The Arima Kinen.
This was, in the conventional sense, the final G-series race of the year, the place where each season was brought to a close.
But it had nothing to do with Barbatos.
Right now, she was still training, without even a passing thought of watching the Arima Kinen.
It wasn't just her. Seiun Sky, Urara, El Condor Pasa, Grass Wonder, King Halo, Special Week, and the rest of her Canopus teammates—all busy with their own affairs—hadn't made any special effort to watch the race either.
Some were still practicing, others were preparing for future races or their debut runs.
Or they were gathered together, swapping spooky tales about Tracen Academy during Halloween.
Compared to how El Condor Pasa would come watch Barbatos's Hanshin Juvenile Fillies, the Arima Kinen, even with its strong lineup of Uma Musume, just didn't have much of a direct connection to them.
If their paths were to cross, it would be a matter of the distant future.
There was one Christmas-season ghost story, however, that gave Barbatos pause.
"The Backwards Santa."
Rumor had it that on Christmas Day, a Santa Claus running backwards had appeared at Tracen Academy.
Of course, not running upside down on his head—that would belong more in a straight-up horror story, the kind that sends chills down your spine just thinking about it.
And if he were moving like that, coming down a chimney headfirst... well, he'd need one heck of a thick skull to survive the impact without it splitting open.
So, this Santa was simply running in reverse, his face looking backwards as he moved.
They said he was fast, maybe even as fast as "Winning Ticket."
"Moonlight Lunacy-senpai, we really should trust in science."
Before Barbatos, Moonlight Lunacy was brandishing a katana, ready to hunt down this backwards Santa.
"Ticket is like a daughter to me. I can't let some weird Santa bully her."
This British noblewoman was showing a fiercely protective side Barbatos had never seen before, making her wonder why it seemed every Uma Musume had a hidden talent for something completely unrelated.
"Senpai, trust in science."
Well... maybe not completely trust in science. After all, Uma Musume themselves were pretty much mystical creatures.
Besides, she glanced at Seiun Sky beside her, who looked deep in thought.
After Christmas, she and Seiun Sky, tired from the day's training, had gone to bed early. When they woke up, they each found a Christmas present by their bedside.
It wasn't just them. Every Uma Musume in the dorm had received a gift, which only made some believe in Santa Claus even more.
But according to her and Seiun Sky's deduction...
This Santa was probably Fuji Kiseki-senpai.
Only Fuji Kiseki-senpai had a key to their room, allowing her to place the gifts without waking them.
As for a real Santa Claus... where exactly in this dormitory building would you find a chimney?
Now Barbatos couldn't help but wonder... Could it really have been some backwards-running Santa who delivered the gifts?
That was just too strange.
No! Don't get pulled into this. Trust science!
And even if there was one, her champion abilities gave her the combat prowess to handle any oddities.
"The Backwards Santa..."
"It's Biwa Hayahide."
Seiun Sky stated it with certainty, based on her analysis of clues from the rumors. For instance, the Backwards Santa probably was a real Santa.
Because she had a magnificent white beard—just her head seemed a bit oversized.
Also, this Backwards Santa hadn't chased any other Uma Musume, only Winning Ticket. That meant Ticket must have done something to annoy her.
But the Uma Musume at Tracen generally had good personalities. Even with clashing worldviews, things rarely turned nasty.
So, Winning Ticket was most likely playing a prank that went too far and pissed the other party off.
This implied Ticket and the other person were quite close. And since it was a "Backwards" Santa, it suggested the person might actually be moving forward, just creating an illusion of running backwards.
Maybe that "white beard" was actually hair?
And the impression of a big head, plus speed fast enough to chase Winning Ticket...
The identity of this Santa became pretty obvious: Biwa Hayahide, who was on the same team as Winning Ticket.
Yeah, the most defining feature was the big head.
She was an even more fitting "Big Sis" than Amazon-senpai.
After hearing Seiun Sky's explanation, Moonlight Lunacy finally lowered her katana, realizing this was likely Winning Ticket's own fault.
Barbatos sighed in admiration once more. 'As expected of my Star-sama. Her deductive skills are even sharper than that famous elementary school detective.'
"Well, if there's no problem, let's start today's practice."
"The Winter Dream Cup is about to begin, after all."
--+--
Narita Airport, Japan.
Planes took off and landed one after another. A particular group in the terminal drew more than a few glances.
They appeared to be tourists from China. While all were Asian, subtle differences made them stand out.
At the front was a pleasantly plump, slightly comical-looking middle-aged man. He was chubby but radiated an approachable warmth, the kind you'd immediately peg as harmless.
Beside him was a bespectacled, balding middle-aged man.
The two seemed very close, occasionally making odd, confusing gestures reminiscent of comedy actors like Mr. Bean.
Behind them was a lean man in a wheelchair, along with other distinctly Chinese individuals.
As for what they were discussing, even if you caught a word or two, it was incomprehensible—not everyone in Japan understands Chinese.
And at the very front of the Chinese group was an Uma Musume who looked like a middle schooler.
Her attire had a distinctly Chinese style, her hair tied in a small ponytail that bounced with every step she took.
Even though you can't judge an Uma Musume's age by appearance, this one exuded a youthful innocence unique to a true girl—something the older Uma Musume aunties could never fake.
This must be a Chinese Uma Musume.
The middle-schooler Uma Musume at the front spoke to the Chinese group behind her.
"The Winter Dream Cup officially starts tomorrow. We probably shouldn't disturb Barbatos-senpai."
--+--
At the estate.
Barbatos stood at the finish line.
Tamamo Cross, Obey Your Master, Tony Bianca, Moonlight Lunacy—they were former queens, Uma Musume who had once stood at the pinnacle of the world.
Yet now, only shock and awe remained on their faces.
"How is this possible?!"
"She's even more of a monster than Oguri Cap was back then..."
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 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.