"Oh!" Oguri Cap let out an excited cry, making absolutely no move to climb down.
Of course, this wasn't intentional. How could the legendary "Ash-gray Glutton" of Kasamatsu harbor such calculated thoughts? She seemed completely oblivious to how ambiguous her current posture and actions were. Her face was pressed close to Fujimaru Ritsuka's, their noses nearly touching. Her blue eyes sparkled with a brilliant light as she declared: "I will win!"
"Mm, I have no doubt about that."
Fujimaru Ritsuka's expression remained as calm as ever. He even had the presence of mind to brush a few stray, damp hairs out of Oguri's face. "Oguri, you've learned how to 'think' on the track. As long as you maintain your regular training, victory will follow as naturally as water flows."
"But before that, I think you might need a new pair of racing shoes."
Although there was a common consensus among elite Uma Musume that "a pro shouldn't win their very first race" (a bit of a joke, as Debut and Maiden races aren't always counted toward a grand legacy), an undefeated record starting from the very first race was undeniably more beautiful.
Oguri Cap had originally planned to wait until after her debut to change shoes, but since Ritsuka had suggested it, she naturally had no objections.
Just as everyone let out a collective sigh of relief, preparing to wash up and end the session, Ritsuka set Oguri down. With practiced ease, he patted the top of her head while inconspicuously nodding toward the direction of Fujimasa March. He offered the distant girl a soft smile.
"!"
Fujimasa March instinctively ducked to the side. Her observation had bordered on "peeping"; it was one thing if she hadn't been caught, but being spotted was incredibly embarrassing.
She hoped it was just her imagination.
But when she cautiously peeked out again, she locked eyes directly with Fujimaru Ritsuka's mirthful gaze. Across nearly fifty meters, cutting through the noisy crowd and the afternoon sunlight, their eyes met in a silent collision.
Not only that, but Ritsuka gave her a distant nod and a friendly smile. It was a faint smile, but it carried an air of composed insight, as if to say: I see you, Fujimasa March-san.
This time, March was absolutely certain. Ritsuka had seen her and pinned down her exact location.
But that makes no sense. None of the other Uma Musume present had noticed her; even Oguri Cap was still immersed in the joy of her breakthrough, never once looking up. How had Fujimaru Ritsuka found her?
March couldn't understand it, her elegant brow furrowing in confusion. The thought surfaced: I can't just leave this alone. I have to follow them and see what's going on.
Fujimasa March was always a woman of action. Thus, the blue-gray-haired honor student immediately began her journey of "secret observation."
Only this time, her target had shifted from Oguri Cap to Fujimaru Ritsuka.
Ritsuka drove his car, taking Oguri Cap and Double Bell Light toward the city. The "Troublemaker Trio" had wanted to tag along, but the training had exhausted them so thoroughly that they had lost all desire for a shopping trip, missing out on a golden opportunity.
To ensure that the stalking March wouldn't have to struggle too hard to keep up, Ritsuka "conspired loudly" while the girls were getting into the car, clearly stating their destination. He even made sure to take Oguri to get food first, waiting until March had re-entered his sensory range before moving on.
As a result, Fujimasa March witnessed the trio purchasing racing shoes.
Oguri Cap's girlish heart was drawn to the cute, colorful shoes, her face lighting up with anticipation. However, Double Bell Light was a "steel-straight" pragmatist. Focusing entirely on utility, she picked out a pair of thick, iron-gray racing shoes she felt suited Oguri's style, causing Oguri to fall into a state of Low Spirits (Zetsufuchou) on the spot.
Then, she saw Ritsuka take the shoes from Light and inspect them inside and out.
"I think these shoes look very cool," Ritsuka said. "They might actually suit you unexpectedly well, Oguri. Why not try them on first?"
After a trial fitting, Oguri found the shoes felt surprisingly good, but the appearance was... well, her aesthetic sensibilities found the color scheme hard to swallow.
Double Bell Light remained oblivious, standing with her hands on her hips, proud of her impeccable eye for quality.
Ritsuka, meanwhile, suppressed a smile and put on a serious face as he appraised Oguri's current look. Only then did he praise her: "You look quite dashing, actually. Oguri, they really suit you. So, what do you think? Do you want to look at more, or is this the one?"
As he spoke, he picked up a pair of pink shoes to ask for her opinion.
Double Bell Light immediately began a lecture on materials and internal structure, explaining why the pink shoes weren't right for Oguri. It sounded like a foreign language to Oguri, who promptly tuned her out.
The silver-haired girl looked down at the overly plain, sturdy shoes on her feet, casting a hesitant, watery gaze toward Ritsuka. "Trainer-san... do these really suit me?"
To be honest, she still didn't like the color or the shape.
Ritsuka gave a decisive thumbs-up. "Personally, I think they're a perfect match."
Oguri Cap: (╹▽╹)
The girl's mood instantly rocketed from Low Spirits to Peak Spirits (Zekkoucho). Her expression cleared like the sun coming out after a storm. "I see! If you say so, then these are the ones!"
In her mind, since her Trainer-san had chosen them for her, they were undoubtedly the best!
For a moment, only the silhouette of Fujimaru Ritsuka existed in the girl's eyes.
Double Bell Light: Wait, sister? What about me?!
After a week of adaptation training, Oguri Cap finally arrived at the day of her Debut.
Friday, June 12, 1988.
Auspicious for: Weddings, Travel, Moving, Groundbreaking, Praying. Inauspicious for: Grand Openings, Installing Doors.
Kasamatsu Racecourse. Hashima District, Gifu Prefecture.
At this moment, the Kasamatsu stands were sparse, with only a few scattered spectators. Most of the Uma Musume registered for the Debut heat looked sluggish, and even the race commentator lacked enthusiasm, going through the motions of introducing the runners for yet another routine newcomer race.
But Oguri Cap was a pillar of fighting spirit. She swayed slightly in her gate, her focus absolute.
Fujimasa March narrowed her eyes, observing Oguri's condition while simultaneously watching the signal lights.
In a heartbeat, the black signal lit up red, indicating "Ready."
[1,400m Debut. Dirt. Sunny. Firm Track.]
As the tension reached its peak, the red light snapped to green. The gates flew open, and a localized gale erupted on the track!
Dust and sand surged!
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Musume: Oguri Cap Grand Order (40 Chapters – Ongoing)
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