Chapter 29: GⅠ Race: Oka-sho (Cherry Blossom Prize)

At last, the GⅠ race had arrived. Would the gift bestowed by the Three Goddesses become nourishment for the "Falling Star"?

Her body and spirit were already honed. There was still room for growth, but she was complete enough to stand among the top-tier horse girls. That’s why the Three Goddesses couldn’t help but feel a twinge of regret—she had yet to manifest her "unique" style of running.

And so, this was their gift. What she lacked was the Uma Soul—the spiritual essence every horse girl possessed. The Three Goddesses made a subtle alteration, blending a fragment of that Uma Soul into her being.

If even this failed to awaken her unique power, perhaps "luck" had simply never been on her side.

Now then—what kind of ending would this race show? The Three Goddesses watched quietly as the race of the "Falling Stars" unfolded—

This marked my second GⅠ race, and the fourth time I’d face Mihono Bourbon.
So far, my record stood at one win and two losses.

"This time I’ll win—and finally catch up to Mihono Bourbon…!"

"Since you won in a short-distance race, it’d be great to win here too. A mile—1600 meters—should still be within your range. It’s not exactly a sprint, but you can definitely hold your own."

"Yeah. Even if Bourbon’s my opponent, there’s still a real chance. It’s all up to whether I can give it everything I’ve got."

If it were the old me, I wouldn’t have been able to say that. The results we see now are proof of the hard work my trainer and I have put in together, as one.

"So, what’s the plan today? I think repeating last time’s strategy would be pretty risky."

"Yeah, I’d rather not use that again. Actually, it only works once. Once they know you can run like that, they’ll stay on guard, right?"

That inside rail charge from last time was like poison—powerful but dangerous.
It left a vivid impression on spectators and rivals alike, making them think, Maybe this one could actually pull it off.
Just that thought alone was enough to throw them off their rhythm.

You could call it groundwork for a debuff. Of course, if I kept doing it, they’d eventually come up with counters—but used sparingly, it worked beautifully.

"Yeah, if I’d seen that, I’d definitely plan for it. If I were preparing for Mithialx, I’d watch the inside rail carefully. Honestly, I might even mark her as a wild card—someone too unpredictable to ignore."

"I hope that’s what they think. A horse girl who makes you think she might do something crazy, but doesn’t actually do it—that’s exactly the image I want."

For me, the race starts long before the fanfare.
I don’t think I have better raw potential than Mihono Bourbon. A head-to-head without a plan? That’d be suicide.

That’s why I tinker with strategies like this—to raise my odds, even if just a little.

"Alright, looks like it’s almost time. Watch me, Trainer. I’m in even better shape than last time."

"Funny… that just makes me more nervous somehow. But okay, if you say so, I’ll believe in you. Go out there and show me how you take your first GⅠ."

"You got it. I’ll leave Bourbon and the rest in the dust—right up to the finish line."

I threw on my cape and headed toward the paddock, packed with people.
There were even more spectators than at the GⅡ Fillies’ Review. The stands were clearly over capacity, and staff at the entrance were scrambling to guide the crowd.

"The highlight of the Oka Sho? Definitely Mihono Bourbon versus Mithialx."

"Fruit Parfait’s good too, but compared to those two… yeah, it’s hard to compete."

"Right? Those two put on an incredible show in the Fillies’ Review. I’m expecting another big one today."

Bourbon and I had completely stolen the spotlight. One’s a GⅠ horse girl. The other—me—beat her in the last race.
It’d be strange not to be the talk of the crowd.

"What about Polite Salute? She’s got good potential."

"Yeah, but she messed up her timing at the Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes. Without that, she could’ve finished way higher."

Still, it wasn’t like no one else was getting attention.

"Hey, look at Polite Salute—she’s looking sharp. She might even hang with those two."

"Whoa, better than I thought. If she times her run right, she could really pull something off."

"Told ya! She’s my pick! Polite Salute, I’m rooting for you!"

Polite Salute, huh? I’ve raced with her before.
Just from her physique, I can see why the crowd’s fired up—she could be one to watch. Her body’s lean and toned, her expression full of fire.

Honestly, anyone good enough to make it to a GⅠ is already elite. There’s no such thing as an unworthy competitor here.

"Oh, here comes Mihono Bourbon. She looked great last time, but how’s she now?"

"Come on, it’s Bourbon—we all know she doesn’t botch her prep."

Her racing suit was still as impressive as ever. Sleek, functional, perfectly screaming “Bourbon.”

"Whoa…"

"Unreal…"

The crowd stirred—and no wonder. Bourbon’s form was on another level.
Her body was tightened to perfection, muscles faintly visible beneath her skin.

Even I couldn’t help but hold my breath.

"So that’s how far she’s come… Her weight hasn’t changed, but her hindquarters are clearly thicker…"

"Meaning she’s cut every ounce of unnecessary fat… Damn, that’s terrifying."

For a moment, I felt like I might be swallowed by Bourbon’s aura.
I forced myself to focus—inhaling, exhaling—steadying my mind.

"Alright, next up—our other headliner."

"Though, honestly, it’s hard to tell how she’s looking with that racing outfit."

I stepped onto the stage, striking a bold pose—wordlessly declaring to the crowd: I’m here.

"Lux—no, Mithialx—looks incredible too. Yeah, her outfit hides it a bit, but still—"

"You can tell even through the fabric that she’s in top shape. And that aura… she doesn’t fade even after Bourbon’s entrance. I saw her debut footage—she’s like a completely different person now."

I’d done everything I could for this day.
There wasn’t much time after the Fillies’ Review, but I tried every idea, every preparation I could think of.

Even so, I didn’t know if I could beat Mihono Bourbon… or reach the glory of a GⅠ win.

There’s no such thing as absolute victory in a race.
That’s the truth—and the law of this world.

"At this point, it’s anyone’s race. That girl just now looked good too, didn’t she?"

"Yeah, exactly. We won’t really know until the warm-up, though. Sometimes they look great, but once the race starts—it’s a totally different story."

After finishing the presentation, I retreated into the underground passage.

Today, all eyes in the crowd were on me and Mihono Bourbon. The same was surely true for the other horse girls. They would all be marking us.

But honestly, most of those marks wouldn’t mean much.

Mihono Bourbon would charge to the front, leaving everyone in the dust with a triumphant grin. Meanwhile, I’d lurk in the back, then blast through the pack on the final stretch like a missile.

If I were one of them, I’d be furious too.

"How was it? Mihono Bourbon’s condition, I mean. I could only see from a distance, but she looked incredible. Considering how little time there was since the Fillies’ Review."

My trainer was waiting for me in the passage and spoke up.

Honestly, that level of preparation is insane. As expected from the horse girl who was supposed to be the “undefeated double-crown champion.”

That said, I still have a real chance of winning. Mihono Bourbon is still incomplete. That’s the conclusion I’ve reached after countless analyses.

"Yeah. She’s beyond exceptional. But I’m the one who’ll win."

"Good to hear. I was worried you might get intimidated after seeing her condition, but it looks like you’re fine. Alright—go out there and do your best."

"Of course. I’ll win, no matter what."

Remembering Mihono Bourbon’s sharp, flawless form from the paddock, a shiver runs through me.

Not from fear—this is the thrill of facing a worthy opponent. The tremor of my fighting spirit.

As I walk through the long underground corridor, I gradually calm my mind. Charging in recklessly won’t work against someone like her.

"The first step on the Tiara Route, the GⅠ Oka Sho! Hanshin Racecourse is absolutely packed today!"

"Due to an unexpectedly high turnout, admission restrictions have been put in place. It’s a common sight for a GⅠ race, but it’s still astonishing to see so many people."

The scale of the horse girl industry in this world is immense. Honestly… maybe they should just make the racecourse bigger?

Well, I’m sure there are reasons they can’t.

"Since this is a GⅠ race, it’s a full field of eighteen runners. Out of these eighteen, only one will claim the GⅠ crown. Who will it be?"

My previous race, the Fillies’ Review, served as a trial for the Oka Sho. However, the course isn’t exactly the same.

Simply put, the Fillies’ Review uses the inner track, while the Oka Sho uses the outer one.

The differences come down to minor details—corner angles, straight lengths—but even those fine distinctions can completely change how a race plays out.

"Now the warm-up runs are underway, and the crowd’s excitement is reaching its peak! Oh, Imperial Talis is sprinting at full speed—perhaps a show of confidence?"

"She’s more of a front-runner type. Maybe she’s just reaffirming her rhythm."

My turn comes up. The turf is in good condition. Even near the inner rail, the grass isn’t too rough. Looks like my previous strategy won’t work here.

Not that I planned to use it anyway.

"Mithialx is running smoothly!"

"She showed some daring moves in her last race. I can’t wait to see what kind of performance she’ll put on this time."

"Indeed. It’s rare to see a horse girl who specializes in coming from behind in short-distance races, so her fan popularity is high. I’m sure many in the crowd have their hopes on her today."

As the start time approaches, my focus sharpens. The commentary echoing from afar fades, slipping out of existence.

My mind zeroes in on the horse girls ahead. Everything else is unnecessary—waste.

Then, the fanfare rings out.

"All runners are now at the gate. The most popular pick today is Mihono Bourbon, starting from slot 4, gate 7."

"Naturally. Her front-running is frighteningly precise. In every race so far, the difference between her opening and closing splits has been less than a second. The nickname ‘cyborg’ isn’t for nothing."

Once I enter the gate, all pre-race prep will be done. All that remains is to wait for the start.

I can tell—I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been. Even better than in my last race.

I take a deep breath, then let it out slowly.

"And in second place on the odds board—Mithialx, starting from slot 7, gate 15!"

"In her previous race, even at short distance, she managed to beat Mihono Bourbon. Can she do it again here at the mile and claim her first GⅠ title?"

I’ve never realized how restless the inside of a gate could feel.

And yet, at the same time, it’s oddly calming. It reminds me that I can run. That I’m alive for this moment.

"In third place—Polite Salute. She lost to both Mithialx and Mihono Bourbon in the Asahi Cup. Can she take revenge today?"

"I think she’s got good potential. Her form during warm-ups looked fine."

I hear the sound of the final horse girl entering the gate. Her steps carry a faint trace of nervousness.

The Oka Sho is a Classic-tier race. Senior horses can’t participate. Cry or laugh, this is the only shot we get. Everything will be decided in this one run.

"All horses are now in the gate! One of the key races that will shape the Classic season—the Oka Sho—is moments away!"

Silence pierces through my ears.

A few seconds ago, the stadium was roaring. Now, not a single voice rises. As if to show respect—for the race, and for the horse girls giving it their all.

Then, with a sharp metallic clang, the gates burst open—!

"The gates open, and they’re off! All runners spring out at once! It’s Mihono Bourbon and Fruits Parfait battling for the lead! Neither is willing to yield—what an intense fight for the front!"

The second GⅠ race begins—the Oka Sho.
Whose hands will claim the crown?