On the bullet train back to Tokyo, Wada opened his phone and contacted Imanami, who was still at Tracen Academy, as well as Ikezoe, who was also making his way back to Tracen.
"Sigh... Although Meisho Doto technically won, losing to Deep Impact must have been a huge blow. In fact, her winning the Osaka Hai isn't that important in the eyes of the public anymore; Deep Impact had managed to return in a way that completely stole the spotlight."
"As expected of you, Trainer Imanami, you've hit the nail on the head."
Fumino Nase, who was sat next to Wada, spoke into her tablet, nodding.
"I have no doubt that Deep Impact is intentionally trying to generate buzz for her comeback."
"...By the way, I just have to say... goodness, that's really Deep Impact! I really didn't expect to see her."
From the other side of the screen, Ikezoe's worried and somewhat admiring voice came through.
Suddenly, Sweep Tosho, who was beside Ikezoe, spoke up,
"Kenichi, is that Deep Impact very strong? Why are you so scared?"
"Ah, she's Japan's second Undefeated Classic Triple Crown Uma Musume. If you were to convert it, hmm... she's probably around the same level as a twelfth circle grand mage."
"Woah… So she's really, really strong."
Sweep Tosho seemed to understand Ikezoe's rather fantastical words, which had sparked the confusion of his peers.
Not only that, for some unknown reason, as soon as Sweep Tosho heard the name 'Deep Impact,' an inexplicable anger suddenly rose up from her chest, as if she had suffered a great humiliation from her before.
However, Sweep Tosho understood that her current strength was most likely insufficient to contend with this so-called 'Deep Impact,' so after a moment of emotion, she said with some reluctance,
"Hmph! Once I grow into a big witch, I'll definitely show that Deep Impact a thing or two."
"Hehe~ you're so ambitious, Tosho-chan. But, you need to train diligently, okay?"
Curren Chan's voice came from Ikezoe's side, and, slowly, Sweep Tosho's figure was dragged off the screen.
"So, Ikezoe-kun, how was Curren Chan's race?"
"Not bad at all! Although the final straight was a bit tense, she still managed to get first place. With this, we've already secured two GIs and one GII victory this March."
Ikezoe didn't elaborate too much on Curren Chan's race; there hadn't been anything particularly noteworthy in it.
For Curren Chan, until Japan's strongest sprinter, 'Lord Kanaloa,' enters the Uma Musume scene, her dominance in domestic sprint races was practically guaranteed.
In a sprint race, Uma Musume usually run the same running style, with each race usually being a simple and brutal head-to-head fight.
To put it bluntly, it was about who could reach their top speed the fastest, who could get a better start, and who has the best luck.
After all, sprint races are called sprint for a reason, they're all very short; almost no sprinter would choose to run as a Late Chaser and especially not an End Closer.
With everyone running as either a Runaway, Front Runner, or Pace Chaser, most victories were already decided the moment the starting positions of the Uma Musume became clear.
And under Ikezoe's training, Curren Chan, who recognized her talent for sprint races earlier than other Uma Musume, had undergone more targeted training, thus starting at a higher level than most sprinters.
After all, the Japanese sprint racing scene wasn't as prosperous as races at other distances; it usually took a lot of effort to make some Uma Musume, and even some Trainers, to accept this point.
Most would usually want to try harder, to see if they are adaptable to other distances first.
However, the time and effort wasted during those periods was enough for Curren Chan to surpass most current sprinters.
Even so, a race as short as this was incredibly unpredictable, which was why Curren Chan almost got caught during the final sprint.
"Mhm! So as long as McQueen wins the Hanshin Daishoten, our team will completely sweep March!"
On Imanami's screen, the faces of Tokai Teio and Gold Ship quickly appeared.
Both girls were wearing their training tracksuits while sweating, seemingly having just finished a training session.
"You're all so strong! We've already secured a GII and even two GIs in one go! Now, those annoying reporters definitely will have nothing to say!"
"Right, only McQueen is left. Tomorrow we can directly go to the Hanshin Racecourse and get first class seats to McQueen's ass kicking in the Hanshin Daishoten!"
Gold Ship was also full of fighting spirit, seemingly very interested in the act of beating ass with a resounding blow.
"...Aren't you girls pressuring McQueen too much?"
Imanami, seeing the enthusiastic gazes of everyone, couldn't help but feel that wantonly putting expectations on someone like this was just uselessly stressing McQueen.
However, McQueen slowly walked over from the side, saying very calmly,
"It's alright, Trainer. As an Uma Musume of the Mejiro Family, it is only natural for me to have more expectations placed on me."
"What's more, our team is long due a victory. I will win this Hanshin Daishoten."
The 'our team' McQueen referred to was, of course, not the entirety of Team Miracle, but rather Imanami's little group.
Currently, both Tokai Teio and Gold Ship have yet to debut; only Mejiro McQueen could bring them some honors.
And, in her Classic Year, McQueen lost in every GI race she participated in to T.M. Opera O, even becoming a 'background character' in the Arima Kinen during the clash of the Emperor and the Overlord.
Although there were a lot of reasons, most of which McQueen couldn't even control, that caused her to lose, McQueen still wanted to release this knot of resentment that had built up in her.
Though Imanami had long told her that her body's peak was not in her Classic Year, McQueen still couldn't help but feel unconvinced in her heart.
The newspapers and articles about her sure didn't help either; they were even starting to call her 'the most anticipated, yet disappointing Uma Musume of the year.'
Due to her being a part of the Mejiro Family, she has always been highly anticipated, but, time and again she has been beaten into second or third place in GI races.
Although these results can be considered good, the problem was that besides first place, everyone else were losers!
The coincidence of the Overlord being in the same Classic Year was a significant blow to McQueen.
No matter how calm she or Imanami was, facing external doubts, she couldn't always remain so composed.
However, she couldn't voice these complaints; instead, she would transform this frustration into stronger motivation, making her strive to become even stronger!
"Congrats on everyone for winning! That's truly wonderful."
"Now, please look forward to my performance. This time, I will definitely present everyone with an undisputed victory in the Hanshin Daishoten!"
McQueen's demeanor was very gentle, but the fierce fighting spirit burning deep within her was evident at a glance.
Imanami, beside her, also sensed McQueen's strong emotions.
McQueen's intense yearning to win, suppressed for an entire year, made her appear utterly imposing in the eyes of others.
But, while a strong desire to win was normal for an Uma Musume... Imanami was somewhat worried that McQueen's intense drive for victory would cause her to act recklessly and get hurt.
However, Imanami knew he couldn't say things like: "McQueen, winning isn't important," to her right now.
He completely understood the reason behind his Uma Musume's craving for victory, and her determination to prove herself.
After all, this Hanshin Daishoten can be said to be McQueen's stepping stone towards the Spring Tenno Sho.
It wasn't that McQueen couldn't get in without the Hanshin Daishoten; she already met the required prize money and was already eligible to participate in the Tenno Sho (Spring).
It was just that this race was McQueen's chance for redemption; she wanted to prove her strength in long distance races, and show that she was no less inferior to T.M. Opera O.
The Hanshin Daishoten, a long-distance race of 3000 meters, was enough to make a host of Uma Musume look on with dread, comparable in length to the Kikuka Sho.
Since McQueen's goal was to wash away her past disgrace, she would absolutely not allow herself to fail.
Still, Imanami felt it was best to discuss some things in detail with McQueen after the Hanshin Daishoten was over.
Imanami looked at the battle-ready McQueen at this moment and ultimately decided to trust in McQueen's dedication.
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Sprint CM RNG moment
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If you spot any errors, feel free to comment about it and I will fix it as soon as I can.