"Here comes the final turn! Mejiro Ryan charges into the pack!! She surges forward, powering through with overwhelming strength!!"
Satsuki Sho, the first leg of the Classic Triple Crown, a race said to be won by the fastest Uma Musume. Leading the charge is Ines Fujin, embodying the race's reputation with her masterful escape. Hot on her heels is Ryan, relentlessly pursuing, while Kokutai Kou matches her stride, sprinting to overtake Ines.
"The final straight!! Can Ines Fujin hold her lead? From the inside, Kokutai Kou surges! From the outside, Mejiro Ryan rises!! Ines maintains a two-length lead, but Kokutai Kou and Mejiro Ryan are closing fast! Will they catch her!?"
"No way I'm losing here!!"
With a voice brimming with resolve, Ryan kicks the ground harder. As if declaring she won't let this crucial first race slip away, she pushes forward, forward, forward.
"Ines Fujin, Mejiro Ryan, Ines Fujin, Mejiro Ryan—Ryan's closing in! Mejiro Ryan overtakes her!! Mejiro Ryan surges past Ines Fujin at the finish line!! Ines Fujin takes a close second, with Kokutai Kou in third. Following Mejiro Rampage's Cherry Blossom victory last week, another Mejiro Uma Musume claims the Satsuki Sho!! The Mejiro stable is dominating, and this year's Classics promise even fiercer battles!!"
With less than 20 meters to go, Ryan finally overtakes Ines completely. A nose-length victory—Ryan, barely reining in Ines's speed, conquers the Satsuki Sho, taking her first step toward the Triple Crown.
"That was incredible, but I was this close to losing."
"Ines, you were amazing. I only caught up at the very end."
"Thanks, but next time, I won't lose. The Derby's next!!"
Ines's smile congratulates Ryan, yet her eyes already burn with anticipation for the next race. The Japan Derby—the ultimate festival for Uma Musume, a once-in-a-lifetime race. The dream of becoming a Derby Uma Musume has drawn countless legends, and now Ryan and Ines feel the thrill of joining that challenge, Ryan's throat humming with excitement.
"I won't lose either! I've got a promise with Ran to keep!!"
"No way I'm losing!!"
With those words, they clasp hands firmly, the crowd erupting in cheers and applause. The sight of their mutual respect draws admiration, and anticipation for the next race grows. It's only natural to eagerly await what comes next.
"What's with all this buzz? Canopus has never been this lively."
"Indeed."
The two exchange words while hammering iron shinguards onto their shoes. The growing crowd of spectators at Canopus's training sessions—reporters and Tracen Academy students alike, including new recruits eyeing the team—explains their remarks.
"I checked, and it seems all eyes are on us. Probably because Ryan's resting, but still."
"Well, it was just yesterday."
The Satsuki Sho was yesterday, and Ryan is recovering at the Mejiro estate. With interviews difficult, attention shifts to other promising Uma Musume, especially Mejiro's own.
"Wow, what a crowd."
"Guess Canopus is getting popular, huh!?"
"Nah, it's probably more about Ikuno and Ran."
Exactly. Canopus boasts the Cherry Blossom's one-two finishers, so the spotlight's no surprise. Ran's already set her next race, training for the Flora Stakes, a trial offering priority entry to the Oaks. Rampage, the Cherry Blossom winner, already has her Oaks ticket, but…
"To claim everything—that's what it means to be a dictator, right?"
Ran winks at a reporter's question. Her rivals groan, knowing she's chasing Mejiro Ramonu's perfect Triple Tiara. Some, seeing slim odds, consider switching to the Sweetpea Stakes, as Minamisaka mentioned after teasing from colleagues.
"Ikuno's heading there too, right?"
"Of course. I won't be outdone."
Both are set for the Flora Stakes, so Minamisaka's teasing is understandable. "Give me a break," she probably thinks.
"But…I'm considering something."
"What?"
"The NHK Mile Cup might be interesting."
The NHK Mile Cup—a prestigious G1 race. It's within reach, but…
"Ikuno, that's a joke, right? You're still running the Oaks?"
"Of course."
"Whoa!! Testing your skills in a G1 before the Oaks? That's so cool, Turbo wants in!!"
"Please, Turbo, there's only one week between the NHK and the Oaks, and the Flora Stakes too."
"That's…an insane schedule, isn't it?"
Even Rampage nods at Tanhoiza's words. It's a hypothetical plan, but a brutal one. The Flora Stakes is a G2, yet racing back-to-back G1s with just a week's rest is dangerously intense. Even Minamisaka can't fully endorse it.
"Just an interesting thought."
"If you pull that off, you'll be a legend. Flora, NHK, then Oaks?"
"People will wonder if you're really an Uma Musume or a robot."
"Huh!? Ikuno's a robot!?"
"No, Turbo, I'm not—bzzt!"
"Gah!! Ikuno's glitching!!?"
"It's a joke."
"Nice one, given the moment."
Laughter erupts, even among the reporters. Canopus, now a rising powerhouse, is often questioned for racing teammates against each other, unlike the disciplined Rigil. Yet their camaraderie and warm atmosphere shine through, revealing the secret to their strength.
"Man, Canopus has such a great vibe… but Rigil's tempting, and Spica too…"
"I'm Team Rigil, but Canopus's trainer is impressive, managing those two's schedules."
"I'm fine with any… maybe Spica, since CB was there."
As future star Uma Musume discuss their paths, they weigh which team to entrust with their Twinkle Series dreams. A moment like this captures it all.
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