Tokyo Racecourse.
The final day of Reiwa 2.
The legendary Uma Musume who symbolize the strongest in Japan, each leading their own generation, will gather for a dream-like showdown.
Here, even Uma Musume who have been active for decades can perform as if in their prime—a testament to the presence of the Three Goddesses, a truly fantastical race.
On the massive posters, the images of the legendary Uma Musume were displayed, and among them, standing out oddly, was a Uma Musume with twin braids tied on either side of her head.
An Uma Musume who, just four months after her debut, would participate in the Winter Dream Cup—a prodigy of this generation, Japan's most popular, not quite legendary yet already like one!
Wind God! Barbatos!
Outside Tokyo Racecourse stood the statue of the "Emperor," Symboli Rudolf.
She symbolized the strongest Uma Musume in Japan, the emperor of Japanese Uma Musume racing, the undisputed favorite of this event.
"So the Emperor is the favorite to win the Dream Cup, right?"
Piao, who had arrived in Japan the day before, gazed at the statue of the Emperor and remarked.
Beside him were other well-known anchors from China's League of Legends streaming scene—Deyunse, the wheelchair-bound one, the triangle-headed one...
Almost all the streamers who had interacted with Barbatos during her livestreams, if they had the time, had flown to Japan to cheer for her at the Winter Dream Cup!
"Not the favorite—the absolute favorite!"
A Uma Musume who looked like a middle schooler, with a youthful and delicate air, corrected him.
Her name was Mino Naru, a Japanese Uma Musume living in China, also the first captain in Barbatos' stream and a moderator of her fan group.
She had put in considerable effort to rally Chinese fan support for Barbatos.
Thanks to her, this group of streamers had come together, and she had also helped organize other Chinese fans traveling in groups.
She could be considered Barbatos' number one fan leader in China.
The streamers present clearly knew this, but even Mino Naru had said, "Not the favorite—the absolute favorite!"
Most of them knew Barbatos from League of Legends and were aware that she performed at a mid-to-high level even in the LPL.
Their knowledge of Uma Musume, however, was scattered and not detailed.
"Is it really that exaggerated?"
"It is. So in today's race, even Barbatos has almost no chance of winning."
"She might even suffer a crushing defeat."
Mino Naru's expression dimmed slightly as she spoke, but soon brightened again. "That's exactly why Barbatos needs our cheers at the venue even more."
"And in a year, or two years..."
"I believe Barbatos can turn the Emperor from an absolute favorite into just a contender."
Her tone was firm.
"Well, that's not necessarily true. Back in the day, Faker won Worlds in his debut year and became the world's best mid-laner," remarked Mr. Sun, with his receding hairline, sharing his perspective. "In competitive sports, nothing is absolute."
"Besides, this time we have the 'Management Doctrine' on our side. Barbatos is sure to win!"
They briefly discussed the matter, and after Mino Naru gave a simple introduction to Tokyo Racecourse, the group of streamers made their way inside the venue.
--+--
A few college-aged boys and girls looked up at the giant posters outside Tokyo Racecourse, feeling as if they were witnessing the birth of a miracle.
Most of them had never watched Uma Musume races before.
But after seeing Barbatos compete and feeling the impact of the races, they had become deeply invested in her, joining her fan club.
Leading the group were the couple Barbatos and Seiun Sky had met beneath the Osaka Ferris wheel.
They never expected that a chance viewing of a rookie race would allow them to witness Barbatos' debut.
Even less did they anticipate that the Winter Dream Cup, once considered an inevitable loss, would become a topic of heated debate online due to Barbatos' performances in each race.
"Maybe this time, Barbatos can still create a miracle."
Behind them, a little girl holding a horn was eagerly led by her mother toward the racecourse entrance, excited to cheer for the big sister she'd met on the subway.
She also wondered when the pink-haired big sister would debut—she actually liked that pink-haired sister even more.
"Mom, when I grow up, I want to be an amazing Uma Musume too."
"Alright, alright."
The girl's mother nodded helplessly in agreement.
Being a Uma Musume was something determined at birth—there was no becoming one later in life.
But she didn't bother correcting her daughter. Instead, she said,
"Then you can't be picky with food from now on. Early to bed, early to rise, run and exercise every day, and study hard in class. Only then can you become a great Uma Musume, okay?"
"Mm! I will!"
--+--
Tacit Accord sat in a wheelchair, pushed into Tokyo Racecourse by her trainer.
In the Keio Cup Juvenile Stakes, she had given her all, displaying strength far beyond her past performances, yet she still lost to Barbatos.
Now, she was effectively retired—the injury to her leg showed no signs of healing within a year or two, and she still needed rest.
But even so, at her insistence, her trainer had brought her to Tokyo Racecourse.
To watch this Winter Dream Cup race, to see Barbatos face off against the legendary Uma Musume.
"Barbatos, show the legends what you're made of!"
After truly racing against Barbatos, she understood her strength better than anyone. Even as an Uma Musume herself, she knew how powerful the legends were.
In fact, one of them had been her idol since childhood.
But this time, she genuinely wanted to cheer for Barbatos, the one who had defeated her.
Having raced alongside Barbatos, she believed that even in events like the Takarazuka Kinen or the Arima Kinen, Barbatos had a chance to compete for first place.
Aside from Tacit Accord, other Uma Musume defeated by Barbatos—Dramatic Development, Sakura Rambler, Freedom Soldier—had all come to the venue.
They were following Barbatos' race, wanting to witness firsthand the gap between her and the legendary Uma Musume.
They wanted to see the distance between themselves and Barbatos, to motivate themselves, to chase her shadow, and eventually surpass her!
As Uma Musume and Japanese spectators filed in, they soon noticed something different about this Winter Dream Cup compared to previous ones—Chinese conversations could be heard everywhere, and Chinese-style clothing was visible all around.
The Winter Dream Cup was about to begin.
--+--
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.