Uma Musume: To The Top!!

The group arrived at the training grounds in a mighty procession.

Even from a distance, they could see three figures racing like the wind across the broad turf track.

Whoosh!

A sharp rush of displaced air suddenly swept past their ears.

"McQueen!"

Unable to contain her excitement any longer, Tokai Teio shot forward like a raging gust of wind.

"Teio, slow down! You'll fall..."

Symboli Rudolf hurriedly reached out to stop her.

But Teio had already become a blur, streaking straight toward the edge of the track.

"...Honestly, that girl."

Rudolf's hand remained suspended in midair. Several seconds later, she could only lower it helplessly and let out a quiet sigh.

Out on the track, McQueen also noticed her loudly shouting friend in the distance.

"Teio? What is she doing here?"

She exchanged a knowing glance with Folkqueen and Sunday Silence beside her. The three of them slowed from their breakneck pace and made their way off the track.

Teio was overjoyed when she saw McQueen approaching and was just about to say something.

Before she could open her mouth, however, her feet suddenly left the ground as someone swept her into a soft, voluptuous embrace.

"Little Teio, how dare you interrupt someone else's training? You're becoming more unruly by the day!"

"It seems I'll have to punish you properly."

A bright voice came from behind her.

Teio felt herself being held firmly in place. A moment later, her cheeks were being kneaded and squished in every direction.

That familiar sensation instantly told her who had caught her.

"Aaah! Wait, Godolphin-onee-san! I know I was wrong!"

Teio flailed her arms and legs helplessly in midair as she begged for mercy.

"Mmm, little Teio really is the cutest."

Hearing herself addressed as "onee-san" immediately delighted Godolphin Barb, who nodded in satisfaction.

After setting Teio back on the ground, the blue Goddess raised her head and cheerfully waved to the others as they approached.

"Kuro-kun!"

"Oh my! Everyone from Central Tracen Academy is here too. Good afternoon, everyone!"

"Godolphin-sama!"

"Good afternoon, Godolphin-sama."

"Our respects, Goddess-sama."

Faced with one of the legendary Three Goddesses herself, Rudolf and the others were visibly nervous. They stopped in their tracks and offered their greetings with stiff, reverent expressions.

By comparison, the Umamusume from Team Chasing Light were far more relaxed.

After all, they had already been living and training alongside her for nearly half a year.

Although they still held profound respect for their Goddess, their words and behavior around her had become much more affectionate and familiar.

"Trainer."

Mejiro McQueen slowly approached. A trace of surprise appeared on her face when she saw the size of the gathering.

"And everyone else... Why are all of you here?"

"Obviously, we came to watch your showdown of the century in a few days."

Inari One grinned and sidled up to McQueen, gently nudging her arm with an elbow.

"So? Confident you can win?"

"Confident..."

The corners of McQueen's lips curved upward into a radiant smile.

"Of course I am."

"That answer isn't nearly cool enough, McQueen!"

Beside her, Teio rubbed her freshly pinched, reddened cheeks and hummed thoughtfully.

"At a time like this, you're supposed to declare, 'Victory will inevitably be mine!' at the top of your lungs."

"...Speaking of which, Teio, why did you come running all the way here too? Have you completely forgotten about the Kikuka Sho back home?"

Ignoring her friend's antics, McQueen raised an eyebrow and asked with an amused smile.

"Ugh... Why are you saying the same thing as Trainer...?"

Teio guiltily turned her head away.

"Every single one of us came here to cheer you on. Don't worry about all those little details."

...Your Kikuka Sho is just a little detail now?

McQueen was left speechless.

But when she raised her head and looked across the familiar faces before her, each one filled with anticipation, warmth welled up within her heart.

"Thank you, everyone."

McQueen set aside her playful mood and bowed deeply to the group.

When she raised her head again, her voice was gentle, yet carried an ironclad resolve.

"I promise I'll show all of you... the greatest race possible!"

Meanwhile, far away in the Far East, at the Mejiro training grounds.

Inside the main hall, a serious-looking girl with short hair stood in uniform before a brand-new, enormous television, her head lowered as she fiddled with the connecting cables.

Five little girls had gathered closely around her, curiously craning their heads to watch.

After observing her for quite some time, Mejiro Bright tilted her little head and asked in confusion, "Aoi-onee-san, isn't there already a television in Trainer's office? Why did you spend money on a new one?"

Aoi Kiryuin casually answered while attempting to turn on the television.

"Because of the five of you, of course."

"?"

All five girls tilted their heads in unison.

Little Dober blinked and protested indignantly, "But we've been very well-behaved lately. We didn't break the other television."

Narita Brian and Silence Suzuka nodded emphatically in agreement.

Hearing that, Aoi stopped what she was doing.

She turned around with a speechless expression and planted one hand on the head of the nearest white-haired little girl.

"I have to stay here and take care of you, which means I can't go to France and watch the race in person, you silly little troublemakers."

As she spoke, she could not resist pinching the soft, slightly chubby cheek beneath her hand.

"Mmph... Trainer, I didn't even say anything..."

The white-haired girl's face was squeezed out of shape as she mumbled her protest.

She was the young Umamusume whom Aoi had personally invited to join the team several days ago, Happy Meek.

With her addition, the number of young Umamusume in Team Chasing Light who had yet to begin serious training had risen to five all at once.

As a result, Aoi had no choice but to remain at the academy and look after the five youngsters when she should have been traveling to cheer for McQueen.

"Besides, the television in Sensei's office has such a small screen."

"If we're going to watch a prestigious, world-class race like the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, a gigantic screen will obviously make it much more enjoyable."

Aoi smiled as she added her explanation.

Then her expression turned serious as she carefully reminded them, "One more thing. Because of the time difference, the European broadcast may air very late at night."

"Brian, Meek, and Suzuka, if you want to stay here and watch it with us, remember to call your parents beforehand and let them know, all right?"

"Got it!"

All five girls answered in perfect unison.

(End of Chapter)

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