Uma Musume no Nama no Nichijou (Horse Girl), First and foremost

While complaining about these things, Tamamo Cross, the smallest of the pony-like girls, proudly puffed out her little frame.

As the winner, Oguri Hat didn't hold back in praising his opponent's performance on stage: "That's because you danced the Tamamo Cross very well and sang very well, even better than last time."

A little tired after stepping off the stage, Fujimasa's March unbuttoned the top button of her collar. She also agreed with Oguri's statement:

"Indeed, especially when singing, there are many more variations in high and low notes compared to before. Tamamo Cross, have you participated in vocal training?"

"Oh, that." After hearing the compliment about the actual angle, Tamamo Cross's face flushed slightly, whether from the heat or something else.

"If you can be forced to sing from a low note to a high note, it's not that difficult to do it once you've successfully warmed up your voice."

Beneath the glamorous and perfect performance lies an indelible dark history belonging to Tamamo Cross.

If she could, she would even want to erase this dark history.

Unfortunately, the problem is that the tyrant who caused all this is not someone the petite, bushy-haired horse girl can fight against...

Thinking of this, the petite, wiry horse girl couldn't help but grit her teeth angrily, but at that moment her own legs silently twitched.

Her appearance instantly made the scene seem a little strange.

Of course, for the two of them who were equally exhausted, the most they could think was that the other person's physical strength hadn't recovered enough.

"Um, how about we wait a bit and just find a place to rest nearby? I'll have the boss of Golden Victory arrange it for you..."

"Need not!"

Realizing something was amiss, Tamamo Cross quickly changed her tune: "We've already found a place ourselves, so there's no need for you, Kasamatsu Gomo, to trouble yourselves."

"Oh......"

Hearing that the other party had already found a place to rest, Fujimasa March didn't know what to say.

"By the way, I have something to tell you, Fujimasa March."

As she spoke, Tamamo blushed slightly, her cheeks twitching shyly, and said:

"Whether you know it or not, we're here to tell you that we're now retracting any words or actions that may have been disrespectful to you before."

"You are indeed a formidable opponent, Fujimasa March. Congratulations on achieving this ranking."

It didn't say which number it was, nor did it mention anyone who had the same ranking as it.

After all, from a certain perspective, they were all losers in this competition. However, for Tamamo Cross, the Fujimasa March and her own ranking represented a different meaning.

After being personally enlightened by Golden Victory, Tamamo Cross was determined to say those words.

It's not that the victor pities the loser, but rather that the loser is seen as a form of recognition of the opponent who was competing on the same stage.

To be honest, Tamamo's words sounded somewhat incomprehensible to outsiders.

But after hearing the march of Fujimasa, he seemed to relax a lot after being taken aback.

Although she had already achieved the goal she wanted to reach through the competition.

However, self-affirmation gained through the facts of the competition is certainly not as valuable as affirmation expressed verbally by the other party...

The last trace of fear and apprehension that a local racehorse girl had towards the central racehorse girl completely melted away after Tamamo Cross's words.

What seemed like a stagnant path might actually lead to further progress and a broader perspective...

"Thank you, Tamamo, you did a great job too."

"If this were anywhere else, I probably wouldn't be able to perform like this."

As they spoke, they shook hands with the other person to express their greeting.

Whether this statement was out of modesty or a genuine belief, only Fujimasa himself knows for sure...

"Hey! I'll let it slide this time, but next time I won't go easy on you! Don't even think you can beat me again!"

His eyes were filled with ferocity, yet also with the respect due to a true opponent.

Tamamo Cross's performance, however, earned Fujimasa March a somewhat helpless smile.

"Really? But I'll stay here for now, to fulfill my promise and win the tournament at Donghai Darby."

As he spoke, Fujimasa March glanced at Oguri Hat.

This is a promise she, as the loser, must fulfill.

It's not just for myself and Oguri Hat, but also for Victory, the leader of the Golden Team...

If I manage to get through first by sheer luck, I think I'll actually hesitate when the time comes.

After all, the central arena was grass, which he wasn't entirely comfortable with...

Her personal victory or defeat was secondary; she didn't want to see the Golden Victory Leader suffer because of this.

After a moment's internal preparation, she continued her reply:

"I will head to the center after that, but when that time comes, I'll probably only challenge the Sand Series. Let's meet again there."

As he spoke, Fujimasa's March revealed a hint of helpless tenderness in his eyes: "I've already won that one grass court match in my career, that's enough. There's no need to keep pushing myself."

This is naturally referring to the match where they won the Chukyo Cup against Oguri Hats, which was also the opportunity for Fujimasa to regain his confidence.

"Well... never mind then~ From now on, we'll just keep a close eye on this goosebumps."

"We'll leave the glory of finishing in the same place in this competition to you, March, so you can commemorate it properly later!"

Upon hearing Fujimasa's reply, Tamamo Cross immediately abandoned the idea.

"After all, we're not really good at sandy terrain compared to grass. We've had our share of setbacks with this kind of thing, and we're not some weirdo who likes extreme challenges. Of course, we have to choose the parts we're good at!"

“So I say!” As she spoke, Tamamo Cross pointed at Oguri Hat again.

After acknowledging Fujimasa's March, she became the loser in a match where the outcome was of little significance to her.

Tamamo Cross, pointing defiantly at Oguri Hat, declared:

"You bastard! I'll let you win this Kasamatsu race! But if you run into me on the central track later, I won't hold back this time!"

"Hmm!" Seemingly spurred on by the challenge in the other party's words, Oguri Hat said, "Then let's compete hard in the central arena, Tamamo."

As they spoke, the winner of the competition, Ash-haired Horse Girl, extended her hand to the other party.

With a snap, Tamamo Cross grinned fiercely at Oguri Hat.

At this point, Tamamo Cross's phone rang.

This appears to be a text message notification ringtone.

"Alright, alright, that's enough for now. We can chat properly when we meet later. I have some personal matters to take care of first!"

Goodbye~

After saying that, the little girl with the goose feather quickly left the sight of Little Chestnut Hat and Fujimasa's March.

Hmm...see you later?

The last part of Tamamo Cross's sentence, "See you later," left the two Kasamatsu girls with their flowing hair a little confused...

After the winner's performance ended, the audience dispersed and left Kasamatsu Racecourse.

However, the Kasamatsu duo still have other things to do.

Hmm, for example, a big gathering of Kasamatsu's friends...

Back in the meeting room, the space now belonged entirely to Kasamatsu and his group, as well as the horse girls from Central Teresen Academy.

"First of all, congratulations on passing this special test without any controversy."

"This proves that you won the previous matches based on your individual strength, and there was nothing extra that could have affected the outcome of the matches."

"Next, I would like to say that you two performed exceptionally well in this match. First of all, congratulations to Oguri-chan for successfully defeating everyone and winning this match."

"I look forward to seeing you perform just as well in other competitions in the future."

After offering her congratulations and blessings to Oguri-hime, Rudolph continued, "..."

"So, what are your current considerations? Have you considered transferring to Central Teresen Academy to become one of their Central Racehorse Girls?"

"After all, only Central Racemlets are qualified to participate in the various Central Race Series."

Even though she had been rejected before, she felt she still needed to keep asking about recruiting talent to the central government.

Who knows, maybe they really did change their minds and decide to join Central because of a local race where they won against Central Horse Girl?

"Yes, I will go to the central government."

"Really? That's great... um?" The unexpected yet reasonable answer still surprised her slightly: "May I know what made you change your mind about where you wanted to stay?"

Was it Kitahara, whom he had previously advised that it would be better to let Oguri Hats step onto a bigger stage?

Or is it...?

"Because Kitahara said that if I neglect repaying kindness in pursuit of a goal, then that goal is not worth pursuing."

"Because I want to help senior Kim Seung-ri, I want to go to the Central District and help him by participating in the competition."

"Because of the White Disaster...? Hmm, hehe, that makes sense."

The emperor wasn't too surprised by this answer.

She was at most slightly surprised that the other person would say such a thing so bluntly.

After all, some things are better left unsaid.

If it were said aloud, the nature of the matter would be completely different...

"Since you already know these things and have made a decision, I can't really advise you. I just hope you won't regret the decision you made today."

Ignoring the pure white horsewoman beside him who was grinning and sticking out her tongue at him when no one was looking, Rudolph continued to explain symbolically:

"Deciding to enter the Central region because of the White Disaster is even more difficult than transferring from a local racehorse girl to the Central region."

"Isn't there you, Miss Emperor, who is also the student council president?"

"If it's a problem that even Golden Victory-senpai can't solve, you should be able to help, right?"

"Hmm... Hahahaha."

It was a laugh tinged with a hint of bitterness.

Ultimately, the emperor's response to Oguri Hat's question became somewhat enigmatic.

"You... don't underestimate the central government."