Uma Musume: To The Top!!

Leopardstown Racecourse, inside a spacious competitor preparation room.

Kuroha stood before a whiteboard, marker in hand, his expression serious as he explained the final points to keep in mind for the race.

Below him, five Umamusume were either sitting, standing, or leaning against the wall, listening as attentively as students in class.

"…That is the general logic behind Suave's likely movements in this race. Did you understand everything, McQueen?"

Kuroha set the marker down and turned back to ask.

Behind him, the purple-haired girl in a pure-white racing outfit was sitting quietly in a chair.

Her eyes narrowed slightly as she reviewed the information on the whiteboard once more in her mind. Only then did she give a solemn nod.

"I understand, Trainer!"

Seeing that, Kuroha nodded in satisfaction.

"Good. Then there should be no problem. I'm quite confident in your ability to understand tactics, McQueen."

As he spoke, he walked over to the nearby table, picked up a bottle of mineral water, and moistened his throat.

Unlike the quiet competitor preparation rooms of past races, the room now was different.

Even through the thick walls and soundproof door, the thunderous wave of passion sweeping through the entire racecourse still rumbled faintly like a tsunami.

Feeling the floor tremble faintly beneath his feet, Kuroha could not help sighing with emotion.

"Come to think of it, it's been almost a year since we last raced at this racecourse. The Irish audience is still as passionate as ever."

"One year ago…"

Hearing that, McQueen tilted her head in thought, then asked softly, "Was that Oguri?"

"That's right. Oguri."

Not far away, the Commoner Queen stood leaning against the wall with her arms crossed. Her eyelids lowered slightly as she spoke in a nostalgic voice.

"Back then, I even served as her training partner and helped her through special training… just like I'm helping you now."

And that was also the first time I met Kuroha…

Adding that silently in her heart, the Commoner Queen cast Kuroha's face a sidelong glance before closing her eyes again.

"Heh heh~"

Suddenly, a pair of fair, jade-like hands wrapped around McQueen's shoulders from behind.

Maruzensky affectionately pinched McQueen's soft little cheek while smiling at Kuroha.

"Speaking of that, that race was a historic achievement for Central Tracen."

"After all, Oguri was the first Umamusume from our academy to claim Central Tracen's first victory in an overseas expedition."

"I remember Oguri had an opponent who had fallen into a Domain in that race. Back then, when I stayed up all night watching it with Rudolf, she looked so worried, afraid Oguri might not be able to win."

"Elmaamul."

Kuroha casually gave the name, then added, "She entered this year's Irish Champion Stakes as well. She is also one of the twelve strongest Umamusume on the projected list for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe."

At that point, Kuroha shook his head slightly.

"However, among those twelve monsters, her overall strength can only be considered near the bottom."

"Because she experienced over-maturation during her classic year, her physical quality at peak condition is relatively poor."

"In terms of overall ability, she's simply a step behind the two above her."

"Even if she ran against Oguri from back then again, she might not be able to win, much less against the current you, McQueen."

As everyone chatted in a relaxed manner, a black-haired girl quietly remained in the shadowed corner of the room.

Sunday watched the warm scene before her, and a faint smile rose unbidden to her lips.

Her favorite thing to do was to stay quietly in a corner like this, silently watching the people and things she cared about.

Although, at this particular moment, the corner was not exactly "quiet."

Sunday's eyes went flat and lifeless.

She looked speechlessly at Godolphin, who was pressed close against her.

At the moment, the blue-haired goddess had her eyes half narrowed and, from time to time, revealed a mysterious smile full of unreadable meaning.

It made an Umamusume shudder.

Sunday felt deeply helpless.

She had already retreated all the way into the corner, yet her Goddess-sama had still stuck herself right beside her.

But what could she do?

No matter how explosive her temper was, no matter how wild and untamable she might be, when faced with her own Goddess-sama, she could only wear a stifled expression of anger she did not dare voice. She did not even dare let her gaze drift too much.

"…"

Beside her, Godolphin tilted her head and studied Sunday, who knew what strange idea she was cooking up.

Ding-dong—

As time passed second by second, the clear chime of the preparation room broadcast finally sounded.

"All trainers and Umamusume participating in the Irish Champion Stakes, please proceed to the competitor tunnel immediately and prepare for entry."

"Once again, please proceed to the competitor tunnel immediately…"

At the broadcast, the relaxed atmosphere in the room instantly receded.

Kuroha set down the water bottle in his hand, turned around, and swept his gaze over everyone in the room in turn. Finally, his eyes settled on McQueen, dressed in pure-white racing attire.

"It's time."

Kuroha stepped forward and extended his fist toward McQueen. The corner of his mouth lifted into a faint smile.

"Let's go, McQueen. On that track, announce to all the monsters of Europe who the true ruler of this generation is!"

McQueen took a deep breath. Unparalleled fighting spirit shone in her clear eyes.

She rose to her feet, lifted her right fist, and struck it firmly against Kuroha's.

"I will bring victory back to your side, Trainer!"

…

At the same time, in another competitor preparation room at the other end of the corridor.

"Are you ready yet, Suave? It's almost time."

Dancing Brave called from outside the changing room door.

"Coming, coming!"

No sooner had the words fallen than, with a swish, the changing room door was pushed open.

A tall, slender figure stepped out.

On the girl's feet was an extremely eye-catching pair of custom-made racing shoes in black and gold.

She wore a gorgeous racing outfit in blue, white, and gold.

Deep blue served as the main color, accented with elegant pure-white lace, golden fringe, and a sash. A playful little top hat was pinned beside her right ear.

It was the textbook racing outfit of a French Umamusume.

"Hee hee, how is it? Do I look cool, Dancing Brave-nee?"

Suave spun in place and flashed Dancing Brave a peace sign.

"Cool! Cool enough to kill!"

Dancing Brave rolled her eyes at her in annoyance and urged, "All right, enough posing. The race is about to start. Your trainer… guardian, and your teammates have been waiting for you for ages."

"Ahaha, really?"

Suave scratched her head awkwardly and stuck out her tongue.

"When I was changing earlier, I accidentally started reminiscing about the glorious days of the past in the dressing room, so I lost just a tiny bit of time."

As she spoke, the two Umamusume walked side by side toward the preparation room door.

"Oh, right."

Just as they were about to reach the door, Dancing Brave seemed to remember something offhandedly and casually added, "Granny Hammond said she cleared her schedule today. She'll personally be in the stands to watch your race."

Screech—

At that name, the girl who had been striding forward paused for an instant.

But only for an instant.

Then, as if nothing had happened, she continued forward with light steps.

"Will you win?"

Dancing Brave asked.

Suave did not answer immediately. Instead, she placed her hand on the doorknob and remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking.

Unlike before, however, there was now a trace of heavy force in her voice.

"Yeah… I know. I'll win."

With that, she pulled the door open with force.

Outside the door, the corridor lights poured down.

Her trainer, along with every companion on the French national team, was standing neatly in the passage.

At that moment, all of them were watching her with bright, unwavering eyes.

"Oh? You're finally out?"

"Suave, hurry up or we'll be late."

"Let's go!"

"…"

Suave froze slightly.

Looking at the complete, unreserved trust in everyone's eyes, the solemn look on her face vanished in an instant. The corners of her mouth rose once more into a wild, fearless smile.

Suddenly, she raised her right fist and punched it hard toward the far end of the corridor, her eyes burning as if with a flame that would never go out.

"Sorry to keep everyone waiting!"

"Now, let's go take this race's victory!"

(End of Chapter)

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