That night, Kasamatsu Local Hospital, waiting room.
"All right, it's nothing serious. I've reviewed the doctor's certificate and related tests. March is fine—basically a false alarm."
Said Kyoko Miyamura, in front of worried Kitahara, Oguri Cap, Belno Light, and Super Creek.
"In short, it's a common faint from low blood pressure after intense exercise."
Kyoko continued: "During intense exercise, the heart rate rises, blood pressure increases, muscles consume more oxygen, lactic acid builds up, and heavy sweating occurs.
"When activity suddenly stops without proper cool-down, heart rate drops, blood pressure drops, but oxygen demand doesn't.
"Muscles accumulate lactic acid, requiring fresh blood to deliver oxygen and break down the lactic acid.
"Meanwhile, although blood flow to muscles isn't drastically reduced, brain blood flow decreases, causing insufficient brain oxygen supply.
"This isn't rare and is easily remedied with rest."
"So, as I said initially, March is fine; it was just a scare."
After her explanation, Oguri Cap and the two other horse girls breathed a long sigh of relief.
"Thank goodness March is fine. Really, so good, so good…" Oguri Cap kept repeating.
"If it's just fainting, then there's indeed no issue."
Creek nodded: "I'm sensitive to breathing; sometimes when running hard without proper adjustment, I can clearly feel how much extra effort each breath requires.
"I suppose, as Kyoko-senpai said, the muscles consumed more blood."
Belno Light was concerned about something else.
"Thanks to Kitahara-san noticing March was off, otherwise even ordinary fainting could have been more serious if delayed."
"Did Kitahara learn of this before the match ended by asking Trainer Shibasaki?"
Kitahara was indeed thinking about Shibasaki.
He was slightly angry, mostly helpless.
Since he started training Komahime, Shine Glorious, and Komihaiwan, he rarely communicated with other trainers.
To put it nicely, he had a unique training system. Other trainers could just refer to materials, especially those from Central trainers.
He didn't want to imagine exactly how March trained for the past month, though he could guess.
Harsh environment, high-intensity training, pushing the body's limits through sheer will.
This is completely opposite to Kitahara's philosophy.
Efficient, advanced training minimizes suffering.
If a result can be achieved in one session, why split it into two? Why not proceed directly to the next step?
If it can be mastered in a day, why spend two days? Why not advance on the second day?
Without a system or simulator cheat, how could he spare time for business matters?
Talent alone isn't enough; resources are needed to fully realize it.
Even slightly less talented horse girls can perform brilliantly with proper resources.
In fact, talent differences between horse girls aren't dramatic—about 1-2% overall in running stats—easily made up for with resources.
Sometimes Kitahara fantasized about having a mobile-game-style cheat.
He would happily boost Oguri Cap's stats to S, SS, or even Us9, sparing her hardship.
Whether they wanted it or not, he would gladly do it.
But alas, he had no such cheat.
So he solved it with resources, ensuring his horse girls could shine without suffering.
Hence, he disliked most Japanese trainers' methods, especially Shibasaki's.
Yet he couldn't blame anyone; Shibasaki also fainted.
March's trainer had room for improvement but cared deeply for his horse girl.
After the match, he instinctively ran toward the finish line with Kitahara, and when Marchi collapsed, he staggered a few steps forward before fainting.
Examination: mild malnutrition, severe fatigue, fainting from strain and blood circulation.
He lay there next to March.
…Sigh. Once he wakes, I'll have to advise him—he can't keep training like that for nearly a month.
Suppressing complex emotions, Kitahara decided to say something else to divert attention.
After thinking for a moment, he looked at Kokurimou.
"Oguri Cap, during the final sprint, what did 'March' make you feel? Can you tell me?"
The fainting incident with March had happened very suddenly. At that moment, the scene was chaotic; the commentators and spectators all gasped in shock. Amid the noise, Kitahara hadn't had a chance to ask about the race at all.
He wanted to confirm whether the reason March had once suppressed Kokurimou was actually related to the "domain."
Oguri Cap paused for a moment.
"Umm… if I have to describe what March felt like to me…"
She scratched her head. "It was probably similar to that training race with Tamamo? It just felt really strong."
"I remember you saying, Kitahara, something about… a 'domain'?"
…So it really is a domain. Looks like my guess was right: because March was so obsessed with surpassing Oguri Cap, she must have touched that threshold.
That means March must possess achievements beyond this world—after all, only the top Umas of a generation can access a domain.
So the fact that Oguri Cap won the final race…
Kitahara's spirits lifted, and he eagerly asked Kokurimou:
"So, Oguri Cap, did you feel the domain?"
He paused and added: "I mean, during the race, the kind of feeling where you think about nothing, feel nothing, just want to dash straight to the finish line?"
"Thinking about nothing?"
Oguri Cap rubbed her temples, pursed her lips, thought for a moment, and shook her head.
"It wasn't like what you said, Kitahara."
"If I had to say, I think I heard your voice right before the finish line… then, I guess I didn't think much at all. I just felt like I should push forward, keep going a bit more."
"Is that considered a domain?"
Kitahara fell silent and shook his head.
The last time they discussed domains in detail, Komiyama and Yuzuhara were still at Kasamatsu. According to Yuzuhara's papers, a clear indicator of a domain is "thinking about nothing," or being "fully focused."
When you're focused to that extent, you don't notice the passage of time or most external stimuli, and naturally don't register your own surroundings.
Additionally, in a domain, actions and awareness completely align—no thinking required, the body reacts automatically, and overall abilities are greatly enhanced. Oguri Cap hadn't mentioned experiencing any of that.
…So, it's absurd. she won even without touching the domain, beating March, who had.
Is it because Oguri Cap is just too strong, or did March never actually reach the domain either? Did Oguri Cap mistake a Tamamo-like feeling for the domain?
Or perhaps domains… aren't actually that powerful?
Kitahara couldn't help but think this.
Manga exaggerated domains, and anime used similar effects—as if possessing a domain determined how strong a Uma musume is, and whether they could win.
If it were only in an anime, Kitahara could accept that.
But in reality, he didn't think the domain was invincible.
The principle is simple: a domain allows an Uma musume to fully or even slightly overperform their abilities. Most of the time, having a domain is an advantage, but under certain conditions, the outcome isn't guaranteed.
For example, numerically: if a domain gives a 10% speed boost, a horse with a base speed of 100 would become 110 under the domain, while one with a base of 90 couldn't catch up.
But if it were reversed—100 base without a domain, 90 base with a domain—the latter would max out at 99 even with the domain, still falling short.
Perhaps if March truly has a domain, losing to Oguri Cap might be that latter case.
The same applies in the game.
For instance, a "special skill" can temporarily boost speed, but if activated too close or too far from the finish line, the result can still be a loss.
In any case, Kitahara thought domains deserved research. They're a trump card, but not every racehorse needs to master them.
If a horse girl's base ability is sufficiently developed, they can still win even against an opponent with a domain.
After reorganizing his thoughts about domains, Kitahara decided it might be time to return.
"It's getting late, and both Shibasaki and March are at the hospital."
He looked at Oguri Cap. "Let's head back. Kokurimou just finished a race and should rest, and so should everyone else. This way, we can wake up early tomorrow and check on them. Maybe by morning, they'll already be awake."
Kokurimou and the others froze, then exchanged glances, reluctant but worried, staring toward the hospital.
"Yeah… Kitahara's right, staying here seems… oh, we can also bring more food for March in the morning."
Kokurimou brightened. "Whenever I feel unwell, eating something tasty makes me feel better. March must be the same. We'll wake up early and get her some good food."
"Oh, we should also get something for Shichi. He'll feel better after eating too."
"Her name's Shibasaki, Kokurimou/X4."
After collectively correcting her, they smiled and walked out of the hospital after giving some final instructions to the staff.
On the way back to Kasamatsu Academy, Kokurimou suddenly remembered something.
"Oh, Kitahara, I won't participate in the Tokai Derby."
Kitahara was stunned.
"Weren't you supposed to race against March?" he asked, puzzled.
"That was the previous plan," Kokurimou explained. "Before the race, March told me she won't enter the Tokai Derby either. She wants to continue racing with me at the central level. She also said… I'm more suited for the Triple Crown."
"…Oguri Cap wants to participate in the Triple Crown? That's…"
Kitahara immediately glanced at Super Small Bay.
She didn't look at him but at Kokurimou.
"…Oguri Cap's doing the Triple Crown too… good…" Super Creek whispered.
…Wow, that means his two top Uma Musume will definitely clash.
Kitahara felt conflicted.
Honestly, he was looking forward to Oguri Cap vs. Super Creek. Especially after missing the "Time-Crossed Race" with the other horses, he regretted missing Oguri Cap's and Inari One's "Shiwasu Special Cup," so now he eagerly anticipated seeing the Eternal Four compete live.
In another world, even watching footage decades old was thrilling, and every match between Kokurimou, Tamamo Cross, Super Small Bay, and Inariichi had been highly anticipated with maximum spectators. Now he could see it live—how could he not be excited?
But because he missed the previous "Time-Crossed Race," Kitahara realized something:
Who does he actually want to win?Or who does he not want to lose?
In short, he was more conflicted about the outcome than the horses themselves.
He didn't want his horses to lose, ever. Only now did he fully realize it.
He wanted to avoid the topic, but Oguri Cap said she wanted to do the Triple Crown, and Super Creek murmured in agreement—they both looked at him.
Belno Light and Kyoko Miyamura also looked over, showing hesitation but anticipation for his response.
"…Did March recommend the classic Triple Crown?"
In the end, Kitahara didn't answer directly.
"That's good. She genuinely cares for you. Oguri Cap, you really are more suited for the Triple Crown path. I'll have to think carefully. You've been training and racing hard—rest for a few days. Then I'll consider everything and tell you the plan."
Early the next morning, Kitahara called Kyoko to monitor March and Shibasaki closely, then left campus, not visiting Oguri Cap and the others. He knew it was a bit evasive, but he needed time to convince himself: his horses might still lose, especially against each other.
He felt like an old father, with several exceptional daughters, all excellent, yet forced to compete against each other.
How could he face the losses without heartache?
…It was frustrating. How could he split these races? Some prep races had multiple stages, but the Satsuki, Derby, and Kikua only happened once in a lifetime. Other events like Tenno Sho, Osaka Cup, Takarazuka Kinen, Arima Kinen could all be entered. He couldn't separate all of them.
Frustrated, he thought to consult his uncle, Musaka Ginjiro, who likely had experience with such dilemmas.
Coincidentally, that day, Ginjiro video-called him first.
"Hey, Uncle… huh? What's going on there?"
On video, Ginjiro looked like he was on vacation—fishing hat, flashy Hawaiian shirt, shorts, cane, colorful striped sunglasses. Behind him, a sofa was cluttered with clothes, as if tidying or preparing for a trip.
Kitahara noticed something surprising: behind the sofa stood a platinum-haired, stunningly beautiful racehorse.
In an instant, Kitahara recognized her: Gold City.
She was Ginjiro's Uma Musume…
Gold City was arguably the most beautiful and graceful racehorse. Rare chestnut-gold lineage gave her shimmering platinum hair. Her features were sculpted in perfect proportions, impossible to look away.
Her presence was unique, independent. Now, Akikawa Yayoi looked frustrated nearby, but Gold City was oblivious, holding a medical magazine, casually brushing her hair.
…Quiet, nothing like the rumors of a troublesome personality…
Kitahara thought silently.
Due to URA's privacy rules, he hadn't found much about Ginjiro's training with Gold City. As Japan's top model, there were plenty of reports about her modeling. The consensus: excellent natural posing and camera sense. Photos looked poster-ready.
But race evaluations were mixed: "relaxed," "unique running style and tactics," the most polite way to say "unruly."
Gold City had exceptional talent; maybe not as fast as Oguri Cap or Inari One, but her straight-line sprint was unmatched. She seemed less focused on racing, preferring a relaxed lifestyle—magazine shoots, slow pace, occasional trips.
Strangely, she was reading a medical magazine… not fashion?
…Truly a complicated racehorse; poor Uncle…
"Good, you still look spirited, I'm relieved."
Noticing Kitahara's gaze, Ginjiro waved to the horse.
"Let me introduce my current Uma Musume: Gold City… or 'Ashiro.'"
Gold City didn't move, just lifted her head slightly, curled a smile, raised her hand, and lightly saluted.
"Yo."
Then she returned to her magazine.
"A… Ajo… you… sigh…"
Ginjiro looked embarrassed, clearly losing face in front of his nephew.
Kitahara stifled a laugh.
"It's fine, Uncle. Horses with 'Gold' in their name are unique; I understand."
Names with "Golden or Gold" always seem to cause surprises… especially in the Gold family: Stay Gold, Dream Journey, Orfevre, Gold Ship, Nakayama Festa…
Feeling slightly reassured, Ginjiro coughed and changed the topic.
"…Anyway, you now know Ajo. When you come to the Central, she can help you with anything."
Kitahara was stunned.
"Help me? What about you, Uncle? Won't you be in the Central?"
"I'm going to the US."
He said this warmly, clearly proud.
"You… have improved. I can answer to your parents now."
Kitahara fell silent. His parents had passed long ago. Ginjiro had raised him, worrying about him, sending money, helping him enter Kasamatsu Academy. Even the Tokyo visit success, being cared for by Shikawa, acquiring Super Creek, Miyamura, Komiyama, and Yuzuhara—Ginjiro's connections mattered greatly.
"…Uncle…" Kitahara choked up.
"This is ridiculous! I'm not retiring or gone forever, just going to the US! I'm still a Central trainer! What are you doing?!"
Ginjiro laughed, then his expression softened with affection.
"You've improved. I haven't aged yet; as your uncle, I must keep improving. Since you're in the Central and strong, I don't have much to worry about. I heard from Old Koku that your dream is global, right? I'll check the West—see where they're stronger. I don't believe we'll always be weaker than them."
Kitahara finally understood Ginjiro's intent and was moved.
"Uncle, I…"
"Enough, no whining."
Suddenly rough, Ginjiro waved his cane, then sighed.
"I've hit a bottleneck in training. Because of this, Ajo could have achieved more; now she only has 3 wins—it's my fault. Six months ago, I considered studying in the US or Europe. Then I saw your growth, and I felt reassured. If I don't strive, you'll surpass me!"
Kitahara smiled awkwardly.
Ginjiro continued: "A teacher of mine in the US, Mr. Edmond, is planning to take racehorses to the Japan Cup. I thought I could go learn from him."
Kitahara hesitated: "Uncle, you're secretly scouting competitors… will he agree?"
Ginjiro smiled wryly: "Whether I learn or scout, does it matter? They won't care. Since we're weak, small tricks are meaningless. But we won't stay weak. I'll go. Plus, Mr. Edmond pre-selected a Uma Musume for me."
"Oh? That'll help a lot. Observing directly is different from training remotely."
Kitahara was curious.
"Is it an exceptional Uma Musume? Recommended by Mr. Edmond?"
Ginjiro thought: "I trust my teacher. According to him, this Uma Musume is underestimated. Bloodline ordinary, physique weak, legs structurally flawed. Almost ready for the US Central Academy, but no trainer values her. I believe my teacher. He says she has exceptional talent, just needs care to shock the world."
Kitahara pondered: ordinary bloodline, weak body, flawed legs… similar to Oguri Cap. Seems the ones with debuffs are extraordinary monsters…
Ginjiro finally revealed her name: "Sunday Silence."
"WHAT!!!" Kitahara exploded, shocking Ginjiro.