Early June.
Tokyo Racecourse.
The Yasuda Kinen drew to a close under a torrential downpour, signaling the impending conclusion of the first half of the racing season.
Rigil's Taiki Shuttle, with an invincible presence in the heavy rain, indisputably seized the laurels of the Yasuda Kinen!
She was, without a doubt, the Uma Musume closest to claiming the current mile championship throne!
With the Yasuda Kinen over, the gaze of all racing enthusiasts shifted entirely to the decisive battle of the first half—the Takarazuka Kinen.
Even though other G1 races existed around the same time, they paled in comparison under the dazzling lineup of the Takarazuka Kinen.
The popularity poll for the Takarazuka Kinen concluded shortly after the Yasuda Kinen.
The top three in popularity were Barbatos, Air Groove, and King Halo.
Mejiro Dober, the leading lady of the Mejiro stable with five G1 victories, lost by a narrow margin in the popularity poll to King Halo, settling for fourth place.
Compared to Uma Musume who had previously held multiple G1 titles, the Uma Musume who had just won the Japanese Derby garnered more support from the fans.
One week before the Takarazuka Kinen.
The top three Uma Musume in popularity, along with their trainers and team members, were officially invited by the racing committee to Hanshin Racecourse for a grand pre-race press conference.
This was a level of fanfare unprecedented for past editions of the Takarazuka Kinen.
Even before the press conference, there was a lavish banquet with abundant food and drinks, open to all participating Uma Musume and their teams, allowing the athletes to freely enjoy the feast.
Much like the press conference for the Winter Dream Cup.
This was a recent decision by the racing committee. Because of Barbatos, Japanese Uma Musume Racing had garnered more attention from foreign audiences.
As the decisive battle of the first half, it naturally needed an appropriately impressive atmosphere.
Of course, Barbatos herself was completely unaware of all this. She didn't know her presence had drawn more eyes to Japanese racing, nor that it had led the committee to spend extra money.
At that moment, Barbatos was holding Seiun Sky's hand, walking through one of the halls at Hanshin Racecourse.
Familiar faces from Tracen Academy came and went.
They could see Special Week eating heartily with the members of Spica, Grass Wonder alongside Rigil's Air Groove, Hishi Amazon, and Maruzensky.
They could also see Matikanefukukitaru surrounded by reporters, offering fortune-telling assistance...
Not all Uma Musume participating in the Takarazuka Kinen had chosen to attend the banquet. Mejiro Dober and her group had opted not to come.
Symboli Rudolf and others, who were Air Groove's teammates and could have attended, were also absent.
"B-chan!"
A hearty voice called out. Hishi Amazon, with her healthy sun-tanned complexion, came over to greet them.
"Big Sis Amazon!"
"Heh." Amazon familiarly threw an arm around Barbatos.
"I watched your race against El-chan. I really want to run against you someday, though I guess I'll have to wait for this year's Dream Cup."
"Eh-heh."
Barbatos giggled. "Well, Big Sis Amazon could consider entering regular races too. The Takarazuka Kinen might be too late, but there are other races in the second half. We could have a good run then."
"Ah, that won't do."
Amazon shook her head. "Forget about you—I can't go around bullying the other juniors, can I?"
There were no rules stating legendary Uma Musume couldn't participate in regular races. Even those who had announced retirement faced no restrictions on continuing to compete.
If they wanted to race, they could. Barbatos, who usually paid decent attention in class, naturally knew this.
However, Legendary Uma Musume generally didn't enter regular races. They spent more time preparing for the Dream Cup, honing their skills for that annual event.
After growing accustomed to racing against fellow legends, regular races could feel somewhat lackluster.
That's how it was, but Amazon quite naturally placed Barbatos in a separate category from the other Uma Musume.
"Don't rush, Big Sis."
"When the Takarazuka Kinen comes, I'll beat Air Groove-senpai first. Then, at the Dream Cup, I'll win against you. That way, it shouldn't seem too... abrupt, right?"
Barbatos said with a cheerful smile.
Her words made Amazon tighten her arm around Barbatos a bit more. "You little..."
"Then I'll be waiting for your challenge at the Dream Cup, Big Sis."
After casually chatting a bit more, Hishi Amazon turned to leave but suddenly spun back with a mischievous grin. "Should I tell Air Groove what you just said?"
The part about defeating her in the Takarazuka Kinen.
"Of course you should."
Barbatos replied without a care, candidly. "If I'm not joining the Takarazuka to win first place, then what am I even doing there?"
Hishi Amazon pouted slightly. She had wanted to tease Barbatos a little, but messing with the more earnest juniors was usually more fun.
Bidding farewell to Barbatos, she rejoined her companions.
Her gaze fell on the plate in Air Groove's hands, piled high with food.
The racing committee officials were well aware of Uma Musume' appetites. The banquet offerings were not only exquisite but also plentiful. Still, looking at that heaping plate, Amazon's mouth twitched.
"Air Groove, is it really okay to eat that much?"
She had thought Air Groove might control her diet with the Takarazuka Kinen so close.
Air Groove, wearing her racing silks, pointed in a direction. There, a veritable mountain of food was stacked together, with Spica's Special Week engaged in a whirlwind of consumption before it.
"Seeing Special Week really reminds me of when Oguri Cap first came to Tracen Academy."
Maruzensky beside her remarked with a touch of nostalgia, her tone carrying a mature elegance. "It's a shame Rudolf didn't come, though."
--+--
After everyone had their fill of food and drink.
As one of the top three in popularity, Barbatos, along with King Halo and Air Groove, was invited to the designated area for the main press conference.
The other participants would also be interviewed, but mostly scheduled later, similar to usual post-race interviews. Some had already been interviewed by reporters during the meal.
Spotlights shone on Barbatos. Only her trainer, Minamizaka, accompanied her at her side.
Air Groove and King Halo received the same treatment.
Barbatos looked at the array of reporters before her. Having participated in many races now, she could even name a few of them.
The reporters conducted interviews in order of popularity, starting with the third-place, King Halo.
Listening quietly, she could still hear King Halo's unwavering, determined words—the declaration of the "Holy King's running form."
Then, Air Groove's responses during her interview came across as far more professional, exuding immense reliability.
Her calm tone held an indescribable confidence, different from El Condor Pasa's self-assurance. It was a confidence and dignity reminiscent of an empress, almost too majestic to behold directly.
Put simply, it was probably the tone of a student council officer.
Barbatos offered a little internal snark.
After concluding the interviews for the third and second most popular, the reporters finally approached Barbatos and Minamizaka, turning their lenses toward Barbatos.
"Barbatos, do you feel any pressure facing a legendary Uma Musume for the second time?"
--+--
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!
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If you guys wanna check it out.