[Race: Spring Tenno Sho]
[Rewards: Maturation Progress +5%, Early Unlock of Kuranta Character Gacha]
[Current Maturation Progress: 95%]
[Note: At 100% Maturation, Alternate Form Platinum will be unlocked.]
[Note: After completing the gacha, the corresponding transformation will be unlocked upon finishing the Takarazuka Kinen.]
When the girl known as Platinum clearly saw the [Race Rewards] materializing before her eyes, even someone as composed and steady as her couldn't help but blink in surprise.
"Huh?"
The first part of the reward didn't surprise the assassin girl in the slightest.
She had always known that her Maturation would only complete fully after running one last race—the upcoming Takarazuka Kinen—which would then unlock the alternate form and new character gacha.
But the latter part of the reward, the early unlock of the character gacha, was something Platinum hadn't anticipated.
Doesn't this mean she could satisfy her curiosity ahead of time?
"Well then... yay!"
An early gacha unlock—who wouldn't love that?
And what's more, it's a guaranteed banner with no chance of failing!
Although the rate-up pool is incredibly broad—aren't there like a dozen or more Kuranta characters in Arknights?
Even if the transformation can't be used until after the Takarazuka Kinen, that's fine. In Platinum's view, it's no big deal.
It's like how many people save up resources for a gacha, and after pulling—even if they get what they want—they just close the game and log off instead of immediately grinding or leveling up the new character.
After all, this new transformation is clearly meant for dirt tracks, for that expedition to America.
Things like going to the U.S. and racing on dirt won't happen until after the Takarazuka Kinen anyway, so there's no rush.
For now, she may as well satisfy her curiosity and start pulling.
"Whatever, I'm pulling now!"
"I'll just wash my hands in the restroom and then get to it."
Overflowing with joy, the silvery-white girl transformed into a gacha addict and turned toward the backstage of the Winner's Stage.
Backstage?
Wait, no—that's clearly the restroom!
Second and third-place finishers, as long as they weren't completely left in the dust, could go backstage as accompanying dancers.
But since her debut, the only time Platinum had seen anyone else backstage was during her debut race, where she encountered the first and, so far, only accompanying dancer—[The Crimson Maiden: Daiwa Scarlet], who had lost by five lengths and now stood first in the Pegasus Hall of Fame!
In this race, the second-place finisher, Rice Shower, had been left twenty-one lengths behind, so naturally, no one else would be backstage. As far as Platinum was concerned, it was practically her private restroom.
--+--
"Let's go!"
In the minds of many, the elegant, confident, and powerful young lady of the Mejiro family, Mejiro McQueen, was the picture of poise. But at this moment—
Dejected…
Stunned…
And a heart struggling to process and accept reality—all of it pointed to one outcome.
Mejiro McQueen… was breaking down!
The flushed young lady of the Mejiro family was breathing rapidly. Just as she was about to turn and leave the turf, she glanced back one last time, unwillingly watching the silvery-white girl's figure gradually disappear as she headed alone toward the Winner's Stage.
She, the two-time defending champion of the Spring Tenno Sho, hadn't even come close to surpassing Daiwa Scarlet's statue position, let alone overtaking Platinum herself…
Heck, she hadn't even managed to set foot in the Pegasus Hall of Fame at all!
The Hall of Fame featured names like Agnes Tachyon, Manhattan Cafe, Daiwa Scarlet, Mejiro Dober, and Rice Shower—but she was nowhere among them!!
And among this impressive group of Japanese Uma Musume, Mejiro McQueen was… the most senior! Having debuted over four years ago, she had long been recognized as the strongest in long-distance racing.
Given her track record, McQueen had every reason to be proud. In her mind, she should've at least secured second place with a shot at first.
But now, she hadn't even made it into the Hall of Fame!
A blow like this, such humiliation—how could Mejiro McQueen possibly accept it easily?
"Ugh…"
The massive margin of defeat, coupled with not even placing second, left McQueen with no room for excuses deep down.
She wouldn't claim that using the wrong running style cost her the race—if she'd stuck to her usual front-running style, she might've lost even more badly!
"A loss is a loss."
"It seems I still have a lot of room for improvement in long-distance races. I'll have to work even harder from now on."
After sighing in disappointment, Mejiro McQueen began walking toward the exit.
Suddenly, a question crossed her mind.
Namely… the next Japanese G1 race, the Takarazuka Kinen.
Should she enter?
"Maybe… it's better not to go and humiliate myself?"
She, who excelled at long distances, with all her experience and as the defending champion, had suffered a crushing defeat.
Not to mention, the Pegasus was just as terrifying in middle-distance races, and she wasn't particularly skilled at middle distances—she had no late kick to speak of.
"The task of defeating the Pegasus should be left to Tokai Teio, Agnes Tachyon, and the others!"
The Great Demon King Platinum…
She'd just have to pin her hopes on Teio and Agnes!
--+--
Meanwhile.
Inside the conference room at the URA building.
The large screen displayed the moment the silvery-white girl achieved an overwhelming victory with a massive lead.
When Platinum crossed the finish line and won, voices filled with excitement and satisfaction echoed through the room.
"Yes!!"
"As expected of the Pegasus Platinum—always perfect, absolutely stunning!"
"How are the viewership numbers, discussion numbers, and overseas traction for the race?"
"After spending a huge amount of resources and promotion funds on the Osaka Cup, the stands were still half-empty. The promotional budget for the Spring Tenno Sho was less than half of the Osaka Cup's, yet tickets sold out overnight after Platinum's participation was announced."
"The discussion numbers and overseas traction are on a completely different level—like ten times higher! Many overseas broadcasters initially had no interest in buying the live streaming rights, but the moment they heard Platinum was confirmed to run, they immediately purchased them!"
"You could say that both of Mejiro McQueen's past wins in the Spring Tenno Sho combined didn't generate as much discussion or impact as this single race by the Pegasus Platinum."
These statistics brought a sigh of relief to many high-ranking URA members.
The pressure from the low point after the Osaka Cup was finally easing!
And the Pegasus Platinum had effortlessly elevated the Spring Tenno Sho to unprecedented heights!
"Countless Japanese Uma Musume from the past, all combined, haven't had as much overseas influence as a single Pegasus."
"The overseas demographic is all carried by Platinum!"
A quiet remark drifted through the room.
"Well, ten thousand zeros added together still don't equal ten thousand…"
"..."
"As much as it's the truth, we need to remember that Platinum mentioned during a previous call that she'll be heading to Europe after the Takarazuka Kinen."
"We can't rely on Platinum forever. She's bound to start her overseas campaign in the second half of the year."
"That little King is not someone we can afford to upset."
This was an outcome the URA found deeply regrettable, even painful. They had long since shed their earlier arrogance.
Back when the URA was discussing how to maintain the unprecedented traction of Japanese races, to reach new peaks, some rather radical and even crazy members had suggested…
Since Platinum was so talented, why not have her race in Japan for another year as an older horse? She could start her overseas campaign the following year instead.
In the end, the URA chose to test the waters by "cutting costs and increasing flow"—reducing the prize money for the Spring Triple Crown, hoping to make Platinum work like a slave.
If Platinum had actually followed the URA's plan and run the Spring Triple Crown, they likely would've demanded she slave through the Autumn Triple Crown next.
But beyond everyone's expectations…
At the annual awards ceremony, Platinum took the stage and coldly declared, "The URA has no right to award me."
That night, passionate Japanese fans of the Pegasus and Platinum launched the most severe criticism and protests the URA had ever faced since its establishment.
Even Tracen Academy and many Japanese officials who viewed Platinum as a "National Treasure-level Uma Musume" expressed their dissatisfaction on various platforms.
This directly led to the Osaka Cup's disastrous decline, which in turn proved that Platinum was the one who had elevated Japanese racing to heights it never deserved.
And the Pegasus's victory in the Dubai World Cup further demonstrated that she didn't need the URA or wins in Japanese races to prove herself.
Instead, the URA needed to beg the Pegasus to participate in Japanese races to prove their own worth.
That long stretch of misfortune humbled the URA.
Now, every race that little King runs is a blessing! For any race she participates in, her prize money share is doubled!
Her return for the Spring Tenno Sho, and even one more race in the Takarazuka Kinen, was enough to excite the URA beyond measure!
During the current meeting, one high-ranking member seemed to remember something and smiled with anticipation.
"Thankfully, another Super Uma Musume is emerging this year."
"And she's a talented genius who might chase the Pegasus's legacy, attracting widespread attention both domestically and overseas!"
"The already-titled [Crimson Queen] Daiwa Scarlet! Just half a month ago, in the Oka Sho, she decisively defeated another talented horse girl, Vodka, by five lengths!"
"Many people worldwide firmly believe that Daiwa Scarlet is a lazy genius, a powerhouse similar to Symboli Rudolf—someone who loses interest in widening the gap once she's ahead and secured victory."
"So, she only beat Vodka by five lengths. When she faces the Pegasus again in the future, a fully motivated Daiwa Scarlet will deliver a huge surprise to everyone!"
Daiwa Scarlet!
In this year's classic races, she claimed her first G1 victory in the first leg of the Classic Triple Tiara, the Oka Sho!
It's also reported that officials from the UK's Epsom Derby, as well as many European classic and fillies' races, have invited Daiwa Scarlet, granting her special entry qualifications and round-trip tickets!
One plants the trees, another enjoys the shade.
Even Europe, which had always looked down on Japan, was impressed by the Pegasus and began to change its views.
As a result, many are curious about how much of a surprise Japan's young genius, the one closest to the Pegasus in the Hall of Fame, can deliver!
"Fortunately, Daiwa Scarlet has no immediate plans for overseas campaigns. She's still focused on the Classic Triple Tiara."
"Barring any surprises, she'll face off against the Pegasus Platinum in this year's [Arima Kinen], after Platinum returns from her European campaign."
"The long-awaited rematch between Daiwa Scarlet and Platinum—their second clash—may happen at the end of this year!"
Even if the Pegasus Platinum embarks on her overseas campaign…
With a new generation of geniuses, and Daiwa Scarlet being the closest to the Pegasus, perhaps… she can inherit most of Platinum's traction?
"In the second half of the year, we'll watch Platinum showcase her power overseas, and Daiwa Scarlet reveal her absolute potential in Japan."
"But that's for the future. Right now, what we need to do is prepare for Platinum's last race of the first half: the [Takarazuka Kinen]!"
"We need to make the lineup incredibly stacked and spectacular, to send off the Pegasus in style!"
With that, early popularity voting for the Takarazuka Kinen began.
As for the silvery-white Pegasus girl, she wasn't concerned about overseas campaigns or distant future plans.
Platinum had just reached the restroom!
--+--
Backstage at the Winner's Stage, the sound of a door closing echoed.
Not long after, having washed her hands, the impatient silvery-white girl quickly opened the system interface to start her gacha.
Platinum was confident in her luck.
She was determined to pull a heavy hitter, a horse girl who could dominate even the brutally competitive American dirt tracks and bring home the prizes!
[Reward: Early Unlock of Kuranta Character Gacha]
[Note: After completing the gacha, the corresponding transformation will be unlocked upon finishing the Takarazuka Kinen.]
Without hesitation, Platinum clicked "Claim."
In the next instant—!
Characters from that other game on her phone before she transmigrated, alongside Uma Musume, namely Arknights… began to shimmer and appear!
The panel displayed many familiar character illustrations to the silvery-white girl, flashing one after another.
It was like a spinning pointer, selecting the final transformation character.
"Huh? Auntie, Zofia?"
"Whislash?!"
"Seriously, who's this red-haired Kuranta auntie Narantuya? I've never seen her before? Was she released after I transmigrated?"
"Hold on, Corroserum? My direct superior?!"
Under Platinum's dumbfounded gaze, option after option flickered past.
Finally—
The dazed silvery-white girl's eyes fixed on the image that appeared on the panel where the selection stopped.
In the image was an exceptionally tall golden-haired girl. Her long, smooth hair was tied into a ponytail that cascaded down.
She held her head high with a determined gaze, her figure well-proportioned and full, with sleek muscle lines that suggested both speed and strength without being overly bulky. At a glance, she exuded a blend of agility and power, standing with an elegant yet imposing presence.
In the golden-haired girl's hands was a long, gleaming golden spear. She wore a pure white cloak that fluttered dramatically in the wind, creating a striking contrast with her radiant brilliance! She looked like a knight charging onto the battlefield, ready to dominate!
Beneath the dark cloak, a glimpse of a large, golden tail peeked out, marking her as a member of the Kuranta race.
Anyone who saw her would be deeply impressed by her heroic and graceful demeanor—a golden-haired girl who was both beautiful and handsome!
That was—[The Radiant Knight: Margaret Nearl]
"Huh?"
Instantly, the silvery-white girl tilted her head slightly, falling into complete silence.
"Huh?!"
After a long moment, her seemingly frozen brain finally processed the shock and bewilderment.
"Huh?!!"
Finally, the great Platinum, who had dominated countless G1 races, let out a surprised exclamation for the first time, momentarily losing her composure.
Margaret Nearl?
Is Pantheon really coming this time?!
Platinum's expression turned complicated as she stared at the system panel showing Nearl the Radiant Knight.
"This…"
The silvery-white girl suddenly remembered!
In the CG she'd seen, she witnessed the martially powerful Platinum, Centaurea, in her assassination attempt, colliding with Margaret Nearl.
One was a former Idol Knight, the other a Champion of Knightly Competitions—they had eventually clashed in a deadly duel.
In a way, they were rivals, if not outright old enemies.
First, she pulled Platinum, and now she pulled Nearl… wasn't her luck pretty good?
As long as it helped her earn money and win races on the terrifyingly competitive American dirt tracks, it was a good thing.
"Yay, time to win some money on the dirt!"
But no matter what, this was only the early gacha unlock.
The transformation and path to the American dirt tracks would only open after the Takarazuka Kinen concluded.
"Alright, then I'll have to wrap up the Takarazuka Kinen quickly!"
The Takarazuka Kinen must be won!
"But before that, I need to finish the Winner's Stage, handle the post-race interview, and clock out~"
With that, Platinum prepared for her final overtime duty: taking the stage at the Winner's Stage.
--+--
Outside the racecourse.
The dark-haired girl walked beside her friend, Agnes Tachyon, who wore a white coat.
The current Manhattan Cafe wore a slightly regretful expression and let out a soft sigh.
"What a pity, I couldn't secure second place."
"I wanted to clear the name of being last in the Pegasus Hall of Fame by achieving a higher position."
Being dead last, stuck in the corner of the Hall of Fame statue with a thirty-one-length gap, bothered Manhattan Cafe deeply.
That's why she had put in so much effort for this Spring Tenno Sho.
But unexpectedly, besides her, there was also the super dark horse Rice Shower! In their three-way battle, it was Rice Shower who barely edged out ahead by a neck to claim second place.
"Actually, Cafe, even if you had narrowly surpassed Rice Shower to take second, it's not certain… that you would've cleared your Hall of Fame disgrace."
Agnes Tachyon remarked calmly nearby.
The current Rice Shower, with a "twenty-one-length gap," had surpassed Dubai Millennium's "twenty-length gap" to claim second-to-last place.
So upon closer reflection, it seemed…
Even if Manhattan Cafe had overtaken Rice Shower, the best she could've done was reduce the gap from twenty-one lengths to twenty lengths, tying with Dubai Millennium…
In that case, she would've gone from last place to simultaneously holding both last and second-to-last place?
Wouldn't that be even more humiliating?
Originally, the outside world was hotly debating between Galileo, who had lost to Platinum three times and made the Hall of Fame twice, and Manhattan Cafe, who was dead last, over—
Who was the Pegasus's top captive?
With one last-place statue and two mid-tier statues, arguments could be made either way.
But if Manhattan Cafe had actually claimed both last and second-to-last place, she would've decisively ended the debate, dominating the corner position of the Pegasus Hall of Fame!
So in a way, letting Rice Shower have second place might not be such a bad thing after all?
Hearing Agnes Tachyon's words and thinking it over…
Manhattan Cafe nodded slightly. The taciturn dark-haired girl chose to agree with her friend.
"You're right, Tachyon."
Is this what they call… a blessing in disguise?
--+--
Some time later.
Outside the racecourse, at the Mejiro residence.
Mejiro McQueen, fresh out of the bath, walked into the living room.
Even though the race had ended a while ago and the Winner's Stage was probably over by now,
McQueen's mind was still filled with thoughts of the Spring Tenno Sho, that Pegasus, and Rice Shower, who had overtaken her to claim second place and a spot in the Hall of Fame.
Planning to pour some water before returning to her room to rest, McQueen noticed others in the living room: Mejiro Dober, another talented young Uma Musume of the Mejiro family, sat on the sofa.
Along with her were Mejiro Ardan and Mejiro Ramonu, both watching TV.
From the TV came a voice that felt deeply familiar to McQueen, making her instinctively turn to look.
"I'm Platinum. Thank you to all my fans for your continued support."
That was… the post-race interview at the racecourse?
McQueen immediately stopped and watched.
"I announce that I will be participating in the upcoming Takarazuka Kinen."
The silvery-white Pegasus girl spoke calmly.
As soon as she said this, cheers of pleasant surprise erupted from the crowd of fans waiting outside the security barriers held back by URA staff.
The next words from Platinum silenced those cheers momentarily.
"This will be my last race before my overseas campaign!"
But soon, the crowd's support returned, louder than before.
"We'll always support your choices! You should've gone overseas long ago!"
"The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe has never had a Japanese Uma Musume win it—maybe you can fill that void!!"
"The Pegasus should've proven herself on the world stage long ago. Just being able to see you in the Spring Tenno Sho is already wonderful, and now we get the Takarazuka Kinen too!!"
"Yeah, after the Dubai World Cup, we thought we'd never see Ms. Platinum race again. Getting two more races is more than all Japanese fans could've hoped for!"
"Go for it, Pegasus! Keep your undefeated record until retirement!"
Such overwhelming support proved Platinum's immense popularity and influence.
Finally—
The silvery-white Pegasus girl spoke with a hint of seriousness.
"Please witness my [Last Dance] in Japan at the Takarazuka Kinen."
…
Watching this, the first to speak in the Mejiro living room was Mejiro Ramonu.
"As expected, the Pegasus is starting her overseas campaign."
"It's uncertain how many races she'll run, but one of them will definitely be the [Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe]!"
"It's the super race all of Japan has been anticipating for decades, yet no Japanese has ever won it. I hope she can bring home the victory!"
Right now, Platinum's announcement of participating in the Takarazuka Kinen and her "Last Dance" declaration would undoubtedly stir up a storm!
Countless Japanese fans would eagerly await the arrival of the Takarazuka Kinen.
Not only would it mark the beginning of the Pegasus's overseas campaign, but it would also be her last race in Japan for a long time. From every angle, this was a meaningful, heavyweight G1 race!
The Takarazuka Kinen itself was one of only two G1 races in Japan, alongside the Arima Kinen, that determined participants through popularity votes. It naturally attracted many high-profile star Uma Musume, leading to high attention.
It was easy to imagine that this race's excitement would surpass the Spring Tenno Sho and possibly even last year's Japan Cup and Arima Kinen!
Mejiro Ramonu shifted her gaze from the TV to Mejiro Dober beside her and Mejiro McQueen, who was fetching water.
"By the way, for Platinum's [Last Dance], the URA will definitely go all out with early, ultra-high-level promotions and organization."
"The URA now wants to assemble an extremely luxurious, unprecedented lineup for this Takarazuka Kinen."
"So, they'll definitely start the popularity vote early. Given your popularity, you'll definitely be among the selected participants for the Takarazuka lineup."
"Think early about whether you want to participate or not."
Mejiro Ramonu's words made Mejiro Dober's pretty face freeze and Mejiro McQueen's expression stiffen.
"Huh? Me, against the Pegasus? Seriously?"
The current Mejiro Dober didn't even dare to ask "Can I win?" anymore.
Only one thought remained in her mind:
Should I avoid this race?
Would avoiding it be… embarrassing?
What Mejiro Dober didn't know was that many other star Uma Musume were having the same thought!
The most luxurious Takarazuka Kinen ever?
More like, the most deserted Takarazuka Kinen ever, perhaps!
--+--
Time flew by, and over a month passed in the blink of an eye.
It was now June.
Both the Takarazuka Kinen and the final leg of the American Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes, were this month!
In the medical office, the unscrupulous young doctor leisurely browsed through newspapers on his desk.
There were Japanese newspapers, as well as English ones.
Having packed his bags and prepared to return to Europe and America, Lin Anran naturally needed to catch up on English newspapers and gather intel on the American dirt track scene.
"Yikes…"
Seemingly reading something shocking, the unscrupulous young doctor inhaled sharply.
The news headline read:
[Secretariat Dominates! Crushes Sham Again with Overwhelming Victory, Claims Second American Crown!]
[Will an American Triple Crown Uma Musume Emerge After So Long?]
[In the Final Belmont Stakes, Can Sham Seek Revenge and Halt the Big Red Monster's Triple Crown Quest?]
"Wait, you're actually winning?"
Lin Anran had previously spoken with Secretariat.
Among other things, they had agreed that… if Secretariat won the second crown, Lin Anran would return to America to watch her claim the third crown in person.
Danger!
He had no idea if Big Red held a grudge against him for skipping town to Japan!
"Looks like after winning the Takarazuka Kinen, I need to head to America early to watch Big Red's third…"
Before Lin Anran could finish, his phone on the desk buzzed with a message.
The unscrupulous young doctor looked down.
[Secretariat: Dr. Lin, I've already bought your plane ticket.]
[Secretariat: Let's fulfill our previous agreement. I'll be waiting.]
--+--
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.