Air Groove's POV
Maybe it's Trainer's words, but my legs feel… lighter. I know it's an illusion, but I can't shake the feeling. I wanted to hear his voice a bit longer… No! Focus, Air Groove—race time!
"Finally racing together, Air Groove!" Bubble Gum Fellow said.
"…Bubble," I said.
"When I saw your name on the Emperor's Cup entry list, I was thrilled♪," she said. "You took the Tiara route, I took the Triple Crown—we'd never cross paths. But now? I get to face our generation's best! So exciting!!"
"You're one to talk," I said. "You bared your fangs at the senior generation and crushed them."
"That was just the only path I had," she said. "Didn't matter if it was the top three. But today's different. I'm fully prepped to win. Stronger than last year. All that's left is beating you—the generation's strongest."
"…" I stared.
"I'll let you have the popularity, but not the win," she said. "See you up front."
Her eyes burned with resolve, reminding me of last year's race—Bubble striding onto the course. If she's bringing that fire, I'd be rude not to match it with everything I've got.
"This race," I declared, "I'll win!"
Announcer: "Next up, the undefeated Empress, Air Groove!! Back in Tokyo since the Oaks, 2000m is well within her range! Will she extend her perfect record today!?"
Commentator: "Even from a distance, her form's impeccable. I'd say she's as sharp as Bubble Gum Fellow."
Stands
"What kind of magic did you pull, Trainer-san?" Dyna Car asked.
"What do you mean?" I said.
"Air Groove's expression," she said. "It's different now. You said something, didn't you?"
"Me saying anything wouldn't change much," I said.
"Really?" she teased.
"Come on," I said. "If I had that kind of trick, I'd love to know it myself."
Click
"Huh?" Dyna Car and I turned.
"Sorry, Hachiman, I'm late…" Sensei said. "Oh, well, if it isn't Dyna Car! Been a while—doing okay?"
"Thanks to you, yes," Dyna Car said. "You're looking well, Sensei-san."
"No complaints here," Sensei said. "Hachiman, the Emperor's Cup… still hasn't started?"
"Almost time," I said.
Starting Gate
Announcer: "The Uma Musume are entering the gates! Air Groove, gate 12, and Bubble Gum Fellow, gate 7, are holding back. Sizing each other up? It's their first race together as peers."
Commentator: "Those two have a different aura. You can feel their drive to win and refusal to lose."
Announcer: "They're glaring as they enter! MI Blanc, gate 16, is the last in! Who'll claim the Autumn Shield in this chaotic clash!? G1 Emperor's Cup (Autumn)… GATES OPEN! They're off!! Who's leading!? Where's Air Groove? Bubble Gum Fellow? Silence Suzuka bolts ahead, pulling away fast! Inazuma Takao takes second, Bubble Gum Fellow third! Two lengths back, Yashima Sovereign, Rosen Cavalry, Gourmet Frontier, and Air Groove are bunched together!!"
As Trainer said, Bubble's up front. I'll hold this spot and strike from the third or fourth corner!
Announcer: "Silence Suzuka's already at the third corner, way ahead! Can anyone close the gap!? Will the back catch up!? Silence Suzuka's escaping! Will a classic-generation runner topple the seniors again!? Into the fourth corner and the straight! Bubble moves to second! Rosen Cavalry surges inside! Air Groove's charging from the outside!! It's Air Groove!! Bubble's coming from the inside!!"
This won't be easy…!
"Still not done!!!" Bubble roared.
"Grr!! HAAAAA!!!" I shouted.
Announcer: "Air Groove surges!! Air Groove's here!! 200 meters left!! Has she taken the lead!? Bubble clings inside!! The final 100 meters—a duel between two!! Who'll take it!?"
"I won't… yield!!!" Bubble roared.
"HAAAAAAA!!!" I screamed.
Announcer: "Air Groove!? Air Groove!? Bubble from the inside! Bubble! Air! Bubble! Air!?"
Announcer: "AIR GROOVE!!!"
…I… I did it!!
Announcer: "What a fearsome Uma Musume!! She's unstoppable!! Beating 15 rivals, she overpowered Bubble Gum Fellow's fierce charge!! A Tiara-route Uma Musume claims the Emperor's Cup (Autumn) for the first time in 17 years!!"
Emperor's Cup (Autumn) Results
1st: ⑫ Air Groove
2nd: ⑦ Bubble Gum Fellow
3rd: ① Genuine
4th: ② Royal Touch
5th: ⑧ Gourmet Frontier
Afterword
Air Groove's heart-pounding victory in her first true duel cements her as the Autumn Shield's queen, her trust arc blazing through Bubble's fierce challenge. Hachiman's words, Dyna Car's watch, and Sensei's arrival fuel the fire, while Fuji's unseen plan lingers. The Yahari crossover deepens her triumph—can she carry this to the Japan Cup?
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