Chapter 121: The Gold Cup in the Rain (Part 2)

Having changed into our race outfits and finished our makeup, we walked down the staff-only corridor toward the paddock. Even though the staff had beautifully dolled us up, it was already raining outside. According to our trainer, who’d been watching the hourly weather forecast, the rain was only going to get heavier from here.

It felt a little rude to the staff who had helped us with our makeup and dressing, but apparently, we were about to get drenched and caked in mud. I thought it was a shame to ruin the makeup, but I still stepped out from the back of the grandstand and headed toward the outdoor paddock.

Perhaps they’d decided not to let the Uma Musume’s bodies get cold, because a temporary roof had been set up over the outdoor paddock. Our trainer, wearing a nicer suit than usual, looked visibly relieved—probably because umbrellas weren’t allowed inside the paddock area.

Even so, the bad weather had intensified to the point where splashes of rain reached all the way under the roof. The crosswind raged and battered us, and for late June, the air brushing past our feet felt unseasonably cold. Tomio kept fussing over the wetness under his elbows, checking his suit repeatedly, and his fidgeting got on my nerves enough that I ended up poking him in the side.

Honestly, the wind felt dangerously strong. If I didn’t hold down my skirt, it would be flapping all over the place. My fluffy bob cut had already lost its shape. I wasn’t too worried about my hair since it was bound to fall apart during the race anyway, but I’d hoped it would at least hold together until the paddock walk.

As I stepped into the circular paddock, much like the one at Kyoto Racecourse, a cheer rose from the crowd surrounding us. I waved lightly to the fans, making my presence known as I slowly walked along the outer edge, making sure my legs didn’t get cold.

Since it was a British racecourse, Ascot was just as glamorous and magnificent as its name suggested. The paddock, vibrant with colorful flowers as if to banish the gloomy sky.

The massive main stand, both functional and beautifully designed. Picnic areas were scattered behind the stands, where tables and chairs had been set up and live band performances were held. After the rain started, the lively music had stopped, but it looked like the people from those picnic areas had now gathered around the paddock. Despite the bad weather, the area was packed wall to wall with people.

As I continued walking and waiting for the other Uma Musume to arrive, a tall, tan-skinned girl who looked like JJ the Jet Bicycle appeared, and a crackling 『Gagag』 noise came from the speakers overhead.

The paddock showcase was finally beginning.

『It’s that time again—welcome to the legendary showdown, the Royal Ascot Gold Cup! And now, on this historic Ascot turf, a new wind is blowing. In addition to the top three long-distance runners, challengers from overseas have joined the fray one after another! We’ve got a record-breaking 8 G1 Uma Musume competing! This may go down as the highest-level race in history! Reports say that approximately 120,000 fans have gathered at this prestigious racecourse bearing the “Royal” name!』

『Even with this terrible weather, 120,000 people... that’s incredible. Also, this is just my personal observation, but it seems like there are more young people here than ever before. Given the current climate, I can’t help but feel genuinely happy about that.』

『Yes, yes, absolutely!』

Apparently, the paddock could hold around 9,000 people, but if the announcers were right about the 120,000 fans flocking to the venue... well, it would be like pouring water on a hot stone. The gates at Ascot opened at 11 a.m., so most of the fans knew bad weather was coming and still showed up—though there were probably a few who weren’t handling it so well.

It seemed most attendees had decided that wearing a raincoat over formalwear was out of the question, so nearly everyone was carrying an umbrella, leaving the paddock packed like a can of sardines. Besides, today was Thursday—the third day of Royal Ascot, famously known as Ladies’ Day. It was the day during the heavy-stakes period with the biggest turnout.

Now that I think of it, Lumos-san had once casually remarked, "Over 70,000 people come to Royal Ascot each day, but I wonder how many we’ll get this Thursday! Maybe we’ll break the record!" …Not the most crucial thing to recall right now, but imagining Lumos and the others grinning over today’s success made my cheeks soften just a little.

"Apollo-chan becoming the top favorite in a Gold Cup with 8 G1 runners… her potential really knows no bounds."

"Yeah."

"We’ve been watching her since the very beginning, but… her back looks so much broader now compared to her junior days."

"Well, training builds muscle, obviously—though joking aside, I still can’t quite believe it. She’s been winning all the races she set her sights on, her merch is selling like crazy… it feels like she’s gone off somewhere far beyond our reach."

"Ha, and we were the ones who noticed her first."

"If we keep saying that, people’ll start thinking we’re creepy superfans—oh."

"Hm?"

"Look! Apollo-chan’s waving at us!"

"Isn’t that just wishful thinking?"

"No, she’s totally waving at—ugh!"

"What’s wrong all of a sudden—ah!"

I spotted two Japanese-looking fans in the crowd, so I gave them a wave and a smile—only for one of them to crumple to the ground. I wondered if I’d overdone it, and decided to follow up with a wink. The other one promptly collapsed. …I’d seen them at the racetrack many times before, so I figured they’d be back on their feet soon enough.

Thinking how relaxed I felt—in a good way—I turned back around, and a thunderous cheer practically forced my spine to arch backward. The paddock presentation had begun.

『Starting from the innermost post, wearing number one, is the reigning long-distance queen of Europe since last year—“The Genius Stayer,” Kayf Tara. She’s the second favorite by a slim margin.』

『This UK-born runner delivered a flawless win in her last race, the Henry II Stakes. She defeated Apollo Rainbow in Dubai and Jarajara at Sandown, making her 2 for 2 against the Japanese team. You could even call her the “Japanese-killer.”』

A roar that seemed to blow the storm away. And standing there, brimming with intensity, was Kayf Tara. Her racing outfit, seen for the first time, was revealed as her jacket flew back. As the voices around us surged even louder, her costume, glowing with brilliance under the overcast sky, came into view.

Her outfit was primarily blue. She wore a white glove on her right hand, a black one on her left, and a royal blue pleated skirt that stretched to her shins. Silver armor-like decorations adorned her shoulders, a dark indigo cape fluttered behind her, and a silver corset wrapped around her torso. Through the slit in her skirt, her legs were clad in blue thigh-highs with silver stripes, and both feet wore black boots.

She looked just like a female knight. And despite the refreshing blue tones of her outfit, the aura swirling around her was distorted and oppressive—like a visible wave of intimidation. Her royal, commanding costume made her chestnut-colored hair gleam with even more brilliance, and even from a distance, it gave me chills.

She stood tall on the presentation stage, not waving to the crowd. Just stood there with arms crossed, as if to say, Look at me. And yet, even from that, it was obvious she was in peak condition. Compared to Dubai, she’s much, much more—terrifying.

As she fiddled with the star marking on her forehead, her mouth twisted into a wry grin. Her chestnut ponytail, nearly reaching her waist, fluttered along with her cape in the wind. Standing well over 170 cm tall, her towering frame added to the commanding presence she exuded, like she completely owned the space.

Seeing her like that filled me with undeniable joy. If she hadn’t fired me up during that mock race, I wouldn’t have had the confidence to stand here today. I’m sure she didn’t pull any surprises or “first-time kill zones” on Gold Cup day because she truly, truly wanted this to be a battle to determine the strongest stayer of all.

…So I owe her my thanks. And I’ll express that gratitude—by winning.

『Their back-and-forth during the pre-race livestream interview really stood out, didn’t it?』

『It did. Apollo Rainbow seemed a little awkward with the whole showboating vibe, but their passion for the Gold Cup came through loud and clear.』

During that interview, Kayf Tara-san and I had a bit of a mock spat. Well, she started it—

『Apollo, don’t disappoint me like you did in the mock race.』
『Excuse me?』

『Beating weak challengers means nothing. You’ve gotten stronger, haven’t you?』
『Of course I have. Underestimate me and I’ll crush you.』

『With those skinny arms?』

『I’ll stomp you flat with my legs.』
『Don’t bother. My shoes are bigger.』

—That kind of cutesy smack talk made waves on social media.

People online were saying things like,
"Never seen this side of Apollo-chan,"
"Is this what Girls’ Talk looks like?"
"Scary,"
"Kayf Tara-sama is so cool…",
and "I’ve never seen Kayf Tara look this happy before."

Apparently, even the news picked up our exchange and aired translated clips for families to watch at home.

After the introductions of Number 2, Smoky Thrill, and Number 3, Honey Heartbeat, playing the role of the rabbit, Number 4, Choco Fondue, steps up onto the presentation stage.

The G1 Critérium de Saint-Cloud, which Choco Fondue won, is a G1 race limited to junior-class participants. After winning the G3 Classic Trial prior to the English Derby, she suffered a fracture and only recently made her return.

While not a high priority for my camp, she's talented enough to make one lament that she never got to run in the English Derby, King George, or the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Her stark white skin and jet-black mane create a striking contrast, and maybe it’s just her name, but she somehow gives off a delicious aura.

After Number 5, Silent Joker, comes the one I’ve been personally keeping an eye on: JJ the Jet Bicycle. Her long name is the first thing that grabs attention, but she’s more than that—she won the South African Derby, and as if to show her adaptability to European turf, she also claimed victory in the G3 Vintage Crop Stakes. The fact that her running style is so versatile only makes her more intimidating.

She won the G1 South African Derby with a come-from-behind surge, and boldly took the lead to win the G1 Cape Town Met. Recently, she’s been winning graded races from both front-running and stalking positions, and in the aforementioned Vintage Crop Stakes, she blew past the competition from mid-pack. After watching her race footage, I’ve come to believe that she decides her racing style based on how she feels that day. More intriguingly, there’s suspicion that she chooses the same running style as the race's top contenders just to challenge them head-on.

『――Number 6, JJ the Jet Bicycle. Currently the 6th favored』

『…Sh-she’s… huge. Just huge. So tall there’s no need to explain it. When it comes to tall horse girls, Kayf Tara comes to mind, but JJ stands at an impressive 191cm (6' 3), far surpassing Kayf Tara’s 174 cm (5′ 9). And despite that towering frame, she has the stamina and speed to conquer the African Derby. It’s not just power she has. She’s less a tank, more an armored vehicle. 』

『This is Jet Bicycle’s third year as a senior-class runner, and apparently, she hasn’t even finished growing. Her personal goal is to reach a height of 200 meters. That is not a mistake. 』

『You can really get a sense of who she is. 』

Yes. Jay-san is massive. Standing at 191cm, with measurements of 108 cm bust, 68 cm waist, and 100 cm hip, her physique is unbelievable. With a height difference of around 50cm between us, standing in front of her makes me feel like a child.

If she were to mark me and take position directly behind me in a race… just thinking about it makes me shudder at the energy drain that would cause.

She came to Europe from Africa because the Twinkle Series in her homeland emphasizes short-distance races, and as a middle-to-long distance runner, she sought more suitable battlegrounds. She’s also raced in Hong Kong and Australia, and has commented, “I’m excited to see just how strong the European stayers really are.”

It seems she’s taken an interest in Angely-chan, who also has experience racing in Australia, and the two have been engaging in a lively bit of playful rivalry. From that alone, it’s safe to say she’s got her eye on Angely.

Number 7, G1 winner Busto Arsizio, has triumphed in numerous dirt races in Argentina. She’s versatile enough to run on both dirt and turf, and has the strength and confidence to handle everything from mile races to ultra-long distances. She’s like Argentina’s version of Happy Meek.

Apparently, she’s been keeping JJ the Jet Bicycle in her sights, but the latter only has eyes for Angely-chan, leaving Busto Arsizio burning with the jealousy of unrequited love.

…And yet only half the entrants have been introduced, but already, the tangled web of who’s watching whom feels like a descent into hell.

Number 8, See You Later-chan, is a stayer who won last year’s British St. Leger. With Number 3, Honey Heartbeat, acting as a pacemaker, she sets herself up perfectly and aims for a calculated victory like a chess match. You could say she’s the brains of her team with a clear win pattern.

This time, it’ll be hard for her to set the pace, with my own runaway tactics and Kaiftara-san’s come-from-behind style. Though she’s ranked 4th in popularity, it’s hard to predict how she’ll respond to overwhelming pace disruption. She’s got her sights set on me, the front-runner, and that’s likely to make her battle Honey Heartbeat, the rabbit, in the process.

After the introductions of Number 9, Orange Sapphire, and Number 10, Switch On, a familiar face steps onto the presentation stage.

『――Number 11, Jarajara. Fifth favored』

『She’s a stayer with excellent results in Japan. There were concerns about how she’d handle Europe’s tough racetracks, but in her previous race, the Henry II Stakes, she finished second behind Kaiftara—a strong performance. Her real challenge may not be the course, but rather the higher-ranked horse girls—especially the so-called Big Three』

『Indeed. She’s lost to Apollo Rainbow in Japan and Kayf Tara in Europe, so Angely, who’s seen as their equal, will also be a towering opponent. Will she be able to topple one of the giants in the world’s longest race? Let’s keep an eye on her. 』

――Jarajara-chan. Wearing her simple race outfit, she waved back in response to some voices rising from part of the paddock. Her eyes were fixed on what appeared to be her cheering squad, and although they hesitated slightly in the prestigious setting of Royal Ascot, unable to hold back, they eventually raised a cheering banner for her.

They held it up for only a few seconds before voluntarily lowering it. At a venue bearing the “Royal” name, such banners are likely a breach of etiquette. This year’s rules are a little more relaxed, but they could’ve been kicked out immediately. The organizers must have considered it just barely within acceptable limits—but for Jarajara-chan, who understands the situation well, those few seconds were enough.

"Tomio, it looks like Jarajara-chan’s fighting spirit just flared up."

"Must’ve been a surprise for her."

She’s also carrying the weight of many people’s hopes. But, ironically, even at the center of Jarajara-chan’s banner, the words “Certain Victory” were boldly inscribed.

…Sorry, Jarajara-chan, but the one and only win is mine to take.

A race where everyone finishes side-by-side holds no value. The brilliance that captures hearts can only exist within a race that is cruel and unforgiving.

In other words, true excitement only exists in a world where only one can be the victor. That radiant light which draws people in shines over the fallen, those who lose before their dreams.

Thus, in a battle where dreams are at stake, it’s inevitable that losers will be born.

Wouldn’t you agree, Jarajara-chan?

Our eyes meet as Jarajara-chan comes down from the stage.

Both of us understood it all too well. That we were ready to stake our lives if it meant winning the Gold Cup.

I’ve long been called Japan’s representative, but Jarajara-chan is also here as a second representative of Japan. Neither of us can afford to lose—for the sake of the rivals we’ve fought in Japan. The weight of all those dreams we’ve trampled to reach this point rests on our backs.

Our backgrounds, our feelings—they might be different, but… let’s give it our all, Jarajara-chan.

"…………"

At the very least, no words were needed between us. If anything is to be exchanged, it will be done on the turf. That’s what I felt.

『Next up is Number 12, the “Green Angel,” Angely. Currently 3rd favored』

『She’s from Ireland, but due to her consecutive wins in Australia, she’s often referred to as “Australia’s Hero.” Either way, she’s got the popularity and the skill to back it up』

Once again, a roar of frenzied cheers thundered through the air. A horse girl with dark bay hair and a height of 157 cm appeared on the stage. Normally, she only wore a single jade earring on her right ear, but today—perhaps due to the G1 occasion—both ears were adorned with dozens of them.

Her round, shiitake-like eyes flitted around the venue, and her long hair, which extended all the way down her back, was being whipped around wildly for added flair. The angel-wing stickers on her cheeks seemed to have multiplied—perhaps a bit excessively—but no one dared criticize such details in the face of her over-the-top aura.

Her racing outfit centered on deep green. She wore a deep green Chester coat as an outer layer, over a crimson shirt and a dark teal sweater.

The sweater was cut at that perfect length often referred to as “not wearing anything,” highlighting the absolute zone between its hem and her crimson thigh-high socks, emphasizing her beautiful legs.

On her right foot she wore a red combat boot, and on her left, a white one. Each had a stylish green curve as an accent.

Despite the heavy layering on her upper body, Angely-chan’s racing outfit left her lower half relatively light. She also wore a pure white short tie around her neck, and the Chester coat featured playful patterns rather than being uniformly green—clear signs of attention to detail throughout the ensemble.

Now that I think about it, this will be the first time I’m actually racing against Angely-chan directly. I had been keeping a close eye on her since the Dubai expedition, but fate never gave us a chance to face off—until today.

In that recent mock race, Kayf Tara-san raced Angely-chan, and the result was Kayf Tara’s victory by a nose. Depending on who you asked, some claimed Angely-chan had won, or that it was a tie. But there's no doubt she’s got the ability to keep up with a serious Kayf Tara-san.

『Angely is known as a horse girl with a keen eye for fashion and trends, but during the live interview, she made some unusually bold statements.』

『Yes. It seems there are things even she’s not willing to yield on.』

During the pre-race interviews, we were asked for comments as part of the “European Long-Distance Big Three.” That’s when things got heated—ears pinned back, glaring at each other.

Honestly, I think the interviewer was at fault. I mean, asking, “Which of you three is the strongest?”—of course a prideful horse girl is going to get fired up. And yeah, I might have made things worse by immediately responding, half-jokingly, “Of course I’m the strongest.”

Angely-chan’s shi-i-ta-ke eyes lost their highlights, and Kayf Tara-san narrowed her ears even more with a sharp “Hah?” And that was it—the interviewer was left behind, and it was nothing but a clash of pride from there.

"You’ve never beaten me."

"I’ve won way more G1s than youuu."

"We haven’t raced directly yet, but considering I’ve been crushing it in long-distance races, I think it’s fair to say I’m number one?"

"You lost to me in the mock race last week."

"Hahh? I heard I won that one, actually."

"Both of you, knock it off. I’m the strongest—just look at all my record-breaking wins."

"Apollo… trash doesn’t get to talk, okay?"

"Excuse me?"

"What, you wanna go?"

Just remembering it makes me cringe! Neither of them would acknowledge me as the strongest. Of course I ended up raising my voice.

…Well, I guess even though Angely-chan’s a party girl type, she’s definitely got a fighting spirit.

After finishing her full-on performance on stage, Angely-chan playfully stuck out her tongue and hopped down to the paddock.

…She’s a free spirit, that one. The fact that she can act so uninhibited must mean she’s brimming with confidence.

After No.13, Zone Espresso-san, and No.14, Golden Nedawy-san, had their showcases, one of the staff members waiting in the wings called out to me. Clutching the jacket I’d been handed, I gripped it tight and climbed onto the presentation platform, still holding it close around my shoulders.

With every step up the stairs to the simple stage, more eyes turned toward me. The cheering grew louder. Still gripping the jacket, I flung it skyward in a dramatic sweep. The moment the roar of the crowd drowned out even the pounding of the rain, my racing outfit—finished to a perfect 120%—was revealed to all.

『――Gate 15, farthest outside: the “Gray Fairy,” Apollo Rainbow. She’s the fan favorite.』

『A horse girl with extraordinary popularity both in Japan and abroad. As she claims herself, her strengths are infinite stamina and a cute face—traits that have certainly gained her many fans. But what we most look forward to is the unpredictability she brings to her races—her signature solo escape. Personally, I find it hard to believe she can pull that off for 4000 meters…』

『That’s something we’re about to find out, but I think it’s less about doubt and more about hope—that she might actually pull it off. That’s probably why she’s the top pick.』

『Indeed. The fact that she’s more favored than Kayf Tara shows how much more people are expecting from her than they’re worried about.』

Today, I was more fired up than ever. My output was so maxed out, I felt like I might break my own body. That’s how in-tune my body and soul were.

Do you know how long I’ve waited for this day? Since the moment I first dared to dream, I’ve been yearning to fight the greatest rivals on the greatest stage. This race—the longest in the world—was the only possible answer. From the moment I entered Tracen Academy, pushed through to my debut, and ran my heart out for years. I’ve struggled, regretted, agonized, enjoyed, rejoiced, reflected, carried so much—and finally arrived at the Gold Cup.

I can’t lose. I absolutely cannot lose.

No—not winning would be a lie.

If I can’t win even now—when I’ve come closer than ever to that dream landscape—then that would mean my dream will never come true. With Kayf Tara-san, Angely-chan, and Jarajara-chan here… it’s the perfect lineup for me to hit peak performance. I grow stronger in races charged with so many emotions. That’s the kind of horse girl I am.

My fighting spirit was already blazing. My emotions were surging so high that the "Unknown Domain Zone" had started to activate midway. The snowflakes gathering in the zone were densest around Kayf Tara-san, followed by Angely-chan.

I don’t know what these snowflakes represent—but they’re not something to ignore. Most likely, they gather near people who are important to me.

That’s how I’ve decided to interpret it for now. I twitched my big horse ears in an exaggerated motion, making it obvious I could control even my smallest sensory organs. To the fans gathered around the paddock, it probably just looked like I was showing off my trademark big ears. But in reality, it was proof that I was perfectly calm—since horse ears usually move on their own based on emotion.

The only ones who realized this were the 14 horse girls running in the race—and their trainers. A girl who can burn with passion and think with a clear head is a terrifying opponent indeed.

I was taught the answer by Chiefs Glider-san. Palmer-san and the others gave me the fuel of raw emotion. If this were Royal Ascot, I’m sure they would’ve hung a massive banner for me—but just receiving a message was more than enough.

When the time was right, I left the paddock and moved to the corridor beneath the stands reserved for staff and participants. It was time for one final conversation with Tomio. We’d already decided on our strategy, so there wasn’t much to say… but with nothing else to do, I decided to tell him an old story.

"Hey, Tomio. Do you remember the first time we met?"

"Of course. We talked about all sorts of things in the library, didn’t we?"

"Exactly. And, Tomio, your ideal stayer was always a horse girl who could run 4000 meters, right?"

"Yeah... that’s right. Of course I wanted to raise a stayer who could win races like the Kikuka-sho or the Spring Tenno-sho, but I also dreamed of one day taking on the Gold Cup or the Prix du Cadran."

"…The ultimate stayer—that’s our dream, after all."

"…………"

"…Hey, Tomio. You’re shaking, you know?"

"Haha… I guess I’m finally starting to feel scared."

"…………"

"…There’s only one thing I can say to you. Come back safe."

"—Yeah. I’ll be back, as the strongest horse girl. So wait for me, okay?"

"…Yeah, I’ll be waiting. Go get 'em, Apollo."

"Yep! …Apollo Rainbow, heading out!"

Having reaffirmed my resolve, I raised my hand lightly. He instantly understood what I wanted and raised his hand the same way. We exchanged a sharp, satisfying high-five, and then I walked forward without looking back.

I stepped onto the turf, now soaked with a torrential downpour. Tomio headed toward the outdoor seats reserved for staff.

Time to give it my all. Let’s do this, Apollo Rainbow.

Pumping myself up, I dashed into the dull-colored world ahead.