[Zaelum: A little tired of the MC being in China, but we know that umamusumes also have tons of races outside Japan, so I can barely accept it...]
After seeing Oguri Cap off into the competitors' tunnel, Kuroha led Nase Fumino and the others back up to ground level via the stairs.
The racecourse was already roaring with noise.
The stands were packed wall-to-wall with spectators. Cheers and chatter fused into a massive wave of heat that crashed into them head-on.
It was different from the races they were used to.
In this venue, most of what people were speaking was Tōkō language and others, which oddly made Kuroha feel a little at home.
"So many people…" Berno Light rose onto her toes for a look and clicked her tongue.
"Of course," Fumino said, as if she'd expected nothing else. "It's Hong Kong's first International G1."
Super Creek asked softly, "The front-row seats look completely full. Should we go—"
"Mr. Mo, please wait!"
Before they could decide where to head, a steady voice called from the side.
Kuroha stopped and turned.
A middle-aged man in a dark-gray bespoke suit approached briskly with two staff members in tow, his hair combed perfectly into place, his face stacked with smiles.
The moment he saw Kuroha looking over, the man immediately extended both hands, posture low and deferential.
"I've long admired you, Mr. Mo. I'm Xiao Xiong, a director of the Hong Kong horsegirl association—responsible for this event, and for receiving teams from all countries."
"Hello." Kuroha shook his hand, expression calm.
"We heard you personally led the team here to compete. Our chairman specifically instructed us—under no circumstances are we to slight a distinguished guest."
The director turned slightly and gestured with an inviting hand, his tone warm. "With your standing, if you were to squeeze in with the general stands, that would be a failure of hospitality on our part."
"We've reserved a VIP box for you and your team at the very top—best sightlines in the venue. It overlooks the entire Sha Tin course, and it's much quieter."
Kuroha glanced back at Fumino and Berno Light, who were both visibly a little stunned by the reception, then he gave a faint nod and smiled.
"Then I'll accept with thanks. Sorry for the trouble."
"Not at all—your presence is our honor. Please, this way."
With the director personally guiding them, Kuroha's group cut through the crowded flow and headed straight for the dedicated VIP elevator.
As the elevator doors slid shut—sealing the noise outside—the Hong Kong director smiled and asked, "Mr. Mo, after today's Mile Championship, do you have any other plans?"
Kuroha looked at him and understood immediately.
He'd heard this exact kind of line countless times over in France.
Nothing more than an attempt to keep him in Hong Kong for a bit—share a few drinks, "deepen the friendship," that sort of thing.
In this horsegirl world, malice between people was rare. Most of them ran for their dreams.
But wherever there were organizations, there were currents.
Whether it was Central, France, or this smooth operator Xiao Xiong right in front of him—these directors all thought the same way.
Even if they couldn't pull him over to their side as "Central Tracen's ace," maintaining a good private relationship would still be pure upside for their political record.
It was bureaucratic instinct.
With that in mind, Kuroha shook his head slightly, wearing the appropriate amount of apologetic regret.
"After the race, I need to head back to the Far East. I still have some matters there that require my attention."
It was a polite refusal—but the "matters" were real, too.
After all, once you're in Ishida's circle, there's no backing out.
"…I see?"
The director froze for a moment, then let out a disappointed sigh.
"If you have business to attend to afterward, we won't insist. But at the very least, we hope you enjoy today's race to the fullest."
The elevator reached the top floor. Everyone stepped out—
And the entire Sha Tin Racecourse spread before them in one sweeping view.
…
Underground, the competitors' tunnel.
Compared to the chaos above, the air down here felt heavy and stagnant.
More than a dozen top horsegirls from around the world were already ready to go.
Some stood with legs apart, taking deep breaths to steady their heart rate.
Some leaned against the wall with eyes closed, shutting out all external interference.
Others rested one hand on their hip, staring past the tunnel's exit toward the blinding sunlight beyond, lost in thought.
Just then—
Tap.
A crisp footstep broke the silence.
The horsegirls reflexively turned to look.
In the shifting light and shadow, Oguri Cap—now in her brand-new race outfit—walked toward them at an unhurried pace.
Those crystal racing shoes struck the concrete with a clear, chiming sound.
All eyes snapped onto her at once—assessing, wary.
Each of them silently weighed the same question.
Was this expressionless Far East girl really as terrifying as the rumors claimed?
In that stiff, tense atmosphere, a black-haired, black-eyed girl suddenly stepped out from a corner, her face bright with a sunny smile.
She walked straight up to Oguri Cap and lifted her hand in an open, friendly wave. In slightly clumsy Japanese, she greeted her.
"Hi there~ Oguri Cap!"
"?"
Oguri Cap blinked. Her eyebrows twitched—three times.
Being feared, isolated, even outright disliked before a race…
She was used to that.
But being cheerfully struck up like this?
That was something she'd only experienced a handful of times.
The last time she'd met someone this naturally familiar… when was it again?
Oguri Cap thought about it simply, then landed on an answer.
It felt like—back at the Japan Cup—when she'd run into that Obey Your Master person?
…Yeah.
Bamboo Memory had a similar vibe, too…
"More like Obey Your Master… and Bamboo Memory's type?" Oguri Cap blinked, staring at the girl in a dazed, honest way.
The black-haired girl didn't mind Oguri Cap's slow reaction at all. She just smiled until her eyes curved and introduced herself.
"My name is Chidobo. I'm a local horsegirl from Hong Kong."
She pointed at herself, then pointed at Oguri Cap, her eyes sparkling with curiosity and admiration.
"I've actually wanted to meet you for a long time."
"Because you're that powerhouse who swept Ireland and France."
"..."
"..."
The horsegirls from Ireland and France immediately went speechless.
Swept?
You'd lost four in a row—how is winning a single race "sweeping"?!
Ignoring the faint hostility coming from the two countries, Chidobo leaned in a bit and lowered her voice, anticipation woven into her tone.
"Honestly, I'm thinking… near the end of my career, I want to try applying for an overseas expedition. I want to see the world outside."
"So if I ever get the chance…"
She blinked at Oguri Cap.
"Could you give me a bit of advice? Like which country's turf feels the nicest to run on, or whether the carrots there taste good?"
"Ad…vice?" Oguri Cap tilted her head, confusion written plainly across her delicate face.
Advice?
From who?
Me?
This airheaded girl—whose life consisted of eating and sleeping, while her trainer handled everything else about training and racing—fell into deep contemplation on the spot.
She tried to dig some "wisdom of experience" out of her pure, uncomplicated brain.
"All right, I won't bother you anymore. Good luck in the race!" Seeing Oguri Cap space out, Chidobo didn't get annoyed. She just waved with a smile, turned, and returned to her spot to begin her final deep breaths.
Oguri Cap watched her back, still tangled up in the question from earlier.
But before she could come up with anything even remotely coherent—
A massive broadcast voice exploded from outside the tunnel, instantly drowning out every other sound.
"Gentlemen! Ladies!"
The commentator's voice—razor-sharp and piercing—rode on the cheers of tens of thousands, surging into the tunnel like a heatwave.
"Welcome to Sha Tin Racecourse!"
"Today is December 16—a day that deserves to be remembered!"
"Because here and now, we will witness the grand opening of Hong Kong racing history's first International Grade 1—"
"—the Hong Kong Mile Championship!!"
The cheering detonated like thunder.
Then the commentator's voice shot up another octave.
"Then let's not wait any longer!"
"Now, please welcome our first competitor… to the track!"
(End of Chapter)
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