December, the last Sunday—three days before that.
This time of year has come again. Yes, the Arima Kinen... or rather, the announcement and interviews for the participating members.
Rice participated in the last two Arima Kinen, and this year, King is participating.
The interviews are being held at the Tracen Academy gymnasium again this year. Perhaps influenced by the recent surge in racing popularity, nearly 200 reporters and interviewers, far more than last year, have gathered.
Speaking of which, with nearly 200 people, there might be some bad-mannered reporters mixed in... but Tadena-san probably wouldn't let those people slip by. Even if they're here, she probably invited them on purpose.
Besides, it's King, not Rice, who's running in the Arima Kinen. King should be able to handle the interviews flawlessly. Rice... well, she'd be fine now, but she used to be quite timid...
And so, after school, it was time for the interviews at the gymnasium. The Uma Musume who had been selected to participate and their trainers gathered and sat in the chairs provided.
(The number of TV cameras... one, two, three... how many? There are so many more than last year.)
It's supposed to be broadcast live nationwide, but the number of TV cameras is extraordinary. Are TV stations from rural areas here as well? Or do they want the footage for some kind of show?
Since they've been given permission by Tracen Academy, they probably won't use it for anything strange, but the sheer number of TV cameras is intimidating. There are also photographers with large, imposing cameras everywhere.
I, wearing a proper suit just for today, looked around without attracting too much attention.
Aside from King, the notable participants from the senior class are:
Special Week.
Oguri Cap.
Grass Wonder.
Nice Nature.
Machikane Tannhauser.
Twin Turbo.
Meek.
Oishii Parfait.
From the classic class:
Narita Brian.
Crazy in Love.
Uma Musume from my graduating class, such as Unchanging and Sold Out, are also on the list of participants.
The Arima Kinen has a full gate of 16 participants, but since one Uma Musume has withdrawn, it seems there will be 15 participants.
The Uma Musume who are participating in the Arima Kinen for the first time have various expressions; some are stiff with tension, and some are flushed with excitement. My King, on the other hand, is calm with her usual composed expression.
The interviews began with the introduction of the Uma Musume, their names read out in order of fan votes.
1st favorite is King.
2nd favorite is Narita Brian.
3rd favorite is Special Week.
4th favorite is Oguri Cap.
5th favorite is Twin Turbo.
6th favorite is Meek.
7th favorite is Nice Nature.
8th favorite is Grass Wonder.
9th favorite is Oishii Parfait.
10th favorite is Machikane Tannhauser.
14th favorite is Crazy in Love.
Unchanging, trained by my classmate, is the 11th favorite, and Sold Out is the 12th favorite.
The fan votes seem to be directly tied to the number of G1 victories, but considering the popularity of Twin Turbo and Oishii Parfait, who haven't won a G1, you can't say for sure. That's what makes Uma Musume racing so interesting. Nice Nature is also 7th.
I think this every time there's a G1 race, but it's hard to describe how the members of Canopus are consistently popular in the middle ranks... or rather, three of them are participating again... Speaking of which, Team Rigil also has two participants, Grass Wonder and Narita Brian.
The actual popularity during the Arima Kinen will probably change, but just being able to participate in the Arima Kinen is a status symbol for an Uma Musume.
And yet, the fact that it's not a full gate means that the level of the Uma Musume who are participating is very high, so some of them are avoiding it. That's probably the scary part about the current generation.
Anyway, after the introduction of the Uma Musume participating in the Arima Kinen was over, the self-introductions, goals, and questions about the Uma Musume they're interested in began, in order of popularity.
They introduce themselves, reporters with questions raise their hands, and then the Q&A session begins.
"King Halo-san, what is your specific goal for the Arima Kinen?"
"My goal is, of course, to finish in first place."
A question flew at King, but the goal of any Uma Musume in a race is to finish first. The fact that he asked that question anyway must have been to check if King was nervous. King seemed to understand that, and she even had the composure to answer with a faint smile.
"Then, if there's an Uma Musume you're paying attention to, please tell us."
"Well... I'm paying attention to all my rivals, but if I had to name a few, it would be Special Week-san, Oguri Cap-san, Grass Wonder-san, and Nice Nature-san."
When King said that, a fierce fighting spirit rose from the Uma Musume whose names were called... no, only Nice Nature had a look on her face like, "Why me?!" On the other hand, Narita Brian, who wasn't called, also seemed to have a surge of fighting spirit.
A few more questions followed for King, but the reporters seemed to be calmer than they were last year... No, wait, it's more abnormal that there were problems every time before this.
Otomeshi-san is also quiet... Oh, crap. If I think about this, Symboli Rudolf, who's moderating, might react, and it might become a weird flag.
While I was thinking about that, the questions for King ended, and they moved on to the next one. Next is Narita Brian, who was the second favorite in the fan vote...
"Narita Brian-san, what is your specific goal for the Arima Kinen?"
The first question was the same as the one for King. It must be a question to ease the tension of the person answering.
"To beat King Halo... the 'King of the generation'."
I was thinking that, but Narita Brian's challenge to King flew straight at her. Oh, Otomeshi-san's body is trembling. Is that one strike? The other reporters from Monthly Twinkle are sitting next to her, but I hope they can hold her back.
"She finished second in the Japan Cup, but she's undoubtedly the strongest Uma Musume of the current generation. I'm going to beat her. That's why I'm participating."
"So, if you can beat King Halo, the finish order in the Arima Kinen doesn't matter?"
"Don't ask such a strange question... If I can beat King Halo, I'll naturally be in first place, won't I?"
Oh, wow, Narita Brian has a high opinion of King... In other words, since King will probably finish first, if she can beat her, she'll be first. And she's confident that she can win.
Otomeshi-san's body is trembling even more. She's shaking and shaking, like a volcano about to erupt. Is that two strikes?
"Even Broye-san, the winner of the Arc de Triomphe, couldn't overcome the wall between the classic class and senior class and finished fourth in the Japan Cup. What do you think about that?"
A question mixed with provocation flew at her, as if to say, "Even the winner of the Arc de Triomphe couldn't win, so you think you can?" The reaction to this question should reveal what kind of Uma Musume Narita Brian is.
Narita Brian didn't get angry at the reporter's question. Instead, she tilted her head in a puzzled way, her fighting spirit still burning.
"A strong Uma Musume is there... so I want to win. I want to prove that I am the strongest Uma Musume. Isn't that what an Uma Musume is all about?"
"---That's splendid!"
Otomeshi-san stood up, kicking her chair. The reporters next to her put their hands on their foreheads with a look of "Oh, dear," but they didn't try to stop her. The TV cameras quickly moved to film Otomeshi-san, but is it really okay to film her?
"Because I want to win, because I want to prove that I am the strongest Uma Musume, because I want to challenge the strongest of the current generation! That's the instinct of an Uma Musume! No! That attitude is what we fans want to see! That challenge! That passion! That determination! To challenge the strongest on a grand stage like the Arima Kinen! ~~! Splendid!"
"Ah, ah... thank you..."
Narita Brian recoiled, overwhelmed by Otomeshi-san, who was so worked up she was spitting. It seems even Narita Brian can't handle Otomeshi-san, who was speaking so passionately she looked like she was about to roll her eyes back.
Well, Otomeshi-san, that's three strikes and she's out. Hishi Amazon-chan and Fuji Kiseki-chan, who are helping out again this year, held Otomeshi-san by her arms and dragged her out of the gymnasium.
Most of the TV cameras followed them, but when Otomeshi-san left, they started filming the Uma Musume as if nothing had happened.
"Now, we will move on to the next introduction."
Symboli Rudolf, who was moderating, also continued the interview as if nothing had happened.
And so, it's the day of the Arima Kinen.
The Arima Kinen is held at the Nakayama Racecourse in Chiba Prefecture, so I'll adjust King's condition in the morning, have lunch, and then drive to the venue.
As the year-end approaches, the cold is becoming more severe. But it feels hot, no, hot from the morning... or is it just my imagination?
It feels like heat is rising from all over Japan, or perhaps the heat from the sun in the clear, cloudless sky is strong... King, who should be feeling that, looks as calm as usual.
However, it seems she can't be perfectly calm, as her fighting spirit seems to be rising as she thinks about the upcoming race. When I had her run on the practice course at Tracen Academy as a light adjustment, she would almost run at full speed, then come back to her senses and slow down.
Still, she regains her composure when I speak to her and restrains herself when she's about to overdo it, so there shouldn't be any problems. This is King's first Arima Kinen, and since Rice won last year's race, she seems to be in high spirits.
She lost in the Japan Cup, but if she can win the Arima Kinen, she'll tie with Symboli Rudolf's 7 G1 victories and surpass Rice's 6 G1 victories.
But whether she can win or not, we won't know until she runs. There's no doubt that the other Uma Musume will also be coming to win with all their might, and many of them, besides Narita Brian, said they were conscious of King and wanted to beat her during the interviews.
Perhaps because those interviews were broadcast live, this year's Arima Kinen has more expectations and is more hyped up than in previous years.
The Nakayama Racecourse has a capacity of about 180,000 people. It boasts the second-largest capacity after the Tokyo Racecourse, but when I checked a news website this morning, it was already bustling with people.
So, I thought it would be better to leave a little earlier today to arrive at the racecourse, and in the afternoon, I got into the car I borrowed from Tracen Academy and departed.
When we arrived at the venue, I saw a massive number of people, which has become a common sight at recent G1 races. It was a sight of people, people, people, and Uma Musume.
I parked the car in the parking lot for Nakayama Racecourse staff, then immediately moved and entered the Nakayama Racecourse. The passion today is tremendous, and I judged that even the usually polite and quiet Uma Musume fans might surround King.
The Nakayama Racecourse, of course, has entry restrictions, and the area around the racecourse is also bustling with people. I wondered how many people are here today, if it's finally over 2 million people, and as I saw King to the waiting room, I turned around and headed for the paddock... huh?
"Trainer."
Just before we parted, King pulled the sleeve of my clothes. I stopped, and King looked up at me and stared intently.
"I'm going to win."
"Yeah."
I gave a short answer to King's short words.
Did King say she's going to win against her rivals, against Rice's record of 6 G1 victories, or against herself?
After I parted ways with King, I took Urara and Rice to the paddock. It was still crowded and packed with people, but the kind Uma Musume fans would make way for us when we asked, which was a big help.
Still, the density of the crowd was so great that by the time we arrived at the paddock, it was time for the reveal. I moved to the front row with Urara and Rice, and the first person came out.
"Lane 1, number 1, Crazy in Love."
The first to appear was Crazy in Love, who my junior is in charge of. It's a crazy story for a trainer in their second year to have their first Uma Musume participate in the Arima Kinen, unlike me, who took over a G1 Uma Musume halfway through.
She was defeated by Narita Brian and finished second in every race of the Classic Triple Crown, but her ability is not far behind. In fact, she's undoubtedly a top-class Uma Musume in the current classic class.
But... hmm... was that girl that charismatic before... Cheers rose from the spectators in the paddock, but Crazy in Love was just smiling and staring at my junior, her trainer. I wonder what my junior did to her.
"Lane 2, number 2, Happy Meek."
Next to appear was Meek. She looks as good as, no, even better than usual. She's clenching her fists in front of her chest, as if saying "Hmph," but she looks more cute than determined. In fact, female spectators are cheering, "She's so cute!"
"Lane 2, number 3, Special Week."
Next to appear was Special Week. This is our first match against her since the Japan Cup. However, when I looked at her body and expression, I frowned.
(Her body's in good shape, but compared to the Japan Cup, she seems to be less focused...)
I'm only comparing her to how she was in the Japan Cup, but she doesn't seem to have that kind of a scary presence. However, just by looking at the muscles in her legs, I can tell that she's still a formidable threat.
"Lane 3, number 4, Machikane Tannhauser."
Next, Machikane Tannhauser... huh? She looks a little shaky...
The spectators are also murmuring at the sight of Machikane Tannhauser. Machikane Tannhauser usually shows a determined look no matter what, but she clearly looks unwell today. Did she eat something weird...?
"Lane 3, number 5, Twin Turbo."
Next to appear after Machikane Tannhauser was Twin Turbo. She looks as energetic as ever, and as usual, I can't tell her condition from her clothing.
(This girl is so hard to read, it's a problem every time...)
I wonder what kind of condition her engine is in today. But I won't know that until she's actually running, which makes it hard for us to come up with a countermeasure.
She has a high chance of backfiring, but when she doesn't, she wins by running at an incredible pace... She's too scary to just leave alone without a plan.
"Lane 4, number 6, King Halo."
Next to appear was King. As soon as she showed herself, a huge cheer erupted from the spectators in the paddock. But I felt something was off about King's appearance. I tilted my head, wondering what it was, and immediately realized.
(Hmm... King is wearing the ear covers I gave her as a present.)
She usually wears blue ear covers, but today she's wearing the green ear covers I gave her for the Christmas party. I chose them because they were durable enough to be worn in a race, so it should be fine, but King seemed to have more determination than usual.
"Lane 4, number 7, Grass Wonder."
(And... this one is something else...)
Looking at the next to appear, Grass Wonder, I was inwardly filled with admiration.
Her condition looks perfect, and her spirit is different from before. She looks demure with a gentle smile, but the aura she emits is as sharp as a blade.
I thought, "This is a formidable opponent." Not only is her body in great shape, but she has a presence that suggests she's about to do something big. Uma Musume in this state often show a performance that's even better than their usual ability. I wonder how great a performance Grass Wonder, a G1 Uma Musume, can put on.
"Lane 5, number 8, Oguri Cap."
Next to appear was Oguri Cap. Her condition is also perfect. However, her state... she looks good, but not at her best.
Still, she has a determined expression, so she's not an opponent to be underestimated.
"Lane 5, number 9, Nice Nature."
Nice Nature appeared in the paddock with her usual wry smile. Yes, despite the Arima Kinen being a big stage, she's exactly the same as always.
She's neither tense nor putting on an act. But that doesn't mean she's given up on winning. She has an aura that suggests she'll run as usual and win.
"Lane 6, number 11, Narita Brian."
Next, I checked Narita Brian. Dressed in her racing outfit, she appeared with a sharp gaze and an imposing demeanor.
(I can't believe she's a classic-class Uma Musume... But I wonder if that racing outfit could have been a little better...)
Her condition and shape are perfect, but I'm more concerned about her racing outfit.
It's a plaid mini skirt and a sarashi wrapped around her chest. She's wearing a long-sleeved coat over it, but her belly button is completely exposed. Many Uma Musume racing outfits expose the belly button, but I'm worried about her getting cold in this time of year when the year-end is approaching.
However, Narita Brian looks as motivated as if she doesn't feel the cold at all.
"Lane 8, number 15, Oishii Parfait."
The last to appear was Oishii Parfait. She must have been training hard for the Arima Kinen, as her body looks great and she seems to be in good shape.
But this girl is unpredictable like Twin Turbo... Sometimes she looks to be in great shape but finishes at the back of the pack without pushing herself, so she's like a surprise box. You never know what's going to happen until she runs.
There's also Unchanging, trained by my classmate, in lane 6, number 10, and Sold Out in lane 8, number 14. Both of them are in great shape. They don't seem to be in bad condition, and their enthusiasm for the Arima Kinen was evident.
I noticed King's gaze, which was fixed on me, and I made firm eye contact with her. When King confirmed that our eyes had met, she smiled gently.
---The last race of the year for King, the one to surpass Rice and tie with Symboli Rudolf, is about to begin.
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