Chapter 53: Position Zero!
At this moment, Stardust Mirage, standing on stage, unaware that due to her unfamiliarity with the stage equipment, the images flashing through her mind were being displayed page by page on the large screen behind her.
She was still immersed in this performance.
"Stepping out of the station, the setting sun comes into view."
"Orange twilight blurs in my vision, quietly shining upon my falling tears..."
"A voice in my heart always tells me, this is where I belong."
That voice in her heart persuading her that giving up was right, that voice in her mind telling her stopping would be easier.
"Running amidst the crowd, striving upward and forward."
"Realizing that from some unknown time... I've always been forcing myself."
Stardust Mirage sang softly, past memories continuously flowing.
Since the debut race, those scenes of her journey were precisely... her own figure forcing herself to pursue victory even when putting on a brave front.
Facing the audience, she slowly stepped back, returning step by step to the initial high platform. Her hands clasped tightly in front of her, as if brewing immense power. Even the lights gradually dimmed...
"As long as I can run out—"
"—Look, it can be grasped in hand!"
"That once-missed... ticket to tomorrow!"
The next moment, all the stage lighting fixtures suddenly blazed, multicolored beams of light gathered in this young girl's hands, then bloomed into the most dazzling and gorgeous flower:
"Let's depart from here, start over again!"
"To realize what's in my heart, one more Reset!"
Stardust Mirage, singing with all her might, suddenly felt her hair sway slightly, the cape behind her also began to sway.
From somewhere unknown, wind began to blow on this stage belonging solely to her.
This headwind blowing towards her seemed to try and blow Stardust Mirage off the steps.
But she remained completely unaffected. Scattering the flower formed of gathered light towards the audience seats, she took one firm step after another up the steps, then stood at the highest point, the very center of the stage.
This was her position, the one and only Center position of the victor.
Now, there was only one thing for Stardust Mirage to do: sing out loud, pour all her feelings at this moment into her song, let everyone know her true intentions.
Agnes Digital hadn't been mistaken. At this moment, she wasn't performing for others as a victor.
Stardust Mirage was, as a horse girl, confessing everything about herself to all those watching her!
This was her, Revue of Confession!
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Below the stands, Rudolf Symbol watched the singing young girl on stage with full appreciation.
The lights changed continuously according to Stardust Mirage's will, the stage elevations coordinated with the song's atmosphere.
She had initially thought the other's performance might have hiccups like Oguri Cap or Special Week, given there was no intel on Stardust Mirage having any stage training.
But, seeing her so engrossed in her own performance, Rudolf couldn't help but let out a silent chuckle, feeling somewhat amused by her earlier worries.
Indeed, as long as one is willing to express oneself, how could a horse girl standing on the Winner's Stage not shine?
Unlike other horse girls who focused on singing and dancing, performing like idols.
Stardust Mirage was, in Rudolf's experience, the most adept competitor at utilizing stage equipment.
Everything on this stage seemed to become an aid for her self-expression.
Rendering Stardust Mirage's originally not particularly outstanding singing voice like a breeze brushing past every listener's face, making them unconsciously immerse in this song.
With Rudolf's discerning eye, she could clearly see every subtle expression on Stardust Mirage's face.
Even while singing, sharing her past failures with everyone, her eyes held no trace of confusion. It was the look of burning determination that comes from completely understanding what one desires now.
This song wasn't exactly cheerful, nor could it be described as blood-pumping. But precisely this feeling, like jogging across an open field with a breeze on your face, fresh air around, and seemingly birdsong in your ears, even Rudolf found herself somewhat intoxicated by it.
No, that's not the right way to put it.
It was precisely because Rudolf herself had once run to win, had fought to conquer the world, that she could be moved by the song, involuntarily recalling her own feelings from back then.
"Reset"—this song wasn't just announcing the reproduction of Stardust Mirage; it was also, through Stardust Mirage's singing and stage performance, guiding every listener to recall the original intention they might have once forgotten.
It was a process of guiding everyone to reexamine themselves, allowing them to reproduce their original aspirations.
"I never imagined you could be such a shining morning star, did I?"
Even Rudolf, who had pushed through opposition to specially recruit Stardust Mirage into the Central Academy, couldn't help but sincerely marvel at this moment.
There were quite a few horse girls who could run to their greatest potential, and quite a few who could shine on stage for every listener.
But what if the two were combined?
The singing on stage continued.
"So that starting tomorrow, I can laugh with someone."
"Hoping for something to change—so let's start from here!"
Holding onto the desire for each race, Stardust Mirage was speaking from her heart.
For even a 0.01% higher chance of winning a race, she was willing to run a thousand times on the training field.
The expectations placed upon her—from her sister, Old Man Musaka, Oguri cap, Trainer Toyama, Bourbon…
All that was left for her to do was this one thing:
"As long as I can run out—"
"—Look, I can seize it in my hands!"
"That missed… ticket to tomorrow!"
Narita Brian, who had just been wallowing in self-pity, could only stare blankly at the girl burning with passion.
Under Stardust Mirage's song, she began to feel ashamed for earlier attributing her failure to her condition.
The victor before her had already shown everyone her will, but what about her?
Why had she, Narita Brian, taken this race so lightly?
Stardust Mirage valued every single run this much.
But she realized she hadn't given her all to respond to that persistent for victory.
Next time… next time I will—!
"Let's set off from here, start again!"
"To achieve what's in my heart, once more—Reset!"
Sweat already covered Stardust Mirage's face, her hair sticking to her skin.
Just a few minutes of singing had left her in such a state, but the wind that had been blowing against her all along suddenly began to intensify!
The strong wind swept across her face, making her close her eyes, as if returning to the track where she gave her all.
—This track, the next track, every race from now on belonged to her!
"This vast world, it belongs to me!"
"Once more, run toward the goal—Reset!"
"The power to move forward fills me even more!"
"Once more, let's take that step—Start!"
The music and singing gradually faded, the lights dimming one by one.
Stardust Mirage maintained her final pose, arms wrapped around herself, gradually swallowed by the deepening darkness on stage…
"Is it over?"
Tokai Teio stared blankly into the darkness, as if not yet returned to her senses.
But in the next moment, Stardust Mirage's soft humming came from the darkened stage:
"Entrusted souls…"
"Bound souls…"
"The light fluttering its wings in the sky…"
"The bowstring has been drawn…"
Though there was no accompaniment now, the清唱 alone seemed to descend from the heavens—high, ethereal, as if telling another mysterious tale.
And as the final note fell, the sound of spotlights switching on echoed in the stage again:
Click, click, click!
Left, center, right—three high-powered spotlights flashed simultaneously, aimed at the very center of the stage.
Now, Stardust Mirage stood under the lights, holding a longsword, its tip resting on the ground right on the T-mark at the center of the stage.
The audience, who had thought the Winner's Ceremony was completely over, stared in surprise, their focus returning to this girl.
Watching her strike a pose, she declared to everyone:
"Position Zero! Today, this is the stage where I, Stardust Mirage, declare my debut!"
Note: I'm new to translating so please be kind and tell me any mistakes you all find, I will try to release a chapter a day but don't expect much
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