From the 58th Japan Derby Pamphlet:
The Japan Derby, steeped in history, tradition, and prestige, is a race that every Uma Musume can only run once in her lifetime.
How cruel that truth can be.
Countless legendary Uma Musume have fallen before this dream. For every girl, it is the ultimate aspiration—to stand at the pinnacle as the Derby Uma Musume.
"So, what, you're saying the Oaks is somehow less than the Derby?"
"No way I'm okay with that!"
The complaints burst from the two Oaks champions, leaving Minamisaka with little more than a wry smile. It's true that the Oaks was established six years after the Derby, so it can't compete in terms of history. Even though the two races are now considered equal in status, the lingering perception that the Derby reigns supreme is hard to shake.
"We've gotta show the URA who's boss, Turbo!" Rampage declared. "How about we crash the Derby and dominate?"
"Heck yeah! Let's do it, let's do it!" Turbo cheered.
"No way," Minamisaka cut in.
""Okay…""
The two deflated instantly at Minamisaka's firm words, though attempting such a stunt would've earned them more than a scolding.
"Alright, Turbo, how about we do a stream later—'Teaching the URA a Lesson'?"
"Love it! How about we dance that routine from last time to make 'em reflect?"
"Genius!"
"Fufun!"
Their plan veered into dangerous territory.
"Seriously, what's up with Rampage's emotions?"
"She lives on vibe and momentum."
"And I'm the one who lost to her…"
"Loving someone like that? Makes me worry about your sister, Flora. She's not… like that, right? I'm getting anxious."
"She's not! Okay, Takion's a little eccentric, but…"
Flora's thoughts drifted to a key detail: in history, Agnes Flora was Takion's mother. The strange passion—or obsession—seemed to run in the family. It made sense, in a way, though being on the receiving end of that intensity was no small burden.
"Calling someone who treats their trainer like a guinea pig 'a little' eccentric is…"
"She doesn't treat Trainer like a guinea pig! Sure, she has a pet guinea pig, but…"
"That's not a pet, that's a lab animal!"
"…I can't deny it…"
"How do you even know Takion's like that?"
"Because she's your sister, so she's gotta be a total weirdo!"
"That's harsh!"
As it turned out, Takion was something beyond even "weirdo."
The fanfare blared, signaling the start of gate loading. One by one, the Uma Musume entered their gates with focus—no one shied away, not even those prone to nerves. Nature stepped in smoothly, and finally, Teio claimed the outermost gate, number 20 in the eighth frame.
Announcer: "Bathed in roaring cheers and towering expectations, the Tokyo Yushun, the Japan Derby, begins NOW! A clean start with no one lagging—Before You, who declared an escape strategy, takes the lead!"
Leading the charge was an escape-style Uma Musume. The chairman had mentioned that escape tactics were trending, likely because of two certain someones on their team.
Announcer: "Tokai Teio is in eighth place! Nice Nature, the second favorite, is just to her right in ninth. Where will the long-spurt queen make her move today?"
"Right where we planned," Nature muttered, a spark in her eyes.
She wasn't nervous—not one bit. With teammates who'd conquered far tougher battles, showing nerves here would only earn her endless teasing.
"Nature's in an outer gate…" Flora noted. "At 2400 meters, that's a tough spot."
Nature's gate, number 19 in the seventh frame, was only marginally better than Teio's. The outer gates forced a longer run, a disadvantage for most. But for a chaser like Nature, starting clean on the outside could be a boon.
"Is the outside that bad, Rampage?" Turbo asked.
"Dunno, ask Southie."
"It's not something you two would notice…" Minamisaka sighed.
"I don't really feel it either," Ikuno added.
"What is Canopus?" Flora groaned.
Turbo and Rampage always shot for the lead, oblivious to outer-gate woes. Ikuno, with her masterful pacing and course control, rarely felt disadvantaged either.
Announcer: "No one's moving yet—a steady pace so far… Wait, the race is shifting! Nice Nature, NICE NATURE is making her move! She's spurring just past the 1200-meter mark!?"
"What, she's going now!?"
"No way she can hold that!"
"That's way too early!"
Nature's bold move stunned the crowd. She'd planned an early spurt after her Satsuki Sho loss, but starting at 1200—200 meters sooner than her usual 1000—was unthinkable.
"Don't underestimate me!" Nature growled. "You've no idea how hard I've trained for this!"
Nature, an early riser, had been slipping out at 4 a.m. to avoid waking her roommate, Marvelous Sunday. Two hours of running, a shower, back to bed, then dragged awake by Marvelous to head to class. After lessons, she'd tackle Canopus's training menu and run until the dorm's curfew. Day after day, her stamina had grown leagues beyond her Satsuki self.
Announcer: "Nice Nature is surging! She's climbed from ninth to third already!"
"Whoa… Nature's flying!" Rice gasped.
"Go, go, go!" Tanhoiza shouted.
"This is bad," Flora said. "The others are picking up their pace too…"
"Everyone knows Nature's long spurts," Rampage replied. "But starting that early? It's throwing them off. And she's pacing herself, saving her legs."
"That's the trick!?"
"Yup, my signature move."
Nature's spurt wasn't just speed—it disrupted the field. Those who tried to match her were burning out, their final reserves sapped by her calculated shifts in pace.
"That's brutal…"
"But it's not working on the real threat," Rampage said. "She's sticking to her own rhythm, cool as ever."
"Perfect pacing," Ikuno noted. "She's running her race."
All eyes turned to Teio. As the final straight loomed, she held her ground, unshaken—a mark of a true champion. Flora realized, once again, that the strongest Uma Musume were those who trusted themselves to the end.
Announcer: "Nice Nature takes the lead! Tokai Teio is in fourth! Into the final straight! Tokai Teio, TOKAI TEIO is charging! She's cutting through the field, now in second, with Nature in her sights!"
Teio's explosive final kick erupted, her signature Teio Step slicing through competitors. In moments, she closed the gap, her eyes locking with Nature's in a fleeting, electric moment.
You're late, Teio.
Let's settle this, Nature!
Announcer: "At 200 meters, Tokai Teio is closing in! She's about to pass, she's passing—SHE'S PASSED!"
"I'm not letting you take this!" Nature roared.
Announcer: "No, Nice Nature fights back! Like she's avenging Satsuki, she's stretching again! They're neck and neck! Who'll win!? It's too close to call! Teio's dream of a second crown, or Nature's will to topple her!?"
Teio, sprinting to fulfill her dream of an undefeated Triple Crown with Rudolf. Nature, fueled by the support of so many, vowing to win this time. Their wills clashed in a breathtaking Japan Derby, a dead heat to the very end.
""COME ONNNN!""
Neither yielded, their bodies surging forward as they crossed the finish line together.
Announcer: "GOAL! Tokai Teio and Nice Nature cross first! Six lengths ahead of Rionatar in third! What an unbelievable battle! But who's the winner? The title of Japan's best… PHOTO FINISH! This year's Derby comes down to a photo finish!"
Panting, Teio and Nature lifted their heads, laughing at the absurdity of their perfect tie.
"Geez, Teio, you're something else," Nature said. "I didn't think you'd catch up like that."
"And you!" Teio grinned. "How do you even spurt like that?"
"'Cause I worked my tail off."
Their simple answers were enough. They'd given everything, leaving the rest to fate. As the crowd roared, they glanced at the scoreboard. There, at the top: Number 19.
"I… lost?"
The realization hit Teio like ice. She'd failed to keep her promise to the chairman. Swallowing her tears, she forced a smile and extended a hand to Nature. If anyone deserved to feel the weight of being the Derby Uma Musume, it was her.
"Congrats, Nature! You're Japan's best!"
"Huh? Uh, yeah, I guess…?"
Nature seemed dazed, the victory not yet sinking in. Teio chuckled softly. She should be proud—this was the Japan Derby, a race worth celebrating. But Nature, noticing Teio's forced smile, sighed and slung an arm around her.
"Teio, you're misunderstanding something. Look at the board again."
"I already did…"
"Just look."
Teio's eyes were guided back to the scoreboard. There was Nature's 19 at the top, her 20 below. Nothing had changed… or had it? Then she saw it—not just numbers, but a single word: "Tie."
"Huh…?"
"We're tied, dummy. It's a dead heat. Got it? A Derby dead heat."
"A tie…? I didn't lose?"
"Nope. We both won. Congrats, Derby Uma Musume."
"YEAHHH! Chairman, you saw that, right!? Trainer, I did it!"
"Quiet down!"
A Japan Derby tie. Neither Nature nor Teio had lost—together, they claimed the title of Japan's best. The crowd's cheers enveloped them in celebration.
But amidst the joy, Nature's eyes burned with resolve. "A tie, huh? The real showdown's at the Kikuka Sho. I'm not losing next time."
-------------------------------
Want to read the latest chapters before everyone else?
Support me on Patreon!
You'll get early access to the next 30-40 chapters and this can help me continue translating the story regularly.
👉 [patreon.com/Greyhounds]
Thank you for your amazing support! ❤️