After many years, the Classic Triple Crown had gradually become the symbol of an entire generation.
The fastest Uma Musume would win the Satsuki Sho, the one with the most grit would win the Japanese Derby, and the strongest of all would take the Kikuka Sho.
Each race carried a meaning beyond its G1 status.
An undefeated dual classic winner, a phantom racer—all those regrets and aspirations lingered upon that stage known as the Triple Crown.
Here, the two-sided coin of glory and defeat was tossed, deciding who would become the brightest star of this generation in a journey that comes but once in a lifetime.
Thus, at this much-anticipated moment, all those whom Dream Weaver had—intentionally or not—offered hope across multiple scripted worlds arrived at the venue as if by unspoken agreement.
They wanted to witness it: to see the legendary Uma Musume who had once created miracles now, in the real world, before their very eyes, write another chapter of her own story.
Perhaps it was precisely because she sensed this that Dream Weaver had specifically asked Kobayashi Kaze to design her racing outfit to be extravagantly dazzling—so that those who held expectations for her could spot her there the moment she appeared.
And so, under the gaze of countless hopeful eyes, another Classic Triple Crown series began.
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April 14th, Nakayama Racecourse. Overcast, track slightly heavy.
Dark clouds piled up in the sky as if squeezing the gap between heaven and earth shut.
The early spring chill, mixed with damp air, seeped into everyone's collars.
Yet even under such oppressive weather, the enthusiasm in the stands showed no sign of fading.
Even before the protagonist had appeared, they couldn't wait to call out her name.
"Truly spectacular…"
Nanno Sumire murmured, a little dazed by the cheers that seemed about to fill the sky itself.
"It almost makes this old man recall the scene of the Japanese Derby back in the day!"
"But this time, the ending will definitely be different!"
As this was Dream Weaver's important day, Principal Koutarou Haibara had specially brought Nishimoto Makusa from Kasamatsu.
The whole Kasamatsu crew had, for once, gathered together again.
"Don't worry, Dad. Something like that absolutely won't happen again."
Chizuru Haibara declared with full confidence. Being one of the people present who best understood Dream Weaver's capabilities, she believed a mere Satsuki Sho could never trouble her.
With the Kasamatsu group reunited, the bonds Dream Weaver had formed in other scripted worlds naturally weren't absent either.
Whether it was King Halo and her mother, the Northern and Mejiro families, or the student council—everyone who had formed a friendship with Dream Weaver had come to witness the event.
For Dream Weaver, this Satsuki Sho was about embracing their expectations.
Just as she had done in world after world, she would bring happiness to everyone once more.
Moreover, she would use her victory to bring hope to all those in the real world who cherished her.
For everyone in the apartment who had regained hope in life because of her victories, and for the new fans who didn't know her personally but were filled with anticipation for the future because of her wins—she would deliver a glorious victory for them all.
"The quest to decide the strongest of the generation finally begins! Undefeated since her debut, having already made history—can she create her own legend on this once-in-a-lifetime stage?!"
"A monster surpassing genius, the swift swallow that tore through Tokyo's gloom, the one who proclaims herself the end of despair and the bearer of hope—"
"Number one, top favorite: Dream! Weaver!"
Rin Akasaka poured out all the air in her lungs, nearly curling into a ball on the commentator's platform.
Yet in contrast to her somewhat awkward posture, her voice rang out bright and clear, almost enough to light up the entire Nakayama Racecourse.
Cheers—only cheers. A tsunami-like roar from the stands threatened to scatter the gloomy sky itself.
They shouted for the Uma Musume they believed was the strongest, for the one most likely in this generation to achieve the Undefeated Triple Crown.
Thump, thump, thump.
Footsteps entered to the sound of cheers.
Black silk gloves tugged forcefully backward over her shoulders, and that brilliant, blood-red cape immediately fluttered like a war banner in mid-air.
Everyone could see her.
Everyone had to watch her.
She was the absolute powerhouse of this generation so far, the undefeated monster since her debut.
She was also the Crimson Sovereign who had gently ended the hopes of every other Uma Musume in this era, using victory to give the audience something to believe in.
Because of her, this generation could no longer be described as a battlefield of rivals.
Because all could only gaze at her back, slowly chanting her name, guided by the beating of their own hearts.
"Dream Weaver!"
Facing the immense cheers that seemed to come from the entire venue, Dream Weaver smiled faintly and nodded, waving to the stands.
"I will bring Victory to everyone."
By now, Dream Weaver possessed power unmatched in this generation.
If she willed it, victory was already in her grasp.
Just then, another commentator's voice came over the racecourse speakers. Kentaro Sugimoto took over from the exhausted Rin Akasaka and continued the introductions.
"The much-anticipated genius, the successor to the Emperor! Her dream of an Undefeated Triple Crown may be lost, yet even without an unbeaten record, the throne of the Triple Crown still shines bright!"
"On the track, you can only rely on yourself. O Uma Musume who challenges the monster alone to fulfill her dream—can you seize this final chance in her shadow?!"
"Number two, second favorite: Tokai Teio!"
Following Sugimoto's call, another striking red figure emerged from the tunnel.
Adorned with phoenix feathers in her hair, Tokai Teio stepped onto the Nakayama Racecourse.
Her racing outfit, like Dream Weaver's, used red as the main color scheme, also draped with a bright crimson cape—as if deliberately designed to oppose the other.
But unlike Dream Weaver's nearly gown-like outfit, Tokai Teio's ensemble was more streamlined.
A hooded short jacket and a skirt gave her a light, nimble appearance, as if she might soar into the sky at any moment.
Tokai Teio's entrance also drew considerable applause. Though most no longer believed she could defeat Dream Weaver, out of respect for her talent and her spirit, the crowd still offered their cheers.
Yet, it still couldn't compare to the spectacle of Dream Weaver's arrival.
However, Tokai Teio's expression showed little emotion.
It was as if she didn't care whether the audience gave her applause and encouragement or not.
In the VIP room, Symboli Rudolf frowned deeply. She had seen Tokai Teio much less over the past few months and had sensed something amiss.
But because Tokai Teio hadn't shown much change during their conversations—still clinging and acting spoiled as usual—Rudolf hadn't dwelled on it too much, assuming she was simply focused on Triple Crown training and had less time to visit.
But now… watching Tokai Teio, who should have been basking in the audience's cheers, display such startling calmness, a sense of unease began to stir inexplicably within Rudolf's heart.
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.