Chapter 104. Escaping Oguri Cap Part 2
Even Mejiro Bright, who was positioned at the very back of the pack, could feel the immense pressure radiating from Oguri Cap at the front.
Terrifying… terrifying… terrifying…
Is this the strongest active Uma Musume?
The young lady of the Mejiro Family muttered inwardly.
This is far too frightening, isn't it? I've never felt such an aura before—not even from Ramonu-nee-san. At most, I've only ever sensed a fleeting pressure from 'Emperor' Senpai…
Then another thought followed naturally.
Well… that makes sense, doesn't it? After all, Oguri Senpai's current achievements have already caught up to—no, they've surpassed 'Emperor' Senpai. With accomplishments like that, it's only reasonable for her to possess such overwhelming intimidation.
Mejiro Bright nodded unconsciously—then abruptly snapped back to reality.
"Oh no! I got distracted! My speed almost dropped!"
Regaining her focus, she quickly adjusted her stride and restored her pace. As the Uma Musume running furthest back, she understood better than anyone that her acceleration timing had to come earlier than the rest.
Otherwise, relying solely on a final burst would make it nearly impossible to challenge the frontrunners. In other words, Mejiro Bright was not one of those monsters capable of unleashing an instantaneous high-speed sprint; her strength lay in sustained acceleration over long distances—
What she never imagined was that Oguri Cap's acceleration timing would be even earlier than her own.
After entering the middle section of the final turn—and confirming that her stamina was more than sufficient—the Gray Uma Musume decisively began to accelerate. In just a few seconds, the gap between herself and Osaichi George widened to over four lengths.
When Oguri Cap first entered the final turn, the live commentator still sounded somewhat uneasy.
"Can Oguri Cap really hold on all the way? Attempting a front-running strategy for the first time in her retirement race—Japan's Idol Uma Musume is being rather bold."
But as it became clear that Oguri Cap's speed was not decreasing—no, it was steadily increasing—and that she was gradually shaking off her pursuers, the commentator's tone instantly shifted.
"She's accelerating! Oguri Cap accelerates! She's pulling away! Osaichi George looks like she's losing steam! Mejiro Ardan is being caught by those behind her! Only Oguri Cap is still accelerating! None of her opponents can close the distance!"
"Tsk." In the box, Symboli Rudolf shook her head lightly. "I didn't expect her to lead from the front. Is this the surprise Shuta-kun prepared?"
"If she wins overwhelmingly with a tactic she's never used before, the fans' imagination regarding Oguri Cap's true strength will soar even higher," Maruzensky exclaimed. "Just like how my Derby is still talked about—after all, I was barred from participating by the URA."
"But unlike you," Symboli Rudolf replied, shaking her head, "Oguri Cap's current achievements will likely be extremely difficult for anyone to surpass in the future. To be honest, I think Teio's real target shouldn't be me anymore—but Oguri Cap."
"How could that be?" Maruzensky waved a finger playfully. "Rudolf-chan, childhood aspirations aren't so easily changed."
Hearing this, Symboli Rudolf recalled a young Tokai Teio standing before her after the Derby, eyes shining as she declared:
I want to become a Uma Musume like Miss Rudolf.
"That's true," she murmured softly.
By the time Oguri Cap entered the final straight, she had already pulled five full lengths ahead of second-place Mr. Cyclennon.
I'm running smoother and smoother…and there's no sense of fatigue at all, the Gray Uma Musume realized with faint surprise. I haven't even felt this kind of state during the Breeders' Cup.
Could this be the power of the 'Zone'?
The thought surfaced—then was immediately cast aside.
This is the final straight of my Twinkle Series. Forget everything else. Just enjoy this last sprint.
Her resolve firmed, and her speed rose yet another notch.
"Unbelievable! Oguri Cap is still accelerating!" the commentator cried, eyes wide. "Has she never once shown her full power until today?! The Arima Kinen is a battle of stamina—but Oguri Cap's stamina appears limitless! Today! Here! She surpasses Shinzan! She surpasses Symboli Rudolf! She surpasses all her predecessors—becoming the undisputed 'Strongest!'"
Listening to the impassioned commentary, Tokai Teio pressed her lips together in silence. Though the person she revered most was still Symboli Rudolf, she had to admit it—Oguri Cap's achievements in the Twinkle Series had already surpassed even the former Student Council President of Central Tracen Academy.
Oguri Cap's stride grew faster and faster. Though the 2500-meter course was the longest she had ever raced, she felt that even the 3200-meter Spring Tenno Sho would pose no problem at all.
After passing the 100-meter marker and nearing the finish line, Oguri Cap turned her head slightly, glancing back at the field behind her.
The gesture was so obvious that it drew a collective gasp from the stands.
"She even has room to look back…"
"Unimaginable."
Although victory is essentially assured, the Gray Uma Musume thought calmly, this is still my final race. I can't afford to lower my guard.
After confirming the gap, she simply maintained her current speed, shifting smoothly into a cruising state.
The moment Oguri Cap began her final sprint, Shuta An had already risen from the sofa and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window. He stared at her solitary figure at the front of the race, countless memories surging through his mind—
Their accidental meeting at the gates of Kasamatsu Tracen Academy.
The grueling training on the shrine slope.
The first major victory under the Monbetsu night sky.
The frustration of being barred from the Classics.
The exhilaration of two Classic victories in France.
The third autumn clash with Tamamo Cross.
Injury, doubt, and relentless rehabilitation.
The revived Japan Cup.
Another forced hiatus.
The overwhelming Breeders' Cup victory.
Three consecutive Japan Cup titles.
"This is it…" Shuta An swallowed, his voice barely above a whisper—yet also as if he were speaking to every Uma Musume in the box.
"This is it! This is Oguri Cap's final sprint! No one will ever forget this—how could they?! Three years in the Twinkle Series, twelve races total, one G2 victory, eleven G1 victories! Her footprints span Asia, Europe, and America! Three consecutive Japan Cup defenses! Japan's first overseas G1 champion! The first Breeders' Cup champion! In a year when the nation's spirit faltered, Oguri Cap achieved the unprecedented—turning despair into hope!"
Amid the commentator's thunderous narration, the Gray Uma Musume flashed past the finish line.
In the next instant, Oguri Cap raised a single finger toward the box.
Shuta An smiled, lips curving upward, and returned the gesture with a thumbs-up.
"You worked hard, Oguri."
Volume 3 Finish~
Thank you for your support, everyone. This is the end of this week's released chapter. Let's meet again next week with a new volume. Byee~~