Chapter 205: The Known Me, and an Unknown Someone

I—Understandable—am a genius. There’s hardly anyone who would deny that.

In this world, especially when it comes to racing, there was nothing I couldn’t do. Predicting the outcome of a race. Running faster than anyone and crossing the finish line first. Even… defeating active racing Uma Musume back when I hadn’t fully matured yet.

That’s why it was boring. If you already know what’s going to happen, the result has no meaning. When there’s nothing you can’t do, there’s no sense of accomplishment. I’d long grown tired of praise, and I was completely used to the strange looks people gave me. The world was dull, tedious, and suffocatingly stagnant.

Ah… this world was simply too small for me. Surely, nothing unknown that could truly excite me would ever appear here.

…At least, that’s what I used to think.

“…That’s how the saying goes in Japan, right?” I heard Hoshino Wilm mention it on Lane the other day.

At the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, I was hit with a massive “reality check.”

And not even from the one I admired most—Hoshino Wilm—but from Neddy, someone I hadn’t even considered worth noticing.

Neddy—or rather, Neddyrika.

An Uma Musume I had completely underestimated, one whose potential I hadn’t believed in even in the slightest.

Back then, I thought I understood everything about her abilities. I was certain she wouldn’t pose any threat to me in the Arc—that there was no way she could keep up with what I saw as nothing more than a “running date” between me and Hoshino Wilm.

But—

Everything I thought I understood was overturned.

Understandable… simply didn’t understand Uma Musume nearly well enough.

I lost to Neddy.

My running, my world, the power born from the soul itself… all of it was utterly overturned.

…Well, maybe “shattered” isn’t quite right. What she did felt more like forcing everything into a kind of equalized stillness—like imposing a strange, universal calm.

But either way—

The running I had absolute confidence in was overturned. Not by Hoshino Wilm, that absurd anomaly who hardly seems like she belongs in this world…

But by Neddyrika—someone no different from the others, just a little stronger, just a little more determined.

Did I grieve my first defeat?

Not at all.

In fact, it was the complete opposite. From the bottom of my heart—truly, genuinely—I was overjoyed.

It wasn’t because Hoshino Wilm is special that something unexpected happened. And it’s not that Neddy was secretly special either.

The Uma Musume of this world… any one of them can become special.

The world I thought I knew was overflowing with the unknown. This world is filled with near-infinite possibilities.

The closed world I lived in… opened up.

And most likely… so did my own potential.

I became interested in Uma Musume.

Neddy. Witch. Tomorrow. Bisque. Candy.

When I actually looked around, there were countless Uma Musume who seemed like they could entertain me.

Of course, my absolute favorite is still Hoshino Wilm. No contest.

But even so, I’ve come to enjoy watching others race, cheering them on, even running alongside them.

My world expanded, gaining color.

It was a joy of the soul unlike anything I had ever experienced since birth. Honestly, knowing everyone else had been feeling this all along almost makes me want to lose my mind with jealousy.

Time began to feel faster than ever before. Subjectively, it felt like it was moving 1,124 times quicker—gone in the blink of an eye.

My emotions were stirred more deeply than ever. I’ve probably become more emotionally expressive.

But… I’m greedy. That alone wasn’t enough for me.

Just like how Hoshino Wilm charged all the way into Europe, this time, I decided I’d charge into Japan.

On Lane, after we exchanged contacts, Hoshino Wilm told me:

“The turf in Japan is totally different from here, so it took me a while to get used to it. Even the water and food are different. Overseas races really are high difficulty.”

I see—a high-difficulty race. Sounds incredibly fun.

And I’d get to race my favorite, Hoshino Wilm, again—and take my revenge.

On top of that, I could see all these unfamiliar Japanese Uma Musume in person.

Is there a better “perfect combo” than that? No—there isn’t.

…Well, in the end, my match with Hoshino Wilm fell through.

But that’s because of her leg condition, so it couldn’t be helped.

From what I saw at the Kikuka Sho, her leg did look a bit off—not physically, but in terms of track suitability.

I want my favorite to run in perfect condition. If the alternative is shortening her racing career, then postponing our rematch is far better.

Still… it’s frustrating. It really is.

But… I can endure it.

Because right now—like this—I’ve met so many exciting Uma Musume!

---

Right before the Japan Cup.

I gazed at the assembled Uma Musume on the turf.

Tunneling Voice, Shall We Run, Ikuno Dictus—

Girls I came to know through Hoshino Wilm’s races.

Every single one of them possesses the strength worthy of competing in the Japan Cup.

Hmm… they all look so delicious!

But among them, two in particular stood out—

Mihono Bourbon, the next-generation Triple Crown inheritor after Hoshino Wilm.

Tokai Teio, the absolute second star standing alongside her.

As expected, it’s those two.

As for Tokai Teio, there’s hardly anything left to say.

She’s the only Uma Musume in Japan’s current prime league who has matched Hoshino Wilm in an official race.

Dressed in a race outfit reminiscent of a slightly nostalgic formal suit, she didn’t look at me—but she wasn’t ignoring me either. Calmly, she stretched, preparing her body.

Her mind and body were in perfect shape… no, even beyond that.

In terms of pure talent, she’s probably second only to me.

In this race, she’s the only one who could truly defeat me.

…That said—

While she’s the only one who could “win against” me, there are others who could still “bring me down.”

After all, I’m Understandable. In a one-on-one race, I have no intention of losing to anyone besides Hoshino Wilm or Tokai Teio.

But races involve multiple runners, and unexpected situations can happen at any time.

A perfect example would be Nice Nature—Hoshino Wilm’s so-called most terrifying rival.

…And the Mihono Bourbon standing before me now might be one of those as well.

Ah—our eyes met.

She’s a second-year in the middle division, yet her physique is so well-built it’s hard to believe we’re the same age. From beneath her hair, a sharp gaze pierced toward me.

“…Heh.”

A shiver ran down my spine.

Her eyes—

They’re completely different from how they were at the Kikuka Sho.

What happened to her over this past month… well, I can make a pretty good guess.

After all, she’s supported by that trainer—Horino Ayumu.

Aside from my own trainer, he’s the only human whose sense of racing matches mine.

Like how my trainer sent me to the Arc to teach me defeat—

…No, that’s not quite it. Mihono Bourbon isn’t like me. She wasn’t ignorant.

In that case… maybe she was made to experience defeat in that mock race they mentioned. And not just any loss—a crushing one.

The Mihono Bourbon from the Kikuka Sho wasn’t scary.

She was just like I was before the Arc—unable to see what lay beneath her feet.

But now… she might be a little frightening.

For us Uma Musume, it feels like she’s surpassed what may be our greatest enemy—fate itself.

…Well, I’m not entirely sure about that part. Just a gut feeling.

“This is going to be fun.”

I deliberately chose not to speak to her.

To understand her, just looking into her eyes was enough.

---

My gate draw this time: Stall 1, Gate 1.

In an 18-runner race, I secured the innermost position.

In Uma Musume racing, the inside draw is generally advantageous.

Simply put, it’s easier to take the shortest route along the rail.

In other words, I’ve secured the most favorable position in the Japan Cup.

It’s not favoritism… but it does feel a bit like fate.

Is the world trying to make me win again? Honestly, I’m tired of that. It’s not like I particularly want to win.

What I seek in a race is an unexpected, fierce battle—not a predictable victory.

It’s not that I want to lose, but I don’t particularly want to win either. And yet, not going all out would feel wrong.

I’ve become quite the complicated, troublesome—and greedy—Uma Musume.

“…This is what they call ‘my heart pounding,’ right? A Japanese… phrase? Meme?”

I muttered, closing my eyes for a moment, filled with anticipation.

Taking a deep breath… I opened them again.

Alright. Time to switch into race mode.

What I see is a lush, slightly moist stretch of green turf.

This is “noshiba,” right? Different from the Western turf I usually run on.

Compared to my home ground, Japan’s turf is lighter.

There’s less rebound, my feet don’t sink as much, and the acceleration I get from the force I apply is greater.

As a result, acceleration comes with less stamina consumption, increasing the overall race pace.

With a faster pace, races tend to favor those near the front—and the timing for a spurt comes earlier than in the West.

On the other hand, the top speed during that spurt is somewhat lower than in Western races.

All of this leads to a tendency favoring frontrunners and pace-setters.

That’s why a “rabbit” strategy—which is barely viable in the West—can actually work here in Japan.

…Though with the rise of Hoshino Wilm and Mihono Bourbon, it’s becoming more than just “barely viable.”

Fundamentally, racing in the West and in Japan are practically different sports.

The angle of foot placement, the distribution of force, center-of-gravity shifts, acceleration mechanics, strain on the legs—

Everything is different.

The force needed at the start, the pacing required to keep up, how much speed to drop on corners, when to launch the spurt, and the finishing kick in the final stretch—

All of it differs.

Honestly, it might as well be a completely different discipline.

Well, I got used to it in two weeks.

…Though maybe I should say it took me two weeks. I thought I’d adapt in three days, but as expected, the barrier of track compatibility was thick and formidable—even Hoshino Wilm struggled with it.

Still, I made it in time. That’s what matters.

Right now, my compatibility with Japanese turf is about on par with top G1-level runners here.

According to my trainer, I’m just a step below Hoshino Wilm, but roughly equal to everyone else.

I understand the pace of Japanese races.

I know how I should fight.

How to win this race—

I can already see it.

And so, even now as I stand in the gate, I feel no tension.

The only thing shaking my chest… is the thrill of anticipation.

“…They’re off!!”

With a sharp clack—different from the gate sounds back home—the doors burst open, and I launch forward.

A strong start is critical, whether in the West or the East.

A difference of 0.1 seconds at the start can create a gap of about two meters. In races where mere centimeters decide first and second place, that initial gap is nearly impossible to close.

For frontrunners especially, securing position early is essential.

Of course, I’m not foolish enough to neglect that.

In fact, aside from Hoshino Wilm, I’m probably the fastest starter in the world.

And indeed—the only one keeping up with my start in this race…

Was Mihono Bourbon, clearly trained to perfection under Trainer Horino Ayumu’s command.

"Here they come—eighteen runners breaking cleanly from the gate! Among them, it’s the Western powerhouse Understandable and the Triple Crown Uma Musume Mihono Bourbon with excellent starts!"

"Heading into the first corner, it’s a battle for the lead—Mihono Bourbon surges ahead by one length! Right behind her is Unison Black, and the two boldly take the front!"

I didn’t force myself to chase Mihono Bourbon as she pushed ahead. Instead, I moved to secure a solid position in the leading pack—third place.

Just as my trainer predicted, Mihono Bourbon went for the lead, and Unison Black followed. Teio isn’t making any big move forward either, so everything is proceeding according to plan.

It’s not exciting, but it’s a steady start. As expected, the Japanese runners are feeling things out first.

Some of the overseas girls are clearly wary of me, though… hehe, makes sense. Racing rules here are strict about rough play, so they’re being cautious.

A race isn’t a solo run—it’s a sport where everyone’s movements intertwine.

Your path can be blocked by the runner ahead, or your motion hindered by someone beside you. Not everyone gets to unleash their full power.

…Except for one—the one at the very front.

Mihono Bourbon.

Sometimes called a cyborg—the embodiment of lap-based pacing.

Her precision surpasses even mine. Honestly, trying to replicate it would consume too many resources.

As usual, she should be maintaining her pace without worrying about those behind—

…No, wait. That’s not what she’s doing.

"Huh…"

After becoming aware of Unison Black chasing her, her pace ticked up slightly—just a bit faster than her usual middle pace.

You could call it overexertion.

I almost felt disappointed—but…

Despite that, she doesn’t seem to be weakening at all.

Strangely enough… she might even be getting stronger?

"…Now this is interesting."

"Coming up in third is Understandable, with Sacoche on the outside! The white-and-blue streak, Tokai Teio, sits quietly in fifth, almost hidden in the pack!"

"The field is beginning to stretch out as they enter the first corner!"

…With Mihono Bourbon pulling the field, the pace has become slightly faster than expected.

But it’s within the margin of error—not enough to drastically affect the overall race.

Japanese races are what you’d call high-speed races, with a much faster baseline pace compared to Western ones.

What would be a mid-to-high pace in the West feels more like a low-to-mid pace here. Adjusting force distribution in your legs and everything else is tricky for most runners.

But I’m a huge fan of Hoshino Wilm. Japan’s pacing standards are already ingrained in me.

So I’m not the issue.

The real question is… how much of this is part of Trainer Horino Ayumu’s plan?

Mihono Bourbon’s tendency to overpace is a well-known weakness—even outsiders know it. There’s no way her trainer isn’t aware of it.

How he planned to address that was one of the key points of this race…

Is this slightly fast pace a failure to fix it? Or is it part of his strategy?

…Most likely the latter.

Then I’ll make my move a bit earlier.

I understand Mihono Bourbon’s specs. On their own, they’re not a threat.

But… there’s something unsettling about her right now. Taking my eyes off her might be dangerous.

So—maybe I’ll imitate her rival.

"Now Understandable moves up to follow Mihono Bourbon at the front! The golden hero takes an aggressive forward position as they head down the backstretch!"

"The field is shifting rapidly in a chaotic battle for position! Meanwhile, Japan’s shield, Tokai Teio, calmly observes from fifth place!"

"The race is still wide open—who will make the next move?!"

Locking onto a single target, always keeping them within striking distance—

A so-called full-marking strategy.

It’s the specialty of Rice Shower, Mihono Bourbon’s rival.

If you choose the wrong target, everything collapses instantly. But what makes it so powerful is the immense pressure it puts on the opponent.

I focus my gaze on a single point—

Mihono Bourbon.

I’ll say it myself—Understandable’s pressure is intense.

If I concentrate it on one target, it becomes overwhelming.

And Mihono Bourbon—someone prone to getting carried away—can’t ignore it.

Her pace rises sharply.

As she pulls the field along, Mihono Bourbon begins to overexert even more.

Yes… just as expected.

From a quick calculation, at this pace she’ll start to fade around the final 300 meters.

It might feel a bit unsporting… but a race is something you approach with everything you have. Those who hold back are the ones who lose.

Case in point—me, before the Arc.

It’s because you go all out to win that losing feels so exhilarating.

That’s why I won’t ever grow complacent again.

With everything I have, I’ll crush the others.

"And Mihono Bourbon extends her lead slightly at the front! Unison Black sits one length behind, and from the outside, Understandable draws alongside in third!"

"A small gap opens behind them—Sacoche follows, with Tokai Teio closing in just behind! Ikuno Dictus is pursuing as well, though slightly detached!"

Stamina reserves, the condition of my legs, the course layout, and the positioning of the pack.

At its core, a race is like a constantly evolving simulation game, where you manage all of these shifting variables.

For someone like me, who can grasp most things at a glance, it isn’t difficult—it’s something I can handle with room to spare.

And because of that… I have the luxury of thinking like this mid-race.

…Now then, how should I read this?

I’ve reduced Mihono Bourbon’s threat level.

Of course, it would be premature to assume she’s been completely neutralized.

But it would be even worse to ignore the fact that I’ve at least chipped away at her strengths.

So what I need to consider now… is something else.

The greatest threat in this race.

"Down the slope into the third corner, Mihono Bourbon still leads! But the gap between her and third-place Understandable is steadily closing!"

"Meanwhile, Tokai Teio remains composed in fourth, holding her pace without rushing—Is this the Emperor’s keen judgment, or simply confidence?!"

The one who can push me the furthest in this race… Tokai Teio.

I thought she’d follow if I increased the pace, but apparently not.

My hearing isn’t as sharp as Hoshino Wilm’s, so I can’t be certain… but it seems Tokai Teio is maintaining her normal pace.

"Hmm…?"

Generally speaking—

Japanese races are high-speed races. The baseline pace is faster, and in exchange, the intensity of the final stretch is milder compared to Western races.

For us, racing is about holding back through the middle and exploding at the end.

That’s why… I’ve always been confident that my finishing burst wouldn’t lose to any Japanese runner.

Both Tokai Teio and I are front-runners, so there’s no inherent difference in running style.

There’s no overwhelming gap in talent either—and in terms of raw specs, I actually have the edge.

That leaves environmental differences. And if it comes down to a pure finishing sprint in the final stretch, I shouldn’t lose to her.

…There’s no way Tokai Teio doesn’t understand that.

And yet, she chooses not to raise the pace—not to follow me.

What’s her objective?

Tactics? Strategy…? No, that’s not it.

No matter how I think about it, from a purely tactical standpoint, this is a bad move.

Which means… she has some kind of hidden trump card.

Yes—something like her “domain.”

The domain she displayed in the Tenno Sho (Spring).

That was… yeah, it was incredible.

The more difficult—no, the more impossible—the situation, the more absolute her power became. A blazing crimson world, as if she stood at its very center.

Is she deliberately holding back to increase the impossibility of winning?

Even as I think it, it barely makes sense. But by doing something that resembles holding back on purpose, she becomes even faster.

In terms of sharpening her own running, it aligns with Tokai Teio’s nature…

…Does it? Align?

No, something’s off. It feels wrong.

The direction of this reasoning is correct, but the conclusion is mistaken—that’s the sense I’m getting.

If it’s a domain, then there’s no problem.

My domain allows me to copy the domain of anyone who can surpass me.

So if Tokai Teio intends to decide the race with an overwhelming domain, then all I need to do is surpass it.

That alone should guarantee my victory.

And yet… I don’t feel like that’s the case.

I don’t think Tokai Teio would let me win so easily.

…Damn it, this is bad—I don’t get it.

Tokai Teio… what are you going to do?

I don’t know.

I don’t know, I don’t know, I don’t know—

And not knowing… is fun.

…Come on.

Show me, Japanese Uma Musume.

Show me something I don’t understand—something I’ve never seen before… show me a race I can’t win!!

"They pass the big zelkova tree and enter the fourth corner—this is where it all comes down to the wire!!"

"And here she comes—Tokai Teio is making her move! Tokai Teio is charging up from behind!!"

"600 meters to go! Can Mihono Bourbon and Unison Black hold off the closing pack?!"

As the race enters its final phase, I feel the presence of someone’s activated domain envelop my body.

Just as expected.

From here on, it’s a pure battle of finishing speed—a clash where we burn through every last bit of stamina.

That’s precisely why there’s no reason not to use the overwhelming advantage that a domain provides.

And so, I ride it.

The heat I’m bathed in, the power I feel, the unknown threat—

I devour it all and turn it into my own strength.

And the most satisfying to consume… is, of course, that of the absolute Emperor.

The crimson world I glimpsed during the Tenno Sho (Spring)—

A power that finds a path to victory no matter how dire the situation.

That is… a power that can clearly surpass me.

And so I wait for it to appear before my eyes—practically drooling in anticipation—

“…What!?”

…At last—

I was shown something I did not know.