Chapter 30: Borrowing a Champion’s Wisdom

Time passed, and February arrived.

As promised, Trainer Amami showed up for my training session—but unexpectedly, Mejiro McQueen came along with her.

"Ma… McQueen?! Tomio, why is she here?"

"Huh? She’s Amami’s assigned horsegirl. Of course she’d come. Didn’t I mention it?"

"No, you didn’t! If she was coming, you should’ve told me!"

Mejiro McQueen chatted warmly with Amami, her usual stern TV expression nowhere to be seen. Instead, she wore the smile of a girl her age. Was this how she acted when she was with the partner she’d fought alongside for over three years?

"Wow… It’s really McQueen…"

Mejiro McQueen—a stunning horsegirl with lustrous, pale purple dappled fur. Every movement radiated nobility, making her feel like she belonged to a different world. She was one of the greatest stayers in history. And now she was right in front of me. My heart wouldn’t calm down. Her perfectly proportioned body, her long, slender limbs, the way her eyes narrowed slightly when she noticed me staring. Her eyelashes were so long… Ugh, she’s way too beautiful… No wonder she has so many female fans.

Before I could spiral into fangirl madness (like that version of Agnes), McQueen walked toward me and clasped my hands.

"You must be Apollo Rainbow. My trainer has told me all about you. I look forward to working with you today."

"Y-Yes! L-Likewise!"

Oh no… I’m touching the McQueen. I might get a nosebleed… Her hands are soft—wait, no. They’re actually pretty firm. Beneath that smooth skin was a finely trained athlete’s body. Without thinking, I started kneading her fingers like I was doing some kind of impromptu examination. Maybe I’ve picked up some of Tomio’s habits.

"Um… Apollo-san?"

"—Ah! S-Sorry, McQueen!"

I quickly pulled my hands back and forced an awkward laugh.

Today’s training was light on intensity but heavy on mental strain. The plan? Run alongside McQueen, then do a mock race where she’d thoroughly outpace me while analyzing my weaknesses. Hence the "mental strain" part.

"Stretch first, then run with McQueen. I’ll go talk with Amami."

"Got it. See you later!"

I waved as Tomio walked off, then turned back to McQueen.

—This was the champion who’d won the Tenno Sho (Spring) twice. A mix of regal grace and Amami’s easygoing charm… She was the embodiment of the ideal stayer I wanted to become.

Honestly, if licking her shoes would give me her abilities, I’d do it in a heartbeat. McQueen was strong even in middle distances, and I couldn’t find a single flaw in her.

…Whoops. My breathing got way too loud. I coughed and gestured toward stretching. "Ngh, McQueeeen~ Let me help with your back~" Ugh, that sounded weird. Let’s just pretend I didn’t say that.

Pushing against her track-suited back, I noticed how flexible she was, bending like a cat. I’d improved my own flexibility, but I was still nowhere near her level. If I could match her, maybe I’d be able to handle middle distances better.

When it was my turn to stretch, her hands on my back during my forward bend made me tense up.

"My, you’re quite flexible. Sub-Trainer… no, Momozawa Trainer mentioned you used to be terrible at this."

"I practice every day! I’ve gotten way better!"

Back when I was a junior, my flexibility was a joke. I couldn’t even reach past my knees in a forward bend, and my splits stopped at 120 degrees before the pain made me quit. Tomio had nearly lost his mind over it.

So I started stretching after every bath. Never skipped a day. Now, I was more flexible than most my age.

Greater flexibility meant a wider range of distance aptitude—but not shorter distances. My ideal range just stretched from 2600–3800m to 2400–4000m. I needed two more big improvements to handle 2000m…

But honestly? I was starting to think I’d hit my limit. After quickly adapting to 2400–4000m as a junior, my progress had completely stalled.

…Amami said that fighting strong rivals would push me past my limits. I didn’t fully understand how yet, but for now, I’d just focus on preparing as best I could.

After stretching, McQueen and I started our run. With Tomio and Amami watching, I studied McQueen’s every move like a student learning from a master.

Here was the perfect stayer. I couldn’t afford to miss a thing. The distant sound of the trainers discussing techniques faded as I focused entirely on McQueen—her breathing, her arm movements, how her feet pushed off the ground, her rhythm when speeding up, the way her leg muscles worked. I absorbed it all.

"—Amazing…"

She was born with talent, no doubt about that—but Mejiro McQueen's running had reached the realm of art. Seeing it on video didn’t come close to the impact of witnessing it in person. Her top-tier, world-class stride was overwhelming. It was a form so perfect, it didn’t even stir jealousy—only awe.

So beautiful. This is the stride of the strongest stayer. These legs once clashed with Rice Shower, Tokai Teio, Mejiro Palmer...

Even though it had been a while since my last training session, running beside her lit a fire inside me, a boiling fighting spirit. After a while running together, Trainer Amami tossed us towels. Tomio, who was standing half a step behind, looked worn out. Maybe she’d gotten a serious critique about her training theory.

"Apollo, McQueen. After a short break, you’ll both run 2400 meters while I time you."

Amami told me to run at about 80% effort—probably because I was just coming back from an injury and she didn’t want me pushing too hard. But then she turned to McQueen and said, "I want you to crush Apollo Rainbow with fifty percent of your power."

I knew she was way out of my league—but hearing that said right to my face? Yeah, there’s no way I’m letting that slide. Amami probably meant to provoke me, and it worked. I’m not the type to back down from a challenge.

I stepped up to the starting line on the track and took a deep breath. The thrill of going up against the stayer I admired... I’d use that energy to blow away the gloomy mood of this defeat-assumed training session. Heart blazing. Mind cool.

...Alright. I’m calm. I can do this.

I looked over to McQueen standing next to me.

"McQueen-san... I’m borrowing your chest! Let’s do this!!"

"Of course. Apollo-san, I don’t intend to lose either."

As soon as the friendly exchange ended, McQueen’s expression turned ice-cold. She wasn’t the noble lady of the Mejiro family anymore—she had the face of a warrior. A shiver ran down my spine. I cast aside the fan in me and stepped into the role of a competitor, one willing to do whatever it took to win.

That’s right—no one fights to lose. We all aim for victory.

"On your marks! Ready—start!"

Trainer Amami's voice faded into the background as we launched forward.

My specialty: the rocket start. I checked on my right leg as I accelerated fast. McQueen stayed behind me, about two lengths back.

...Good. My right leg is fully healed. No pain, no discomfort. I’m not allowed to go full throttle, so I can’t reach top speed—but I keep a solid pace as I enter the corner. Even this is over 70 kilometers per hour. McQueen let out a breath as if surprised by my cornering.

On the backstretch, I widen the gap to five lengths. Her signature ultra-long spurt—the terrifying finish everyone knows about—starts from the entrance to the third corner.

Here’s my plan to counter it. As soon as she starts that ultra-long spurt at the third corner, I’ll raise my speed too—and maintain this five-length gap all the way to the finish line.

Easier said than done. If it were that simple, everyone would’ve done it already. But with my ridiculous stamina, I just might pull it off! I’ll do it—an ultra-long spurt to rival even McQueen’s!

“Haaaaaaaahhhhhh!!”

Just as we hit the start of the third corner, I sense McQueen shifting gears—and I start my own long spurt. Not quite at full capacity, but still fast enough to leave most runners behind.

She’s right on my tail, five lengths behind. I can feel her leaning forward, beginning her push. But the distance isn’t closing. Still five lengths.

Yes! The plan’s working! I can do this! Sorry, Trainer Amami, but I’m taking first place!

Or so I thought.

Just as hope began to rise—

The moment we hit the fourth corner, everything changed.

“—!?”

Something black began to crawl over my tail and hair.

The ends of my tail—something horrifying was consuming them, strand by strand. I couldn’t fight it. My legs, mid-spurt, were starting to falter. My movements were being restricted. No matter how hard I tried to shake it off, it clung to me tighter.

(Wh-what—is this—!!)

It was power. Just a glimpse of it.

A force on a whole other level—a totally different scale.

I saw it. I felt it. Mejiro McQueen’s inner world poured into my mind. Her having tea in a magnificent garden. Her eyes sparkling with determination, carrying the pride of the Mejiro family. Or maybe, the image of her, wings torn, falling from the sky—yet still trying to fly again.

So dazzling. Swallowed by a mass of sheer strength.

McQueen is barely a length behind me now.

I’d felt this same dread once before, during the Hopeful Stakes.

—King Halo.

No... this is even stronger than her.

For the first time—

I felt fear.

“Ah—”

In the blink of an eye, she pulled ahead and entered the final stretch. The gap was five lengths. But unlike before, our positions had completely reversed.

I had nothing left for a finishing kick. Closing that gap was already impossible.

"Kh...!"

When the gap widened to seven lengths between me and Mejiro McQueen, I crossed the finish line.

Panting heavily, I drooled pitifully onto the turf. Meanwhile, the victorious gray-haired star casually brushed her long, light-purple hair.

"D...damn it—!"

I really hadn't gone all out. And that scared me. Even though I hadn’t unleashed my full power, I still got left so far behind. The moment I faltered, I caught a glimpse of her true strength... but from the start to the third corner, and even when she overtook me with her final spurt, she had been running on cruise control.

What kind of horse girl is Mejiro McQueen—? Is this what they call a perfect form of strength?

Dropping to my knees on the ground, weighed down by the crushing sense of defeat, I couldn’t stand up. My legs trembled uncontrollably, and I kept sinking lower and lower. Far from outlasting her with my proud stamina, it seemed her signature long spurt had ground my endurance to dust.

Tomio and McQueen came over to help me up. My limbs wouldn't respond. I had been told not to go full power, but somewhere along the way, my desperation not to lose must have pulled it out of me. I guess I couldn’t complain if I got chewed out later.

While Tomio wiped the sweat from my face, I lashed out at McQueen. I just couldn’t stand that calm, collected smile of hers.

"M-McQueen-san...! If it were a 4000-meter race, I wouldn't lose to you!!"

McQueen and Trainer Amami glanced at each other, looking bewildered. Then, after a brief pause, both of them burst out laughing.

Crap, I thought. That was way out of line. Challenging a senior like that after making her humor me with a practice race—what an awful thing to do. I let my competitive spirit get the better of me again, one of my worst habits.

But Amami Trainer and McQueen didn’t stop smiling. If anything, they seemed rather pleased with my fiery attitude.

"Tomizawa-kun, Apollo really is a wonderful horse girl. Normally, if a junior gets toyed with by a senior and still loses, they’d be crushed. Most would completely lose heart."

"Ufufu... Apollo-san, whether it's 2000 meters or 4000 meters, I have no intention of losing to you, you know?"

With my head finally cooled, all I could do was nod obediently to the Amami-McQueen duo.

"Now then, Apollo-san. For the start of your Classic class—especially considering you're just coming back from illness—your performance was truly impressive. Honestly, you have almost no glaring weaknesses. In fact, the way you raced with sheer stamina and guts was more than just surprising—it was inspiring. Without a doubt, you're running at a level that could snag a G1 title."

The whole purpose of this mock race had been for McQueen to observe me up close and spot any major flaws. Yet here was Trainer Amami, showering me with unexpected praise. Even McQueen nodded in agreement. This way, it just looked like "Apollo Rainbow lost fair and square to Mejiro McQueen."

Just as I was about to speak up, Trainer Amami pressed a finger to my lips.

"—But that’s only in a normal generation. Apollo-san, your generation is packed with monsters... and at your current level, most of them could still handle you easily. At best, you might just barely squeeze into a Classic G1 placement."

A small sound escaped my lips. Horse girls who could respond to my running—those "strongest five." Special Week, Seiun Sky, King Halo, Grass Wonder, and El Condor Pasa. Hearing it from the skilled Trainer Amami, the weight of that reality pressed heavily onto my shoulders.

She said I had no weaknesses in my running, and yet I wouldn't be able to win a G1 race? Then what was I supposed to do? I clenched my teeth in frustration. Trainer Amami watched me closely and continued speaking at a slow pace.

"Apollo-san, may I ask you one question?"

"...A question?"

"What did you see at the fourth corner?"

"—!?"

Her words struck me like a blow to the brain. The hallucination I saw at the start of the final corner—Mejiro McQueen’s phantom image. Was that surreal vision something everyone recognized?

I glanced back and forth between McQueen and Trainer Amami. McQueen was sipping a sports drink, clearly leaving the talking to Amami.

"Apollo-san, have you ever heard it said that horse girls run while carrying people's hopes?"

The biology of horse girls hadn't been fully explained by science. But as a historical fact, it’s said that "the stronger the feelings supporting them, the stronger they become." Alongside that belief came the saying, "horse girls run carrying people’s hopes."

"I have... but what about it?"

"With that in mind, I want you to listen carefully to what I'm about to say."

The conversation kept taking turns, leaving me at a loss. As I furrowed my brows, Trainer Amami cleared her throat a few times before continuing.

"...There’s something that horse girls who define an era always possess. It's a hidden, overwhelming power they gain only after battling rivals and surpassing their limits—a finishing kick even they didn’t know they had. It's the skill known as the Domain Zone."

"...The Zone...?"

"Actually, today's training was meant to show it to you. McQueen also possesses a Domain Zone. Everyone who's raced against McQueen says the same thing. At the fourth corner, McQueen changed. They say that the moment they saw some kind of hallucination, they got swallowed up by the atmosphere—then left behind in an instant."

It sounded unbelievable. But after what I'd experienced at the fourth corner, I had no choice but to believe.

"That ultra-fast long spurt from the fourth corner—that’s McQueen’s Domain Zone."

"........."

"In your generation, Apollo-san, I believe King Halo is just one step away from reaching her own Domain Zone."

"...! So King-chan really is—"

"Sounds like you had a hunch. At the Hopeful Stakes, that finishing kick she showed—it’s my view that it was the beginning of her unique skill blossoming. Thanks to King’s influence, Special Week and Seiun Sky are likely to awaken their own soon. After all, they'll be facing off in the Yayoi Sho."

"Th-that's not fair! That means I'll be left behind!"

"Exactly. You will be left behind. If you keep avoiding races against rivals, no amount of spartan training will let you catch up."

"Kh..."

"Today’s training was meant to show you that simply honing your physical strength isn’t enough to reach your goals. Spartan training isn't bad, but for a horse girl, the power of feelings is just as important."

"............"

To win a G1 race, I would need to awaken my own Domain Zone. And to do that, I had to fight against powerful rivals.

Faced with that undeniable truth, I looked up toward the sky.

...The road to becoming a champion looked farther away than ever.