OFFICIAL NOTICE FROM CENTRAL: Due to a foul for veering off-course, the first-place position of the Black Uma Musume has been revised to eighth.
A competitor who hadn't even registered for the race appeared on the central screen of the racetrack.
The audience at Tokyo Racecourse fell into a collective silence, staring at the horizontal line next to number eight—the mark representing the Black Uma Musume.
--+--
"This is absolute nonsense! If that counts as veering off-course, then no Uma Musume should ever run again! Being in front would always block those behind! Fouls—every single race would be nothing but fouls—!"
In the office, Reporter Fujii was shouting at his editor-in-chief, a rare sight indeed.
His mind was completely occupied by the final verdict from the Central.
It was like a nightmare—one that haunted his dreams, jolting him awake in a cold sweat.
He couldn't accept this outcome!
But then came news that was even harder for him to swallow.
Due to suspected use of banned substances, all competitive results achieved by the Black Uma Musume were hereby invalidated.
This bombshell dropped into the Uma Musume racing world, instantly stirring up a tidal wave of controversy.
Doubts about the Black Uma Musume spread to every spectator's ears.
"If she was using stimulants, then achieving such speed makes sense."
"The dosage an Uma Musume can withstand is beyond what a human could handle."
"Both power and speed could be multiplied compared to her normal state."
"No wonder…"
"Can't help but feel disappointed. A victory won through cheating."
"Cheating before the race, breaking rules during—"
"A competitor like that should just disappear. She doesn't deserve to be on the track."
Overhearing such conversations in the crowd, Reporter Fujii's expression turned grim.
He wanted to rebuke those who believed every rumor, but as a journalist, he knew these people were just misled by false information, leading to their misguided comments.
Countless others thought the same way.
It was the prevailing trend.
And that was what he found even more unbearable!
"Calm down, please calm down, Mr. Fujii."
Facing the furious Fujii Senosuke, the editor-in-chief waved his hands dismissively.
"Our reporting isn't without basis. Look here."
He handed Fujii a stack of documents containing analyses of various racing data, comparing them to the average performance levels of Uma Musume in recent years.
"According to analysis by the Central's staff, the probability that the Uma Musume in question was using banned substances is over seventy percent."
"You understand what doping means for an Uma Musume, don't you?"
"This isn't just a breach of competition rules—it undermines the very fairness of the sport and subverts its purpose."
"So, Uma Musume who break the rules must be severely punished."
"This Black Uma Musume's case is rather special. A suspension isn't suitable for her, so the Central has decided to publicly expose her misconduct, to make people aware of what kind of individual has intruded upon the racetrack."
The editor-in-chief explained with an air of authority.
But with each word he spoke, Fujii Senosuke's face darkened further.
"I understand that doping should be dealt with severely, but…"
He pointed at the documents.
"Why does the report mention a seventy percent probability, while the newspaper states it as a confirmed fact? How do you explain that, Chief—!"
Moreover! Setting aside the issue of probability, Fujii, who knew the true identity of the Black Uma Musume, simply couldn't believe it.
A ghost—whose existence wasn't fully confirmed by science—possessing the same blood and veins as a human, capable of being affected by drugs?
She'd be lucky to manage offerings of food! And yet she could dope?!
What a load of rubbish!
But in response to Fujii's aggressive stance, the chief leisurely lit a cigarette.
"Mr. Fujii."
Wreathed in smoke, the chief spoke calmly, "That issue is beyond the scope of your duties."
"Wha… What…"
Fujii Sensuke's eyes widened.
If he, responsible for media content, couldn't decide the substance of the articles, then who did have that authority?!
But the chief repeated himself.
'Your question exceeds the scope of your duties.'
What a joke!
Had they capitulated to the Central?
Decided to follow their lead and cooperate in publishing this completely erroneous report?
Or was it the company's own decision, aiming to grab people's attention and chase clout?
It was true—compared to positive news about the Black Uma Musume's victory, negative reports exposing her problems sparked far more intense discussion.
But regardless of the reason, the chief's attitude was already clear.
He didn't want Fujii to investigate any further.
"Get back to work," he said. "We still have to go to Tracen Academy later for the post-race interview with Oguri Cap. Prepare your questions and get ready."
Clenching his jaw, gripping the utterly unreliable documents in his hand, Fujii Sensuke slammed them back onto the desk and stormed out of the office.
Watching the dedicated reporter leave, the chief shook his head.
Mr. Fujii.
In news, the truth isn't always the top priority—
That day, Fujii Senosuke, who had long quit smoking, found himself with a cigarette in his mouth again. He stepped outside, leaned against the wall, and took a deep drag.
The harsh smoke filled his lungs. But after just a couple of puffs, he threw the cigarette to the ground and stomped on it fiercely.
"Damn it all…"
--+--
"Remember, when we see Oguri later, don't bring up what happened yesterday."
In the central hallway of Tracen Academy, Kitahara Jo advised Norn Ace and the others.
According to Musaka Ginjirou, after returning from the Winners' Stage yesterday, Oguri Cap had gone back to her dorm and fallen into a deep sleep.
Unable to see her, Kitahara and the others had no choice but to spend the night at a guesthouse outside the academy.
After experiencing the outrageous prices typical of the central district, the group applied for entry to Tracen Academy during training hours, using their status as Oguri Cap's friends.
"Understood, we won't mention it," Norn Ace nodded.
She had also witnessed the Winners' Stage yesterday. That vacant, distant expression was nothing like a winner's.
The once lofty and unattainable image of the Central had subtly shifted in Norn Ace's heart.
To think even victory couldn't be celebrated with joy.
When had competitions become like this?
Soon, the four of them arrived at the training grounds.
Unexpectedly, someone else was already there, training alongside Oguri Cap before they arrived.
Turquoise hair, crimson eyes, sweat glistening under the sunlight as she ran.
That person was—
"March??"
"So that's why we didn't see her yesterday."
Kitahara pulled down the brim of his cap.
Besides her, standing at the edge of the track in a blue-gray work uniform and a typical salaryman haircut, was her trainer, Shibasaki Koichi, timing Fujimasa March.
Had those two arrived earlier?
Noticing the group, Trainer Shibasaki, their colleague, waved to Kitahara Jo.
--+--
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.