"Everyone! Welcome to Hanshin Racecourse! Up next is the GIII Mainichi Hai! An 1800-meter turf mile race!"
"Currently, our Uma Musume are still preparing backstage. So, next, we will announce the popularity rankings for this race!"
Two months of preparation had finally passed, and now, at Hanshin Racecourse, the spectator stands were already overflowing. Whether it was the grandstand or the seats, there wasn't a single empty spot. Everyone had come to watch this GIII-level race and support their favorite Uma Musume.
"It's finally here, Hanshin Racecourse, Mainichi Hai."
In the stands, Ikezoe, who had brought Curren Chan, was also standing there, waiting for the race to start. Ikezoe held his phone, and Imanami's figure was displayed on a video call. Ikezoe said:
"Imanami-senpai, how are things on your end?"
"McQueen and Gold Ship have nothing to do with me. Please tell Wada-kun that I'm truly sorry. We should have been there to cheer him on, but McQueen's Debut Race is now as well, so we have to rush to another location first."
"It's alright, Imanami-senpai. Wada will understand you."
Facing this situation, Ikezoe couldn't help but worry for Wada. He was still backstage, boosting Doto's morale. Ikezoe and Curren Chan were not participants in this race, so they had no right to enter backstage and could only wait anxiously here.
"I wonder how things are going for Wada... Wada, don't make the mistake of overthinking things and messing up due to pressure this time. Otherwise, you'll truly miss this closest opportunity to Opera O... Wada-san, do your best! This time, none of us can help you. After all, you're the only one here who knows Opera O best..."
For some reason, Ikezoe felt more nervous than Wada right now. After all, this could be a history-changing moment. Was it even possible to defeat Opera O with Meisho Doto? Even Ikezoe, whose skill level was higher than Wada's, didn't know, or rather, wasn't that confident.
And Wada had been fighting for this goal for two months. Would this kind of 'forcing the issue' approach ultimately succeed... No one was confident... At this very moment, backstage, one by one, the Uma Musume whose popularity rankings had been announced were stepping onto the stage for their appearance. At this time, Doto, standing in the middle of the backstage path, was constantly taking deep breaths, as if calming her mind.
"Calm down, calm down... Doto, you've trained enough. You have a chance to win, Trainer told you so..."
"Don't be afraid, you can't be afraid anymore. This time, this time you absolutely cannot disappoint..."
Meisho Doto, standing in the center of the path, had an unstable aura all over her body. Her tail was wagging back and forth behind her, and she didn't know if it was out of happiness, excitement, or fear? And her ears were constantly switching between an unconfident droop and a fiercely competitive pull-back.
Doto was truly very nervous now. She had really made thorough preparations. Since staying in the hotel yesterday, Doto had been constantly checking if her horseshoes were properly nailed, if there were any problems with her shoes, if the food she ate was fresh, if her weight had exceeded the limit again... She was very afraid that her impulsiveness would once again hinder her Trainer's dream—although this hadn't happened for a long time since she became Wada's 담당 Uma Musume, and she always felt that this might be the luck Wada brought her, she was still very worried about her impulsiveness.
However, now that she was at the Racecourse, Doto could temporarily put these minor issues out of her mind. She repeatedly took deep breaths to calm herself down.
She had already undergone special training. A week ago, Trainer had already told her many things to pay attention to in this race. Trainer had thought of almost everything; the rest depended on her own performance and judgment.
If, if she still couldn't win, then what would Trainer do... However, as soon as she thought of this, Doto's shoulders were suddenly grasped by a pair of hands from behind. Doto was startled instinctively, but the familiar touch quickly made her relax, and the nerves that had been taut since yesterday also relaxed a lot.
"Don't be nervous, Doto. Just follow the tactics I told you." Wada also pressed Doto's shoulders, allowing the Horse Girl's nerves to relax a little.
During this time, he had seen Doto's training and efforts. Wada had also continuously studied Opera O's tactics through his memories and the limited number of videos. They both felt that they had put in their maximum effort—just for this day.
"We have done our best, Doto, so don't have such a heavy psychological burden, and don't have any reservations—just like when we trained, just run with all your might."
"Trainer..." Doto also felt that her state was very strange. Although she was extremely nervous at first, when Trainer held her shoulders like this, she felt very calm, as if there was nothing to be afraid of.
"Trainer, I want to ask something."
"Hmm?"
"This race, whether we win or lose, Trainer... will you still be my Trainer?" Doto asked, raising her head slightly, her eyes trembling slightly.
She felt that she seemed to be unable to get rid of the feeling of Trainer being by her side. Although she didn't want to disappoint Trainer, she was very worried that if she lost, would Trainer really be very disappointed in her?
And... she was also worried that if she won and had the even more attention-grabbing Opera O, would Trainer... still be with her as he was now?
This was Meisho Doto's last concern in her heart, but no matter how she guessed, she couldn't find the answer. The only one who could give her an answer was Wada Ryuji.
"Silly girl." When Doto asked this question, Wada gently ruffled her head, as always. Doto greatly enjoyed this process. Whenever Wada ruffled her, she felt a sense of deep happiness from the bottom of her heart.
Only at this time did Doto feel that Trainer's gaze was always on her, not paying attention to other Uma Musume. At this moment, they only had each other.
"I am your Trainer, and you are my 담당 Uma Musume. The seals of our agreement are here. How could I abandon you because of one failure?"
Wada's gaze was also a little profound as he said faintly: "Even I can afford to lose this race, Doto, and you can too. But we didn't come here to lose; we came to compete against Opera O."
"So, Doto, don't lose. Believe me, this is your most likely chance to defeat Opera O. There will absolutely not be a second time."
"—Mhm!"
Doto also nodded heavily at this moment. Her eyes changed slightly at this moment. She gained a few more beliefs and the hope entrusted to her by Wada—she had never yearned for this victory so much.
And just then, beside the two of them, Tojo Hana led Opera O to their side. At this moment, Wada Ryuji's gaze met Tojo Hana's, and Meisho Doto's eyes met Opera O's.
This was a true duel. Both sides were fully prepared for this decisive battle!
"—Go, Doto (Opera O)." X2
"Yes, Trainer!" X2
Doto and Opera O answered in unison. The two Uma Musume walked towards the stage together, and at this moment, the outside voices had just reached their ears.
"Next, our second-favorite—oh! The first-favorite Uma Musume has also come onto the stage? Then let's announce them together!"
"Both are excellent Uma Musume from Tracen Academy. First, the Uma Musume who took third place in the Tracen Academy Newcomer Race, and also our second-favorite this time—Meisho Doto!"
"Following her is the Uma Musume who won the Yukinayanagi Sho with her Last Spurt, also from Tracen Academy, and also the first-favorite, Opera O!"
"This time, two excellent Uma Musume from Tracen Academy have taken the first and second popularity spots in the Mainichi Hai. Undoubtedly, the biggest highlight of this race will be their showdown. So, who will ultimately achieve victory?"