Because Oguri Cap had completed her scheduled goals ahead of time, what was supposed to be a pre-race adjustment afternoon turned into a Tokyo excursion led by Maruzensky.
Midway through, Oguri Cap—who was munching on "complimentary" manju provided by Maruzensky—underwent a complete change of heart regarding this sudden newcomer. She decided that Miss Maruzen was an excellent senior Horse Girl. Not only was she showing them around Tokyo, but she was also giving her food; she was practically a saint.
Their first stop was Tokyo Tower in Minato Ward.
In about half an hour, they arrived at the foot of the tower. One wondered if anyone was currently standing on the Special Observatory, looking down and lamenting that the people below looked as tiny as ants.
After ascending to the Main Observatory, Maruzensky didn't act like a typical tour guide by explaining the building's history. Instead, she leaned against the railing, letting her long, reddish-brown hair whip about in the whistling wind.
She pointed toward the hazy silhouette of Mount Fuji and spoke in a nostalgic tone:
"Tokyo Tower is the most fashionable dating hotspot these days, you know. Young men and women take those 'clattering' streetcars here, and then they secretly hold hands on this observatory—or the Special one further up—to give each other courage. Naturally, that includes pairs of Trainers and Horse Girls too~"
She winked at Fujimaru Ritsuka and then glanced at Oguri Cap, seemingly hinting at something, yet perhaps meaning something else entirely.
At that moment, Oguri Cap was slurping down a cup of noodles, her expression one of absolute concentration... The wary look from before was completely gone, replaced by a face of pure contentment. It was as if she could be perfectly happy as long as she had delicious food to eat.
Perhaps because Oguri Cap was so relaxed, Maruzensky didn't even bother trying to find trendy topics or modern things to talk about. Oguri wouldn't understand them anyway; she just wanted to enjoy her meal.
The girl lowered her eyes, finding the current atmosphere somewhat amusing. She continued, "And then, they'd order a 'Snow-top Coffee' at the cafe... Ah, maybe you don't call it that anymore."
Oguri Cap started on a rice ball, pausing to blink blankly after a moment. "Streetcars? Snow-top Coffee?"
Fujimaru Ritsuka provided an explanation at the right time: "It's a type of iced coffee topped with whipped cream and a cherry."
Maruzensky laughed immediately. "That's it, exactly. I didn't expect... no, it's nothing."
She wanted to say: I didn't expect Fujimaru-kun to know about that too. That's wonderful.
But she didn't say it. She didn't like discussing topics related to age.
"I heard the officials are planning to build a structure even taller than Tokyo Tower?" Since Oguri Cap was immersed in her food, the "heavy responsibility" of conversing with Maruzensky naturally fell to Ritsuka.
Although construction on the Tokyo Skytree wouldn't begin until 2008, it was currently 1987—the "Golden Age" of Japanese development. Many Japanese people were shouting about buying out New York's Times Square; wanting to build another wonder or two was only natural.
"If that's the case, the youngsters will probably flock to the new building, won't they? Not just the young ones—people love chasing the trends of the era~" She turned to look at Ritsuka, her deep blue eyes filled with inquiry mixed with an indescribable emotion. "What do you think, Fujimaru-kun?"
"Every era has its unique imprint," Ritsuka answered calmly, his gaze sweeping over the Tokyo skyline. "The clatter of the streetcars and the announcements on the modern trains are both just the rhythms of this city's breath. Only the frequency and the melody have changed."
Maruzensky was slightly stunned, and then she revealed an even more radiant smile. "That really is... an interesting answer."
For their second stop, she took them to Senso-ji Temple.
Walking along the stone-paved path of Nakamise-dori, Maruzensky became much more active.
She stopped at various old shops from time to time, skillfully greeting the shopkeepers in a Kanto dialect, clearly very familiar with the area.
"I used to come here in the gaps between races," Maruzensky said, stopping at a stall selling ningyo-yaki (doll-shaped cakes). She bought three portions and handed them to Oguri Cap and Ritsuka as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "Eating something sweet and watching the people come and go makes me realize: Ah, everyone has their own worries and wishes. Racing... it doesn't feel quite so heavy after that."
Oguri Cap took the warm cake and bit into it impatiently. The sweet aroma of the red bean filling instantly filled her mouth, and she once again wore an expression of bliss.
Perhaps because she felt indebted after the meal, Oguri Cap proactively agreed: "Mmm, true. As long as I can eat good food, my mood improves very quickly."
In reality, Maruzensky's words were much heavier than the innocent Oguri Cap realized. Maruzensky had suffered through injuries and had been barred by overly strict regulations.
Maruzensky had wanted to run in the Japanese Derby of her year. As a Horse Girl who debuted in the Central circuit, someone as talented as her should have been able to participate in the Twinkle Series.
But she was a "Mochikomi-uma" (a horse conceived abroad but born in Japan). Foreign Horse Girls considered her Japanese, but in Japan, she was crudely categorized as a foreign Horse Girl.
Her registration had been rejected. Even though she had made the plea, "Just give me the outermost gate, I don't need any prize money, just please allow me to compete against the Horse Girls of my generation," and even though other Horse Girls had lobbied for her, she still couldn't participate in the Japanese Derby.
In comparison, Oguri Cap was clearly much luckier.
She wasn't a "Mochikomi-uma," and she had a reliable Trainer planning her route in advance to maximize her benefits...
Maruzensky whispered softly, "Must be nice."
The sigh was swallowed by the bustling crowd.
Oguri Cap's ears twitched. She looked at Maruzensky thoughtfully. For some reason, she felt that the striking and graceful red silhouette looked a bit lonely.
For the first time, she had a more concrete impression of "Central Horse Girls": they weren't just powerful; they carried something within them that she couldn't yet understand.
"Senior Maruzen," Oguri Cap suddenly asked, "Why are you wearing a sailor suit?"
"?" Fujimaru Ritsuka found the question very strange. What kind of question was that? Was Oguri Cap actually capable of caring about such things?
Feeling Ritsuka's gaze, Oguri Cap waved her hands frantically. "Ah, no, I..."
She didn't know why she had asked either. It had just slipped out. She... she didn't know.
Maruzensky turned back, her porcelain-white fingers gently pinching a corner of her sailor suit. She smiled like a girl who had successfully pulled off a prank. "Because I like it. Besides, don't you think it gives off a feeling of 'eternal youth'?"
Her tone was half-joking, her blue eyes sparkling in the bright sunlight.
She thought to herself: But seriously, back in my day, this style was the most fashionable 'battle dress' there was. The youngsters nowadays probably wouldn't understand~
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Musume: Oguri Cap Grand Order (70 Chapters – Ongoing)
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