As the sun slowly set, night gradually descended.
On the training ground behind the academy's teaching building, Horse Girl who had completed their daily exercises left one after another, heading towards the dormitories.
However, a small number of Horse Girl were still training, and as the surrounding atmosphere gradually quieted down, the sound of their running became clearer.
Katsuragi Ace was seen galloping across the grass, enveloped in a fiery aura, her concentration exceptionally focused.
“It’s not enough… This level is not enough…”
The voice in her heart continued to echo, and her legs unconsciously moved a few beats faster, her eyes fixed on the front, filled with a desire to break through her limits.
For this Japan Cup, she held an unwavering belief in victory.
And to uphold this belief, she needed to become stronger, much stronger than she was now.
She had to break her own limits, reach a realm beyond that, a realm that most Horse Girl could never achieve in their lifetime.
“Quick, recall that state during the Mainichi Okan when you were in a decisive battle with CB-sensei, that powerful leg strength!”
The fiery aura around her intensified, and the wind resisting her was completely broken through.
Katsuragi Ace’s eyes widened slightly, and as her concentration became even more intense, her vision gradually dimmed.
Vaguely, she saw a pitch-black curtain, accompanied by a strong urge to shatter it.
“This is it! The realm I want to reach is right here!”
Suddenly, she raised her right hand and pressed forward, and with a sound like shattering glass, a distinct light suddenly appeared in her previously dim vision.
That was the glory representing victory.
At the same time, Rudolph Symboli, who was in the student council room, seemed to sense something, suddenly got up and walked to the window, looking down, a flicker of thought in her eyes.
On the street outside, Chitose Meiji Representative, who was originally walking slowly along the bridge, also seemed to sense something, and suddenly turned her head to look in a certain direction. A moment later, a smile appeared on her lips.
The perspective returned to the training ground.
Katsuragi Ace had stopped running and was standing still.
She was looking up slightly at the sky, her hands slowly clenching into fists.
The fiery aura around her had faded, but it seemed to linger, and her entire aura, upon careful perception, had undergone a tremendous change.
“Japan Cup, I will win. Whether it’s Triple Crown Horse Girls or Horse Girl from overseas, no one can stop my victorious stride!”
Time advanced quickly, arriving at November 25th.
This day was a holiday, and also the day this year’s Japan Cup began.
Early in the morning, a large number of spectators gathered inside the Tokyo Racecourse, some from the local area, and some who had specially traveled from overseas.
Everyone eagerly anticipated their respective Horse Girl achieving victory and standing proudly on this racecourse.
At this moment, amidst the noisy crowd, discussions continued:
“If I had to say which Horse Girl I favor most, it would still be CB-sensei.”
“As this year’s Japan’s overall commander, currently the strongest active Horse Girl, and possibly the strongest in history, she will definitely defeat the overseas contingent and win the Japan Cup crown.”
“That’s right, if it’s CB-sensei, if it’s the Quadruple Crown winner who is stronger than past local representatives, she will surely end the humiliation of no local Horse Girl ever winning the Japan Cup and fulfill our long-cherished wish.”
“With her extraordinary final burst, launching a desperate counterattack from the very back, amidst our cheers…”
At this point, another voice joined in:
“Oh? You all favor CB-sensei? I’m different, I favor Rudolph Symboli.”
“As the first undefeated Triple Crown Horse Girl in history, I believe the Emperor’s strength surpasses CB-sensei.”
“The Emperor is indeed very strong, but she just finished the Kikuka-shō (菊花赏) not long ago. Isn’t the rest time insufficient? With fatigue, can she really unleash her full strength smoothly?”
“You don’t understand. The moment the Emperor announced her participation in the Japan Cup, her position in my heart became unshakable.”
After a slight pause, the voice spoke again:
“Speaking of which, this seems to be the first confrontation between two Triple Crown Horse Girls. I didn’t expect to see it at the Japan Cup.”
“The ever-victorious champion CB-sensei, the undefeated Emperor Rudolph Symboli, it is indeed their first time competing together.”
“Honestly, if we can’t win the Japan Cup this year, then I really can’t imagine when we ever could.”
Regardless of the audience’s discussions, in the athletes’ lounge at this moment.
“Are you okay, Rudolf? You look terrible.”
Seeing Rudolph Symboli walk out of the changing room after changing into her racing attire, Maruzensky quickly stepped forward to help her sit on a chair, speaking with concern.
At this moment, Rudolph Symboli’s face showed visible fatigue and exhaustion, and even her aura was a bit weaker.
“Did something happen last night?”
Maruzensky opened the mineral water she bought, wet the handkerchief she carried, and wiped Rudolph Symboli’s eyes and cheeks.
“Hmm, it’s probably due to fatigue from training and staying up late. I suddenly had an upset stomach last night.”
After wiping her cheeks, she felt a little more refreshed, gave Maruzensky a grateful look, and shook her head lightly, saying:
“Because of this, I basically didn’t sleep last night…”
And it just happened to be last night, and today just happened to be the day the Japan Cup began.
“Staying up late… Rudolf, you weren’t still processing documents after I left last night, were you?”
Due to training during the day, student council work could only be handled at night.
Even with Maruzensky’s help, it wasn’t something that could be finished quickly.
With the idea of completing today’s tasks today, Rudolph Symboli continued to work even after bidding farewell to Maruzensky at night, even until early morning.
Maruzensky also realized this, and suddenly raised her hand to press Rudolph Symboli’s shoulder.
Her tone was meant to be firm, but it softened as she spoke:
“Seriously, why don’t you take better care of yourself? Paperwork and such can be put aside for now.”
Looking at the other party’s eyes, which held both reproach and concern, Rudolph Symboli unconsciously turned her head to the side:
“I’m sorry, Maruzensky, this time I didn’t consider my physical condition.”
“I promise you, there won’t be a next time.”
And while the two were talking, in another athletes’ lounge.
Chitose Meiji Representative sat on a chair, looking at her reflection in the mirror, her eyes filled with an unresolvable worry.
Since the Autumn Tenno Sho ended, the burden on her legs had not lessened.
Even though she had stopped training, it was still not enough.
She really wanted to run with all her might, she really wanted to compete to her heart’s content with Rudolf and Katsuragi Ace in this Japan Cup.
But reality cruelly dealt her a heavy blow, telling her:
“You’re already finished. Your era has passed.”
Unable to use her full strength, unable to run to her heart’s content, she seemed to truly have…
“No, it’s not over yet. I’ve said it, I can’t leave in a bad state…”
After muttering to herself, the look in her eyes became firm again, and she then stood up and pushed open the door of the lounge.
As she walked along the athlete’s passage towards the track, she encountered Katsuragi Ace, who had also just left her lounge.
The two looked at each other. Chitose Meiji Representative wanted to say hello, but she instinctively swallowed her words after seeing the other party’s state.
Katsuragi Ace had already released her aura, dark red flames burned in her eyes, and her face showed no emotion, clearly having entered a state of intense concentration.
Ultimately, the two did not speak, simply walking silently towards the track.
The perspective shifted to the spectator stands outside.
Everyone was here today, every face was familiar—
Polaris Glacier, Sirius Symboli, and the Mihono Bourbon trio.
Yuzao Cross and Kumi Trainer.
The seven young ladies of Mejiro, led by Mejiro Takamine.
The Head Maid, Kumi Trainer, Yukishiro, and the bodyguard Horse Girl led by Kita no Shori Homare.
Even Tokai Teio and Matikane were there.
The former continued to gaze at the athlete’s passage, hoping to see Rudolph Symboli soon.
The latter was staying by Polaris Glacier’s side, occasionally glancing at her face, until Polaris Glacier noticed and gently rubbed her head, which finally made her settle down.
The Horse Girl stood in a row, with occasional conversations breaking out among them:
“So many spectators, but only this many can live up to today’s scale.”
Sirius Symboli looked back, and the stands were already completely full.
“The Japan Cup is an international event after all, so it’s not surprising that it receives so much attention, not to mention that two Triple Crown Horse Girls are competing today.”
Mihono Bourbon also joined the conversation, turning to Polaris Glacier and saying:
“Polaris, who do you think will win?”
Upon hearing this, Polaris Glacier pondered for a moment, closed her eyes, and smiled:
“If you ask me, I don’t know either. Horse Girl’ races have all sorts of possibilities.”
Especially on such a grand stage, no one can predict what will happen.
The commentary and live broadcast for this race were handled by a man and a woman. At this moment, the Announcer (Female) was delivering the opening remarks:
“Under the clear late autumn sky, 14 Horse Girl have gathered here. In the G1 Japan Cup, who will ultimately claim victory?”
“Under the gaze of numerous spectators, the Horse Girl competing today are officially beginning their entrance.”