Mejiro McQueen was the undisputed protagonist of the Spring Tenno Sho. She was the only Uma Musume in history to achieve consecutive victories in the Tenno Sho (Spring), and her record of consecutive wins still stands today.
Her appearance always commanded the attention of the entire audience.
It could be said that over sixty percent of the audience present had come specifically for Mejiro McQueen.
"The absolute ruler of the Spring Tenno Sho, the highly anticipated star Mejiro McQueen finally makes her appearance. With her overwhelming strength in long-distance races, what kind of race will she bring us this time?"
The Announcer's tone carried an undisguised anticipation for Mejiro McQueen. As she introduced her, the audience once again erupted in enthusiastic cheers.
"We are all curious to see if Mejiro McQueen can maintain her record of dominating the Tenno Sho and what kind of achievement she will ultimately reach."
The Commentator, who usually didn't say much, also spoke at the opportune moment, but his simple words were enough to stir the passion in the heart of every audience member present.
"The G1 Spring Tenno Sho Ensemble."
"All Horse Girl have begun to enter the gates."
--
"Miss Teio~"
Beside them, Kitasan Black, who was nervously watching Mejiro McQueen on the track with Sakura Bakushin O and Satono Diamond, spotted Tokai Teio. She raised an arm high and waved to Tokai Teio.
"Trainer-san."
Tokai Teio approached the trio and greeted Sakura Bakushin O.
"How is Miss McQueen's condition?" Satono Diamond, a huge fan of Mejiro McQueen, was very concerned about her idol's current state.
"McQueen looks to be in good condition." Tokai Teio grinned, giving Satono Diamond and Kitasan Black a reassuring answer.
"That's good~" Satono Diamond patted her already quite developed chest, feeling a little relieved.
"You actually don't need to worry about McQueen. This is her fourth time participating in the Spring Tenno Sho. No one has more experience in this race than her." Tokai Teio said with a smile.
Sakura Bakushin O's eyebrows furrowed slightly upon hearing Tokai Teio's words, but her eyes were not on her teammates. Instead, she was constantly watching Mihono Bourbon, who was wearing a very eye-catching winning uniform on the track.
"McQueen will definitely be able to perform her best in the race. If there's any uncertainty about the outcome, it will be because of the other Horse Girl."
"Eh? Trainer-san, what do you mean?" Satono Diamond looked over.
"This time, it can truly be said that the strong are like clouds. Not only are there Biwa Hayahide and Narita Taishin, two members of BNW, but also powerful contenders from Canopus like Nice Nature and Machikane Opera."
Tokai Teio reminded them, indicating that the opponents Mejiro McQueen needed to watch out for in this race were not just Mihono Bourbon.
"The others are fine, but I always feel that Mihono Bourbon makes me quite concerned. Her Presence is even more intense than Rice Shower's was before." Sakura Bakushin O frowned, staring at Mihono Bourbon, and said slowly.
"Rice Shower, ah... It was such a pity last time."
Tokai Teio also cast a few more glances at Mihono Bourbon in the venue. Although Rice Shower was not a member of their TCB, she still felt a touch of regret for Rice Shower.
"Let's just watch for now." Sakura Bakushin O saw that the Horse Girl were ready to start and quickly reminded them.
"Rice Shower, who had this feeling last time, activated her domain. Could it be that Mihono Bourbon also...?" Sakura Bakushin O's delicate brows furrowed slightly, and she had a somewhat ominous premonition.
Of course, she couldn't be sure if her premonition was accurate, as she wasn't an Horse Girl who had entered a domain either.
"Go, McQueen!!"
"Four consecutive wins!!"
The teammates beside Sakura Bakushin O all cheered in unison for McQueen on the track.
--
"Although there was a small issue during Mejiro McQueen's gate entry in the last Spring Tenno Sho, it seems very smooth this time."
The Commentator, seeing that Mejiro McQueen did not experience the same tension-induced inability to enter the gate as last time, clearly had a more relieved tone.
But in reality, Mejiro McQueen's heart was not as calm as the Commentator described. This time, she was assigned to lane 4, which was closer to the inside, while Mihono Bourbon was assigned to the innermost lane 1.
Mejiro McQueen had no problems entering the gate, and the tension she had shown last time was gone from her face.
However, her attention kept drifting uncontrollably to Mihono Bourbon in the innermost lane, who always had an expressionless, robot-like demeanor.
The tension Mihono Bourbon brought her this time was far less intense and terrifying than what Rice Shower had given her last time.
Yet, Mejiro McQueen felt a sense of restraint and suppression from Mihono Bourbon beside her.
This feeling was very much like a volcano that had been accumulating for a long time, suppressed to the extreme and ready to erupt at any moment.
Although Mihono Bourbon's outward appearance lacked the beast-like Presence of Rice Shower that wanted to tear people apart, and she was two positions away from Mejiro McQueen, she still made Mejiro McQueen very concerned.
"The 3200-meter track, a test of stamina and strength, at the familiar Kyoto Racecourse."
"Now, all 15 Horse Girl have entered the gates."
"The Spring Tenno Sho is now..."
"Started!"
The gates sprang open, and fifteen Horse Girl surged out one after another.
"Mejiro McQueen, a very good start! It seems she's extremely familiar with the Kyoto Racecourse."
"Go, McQueen!!" The TCB teammates all cheered loudly in unison.
"This time, leading at the very front is indeed Mihono Bourbon, who has returned after a year of rest."
"Her usual tactic is to leave all the Horse Girl far behind at the start of the race and lead all the way to the end."
"Closely following Mihono Bourbon on the outside is Mejiro McQueen. With her outstanding strength and mentality, she is never disrupted by others' pace."
"Wait! Machikane Opera and Biwa Hayahide, on Mejiro McQueen's left and right, also seem to want to snatch the Leading (preceding) position. Their speed is extremely fast; they have already surpassed Mejiro McQueen!"
Mejiro McQueen is relatively good at running in the leading position. She can manage both leading and preceding well.
However, if there are Horse Girl specialized in leading, like Mejiro Dober or Mihono Bourbon, in the race, Mejiro McQueen will choose to follow closely and exert her strength in the final stages.
But this time, Mejiro McQueen's opponents were not just Mihono Bourbon, who was leading at the front. Biwa Hayahide and Machikane Opera, who also preferred to run in a preceding position, had their eyes on Mejiro McQueen, an Horse Girl of exceptional strength.
Mejiro McQueen's gaze was fixed on Mihono Bourbon, who was leading at the very front, but she hadn't expected that Machikane Opera and Biwa Hayahide on both sides had silently reached a consensus.
"These two have actually reached a consensus, willing to expend more stamina in the early stages just to block my front position?!"
Mejiro McQueen's eyebrows furrowed. Looking at Machikane Opera and Biwa Hayahide, who were closely flanking her lane, one on the left and one on the right, she felt a bit troublesome.