Finally, the day of Special Week's debut race arrived.
The venue was packed with people.
Everyone was filled with curiosity and anticipation for this girl who had come from the countryside with the goal of becoming the "Number One Uma Musume in Japan."
In the spectator stands, the members of Team Spica were naturally all present, cheering loudly for their team's newcomer.
Myriad Dreams sat among them, watching the track with great interest.
Before the gates opened, Myriad Dreams already knew the outcome, so she waited quietly.
With the opening of the gates—
Bang!
The race began!
Special Week's start wasn't exactly perfect, but she immediately exploded with startling speed, fighting her way forward.
Myriad Dreams watched her weave through the pack, her gaze focused.
"Go for it, Spe-chan!" Daiwa Scarlet and the others nearby were already shouting excitedly.
Though Myriad Dreams wasn't as outward with her emotions, her eyes closely followed that figure.
She saw Special Week skillfully conserving energy at the turns.
Upon entering the final straight, relying on a streak of unyielding grit and amazing perseverance, she closed the gap on her leading opponents step by step.
"Oh? Her closing speed isn't bad at all..."
Myriad Dreams raised an eyebrow slightly, feeling a hint of admiration for the potential Special Week was displaying.
In the final moments, Special Week ran neck-and-neck with the most popular Uma Musume.
In her eyes, there was only the finish line ahead and the figure of Silence Suzuka in the stands.
Driven by that power from deep within her heart to answer those expectations, she ultimately crossed the finish line first with a lead of three lengths!
"We won!!" Team Spica instantly erupted in celebration.
Myriad Dreams also showed a gratified smile, clapping lightly.
"Beautifully done, Spe-chan."
However, after the joy came the Winning Stage.
Standing in the center of the stage, listening to the cheers of the crowd, Special Week suddenly froze.
She watched the other winning Uma Musume gracefully sway their bodies to the music for the Victory Live, while she herself...
'Oh— Oh no! The Trainer mentioned something about dancing after winning... I...I completely forgot to practice that! What do I do, what do I do?!'
She could only stand there helplessly, a stiff smile plastered on her face.
It was as if her body was rooted to the spot, completely out of sync with the cheerful atmosphere around her.
In the stands, Myriad Dreams watched the Special Week on stage— excited by victory yet so distressed by her lack of dancing skills that she looked like she might trip over her own feet— and let out a helpless sigh.
Lately, good news had been pouring in for Team Spica.
Everyone was successfully debuting one after another, which should have been a cause for celebration.
However, in the Student Council office, President Symboli Rudolf looked at the report in her hand, which included video clips, her brow furrowing tighter and tighter.
In the video was a "highlight" reel of Team Spica members on stage after various victories:
Special Week stood as stiff as a wooden post, not knowing where to put her hands or feet, Gold Ship was full of energy, but her "dance" was closer to unpredictable improvisation, making people's heads spin as they realized she was completely off-beat...
Thud!
Rudolf's palm pressed lightly onto the desk. The sound wasn't loud, but it silenced the entire room.
She looked up, her gaze as sharp as a blade.
"This is unseemly!" Her voice carried unquestionable majesty.
"The Winning Stage is a solemn moment to express gratitude to the fans and showcase the elegance of an Uma Musume. It cannot be treated like a joke!"
"Team Spica must undergo special training for their stage performance!"
Consequently, Rudolf directly dispatched Tokai Teio to provide guidance.
In the training room, the members of Spica looked at each other, all feeling rather dejected.
When Myriad Dreams was also called in, she immediately voiced her protest.
"Why do I have to come too?! I've already done special training with Muteki! My basic singing and movements should be fine by now!"
The mere thought of sacrificing her precious rest time to practice "dancing" made her life feel bleak.
Tokai Teio walked up to her.
Though she was slightly shorter than Myriad Dreams, her aura wasn't weak in the slightest.
With her hands on her hips, her expression was unusually serious.
"Myriad-senpai! You are a warrior about to represent our country, venturing overseas to challenge the American Dirt Triple Crown! Every move you make overseas represents not just yourself, but the image of all Japanese Uma Musume!"
She stood on her tiptoes, getting almost right in Myriad Dreams' face, her eyes burning.
"The lenses of the overseas media are everywhere. Post-victory interviews, interactions— any tiny mistake could be magnified! Do you think 'just fine' is enough?"
"What we must achieve is perfection! Zero mistakes! Therefore, you must also participate in this special training. There is no room for negotiation!"
Myriad Dreams was choked up by these powerful words.
Looking into Tokai Teio's unwavering eyes, she knew she was in the wrong.
She could only deflate like a punctured ball, her shoulders drooping as she stood in line reluctantly, muttering under her breath, "Fine, I get it..."
The special training began immediately.
Tokai Teio truly lived up to her reputation as the "Emperor of the Stage."
From the most basic standing posture, smile, and range of a hand wave, to simple dance steps synchronized with the rhythm of the music, she demanded meticulousness in everything.
"Special Week-senpai! The angle of your arm is wrong! Like this!"
"Daiwa-san, your step was half a beat slow! Rhythm, pay attention to the rhythm!"
"Gold Ship! No improvising! Follow my movements!"
"Myriad-senpai! Expression! Don't look like you 'really want to go back to sleep'! You need to show the joy and elegance of victory!"
Myriad Dreams wore a bitter face, struggling to mimic Tokai Teio's movements.