Chapter 32: Conversation Event — Agnes Tachyon & Manhattan Cafe

There’s a term called the Domain Zone. It doesn’t exist in the Uma Musume app, but it holds significant meaning in the spinoff Cinderella Gray.

According to Symboli Rudolf, “Every Uma Musume who defines an era eventually reaches that domain.” But…

"Hmm… I just can’t reproduce it at all! What the heck was that?"

Maybe what I showed at the Oka Sho wasn’t the Domain Zone after all.

At that moment, I was certain I had surpassed my limits. I could see the movements of the other Uma Musume so clearly it felt like precognition, and on the final stretch’s slope, I unleashed a surge of speed that defied belief.

I’ve been running ever since, trying to replicate that power again, but I haven’t even found a clue where to start.

"Damn it, maybe it only works in real races? Still, relying solely on that is risky…"

I’m the type who likes to think through my races. I don’t enjoy running with unpredictable factors… though it’s true that power could completely overturn a race.

It’s a tough dilemma.

As I stood alone on the training ground, someone suddenly called out to me.

"Well, well! Isn’t that one of my brilliant little guinea pigs! What a coincidence!"

"Ah… Tachyon-san, hello. And thank you for last time."

Agnes Tachyon — a genius Uma Musume chasing the speed that lies beyond all limits.

I owe her thanks. Without the data from Symboli Rudolf, I might never have reached that state.

"No need for thanks! That was simply fair compensation for helping with my experiment. But! I do have a few questions for you."

"Huh? Um… did I do something wrong?"

In the next instant, Tachyon leaned in close — really close.

Her eyes, filled with a mad brilliance, gleamed as if they could swallow light itself.

"The Oka Sho! That final burst you showed at the end! You definitely exceeded your speed limit then, didn’t you!? What did you see? What did you feel!?"

"Eek!"

I instinctively stepped back. I knew she was obsessed with speed… but seeing it firsthand was something else entirely.

This is madness.

Trying to calm her down, I slowly backed away.

"U-um, I’ll explain everything properly, so please… calm down, okay?"

"Hmm. Ah, my apologies! In any case, I want you to tell me everything about that moment. Of course, I’ve prepared a little reward."

From her pocket, she pulled out a USB stick. I gulped audibly. If it held data like last time, it would be immensely valuable.

Seeing my reaction, Tachyon grinned slyly.

"Hehehe… I think you’ll like this one too. After all, it’s the data of Ta-Ma-Mo-Cross herself!"

"Tamamo Cross…?"

Tamamo Cross — the “White Lightning.” One of the few Uma Musume to win both the spring and autumn Tenno Sho. She only has three G1 titles, but her strength far exceeds the number.

I mean, three G1 victories are already insane, but it’s hard to shine when the Emperor exists in your era. And being in the same generation as monsters like Oguri Cap and Super Creek? Brutal.

Seriously, three G1s among that crowd is almost unnatural.

"Looks like that got your attention! Now, tell me all about the Oka Sho! …Well, I would say that, but—"

Tachyon pointed toward the school building.

Ah, so she wants a proper, long chat. Fair enough — it’s going to be a lengthy one.

Following her lead, I made my way to her laboratory.

Still… where do I even start? I barely understand it myself.

"Hello… Tachyon-san, are you keeping Lux-san busy again? You’re not making her do anything weird, right…?"

"It’s fine! We’re just talking this time. Anyway, please make your own drink!"

"Lux-san, would you like coffee? If so, I’ll prepare it… I just got a new batch of beans…"

"Ah, yes, thank you very much."

Taking a seat, I closed my eyes and tried to recall the Oka Sho.

Now that I think about it, I felt strange even before the race began.

"Hmm… all of your senses being directed toward the race, you say? Interesting… but I need more data. If only I could interview past top-tier Uma Musume about their experiences…"

"By the time I entered the gate, I could barely hear the crowd anymore. Instead, I could feel the breathing of every Uma Musume at the start line as if they were right next to me."

That sensation — as if I could perceive everything — maybe that was the beginning of the Domain. The final stretch itself might have been the true manifestation, and that earlier sense merely a byproduct. That would make sense.

"To become that hyper-aware… or perhaps it’s not awareness but concentration that’s the key? Still, that can’t be the only factor."

"Yes. The real change came after entering the final stretch. My acceleration on that slope even shocked me. I didn’t think I could move that fast…"

"Here’s your coffee. Milk and sugar are over here."

"Ah, thank you, Cafe-san."

The more I think about it, the less I understand. Maybe calling it a Domain isn’t even right — perhaps it’s better to call it a Unique Skill. Since this world is based on the app version anyway…

And besides, “Domain Zone” doesn’t sound very pretty. I’d rather not make faces like manga Oguri while charging forward.

"Cafe, I’d like to hear your opinion too. You must have some thoughts after hearing her story?"

"Indeed… I believe what Lux experienced is a technique said to be attained by Uma Musume who reach a certain level of mastery."

"I thought so. Seems there are many names for it."

"Yes. ‘Domain Zone,’ ‘Unique,’ ‘Point of Attainment’… there are various terms, but all share one thing in common — they allow a person to surpass their natural limits."

Then I suppose I’ll stick with calling it Unique for now. Mine would likely be “expanded perception + burst acceleration on the final stretch.”

"So you think so too, Cafe. I see… seems it’s a necessity for those aiming beyond speed itself."

"I tried to replicate that feeling during training, but I just couldn’t get it right."

"Naturally… without a powerful will, you can’t reach it. At the very least, you need to run alongside another — or even race — just to glimpse that state."

"I see… so that’s how it is. I’ll have to ask my trainer about adding more side-by-side training. If I’m going to challenge the senior class, mastering my Unique will be essential."

A month and a half left — not a lot of time. Tough schedule or not, it’s the path I chose. I’ll do everything I can.

"Um, anything else you’d like me to talk about?"

"Let’s see… that run you showed on the final corner — that was Symboli Rudolf’s style, wasn’t it? Seems my data served you well! Though I didn’t expect you to perfect it that far!"

"I’m glad it took shape. It was only an imitation, but even so, it turned into something powerful."

With the talk of Domain Zones — or rather Uniques — wrapped up, I spent a while chatting casually with Agnes Tachyon and Manhattan Café.

As the conversation flowed, it naturally shifted toward Café’s next goal.

"Are you entering Takarazuka next, Café-san? Or planning another long-distance race?"

"…About that. Café, perhaps you should reconsider?"

"No… I’ve already decided. I’m going to the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe."

The moment I heard those words, I almost forgot to breathe.

Manhattan Café. The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Those two names are deeply connected. In the real world, she was injured during the Arc — and retired immediately afterward.

I can’t let Manhattan Café go to France like this. Every instinct in my body screamed that at me.

"Um… isn’t an overseas race kind of risky? Hasn’t your trainer said anything?"

"Ah, well, Café’s team is fairly hands-off, you see. They don’t even complain when I play the role of her stand-in trainer."

Oh, seriously? …That’s bad. The Arc de Triomphe is no joke.

The grass there is completely different from Japan’s — heavier, thicker, and far less forgiving. Add the stress of racing in a foreign environment, and it’s no wonder no Japanese horse girl has ever managed to win the Arc.

"Do you really think you can handle the Arc? Longchamp is a pretty unforgiving course…"

"She says she wants to go, after all… Though, honestly, I wish she wouldn’t."

At this rate, Manhattan Café won’t make it through.

Foreign turf is heavy and clings like mud — it’s infamous for that. Naturally, raw power becomes essential.

But Manhattan Café doesn’t have that kind of strength.

Then again… how many Japanese horse girls do?

"My friend… is calling me… So I have to go… to France… to the Arc…"

"Café…"

Looking into Manhattan Café’s vacant yet strangely fixated eyes, I found myself unable to say anything. Whatever I told her now, it probably wouldn’t reach her.

If there’s ever going to be a chance — it’ll have to be right before she departs for France.

"Well, that’s how it is. It’s frustrating that I can’t see this ‘friend’ of hers myself, though."

When I looked behind her, a shadowy horse girl stood there in complete silence. She said nothing, facing away from us.

Why is she doing this? Does this “friend” of hers… want to break Café?

"You are…"

I tried to call out, but before I could say another word, the “friend” vanished — without a sound.

Damn it. She’s not listening either.

The warm, relaxed atmosphere we’d shared moments ago vanished completely, replaced by a heavy, uneasy silence between the three of us.

Because of that, Tachyon decided to end the tea meeting early.

But what am I supposed to do now? Standing alone outside the room, I couldn’t help thinking. The one person we could rely on — the trainer — was practically absent.

"Hey, mind if I have a word?"

"Tachyon… I, um, don’t really know what to say…"

"Right. I’d like to respect Café’s wishes as much as possible, but… you understand too, don’t you? Manhattan Café’s body can’t endure the strain of the Arc."

I nodded silently.

"I’ve been trying to come up with a few ways to stop her, but… it’s not something I can do alone."

"Not alone…? Then if I help you, maybe — there’s a chance?"

"Well, I wouldn’t say zero. Café seems quite fond of you, so the odds aren’t bad."

Manhattan Café and I are fairly close. We even drink coffee together sometimes.

That’s why I can’t stand the thought of just sitting by and watching her break herself.

"If you’re willing, I’ll send you the details and her departure date later. Haa… how did things end up like this?"

"Tachyon…"

With a weary sigh, she handed me a USB drive and her contact info, then turned back toward the room.

Left alone in the hallway, I couldn’t do anything but stand there in silence.

Central-class horse girls often suffer injuries — especially those who compete in GⅠ races.

Every race is a grueling battle that pushes them to their limits, both physically and mentally. That kind of strain inevitably wears them down.

…If Mihono Bourbon had followed the Triple Crown route like in the original timeline, maybe she too would’ve been injured at the Kikka-sho — beyond recovery.

A chill ran through me as fear crept up my spine.

"Haa… there’s no point overthinking it. First things first — gotta check the data with the trainer."

I muttered to myself, rolling the USB drive between my fingers. My voice echoed down the empty hallway, unheard by anyone, fading quietly into silence.