The voice was soft and gentle, yet the trust carried within it was harder than iron.
"Mom—"
Oguri Cap searched her memory, and realization dawned. This was exactly how her mother had responded when Oguri told her about Paris—about how the lights of the entire city had once turned gray for her alone.
As that memory resurfaced, the Nakayama Racecourse before the Gray Uma Musume's eyes dimmed rapidly, as though night had fallen in an instant.
No—what appeared before her was no longer Nakayama.
It was Paris. Paris, wrapped in a winter night.
Oguri Cap lowered her head. She was still dressed in her newly made Christmas-themed winning uniform. When she looked up again, the lights of the entire city rose from the ground into the sky. Their pale gray glow connected piece by piece, forming a staircase that descended slowly toward her.
Without the slightest hesitation, Oguri Cap stepped forward.
A slow walk became a brisk stride. A brisk stride became a jog. A jog became a full sprint.
Upon the luminous steps, her pace grew faster and faster. With every step, her body lifted higher from the ground; with every step upward, the stars ahead became clearer, brighter, closer.
She did not know how much time passed before she reached the end of that celestial ladder.
It did not matter.
Oguri Cap stretched out her hand and plucked the brilliant star hanging high in the night sky.
In the next instant, dazzling light burst forth, tearing through the darkness so violently that she squinted instinctively.
(Damn, her zone changed based on her racing outfit. Even some said this Christmas Oguri was quite META in the game XD)
When she opened her eyes again, the star in her hand had transformed—
Into a warm chicken drumstick, as if freshly lifted from the pot.
Confusion flickered across the Gray Uma Musume's eyes. She froze for a moment, then slowly raised it to her mouth and took a bite.
It tastes like Mom made it.
The thought surfaced naturally. As it echoed within her, the night sky dissolved. The afternoon sun of Nakayama Racecourse returned, vivid and real, as though everything before had been nothing more than a fleeting illusion. Yet—
The warmth of the chicken drumstick still lingered, flowing from her throat into her stomach.
"Was it a delusion? No…it wasn't."
The pain in her right leg and the heat surging in her chest answered her together.
"Yes. Mom must be cheering for me right now."
Oguri Cap no longer needed to think about whether she could catch Super Creek and Inari One, still running ahead.
She only needed to understand one thing.
She would never give up here.
—
The moment Inari One and Super Creek sensed danger, the scenery before their eyes plunged into a dim night.
"Is this Inari One's Zone?!" Super Creek judged instantly—then froze.
This pressure was coming from behind.
Her conclusion was wrong.
"It's Oguri Cap's Zone?! How is that possible?! This is completely different from the Japan Cup! Wasn't it supposed to be a world of ice and snow? What is this—this endless night—?!"
Super Creek's thoughts came to an abrupt halt.
Unlike her, Inari One realized the truth immediately. She, too, was being enveloped by Oguri Cap's Zone. It was her first time witnessing it, and so she was not shaken by surprise. She simply continued to run, plunging forward into the darkness without hesitation.
But she had not gone far when a light appeared in the night sky.
"What is that?"
Both Inari One and Super Creek were drawn to it, their attention involuntarily split, their strides faltering for an instant.
They recovered quickly.
It doesn't matter, Super Creek told herself. I still have the lead. Oguri Cap is far behind. As long as I keep running—if I endure Inari One—this Arima Kinen is mine.
Her resolve steadied, and she ran on toward the finish line.
Inari One reached the same conclusion.
What matters now is pass through Super Creek. No matter what Oguri Cap's Zone is—she hasn't caught up to me yet.
—
Behind them, Oguri Cap felt her body grow lighter than ever before. Every step was firm, powerful. Her speed climbed relentlessly, and the pain in her right leg had almost completely vanished.
"Is this all?" She was not satisfied. "It doesn't matter. I just need to keep accelerating."
The instant that thought surfaced, her consciousness stirred once more.
—
French 2000 Guineas— "A shocking upset! The Gray Uma Musume from Japan shatters all predictions!"
Prix du Jockey Club— "A two-centimeter battle of life and death! After 26 years, the French Two Crowns are reborn at Chantilly! Oguri Cap breaks history, prejudice, and superstition alike!"
Autumn Tenno Sho— "Tamamo Cross! Oguri Cap! Tamamo Cross! Oguri Cap! An unforgettable clash at the finish!"
Japan Cup— "Finally—finally—a full-power strike from the monster of the local circuit! No dead heat this time! Oguri Cap stands at the summit of Japan!"
Last year's Arima Kinen— "She's done it! Even 2500 meters is no obstacle! This is why the strong remain strong!"
This year's Japan Cup— "2:22.1! A new world record! The first consecutive Japan Cup victory in history! Oguri Cap—revival!"
The commentators' voices echoed one after another within her mind.
"Every race, I won it to fill my dream and promise to be an excellent Uma Musume to Mom," Oguri Cap thought calmly. "This time is no different."
Something surged behind her legs, driving her forward with even greater force.
"Even with less than 200 meters left—I can do it."
Her confidence soared, flowing directly into her stride. She cast aside all doubt, focusing everything she had on chasing down Super Creek and Inari One.
—
Suddenly, the world before Inari One and Super Creek gradually gaining light.
Not because they had escaped Oguri Cap's Zone—But because the light in the night sky was clawed, tearing the darkness apart.
"Is Oguri Cap catching up?" The thought rose unbidden in both their minds.
"Impossible!" Inari One rejected it instantly. "With a seven-length gap, she can't catch me!"
She forced herself onward, accelerating desperately, determined to shake off Super Creek.
Super Creek, however, faltered.
She shouldn't be catching up… right?
Her stride dulled, just slightly.
—
The commentator's gaze had already shifted.
Even though Oguri Cap was still third. Even though she was still more than a length behind. Even though less than 100 meters remained.
"Oguri Cap is closing in! A slow start doesn't matter! Being boxed in doesn't matter! On the final straight, Japan's strongest has revealed her true form as a MONSTER! Can Oguri Cap remain undefeated in the Twinkle Series?!"
"Fifty meters—I still have fifty meters!" Oguri Cap repeated to herself. "I must catch them. I absolutely cannot lose."
IF I LOSE THIS ARIMA KINEN—I WON'T BE ABLE TO SLEEP.
I HAVE A PROMISE TO KEEP.
The wind screamed. That sound reached the ears of Inari One and Super Creek—the sound of Oguri Cap tearing through the air.
"Half a length! The very, very end! Can she do it?!" the commentator shouted.
"Go!" Berno Light cried from the VIP box. Though Oguri Cap could not hear her, the shout thundered in Shuta An's ears.
"She can do it," he thought fiercely. "Because she's the Uma Musume I trained. The Uma Musume I trust without reserve. The Uma Musume I love."
—
Stomping down Nakayama's Slope Road, Oguri Cap's speed soared beyond restraint. At that moment, both Super Creek and Inari One could hear her heartbeat.
Their senses were overwhelmed. The outcome of the race had already been seized.
—
In a single, unstoppable sweep, Oguri Cap surged past them both.
She didn't need a wide margin. Just a nose was enough.
Clenching her teeth, the Gray Uma Musume claimed her seventh G1 victory.
"A slow start doesn't matter! Last year's strongest remains this year's strongest! A final burst like lightning—Oguri Cap arrests Inari One and Super Creek at the very end!"
"Mom… I did it."
That was the only thought left in Oguri Cap's mind.
After waving to the spectators in the stands, Oguri Cap turned back, preparing to exchange words with today's competitors.
Although the Gray Uma Musume had the final smile, both Inari One and Super Creek had delivered performances worthy of the peak of their careers. Oguri Cap held genuine respect for them. Of course, it wasn't only the top finishers—she intended to greet every Uma Musume who had taken part in this year's Arima Kinen.
She began from the back.
First was Real Birthday, who had finished last, then Mr. Brandy, second from the rear, followed by Mr. Cyclenon, Doctor Spurt, Hawaiian Coral… one by one, she spoke with each of them, her attitude sincere and unhurried.
After shaking hands with Sakura Hokuto O, who placed fourth, and briefly chatting about the recent situation of her younger sister, Sakura Chiyono O, Oguri Cap finally approached Super Creek.
At the very end, Inari One had edged past Super Creek by a neck, claiming second place.
Super Creek was clearly dejected. Still, when she saw Oguri Cap approach, she wiped her face, forced a smile, and extended her hand.
"Was that Miss Oguri Cap's true full strength?" Super Creek asked first, placing her right hand on Oguri Cap's shoulder.
"Yes." Oguri Cap nodded calmly. "That kind of all-out effort…was indeed a first for me."
"Even that Zone?" Super Creek pressed. "Was Miss Oguri Cap holding back before?"
"No, that's not it." Oguri Cap blinked, waving her hand lightly. "I couldn't even use that power yesterday. It was your Zone, Super Creek—it stimulated my potential and let me take another step forward."
"I saw it," Super Creek murmured after a pause. "The night sky…clawed and that star. For you, is that something that can only be used once in a lifetime?"
"That's not necessarily true," Oguri Cap answered honestly. "But to be frank, I'm not sure whether I'll be able to use it again in the future."
"How terrifying." Super Creek shook her head with a wry smile. "Even without that, I wouldn't have won this Arima Kinen. Looks like I still need more training."
"This also has to do with you and Inari One guarding against each other," Oguri Cap said, offering a different perspective. "If the two of you had prioritized suppressing me together at that moment, with the margin I won by—I might have ended up third."
Super Creek fell silent for a while, her gaze drifting between the grandstands and Oguri Cap.
"What races are you planning to run next year, Miss Oguri Cap?" she asked. "Will you stay domestic? You didn't run the Takarazuka Kinen in the first half of the year, after all."
"That depends on Trainer's arrangements," Oguri Cap replied. "Based on what was discussed before, I should start next season with the Yasuda Kinen. There are nearly six months left—enough time for recovery."
"Yasuda Kinen, huh." Super Creek patted her shoulder. "Good luck. Bamboo Memory won't be easy."
"And you, Super Creek?" Oguri Cap returned the question. "What are your plans?"
"Me?" Super Creek shook her head. "I'll probably rest first. After this race, I feel like I'll need at least half a year to recover. The schedule will depend on what Fumino-chan says. I don't know anything yet—."
"You know," she added bitterly, "my time today was 2:31.7. That's already a record for Arima Kinen—yet I still lost."
"But that only proves how high the level of the top three was this year," Oguri Cap said, showing a rare, radiant smile. "A clash like this might never happen again."
"You're not running the Arima Kinen next year?" Super Creek's eyes widened in disbelief. "That can't be right. Aren't you going for a three-peat?"
"I probably will," Oguri Cap waved her hand lightly. "But you two—Super Creek and Inari One—"
"Us?" Super Creek froze, then laughed softly. "That's true. Inari One and I might not run it next year either—or we might."
Her tone grew earnest. "A three-peat in the Arima Kinen is something no Uma Musume has ever achieved. I really want to witness that moment—and try to stop it myself."
"Alright!!" Oguri Cap's eyes lit up instantly. "Even if you try to stop me, Super Creek, I'll still achieve that three-peat!"
Looking at the Gray Uma Musume before her, Super Creek sighed inwardly.
When will I ever be as free spirited as she is?
—
After parting with Super Creek, Oguri Cap walked over to Inari One.
The Edo Uma Musume had calmed down, but bitterness still lingered on her face. Using everything she had and still losing—though not unfamiliar, having victory slip away right before her eyes this time was a heavy blow.
"What's wrong?" Oguri Cap noticed her expression and the cold sweat on her forehead. At the same time, she felt the pain in her own right leg return.
"Nothing," Inari One shook her head. "Just the usual sadness after losing. A little rest will fix it. I'll still eat and drink properly—I'm not about to stop living normally just because of a loss."
After chatting for a while, Inari One's smile finally returned, bright and genuine.
"Oguri Cap, work hard next year," she said. "I'm really looking forward to your performance. Let's both give it our all."
"Yes." Oguri Cap gave a thumbs-up. "Don't worry. I won't lose to anyone."
"After all, it's Oguri Cap," Inari One lowered her head. "You'll definitely do it. Though saying it like that makes it sound like I'll lose to you again next year—and I really don't want to admit that."
"Then I'll try to win even more beautifully next time," Oguri Cap grinned.
—
With the conversations finished, Oguri Cap turned toward the locker room.
"First, a shower. Then I'll change into my spare winning uniform…and get ready for the Winning Live."
She muttered softly, enduring the pain in her right leg. To ease the sharp sting, she walked with a noticeable limp. Back in the locker room, after showering and before it was time to go on stage, Oguri Cap picked up her phone to check her unread Line messages. The first one that caught her eye came from far across the ocean, from the West Coast—
Dr. Grace: "Oguri Cap, you seem to be injured. Have Shuta take you for a check-up later."
"I know," Oguri Cap replied simply.
(TL: Personally, I like this chapter. One of my regrets reading Cinderella Gray and further approved in chapter 153 Yasuda Kinen race by Kitahara. When he judged that one of the causes of her Arima Kinen result was the change of pace from the back to back race of Mile Championship—Japan Cup—Arima Kinen in two months. Even though, I think that killing Oguri's mother was unnecessary.)