Sakurako Kazahaya sat hunched before her computer, eyes glued to the flickering clock on her screen.
There was still over an hour before the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe kicked off.
In truth, she didn't need to be this focused yet; she could have easily minimized the window and only clicked back a minute or two before the broadcast started.
But Sakurako didn't do that. She simply stared, her gaze so intense it felt as if she were trying to bore a hole through the monitor.
Because she had to record a pre-race prediction show, she couldn't make the trip to Paris Longchamp Racecourse in person. She was stuck at home, fated to witness this moment through a layer of glass.
Of course, the fact that she'd failed to snag a ticket was the real kicker.
If Sakurako had managed to get her hands on one, she would have applied for an early recording session and bolted for Paris without a second thought.
She wasn't sure whether to be annoyed that so many people had beaten her to the tickets, or happy that the Uma Musume she adored was commanding the world's attention.
Ultimately, with a heart full of complicated emotions, Sakurako remained in her chair rather than in the stands at Longchamp.
Still, her physical absence didn't stop her from showing her support.
She had lined up every piece of Dream Weaver merchandise she owned across her desk—acrylic stands, badges, and plushies were all arranged in neat rows facing the screen.
It was her way of sending her strength across the ocean to the girl she had cheered for all these years.
"The Arc... the Arc..."
Clutching the largest Dream Weaver plushie in her arms, she rested her chin on its soft head. Her eyes drifted as she watched the screen, whispering to herself.
"It doesn't matter. Just seeing you stand on that stage one last time is enough."
Like many fans, Sakurako didn't actually believe Dream Weaver could pull off a stunning performance today. Putting aside the "Arc Curse" that had haunted her for years, Dream Weaver's very last attempt at the Arc had shown a glaring decline.
It wasn't just the difference between second and third place.
It was the difference between being a frontrunner who lost by a hair at the wire, and a runner who had to give every ounce of her soul just to stay in the top three.
And that was two years ago. Even then, Dream Weaver's physical condition had already begun to slide.
Since then, she had spent two years working as a trainer. There hadn't been a single report of systematic training during that time, and the announcement of her entry into the Arc had been incredibly sudden.
Under the weight of such negative factors, no rational person could believe Dream Weaver stood a chance.
Even a die-hard fan like Sakurako couldn't talk herself into it.
Dream Weaver's comeback had captured the world's gaze, but the prevailing public opinion was grim.
This wasn't just coming from traditional news outlets, but also from the various fan forums where the most dedicated followers gathered.
Two years is a long time in the racing world—long enough for everything to change.
During her absence, two "monsters" had emerged, bringing a wave of new fans into the sport.
First, there was Sea the Stars, who had crushed the world's best to be crowned a global champion at the Arc.
Then came Equinox, who had just won the Autumn Tenno Sho back-to-back, and maintained a perfect, undefeated season with seven G1 titles under her belt.
The newcomers who had followed the sport because of those two only knew Dream Weaver as a name in the record books.
They had never seen the "Red Flash" in her prime; they only knew the era of Sea the Stars and Equinox.
Naturally, when this girl—someone they viewed as a historical relic, a name used by veteran fans to downplay the achievements of the current stars—returned to the stage, the reaction was predictable.
Tired of being looked down upon by the "old-timers" and their talk of "legacy," the newer fans took this chance to prove their favorites were superior to a girl who belonged in the past.
Strictly speaking, they weren't trying to be malicious at first; they just wanted to champion the Uma Musume they loved. But the objective advantage was simply too massive.
Given Dream Weaver's current state, even her most loyal supporters couldn't argue she would win.
In the court of public opinion, the sheer volume of Sea the Stars' fanbase had effectively steamrolled any hope for Dream Weaver.
With such an overwhelming edge and a "license to fire," the tone of the comments began to sour.
Anyone trying to stick up for Dream Weaver was labeled as "delusional" or "salty."
While traditional media maintained a shred of professional dignity, clickbait creators and individual users had turned the situation into a mockery. It had become a festival of ridicule aimed squarely at Dream Weaver.
Because her past record was so prestigious, the taunts didn't dare go too far, hovering just on the edge of "playful ribbing."
Still, Sakurako didn't want to hear it. She didn't want to see it.
That was why she sat there an hour early, staring at a broadcast room with the chat turned off. It was the only way to distance herself from the online frenzy.
Sakurako knew all too well that the era had changed. She could no longer huddle in her college dorm, excitedly chatting on her phone with fans from all over the country, celebrating a shared victory.
Times had moved on. The girl she loved was no longer the undisputed queen of the world.
This Arc wasn't a story of the world's strongest reclaiming her glory after a single fluke defeat—a narrative one could joke about with a smile.
This was really it. This was her final Arc, the final time she would ever step onto a racetrack. And it was a race she was destined to lose.
Sakurako didn't know why Dream Weaver had chosen this moment to risk every scrap of her career's honor. She didn't understand why she would endure such mockery just to challenge the Arc in this condition.
She was just a fan. Even if she had fulfilled her dream of becoming a host, she couldn't just walk up to Dream Weaver and demand answers.
The only thing Sakurako could think to do was what she had done on yesterday's show: speak as highly of Dream Weaver as possible. And now, she would sit before her computer, ignore the world's noise, and silently offer a prayer.
A blessing for the girl she loved most, and for her final race.
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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.