Chapter 43: The Gathering of Champions

The turbulent April passed, and May arrived. The surrounding nature flourished with vibrant greens, giving us an early premonition of summer's energetic arrival. Temperatures rose as if playing a joke on us, with whispers that this year's May might even exceed 30 degrees...

Now, while late May marks the major classic race Japan Derby (sometimes held in early June), the preliminary trial races for the Derby take place in early May.

One of these Derby trial races is the G2 Tokyo TV Hai Aoba Sho in the first week of May. Offering priority entry to the top two finishers, this 2400m race shares both distance and venue (Tokyo Racecourse) with the Japan Derby.

It's an important stakes race often featuring horse girls who missed the Satsuki Sho, weren't quite ready for it, or find 2000m too short. There's even a jinx that "Aoba Sho winners can't win the Derby", making it a subtly awkward race for fans.

With legends like Zenno Rob Roy, Leo Durban (Lion Natal in Uma Musume), and Symboli Kris S having won the Aoba Sho only to lose the Derby, the superstition isn't entirely baseless. But let's set that aside.

The second Derby trial is the Open-class Principal Stakes - a 2000m Tokyo race granting priority entry only to the winner. Some Derby contenders come via the Kyoto Shimbun Hai or NHK Mile Cup too, though most proceed directly from the Satsuki Sho, making the trials feel somewhat overshadowed in comparison. But let's return to the Aoba Sho.

Grass Wonder, recovered from her right leg fracture, is running in the Aoba Sho. She's been secretly training since late March specifically for this. "Originally, my spring goal was the NHK Mile Cup if not for the injury," she said cheerfully, "but aiming for the Derby doesn't seem bad either ♪" Her smile couldn't hide the competitive fire directed at me - slightly terrifying, but that's our secret.

My concern for her? Both Aoba Sho and the Derby use left-turning courses. On left turns, the right leg inevitably bears more strain - we horse girls must brace hard with our outside legs against centrifugal force when cornering at high speed. For Grass-chan, this means extra stress on her recently healed right leg.

Whether she can run full-out without subconsciously protecting that leg is questionable. Even if fully healed, many horse girls develop an unconscious bias against turns opposite their injury side.

Once injured, a horse girl's fragile legs - often called "glass organs" - may never fully recover. Some are born with bone deformities preventing full-speed running; others never regain their peak form post-injury. It's an endless, cursed fate.

This makes Tokai Teio's comeback a true miracle for the ages. While some retire after one fracture, where else do you find a horse girl winning G1 races after three fractures? And in the year-end Arima Kinen, no less?

...I'm rooting for Grass-chan's comeback. As the proclaimed second coming of Maruzensky, she can't possibly end her story here - not my rival and best friend.

Saturday, First Week of May

I barged into the trainer's office to watch Grass-chan's Aoba Sho with Tomio. The monitor already showed Tokyo Racecourse's bustling stands and turf.

"Coffee's ready~"

"Hey, thanks~"

Lately, our trainer's lifestyle seems... messy. Hidden behind books in the corner are piles of energy drinks, and Tomio himself looks thinner. Just when his brutal year-end schedule seemed corrected, the approaching Derby has him regressing. Guess I'll need to cook for him and tuck him in again?

I settled on the sofa beside Tomio, scooting my hips toward him. With an hour until Race 10 (Aoba Sho), the screen idly displayed the empty track after Race 9's Shunko Stakes concluded. Maybe eating lunch beforehand was a mistake...

As I gradually leaned against his shoulder, pretending to study racing manuals while stealing glances at his profile:

"...Something up, Apollo? Your ears and tail keep brushing me."

"No problem, right?"

"Huh? Well... I guess not."

I deliberately swatted his thigh with my tail to assert my presence. (My ears were just twitching excitedly on their own.)

How long since I last clung to him like this? Since April... no, probably New Year's. So what's wrong with being a little affectionate?

If not for the approaching Derby, I might've tossed the books aside for a lap pillow. Not that I'm bold enough to calculatedly push that far.

—Or so I thought, until I realized I'd already entangled my free hand around his arm while "reading."

Ever becoming a horse girl, I've struggled to restrain affection or competitive drive—especially lately, with both leaking uncontrollably. Maybe since realizing my own growing strength? Perhaps a side effect of brushing against the Zone that awakens when the mind reaches its edge.

As I mentally made excuses, my right hand finally captured his left. My grip tightened possessively, startling him into movement.

"—How frustrating," I muttered under my breath.

"Trainer... if I win the Japan Derby—"

"...What if you win?"

"........."

But no further words followed. "What's wrong?" His face peered at me curiously. Perhaps because of his reaction, I suddenly became acutely aware of how close we'd gotten, and the words I'd been weaving completely vanished from my mind.

If I win the Japan Derby—then what? Was I expecting something from him in return? No, maybe it wasn't about compensation or reward—maybe those words had simply bubbled up because I wanted some kind of treat.

Looking back, I'd been pushing myself absurdly hard until now. Though I had a concrete dream, I'd been charging forward without knowing whether results would follow. The junior ranks were hellish Spartan training, whipping my below-average body into decent shape.

The accumulated fatigue had manifested as a minor injury in January... And even in the classic ranks, though more stable, I'd been training like a madwoman. Knowledge, mental fortitude—whenever I had time, I'd polish and sharpen them relentlessly. Proper rest days were few enough to count on one hand.

No wonder, living like this, my mind and body had grown exhausted without me realizing. Those earlier words must have been a scream from my very being. Maybe even my heart was tired without me knowing.

"...After the Japan Derby, let's take a break. Just the two of us."

"Apollo saying something like that...?"

"Rude. Even I want breaks sometimes."

"Hah. Well... yeah. We have been pushing too hard. A little rest won't hurt. After the Derby, let's take a proper vacation."

"Yeah..."

"Come to think of it... it's been a year since we met. Weird. Sometimes it feels like only a year, other times like it's been much longer."

"........."

I closed my book and leaned against his shoulder. My right hand remained intertwined with his left. Tomio showed no sign of discomfort. To him, did I just look like a kid trying to act grown-up? Was he merely humoring my antics while maintaining his adult composure?

I'm no psychic—I can't read minds. And of course, even as my trainer, he couldn't know my true feelings. That's precisely why putting this emotion into concrete words for someone else would take tremendous courage.

...Both the Japan Derby and the derby of love are way too difficult.

I closed my eyes, letting my thoughts drift through fleeting memories.

"Looking back, time really flies, huh?"

"The way we perceive time is a mystery that'll never be solved."

"What's the phrase for this...? 'Time flies like an arrow'?"

"Hah, Symboli Rudolf would know all about fancy expressions like that."

"........."

"Ow! Why'd you hit me with your tail?"

"...No reason. Just wondering why the chairman's name came up there, that's all."

"Eh~"

"Don't 'eh~' me, geez."

The conversation lulled there. Not because either of us disliked talking—it just naturally wound down. Time passed as we felt each other's warmth through our clasped hands. The room held only our quiet breaths and the faint aroma of coffee.

As we sat in comfortable silence—the monitor in the trainer's room switched on, and lively commentary began.

The Derby trial, the Aoba Sho, was about to begin. Straightening my posture, I pulled my hand from his. I flinched slightly noticing my palm was sweaty, but he didn't seem to mind. Setting my race analysis book aside, I went to pour fresh coffee for both of us.

Returning from the kitchen, the monitor now showed celebrities and former trainers discussing predictions in the studio.

The Aoba Sho lineup was as follows:

Gate 1-1: #11 Jewel Garnet
Gate 1-2: #15 Summer Bonfire
Gate 2-3: #16 Maiden Charm
Gate 2-4: #14 Irresistible
Gate 3-5: #17 Holiday Hike
Gate 3-6: #12 Mackila
Gate 4-7: #13 Puka Puka
Gate 4-8: #3 Pristine Song
Gate 5-9: #9 Sowa Sowa
Gate 5-10: #4 Jara Jara
Gate 6-11: #10 Mucha Lady
Gate 6-12: #2 Mini Engineer
Gate 7-13: #1 Grass Wonder
Gate 7-14: #5 Confusion
Gate 7-15: #6 Hearty Letter
Gate 8-16: #7 More Than Anything
Gate 8-17: #8 Kaikou Ichiban
Gate 8-18: #18 Mini Orchid

A full gate, as expected. This was, after all, the battle for tickets to the Japan Derby—the stage every Twilight Series participant dreams of. Regardless of any jinx about Aoba Sho winners losing later, we simply wanted to compete in the Derby.

Grass Wonder, last year's junior sprint champion, was the favorite, though the broadcast raised questions about her distance suitability and concerns about her post-injury form.

Second favorite was Mini Engineer, known for consistent middle-distance performances. Her recent graded race results suggested the 2400m extension would suit her.

But the one who caught my eye was #4 Jara Jara—the mare I'd collided with in my unfortunate debut. I hadn't expected her to reach open class too.

Tomio had been making subtle expressions, glancing between the screen's Jara Jara and me. I didn't mind, but maybe he thought I still held a grudge. Or perhaps it was just a natural reaction given our history.

As the paddock introductions began, we commented on each mare—"This one looks promising," "She's in good form"—until the tenth arrival: #4 Jara Jara.

["Next is Gate 5-10, Jara Jara. Fourth favorite."]

"One of the fillies who’s truly grown into her own in the Classic division. Though this is her first graded stakes attempt, her high odds reflect her proven ability. Let’s hope she keeps her nerves in check and runs her best!"

For a time, her specter haunted me. But that’s all in the past now. If anything, having once been so deeply entangled with her, I find myself rooting for her even harder.

I scrutinized her coat sheen and demeanor through the screen, nodding firmly a few times before glancing up at Tomio beside me.

"Tomio. Jara Jara… she might actually have a shot here."

"Yeah. She’s in peak form. If things go smoothly, she’ll be fighting for the top spots."

After that incident, I’d heard Jara Jara developed something like the yips—slowing drastically in the final turn. Yet here she was, holding 4th favoritism in a G2. She must’ve overcome that trauma. The thought made my chest tighten with emotion.

Next, my attention shifted to her, of course—Grass Wonder. A monster of a filly who, even during her injury layoff, honed her fighting spirit to the brink of entering the Zone.

She waved modestly to the crowd in her track suit. At a glance, her condition leaned toward "Fair" bordering on "Good." Likely a strategy to peak for the Derby itself. Trainers’ approaches varied on that front.

"Not as lively as Jara Jara and the others, but still…"

"Right. Even post-injury, a junior sprint champion’s in a league of her own. She is a G1 filly, after all… The others might get outclassed."

Grass-chan swept her chestnut mane aside as she pivoted, vanishing off-screen. Even through the broadcast, the razor-edged intensity in her eyes was palpable. Still overflowing with fighting spirit… Had I been at Tokyo Racecourse, I’d have probably shivered. A chill ran through me as I headed to the kitchen for more coffee.

With paddock introductions over, the fillies finally entered the track. All 18 surged onto the turf, testing the footing underhoof.

Tokyo Racecourse today: 25°C, cloudy, track slightly yielding. Not ideal, but simply experiencing Tokyo’s 2400m would give these fillies a major edge heading from the Satsuki Sho to the Derby. This race could reveal who truly mastered the course—making it unmissable.

As the lead ponies cleared, fanfare blared. Even through the screen, tension and exhilaration gripped me. A full-body shiver later, I steadied my breath and refocused on the monitor.

"Overcast skies at Tokyo Racecourse. The G2 Aoba Sho—Japan Derby’s trial race—is about to begin! Who will seize their ticket to the Derby, the dream of every contender? The gates are set… AND THEY’RE OFF!"

Watching remotely, races unfold too fast. Before my mind could catch up—CLANG. The gates flew open.

"—AND THEY BREAK CLEAN! A scattered start, but Jara Jara gets away smartly, pushing for the lead! Grass Wonder, the favorite, settles mid-pack. Will this be a forwardly raced affair? Stay tuned!"

Jara Jara (Gate 5-10) seized the front. A natural frontrunner, she rapidly gapped the field, securing a clear lead by the first turn as pacemaker.

Trailing two lengths behind in fourth: Grass Wonder. Rounding the second turn, her stride seemed uneasy—was her past right-leg fracture still a ghost? Tomio and I leaned in, palms sweating.

"Into the second turn, pace is standard. Oh! Jara Jara eases off slightly—likely aiming to throttle the tempo and favor front-runners."

"If so, closers will struggle to rally from this bunched pack. But these fillies won’t let her steal it unchallenged. The race is heating up!"

As predicted, the third turn ignited the contest. Mini Engineer (2nd favorite), lying fifth, launched her bid—confident in her stamina, she swung wide and surged to second, locking horns with Jara Jara by the 3-4 turn stretch. Grass Wonder held her ground.

"Around the third turn—Mini Engineer and Jara Jara are dueling! Jara Jara’s in trouble! Is her lead about to crumble?!"

"The chase pack’s closing fast. This’ll be decided in a long sprint!"

"Fourth turn into the homestretch! Mini Engineer overtakes Jara Jara! Grass Wonder lurks in third! Tokyo’s straight is long—can anyone change the script?!"

Grass Wonder finally unleashed her trademark late kick off the final turn—but even past the 400m mark, her acceleration fell short of her Asahi Hai brilliance. Her face twisted in strain.

"T-Tomio… This is—"

"…………"

I tugged reflexively at his sleeve, but no reply came. Only the booming voice of the race commentator filled the room.

"Under 200 meters to go—Mini Engineer still leads! Grass Wonder surges to second! Can she close the gap?!"

In the final stretch, Grass Wonder overtook Jara Jara, lunging into second. The roar of the crowd drowned her out, but her mouth was open wide—as if shouting something.

Then, by a nose, Grass Wonder slipped past Mini Engineer and—the wire. A triumphant comeback victory.

"AND SHE’S DONE IT!! Grass Wonder defies her fractured right leg to claim a stunning return! The Derby awaits!!"

As Grass Wonder trotted past the finish line, waving faintly to the stands, Tomio and I exchanged glances.

"...The injury’s lingering more than I thought."
"...Yeah."

And so, the G2 Aoba Sho concluded with Grass Wonder’s victory.

———

One week later, at the G1 NHK Mile Cup.

Tomio and I stood frozen as a seismic declaration echoed through the venue.

"—I will run in the Japan Derby!!"

Those words came from El Condor Pasa—fresh off defeating Green Titten to win the NHK Mile Cup.

And just like that, the Derby became a clash of the "Six Titans."