April 26th.
Kyoto Racecourse.
The Spring Tenno Sho kicked off today, with swarms of spectators pouring into the racecourse early to secure the best vantage points.
[Mejiro Matriarch Advises Mejiro Bright, Barbatos Dismisses 'No Threat at All']
[Barbatos's First Long-Distance G1, Also Her First Long-Distance Race]
[Prodigy Versus Old Guard—Will Barbatos's Unbeaten Streak Continue?]
Merchandise stalls all around the racecourse were filled with Barbatos dolls and goods for sale, and spectators flooding in could be seen clutching one or two of them for support.
Even though the race was officially billed as a showdown between Barbatos and Mejiro Bright—with Bright herself on a hot streak of G-series wins—she still fell noticeably short of Barbatos in terms of buzz and popularity.
Put another way: Mejiro Bright was strong, but the star of this race was undoubtedly Barbatos!
Meanwhile, at an entrance to the spectator stands.
An elderly, white-haired Uma Musume sat in a wheelchair. Half a step behind her on either side, two other Uma Musume kept her company.
The elder Musume seemed to carry her own aura; spectators ahead instinctively made way, unable to resist stealing a glance. Yet the figure in the wheelchair paid them no mind, remaining silent.
It wasn't until the trio had moved on that someone finally let out a relieved sigh.
The feeling was like running into your boss at the office—your direct supervisor, no less—and it even made them want to show off their 'craftsman's spirit.'
Longtime racing fans, however, couldn't help but whisper to their friends.
"Aren't those two Mejiro Dober and Mejiro Ryan from the Mejiro family?"
"They were pretty famous Uma Musume back in their day."
"So then the one in the middle… could that be the 'Mejiro Matriarch' people talk about online?"
"No way. The Mejiro Matriarch came in person to watch this Spring Tenno Sho? If they lose…"
"What?! The Mejiro Matriarch? Where?!"
As the two spoke, a voice brimming with childish vigor piped up beside them. Turning, they saw a cute, petite Uma Musume with twin tails.
She looked like a member of Team Canopus… Something like Twin Jet, was it?
Momentarily confused, the two dumbly pointed the girl—Twin Turbo—in the right direction, where the backs of the three Mejiro figures could still faintly be seen.
"Thanks!"
Twin Turbo meant to pat their shoulders in acknowledgment, but found herself too short to reach.
Giving up, she instead pulled out a hidden 'challenge letter' from her pocket, its cover littered with who-knows-how-many corrected typos.
She was about to dash toward the Mejiro trio and deliver it on the spot.
But before she could even start running, she was lifted clean off her feet—stopped by Ikuno Dictus.
Apart from Barbatos, who had already headed for the competitors' area, Team Canopus had arrived in full force.
There was no way they were letting Twin Turbo deliver that challenge letter now.
It was simply unthinkable to publicly slap the Mejiro family in the face like that, with tens of thousands of people present. Doing it here would mean everyone would know.
If she delivered the letter in front of this crowd and then Barbatos won the race, the Mejiro Matriarch might just drop dead from the shock.
They still had to uphold the traditional virtue of Tracen Academy: respecting one's seniors.
--+--
"Grandmother, why did you decide to come watch this race in person today?"
Having reached a relatively open, uncrowded spot in the stands with a good view, Mejiro Ryan finally voiced the question on her mind.
After all, whether it was her or Dober's races, Grandmother had never attended in person before—not even for G1 events.
Though Grandmother always seemed stern and unsmiling, she would follow every performance of the Mejiro family via live broadcasts. So why come to the track this time?
If it was because Bright was special… that didn't seem right.
Grandmother treated everyone fairly, without particular favoritism.
As for the real reason for coming… Ryan already had an inkling, even as she asked.
"How would you two fare if you faced Barbatos?"
Mejiro Dober and Mejiro Ryan exchanged a glance.
At their peak, both could be called monsters among G1 Uma Musume, ranking among the strongest of their generation—akin to today's reigning prodigies, their prowess surpassing even the current Mejiro Bright.
But in their retired state now, victory wasn't guaranteed. And as for facing Barbatos…
Well, they'd have to run against her to know!
Both Dober and Ryan had the same thought, especially since their distance aptitudes were similar to what Barbatos had shown so far. A faint competitive spark flickered in them.
If not for the difference in distance suitability, they might have mentally placed themselves in this race, considering how they'd handle it, what strategies they'd use, and how to deal with Barbatos's [Zone] and terrifying late-race charge.
And Grandmother coming to the track today… was it really to see Barbatos run in person?
"If Barbatos wins this race, perhaps she'll truly have a chance to compete with that one in the future."
Without waiting for her juniors' reply, the Matriarch murmured to herself.
An invincible figure surfaced in her mind—the absolute of the racing world, an Uma Musume from her own generation: Symboli Rudolf.
If Barbatos could work the miracle of conquering her distance aptitude and win the Spring Tenno Sho, perhaps she might one day become one who could challenge that absolute, joining the ranks of Uma Musume like Silence Suzuka, Oguri Cap, Narita Brian, and T.M. Opera O.
As for surpassing the absolute, beating Symboli Rudolf?
That was impossible.
She had come today to see if Barbatos could indeed create a miracle… and also, in her own way, to cheer for Mejiro Bright from the stands.
--+--
Team Rigil's Exclusive Viewing Area.
With no team members competing, only two people occupied the area this time.
Maruzensky felt the cool breeze on her face and the electric pre-race atmosphere, then glanced at the figure beside her. "It's been a long time since we watched a race together."
"If she wins this, are you planning to invite her directly?"
Symboli Rudolf, no longer wearing her stern student council president's demeanor, was relaxed for once. "If she conquers the Tenno Sho and defies her distance aptitude, she's earned that right, hasn't she?"
"Besides…"
"Her body must be nearing its limit."
Whether it was the illness previously reported in the news or the prolonged use of her [Zone], she probably couldn't keep running much longer.
Joining them, receiving the protection of the Three Goddesses, and becoming a legend might be her best path forward.
As they spoke.
Out on the racetrack, all competing Uma Musume had finished their entrance and, guided by staff, were filing into the starting gates.
The Spring Tenno Sho was about to begin!
--+--
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!
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If you guys wanna check it out.