Chapter 206: A New Me, and Someone to Guide Me

Understandable—a Uma Musume from the West, known as the “Heroic Princess.”

To put it simply, the racing compatibility between her and me—Tokai Teio—is about as bad as it gets.

My running style isn’t complicated like Wilm’s or Nature’s. It’s extremely simple.

I don’t interfere with others, nor do I factor them into my strategy. I simply refine my own run—pushing myself to my absolute limit and sprinting to the finish at the fastest pace I can achieve.

In a sense, it’s similar to Bourbon’s approach of maintaining a perfect pace throughout—an ultimate form of self-perfection.

That’s just the way I run.

In contrast, Understandable’s running style is the complete opposite.

She grows stronger in response to powerful opponents. She observes exceptional techniques—and surpasses them.

Her style is entirely relative, dependent on others. Without strong rivals, she cannot grow—but the stronger her opponents are, the stronger she becomes in turn.

In that sense, against self-perfection types like us… well, as Wilm would put it, she’s a “counter build.”

The stronger I become, the stronger Understandable becomes as well. And her rate of growth may very well surpass ours.

Someone like Nature would probably match up well against her.

Not someone with overwhelming physical ability, but someone who wins through strategy—manipulating the entire race with cunning.

Because she herself isn’t overwhelmingly strong as an individual, Understandable can’t perceive her as a singular threat.

…Well, judging from that Tenno Sho (Autumn), it feels like Nature has already stepped into that realm—but that aside.

It feels strange to say it myself, but Tokai Teio is a genius.

I wouldn’t go so far as to say I’m on Wilm’s level—but even so, I take pride in being the second-best genius in Japan’s Twinkle Series.

That’s why every step I take is lighter and carries farther than anyone else’s—except Wilm’s.

And because I’ve walked such a long path, when she faces me, Understandable will show explosive growth.

After all, she’s someone who, in just one year, developed physical abilities rivaling Hoshino Wilm. In terms of raw specs alone, I’ve already lost.

Her talent… it frustrates me to admit it, but it’s probably greater than mine.

That’s why relying on improvisation or adaptation during the race—like I always have—probably won’t be enough to win.

…

…At least, that’s what I thought.

"That’s not necessarily true. It’s not as if she’s unbeatable.

If we quantify talent and compare absolute values, then yes—Understandable would likely come out ahead. But your strengths lie in different directions.

Just as there are things she can do that you can’t, there are things you can do that she can’t. There’s no need to be so pessimistic."

That was what Trainer Horino told me on the first day we formed our joint strategy.

A joint front with Wilm’s team.

Wilm had already defeated Understandable. She understood her through experience and knew the method behind her strength. That alone made cooperation worthwhile.

…At least, that’s what Trainer Horino said.

But in truth, that wasn’t what we were aiming for.

Of course, running with Wilm and Bourbon had its benefits—but those were secondary.

Our real target was her contracted trainer.

Yes—Trainer Horino.

A genius who made even my own trainer—who once supported the Chairwoman—admit, "He can probably see things I can’t."

A monster worthy of standing alongside Wilm.

Both my trainer and I wanted to hear his thoughts.

His ideas, knowledge, reasoning, and insight—things our team didn’t have.

If I could understand those… I’d be able to run even better.

And surely, in all of Japan, he’s the one who understands Understandable the most.

Of course, in terms of experience, that would be Wilm. After all, she’s one of only two Uma Musume in the world who have surpassed her.

But Wilm relies on instinct. She probably doesn’t grasp the finer details.

The one who understands her logically—who has analyzed and dissected her, who knows her flaws and weaknesses inside and out—is him.

After all, he must have studied her relentlessly for Wilm’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe—enough to wear holes in the data.

And in reality, whether he realized it or not, he more than lived up to our expectations.

"Understandable’s understanding of racing has a flaw—one that could even be called fatal.

In epic tales, heroes often suffer defeat once, for the sake of narrative drama. And the cause of that defeat is usually one thing.

And that applies to Understandable, the so-called Heroic Princess as well."

"…And that is?"

When I asked, he gave a sly, almost mischievous grin.

"—The unknown. Heroes are often defeated by the unknown.

Just like in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, where she lost because she didn’t fully understand Uma Musume racing—she’s slower than you when it comes to adapting to the unknown.

So if you can do that, then victory is by no means impossible."

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

And Tokai Teio, still in fourth, hasn’t made her move yet—calmly advancing without panic! Is this the emperor’s keen judgment, or sheer confidence!?"

…The unknown, huh.

Under a sky that could barely be called clear, at Tokyo Racecourse, I recalled Trainer Horino’s words as I ran.

Being weak to the unknown—that’s only natural, to some degree.

I was the perfect example of that in last year’s Satsuki Sho.

I didn’t know the world. I didn’t understand Uma Musume. I didn’t understand racing. And because of that, I didn’t even know the value of effort—and couldn’t keep up with Wilm.

Back then, Understandable was the same as I had been.

She didn’t know how high the ceiling of Uma Musume could go—and that’s why she lost.

But after that defeat, she must have learned.

The look on her face before this race—it resembled Wilm’s.

Yes… Understandable is like Wilm.

Not in appearance or running style—but at her core.

An impossible genius.

A runner who burns her soul to race.

And… someone who unconsciously believes in her own power.

The blind faith of the strong—or perhaps arrogance.

That unconscious mental lock born from absolute strength.

Sometimes it becomes a strength… but at other times, it may be a weakness.

"…"

Running in fourth, in a position where I could break forward at any time, I watched the ever-changing race unfold.

Where should I attack from?

…That had already been decided.

The way I should run—I knew it before the race even began.

But I can’t stop thinking.

I have to keep thinking, constantly questioning whether this strategy will really work—whether it will hold against Understandable and the others.

She’s the biggest threat in this race, and I’ve spent a month preparing for her.

But in the end, what I need to win… is this race itself.

Not just against Understandable—but against the race as a whole.

Mihono Bourbon.

What about her?

Over the past month, the Uma Musume trained by Horino has grown at an astonishing rate—right before my eyes.

Her growth might even surpass my own.

Even so, there’s still a one-year gap between us in terms of full development.

In physical ability built through strain, in technique honed through repetition, and in race experience—I currently have the advantage.

And the same goes for Understandable.

In terms of physical ability and technique, she may surpass me through sheer talent.

But when it comes to race experience—I have no intention of falling behind.

Yes. Experience.

That kind of experience isn’t something many have.

…Now then, the fourth corner is approaching.

Time to cut off unnecessary thoughts and focus on controlling my body.

"Past the big zelkova tree—into the final corner! This is where it’s decided!!

Tokai Teio makes her move! Tokai Teio is accelerating!!

600 meters to go—can Mihono Bourbon and Unison Black hold off the charge from behind!?"

I accelerate sharply, aiming for the front.

Ahead of me are Mihono Bourbon, Unison Black, and Understandable.

Of them, Understandable sensed my acceleration and increased her pace almost simultaneously.

Not at full power—but still.

As goes without saying, Uma Musume can’t go all out in corners.

Part of their energy is inevitably spent controlling centrifugal force—and the faster they go, the greater that cost becomes.

No matter how much of a genius you are, you can’t ignore that law of physics—unless you enter "that state."

Yes… the race is reaching its climax.

From here on, it’s a clash of “domains”—the worlds each Uma Musume brings to the race.

From what I’ve heard from Wilm, Understandable’s domain targets only those who can surpass her—copying their domain, then upgrading it into something even greater.

…Honestly, it’s absurd. In terms of sheer power, neither Wilm nor I could match it.

But perhaps because of that nature—

Even when she’s swallowed by the domain opened by Bourbon ahead, Understandable doesn’t activate her own.

…Or rather, she can’t.

To her, Bourbon simply isn’t a threat.

It’s true that Bourbon pushed too hard in the first half.

Her original pacing must have broken down—and it wouldn’t be strange to assume she’ll falter in the final stretch.

But more accurately—

She didn’t lose control.

She chose not to suppress the racing instinct rising within her.

To be blunt, the pressure from Unison Black alone is something Bourbon could easily suppress.

She’s run countless times with Wilm and me—against top-tier G1 Uma Musume.

There’s no way she’d be thrown off by just one G1-class frontrunner now.

Bourbon isn’t holding herself back.

Over this past month, she’s trained so that even if she raises her pace, she can maintain her stamina.

And I’ve watched that training closer than anyone.

At first, Mihono Bourbon was just Wilm’s junior—a future Triple Crown winner.

But after watching her train with relentless discipline for a month, my perception has changed.

She’s a threat.

Mihono Bourbon is someone worthy of my full strength—

No… someone I must give everything to defeat. A runner who will usher in a new era.

With Horino and Wilm behind her, she’ll surely establish a new possibility in this race.

That’s why, from my perspective, Mihono Bourbon is a threat.

"...!"

There are two walls I must overcome in this race.

A frontrunner who cannot be surpassed without giving everything I have.

And a chaser who, if I show my full strength… will surpass even that.

A contradiction—you can’t win without giving it everything you have, yet if you do give it everything, you still can’t win.

And yet… there is a way through.

In that mock race, Trainer Horino showed it to me—through the back of someone who had already walked that path. The place I must one day reach.

If I can’t reproduce it here and now… then this will end in nothing but defeat.

"500 meters remaining! The race has entered the long final stretch!

Mihono Bourbon is holding on, still holding on! But Understandable is closing in—just one length behind! Can the undefeated Triple Crown escape hold!?

And Tokai Teio is charging from the outside with tremendous speed!!

A cyborg!? A hero!? Or the emperor!? Which star will shine over Fuchu!?"

The corner ends, and the path opens.

The finish line stretches far ahead—and blocking the way are just two backs…

At that sight, a boiling surge of emotion rises from deep within my chest.

"I’ll win…"

That instinct to race—born from running against others on equal footing—

A gift from Wilm, like magma bursting from the earth, or light piercing through the clouds—

That is my greatest treasure.

In terms of self-perfection, Bourbon and I are alike.

Which is why our way of dealing with this heat is the same.

That massive back in front of me. A thick, towering wall I don’t even know if I can surpass.

There’s no reason—none at all—to suppress the desire to overcome it!

"I’ll win!!"

The moment I open my eyes wide, several sensations strike me at once.

The urge for my own world to overflow from within and spread outward.

The faint sense of Understandable curling her lips into a cold smile.

…And the instinctive certainty that if I do this, I’ll lose.

That’s right.

The compatibility between Tokai Teio and Understandable is the worst possible.

If I release my “world”—in other words, my domain—then she’ll simply copy it.

And if she returns something stronger—both in running and in domain—

Then someone like me, who doesn’t rely on tricks, has no chance of winning.

That is my greatest losing pattern—and her greatest path to victory.

So if I use my domain like this, I’ll lose.

But if I don’t use it… I might lose to Bourbon.

The probability is low. I win nine times out of ten.

But that remaining one time—if Bourbon shows something beyond my expectations—then I’ll be the one who loses.

So how do I beat both of them? How do I win this race?

What is the optimal, fastest form of self-perfection?

…

…I’ve already been shown the answer.

Focus. Envision. Shape it.

That first idol of mine—the feat she accomplished, one I still haven’t reach.

She controlled her world freely.

Unlike us, who simply let it spill outward—she didn’t just expand it into the world.

For a fleeting instant, she opened it—

And, unbelievably, compressed it into the form of a bow and arrow, piercing through and shattering both my domain and Wilm’s.

What remained… was me and Wilm, thrown off balance as our worlds were denied—

And the back of the true star, who expanded her world and reclaimed the race in a single stroke…

The eternal emperor—Symboli Rudolf.

Simultaneous domain deployment.

I knew such a thing existed—but knowing it and experiencing it are completely different.

That technique—no, that art—that almost unreal concept.

When I witnessed it, I realized how shallow my own understanding had been—and my perspective expanded all at once.

Like Columbus’s egg.

Unless you see it firsthand, the idea never occurs to you.

And more than that—you can’t even comprehend just how extraordinary it is. Reverse engineering it is out of the question.

…Exactly.

To someone who hasn’t experienced it, this is something utterly unknown.

Understandable doesn’t know this.

Since Wilm avoided it during the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, she’s never seen consecutive domain deployment. She doesn’t know how to convert it into a usable skill.

That’s why—

She can’t copy this.

Instead of releasing my world outward as it is…

I compress it inward, into a single technique.

It’s fine. I can do it.

My trainer. Wilm. Trainer Horino.

So many people believe in me—the genius Uma Musume.

There’s no way Tokai Teio can’t do this.

"—Haaah…!"

The world of blazing, molten earth—into my right leg.

The rising heat overturns the ground, giving my body wings of resurgence.

The world of boundless blue sky—the freedom that lets me soar—into my left leg.

That freedom I once lost… I’ve already taken it back.

Red flames, and blue sky.

Things that should never coexist—

But instead of spreading them outward, if I turn them into pure force… into propulsion—

Then even my small world can surpass the vast heavens.

"—The one who wins… is me."

"400 meters to go! Tokai Teio—Tokai Teio is accelerating!!

What is this!? That enormous stride—it’s like her former self has returned, charging forward in one explosive surge!!

Two lengths to Understandable—one—half a length!?

An overwhelming charge from Tokai Teio! Understandable fights desperately, but the gap to the front is shrinking at an incredible rate!!"

"——!!"

I grit my teeth and drive my legs forward.

That stride—

The one I abandoned, sealed away because it wore down my legs—

I’m using it now.

Of course, this isn’t reckless desperation.

From last year’s Arima Kinen until this autumn, I’ve refined it—over and over again.

That running style that felt like flying through the sky.

And this new one that feels like leaping across the earth.

Both are my pride—both are strong enough to win at the G1 level.

But if I can use both…

Then surely, I can surpass even the brightest star in the sky.

"…What!?"

I thought I heard a voice of astonishment.

Of course. Even I doubted my own eyes and mind the first time I saw it.

No matter how much of a genius you are—just like me, just like Wilm—no one can deal with the unknown.

Especially you, who were told by Trainer Horino that this is your weakness…

There’s no way you can handle this—this new power of mine, something far too early to be acquired in the Twinkle Series.

That’s why—

Even if you’re a genius on par with Wilm.

Even if you’re someone far more chosen by the world than I am—

Still, I’ll win.

…I’ll win, using everything I have!!

"Still Mihono Bourbon in the lead—but the gap is now razor-thin! The dead heat between Understandable and Tokai Teio continues—and they’ve finally caught her shadow!!

Can Tokai Teio overtake!? Can Mihono Bourbon hold on!? Can Understandable break through!?

200 meters remaining—the battle is still raging!!!"

Understandable is strong.

But you… aren’t Wilm.

You’re not Hoshino Wilm—my greatest, strongest rival.

…A long time ago—well, a few years ago—

I used to think I was the protagonist of the world.

That no one could beat me. That no one could reach me. That I was destined to fulfill my dreams someday.

No—there was a reason for that confidence.

I really was stronger than most Uma Musume. Those successes shaped my belief.

But a single, dazzling star overturned all of that.

Hoshino Wilm is, quite literally, the strongest in the world.

A true genius—someone who could even reach, and someday surpass, the Chairwoman.

She runs more earnestly than anyone, enjoys racing more than anyone—she’s the one and only Uma Musume who deserves to be loved by all.

I felt frustration and defeat looking at her back…

And yet, somewhere in my heart, I admired it.

I wanted to surpass her someday. To stand beside that single star shining in the heavens—or to run ahead of her as a fellow Uma Musume.

That feeling wasn’t jealousy or resentment.

It was pure admiration.

And so, I ran desperately.

For the Derby, I pushed myself beyond my limits.

At the Arima Kinen, I refined a new running style.

At the Osaka Hai, I drew out her true limits.

And at the Tenno Sho (Spring), I finally stood beside her.

For so long—throughout my Twinkle Series—

I’ve been chasing Hoshino Wilm.

She was the one light guiding me through the dark.

I’m grateful to her—and I resent her.

I respect her—and I envy her.

She’s a dear friend—and my greatest rival.

I believe I’ll defeat her someday…

And yet, maybe I also want her to keep running ahead of me forever.

All those contradictions, that chaos—

If I had to sum it up in one word…

Hoshino Wilm is everything to me.

And that Wilm… acknowledged me.

She said Tokai Teio is a genius.

She said I’m her greatest rival.

With that innocent smile, with nothing but sincerity—

She recognized me.

That’s why I won’t lose.

As the one who can stand beside her—the second star—

I won’t lose to anyone but Hoshino Wilm.

Even if it’s the undefeated Triple Crown runner of the new generation, seeking to inherit her legacy.

Even if it’s the strongest Uma Musume of the West, with talent equal to hers.

I—

To you. To my trainer. To the fans.

Carrying all your dreams—

"I’ll defeat you all!!"

My right leg springs forward like a leap, my left like it’s flying free—forward, forward, forward.

I feel no pain. No fatigue.

My thoughts are clear, the world shining brilliantly.

Right now, this burning heat in my chest is the only reality I know.

"——!!"

Even Mihono Bourbon—who expands her domain further, refining it, breaking her usual calm composure as she grits her teeth and refuses to falter—

"Ah—hahaha!!"

And Understandable—who can’t even activate her domain, yet radiates pure exhilaration, fighting back with everything she has—

I leave them all behind, with my own run as Tokai Teio.

"I won’t lose!!!"

And with that, I take another step forward.

---

"—GOOOOAL!!! Tokai Teio! Tokai Teio!!

Tokai Teio crosses the finish line in first!!!

She’s done it! She’s repelled the ultimate challenger—the invader from overseas!!

A victory nothing short of spectacular!!!

Alongside Japan’s spear, its shield has now proven itself the strongest—Japan’s racing pride stands tall!!

Standing alongside the dragon of legend is the absolute emperor—the crowd roars in praise of her unmatched path to supremacy!!"

"The winning time—2 minutes, 21.7 seconds!!

An astonishing time for a heavy track—this race concludes with an incredible record!

Back-to-back Japan Cup victories—an achievement following Symboli Rudolf!!

And this is the first generation to claim both the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and the Japan Cup in the same year!!

Her path of dominance, woven alongside myth—what awaits her next!?"

"…Haa… haa…"

Yeah… I’m exhausted.

I’m used to G1 races, and it’s not my first victory—but still…

Every race is full power. Of course I’m tired.

"…Haa… okay."

I rest my hands on my knees for a few seconds, steady my breathing, and lift my gaze again.

And there they are—

Understandable, who somehow looks less exhausted than me.

"Ugh, I lost!! Damn, that’s frustrating!!

Tokai Teio and Mihono Bourbon both blew way past my expectations—man, Uma Musume are just the best!! Or maybe it’s Trainer Horino who’s incredible!?"

I couldn’t understand her fluent English, but despite finishing third, she looked completely satisfied.

Well… it was an incredible race.

I guess it’s natural to feel fulfilled.

…Though if it were me, I’d probably be boiling with frustration inside.

And then Mihono Bourbon—far more drained than either of us, slumping down.

"Condition: red… however… learning… complete."

Even in her exhaustion, the way she clenched her fist—

She must have gained something from this race.

…Probably exactly as Trainer Horino intended.

He’s a terrifying person, honestly. Pushing me to grow—even to the point of defeating me—just to nurture her.

The other runners, too—

Some frustrated, some looking like they’d grasped something…

Everyone must have taken something away from this race.

And so did I.

That sensation—using my domain within the race.

Combining my natural running style with the one I created—

That technique should be an effective counter to Wilm’s forward-leaning stance—her “Heavenly Star Spurt.”

We gain so much from running with others.

Achievement. Frustration. Satisfaction. Regret. Skill. Trauma—or its transcendence.

Training builds us day by day, but races—

Sometimes they give us the very force that drives our growth.

…And it’s not just us who receive something from a race.

When I look up—

A thunderous wave of cheers crashes down like a storm.

"Teio! Teio!"

The fans are calling my name.

That overwhelming sound makes my whole body tremble—and naturally, a smile forms on my lips.

Racing connects the world.

The passion we receive from the fans makes us run stronger—

And watching us, that passion ignites within them in return.

Love. Excitement. Joy. Hope. Dreams.

All of it directed at me.

To answer those feelings—

And to answer the burning gaze of that girl piercing into the winner—

I raise my arm high toward the sky.

Watch me, everyone.

Running across the earth—

Leaping through the sky—

This time, Tokai Teio will surpass that star in the heavens.