Chapter 127: Light the Fire Within the Smoldering Her

April 19.

On that day, even from where I stood on the turf of Nakayama Racecourse, the announcer’s voice reached my ears—fainter and more distant than usual.

"Here we are at Nakayama Racecourse under pouring rain—this day has come once again!

The opening of the Classic Road, where a lineup of rising stars gathers—the Satsuki Sho!!

On this stage, said to crown the ‘fastest’ Uma Musume, who will display superior growth and swifter legs!?"

The Satsuki Sho.

Mid-April. Nakayama Racecourse. Right-handed inner course, 2000 meters. A full gate of eighteen.

Contested under these conditions, this race is one of the three titles that compose the Classic Triple Crown.

A prestigious G1… and the first step along the path that is both my father’s dream and my Master’s objective.

Since last year—no, since the day Father took me to watch the Arima Kinen—I have prepared for this. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make a dream come true.

And at last, that race begins today.

"…………"

As I lightly stretched atop the turf, checking the condition of my legs, the announcer’s voice reached me once more.

"The overwhelming favorite can only be this girl. Undefeated in the Junior Class, the reigning champion—known as the ‘Cyborg’—the front-running Uma Musume, Mihono Bourbon!"

"Even at a glance, you can tell she’s on another level compared to the others. The way her muscles are built, the intensity of her focus—remarkable in every sense.

She appears fully prepared to overcome any concerns about suitability and claim victory. Will we see the same precise, flawless run she delivered in the Spring Stakes?"

"Following last year’s undefeated Triple Crown winner, Hoshino Wilm, expectations are high for a second consecutive undefeated Satsuki Sho champion!"

It seemed that I—Mihono Bourbon—had been chosen as the favorite, with countless hopes placed upon me.

Ordinarily, such a moment would inspire tension.

A long-awaited race. A chance that will never come again. The first step toward fulfilling a dream.

And upon that step rests the weight of hundreds of thousands—perhaps millions—of expectations.

…However.

What I feel now is nothing but fulfillment.

Since the day I embraced a single dream alongside Father, I have trained without pause, relentlessly refining my body.

Even before my full bloom, I ran the hills of my hometown. After arriving at Tracen Academy, I continued running the turf.

Especially over these past six months, under Master’s guidance, I have endured training after grueling training…

And thus, at last, I stand here.

The three issues Master identified in my running—aptitude, stamina, and my tendency to overheat.

Each has been addressed to a workable degree. The fatal flaws have been corrected.

My physical condition is excellent. I can feel the growth within me.

Mental noise is minimal. My concentration is optimal.

As Master put it, my condition can only be described as “perfect”—all systems green.

Therefore, I conclude that in my current state, I am fully capable of bearing every expectation placed upon me—and running with them.

And above all…

Master once told me:

"Mihono Bourbon’s race is, ultimately, not against others—but against herself. If you deliver your best performance, the Classic Triple Crown will surely be yours."

Master is convinced of my victory.

Even on this stage—one not entirely suited to the blood I carry—he believes his assigned Uma Musume will win. That it is only natural.

Therefore, there is nothing to fear.

My task now is simple: execute the given orders and claim the Satsuki crown.

The expectations of the fans. My own dream.

Set them all aside…

And, following the meticulous operation devised by Master, perform exactly what must be done.

……In hindsight, events likely unfolded exactly as Master and Wilm-senpai had anticipated.

I understood it this way: I simply needed to run mechanically.

And so, I did not allow the other Uma Musume to enter my field of vision—

"Introducing the third favorite—Rice Shower!"

"Her performance in the Spring Stakes earned high praise. Known for her tenacious grit, can she fully display her strength over Nakayama’s 2000 meters?"

"Single point of focus… I’ll… follow Bourbon-san…"

I failed to notice the change in my friend as she murmured those words.

---

"The Uma Musume are steadily entering the gates. As expected of the Satsuki Sho, it’s a stellar lineup… What should we be watching for in this race?"

"Attention must be on Mihono Bourbon. If she employs the same strategy as in the Spring Stakes, the others will be tested on whether they can keep up with her pace.

It may not reach last year’s level, but we could see a stamina-demanding high-speed race."

Waiting inside the gate, I quietly recalled the race plan stored in my internal archive.

The strategy for this Satsuki Sho remains unchanged from the Spring Stakes.

A lap-time-focused run. Maintain constant velocity.

Each furlong within 12 seconds, allowing no deviation beyond four-tenths of a second. A lossless, optimal run.

To achieve this, I must not allow external factors to obstruct my path or disrupt my speed.

To avoid being swallowed by the pack, I must execute a perfect start dash and seize the lead.

"All Uma Musume are loaded. Preparations are complete. A moment of tension…"

"…Suu… Haa…"

I draw in a thin breath. Release it. Enter focus.

There will be no problems.

Master and Wilm-senpai have already instructed me in the method.

…Operation “Start Dash,” commencing.

"—And they’re off!!"

With the sharp clang of the gates, I release the full force stored in my right leg.

The fastest start. Maximum acceleration.

Among all data recorded in my archive, this ranks among the most flawless.

Operation “Start Dash,” complete.

In the next instant, I surge to the front of the pack.

"A clean start from all runners, but Mihono Bourbon seizes the lead with a brilliant break! She pulls away sharply—already about three lengths ahead!"

Extreme concentration. Rapid acceleration from a standstill.

In Master’s terms: the skills “Concentration” and “First Move Advantage.”

The techniques taught by the one who guides me—and the one who runs ahead of me—have borne fruit.

I launched in perfect form, reaching target speed almost instantly.

Case 11—Master’s concern. A delayed start leading to being boxed in by the pack—the worst-case scenario—has been avoided.

For a front-runner, the greatest threats are early position battles and late-race stamina depletion.

Of the two, Master feared the former most: losing the battle for the lead.

"No matter how much you train your stats and skills, it’s not rare to be late out of the gate, get boxed in, and lose without ever breaking free."

Thus, after forming a training contract with Master, my initial lessons focused heavily on start-dash technique, taught alongside practical demonstrations from Wilm-senpai.

Those teachings have unquestionably become my strength.

I pierced through the pack and broke free.

With this, the first phase of the Satsuki Sho is cleared.

From here, we proceed to Phase Two.

Maintain constant speed. Preserve distance from those behind.

According to Master, an average of 12 seconds per furlong is a punishing pace for the others.

Most who attempt to match it will exhaust their stamina and cease to be threats.

The remaining dangers are twofold:

Uma Musume with disciplined pacing who conserve energy and unleash a sharp finishing kick late—

And those with sufficient stamina to keep up with me.

Of the two, the latter demands greater caution.

"Another strong start from Rice Shower—she moves inward, eyes fixed ahead. The third position fans out across the track as each runner strives to keep pace. The second favorite, Ribbon Lullaby, watches from the rear."

…No.

Cut unnecessary thoughts. Reallocate resources to running.

Mihono Bourbon’s race is a battle against herself.

If I allow myself to be distracted by the presence of the other Uma Musume, that “heat” will seize me again.

What I must consider now is only one thing: whether I can execute the strategy Master has input into me to perfection.

Mihono Bourbon will continue the order.

Driving my spikes into the carefully maintained turf and kicking it back behind me, I reconfirm the parameters.

In Phase Two, the most critical factor is maintaining my own pace without disruption.

The Uma Musume pursuing me—or drawing alongside.

Without being shaken by their presence, I must sustain the optimal speed at all times.

In Uma Musume racing, incidents occur frequently.

A subtle misstep. Pressure from behind. An unexpected change in racing line—there is no telling what might happen, or when.

That is precisely why I must constantly calculate the stamina already expended and the stamina remaining, and from there continue deriving the optimal pace.

Therefore, calmly.

Methodically.

Without ever being swayed by the presence of others, I must continue running at my own pace.

"Desert Baby is making a move on the outside! Rice Shower holds her position along the inner rail as they enter the first corner!

Still in front is Mihono Bourbon—she’s stretched the lead to nearly three lengths!

In second are Rumba Step and Yappy Lucky, with Rice Shower right behind them without a gap! Three lengths back comes Mushamusha, now side by side with Desert Baby on the outside!"

"Mihono Bourbon is dragging them into a high-pace race. The question is whether the front-runners can sustain their stamina!"

I descend the gentle slope and enter the backstretch.

My legs are light. Stamina expenditure remains within acceptable deviation.

At present, no revision to the plan is required.

"Hah… hah… hah…"

Just as Master anticipated, I sense the presence of the runner in second beginning to close in.

I deliberately maintain composure and initiate response protocols.

From the data Master allowed me to review on each Uma Musume, along with his drafted strategies, I reference the two most probable candidates.

Under Case 01 and Case 04, the runners pressing forward are most likely Rumba Step and Yappy Lucky.

Of the two, Rumba Step favors a forward-running style, positioning near the front before overtaking at the final corner. However, her middle-distance aptitude is rated C. It is unlikely she can sustain Master’s proposed high pace for long.

Yappy Lucky also runs forward, but her recorded stamina value was relatively low—207. Enduring this pace should be equally difficult for her.

…Conclusion: no need for heightened alert or corrective action.

I will maintain pace.

"The next group follows, with Narcissus and Machikane Tanhoiza in between!

They approach the third corner—still Mihono Bourbon in front! A commanding three-length lead!

Rumba Step and Yappy Lucky are beginning to fade—moving into second along the inside is Rice Shower! Rice Shower is advancing! Less than 600 meters to go!"

…The pressure from behind feels stronger than anticipated.

More precisely, I am likely detecting the presence of another Uma Musume and allowing my focus to waver.

One of the issues Master identified in Mihono Bourbon—my tendency to overheat—has been treated, but not cured.

When I sense another runner’s presence, an unidentified “heat” rises within me.

If I run under its influence, I lose the ability to maintain proper pace.

The countermeasures were twofold.

First, through side-by-side training with Hoshino Wilm-senpai, I acclimated myself to the pressure of other runners.

Second, when avoidance was impossible, I forcibly suppressed the reaction through Master’s clear directives and an intense narrowing of focus.

With these dual measures, I became capable of sealing away the heat as it welled up.

However, the reaction itself never disappeared.

That is why, at first, I believed I was merely beginning to overheat again.

"Midway through the fourth corner, Ribbon Lullaby makes a move from the outside! She’s charging alongside Desert Baby!

But Rice Shower refuses to yield second! She’s steadily closing the gap to Mihono Bourbon!!

This is the decisive moment! Rice Shower surges! Just behind her are Ribbon Lullaby and Desert Baby! Nakayama’s short stretch—can the runners from behind make it in time!?"

…An anomaly detected.

This is not simple impatience.

Exiting the fourth corner and entering the final straight, I identify the source.

Rice Shower-san.

The presence of the girl I have run beside countless times is steadily drawing closer.

This corresponds to Case 01, Case 04, and Case 13.

No issue. This scenario was also anticipated by Master.

Rice Shower and I have trained together many times.

Over the past month, at 2000 meters, I have not lost to her even once.

In the Spring Stakes, I finished four lengths ahead of her.

I will not abandon caution…

But she is not a threat significant enough to warrant altering the plan.

No revision required.

Continue execution.

…There should be no problem.

"Rice Shower is charging relentlessly! In third are Desert Baby and Great House—and splitting between them is Going Noble!

The high pace appears to be taking its toll as the field begins to weaken, but four runners still pursue Mihono Bourbon! Among them, Rice Shower has moved clear—only one length to the Satsuki crown, 200 meters remaining!!"

…No.

This presence.

This pressure—like killing intent—forcing me to look back, compelling confirmation.

I have never felt such intensity from her during our joint training sessions.

Nor during the Spring Stakes.

Rice Shower… is different.

The presence continues to close in.

Approaching.

Pressing closer.

Soon… she will overtake me.

I will lose.

The instant that thought forms—

The scorching heat I have felt so many times erupts from within.

My tendency to overheat.

The unknown heat that urges me forward, drives me upward, seizes control.

The “something” that ignites the moment I recognize another Uma Musume as a rival.

No—

Before I can restrain myself, my legs—my entire body—explode into motion as though a dam has burst.

Energy pipeline: blood flow increasing. Pressure rising.

Emergency valve: pain receptors suppressed. Speed limiter disengaged.

Turbine muscle output: full throttle. Booster leg power: maximum.

Convert this body’s maximum output into thrust.

Forward.

Further.

Further forward.

To avoid defeat.

To win.

To cross the finish line ahead of anyone else.

…To overcome a powerful rival.

"However, Mihono Bourbon is entering her final spurt! She’s proudly unleashing that speed!

Rice Shower, who had been closing in, is being pulled away! Is this— is this Mihono Bourbon’s true power!?"

My lungs strain past their limits.

My mind narrows to a single, repeating command.

Run.

My legs begin to falter.

Even so… until the very last… moment…!

"In front is Mihono Bourbon! Mihono Bourbon storms across the finish—five consecutive victories!! She defeats second-place Rice Shower by more than two lengths—this is the form of this year’s ‘fastest’ queen!!"

"Mihono Bourbon claims an undefeated Satsuki Sho victory! Two consecutive years of undefeated Satsuki Sho champions!!

The first crown of the Classic Triple Crown has been seized by Mihono Bourbon! Two walls remain before the dream is fulfilled!!"

---

I pass the finish post and gradually ease my pace.

My breathing is ragged. My thoughts are scattered. My shoulders heave with each inhale.

"Hah… hah… ngh… hah…"

The Satsuki Sho… I won it.

Without question, I crossed the finish line first.

However…

This cannot be called a perfect victory.

"Failure… to execute Master’s order."

Master’s directive this time was clear: maintain my optimal pace until the instant I crossed the finish line.

A median of twelve seconds per furlong, within a margin of four-tenths of a second. I was to control my run precisely within those parameters.

Yet in the final 200 meters, I abandoned that directive and sprinted at full output.

Rice-san… Rice Shower.

The pressure I felt from her was unlike anything before.

In response, I discarded Master’s assigned operation and initiated an all-out dash.

I endured until the end. But had the distance been another 400 meters—no, even 200 meters longer—I might have faltered from stamina depletion.

Viewed objectively, this victory balanced on a knife’s edge.

"Master…"

Master maintains Mihono Bourbon’s condition and formulates her strategies.

If I am the legs, Master is the brain.

If I am, as many call me, a machine—then Master is the pilot.

Without both functioning at maximum capacity, we cannot win a race.

And yet I ignored his intent and ran according to my own impulse.

That is an act bordering on denial—of Mihono Bourbon’s running, of the relationship between Master and myself, and of the trust cultivated between us.

A grave error.

I must reflect.

"Hah… fuu…"

As regret settles in, I recall the pressure I felt in that moment.

Since last year, under Master’s training regimen, I have conditioned myself to endure the presence of other Uma Musume by running alongside Hoshino Wilm-senpai.

Wilm-senpai likely did not exert her full strength during training.

Even so—she is an undefeated Triple Crown champion.

When she runs in earnest, she exudes overwhelming pressure, far beyond that of a typical G1 runner.

Because I had grown accustomed to that presence, I was able to contest the early lead with Sakura Bakushin O in the Spring Stakes without overheating, maintaining my assigned pace.

…However.

The pressure I felt from Rice Shower today was no ordinary thing.

It did not surpass Wilm-senpai’s—

But it was close enough to evoke it.

In other words, today’s Rice Shower emitted an intensity that exceeded the tolerance I had built.

As a result, I overheated.

---

Situation analysis complete. Cause estimated.

Next: countermeasures.

Along with an apology for abandoning the directive, I must report this to Master.

According to the data archive, Rice Shower is scheduled to run in the Japan Derby as well.

Before then, I must identify a method to counter her—and acquire it.

As I steady my breathing with that resolution—

"Congratulations, Bourbon-san."

The Rice Shower in question approaches slowly.

"Thank you… very much."

As I respond, I assess her condition.

Clad in her black racing attire, her breathing is slightly uneven—but she does not appear heavily fatigued.

As expected of a stayer acknowledged by Hoshino Wilm-senpai.

In the data Master showed me, there was a considerable stamina gap between her and myself.

For her, 2000 meters at a high pace is not excessively demanding.

At 2400… 3000 meters… she will become even more formidable.

…The inverse of myself, whose burden increases with distance.

In the coming Classic races, she will undoubtedly stand as a major obstacle.

That is why—

"Rice-san… no, Rice."

"What is it, Bourbon-san?"

I steady my breathing and face her directly.

Then I extend my right hand.

"Let’s run again. I look forward to Japan Derby Day."

…An unexpected impact, originating from my own words.

I look forward to it.

Looking forward to running with her… anticipating it.

If the words that slipped out were unfiltered—

Then perhaps they reflect my true state.

Am I… already enjoying racing?

Was that emotion present all along, merely unanalyzed?

If so… then perhaps—

This heat that rises when I sense another Uma Musume beside me—

This burning in my chest—

…Is this heat… “excitement”?

As my thoughts spiral through internal analysis, a small but certain warmth clasps my extended hand, pulling my awareness back to the present.

"Mm."

Rice nods.

Then she smiles—a smile edged with something faintly chilling.

"Now that I understand your pace, Bourbon-san, I won’t lose at the Japan Derby.

Rice will surpass you… and become a ‘hero.’"

At the fierce light in her eyes, I detect something unfamiliar—and my heartbeat quickens.

And… ah.

I understand now.

This is the feeling Hoshino Wilm-senpai must have carried toward racing.

Meeting Rice’s gaze head-on, I reply:

"No, Rice. I will not lose next time either.

Following Master’s operation, I will outrun you—my rival—and escape to the finish."