Nakayama Racecourse.
"Now, please welcome all competitors to the starting gates!"
"The race is about to begin!"
As the introductions for all participants concluded, the Uma Musume taking part in the race, familiar with the routine, were guided into the starting gates one by one by the staff.
The race commentator kept an eye on the competitors' entry, using this time to stir up the atmosphere in the venue.
She chatted with the analyst beside her, "I wonder which competitor will manage to clinch the Yayoi Sho this time."
"Will the top favorite Seiun Sky, undefeated so far, and third favorite Special Week have a stronger edge?"
"Not necessarily."
The analyst picked up the thread, "Judging by their records, it's true that Seiun Sky and Special Week are undefeated, but King Halo's only loss was to Barbatos."
"Do you think Seiun Sky and Special Week would stand a chance against Barbatos if they faced her?"
"Probably... quite... difficult?"
The commentator fell silent for a moment, phrasing it rather tactfully.
Based on track records, Barbatos had stumbled in the Winter Dream Cup, but that was against legendary Uma Musume. Among her own generation, she was undoubtedly first-rate.
In her opinion, none of the current top three favorites would likely beat Barbatos.
But she couldn't say that outright—it was just her personal view, and voicing it might upset other fans.
Generally, during live race commentary, neither the commentator nor the analyst would bring up other Uma Musume or compare those in the race to others, as it could easily displease the audience.
Barbatos was an exception. She and El Condor Pasa stood at the center of current discussions, with some fan overlap even with Seiun Sky's supporters.
Just then.
The commentator let out a soft sound of surprise.
"It seems Seiun Sky is reluctant to enter the starting gate. Our staff are stepping forward to assist."
--+--
On the old-fashioned TV screen, the scene played out of Seiun Sky being nudged into the starting gate by staff.
In front of the television, Grandpa took a swig of baijiu, his face showing a mix of fondness and nerves.
Of course he, as her grandfather, knew that Seiun Sky disliked confined spaces. The starting gate was narrow and cramped—getting inside was a real challenge for little Seiun.
This wasn't uncommon for Uma Musume, though Seiun was a more pronounced case.
Once Seiun Sky successfully entered the gate, the TV screen shifted, displaying scenes of Nakayama Racecourse and the spectator stands. They'd cut back once all the Uma Musume were settled in.
The commentator's voice came through the television.
"The director has switched to a shot of the audience. The spectators today look very enthusiastic."
"Some over there are holding banners cheering for competitor King Halo. It seems King Halo is quite popular with the crowd."
"Special Week's fans aren't falling behind either. Many are holding carrots carved with Special Week's likeness. Her endearingly simple appearance and personality, plus her three-win streak, have certainly attracted plenty of fans."
"I heard Special Week's fans have even given her a cute nickname—Carrot!"
"And what's that?"
"The entire Spica team has come to cheer on Special Week!"
"Even the Otherworldly Front-Runner, the Silence Suzuka, is here to support her teammate."
"Spica's team atmosphere is remarkably united..."
On screen, the commentator's voice faltered noticeably. The camera quickly panned, then settled on another section of the stands.
There stood several more Uma Musume.
They weren't particularly famous—at least, their recognition paled next to Special Week and the era's prodigy, Silence Suzuka.
But one figure among them instantly revealed the group's identity to all watching, making it clear they were all members of Canopus!
"It's Barbatos!"
No lengthy introduction, just those two simple words, yet they instantly stirred quite a commotion among the live audience and viewers at home.
Both Barbatos and Silence Suzuka were considered prodigies of this era, strong contenders to be its leading star.
But while Silence Suzuka had remained active on the track, Barbatos had completely vanished for three whole months to recover from injury. Facing possible retirement due to her condition, and being Japan's most popular Uma Musume to begin with...
The live stream's comment section exploded instantly.
On screen, Barbatos also noticed the camera. She smiled and gave a slight nod in its direction, her lips moving as if saying something like, "Go, Seiun Sky!"
"That little rascal."
Grandpa snorted coldly. Even though Barbatos was an Uma Musume, he preferred calling her 'that little rascal.'
Who asked her to sweep his granddaughter off her feet?
But his attitude toward Barbatos had shifted from initial reluctant acceptance to something closer to approval now. She seemed a decent enough 'little rascal,' after all.
At least she knew shame and sought redemption, at least she was willing to put in the effort and stick with it.
Holding his liquor bottle, he glanced sideways out the window, toward the training ground outside.
On that modest training field were shallow depressions left by Barbatos's weighted training sessions. Piled in a corner were pairs of running shoes worn ragged from exertion.
Three months of persistence, three months of sweat—Grandpa had seen it all.
The only issue was, when that little rascal Barbatos trained, she dragged his granddaughter along with her!
One's own granddaughter, one's own heartache.
When had little Seiun ever been so serious, so diligent? It was a complete change from her usual laid-back self. Maybe that was the power of affection?
A swirl of emotions churned inside him as the TV screen cut from the stands back to the race.
All competitors were now in the gates, fully prepared.
The countdown echoed.
Grandpa's hand tightened around the liquor bottle as if he were the one about to run.
He wasn't at the track because, for a G2 race, Sky-chan was sure to win! He was watching the broadcast here because little Seiun was sure to win!
He would never miss a single one of his granddaughter's races!
--+--
"I'm just gonna take it nice and easy all the way through!"
With the race about to start, Seiun Sky stretched casually inside the gate.
Special Week exclaimed, "Huh? Really?!"
King Halo, focused intently on the imminent start, couldn't help but facepalm. How could that possibly be true?!
And in that very moment, the gates flew open.
The race began!
--+--
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.