Shiragawa stood amidst the surging crowd, her sleeves crumpled and wrinkled from nervous fidgeting. With a complex gaze, she stared at the Tokyo Racecourse before her.
The Japanese Derby, the second jewel of the Triple Crown, was known as a laurel only the strongest Uma Musume could seize—and it was also the most dazzling event of the entire Triple Crown series.
Today, her dear friend, her comrade, would face the sharp edge of European Uma Musume Racing on this very stage.
At that thought, Shiragawa couldn't help but tighten her grip, the already wrinkled fabric of her sleeves letting out a faint, strained hiss.
Long before the race, the team behind Symboli Rudolf had already gathered intelligence based on the competitor list for this Japanese Derby.
Whether by luck or not, compared to last time's Satsuki Sho—where most Triple Crown contenders seemed to live and breathe the training grounds—information on Triple Crown Uma Musume was actually much easier to collect.
After all, each of them was a legend on the track. Each had written their own story across the racing world.
And Dream Weaver would be facing five such legends.
This Japanese Derby would undoubtedly be countless times more brutal than the previous Satsuki Sho.
Just as Shiragawa felt a tightness in her chest, Symboli Rudolf's voice suddenly came from beside her.
"Nervous?"
"How could I not be?... That's five Triple Crown-level Uma Musume..."
"No."
"Eh?"
Hearing Symboli Rudolf contradict her, Shiragawa turned her head in surprise. Had some unexpected change occurred during this time that she didn't know about?
Could it be that a Triple Crown Uma Musume had withdrawn?
Facing Shiragawa's hopeful eyes, Symboli Rudolf continued.
"Don't forget the dozen or so European Uma Musume as well. They may not have Triple Crown titles, but every single one who has persevered in that environment cannot be underestimated."
At her words, Shiragawa's face fell immediately. She slumped back into her seat, listlessly muttering.
"Way to kill the mood..."
Of course she knew that. It was just that the pressure from those five Triple Crown-level Uma Musume was so immense that Shiragawa couldn't help but focus on them.
Whenever she thought about Dream Weaver and Mr. C.B. having to face such opponents, her stomach twisted into knots.
They say the stomach is really an emotional organ—given how much it hurt right now, she felt like she might explode from the pressure.
And that was just her. Shiragawa didn't even dare imagine how much pressure Mr. C.B. and Dream Weaver, who would actually face these rivals, were carrying inside.
"Do you think they'll lose?"
Symboli Rudolf suddenly asked softly.
Shiragawa stayed quiet for a long moment. She honestly couldn't see how Dream Weaver and Mr. C.B. could possibly win this Japanese Derby. But before she could figure out how to reply, Symboli Rudolf went on.
"Truth be told, I'm worried too. Even if we set our expectations high and consider both Mr. C.B. and Dreams as Triple Crown-level Uma Musume, I still can't see how they could break through."
Hearing this, Shiragawa lifted her head in astonishment, looking incredulously at Symboli Rudolf's calm expression—unsure how she could say such things while looking so composed.
"But I believe in them."
"Eh?"
"Not just me. Every one of the two hundred thousand spectators here at the Tokyo Racecourse believes in them."
Symboli Rudolf spread her arms wide, as if to embrace the entire Tokyo Racecourse.
"Otherwise, why do you think their eyes are shining so brightly?"
"Even with all the media promotion from European Uma Musume Racing, most people see things clearly. What does sending five Triple Crown-level Uma Musume mean? Do you think they don't know?"
Shiragawa looked around. Everything she had missed earlier in her nervousness now rushed into view. Wherever her eyes landed, everyone was focused intently on the track ahead.
Two hundred thousand was too vast a number. Shiragawa couldn't make out each individual face—only a dark, surging sea of people. And yet, somehow, she felt she could see every single person's gaze.
Because that look in their eyes was all the same. It was the same look she had worn months ago, inspired by Dream Weaver.
"Because European Uma Musume Racing responded… that's why everyone…"
Hearing her murmur, Symboli Rudolf shook her head.
"Responded? No… It's because everyone saw their fear!"
"F… fear?"
In all her years, Shiragawa had never imagined that word being applied to European Uma Musume Racing. In her mind, Europe was synonymous with strength, nothing else.
Could even they feel fear?
As if reading her thoughts, Symboli Rudolf smiled and nodded.
"Otherwise, why would they scurry like startled mice, scrambling to gather five Triple Crown-level Uma Musume in just one month to stop us?"
"Because they're afraid…"
"Afraid that the Triple Crown system they built with their own hands might shatter. Afraid that their absolute authority might be questioned. Afraid they can no longer uphold the glory passed down by their predecessors."
"Because they're afraid, they must counterattack with everything they have. Like someone who's been frightened—their first instinct isn't to hide, but to roar and throw the strongest punch they can muster."
"And right now, that's the punch we have to face."
Watching Symboli Rudolf's confident demeanor, Shiragawa began to understand why she had been able to gather such a large support team.
Yet she couldn't help replying instinctively.
"What if we can't withstand it?"
Symboli Rudolf turned her head and smiled at Shiragawa.
"Then we don't withstand it. Even if that punch carries immense force, in the end, it's just one punch. If we get knocked down, we simply get back up."
"The important thing is… because of our existence, everyone has seen European Uma Musume Racing change. It's no longer a pristine, untouchable deity sitting high above the clouds, seemingly without joy or sorrow."
"It can feel fear because of us. It can feel anger. It is no longer a god with absolute authority."
"And if it's no longer a god… then naturally, it can be defeated."
She narrowed her eyes, gazing at the sky as she murmured to herself.
Just as Shiragawa's heart trembled from Symboli Rudolf's words, a shout from above the Tokyo Racecourse pulled her attention back.
"First in popularity! Number one! Dream Weaver!"
--+--
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.