In the commentary box, the race caller and analyst were passionately announcing El Condor Pasa's victory, heralding the rise of another extraordinary talent in their era.
The stands, packed to the brim, erupted into a roaring tidal wave of cheers from Uma Musume enthusiasts and El Condor Pasa's fans alike.
While Barbatos' fanbase might have been several times larger in sheer numbers, who wouldn't want to witness the emergence of a true 'once-in-a-generation' prodigy?
Yet, among the more knowledgeable fans in the crowd, there were exchanged glances that seemed out of place amidst the fervent shouts. They couldn't help but think, 'Is that all?!'
At least ninety-nine percent of the spectators present, those watching this Daily Hai Junior Stakes, had either been there in person or seen the footage of Barbatos's Keio Hai run.
They had witnessed the fierce rivalry between Barbatos and Tacit Accord.
They had seen how, even when Tacit Accord pushed beyond her limits in a desperate, neck-and-neck struggle, Barbatos had still managed to firmly keep her pinned down.
The memory was still vivid: Tacit Accord, after a disastrous start crashing through the gates, disregarding her own physical state to unleash power surpassing her past self, charging all the way from dead last to the very front.
By comparison, El Condor Pasa had also demonstrated a level surpassing your average G2-level Uma Musume.
But this race... was that really it?
They weren't doubting El Condor Pasa's ability, but rather wondering if her opponents were just a bit weak.
They're both G2 races, so why is the gap so vast?
On the live stream's bullet chat, amidst the scrolling spam of 'Phantom Bird' a few users voiced their own opinions.
"Look how easily the Phantom Bird won! She's stronger than Wind God, right?"
"El Condor Pasa clearly didn't even go all out."
"When will we get to see El Condor Pasa and Barbatos in the same race?"
Silence Suzuka, belonged to a generation half a step earlier than the 'Phantom Bird' and 'Wind God.' A matchup with her would have to wait until next year at least.
So, couldn't they hope for a clash between the 'Phantom Bird' and 'Wind God' this year?
Perhaps at the Nakayama Racecourse's middle-distance G1 event, the 'Hopeful Stakes,' following the Hanshin Juvenile Stakes and Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes.
But regarding that question, a well-known blogger on Japan's version of Weibo quickly responded.
'Wind God' Barbatos was scheduled to participate in the 'Winter Dream Cup' at year's end.
The Hopeful Stakes and the Winter Dream Cup were only a few days apart.
According to the racing committee's schedule regulations, an Uma Musume cannot participate in two races within a half-month period.
The 'Winter Dream Cup' isn't counted among the regular season races, but competing in two races within a fortnight could potentially shorten an Uma Musume's career. This was especially true for two high-level races run consecutively within just a few days.
The Daily Hai event concluded.
The group in the stands, including Barbatos, waited for the Winner's Stage to begin. Even though Barbatos wasn't particularly interested in the spectacle, they'd come all this way, so they might as well see the whole thing through.
The only issue was, her plan to study potential opponents for the Oka Sho hadn't really panned out.
Instead, finding herself in Rigil's spectator section gave her a new small goal: to get Canopus its own dedicated spectator area too.
Hmm... on second thought, that probably wasn't a 'small' goal. More like an ultimate objective.
It was arguably even more difficult than becoming Japan's top Uma Musume, or the world's top Uma Musume.
Because having a dedicated spectator area wasn't a privilege granted simply for being the strongest or a legendary Uma Musume. It was reserved for Japan's strongest team.
Hadn't they seen that even Oguri Cap and her group didn't have their own dedicated section?
What she probably needed to do was become a true legend.
And then, cheer on and support her teammates in Canopus.
While waiting for the Winner's Stage, King Halo suggested, "After the ceremony, why don't we all go out for a meal? I recently found a really good gyudon place."
After a moment's thought, Grass Wonder smiled and said, "In that case, let's invite Urara and Spe-chan too."
Since Kyoto Racecourse was located in Kyoto, if King Halo was suggesting a restaurant, it likely wasn't too far away.
So, inviting their friends from Tracen Academy was perfectly natural. Whether it was Urara, King Halo's roommate, or Special Week, their classmate, they were all very close.
Hearing this, Barbatos nearby took out her phone, ready to contact Urara and invite her to join.
King Halo showed no objection and simply pulled out her own phone. "Then I'll message Urara."
Barbatos' hand, holding her phone, paused mid-action.
'But I was the one who...' she thought, whether it was getting to know her first, or preparing to make the invitation first...
Ahem! She mentally shook her head, chasing away the strange, meme-infused tangent. It seemed Urara and King Halo were getting along well. But then again, Urara got along with everyone.
Well then... Barbatos moved her thumb down her LINE contact list, figuring she could be the one to invite Special Week instead.
"Spe-chan agreed, she'll come this evening," Grass Wonder said, holding her phone with a smile.
Barbatos looked at them... feeling like they were just so efficient.
But since she hadn't organized this gathering, it wasn't really her place to be issuing invitations anyway. King Halo and Grass Wonder had just efficiently divided the tasks.
As for their Canopus teammates, inviting the likes of Twin Turbo was out of the question. This particular meal was for their Class C friends.
Urara was also someone they were extremely close to, arguably even more familiar with than their other classmates. It wouldn't be appropriate to invite the Canopus crew along.
On that note, Urara probably wouldn't try to invite them all either.
On the other side of the stands, Toujou Hana also noticed the situation and offered a kind smile. As Rigil's trainer, she usually had to maintain a serious demeanor. Moreover, with non-Rigil members attending, it was impossible for her to join.
Thinking for a moment, she turned to look in Minamizaka's direction.
"Would you like to go grab a drink at the bar later?" Hana invited. Even though their teams would be fierce competitors in the future, having a drink as colleagues was perfectly normal.
She often went for drinks with Okino anyway—that guy who'd even poached Silence Suzuka from Rigil. Though, the 'Great Escape' running style probably did suit Silence Suzuka better.
Minamizaka was no novice to workplace dynamics. He understood that Hibiki also didn't want to intrude on Barbatos's gathering.
"Sounds good, but I can't drink alcohol. Is juice okay with you?"
--+--
Just what kind of high-class restaurant was it, that King Halo would recommend?
The Winner's Stage ceremony ended, and as Barbatos walked out of Kyoto Racecourse alongside El Condor Pasa and the others, the thought crossed her mind.
She glanced beside her.
It seemed Maruzensky-senpai also planned to join their 'young people's' dinner gathering.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, 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.