"But... but..." Qianzao Yui clung tightly to Xingyun Liuge, choking up again and again. Even with Xingyun gently soothing her, she still could not get her emotions under control.
This was the glory of the Triple Crown.
And not just that—it was an undefeated run, a perfect streak stretching all the way back to her debut race.
How could anyone not be moved to tears by that?
How could Xingyun Liuge face all of this so calmly?
This was beyond simple maturity. She was almost too composed.1GaL2
Xingyun Liuge said nothing. She simply stroked Qianzao Yui's head as if comforting a child, which only made Yui feel even more embarrassed.
Norn Ace had originally wanted to throw herself into the hug too, but another horse girl got there faster than she did.
"Hahaha! I knew you'd take victory with ease, Miss Xingyun—ah, Miss Xingyun!" Agnes Tachyon looped her arms around Xingyun Liuge's long neck from behind, her voice full of feverish excitement. "Let's explore the limits of your speed together! I have a premonition—you can become even stronger, stronger still!"1GaL2
A dangerous red gleam almost flashed in Tachyon's eyes, as if she were saying: If anyone tries to get in our way, we'll take them out immediately!
That reaction was so alarming it startled Norn Ace.
She had originally meant to bark something sharp at this Central horse girl who had come out of nowhere and scare her off, but now she did not dare.
No matter what, this Central girl was still hanging off Xingyun Liuge.
She was shorter than Norn Ace, and far shorter than Xingyun Liuge now, but at the moment she was practically attached to Xingyun's body.1GaL2
Daiwa Scarlet rubbed the back of her head helplessly and spread her hands.
That was just how her Tachyon-senpai was. The second the topic turned to speed, she got high as a kite.
Xingyun Liuge was in a good mood, so she merely patted Tachyon on the head and let the offense slide.
Seeing that Xingyun was in especially good spirits, Sirius Symboli immediately said, "Everyone at Central will definitely cheer for your victory from the bottom of their hearts too, Xingyun. You're the savior who reignited Japan's racing world! You're already—no, absolutely—a national idol now!"1GaL2
She wanted to invite Xingyun Liuge back to Japan.
There was no question that Xingyun now possessed the capital to found a prestigious house from scratch. All she had to do was nod, and horse girls would flock to her doorstep, hoping to become her disciples and inherit her talent and renown.
In fact, even without this American Triple Crown, the line at her door would already have been shoulder to shoulder. After all, she was a horse girl who had defeated both British and American rivals head-on!
A Japanese horse girl beating British and American horse girls—this was the very definition of the weak triumphing over the strong.
To put it bluntly, within the world of horse girls, she was the brightest star in the East!1GaL2
With that being the case, the number of people trying to lure her away would only keep growing. What competitive edge did Japan still have?
Would Rudolf Symboli stepping down on the spot and inviting her to become the next student council president of Central Tracen even be enough?
Before Xingyun Liuge could answer, the excited reporters flooded into the hall, all hoping to get her victory statement.
Sirius Symboli politely retreated and left the stage to Xingyun.
After all, this was a day of celebration. To keep harping on her return now would have been far too rude.
A while later, inside the reception hall Secretariat had helped arrange, cameras flashed nonstop at Xingyun Liuge, as if every angle of her was utterly flawless.1GaL2
"Miss Xingyun, congratulations on your overwhelming victory in the Belmont Stakes and on officially becoming the American Triple Crown champion. What is your next goal?"
Xingyun Liuge raised both hands confidently, extending four fingers.
"At the start of this journey, my goal was to win both the British and American Triple Crowns, and then challenge the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Now that my American campaign has come to an end, the natural next step is to finish the remaining two races of the British Triple Crown."
She said it as casually as if she were saying, Ladies, trust me—it's there for the taking.1GaL2
That kind of attitude would normally make enemies very easily.
But she was already the American Triple Crown champion now.
A wave of astonishment immediately swept through the room.
Ordinarily, the Epsom Derby should have taken place around the same time as the Belmont Stakes. But a typhoon had suddenly blown in over the sea, and the heavy rainfall had forced the organizers to postpone the race—almost as though fate itself were waiting for Xingyun Liuge to come and pluck that blossom.
If this was not the arrangement of the gods, then Xingyun Liuge's luck was simply absurd.
The weather had given her the opportunity to compete in the classic Triple Crown races of two nations, and her absolute strength had given her the ability to win them all.
Though in truth, that was probably just the loving protection of Janna, the Storm's Fury.1GaL2
Then someone asked, "Miss Xingyun, would you mind sharing the secret behind how you became so strong? I've heard that you originally came from Kasamatsu Tracen, and that at the time you were even using a wheelchair. Why has your condition changed so dramatically?"
Xingyun Liuge arched a brow and curled her lips into a wickedly charming smile.
"Mainly because of support from my companions, personal effort and sweat, and, of course, a heart that longs to run."1GaL2
It was such a bright and wholesome answer that it almost seemed bland.
For reporters, the more explosive the statement, the better.
Something like, "The three-year pact has ended—welcome back, Dragon King," or "Back then they ignored me, but now they can't afford me."
Xingyun Liuge had no interest in any of that.
All she needed to do was keep winning. Public opinion would naturally crush the JRA that had slighted her.
Hadn't Rudolf Symboli already been driven by remorse into becoming her vanguard?
As always: one ought to remain pure and spotless, after all~1GaL2
Even after the press conference ended, Xingyun Liuge still did not get a moment of peace.
One exquisitely crafted invitation after another was delivered to her.
Needless to say, these were all from America's prestigious racing families.
Their message was clear: Our house has a young horse girl of suitable age who deeply admires Miss Xingyun. If Miss Xingyun is ever free, our doors will be open to welcome her.
This had already started when she was only a two-crown winner.
Now that she had become a Triple Crown champion, it was not just American horse girls anymore—even prestigious families from Canada, Mexico, Central America, and South America were sending invitations too, competing with each other in open desperation.1GaL2
It was hard not to suspect that, if Xingyun Liuge showed even the slightest inclination, they would be willing to bring their promising juniors to her personally, all just to beg for a little guidance.
And that was not all.
Business offers and endorsement deals came flying at her like snowflakes, as though they meant to bury her beneath mountains of letters.
The simplest example was this: Xingyun Liuge plush dolls had already sold out to the point that orders were backed up into next year.
Even leaving aside race prize money, Xingyun Liuge no longer needed to worry about money at all.
And these were only the first wave of benefits that came with becoming a Triple Crown champion.
That night, staring at the indescribable object lying on her bed, Xingyun Liuge frowned, feeling that the matter was far from simple.1GaL2
Join here to read ahead.
In Star Rail, Ultra-Beast Armored — Have I Caught "Equilibrium"? l (Chapter 80)
Uma Musume, But I Only Have Five Years Left to Live (Chapter 178)
Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Doctor, Not a Bangboo (Chapter 155)
Ben Tennyson Wants to Join the Justice League ( 126 )
TYPE-MOON: Redemption Beginning with the Holy Grail War (Chapter110)
Yu-Gi-Oh! — Transmigrated into the White Dragon Girl (Chapter200)
"Is this chat group even serious?" (Chapter110)
I, Lord Ravager, Utterly Loyal! (Chapter230)
Can Playing Games Save the World? 65
Crossover Anime Multiverse: The Demon Hunter of an Unnatural World 77
From Junkman to Wasteland 66
Weekly Refresh of Overpowered 31
I'm Grinding Proficiency Like 46
From Kiana, Lord Ravager, Onwa 200
Honkai: Is This Still the Prev 42
Elf: My Starter Pokémon Is Inc 65
Warhammer: My Primarch Is Remi 180
From Demon Slayer to Grand Ass Volume2/5
The Way the Umamusume Look at 68
Uma Musume, but My Cheat Power 230
Naruto: Weaving the Future, Be 65
Zenless Zone Zero, but Kamen R 76
Multiverse Crossover: The Perf 66
My Cyberpsycho Girlfriend 65
Uma Musume: The Dark Trainer 220
Uma Musume: A Calamity Born fr 154
I, a Reincarnation-Loop Player Volume4/30
The Violent Girl Group Is Beat 120
Uma Musume: The Horse Girl Who 67
Uma Musume: From Beginner 135
Becoming a Horse Girl, I Will 85
Uma Musume: I Want All 110
I Can Copy Unique Skills 100
Summoning an Evil God, but the 70
Supernatural Multiverse 100
My Harem Is Indescribable 90
Jujutsu Kaisen: Heroic Spirit 95
"I'm just a Valkyrie passing through." 68
Uma Musume: Today Is Another Romantic Battlefield 105
Still playing traditional Honk 69
The Most Filial Son Under Heav 80
What Should I Do After Switchi - Volume2/3
Reincarnated as a Demon, Skill 70
Hell-Difficulty Dungeon? 55
Transmigrated as Sukuna 75
Checking In in Demon Slayer 80
The Reincarnating Trainer of Tracen Academy 85
I Refuse to Become a Heroic 70
My Best Friend Into a Slime? 65
A Saiyan Stands Above Marvel 70
What Do You Mean by Using a Lab Mod to Be the Hero? 70
Tanya Starts from Re:Zero 65
Why did they assign me to Uma 65
MYGO Beauties 65
DanMachi: Emiya the Giant Hero 55
The Gacha Merchant Who Started 65
Honkai's Otherworld? Wait—Who Are You People?! 45
Emiya Shirou, Determined to Slay Every Curse and Evil Spirit 45
The Uma Musume Who Became 40
I'm Definitely Not the King of 45
After Maxing Out Every Class 45
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