"I won't accept this!"
In the empty room, Oguri Cap's voice rang out, filled with anger and a trace of confusion.
"Why? Why retire now? This has to be a joke, right?"
A rare look of fear and panic crossed Oguri Cap's face as she stared wide-eyed, urgently pressing Tamamo Cross for answers.
"It's no joke."
Compared to the deeply agitated Oguri Cap, Tamamo Cross remained remarkably calm.
Though her eyes held a touch of sadness, there was more relief in them.
"I know my own body well enough. It's put up with my stubbornness for far too long already—it's way past its limits."
"A girl's gotta think about her future, right?"
Hearing that, even Oguri Cap couldn't bring herself to say, "I want you to keep running with me."
Forcing an Uma Musume whose body had reached its limit to keep racing?
Oguri Cap couldn't do something that cruel.
"But... but I've imagined us racing so many times. I wanted to be your rival, to go through so much more together…"
Her fists clenched so tight the veins stood out on her hands, her ears bent sharply backward. Her words came out almost incoherent.
"Now, now, that's no look for the 'Grey Monster,' is it?"
Seeing Oguri Cap's grief-stricken face, Tamamo Cross—being an older sister to several younger siblings—instinctively stepped forward to comfort her.
"Besides, don't we still have one last race? The Arima Kinen. It's the top-grade race all of Japan has its eyes on—a Grade 1, high-stakes event."
"We'll face the strongest of the strong at Nakayama Racecourse, and with a fierce fight and the final result, we'll declare…"
Here, Tamamo Cross paused.
She remembered she'd already lost to Oguri Cap in the previous Japan Cup. She couldn't claim to be Japan's number one Uma Musume anymore.
"...that I've reclaimed the title of Japan's number one Uma Musume."
"Tama…"
Oguri Cap couldn't help but step forward and pull Tamamo Cross into a tight embrace, pouring out her unwillingness to let go.
"I've always seen you as my goal. I thought you'd be my rival for life. But now you're stopping… who am I supposed to compete with?"
If this had happened any other time, the sensitive and short-tempered Tamamo Cross would've long since kicked her away or left a few bite marks.
But today, she seemed unusually gentle.
She endured Oguri Cap's improper behavior, even actively reached up to stroke Oguri Cap's long hair, offering a small, comforting gesture.
"Don't lose heart, Oguri Cap. Your future is longer than mine. Don't see me as the finish line—keep on running."
"It's the same for this race. You have to give it your all. Only by defeating a fully-powered you can my retirement race, this Arima Kinen, be free of any regrets."
Oguri Cap, sorrowful, held Tamamo Cross a little tighter. A tear quietly slipped from the corner of her eye, disappearing into Tamamo Cross's gray hair.
"...I will."
--+--
The press conference was held soon after.
Super Creek smilingly answered various questions, and Dicta Striker announced her goals with high fighting spirit.
But all that was completely overshadowed by the news Tamamo Cross announced.
"I'll be retiring from the Twinkle Series soon. My final race has been decided: the Arima Kinen."
This news drowned out everything else. All the reporters present were stunned.
No—the whole of Japan was stunned. Countless fans and industry members focused on this news.
"Miss Tamamo… has already decided to retire?"
After the press conference, Berno Light said in disbelief. Her murmur was overheard by Trainer Komiyama, who was nearby.
"That's right. Tama-chan made up her mind a while ago."
"Ah, Trainer Komiyama!"
Berno Light hurriedly tried to stand up, but the trainer stopped her.
"I'm just here to rest too, no need to be so formal."
Saying this, she sat down on the sofa next to Berno Light, heaving a relaxed sigh.
"Aaaahhh—finally over. Those reporters are so annoying, endless questions. They should consider other people's feelings."
"It really was a crazy crowd. Do that many reporters usually come for Tamamo-senpai's press conferences?"
Recalling the hellish scene of everyone packed together, Berno Light shuddered.
"Usually there aren't that many. Probably because the content of this conference was very special, so there were more of them."
"Um, Miss Komiyama, for what reason did Tamamo-senpai choose to retire?"
During their chat, Berno Light asked this question. Trainer Komiyama didn't hide anything.
"It's her poor physical condition."
"Eh?! But Tamamo-senpai looked completely fine just now? Whether talking to others or eating fruit, she didn't seem to have any problems?"
Hearing this rebuttal, Trainer Komiyama was taken aback.
"You're very observant. But it's true. You have to understand, these last few days have been Tama-chan's best condition in months."
"Before this, Little Tamamo could only manage to eat three rice balls a day. Her mental state was also at rock bottom."
Recalling Tamamo Cross's reassuring diet and routine these past few days, Trainer Komiyama felt a genuine sense of relief.
"I couldn't tell at all! Trainer Komiyama, you've really been taking excellent care of Tamamo-senpai."
Berno Light said admiringly, but this made Komiyama wave her hands dismissively.
"I know Tama-chan better than anyone else in the world… I'd love to boast like that, but I wasn't the one who helped her recover this time."
"Then who was?"
"It was Nearl. She spent a whole afternoon with Tama-chan, and the next day, her condition had visibly improved dramatically."
As she said this, a look of yearning crossed Komiyama's face.
"If only I had Nearl's ability to help adjust someone's state like that."
While she was sighing with emotion, Berno Light firmly committed this information to memory.
'Miss Nearl, huh…'
"By the way, Berno-chan, have you been working on race strategies for Oguri Cap these past few days?"
Suddenly, Trainer Komiyama asked this.
"If you have been, I have a suggestion for you."
"Yes! Please advise me."
"Hehe, no need for 'advise.' Just a little thing to keep in mind."
Looking at Berno Light, who was listening intently, Komiyama offered her words of experience.
"Sometimes, the correct plan isn't necessarily the good plan. To bring out an Uma Musume's abilities 100%, relying solely on formulaic arrangements isn't enough."
"..."
Berno Light seemed to understand something.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.