Chapter 122: Gold Cup in the Rain (Part 3)

Just before stepping outside through the staff corridor, I come to a stop. Rain pours down like a waterfall, and the difference between the sheltered area and the open outdoors is striking. It’s worse than during the paddock. Even I find myself hesitating in such a storm—weather harsh enough to give pause.

While I stand there for a moment, the sound of hard footsteps—like stones clashing—approaches from behind. The source is Kayf Tara-san. Standing next to me and looking up at the sky, she mutters, "This is awful." Even for her, this rain seems quite intense.

When I glance toward the starting line, I see the rain forming waves that ripple like the sea. We exchange looks and shrug at each other, just slightly overwhelmed. Is it really this bad...?

At the Ascot Racecourse, both flat and steeplechase races are held. Inside the flat race circuit is a separate course for steeplechases, and many spectators are positioned between the two.

Those who wanted to watch up close are huddled under the provided tents, waiting eagerly for the race to begin. Tens of thousands must be out there. Most spectators are seated in the stands, but with higher attendance than expected, some fans have been forced to watch from outside.

Kayf Tara-san surveys the scene and murmurs, "Last year was a lonely affair." When I look at her, she begins speaking in slow, thoughtful bursts.

"The Royal Ascot has always had strong ties to high society. It's only natural, given the involvement of the British royal family... But even among the tens of thousands who attended last year, I doubt they were all genuine race fans. I don’t mean to speak ill of them, but... to me, it felt a little hollow."

You can see it in the footage from last year's race—few people stayed to witness the winner’s circle or award ceremony, despite the large turnout. These post-race events are usually for insiders, but if someone truly came to see the Uma Musume, they’d surely want to stay for everything.

The fact that few did suggests that most saw Royal Ascot primarily as a social gathering. If they came to the track, I want them to care about the races, to see us Uma Musume,—as Kayf Tara-san said in an interview, it’s no surprise she felt so strongly.

"...But it looks like this year is different. The weather's nearly at its worst, but everything else is at its best... It's all thanks to you. Thank you, Apollo. Let’s make it a good race."

"Not at all. I just ran with everything I had. That's all."

"..."

Kayf Tara-san silently extends her hand. Her expression is gentle, but her eyes burn with fierce intensity. Though her demeanor toward me has softened, her fangs haven’t dulled. If anything, hiding them more often has made them sharper.

We shake hands firmly through our white gloves and then break eye contact. No more words are needed. We've reached that level of understanding. I look up at the sky once more and steel myself.

『In the pouring rain at Ascot, the Uma Musume continue to make their way toward the start line! Fifteen runners are covering the roughly 1,000 meters from the stands to the gate... but given the weather, it’s hard to gauge their condition.』

『All fifteen are running with their heads slightly down. The wind and rain must be pretty intense.』

I plunge into the rain ahead of her, and instantly, my entire body is soaked. The unpleasant sensation on the top of my head seeps down through my forehead, temples, and nape, drenching me completely. My racing uniform clings to my skin, chafing with every movement. I worry whether it might affect my form.

Though the uniform has some water resistance, the lining doesn’t. My skirt, once soft and fluffy, is now drenched and heavy. Angely-chan’s coat and the capes of the other Uma Musume are also weighed down with water. I wonder how much a few dozen grams of water will slow us down. Add splashes of mud caking onto the uniforms, and the race will only grow harsher.

(...Attempting a fast escape in this condition will be called reckless. But if I want to win, I have no choice.)

Raindrops gather on my long lashes, falling into my eyes with every blink. Wiping them away with my wrist is futile—the next drops strike immediately. If I pick up speed, will the water breach my eyes directly, bypassing my lashes?

That’s a bit frightening. Sight is the most vital sense during a race. At over 80 kilometers per hour, water slamming into your eyes must bring discomfort—maybe even pain—inevitably causing hesitation. Every condition seems to be stacked against the front runner.

『All fifteen Uma Musume have arrived at the gate... Oh! Some are draining the muddy water from their shoes. A few have already been soaked from just the warm-up run.』

『The official condition is listed as “bad,” but it’s the worst of the worst. The slowest Gold Cup on record is in the 4-minute 50-second range, all set under heavy or bad turf conditions. With the track like this, a 5-minute finish wouldn’t be surprising.』

Reaching the start line, we wait in front of the open gates. Without any cue, all fifteen Uma Musume begin dumping water out of their shoes. Even a light jog has filled them with rainwater. Re-lacing them only buys seconds before they're soaked again. Gradually, everyone stops bothering to take them off.

『Despite the rain, Kayf Tara takes her position in the innermost gate.』

『She’s known for her strength in heavy turf. Even in these conditions, she should be able to show her true ability.』

One by one, the Uma Musume enter their gates. Their fighting spirit flares, repelling the rain, igniting their frozen bodies from within.

『Number 12, Angely, is now in the gate.』

『Can she extend her winning streak from last year? The wall in front of her is high and thick—but let’s watch with hope.』

Passion points in all directions. I can feel the emotions forged through rigorous training. Slapping both cheeks hard with my palms, droplets fly as sparks ignite. Boosted by my pure white uniform, I settle into the outermost gate.

『Apollo Rainbow takes the outside gate. All fifteen Uma Musume are now inside. Preparations are complete. The Gold Cup is about to begin!』

『She’s my top pick. Even at this daunting 4,000-meter distance, will she dare to attempt a bold escape?』

『Now begins the supreme five minutes—the showdown to crown the strongest stayer—』

I crouch within the steel gate. I press my shoes into the slippery ground with enough force to gouge it. Listening to my heartbeat mingling with the sound of the rain, I visualize the start dash I’ve drilled into my body thousands upon thousands of times.

They say an escape runner’s fate is sealed the moment the gate opens. Fall behind at the start, and there’s no future. Even in a five-minute race, there’s no room for even a 0.1-second delay.

The gate creaks. The starter’s hand moves. Tension crackles in the air. Repressed emotions ready to explode—dreams set to take flight—now—

『――And they’re off!』

A shock, like being drenched from head to toe, surges through me at the start. It feels like slamming into a wall of water. Rain and wind press down as if to crush me.

Without hesitation, I kick through the four-inch grass, launching myself forward. Unlike the light turf of Japan, Europe’s heavy ground demands full power and stamina to break through the air. I stick to my own form while unleashing the strength tailored for this grueling terrain.

『Taking the lead is Number 15, Apollo Rainbow—the favorite! Following are Number 12, Angely, Number 3, Honey Heartbeat, and Number 11, JaraJara. A development largely in line with expectations.』

『Despite the rough track, Apollo Rainbow has taken the lead well. The question is how she’ll pace herself over the 4014 meters. Will she burn out in a blaze of glory, surprise us with a slow pace, or balance between the two—or will she fall back altogether?』

『Her usual strengths may not help in this condition. The turf’s practically a rice paddy.』

Angely is behind me, with Honey Heartbeat and JaraJara flanking her—but not as close as expected. They’re not holding back—they simply can’t pick up speed.

The track is even worse than I imagined. With every step, water seeps up from the ground with a splish. Not a muddy squelch, but the slap of stepping on water—evidence of the field’s dreadful state. Just as the commentary said, it’s like a paddy field. It almost feels like the water is higher than the ground.

The clinging water isn’t just at our feet. The rain and wind that whip against our faces and bodies only press harder as we try to push forward. The force nearly breaks my posture, forcing me upright.

A cold sweat trickles down my spine. I glance back to check the positions. One length behind me are Angely and JaraJara. From fifth, J.J. the Jet Bicycle is closing in on Angely. She’s bad at starts due to her massive build, but once she gains speed, she’s unstoppable. Around seventh is fourth-favorite See You Later. In fifteenth, dead last, and covered in mud, is Kayf Tara. The race will likely continue in roughly this order.

『Whoa! Apollo Rainbow is accelerating! Her expression is strained, but she’s not letting up at all! Is this stubbornness—or does she have a strategy!?』

I increase the pace. Compared to Japan’s good turf, the stamina drain must be several times higher. The road ahead feels so steep that even my proud endurance feels unreliable.

But the same goes for everyone else. The faster I go, the more the other fourteen have to worry about running out of stamina. Even Angely and Kayf Tara—usually not ones to fear exhaustion—must now consider that very remarkable crisis. With fewer options, the more likely they’ll play into my hands. Of course, it’s tough for me too—but it’s absolutely worth it.

...Yes, this strategy is unquestionably worth the pain—but...

(*Ugh—this is agony...! Forcing us to climb a 20-meter elevation not once, but twice—that’s insane...!*)

The Ascot Racecourse includes a 20-meter elevation difference. We must climb, descend, and then climb again.

Right after the start, there’s a 1500-meter stretch that climbs 20 meters. A steep slope like a wall. Its average incline is 2%—matching the notorious Nakayama course in Japan...

Because… the only reason a racehorse girl’s time drops in muddy conditions is because that’s the only way to win. Given my nature, I have no choice but to go all-out in a high-paced escape. And yet, no racehorse girl has ever won the Gold Cup with an all-out lead. In poor track conditions that sap speed, the odds of success with this strategy are even lower.

The reason Angely and Honey Heartbeat are looking at me in shock is because I’m ignoring the conventional wisdom of winning. If I just calmly held back my speed, secured my position, and made my move on the final stretch, I could win—at least, that’s what they probably think.

――Don’t screw with me. Like I give a damn about conventional wisdom.

I’m scared of losing badly. I’m terrified of the pain from overexertion. Sometimes I feel like the pressure will crush me.

But still—if I can pull off this all-out lead in muddy conditions, wouldn’t that be co・ol・as・hell? It’d be amazing. I have to do it. Even if people call it reckless, I’ll push through with guts and grit. That’s all I’ve got to begin with.

If it’s between chickening out and losing, or sticking to our own way and going down in flames, I choose the latter. Or better yet, I’ll win by a landslide!! I’m already clocking speeds close to a clean Japanese track. And with how much stamina I’ve spent, it’s too late to slow down. Half-measures are the worst. I’ll break through and burn out.

『We’ve passed the 600-meter mark from the start, and Apollo Rainbow has already created a gap from the pack! A four-length lead. And with this insane high pace—does that mean, perhaps, this is the strategy?』

『There’s still a chance she might slow the pace midway through… but for now, we can only see this as her usual all-out run. Angely and Jarajara at the head of the middle pack seem to be letting Apollo Rainbow go and are focused on fighting for second. Kayf Tara isn’t moving at all.』

The lap times every 200 meters are 13.4, 11.9, 11.9—if I can keep this pace, even breaking the four-minute record for the Gold Cup might not be just a dream. But in this muddy track, I can’t dig in at all, so I have to pay extra attention to my footing. One slip, one fall, and it’s over. It’s draining my mental stamina like never before.

The forest course in Chantilly had a 40-meter elevation difference, but it wasn’t muddy back then, so I could dig in. Honestly, this is harder.

"Hah, hah—"

Behind me, Angely and Jarajara are running. Looks like they’ve already given up on catching me. The pack’s pace is shifting, little tricks and tactics flying as they vie for position. But the heavy rain and howling wind are messing with their techniques. Knowing them, they might adapt and start using weather-specific tricks in a few hundred meters.

Jarajara is breaking away more freely, but Angely is clearly irritated by the pressure from JJ the Jet Bicycle right behind her. Most of all, Kayf Tara hasn’t moved an inch—that’s the scariest part. It’s like she sees right through everything.

(Apollo… are you insane?)

(Insane or not—this is the only way to beat you!!)

(…………)

Kayf Tara doesn’t even blink at the flying mud or pounding rain. Her eyes have been locked on me, always and only me. Those golden eyes remind me of a hawk’s.

And then—Kayf Tara slowed her pace even more. I’m five lengths ahead of the second-place runner, and she’s two lengths behind in fourteenth. A wave of unease sweeps through the other fourteen.

(What!?)

(She’s slowing her pace… as usual…!)

(It’s way too early…! What’s going on in this Gold Cup with Apollo Rainbow and Kayf Tara both acting like this!?)

"…!"

No way—did she catch on? That this reckless pace was meant to burn out your stamina, Kayf Tara?

—No way! It’s too soon to realize that! Or is it just intuition…? Just from a single glance… That’s crazy. What a racehorse girl. Either way, Kayf Tara plans to conserve her stamina even more and bet everything on her final charge. But that plan only works if I burn out before then.

What I’d hoped most was for Kayf Tara to stay at the rear, flowing with the race, while Angely and the others drained her stamina—but I guess it’s not going to be that easy. She’s slowed down drastically, essentially running solo—and even had the audacity to relax.

But too bad for you. I’m not burning out in this race. Before your absurd finishing speed gets unleashed, I’ll hit you with my absurd stamina reserves.

(If you slow your pace, that just increases the gap between us! And Tomio said that’s fine!! Because the bigger the gap, the harder you’ll have to push to close it!! As long as your finishing kick doesn’t dull like in the mock race—if I can scrape your stamina down to the wire—then I can fight back against that finishing speed!!)

Don’t despair. This isn’t a race—it’s a battle of unfair advantages. A shogi match of individual abilities. 4000 meters, 20 meters of elevation, muddy track, heavy rain and wind—in these terrible conditions, my pieces have the upper hand. My stamina pool is on another level.

Keep your eyes forward, Apollo Rainbow. You’re almost through the first uphill climb.

『We've passed the 1000-meter mark! Apollo Rainbow leads by seven lengths! Even on a dry track, this would be an extreme pace—on a muddy track, it’s outright suicidal!! Angely and Jarajara in second and third, Honey Heartbeat in fourth, Jet Bicycle in fifth. Further back, See You Later sits in the middle of the pack at fourth favorite. And in last place, three lengths behind fourteenth, is second favorite Kayf Tara! When will the rest of the pack make their move!? A quarter of the race has already passed!!』

『A-a-at this pace, we might see an unprecedented record under 4 minutes and 10 seconds—no, maybe even break into the 3-minute range…』

We reached the merging point between the straight and circuit course, with an uneven slope counting down the remaining 500 meters. Just remembered—this Ascot track only has about 600 meters of flat ground. Only the first corner and the end of the downhill have a brief flat segment. Stamina consumption here doesn’t even compare to York or Japanese tracks.

I’m suffering like hell—but fortune is clearly on my side. In a war of attrition, there’ll never be another opportunity as favorable as this.

"—Hah, kuh, hah! Aaah!! Aaaaahhhh!!"

But the rain smacking directly into my eyes, the wall of wind pressing against my body, the mud and water stealing my footing—running full-speed in these conditions is grinding away at my sanity.

I’ve only run 1000 meters, and already my body’s nearing its limit. I don’t even have the energy to wipe the drool hanging from my lips. Running endlessly up what feels like a wall—I’m going insane.

――Races are lonelier than you’d imagine. The only noisy part is when you pass the grandstands. Especially in European courses with open, free movement. Sure, the grandstands are massive, but even they can’t cover the entire course. Even here in Ascot, you almost never hear cheers except near the gate, corners, finish line, or stands.

There were lots of cheers when I started—but as I dashed across this vast field, the noise vanished. All I could see was open land, fenced and natural. Only the rain, wind, and my heartbeat filled my ears. That strange silence naturally forced me to look inward. Partly to escape the pain—but mostly to maintain this overpaced rhythm. This is a battle with myself. At this point, the Gold Cup feels like a personal test of willpower.

Sweat pours from my whole body, mixing with the mud and rain, weighing me down. My jaw feels heavy. I can’t angle my wrists right, and my palms are facing down. My tongue is dry and bitter. The intense wind worsens the dryness in my throat. Rainwater tastes awful. Mud water is gritty and even worse. I wonder what my face looks like right now. Probably exhausted, without a shred of spirit.

My heart and core are still alive, but the surface of my body—especially my expression—is already dying. The others probably aren’t this worn out yet. I have to push harder.

(We’re almost at the first goal post! After that, there’s a brief flat stretch, then downhill! It’s slightly easier going downhill—well, not really, but still—at least I’ll grit my teeth and make it that far!! If it gets worse after the downhill, I’ll deal with it then!!)

There’s a big difference between being able to take the lead and actually doing it. Even racehorse girls with a chaser running style can lead if they want to. The reason there are so few who specialize in front-running is because other tactics suit most girls better.

Only outliers like Silence Suzuka or me fall into this category. For most, the chances of winning are higher with any other strategy. Another reason front-running is rare is because you have to go all-out from start to finish. In short, it’s tough. No time to catch your breath.

For a racehorse girl who can only win with such a reckless running style to blaze ahead on a muddy 4014-meter track—everyone would laugh and say it’s impossible. Even now, the commentators are probably doubting me.

I’m sure many fans put me as the top favorite hoping I’d lead the race. But how many actually believed I’d win with it—that, I’m not so sure about.

(――But I!! I want to make that kind of dreamlike fantasy a reality!! I want to turn everyone’s hopes and dreams into something real!! For the sake of the rivals who fought betting everything on their dreams, and to become the strongest long-distance runner of the great escape!!)

Through the sound of the rain, I was the first to dash past the stands—conquering the 22-meter elevation slope and passing the first goal post. I immediately caught my breath, decelerated for a tenth of a second, then accelerated again. I had a ten-length lead over the second place. Maybe it was because of that gap, or perhaps the excitement of a horse girl passing nearby—either way, a thunderous roar erupted from the stands and outdoor seating.

I didn’t turn my eyes to the crowd. And yet, I thought I heard the familiar voices of Tomio and Lumos-san and the others—and it gave me a small recovery in stamina. I knew it—if I can hear everyone's voices, I can run forever. Burning the recovered stamina, I curved around the first corner of the lap course.

『Apollo Rainbow passes the 1500-meter mark with a ten-length lead! Of course, the great escape of Apollo Rainbow is spectacular, but the fight for second place is intensifying!! Jarajara and Angely are fiercely clashing!! And JJ the Jet Bicycle and See You Later are also glaring at each other at close range!!』

『Now the prominent horse girls are starting to battle. Running the first 1500 meters must have helped them get a feel for the remaining 2500 meters. It’ll be interesting to see what judgment Kayf Tara, hiding in the very back, makes—and how the collective decision of the fourteen who let Apollo Rainbow go unchecked will play out...』

Second place was contested by the control-type duo of Jarajara and Angely, and the pace seemed slightly quick. Seeing Angely fend off the pressure from Jet Bicycle and push her back, and Jet Bicycle now clashing with See You Later, I figured Jet Bicycle wouldn’t be able to keep being aggressive at this high pace. Angely was attacking Jarajara with her usual tricks and toughness. But Jarajara wasn’t giving in. Thanks to being one position inside, she managed to gain a slight advantage through the corner curve.

At the very back, covered in mud and observing the race, was Kayf Tara in her deep blue racing outfit. She was about seventeen lengths behind me. Angely and Jarajara seemed to have assumed they couldn’t match my stamina—but that one was different. Calm, thoughtful, and never careless. She didn’t even bother to avoid the muddy water splashing into her face, as if saying she didn’t need to blink, and kept glaring at me.

(Kayf Tara, huh――She’s not even acknowledging See You Later, Jet Bicycle, or even Angely and Jarajara. She’s completely set her sights on me...!)

『Now, after the first corner, a steep 22-meter downhill slope awaits! A sharp drop of 22 meters over 800 meters! Some might say it's even more dangerous than an uphill!!』

『If you pick up too much speed on this downhill, you’ll have to brake hard going into the sharp-angled second corner. Rather than braking forcibly, it’s better to pace yourself and prepare for the uphill ahead—it's one of those frustrating zones.』

We entered the triangular lap course, with 2400 meters to go. From here, I’d have to cross a raised terrain and charge down a slope with a comically steep angle.

The commentators said what they said, but slowing down here wasn’t an option. In fact, I needed to use the downhill to accelerate. I’d shatter the race strategy imagined by those behind me, drain their stamina, and run straight to the finish.

Covered in mud, I passed over the elevated terrain and hit the slope. What opened before me was a slope steep enough to look down upon. The fence set up across the vast hill plains appeared to close in dramatically with a terrifying drop.

For a moment, a fear gripped me—what if I just tumbled down? It felt like Kyoto Racecourse’s infamous Yodo Slope was stretching on forever. I’d already inspected the course, but now, oxygen deprivation was narrowing my vision and emphasizing the center slope more than usual.

And in that instant of awe and fear—

A shadow came at me, riding the rain and wind.

『Oh—Jarajara!! Jarajara breaks the taboo with an explosive burst of speed!! She’s using the downhill to go after Apollo Rainbow already!!』

"UwoooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHH!!"

"――!?"

To ruin the race strategy, another horse girl broke the taboo of “running cautiously on the downhill.”

That horse girl—was none other than Jarajara.

I was a fraction of a second late to react. The moment we hit the elevated terrain, Jarajara had used my opening to accelerate. I’d been too focused on how to run the slope—something I shouldn’t have overlooked. The rain and wind muffled the sound, and being in a state of extremity made me less attentive.

Though I still had a six-length lead, the distance between us was rapidly closing as Jarajara gained speed first on the slope. Not only did she accelerate, she unleashed her "domain zone" to crush me. A surprise attack exploiting a moment of carelessness. I burned through a large amount of stamina and pushed my gears to match her speed. By the time we were equal in pace, the gap had narrowed to three lengths.

『Jarajara makes her move and catches up!! Apollo Rainbow—did she delay reacting, possibly in surprise!? Jarajara and Apollo Rainbow are pulling away from the pack and already engaged in a dead heat!!』

『Jarajara must’ve thought “now or never.” Whether she figured Apollo Rainbow would escape at this rate or predicted she’d focus on the downhill—we can’t be sure, but it’s a painful gamble for her. High-risk, high-reward. Even if it succeeds, will she have enough stamina after chasing down a great escape...?』

A dead heat on a downhill is hell. Because once it begins—stopping is no longer a choice, regardless of will.

Feet striking the slope in rhythm, legs spinning under gravity and force, rivals refusing to yield. When all these elements combine, the down・hill・battle doesn’t end until the slope does.

And right now, the conditions couldn’t be worse. Jarajara likely wants to take the lead, and I cannot win unless I hold it. Either way, there’s no slowing down.

Which means, in essence, infinite acceleration. As long as the downhill continues, we can only keep accelerating to win. Even as we destroy our circulatory systems and risk our glass-like legs, we keep gaining speed down Ascot’s steep decline.

(Jarajara――!!)
(Apollo Rainbow!! I’ve got your back in my sights!!)

Jarajara had run the previous 1600 meters at a slightly high pace, so relatively speaking, she had more stamina left. But in terms of grit, I had the edge. Even if I go hypoxic or my eyes roll back, I’m ready to outlast her.

While descending the 22-meter slope, the fierce exchange began.

Jarajara faked a slowdown, then attempted a forceful overtake. Anticipating that, I matched her acceleration and, at the moment she took a breath, pushed further—even knowing it was reckless—to widen the gap again.

(Move!!)
(No way!! If I give in here, my dream won’t come true!!)
(I can’t yield either—so give up the lead already!!)

For the first 400 meters of the downhill, I ran almost without breathing. That lasted 22.4 seconds. My eyes rolled upward more than once, but the sting of raindrops brought me back to reality each time. My throat and chest were throbbing with pain. I had widened the gap with Jarajara to two lengths. No amount of lives would ever be enough.

This downhill was probably Jarajara’s turning point. If I could endure her fierce pursuit while descending, I might just make it. At the very least, I could shake her off.

『Jarajara tries to close in, but Apollo Rainbow’s defense is tight!! Even when cornered to the brink, she dodges at the last second!! Is this the end for Jarajara!?』

Thus, after 800 meters of enduring Jarajara’s relentless assault, I finally made it through the downhill. Using the now-flat second corner, I gasped for air at last. Jarajara trailed three lengths behind in second.

Relieved, I glanced behind at the others. Angely, 16 lengths back in third, seemed to be slightly picking up. JJ the Jet Bicycle reacted from sixth, but probably didn’t have the stamina to keep up. All the other horse girls except See You Later and Kayf Tara were already showing signs of slowing.

『Rounding the second corner—Swindley Bottom—Apollo Rainbow is still in the lead!! She fended off Jarajara’s bold challenge and held her lead!! Less than 1600 meters remain in the race!! Can the others catch up from here!!?』

『If Apollo Rainbow doesn’t start fading soon, the others are in trouble... After all, even at Ascot with good conditions, some horse girls still “hit their limit.” The mid-pack controlled by Jarajara and Angely has been pulled into a high pace by Apollo Rainbow. Kayf Tara remains the exception, but if Apollo Rainbow holds out—this could very well become reality.』

The second corner of the triangular course—Swindley Bottom—is the lowest point of the track. From there to the Winning Post, the highest point, there’s a 22-meter elevation. Meaning, I’d have to tackle a second massive uphill climb.

As I ran through about 400 meters of flat terrain, I began to prepare for the 1200-meter climb ahead. Though “prepare” just meant continuing a full sprint while mentally bracing myself—

(――!?)

Suddenly, a shadow lunged in to shatter that resolve.

A crushing pressure loomed over my back. My entire body bristled, a sickening sensation like someone had grabbed my tail.

(No way! Angely!? She got here in just this short corner!? Or Kayf Tara!? See You Later!? No—this horse girl, could it be――)

――It was Jarajara. At this point, she was the only one who could be right behind me. I had believed that if she couldn’t take the lead on the downhill, she would give up. That hope—that she’d give up—was naïve!

She came to Europe chasing her own dream too. Of course she wouldn’t back down so easily. Just like me, she’s ready to risk her life to claim first place――

"――OooooooOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHH!!!"

"Guuh――!"

Jarajara still hadn’t given up. Even as we passed the flat stretch and approached an uphill incline, she clung to me with relentless determination.

And that made things harder for me mentally. I’d assumed she’d give up, so the shock hit harder. Maybe it was the lack of oxygen messing with my judgment. As I struggled to regain my rhythm, Jarajara’s shadow began to draw closer.

But my body had already hit its limits from this breakneck sprint. The unexpected pressure from her attack shook me mentally, making my core falter.

I was on the verge of collapse. My form was starting to fall apart, and the gap between us shrank. Then, the moment I stepped onto the slope, a leaden weight slammed into my gut like a chunk of iron. That was the unmistakable sign that I’d hit my limit.

(…This hurts――)

――Hurts, huh? Don’t be stupid. You can do this. You can run faster, Apollo Rainbow.

I get that it feels like you’re dying. But you know you can go full throttle for 10,000 meters on flat ground and still last. You’ve trained for this again and again. You know that under no pressure, you could run any ultra-long distance under any condition.

You push yourself, calling forth the next step.

A steep incline with a 22-meter elevation change. My thighs won’t lift.

(…I can’t do it anymore――)

You know it. No matter how much it hurts, you know deep down that you still have more to give.

So run. Don’t get weak. What’s 22 meters of elevation supposed to mean to you? It’s just 4000 meters. Compared to 10,000 meters, this is nothing.

(If I keep running like this… I’ll seriously die――)

Just 4 minutes of an all-out sprint, got it!? If you give it everything for these 4 minutes, the years you’ve spent living and training might finally pay off!?

Even exhausted, you can feel it, right!? What means more—over ten years of your life, or 4 minutes? Which one matters more? Which one weighs heavier? Of course it’s the years of life you’ve lived! Carrying ten years of regret is way harder than pushing through four minutes with everything you’ve got!!

So move! Move, Apollo Rainbow――

(I can’t breathe… my throat burns… my chest hurts… my legs feel like they’re breaking… my body just won’t move…)

――Don’t screw with me!! It’s right there, within reach!! My dream!! The dream I’ve had since I was a little kid!! The title of strongest stayer, something I could only ever admire from afar, is finally within reach!! Why can’t I push harder!?

If I just try, I can reach it, right!? Am I really going to throw away everything I’ve carried up until now just because this hurts right now!?

(――――……)

Hearing my own voice pushing me forward, faces flash through my mind.

Tomio Momozawa. My fans, my supporters, seniors who’ve cheered me on. Symboli Rudolf, Maruzensky. Daitaku Helios, Mejiro Palmer, Tosen Jordan, Gold City, Sirius Symboli, Tokai Teio, Mejiro McQueen, Vodka, Daiwa Scarlet, Gold Ship, Sakura Bakushin O, Agnes Tachyon……

And my current rivals. The Uma Musume I left behind in Japan. The ones I met overseas……

I swore I’d become a Uma Musume they could all be proud of――the strongest Uma Musume.

Because my dream shines brighter than this pain, I can push past my limits.

Remembering those words, I pour strength into my next step.

The tears Blushing Charm and Chiefs Glider shed in Chantilly Forest. Their wishes, taking the form of light, burst forth from the silent single cherry blossom in my inner world.

The light crushes fragments of Jarajara’s 『Territory Zone』, radiating the despair-inducing 『Unknown Territory Zone』. Black miasma erupts from my whole body, warping and breaking the space around me. As the world cracks like shattered glass, I see the illusions of two Uma Musume.

――Blushing Charm and Chiefs Glider. The pace-setter rabbit who breaks the field for her teammates, and the ace of their team. As one being, perfectly in sync, they’ve gifted me a fragment of their carefully woven inner world.

Their wishes settled gently in my heart. Just a fraction of the passion they’d built up over time—but it was enough to restore the strength in my legs, like I’d just started the race.

Chiefs Glider’s 『Territory Zone』――

――"WE NEVER GIVE UP!!"

――Apollo, remember. The races you’ve fought. The hopes you’ve carried on that body. Every experience you’ve had—use it…

Everyone’s hopes push against my back, giving me the strength to accelerate, refusing to lose to the steep incline.

(I will never give up on my dream――Never giving up is my strength!! I will not give up――that’s how I’ve always run!! I’m Apollo Rainbow, the strongest stayer!!)

"――Uu, aaaaAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

『Whoa!! At the 1000-meter mark, Apollo Rainbow finally pulls away from Jarajara!! Is this it for Jarajara!? Angely and Kaft Tara are moving up, but the downpour’s dulling Angely’s final spurt!! Only Kaft Tara and Apollo Rainbow are still going strong!!』

Just as I’m revived by Chiefs Glider’s passion, Jarajara finally hits her limit. The blazing pace and the muddy track took their toll. Maybe she was already past her limit—her face goes pale as she lifts her upper body and slows down.

(――Apollo-san… I… I can’t go any further)

(…!)

(But… don’t get the wrong idea)

"――One day, I’ll definitely get back at you…"

Just before she’s swallowed by the chasing group, I hear the voice of her frustration. Her 『Territory Zone』 fades. And just before it vanishes completely, I touch one of its fragments.

Jarajara’s passion surges into me.

――She longed for the Classic races.

But the Satsuki Sho, the Japanese Derby, the Kikuka Sho――those once-in-a-lifetime stages… she couldn’t run in any of them… and it crushed her.

She regretted it—but even brighter than that regret was the dream she still held.

The light shown by those who raced the Classics with all they had.

――To become the strongest stayer.

That back was still distant, but one day, she too wanted to…

…Jarajara also dreamed of becoming the strongest stayer. She wanted to prove her strength by winning the Gold Cup. And above all, she wanted to prove it… by beating me.

"――――Guh, aah――AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

Jarajara’s figure vanishes into the rain. One more dream I’ve cut down. Each of the 15 gathered here has their own dream. For one to win is to crush the dreams of the other 14.

Take pride in that. In crushing their dreams. In letting my dream shine even brighter.

And run. Run to prove that my dream is the one that burns brightest of all.

『Japan’s pride, Jarajara, is falling back!! And now the 14 trying to catch Apollo Rainbow are starting to lose ground one after another!! Ah!? Honey Heartbeat’s mouth is wide open as she slows――and now even Smoky Thrill!? No, Junior Champion Choco Fondue, Silent Joker, and Orange Sapphire are all hitting their limits!? These six can’t even keep running anymore!!』

『No way… are we seeing a complete stamina drain――? At the 3100-meter mark, some of the strongest names in history are――!?』

With 900 meters left, as Jarajara drops out, pace-setter Honey Heartbeat drastically slows down. And she’s not the only one. Smoky Thrill, Choco Fondue, Silent Joker, Orange Sapphire—all of them start stumbling. The stayers’ stamina has collapsed, and the stormy headwind forces their upper bodies to lift.

(Guuh――it’s finally happening… dammit…)

(No… this can’t be happening――)

(Y-you monster…!)

(Later-san… I’m sorry… I couldn’t do my job…)

(I-I’m dying…)

『Jarajara and five others fall to the back!! Their stamina’s completely gone!! This is Apollo Rainbow’s great escape!! The suicidal ultra-high pace she forced has paid off!!』

This ultimate war of attrition—this is the battle I longed for. By enduring agony and danger, I’ve earned a massive return—and my one true chance at victory. The muddy track at Ascot has finally aligned with my high pace. As the race reaches its final stretch, when everyone else has nothing left to give—that’s where I shine the brightest.

(Come at me!! If you dare keep up with me, I’ll rip away every last drop of your stamina!!)

As six Uma Musume collapse from exhaustion, the rest—outside the top three—begin to lose color in their faces. With the finish line near, they try to shorten the gap of more than 20 lengths, pushing their pace. But this is a muddy track—their legs won’t turn—and Apollo Rainbow’s hellish pace has nearly drained them dry.

Golden Nedawi, Zone Espresso, Switch On, Busto Arsizio, JJ the Jet Bicycle――even the fourth favorite, See You Later. One by one, they show signs of depleted stamina, faces pale, fading steadily.

(No way――…My trained legs… cramping up… can’t move!?)

(A-Apollo Rainbow… Impossible… No one should last to the goal running like that…)

(I’ve got nothing left in legs or stamina… ah… My Gold Cup dream…)

(Guh… Is the difference between us really this vast…!?)

(Everyone back in Africa――I’m sorry――…)

(…Forgive me, Trainer, Heartbeat… I couldn’t hold on as the ace…)

『Aah—!! The Silver Collector, Golden Nedawi, is losing steam!! One by one, Zone Espresso, the comeback hopeful, Switch-On, the mid-to-long distance specialist, the Argentinian hero Busto Arsizio, and Africa’s giant J.J. the Jet Bicycle all begin to lift their upper bodies!! And now, even the fourth favorite, See-You-Later, is being mercilessly cut down by Apollo Rainbow's blistering breakaway!! This isn’t a gray fairy—this is a bat demon from hell!!』

They’re probably being crushed by the despair of not even being able to unleash their finishing kicks. At this pace, my estimated 4000-meter completion time is roughly four minutes flat. Being 20 to 30 lengths ahead of them means—assuming one length takes 0.2 seconds to run—the others would finish in about 4 minutes and 4 to 6 seconds.

That alone far surpasses the previous record time for a dry track. The average completion time for the now-muddy Gold Cup is around 4 minutes and 30 seconds—which means, by simple calculation, the difference is close to 25 seconds.

Any normal Uma Musume would ab-so-lu-te-ly run out of stamina. Soaked in wind and rain, splashed by muddy water, forced to kick against a soggy track—yet still asked to run faster than the ideal conditions of a dry course, even beyond a world record pace… Under the pressure of a once-in-a-lifetime race, is there any Uma Musume who could actually break a world record?

—There isn't. No one but me could possibly do it. Records are called records because no one has ever surpassed that time. Only a stamina-freaked-out musclehead like me could even think to pull it off.

The vision I aim for doesn’t lie at the end of speed. It exists beyond the furthest edge of refined stamina. The fact that no one can catch up is simply the result—my “end” is when I crush everything else with the brute force of stamina so they physically can’t catch up.

My back doesn’t grow distant because of an absolute speed difference. It’s because of an absolute stamina difference that forces them to stop their all-out sprint—because their very stamina to chase me down has been ripped out at the root—so they can’t possibly catch me.

My great escape is similar to, yet fundamentally different from, Silence Suzuka’s.

This is a vision only I possess—something even the escapee from another dimension doesn’t have.

Then, suddenly, my trainer’s words from long ago echo through my mind.

—My ideal stayer is an Uma Musume who can run 4000 meters.

Ah, yeah. I’m almost there—just a bit more until I become an Uma Musume who can crush every single other girl on the track while running 4000 meters.

To make that dream come true, first—

『Only the long-distance Big Three remain!! Only Apollo Rainbow, Angely, and Kayf Tara are still running!! And the first to clash with Apollo Rainbow is Angely!! Angely is surging to catch Apollo Rainbow—only 15 lengths behind!! The hero of Australia—the green angel—is unleashing her finishing kick to bring down the demon!!』

—Angely. First, I’ll crush you. Then next, Kayf Tara—it’s your turn.

We pass the 800-meter mark. Beyond the slope ahead lies the final third corner. The gap between me and the pursuing Angely is 15 lengths. Hiding behind her, Kayf Tara closes in from 21 lengths back. Bursting through the wall of torrential rain, the green silks pick up speed.

(Finally, I can see her back—brace yourself, Apollo-chan!! I’m taking the Gold Cup!!)

(Try it if you can!! I’m not letting you win either!!)

(I’m coming!!)

Angely and I accelerate. The two of us, thoroughbreds, rush toward the final corner. A thick, dark miasma begins to emanate from our bodies, engulfing our limbs. Overwhelmingly powerful, beautiful, and fierce emotions. As Angely’s sharp glare pierces me, a blinding light shines in.

Angely’s passion pours into me. I see it. I’m enchanted by it—Angely’s inner world. She’s racing up a staircase that leads to the endless sky, becoming a soaring dragon. Victory after victory—her momentum is as if she’s flying through the heavens. Sunlight filters through the clouds and catches her coat as she flutters it proudly. For all those who support her, under the blessing of the Angel’s Ladder, Angely explodes with her finishing kick—

As a counter, I unfurl a vast ocean inside my heart. A blue-green open sea, where I sit fishing alone in a small boat. Far above, an Angel’s Ladder stretches across the sky. My inner world is being invaded. Angely’s acceleration is overpowering.

—“Well, well, let’s just take it easy~”

A laid-back voice laced with a yawn echoes, and suddenly my fishing rod jerks violently. Seiun Sky grabs the rod with me, then swiftly yanks up the grip we’re holding together.

The boat rocks, the line snaps. A huge silhouette leaps into the sky, wiping out the Angel’s Ladder. Together, Seiun Sky and I land a giant catch, high-fiving as we lift it triumphantly to the heavens.

—“Play it smart, Apollo-chan.”

As Seiun Sky says this, we look at each other and our smiles sparkle. With her pushing me forward as a friendly rival, and me awakened, the two of us create the 『Unknown Territory Zone』—

The Angel’s Ladder and the open sea. Our inner worlds collide with Angely’s.

—[E. E. Estimated...]
—[Angling × Scheming]

—Fueled by the will of Chief’s Glider and Seiun Sky, both heart and body are set ablaze. The only thoughts remaining now are Double Trigger and my own.

The second stage of the four-stage rocket—Seiun Sky’s light. I surrender to its acceleration and combustion, letting my tattered body be drawn into a world of 80 km/h. A tremendous strain crushes my heart, a piercing chest pain lances through my brain.

I nearly falter from the agony, but crush it with raw passion. My throat and lungs are already dead. I can’t even tell if I’m taking in oxygen. Maybe I’ve got a hole in me. A creaking sound echoes from below, and I completely lose sensation in my limbs.

The more I run on pure heart, the more I lose my mind. This is the 『Unknown Territory Zone』, born from a state of mental transcendence—it devours my passion just by running fast. My mind and body have long since exceeded their limits, reaching the point of destruction.

It’s the same for Angely. Her stamina must be nearly gone too. Beaten by rain and covered in mud, her spirit is surely suffering. As proof, her green silks are now pitch-black, soaked in mud.

『Angely is closing the gap on Apollo Rainbow!! The lead is down to 10 lengths!! But she can’t close it any further!! A frustrating 10-length gap!! Is this the true strength of Apollo Rainbow!? The distance remains the same!! Their wills are perfectly matched!! Still neck and neck, they charge into the final corner!!』

Normally, a brain starved of oxygen would shut the whole body down. But our clashing wills and shared yearning for victory push us beyond all limits. Will I die after this all-out sprint? It honestly feels that way—I'm squeezing out every last drop.

But I don’t care if I die. If I can win the Gold Cup, I’ll give up everything. But I won’t lose and die. Get lost, Angely. I never had any intention of giving up the lead.

(Guh... I can’t... catch up—!?)

(Give it up, Angely—you’re out of stamina!!)

(No... that can’t be!)

We round the final corner and hit the home stretch. 500 meters left. Angely’s legs start to wobble. Clear signs of stamina depletion—her face is already ghostly pale.

(This... can’t be—)

Even a long-distance expert like Angely couldn’t survive this hellish pace. Luck, guts, grit, and stamina—those were the keys to unlocking victory, and one of the Big Three—even the Green Angel—has been overtaken.

(Apollo... Rainbow—)

From the stands and outdoor seats, screams erupt in waves of cheers. Angely lets out a gasp, and the light of her 『Unknown Territory Zone』 visibly dims. The 3500-meter mark—that was her limit.

Swallowed by the storm, her wings torn off, Angely falls. The last thing I see is her face—bittersweet with frustration, regret, and admiration—before she disappears into the rain.

『Ahh—Angely is falling back!! Apollo Rainbow has fended off Angely!! And now comes Kayf Tara!! She’s closing in by about 10 lengths as well!! The outcome of this war of attrition rests on the last two!! Only 500 meters remain!!』

And then, flying in without delay from far behind—the last Uma Musume standing: Kayf Tara. One of the Big Three in long-distance, and Europe’s strongest stayer. The girl who handed me my first total defeat—my fated rival.

Kayf Tara and I lock eyes without even blinking, sparks flying. We dive into our final sprints with steep forward-leaning posture, climbing the slope that leads to the finish. Cutting through wind and rain, kicking through the mud-caked turf—the Gold Cup enters its ultimate climax.

『The two mud-covered warriors are locked in a fierce battle!! Apollo Rainbow, who’s endured the storm at the front, and Kayf Tara, who’s been pelted with mud from the back!! Both of them, in pitch-black silks!! They’re throwing everything they have into this fight for first!! Kayf Tara might have a slight edge in speed—she’s closing the gap to 9 lengths, now 8!! The outcome is completely unpredictable!!』

When it came down to a pure speed showdown on a sloppy track, Kayf Tara, who was naturally skilled in rough going, had a major advantage. In other words—there was a speed gap between my finishing kick and Kayf Tara’s.

Like she had paddles strapped to her limbs, Kayf Tara cut through the mud-soaked turf in pursuit. Though both of us still had our 『Unknown Territory Ace』 in reserve, I couldn’t be sure how well my final burst would hold up against Kayf Tara’s nearly teleportational class-closing speed.

There was no hope of winning if I tried to match her with speed. My only chance lay in a stamina battle. Clinging to hope, clinging to desperation, I sprinted through the final stretch with everything I had, praying Kayf Tara would run out of stamina.

The last straight was 500 meters long, with a 10-meter climb. At this point, we had to scale the steepest hill of the course. A stretch of unrelenting hardship leading all the way to the Winning Post. Whose chin would lift first?

『400 meters remaining! Thunderous cheers pour down on these two Umamusume like they’re blowing away the overcast skies!! Far more numerous than the ceaseless raindrops!! A nonstop chorus of 120,000 voices rains down upon these two girls!!』

400 meters left. The elegant social affair of Royal Ascot had, before anyone realized it, transformed into just a racetrack caught in a frenzy. Everyone clenched their fists, threw them in the air, forgetting even to raise umbrellas against the downpour, screaming their hearts out for us. Those in the finest VIP boxes, those who came with family, those who simply came for the love of racing—and every one of the 120,000 spectators at Ascot—no, fans around the globe witnessing this very moment—were pouring every ounce of feeling into their voices.

"Apollooooooo!! You can do itttt—!!"

"Kayf Taraaa!! Let’s gooo!! You’re the strongest stayer in the world!!"

"Hold that lead, Apollooooo!! Go! Go! You got this—!!"

"Kayf Tara-chan!! Full speed aheaaaad!!"

"Don’t let either of you lose!!"

Hearing the voices that surrounded us, I forgot for a brief moment that I was in the middle of the Dream Gold Cup. Had there been any long-distance race in Europe in recent memory that had stirred such fervor? Or even in the long history of European racing—had there ever been a final stretch so full of cheering?

In that fleeting moment, Kayf Tara’s body was cloaked in black smoke. A feral, gleaming smile flashed across her face like a wild beast, and her eyes, brimming with joy and anticipation, pierced straight through my back. Overwhelming emotion—raw willpower—began to seep into my heart.

A beam of light was born from the deep darkness, and through that black miasma, Kayf Tara’s inner world flooded into mine. I saw it. I was drawn to it. The ultimate emotion Kayf Tara had refined into perfection—her crystallized 『Unknown Territory Zone』.

Suddenly, a rift appeared before me—an otherworldly realm. A golden racetrack cleaving through the deep shadows. The golden paradise for stayers she had dreamed of was coming back to life. Simultaneously, chains forged from that very admiration—Kayf Tara’s longing to have it all to herself—wound around my legs by the dozens.

This was a trick more intense than anything from a mock race, a worst-of-the-worst world-class trick unleashed by her 『Unknown Territory Zone』. Once bound by those chains, my legs would completely lock up—or so it should have gone.

But light burst from my body, slicing through those chains. The light of Double Trigger. Just like Kayf Tara, Double Trigger had also been beaten down by reality, yet still longed for the revival of long-distance racing. Kindred spirits in despair, reacting to each other—canceling out each other's trickery.

To counter Kayf Tara’s inner world, I borrowed Double Trigger’s power and deployed my own 『Unknown Territory Zone』. A simultaneous activation of both mine and Double Trigger’s zones. I instinctively knew there was no other way to face Kayf Tara.

A snow-laden landscape emerged from the light. From beyond the blizzard, a single otherworldly cherry tree illuminated by a moonbow appeared.

Light from Double Trigger adorned its roots, Seiun Sky’s light ran up the trunk, and the branches glowed with light from the Chiefs Glider crew. All of it granted me abnormal speed. With our mental worlds at our backs, Kayf Tara and I locked eyes in a fierce standoff.

"Apollo—! I’m overflowing with joy! So many people are watching us stayers now! Cheering with everything they’ve got! The dream I’ve chased—the admiration I’ve built up over the years—it was all right here!!"

"Kayf Taraaa—!!"

"I won’t lose—I refuse to lose, Apollo Rainbow!! This world you showed me—this brilliance of dreams!! The light of admiration!! All of it, every bit of it, belongs to me—the strongest stayer!!"

"You’re wrong!! This Gold Cup—the strongest stayer in the world—that title belongs to me!!"

And then, our finishing kicks exploded.

All the emotions we had stored up throughout our lives—unleashed in full.

――【Turn of a Century】

――【Toward the Silver Snow’s End, Where the Moonbow Shines】

――The final stretch. 400 meters remaining.

At the very end, at the razor’s edge—

The truest, most genuine last battle began.

『Y-You’ve got to be kidding!! Apollo Rainbow and Kayf Tara have speeded up even more!!??』

『I-It’s impossible. Both of them… their finishing times are looking to break into the 3:50 range instead of just 4 minutes flat… and they’re still accelerating…? Unbelievable… I’ve never seen a race like this before…』

The 6-length lead shrunk to about 3/4 of a length, thanks to Kayf Tara’s warp-like 『Unknown Territory Zone』. Even with Double Trigger and my own transcendent final burst, stopping her in this muddy track was no easy task.

But—I managed to keep her from taking the lead. The weight of that fact is beyond words. Now all I have to do is endure. Just endure, and chip away until her stamina hits zero.

Sweat, thick like mud mixed with rain, poured from every pore of my body. I had long since passed the point where pain or suffering held any meaning. My sense of pain had completely shut down. Raindrops pelted my mucous membranes through the gaps in my lashes, and tears flowed uncontrollably. At some point, my vision had turned monochrome, and—I suppose it was inevitable—my own stamina seemed to be nearing its limit.

Even so, there was a battle I absolutely could not lose. Faced with the strongest rival imaginable, the dream I couldn’t relinquish burned even brighter. Kayf Tara’s stamina was almost gone. With that hope in mind, I sank deeper into a self-destructive determination to take this fight to its bitter end.

Cheers for Apollo Rainbow and Kayf Tara reached a fever pitch. Screams and roars blanketed Ascot. Every time the massive lead I’d built seemed about to be closed by Kayf Tara, the ear-splitting cheers sounded like cries of desperation.

Every time Kayf Tara leaned forward, her chin dipping low, a ground-shaking roar echoed across the turf. There was no polite applause to welcome us back at the homestretch. Every one of our movements held the crowd in a stranglehold. The 120,000 spectators could only release the raw emotions they felt in that moment.

Ascot had become a seething cauldron of excitement, heat, and madness. As the tremors of 120,000 voices reverberated faintly in the back of my mind, Kayf Tara and I hurled ourselves into a storm of conflict.

Snowflake-shaped particles danced in the air as the battered wings on my back pushed me forward. The golden paradise driving Kayf Tara’s legs pushed her worn body to its very limits. To push ahead was agony; to stop brought searing regret.

End it already. No—don’t end. Run out of stamina. You, not me. Our gazes exchanged such thoughts as we raced side by side, entering the final 200 meters.

『Passing the 200-meter mark, the leader is still Apollo Rainbow!! Kayf Tara is struggling just a length behind!! She’s chasing with everything she has, but she can’t catch up!! Apollo Rainbow is holding Kayf Tara back with sheer, incredible fighting spirit!!』

200 meters left. Her mind, ravaged by extreme pain, began to break down from within. She could no longer tell how far Kayf Tara was beside her. Even though she should’ve been able to see, she couldn’t tell. Her mind had gone completely blank. At this point, she was running purely on inertia.

She’d lost all feeling from the neck down. She couldn’t tell if she was still running or had stopped—if she was alive or dead. But probably, she was alive. Because this pain, this agony, this overwhelming beauty—it was all too vivid to be anything else.

The core of her dream had always been to race against the greatest rival on the grandest stage. And to become the strongest stayer. The Gold Cup was the perfect place to make that dream come true.

She’d already achieved the core of that dream. All that was left was to make it real. Shake off the chasing Kayf Tara, and cross the finish line first.

She looked at the battered Kayf Tara and gave a faint smile.

――Let’s end this.

Kayf Tara was smiling too.

――Alright. Let’s bring it to an end.

The final showdown ended quietly.

As if the two of them were wrapped in warm sunlight—such a gentle battle it was.

Side by side, they ran as they were. Desperately, earnestly.

There was no technique there. Only pure conviction and longing drove them forward.

They pushed. They were pushed back.

They pulled away. They drew closer.

It felt like they had returned to their childhoods, when the joy of running with a friend meant more than the fear of losing.

――Hey, Apollo...

I never knew... racing could be this fun.

The younger versions of herself and Kayf Tara were running through a dreamlike meadow. Not just a mental landscape—something more like a vision.

The soft crunch of the grass. Butterflies fluttering around them. In this peaceful scenery from somewhere unknown, she and Kayf Tara came to a stop and faced each other.

I... I'm really happy...

I'm so glad I met you...

And I could come this far because of you.

...Really?

Yes... I can say it proudly.

...I see.

That makes me happy.

The young Kayf Tara pointed beyond the horizon. She said that was where the end of the dream lay. The real her didn’t understand what she meant, but Kayf Tara looked completely at peace with it.

In reality, she surged forward, and Kayf Tara’s legs finally gave out beneath her. The Ascot trembled. Kayf Tara reeled from the shock. And as if she’d known it would happen, the young Kayf Tara pushed her gently toward the end of the dream.

Next time... I’ll win for sure.

I’ll show you my back next time...

The vision faded into light, and the cold rain yanked her back into reality.

――Kayf Tara, once an invincible fortress, was now trembling.

――No.

THE STAMINA OF THE ONCE UNBEATABLE KAYF TARA――RAN OUT――AT――THIS――VERY――MOMENT――!

Europe’s strongest stayer, Kayf Tara, had reached her cardiopulmonary limit. No matter what kind of disaster might strike, that was the one thing no one believed could ever happen.

But reality came crashing down with brutal force—

Only 50 meters left to the finish.

It happened at the 3950-meter mark.

『P-passing the final 50 meters――the one who triumphed in this hellish head-to-head is Apollo Rainbow!! Kayf Tara is faltering!! She’s falling behind!! The invincible fortress crumbles!! The gray fairy dances on through the downpour without slowing for a second!! She’s pulling away from the champion of Europe!!』

The world shook. That’s how thunderous the roar of the crowd was, signaling the end of this long, hard-fought battle.

She didn’t look back. She kept showing her back to Kayf Tara, who was lifting her upper body and dragging herself backwards, step by step.

She knew Kayf Tara would rise again to challenge her.

With that conviction—just as Kayf Tara had done—she kept running with pride.

『There’s no one coming from behind!! Apollo Rainbow is in the lead!!』

The ultimate moment, granted only to the one who conquered the most extreme war of attrition—just 50 meters of a winning run. With her heart leading the way, she unleashed her final burst of speed.

『All other horse girls have already given everything they had!! But Apollo Rainbow won’t let up!! With all her strength and soul, she races toward the glorious finish line—and now—yes—wings have definitely grown upon her back!!』

At the 50-meter mark, she caught sight of her beloved ones in the corner of her vision.

...Tomio Momozawa. Lumos. Double Trigger. Yates. All the fans. And… the humble “Certain Victory” banner that Tomio held up.

Convinced of her victory, the crowd of 120,000 raised their voices even louder.

Hearing their cheers, Double Trigger quietly shed tears and closed her eyes.

――Hey, Apollo. Can you hear it...?

The cheers of 120,000 people... the world that Lumos and I dreamed of...

And... the view that belongs to you alone――

This victory wasn’t something she reached alone.

It was the miracle created by everything and everyone present here.

She made it this far thanks to those who guided her, supported her, and at times, crushed her.

"Everyone... truly... truly... thank you――"

And then――the pain that had wrapped around her entire body transformed into a blessing.

『This is the great escape of the gray fairy!! The one who never gave up has shown us the one and only form of true “strength”!! Shoving aside all the top contenders, Apollo Rainbow has finally achieved her long-cherished dream—she’s won the Gold Cup!!』

The moment she crossed the finish line, her world overflowed with joy.

The rain, which had pounded the ground with a roar and sprayed up like mist, quietly faded away—

――And in its place.

A beautiful rainbow stretched across the sky above Ascot, shining brilliantly as if to bless her.

Her winning time was 3 minutes 59.9 seconds.

A record so far beyond reason, so firmly in another dimension, that she could proudly call herself the strongest stayer without a hint of doubt.