Chapter 66: Clash! The Kikuka-shō! Part 3

The gates of the fated Kikuka-shō opened. With a cold, almost indifferent motion, the race began, and all 18 horse girls burst out from the gate.

『No one was late out of the gate. Apollo Rainbow makes a sharp leap forward and looks to take the lead!』

『Going for a long escape even in a 3000-meter race... The image of her nearly collapsing at the end of the 2400-meter Derby flashes through my mind. Can she really hold on this time?』

As I launched into my usual rocket start, something felt different. With each kick against the turf, subtle vibrations traveled up through my spine, and I could feel my back tremble. It was as if a third eye had opened on the back of my head—my vision expanded, and now, even without looking back, I could clearly sense what was happening behind me.

Was this one of the signs of entering the "Unknown Domain"? My broadened field of view, the overwhelming surge of power, and the sensation of having grown wings—all of it was new. And every time I stomped down with all my strength, the turf beneath was gouged perfectly, my hoofprints etched deep into the ground. No doubt about it. If I can keep this pace for all 3000 meters, I can set a world record.

Maybe the reason Silence Suzuka never looked back… was because she had already reached this level.

Wrapped in a strange sense of understanding, we approached the first slope of Kyoto. The first hill climb right after the start. With only about 200 meters from the gate, there wasn’t enough distance to build up speed, and everyone was jostling for position. I was in the lead, but right on my tail, Seiun Sky and Rank Tsunehito were hot on my heels, refusing to let me break away.

『Apollo Rainbow holds the lead. Just half a length behind are Seiun Sky and Rank Tsunehito. Further back, the field is packed tightly around Special Week and King Halo.』

『Fighting for position while climbing the slope can unknowingly drain more stamina than you’d expect. Whether to push boldly for a good position or conserve energy and rely on the chaos of the race to make a comeback—strategies differ. Either way, luck plays a big part. How they move in the early stages will affect them deeply by the end.』

Rank Tsunehito and Seiun Sky charge forward, desperate to seize the lead, but I refuse to back down. Especially not against Seiun Sky—whose psychological manipulation I tasted firsthand at the Satsuki-shō when I let her take the front.

The fierce battle for the lead begins. Since we’re climbing into a corner without much speed, I can’t leave the rest behind like I usually do. I run ahead like always in my all-out escape, but Seiun Sky clings to me with a tenacity that surpasses expectations.

We scale the heart-breaking slope with quick, short strides. Seiun Sky draws almost completely alongside me. To keep from breaking my form—and more importantly, to avoid looking her in the eye and losing my composure—I cut in sharply toward the inner rail, running the shortest path possible.

If I let her take the lead and start playing mind games like in the Satsuki-shō, I’ll have no chance. Besides, I shouldn't be struggling this early. If I can use the gentle curves of the third and fourth corners to build up speed, then no one should be able to stop me.

(I won’t give an inch!)
(I’ll take the lead no matter what!)

For front-runners, the opening moves were life. No race, no distance, ever went wrong from leading. And Seiun Sky’s sharp instincts screamed that catching Apollo was imperative. Their fates would be decided here.

(Apollo-chan, move over!!)
(No!! Take it from me if you can!!)
(I don’t need you to tell me—!)

Just 200 meters in, the front-runners were already in a death match. A reckless, no-holds-barred duel on the slope. True, the easiest way to catch a runaway was to pressure them early—but against a stamina monster like Apollo, a stubborn, competitive beast, it was suicide.

That said, forcing a speed battle in a long-distance race played right into her hands. At this distance, she could sprint the entire way at final-stretch pace.

『Apollo Rainbow and Seiun Sky are locked in a fierce duel for the lead! They’re racing up the slope at full sprint speed! Meanwhile, the mid- and rear-pack struggle in a cramped, tense battle for position, likely feeling the slope’s toll!』

『The strategies have split sharply between the leading two and the rest. But even for the leaders, sprinting this hard must be draining stamina alarmingly fast. Seiun Sky and Apollo Rainbow are pushing dangerous limits.』

『Yet fighting in the packed midfield looks just as brutal. King Halo and Special Week seem visibly frustrated, trapped under heavy marking!』

As they neared the slope’s crest, Seiun Sky rammed her shoulder in, lunging from the outside to overtake. Rank Tsunehito, having abandoned the lead fight, clung stubbornly to third. Through her expanded vision, Apollo saw Seiun Sky exhale sharply as she pulled alongside.

"Gh—!"

They collided. Beads of sweat scattered. Apollo’s form wavered, her speed dipping for an instant. No. Breaking form was fatal. If she fell like in that nightmare, a mere fracture would be the least of her worries. The power surging through her now meant even a slight misstep could end everything.

She barely managed to steady herself—but fury burned as she glared at Seiun Sky, who recklessly pushed harder. Clearly, she too had everything riding on this race.

"—You’re the one who should move!!"

Into the downhill after the third corner. As the sharp curve gave way to the gentler bends of the third and fourth, Apollo shifted gears, unleashing the full power she’d held back since the start. The next instant, momentum from the slope sent her into an all-out sprint.

She flew down Yodo’s slope—bounding, skimming the earth at blinding speed. A second starting dash. A sudden gust at her back propelled her as her lengthening strides accelerated.

Seiun Sky, her rival just moments ago, was already left behind. The gap widened with every stride.

"Huh!?"

Seiun Sky’s shocked cry reached her ears, but Apollo charged forward, ignoring it. She’d crush everything. Leave them all in the dust.

This was her chance to show the world her terrifying runaway—the speed that would make humans and horse girls alike tremble. A year and a half of pent-up frustration as a stayer, finally unleashed. The first step toward their dream. Her moment had come.

Now—she wouldn’t even let them touch her shadow!

『Whoa! Apollo Rainbow shakes off Seiun Sky and launches into a full-blown runaway! This is the Apollo Rainbow we know—and the crowd is roaring!!』

『A runaway breaking away further—a true "super runaway"! To pull this in a long-distance race is unexpected, but at this pace, she’s not just breaking the world record—she’s obliterating it! Is this strategy or instinct? The question lingers...』

The moment she shifted gears, her consciousness expanded further. Her aerial view of the field widened; her churning legs engraved hoofprints into the turf.

The blazing sun cast shadows stretching a full length—yet the gap between her and second-place Seiun Sky was five lengths. By the fourth corner and the first homestretch, it stretched to seven. The Kikuka-shō was now a one-horse race, and the crowd’s fervor peaked.

As for the horse girls trailing behind? Their confusion dwarfed even the spectators’ excitement. Apollo Rainbow, who’d barely scraped by in 2400-meter runaways, was now blitzing a *3000-meter race at the same—no, even greater—insane speed.

"Apollo Rainbow will burn out on her own."
"This isn’t Silence Suzuka—it’s Twin Turbo. Chase her, and you’ll both be ruined."

Perhaps such thoughts plagued the pack, leaving them paralyzed—unable to decide whether to pursue or hold back.

Was this unforeseen chaos, or an inevitable spectacle? Amid the Kyoto Racecourse’s cacophony of screams, curses, and cheers, Apollo raced down the straight, bathed in exhilaration.

There was none of the suffocating pressure I'd felt during middle-distance races. Only an exhilarating sense of liberation raged through me like a gale. My mind felt ice-cold, as if submerged in freezing water, while my lungs, heart and extremities burned with fire.

『All horse girls are now charging down the homestretch! Leading the pack is none other than Apollo Rainbow with her signature runaway strategy! Seiun Sky trails far behind in second place! The rest seem to be racing as if Apollo Rainbow doesn't even exist!』

『Indeed. They must be subconsciously agreeing that Apollo Rainbow's stamina can't possibly last at this pace... How long her runaway lasts will determine this race's outcome.』

Even the usually unflappable Seiun Sky seemed caught off guard, cautiously maintaining second position while studying me. As if employing some trick to disrupt my rhythm - how amusing when a stamina specialist like me holds such an overwhelming lead.

Yet I understood - all seventeen opponents had switched to observation mode. None could imagine a horse girl capable of sprinting all 3000 meters at full speed. But their caution only played into my trap. The visible, growing gap would breed panic. That insurmountable distance would plant seeds of doubt - could they ever close it?

In psychological warfare too, a visible runaway proves the strongest strategy. Like it or not, these seventeen must dance to my tempo now.

Entering the straight, my lead stretched to eight lengths. I blasted through the homestretch a full second ahead. The cheers from stands washed over me as I accelerated further - 80km/h and still climbing, pushing toward the absolute limits of what a horse girl could achieve.

My form never broke. As Tomio had drilled into me, I only increased my stride frequency. This refined running style was his gift - every step reminded me of our tireless training days. The brutal Spartan regimen that left me collapsing into sleep like a corpse. The curses I'd shout while pushing through, refusing to taste defeat's bitterness again.

Looking back, those were sunlit days wrapped in his quiet care. Even now, that warmth strengthened my form and sharpened my focus. The unknown realm was rising within me.

The edges of my vision darkened as my mind approached its limits. First to fade was color - the blue sky dimmed, the green turf turned silver-white. Scattered turf became snowflakes dancing in a blizzard, the blazing sun morphed into a pale moon.

This wasn't fear - it was acceptance. The 'Zone' was manifesting in reality.

At the first corner, I leaned sharply inward until my hair nearly brushed the rail - a technique born from my former weakness at turns, the very flaw that caused my debut accident. Now I took corners at impossible speeds, not through divine talent but through countless hours of training with Tomio.

Without looking back, I sensed my lead had stretched to fifteen lengths by the midpoint. The chasing pack seemed to disappear into the blizzard of turf I kicked up, swallowed by the storm.

『Apollo Rainbow clears the second corner first! She's already approaching the far turn while others are still midway through! The gap is fifteen lengths!! The race is entering its latter stages!!』

『You can hear the murmurs in the stands... Could she actually win in a straight runaway?』

The scent of fresh turf vanished - my sense of smell deemed unnecessary for racing. The sharp tang of oxygen disappeared too, making breathing easier. Good. Racing needed no colors or smells. Just awareness. With half the race remaining in this transcendent state - victory was mine.

I raced through the monochrome Kyoto Racecourse. Approaching the far turn meant the second slope climb. Though each breath burned my constricted throat, the pain felt almost pleasant now.

The shadows at my back began to stir—Seiun Sky must have activated her trick. Meanwhile, Special Week's intimidating presence surged forward from the rear pack. Though in reality, she remained over ten lengths behind—this proximity was likely just my heightened awareness playing tricks.

『Apollo Rainbow charges up Yodo Slope first! The chase pack suddenly accelerates! Are they recklessly pushing to climb the slope at this pace!?』

...It'll work. They're still hesitating—still questioning whether Apollo Rainbow's runaway is genuine. Is this really okay? Do they have time to waste watching me while conserving stamina? Every second they doubt, I widen the gap. Is this really what they want?

I deliberately turned my head just enough for them to see—and grinned. The curl of my lips would be visible from behind. Perfect. Let them take the bait. Let them waste more stamina.

True enough, several visibly shaken horse girls began pushing forward, accelerating recklessly. This wasn't part of Seiun Sky's trick—just panicked instinct. Unwittingly, even she was dragged into the unsustainable pace.

As we approached Yodo Slope, the gap shrank slightly—twelve lengths now. Not because I slowed, but because the chase pack had overextended. Seiun Sky and King Halo tried to rein them in, but the momentum was irreversible.

Too late for regrets now. They could either drown in this self-inflicted pace or fall back to gamble on a final sprint. Neither would close twelve lengths. No one had that kind of stamina left.

Then—just before the third corner, as I braced for the second climb—

"——!?"

A shudder.

Crushing pressure slammed into my back. My left leg seized as if weighted down, movement grinding to a halt. The world froze. Ice crawled up my spine.

(—Not an injury...? So this is it... the wall of the unknown realm! Unless I break through—)

Darkness erupted before me—a swirling mass of my own making, the Apollo Rainbow-shaped abyss of my "Zone." Swallowed by my own world, I was battered by its unimaginable force.

Within the void, blinding light dissolved into visions—my visions. Apollo Rainbow's psyche laid bare.

I was thrown again into a blizzard's heart. A white hell where even my immediate surroundings vanished. Horizontal snow lashed at an alien tundra—but this time, something was worse. The storm was vicious. And my left leg? Stuck, buried in deep snow.

(Why... won't it move!?)

The nightmare from that day flashed through my mind—my body catapulted end over end after collapsing on Yodo Slope.

If this continued, my left leg would—

(I have to break free!)

The cold pierced to my core, threatening to freeze even my heart. Snow blinded me, choked my breath, devoured my body. Panic fueled the storm, the gales battering me mercilessly.

"Gh...!"

My left leg refused to budge, as if gripped by an invisible force. Even leaning forward with all my strength did nothing. Snow piled higher, immobilizing not just my leg but my entire body.

Warmth fled my limbs. Numbness spread to my core. Resistance dulled—all I could do was groan.

This wasn't how it should be. At this rate, I'd never transcend the unknown realm.

Why won't my body move?

The faint moonlight I'd clung to shrank to a speck. I reached for it, but the blizzard swallowed even my outstretched hand.

"......!"

Finally—the light vanished. No lunar rainbow.

The Zone was sealed, buried in gloom and snow.

If this was the trial to reach the unknown realm...

If this was the only path to becoming the ultimate stayer...

(...Ah.)

I slowly closed my eyes.

The future was shut.

So the road to supremacy wasn't so easy, after all.

I let go. Released all tension. In the real world, my left leg screamed as it climbed the slope—bones fracturing, muscles tearing. I'd lost control of my own amplified power.

Time and space blurred in the whiteout. The world—and I with it—was buried in soundless, lightless purity.

A faint light brushed past my fading consciousness, sinking into distant despair.

When I opened my eyes slightly to see what it was, the light had already begun to scatter the heavy, suffocating snow.

"…Who’s there?"

It was a tiny orb of light—no bigger than a ping-pong ball. That gentle glow warmed my frozen heart and body, swaying gently. The blizzard, once roaring like ocean waves, had completely vanished.

Was it this light that chased away the storm? When I reached out to cup it in my hands, it slipped away with a ticklish flutter. Then, still shimmering, it floated through the air and started across the snow-dusted plain.

I followed, walking through a strange world lit by starlight and a full moon. The light moved with purpose, as if guiding me toward something important.

And where it led me—was a gentle hill.

At the edge of the silver snowscape—beyond where the moonbow shone—stood a lone cherry blossom tree, silent in the wintry field.

"…Ah.

A memory stirred deep within me. Something long dormant began to awaken. A wave of emotion surged through my chest, pressing behind my eyes, and tears began to fall without warning.

——Apollo. You know, cherry blossoms won’t bloom properly unless it gets cold first.

"You waited for me all this time."

——For them to bloom beautifully, they need a long, harsh winter… they have to store up all that energy.

"You believed in me all this time."

——I’m your trainer, after all.

"Thank you—"

I heard the voice of someone precious to me. I couldn’t quite place the light’s true form, but it gently circled me as if watching over me, then suddenly dove straight into my chest. My racing outfit welcomed it without hesitation, the light merging with it as if they had always been one.

As though returning to where it belonged, the lingering fragments of the light filled me with the strength and feelings I’d been missing.

I’d wandered aimlessly, hesitated, stumbled. I’d made mistakes, failed, sometimes won. I suffered and struggled with my trainer, got help from so many people, and was swept along by fate.

I had barely survived the harshest of winters.

And even in this very moment, when I nearly broke, everyone still believed in me.

"Trainer… everyone…"

A Uma Musume runs while carrying countless “feelings.” The stronger those feelings are, the more likely they are to create miracles that defy all logic. Just like Tokai Teio once did, I too—

"—I have to go."

My long, frustrating dormancy came to an end. A radiant, rainbow-hued cherry blossom bloomed in full glory. In that landscape of my heart, the solitary, otherworldly cherry tree blossomed proudly, its glow intensifying alongside the moonbow.

A warm light, like the morning sun at dawn, enveloped my vision. It was the warmth I received from everyone who supported me. I would never let it go.

With countless rays of light sealed within my heart, I lifted my gaze. The chains of fate coiled around my left leg broke away, and strength surged through my whole body.

The very next instant, my vision returned—to the Slope of Yodo at Kyoto Racecourse.

snap

I felt something tear away from my left leg. It was the sound of my misanga snapping and flying off.

(Thank you for protecting me, Fukukitaru-san—!)

I charged up the Yodo Slope and descended it. My legs were light. My breath came in ragged gasps from the strain and excitement, but I’d never felt better.

『Apollo Rainbow—she looked like she lost speed for a moment there, but she recovered instantly! In the blink of an eye, she conquered the uphill stretch and now plunges into the descent!! The gap is widening between her and second place!! 10 lengths!! 15 lengths!! 20 lengths!! Is this even real!?』

『The crowd’s going wild! Kyoto Racecourse is shaking!!』

This was a hidden burst of power even I hadn’t known about—『Territory Zone』.

It’s something every era-defining Uma Musume has within them.

But beyond that—beyond even legend—there lies a secret gear, possessed only by those destined to create myths. A final, ultimate burst hidden in the deepest depths.

That is… the『Unknown Territory Zone』.

A finishing surge like a natural disaster—beyond the edge of limits, where no one can resist. A divine moment where technique, spirit, and body all reach their absolute peak.

――【To the Edge of the Silver Snow, Where the Moonbow Shines】

As I round the fourth corner, the runner-up is far behind. 600 meters to go. Without mercy, I unleash the “Unknown Domain Zone,” overwhelming the 17 contenders I’ve left in the dust with an overwhelming mental landscape.

I can’t afford to lose. From here on, this is my path. In a world dyed in black and white, I explode forward with a burst of strength, scattering snow crystals and cherry blossoms in my wake.

『OHHH!! Apollo Rainbow pulls away even further!! She’s rounding the final corner and heading into the final stretch!! At this point we can’t even measure the gap anymore!! She’s still surging ahead, ESCAPING, PUSHING THROUGH, and LEAVING THEM ALL BEHIND!!』

『C-Can something like this even be real…?』

I’m closing in on the legends. I may never reach Eclipse. I may never match Secretariat. I may never surpass Dancing Brave.

But just for this moment—right now—I alone, striving to exceed the speed of sound and reach the speed of light, cannot be stopped by anyone in the world.

The momentum becomes too much, throwing off my form slightly. It drains some unnecessary energy, but it doesn’t matter anymore. The power flooding my entire body is almost pleasant. I push the elasticity of my frame to its limits, accelerating infinitely.

"UAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!"

A scream from the depths of my soul. A roar. A wail. Have my vocal cords snapped? Or maybe no sound is even coming out? My voice is so hoarse and broken, so unlike a maiden’s, that I can barely hear it myself.

At the same time, I dive my small frame into the turf of Kyoto’s track. I lean forward to the extreme. To balance the hyper-acceleration generated by the “Unknown Domain Zone,” I pitch forward so far I’m nearly falling. I turn the gravity weighing me down into raw propulsion by forcefully spinning my legs, gaining even more speed.

My vision flickers. The center of my sight starts to fade away. I can barely feel my limbs flailing as the roars from the stands wash over me in waves, pulling me into a strange trance.

200 meters to go. My body and mind are breaking apart—I’ve lost all sense of how far behind the others are. The intensity of this state is so extreme that my thought process starts to collapse.

My lungs are screaming. I’m gasping, endlessly craving oxygen. My heart feels like it’s going to explode. The pain deep in my chest is unbearable, and I can’t breathe properly.

Sticky, unsightly drool drips from the corner of my mouth. The wind rushes into my gaping lips, forcefully shoving oxygen into me. That precious, longed-for oxygen. Still not enough. I need more. Faster—give me the next breath.

Whether I’m screaming or suffocating, I can’t tell anymore. With only a few meters left to the glory of the Kikuka-shō—this race is about to end.

The sensations in my body have long since faded, distant and dreamlike. There’s no pain anymore. Only pleasure, only bliss. Runner’s high fills my heart completely.

Ah—if only this moment could last forever.

『No one else is coming!! Apollo Rainbow leads the pack!!』

Make Debut. Was it misfortune or fate? I got caught in an accident. Finished eighth. The winner was Against Trail. I only found out after I woke up. I cursed fate for the cruel result, and realized how unskilled I was.

My first maiden race. I slowed down hard at the final corner and lost in third. Winner: Anguta. The fear of running became vivid, and we came to a standstill.

Then my second maiden race. With the cheers of Jarajara and Yatomi supporting me, I finally dispelled the illusions and clawed out my first win. I’ve never once forgotten the taste of that first victory.

『Apollo Rainbow!!』

The Shikiku-shō of the 1-win class.

The heartbreaking loss at my first G1, the Hopeful Stakes.

The Wakaba Stakes I withdrew from.

The long-awaited win in the Young Leaf Stakes.

The unforgettable, bitterly close loss in the Satsuki-shō.

The dead heat I barely forced in the Japanese Derby.

After an endless, truly endless winter—

At last, the time has come for my cherry blossoms to bloom in Kyoto.

『Apollo Rainbow!!』

No matter how hard it gets.

No matter how crushed I become.

I will never—ever—give up on my dream.

『Apollo Rainbow crosses the finish line NOW!!』