"Welcome everyone, to Tracen Academy's mock race! We will be providing commentary and introductions for this mock race that is so similar to an official one you couldn't even tell!"
In the commentary stand, two Uma Musume were serving as hosts and commentators. One of them, a short, gray-haired Uma Musume, looked quite excited, forming a stark contrast with the other gray-haired Uma Musume beside her, who appeared to be busy eating a comically large onigiri. (T/N: Fatty!)
"I, Tamamo Cross, will be providing live commentary for this race! And our other host is—Oguri? OGURI! STOP EATING!"
"—I ahm Ohguri Kap, pheased ho mheet u." Under Tamamo Cross's frantic calling, the other gray-haired Uma Musume named Oguri Cap finally stuffed the large onigiri into her mouth, saying incoherently while still chewing, with a few grains of rice still clinging to the corners of her bulging mouth.
However, even though Oguri Cap did nothing but speak, her mere words drew cheers from the audience and on the stage. Clearly, Oguri Cap's popularity lived up to her status as a legendary Uma Musume, and it was no wonder why she was chosen to be a commentator this time.
"Alright, ahem, after an intense selection process, only these thirteen newly enrolled Uma Musume will be participating in this mock race. To be as similar as an official race, we have also conducted a popularity poll!" Tamamo Cross coughed dryly before immediately lively commenting:
"The rankings are determined via a poll that was filled by our students and does not represent a ranking of ability, but it is absolutely fair and just!"
"First up, number thirteen, Twin Turbo! She looks full of confidence!"
"Number twelve, Matikanetannhauser! I hope you don't get another nosebleed before the race again!"
Tamamo Cross started commenting on the results of the popularity poll one by one. In the stands, Ikezoe and Wada, who had already arrived in the spectator area, heard several familiar names and couldn't help but feel a little emotional.
"This really is an all-star race; it feels like we're watching the Arima Kinen."
"Indeed, Twin Turbo, Matikanetannhauser—already two familiar names." Wada also couldn't help but sigh. However, neither of them took them too seriously as they knew the Racehorse versions of these two. While they didn't want to be rude, these two truly posed no threat to their assigned Uma Musume.
But soon, they heard other names that warranted their attention.
"—Number seven, Special Week! She recently joined Tracen Academy from Hokkaido and got second place in the last selection test for Team Rigil! I have high hopes for her!" (T/N: Two of the biggest fatties introduced in a single chapter.)
"Next up is number six, Meisho Doto…!"
"Special Week? She's here too?" However, when Wada and Ikezoe heard this familiar name, they both unconsciously looked at Special Week, who had just stepped off the stage after her introduction, their eyes shining with surprise.
Among them, Wada was quite familiar with this Uma Musume's name. He, while riding T.M. Opera O, faced against Yutaka Take who had once ridden Special Week in more than one confrontation, leading to their rivalry.
The two could be said to have had their share of victories and defeats. For Wada, as a Jockey, Special Week was indeed a formidable rival—of course, so was Yutaka Take.
"So, what are you going to do? Specifically target Special Week?" Ikezoe saw through Wada's thoughts and couldn't help but ask.
"…No, Special Week has just enrolled. She still has not undergone systematic training for long, so she poses little threat to T.M. Ope— no, to Doto."
Although Wada had such a thought at first, he quickly regained his composure and shrugged, saying, "If we really want to win this time, then we should focus on Tokai Teio or McQueen. Special Week… is still quite far from the Special Week I'm familiar with."
"Better safe than sorry." Ikezoe, however, had a slightly different idea from Wada. He had no intention of having Curren Chan aim for first place as it was simply impossible; a 2000-meter medium-distance race was a guaranteed death sentence for a sprinter like Curren Chan. So, Ikezoe had planned to do something to help Curren Chan gather some popularity.
Soon, they also heard several familiar names, such as King Halo, Narita Top Road, and Agnes Digital, until finally, the true threats in this race were announced. (T/N: NTR!!!!!!!! I FUCKING LOVE NTR!!!!!!!!!!!!)
"And now for the main event!" At this moment, Tamamo Cross finally announced the last and most popular two, saying with some excitement in her tone, "Now! The second most popular! It's the rising star of the Mejiro Family, IT, IS, MEJIRO MCQUEENNNNNNN!"
At Tamamo Cross's announcement, Mejiro McQueen slowly walked onto the stage. As an Uma Musume of the Mejiro Family, she has been under the spotlight ever since she first enrolled, and this time, no one was surprised at her being the second most popular.
"McQueen! Go for it!"
"You must win, McQueen!"
As soon as McQueen stepped onto the track, cheers immediately erupted from the stands. McQueen looked over in surprise and realized a group of her sisters had all appeared in the stands to watch her race.
And beside them, there was another figure McQueen was very familiar with… "Everyone, and Grandmother…" McQueen was not told that they would come to watch the mock race, so she was quite surprised. However, she quickly nodded firmly, strengthening her resolve.
Trainer Imanami hasn't arrived yet… Last time I saw him, he seemed to be recovering well, but he probably hasn't been discharged from the hospital yet.
However, I will not lose, Trainer Imanami. I'm sure you're watching me on live television right now, aren't you? Please rest assured, I will definitely win!
"And now, the undisputed number one most popular Uma Musume! Tracen Academy's unofficial mascot and rising star! IT, IS, TOKAI TEIOOOOOOO!"
"Thump."
With Tamamo Cross's announcement and the cheers of many spectators, Mejiro McQueen snapped back to reality and looked beside her. At this moment, Tokai Teio was already standing next to McQueen, maintaining a confident expression, and deliberately looking at McQueen.
At this moment, the eyes of both girls burned with a fighting spirit. Although it was not an official race, their mutual rivalry had already ignited.
"T.M showdown, redo!" Ikezoe also rubbed his hands together with a bit of excitement. Although neither of them was his assigned Uma Musume, witnessing the rivalry between Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen was enough to excite him.
In another part of the spectator stand, Orfevre was also mixed in with the crowd, silently observing the opening of the race. However, her gaze was no longer on Curren Chan, but rather on Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen, who were now displaying a desire to contend.
Why and how did they have such a strong fighting spirit? The timid Orfevre was now trying to find answers in this race, to find something that would possibly allow her to unleash her strength… On another side, T.M. Opera O was also looking down at Doto's figure. At this moment, the girls had already entered the gates. This time, T.M. Opera O was watching alone without Hana Toujou, intending to witness Doto's progress firsthand.
"Well then, let me see, Doto, let me see how much you have grown under Wada-kun's training."
What T.M. Opera O sees in this race would definitely determine what tactics she will use in the Mainichi Hai, whether to adopt a more aggressive approach or a more conservative one.
Even though she also really wanted to join Wada's Team, with her desires becoming more and more stronger each passing day, the Overlord simply could not just concede victory… Meanwhile, in the hospital room, Gold Ship was currently with Imanami. Gold Ship was peeling an apple for Imanami on the hospital bed and feeding him, taking care of him with such thoughtful detail that it would make anyone who knew her question reality.
Is this Gold Ship? Is this really the Gold Ship who causes nothing but trouble? Are you sure this isn't just a kind granddaughter taking care of her grandfather?!
But no one else was there at the moment. Gold Ship and Imanami were both focused on the live broadcast on television. At this moment, all the Uma Musume had entered the gates. Gold Ship also laughed:
"Heh heh, McQueen recovered so quickly! It's a pity the great Gold Ship can't participate, otherwise I definitely would have shown them my true power!"
"By the way old man, do you think McQueen can win? Can she beat Doto and Tokai Teio?"
"Well…" Imanami himself wasn't entirely sure. Back in his previous world, whether one wins is not only a test of the Racehorse itself but also of the Jockey. The Jockey's judgment and actions would influence the Racehorse's performance and ultimately decide who would be the winner.
But in this world, Uma Musume run on their own on the racetrack. Their Trainers can only set up their tactics beforehand, and how to truly respond depends on the Uma Musume's own judgment—a very important part of the Jockey's job is omitted.
However, even so, Imanami had great confidence in McQueen.
"If McQueen wins, perhaps she can surpass the achievements of the original Tokai Teio and become a new Miracle."
"Clang!" At this moment, a sound came from the television—the sound of the gate opening!
"A perfect sta— no! Special Week was late! SPECIAL WEEK I HAD HIGH HOPES FOR YOU WHADA YOU DOI—!"
"No..., now is not the time for that. Okay, the Uma Musume currently in the lead is—Tokai Teio! Mejiro McQueen and Meisho Doto are close behind! Followed by Curren Chan!"
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Tamamo was crashing out so hard this chapter ngl.
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If you spot any errors, feel free to comment about it and I will fix it as soon as I can.