Chapter 46: Death Match! The Japanese Derby! Part 1

On the last Sunday of May, at 3:00 PM—the skies were cloudy, and the track condition was declared "firm." As the 18 of us, clad in our jackets, stepped into the paddock, a deafening roar erupted from the 170,000 spectators packed into the stands.

The sheer volume of their cheers threatened to topple the fences surrounding the paddock, and the crowd density rivaled—if not surpassed—that of a packed commuter train. At this rate, some spectators might not even be able to move from their spots until the race was over. I could only pray no one got hurt in the crush.

The 18 of us emerged from the tunnel into the paddock, where the pre-race introductions were about to begin. Each of us walked alongside our trainers, sizing up the competition. At a glance, most of the girls looked as sharp as their pre-race reputations suggested—except for Seiun Sky, whose complexion was noticeably off.

『The day has finally arrived—the Tokyo Yushun, the Japanese Derby! Only 18 elite horse girls remain, having triumphed through the trials of their generation. And now, their grand introduction is about to begin!』

『The Japanese Derby is here once again! I get so excited this time of year that I can hardly sleep. And with a field rumored to be the strongest in history, I bet some fans lost sleep too!』

The commentators bantered lightly as they set the stage for the Derby’s opening. I was in Gate 1, Position 1—any moment now, the staff would call me for my introduction.

『Today’s attendance at Tokyo Racecourse is an astounding—177,620 spectators! This rivals the legendary crowd from Ines Fujin’s Derby!』

『Ah, what a nostalgic memory. The cheers for Ines Fujin’s victory still feel as vivid as yesterday.』

『Will today’s Derby forge a new legend in the Twinkle Series? Will these 170,000 witnesses become part of history? The paddock preparations are complete—let the introductions begin!』

Guided by the staff, I was the first to step onto the stage. Gripping the jacket draped over my shoulders, I flung it off with a flourish, revealing my racing silks in a bold display.

The crowd erupted in a thunderous "Ooooh!"—towels and newspapers waved wildly in the stands. I couldn’t hide my astonishment at the overwhelming energy. Truly, the Japanese Derby was in a league of its own. Filled with pride at being the Twinkle Series’ top pick, I waved enthusiastically to the crowd.

『Gate 1, Position 1—Apollo Rainbow, the race favorite!』

『Though she hasn’t yet won a major stakes race, her raw talent is undeniable. Gate 1, Position 1, and the favorite—it feels almost fated. I, for one, hope she claims the ultimate honor of becoming a Derby-winning horse girl. She’s my top pick!』

On UmaSta, I’d received countless messages of support. Though I didn’t know the faces or real names behind them, every word overflowed with passion. Not a single negative comment—just pure, unfiltered belief in my victory. It nearly brought me to tears.

I couldn’t reply to all of them, but I read every one of the nearly 10,000 messages. So—don’t worry, everyone. I feel your support. With one last radiant smile, I concluded my introduction.

"Hey, look around Apollo Rainbow—do you see that shimmer?"

"Huh? What, you think she’s glowing ‘cause she’s cute? Join the club."

"No, no—it’s not just her aura. There’s… something like snowflakes around her. You see it too, right?"

"...Yeah, I do. Thought I was hallucinating, so I kept quiet. But it reminds me of that blue-rose aura Rice Shower had when she was at her peak."

"Now that you mention it, you’re right. She must’ve pushed herself to the limit for this, just like Rice did. …Let’s give Apollo everything we’ve got today!"

"Hell yeah! Apollo Rainbow, go get ‘em!!"

"WOOOOOOH!!!"

As I stepped down from the stage, I locked eyes with two familiar fans—men who’d been following me since my debut. Among all my supporters, they felt special. With a quick wink (Thanks for always cheering for me), I dashed back to Tomio’s side.

"So, Apollo—nervous in the Derby paddock?"

"Pfft, look who’s talking! Your legs are shaking like a newborn fawn!"

"...L-Let me have my cool moment, alright?"

"Aw, but you’re cuter when you’re just being yourself, Tomio! ♪"

"Hah… that kinda hurts, but—guess you really aren’t nervous. Good."

(For the record, Tomio’s legs were wobbling like crazy. And this was the guy who’d smugly declared "We’re definitely winning this" in the waiting room. That gap was oddly endearing.)

Next up was Gate 1, Position 2—King Halo. The moment her high heels clicked onto the stage, the air grew heavy, the crowd hushed.

With a dramatic flourish, she shed her jacket like a cape, running a hand through her lustrous hair as she struck a regal pose. Her deep green silks gleamed, her expression brimming with noble confidence.

『—Gate 1, Position 2, fourth favorite—King Halo!』

『Though she’s been absent from the winner’s circle lately, her form today suggests a comeback. With her devastating late speed, she’s one to watch.』

King Halo was in peak condition—more radiant than ever. Her smile dazzled the crowd, drawing shrieks of delight from female fans. Then her gaze met mine—

And suddenly, searing heat and shimmering particles erupted from her back. At the same time, snowflakes swirled around me.

(W-What the—?)

My eyes widened. A creeping darkness enveloped King Halo, only to dissolve into glistening droplets—like sweat turned to light—revealing her silhouette.

This wasn’t flashy or flamboyant—just raw, relentless willpower. That’s her Zone—the edge of her "Territory." She must’ve perfected it just before the Derby.

But King Halo’s slight surprise told me she’d seen it too—the fragments of my "Territory." The problem was… I didn’t even understand my own. I only sensed its vague outline.

—The "Territory Zone" was a power beyond limits—a speed even its wielder couldn’t fully grasp. I hadn’t reached that far yet. King had honed hers since the Hopeful Stakes. Me? I was probably the worst among awakened horse girls at controlling mine.

As our gazes broke, the manifestations faded. We passed each other without a word, turning our attention back to the paddock stage.

Following King Halo, the next to take the paddock stage was Vital Dynamo. And after her—El Condor Pasa. Instantly recognizable in her crimson racing silks and eccentric mask, El Condor Pasa made a grand show of flinging off her jacket with exaggerated flair.

『Gate 2, Position 4—El Condor Pasa. Third favorite!』

『The undefeated Mile Queen, fresh off her NHK Mile Cup victory! The tight turnaround is concerning, but her form seems passable. Expect a strong showing!』

Even for a talent like her, the brutal schedule—NHK Mile Cup → Japanese Derby on just two weeks' rest—clearly took its toll. She lacked the razor-sharp edge she’d shown in the Mile Cup. El Condor Pasa was the type who performed best with proper spacing between races. In pure conditioning, the girls who’d come straight from the Satsuki Sho looked far sharper.

Yet El Condor Pasa still radiated "good form"—enough to be dangerous. Her straightforward, brutally effective front-running strategy demanded respect. Though I saw no flicker of her Territory Zone, there was always a chance she’d awaken it mid-race. An opponent you could never underestimate.

Next up after El Condor Pasa was Special Week. With four of the so-called "Six Titans" clustered in the inner gates—and my own explosive break planned—it was clear the early pace would favor front-runners.

The moment Special Week stepped forward, the atmosphere warped. Unlike the reactions to me, King Halo, or El Condor Pasa, the air itself seemed to still around her. An unfinished prodigy? No—this was the aura of Japan’s standard-bearer. The click of her hooves against the paddock stage was the only sound in Tokyo Racecourse.

Under the crushing silence and 170,000 pairs of eyes, Special Week hurled her jacket skyward. Every trace of her usual awkward charm was gone.

『—Gate 3, Position 5. Special Week. Second favorite.』

『The crowd’s silence says it all—this is awe. She’s reportedly shed a touch of weight, yet her musculature looks more refined. Not diminished… perfected.』

The normally cheerful, soft-faced Special Week now brimmed with quiet lethality. It was terrifying. I instinctively ducked behind Tomio—only for her gaze to snap to mine. Then it hit me: that same invasive dread I’d felt from Mejiro McQueen and Seiun Sky’s Territory Zones. Like something vile creeping up from the tip of my tail.

I nearly yelped but glared back instead. Snowflakes erupted around me, pushing against her pressure. In response, the space behind Special Week warped—into a starscape of falling meteors.

So that’s it. The Territory Zone she’d likely awakened during the Yayoi Sho. Seeing it now, the density and sheer heat of it—
(Did she misfire her weight management for the Satsuki Sho? Or just fail to trigger the Zone’s conditions?)
No time to speculate. This version of Special Week was monstrous. Body and mind in flawless sync. Ignoring her? Impossible.

"...Trainer. Spe-chan’s… scary."

"Yeah. Even I can tell. That’s a demon. Rice Shower when she crushed McQueen levels of presence… It makes El Condor Pasa and King Halo look pale."

As Special Week left the stage, the crowd’s murmurs returned—but this wasn’t excitement. It was the uneasy buzz of people shaken to their core. The paddock introductions pressed on, now steeped in tension.

After a lull, it was Gate 5, Position 10—Grass Wonder’s turn. Fresh off her Aoba Sho victory over a month prior, her deliberate steps held the crowd breathless. All eyes locked onto her as she ascended the stage.

Moving with the grace of a kimono-clad noble, Grass Wonder shed her jacket in one languid motion. Tossing it aside, she swept the audience with a piercing glare before offering a small wave.

『Gate 5, Position 10—Grass Wonder. Fifth favorite.』

『Last year’s Mile G1 champion (Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes) who silenced doubters by dominating the 2400m Aoba Sho. Like El Condor Pasa, she arrives undefeated. Can last year’s Mile Queen conquer the Derby? Watch her closely!』

Grass Wonder… another with fragments of a Territory Zone. Her left-turn awkwardness might’ve been mitigated—but had it?

When our eyes met, her sapphire pupils narrowed. I’d felt it for a while now—like being stalked. A sticky, invasive sensation, as if a blade hovered at my throat. In some ways, the most terrifying opponent of all.

Finally, the last of the "Six Titans"—Gate 6, Position 12: Seiun Sky. Her ears drooped heavily, and even her usual bright blue eyes looked dull. The moment she stepped up, her "complete slump" was obvious even through her jacket.

Seiun Sky startled herself into action, hurling her jacket backward with forced vigor. As her fluffy silks unfurled, she crossed her arms behind her head with a wry smile—a flimsy attempt to mask her condition. The crowd and less perceptive horse girls might’ve bought it, but no trainer would. Her ears and tail lacked energy, and her mane’s luster had faded since the Satsuki Sho.

『Gate 6, Position 12—Seiun Sky. Sixth favorite.』

『Hmm… she’s missing that spark from the Satsuki Sho. But remember—she’s a Classic G1 winner, just like El Condor Pasa. As one of the Six Titans, let’s hope she rallies!』

"Free-spirited" was a generous way to phrase her temperamental nature. Packed with interviews and media ops, her routine had clearly shattered. Even her trainer often muttered, "Managing Sky’s condition is a nightmare." The entertainment side of the Twinkle Series had claimed another victim.

Tomio and I exchanged a nod. "Seiun Sky’s a non-threat." Neither of us realized how badly she’d fallen off. With Special Week’s unexpected form, we might not even have time to glance Sky’s way.

"Do you think Apollo-chan can win the Derby?"

“What’s with you all of a sudden? I want to say it’s obvious we’re going to win… but I’m a little scared of Special Week.”

“Is it because she’s the second favorite? If we’re talking about achievements, wouldn’t El Condor Pasa be scarier?”

“No, it’s not that. It’s like… around Special Week, there’s this sparkling, star-like glow that I see. It’s like there’s something even stronger than King-chan or Apollo-chan. Did you not see it?”

“Sorry. I was too busy staring at Apollo-chan’s belly button to notice.”

“...”

Once the paddock was over, the horses moved through the underground passage to the turf. Some of the Uma Musume walked in silence, focusing intently, while others, like me, chatted with their trainer as they heightened their concentration.

The underground passage at Tokyo Racecourse felt short, even though it seemed long at first, and before I knew it, we reached the exit where the light spread out before us, signaling the end of our conversation, a mix of uplifting excitement and reassuring calm.

“We’ve already come this far, huh?”

“...Yeah. It’s starting. The Japanese Derby.”

“Still doesn’t feel real?”

“Of course not. But I know Apollo’s going to win, so... I’m actually feeling less nervous.”

“Heh, what’s that? No matter how many times you try to act cool, it’s still kind of lame.”

“Haha, is that so? ...Well, whatever. We’re holding up the line, so we should probably—”

“...Hm?”

We stood facing each other, our eyes meeting. The Japanese Derby, a once-in-a-lifetime event. Many emotions swirled up inside me, but for my last words to him, I chose this:

“I'm off, Trainer.”

“Yeah. Go ahead, Apollo. I’ll be waiting for you beyond the finish line.”

After exchanging a light hug with my trainer, I sprinted onto the turf, where the light and cheers enveloped me.

—0 minutes remaining until the Japanese Derby begins.
A battle where neither regrets nor excuses will matter, and it begins now.