The sky above Chukyo Racecourse was a clear, endless blue, the brilliant sunlight beating down on the turf, nearly bleaching the entire track into a blinding white glare. Even through her shoes and horseshoes, Star Man could feel the scorching heat rising from the ground beneath her feet.
Standing on the track, gazing at the distant spectators and feeling the weight of her rivals' stares, those intense eyes combined with the overwhelming sunlight felt like they were about to set her heart ablaze.
This was the racetrack. This was competition. It was something training races could never replicate—a thrilling sensation that could only be felt when standing here, one that seemed to ignite both body and soul.
Star Man silently clenched her fists, her round chestnut eyes wide with determination as she lifted her head, taking in the very essence of the course.
This was actually her first time competing in a graded race. Making her debut in a G2 event might make some Uma Musume nervous.
But for Star Man, she just felt like time was moving too slowly—why hadn't the race started yet? She was already itching to run!
She turned her attention to the other two Uma Musume on the track. One with long, princess-style black hair was gazing somewhat distractedly at the audience, while the other, a twin-tailed girl, was pursing her lips and staring intently at her rival.
Blinking, the easygoing Star Man seemed completely unaware of the subtle tension between them and instead waved enthusiastically with a bright smile.
"Fujino Makken O, Merci Stage, you're here too!"
The two Uma Musume locked in that subtle standoff were strong contenders for today's race. The black-haired Fujino Makken O had achieved impressive placements in this year's Satsuki Sho and Japanese Derby.
The other, Merci Stage, hadn't performed well in the Triple Crown races, but she was a bona fide graded race winner.
Hearing Star Man's booming voice, Fujino Makken O shot her an annoyed glance and said dismissively,
"I don't think I know you."
Faced with such obvious distaste, Star Man didn't miss a beat. She pointed at herself boldly and declared,
"I'm Star Man! The Uma Musume who's gonna defeat Narita Brian!"
"Huh?!"
Her declaration drew shocked exclamations from both of them. They frowned, looking at Star Man as if she were an idiot.
But Star Man seemed completely unfazed, confidently thumping her chest and announcing loudly,
"I'm gonna win my first graded race here, then head to the Kyoto Shimbun Hai! Narita Brian's entered that one too, right? I'll defeat her there!"
Watching the radiantly confident Star Man, Merci Stage crossed her arms, frowned, and said,
"Do you... actually know who Narita Brian is?"
"The strongest Uma Musume of this generation, the Monster Who Blots Out the Sun, right? Of course I know."
Star Man tilted her head, as if puzzled by the question.
"And you can still say something like that knowing that?"
Merci Stage's voice was strained. Having witnessed Narita Brian's terror on the track firsthand, she couldn't fathom how anyone could be so ignorant.
Having won two graded races herself and earned a place on the G1 stage, Merci Stage was no weakling. Yet, she had been so terrified by Narita Brian's dreadful presence that she forgot how to run, ending up with humiliating 17th and 18th place finishes.
How could Star Man, making her graded race debut without even having seen Narita Brian, dare to make such arrogant claims?!
"Well, since she's called a monster, it's only right for a hero like me to come and defeat her."
As she spoke, Star Man mimed a transformation pose.
"Besides, defeating the strongest of a generation sounds super cool, doesn't it?!"
Fujino Makken O, standing nearby, shot a glance at the excited Star Man and coldly remarked,
"So just an idiot after all."
She turned away, ignoring Star Man's indignant glare, and continued,
"You can't even begin to understand what you're saying. You've never even set foot on a G1 stage—this is your first graded race."
"But there is one thing you got right. Narita Brian will be defeated. However... it definitely won't be by you."
Fujino Makken O snorted disdainfully at Star Man and went on,
"Uma Musume like you can't possibly imagine the pressure you feel standing on the same track as her."
"Some, with weaker constitutions, can't even perform to their usual standard under that oppression, even if they're skilled."
Hearing this, Merci Stage, standing to the side, instinctively clenched her fist, biting her lip.
"Only those who can maintain their strength under that pressure have the right to face Narita Brian head-on."
She lifted her head proudly, announcing to both Star Man and Merci Stage,
"On this track, I alone have the right to challenge Narita Brian directly!"
"As for you two... along with the outcome of the Kobe Shimbun Hai, you will both be left watching my back!"
Hearing this, Merci Stage finally couldn't hold back anymore. She lifted her head and faced Fujino Makken O squarely, saying sharply,
"I'll prove it to you! I'll show you! Merci Stage is no coward! I will win this Kobe Shimbun Hai , and I will be the one to compete against Narita Brian!"
The competitive fire sparking between their locked gazes almost ignited the very air around them. Finding herself ignored, Star Man began shouting loudly too.
"And me! Don't forget me! I, Star Man, am the one who will defeat the Sun-Blotted Monster! I'm taking the Kobe Shimbun Hai title AND the title of strongest of the generation!"
Hearing this, both turned their attention to the boastful Star Man, who met their gazes without a hint of fear.
Although the race hadn't officially begun, the contenders for the Kobe Shimbun Hai crown had already started their battle.
While they stood in confrontation, the commentator outside the track hadn't paused his work for a moment. Sugimoto Kentaro looked at the materials in his hand, feeling inexplicably nervous for some reason.
Despite his vast experience, his heart was racing uncontrollably, and his throat felt oddly dry. Staring at the surname reflected in his pupils, he took a deep breath before proclaiming,
"The long-dormant Northern family has finally produced another Uma Musume! Making her debut appearance today without having raced before—what kind of performance will she show us?!"
"The final contender, number ten: Northern Dreams!"
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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.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.