"This is the Japanese Derby—the second crown of the Classic Triple Crown."
Tamamo Cross stared at the contenders as they filed into the starting gates, speaking as if in a daze.
Only the very best of the Classic Year could stand here. Popularity, results, strength—none could be missing. As the runners entered, Tokyo Racecourse transformed into an ocean of cheers. Perfectly synchronized chants surged in waves; the roar rolled over the grandstands again and again. Tamamo knew perfectly well she wasn't one of the participants today… and yet her heart still shook with it.
Because she was a horse girl—an athlete born for running. A hunger for the race lived inside her soul.
Just setting foot on a G1 stage like the Japanese Derby was, for an ordinary horse girl, the highest kind of honor.
As for actually winning a G1… that was something painfully distant.
But with Trainer Gamu by her side—she would race in G1s.
And she would win.
"Trainer Gamu…"
Tamamo turned to Takayama Gamu. In the crowd, countless penlights glittered and flowed like a living river. Staring at his face as the sound-waves of cheering crashed around them, she spoke.
"I'll become Japan's number one horse girl."
Her vow vanished into the roar. Gamu leaned closer, puzzled, and still couldn't make out a single word.
But he did understand one thing: Tamamo Cross wanted to stand on a stage like this.
"You will," Gamu shouted into her ear so she could hear him. "Tamamo Cross—I'll make sure you get to race in G1!"
Chiemi Representative sucked in a sharp breath.
Trainer Gamu… that's basically a confession.
"And Oguri Cap—I'll make sure you get to race in the Japanese Derby too!"
Gamu turned and said it to Oguri. Oguri nodded blankly, like she hadn't fully processed what was being said.
The Japanese Derby was a Classic race—only Classic Year horse girls could enter. Tamamo was currently in her Classic Year, but she didn't have enough prize money or fans, so she couldn't qualify.
But Oguri next year?
She absolutely could.
"…?"
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
Feeling a strange gaze, Gamu glanced behind him—only to find Chiemi Representative smiling at him, eyes narrowed in amusement.
"I just think you're really…" She drew the word out, then raised a thumbs-up. "Free."
If you thought about it, Gamu didn't really understand the trainer profession at all. After his big argument with the elite trainers, hardly any trainers interacted with him anymore—so there was a lot he simply didn't know.
A personality like his would be dangerous at Tracen. Especially when he was young—and strikingly good-looking.
Behind that cheerful smile, Chiemi Representative was thinking about things she absolutely shouldn't say out loud.
And his two trainees were from the countryside too—meaning they also seemed to know nothing about that side of things.
…Wait. If you looked at it this way, wasn't the situation completely terrible?
Still, he did have a "little sister" attending Tracen, so she'd protect him, right?
Except…
That little sister wasn't related to him by blood—
And if she was only a stepsister, that might actually make things more dangerous.
There were records of this sort of thing in the student council archives.
Chiemi Representative was free-spirited by nature and never really wanted to join the student council—but the council held access to a whole collection of Tracen's "dark stories" that outsiders must never know. Only council members could read them.
And Chiemi joined purely to enjoy the gossip.
"…A stepsister is actually dangerous," Chiemi said gravely.
"What are you even talking about?" Gamu asked.
"Nothing." Chiemi waved it off.
Looks like I'll have to keep an eye on Trainer Gamu, she thought.
...
"First place—Uwakai Bijin!"
Akasaka Misato—Japan's one and only dedicated live commentator for horse-girl racing—declared in a soaring voice, bringing the nation-watched race to its conclusion. This year's Derby winner had been born.
"Kikuka Sho—just you wait for me!"
"I'll win in style!"
Under a storm of camera flashes, Uwakai Bijin said it to the reporters crowding in, then strode off with confidence toward backstage, heading for the winner's stage.
"She'll become our opponent."
Watching Uwakai Bijin on the big screen, Gamu said it to Tamamo Cross beside him.
The final crown of the Classic Triple Crown—the Kikuka Sho—was exactly the race Gamu had planned for Tamamo to enter.
If Tamamo faced Uwakai Bijin right now, her win probability would be low.
But the Kikuka Sho was still five full months away—and Tamamo was currently in her fastest growth period, the phase where her strength would rise sharply. Gamu was confident he could train Tamamo to the point where she could beat her.
"Let's work hard together, Tamamo Cross."
Gamu patted her shoulder to encourage her.
Tamamo didn't answer.
She just stared into his eyes.
"Trainer Gamu… there's something I want to tell you. Just you."
She gathered her courage—and reached out, taking his hand.
"Just the two of us. Is that okay?"
"…What about me?" Oguri asked, poking her head in, confused.
Chiemi Representative—who could read the room—grabbed Oguri immediately.
"I'll treat you to something delicious. Come on, Oguri."
"But—" Oguri hesitated.
Looking at Tamamo holding Gamu's hand, even Oguri could tell something was off. She just couldn't say what.
"We'll come find you soon, Oguri," Tamamo took a deep breath, her gaze unwavering. "There are words I've decided I have to say to Trainer Gamu."
Chiemi tugged Oguri along. In the end, Oguri followed while glancing back again and again, until she disappeared—leaving only Tamamo Cross and Takayama Gamu in their seats.
"Trainer Gamu… let's go outside."
Tamamo tightened her grip on his wrist—an intensity Gamu couldn't easily resist. He knew that if he put even a little strength into it, Tamamo would let go on her own; she was always such a well-behaved kid.
But he didn't do that.
He let her lead him out of Tokyo Racecourse.
The Derby's start time had been six in the evening; now it was the hour when the sunset dyed the world red. Towering buildings glittered with neon. Cars sliced through the air with sharp, passing roars. In that dim golden afterglow, the two walked one behind the other, ignoring everything around them—until there was no one beside them except each other.
"Trainer Gamu…"
Tamamo turned around.
The courage she'd gathered earlier had nearly evaporated during the long walk. But she knew what she had to do.
Her face was flushed—sunset glow and embarrassment tangled together—and she spoke shyly.
"I'll become Japan's number one horse girl."
.....
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