Amanohashidate.
Rudolph was also incredulous after seeing this scene. She hadn't expected Hayakawa Tazuna's real life equivalent to end up like this. Her fists involuntarily clenched.
But she told herself that fortunately, there was a chance to make amends. The appearance of Trainer Mizuki's diary gave all Uma Musume the possibility to change these imperfect endings.
She also firmly believed that no matter which Uma Musume it was, no matter how much potential she had to win championships, her own safety must first be ensured.
However, Sirius Symboli, next to Rudolph, had more thoughts. Sirius Symboli believed that Umas could conquer nature.
"Rudolph, I know what you're thinking now, but I advise you not to interfere too much with others' destinies. If you found yourself injured before the Triple Crown, and participating in the race would carry great risks, even so, would you be willing to give up your dream of an undefeated Triple Crown?"
"Sometimes, everyone runs for this dream, even if they die, they want to die on the running track."
Sirius Symboli said quietly.
"Hmm, to be honest, if it were me... I would definitely go, but no matter what, there must be a limit. Injuries are also part of the race; everyone knows this. How to handle the balance is one of the areas I need to improve on."
Rudolph's expression became thoughtful. She knew the significance of a race to an Uma Musume, but on this basis, she wanted to protect every Uma Musume as much as possible, teach them warm-up exercises, increase funding for the cafeteria to supplement every Uma Musume's nutrition, and supervise them to prevent over-training.
After all, she felt that being able to prevent these things from happening was the most important.
"Heh, that is indeed a statement in your style. Work hard for it, Student Council President."
Sirius Symboli said. Although she was annoyed with Rudolph and often spoke against her, she still acknowledged her in this regard.
"Thank you, Sirius Symboli, for specifically reminding me. I'm truly grateful."
Rudolph also smiled gently.
"Hey, who specifically reminded you? Don't give me that soppy shit or I'll hit you."
Sirius Symboli, however, broke character. Being spoken to like that by Rudolph was more unbearable than being killed.
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Everyone at Tracen was now ready to eat. They had been busy in the cabin for so long, and the meal, made self-sufficiently like camping, seemed especially delicious, filled with the taste of happiness and memories.
At night, the stars in the sky seemed to twinkle. Many Uma Musume, after their run, also went back to take a fragrant shower and changed into their clothes. The air at Amanohashidate was fresh, and a gentle breeze blew, caressing their rosy cheeks. It was extremely comfortable.
"Time to eat, time to eat, Taishin!"
Winning Ticket was grinning. Her stomach had been growling for almost half an hour now.
She had a great day today. She got to have a close match with Sakura Bakushin O, see Trainer Mizuki's rendition of Umapyoi Densetsu, and go for a nice run after everything was said and done. Her dream, like was to win the Japanese Derby, just like Tazuna.
"Hmph, I actually got a bad pull again. I'm quitting this game, dammit! Why do I always hit the pity counter?!"
Narita Taishin gritted her teeth after another bad round of gacha pulls.
Fortunately, she was a super whale and had saved up hundreds of pulls. This setback wouldn't hurt her too much.
And when she said she was quitting the game, it was just a player's impotent rage.
"Did you get anything good before hitting pity?"
Biwa Hayahide asked.
"Nothing but early-release characters, now long outdated, and almost useless for early game."
Narita Taishin was very upset.
"Huh? Is it the newest character? I got her, Taishin! I just logged in and found I had one more pull, pressed it, and got her. It was very easy."
Winning Ticket said, pumping her fist.
"Ah? You... you got her in one pull? And I had to hit pity?!"
Narita Taishin was dumbfounded upon hearing this. Her own failure was heartbreaking, but her friend's success pained her even more.
Winning Ticket's words hit her hard, and her mood instantly plummeted to Awful.
"Haha, Taishin, you look quite cute like that…"
Biwa Hayahide couldn't help but laugh. It was rare for her to see Taishin so flustered.
Although it was cruel to Taishin, she couldn't help but want to laugh.
"It's okay, Taishin. I told you I have good luck, didn't I? Next time, I'll pull for you!"
The three of them chatted and laughed as they walked towards the cabin. The scent of steamed rice already wafted through the air, lifting Taishin's spirits.
It wasn't just rice, a feast awaited them: Mapo Tofu, Coke Chicken Wings, hand-rolled sushi, stir-fried pork with green peppers, corn and pork rib soup, and a massive platter of grilled fish right in the center, still sizzling with steam...
Inside the cabin:
"Ticket, head over to table three, I'll bring you your food there. By the way, are there still people showering? About half the group is here now," Nice Nature said with a smile, tying her apron.
"Yeah, they'll be out soon. We'll wait for everyone before we eat." Even though Winning Ticket was starving, she insisted on waiting for the full group.
Gradually, everyone arrived. The cabin soon buzzed with a steady stream of Uma Musume filling every seat as delicious dishes were brought out one by one.
"Alright everyone, we're all here. Dig in!" Mizuki announced.
"It smells so good!" Oguri Cap couldn't wait a second longer. She popped a Coke Chicken Wing into her mouth, followed by another, and another, polishing off a dozen in an instant as a mere appetizer.
"Mmm... did Tannhauser-san make these wings? They're delicious." She nodded, then served herself a mountain of rice. Without hesitation, she entered "Full-Throttle Eating Mode."
Over with Team Spica:
"This grilled fish is so crispy, Trainer-san!" Special Week praised the dish endlessly. "The fish everyone made is the best I've ever had! It's better than any restaurant! Truly the best, uuuu!"
"If it's good, eat your fill," Mizuki laughed.
"It's because of the memories," Hokko Tarumae added with a smile. "Spe-chan helped wash the rice and chop the carrots, so there's a flavor bonus."
"Then I'll have a bite of the carrots Spe-chan chopped. Mmm, tastes great," Mizuki teased.
"Yay!" Spe-chan's eyes sparkled.
Elsewhere:
"Trainer Mizuki doesn't just have great knife skills, the marinade on this fish is excellent. And this Mapo Tofu and shredded pork... Neicha-san and Tannhauser-san made these, right? What a shame. If I'd come to eat at Tracen sooner, I might have actually grown taller."
Inari One was still a bit sensitive about her height. She used to be a picky eater, but she figured if she'd had food like this every day, she would have been polishing off three bowls a meal since she was a foal.
Admire Vega, T.M. Opera O, Narita Top Road, and Meisho Doto ate more delicately. Opera O was the picture of elegance, while Meisho Doto saved the tastiest morsel of grilled meat for last. Just as she went to take that final, glorious bite, it slipped and fell onto the floor.
She burst into tears on the spot, but fortunately, Opera O shared a piece of hers.
"Vega, Opera O, Doto, everyone smile!" Narita Top Road pulled out her phone and moved to the front to take a photo.
Seeing this, Opera O immediately pulled Admire Vega and Meisho Doto into a hug, a dazzling smile on her face. Vega looked slightly panicked.
Click.
Top Road captured the moment, then set a timer so all four of them could be in a shot together.
Soon, everyone from Tracen started taking photos, and the atmosphere became incredibly joyful.
Team Spica, of course, took a commemorative group photo. Mizuki sat in the center with Spe-chan, McQueen, Teio, and the others standing around her. Some rested their hands on her shoulders, others flashed peace signs for a happy "family portrait."
The first photo was relaxed and casual, for the second, they all did their victory poses— except Gold Ship, who tilted her head and stuck her tongue out. It made McQueen laugh so hard her stomach hurt.
Gold Ship had officially become the star of the photo.
The BNW trio devoured their food until they couldn't take another bite. They started playing Rock-Paper-Scissors, where the loser had to eat a bit more as punishment, until they were all clutching their stomachs, completely stuffed.
Smart Falcon performed some "Idol Magic☆" on a bowl of rice before handing it to Eishin Flash, leaving Flash quite bewildered.
"Falcon-san, does that really make the food taste better?"
Falco nodded with firm conviction. "Food blessed by idol magic is bound to be tastier! That's the power of an idol☆!"
Haru Urara was practicing "Stealth Ninjutsu." Everyone played along, pretending they couldn't see her, which made her incredibly happy.
In the Uma Musume world, ninjas are a recognized trope, which is fitting given the Japanese cultural setting.
The area was bustling and full of life. Admire Vega looked up at the stars. In the past, she wouldn't have been in the mood for this, feeling that such joy belonged only to her sister.
But now she knew she couldn't stay trapped in the past. She had to look forward, letting her sadness fade as she found the motivation to make amends.
She wanted to save her sister in the real horse world and see the day where they could run side-by-side. She believed that day would come.
"Hishi Akebono, look! There are so many little Uma Musume over there. Are they here to play too? Let's go play 'Hero' with them!" Biko Pegasus was full and had spotted some younger Uma Musume playing nearby.
"Sure thing! What are they playing? Hopscotch? Tag? No wait— they're playing our childhood favorites!"
Akebono felt a wave of nostalgia. She and her friends used to jump rope and play with toy cars when they were little.
"Hey, count me in too!" Shinko Windy said excitedly. She rarely got to come to Amanohashidate, she couldn't pass up the chance to mess with these little kids while here.
For a lot of people, the sight of Windy was a bit frightening. In Tracen, she was known for biting others... right up until Hishi Amazon taught her a lesson by having a drooling Agnes Digital try to bite her back.
Windy had apologized in a panic— it turned out being the one bitten was terrifying.
Still, Windy figured she could still scare the little ones by playing the villain in their hero games, she had plenty of experience.
This trait of Windy's was based on her real-horse counterpart, who was naughty and frequently bit other horses. He even bit rivals during races two separate times, which resulted in him finishing second both times.
Interestingly, after retirement, he became an unparalleled "teaser horse" (which are used to check if mares are in heat). Even the foreign staff at the farm said they'd never seen such a great teaser horse, he wouldn't even get angry if an excited mare kicked him.
Poor Shinko Windy. As a teaser horse, he got the mares excited only to watch them get led away to mate with other stallions.
Talk about a rough job.
Then again, not mating frequently might be a blessing, if we take a picture of the current racing king Equinox and compare it to to a picture taken after he spends a few years as a stud, it'll be obvious how draining the job is.
"Sure, let's go play," Biko Pegasus said. The three of them went to play with the kids, planning to come back later for the "Blind Box" draw using the points they'd earned from gaming all day.
Near the tower at Amanohashidate, many young Uma Musume were playing. This area was far from Tokyo but close to the countryside, and with the arcade and amusement facilities, it was a popular spot.
Among the kids were Mikki Rocket, Vivlos, and Noble Mars. In real history, Mikki Rocket won the 2018 Takarazuka Kinen, while Mars Exploration was 3rd and Vivlos 4th.
They hadn't matured yet and just happened to be there.
"Hehe, Mikki's gonna show you a yo-yo trick today! It's called the 'Rocket'!" Mikki Rocket said confidently, her expression adorable.
Her toy of choice was a yo-yo, and since her trick shared her name, she was quite proud. The other kids looked on with admiration, stepping back to give her space.
Mikki Rocket began her performance. She put the yo-yo into a "sleep" state, then slowly slipped the loop off her finger. Holding the string, she tugged upward, making the yo-yo fly high into the air while winding the string back. It looked just like a rocket launch. As it fell, she caught it perfectly.
As Vodka would say, this trick was very cool.
"Wow, Mikki Rocket! You're a total yo-yo master!" Little Vivlos had stars in her eyes.
"Yeah! I haven't even learned that Rocket trick yet. I have to learn it today! If I'm 'Noble Mars', I definitely need a rocket!" the other girl added, nodding cutely.
"Ehehe, am I great or what?" Mikki Rocket was overjoyed. She had practiced for ages and had been incredibly nervous, so succeeding felt amazing. She was soaking up the praise.
"Ha~~~hahaha! Are you Mikki Rocket-san? That was truly magnificent!"
Suddenly, the laughter of T.M. Opera O rang out. She had appeared behind Mikki Rocket and clapped gracefully.
"Of course! Onee-san, do you want to learn? I can teach... wait... you... you're..." Mikki Rocket turned around with a smile, but froze when she saw the figure before her.
A tall, beautiful, powerful Uma Musume with a self-intoxicated smile, literally glowing. It was her idol, the Overlord of the Century's End, T.M. Opera O!
"Opera O-san!" Mikki Rocket thought she was dreaming. She took a few steps back in disbelief.
"This is life! Like an opera, filled with dramatic encounters at every turn. No need for surprise— it is indeed I!" Opera O laughed, putting her hands on her hips.
"It really is you!" Mikki Rocket rushed forward and hugged Opera O's leg. The two of them hit it off instantly, laughing together in sync.
"Ha~~~hahaha~~~!"
Vivlos was stunned. How did they get so perfectly in sync without even talking?
"Yo, little ones! Would you like to see the charm of magic?"
Fuji Kiseki had arrived as well. She sat beneath a massive ancient tree, the starlight making her look even more dashing. Even Opera O was stunned— her spotlight was being stolen by Fuji's sheer handsomeness.
"So cool! You're..." Vivlos beamed with admiration. Fuji Kiseki's appearance was enough to make any heart flutter.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Fuji Kiseki from Tracen Academy, a passing magician. Would you like to witness a miracle?" Fuji smiled, she really had a way with the ladies.
"YES!!" the little Uma Musume shouted in unison. Many Tracen students gathered to watch too.
"Alright then. I'll show you a magic-like yo-yo technique: The Magic Glove!"
As it turned out, Fuji Kiseki was a yo-yo expert too. As a magician, her fingers were incredibly nimble. She took a yo-yo and began.
The "Magic Glove" is an advanced two-handed trick. With a smile, she launched the yo-yo, using her left hand to support the string while her right hand wove the line through her fingers, creating complex loops between her thumb and index fingers. She twisted her fingers, forming string circles around her left hand.
Once all four fingers on her left hand were encased in loops, she paused and winked. "Are you ready?"
The kids nodded frantically. They'd never seen anything like this.
"Then, witness the miracle." She gave the string a gentle tug. Like a magic trick, the loops on her left hand unraveled instantly, and the yo-yo returned to her hand.
Fuji Kiseki smiled, gave a graceful bow, and returned the yo-yo. It was elegant and charming.
While the "Magic Glove" is a relatively simple advanced trick, it was perfect for dazzling an audience and making the kids happy. The cheers were far louder than for Mikki Rocket's trick.
"So amazing, Fuji Kiseki-senpai!" Vivlos was now a total fan.
"Ha~~~hahaha~~~! Is my radiance being stolen by Fuji Kiseki-san? Truly magnificent, incredible!" Opera O clapped. She didn't know many yo-yo tricks, though she could do "Victoria's Stage," a simpler move.
The little Umas tried their best to replicate these tricks, to mixed results.
"Oh no! It's a dead knot! This Magic Glove is too hard," little Vivlos sniffled.
"I can't untie mine either," Noble Mars added piteously.
"Is it like this, Opera O-san?" Mikki Rocket was quite clever, despite her age, she picked it up quickly.
"Exactly, that's a perfect Glove!"
"..."
As Mizuki watched the girls play with their yo-yos, she felt a pang of regret. If she had chosen to save her cheats instead of using them all at once, she could've wowed everyone here.
She quickly got over the feeling of regret. She stretched and lay down on the grass near a large tree. Looking up at the stars, she felt that the sky was truly beautiful. It was completely unlike the sky in the city.
This peaceful, leisurely time was truly wonderful.
Mejiro McQueen walked over and sat beside her, followed by Special Week and a tired Twin Turbo. They began chatting about their dreams. Mizuki used her mind to update her log, capturing the moment.
[Dinner today was fantastic. Matikane Tannhauser is a great cook, and Nature is quite skilled too. Nishino Flower's soup was light but delicious. Super Creek's portions are always generous, and Ines Fujin knows how to whip up quick meals. She probably picked up her skills from her part-time jobs.]
[I'm thoroughly satisfied. Watching the girls play with the yo-yos afterward made me feel like a little girl again.]
[Speaking of little girls, it's been a while since I've seen Invincible. I wonder how she's doing.]
[I've been researching the Uma Musume world. The reason there are fewer races in China here is different from my previous life. The sport simply developed slower. Maybe one day I can host races in mainland China?]
[The Uma Musume in my homeland don't have many races to run in. They're forced to either give up on their dreams or move to a different country to compete.]
[It sounds sad, doesn't it? Being forced to make a choice like that?]
[In my original world, horse racing in China was tied to gambling, which was problematic. There were also complex quarantine issues. But in the Tracen world, gambling doesn't exist in that way. Support is through legal sports lotteries— it's all legitimate and regulated.]
[I hope that one day, every Uma Musume has a place like Tracen to help them grow and plenty of local races around to run in.]
[Maybe that's why I was transmigrated into this world?]
[I don't think I'd mind if that's the case. My life here is already much better than it was back in my original world.]
[I just wish I knew why I was brought here in the first place.]
Meanwhile, in Hong Kong.
Late at night, Invincible had already gathered with Golden Sixty, Werther, and others. Under the guidance of River Verdon, they began physical training.
River Verdon was putting Invincible through specialized training: Stamina first, then arm and leg strength. She used three main methods: Weighted running, brick hanging, and the "egg jump."
For weighted running, Invincible had 30kg strapped to her legs. For brick hanging, she had to stand up straight and hang bricks from her arms while her arms are parallel to the ground— starting with one, but building up to over a dozen. It was incredibly taxing on the arms.
As for the egg jump, she had to hop over eggs without breaking them. If one broke, it meant her power control was off, resulting in an extra minute of brick hanging.
To be honest, this training was nothing like what she experienced in Japan. She felt like she was being pushed to her limit. She was currently on her final 1000m of the weighted run.
"Ha... ha... so tired. It's only been thirty minutes and my legs are giving out. This is hell..."
Invincible grit her teeth, drenched in sweat. But she saw Golden Sixty running ahead, seemingly adjusted to the pace.
"Hey, Invincible! Are you taking a stroll? Didn't you just say you'd finish faster than everyone else?"
River Verdon walked over with a branch and gave Invincible a light smack across the back.
"Uuuu, don't hit me!" Invincible shielded her head, looking pitiful, but she forced herself to keep running.
River Verdon said sternly, "f your speed drops on the next lap, I'll add an extra three minutes of brick hanging."
Werther whispered, "Verdon-san, aren't you being too harsh? Invincible's eyes are getting red, she's about to cry."
River Verdon replied, "She'll be fine. Once she sees the log, her fighting spirit will return. Did you see? Trainer Mizuki wants to build up the racing scene in China. If she succeeds and racing becomes popular across China, we'll face the world's best. If we don't train harder now, we'll be crushed by other regions."
Werther read the log and gasped. "Wow, Verdon-senpai, I agree with you! My blood is pumping just hearing that. By the way, move over and let me sit for a bit."
River Verdon snapped back, "Wait a minute! You're just using 'pleading for Invincible' as an excuse to slack off, aren't you?"
"What? I've been exposed!" Werther's tail stood up in fright, and she scrambled back to her run. She was terrified of River Verdon's discipline, but she was also excited by Mizuki's diary.
If Trainer Mizuki actually tried to build up the racing scene in China, she'd be one of the first to help.
Invincible was indeed feeling aggrieved, but when she saw Mizuki's log, she was stunned. She hadn't expected Mizuki to feel that way about the racing scene in China.
As River Verdon said, the thought gave her a second wind. Even if it was just an idea, she wanted to be strong enough to help.
"YEAAAHH!!!!" she roared, power exploding from her small frame as she surged forward.
"Ha... ha... finally finished..."
When the set was over, she unstrapped the weights. She felt incredibly light. She did a little hop and was amazed. Despite the fatigue, she felt nimble enough to run another five kilometers.
"See? Don't think 30kg is much. Uma Musume in Japan pull tires weighing 100kg, sometimes even 200kg, as a light warmup. We can't lose to them," River Verdon said.
"I see! I'll work hard, Ms. Verdon! This training is nothing to me now!" Invincible pumped her fist.
"Is that so? Since you're so motivated, I'll give you some help. We're adding an extra session of brick hanging tonight!" Verdon laughed. Invincible was always impulsive and free-spirited like that.
"EEHHH?!" Invincible hadn't expected her bravado to backfire. But there was no choice, the "Hong Kong Special Training Montage" continued.
Actually, River Verdon had already met Urban Sea and Sea The Stars. When they arrived in Hong Kong, the media swarmed them. Every move they made grabbed headlines.
Verdon was determined to defeat Urban Sea in the upcoming Hong Kong International Cup before setting her sights on the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
However, Verdon remembered Sea The Stars. After she arrived, she had a practice run with some other Uma Musume. The result was chilling.
The Hong Kong Triple Crown consists of the Stewards' Cup (1600m), the Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m), and the ING Hong Kong Champions and Chater Cup (2400m).
Sea The Stars had run a 2000m distance race and won by 5 lengths. By the end of it, she still had plenty of strength to spare.
Verdon wanted to challenge her, but Sea The Stars had already returned to Ireland. Verdon wasn't worried, she would defeat Urban Sea first.
She didn't know that Sea The Stars had gone back specifically to discipline Baaeed.
Meanwhile, in Ireland.
"Sweet! Solemia is going to duel Baaeed!"
High Chaparral, a famous Irish Uma Musume, was watching the drama unfold with excitement.
"Hey, have you noticed? Baaeed and Sea The Stars look so similar. Do all the powerhouses look the same?" someone asked.
"Who do you think will win? Solemia or Baaeed?"
"Solemia, obviously! Don't go cheering for the other side and killing our own morale!"
In the Irish school, even though they knew Baaeed's record was terrifying, they still believed in Solemia.
Baaeed and Solemia stood on the same starting line. This one-on-one duel was electrifying. They were challenging a 2400m distance— the same as the Arc.
"Solemia, I'll show you my true strength. Remember my name, one day, I will be the World's Strongest Racer. Even Sea The Stars will fall to me," Baaeed said with inexplicable confidence.
"You are strong, but I don't think you have what it takes to face Sea The Stars yet," Solemia replied bluntly.
"Is that so? She should be back soon. I look forward to it." Baaeed took a deep breath, her aura shifting completely.
At the starting line, an official raised her arm. "On your marks... Get set..."
"GO!"
The arm dropped, and the race began. Baaeed and Solemia lunged forward, neck and neck.
"I'm not giving up the inside lane!"
Baaeed struck first, seizing the optimal position with an initial burst of speed.
"Hoo..." Solemia didn't speak. She remained calm. As a "chaser" type, she purposefully let Baaeed take the lead to break the wind for her, intending to settle the score in the final 400m.
Baaeed noted this. She remained remarkably calm and actually slowed her pace. She was Sea The Stars' child, after all. While perhaps not as genius as her mother, she was very smart. If she saved her strength for a final sprint against Solemia, she was confident in a win.
Solemia grit her teeth as the pace slower. This newcomer was even more formidable than she looked.
By the time they passed the 1200m mark, the crowd was buzzing.
"She's keeping up! Solemia hasn't been gapped much!"
"No, Solemia is in trouble. This Baaeed is something else."
"Why? They're so close."
"She saw through Solemia's intent. She slowed down to maintain the lead, preserving stamina for the sprint. It's going to be very hard for Solemia-senpai to pass her at the end," Pilsudski remarked.
Speaking of Pilsudski, her real-horse history was legendary: Six G1 wins, including the Champion Stakes, Irish Champion Stakes, Eclipse Stakes, Grosser Preis von Baden, Breeders' Cup Turf, and the Japan Cup.
The 1997 Japan Cup was particularly impactful. " The "Empress" Air Groove was the favorite, but Pilsudski had a... physiological reaction upon seeing Air Groove in the paddock, entering the gates with his "Little Pilsudski" standing tall.
In fact, even after the race began, he continued to brandish his "Little Pilsudski." Under heavy whipping, he spent the entire race in a mad pursuit of Air Groove. As for what exactly he intended to do to her, no one could say for certain, but that was how he overtook her and claimed victory in the Japan Cup.
This race served as Pilsudski's retirement match. He ultimately defeated Air Groove by a nose. It was a "legendary" event that likely only happens once a century.
However, it is said that the 1997 Japan Cup left a significant psychological shadow on Air Groove.
It's understandable— think about it, what sane person wants to be chased across a racetrack by someone suddenly their "little buddy"? You'd be terrified too.
Following this race, many JRA fans, when creating fan content for Pilsudski's Uma Musume persona, began adding a fixed line of dialogue: "Hehe, Air Groove, here I come! Air Grooove~~~"
Oddly enough, he is also the older brother of Fine Motion. In the Umamusume game, Air Groove's roommate is Fine Motion.
Clearly, this was a deliberate arrangement by Cygames.
Pilsudski had previously faltered at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, finishing as the runner-up. Across two Arc appearances, he was beaten by a combined total of over ten lengths. There was nothing he could do. His opponents were too strong:
Helissio in '96 and Peintre Celebre in '97. Both horses showcased ultimate closing speed at the end of the Arc, becoming famous overnight.
"Pilsudski, based on what you said, this Baaeed really has some moves. No wonder she's so arrogant," the Uma Musume in Ireland fretted.
"They've reached the final 400 meters! It's time to decide the winner!" Pilsudski declared, still silently rooting for Solemia.
"What powerful momentum... they've both revealed their trump cards!"
The eyes of the crowd lit up.
On the track:
Solemia let out a roar. Her speed surged to the limit as she charged forward with a ferocious expression, radiating a violent aura. She was an Arc winner, after all, and rings of scorching crimson energy seemed to wrap around her.
Enveloped in this powerful airflow, she received a terrifying boost, driving her madly forward.
"Even if you are an Arc champion in the future, right now, you're nothing special," Baaeed said flatly. The next moment, a blue flame seemed to ignite in her pupils.
Simultaneously, her aura exploded, launching her forward like a projectile. Her figure became a blur. The acceleration of the two was simply not in the same dimension. The gap was too large.
Solemia's momentum collapsed instantly before Baaeed's overwhelming power. She couldn't believe it. She tried to give chase, but her pupils shrank as she watched the receding back.
In that moment, she didn't see Baaeed, she saw Sea The Stars. They were too similar, and she simply could not catch up.
Soon, Baaeed crossed the line. She stood still, looked back at Solemia, and laughed dominantly:
"Solemia, you lost. Next is... Sea The Stars."
Solemia's heart shook. She collapsed to the ground, panting heavily.
She had lost. She had given it her all, yet Baaeed clearly still had strength to spare. Her face turned pale with despair.
At this moment, countless Irish Uma Musume felt a heavy weight in their hearts. Solemia was already incredibly strong to them, but there was a clear gap between her and Baaeed.
They all yearned for one thing: 'Please come back soon, Sea The Stars.'
"Baaeed, you were amazing just now, actually defeating Solemia!"
As if there prayers were answered, a familiar voice appeared. The students of the Irish Academy followed the sound, and when they saw who it was, every single one of them broke into an expression of pure excitement.
Some couldn't help but scream, looking like they were cheering for a hero returning from a triumphant campaign.
Sea The Stars stepped forward, her expression elegant and indifferent. Though she looked calm, the aura she projected was awe-inspiring.
"This girl... is this Sea The Stars? Charming yet dangerous. But as I thought... defeating someone like this is where the fun is," Baaeed looked at Sea The Stars, already itching for a second race.
"Sea The Stars, why are you back so soon?" Solemia asked in surprise, lowering her head apologetically for losing.
"Hmm, I used a little trick."
Sea The Stars had completed some training rewards. One reward was "Visiting Above the Skies"— a chance to view the starry sky directly from the heavens. It was an incredibly romantic reward, and she could bring someone along without being affected by the temperature.
She had planned to take Urban Sea to see the stars, but after receiving the reward, she found it allowed her to choose which country to view them from. She chose Ireland, effectively getting a free trip home.
The downside was that she had to use the chance tonight or lose it, meaning she couldn't watch with Urban Sea. But she didn't mind, she'd just win again later and take everyone to the sky to see the stars then.
As for Sea The Stars' real-horse reward, it was quite funny: For half of every month, he wouldn't have to eat garlic. The real horse truly hated garlic, but the reward ensured he would automatically receive the nutrients from it anyway.
When the real horse received this reward, he went wild with joy, leaping and bucking.
The groom, seeing this, sighed:
"He's so excited, he must really want to race."
Little did she know, Sea The Stars knew he couldn't race anymore, he was just thrilled about not eating garlic, rolling around in his stall with all four hooves in the air.
Back in the Tracen world:
Baaeed had just finished her race, so their battle would have to wait a little longer.
Meanwhile, in France:
"China is finally going to have a decent racing scene? I wonder how strong Chinese Uma Musume would be if they had a place like Tracen to train at?" Treve said curiously.
She wanted to compete all over the world, with her first goal being the Arc. If China had a G1 event in the future, wouldn't it be grand to take the first-ever championship there?
At Amanohashidate, Mizuki's log continued.
[In the Uma Musume world, where regulations aren't an issue, reviving a racing scene isn't an outrageous dream. With proper support, I could even go over there right now and establish a new race.]
[Speaking of which, I saw Mayano Top Gun and Narita Brian racing mini 4WD cars. Brian isn't really interested, but she can't resist Top Gun's pouting.]
[Uma Musume and mini 4WD seem like a good match. The owner said that for the Summer Festival, they'll build a massive 3000m track for everyone to play on. Uma Musume preparing for the Kikuka Sho should give it a try.]
[However, he made it clear that it's only good for relaxing, it's not suitable for professional training. This owner is really cunning.]
[Actually, Narita Brian has one thing very much in common with her real-horse counterpart: The nose tape. Brian's is quite small, but on the real horse, it's called a shadow roll.]
[Why did Narita Brian wear this? Because the real horse was actually very timid. While running, he would even get spooked by his own shadow. So they put on the shadow roll— partly to keep him from seeing his shadow, and partly to keep his head down and adjust his running posture.]
[Come to think of it, doesn't that make Narita Brian even more of a coward than Daiwa Scarlet's real-horse self? They're both just big cowards.]
[As for Top Gun, her real-horse self was actually quite brave and very smart. Just like at Tracen, she learns everything quickly... except games. She's pretty trash at most games.]
[However, in this world, Top Gun has a lifelong rival: Nice Nature. She has never managed to get the upper hand on Nature.]
[For example, once Top Gun asked Nature what "Victory Underwear" was. Nature tricked her, saying, "Victory Underwear is just the underwear Uma Musume wear during races." When Top Gun found out she was tricked and went to confront her, Nature tricked her again with the excuse: 'A woman grows every time she is deceived.']
[Speaking of which, Nature even tricked Top Gun into dancing for me. Truly a heinous crime.]
Reading this, Mayano Top Gun was in disbelief. She believed Nature almost every time, she hadn't realized she was being played. She went to confront Nature, pouting.
In response, Nice Nature squeezed out a few tears: "Uuu... Top Gun, I only tease you because you're so cute."
Top Gun was fooled yet again.
'I'm cute? Then Neicha-san clearly has no ill intent!'
She started giggling again. Nice Nature was elated. She really was super cute.
Elsewhere at Amanohashidate:
"My real-horse self was afraid of her own shadow? Impossible!" Narita Brian was stunned. Her composure wavered. In her heart, her counterpart was a cold, calm, lone wolf charging toward victory, she never expected her to be such a coward.
She decided to keep reading to see if there was some misunderstanding.
Among the Team Spica group:
"Hmph... what do you mean, 'as cowardly as me'..." Daiwa Scarlet's face turned red.
She walked over and gave Trainer Mizuki a kick. She didn't have any bad intentions— she just "accidentally" slipped and kicked her. It wasn't hard, just enough to vent her frustration.
"Ow— what is it, Scarlet?!" Even though Scarlet didn't put much force into the kick, it was still enough for Mizuki to feel it.
"Nothing!" Scarlet turned away, saw Vodka's grinning face, and got even angrier, wanting to pick a fight with her.
In France:
"I think I get it. This girl is called 'Nice Nature', but she silently does things that have nothing to do with being nice. She's not nice at all," Treve scratched her head, wondering what kind of Uma Musume Nice Nature really was.
She figured she wouldn't be tricked herself. Since the world outside is full of traps, she'd just stay in France.
"Pfft, didn't you just say you wanted to take on the world? As an Uma Musume, you need to be firm in your convictions," Montjeu teased.
In Hong Kong:
"Victory Underwear... what does that mean?" Invincible scratched her head.
"I... I don't know anything! Don't ask me!" Werther said.
Dressed in a pristine white skirt and a light outer garment, she radiated an ethereal air, but her face was flushed. If she explained it, wouldn't she look lewd for knowing so much?
So she refused to admit it.
In her heart, she knew exactly what it was: A nickname for a specific type of lingerie. It usually refers to underwear that a woman wears to boost her confidence and charm. The kind used to win over the person she likes.
"Stop faking it. Golden Sixty, you explain," River Verdon laughed.
Werther was pure, but she definitely knew these things.
"Ahem... well, I seem to know what it's for. How do I put this... Invincible, it's like, a girl... and then they like a boy or another girl... anyway, let's omit ten thousand words here. You get the picture."
Golden Sixty's face turned red too, she couldn't continue.
"I don't get it..." Invincible tilted her head. After River Verdon explained it to her properly, she made a shocked expression.
In that moment, Invincible felt she had finally grown up.
'So that's what it means!'
With Team Spica:
"Suzuka-san, what is Victory Underwear?" Special Week asked curiously.
"You're asking me?" Silence Suzuka blinked, stunned.
At that moment, Mizuki's log continued.
[Today, let's talk about Mayano Top Gun. Her story began with twists and turns but ended in brilliance.]
[Mayano Top Gun was born at the Etsuo Kawakami Farm in Niikappu, Hokkaido. He belongs to the Brian's Time lineage, which produced many strong horses like Narita Brian and Sunny Brian. Horses of this line are typically power types with tight muscles and solid bellies, a trait Top Gun clearly inherited.]
[Actually, Top Gun was initially thought to be a dirt horse because of that power. But the truth was, he could run anything. He debuted in January 1995 and retired after the 1997 Spring Tenno Sho, with a career record of 8 wins in 21 starts, including 4 G1 victories.]
[What's even more amazing is that in his 4 G1 wins, he used four different running styles: Front Runner, Pace Chaser, Late Surger, and End Closer.]
[According to his jockey, Seiki Tabara, he rarely needed to give him commands. Top Gun would choose the right style and timing to sprint on his own. This chameleon-like adaptability became his hallmark.]
[He was the first horse in the entire JRA to win G1s using all four styles. It wasn't until 26 years later that a second horse appeared who also won 4 G1s using all four styles.]
At this moment, every Uma Musume in Tracen Academy was shocked. Even beyond them, Uma Musume worldwide were dazed.
In England:
"That Top Gun girl could actually win races like that?!"
Enable hadn't expected it. Every horse has a preferred style that requires thousands of practice sessions. Winning a G1 is hard enough, let alone winning with four different methods. It was truly unbelievable.
"Interesting! Hahaha! Enable, it seems I've found a new achievement to go for," Frankel was extremely excited.
She always wanted to surpass the real horses, and now, besides winning every race, she wanted to win using this method as well. In fact, she wanted to go further— there's technically a fifth style, the "Great Escape."
She wanted to win that way too, completing an even more terrifying feat!
Speaking of Great Escape...
At Amanohashidate:
"Eh? Is Top Gun that amazing? But Twin Turbo only knows how to do a Great Escape! Great Escape is the most fun!"
Twin Turbo was startled at first, but she quickly shook it off.
'Four G1s? So what! Turbo will get them too with my Great Escape!'
She felt like she was invincible. Even though she finished tenth in her last mock race, Nice Nature had told her that just meant she had the most room for improvement. She took those words to heart.
"Top Gun is truly amazing... Alright, I have to work hard too!" Nice Nature smiled. She knew Mayano Top Gun was fast, but winning four G1s in such diverse ways was a shock.
'Actually', Nature thought, 'Maybe I could count as having achieved something like this. I'm pretty sure I've gotten third place in four different running styles...'
Elsewhere:
"21 starts, 8 wins, and 4 G1s... Maya really is the best!"
Mayano Top Gun was overjoyed. Did this mean that after winning so many championships, she had finally transformed into a "mature lady"?
Now that she knew what "Victory Underwear" was, she decided to reward herself with a set, and maybe a school swimsuit too.
"But if someone as amazing as Top Gun exists, who is the other one who tied her record?" King Halo asked curiously. She didn't know that the next one to achieve it would be the world-class "Horse King" who shared her bloodline: Equinox.
When Equinox eventually reached those heights, King Halo would be beaming with pride.
But she couldn't yet foresee the unbearable pressure Kitasan Black would begin to shoulder afterwards...
In another spot:
"Wow! Many years from now... will that be our era?" Mikki Rocket asked with a grin. She wondered if it was her. She'd already won the 2018 Takarazuka Kinen, after all. However, her math was a bit off. Twenty-six years after 1997 is 2023.
"Ha~~haha! You can surely do it! When the time comes, come and stand upon the Stage of Legends with me!" T.M. Opera O declared.
Meanwhile, in the Tokyo countryside:
Panthalassa, Titleholder, Liberty Island, and Equinox were reading the log together. They weren't asleep yet and were hanging out outside.
"Wait? Front Runner, Pace Chaser, Late Surget, and End Closer? There are that many styles? I thought there was only 'Escape' and 'Chase'!" Panthalassa was stunned.
To her, there was only the "Great Escape"— everyone behind her was just a "chaser" by default.
"Are you an idiot?" Liberty Island sighed.
"Hmph! Don't let the chasers get too cocky. Great Escape is the coolest!" Panthalassa huffed, hands on her hips.
"I wonder who the other Uma Musume is... to be that strong," Equinox questioned.
"Who knows? We'll see. But it's probably me, hehe," Titleholder said, not bothering to be modest.
Mizuki's log continued:
[Top Gun's early career wasn't smooth. On January 8, 1995, he stepped onto Kyoto Racecourse for his debut. He didn't win— it actually took him three tries just to win his maiden race.]
[After debuting, he was directed toward dirt racing. In his next three dirt starts, he had a mediocre record of 1 win and 2 thirds. The trainers were at a loss.]
[They began reconsidering his aptitude and decided to enter him in a turf race, the Hong Kong JC Cup. Top Gun performed excellently, taking third place.]
[The team finally believed he could run on turf and set their sights on the Kikuka Sho. To earn enough prize money to qualify, he entered the Yamayuri Stakes and won easily by 1.5 lengths, finally taking the first step of his legendary career.]
[In late 1995, Top Gun ran in the Kobe Shimbun Hai and the Kyoto Shimbun Hai— the trials for the Kikuka Sho. He lost both by a mere neck, finishing second in both.]
[By then, he had run 10 races with only 2 wins. But he had secured his spot in the Kikuka Sho. This time, he got his revenge. Entering as the 3rd favorite, he sat in 4th place mid-pack. He held his position until the 4th corner.]
[On the final straight, Mayano Top Gun surged into the lead, finishing in 3:04.4— shattering the record set by Narita Brian the previous year. He claimed his first G1 victory. In the Kikuka Sho, he used a late surger style.]
[Then came the 1995 Arima Kinen. Top Gun faced off against Narita Brian and Hishi Amazon, along with Nice Nature, Taiki Blizzard, and Sakura Chitose O. Top Gun was underestimated, starting as the 7th favorite.]
[But he stunned everyone. He adopted a Front Runner strategy, staying at the very front from the start. His leg strength never faded, and he defeated a field of powerhouses by 2 lengths. He proved his critics completely wrong.]
[The 1995 Arima Kinen became a classic. Top Gun's signature victory pose— blowing a double-handed flying kiss— actually came from her jockey, Seiki Tabara, who performed that exact gesture to celebrate.]
[His 1995 record was stellar. Then came 1996. Top Gun announced he would enter the G2 Hanshin Daishoten. Also in the field was Narita Brian, who was coming off a low point in the autumn of '95.]
[On one side was the rising star Mayano Top Gun, representing a new era. On the other was the returning King of '94, Narita Brian, representing the glory of the old era. The clash turned the G2 Hanshin Daishoten into a sold-out event. No one knew they were about to witness a race that would be etched into history forever.]
[The peak confrontation between the New Era and the Old Era. Only one would walk away as the victor!]
Inside Tracen, every Uma Musume grew tense.
"Maya does flying kisses, and Maya's jockey does them too! We're totally in sync. I'm going to do that move all the time now!"
Top Gun giggled, but when she saw she was about to fight Narita Brian, she turned serious. She was nervous now.
"Top Gun beat me by at least two lengths... I wonder where I finished in the '95 Arima Kinen?" Nice Nature felt a bit frustrated, but she figured if she was in the top three, she still had a chance. Don't underestimate Nature-san!
In reality, by 1995, Nice Nature was a veteran. He still had the heart to run, but his performance was fading, and he didn't place well in that Arima Kinen. After the tragedy of Rice Shower earlier that year, the team retired Nature to ensure he stayed healthy. It was a graceful end to a long career.
On the other side, Narita Brian was shocked.
"A legendary match... between me and Top Gun? Such high praise. But being called the 'Old Era'... that doesn't feel great. I have to protect the glory of our generation."
"Though, looking at it another way, it's a good thing that powerful Uma Musume appear in the future. Even so, I won't just hand over the victory. Our era isn't over yet." Brian smiled, eager to see the details.
She couldn't yet imagine the intensity of this race. It was far beyond her expectations. Narita Brian was ridden by the genius Yutaka Take, while Top Gun was with her partner Seiki Tabara.
The 1996 Hanshin Daishoten was about to explode.
"Brian... you better not lose," Biwa Hayahide adjusted her glasses. Naturally, she favored her sister over Top Gun.
'I guess I'm part of the 'Old Era' too then.'
"Go show the juniors that the New Era won't find it so easy to replace the Old. If it's you, you can do it." Hayahide looked forward to this. In a way, this race symbolized the changing of the guard.
Elsewhere:
"Who will win? And what era do I belong to?" Sakura Laurel asked.
In reality, Laurel suffered through injuries more terrifying than most. The real horse suffered fractures in both front legs. For a horse, that's usually a career-ender. But his owner and trainer believed in him. In the 1996 Spring Tenno Sho, he overcame the darkness, and the Sakura finally bloomed.
Later, when Laurel went to the Arc, a translation error regarding his injury almost led to him being euthanized. It goes to show how important a good translator is!
(T/N: Agreed.)
Mizuki's log continued:
[In the March 9, 1996, Hanshin Daishoten, Top Gun was the 1st favorite with 2.0 odds. Narita Brian was a close 2nd favorite at 2.1. Everyone knew the battle for 1st and 2nd would be between these two.]
[The race began. Yutaka Take on Brian kept a shadow-like watch on Top Gun. When Tabara drove Top Gun to the lead on the backstretch, Brian followed immediately.]
[The two horses pulled away from the pack before the turn. Entering the final bend, Mayano Top Gun accelerated to take the lead. Narita Brian gave chase instantly. By the final straight, they were 3 lengths clear of the 3rd-place horse.]
[Then, the most spectacular scene occurred. Before tens of thousands of fans, Top Gun and Narita Brian pulled perfectly level. Their fighting spirits ignited, the two horses spent the entire home straight glued to one another, engaged in an unprecedented shoulder-to-shoulder brawl.]
[The crowd's blood boiled. The roar was enough to make Kyoto Racecourse tremble.]
[For the final 400 meters, from the side view, the two horses were almost perfectly overlapped. Until the very last meter at the wire, it was impossible to tell who had won. When they finally crossed, they were a staggering 9 lengths ahead of the 3rd-place horse, Loui Boss Gold!]
[After a photo finish, Narita Brian was declared the winner by a nose. The King of '94 had completed his revenge in a match for the ages!]
[Years later, Top Gun's jockey, Seiki Tabara, still expressed regret over his riding strategy, blaming himself for the loss. It also spoke to Yutaka Take's decisiveness, if he hadn't adjusted in time, Brian might have been trapped behind Top Gun. But their greatness is undeniable.]
[In the JRA, they say 'When one horse leads, ten thousand others fade,' but both will be remembered for this race. One genius cannot make a legendary match, it took both, even if Narita Brian had the last laugh.]
Inside Tracen, the Uma Musume were breathless.
"This is unimaginable... I can't believe Top Gun and Brian had such a fight. I wish I could have seen it live,"
Hokko Tarumae said. Just imagining the two of them neck-and-neck, refusing to give an inch until the final heartbeat... it was breathtaking.
She was also amazed by Top Gun's adaptability. Moving from dirt to turf is incredibly difficult, yet Top Gun took 3rd in her first try, then 2nd, and then multiple 1st place finishes in Classics and the Arima Kinen.
She really was like a chameleon, as the log said. 'And yet,' Tarumae thought, 'This legendary Mayano Top Gun is wrapped around Nice Nature's finger. I guess everyone has their weakness.'
"If I were there, I wouldn't be able to stop screaming," McQueen said, her face flushed with excitement.
"The Hanshin Daishoten really produces legendary matches. I wonder where Orfevre is... Hey, Orfevre! Come out! I know you're watching!"
Gold Ship, the ultimate troll, started shouting. She was clearly trying to poke at an old wound.
She was right, Orfevre was watching. She was sensitive about the Hanshin Daishoten and tried to ignore it, but Gold Ship's shouting made her snap.
'Fine', she thought, 'I'll wait. The next time she writes about the Takarazuka Kinen, I'm coming out to mock you. Let's see who hurts more!'
Elsewhere:
"Brian... the King of '94 indeed. Mom would be happy to see this. But I won't lose either. As your big sister, I'll run ahead of you again." Biwa Hayahide felt Brian's fighting spirit through the text.
Top Gun, seeing that she lost, didn't stay down.
"It's okay, Tabara-san! Don't blame yourself. It's not just your responsibility. We'll work hard together, and Maya will win it back next time!"
"Wow, Top Gun... you actually sound like an adult right now," Marvelous Sunday said, stunned.
"Really? Yay! Maya is a mature lady!" Top Gun beamed, immediately planning to go buy that Victory Underwear.
Given her size, she'd probably be directed to the children's section the moment she stepped into a shop.