Meanwhile, in Hong Kong:
"They really assign partners after retirement?"
River Verdon scratched her head as she watched this unfold. As a Hong Kong Uma Musume, she didn't know what to say.
She was curious— if she actually had children, what would they be like?
River Verdon had seen Mizuki's logs before. She debuted in 1990 and was the first horse in Hong Kong to win the Triple Crown.
She had even raced against Urban Sea. Though neither won that specific race, it meant her era was around the time of Tokai Teio, Mejiro McQueen, and Nice Nature— even earlier than the Golden Generation of the JRA.
If Special Week, the General of the Golden Generation, already had two daughters like Buena Vista and Cesario, then River Verdon, being older than Special Week, must have children of her own by now, right?
To be honest, she started getting nervous. The thought of having kids made her frantic.
Would her children like running? Who would be the mother? How would she educate them?
She was getting ahead of herself, fantasizing about the future.
However, she didn't know that most Hong Kong racehorses are actually geldings.
What does that mean?
It means colts have their testicles removed.
As for why they do this?
Well first, it can extend a horse's racing career, and second, it can significantly increase their lifespan.
If River Verdon knew that her real-life self was left with only a "lone spear," her jaw would likely hit the floor.
She's surely yell "Hong Kong Jockey Club, what are you doing to us?! Trainers, come save us!"
In the eyes of many racing fans, castrating horses seems inhumane. But in reality, Hong Kong owners are actually top-tier in terms of how they treat their horses.
The lives of Hong Kong horses are not bad at all.
First, they don't have to worry about over-racing. Hong Kong has fewer races, and the intensity is light, mostly focused on miles.
The schedule is very humane, and you certainly won't see a horse running once a month for a dozen races a year.
For example, the Hong Kong Triple Crown is completed over three years, ensuring plenty of time for recovery. Japan's Triple Crown is finished in six months, which is fairly normal.
The US version is the real challenge: Horses have to run the Triple Crown in just two months.
In comparison, the HKJC schedule is much kinder. Horses rarely get injured from over-racing.
Look at Golden Sixty, who only retired in 2024 at 9 years old.
After Hong Kong stars retire, owners often send them to Japan or Ireland to live out their golden years in peace. They usually live very long lives.
But people wonder: Why geld them just to race longer? Why not let them earn siring fees?
The main reason is that the breeding industry in China isn't developed and faces many restrictions. It's almost impossible for a Hong Kong owner to break even on breeding.
Hong Kong land is worth its weight in gold. To breed, you need a massive ranch, and the cost of land there is astronomical— even crazier than Beijing or Shanghai.
If China ever develops its own mainland racing circuits and sterile zones, Hong Kong owners might buy ranches inland.
That would be a sight to see.
For now, many Hong Kong stars like Werther and Golden Sixty are purchased from abroad. They're what the JRA calls "Imported Horses".
River Verdon still didn't know these facts.
But would she find out? Would the other Hong Kong Uma Musume?
If this news was truly announced, all of Hong Kong would explode. Every Hong Kong "colt" would be stunned.
Their reaction would be the same:
"Dammit, where are my balls?!"
Being gelded... isn't that even more tragic than Kitasan Black's Little Kitasan breaking twice?
"Werther, you're actually Montjeu's grandson?"
Invincible said while looking at the log, her voice full of surprise.
That would make Werther the younger brother of Treve.
Her CPU was burning at the realization.
But then Invincible clearly thought of a possibility...
'Am I... am I really Mejiro Ardan's son?'
She was trembling as she picked up her phone to message Mejiro Ardan, but she didn't know what to write.
"U there?"
Invincible edited the message over and over before finally sending a simple "U there?"
She hadn't been this nervous when teachers called on her to read in class.
Werther was also speechless.
'What on earth is happening?'
Just then, Mizuki's log updated again. Every Uma Musume stopped what they were doing to watch.
Even President Symboli Rudolf, usually buried in student council work, stopped completely.
The news was too absurd— she was still reeling from the shock of being Teio's father.
Under the watchful eyes of every Uma Musume, the update appeared.
[Speaking of Werther, I'm curious about Hong Kong Uma Musume— which ear do they wear their ornaments on, and what do they look like?]
[Since Hong Kong has no ranches, owners buy colts from abroad. They arrive intact, but then they are turned into geldings.]
[A gelding is a castrated colt. This ensures they can race longer and live longer. Since owners don't have ranches, they don't expect them to breed. Those "balls" are deemed unnecessary.]
[So I wonder, if horses like Werther, Golden Sixty, and River Verdon were all gelded, would their ear ornaments look... incomplete?]
[Oops, wait, I'm being silly. Just look at Meisho Doto and Taiki Shuttle. They were also gelded for various reasons later in life. The two of them became inseparable at the ranch afterward, with an incredibly deep bond.]
[I used to think Doto and Taiki Shuttle were so close because they were gelded, but then I realized that there are plenty of geldings in Hong Kong, and you don't see pairs of them snuggling in public.]
[Admit it, Taiki Shuttle, Doto— you just love being together!]
[Your feelings have already transcended the limits of gender!]
[It's a tragedy for anyone who doesn't ship Doto and Taiki!]
[Anyway, bloodlines in Hong Kong are simple. In Japan, your peer might actually be your uncle if you do the math.]
[For example, Nice Nature has a fine nephew: Tokai Teio.]
[Sigh, Teio-tan, it's you again. Your seniority gets lower the more I calculate!]
[And Grass Wonder— this guy is the worst. In the end, this "evil uncle" didn't even spare Special Week's own daughter.]
[Truly... truly a terrible fellow.]
[If Special Week knew her cute, innocent daughter was being targeted by Grass Wonder, how would she feel?]
[Sigh... the world is going to the dogs! I never thought you were that kind of person, Grass Wonder!]
[Of course, speaking of Japanese bloodlines, we must mention two: Sunday Silence and Northern Taste.]
[They are the foundations of modern Japanese racing.]
[Let's start with Sunday Silence. He was an American horse, and he was actually younger than Tamamo Cross and the 'Heisei Trio.' He didn't arrive at Stone Farm in Kentucky until March 1986.]
[Even Super Creek, the youngest of the Trio, was born on May 27, 1985.]
[However, Sunday Silence's career was legendary— his growth, his races, and his breeding. At first, he didn't even have many mares. It wasn't until his first son, Fuji Kiseki, debuted at the top of his game that people realized Sunday Silence's bloodline was beyond imagination.]
[So, now you know why Fuji Kiseki is the dorm leader of the Ritto Dorm? He's a truly charming figure.]
[In the anime, when Special Week was late on her first day, it was this "charmer" Fuji Kiseki who took her to the lounge.]
[Sunday Silence had a violent temper, but he was strangely calm around Mejiro McQueen. For some reason, he loved gray horses. Whenever McQueen appeared, he would stand still and stare at him like a total stalker.]
[But we'll talk about Sunday Silence and Northern Taste later. Let's finish the 'Heisei Trio' first. Northern Taste is actually the prototype for Chairwoman Yayoi Akikawa.]
[Back to the topic: On January 10, 1989, Inari One, who was born in May 1984 and was two years older than Sunday Silence, finally stepped onto the JRA stage.]
[His first race was the OP race, the Subaru Stakes at Kyoto, on February 11. It was the first of his 11 races in the Central circuit.]
[However, his first race was mediocre, he only took 4th.]
[Inari One's team said he seemed startled by the crowd. It was his first time seeing so many people and his first time on grass. Combined with the heavy track and poor conditions, it was a hard run.]
[But they were sure he would adjust.]
[They believed that within three races, Inari One would take a graded win. They desperately needed a title to prove that a regional horse like Inari One could take the JRA by storm, just like Oguri Cap.]
At this point, many Uma Musume were in a daze. Mizuki's log was simply dropping too many bombshells.
In Hong Kong:
"Wait, gelding? What does that mean? Just... snip the balls? Why would they do that to us? Did they ask for our consent?"
"No! Definitely not!"
River Verdon couldn't understand it. Their real-life counterparts were boys. Racing is important, but you can't just give up on having kids for the sake of a race!
She had just been fantasizing about her life as a mom, wondering if the male version of herself looked better in a trench coat or a suit, and then she saw this!
"Could it be a form of asceticism? Are the owners in Hong Kong making us focus our minds, forget earthly desires, and devote ourselves entirely to racing?" Werther mused.
"What the hell are you talking about?! Who forgets earthly desires by getting... castrated?!"
Indigenous barked.
Could the medical tech in the real world put them back on after the race? Otherwise, there's no way back.
If you don't perform well, you're finished!
This isn't just "putting all your eggs in one basket"— this is losing your eggs!
"Golden Sixty, say something!!" Indigenous shouted.
This concerned every Hong Kong horse! Every future!
She was practically in tears, feeling a "phantom pain."
This was way worse than Kitasan Black— Little Kitasan just broke, they were being sliced!
'Where is the law? Trainers, help!'
"What... what can I even say? This is a huge psychological blow..." Golden Sixty had been drinking healthy tea to calm herself, thinking the log was too intense.
The moment she took a sip, she read that her balls were gone. She spat the tea all over Invincible's face, nearly choking.
'What the hell? Am I not a colt? How am I a gelding?!'
She had been imagining her majestic, masculine self in the real world. She protested solemnly.
'If I have sinned, let the law judge me, don't cut my balls! Owners, don't do this!'
"I just want to say, since you cut my brothers', can you please skip mine?" Werther said pathetically.
She was so fragile.
What did she do wrong? She just wanted to be a normal horse who could have kids.
"Wait, I thought we were in this together?" River Verdon was numb.
"Looks like we have a traitor among us," Invincible said, hands on hips.
But she was sweating too.
Thank goodness she wasn't a Hong Kong horse.
Even though she was a girl and shy about the topic, she felt very... lucky.
"Don't talk to me. I need to be alone." Indigenous sat on the ground, her cute face clouded with worry for her real-life self.
It was only a short sentence in a log, but it would take a lifetime to heal.
However, she suddenly realized there was hope. She had "Training Goal Rewards!"
Surely she could use them to "patch" her real-life self's balls back on.
Many Hong Kong Uma Musume, after the initial shock, regained their senses. They realized how important these training rewards were.
They all resolved to complete their goals to earn the chance to change fate.
'My real-life self in another dimension, don't worry. I will get your balls back. I promise!'
Back at Tracen Academy:
"So... geldings exist. Owners in Hong Kong really just cut them? That's terrifying," Kitasan Black shivered.
She realized that by comparison, she had it much better.
But she still couldn't understand why her "Kitasan" broke twice. Based on the logs, it seemed like she was the only one.
'Am I just too fragile?' she wondered.
In reality, Kitasan Black was covering 200–300 mares a year, so of course it would break!
But in 2024, his fee rose to 20 million yen. With Equinox sharing the load, he might finally get some rest.
"So Doto and Taiki became geldings later? Why? Would I also..." Narita Top Road was breaking into a sweat.
Doto and Taiki were from a similar timeframe. If that happened to her... it would be too much.
She'd cry every day.
But then she read the part about Doto and Taiki "snuggling" and her face turned red again. She knew the real-life Doto and Taiki were very close and would nuzzle in their stalls.
She used to think it was just cute, but now she knew they were "boys"— boys who transcended pain and friendship.
Thinking about those indescribable images made her heart race.
'Is this really something I should know?'
'It was too much stimulation!'
"Trainer Mizuki-san, I beg of you, please write more."
Ahem, just to be clear— it's not that she wants to see it, she's just curious.
She really is just curious!
"A-wa-wa-wa-wa! Doto, your... your real-life self is in a bad way!"
T.M. Opera O was at a complete loss. A moment's thought told her that being "snipped" must be incredibly painful.
However, Opera O found it strange: Why didn't she play with Doto in the real world? If she had been there, she surely would have lent a hand.
They were supposed to be the best of friends, after all.
Perhaps it's because she and Doto were sent to different ranches for some reason?
Still, Opera O hadn't expected Doto and Taiki to actually have such a "scene" together.
To be honest, she kind of wanted to see a live broadcast of what that was actually like.
"W-what should I do, Opera O-san? Waaaaah!"
Meisho Doto had tears in the corners of her eyes as she clutched Opera O's arm helplessly. Both of them looked utterly bewildered.
After all, even the Overlord couldn't solve a problem like this.
"Maybe I'll try to appear in Wada's dreams and tell him to save you. Besides that, I can't think of anything else."
However, Opera O was confused too. She didn't even know what Ryuji Wada looked like.
She didn't know if "Uncle Wada" was handsome or not, but it didn't matter. As long as he stood next to the Great Opera O, the two of them would shine brighter than the sun.
Opera O worried every night that the world would grow dim while she slept.
Because her radiance was so blinding, she felt quite guilty that someone as brilliant as herself still needed to rest.
"Regardless, let's try the dream-visiting first."
Meisho Doto nodded, while also preparing to find Matikane Fukukitaru and Copano Rickey.
She had to help Taiki protect her body too.
Taiki Shuttle, however, was quite open-minded. After all, in America, people kiss to say hello, right?
Although it was rare between the same sex, maybe the culture in the real-world was just a bit different?
As for the "lost balls," Taiki Shuttle remained optimistic. She had already gotten a few rewards for her horse-counterpart. Making sure that his "gun" had "bullets" wouldn't be too difficult for her.
Moreover, she didn't actually blame the farm for their decision.
Although Taiki looked a bit dim-witted, her "idiot's intuition" told her that the rancher's decision to geld her later in life must have had a reason.
Maybe it was for her own good?
In fact, Taiki Shuttle was absolutely right. It was precisely because Taiki and Doto were gelded that their lifespans were extended, allowing them to stay with us for so long.
The real Doto is still alive today, and the little cat that used to stay by Taiki Shuttle's side still frequently wanders through the stables where Taiki lived, searching for him.
Perhaps in the cat's eyes, Taiki Shuttle has just gone out to pasture and will return one day.
With the lifespan-extending reward Taiki Shuttle got, that sad scene wouldn't come to pass.
Nice Nature, upon seeing the log, felt her skin crawl.
But when she saw the parts concerning her and Tokai Teio, she realized the following content was equally explosive.
'Wait, wait, wait... what's going on? Tokai Teio is not only President Rudolf's son, but also my nephew?'
She just gained a nephew out of nowhere?
Nature was stunned. If Tokai Teio was her nephew, did that mean she and President Rudolf were of the same generation?
'Eh?!!!'
Mejiro McQueen was floored too. She reached a startling conclusion: No wonder Nice Nature liked President Rudolf's dad jokes.
It turns out she possesses the "older generation pun gene."
Nice Nature scratched her head and said:
"Teio-san actually became my nephew. That is indeed shocking. Teio, what do you think?"
"Hey, hey! Why did my seniority drop again?! I am Tokai Teio-sama to you!!"
Tokai Teio's skin crawled. She felt she was being targeted. Why did she suddenly have another Uncle? What was going on?!
Inwardly, she was indignant.
'Trainer Mizuki, how can you mess with people's minds like this? Couldn't I be Nature's uncle instead?'
It turned out that this was what Teio was actually bothered by.
Winning Ticket thought it was fun: "But these things happen, right? Even if the seniority is different, if the ages are close, you can just be peers."
Nice Nature, however, got into the spirit of things. Her eyes filled with a senior's"doting affection as she laughed: "No, no, no. I wanted to get along with Teio as a peer, but all I got in return was distance and countless third-place finishes."
"I'm not hiding it anymore. I am Tokai Teio's uncle! I'm laying my cards on the table!"
Nature-san had fully embraced the role. Her debuffing skills were at max level, leaving Tokai Teio speechless.
Twin Turbo said: "Nature-san really does care about always getting third place, doesn't she?"
Daitaku Helios whispered: "Shhh, keep it down. Don't rub salt in the wound."
Mayano Top Gun: "Nature must be laughing inside. I wonder if I'm anyone's uncle."
At this time, Special Week was watching with great enjoyment, thinking it was quite funny.
She was also thinking that since she was the "father" of Cesario and Buena Vista, she must be a senior to many people.
Furthermore, Trainer Mizuki mentioned earlier that she wouldn't bring up her "sons" for now.
'Did I have a son too?'
Special Week intended to keep reading, but when she reached the next part, she was completely dumbfounded.
[And Grass Wonder— this guy is the worst. In the end, this "evil uncle" didn't even spare Special Week's own daughter.]
[Truly... truly a terrible fellow.]
[If Special Week knew her cute, innocent daughter was being targeted by Grass Wonder, how would she feel?]
"G... Grass?"
Special Week's face instantly became a mask of horror. She looked at the log, then at Grass Wonder beside her, then back at the log, confirming the name was correct.
'I never expected that you, Grass, would be such a beast! You actually went after my daughter?!'
'What did you do to my daughter?!'
King Halo was also at a loss. She looked at Grass with a complex expression and finally said:
"Grass, oh Grass... I... what can I even say about you? How could you do such a thing? That's Spe-chan's daughter! How many years apart are you?!"
"Do you like children... are you a pedophile?"
Seeing everyone suddenly looking at her, the elegant Grass Wonder was still bewildered.
She tilted her head cutely, she hadn't read that far yet. So, she checked the log.
However, when she saw the contents, her pupils trembled in disbelief.
Within seconds, her face turned a deep, fiery red out of extreme embarrassment.
She couldn't believe she would do such a thing. How could she go after Spe-chan's daughter?
Did she do something bad to Buena Vista or Cesario?
With a clatter, the logbook fell from Grass Wonder's hand.
Since it was a system creation, it soon hovered back up, but Grass looked at Special Week and said immediately:
"Spe-chan, this must be a misunderstanding. There has to be a mistake in there."
However, what Grass Wonder didn't know was that there was no misunderstanding at all.
Not only did she get with one of Special Week's daughters, she had bred with 19 of Special Week's daughters, although Buena Vista was never one of them.
In the Uma Musume world, Buena Vista actually admired Special Week greatly, but she also respected the elegant Grass Wonder, perhaps even liking her in a way.
Perhaps this is the natural attraction Special Week's daughters have towards Grass Wonder?
But Spe-chan's attitude now was clear: Grass, you scoundrel! You even wanted my daughter!
"Age-masen!!!"
Seiuun Sky remarked: "I think it might be a misunderstanding too, but since Flower and I have children, I feel like anything is possible now."
El Condor Pasa sighed and patted Grass on the shoulder, her voice dripping with disappointment: "Grass-chan, a person can't... at least, they shouldn't..."
Grass Wonder was now crimson-faced and speechless. The only thing she wanted to do was rush over, kidnap Trainer Mizuki, and make her explain every single word.
No matter what, she would never do anything "inappropriate" to Spe-chan's daughter.
Zenno Rob Roy was also stunned: "What kind of development is this? Not even novels have plots like this."
Of course, these words didn't just break Grass Wonder's composure, Buena Vista and Cesario were also blushing furiously, not knowing what to say.
But they also wondered if Trainer Mizuki had made a mistake. Grass Wonder-senpai wasn't that kind of person, right?
King Halo added: "Wait, 'Grass targeting Spe's daughter'... maybe it wasn't Grass herself targeting Spe-chan's daughter, but Grass looking for a wife for her son?"
"After all, if Grass has a son, everything is easy to explain."
El Condor Pasa: "That's possible. But why would Trainer Mizuki call Grass an 'evil uncle'?"
Seiun Sky laughed: "Trainer Mizuki likes to talk smack. I think the son theory is likely. I don't think Grass is that kind of person."
"Remember, Mizuki said Grass was very beloved even after retirement. If something like that really happened, it would have caused a huge scandal."
Spe-chan said: "That's true. Whew, you scared me. But if I have to say, in my heart, I still trust Grass."
It was normal for Special Week to react like that at first— it was her daughter, after all.
But she believed Grass Wonder wouldn't do such a thing because she knew Grass's character.
In the Tracen world, such things would never happen. But in the real world, the "Big Yellow Cow" had no choice in the matter!
If Spe-chan and the others ever traveled to the real world, they might finally understand.
Daiwa Scarlet added: "I just wish Trainer Mizuki wouldn't write such cliffhangers. My heart can't take it."
Agnes Tachyon laughed: "Here, Scarlet. Take this. Your heartbeat will stabilize."
Daiwa Scarlet said gratefully: "Thank you, Tachyon-senpai. You take such good care of me, I don't know how to thank you."
Vodka was actually quite surprised. Every time Agnes Tachyon gave Daiwa Scarlet something, it was always good stuff without any side effects.
She wondered if all teachers and scientists like 'honor students' like Daiwa Scarlet?
However, Tachyon's next sentence caused both Vodka and Daiwa Scarlet's brains to stall.
Agnes Tachyon waved her hand: "It's nothing. After all, in the real horse world, I am your father."
Daiwa Scarlet's pupils dilated instantly.
She stammered: "W-what? Wait, did I not read carefully enough? Trainer Mizuki didn't say you were my real-life father..."
Agnes Tachyon chuckled: "Hmm? Scarlet, as my child, do you really need Trainer Mizuki to tell you?"
Daiwa Scarlet froze on the spot. "Eh?"
Agnes Tachyon leaned her head close to Daiwa Scarlet until their foreheads were touching.
Tachyon smiled: "Look at the color of your hair. Look at the color of your eyes. Like me, you have brown hair and red eyes. Who do you think you inherited that from?"
"Don't you find that question interesting? Also, you have a brilliant mind and incredibly powerful late-stage acceleration. Who do you think you inherited that from?"
"Furthermore, don't you feel it, Scarlet? That sense of resonance? The resonance between you and me— isn't that the best evidence?"
"So, do we really need Trainer Mizuki to discover it?"
"Without a doubt."
"I... am your father."
At that moment, Daiwa Scarlet's breathing quickened and her heart began to race.
To be honest, she had been curious about who her father was, but she had been subconsciously waiting for Mizuki's announcement.
Yet, in this instant, Agnes Tachyon-senpai had suddenly told her directly.
More importantly, after hearing her words, Daiwa Scarlet realized everything Tachyon said made perfect sense. Her hair and eyes were identical to Tachyon's.
And that feeling of connection... it truly existed.
'So... so Agnes Tachyon-senpai really is my real-life father.'
However, just as Daiwa Scarlet was about to accept it...
Agnes Tachyon burst out laughing. "Hahaha! Excellent! Your reaction was perfect. Your heart rate just reached a very interesting range."
It turned out that when Tachyon approached Scarlet, she already had an instrument ready in her hand.
She did it just to measure Scarlet's heart rate data and the different muscle reactions under different heart rates to perfect her experiment.
Now, having obtained the data she wanted, Tachyon smiled and said:
"Thanks, Scarlet. I've got what I wanted. You can forget what I just said. After all, I just wanted to test some data."
With that, Agnes Tachyon skipped away cutely.
"Wait, Tachyon-senpai!"
Before Daiwa Scarlet could react, Tachyon was already leaving. She reached out and called after her, but she couldn't stop her.
She suddenly grew angry.
'Why was it like this? I hadn't said a single word yet! Wasn't Tachyon-senpai just playing with me?!'
"What is this?! How mean! Tachyon-senpai, how can you make a joke like that?!"
Daiwa Scarlet was incredibly aggrieved, stomping her feet in anger.
"Hey."
Vodka walked up to her.
"Hmph! What? Are you here to laugh at me?" Daiwa Scarlet snapped, pouting.
"Why so hostile? I didn't do anything to you. I just wanted to tell you... Tachyon-senpai might not have been joking. Think about it calmly. Nothing she said was wrong. You really are similar in every way."
"Besides, if she just wanted your data, there are plenty of other ways. With how much you trust her, wouldn't you just let her measure it if she asked? Why go to all that trouble?"
"So, I think she might have just sensed that you couldn't accept it right away, so she made up an excuse to leave."
"Just as Tachyon-senpai said, an honor student like you should have figured out your identity long ago among all these examples."
After Vodka finished, she scratched her head. She didn't know if she'd explained herself well enough, but those were her thoughts.
"Eh?"
Hearing this, Daiwa Scarlet felt like she was waking from a dream.
Her heart began to go thump-thump again.
Thinking about it, Vodka was right. If Tachyon-senpai wanted data, she just had to ask. Scarlet trusted Tachyon because Tachyon had always looked after her and given her only the best things.
There was no reason not to believe her.
So, Tachyon-senpai really was worried she couldn't handle it and made an excuse to leave.
"Hmph. You... you're quite smart today."
Daiwa Scarlet's awkward compliment made Vodka's skin crawl.
Why couldn't this "honor student" just be direct?
Still, she was happy to be praised.
But then Vodka realized... wait, "smart today"?
'That means she thinks I'm usually stupid!'
"Eh? Where'd she go?"
Vodka turned around to find Daiwa Scarlet already gone. Now it was Vodka's turn to be annoyed.
'How frustrating.'
Fine, she'd be the bigger person. She just hoped Daiwa Scarlet would go and talk things out with Tachyon-senpai soon.
And indeed, just as Vodka thought, Daiwa Scarlet was currently searching for Agnes Tachyon. She was certain now: She was Agnes Tachyon's daughter. There was no mistake.
'So, Tachyon-senpai, where are you?'
And at this moment, what was Agnes Tachyon doing? She was actually hiding.
Like a child, she was tucked away in a corner, trying to catch a glimpse of Daiwa Scarlet's expression and reaction.
Good grief, Agnes Tachyon truly was Daiwa Scarlet's dad, acting exactly like those parents who accidentally make a child cry and then hide nearby to spy on them.
Manhattan Cafe stood beside Tachyon and said: "Honestly, Tachyon. Haven't you already concluded that Daiwa Scarlet is your daughter? Why did you say those things at the end?"
Agnes Tachyon said: "Oh? You heard that, Cafe? It's nothing, really. I just realized I haven't tidied my room in days. What if Daiwa Scarlet decides to drop by?"
Manhattan Cafe replied, deadpan: "That's your reason? That's not important at all."
"I think it's extremely important," Agnes Tachyon insisted.
Manhattan Cafe sighed. "Fine. I can help you organize it once. Just for today."
Agnes Tachyon's eyes lit up, and she immediately exclaimed with excitement:
"You'll help me? What's the catch? So, Cafe, are you finally interested in my body? Do you want me to be your little guinea pig for a day?"
"Don't worry, for the next twenty-four hours, my body is yours to command. You can perform any experiment you like!"
Hearing this, Manhattan Cafe said softly: "I'm completely uninterested. Honestly... I'm just helping you clean. Not everyone wants to turn the other person into a guinea pig."
Agnes Tachyon looked unconvinced.
'Uninterested? Impossible. She's just being stubborn', Tachyon thought. However, she quickly pivoted:
"Anyway, Cafe, we can worry about the room later. I feel like we have to finish reading about Northern Taste and Sunday Silence first. I have a feeling something big is coming."
Manhattan Cafe nodded. "I agree. Trainer Mizuki called them the foundations of modern racing. What did they actually do?"
"Also, 'Northern Taste'... is that Chairwoman Yayoi Akikawa's name from her racing days?"
Agnes Tachyon smiled. "Well, just keep reading and we'll find out."
Meanwhile, at Tracen Academy:
"I am Sunday Silence's first son?" Fuji Kiseki remarked. "It seems news about me is starting to pile up."
Mejiro Ramonu spoke up, which was rare for her: "It appears so. And we've learned something incredible— Northern Taste is the prototype for Chairwoman Akikawa?"
To be honest, Ramonu had been momentarily stunned. Her suspicions were proving correct.
Ever since Hayakawa Tazuna's real-name, Tokino Minoru, was exposed as an invincible legend, she had wondered if Chairwoman Akikawa was also an Uma Musume and just how high her level was.
Now she knew: The Chairwoman was Northern Taste.
"The foundations of modern racing... that appraisal is unprecedentedly impressive," Ramonu said with surprise.
She found it fascinating. The content to follow would surely be even more breathtaking.
Then there was Sunday Silence, placed on the same pedestal as the Chairwoman. There had to be something world-shaking there as well.
Back when the rivalry between Inari One, Oguri Cap, and Super Creek was in full swing, Sunday Silence hadn't even started her racing career.
How could such a horse be considered the foundation of the JRA by Trainer Mizuki? What kind of contribution did she make?
Inari One watched this unfold, equally curious. She hadn't expected a junior like Sunday Silence to change the entire landscape of the JRA so drastically.
She also knew that in their era, there was another Uma Musume referred to as "God"— that individual must be incredibly powerful too.
Everyone settled in to continue. First, the showdown of the Heisei Trio, then, the story of Sunday Silence and Chairwoman Akikawa. What awaited them?
Mizuki's log continued:
[Inari One's team decided to enter the G2 Hanshin Daishoten in March. This was his second race in the Central circuit and his first JRA graded stakes.]
[However, Inari One performed poorly this time, finishing only fifth. Compared to Oguri Cap's previous performances, there was a gap, but at least he finished in the money.]
[With enough prize money, Inari One entered the Spring Tenno Sho in April 1989. His camp recruited Yutaka Take— who was the jockey for the injured Super Creek and still a rookie at the time— to ride him.]
[What happened in that Spring Tenno Sho left everyone stunned.]
[Once the race began, Yutaka Take showed his genius. On the first lap, he kept Inari One hidden in the pack, waiting for the right moment. On the second lap, he accelerated from the outside. By the final bend, he had already climbed to fourth.]
[Then, Inari One engaged in a fierce battle with the rest of the field on the home straight. He broke away in the final 200m and left them in the dust, crossing the finish line with a massive five-length lead.]
[In Inari's third JRA race, he secured a G1 victory in the Spring Tenno Sho.]
[He became the sixth regional horse in 21 years to win the Tenno Sho, smashing the course record set in 1982.]
[In his fourth Central race, the Takarazuka Kinen in June 1989, Inari One took the lead at the final bend and secured two consecutive G1 wins.]
[For the autumn season, his team targeted the Mainichi Okan in October. However, the camp was extremely wary. Both Oguri Cap, who had dazzled in 1988, and the infinitely promising Super Creek had returned from injury.]
[Inari One was about to face his greatest challenge.]
[Oguri Cap made a winning comeback in a G3 at Nakayama on September 17, then entered the Mainichi Okan on October 8.]
[This was the first meeting between Inari One and Oguri Cap. Both held G1 titles and both came from regional circuits, making it a high-stakes showdown.]
[However, there was a second-favorite horse many thought could beat them both: Mejiro Ardan. Ardan showed immense dominance and was highly favored.]
[The race began. Oguri Cap, Inari One, and Mejiro Ardan all bolted forward. In the end, it turned into a duel between Oguri and Inari.]
[Coming off the fourth bend into the straight, they shook off the field and began a desperate sprint. They ran neck-and-neck, and even at the finish line, they were inseparable.]
[The JRA used a photo finish. After a long deliberation, it was determined that Oguri Cap beat Inari One by a nose.]
[With this, Oguri Cap achieved the first-ever back-to-back victory in the Mainichi Okan. This battle was hailed as the JRA's Best Race of 1989.]
[Later, in the Autumn Tenno Sho, the "Big Three"— Oguri Cap, Super Creek, and Inari One— all competed.]
[Super Creek beat Oguri Cap, while Inari One stumbled at the start and had to chase from the back, ultimately finishing a disappointing sixth. Mejiro Ardan took an impressive third.]
[Oguri Cap fell once again as the first favorite, the "curse" seemingly remained. His jockey, Katsumi Minai, was devastated, believing that Oguri hadn't lost to Super Creek, but rather he had lost to Yutaka Take.]
[Oguri had shown a hurricane-like closing speed, but due to his error in judgment and late acceleration, he lost by a neck.]
[At this point, Inari One had 2 G1 wins, but he wasn't yet considered part of the "Heisei Trio" because he had never actually beaten Oguri Cap or Super Creek.]
[He needed one race to prove himself.]
[Inari One announced his entry into the Japan Cup in late November 1989. Super Creek and Oguri Cap also entered, but Inari One suffered a crushing defeat, finishing 11th.]
[Super Creek was the favorite but finished fourth.]
[This time, Oguri Cap beat Pay the Butler, but he lost to the true protagonist of this Japan Cup— the horse who changed the world in three minutes, the gray mare from the Southern Hemisphere: Horlicks!]
[However, Oguri Cap's defeat was understandable. Just before the Japan Cup, he had participated in the G1 Mile Championship.]
[In that Mile Championship, Oguri Cap and Bamboo Memory had a showdown. Bamboo Memory accelerated away on the straight, but Oguri accelerated on the inside.]
[They battled for the final 100 meters, with Oguri winning by a nose. Jockey Minai cried during the interview, saying, "Oguri Cap saved me."]
[Only one week later, a weary Oguri Cap entered the Japan Cup.]
[Though he lost to Horlicks by a neck, both horses clocked in at 2:22.2, shattering both the Japanese and World records.]
[Finally, on December 24, 1989, the 34th Arima Kinen began.]
[Inari One's team took this extremely seriously, thinking it might be Oguri Cap's retirement race. If Oguri retired then, Inari would forever carry the reputation of never being able to beat him.]
[After the Japan Cup, the team noticed Inari One's appetite had decreased. They moved him to the Nakayama stables early, and his appetite returned.]
[In this Arima Kinen, Oguri was the first favorite, Super Creek second, and Inari One third.]
[Oguri Cap and Super Creek used a front-running tactic. Inari One waited patiently in the back, only accelerating and moving wide on the second lap.]
[As Oguri and Super Creek turned the final bend, Inari One swung wide, caught the "Twin Powers'" shadows, and gave chase on the straight.]
[Inari One finally caught Super Creek, and they crossed the line together.]
[In the photo finish, Inari One won by a nose, beating Symboli Rudolf's five-year-old record by 1.1 seconds and creating a new race record.]
[In 1989, with 8 races and 3 G1s, Inari One was named the JRA Horse of the Year.]
[But his glory ended there. Oguri Cap finished fifth, and his camp began considering retirement.]