"Platinum's retiring?"
"Then... how can I race against her again?"
Daiwa Scarlet's breathing grew rapid, her disbelief palpable.
She was still actively competing, after all!
And Platinum, while technically in her second year as an older horse by conventional standards...
Most Uma Musume at this stage weren't just struggling to improve or get stronger; many could barely maintain their peak form, with most inevitably starting a steady decline.
When other Uma Musume reached their second older horse year, their careers had already spanned 'four years'. Retiring to avoid a fifth year of sliding into disgrace, unable to win a single race, seemed perfectly reasonable.
But Platinum was different. First off, her career hadn't lasted four years, but... a mere three!
One mustn't forget, Platinum had made her debut in the very same race as her, Daiwa Scarlet, resulting in that world-famous 'five-length' margin.
But then, the Pegasus Platinum, who should have faced her again in the upcoming rookie-limited races, mysteriously vanished and didn't compete.
In a stunning move, Platinum, after only about a month since her debut, refused to participate in the rookie-limited races and chose to 'skip a grade', directly challenging seniors who had been racing for over a year in the classic races!
So, if you really calculated it, Platinum's older years were equivalent to others' classic years! She had always been challenging more mature, senior opponents beyond her level!
"Next year will truly be Platinum's second older year."
"Next year will only be her fourth year of racing. By all reasoning, she should still be able to maintain her peak form for at least most of the year."
"To retire in such a rush now... while at her peak, in only the third year of her career... isn't that far too early?"
The crimson-haired girl found it hard to believe. Her rapid breathing caused her prominent chest to rise and fall noticeably.
That five-length defeat, and its subsequent impact, had made Daiwa Scarlet herself unable to forget that debut race.
Having already secured the Triple Tiara, she wanted even more to know just how large the gap was between her and the Pegasus Platinum at her full current strength.
"I always thought Platinum's peak would be incredibly long, that she'd keep running until she simply couldn't anymore."
"So, I always believed there would be a chance to face her eventually..."
Since Platinum now intended to end her career with just one final race...
It was obvious that major players across the global Uma Musume scene would be scrambling, desperate to invite Platinum to participate.
No matter the race, even the supreme, world-number-one race, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, would be honored to serve as the Pegasus's [final race]!
Besides that, there were still several other heavyweight races of note in Europe.
And in America, from dirt to turf, there were many famous major races.
Compared to these, even Daiwa Scarlet, as a Japanese Uma Musume, had to admit that Japanese races... simply couldn't offer any compelling advantages worth choosing.
Even the only one worth mentioning, [prize money], might not significantly outstrip other races.
So, unless Platinum was feeling nostalgic and wanted to retire where she debuted... was there really any reason for her to choose a Japanese race?
"But now, it seems even that chance is gone?"
The crimson maiden felt a pang of regret.
Bad news: It seemed there was no chance for a rematch with the Pegasus.
Good news: To this day, the second place in the Pegasus's hall of fame was Frankel, who lost by... [two sets of five lengths]!
That is, ten lengths!
Could it be...
That her own [five-length defeat] would remain until the Pegasus's retirement, permanently and utterly cemented as the number one spot in the [Pegasus's Hall of Fame]?
Daiwa Scarlet wasn't sure whether she should feel happy or regretful!
--+--
As Daiwa Scarlet sank into thought and silence.
Around her, the countless Pegasus fans in the Winner's Stage audience seats also emerged from their stunned, shocked, and incredulous reactions.
This transformed into a collective sense of unwillingness and regret.
"Waaah... Miss Platinum, don't go, please don't go!!"
"If I could just keep seeing Miss Platinum galloping on the track, I'd even marry her, I would!"
"Wh-why is this? Clearly the Pegasus is still at her peak right now, showing no signs of decline, so why decide to retire so early?"
"Has she grown lonely without challenging opponents, preparing to retire once she defeated Frankel?"
"She's a Uma Musume who entered the classics early, meaning her age should be considered a year younger. She should maintain her peak for at least half of next year, so why retire so soon?"
"If Miss Platinum only has one race left, I absolutely cannot miss her final race!"
Some fans were wailing, while others were stunned or trying to analyze the situation.
Both Satono Diamond and Kitasan Black were experiencing both reactions.
It was generally agreed that Platinum could maintain her peak for at least another six months. Retiring now seemed somewhat wasteful, too early.
Could it be that she was retiring because there were no worthy opponents left??
The two little Uma Musume, utterly devoted fans of the Pegasus, were filled with reluctance at the news of her retirement.
"Waaah, why is Miss Platinum retiring so early?"
"Please, can't you run races forever? I'd do anything!"
The retirement news of the strongest Platinum, the legendary Pegasus who surpassed legends, was undoubtedly earth-shattering content that would rock all of Japan and countries overseas.
Japanese fans like Satono Diamond and Kitasan Black were especially distraught.
It hurts, it hurts so much!
It was as painful as the Ruined King Viego losing Isolde, as painful as Uchiha Obito losing Rin!
"Regardless, we must respect Miss Platinum's choice."
"At the very least, we must go watch her final race. This is the one we absolutely cannot miss!"
Finally, Satono Diamond clenched her small pink fist, speaking softly yet with firm determination.
Beside her, Kitasan Black, usually full of laughter and chatter, simply uttered a quiet "Mhm," and nodded with equal seriousness.
"The Pegasus's final race... no matter which one it is, we absolutely cannot miss it."
--+--
Meanwhile.
Japan, URA Headquarters building.
In the conference room, the higher-ups who had just been collectively celebrating Platinum's victory...
They had just finished watching the post-race interview segment, hearing Platinum announce her impending retirement. Now, they seemed as if choked, unable to speak for a good while.
"Huh??"
"S-She's retiring already?"
"Come on, man, the Pegasus is clearly in great form right now, so good she can defeat legends."
"The Pegasus who eclipsed Eclipse... retiring this fast?"
Then, after processing it, the senior members within the URA began to frown slightly, deep in thought.
They had originally believed Platinum's career would be quite long, likely running through next year before retiring.
So they all thought that eventually, they'd see Platinum return to Japan for a race.
But now... it's over!
"We must try to secure this final race for Platinum."
"But securing it will be very difficult."
"After all, however reluctant we are, Japanese races essentially only have two features: [Low Difficulty] and [High Prize Money]."
One senior member spoke up first, initiating the discussion.
"But the problem is, for the Pegasus, the difficulty level is meaningless. In fact, high-difficulty races are more attractive to her, right?"
"Now, simply raising the prize money, or offering Platinum extra bonuses, won't work either."
"Because every other overseas Gq race organization with a functioning brain will definitely do the same!"
Just like the high prize money of the Japan Cup struggled in the past to attract esteemed world champions, usually only drawing some European Uma Musume looking to make a quick buck.
And Platinum's current status far surpasses that of a regular world champion!
For Platinum, there are plenty of high-stakes races.
Whether it's Europe's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, or races in Saudi Arabia, America, and other places, high-prize-money competitions exist.
So by comparison, Japan's disadvantages are too significant.
Theoretically, they could only hope that Platinum wants to retire where she debuted, that she desires a [homecoming].
But that possibility... seems like wishful thinking.
"No, there is another option."
Suddenly, another high-ranking member spoke up.
In an instant, he had everyone's attention.
"A backup? But Pegasus Platinum only has one race left."
"We can't just use the likes of Daiwa Scarlet or Orfevre as substitutes, can we? Combined, they don't even equal half of Platinum."
"Indeed. Platinum is irreplaceable."
The next second, that high-ranking member provided the answer.
"Of course, it still involves Platinum."
"We can invest heavily to invite Pegasus Platinum and have her..."
"Hold her retirement ceremony in Japan!!"
That answer left the room in stunned silence.
A moment later, they all began to think it over, then started nodding one after another, expressing their agreement.
"Good... yes, that's an excellent idea."
"Right. Competing against other top-tier overseas G1 races to snatch Platinum herself would be nearly impossible, but snatching her retirement ceremony? That's a much easier fight."
Organize Platinum's retirement ceremony?!
Aim for that?
The quicker-thinking members immediately recalled: in the world of sports, some superstars, due to their immense popularity, could hold retirement tours across different locations.
In the Uma Musume world, popular Uma Musume might also have the fan support to pull off a touring retirement ceremony.
But… it was usually unnecessary, too much trouble. It was simpler to hold it right after a weighty G1 race. So, by convention, it was always held after the final race.
Only those Uma Musume who reached true superstardom could break that convention, earning the right to hold an additional, more grand retirement ceremony.
And Pegasus Platinum's status in the Uma Musume world couldn't even be described by mere 'superstardom'!
If securing her final race was too difficult, then surely securing her retirement ceremony should be easier, right?
It just meant… they had to pay up!
But if it was for Pegasus Platinum, the URA wouldn't hesitate for a second.
"Good, let's do it then."
"We'll try our best to secure her final race. If we fail, we pivot to securing her retirement ceremony in Japan."
"After all, it will be the Pegasus's last appearance on a racetrack! We're making it happen!"
"It's not like… Platinum would ever come out of retirement in the future, right?"
That sort of thing… how could it ever happen?
--+--
Time: The next day.
Location: A beachside villa in the USA.
In a sunny, open-air spot, a girl who appeared elegant and fragile lay on a lounge chair with her eyes closed, resting.
Flightline was sunbathing.
Then, footsteps approached from beside her.
Followed by a voice full of astonishment.
"Huh? Huh?!"
"Flightline, what are you doing here?"
It was the petite Ruffian. After another night of special training in Lin Anran's room that left her body exhausted and weak, she had woken up very late…
She never expected that after finally getting up and coming out, the person she'd see wasn't Dr. Lin.
But… Flightline, who was supposed to be gone?
Shouldn't Flightline be training with Secretariat right now, 'keeping an eye' on that extremely dangerous Big Red Monster?
"The plan… has a flaw."
"We might have already… been exposed."
Flightline let out a soft, weary hum.
"??"
"So, what exactly happened?"
"And where is Dr. Lin? Wasn't the plan going fine? Why were you exposed?"
Ruffian, confused and puzzled, immediately pressed for answers.
According to Flightline's original plan, they were taking turns training with that intensely competitive Big Red Monster, Secretariat.
And Secretariat, that Big Red Monster, was in a crucial phase preparing for her Breeders' Cup Classic showdown against [The Radiant Knight, Nearl].
Therefore, she should absolutely welcome Uma Musume like them for joint training.
That should have maximized their ability to hold Secretariat's attention, so how did they get exposed?
"The problem lies with… Dr. Lin. His physical condition is just… far too good!!"
Flightline, who looked somewhat delicate, knew perfectly well that no matter how poor her own constitution seemed, she was still stronger than an ordinary Uma Musume, and definitely leagues beyond any normal adult man.
But she never expected…
After her nighttime ambush on Dr. Lin, there was no need to worry about his body giving out, or his pelvis getting injured, landing him in the hospital.
Now, instead, it was her body that was giving out prematurely!
"During the last couple of days, my training performance has been terrible."
"With Secretariat's sharp eye and her understanding of me… she's probably noticed something."
"If I went for a third day of training now, I probably wouldn't even last half a session before collapsing."
Flightline calmly laid out her current physical predicament.
A nighttime ambush, encountering Dr. Lin, fighting with all her might… and failing to prevail!
Then, with no time to rest, engaging in high-intensity training on the track with Secretariat!
She couldn't handle it. Just couldn't handle it.
"So I made an excuse, said I was busy in the mornings, that I'd train with her in the afternoon."
"And I told Dr. Lin to open his clinic as usual in the morning, to try and avoid Secretariat noticing anything."
Flightline, frowning slightly and sighing, still offered a warning to the dazed, petite Ruffian beside her.
"But don't get your hopes up too much."
"Probably… we can't hide it."
--+--
In the clinic.
The unscrupulous young doctor put down the newspaper he was holding.
Then, a system panel materialized before his eyes.
[Queen Anne Stakes (Completed)]
[Reward: Claim]
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
There should be... around 70+ advanced chapters?
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.