April 9th, Hanshin Racecourse. Weather: Sunny. Track: Firm.
The annual Triple Crown season had arrived once again.
Though these weren't the Classic races, the prestige of the Triple Tiara held just as much weight, drawing a massive crowd from every corner of the country to the stands of Hanshin.
Dream Weaver, Agnes Tachyon, Sugar Lights, and Hishi Miracle had all made the trip together.
Given Dream Weaver's current legendary status, she could have easily requisitioned a private VIP suite with a breathtaking view from the organizers.
However, she wasn't one for such luxuries; she preferred the common touch, blending into the grandstands just like any other spectator.
That said, she had recently come to realize just how much gravity her name pulled.
To avoid a public spectacle, she'd been forced to adopt a rigorous disguise.
"Seriously... Trainer, aren't you roasting in that?"
Hishi Miracle asked, looking over while licking an ice cream cone with an expression of genuine concern.
It was a fair question. Even though it was only April, the temperature had spiked unexpectedly. Even Hishi Miracle had abandoned her beloved crepes in favor of cold ice cream just to stay functional.
Dream Weaver, meanwhile, was bundled up tight.
Beyond the standard-issue sunglasses and low-hanging ball cap, she wore an oversized coat with a collar so high she could tuck the entire lower half of her face into it.
It was a flawless, three-dimensional fortress of a disguise—no one, no matter how familiar they were with her, would be able to pick her out.
The only downside, as with all perfect disguises, was the stifling heat, especially under the relentless glare of today's sun.
Dream Weaver wiped a bead of sweat from her brow and turned toward Hishi Miracle. Her sunglasses caught the reflection of the girl shamelessly enjoying her treat.
"The pool..."
Before she could even finish the sentence, the mere mention of the word sent a jolt through Hishi Miracle.
Understanding the threat instantly, she shoved her ice cream into Sugar Lights' hand and whistled innocently, pretending nothing had happened.
Sugar Lights, suddenly holding a half-eaten cone, gave a helpless little smile and turned to Dream Weaver.
"If you're that worried about being recognized, why didn't you just take the VIP room?"
Great point. I completely agree. But I didn't know it was going to be a furnace today, did I? Dream Weaver grumbled silently to herself.
Still, as a Trainer, she felt she couldn't show any weakness in front of Hishi Miracle. She buried her regrets and put on a dignified front.
"The crush of the crowd and the roar that shakes the heavens... those are essential parts of the racing experience," she declared. "The VIP rooms are too far from the track. You can only feel the true heat of the race when you're right here in the stands."
She gave Hishi Miracle a pointed nod, as if asking if the girl had learned her lesson yet.
"It's a bit early for Miracle to be feeling that kind of heat, isn't it?" Agnes Tachyon chimed in, waving her long sleeves with a grin.
Her white lab coat seemed like a second skin; she refused to take it off even in this weather. "She only just managed to make her debut, after all."
Dream Weaver went quiet. In her eyes, Hishi Miracle had reached the required skill level ages ago, yet for some inexplicable reason, she had only just successfully debuted.
Not only did she miss the Satsuki Sho—the first leg of the Triple Crown—but at this rate, she wouldn't even make the registration cutoff for the Japanese Derby.
The thought brought a surge of frustration. Dream Weaver reached out and gave Hishi Miracle's round cheek a firm pinch.
"That's why I don't get how you can be so relaxed. The Triple Crown only happens once in a lifetime. Don't you feel even a little bit of regret for missing it?"
Hishi Miracle, who had been trying to sneak a lick of the ice cream Sugar Lights was still holding, found herself yanked back into her seat by the cheek.
As the ice cream drifted out of reach, her eyes filled with genuine tragedy.
Seeing that she cared more about a scoop of vanilla than the Triple Crown, Dream Weaver increased the pressure, squishing the girl's face with mock "viciousness."
"You little glutton!"
Hishi Miracle didn't fight back. This happened so often that she'd developed a specialized talent for speaking clearly even while her face was being kneaded like dough.
"I think it's fine, really," she mumbled.
She was clearly referring to missing the Triple Crown. Dream Weaver let out a long sigh.
It wasn't that Hishi Miracle was lazy during training—not exactly. While her motivation came in unpredictable waves, she always followed the program. She had the talent to debut much earlier and perhaps even challenge the Satsuki Sho.
But Hishi Miracle had spent months making every excuse under the sun to delay entering a G1 race, dragging her debut out until the very last second just to avoid the big stage.
Whenever Dream Weaver pressed her for a reason, she'd just say she wasn't "ready" yet, or that she didn't have the right to stand on such a prestigious stage.
Dream Weaver suspected the girl held the title of "G1" in too high a regard.
Having always viewed herself as a plain, average Uma Musume, the idea of chasing a G1 title filled her with a mixture of longing and paralyzing anxiety. She was stalling, waiting for a day she felt she truly "belonged."
Since they were in public, Dream Weaver refrained from giving her a full lecture.
She decided to wait until after the Oka Sho to have a real heart-to-heart. Giving the cheek one last, lingering squeeze, she finally let go.
Hishi Miracle exhaled in relief. Eager to steer her Trainer away from any further lectures, she pointed toward the track.
"The important thing right now is Island's Oka Sho! Look, the race is starting!"
"Don't worry. She won't have any competition," Dream Weaver said, crossing her arms with absolute confidence.
She had done her homework.
The other contenders in the Oka Sho posed no threat to Liberty Island's current form. If the girl ran even half as well as she did in her practice mocks, the victory would be a foregone conclusion.
As if on cue, the announcer's voice boomed over the speakers, introducing the favorite.
"Basking in the radiance of a world-class legend, she now follows the path of her predecessor toward the Triple Crown! The curtain rises on the stage of the Oka Sho! Go forth, young maiden, and write a legend that is yours alone!"
"The First Favorite! Gate Number Three—Liberty Island!"
In the paddock tunnel, Liberty Island pressed her lips together and narrowed her eyes with fierce determination.
She pinned a cherry-blossom hair ornament into her mane and stepped out onto the turf with an unstoppable stride.
This was the starting point of her Triple Crown journey.
It was also her second chance to surpass Equinox.
To prove she was the true successor to Dream Weaver, Liberty Island refused to lose.
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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.