Bell Noon Bright had been incredibly worried, but when she saw Oguri Cap successfully win her debut race, she burst out cheering in excitement, tears glistening at the corners of her eyes. If you didn't know any better, you might have thought that it was Bell Noon Bright who had won the debut race, and that she was crying tears of joy.
Fujimaru Ritsuka seasonedly patted the top of the young girl's head, praising Oguri Cap for her hard work and Bell Noon Bright for caring about her friend.
In Fujimaru Ritsuka's view, the victory of a mere debut race wasn't actually that big of a deal, as Oguri Cap's potential extended far beyond this. However, every single victory was worth commemorating; he would continue to support the Horse Girls under his tutelage in these joyous moments, rather than look down on these small victories.
Oh, and after winning the debut race, Oguri Cap was officially a registered racing Horse Girl. She could now participate in more races with higher specifications.
Ritsuka took Bell Noon Bright by the hand and encouraged her to go congratulate Oguri Cap in person. He also called over the other three who had clearly been turned into fans by Oguri, adding another brick to the wall of the girls' friendship.
Meanwhile, after crossing the finish line, Oguri Cap ran another dozen meters before slowly coming to a halt. Sweat dripped from her forehead and cheeks, tracing along her neck and gathering into little rivulets that left dark spots on the dirt.
She rested her hands on her knees and gasped violently, thinking: Did I just… win?
Even though she felt extremely tired, Oguri Cap felt like she had run a completely satisfying race. Her mind and body were delighted. The huge joy brought by the victory filled her heart directly, making her almost feel lost for what to do. She instinctively looked toward the audience stands, wanting to see Fujimaru Ritsuka and Bell Noon Bright.
She wanted to know if her performance satisfied them, and if it could make them happy.
At that moment, Fujimaru Ritsuka led the other girls to the buffer zone near the race track. They called out to Oguri Cap from a distance, congratulating her on winning her debut race.
"…" Oguri Cap was stunned for a moment, and then, a brilliant smile blossomed like a flower.
Oguri Cap: OvO
As she crossed the line later, Fujimasa March looked at that silver-gray silhouette from afar, witnessing the joy of their victory celebration.
According to the regulations, a debut race only offers a single debut spot. Those who lose the debut race can only participate in unplaced races (Pre-Debut races) to vie for the next chance at a debut. While a debut race isn't counted in one's career record, losing is definitely a blow to any contestant's confidence.
Surprisingly, the young girl's face didn't have much of the unwillingness from defeat, only deep shock, and a bit of… relief?
Fujimasa March took a deep breath, thinking: Oguri Cap, you really are strong. I lost this time. But I will keep trying my best, working until the day I win against you and set foot on a higher and farther journey!
The stands echoed with enthusiastic cheers and applause as the audience celebrated Oguri Cap's victory together.
"She won! Oguri Cap won! Three horse lengths! Oh my god!"
"A crushing victory! Undoubtedly a crushing victory! Even that Fujimasa March couldn't do anything about it!"
"A monster! A rookie monster has come to Kasamatsu! Oguri Cap, starting today, I am your fan! Keep it up!"
Listening to Fujimaru Ritsuka's validation, her friends' congratulations, and the audience's cheers, Oguri Cap happily twitched her ears and wagged her tail. She leaped over the guardrail and gave Fujimaru Ritsuka an enthusiastic hug.
The other girls started teasing her:
"Oguri, you're covered in the smell of sweat right now."
"Are you trying to marinate the trainer with your own sweat? As expected of Mud… As expected of you."
"…"
As she listened to them, Oguri Cap's face turned red at a visible speed, and she felt like running away.
She couldn't help but think: Is it really all just the smell of sweat? That sounds a bit scary…
But she seemed to have forgotten that she usually did similar things, and more than once. Isn't it a little too late to be concerned about this now?
Fujimaru Ritsuka knew that Oguri Cap was naturally airheaded and only interested in running. Sometimes she would forget some insignificant matters. That's why he never minded.
Seeing that Oguri Cap might flee, he decisively grabbed the girl's wrist, reminding her: "Oguri, go wash up first. You'll be on the Winning Stage in a little bit. Let everyone see the sparkling you."
Recalling Fujimaru Ritsuka's continuous teachings, Oguri Cap decisively gave a thumbs up. She knew that her many days of practice would be put to use today. She wanted everyone to see Fujimaru Ritsuka's hard work and talent.
If she could achieve that, she would be very happy.
Only at this moment did Noren Ace recall a very important question. During dance class, a certain classmate named Oguri Cap would nestle off to the side and have a big sleep. It would be the Winning Stage next. Was it really going to be okay?
With that thickheaded appearance of a certain Oguri Cap, she wouldn't go up on stage and perform the Kasamatsu Ondō (folk dance), would she?
In this regard, Bell Noon Bright proudly placed one hand on her hip and gave a thumbs up: "Don't worry, Noren, Oguri will be fine!"
Relatively speaking, Bell Noon Bright wanted to say more: The trainer is going to be fine!
A moment later, Oguri Cap, having changed into her performance outfit, ascended the somewhat rudimentary stage alone.
It could only be said that this is how regional events are. The stage isn't big, and the lighting and other equipment are mediocre. They can't afford to arrange a temporary trio like the Central ones; it's a one-woman show here.
The audience gave her encouraging applause.
The young girl bowed her head slightly. The intro of the music flowed out slowly, like water under a small bridge.
"Please, Cinderella. Dreams must not end in empty visions— For that sparkling future, take action right now."
When the first syllable "flowed" out from between her lips, a sort of clear and resolute light lit up her eyes. Her voice wasn't sweet, but it carried a unique, raw texture, reminding one of snowmelt water in spring sunshine—clean and clear.
She took a step forward. Her pace was no longer full of the sense of power from when she was running, but instead carried the lightness of a teenage idol.
The young girl's left index finger pointed forward, then slowly rose. Her silver-gray ponytail drew a beautiful curve along with her movement. The stage lights chased after her, casting flowing pools of light upon her.
At this moment, she really did resemble that Cinderella who had put on the glass slipper; her entire being was sparkling.
Within the singing, she remembered the race track at 4:00 AM, she remembered the persistence after every time she reached exhaustion, she remembered Fujimaru Ritsuka's calm and trusting gaze. These thoughts injected strength into her singing.
Her slender arms unfurled along with the beat. Accompanied by a simple turning movement, her skirt took flight, but it was like a bird flapping its gray wings, about to take flight.
"Every day, at any time, I want to keep my cute true self."
When she sang this line, a slightly awkward, but incredibly genuine blush surfaced on her face. Her finger brushed against the hair on her cheek in embarrassment.
This accidental small action instantly struck the audience's hearts, drawing a friendly wave of cheering.
"Whether a crisis or a life-and-death battle, I want to cross over it calmly and dashingly, Constantly renewing this invincible passion, never feeling discouraged."
Oguri Cap slowly entered the flow. Every footstep precisely stepped on the beat, and every raised hand carried a fluid strength. That coordination and sense of rhythm belonging to a racing Horse Girl perfectly blended into the performance.
"Focus on things I'm capable of doing, accumulating them one by one, Only for the sake of letting this magic continue forever. Believing, this true, real technique and the recurring miracle."
Her singing became high-pitched, carrying the excitement of initial victory, and also carrying an infinite yearning for the future. She began to dance more confidently. Her silver-gray silhouette moved through the radiance, truly like a gray star that has begun to self-illuminate.
"As long as I have made a wish, I must make it come true. Go search! My only star. Although it's still very small, But for that sparkling future, from now on, work hard to glow!"
Oguri Cap looked at Fujimaru Ritsuka under the stage, her singing full of gratitude. Her dance movements became more continuous—spins, jumps. Even though they weren't as complex and magnificent as a professional idol, they were full of vigorous vitality and clumsy sincerity, appearing exceptionally moving.
"Sometimes I also feel depressed, Wanting to escape reality, Because I failed to grasp the opportunity, and also failed the audition. At that time, your smile became the strength supporting me, Bringing me courage to work hard again, Even if it's starting from zero, Do not forget to pass on the smile in this recurring battle."
Oguri Cap stood fixedly in the center of the stage, her chest heaving slightly. Sweat once again soaked her bangs, but her smile was incredibly bright.
She extended her right hand to the audience, palm upwards, as if wanting to borrow the light shedding down, or like she was extending an inviting hand toward an invisible dream.
Or perhaps… she was inviting a certain trainer to walk side-by-side with her.
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Musume: Oguri Cap Grand Order (60 Chapters – Ongoing)
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