Wait, he hasn't transformed yet! He can't just transform right in front of Secretariat, can he?
At this very moment, the young black-haired doctor was facing a rather tricky crisis.
Namely, how was he going to transform into [Margaret Nearl]?
Ever since being apprehended by Secretariat and brought back to her home, effectively moving back in together...
Lin Anran had been staying there for the time being, adopting a rather go-with-the-flow attitude.
But no matter how easy-going he was, he couldn't just sit still now. Today was his... no, her race!
Platinum had already arrived, but Margaret Nearl had yet to make an appearance.
She absolutely couldn't appear right under Big Red's nose, could she?
These past few days, living under the same roof as Secretariat, the young doctor Lin Anran had learned just how fiercely determined Secretariat was to defeat Margaret.
If the murderous Secretariat suddenly discovered that the rival she absolutely must defeat, her future little niece Margaret Nearl... was none other than her beloved Dr. Lin!
Would Secretariat still be able to maintain that blazing, fervent fighting spirit?
Besides, if this secret got out... even if just one person knew, Lin Anran felt it would be terribly awkward, and even he would be filled with a sense of shame.
So, he absolutely must not be discovered!
But Lin Anran also couldn't wait until he was at the racecourse to transform. This was the Breeders' Cup, watched by the entire world!
The Breeders' Cup was a full-day super event with a ridiculous number of G1 races. The stands were bound to be packed to the brim.
He couldn't just hide in a restroom to transform then, could he?
The Pegasus revival point surely couldn't be in a restroom, and a men's restroom at that? That would be even more humiliating than being discovered by Secretariat.
"You go on ahead."
Lin Anran shook his head and flatly refused.
"Why?"
Secretariat, who had been about to take Lin Anran's hand, paused mid-motion.
"Dr. Lin... you aren't planning to watch the race sitting next to some... thieving cat, are you?"
The stunningly beautiful, tall Uma Musume with long, vibrant red hair narrowed her eyes slightly, a dangerous glint in her expression.
Secretariat was currently sensing something amiss.
After all, she had secured expensive front-row tickets for Lin Anran.
Yet here he was, telling her to go first. Could it be... that some other thieving cat had secretly arranged to meet Dr. Lin, to watch the race together from the stands? A date?
There was no way for Secretariat to know that Lin Anran needed to [transform] behind the backs of his friends and loved ones, just like a Kamen Rider, to defeat a powerful foe!
From her perspective, Lin Anran suddenly wanting to separate from her... among the likely possibilities, the one with the highest probability was naturally that some other thieving cat had managed to snag a date with Dr. Lin.
Currently, Flightline had also entered the Breeders' Cup Classic.
That legendary monster, though considered inferior to Nearl and Secretariat in the public eye, possessed her own pride and would never back down from a challenge, even knowing her chances of winning were slim.
But... the Uma Musume eyeing Dr. Lin weren't limited to just Flightline!
[Sea the Stars, Treve... those European Ums Musume must have returned by now.]
[Sea the Stars' sister, Galileo, has entered the Breeders' Cup.]
[And Treve also has plans to return to America for challenge races; it's about time for that.]
[But none of them entered the Breeders' Cup, so it could be them, or some other thieving cat.]
Secretariat was on high alert. She couldn't stand the thought of herself battling it out on the dirt below, while some sneaky little filly was making a move on [The Lin Anran Cup] up in the stands.
She didn't want that to happen!
How was that any different from [Cuckoldry Before One's Very Eyes]?!
"No, you're overthinking it."
"It's simply because... Margaret's lance-sword is at my place."
"I need to rush home now to get the lance-sword for a photo, alright?"
Lin Anran was caught between laughter and tears, putting on a completely frank demeanor.
Reacting quickly, he immediately offered a plausible excuse.
Hearing this, Secretariat pondered for a brief moment before her smile returned.
"Being an uncle is really tough, huh."
"Dr. Lin, you could consider just moving in with me later."
"My place is quite big. We could easily fit not just Nearl's racing outfit and lance-sword, but even if she moved in herself, there'd be plenty of room."
Secretariat seized the opportunity to push things a step further.
Lin Anran remained noncommittal; he didn't think this was a good idea.
He feared that the very day he moved in, Flightline, Ruffian, and the others would all want to come along too.
The scheming young doctor mused that his back wasn't made of iron.
Besides, moving in permanently, rather than just a short stay, would definitely affect Nearl's subsequent preparations for the Dream Cup.
"Let's talk about the future later. You head out first, Big Red."
"I'll catch up soon."
--+--
Some time later.
Secretariat, already seated in the car on her way to the racecourse, leaned back in her seat.
"Alright, time to focus on the races now."
"The Radiant Knight, Nearl..."
"And then, the Pegasus Platinum, aiming for two crowns in one day."
But the Big Red Monster's lips curled into a smile right then, her body trembling slightly with excitement.
"This year's Breeders' Cup truly has no shortage of heroes."
It was a pity she didn't have a chance to face Platinum herself.
That Pegasus, perhaps...
Perhaps in the future, there would be an opportunity for a showdown.
"Two crowns in one day! Is she going to replicate her incredible feat from the Dubai World Cup again?"
"And just like in Dubai, it's across both turf and dirt, two completely different surfaces!"
Even the proud Secretariat didn't believe she could accomplish that herself.
Secretariat knew she possessed considerable talent on turf and an incredibly robust physique.
In theory, she might have a shot at two crowns in one day, but... her form would definitely drop severely in the second race. Facing even ordinary Ums Musume in a standard GI, her chances of losing wouldn't be low.
But the Pegasus Platinum, during the Dubai World Cup, first defeated the turf mud-lark giants like Galileo and the 'Mud Monster' Montjeu on a heavy turf course.
Then, while fatigued, she went on to absolutely demolish the famous Dubai Millennium by a huge margin on the dirt!
Among those defeated, even the slightly less impressive Galileo was no pushover. Let alone monsters like Montjeu and Dubai Millennium!
Therefore, even though the current Secretariat had never met the Pegasus Platinum face-to-face or participated in turf races herself, her respect for Platinum was extremely high.
That kind of glorious achievement—tearing through encirclements, seizing two crowns in a single day—was utterly appealing to Secretariat's tastes!
It would be even better if she could have the chance to spar with her.
"Come to think of it..."
"If she can pull it off again... then Platinum would have two dirt G1 victories to her name."
"And if she wins again by a huge margin, another magnificent achievement!"
Secretariat seemed to remember something, her pupils contracting sharply.
"Furthermore, achieving that dual crown feat once more... she might genuinely have a chance, based on just those two performances alone, to break into the top twenty in the entire history of dirt racing!"
On turf, that former G2 racehorse, Harbinger, had displayed terrifying power far beyond world-class level in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, making a name for herself across the world in a single race!
If Platinum hadn't participated in that King George, Harbinger might have defeated her rivals by a huge margin, etching her name into the history books with that one race as one of the greatest champions ever in the King George.
As long as a performance is shocking enough, sometimes even just one race is sufficient.
And Platinum... she had achieved two crowns in one day twice! Not just once!
So if she could win again by a large margin this time, she might genuinely have a chance, with just two dirt G1 wins, to directly qualify for a spot in the [Dirt Top 20].
"In other words, Platinum... might actually earn a ticket to compete in the [Dream Cup]?"
Thinking of this, Secretariat's lips curved into a smile of anticipation, bordering on delight.
Two Pegasus girls!
A turf specialist and a dirt specialist, both competing in the Dream Cup… Why was she having a dream like this?
"Excellent, it seems I have a chance to defeat Nearl first, and then capture Platinum!"
She would become… the ultimate monster that devours Pegasus girls!
--+--
Outside the racetrack.
The crowd in line had reached a fever pitch of excitement.
The number of spectators from all over the world had reached an absurdly high level.
After all, this was… the [Retirement Race] announced by the world's most popular, unprecedented Pegasus girl, Platinum!
And not just that—it was a legendary farewell battle featuring a stunning double-header on both turf and dirt in a single day! Who could bear to miss it?
Thanks to Platinum's immense influence, the [Breeders' Cup], which usually saw dirt racing fans making up eighty to ninety percent—or even more—of the audience, had been completely transformed. Now, turf fans and dirt fans each made up half the crowd in a shocking turn of events.
In other words, overseas Pegasus enthusiasts now occupied nearly half the seats at the Breeders' Cup!
And the hot topics surrounding the popular Uma Musume were constantly being brought up and debated among the spectators.
"Wahh… Miss Platinum, please don't go, don't leave us!"
"Platinum!! Platinum!!"
"Go Nearl, surpass the first and second Big Red Monsters!!"
"Secretariat, show them your divine power! You are the strongest dirt racing Uma Musume!"
"Can't these races last a lifetime? Please! If we don't have Miss Platinum, I'll…"
Among them, many of Platinum's fans were quietly whimpering in despair.
But some Pegasus enthusiasts, biting their silver lips and eyes red, were forcing themselves to stay calm.
"Don't cry, stay strong, cool down!"
"Miss Platinum is so amazing, and her form hasn't declined at all. Maybe once she gets lonely in the future, she'll return to the track."
"B-but, if an Uma Musume retires for more than half a year, it's basically impossible for her to make a successful comeback."
The race hadn't even started yet, and currently, Satono Diamond and Kitasan Black were already grieving their idol Platinum's retirement.
But in the end, they clenched their teeth and chose to quietly wait for the race to begin.
The Breeders' Cup was packed!
--+--
Inside the racetrack.
Behind the scenes in the event organizers' area.
Currently, most of the top brass from the American racing officials had personally arrived.
Many executives were watching the monitor feeds, observing the endless stream of new spectators filling the stands and the lively atmosphere of the long queues outside…
Exclamations of astonishment kept rising.
"This has… already far exceeded the impact we anticipated."
"Platinum, the ultimate in popularity, truly lives up to her name."
Another high-ranking official, his eyes full of awe, muttered to himself.
"Before this, I was still amazed at how Platinum's popularity could be so high… until she refused the [Privilege]!"
"Platinum, truly remarkable! I'm starting to like her too. After the race, I'll see if I can get her autograph."
Privilege!
In fact, outstanding top-tier Uma Musume could possess certain privileges.
For example, Japan's most famous [Arima Kinen] is a top-level domestic G1 that requires an Uma Musume to have both popularity and race records.
But under special circumstances, Japanese racing officials have the authority to directly invite a highly popular Uma Musume who doesn't meet the standard qualifications or can't obtain entry through regular means, allowing her to participate in this grand event.
In other words, if the URA deems an Uma Musume popular or valuable enough but she can't qualify by the rules, they simply give her a special invitation to compete.
And for Platinum, on her first expedition to America, the privileges she could have received were far greater than just a qualification to race!
Even regular world-class Uma Musume would find it difficult to obtain the slightest privilege from the American racing officials, who nurture countless top talents.
In fact, the American officials' attitude might have been like—'Rules are rules, and they weren't made today.'
But facing the Pegasus girl, they were willing to break the rules outright, just like the URA, and offer her every possible privilege to her satisfaction.
"Yeah, who would've thought she'd actually refuse."
"That Pegasus girl is fearless to such an extent!"
Another high-ranking member also wore a look of considerable surprise.
The major privilege they had offered exclusively to Platinum was…
Free scheduling!
The times for the two G1 races Platinum entered—[Breeders' Cup Turf] and [Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile]—could be arranged entirely by Platinum herself!
In other words, Platinum could have set one as the very first race in the morning.
And then set the second race as the grand finale.
This would not only leave a deep impression on the spectators with both the opening and closing races but also give Platinum the maximum amount of rest time.
It could be said that this was a privilege the American racing officials had never offered to anyone before. This time, for the first time, they allowed Platinum to choose and arrange it as she wished.
But that Pegasus girl… lazily hung up the phone and casually said, 'Too much trouble, just put both races back-to-back.'
Not only did she not strive to maximize her advantages! Not only did she not try to lower the nightmare difficulty even a little.
Instead… she wanted them consecutively? Two full G1 races within one hour?
Dual crowns in one day? Dual crowns in one hour!!
Therefore, the American racing officials were utterly stunned by the Pegasus girl.
"I'm really looking forward to it. Just how brilliantly will such a mythical Pegasus girl shine in her retirement race?!"
"It's absolutely impossible that she scheduled the two races consecutively purely out of laziness or indolence."
Another executive wearing a ['Platinum is the Best in the World!!!'] T-shirt praised her with conviction.
"She definitely… wants to prove in front of the entire dirt racing audience that she is the supreme Uma Musume, surpassing even Eclipse and Man o' War!"
"In her retirement race, that Pegasus girl is practically a fourth goddess alongside the Three Goddesses!"
--+--
Some time later.
The silver-haired girl, carrying a long case on her back, walked with great interest into the extremely spacious backstage area.
All the various G1 races of the Breeders' Cup were held at this very racetrack.
Added up, the total number of Uma Musume across all the races in a single day might well exceed a hundred.
But a whole stadium couldn't possibly build multiple dedicated backstage areas for Uma Musume just for that one day of races a year.
Therefore, except for the backstage area where Uma Musume wait before their next race, a large rest area was specially set aside for them to relax.
Platinum arrived at this large rest area.
This was her first time entering an American G1 race. The moment she stepped inside, she saw no fewer than several dozen Uma Musume, almost all simultaneously turning their eyes toward her.
Among them was… one Platinum knew very well: Galileo!
"You're finally here!"
Galileo spoke first. This stunning black-haired girl, radiating approachability, greeted her.
Platinum gave a slight nod and waved in response.
The black-haired girl couldn't help but voice the question on her mind—and on the minds of many Uma Musume around them.
"Can I ask… why are you retiring?"
"What's the reason? Is it [Love]? Or something else?"
--+--
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.