Sham's racing career wasn't glorious. If we're judging by track record, her life was unquestionably a failure.
A continuous string of losses, culminating in a shattered leg during her final race.
The bone was so thoroughly broken that there was almost no chance of recovery.
Was Sham strong? She was. She was powerful, standing almost unrivaled, second only to one.
She was universally acknowledged as a top-tier Uma Musume.
Yet, she was also a failure. Sham's failure wasn't due to any fault of her own; it was simply rotten luck.
It was as if the heavens were playing a cruel joke.
Standing in Sham's path was the opponent known as [The Pinnacle of Evolution for all Uma Musume]: Secretariat.
That was a monster no one could defeat. So, none of this was Sham's fault.
Even if it hadn't been her, any other Uma Musume in her place would have met the same fate—bitten, torn, and crushed by that tyrant.
She was an existence that shouldn't belong to this dimension, a cheat-level powerhouse.
Sham still remembers that final race. It was a stifling, humid afternoon, grating on the nerves.
On the track at the Belmont Stakes, Secretariat approached her with infuriating casualness.
In her memory, Secretariat's face has blurred. But that flippant tone remains sharp, so sharp it feels branded into her mind.
That was the first conversation between Secretariat and Sham. In fact, it was the first time Secretariat had ever spoken to anyone on the racetrack.
"What a pity, Sham. Even though I'm the one who caused it, seeing you toyed with like this still pricks my conscience a little."
"My apologies for stringing you along all this time, letting you nurture that illusion you could beat me—it was just a bit of petty revenge, you see."
"Who told you to keep going—on and on—running ahead of me in the Wood Memorial Stakes when I was feeling unwell? It really... made my blood boil."
As she spoke, Secretariat raised a hand to cover her cheek, her crimson tongue darting out to lick her lips, the corners of her mouth quirking upwards.
"Sister Sunshine... well, there are better ways to tease her. But for you, who always held onto that hope of beating me, humiliating you on the track was surely the best revenge, wasn't it?"
"Did you come here just to say this?" Sham retorted coldly.
The oppressive heat made sweat roll down uncontrollably, her hair plastered unpleasantly to her face.
"Ah, I still haven't forgotten the look on your face at the Kentucky Derby... that desperate expression, mouth filled with blood as you chased my shadow, only to be left hopelessly behind in the end."
"That expression... The moment I saw that pitiful look..."
Secretariat's scarlet lips drew close to Sham's ear, her warm breath like a demon's whisper.
"It was even more thrilling than riding you in bed."
Sham shoved Secretariat away violently, a nameless fury burning inside her.
"Does insulting your opponent bring you so much joy? Then by all means, continue. I'll return this fury to you on the track."
"Now, now, I came to make peace with you." Secretariat nimbly evaded Sham's hands.
Looking back now, were her own movements like slow motion to her?
"My revenge... feels a bit excessive, I suppose. In that case... today, I'll show my true power, just for you."
As she said this, Secretariat burst into loud laughter. "What else could I do? Even when I deliberately slow down, you're the only one who can still keep up with me!"
"Just try... see if you can keep up with me."
"Perhaps, if I'm in a good mood... for any G1 race you enter in the future, I might consider sitting out, letting you have a little trophy to play with?"
That flippant, unrestrained, brazen voice of Secretariat was really... so utterly, utterly irritating.
Sham smoothed back her damp hair, head bowed, listening to the sound of her own heartbeat.
Thump-thump. Thump-thump.
Secretariat. Secretariat.
Secretariat!
As long as you live, as long as a wretched creature like you exists comfortably in this world, I will—
A sharp pain in her right leg pulled Sham back from the memory. The sea breeze in Hong Kong was similarly damp and irritating, reminding her of that time.
She stretched her right leg out on the steps, letting the blood flow ease the tension, and let out a soft sigh.
Her gaze fell upon Platinum training on the track, and a faint, unconscious smile touched Sham's lips.
A thriving bud, full of promise. It was good. It reminded her of herself when she first arrived in New York.
Sham then shifted her focus to Urban Sea and Agnes Digital. Fellow retired Uma Musume, Urban Sea was supporting her younger sister's climb to the top, and Agnes Digital had found her own place to shine. That was good too.
Unlike herself—she was like a ghost living in the past, appearing alive but long since dead inside.
"Sham, are you okay?" Leap of Faith sat down beside her, hands on her knees, puffing out her lips slightly.
Leap of Faith. This kid was gentle, kind-hearted, so unlike her domineering older sister. Sham liked kids like this, especially... ones who had always borne such heavy pressure.
It was almost shameful to admit, but the moment Sham saw Leap of Faith, she knew they were the same.
Sham's entire life was overshadowed by Secretariat, and Leap of Faith's entire life was overshadowed by Golden Sixty.
"When did you get here? Why aren't you training down there?"
Sham asked calmly, her eyes fixed on the continuous training unfolding on the racetrack. Aside from herself and Golden Sixty, everyone else was busy trying to recapture their former in-prime condition.
"No matter how much I run, I can't keep up with them. I can only train in secret later," Leap of Faith said bitterly, pressing her lips together.
"And if my annoying sister sees me, she'll just mock me without restraint."
That was precisely why Leap of Faith had fled to Japan—to escape all that.
"Are you planning to participate in this special race then?"
Sham glanced up at Golden Sixty. That woman was leaning against the steps, wearing a sun hat, looking utterly carefree, showing no signs of her previous injury.
Leap of Faith understood Sham's meaning. This was her last chance to face Golden Sixty on equal terms. If she avoided this race, she would live in Golden Sixty's shadow for the rest of her life.
"I don't know... There's just no way." Leap of Faith hung her head. "Even if I step onto the track, the result will be the same."
"She's a genius, and I'm a fool. I guess that's just fate. Some things... you just can't do, no matter how hard you try."
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T/N: Mihoyo x Multiverse Fanfic Up!
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T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
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