The days of preparation flew by, and before anyone knew it, the day of the Takarazuka Kinen had arrived.
At the entrance of the Hanshin Racecourse.
Even in the dim light of early dawn, a good number of spectators could be seen already waiting with their stools in hand.
No one knew just how early they'd arrived.
Some could even be seen dealing with hunger by having some bread with hot water, even though the nearby food stalls were already open, the faint aroma of various snacks wafting through the air.
The waiting spectators weren't willing to leave their spots for a moment, all determined to secure the best possible viewing position.
The area surrounding the racecourse was already a sea of people.
No one wanted to miss this decisive battle of the first half of the year. Everyone was looking forward to the rematch between Barbatos and Air Groove!
Online tickets had been snatched up the moment they went on sale.
Not a single scalper was selling tickets for the Takarazuka Kinen.
Everyone wanted to be there in person, to experience the showdown at this year's Takarazuka Kinen!
A few hours later.
The racecourse gates opened, and under the guidance of staff, spectators began filing into the venue in an orderly fashion.
Though orderly, those at the front moved with swift, almost power-walking steps, ready to scramble for the prime spots to watch the race.
The competitors, accompanied by their respective teammates and trainers, also began entering through the competitors' entrance.
Barbatos waved goodbye to the Canopus team and headed straight for the entrance to the competitors' area.
She took a deep breath to calm her current mood.
It felt like the Japanese Derby had just ended, yet here she was at the Takarazuka Kinen. The training period had passed in a blur, as if there simply hadn't been enough time.
Nervousness and excitement tangled within her.
With plenty of race experience under her belt now, she quickly settled these feelings, allowing herself to enter the race in the most composed state possible.
As she approached the competitors' entrance, she spotted a familiar figure standing by the doorway.
"Grandpa?"
Barbatos called out in slight surprise. It was Seiun Sky's grandfather.
Previously, when Seiun Sky had races, her grandfather would always let her know in advance that he'd come to watch. But this time... it was her race.
And grandpa hadn't mentioned he'd be here.
"Huh?"
"What a coincidence... you're here too, kid. Haha."
His words sounded about as natural as a square wheel. Barbatos pursed her lips. She could guess grandpa had come to cheer her on.
The old man was just too stubborn to say it outright.
Instead of going to meet up with Seiun Sky, he'd chosen to wait right at the competitors' entrance. He probably hadn't even told Seiun Sky he was coming.
"Thank you, Grandpa. I'll do my best."
She didn't play any clever games with him, simply thanking him directly.
Grandpa stubbornly insisted, "I was just passing by on my walk."
"Mhm. Well then, Grandpa, I need to go in for the race now. I'll definitely come see you with Seiun after the race is over."
"See you later, Grandpa."
Grandpa waved impatiently. "Yeah, yeah, see you."
Barbatos verified her identity and passed by the staff at the entrance, stepping into the competitors' area.
Grandpa watched her retreating figure out of the corner of his eye and gave a soft hmph. "You brat. I'll be watching the race. Don't you dare lose!"
"Of course not!"
Barbatos responded with a grin to this very grandpa-style encouragement, waved her hand, and disappeared into the competitors' area.
--+--
In the racecourse stands.
Spectators had taken their seats one by one. The teams of the competing racers had been allotted decent viewing spots.
Even on Rigil's exclusive viewing platform, the student council president, Symboli Rudolf, had chosen to come watch in person. The legendary Uma Musume of Rigil had all gathered.
Even these legendary runners were paying close attention to this race.
Canopus, where Barbatos belonged, and Spica, where Silence Suzuka was from, were positioned in stands near the finish line, making it easier to cheer for them.
In the VIP seats, Fine Motion, Ines Fujin, Kawakami Princess, and others from King Halo's circle of friends had come to cheer her on.
Mejiro Ryan leaned against the railing of the stands, waiting for Mejiro Dober and Mejiro Bright to make their appearance.
Meisho Doto chose a more secluded corner, hoping to cheer for Matikanefukukitaru without running into T.M. Opera O.
--+--
"Welcome, everyone, to the Takarazuka Kinen. I'm your race caller—Akasaka Misato."
Akasaka Misato, the most popular race caller in the horse racing world, introduced herself.
"Today, my partner as a special guest commentator for this race is Teacher Take Yutaka."
"Hello everyone, I'm Take Yutaka."
Though called a special guest, Akasaka Misato knew that Teacher Take Yutaka had actively hoped to commentate on this race.
The last time something like this happened was during one of Barbatos's races.
So was his presence here at the Takarazuka Kinen also because of Barbatos?
Akasaka Misato didn't dwell on it. Whatever Teacher Take Yutaka's reasons for being her partner, it was no disadvantage to her.
Just then, a signal came through the internal channel from the field staff.
"The Takarazuka Kinen is about to begin! The first to take the stage is this year's Japanese Derby champion, with 130,000 fans, the race's third favorite—King Halo!"
The entry format for the Takarazuka Kinen differed from regular races.
Instead of entering one by one and shedding jackets, each Uma Musume would walk directly onto the track.
After entering, they wouldn't leave the field but proceed straight to the starting gates to begin the race.
This was the unique format for the Takarazuka, the Arima Kinen, and the Dream Cup.
King Halo gracefully waved to the cheering spectators in the stands.
Following her...
Last year's Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger) winner—Matikanefukukitaru.
Winner of two legs of the Triple Tiara, Hanshin Juvenile Fillies champion, Queen's Cup consecutive winner—Mejiro Dober.
Runner-up of the Spring Tenno Sho—Mejiro Bright.
The Otherworldly Front-Runner—Silence Suzuka.
The undefeated newcomer stakes champion—Grass Wonder.
And the legendary Uma Musume—Air Groove!
"And finally, entering the stage is the top favorite of this Takarazuka Kinen, supported by 1.79 million fans—Barbatos, the Wind God!"
It was as if this moment perfectly illustrated the saying: the main character enters last.
As Barbatos walked onto the track from the competitor's tunnel, the entire racecourse erupted!
In terms of sheer fan popularity, not even Symboli Rudolf could match Barbatos.
The other competitors were familiar with Barbatos and weren't too bothered by the exaggerated cheers from the stands.
However, the moment they laid eyes on Barbatos—from their unique vantage point, different from the spectators—whether it was the aloof Silence Suzuka, the legendary Air Groove, the formidable Mejiro Dober, or the proud King Halo, all that was left in them was astonishment and bewilderment.
--+--
In the stands.
Mejiro Ryan, who had been leaning against the railing, suddenly straightened up.
Meisho Doto, hiding in the shadows, wore a look of shock.
On Rigil's exclusive viewing platform, all the legends, including the "Emperor" herself, rose to their feet almost involuntarily.
In their line of sight, arcs of white lightning crackled and danced around Barbatos. Such scenes had been witnessed several times in Barbatos's races before.
But now!
The race hadn't even started yet!
Had Barbatos's Zone achieved a new breakthrough? Or had she gained some new insight into it?!
--+--
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.