"Suzuka, over here!"
"Wait a second, Spe-chan…"
In the stands, Silence Suzuka and Special Week were slowly pushing their way forward. Special Week, who had already squeezed her way to the front row, was waving back at her.
"There's so many people…!"
"Suzuka! Look out!"
Seeing Suzuka being jostled and nearly knocked over by the crowd, Special Week swiftly ducked and weaved through to catch her.
"Are you okay, Suzuka?"
"Yeah, I'm fine…"
Silence Suzuka steadied herself, holding her head.
"Sorry, I was in too much of a rush."
Special Week quickly apologized.
After that bizarre race Gold Ship had orchestrated, Silence Suzuka had returned to her old routine—coming back to the dorm on time every day, with no more disappearing acts.
This had eased the anxiety Special Week had been feeling.
And today, when Special Week mustered the courage to invite Silence Suzuka to watch the Kikuka Shō together, the other girl had readily agreed.
Special Week had gotten a little too excited.
It felt like ages since she'd last watched a race with Suzuka.
In her eagerness, she hadn't noticed that Suzuka couldn't keep up with her pace.
She'd almost let Suzuka get knocked over!
"It's alright," Silence Suzuka shook her head. "Let's get inside quickly, or the race will start without us."
"R-right! Come on, Suzuka, I'll help you."
"That's really not necessary…"
"It's fine! We might get separated otherwise." With that, Special Week took Silence Suzuka's hand.
Yes! This way, I'm getting even closer to Suzuka!
Special Week secretly rejoiced.
The orange-haired girl followed behind, her gaze reaching over the sea of people toward the track.
Originally, she hadn't wanted to come out.
But for some reason, Silence Suzuka had this feeling that she absolutely had to watch this race.
Why was that…?
Holding their own separate thoughts, the two took their places in the stands, waiting for the race to begin.
--+--
"Maruzensky, since when does the Kikuka Shō attract so many foreign Uma Musume?"
In the specially prepared VIP viewing lounge, Symboli Rudolf, who had finished her work early to witness Narita Brian's final crown, spoke to Maruzensky beside her.
Even for a classic Triple Crown race, it was unusual to draw this many foreign Uma Musume as spectators.
After all, if it's a race they can't participate in, there's little point in paying such close attention—at most, they might note potential future opponents.
But this race was abnormally filled with numerous foreign Uma Musume.
Of course, everyone had the right to watch, and Rudolf had no authority to stop them.
Yet, no matter how you looked at it, this group didn't seem to have gathered here by chance.
They carried a strong sense of purpose, as if they had come specifically to find someone, or to observe a certain competitor.
"It is quite rare, isn't it?"
Maruzensky also found it strange.
"And they don't seem to be here for little Brian. Is there anyone among the competitors worth paying such attention to?"
"If we're talking about who's noteworthy… aside from Starlight Warrior, who's shown outstanding performance in training recently, there shouldn't be anyone else."
But even Starlight Warrior was currently no match for Brian.
The morning racing papers were filled from cover to cover with Narita Brian's name.
They kept mentioning that Narita Brian's training results were enough to break the Kikuka Shō record.
That might be an exaggeration, but Symboli Rudolf knew Narita Brian was no longer the same as before.
Heartless, selfless—she had entered a completely different realm.
Thanks to the reporters' relentless promotion, the number of spectators had surpassed expectations, even exceeding previous peaks for the Kikuka Shō.
Looking at the surging crowd, what rose in Rudolf's heart wasn't joy, but an indescribable worry.
This isn't normal…
Whether it was the promotional intensity around Narita Brian or the sudden influx of foreign Uma Musume, everything felt off.
Leaving aside the reporters, Rudolf was more concerned about what these foreign Uma Musume were watching, or rather, what they wanted to see?
She felt she was overlooking something.
Something very important.
What could it be…
"It's so dark."
Just then, Maruzensky spoke up.
"The weather isn't great today. It's been gloomy since morning, and now it's raining. Running on a track like this must feel terribly heavy. I hope Brian-chan will be alright."
Dark…
In that instant, like a bolt from the blue, it all clicked for Rudolf.
She suddenly realized the crucial factor she had overlooked.
The factor that could overshadow Narita Brian's presence in this race.
No, it can't be…
Rudolf found it hard to believe.
This is Kyoto.
Could it be that she won't even spare Kyoto?
Knock knock knock—
Just then, an untimely knock sounded at the door.
A staff member in a black uniform entered.
"Miss Symboli Rudolf," he bowed respectfully. "The Central Committee Chair has just sent notice, requesting your presence at Central Headquarters after the race concludes. She has important matters to discuss with you."
"Understood."
Rudolf nodded.
"Thank you for your time."
After another bow, the man left.
"What was that about?"
Maruzensky, who had been listening, asked.
"I've been found out."
"Found out? What do you mean?"
Rudolf sighed.
"There's no avoiding it after all. Maruzensky, while I'm away from Tracen, I'll need you to handle student council affairs."
"What's going on?"
"It's nothing, just a discussion with Central about Tracen's future plans. And…" Her eyes drifted to the window.
The futures of certain students.
--+--
"Kyoto Racecourse! To witness this historic moment, countless spectators have flooded the track in Yodo! The final leg of the classic series, G1, 3000 meters on turf—the Kikuka Shō!!!"
The commentator's voice reached the ears of all 80,000 spectators, surging with excitement.
How long has it been?
Since Symboli Rudolf's victory, no one has been able to conquer the classic Triple Crown.
Having passed the Satsuki Shō, symbolizing the fastest Uma Musume, and the Japanese Derby, symbolizing the luckiest.
Now, at last, they've arrived at the Kikuka Shō, symbolizing the strongest Uma Musume!
Only one chosen by fate, possessing both strength and luck, is worthy of the historic title of 'Triple Crown'!
"And now, the overwhelming first favorite! Champion of both the Satsuki Shō and the Japanese Derby, holder of two crowns, the Monster in the Shadows—the competitor most likely to seize victory today. Let's welcome… Narita Brian!!!"
Under the gloomy sky, a crack of thunder exploded over Kyoto Racecourse.
People rose from their seats, letting their excitement erupt into roars. They clapped until their hands were red, celebrating this magnificent moment.
Countless headlines, endless media, all praised Narita Brian.
Her strength needed no elaboration.
Her power swept away all before her.
People had come from far and wide to witness the moment Narita Brian would crush her competitors and storm across the finish line.
With a slow sweep of her yellow eyes over the surging crowd, Narita Brian flung off her jacket.
So quiet…
For some reason, everyone's movements seemed extremely slow to her. Sounds felt stretched out, passing through her ears without obstruction.
Even the fine raindrops in the sky moved slowly in Narita Brian's world.
Crystalline droplets fell to the ground, splashing up tiny sprays.
So this is what the racetrack looks like to me now.
Why hadn't I noticed it before?
It was as if everything around her resonated with her body.
As the commentator continued introducing the other competitors, Narita Brian, having walked down to the track, stretched her legs.
Even though the race was about to begin, her body was supremely relaxed, as if she had just woken from a deep sleep, her muscles warm and comfortable.
Even Narita Brian herself didn't know why she had entered this state.
Pressing on her thighs, an indescribable sense of comfort welled up.
This feels incredible.
"Now, all the Uma Musume are entering the starting gates!"
As the competitors filed into their respective positions, the crowd's excitement grew even more intense.
The rain fell heavier from the sky, but it did nothing to dampen the spectators' fervor.
"The moment we've all been waiting for is finally here! The final battle for the classic Triple Crown, the Kikuka Shō, begins now!!!"
BOOM!
A low rumble of thunder rolled across the sky.
People stared intently at the track, their hearts pounding with anticipation.
All the Uma Musume slowly assumed their starting postures.
Time seemed to freeze in that moment.
Everyone held their breath.
Just then, an odd sound came from the metal signboard beside the starting gate.
Clang—
As if something had slapped it, it swayed slightly.
In the dead silence of the racetrack, where no one dared to make a sound, it was especially noticeable.
What's going on…?
People craned their necks.
Was it a machine malfunction?
A staff member, sweating profusely, hurried over.
At that moment.
Slap—
Another sound.
And then.
On the Kyoto Racecourse, under the gaze of over 80,000 pairs of eyes.
Five pale white fingers reached out from behind the metal signboard, gripping its frame.
Then, that familiar black silhouette emerged slowly from within the hazy rain curtain.
--+--
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.