Chapter 134: She was chasing something far too uncertain…

"Tokai Teio, why is she even running in the Tenno Sho? She should just withdraw."

Once, those words drifted to my ears on the wind.

Honestly—how rude.

Uma Musume have pretty sharp hearing, you know. If you’re going to talk behind someone’s back, at least do it somewhere they can’t hear you.

Well… back then, I had gone out in light disguise to buy some shoes, so it’s not like they could have recognized me anyway.

…But still.

I can’t say I don’t understand how they felt.

Tokai Teio lost to Hoshino Wilm in the Osaka Hai.

The margin was a nose.

It was a tiny difference, but Wilm undeniably crossed the finish line before me.

Over 2000 meters — a battlefield that should have been overwhelmingly favorable to me and overwhelmingly unfavorable to her…

There wasn’t even room for excuses. I had been completely beaten.

Between us personally, that’s one thing — but from the public’s perspective, the rankings were basically settled.

Hoshino Wilm was the brightest first-magnitude star.

And I was merely a second-magnitude one.

That order wasn’t going to change.

In a situation favorable to me.

And unfavorable to Wilm.

And she still won.

So what would happen if we stepped onto a battlefield favorable to Wilm and unfavorable to me…?

Well, anyone could figure that out. It was obvious.

Then why run the Tenno Sho?

Why enter a race you have no chance of winning, waste your legs for nothing — what’s the point?

…There’s only one answer to that, right?

Because I want to win.

We Uma Musume always run for that reason.

To win. To surpass the backs ahead of us. We burn every single moment for that purpose.

---

That said…

No matter how hard I try, the disadvantage itself doesn’t disappear.

『And now, the day has finally arrived — the Tenno Sho (Spring), featuring the clash of the three great powers of the HTM generation!

The overwhelming favorite is the undefeated Triple Crown winner with the most G1 victories — the terrifying Gray Dragon, the brightest star of the Stellar Generation: Hoshino Wilm!

Second favorite is the flawless leading lady of the turf, boasting an 88% in-the-money rate — Mejiro McQueen!

And the third favorite, still without a major title yet fiercely powerful — the shining second star, Tokai Teio!

This will be the first time these three have faced each other since the Arima Kinen, and the first since Tokai Teio returned to peak condition!』

『All three are among the very top tier of the current Twinkle Series.

In particular, Hoshino Wilm and Mejiro McQueen are pure stayers, possessing tremendous lung capacity and legs that last over long distances. If things proceed normally, they should absolutely be contenders for the lead in this race as well.』

As I waited for the race to begin, stretching my body, the announcer’s voice reached me from afar.

It’s frustrating, but compared to Wilm and McQueen, I’m seen as a step below.

Tokai Teio lacks long-distance aptitude and stamina compared to those two — that’s the general opinion, and this race is considered far beyond my distance limit.

…If, hypothetically, I had won the Satsuki Sho or the Derby last year, maybe the evaluation would be different.

If there were rumors calling me the Uma Musume who took a G1 from Hoshino Wilm, or the one who claimed a Double Crown against fierce rivals, maybe I could have been placed alongside them.

But in reality…

I am certainly strong, but at present I’m nothing more than an Uma Musume without a single graded-stakes victory.

Which means, in a way, people are judging my ability fairly objectively.

And… that evaluation is correct.

This time, I am overwhelmingly disadvantaged compared to my two rivals.

Yes. I’m at a huge disadvantage.

I’ve known that for a long time now.

And even so, I chose to run in this Tenno Sho.

That’s the whole story.

"…Phew."

To be honest, my chances of winning are vanishingly small.

If the race pace doesn’t turn disastrous, if I make no mistakes, and if the Domain Wilm will likely open doesn’t exceed expectations by too much… then maybe.

That’s about the level we’re talking about.

The Osaka Hai made something clear: unfortunately, race planning isn’t my strong suit.

Which means this time, it’ll be a race like threading a needle — relying only on the strength and instincts I’ve polished to perfection.

But standing before a race like that…

"I’m doing this."

Not “I have to.”

Not “I’ve got no choice.”

The words that naturally slipped from my mouth were: “I’m doing this.”

Yeah. Honestly, that’s not a bad mental state.

I’m tense, but composed.

Cornered, but calm.

I recognize Wilm and McQueen as formidable opponents, but I’m not overwhelmed by fear.

And of course, it’s not just my mind — my body is in perfect condition too.

I’m about to compete against those two monsters in an unfavorable race. I’ve prepared myself as perfectly as humanly possible.

Even during last month’s Osaka Hai, I didn’t feel this fulfilled.

Without a doubt, Tokai Teio right now is in the best condition of her life.

All that remains is…

I glance toward my rivals.

The chestnut and gray favorites — considered the strongest contenders — are casually stretching while exchanging razor-sharp looks.

Yeah… even from a distance, the pressure they give off is incredible.

McQueen too, but Wilm especially transforms before a race.

How do I put it… like a wolf mixed into a pack of dogs.

No — more like a dragon, honestly.

But if I keep focusing on them, I’ll be handing away my chance at victory.

I need to concentrate on my own race without getting distracted.

---

In the end…

The reason Hoshino Wilm is unbeatable is because of her running style: the runaway lead.

With an exceptional start, she seizes the front by a huge margin, preventing interference from the pack.

By standing at the very front — visible to everyone — she drags the entire field along and raises the overall pace.

And even against those chasing her, she unleashes a final spurt with absurd stamina and escapes to the finish.

If she were only physically strong, there would be openings everywhere to exploit.

But she possesses stamina that seems inexhaustible, a finishing kick comparable even to late closers, and on top of that adopts the runaway style — which reduces her weaknesses.

Originally, she still had flaws: a tendency to get overeager when others approached, stiffness in both her running and her thinking.

But most likely through her races with Nature and the guidance of her contracted trainer, those weaknesses were corrected almost instantly.

Now, Hoshino Wilm has no clear weaknesses at all.

Unless someone like Nature dedicates themselves entirely to countering her, any half-baked strategy like mine wouldn’t even manage to throw a pebble at her feet.

On the other hand, Mejiro McQueen delivers extremely consistent results.

The reason is simple: overwhelmingly high specs.

She has stamina that can only be described as monstrous, legs that last for ages — and yet her finishing kick isn’t lacking either. Calling her “high overall specs” is probably the most accurate description.

She isn’t completely flawless like Wilm.

In fact, because she uses orthodox tactics, there are theoretically many openings to exploit.

But Mejiro McQueen simply crushes all of them through sheer physical dominance.

Her Wilm-level stamina raises her baseline race pace enormously. Any Uma Musume trying to keep up gets dragged along until their stamina runs dry — and then they fade.

To beat her with strategy alone, you’d need, at minimum, enough stamina to follow McQueen.

And in the current Twinkle Series, probably only Wilm or Nature could manage that.

An overwhelming, unquestionable “crushing victory” through physical superiority.

Compared to Wilm she feels more brute-force, but McQueen has her own guaranteed path to victory.

What these two share is massive stamina.

Especially Wilm — the only time I’ve ever seen her truly exhausted was something like last year’s Arima Kinen.

Which is exactly why these two are the most advantaged Uma Musume in the longest G1 race: the Tenno Sho.

If I just run normally…

There’s no way I can catch them.

…That’s right.

I can’t win this race by running normally.

My usual tactic is forward positioning — sitting around fourth or fifth, then overtaking in the final corner or stretch.

But if I just do that, my chance of winning is zero. I’ll get swallowed by the high-pace pack, drained of stamina, and my legs won’t respond in the final stretch.

So then — how should I fight?

To defeat Hoshino Wilm and Mejiro McQueen…

How should Tokai Teio run?

…In the end, there was only one answer I could come up with.

---

『And they’re off!』

With a clatter, we burst forward.

I tried to launch as fast as possible…

But she was still—far, far faster.

『A clean start from all seventeen runners — and as expected, it’s Hoshino Wilm who leaps out ahead!

Following behind — is it Tokai Teio? Or Mejiro McQueen?』

…Stay calm.

It’s fine. Don’t panic. Trust yourself.

Ignore everything else and simply run your own race.

Because that is the only answer I found for this race.

『The field immediately stretches out vertically! About two lengths behind Hoshino Wilm is Mejiro Palmer on the outside, followed by number four Kleine Kiste, Casual Snap, and Tunneling Voice moving up from the outside.

Dropping back smoothly to observe is number five Mejiro McQueen, currently around sixth to seventh, with number eleven Poisonous between them as Tokai Teio keeps watch! But will Mejiro McQueen move forward as expected?』

『They’re now descending into the third corner of the first lap — an early, aggressive race development as the pack spreads out rapidly. With her proud stamina, Hoshino Wilm is swinging her legs effortlessly — but who can possibly keep up with her?』

Wilm… that pace is beyond expectations.

Before the race, I thought maybe McQueen could follow her tempo.

Apparently, I was wrong.

Today’s Wilm is somehow even faster than usual.

No—compared to her normal races, it might actually be slightly slower… but considering this is a 3200-meter race, it should still be far too fast.

For a brief moment, I wondered what she was thinking, then—

Ah. The Domain.

I see. Wilm’s second Domain probably requires some level of fatigue as a condition.

And most likely, when she opens it, one of the effects either reduces exhaustion or restores stamina.

Having sensed that during the Osaka Hai, Wilm is now fully intending to exploit it by raising the pace from early on.

Ah… this is troublesome.

She was already nearly unbreakable — and now she’s even harder to overtake.

…Even so, I have no intention of changing my plan.

『They enter the home stretch of the first lap.

The leader, needless to say, is Hoshino Wilm, about six lengths ahead! In second is Mejiro Palmer, then spaced about a length apart are Kleine Kiste, Poisonous, and Tunneling Voice in pursuit.

And in sixth — there’s Mejiro McQueen. She’s secured a good position and looks comfortable.』

『Tokai Teio is further back than usual for her, currently around eleventh — could this be part of her strategy?』

Several Uma Musume pass me as I run, watching the situation ahead.

Like runners fading in the final stretch, my position gradually slips backward.

Normally, this would be terrible.

I’m a pace runner — the standard is to sit somewhere between second and sixth.

If you get overtaken mid-race, your position in the pack drops.

That means more runners to pass later, narrower lanes to move through, and higher speeds required.

That’s why we usually have to keep up with the overall race pace to some degree…

But this time—

I chose to abandon that entirely.

『Hoshino Wilm passes in front of the stands — and Kyoto’s crowd roars and twists with excitement!

Number five Mejiro McQueen, number eighteen Tokai Teio, and number nine Hoshino Wilm! As expected, these three form the core of the race! Keep your eyes on them!』

『Looking at the overall field, it’s the familiar high pace — but this is 3200 meters. Can they really maintain this to the end?』

If I follow this pace, I’ll run out of stamina midway.

And that will be the end of me.

So what should I do?

Simple.

Don’t follow.

What I need to focus on now isn’t the pack’s movement or the race flow.

It’s my own running. Nothing else.

Yes — the strategy I came up with this time is extremely simple.

I won’t ride the pace created by Wilm or McQueen at all.

Instead, I’ll run the most efficient pace possible for me over this 3200-meter course — with the most efficient form I can maintain.

Rather than racing…

I’ll run as if I’m selfishly soloing my own race.

And then at the end—

Like a closer, I’ll surge from the rear and overtake everything in one move.

I thought and thought and thought…

But in the end, this was the only way I could imagine winning a Tenno Sho with those two in it.

Of course, this plan comes with countless difficulties.

Difficulties so extreme they’re practically impossible.

Breaking convention means abandoning stability, and there’s no telling how the surrounding runners will react or how the race flow will change in response to such an unconventional approach.

Even if it works until the late stages, I’ll still have to weave through countless rivals who passed me while riding Wilm’s pace.

And even if I clear those two hurdles, what waits at the end is a finishing-kick duel against Wilm — someone I’ve never beaten in a final spurt even once.

…No matter how I look at it, it’s an absurd strategy.

A victory that would almost be a miracle if it succeeded.

Not just unrealistic — people would probably say I’d lost my mind.

After this race, the public will likely criticize me endlessly.

They’ll say it was foolish running that ignored the basics of racing.

…But.

In this unwinnable race, this is probably my only path to victory.

And in the end, it was also the method my Trainer accepted, saying—

"I understand. I’ll trust you, Teio."

So now, all that remains is to trust my instincts…

The racing sense she called “the real genius” within me.

『As the cheers continue endlessly, the leader now approaches the first corner.

As expected of eighteen seasoned competitors, not a single runner has lost composure or heart. From here, how will the race unfold? We’re just reaching the midpoint!』

I’m lacking.

I’m lacking in everything.

I’m not a monster like Wilm, who overturns impossibilities and carves out victory…

And I don’t have overwhelming stamina like McQueen — enough to run this race to the end.

So I’ll do everything I can. I’ll use everything available.

Optimizing my running through the corners — Arc Maestro.

Reducing unnecessary fatigue even on straights — Second Wind.

Preserving what I’ve stored — Gluttony.

Cooling the heat accumulating like debt in my body — Cooldown.

Easing speed while storing strength — Calm Composure.

Focusing solely on my plan and running — Single-Minded Focus.

Not wavering even when overtaken — Indomitable Heart.

And continuing to move my legs with a blazing spirit despite exhaustion — Desperation Power.

What my Trainer taught me. What the President taught me.

And not just that — everything I stole by watching footage of Wilm, McQueen… and the great champions of the past.

Everything I possess.

Even things I don’t truly possess, but can partially reproduce here.

Every technique. Every method. Every form of running.

I’ll use all of it — and run.

…It’s okay.

My intuition says I can do this.

If I use everything, and run in my own way—

Overtaking Hoshino Wilm isn’t impossible.

…However.

That is—

Only if she doesn’t unleash power beyond expectations.

A chill crawls down my spine as a terrifying presence approaches from ahead.

The secret depths of racing Uma Musume I’ve felt many times before—

The presence of a Domain.

And this feeling…

There’s no mistake.

It’s Wilm’s.

In the next instant—

The world is overwritten.

At first glance, it didn’t look as though the scenery had drastically changed from the racecourse.

The turf beneath my feet had become rough, untended grass. The rails and grandstands had vanished… and the air had grown sharply colder.

It was a quiet place. Calm. Cold…

And yet, somehow gentle.

This was Wilm’s new Domain.

A vivid green grassland stretching all the way to the horizon.

…Ah. Just as I expected.

But this is bad.

The fact that she came to the Tenno Sho wearing her deep-blue racing outfit had already told me she intended to open her Domain.

On top of that, considering Wilm’s stamina, this race pace felt slightly high — which allowed me to predict that the Domain’s effect likely included reduced stamina consumption… or recovery.

And indeed, far ahead in my line of sight, Wilm was running joyfully through her own world.

Her speed…

Probably hadn’t changed much before and after opening the Domain.

But despite maintaining such a high pace, there was almost no sign of accumulating fatigue.

Which meant, as expected, the Domain was easing her exhaustion.

That part was within my predictions…

But the fact that her speed hadn’t changed at all — that was completely outside them.

No… not just unexpected.

I had assumed that couldn’t possibly be the case.

…The Domain of Hoshino Wilm — the Ashen Dragon who shines brightest —

A world that is merely calm and restorative?

Impossible.

Her true nature isn’t stillness, but motion.

Not passive, but aggressive.

A reactive ability that simply mitigates fatigue cannot possibly represent her core.

Domains come in different types.

The most typical is what my Trainer calls the “Speed-Type” Domain — one that allows you to run faster and stronger.

The next most common is the “Acceleration-Type,” which shortens the time it takes to reach your target speed.

According to my Trainer, there’s logic behind this bias.

The first Domain often reflects our dreams — our desires for self-actualization.

In simple terms, feelings like “I want to beat someone” or “I want to run faster” directly manifest as speed or acceleration.

And only a tiny fraction of runners ever acquire a second Domain — even within the Twinkle Series.

One or two per generation at most. Sometimes none at all.

Which means for most Uma Musume, Domain equals their first Domain — and that is usually speed- or acceleration-based.

But in truth, Domains vary infinitely.

They aren’t limited to simple speed boosts.

…Even now, I remember it like yesterday.

The practice race with the President and Nature — the one that became the trigger for me awakening my Domain.

And within it, I saw the President’s Domain…

Its precision was overwhelming.

Back then, still immature, I felt intimidated by its pressure and instinctively opened a path for her…

…Or so I thought.

But that wasn’t what really happened.

I understand now.

It wasn’t fear. It wasn’t intimidation.

I was forcibly moved.

Regardless of my will, as if it were the natural order of things, I was shoved out from the inside lane.

This is something I learned later from my Trainer.

The President’s first Domain originally was a Speed-Type.

But as she refined it, it evolved into a composite ability with two effects.

A Speed-Type that increased her velocity even further—

And an Interference-Type that forcibly manipulated other runners.

"A Domain that knocks surrounding runners off the inside lane and allows only herself to charge down the opened path."

One of the President’s trump cards.

Because I know that exists…

I couldn’t help but feel something off about Wilm’s new Domain.

A Recovery-Type Domain…

I had heard such things existed.

Rare Domains awakened by long-distance runners — abilities meant to enable even greater endurance.

Rumor says that even Super Creek-senpai had this type.

But…

Something this plain and passive simply doesn’t suit Wilm.

Which means…

Is there still something more?

Has she not revealed her true depths yet?

Maybe I’m overthinking it.

But I couldn’t shake that feeling.

『Hoshino Wilm continues her effortless solo run as she rounds the second corner and enters the backstretch!

Let’s confirm positions once more — leading as expected is Hoshino Wilm! Far behind, about six lengths back, Mejiro Palmer clings desperately in second! In third is number four Kleine Kiste, fourth is number eleven Poisonous, and proudly in fifth is Mejiro McQueen! She’s secured a strong position and is steadily advancing her race!

Meanwhile Tokai Teio has dropped significantly — around thirteenth now perhaps? Waiting patiently along the inside lane — this race is still impossible to predict!』

『Looking at the clock, it seems Tokai Teio intends to maintain her own optimal pace. Will this strategy prove fortunate or disastrous? The Kyoto Racecourse straight is approximately 400 meters!』

"...Well. Whatever."

The scenery of Wilm’s Domain melted away and vanished.

Confirming that the Domain’s expansion had ended, I deliberately turned my gaze away from Wilm.

For better or worse, she truly draws people’s attention…

But this time, I must not look at her.

Because I’m running a solo race.

I’ll store my strength alone.

Unleash my finishing kick alone.

Cross the finish alone.

All I’m doing is overtaking everyone along the way.

Running past the finish line faster than anyone else.

My move comes on the uphill toward the third corner…

No — on the downhill just beyond it.

That point marks my physical limit.

If I accelerate before then, I’ll fade at the very end.

So until that moment, I must maintain absolute composure.

If my form wavers and I get pulled into this race’s pace, my defeat will be decided right there.

『Now the gentle uphill begins — we’re approaching the third corner, the critical moment to make a move!

Will Mejiro McQueen claim the Spring Tenno Sho again and achieve consecutive victories?! Will Tokai Teio seize her first crown as the rightful owner of the Spring Shield?! Or will Hoshino Wilm once again demonstrate her overwhelming power and prove the crown unchanged?!』

…The gap between Wilm and me is enormous.

From the leader to here — fifteen lengths, perhaps.

Around me now are about seven runners who either couldn’t follow Wilm’s pace…

Or chose not to.

And among them, I was running the inside lane — almost as if surrounded.

Almost at the uphill of the third corner.

To prepare for the downhill, I need to break out of this pack soon.

But it’s fine.

There’s no problem at all.

The girls surrounding me aren’t Wilm, or Nature, or McQueen.

Which is to say…

They’re not even worth calling a contest.

"Move."

I mutter under my breath and ease my legs for just a split second.

Naturally, the girl running to my left edges slightly ahead… and right there, a gap opens — just enough space for one Uma Musume to slip through.

That’s all it takes. The obstructing wall collapses.

Now I just have to pass through.

I shift my line as if stepping through choreography, slipping out from the group that had boxed me in.

From another angle, it might even be judged as interference — a dangerous maneuver.

But right now, I can’t afford to waste even a single instant.

I clear the pack. The climb is halfway done.

My legs… they’re fine. More than enough left in them.

I’ve been giving it everything up to this point. Even Yodo’s slope can’t stop me now.

…Yeah. That’s right. I’ve given it everything.

Everything I could possibly do — I did it all.

I hammered arrogance and pride out of my body and heart.

I kept watching Wilm more than anyone else, observing her until I was sick of it.

I trained my body relentlessly, to the point of nearly inflaming it from overuse.

To master the techniques for long-distance racing, I watched every Tenno Sho recording that still existed.

I threw away conventional wisdom and stability alike, choosing the one outrageous strategy that might actually win.

All the things I discarded — I tossed them into the furnace, and now I run with what remains.

That’s how badly I want to win.

I want to win. This time, absolutely.

Hoshino Wilm and Mejiro McQueen.

The strong, brilliant Uma Musume I’ve never once defeated.

This battlefield favors them more than anything… and is hopelessly disadvantageous for me.

If I let this chance slip, I may never get another opportunity for a complete, decisive victory.

That’s why…

"Hah…!!"

The instant I reach the peak of the third corner, I launch forward.

To catch them. To overtake them… with the greatest power I can muster.

…Forward!!!

---

It’s a strange thing, but…

At that moment, I felt like I heard her voice — though she should have been far, far ahead.

"Well then… I can hear it now."

Faintly, yet unmistakably.

Her voice reached me as if it had resonated straight into my soul.

…And then, one more thing.

This part was just as strange, but—

I felt like her Domain, which should have already closed, opened once again.

"Everyone’s… cheers."

The grassland filling my vision—

The grass at my feet, swaying in the wind—

Whoosh—

Burst into blue flames.