Strange.
Shirayuki's condition seemed to be improving.
During training, Orfevre and the others began noticing the change in her. After the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Shirayuki's form had clearly dropped a level. Maybe that absurdly brutal race had wrung her dry, leaving her unable to recover her usual spark for a while.
But even after more than a month, Shirayuki still hadn't bounced back.
From Fujiwara Chiya, they had learned that Shirayuki's body had already reached the final stage of her prime. No matter how much she trained from here on out, it would be difficult for her to improve any further.
It was hard to accept.
But everyone had no choice but to acknowledge it.
That was why they had resolved themselves to run one final race against Shirayuki.
And yet, the closer that race came, the better Shirayuki looked.
She was starting to resemble the Shirayuki from before the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe again. That overwhelming presence, the one that had once shaken the world, was returning.
Had Shirayuki overcome the effects of reaching the end of her prime?
Or had she simply steeled herself to win this race and rallied her spirit through sheer will?
Everyone felt the latter was more likely.
To think Shirayuki would push herself this hard just to stay with him.
While Orfevre and the others felt a certain respect for that, they also threw themselves into training with even more ferocity. After all, their feelings for Trainer were not inferior to Shirayuki's. Shirayuki had a reason she absolutely could not lose.
So did they.
Who wouldn't want to win the race, then proudly marry Trainer and bring him home?
Who wouldn't want someone to ask who Trainer's wife was, only for him to say their name?
For them, the position of legal wife had already surpassed the prestige of winning a race. The title of Arima Kinen champion had somehow become a bonus prize attached to the real reward.
Watching the uma musume train harder and harder, each one more fired up than the last, Fujiwara Chiya's eye twitched like mad.
He had a feeling this training had completely violated the original spirit of the race.
But he couldn't exactly say anything, either.
Because the uma musume really were giving everything they had to claim victory.
It was just that they no longer seemed to care much about the honor of winning the race itself.
I've defiled such a sacred racetrack.
I'm a sinner!
Fujiwara Chiya sincerely hoped that, in the future, uma musume would stop betting marriage negotiations on races.
Otherwise, it gave off this weird "tournament to win the bride" vibe.
Only the strong earned mating rights…
Please, for the love of all things holy, don't let it turn into that.
Of course, despite saying that, Shirayuki herself was also throwing everything she had into this final chance at marriage. Originally, she had only wanted to retire peacefully and become a trainer at Tracen. But now, until the race was over, she had to make absolutely sure her belongings were not stolen away by these predatory uma musume circling her from all sides.
"Good morning, Trainer Chiya."
Symboli Rudolf walked up beside him and gazed out at the track.
"I did not expect everyone to remain so full of energy for Shirayuki's farewell race. It seems their uma musume souls have not stopped burning simply because this is a parting."
"Is that really their uma musume souls?" Fujiwara Chiya scratched his head. "Or is it their girlfriend souls…? Are you here for an inspection, President Rudolf?"
"Yes. I wanted to watch more of Shirayuki's training. Also…"
Symboli Rudolf turned toward Fujiwara Chiya.
"I wanted to congratulate you. I heard that after Shirayuki retires, the two of you will be getting married?"
"That's right. On New Year's Day. I'm pretty sure I sent you an invitation too, President Rudolf."
"You did. I was simply a little surprised. I never imagined Shirayuki would start a family so quickly."
Symboli Rudolf rested a hand on the railing.
"What do you two plan to do after this? With Shirayuki's influence, she could easily continue shining in the racing world."
"I plan to have Shirayuki become a trainer and teach at Tracen."
"The former Empress becoming a trainer… That is a fine choice as well. I will also continue staying at Tracen from now on, so if you do not mind…"
"You want Shirayuki to keep serving as your right hand?"
"Yes."
"Sure."
Symboli Rudolf's eyes widened slightly.
Then she smiled.
"For Shirayuki to have become so outstanding, I am sure it is inseparable from Trainer Chiya's own excellence. From now on, I hope you will continue caring for these uma musume and helping shape their lives, Trainer Chiya."
"Leave it to me, President Rudolf."
Symboli Rudolf looked at Fujiwara Chiya's face.
Her gaze flickered.
Leaning against the railing, she said, "Recently, I have heard some rather strange rumors. They say things like… Shirayuki is actually Trainer Chiya. Do you know anything about that?"
"Hmm… How should I put this?"
Fujiwara Chiya thought for a moment.
"President, just treat it as one of Tracen's great mysteries. Put it together with things like seeing Café's ghost randomly wandering the dormitory at midnight, or Tachyon constantly conducting human experiments in her lab."
"Isn't that a little too exaggerated? Also, Tachyon is your uma musume, isn't she? Don't tell me her test subject is you?"
"President, some secrets are better left unknown. Or maybe you should discover them on your own one day. That kind of surprise and shock can be a pretty good experience too."
"Trainer, you are exactly like Shirayuki when it comes to being evasive. Now I am starting to suspect the rumors may be true."
Despite saying that, Symboli Rudolf did not press any further.
Whether the rumors were true or false, the fact that Shirayuki was her right hand would not change.
"I wish you happiness in the future, Trainer Chiya."
Symboli Rudolf waved to Fujiwara Chiya and left the training ground.
Shirayuki was retiring.
So who would hold up half of Tracen next?
Fujiwara Chiya's gaze shifted toward the golden figure charging straight ahead across the track.
"Chiya."
Hayakawa Tazuna walked over.
"Good morning, Tazuna."
She nodded.
"Have you already made your decision? To be with Shirayuki."
"Of course."
"Is the matter regarding the Arima Kinen true? You decided to let everyone compete for one final chance?"
"That wasn't my original plan…"
It's all Gold Ship's fault!
That big mouth went and turned something fake into something real!
"Come to the training ground tonight with Shirayuki. There is something I want to tell you."
As if she had made some kind of decision, Hayakawa Tazuna spoke with a burning gaze.
Her emerald-green eyes reflected Fujiwara Chiya's face.
"Okay…"
Fujiwara Chiya had no idea what Hayakawa Tazuna wanted to do, but he agreed anyway.
That night, Chiya and Shirayuki arrived at the training ground together.
Under the lights, Fujiwara Chiya saw that green figure.
But unlike during the day, she was wearing a green dress. Her usual low ponytail had been tied anew behind her head, lifted with a crisp, heroic air. She looked several years younger.
She stood perfectly straight beneath the lights.
Fujiwara Chiya's pupils shrank violently.
He knew that standing posture all too well.
It belonged to the person who had once guided him onto the path of becoming a trainer.
Her gentle aura had vanished completely.
In its place was a terrifying sharpness, like a green blade planted upright before him.
"Tazuna… are you really Tazuna?"
Fujiwara Chiya asked uncertainly.
The difference was too vast.
It was heaven and earth.
No matter how hard he tried, Fujiwara Chiya could not connect the woman in green before him with Hayakawa Tazuna.
"Tazuna…?"
She lifted her head.
Her emerald eyes burned like flame as they locked onto him.
"No, Chiya."
"My name is Tokino Minoru."