The Uma Musume who had just spoken possessed a mane of dazzling, long golden hair.
Her striking features, radiating a distinct exotic charm, betrayed her identity long before she even introduced herself. She was the powerhouse from France: Iresine.
As the sole international competitor in this year's Japan Cup, the most eye-catching thing about her wasn't her facial features—which were markedly different from the other girls—nor was it her Rococo-style racing silk, crafted with such meticulous detail it bordered on the extreme.
No, it was the broad-brimmed decorative hat perched on her head, shaped uncannily like a vibrant red autumn leaf.
"Is that thing really not going to fall off during the race...?"
Walking behind Iresine was Do Deuce, clad in her black-and-white cropped jacket. The somewhat soft-featured Uma Musume couldn't help but mutter the question under her breath.
Iresine, however, was far from distracted.
Possessing the sharp hearing typical of her kind, she didn't miss a single word. She spun around instantly, glaring at the girl who had dared to puncture the gravity of her grand entrance.
"I've had it reinforced! Besides, isn't there someone else here wearing a hat? Why aren't you pestering her?!"
As she spoke, Iresine pointed a finger toward Titleholder, whose own racing silk also featured a headpiece.
Feeling the eyes on her, Titleholder adjusted the brim of her deep blue hat—one that bore a striking resemblance to a police officer's uniform—and explained with a squint of her eyes.
"Mine is reinforced as well."
"So that's how it's done. Still feels like a bit of a hassle, though," Do Deuce murmured, rubbing her chin as she fell into a thoughtful trance. "If I were going to put something on my head, I think I'd just stick with a simple hair accessory."
"How about a bandana! Bandanas feel great!"
Panthalassa bounded out from nowhere, throwing her hand up and shouting. Her own outfit featured a bold red-and-white bandana.
"A bandana... it feels a bit too 'sporty.' I don't think it quite matches my elegance."
"Then what about a ribbon? It's a classic choice, isn't it?"
Symboli Kris S joined the conversation, dressed in the deep green silks she had worn back during the Kikuka Sho.
Though she was the only one present without a G1 title to her name, she showed not a flicker of intimidation. Her expression was as calm as still water, joining the exchange with effortless confidence.
"A ribbon..."
The word uttered by Symboli Kris S acted like a key.
The moment it left her lips, the eyes of every Uma Musume present flickered. They fell into a collective silence, heads bowing as if struck by the same sudden memory.
In the era they grew up in, if anyone mentioned a "ribbon" on the turf, it pointed to only one person.
The gaze of these elite G1 competitors shifted instinctively toward Liberty Island—the disciple chosen by that Uma Musume after her departure from the front lines.
Truthfully, after her Undefeated Triple Tiara run, Liberty Island had more than proven she had the talent to be Dream Weaver's pupil.
However, every girl standing there had been influenced by Dream Weaver to some degree during their formative years.
Because of that, when they looked at Liberty Island—the one who had indirectly caused Dream Weaver to leave the track—their standards became unintentionally, perhaps even cruelly, high.
"A red hair flower... I see. So you're trying to imitate her?"
"Hmph. No one can replicate the radiance she displayed."
"Dream Weaver-senpai's Great Escape style was so cool! So why didn't you, as her student, choose that same strategy?"
"Fine... Now, on top of testing how much of a gap remains between me and the Triple Crown, I have one more reason to crush you."
Liberty Island could never have imagined that Symboli Kris S could use a single sentence to unify the scattered animosity of the group and focus it entirely on her.
Stars on Earth, who already wanted to use her own Double Crown status to measure the gap between them, was a given. But even Panthalassa, who had just been declaring war on Equinox moments ago, shifted her target.
Liberty Island looked at Symboli Kris S's stoic, unreadable face, unable to tell if this was a calculated move or a mere coincidence.
However, among all the G1 competitors, aside from an indifferent Equinox and the expressionless Symboli Kris S, there was one more girl who didn't project any hostility toward Liberty Island.
In fact, she hadn't said a single word since entering the paddock tunnel. She remained hidden in the crowd, silently watching as the atmosphere grew increasingly razor-sharp.
A death match between geniuses? I didn't expect to see a scene like this for my retirement race, Vela Azul thought to herself.
The Japan Cup... it truly is a race where surprises never end.
To her, the previous year had been nothing short of a miracle.
Last year, she had finally won her first race, then stepped onto the graded stakes stage through a string of consecutive victories, eventually becoming the champion of the Japan Cup. She had leaped through the ranks of the racing world in a single year.
After winning last year's Japan Cup, everyone—including her trainer—believed Vela Azul would maintain her form and keep the miracle alive. But only she knew that a miracle is only a miracle because it is rare.
The moment she won that race, Vela Azul knew she had hit her limit.
The past year had been like Cinderella's magical night in glass slippers; eventually, one has to wake up.
Miracles, too, must come to an end.
Sure enough, though her trainer entered her into several G1 races afterward, Vela Azul could do nothing but linger at the back of the pack, never again capturing that brilliance she held during the Japan Cup.
She felt no real regret. She was a mediocre Uma Musume by nature; to have had such a miraculous year at the end of her career was lucky enough. She didn't expect to perform another miracle in today's race.
Vela Azul was the only G1 competitor present who wasn't thinking about winning. She was only here because she wanted to leave the turf on the very stage that had given her her brightest moment.
In the end, even an Uma Musume like Dream Weaver is the same...
Even if she hasn't had her retirement ceremony yet, what's the difference between her current state and being retired? Every Uma Musume faces this day eventually.
Even miracles... have their limits, don't they?
Watching the others project their grievances toward Liberty Island because of Dream Weaver, Vela Azul simply shook her head in her mind.
Just as the crowd's hostile glares intensified and Liberty Island prepared to fire back, a voice from outside the tunnel drifted in.
"Following that crimson flash onto the turf, she is another holder of the undefeated glory, a Triple Tiara winner, and the one chosen by the King of the World!"
"On this ultimate stage where geniuses gather and stars collide, she will use her own stride to prove that she is the sole successor to that Crimson Meteor!"
"The first favorite! Post number one, Liberty Island!"
As the announcer's voice faded, the air in the tunnel became so heavy it felt as if it might solidify.
So she really is the first favorite...
Looking at Liberty Island, the thought flickered through the minds of the other girls.
As Dream Weaver's hand-picked trainee and an Undefeated Triple Tiara winner, it was only natural for Liberty Island to be the betting favorite.
But after glancing at Liberty Island, they all turned their eyes in unison toward Equinox, wanting to see her reaction.
Facing the fact that her top-favorite spot had been snatched away, Equinox showed no sign of gloom. Instead, she offered a light smile and a small nod toward Liberty Island, as if offering her congratulations.
Liberty Island didn't look at the others. She gave Equinox one long, deep stare before turning her back to walk out onto the track.
She had nothing left to say. As an Uma Musume, she would leave everything else to the turf.
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.