Uma Musume: To The Top!!

Paris, France.

Only a few days remained before the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe officially began.

Today was also the final day of open training for the international Umamusume at Longchamp Racecourse.

At an outdoor café near the racecourse...

"Mmm! French desserts really do live up to their reputation! Celebrez, are you sure you don't want any?"

Secretariat lounged beneath a parasol without the slightest concern for proper posture.

Several completely empty dessert plates were already stacked on the table before her.

Sitting across from her, Celebrez took a sip of coffee and rolled her eyes helplessly.

"They're nothing special... And hurry up and finish eating. We can't be late for McQueen and Show Dancer's open training. We came here as spectators, not to go on vacation..."

Celebrez was another legendary Umamusume from the Bald Eagle Nation.

Since Seattle Slew needed to remain behind and handle the academy's many affairs, Celebrez had been chosen to accompany Secretariat overseas to watch the race.

"Being spectators doesn't mean we can't enjoy a vacation too. Celebrez, you're every bit as stuffy as Slew."

Secretariat tossed her vivid red hair and popped another piece of cake into her mouth. Then she declared with a confident smile, "Besides, as the strongest Umamusume in the world, I naturally have to be number one at eating too. I can't afford to be careless!"

"...Forget being number one in the world. You can't even beat that Umamusume anymore."

Celebrez stared at her speechlessly for a long while before tilting her head, signaling for Secretariat to look behind her.

"What are you talking about?"

Secretariat turned to follow her gaze.

Inside a restaurant across the street, a gray-haired Umamusume with long hair, a diamond-shaped ornament, and an extraordinary presence was stuffing her cheeks as she devoured the fried rice before her like a pile driver.

And that bowl...

No, that basin of fried rice was nearly three feet tall.

Even more astonishingly, there were three more servings of the same size waiting in front of her!

"Is she even human?"

A question mark practically appeared above Secretariat's head.

However, her experience as the student council president of Bald Eagle Tracen Academy soon allowed her to recognize the Umamusume.

"Oguri? What is she doing here?"

"Oguri?"

Celebrez blinked. "That's Oguri?"

Secretariat shot her a sideways glance. "She won last year's Irish Champion Stakes, and you don't even recognize her? What do you normally do with your time? Jump rope?"

"...Uh, more or less."

Celebrez spread her hands helplessly.

As a student council vice president who never involved herself in anything, she felt she had already worked very hard just to recognize the name.

"If one of Team Chasing Light's leading figures is here, then the others should be here too."

As she spoke, Secretariat narrowed her eyes and swiftly scanned the restaurant.

Her expression soon turned disappointed.

Most of Team Chasing Light's Umamusume were indeed there.

There were even several "legendary Umamusume" from that island nation in the Far East whose abilities seemed rather ordinary to her.

However, the two most important people were nowhere to be found: McQueen, who had stepped into the realm of the World, and her trainer.

"They must have entered the racecourse already..." Secretariat murmured thoughtfully.

Celebrez nodded. "Then Show Dancer's team has probably done the same. Hurry up and finish eating. Stop taking your sweet time."

"There's no need to rush."

Secretariat chuckled, looked toward the restaurant across the street, and raised a hand in greeting.

"What are you...?"

Before Celebrez could finish her confused question, she saw a dignified Umamusume dressed in neat casual clothes, with crescent-shaped bangs, return the greeting from across the street.

Secretariat then beckoned for the other girl to come over, only for her to shake her head and refuse.

Secretariat picked up her phone with a mischievous grin and typed out a few lines.

Only then did the other Umamusume sigh helplessly, leave the restaurant, and walk over.

"What kind of prank is Secretariat planning now...?"

Celebrez suddenly felt rather embarrassed to be sitting with her.

Click.

The café door opened, and the newcomer slowly approached their table.

The Umamusume with crescent-shaped bangs possessed strikingly beautiful features, yet her brows carried an innate air of authority and composure.

"My, my. If it isn't Her Majesty the Emperor of the Far Eastern racing circuit."

Secretariat raised the small fork in her hand and waved it in greeting.

"It's been a long time, Rudi."

Rudolf?

The student council president from Central Tracen Academy in the Far East?

Celebrez had heard plenty about her without ever seeing her face, and realization immediately dawned on her.

Rudolf gave them a helpless look before inclining her head politely.

"It has indeed been a long time, President Secretariat, and... Vice President Celebrez."

As the student council presidents of their respective nations' Tracen Academies, Secretariat and Rudolf had each been the undisputed protagonist of her generation.

Even after retiring, both continued to wield considerable influence.

Naturally, they had crossed paths many times at Umamusume Association meetings and international exchange events.

They could be considered old acquaintances.

"Why did you call me over? I still have matters to attend to."

Rudolf spoke the moment she sat down. At the same time, she casually took a piece of cake from the plate in front of Secretariat and placed it in her mouth.

A faint frown immediately crossed her face.

See? It isn't good, is it?

With no opportunity to join the conversation, Celebrez nodded silently to herself.

Secretariat accepted the plate Rudolf handed back and smiled.

"It's nothing important. I just wanted to know whether McQueen had already entered the racecourse and begun training."

"Why do you want to know?"

Rudolf raised an eyebrow.

"Why ask when you already know the answer? Isn't McQueen the reason all of us came here?" Secretariat replied.

"...She just went in."

It was hardly a secret, so after a brief silence, Rudolf answered casually.

Secretariat smiled and leaned slightly across the table, resting her enormous breasts against its surface and creating quite the visual impact.

"Rudolf, while we're on the subject, could you introduce me to McQueen and Team Chasing Light's trainer? I'd like to meet them."

"Of course... not!"

Rudolf rejected her without the slightest hesitation.

"Wait until after the Arc. Don't interfere with their race preparations."

They might be old acquaintances, but Rudolf still knew there was a proper time and place for everything.

She could not allow anyone to disturb McQueen during such a critical period and divide her attention.

"You have a point."

Secretariat appeared thoughtful for a moment before asking, "Then can I enter the racecourse with all of you later?"

"How is that any different from asking me to introduce you?" Rudolf snapped irritably.

If Secretariat entered with them, she would naturally be able to meet Kuroha directly.

What was Rudolf supposed to do then, introduce them or not?

"Of course it's different."

Secretariat grinned.

"In the first scenario, you introduce me. In the second, you bring me inside, and I introduce myself."

(End of Chapter)

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