"WELCOME EVERYONE TOOO, THE HANSHIN RACECOURSE!!!"
"After bidding farewell to the Osaka Hai a few days ago, the Hanshin Racecourse today welcomes the GII Hanshin Daishoten! A 3000-meter long-distance race!"
"But don't worry, unlike the Osaka Hai, we have ensured that today's race will not have any surprises and will be completely fair and just."
Akasaka Misato spoke with much gusto and confidence, reassuring the audience and participating Uma Musume that a second 'Depth Collision' won't happen again.
After all, although Deep Impact was caught and subsequently banned for half a year, many people were worried that some senior Uma Musme would be inspired to emulate her and cause more chaos.
While the scene of a weak Uma Musume turning out to be a secretly powerful one was incredibly entertaining for the audience, it wasn't exactly so fun for the other participating Uma Musume trying to win.
Fortunately, the security checks in the Hanshin Daishoten this time had increased significantly, meticulously checking the personal information of every Uma Musume long before the race started.
"Alright! As you all might already know, the biggest highlight of today's Hanshin Daishoten is, of course..."
"That's right! She's the Uma Musume from the famous Team Miracle, the bright star of the Mejiro Family, MEJIRO MCQUEEN!!!"
"This time, without T.M. Opera O, and after Meisho Doto just won the Osaka Hai, she has also stepped onto the tracks of the Hanshin Racecourse!"
"Speaking of which, Team Miracle has already managed to win three races this month! With the fact that the Hanshin Daishoten is the last GII of the month, if Mejiro McQueen manages to win this race, all of March's GIs and major stakes races will be swept by Team Miracle!"
"Can Mejiro McQueen win this Hanshin Daishoten and make Team Miracle to sweep the entirety of March?! Let's wait and see!"
…
"...That Akasaka Misato, I really don't like her."
In the stands, Gold Ship, Tokai Teio, and Imanami were standing together.
Gold Ship waved her fist in the air towards Akasaka Misato in the commentary stand and said with a hint of displeasure,
"She's such a two-faced prick. Hyping up people now, but then immediately kicking them when they're down if they lose."
"Don't say that, Gold Ship. That Akasaka Misato is just trying to liven up the atmosphere. It's her job."
Imanami, as always, soothed Gold Ship's emotions.
Imanami had to say, Gold Ship has been very obedient lately, not causing too much trouble, obediently doing her training, and always being there for him as his second-in-command.
One could even say that Gold Ship was Imanami's 'Fumino Nase.'
As such, Imanami had also trusted Gold Ship more and entrusted her with many other things.
For example, because McQueen only really needed physical training now, Imanami directed Gold Ship to help supervise her, as well as sharing her emotional burden, while he went and focused most of his energy on the more troublesome Tokai Teio.
It was also because of this that Tokai Teio had grown more attached to Imanami.
Mejiro McQueen and Gold Ship on the other hand... while their relationship couldn't be said to have improved, at least it was a bit closer than before.
Regardless, despite McQueen adjusting her mindset and determination to step out from her fruitless Classic Year, she was immediately burdened with so much pressure by people who didn't even really care for her.
Although Gold Ship's thought process was a bit unconventional, she truly cared about Mejiro McQueen and knew who were the ones who actually cared for McQueen as well as those who secretly wanted to see her stumble.
"Don't worry, Gold Ship. After all, it's McQueen, right?"
Tokai Teio turned to Gold Ship and Imanami, full of confidence in McQueen.
"Although McQueen got beaten by T.M. Opera O for an entire year, she's 'the Overlord!' I don't think it's embarrassing at all."
"Plus, even the Prez got beaten by T.M. Opera O! McQueen isn't weak at all!"
"Heh, I, Teio-sama, even dare say that, unless there are some super losers like that Deep Impact in this race, McQueen will definitely not lose!"
Teio... seemed to dislike Deep Impact a lot.
Imanami, hearing the annoyed Teio when she spoke about Deep Impact, smiled gently.
Some time ago, Tokai Teio had watched the broadcast of Deep Impact in the Osaka Hai, where she had absolutely dominated Meisho Doto.
The young Uma Musume, who didn't even know Deep Impact existed, was naturally startled by her strength.
But soon, when Teio learned from Imanami that Deep Impact was actually the second Undefeated Classic Triple Crown Uma Musume, someone who has seven crowns like Symboli Rudolf, her admiration and curiosity immediately turned into irritation, saying things like,
"Hmph! That Deep Impact thinks she can compare to the Prez just because of that?! Tokai Teio is the next Undefeated Classic Triple Crown Uma Musume after Prez! Not her! Where did that Uma Musume even come from?!"
"Ugh, I'm so annoyed! I've decided! Once Teio-sama becomes an Undefeated Classic Triple Crown Uma Musume and beats the Prez, I'll go and beat up that Deep Impact to prove that I'm the strongest Undefeated Classic Triple Crown Uma Musume ever!"
—Teio's ambition was very grand. Of course, it would have been better if she could say that without her legs trembling from Deep Impact's presence.
Clearly, Teio herself knew that there was still a vast chasm between herself and true GI level Uma Musume.
Putting everything else aside, within Team Miracle right now, excluding Sweep Tosho, who had just joined the team and got thoroughly beaten by Tokai Teio, becoming Tokai Teio's exclusive 'little sister,' and Curren Chan, who was only adept at short distances, Tokai Teio was definitively the weakest Uma Musume of the team.
Initially, when she came to this realization, she was unwilling to accept it, but after repeated defeats in a series of mock races against the other members of Team Miracle, she gradually went from overly defiant to becoming numb, before finally accepting this fact.
However, this did not lead to Teio giving up or being disappointed; instead, she still remained confident, determined to face every training session and mock race with an indomitable spirit.
Just as Imanami and Symboli Rudolf had hoped, Tokai Teio has 'transformed' a lot.
Although she was still far away from becoming the truly unyielding Teio, she could now accept defeats, learn from each failure, and continue to strive to surpass them.
For example, now, facing Mejiro McQueen, whom she regarded as a rival but whose strength far exceeded her own, Teio could still cheer for her and not envy their difference in strength.
"And the Uma Musume have started to enter the gates! First, we see the confident Mejiro McQueen; she looks to be in excellent condition this time!"
Akasaka Misato's voice drew back the attention of everyone to the track, and just then, Tokai Teio and Gold Ship quickly cupped their hands like megaphones and began shouting.
"GO WIN, MCQUEEN!!!" X2
"…"
However, when Mejiro McQueen did not reciprocate Tokai Teio's and Gold Ship's shouts, the two suddenly felt embarrassed.
As this awkward atmosphere lingered, Tokai Teio couldn't help but turn to Imanami.
"Trainer, what's wrong with McQueen? She seems a bit off."
"—The arid wind that blows from her reveals the beast within her, eager to tear everything apart..."
Gold Ship, perhaps due to her chuunibyou tendencies acting up, began muttering nonsense, her face becoming super detailed.
But after a few moments, Gold Ship quickly returned to normal like nothing happened.
"This McQueen is super strong! I feel like she's become even more uncontrollable than Gold Ship-sama herself!"
Gold Ship's words left Tokai Teio bewildered, but Imanami understood what Gold Ship meant and nodded very seriously.
As the Uma Musume entered the gates one after the other, none could see the expression on Mejiro McQueen's face as she prepared herself in the gate.
Her eyes were fixed intently on the path ahead, and the only thing in her eyes was victory.
Perhaps that was it; for Mejiro McQueen right now, there was only one thing that was important: victory.
Victory was her sole pursuit.
'Trainer is watching, Teio and Gold Ship are watching, everyone in the Mejiro Family is watching; everyone is waiting for me to wash away this shame.'
Clang!
So, this time, I will absolutely not lose!
"And beautiful! Every Uma Musume has made a perfect start! Taking the lead is— Mejiro McQueen!"
"In this 3000-meter Hanshin Daishoten, is this decision really correct?"
Leading continuously for three thousand meters was an almost impossible feat for any other Uma Musume.
However, for Mejiro McQueen, this 'impossibility' wasn't very impossible.
This time, she must achieve a brilliant victory with absolute dominance, winning without any doubt!
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Random Akasaka Misato stray from Gold Ship.
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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.