What kind of miracle would Donna create?
After that one particular conversation following the training race, Donna surprisingly didn't show any unusual efforts toward unlocking her Zone. Instead, she merely trained diligently—very diligently—day after day. Each day, she challenged Gotham Song, over and over again, tirelessly and relentlessly. Unfortunately, the results remained unchanged.
Donna still secured second place in every training race. Flightline had joined several times, only to be badly beaten again and again, but even counting this embarrassing visitor who occasionally dropped by, the training races never had more than four participants.
First place was always Gotham Song. Second place, always Donna. Third was always Vernal Equinox.
Wait, Flightline?
Oh, right—when there were four, Flightline took fourth. That American turf specialist was trapped in a frustrating cycle, so exasperating that she had lost the words to complain.
Even Flightline, that dull-headed girl, had ignited her crimson flames several times after falling far behind. Yet Donna remained as steady and unhurried as ever, enough to make one quietly concerned.
However, Gotham Song didn't show much anxiety or worry. Instead, she was curious—curious as to why Donna maintained such composure.
Yet, in Gotham Song's eyes, Donna's calm gradually transformed into something entirely different.
No longer silent resilience. Instead, it resembled the weighty, lethal silence of a lion about to explode—far more terrifying than any hysterical roar. Perhaps Donna's opponents were the ones who should worry more.
Because, when facing Donna in such a state…it was entirely possible to be torn to shreds.
Time moved steadily forward amid Donna's devoted training. With each tiring day of practice, the day of the Oka Sho finally drew near.
Frankly, as the Oka Sho approached, Gotham Song's nerves began to fray with inexplicable anxiety.
Sure, she had watched the races of her team's Uma Musume during their debut year before, but, but…!
Could those minor races from their debut year compare to the Triple Tiara of the classic year?
If Gotham Song herself participated, there would be absolutely no problem. Forget something trivial like the Oka Sho—even the Triple Tiara would be casually cleared. The issue was that she wasn't racing this time. Instead, she was the one sitting nervously in the audience!
So this Oka Sho was destined to have Gotham Song anxiously fixated on the entire race.
Such a feeling was rather strange to Gotham Song. Clearly, she'd watched Donna race during her debut year, but back then she had never felt nervous.
Was it because she knew that the debut-year fillies couldn't possibly threaten Donna?
That should be it, right? Gotham Song felt somewhat uncertain, yet there didn't seem to be any other explanation.
Then, what about the reason for her current anxiety…
Rationally speaking, she knew Donna could win. Donna's chances were good—really good. These past few days of chase training had shown that, although Donna still couldn't completely catch Gotham Song... well, true, she couldn't actually reach her Trainer's side—but!
But when Gotham Song truly became serious, Donna had actually managed to explode briefly with enough speed to match Gotham Song's cruising pace. During that brief moment, the gap between them had narrowed dramatically.
According to Dancing Brave-senpai, this state was more than enough.
"Being able to keep pace with this monster's cruising speed—even if only for a brief moment—is something extraordinary. In any ordinary race, this kind of burst would be considered an excellent finishing sprint. Remember this feeling well, Donna-chan."
"That moment, that heartbeat, that desperate urge to forever chase and surpass the figure ahead—take that instant, and make it your eternity."
Honestly, Gotham Song felt Dancing Brave's smile at that moment was oddly sinister, as if hinting at something unsaid. However, she ultimately chose not to pursue it, completely ignoring the implication.
Anyway, Donna had significantly improved, so dramatically that Gotham Song would even call it a surprise. Yet, even knowing the strength of her own Uma Musume, Gotham Song couldn't stop worrying.
Emotionally speaking, Donna was indeed strong—but were Vivlos and Almond Eye pushovers? Obviously not!
Those two weren't weak Uma Musume; they'd undoubtedly present a formidable challenge for the fillies from her own team.
Thus, Gotham Song's inner turmoil became utterly tangled, unable to find even a single clear thread. At that moment, she suddenly understood—this was probably exactly how her sisters had felt back when she herself competed…
No, their situation might have been even worse. Because back then, the races she challenged weren't ones that spectators could comfortably predict she'd easily win. Except for maybe the Satsuki Sho and Japanese Derby, which her sisters might've had some confidence in, the American Triple Crown and other competitions she'd entered were completely unfamiliar territory—races even her sisters at their peaks might never have dared to challenge.
Back then, Mejiro Manor's residents probably felt even more panicked than she did right now.
Thinking of this, Gotham Song couldn't help but tightly grip Mejiro Ramonu's hand, drawing a gentle, downward gaze from the tall Uma Musume who had been quietly watching her from the side.
My, this child has reached the age where she observes her juniors with such eyes, finally understanding the so-called "heart of a parent"…? Although, Song's junior, no—perhaps even more than that…
Hehe.
Anyway, as Gotham Song squeezed Mejiro Ramonu's hand tightly, and Ardan gently wrapped her arm around her younger sister's shoulders, the race call was finally sounded.
The Oka Sho took place at Hanshin Racecourse—a venue not unfamiliar to Gotham Song. She anxiously awaited the start.
As Donna's first Classic-year race in her career, how popular was she among the audience?
If one said it aloud, many might express surprise—but…
Donna was actually ranked second in popularity.
Third place in popularity was Verxina, someone familiar to all the team's Uma Musume. This pace-setting filly lacked prestigious pedigree but had delivered striking performances in her debut year. She frequently appeared in discussions surrounding Classic-year Uma Musume and was considered a future star, destined for the Hall of Fame.
People believed it wasn't a question of whether Verxina would achieve enough accolades for the Hall of Fame—it was only a matter of when.
As for Donna, ranked second in popularity, her strength went without saying. Setting aside her belonging to Eternal Beat—a team famously lavish with resources—one could understand her strength simply by looking at her limited race record during her debut year.
Donna's talent was frighteningly strong. She hadn't raced many times during her debut year, fewer than Verxina at least, yet even so, both had arrived at the Oka Sho.
For Uma Musume, accumulated prize money determined eligibility for high-tier races. In other words, Donna achieved a similar level of earnings to Verxina in fewer races—an impressive feat by any standard.
Yet, despite their incredible capabilities, both Donna and Verxina still fell behind in popularity.
So, who ranked first?
It was another Uma Musume—one Gotham Song had specifically targeted before.
Most popular: Almond Eye.
This filly had also achieved a terrifyingly dazzling debut year, earning enough to stand confidently upon this turf. But her greater popularity originated off the field.
As an Uma Musume painstakingly nurtured by URA, Almond Eye had never explicitly stated that she intended to restore URA's glory—but she had clearly expressed another ambition:
She wished to use the same methods to reinstate the Japan Cup's international status.
In other words, Almond Eye aimed to bring the Japan Cup back to its original position, formally initiating a relegation-promotion procedure through official channels!
Such a declaration naturally brought Almond Eye enormous popularity.
Although public opinion in Japan had swung towards bashing URA whenever possible, elevating Twilight Song to a near-idolatrous level—almost a counterreaction of passionate worship after hitting rock bottom—even so, the Japan Cup was the very race Gotham Song had ruthlessly crushed.
As a Japan-branded race, there were still countless people hoping to see the Japan Cup return to its former glory. They might admire Twilight Song, might dislike URA—but when it came specifically to the Japan Cup…
Ultimately, due to these factors, Almond Eye comfortably secured first place in popularity, leaving Donna and Verxina trailing behind.
But Gotham Song didn't really have any opinions about such things. The reason she had chosen the Japan Cup back then wasn't because she had something against that race specifically—it was simply because it was Japan's only official international event, so she'd stepped onto that turf. As for afterward...
Since Almond Eye had such ambitions, then let her try, Gotham Song thought rather maliciously. If you really want to reclaim the Japan Cup's dignity from the Demon Lord…well, rewarding you with a chance to challenge me directly at this year's Japan Cup shouldn't be unreasonable, right?
As for this year's Japan Cup…well, she'd have to check her schedule first.
Gotham Song hummed softly, leaning forward against the railing as she stared toward the contestant tunnel.
As the crucial first race of the Triple Tiara, Hanshin had arranged a special parade—not merely the usual presentation stage, but a full procession in front of the audience stands, something originally reserved only for the biggest events.
Though it seemed such traditions were becoming more common lately…anyway, Gotham Song was excited now.
Was she excited because she could see Donna passing by directly in front of her from the stands? Yes…but not entirely.
As a G1 race, as the opening battle of the Triple Tiara, the Oka Sho naturally satisfied one condition every Uma Musume inherently acknowledged:
Today, Donna, racing her very first G1, would also wear her Racing Outfit for the first time, appearing in full glory before the entire world.
Honestly, if Gotham Song had asked earlier, Donna certainly wouldn't have minded showing her what she looked like in that outfit—at least sending a selfie ahead of time wouldn't have been an issue.
But even so, Gotham Song stubbornly restrained her curiosity, choosing instead to wait for the race itself.
Because it was a surprise, a genuine surprise! A Trainer should witness the breathtaking moment of her own Uma Musume appearing in her Racing Outfit for the very first time only at the racecourse—this was something every Trainer absolutely had to realize…!
The instant an Uma Musume donned her Racing Outfit, even her breathing would heat up uncontrollably. No matter how many times she wore it, this sensation would never diminish. The reason was simple:
For Uma Musume, wearing their Racing Outfit meant stepping onto the track. And when facing the track…
There wasn't a single Uma Musume who wouldn't burn with excitement. Not a single one!
Similarly, there wasn't a single Trainer who wouldn't eagerly anticipate seeing her girls step onto the field dressed in their dazzling outfits. Not a single one!
For exactly this reason, Gotham Song stood absolutely motionless, eyes glued to the contestant tunnel. Even though the announcer hadn't yet mentioned Donna's turn to appear, Gotham Song remained utterly still!
But, well, the first Uma Musume to enter her view wasn't Donna, but another blue-haired filly in a dark-colored outfit.
Third in popularity—Verxina…!
As if sensing Gotham Song's scorching gaze, Verxina—who was normally a bit delicate in daily life—now showed rare determination. She nodded resolutely in Gotham Song's direction, then confidently walked forward past the stands, openly displaying her unwavering self-assurance to everyone.
Very good, great spirit. You look as if you can't imagine losing at all…
I love seeing a girl like you suddenly questioning her entire existence later. Hehe, what kind of delicious expression will you show… Ah-hem, wait, why am I having such scary thoughts?
Gotham Song couldn't figure out why, nor did she want to dwell on it further. She merely gazed deeply into the dark mouth of the contestant tunnel.
And then, as the announcer's voice rang out, another figure stepped forward into everyone's view.
Donna was as calm as still water, but someone legendary like Gotham Song could clearly feel that right now, Donna's entire body was burning fiercely, blazing with invisible flames—!
The savage desire to crush every single opponent began at this very instant, unleashed without restraint.
Opponents? I'll tear every last one of you apart.
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