The title "Oguri Cap II"—if anyone put it on themselves—would definitely be blasted by Oguri's many fans.
In their view, this powerful horse girl fought her way up from the regions into Central, conquering spectators step by step with her own strength and becoming the year's Hall of Famer.
Even if other horse girls could match her achievements, few could claim a career as dramatically structured—with such a perfect ending—as Oguri Cap's.
So unlike "Second Emperor"—a title that mainly carries glory—if someone called herself "Oguri Cap II," she would be questioned on all fronts: achievements, spectacular races, even popularity.
…Except in one case.
That is, if Oguri Cap herself designates her.
However unwilling the fans might be, they would have to give that horse girl some face—at least enough to see how Oguri's own eye for talent fares, right?
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"Old man, you really did something this crazy without consulting me?!"
Inside the yakiniku shop, Stardust Mirage lay on the table and shouted helplessly.
"Hahaha! Well? Gave you a pretty good scare, didn't we?"
Rokuhira downed a gulp of beer with a laugh and checked the three grills' meat at once with his chopsticks.
"Scare? This level of news is going to scare the entire nation's horse-girl world to death!"
Stardust viciously snapped up a slice of grilled meat and crammed it into her mouth to chew.
She knew how much the two had paid to build her up.
Using Oguri Cap's honor to vouch for her at the retirement ceremony—just to head off the media's smear and give her a fair stage to face Tokai Teio…
"What if… I fail? They might even attack Oguri then."
Worrying over it, Stardust sighed again.
"Mff mff mmph—mm mff mm!" (Then don't fail. I believe in you!)
With her cheeks puffed out full of meat, Oguri turned and mumbled encouragement.
"Idiot. What horse girl thinks about losing before the race?"
The old man rolled his eyes, split the grilled meat evenly for the two, and went on unhurriedly:
"Oguri and I won't misjudge you. You absolutely have the strength to challenge the Triple Crown. That's why we have to prepare early—avoid what happened to Oguri back then."
Stardust understood what he meant.
The Classic Triple Crown—Satsuki Sho, Tokyo Derby, and Kikuka Sho—run in April, May, and October. Besides meeting entry qualifications, each race has strict entry slots.
Take Satsuki Sho, for example. There are 18 spots, divided into three categories: priority spots, career-earnings spots, and lottery spots.
Priority spots come from three G2 preps: the top three in the Yayoi Sho, the top two in the Wakaba Stakes, and the top three in the Spring Stakes—8 spots total.
Career-earnings spots select 7 entrants by ranking career prize money from high to low among those who have entered.
The last 3 spots are drawn by lot among the remaining qualified entrants.
As a horse girl who only debuted regionally at year-end, even if Stardust is specially admitted to Central early next year, only a few months remain. Gaining advantage in prize money is basically impossible.
So only one road lies open: place in those three G2s to grab priority spots.
Those three G2s begin in March, so entry is in February. And each has its own entry requirements. Simply put, you need at least Classic-level race experience and some popularity ranking to choose them.
"Popularity… I can build that myself."
Stardust already had a plan: run three or more races in January and February and win them all. That way she would have a good shot at hitting the requirements.
"You'll regret it, if by some mishap you can't run the Triple Crown. You'd definitely regret it."
Rokuhira sighed and took another big swallow of beer.
"Oguri couldn't run the Derby because of those thresholds—how could that not be a regret?"
"So many say—if Oguri had run the Triple Crown, she would surely have surpassed Symboli Rudolf and reached an unprecedented achievement. Calling her a phantom Triple Crown horse girl boils down to people unable to accept that she missed that chance."
As he spoke, he gave Oguri Cap another big bowl of meat. Watching her eat with gusto, his face was all tenderness.
"Oguri and I are different. She thinks just being able to run with everyone is enough. But regardless, it was my fault—my oversight cost her the Derby."
"So, Stardust Mirage."
He lifted his head and met the brown-haired horse girl's eyes.
"Your potential—Oguri and I know it best. Those training results say it all… Forget 'Second Emperor' or 'Central genius' labels. Run. On the stage of the Classic Triple Crown, become the strongest by your own strength!"
At his words, Oguri hurriedly swallowed all the meat in her mouth. She turned to Stardust and nodded earnestly with both fists clenched.
Stardust froze in her seat.
She had asked Rokuhira and Oguri to teach her—but in training, she never once caught Oguri's footsteps. She could only follow a scaled-down plan to build her basics.
Maybe she truly couldn't compare to a top runner like Oguri? Losing too much makes you doubt yourself.
But she never expected these two would place such high hopes on her.
On the Classic Triple Crown—become the strongest…?
Indeed, what horse girl doesn't yearn to prove herself on the Triple Crown? Even as a transmigrator, she'd long since been infected by that atmosphere. Otherwise she wouldn't have declared in an interview that she'd challenge Teio again on the Triple Crown.
But this is different: with these two seniors believing in her so deeply—placing even Oguri's legendary honor on her shoulders—
What reason does Stardust Mirage have not to seize the brightest morning star in racing?
"I understand." Stardust grabbed the bowl and ate in big gulps, stuffing everything in and then wiping her mouth. She looked at the old man and said:
"I'll prepare with everything I have for the Triple Crown. Please train me well!"
"Hahaha! I'm going to enjoy some retired time. But don't worry—I've already contacted another trainer for you. She'll be waiting at Central Tracen. She's absolutely the best fit to train you!"
Satisfied, Rokuhira laughed expansively.
Seeing Stardust a little crestfallen that he wouldn't continue training her himself, the old man patted her shoulder in comfort:
"Don't worry we'll abandon you. When vacation ends… around March, Oguri and I will return to Tracen to prepare for the Three Goddesses' Dream Cup. When we meet again, don't disappoint us—special training will be ready for you!"
"Mff mff—mff!" (Let's do our best together then.)
Cheeks bulging with sauce-soaked meat, Oguri still clenched her fists and cheered seriously for Stardust.
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