"Nice Nature, huh?"
Though phrased as a question, it sounded utterly certain.
Hearing this unfamiliar Uma Musume suddenly call her name, Nice Nature froze for a second, flustered. She nervously twisted a lock of her already tightly curled hair. "Oh, oh. You know me?"
At Nice Nature's question, the Uma Musume suddenly laughed. "I've heard of you. You're an excellent Uma Musume."
"Huh?! M-me? N-no way, nothing like that. I'm just… a really ordinary Uma Musume."
Suddenly being praised made Nice Nature's cheeks flush bright red. Her fingers unconsciously wound tighter in her hair, and her gaze darted around, unable to settle.
Unexpectedly, seeing Nice Nature's shy reaction, the Uma Musume didn't let up. She continued, "Nice Nature… it really suits you."
Watching Nice Nature's face turn a shade redder, almost seeming to steam, the girl gave a soft chuckle, patted Nice Nature on the shoulder, and then walked alone towards the starting gate.
'Since when do strangers just start complimenting people like that?' Nice Nature thought, her hands still covering her warm cheeks as she stared after the figure. 'Is she just really dense, or is she actually a bit of a tease?'
She watched the conspicuous red ribbon, a stark contrast against the grey curtain of rain.
Dream Weaver, of course, didn't hear Nice Nature's muttered thoughts. She had merely spoken her most genuine impression.
During her backtracking of the initial mission, this easily flustered Uma Musume had consistently secured third place every time. If that didn't qualify as 'nice' or 'excellent,' then Dream Weaver truly didn't know what did.
Returning to the present and seeing Nice Nature approach her again, Dream Weaver couldn't help but offer some words of encouragement to this Uma Musume who was clearly skilled yet prone to self-deprecation.
To possess such power undoubtedly required rigorous training. Dream Weaver admired hard workers; such individuals deserved recognition.
Reaching the starting gate, Dream Weaver glanced around, then looked up at the grey sky.
This Tokyo Racecourse, this sky… it was time to bring this to an end.
"Runners, please take your positions!"
With the familiar, enthusiastic call of the race commentator ringing in her ears, Dream Weaver stepped into the starting gate.
--+--
Meanwhile, in the VIP room of Tokyo Racecourse, another tall Uma Musume, wearing a Tracen Academy Uniform, was also watching the rain-soaked track. She had chestnut-brown long hair, with a white crescent-shaped streak in her bangs, similar to Tokai Teio's.
"The illustrious Student Council President, skipping her duties to watch a debut race?"
Behind her, another tall Uma Musume, also in a Tracen uniform with mid-length black hair, spoke in a displeased tone.
"I'm quite looking forward to her," the Uma Musume known as the President replied without turning around, her eyes fixed on the track.
"An Uma Musume who can make the 'Emperor' skip work must be a once-in-a-generation genius, I suppose."
Seeing that she wouldn't even turn her head, the displeasure in the black-haired Uma Musume's voice grew sharper.
The President—or rather, Symboli Rudolf—finally turned around with a wry smile. "She looks up to me as an idol. She'd be terribly disappointed if I wasn't here to see her one and only debut race."
"And besides, she might just seize that brilliance for herself."
"Let me witness her moment stepping onto the stage, Air Groove."
The black-haired Uma Musume—Vice President of the Tracen Student Council, Air Groove—could only sigh in resignation. "And who could ever stop the Emperor once her mind is made up?"
She paused, and her tone shifted from resigned to serious. "And what you're anticipating isn't just watching, is it? If Teio really can seize that brilliance—"
Air Groove pressed her lips together, her words becoming strained.
Symboli Rudolf, standing opposite her, had her expression hidden by a passing shadow, leaving only her strangely gleaming purple eyes visible as they calmly regarded Air Groove.
"You'll drag her onto the track, won't you."
Hearing Air Groove's words, Symboli Rudolf's smile became entirely different from before. "Of course."
"But she sees you as her idol… isn't that too cruel to her—?"
"Air Groove!" Symboli Rudolf cut her off, her voice cold as steel. "Once you set foot on that stage, you are no longer an ordinary Uma Musume."
"If she can seize that brilliance, she will gradually awaken that desire."
BOOM!
A clap of thunder echoed. The sudden flash of lightning swallowed Symboli Rudolf's figure. In the stark white light, those purple eyes blazed with an intensity that outshone the thunder itself!
"A craving for the track, for rivals, for truly burning up—this is something all Uma Musume who can claim the Triple Crown must possess."
"When that fervent emotion called competitive spirit is cast into the forge that produces brilliance, the losers become mere fuel. Only the victor can claim the glory alone."
"You understand this too, Air Groove."
The flash faded, and Symboli Rudolf returned to her usual appearance. The preternatural light in those purple eyes moments before seemed like an illusion, now gone.
"Besides, that's only if Teio wins the Triple Crown. There are far too many uncertainties in our races. Even for her, securing that brilliance isn't guaranteed."
At this, Symboli Rudolf gave a few soft, gentle laughs. "Who knows? Maybe a more talented runner will emerge right in this debut race, someone even more of a genius than Teio?"
Seeing Symboli Rudolf return to her usual demeanor, Air Groove's stiff expression gradually softened. "Please, no more of your odd jokes."
"There's no way Teio could lose in her debut race."
Symboli Rudolf smiled, stepped closer to Air Groove, and drew her to the window as well. "Was it that strange?"
"Do you have no self-awareness, President? Those jokes of yours simply aren't funny," Air Groove replied, her tone helpless. It was always like this; the President of Tracen never seemed to realize how bad her jokes were.
Symboli Rudolf stood beside Air Groove, her gaze returning to the track. She narrowed her eyes and murmured, almost to herself, "And yet… I can't help but sense a familiar presence on the track…"
"A power only strong Uma Musume possess… something even Tokai Teio cannot touch yet. The power known as 'Zone'."
"An illusion, perhaps…"
Air Groove, beside her, turned her head. "President? What did you say?"
Interrupted, Symboli Rudolf just smiled and waved her hand. "It's nothing. Perhaps this heavy rain is just making me a bit restless."
"The race is about to start. Let's watch."
Air Groove tilted her head in puzzlement. The VIP room was soundproofed; you shouldn't be able to hear the rain in here.
--+--
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!
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If you guys wanna check it out.