Rice Shower's POV
It really is incredible… we horse girls always run in front of so many people, but today feels different. This is the year-end Grand Prix; the sheer size of the crowd is overwhelming. There must be even more people here than there were for the Tenno Sho when I ran.
"There they are," Hachiman muttered. "The full lineup is out on the track."
Mr. C.B. leaned forward, eyes narrowing as she scanned the screen. "Biwa Hayahide is the first favorite after winning the Kikuka Sho. Second is Legacy World, the Japan Cup winner. Third is the Derby girl, Winning Ticket. And Teio is fourth… Honestly, the fact that she's fourth favorite after a year-long hiatus is a testament to how much people believe in her."
"True," Hachiman added. "Though I hate to say it, being that popular after finishing eleventh in last year's Arima Kinen is almost unheard of."
Luck, my mother, looked over at them curiously. "I usually only watch Rice-chan's races… Is this Teio girl really that strong?"
"Yes," Hachiman replied, his voice taking on a respectful tone. "She's a fellow Double-Crown winner, just like Rice. While Rice took the Derby and the Kikuka Sho, Teio swept the Satsuki-sho and the Derby. Before her injuries, she was undefeated and lightyears ahead of her generation. But leading up to today, she's suffered three separate fractures."
"Three times…?" My mother gasped, her hand flying to her chest. "The poor girl…"
"Yeah. Rudolf told me there was a point where Teio was ready to give up on racing entirely. But she found her footing again and decided to make her stand here, in this race."
"I see..."
C.B. sighed, crossing her arms. "But the deck is stacked against her. There are six G1 winners in this field. Not to mention Biwa Hayahide—she's a powerhouse who won the Kikuka Sho in record time. She's at the peak of her strength."
Rudolf remained silent, her eyes fixed on the screen.
"Big Brother," I whispered, "Rice could have run in this race too, right? Why didn't we enter?"
"The rotation from the Royal Oak Stakes to the Arima Kinen isn't impossible," Hachiman said, looking at me. "But I'd already decided that after the Prix Royal-Lieu, we wouldn't race again until next year's Nikkei-sho. I'm not a fan of changing the plan once the foundation is laid."
"So that's why..."
"Yeah. That's all it was."
On the television, the brassy notes of the fanfare echoed through Nakayama Racecourse.
"The fanfare rings out across the grounds! The gates are being loaded for the Arima Kinen, the race to decide this year's champion! The tension is palpable as each girl prepares to answer the hopes of her fans. Finally, on the far outside, Mejiro Palmer enters the gate. All thirteen are in! The final G1 of the year, the Arima Kinen…!"
CLANG!
"And they're off! A brilliant start for Mejiro Palmer! It's a clean break for the entire field! As expected of these thirteen elite athletes, they are off like a shot!"
"Hachiman," Rudolf said, her voice tight. "How does Teio's stride look to you?"
Hachiman leaned in, his eyes tracking the movement. "…I've only seen her previous races on film, but this isn't her peak form. Her movement is a bit stiff. It looks like she's using her experience and sheer willpower to compensate for the rust."
"I feared as much…" Rudolf whispered.
"So, what happens now?" C.B. asked.
"Who knows?" Hachiman replied. "That's the thing about racing. No one knows until they cross the wire."
"They round the fourth turn and come past the grandstands! Mejiro Palmer holds the lead, with Biwa Hayahide sitting comfortably in fourth. Tokai Teio has dropped back a bit further—one can only wonder what is going through her mind in her first race in a year! The thirteen runners charge past the Nakayama fans for the first time!"
Hachiman winced slightly. "Ngh—"
Rudolf's hand had shot out, gripping Hachiman's hand with bruising force. Her face was pale, etched with an anxiety I had never seen on the "Emperor."
The President… she doesn't even realize she's holding his hand, I thought. She looks so scared.
"They pass the second turn and head into the backstretch! Mejiro Palmer is still setting the pace, followed by White Stone! Legacy World is right there, with Biwa Hayahide stalking them on the inside! Winning Ticket follows, and a length behind her is the returning Tokai Teio, then Vega! The field is compact, with only ten lengths separating first from last!"
"As expected, Mejiro Palmer is dictating the race with that signature explosive lead!" the commentator shouted.
"Indeed," the analyst replied. "But with the pack so close, anyone could make a move at any moment. The real race starts now as they head into the third turn!"
If it were me… I thought, my heart racing, I'd move right now!
"Wait! Biwa Hayahide is making her move! The Kikuka Sho champion is accelerating, surging forward! She's bypassed Palmer—Biwa Hayahide takes the lead! She's showing her incredible strength! Can anyone possibly catch her?!"
"What a kick..." C.B. breathed.
"She moved almost exactly when I would have," I whispered, my hands balled into fists.
Hachiman and Rudolf were silent, their eyes locked on the screen.
"Coming off the final turn, Biwa Hayahide is in the lead! Mejiro Palmer is digging deep on the inside! Less than 200 meters to go! Tokai Teio is moving up… wait! Is that—?! TOKAI TEIO IS COMING!"
I think everyone watching—Rice, the people in the room, the thousands at the track—everyone gasped at the same time. Because the only person who could even keep pace with Biwa Hayahide's monstrous sprint… was Teio.
"Go!" Rudolf screamed, her voice cracking as she squeezed Hachiman's hand harder. "RUN, TEIO!"
"Urgh!" Hachiman gritted his teeth against the pain in his hand, but he didn't pull away.
"It's Tokai Teio! Teio has found another gear! She's closing the gap on Biwa Hayahide! But the gap is stubborn! Biwa is running at a record pace! But Teio is relentless! 100 meters to go! It's a battle of wills!"
"Go… go!" Rudolf's plea was almost a prayer.
"TOKAI TEIO! TEIO TAKES THE LEAD! She's showing the pride of a Derby champion! TOKAI TEIO! TOKAI TEIO!! TOKAI TEIO—THE MIRACULOUS RESURRECTION!!!"
"She's done it! After a year away from the track, Tokai Teio has claimed the Arima Kinen! A miracle! A literal miracle at Nakayama!"
"…Unbelievable," Hachiman whispered, breathless.
"Yeah," C.B. agreed, her voice full of awe. "That wasn't her usual form. She wasn't at a hundred percent. And yet… she won anyway."
"And look," I said, pointing at the TV. "Everyone is cheering for her. They're all so happy for her."
"I'm glad," my mother smiled. "I'm so glad she won."
Rudolf didn't say a word. She just sat there, her entire body trembling with the aftershocks of relief.
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