The Main Hall.
Before the dwelling of the divine.
A massive bell swayed gently as the rope tied below was grasped and shaken, producing loud clang-clang sounds.
The other worshippers nearby paid it no mind, for such was the natural sound of the bell.
In front of the bell, El Condor Pasa and Grass Wonder bowed respectfully twice, clapped their hands lightly two times, and then pressed their palms together.
"Defeat Barbatos in the Oka Sho, and then march right on to the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe!"
"I hope my leg injury recovers quickly, so I can race with everyone again."
The two of them spoke their wishes for the year before the abode of the gods, hoping they would be granted.
As American-born Uma Musume, they naturally spent New Year's at Tracen Academy, unlike Barbatos and the others who returned to their respective hometowns.
Many other Uma Musume did the same. Even the emperor, Symboli Rudolf, and Maruzensky stayed at Tracen for the New Year.
Maruzensky, like them, was American-born, and as student council president, Rudolf had matters to attend to at Tracen even during the holiday.
After stating their prayers, the two prepared to continue browsing the food stalls near the shrine—a rare chance to relax for members of Team Rigil.
"El-chan, you're going for the Arc de Triomphe next year?"
Grass Wonder asked with some concern.
The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe could be called the obsession of every Uma Musume in Japan. Winning the Arc meant becoming the world's number one.
But the Arc de Triomphe was far from simple.
Even though they'd long known El Condor Pasa intended to compete, they hadn't expected her to aim for next year.
The difficulty of that was only slightly less than Barbatos entering the Winter Dream Cup just four months after her debut.
Judging by the talent El Condor Pasa had shown and her usual effort, she was fully capable of challenging for the world's top spot. But the logical time for that would be her third year.
To enter the Arc and challenge for the world number one position when her condition and experience were at their peak, not in her second year.
"And the Triple Tiara…"
Going for the Arc de Triomphe essentially meant giving up the title of Triple Crown Uma Musume.
"My goal in entering the Oka Sho is to have a real match with B-chan, to see who's the strongest Uma Musume!"
"Once I've beaten B-chan, there's no need to run the later filly-class races."
El Condor Pasa's words carried extreme confidence—the confidence that in filly-class races, aside from Barbatos, no one could threaten her victory!
This confidence was built race by race, with no trace of arrogance. Since her debut, aside from the loss against Inari One in the relay marathon, practically no Uma Musume of her generation had been her match.
Compared to the Classic Triple Crown, the Triple Tiara had far fewer formidable rivals.
Most Uma Musume aimed for the classic-class races.
Among rivals of her generation, only she and Barbatos had entered filly-class events.
So after beating Barbatos, the later races would hold little meaning. Better to challenge the Arc directly, just as Barbatos had challenged the legendary Uma Musume.
She, too, would challenge the world's number one throne, challenge the Arc's reigning queen—Montjeu!
"Barbatos won't be that easy to beat, you know."
Grass Wonder reminded her.
"Of course," El Condor Pasa swung a fist at the air. "Even though we haven't truly met on the track yet, I see her as my fated rival."
"Even if her Dream Cup leg injury heals, the four-month hiatus until the Oka Sho probably means she won't be at her peak."
"I'll go all out to defeat her, and then settle things in the Japanese Oaks!"
Grass Wonder listened, momentarily stunned, feeling as if El Condor Pasa's eyes were shining right then. This was the kind of competition she yearned for herself.
Her eyes narrowed slightly. "The strong ones aren't just B-chan, you know."
"Special Week, Seiun Sky—they're three for three since their debut races. None of them are opponents to overlook."
"And King Halo, even though she lost to B-chan, she hasn't lost any other race."
"And then there's me…"
"When you return from the Arc, let's decide things at the Arima Kinen!"
"By then, the one you'll be facing is the world's number one Uma Musume."
El Condor Pasa placed a hand on her hip confidently. "Don't go crying when you lose then."
As for the Arc, she never once considered the possibility of losing. If you thought you might lose, why even compete for number one?
--+--
"Must be lonely, isn't it?"
"The feeling of having no rivals."
Maruzensky popped open a can of beer, sitting beside Symboli Rudolf. It had been years since they last visited the shrine together.
As the absolute among Uma Musume, the undefeated one, Rudolf was lonely.
That was something she herself understood best from the past—not even having an opponent she could go all-out against in a race.
Rudolf rarely picked up a beer.
As president, she usually didn't drink, but now she was just having a little with an old friend.
"But, I believe the loneliness won't last. You might not remain the absolute forever."
"El Condor Pasa and Barbatos might just grow into legends capable of facing you."
"Them."
Symboli Rudolf shook her head with a smile. "They still have a long way to go…"
--+--
Naritasan, Shinsho-ji Temple.
"I hope everyone stays safe and sound."
"I hope Barbatos recovers soon and doesn't get injured again."
The clang-clang of the swaying bell gradually faded. Barbatos and Seiun Sky finished stating their wishes and each took cash from their pockets—part of the New Year's worship ritual.
After the prayers, one places an offering into the box beneath the great bell.
The amount doesn't matter, as long as it's not less than 5 yen, so they'd both prepared cash.
They each tossed their offering into the box, but a design on the box gave Barbatos pause, leaving her both startled and feeling it was only natural.
"So… even offerings can be made via LINE Pay now."
There on the box was a payment QR code, allowing those who forgot cash to simply scan and pay.
"Technology advances, times progress. Maybe we won't need cash when going out at all someday."
Having made their offerings, the two turned to leave, not dwelling on the phone payment thing.
Barbatos was preoccupied with Seiun Sky's earlier wish—praying for her speedy recovery. She'd assumed it would be something like wishing to leisurely win the Classic Triple Crown.
Yet she'd used that wish on her.
Though not superstitious, she really wanted to say, because of your wish, my leg is healed!
A strange feeling fermented inside her. The usually lazy Seiun Sky would train seriously with her, would specifically pray for her recovery before the main hall…
As her thoughts drifted, that peculiar feeling in her heart began to spread. She wanted to confess to Seiun Sky right there, to say those four words in her heart, yet she hesitated, feeling unprepared.
She opened her mouth slightly. "About that wish just now, thank—"
The "thank you" never finished, as her mouth was covered by Seiun Sky's hand.
The Seiun Sky before her wore a smile. Under the moonlight, she truly shone like a star in the night sky.
"Isn't it normal to make wishes for someone you like?"
"I love you."
"So, Barbatos, would you consider going out with me?"
--+--
T/N: A confession, 196 chapters in. I thought it'd take at least the last 20 chapters of the book
--+--
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.