December 6th.
Kasamatsu Training Ground.
Standing at the starting gate on the track, Super Creek glanced sideways into the distance, toward the Kasamatsu Racecourse.
She wasn't wearing her usual training outfit, but her race uniform — short-sleeved top and shorts.
A number plate was pinned to her chest: number 11.
On her feet were sneakers. As she moved them with slight excitement, the faint gleam of horseshoes was visible at the front of the soles.
On the track, she was alone.
The ten or so gates beside her were all empty.
After staring into the distance for a while, she looked toward the edge of the training ground and offered an apologetic smile.
"Sorry, Kitahara-san. Because of our whim, you and Kyoko-senpai still have to stay here to take care of my 'race' alone."
At the edge of the training ground, Kitahara, holding a clipboard and stopwatch, smiled at her words.
"Who told you to be our Uma Musume, huh?"
He chuckled. "Honestly, we were all surprised you came up with this idea, but… I have to admit, it's kind of interesting."
"Who came up with it? The idea for you four to 'race together'?" he asked curiously.
Super Creek turned to look into the distance again, this time toward the Hanshin Racecourse in Tokyo.
"Probably Tama… or maybe Inari? Or perhaps Oguri?"
She smiled softly, murmuring, "Or maybe it was an idea we came up with together."
"Even though we know after this farewell we can meet again in Tokyo soon, I still feel a bit reluctant."
"Maybe it was my idea. After all, I'm the weakest among us four right now, and I… I want…"
She lowered her head gradually, slowly clenching her fists. "I want to race with them one more time."
"Even if it's across different times and different tracks."
After watching the movie that day, the four silent Uma Musume had parted ways, each going to their trainer with a request.
They wanted, on December 6th, to have a real "race."
Oguri Cap and Inari One were at Kasamatsu Racecourse.
Tamamo Cross was at Hanshin Racecourse.
Super Creek was at Kasamatsu Academy training ground.
The longest race that day, the Naruo Kinen, was 2000 meters.
They wanted to hold a race across time and space.
"Should be starting soon, right? Oguri, Inari, and Tama," Super Creek suddenly turned her head and asked.
Kitahara glanced at Kyoko Miyamura, unsure of the exact time.
Kitahara needed to fully focus on Super Creek's performance in this "race" to determine the outcome against Oguri Cap, Inari One, and Tamamo Cross.
Kyoko's task was as usual — using the instruments set up on the training ground to record data, so she could also monitor the Kasamatsu and Hanshin racecourses.
She held two phones, each with an earphone cable. The sounds in her left and right ears came from Tarō and Belno Light at Kasamatsu, and Komiyama at Hanshin.
Sensing Kitahara's gaze, she glanced at both phones.
"Oguri Cap has already made her appearance, Inari too. They are the first and third most popular for today's Shiwasu Special Cup."
She smiled teasingly. "Looks like Kasamatsu people support local Oguri Cap more. Inari isn't bad either — coming from Oi to Kasamatsu and still ranking high in popularity, she's impressive."
Then, a hint of regret. "Tama hasn't made her appearance yet… her recent losing streak still affects her. She's at the bottom in popularity today…"
The pre-race appearance order was directly tied to popularity — the more popular went first.
"Don't be discouraged, Kyoko."
Seeing Kyoko slightly down, Kitahara smiled. "Tama's performance speaks for itself. She's overcome her psychological hurdles and is already slightly stronger than Oguri Cap and the others in training. Popularity doesn't matter."
"Today at the Naruo Kinen, she's going to surprise everyone."
Kyoko paused, then smiled.
"Alright, Kitahara-san, I was just saying. Don't forget — as chief physician, I know the data for Tama and the others better than anyone."
She smiled toward Hanshin Racecourse. "I also spent time getting data on Tama's opponents for this race. According to my analysis, she won't lose."
"She… ah, she's appeared!"
Her expression brightened as she pointed the phone screen at Kitahara and waved toward Super Creek at the starting gate.
On the screen, a floating window showed a call with Komiyama, while the rest displayed Hanshin live coverage.
On the broadcast, a small silver-haired Uma Musume walked slowly into the appearance circle, making a V sign, smiling broadly with her trademark small fangs visible.
"Tama's up too. Looks lively."
Kitahara nodded with a smile, then turned his gaze to Super Creek, his expression gradually becoming serious.
"Alright, Super Creek, you need to get ready too."
"The race… is about to start."
"Yes, I'm ready."
Clenching her hands tightly, then releasing them, Super Creek fixed her gaze on the track ahead.
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Her peripheral vision flicked to the side.
…This time, Oguri is number 9, Inari is number 10, Tama is number 6 — all on my side…
And all on the inside lane.
I… am on the outermost lane.
Tactics… front-runner.
Kitahara confirmed that my best racing style is front-runner.
But he also said, against Oguri and the others, I need more flexible tactics.
So, first, take the lead, then control the pace.
With my stamina management and endurance limit, sacrificing some energy at the start to lead can overcome the disadvantage of the outer lane and the strength gap with Oguri and the others.
After that, spare no energy — push forward, push forward, push forward.
In the later middle stage, control the pace, exchanging the lead distance for a moment to recover, and finally…
Sprint, sprint, sprint, all the way to the finish.
Never let Oguri, Inari, or Tama catch up!
The tactics she had repeatedly discussed with Kitahara for this "race" raced through Super Creek's mind. After confirming once more, she took a deep breath, eyes locked ahead, awaiting the start signal.
The starting gate opened.
A long pause.
Bang.
Start!
At the sound of the gate opening, she let out a low shout and dashed forward.