December 23rd, Nakayama Racecourse, clear skies, firm track.
As one of the competitors, Shakira Gray arrived early outside the Nakayama Racecourse. Gazing up at the familiar, massive structure before her, she couldn't help but feel a tremor in her heart.
Though Shakira Gray had once won a Peony Prize here, that race hadn't even been a graded stakes event.
Some might look at her with respect due to her undefeated record so far, but Gray herself knew all too well that her actual ability didn't live up to such high expectations.
She had never been a confident sort, which was exactly why she'd cautiously chosen to compete in races like the Peony Prize.
This time, her decision to enter the G1-level Hopeful Stakes was mostly due to being swayed by her trainer's passionate encouragement.
Back then, her fired-up trainer had patted Gray on the shoulder, spouting words about youth and passion and the like, until her head was spinning. Before she knew it, she'd somehow agreed to sign up.
"Everyone's a rookie who just debuted this year—what's there to be afraid of? Gray, I believe in you!"
Her trainer's words from that day still echoed in her ears, but now Gray was left feeling nothing but the urge to cry.
She had two main rivals: Sakura Yamato, who had won two graded stakes in a row, and Dream Weaver, who had defeated Tokai Teio to claim a G3 race.
Just hearing their names was enough to make Gray want to back out.
As she hesitated, a group of Uma Musume happened to pass by her side. At this hour, any Uma Musume heading to the track were likely competitors. Gray couldn't help but glance their way.
And that one glance instantly made her already-fragile little heart skip a beat.
"President Rudolf… Senior Mejiro Ramonu… Senior Narita Brian…"
One famous Uma Musume after another walked past her eyes. Gray even wondered if she was hallucinating.
With a bitter expression, she pinched her own cheek—the sharp pain confirmed it was all real.
Could it be that she and her trainer had been so focused on Sakura Yamato and Dream Weaver that they'd completely overlooked the other entrants?
Had she only just now realized so many incredible Uma Musume were competing?!
What was the difference between this and sending an average person into the ring against Mike Tyson?!
Thrown into disarray by the shock, Gray completely forgot one crucial point: these famous Uma Musume walking past her couldn't possibly enter the Hopeful Stakes in the first place.
Just then, Symboli Rudolf, walking at the front of the group, turned her head with a puzzled look.
Seeing Gray—clearly dressed as a competitor—standing frozen in place with a tearful face, she spoke to her gently.
"What's wrong? Feeling nervous with the race about to start?"
Though the school forum often spread strange rumors about her—like being a tyrant or the secret ruler of Tracen Academy's underworld—Symboli Rudolf was truly a Student Council President who cared deeply for Uma Musume.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have gone out of her way to approach Dream Weaver after her debut race, personally delivering the winner's prize money and informing her about scholarships for financially struggling students.
While part of it was certainly because she saw potential in Dream Weaver, if any other Uma Musume faced difficulties in front of her, Rudolf would never simply look the other way.
Hearing Rudolf's words, Gray trembled all over and whimpered through her tears.
"Because… because you're all here for the Hopeful Stakes too, aren't you…?"
"How could I ever beat any of you?!"
Gray wailed, looking as if she might drop to the ground and throw a tantrum right outside Nakayama Racecourse the very next second.
Seeing her like this, even Symboli Rudolf felt a bit stumped.
Any competing Uma Musume was at least adolescent-aged—what teenage girl would make such a scene by crying and rolling on the ground in public?
Grasping Gray's hand, Rudolf hurriedly cut in before she could start her public meltdown.
"Calm down! Take a deep breath, Gray! We can't enter the Hopeful Stakes!"
Perhaps it was because the Student Council President had called her by name in public, or maybe Rudolf's words finally sank in, but Gray's crying fit lost some of its steam. She sniffled and said,
"President… you actually know who I am?"
"I know every Uma Musume at Tracen!"
Symboli Rudolf stated firmly. This wasn't something she'd made up on the spot to comfort the girl.
Ever since Dream Weaver had come to her asking about a bunch of names last time, she'd taken the time to memorize every name on the roster afterward.
She was determined to make the next Uma Musume who came to her with questions look at her with awe!
She just hadn't expected that the effort she'd put into memorization would end up being useful in a situation like this.
Seeing that Rudolf didn't seem to be lying, Gray was instantly moved to tears again.
"President! I'm so touched! You actually remember the name of an Uma Musume like me!"
Noticing Gray's tears were threatening to overflow once more, Rudolf quickly tightened her grip on the girl's hand and declared with conviction,
"It's all right, Gray. It's perfectly normal to have doubts before a race starts. Even I had moments like that back in my day."
"The President too…?"
"But! As long as you steel your heart, you will undoubtedly shine with your own light on the track! Gray, I believe you can do it too!"
Shakira Gray blinked her tear-reddened eyes. After a brief moment of confusion, the emotions in them instantly solidified into determination.
She gripped Symboli Rudolf's hand in return and said to her earnestly,
"I understand! I absolutely won't let down the expectations you have for me!"
"So what if it's Tyson? Just watch me knock him right back!"
Tyson?
Symboli Rudolf tilted her head, completely failing to grasp what was going on in this young Uma Musume's mind.
Before she could react, Gray performed a flawless bow of gratitude, then strode with firm steps toward Nakayama Racecourse.
Much like how she'd been talked into entering the Hopeful Stakes by her trainer in the first place.
Before Rudolf could even feel relieved about having preserved Tracen's reputation in public, a trainer seemingly materialized out of nowhere and also bowed to her in thanks.
"Thank you for your guidance, President! I could never have encouraged Gray that well on my own!"
With that, he dashed off after Gray, shouting something about youth and passion as he went.
This trainer had probably anticipated Gray's nervousness and had been waiting outside the racecourse to motivate his charge.
Though Symboli Rudolf could guess their dynamic, she couldn't help but sigh to herself.
"Are all the trainers and Uma Musume at our Tracen so… passionate?"
She was too polite to say 'weird' outright.
Air Groove, who had been by her side the whole time watching her President perform another motivational miracle, folded her arms and remarked dryly,
"Says the queen of bizarre, unfunny jokes."
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.