King drew alongside Buena Vista.
Then passed her.
The crowd became one continuous roar.
"KING HALO HAS TAKEN THE LEAD!"
"LOOK AT HER GO!"
"SHE'S PULLING AWAY!"
The gap opened.
Half a length.
One.
Two.
Three.
King Halo was flying.
Three hundred meters.
She pushed harder.
Two hundred.
Her legs were screaming.
One hundred.
She didn't look back.
She couldn't.
She wouldn't.
The finish line was coming.
Faster.
Faster.
Faster.
Her entire body was now committed.
Every stride was powerful.
Balanced.
Precise.
She had nothing left to conserve.
Nothing left to save.
This was it.
The final hundred meters.
The crowd screamed her name.
"KING!"
"KING!"
"KING!"
The commentators could barely keep up.
"ANOTHER DISPLAY OF KING HALO'S STRENGTH!"
"SHE'S TAKING FLIGHT!"
"BUENA VISTA HAS NO ANSWER!"
"THE GAP IS GETTING BIGGER!"
"IT'S ALL OVER!"
The white finish line rushed toward her.
King Halo took one final stride.
Then—
She crossed it.
First.
Alone.
Clear.
The stadium erupted.
Fumino Nase's fist shot into the air.
"YES!"
Her entire body twisted with the celebration.
"YES, KING!"
King Halo had done it.
Again.
She had won.
The second crown.
The second leg of the Triple Tiara.
And this time—
She hadn't just survived the distance.
She had dominated it.
The crowd exploded.
Confetti cannons positioned around the finish area fired simultaneously.
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
Thousands of pieces of colored paper filled the spring sky.
The commentators shouted over one another.
"KING HALO WINS THE JAPANESE OAKS!"
"SHE'S DONE IT!"
"SHE TAKES THE SECOND CROWN OF THE TRIPLE TIARA!"
"ANOTHER FIRST-RATE PERFORMANCE FROM THE KING OF EMERALDS!!"
"AND LOOK AT THAT WINNING MARGIN!"
Several lengths behind, Daring Tact surged past Buena Vista.
Second place.
Buena Vista crossed shortly after.
Third.
Daring Tact finished roughly a third of a length ahead of Buena Vista.
But none of that mattered.
Because King had won.
Not by six lengths.
Not by a narrow margin.
Not by a desperate nose at the finish.
By distance.
The official result was confirmed.
A winning margin of more than ten lengths.
A massive victory.
A crushing victory.
A statement to everyone watching.
King Halo slowly began reducing her pace.
Her powerful strides became lighter.
Then shorter.
Her breathing became heavier.
One breath.
Another.
Another.
She finally slowed to a walk.
Her hands rested against her knees.
She lowered her head.
Visible clouds escaped her mouth every time she exhaled.
Her chest rose and fell.
Her legs trembled slightly.
She had given everything.
Every ounce of energy.
Every bit of speed.
Every piece of training.
She closed her eyes.
Just for a second.
And memories flooded through her mind.
Her mother's messages.
The doubts.
The criticism.
The years of being compared.
The belief that her victories were somehow luck.
The people who had warned her about the mental pressure.
The Umamusume who had tried before her.
The ones who had broken before reaching the second crown.
And then—
She remembered Urara.
"Ignore what your mom said."
She remembered C.B.
"We're here for you."
She remembered Rudolf.
"You worked for every one of those victories."
She remembered Fumino.
"Run late."
"Push late."
"Trust yourself."
King Halo slowly straightened.
She opened her eyes.
The entire grandstand was standing.
Thousands upon thousands of spectators.
Cheering.
Clapping.
Waving flags.
Calling her name.
"KING HALO!"
"KING!"
"KING HALO!"
She stared at them.
For a moment, she didn't say anything.
Her expression softened.
Then—
She smiled.
A genuine smile.
Not the proud smirk.
Not the confident expression.
Not the first-rate attitude she always showed everyone.
Just pure happiness.
She closed her right hand.
A fist.
Then raised it high.
"YES!"
The crowd erupted again.
King pointed toward the grandstand.
"I'LL SHOW YOU ALL!"
Her voice echoed across the racecourse.
"I'LL SHOW YOU THAT I CAN ACCOMPLISH THINGS THAT NOBODY THINKS I CAN!"
The crowd roared.
King's eyes burned with determination.
"DOUBT ME ALL YOU WANT!"
She raised her fist higher.
"BECAUSE YOU WON'T STOP ME!"
The roar became deafening.
She lowered her arm slowly.
Her breathing remained heavy.
But she was smiling.
She had done it.
Two crowns.
Two victories.
One final race.
One final crown.
The Triple Tiara was no longer some distant fantasy.
It wasn't an impossible dream anymore.
It was within reach.
Down at the railing, Fumino Nase couldn't stop smiling.
C.B practically jumped in place.
"THAT WAS INSANE!"
Gentildonna stared at the scoreboard.
"More than ten lengths..."
Maruzensky laughed.
"That's our King-chan."
Orfevre simply nodded.
"First-rate."
C.B looked at her.
"You're really sticking with that, aren't you?"
Orfevre shrugged.
"She is."
Rudolf smiled.
"Two down."
The group became quiet.
Rudolf looked toward King.
"One to go."
C.B's smile slowly returned.
"She can do it."
Gentildonna crossed her arms.
"She certainly made a convincing argument today."
Maruzensky chuckled.
"Very convincing."
Orfevre looked toward the track.
"She only has to do it one more time."
Rudolf nodded.
"One more."
King Halo eventually made her way toward the tunnel leading away from the track.
The cheers followed her.
Even underground, she could still hear the crowd.
Her footsteps echoed against the concrete.
One.
Two.
Three.
She slowed.
Then stopped.
King turned around.
The entrance behind her was still filled with bright sunlight.
The noise from the stadium poured into the tunnel.
Her name was still being shouted.
"King Halo!"
"King!"
"King Halo!"
She smiled.
Then turned forward again.
Waiting for her was Fumino Nase.
Her trainer.
The two looked at each other.
For a moment, neither said anything.
Then Nase smiled.
"Congratulations."
King blinked.
"That's it?"
Nase laughed.
"What else do you want?"
King crossed her arms.
"Something more first-rate."
Nase laughed again.
"Fine."
She stepped closer.
"You ran exactly how we practiced."
King's expression softened.
"You waited."
"You didn't waste your energy."
"You trusted the pace."
Nase raised her fist.
"And when the opening came..."
She smiled.
"You exploded."
King's smile returned.
"That's right."
Nase nodded.
"Two races."
She held up two fingers.
"Two wins."
King looked toward the ground.
Then toward the tunnel entrance.
"One more."
Nase nodded.
"One more."
King was quiet for a moment.
Then she looked at her trainer.
"Fumino-sensei."
"Hm?"
"Do you think..."
She hesitated.
For perhaps the first time all day, the confidence disappeared from her voice.
"...I can really do it?"
Nase looked directly into her eyes.
"Yes."
No hesitation.
No uncertainty.
Just one word.
King blinked.
Nase continued.
"But not because everyone thinks you can."
She placed a hand against King's shoulder.
"And not because your mother thinks you can't."
King's ears twitched.
"You'll do it because you've earned the right to stand there."
She smiled.
"You trained for it."
"You prepared for it."
"And you've already proven that the pressure everyone was afraid of couldn't break you."
King stared at her.
Nase's smile widened.
"When that final race comes..."
She lightly tapped King's shoulder.
"You'll be ready."
King slowly smiled.
Then raised her chin.
"Then I'll win it."
Nase laughed.
"That's the attitude."
King turned toward the tunnel exit.
The sunlight was waiting outside.
She took a step.
Then another.
She stopped at the entrance.
The spring air brushed against her face.
She looked back toward the racecourse one last time.
The second crown was hers.
The impossible had become almost possible.
Only one challenge remained.
The final leg.
The final race.
The final crown.
And somewhere ahead—
The final test was waiting.
King Halo closed her fist.
Her expression became determined.
"First-rate..."
She took another step.
"...all the way."
She walked into the sunlight.
Behind her, the cheers continued.
Ahead of her was the rest of the racing season.
And somewhere beyond it—
The Triple Tiara.
King Halo had won the Japanese Oaks.
She had survived the second race.
She had crushed the doubts.
And now there was only one question left.
Could anyone stop her?
Because King Halo already knew her answer.
No.
Not now.
Not ever.
The King was still standing.
And she was coming for the final crown.