Chapter 72: Stayers Stakes, Part 1

Ever since the Japan Cup ended, the media—desperate for anything to bridge the gap until the Arima Kinen—had been reporting on the Stayers Stakes nonstop. All eyes were now on the much-talked-about "Runaway Uma Musume" Apollo Rainbow and her next race. And this was the result.

With her rarity and individuality as a pure front-runner, her long-distance compatibility paralleling that of Silence Suzuka, and the added fact that Suzuka-san was currently on break, the spotlight was unusually and intensely fixed on the stayer route.

Among the contestants in the Stayers Stakes, two Uma Musume drew the most attention. Needless to say, they were Apollo Rainbow and Double Trigger. Media opinions were split—some predicting a landslide win for Double Trigger, others betting on a clean victory for Apollo Rainbow. No one could say for sure until they clashed.

And so begins the Stayers Stakes—a race known for its unique and daunting 3,600-meter length, unmatched among existing graded races in Japan. Though it makes for a tough rotation, it's a key stepping stone for any Uma Musume aiming for the Arima Kinen.

A total of 16 Uma Musume had gathered on the stage of this G2 race. It was rare for the Stayers Stakes to hit full capacity, but a wave of stamina-driven seniors, all eager to take down Apollo Rainbow—and even knock out the strongest stayers arriving from overseas—had turned up in force.

Here’s the race lineup:

1st Gate, Horse #1 – 3rd Favorite: Jewel Zircon
1st Gate, Horse #2 – 7th Favorite: Starry Pride
2nd Gate, Horse #3 – 13th Favorite: Jewel Nephrite
2nd Gate, Horse #4 – 2nd Favorite: Double Trigger
3rd Gate, Horse #5 – 12th Favorite: High Time Soon
3rd Gate, Horse #6 – 1st Favorite: Apollo Rainbow
4th Gate, Horse #7 – 16th Favorite: Arcade Champ
4th Gate, Horse #8 – 14th Favorite: Bravo Zwei
5th Gate, Horse #9 – 5th Favorite: Breeze Glider
5th Gate, Horse #10 – 8th Favorite: Autumn Mountain
6th Gate, Horse #11 – 15th Favorite: Marsyas
6th Gate, Horse #12 – 6th Favorite: Mykonos Chalk
7th Gate, Horse #13 – 9th Favorite: Ribbon Humming
7th Gate, Horse #14 – 4th Favorite: Ribbon Finale
8th Gate, Horse #15 – 11th Favorite: Work Faithful
8th Gate, Horse #16 – 10th Favorite: Rural Ranger

On the day of the Stayers Stakes.

When we arrived at Nakayama Racecourse, we were instantly swallowed up by the crowd—far more than you'd ever expect for a G2 event. The sheer density of people seemed to blot out the cold winter air. Every direction you looked, it was wall-to-wall with spectators. Everyone was bundled up against the chill, but beads of sweat glistened on their foreheads from the collective body heat.

It was a crowd to rival even that legendary G2 race—the Hanshin Daishoten where Mayano Top Gun clashed with Narita Brian.

“Ahh—excuse me, let me through! Sorry!”

“Huh? Isn’t that Apollo-chan?”

“Wow, it’s really her! She’s sooo cute!”

“She’s stupidly adorable, I can’t even—this is lethal.”

“We’re rooting for you! Go get ’em!”

Tomio and I had arrived an hour before the race, but the whole place was packed so tightly we could barely move. We shoved through the crowd to finally reach the waiting room, but I felt like I'd already wasted a chunk of stamina just getting here. My hair’s a mess too.

As I idly twisted a strand of hair around my finger, my thoughts turned to Double Trigger-san. We’d gotten to know each other a bit at a dinner gathering the other day, but we’re still rivals walking different paths. Sure, I’d like us to be friends someday—but that can wait. Right now, the only thing on my mind is beating her.

Grumbling to myself, I quickly change out of my uniform into my gym outfit and start stretching. Today I’m back to my roots with the classic “gym clothes + number bib” combo. It kind of brings me back to the beginning.

With Tomio’s help, I stretch while slipping on the now-standard Fukukitaru-san charm bracelet. After I posted on UmaStar, “I won the Kikuka-sho thanks to Fukukitaru-san’s charm bracelet!! Thank you, Shiraoki-sama!!” her normally sketchy-seeming fortune goods suddenly blew up in popularity.

Because of that, I’m now totally indebted to Fukukitaru-sama and can’t treat her coldly anymore (not that I ever intended to—she’s a great senpai), though I heard Suzuka-san still brushes her off the same way as always when she tries to strike up a conversation.

“Apollo. You’ve only got one enemy this time… and that’s Double Trigger. Just focus on her during the race.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“If anything feels off, pull out right away. We might’ve resolved the unknown variable, but I’m still worried.”

“You’re worrying too much. Even Takion-san said, ‘The worst is over. Now go ahead and enjoy the limits of your speed,’ remember?”

“I know he did, but still…”

“……”

Right now, my biggest problem… is me. A shadow has crept into the depths of my heart—a flicker of doubt about the dream I’ve been chasing. It’s subtle, but dangerous. So far, it’s only caused a slight dip in my racing, but if I let this doubt grow any further, I’ll collapse just like that. And that terrifies me.

So I won’t think about it. All I need to do is win the race in front of me. No thoughts of the dream—just push forward with everything I’ve got. As long as my mental state doesn’t drop below “normal,” I won’t lose to even Double Trigger-san.

But still… I need anesthesia. Something to numb this fog in my mind completely and let me focus solely on the race. I look toward my trainer, standing right in front of me—and suddenly I feel a pang in my chest.

A selfish, impulsive feeling—
I want to kiss Tomio.

Of course, I immediately shake off that thought and settle for lightly tugging on his sleeve instead.

“What’s wrong?”

“Mm… nothing, really.”

But just looking at his face, all my worries and dark thoughts melt away. Maybe the Tomio Clinic really does work. The moment that thought crosses my mind, it’s like he reads it—and he says:

“You’re trembling. Did something happen?”

“Huh? How’d you know?”

“Your tail. Look.”

“Ah…”

He gently touched the tail that had curled around his arm without me realizing and lifted it slightly from underneath. Not only had I unconsciously wrapped it around him, but he’d also seen right through the turmoil in my heart.

My cheeks flushed with heat, and I turned my gaze away. He knelt in front of me where I was sitting, his eyes meeting mine—soft, narrowed eyes watching me closely.

“The race is coming up, but if there’s anything you want to talk about, I’m here. If I can help, I will.”

“Tomio…”

Double Trigger-san’s words echoed in my mind: “If you gather your courage and face him head-on, he’ll listen seriously—as a grown-up, and as your precious partner.”

Talking things out can help ease some of the anxiety. But there’s no time before the race, and to confront something this deep, I’d need more than just time—I’d need courage, too. Right now, I have neither. There’s no way I could resolve something this heavy in a moment.

And yet—his kind, compassionate eyes seemed like they might clear the fog away. Just a little, my feelings wavered. Like a full cup about to overflow at the slightest nudge, my emotions spilled out.

“...I guess I just… don’t really know anymore.”

“Okay.”

"Why am I even here...? Stuff like that—I keep thinking weird things."

"...Yeah."

Once the dam broke, the words spilled out uncontrollably. Fragments of incoherent thoughts bubbled up from everywhere, crashing against the floor where my gaze was fixed and scattering into the air.

"The other day, when we talked about dreams during the fortune-telling... that’s when I realized I couldn’t remember why I started dreaming in the first place. I’ve been trying to think back, but I just... can’t. It shouldn’t be a bad thing, but it feels like my foundation’s been flipped upside down, and now I’m just—lost."

My chest ached, each word tightening like a noose. My voice grew thin, wavering at the edges. The harder I fought back tears, the sharper the sting in my nose became. It was pathetic—confessing something so trivial felt more shameful than crying. I wanted to curl up, to disappear under the weight of how small and wretched I seemed.

I never wanted him to see me like this. Above all else, I wanted to stay in his eyes as the strong, adorable girl he knew—Apollo Rainbow, true to herself.

Yet the final admission tore free anyway.

"...I might be losing faith in my dream. The dream of becoming the strongest stayer."

Silence swallowed the room. The ticking clock echoed like insects scraping against the earth, each second grating louder. Tomio’s expression didn’t waver.

—I’d said something irreversible. The thought clawed at me. This could fracture everything between us. Because "the strongest stayer" was the dream we’d shared from the very beginning.

A sob slipped through my teeth. Scalding tears welled up, searing the back of my nose. I didn’t want anyone to see this ugly, crying face. I swiped at the tears with my wrist, but it was hopeless.

Tomio moved before I could crumble further. A gentle pull, and I was against his chest. His arms encircled me, steady and warm. Through his shirt, I felt his heartbeat—a lifeline.

...He’s always so warm. For a reckless moment, nothing else mattered. Not dreams, not doubts. Just this. His presence burned bright enough to drown out the tears.

"Thanks for telling me."

"I’m sorry... right before the race, like this—"

"Don’t be. I’m glad you told me now."

"After winning the Kikuka-shō, when I should be charging forward... I’m such a failure."

"You’re not. Try shifting your perspective."

"Perspective...?"

"Yeah. Every struggle fuels us. What hurts you now will one day help you bloom—that’s another way to see it, right?"

"...Yeah."

"And hey—it’s okay to run away sometimes."

"Huh?"

I looked up, searching his face.

"When it’s too much, it’s fine to retreat. Someone as stubborn as you might not realize they’re breaking until it’s too late."

"B-but then I’d just—"

"You can face it later. For now, go back to basics. Just enjoy racing the world’s strongest stayer! How’s that sound?"

His smile was like sunlight—goofy, effortless, and unbearably kind.

Of course. My sanctuary had always been here. Pressed against him, my worries melted away as if they’d never existed.

This wasn’t a solution. Just a postponement. But the shift in perspective left room to breathe. Enough to focus on the Stayers Stakes, at least.

—God, I love him so much. Momozawa Tomio, who gave me the answer I needed. "Love" wasn’t an exaggeration.

"...I love you."

"Hm? Say something?"

"I’m okay now. Thanks."

"Good. Ready to focus on the race?"

"Absolutely. I’m in peak condition."

Finally. Finally, I could face Double Trigger without hesitation. No holding back—this was the farewell she deserved.

Reluctantly, I pulled away. The reset was instant. My mind was clear as the sky over Nakayama Racecourse, sharpened to a razor’s edge. Strategies to crush Double Trigger spun through my head at lightning speed.

Tomio grinned, as if he’d noticed the fire in my eyes. The lingering ache from crying was gone, washed away with the tears.

But as I raised my wrist to wipe my face, he stopped me. From his breast pocket, he produced a fancy handkerchief and dabbed at my cheeks with absurd care.

"Tomio’s been way too cool lately."

"I prefer you smiling."

"Ugh... that’s seriously gross. Good thing I’m your charge, or you’d’ve been dumped ages ago."

"Hah. I wouldn’t do this for anyone but you."

"———!"

The man was a menace—a smooth-talking poison to teenage horse girls. And he meant every word. What kind of upbringing bred this?! If he ever led a team, he’d get stabbed in the back by his own trainees.

I snatched the handkerchief under the guise of "I’ll wash it!" and stuffed it into my pocket. Time was almost up. The paddock awaited.

"...Are my eyes swollen?"

"Not at all."

"Good. Then it's fine."

I adjusted my loose, wavy bob cut in the mirror and retied the ribbon on my ear. With a quiet "Alright," we headed toward the paddock, where the murmurs of the crowd still hadn’t died down.

Our steps toward Nakayama Racecourse’s paddock were light, without a trace of worry. The weather was clear, the temperature 10°C (50°F). As we draped our jerseys over our shoulders and stepped into the paddock, I thought, I’m fired up, so I’m fine, but the trainers—including Tomio—must be freezing. After all, they had shed their coats and were standing there in just their suits.

But when I glanced at the tens of thousands of spectators, it seemed the sheer intensity of their excitement had driven them all to strip off their jackets. Ah, I see—too many people in one place really does make things chaotic.

As the introductions began, the crowd’s cheers swelled like a storm. It was time for Double Trigger’s entrance.

『Gate 2, Number 4—Double Trigger! The second favorite!』

『A stayer who dominated Europe! Her boundless stamina, which carried her to victory in the British long-distance Triple Crown, remains as formidable as ever. Her front-running style—skillfully controlling the pace while drawing the competition forward—has been honed through years of grueling races. Will the stamina that conquered 4000-meter G1s shine just as brightly on this foreign soil?』

A thick, shooting-star-like streak sliced through her bangs as the majestic European representative flung off her jacket. I would’ve loved to see the crimson and verdigris racing silks she once wore on those grand stages, but the simplicity of her current tracksuit made it all the easier to appreciate the fine-tuned condition of her body.

"She’s mastered self-adjustment through years of experience—no need for trainers." Just as Double Trigger had boasted, she seemed to be in excellent form. Her well-defined muscles and flawless build were on full display.

"Double Trigger’s definitely the one to watch, huh?"

"Yeah. But... the other horse girls will handle marking her. You focus on running free at the front."

"Got it."

To the other horse girls, the real threats here were Double Trigger and Apollo Rainbow. While I wouldn’t get caught in the pack, the rest would surely keep the pressure on Double Trigger. In that sense, maybe I didn’t need to mark her after all.

『Gate 3, Number 6—Apollo Rainbow! The top favorite!』

『A horse girl who stands head and shoulders above the rest in the classics! She conquered the Kikuka Sho with a record-breaking sub-three-minute time, and according to her team, long-distance races are her forte—so that’s the strategy here. Compared to her last race at 3600 meters, this one stretches an additional 600 meters, and her opponents include senior-class horse girls and European champions. The walls are high—but can she live up to her top billing?』

When my name was called, I grabbed the jersey draped over my shoulder and hurled it skyward. I wasn’t about to call myself "Japan’s representative," but I would challenge Double Trigger with that same level of determination.

My body was in peak condition. The tight rotation leading up to the Arima Kinen meant my trainer wanted me to carry this momentum straight into the Grand Prix. My mental focus burned hotter than molten iron. If Double Trigger’s aura loomed black behind her, then surely something just as fierce was erupting from my own back.

"Apollo Rainbow set a world record in the Kikuka Sho, but honestly, isn’t she outmatched this time?"

"Where’s this coming from? I don’t think so."

"How many horse girls have won the 3000-meter Kikuka Sho but couldn’t take the 3200-meter Satsuki Sho? Even a 200-meter extension weighs heavily on a horse girl’s body. Being able to run the distance and actually winning at it are two different things."

"So what you’re saying is… Apollo Rainbow, who’s already gambling on an unstable front-running strategy, can’t win on this stage with an extra 600 meters tacked on?"

"I want Apollo to win. But the odds are stacked against her. Her opponent’s a G1-winning mare over 4000 meters! I’ve heard Double Trigger used to win by five, six lengths in her prime… Apollo’s got it rough."

"Hmm…"

"What about Double Trigger?"

"I’d love to see her go all out too. Sure, part of me wants Apollo to win, but Double Trigger’s on her last race after six long years of competition. A legendary horse girl who’d never normally come to Japan chose this as her final stage. Don’t you want her to end on a high note?"

"...Can’t they both win? Ugh, I’m rooting for a dead heat."

As we left the paddock, the horses began entering the main track. That was when Double Trigger approached me.

"Hey. Before we race, I wanted to ask you something."

"Double Trigger? Is something wrong?"

"No, just… I’m surprised. Japan’s Stayers Stakes is a G2, right?"

"Yeah?"

"Right… Yeah. It’s just—I never expected this many spectators for a race that isn’t even a G1. Do Japanese fans always pack the stands for long-distance races like this?"

"Huh? Oh, well… It’s not usually this crowded, but yeah, fans here do show up for long-distance races."

"...Hmph. Sorry for the odd question. Let’s both give it our all out there."

"Of course!"

"Then I’ll see you on the track."

With that, she turned on her heel and sprinted toward the turf. Something about her made me imagine a crimson cape billowing behind her. This was the overwhelming presence—the sheer class—of a horse girl who had thrived at the highest level of European racing.

—So. Damn. Cool. Right now, I wanted to chase that back. No—I wanted to outrun her. That thought ignited a fleeting dream in this very instant.

The dream of beating Double Trigger.

Setting aside all other concerns—right now, I just wanted to defeat this incredible horse girl. My pulse roared, power surging through my temples. Primal fighting spirit surged to the surface, and a fierce breath escaped me.

"Alright, Trainer. I’m off."

"Go get ’em. I’ll be waiting in the winner’s circle."

Like a dam breaking, I charged onto the turf. Whatever words Tomio said next were lost to the wind.

"...I love you too, Apollo."