"Now approaching us is the unquestionable second favorite of today's race—fresh off her recent victory at the Irish Champion Stakes, Gotham Song!"
"She truly exudes the aura of a powerful contender. Let's hope she and Tokai Teio give us a splendid competition today."
The announcers seemed a bit perfunctory as Gotham Song stepped onto the platform. But even amidst the near-total silence of the audience, Gotham stood firmly and calmly surveyed the crowd.
Ah, she owed an apology for her earlier complaint—because, in truth, the stands weren't completely silent.
Among the quiet crowd, she spotted Shunbun eagerly waving her handmade cheering poster.
This adorably earnest child… She really warms my heart.
Smiling softly, Gotham gracefully stepped down, giving Shunbun a quick wink before turning toward the entrance tunnel.
About to emerge there was none other than her fated rival.
"And here she is, performing her iconic Teio Step! This race marks Tokai Teio's astonishingly swift comeback since her unfortunate injury during the Japanese Derby. We eagerly anticipate seeing her back at full strength today!"
"Indeed, Teio has proven herself the strongest Uma Musume in this year's Classic races, and she stands on the threshold of the coveted Undefeated Triple Crown. Personally, I'm truly rooting for her to secure today's Kikuka Sho victory—and judging from the crowd's reaction, they clearly feel the same!"
The announcer's enthusiastic prompt and Teio's dazzling entry brought forth thunderous cheers and applause, making Gotham Song feel just a tiny bit envious. After all, any Uma Musume who raced would naturally crave such electrifying support.
Well, perhaps only a tiny bit.
After all, this wasn't her first time experiencing such treatment. To be brutally honest—maybe even sounding a bit villainous—she'd admit:
Crushing the expectations of all these spectators rooting against me…
Isn't that also immensely satisfying?
After carefully checking everything—her racing shoes, her uniform—Gotham Song calmly became the first Uma Musume to step into the starting gate, even while others watched in surprise.
Teio hadn't even reached the gate area yet!
"Wow, Gotham Song truly shows no fear of the gate at all, something rather unusual among Uma Musume. With all competitors ready, the Kikuka Sho is about to begin! Will we witness the birth of a new undefeated Triple Crown champion today?"
"Will Tokai Teio follow in her idol's footsteps and become the second Emperor of the track? We'll soon find out! Only two contestants remain outside the gates now."
Taking one final glance at Tokai Teio as she entered the gate, Gotham closed her eyes, regulating her breathing carefully.
Tokai Teio, I hope you've kept everything I told you in your heart as strength for what comes next—because I'm afraid today's result won't be as everyone wishes.
Though the Kikuka Sho may not seem that essential, Teio, remember—it's the only remaining piece I lack in Japan's Triple Crown. Out of respect for you, I must give it my absolute best.
A breeze lifted her bangs slightly, but Gotham ignored it, tightening her fists and lowering her stance slightly.
Now, what rhythm should I use to secure victory today?
"All contestants have entered their gates under clear weather at the Kikuka Sho!"
"Indeed, the race is about to begin! Will Tokai Teio secure her undefeated Triple Crown? Or will Gotham Song defeat her ultimate rival today?"
"The decisive moment is just seconds away!"
[Red.]
No, matching Teio's rhythm wouldn't be fair—that would be too cruel.
[Red.]
But a leading run from the start, a pace entirely different from Teio's—that should be perfect, right? Let everyone witness Gotham Song's unique approach to leading races.
First step?
Unleash the legendary aura refined in the Afterlife!
[Green!]
"They're off! As usual, all runners experienced slight delays, but—astonishingly—Tokai Teio has overcome that curse, closely followed by Gotham Song! In third place, almost neck-and-neck, is Twin Turbo!"
"Twin Turbo! Our Twin Turbo has launched! She fiercely ignites her engines, making her signature daring escape. Will anyone pursue her acceleration, or will they remain unaffected?"
Tokai Teio heard the announcer's excited voice and glimpsed Twin Turbo rush past her. This scene felt strangely familiar, much like the day she first met Gotham Song.
But!
Now, Tokai Teio was vastly stronger than before.
Long before today, Teio had realized clearly: the true obstacle in defeating Gotham Song wasn't her sudden, terrifying bursts of acceleration—it was the strange, almost supernatural gate delay all competitors faced around Gotham Song.
Once confirmed by Symboli Rudolf herself, Teio knew exactly what she had to do:
At the very start, I must concentrate fully and rely on my absolute determination to break through that invisible wall!
Sorry, Gotham, but such a trick isn't enough to slow Teio-sama down!
Next, she needed to hold her rhythm and prepare for the inevitable speed showdown with Gotham Song.
As for Twin Turbo's desperate escape attempt?
Teio chose to ignore the silly escape artist—not because Turbo inevitably lost steam, but simply because this was the Kikuka Sho.
Forget stamina and distance concerns—just that massive uphill and downhill section would ruthlessly end any hopes of escaping straight to the finish.
Twin Turbo was just a distraction today—she might've improved greatly in other races, but here she only served to lure others into reckless actions.
Instead, Teio remained laser-focused on Gotham Song: Keep pace, stick close, catch up, then surpass!
"The race tempo is incredibly fast! Twin Turbo leads early as usual, distancing herself greatly, but the chasing group remains calm!"
The Kikuka Sho's track had its own character. After bursting out of the gate, runners immediately faced a short straight track of roughly a hundred meters. Here, Twin Turbo stretched her lead to the maximum.
The escape specialist's short-distance speed was astonishing—but it caused no panic. Because ahead lay an enormous, despair-inducing obstacle.
A massive uphill climb.
Twin Turbo showed no hesitation or pause, having already resolved to charge uphill, blue flames practically roaring around her. Yet inevitably, she met overwhelming resistance.
"The uphill climb! The first corner clearly troubles Twin Turbo—this slope severely tests escape-type stamina, especially with such a long race still ahead!"
"Behind her, the group rapidly closes in, led by Tokai Teio, with Gotham Song closely following."
"Yes! The critical moment approaches—who will move first, Teio or Gotham Song?!"
The spectators chanted Tokai Teio's name passionately, practically begging her to attack uphill immediately, following the announcer's enthusiastic lead.
Yet Teio remained utterly calm. She adjusted her posture, carefully altering her center of gravity to climb efficiently.
But as she reached the slope's beginning, Teio glanced back briefly.
Gotham Song shadowed her effortlessly, perfectly exploiting Teio's slipstream without losing an inch.
I must shake her off. Her stamina is already monstrous—if she saves energy now, my disadvantage will only grow.
Teio accelerated slightly uphill, edging closer inward. Her delicate legs dug firmly into the turf, fighting against gravity.
Yet Gotham Song showed no hurry, matching Teio's pace easily. She could even blast ahead right now if she wanted—but since Teio so eagerly desired a proper fight, she'd give her rival a taste of true pressure.
After all, Dancing Brave would scold me again if I didn't display what she painstakingly taught me!
But Teio—isn't she pushing herself too hard? Something feels off…
Approaching the hilltop corner, Twin Turbo's advantage vanished entirely. Teio and Gotham Song overtook her smoothly, with Teio closest to the inner rail.
Teio slowed slightly entering the corner—and Gotham Song moved dramatically to Teio's side.
If it's like this, Teio—this corner will settle everything. Time to fulfill your wish…
My engines are ready.
"Teio reaches the peak first but slows around the bend! Gotham Song…she's preparing something extraordinary!"
"No doubt—she's planning an acceleration here! Is she confident enough to accelerate downhill on a turn like this? Any error here means disaster!"
Indeed, accelerating downhill at this spot risked life-threatening accidents due to immense inertia and speed.
Yet Gotham Song fully intended exactly this—fearless and confident, she'd seize victory here, becoming a true legend.
As Gotham prepared her decisive move, Teio—teeth clenched—shot her a desperate glance. Gotham's aura clearly said one thing:
Teio was about to be left behind!
I refuse… I absolutely refuse to lose to you! If you dare accelerate here, then so will I! Gotham—I'll defeat you!
White light burst around Teio as she suddenly pushed herself forward, unleashing her full speed downhill.
"Teio launches first! Can Gotham Song respond? They're battling head-to-head down this legendary slope!"
Gotham immediately reacted—but as she surged alongside, a terrified confusion flashed across Teio's face.
In that instant, Teio's left leg buckled. She lost balance and crashed heavily to the turf.
Tokai Teio had pushed too far, reigniting her injury at full speed downhill.
Once again, her leg had failed her.