Chapter 457: The End

As she was thinking, the young man at the center of the group looked her way.

"Kita?"

"You've matured?"

Kuroha sat on the grass with a stopwatch in hand, his gaze flicking between it and the track.

He wore a simple shirt and pants. Compared with years past, he carried himself with greater composure and quiet confidence.

His eyes were still gentle, though an almost imperceptible sharpness occasionally flashed through them.

"Yes, Trainer!"

Kita immediately snapped to attention, straightening her back as she answered in a clear, powerful voice.

"Kita, ready for training whenever you are!"

"Haha! Good! That's the spirit!"

Before Kuroha could reply, Frankel strode over and thumped Kita on the back. Even the black-haired girl's extraordinary natural strength couldn't keep her from stumbling under those enthusiastic blows.

"Frankel-senpai… E-easy…"

Kita struggled to regain her footing, rubbing her aching shoulder.

"Hmm? This won't do, Kita."

Frankel planted her hands on her hips and frowned slightly.

"You're still much too skinny. Now that you've matured, you need to eat properly and put some meat on those bones."

"Huh? Oh…"

Kita looked thoroughly bewildered, but she obediently nodded.

Just then, a thunderous burst of footsteps rang out at the finish line.

Kuroha stopped the timer at precisely the right moment.

"Trainer! How was my time?"

The orange-haired girl stood waving at him.

He checked the numbers, then nodded with a smile.

"You're looking good, Treve."

"Yes!"

Treve cheered at his praise, then launched herself straight into his arms.

The impact made Kuroha rock backward. He reached up and gently stroked her head.

"Don't go picking up Teio's bad habits."

"But I think this is a good habit!"

Treve blinked innocently.

Behind Kuroha, Sea the Stars and Frankel nodded in wholehearted agreement.

They had done the same thing during their racing careers.

It really did feel wonderful!

The flying cuddle was one of civilization's great achievements!

"Honestly…"

Despite his complaint, Kuroha made no attempt to push her away. He simply gave her another gentle pat on the head.

Watching from beside them, Kita suddenly looked thoughtful.

She was, after all, an Umamusume raised in the true Chasing Light tradition.

A dozen or more seniors had taught her by word and example, leaving her with a thorough understanding of how to grow closer to her trainer.

Now that she had matured, certain ideas had become even clearer.

Perfect! I can definitely put this to good use during my racing career!

In her mind, she clenched a fist in triumph.

Down beside her legs, Diamond merely tilted her little head, otherwise showing no reaction.

"Kita."

Kuroha's voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Here!"

She reflexively snapped to attention.

He freed a hand from Treve's embrace and beckoned to her.

"Come here."

Kita hesitated, then approached with small steps.

Kuroha reached up and gently ruffled her hair, feeling the warmth beneath his palm.

"How does it feel, now that you've matured?"

"Pretty good. Everything looks a little higher up, though, so I'm still getting used to it," she answered honestly. "I almost bumped into the shoe cabinet when I left home this morning."

"That's normal."

He smiled.

"Everyone goes through that after maturing. Give it a few days, and you'll get used to it."

"Hmm… Speaking of which, now that you've matured, how about getting some practice in with Treve?"

"Huh?"

Kita froze, instinctively turning toward the orange-haired girl in his arms.

Treve smiled and waved.

"Want to run a lap together, Kita?"

"R-run a lap? Me?"

Kita gaped at her like a very confused fish.

"Relax. It's just regular morning practice, not a race."

Kuroha lightly tapped her forehead a few times.

"Treve, help Kita get used to her new body. She's only just matured, so start with two easy laps, then do a few sets of straightaway sprints. Let her get a feel for how she moves now."

"Got it!"

Treve hopped out of his arms and beckoned to Kita.

"Come on, Kita. I'll show you."

"O-okay…"

The two girls headed toward the starting line.

Diamond obediently remained beside Kuroha with the two seniors.

But before long, his gaze shifted to her.

"Diamond…"

"Yes!"

She practically jumped on the spot, then hurried after the others with quick little steps.

Watching the three Umamusume work up a sweat, Kuroha smiled.

Over the years, ever since McQueen and Teio had conquered the racing world one after the other, the wheels of Chasing Light had never stopped turning.

The team continued training the young girls already in its care while welcoming promising newcomers from each new generation.

First, Bourbon and Rice had taken the baton from Teio and McQueen, sweeping G1 races at home and abroad in both the Classic and Senior divisions.

Then Brian and Suzuka had burst onto the scene, followed by Dober and Bright.

After them came Grass, Sky, Opera O, Tachyon, Neo Universe, and King Kamehameha. Even four-title Grand Slam champions emerged…

One legendary Umamusume after another had grown steadily within Chasing Light.

Eventually, each had ventured beyond the Far East to dominate the world!

Every one of those names had left an indelible mark on the history of Umamusume racing.

And every one of them belonged to Chasing Light!

Kuroha hadn't limited his recruits to the central circuit, either. Every so often, he brought promising young Umamusume over from abroad.

Frankel, standing beside him, and Treve, currently running on the track, were two such recruits.

Their racing careers spoke for themselves.

At her peak, Frankel had torn through the entire American dirt racing circuit.

Treve, meanwhile, had won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe the previous year, becoming the pride of a new French generation.

Well, Treve might not have raced for a French team, but she herself was French through and through.

A victory for her was a victory for France. Perfectly reasonable…

Kuroha let out a soft breath.

Life these past years had been wonderfully fulfilling.

Well…

There were certainly a lot more Umamusume in his life now.

But he enjoyed the benefits every day.

Without his divine body, he never could have kept up with the demands of so many girls whose physical abilities stood at the very pinnacle of the world.

Thinking back on all the times he had struggled to "turn defeat into victory" with his team over the years, Kuroha decided that being a god was a surprisingly demanding job.

Just then, cheerful voices drifted in from the entrance to the training ground.

A group of Umamusume walked in, laughing and chatting together.

At their head were March, Maruzensky, and several other founding members of Chasing Light.

Thanks to the innate traits of their kind, they remained as youthful as ever, even after all these years.

It was as though time had stopped for them at eighteen.

Suddenly, a familiar petite figure shot out from the crowd.

The same familiar speed, the same familiar angle, and then the same familiar flying hug.

"Trainer!"

Teio crashed into Kuroha's arms, nuzzling against him as she complained.

"I've been waiting for you forever!"

"You…"

He shook his head helplessly, then stood and went to greet his girls with a smile.

A gentle breeze stirred.

The sunlight was warm and bright.

In the distance, the bells of Central Tracen Academy's clock tower rang out, their clear notes drifting across the campus.

Chasing Light's Umamusume gathered on the training ground. Some crowded around Kuroha, seeking his affection. Others headed onto the track for a jog, while still others stood together, laughing and chatting.

Several of the younger girls trotted over to join Diamond and dutifully began their basic athletic drills.

It was a scene filled with warmth.

Kuroha watched quietly, then closed his eyes with a soft chuckle.

In a few years, perhaps some of those little girls would become legends themselves.

And after that, new legends would take the baton from the old.

Generation after generation, the relay would never end.

Time might wear away all things.

But their spirit, their determination, would continue to be passed on.

Before long, morning practice came to an end.

Kuroha was the first to get to his feet. He clapped his hands and smiled.

"All right, everyone. Time to head back!"

"Okay!"

The girls answered with bright laughter.

Dozens of Chasing Light's Umamusume gathered around him as they headed toward the dorms.

They had already become beacons for the Umamusume who would come after them, suns lighting the road ahead.

Their path led straight forward.

And Kuroha would never stop walking.

This was the story of Chasing Light.

(The End)