"The race has finally entered the final straight! Leading is Mejiro Dober! Can she maintain her advantage?!"
"Behind! Absolute Zero once again displayed miraculous footwork! Breaking free from the encirclement!"
"Four hundred meters left!"
==========
Ha... ha... ha... My throat feels like it's burning. Just now, in the back, I expended extra stamina to maintain my position. Now, with every step I take, I feel my stamina dropping significantly.
She had been blocked for a while. Breaking through such an encirclement was naturally not a problem with her ability, but her stamina should also be insufficient, right?
Just once, if only I could win against her once!
Mejiro Dober's beautiful face was now a bit distorted from burning her fighting spirit, and her speed showed no signs of slowing down.
[Four hundred meters left!]
Continue! As long as I maintain this advantageous distance... what?
A gust of wind blew, and a petite figure surged out from the inside track.
How... is this possible... Watching her pull further and further ahead, a sudden emptiness filled her heart.
Her white scarf fluttered like wings, and the silver hair on both sides of her ink-black long hair, as she passed, was like a ray of light in the dark night.
The subtle pressure emanating from her felt like being trapped in a quagmire, making it difficult to move, yet also like soaking in a hot spring, making it impossible to pull away.
I see... just [maintaining] is far from enough... "Cross—the—finish—line—! Absolute Zero! She won her first Arima Kinen! She took her 12th G1 trophy with an absolute advantage! Ushering in a new era that belongs only to her! Thus, a legendary Uma Musume once again reigns supreme on the racecourse!"
"Second place is Goyo Trainer! Third place is Air Groove!"
Watching her stand at the finish line, clenching her fist and raising her arm, the other panting Uma Musume also sighed.
Such targeted efforts still failed to stop her. To be honest, it was quite disheartening, but in their hearts, they also felt respect for such a strong competitor and a sense of honor just by running alongside her... It was truly incredible.
==========
"Phew... I didn't expect to be blocked so fiercely. Luckily, I was more skilled."
[But that's precisely why it feels so exhilarating!]
"Yes, I felt a bit of the challenger's exhilaration, of course, just a little."
[Who almost slid out at the start of the race because they couldn't find an opening?]
"You shut up!"
Holding her trophy, Absolute Zero (Zero for short), with her 12th trophy, returned to the lounge. She still had to go up and sing a song later, so it would be better to take a shower and change clothes first.
Opening the door, she found a familiar figure inside.
"Ah, President, Trainer, is something wrong?"
"Ah..." Trainer Okino was about to say something but was stopped by the Student Council President with a look.
Symboli Rudolf, a legendary Uma Musume crowned with the title of [Emperor], achieved a record of 13 wins, 1 second, and 1 third place before retirement. She now serves as the Student Council President at Tracen Academy, enjoying telling cold jokes that turn Uma Musume's motivation into 'absolute poor condition' (not really), and also making Air Groove faint (even less so).
"First, congratulations, Zero. You've won 12 G1 races. Although I've said it before, this is an achievement even I haven't accomplished."
"You flatter me, President. If there's anything, please say it directly."
The other person coughed, her face slightly flushed, and continued.
"However, I have some regrettable news to inform you of. Due to your consecutive race entries, the Association is now both nervous and excited, so..."
"So?"
"Officially, it's a vacation, but in reality, you are being forcibly rested until February next year and are not allowed to participate in any races before the Osaka Hai."
"Ah!? Why?!"
"Didn't I say? Your consecutive entries were truly too... earth-shattering. To avoid unnecessary accidents, the Association unanimously approved your vacation agreement."
"What about my opinion?!"
"Alright, let's say you cast a 'no' vote. Now it's 16 to 1."
"? Does the Association have that many people?"
"Ah, our Chairman, the entire Student Council, and your Trainer are also counted."
Her gaze fell on her Trainer, who was biting a lollipop and looking extremely awkward. He subtly turned his head away.
There was no other way. First, she achieved four consecutive wins by running the NHK Mile Cup (before May), Japanese Derby (after May), Yasuda Kinen (before June), and Takarazuka Kinen (after June). Afterwards, because the Student Council collectively dragged her away for training camp, otherwise she might have tried to participate in the Japanese Dirt Derby (before July). It was thought that this was the end, but in a blink of an eye, she went on to achieve five consecutive wins by running the Kikka Sho (after October), Queen Elizabeth II Cup (before November), Japan Cup (after November), Champions Cup (before December), and Arima Kinen (after December), completing the achievement of five consecutive entries she couldn't do before.
Although winning all of them really attracted a lot of fans, the problem lay precisely here.
The Association had received complaints more than once asking if her Trainer was abusing her, forcing her to run consecutively without rest, which made the Association both love and hate her.
They loved her because such an Uma Musume, who could run all distances on both turf and dirt and win all G1 championships, truly brought great prestige to the Japanese Uma Musume Association. They hated her because the Association was overwhelmed with reports such as "Uma Musume abuse," "child labor employment," and "Trainer suspected of being an alchemist."
Goodness, although this child is less than 1.5 meters tall, her ID card clearly states she is 16 years old! And she has even fully matured!
In short, this time the Association was determined not to let this kid continue causing trouble. Finally, they established a rule prohibiting more than three consecutive entries (a few days ago, to be implemented next year), and found an excuse to let this kid rest for a period to silence the media.
If she wasn't allowed to run the Osaka Hai, she would probably kill her way to the Association, so it was decided she wouldn't be allowed to participate in races before the Osaka Hai!
Anyway, the only G1 before the Osaka Hai was the February Stakes, a dirt 1600m race, which wasn't that important.
Finally, Symboli Rudolf was tasked with delivering the news, which led to the situation in the lounge.
The little Uma Musume was stunned by what she heard.
What? I'm too strong so I'm banned from racing?
[Ah, speaking of which, I ran the race alone back then because I had no opponents.]
(Eclipse-sama, please shut up.)
[555]
Ignoring the playful Three Goddesses, Zero decided to make one last struggle.
She activated Overload Fusion (crossed out) and used the trick of 'stealing beams and pillars'.
"Can I disguise myself and participate in the February Stakes under a different identity?"
Responding to her was the President's cold shake of the head.
"No! I have so many G1 trophies, and I'm only missing this one. My OCD will be very uncomfortable!"
Symboli Rudolf snapped her fingers, and several Uma Musume, all members of the Student Council, poured in from outside, grabbing Zero and dragging her out.
"No! You can't do this! I've brought glory to Central (12 G1 victories)! I've shed blood for Central (crashed into the gate in her debut race)! You can't do this to me!"
"Escort her to her Hometown. I'll explain things at the Winner's Stage."
"Onore Symboli Rudolf!"
Symboli Rudolf! You've done too many bad things!
I started a new book again. The previous one couldn't be continued due to some irresistible reasons (the tabletop RPG couldn't be finished and disbanded). This time, I won't bother with those complicated things and will keep writing. I hope everyone enjoys it.