Icho Tokubetsu was not a particularly large-scale race, and its original spectator size should not have been that big, but today, Kagura had not even reached her destination when she already felt how terrifying Rudolph Symbol's popularity was.
'So the train can get this crowded…'
Kagura barely managed to squeeze into the train. She felt like she, a small child, was about to be drowned in the crowd. People were pressed against each other, making her feel as if she had returned to the days of squeezing onto a bus for work in the mornings.
Fortunately, Maruzensky was next to her. Although it was also a tight squeeze, with Maruzensky blocking her with her body, at least she didn't have to worry about encountering any strange people common in Japanese romantic action movies on the train.
"Maruzen, are all these people on the train Fans of the young lady?"
Kagura, pressed against the train door, held by Maruzensky, barely managed to turn her head and ask.
"Well~ I wouldn't say all, but most of them probably are."
"That's terrifying…"
Kagura thought the last race she saw in Niigata was already outrageous, but now it seemed she had underestimated the scale of the Fans. After all, this was Tokyo, so there would definitely be more people.
"Perhaps when you, little sister, start running on the Racecourse, you'll have even more Fans than this?"
"Hmm... I'm not a shining genius like the Young Lady..."
As for Maruzensky's words, Kagura just took them as a joke. She felt she wasn't someone who could shine so brilliantly on both the Racecourse and the stage like Rudolph Symbol.
Kagura did have plans to compete. After all, she heard that even if an Uma Musume didn't come in first, finishing in the top five could still earn a good amount of prize money. Although she wasn't confident she could definitely win first place, after seeing Rudolph Symbol's opponents, she felt that with some effort and training, a top-five finish should be no problem.
Finally, after a difficult wait, they arrived at Fuchu Station. Kagura quickly jumped off the crowded train car. She saw the crowd behind her also filing out, and it took her a while to find Tojo Hana, who was submerged in the sea of people.
The Tokyo Racecourse was already packed to the brim. Kagura and her group arrived a little late and couldn't even find the entrance. Fortunately, the Racecourse always reserved a special passage and seating for Tracen students. Kagura squeezed her way to the entrance from outside and quickly got in.
Rudolph Symbol was still waiting in the entrance passage. She quickly saw Kagura, who was the first to slip in. Rudolph Symbol seemed to be in excellent condition today, indicating she had a very good night's sleep.
"Morning, Kagura. I must have fallen asleep without realizing it again last night, didn't I? Thank you for looking after me again."
"Not at all, not at all. It's nothing for me to be a little troubled if it means the Young Lady is in good spirits today."
"After this race, I'll take you out for dinner?"
Rudolph Symbol habitually suggested.
"I have no objection, but didn't the Young Lady say before that she wanted to eat food I made myself?"
"Uh... indeed, the restaurants nearby aren't as good as Kagura's cooking."
Reminded by Kagura, Rudolph Symbol realized that she didn't really need to look for a restaurant. She could enjoy food of the same quality with just a little trouble for Kagura.
"Is there anything special you want yourself?"
Rudolph Symbol always wanted to do something to repay Kagura and Tojo Hana for their meticulous care over the past few months. But when she thought back, she realized they always seemed to be without desires, especially Kagura. She didn't know Kagura's hobbies, or Kagura's birthday, or what Kagura liked to eat, because Kagura almost never revealed these things.
"I don't want anything. For you, Young Lady, to run your race well, that's what I want most."
Kagura shook her head, smiling as she gave Rudolph Symbol a thumbs-up in encouragement.
"I agree with Kagura, Rudolph. I also look forward to your triumphant return. If you can bring back victory, for me and Kagura, who are responsible for taking care of you, that would be the greatest news."
Tojo Hana finally appeared in the entrance passage, having heard Kagura and Rudolph Symbol's conversation. As a Trainer, she naturally agreed with Kagura's statement.
"Kagura, and Trainer..."
Rudolph Symbol was momentarily speechless. She knelt down and gently hugged Kagura, then stood up and hugged Tojo Hana.
Looking at their encouraging smiles, Rudolph Symbol also composed herself, placed her hand on her chest, and solemnly replied:
"I will bring you a splendid victory, and I will not let down your expectations. Please watch me closely."
"Go, Young Lady." "Go, run freely."
... "Maruzen, where did you hide just now? Aren't you coming to see the Young Lady?"
Watching Rudolph Symbol enter the Racecourse, Kagura walked a little further to the front of the passage and saw Maruzensky waiting there, looking intently at the starting area.
"I'll just stand here. Your atmosphere... I didn't feel comfortable intruding."
"I don't understand..."
"It's nothing~ Little sister, you don't need to think too much."
Maruzensky smiled and patted Kagura's head. In her eyes, as she looked at the starting area, a hint of envy and regret was faintly visible.
Tojo Hana raised her hand and patted Maruzensky's shoulder. Maruzensky didn't speak, just gave a helpless smile.
'Go, Rudolph, carry my dream... run.'
... The Racecourse announcer was stating the track conditions and Racecourse details for the day. Kagura, Maruzensky, and the others also returned to the spectator stands.
Maruzensky's mood had become cheerful again. She held Kagura, gently rubbing her cheeks repeatedly, looking completely delighted.
'I feel like Maruzen seemed a bit off just now?'
Kagura wasn't a naive person who couldn't see anything. She noticed Maruzensky's envy towards Rudolph Symbol, and Tojo Hana's helplessness, but she didn't know the hidden reasons. Why would Maruzensky envy Rudolph Symbol, who was about to compete? Why was Tojo Hana helpless?
"Maruzen is also running races, right?"
"Yes, she is. Why do you ask?"
"Does Maruzen have any dreams? Regarding her career."
After some thought, Kagura decided to try and find out.
Maruzensky was first taken aback by Kagura's question. After a moment of silence, she finally spoke:
"Dreams, huh... To win the Classic Triple Crown, to compete against strong opponents in the Triple Crown Race, that could be considered a dream."
"Classic Triple Crown..."
Kagura remembered the three races of the Triple Crown Race. An Uma Musume who won all three of these races in one year would earn the title of Triple Crown Uma Musume. But winning these three heavyweight races was not easy; luck, strength, and effort were all indispensable.
Maruzensky paused when mentioning the Triple Crown Race. It seemed her brief dip in mood earlier might be related to this, but Kagura still couldn't figure out why.
'Eclipse, do you know why Maruzen seemed to envy the Young Lady when she mentioned the Triple Crown Race?'
——I see she's very healthy, and doesn't look like a child who can't run. You won't get an answer to something like this from an ancient foreigner like me! How would I know what people living in this era and place are thinking?
Eclipse replied quickly, her handwriting flashing across Kagura's phone screen. It seemed Eclipse also didn't know the reason.
"Click!!"
As Kagura pondered in confusion, the crisp sound of the Starting Gate opening pulled her and the still-distracted Maruzensky back to reality.
The race had begun.
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