Shirayuki crossed the finish line first.
The moment she slowed to a stop, both Longchamp Racecourse and Tracen, on the other side of the world, erupted.
She had won the Prix Niel by a decisive three lengths, leading from the start all the way to the finish. That was already a result worth bragging about.
Treve leaned against the window, clapping while calling Shirayuki's name. Gold Ship and the others were also shouting at the top of their lungs, looking so excited they could barely contain themselves.
In Tracen's student dormitory, Mejiro Dober hugged her phone and happily rolled back and forth, only to accidentally fall off the bed. El Condor Pasa, Special Week, and the others also hugged their roommates to celebrate Shirayuki's victory.
"El, my hug has to wait until Yuki-chan comes back."
Grass Wonder pushed El Condor Pasa's face away, her blue eyes fixed on the white figure on the television.
Amazing…
Yuki-chan really is amazing.
"Looks like there's no problem now."
With her ears drooping against her head, Seiun Sky yawned and immediately closed her eyes to sleep. She was going to meet Trainer directly in her dreams.
Likewise, in the trainers' dormitory, Nishizaki Ryu and the others let out strange cheers.
"Yes, yes! I knew that kid could do it!"
"Looks like his adaptability over there is pretty good too." Kuronuma folded his arms, his expression calm and unmoved, though his rapidly bouncing leg betrayed how excited he really was.
"I'm making Chiya treat me to a meal. Even if I can't go there, I'll make him pour some alcohol on the ground for me!" Katsumura Yota shouted.
"Isn't that what you do for the dead?"
"Why don't we go out and eat something now? We'll video-call Chiya."
"Let's go. We don't have work tomorrow anyway!"
As the group of trainers prepared to head out, they opened the door and saw many people standing outside. Those trainers were all wearing sleepwear, veins throbbing on their foreheads.
"Yo, Ryu. You guys sure were loud in the middle of the night. How about we have a little chat?"
They were done for…
Back at Longchamp Racecourse, Fujiwara Chiya received a text from Hayakawa Tazuna, congratulating him on winning his first race.
There was also a message from Katsumura Yota.
[I'm dead. This is all your fault.]
"?"
Does this guy want me to burn some paper money for him?
Ignoring the strange message, Fujiwara Chiya turned his attention back to Shirayuki. After quietly jogging one lap around the course, Shirayuki followed the staff away to prepare for the winner's stage.
At the same time, on the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe uma musume popularity ranking, Shirayuki's popularity began rising rapidly. In just half an hour, she broke into the top ten, and she was still slowly climbing.
"Shirayuki really is amazing." Treve curved her lips happily. "I'm looking forward to racing her more and more."
Listening to Treve, Fujiwara Chiya narrowed his eyes.
Shirayuki had achieved an excellent result in the prep race. But against Treve, who surpassed her in both technique and talent, he still had to be careful.
On the surface, Treve looked cheerful and carefree, but daily life was one thing, and the racecourse was another. Treve definitely would not be fooled as easily as those uma musume today.
Today, he had shown Treve his strength.
Tomorrow, it would be Treve's turn to show him hers.
"Trainer."
"Mm?"
"My ears… are they that nice?"
Without realizing it, Fujiwara Chiya had started rubbing Treve's ears again. A faint blush appeared on the orange little filly's face as she shyly asked him.
"Ah, sorry."
"Onii-sama~"
A soft sensation came against his hand. Fujiwara Chiya saw Rice Shower slipping under his hand and rubbing against him.
Rice was still the safest one to pet.
Fujiwara Chiya lifted Rice Shower onto his lap and rubbed her ears.
The irritation she had felt from Treve stealing her seat gradually disappeared. Rice Shower beamed happily and leaned against Fujiwara Chiya.
Beside them, Treve watched their interaction. A strange feeling rose in her heart. She shook her head, then turned back toward the racecourse.
"Trainer, why don't we go eat something tonight to celebrate?" Gold Ship knelt on one knee on a chair and asked Fujiwara Chiya.
"Mm, let's go. Treve, do you want to come too?"
"Me? Is that okay…?"
"Of course."
Treve had helped a lot in bringing Shirayuki to her current level. Fujiwara Chiya also needed to express his thanks to her.
Treve hesitated for a moment, then shook her head.
"This is Trainer's victory. Yours and Shirayuki's. I don't want to disturb you."
Treve declined Fujiwara Chiya's invitation.
She said to him, "Please give Shirayuki my congratulations. Tell her congratulations on winning the race."
After saying that, Treve bowed to Fujiwara Chiya in farewell.
Gold Ship leaned over.
"Seriously, Trainer, why don't you just take Treve home with you? Looks to me like she's interested in both you and Shirayuki. Maybe you can seduce her all the way back to Japan. Then the Arc would be guaranteed, right? Both sides win. And if that still doesn't feel safe enough, you could just seduce every uma musume running in the Arc. Then you'd be the house taking every bet. No matter what happens, you wouldn't lose."
Fujiwara Chiya silently pressed his hands onto Gold Ship's shoulders, turned her around, and pushed her aside.
This girl never said anything normal.
Fujiwara Chiya had not even reacted yet, but Rice Shower was already unhappy.
"Onii-sama doesn't think of Treve that way. Treve… Treve is close with Shirayuki, not Onii-sama!"
Rice Shower protested in her soft voice.
Sigh…
How was he supposed to explain to Rice that Shirayuki was him?
It felt like Shirayuki and Rice's progress had been slower than he expected.
The main reason was that every time Shirayuki tried to get closer to Rice, Rice would bring Treve over, making it impossible for Shirayuki to act.
There probably was no chance here. Treve was almost attached to Shirayuki now. The two of them were practically inseparable. Even at night, Treve would go to Shirayuki's room and stay there for a long time, which meant Shirayuki no longer had the chance to come over to Chiya's side.
It seemed he could only slowly think of a solution after returning to Tracen.
Rubbing Rice Shower's ears, Fujiwara Chiya thought silently.
"Hehe~ Onii-sama belongs to Rice."
Gold Ship looked at Fujiwara Chiya, then at Rice Shower hugging his waist and declaring ownership.
"Trainer, you really are a sinful man."
That night, they found a barbecue restaurant, and Fujiwara Chiya took everyone out for a proper meal. Since Tracen was paying, Satake Mei told him to order whatever he wanted.
Avoiding the noisy uma musume, Satake Mei wrapped an arm around Fujiwara Chiya's neck and leaned close to his ear.
"Chiya, I knew I wasn't wrong about you. Everyone's hopes are on you. You have to… you absolutely have to win!"
"Mei, stop drinking."
"Uwaaah! I prepared this project for so long. The moment I think the Arc is almost here, the pressure gets so heavy. Chiya, hug me!"
As if she had regressed, Satake Mei hugged Fujiwara Chiya and cried loudly, crying while still drinking beer.
"I know, I know. Leave it to me, okay? Don't worry so much."
"Uuu…"
Patting Mei's little head, Fujiwara Chiya sighed. He had originally wanted to drink a little himself, but it looked like he would be taking care of someone instead.
Still, just as Satake Mei had said, everyone's hopes were on him.
Fujiwara Chiya could not afford to embarrass himself.
The final peak standing before him would reveal itself tomorrow.
The highly anticipated Prix Vermeille.