December 16, Hong Kong. Cloudy turning sunny.
Unless something unexpected happened, the track should be in pretty good condition today—firm and fast.
This racecourse was one of the top racecourses in Tōkō , was already waiting for the opening of Hong Kong's first International G1 event.
In the underground parking garage, the lighting was dim.
A business van rolled in slowly and came to a steady stop.
The door slid open, and the Chasing Light team filed out in order.
Kuroha led the way, with Nase Fumino, Super Creek, and Berno Light behind him.
Last, Oguri Cap—still in her tracksuit—climbed out of the passenger seat and planted both feet on solid ground.
"Hm?"
The instant Oguri landed, several groups waiting near the elevator bank instinctively turned their heads.
Ireland's legendary "Perilous Steed," the home-team ace "Chidobo"…
Top-tier powerhouses who happened to arrive at the same time all recognized the greatest hypothetical threat standing in their way.
"Mr. Mo, hello!"
"I've heard so much about you."
"Likewise, likewise."
A few trainers stepped forward to greet Kuroha. He nodded back in acknowledgment.
Behind them, their 담당 horsegirls traded a glance.
No words were exchanged, but there were no defensive gestures either.
They simply sized one another up from head to toe—then, as if by unspoken agreement, turned away.
…
The prep room.
"Whew…"
After finishing her final set of warmups, Oguri Cap let out a breath and straightened, walking toward the clothes rack in the corner to change into her race outfit.
But on the wall where her outfit should have been hanging, there was now a curtain.
"Huh?"
The girl froze, then turned to Kuroha with a blank look. "Trainer, where's my race outfit? I'm about to go out…"
Kuroha smiled but didn't answer right away. Instead, he tilted his head and exchanged a look with Fumino beside him.
Before Oguri could react, two pale hands suddenly reached from behind and gently covered her eyes.
It was Super Creek and Berno Light—one on each side, giggling as they blocked her view.
With her vision plunging into darkness, Oguri flailed for a moment. But as soon as a familiar warm hand settled on the top of her head, she slowly calmed down.
Kuroha's gentle voice came from in front of her. "Oguri, don't rush. This is a surprise."
"A surprise?"
The ash-gray girl went blank for a beat, then asked on reflex, "Is it something to eat?"
…
Everyone fell silent.
Then came the soft rustle of fabric as the curtain was pulled aside, and the hands covering Oguri's eyes slowly withdrew.
"All right. Open your eyes."
Oguri did as she was told, her gaze focusing on the wall.
The white cloth that had been hiding it was gone.
A brand-new race outfit now hung quietly under the lights.
And beneath it, a pair of custom racing shoes—like they'd been carved from crystal—caught the light and scattered it into a mesmerizing shimmer.
"…"
Oguri stared, stunned.
"The final chapter of your expedition."
Kuroha walked over to the outfit, his fingers brushing the patterned trim on the sleeve as he turned back to her.
"Of course you should show the world the very best version of yourself—so everyone can hear your name."
"Oguri. Do you like it?"
"…Li…"
Oguri had barely pushed out the first syllable when her nose stung sharply. A scorching, indescribable feeling surged up from deep in her chest and flooded her limbs—so intense her voice came out warped.
"Ugh…"
Her mouth puckered, and the ash-gray girl practically melted on the spot.
Tears spilled like a snapped string of beads. She sobbed and hiccuped at the same time, "Trainer… I re—really… li—… ugh, waaah…"
The moment she started bawling like a sudden storm, everyone who'd been smiling a second ago panicked.
"Why are you crying now?"
"It's okay, it's okay."
"Do you not like it?"
"It's fine! You don't have to wear it!"
It took a long while before Oguri finally stopped crying.
She sniffed hard and didn't say a word—just grabbed the new outfit and shoes with reddened eyes and hurried into the changing room.
Click. The door shut, and the room went quiet.
Oguri set the new outfit down. Then she looked up—and froze.
On a hook in the corner, her old, familiar sailor-style race outfit hung there in silence.
Trainer had given her a choice.
Whether she wore the new one or the old one, he would support her either way.
Without thinking, she walked over. Her fingertips touched the rougher old fabric.
Yeah.
It had been a long time.
Even the cuffs felt worn now…
Two years had passed. Not only was she no longer who she used to be—this outfit wasn't either.
"Race… outfit…"
Oguri murmured, staring at the clothing that had been with her for years, and in the next instant, countless memories surged up at once.
The thrill of wearing it for the first time at the Tenno Sho.
The frustration of chasing the backs of Obey Your Master and Tamamo Cross at the Japan Cup.
The joy of defeating her rival at the Arima Kinen and claiming the title of "Strongest Active Runner"…
Fujimasa March, Bamboo Memory, Yaeno Muteki, Super Creek, Mejiro Ardan, Inari One…
That fierce will to battle powerful opponents, the innumerable days and nights of running shoulder-to-shoulder—so many stories worth remembering for a lifetime had settled into every thread of this old battle garb.
"You really… ran a long road with me."
Oguri whispered, stroking her "old comrade" with gentle eyes.
A moment later, she drew her hand back, and a relieved smile rose on her face.
…
Click.
The changing-room lock turned.
Kuroha, Fumino, and the others all lifted their heads at once.
The door opened.
A reborn figure stepped out.
A dark, form-fitting, stand-collar base layer outlined the powerful lines of her body. Over it sat a pale, short jacket, with tasseled streamers on both sides that added a touch of airy grace.
Below, pure-white high-waisted shorts—while long panels extended from the sides like a coat tail, swaying lightly with each motion.
Her legs, as always, were wrapped in black tights. In her signature ash-gray hair, the circular arrangement of hair ornaments glittered brightly.
Those crystal-like racing shoes bounced with a featherlight spring.
Oguri Cap walked up to everyone, then lifted her head.
In those clear eyes, there was no trace of the dazed, airheaded look from earlier.
In its place was the absolute confidence of the Grey Monster.
"Trainer."
She called softly, her gaze passing through the others and settling on Kuroha.
"I'm going to go… take the win."
Cinderella's magic wouldn't disappear.
Because she knew that at this moment, the one who gave her miracles would always be by her side.
Kuroha looked at the girl before him—transformed down to her bones—and smiled, nodding.
"Yeah. Let's go."
(End of Chapter)
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