Not a moment of mourning for Jungle Pocket's defeat was spared, for the next to face off against Platinum was—Manhattan Cafe!
"Seriously? I have to race against Platinum?"
Even for a girl as calm, steady, and quiet as Manhattan Cafe, this was a bit too much to keep her composure.
From her perspective, Japan's evaluation and perception of Platinum probably went something like this...
—An arrogant rookie dares to challenge the authority of the Classics!
—The mighty Platinum looks back at her rivals and crushes Mejiro Dober with an overwhelming victory!
—The frenzied Platinum, battle-hardened, charges toward the pinnacle of the Classics: the Japanese Derby!
—The great Pegasus dominates the track, securing an irregular double crown, heralding the Emperor of the Classics' reign as she approaches the final leg, the Kikuka Sho!
And now, at the Kikuka Sho, it was Manhattan Cafe's turn to step up.
But this young Pegasus was a true monster—capable of running two 2400-meter races in a single week!
What's more, the latter of those, the Japanese Derby, was the most intense and competitive of Japan's six G1 races, encompassing both the Triple Crown and the Triple Tiara. Held on a heavy, rain-soaked track under brutal conditions, it was no exaggeration to call Platinum the "Super Stamina Queen"!
To remain undefeated through such grueling battles, securing an irregular double crown, with only one step left toward the legendary and seemingly impossible irregular triple crown...
Manhattan Cafe was honestly shook.
When a horse girl is exceptionally talented, powerful, and boasts an impressive record, people forget her youth. Past doubts and gradually fade, replaced by... expectation!
Take the first Undefeated Triple Crown winner, Emperor Symboli Rudolf—back in her day, she ran in the Japan Cup, one of the few international G1s Japan hosted at the time, attracting top horse girls from abroad.
As a newcomer, Symboli Rudolf was hugely popular. Alongside Mr. C.B., she captured the attention of audiences both domestic and international, all eager to see how two Japanese Triple Crown winners would fare against foreign champions!
Platinum was the same. When she first entered the scene, she was seen as a super rookie who was too young and should wait till next year.
But after winning the Oaks, she was already recognized as a classic-year genius with the potential to win G1s.
And now, with her dominant victory in the Japanese Derby, this Pegasus had earned the right to be compared to seasoned older horse girls—even drawing parallels to the Undefeated Double Crown winner, Tokai Teio, despite having debuted just over a month ago!
Facing such an unprecedented monster in the final showdown at the Kikuka Sho left Manhattan Cafe almost unable to believe it.
"Kurofune will definitely sit out the Kikuka Sho."
"And Jungle Pocket... she's not really suited for long distances. She might switch to the Japan Cup."
"At that point, the only one who might be able to defeat Platinum... is you."
Agnes Tachyon wore a near-manic grin, gazing with keen interest at her friend Manhattan Cafe.
To many, the current Manhattan Cafe was just an ordinary horse girl—suffering heavy defeats in previous races and even skipping the Japanese Derby...
So, nobody saw her as a genius or a monster.
But Agnes Tachyon knew better. Manhattan Cafe's true talent lay in long distances—she was a prodigy with the potential to challenge the current long-distance queen, Mejiro McQueen.
Given enough time, Manhattan Cafe would have a real shot at beating Platinum! And between the Japanese Derby and the Kikuka Sho, there was plenty of time for her to grow!
If she couldn't win at middle distances, why not aim for long distances instead?
"I..."
"I understand."
Manhattan Cafe didn't say anything like "it might give me a little trouble" or "I'll win."
The quiet girl just clenched her fists, reigniting her fighting spirit. She wouldn't be easily intimidated by Platinum.
"The Kikuka Sho—the final leg of the classic Triple Crown, and the Irregular Triple Crown."
"It's not like no double crown winners have fallen here before!"
Would Platinum become one of them?
--+--
"Platinum!! Platinum!! Platinum!!"
"The strongest! The strongest! The strongest!"
"The Irregular Triple Crown—Platinum has to win it!"
"Waaah, Tachyon, my Tachyon... she's gonna lose her title as the strongest of her generation..."
"After decades of waiting, Japan finally has a horse girl who might win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe!"
"Platinum, please don't get injured like Teio and Tachyon! Don't let the Irregular Triple Crown turn into the Phantom Irregular Triple Crown!!"
The stands were filled with countless cheers and excited discussions!
Many Japanese fans, with the Kikuka Sho still some time away and the Japanese Derby just ended, were already leapfrogging ahead to thoughts of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
After all, audiences had been waiting far too long for the next Triple Crown Winner and a victory in the Arc.
And now, Miss Pegasus Platinum had the potential to achieve it all! That alone would attract countless fans who would adore her from here on out!
The year before Agnes Tachyon, the hugely popular heir to the Emperor, the Undefeated Double Crown winner Tokai Teio, suffered a fracture...
So Japanese fans' hopes for a Triple Crown winner shifted from Tokai Teio to Agnes Tachyon.
After Agnes Tachyon easily defeated almost every strong rival in other major races and even the G1 Satsuki Sho...
Nearly everyone began to believe that, barring any accidents, Agnes Tachyon would undoubtedly become a Triple Crown winner—and an undefeated one at that!
But who could have imagined that such an accident would actually happen? It cast a pall over the Japanese Uma Musume racing world, as if some curse had descended.
But now... things were different. The Pegasus that appeared out of nowhere first won the Oaks, then the Japanese Derby, now just one step away from the Irregular Triple Crown!
As long as Platinum avoided injury and truly won the Irregular Triple Crown, she would instantly make history and become one of Japan's most popular top-tier Uma Musume!
But from Tokai Teio to Agnes Tachyon, those two great regrets multiplied the expectations placed on Platinum.
Correspondingly, worry also set in.
After all, if both Tokai Teio and Agnes Tachyon—two great geniuses—suffered fractures and injuries, then Platinum, who had endured even more intense battles than them during this period, might very well follow in their footsteps.
Even before Tokai Teio and Agnes Tachyon, there was the original Phantom Triple Crown winner Tokino Minoru, who also missed the final Triple Crown race due to injury!
So, while this Pegasus carried everyone's hopes, fans also worried endlessly that she might get injured.
A teenage Pegasus, afraid of fractures!
Thus, the stands were filled with fans shouting words of celebration, expectation, and concern.
But Platinum's own reaction was—
"Hah, is that it already?"
Under the drizzling rain, the silver-haired girl slightly raised her head, standing calmly beyond the finish line with an utterly placid expression.
After crossing the line and winning, her first reaction was to reach out and touch the quiver on her back.
But her fingers found nothing—the quiver was empty.
Letting her hand fall, Platinum briefly recalled the race, feeling somewhat satisfied.
After all, she had successfully tested out the "Overtake Special Effect" of this race outfit, and there was more than just that one effect to witness!
The Domain, [Pegasian Sight] actually also came with a "Track Special Effect"—absolutely insane!
'Seems like I have quite a few field-exclusive skills, huh? They probably activate the most suitable ones based on the environment and running style.'
'Next time, should I try a front-runner or escape running style to see new skills and... changes in the Overtake Special Effect?'
Miss Pegasus had already experienced the race outfit's Overtake Special Effect, and combined with her field skills, it left her itching with curiosity.
Because she wanted to know...
If she went for a big escape, overtaking all her rivals right from the start...
Then what would the Overtake Special Effect look like?
Would the Phantom Overtake Special Effect only activate once the entire race, firing off a dozen or twenty arrows from the quiver all at once?
If that were the case, could it even be called archery anymore?!
That would be more like a machine gun barrage!
At the thought of that possible scene, the assassin girl felt her interest in racing reignite.
So far, she had usually been a closer or a betweener switching to escape—she hadn't yet attempted a true big escape where she overtook every other horse girl right out of the gate.
'For the final leg of the Irregular Triple Crown, the Kikuka Sho, I should definitely try a front-runner or big escape strategy!'
'Let me see what the Overtake Special Effect looks like when I go all-out from the start!!'
--+--
As Platinum lowered her head in thought.
Behind the finish line, the other horse girls gritted their teeth and crossed the line one after another, their expressions mostly filled with disbelief and shock.
Among them was the American horse girl, Kurofune!
"Huff... huff..."
"Never thought I'd fail to even make the top three, not even qualifying as a dancing partner."
"This is a disgrace, the biggest disgrace of my career!!!"
Kurofune's face was full of resentment. She knew her adaptability to middle and long distances wasn't outstanding, but...
She was an American horse girl, and this was just some race in Japan!
In the past, even Japan's strongest Undefeated Triple Crown winner, the Emperor, suffered a crushing defeat in America, didn't she?
So even if Kurofune felt a bit uneasy, she still came to the Japanese Derby confident that she could dominate.
Who would have thought she'd run into pouring rain that turned the track into a heavy, stamina-draining, difficult-to-run course?
This rain ruined her Derby dreams!!!
She came to dominate, but it was like she ran into a hacker!
Isn't this race's ranking system a bit too outrageous?
Kurofune didn't even make the top three—she didn't even qualify as one of the second or third-place dancers beside Platinum.
In Kurofune's mind, this was an unprecedented disgrace.
But the next moment, as if struck by a thought, she paused.
"W-Wait, Platinum didn't win by just nine or ten lengths."
"It was... a full fourteen lengths! An absolute, overwhelming victory that'd be considered rare even in America."
When the victory margin exceeds ten lengths, it triggers another hidden mechanism.
The legendary—Solo Dance!
That's right, a Solo Dance. In the ensuing Winner's Stage ceremony, the second and third-place horse girls would lose their qualification to dance alongside the winner.
This time, Platinum didn't look back at her rivals again; the margin of her victory surpassed even that of the Oaks, reaching the Solo Dance threshold of over ten lengths!
At this realization, Kurofune's earlier disbelief and sense of disgrace eased slightly.
"Jungle Pocket didn't qualify to dance either... well, that's alright then."
"Losing to this monster isn't so shameful. She really has that level of skill."
"Never racing this monster at middle distances again! One crushing defeat like this is enough!"
Kurofune had to admit that at middle distances, she was outclassed.
But her pride wasn't completely shattered.
"I'll switch to turf mile races or prepare for dirt races from now on!"
"I refuse to believe that on my home turf, even if I meet Platinum again, I can't win. Absolutely not!"
--+--
Not far from Kurofune.
Jungle Pocket, who crossed the line as the second-place finisher, the runner-up, had long lost her fierce, beast-like expression.
In its place was... bewilderment.
Who am I?
Where am I?
What am I doing?
Jungle Pocket was filled with resentment over her defeat—losing so badly that she didn't even qualify to dance alongside Platinum!
This resentment even surpassed her frustration after losing to Agnes Tachyon in the Satsuki Sho!
"To lose... and to lose by this much!!"
The Pegasus Platinum was simply too powerful—a monster that didn't seem like she belonged to the Uma Musume species.
"Next time, at the Kikuka Sho... ah..."
Jungle Pocket instinctively started to grit her teeth and vow revenge at the Kikuka Sho, but she suddenly regained her rationality and stopped.
If Platinum could win both the 2400-meter Oaks and the 2400-meter Japanese Derby on a heavy track in just one week, how could her long-distance adaptability be bad?
It was possible that Platinum would be in even better form at the Kikuka Sho than she was in the Derby!
At that time, Jungle Pocket might lose by even more than 14 lengths...
The moment this thought occurred to her, and given that it seemed quite likely to come true, Jungle Pocket immediately changed her wording.
"Next time, at the Japan Cup or the Arima Kinen!"
"I will have my revenge. I will defeat Platinum!"
--+--
Meanwhile.
At the Tracen Academy, in the chairman's office.
The petite loli chairman was out handling official business, so usually, only the green-hatted woman, Hayakawa Tazuna, would be inside.
But at this moment, seated beside Hayakawa Tazuna was another tall, mature woman. Both were watching the results of Platinum's Japanese Derby victory on the large screen.
"Tazuna... I'm still not used to your current name."
The tall woman teased casually without turning her head.
Hayakawa Tazuna chuckled lightly and removed her green hat.
Once the hat no longer obscured her, horse girl ears were revealed!
Hayakawa Tazuna had once galloped across the tracks under the race name Tokino Minoru, achieving an Undefeated Double Crown before being forced into early retirement due to injury, unable to compete in the Kikuka Sho.
Thus, Hayakawa Tazuna was the original Phantom Triple Crown Uma Musume, and the unfortunate Agnes Tachyon now inherited the same "Phantom Triple Crown" title.
In response to her friend's words, Hayakawa Tazuna said with a smile,
"I'm even less used to your name, Kurifuji..."
"No, now you're called Nento, right?"
Compared to Hayakawa Tazuna's race name, Tokino Minoru, which was quite different, this tall woman's name hadn't changed much. Her real name was Nento, but she took the name "Kurifuji" when she raced.
Due to an unexpected injury, Kurifuji missed the Satsuki Sho, making her ineligible for the full classic Triple Crown, so she instead pursued the Irregular Triple Crown!
This tall, mature horse girl was once hailed as the "first and last Irregular Triple Crown" winner!
"Nento, what do you think?"
"That Irregular Triple Crown title you've held for so long seems like it's about to have a successor."
"Isn't it a pity to visit Tracen and watch the broadcast instead of going to see it live?"
Hayakawa Tazuna asked her friend Nento.
Nento's gaze remained fixed on the Pegasus Platinum on the screen, and it took her a long time to respond.
"It's not a pity, because this little Pegasus won't only achieve an overwhelming victory in this race."
"The Kikuka Sho will be Platinum's final battle for the Irregular Triple Crown. It won't be too late to go see that live!"
"This little one might truly surpass us, even shake Rudolf's Imperial Throne!"
Nento didn't hold back her praise.
Faced with such high praise, Hayakawa Tazuna nodded in deep agreement.
But the Green Demon's tone shifted, carrying a note of solemnity.
"But that's on the condition that... she doesn't suffer injuries like we did."
"Let's hope she isn't struck down by fractures or other ailments!"
--+--
Some time later.
The formerly cool, dazzling, and powerful silver Pegasus now walked out of the Winner's Stage passageway looking dazed and drenched in sweat.
That dreaded Winner's Stage ceremony was finally over!
'Seriously, why was I the only one up there?'
'Is winning by that many lengths some kind of punishment?'
Platinum instinctively felt like she had triggered some penalty mechanism.
Otherwise, why would she have to perform alone?
The only slight consolation was that, fortunately, Centaurea from the original work had been an Idol Knight, so she had a natural talent and instinct for singing and dancing.
Her experience from the post-race Winner's Stage performances in the first two or three races had given her some practice, making this solo performance manageable.
What satisfied Platinum a bit was that the audience for this performance had doubled compared to the Oaks, and her fanbase seemed to have grown tremendously!
'Next up is... the interview, right.'
Growing more accustomed to the routine, Platinum headed backstage.
As soon as she arrived, she saw several excited, enthusiastic URA staff members.
Quickly!
Platinum took the interview question selection sheet and lowered her head to prepare for the upcoming Q&A!
But when she saw one particular question, she paused, then her eyes lit up instantly, as if she had thought of a fun response.
This one! Definitely this one!
Anyway, she wasn't a student at Tracen Academy—no fear!
--+--
A short while later, the staff began the live broadcast interview based on the questions Platinum had chosen.
"Miss Platinum, congratulations on your victory in the Japanese Derby and achieving the great feat of an Irregular Double Crown."
"The first question we'd like to ask is: What are your aspirations and determination regarding international races?"
Platinum picked up the microphone, put on a thoughtful expression, and then spoke earnestly and formally about her aspirations for overseas races.
"My goal is to win European and American international G1s! To accomplish the great task that the Emperor left unfinished!"
The silver-haired girl's voice was full of emotion as she began speaking with a heavy yet determined tone.
"That year, in the San Luis Rey Stakes, Symboli Rudolf went overseas to race against American horse girls. In a race with fewer than ten participants, she ultimately finished sixth, suffering a crushing defeat."
Under the watch of countless Japanese viewers, under the gaze of a certain Emperor who was grinding her teeth in shock!
'No! You can't…'
Her long-retired, never-mentioned black history was being brought up by this bratty Pegasus in front of the entire nation!
On the live broadcast, Platinum suddenly shifted her tone.
"At that time, I saw Symboli Rudolf sitting slumped in her chair, crying uncontrollably. That image is forever burned into my memory. In that moment, I thought, if I became a racer, I would win everything."
In some corner of the world, the heart of a certain Student Council President at Tracen shattered on the spot.
"Now the chance to avenge the Emperor is right before me. I must consider if this could be the only opportunity I ever get."
"I believe that Symboli Rudolf played an indispensable role in Japanese Uma Musume's past dominance."
"Rebuilding the glory of Japanese Uma Musume is our duty!"
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.