Tracen Academy.
"Gah! Why did I lose again? If only I'd pushed harder earlier, I could've caught up!"
"It just hurts so much!"
"Next time! Next time I'll definitely make it to the Winner's Stage!"
Voices pouring out their anguish echoed around, yet the Uma Musume passing by paid little mind, wearing expressions of complete familiarity.
After all, they too, having lost races, would come here filled with regret to pour their hearts out to the listening tree.
This was a particularly famous spot within Tracen Academy, a place where Uma Musume unburdened their sorrows.
While sharing troubles with friends is often the best way to ease pain, when it comes to races, what good does telling even your closest friend really do? It would only make them worry.
But keeping words bottled up inside always affects your mood and performance. Hence, the emergence of the "listening tree," a tradition at Tracen Academy with a long history.
After all, there's only one champion. It's a case of one steed taking the lead, leaving ten thousand others in the shadows.
Barbatos and Seiun Sky had also come here, though not to confide in the tree.
Having won the Oka Sho, the Spring Tenno Sho, and the Satsuki Sho, they had little need to pour out woes to a tree.
Barbatos glanced at the Uma Musume speaking by the tree and realized she didn't recognize her; she wasn't one Barbatos had paid attention to before.
Truth be told, after the Winter Dream Cup, if it hadn't been for the New Year, she might have come to this very tree to vent her frustrations fiercely.
But this time, the main purpose was the fortune-telling stall next to the tree.
That was where you could find Tracen Academy's renowned fortune-teller—Matikanefukukitaru!
She remembered back during her own debut race, Urara had gotten her a protective charm from the fortune-teller Fukukitaru.
Now, with Urara's debut race coming up, it was only natural for Barbatos to get a charm to give her.
Similarly, she planned to go to Kochi Racecourse to cheer Urara on.
After all, Kochi was also her birthplace. She hadn't gone back for New Year's, so it was about time she made a trip.
Back to the present.
Beside the listening tree stood a square tent with bold characters reading "[Fortunes Told, No Fluff Guaranteed]". That was Matikanefukukitaru's fortune-telling stall. As for why it was set up right next to the tree…
Probably so that Uma Musume who'd just finished pouring out their tears after a loss could conveniently pop in for a fortune-telling session, to see how their luck might fare in upcoming races.
Barbatos snickered internally at the thought.
Of course, Matikanefukukitaru was called a "fortune-telling maestro" for good reason—she had real skill. She was often spot-on with her predictions and could provide effective solutions.
Pulling the tent flap aside, Barbatos and Seiun Sky stepped in, immediately hearing a voice.
"Oh? Customers at this hour?"
"Barbatos?!"
The voice held a note of surprise.
Barbatos looked over and saw an Uma Musume wearing the same school uniform, with orange hair and starry eyes.
This was Matikanefukukitaru, the one she and Seiun Sky had come to find.
Matikanefukukitaru was from the same generation as Silence Suzuka, an accomplished Uma Musume who had won the Kikuka Sho last year. Barbatos had kept an eye on her as a potential future rival, hence recognizing her at a glance.
Beside Matikanefukukitaru was another Uma Musume. She didn't seem like a customer, more like a companion or assistant.
At first glance, this Uma Musume gave off a rather timid, unassuming vibe, and she wasn't from their generation.
But Barbatos remembered her distinctly.
History held many genius Uma Musume, yet people often only remembered the very strongest.
Just like among the "Three Legends of the Heisei Era," most only remembered Oguri Cap, while many forgot the likes of Super Creek, Inari One, and Tamamo Cross.
It was only after the recent intra-school relay marathon that their stories, their glory, were brought back into the light.
But this Uma Musume before them… in her generation, her radiance was utterly overshadowed by the Conqueror of the Century's End—T.M. Opera O.
Yet, her name was still constantly brought up, discussed with relish.
T.M. Opera O had achieved seven G1 victories, becoming the first 7-G1 winner since the legendary Symboli Rudolf.
And out of T.M. Opera O's seven G1 wins, five of them saw this very Uma Musume right here taking second place.
Which just proved the saying: nobody remembers second place… unless you're second every single time.
So, many racing fans would substitute her name when talking about "second place"—namely, "Doto."
Her full name was Meisho Doto!
Perhaps no one remembered how many G1 titles she herself had won, but everyone knew "Doto" meant second place.
"Fukukitaru-san, Doto-senpai, I'd like to request a protective charm for my friend, Urara."
Barbatos didn't mince words, getting straight to the point.
She didn't ask why Matikanefukukitaru knew her—it was unnecessary.
As Uma Musume of the same generation, they'd naturally study potential rivals, repeatedly watching their race footage to analyze strategies.
As for Urara's debut race, Urara and Matikanefukukitaru were classmates. Matikanefukukitaru would definitely know about the debut, so it wasn't an odd request.
"For Urara's debut race? I already gave her a charm, you know."
"Oh, you already did?"
Barbatos was taken aback, but considering Urara's sociable nature and her likely good relationship with Matikanefukitaru, it made sense. A friend about to make her debut? Of course the fortune-telling maestro would give her a charm.
"No matter. That was from you. I haven't given one yet. So, may I request a charm from you, Fukukitaru-san?"
"Of course."
Matikanefukukitaru readily agreed, pleased that Barbatos also wanted to get Urara a charm.
"By the way, would you like a fortune reading for Urara's debut race? To see her luck?"
"Her debut race luck? Could she... lose?"
Her companion Doto murmured softly beside Fukukitaru, though everyone could hear. It wasn't that she doubted Urara; it was just her nature to speak that way.
"No need for fortune-telling. In sports, it's strength that speaks. Urara has worked so hard; I believe she can win!"
Barbatos waved a hand, politely declining.
Fortune-telling might be accurate in Matikanefukukitaru's hands, but whether the prediction was good or bad, if Urara found out, it could affect her race mindset. It wasn't necessary.
She believed that Urara, who had trained so diligently, could win.
Seeing Barbatos decline, Matikanefukukitaru didn't insist. She simply handed the charm to Barbatos.
"Oh, about the Takarazuka Kinen... will you be participating?"
"Of course."
"Will you be participating, Fukukitaru-san?"
"Nope."
After Barbatos took the charm and left the stall with Seiun Sky…
Matikanefukukitaru, seated on her chair, began squirming restlessly, looking as if she was holding back something with great difficulty.
After a moment's thought, she couldn't resist stretching her hands toward the crystal ball used for divination.
She wasn't going to read Urara's debut race fate, but rather, she wanted to glimpse the fortunes of the upcoming Takarazuka Kinen.
This year's Takarazuka Kinen would feature the legendary Uma Musume—"The Empress" Air Groove.
Add to that the two contemporary prodigies, Barbatos and Silence Suzuka.
Besides these three, other powerful G1-level competitors would be there, making Matikanefukukitaru, who loved and excelled at fortune-telling, both excited and curious.
She wanted to use her divination to see what the outcome of this race might be.
What kind of luck would the two Uma Musume hailed as prodigies of their era have when facing a legend? And how would the other top contenders fare?
--+--
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.