"And now, taking the stage is the top favorite of this race, as well as Japan's most popular Uma Musume!"
"The undisputed chosen one of this generation, having recovered from a four-month injury layoff—the 'Wind God'—Barbatos!"
Commentary booth.
As the race commentator, Akasaka Misato, with her signature round glasses that gave her a somewhat dorky charm, was deeply beloved by the Uma Musume-racing fans who watched Uma Musume broadcasts.
As Barbatos stepped onto the track.
Akasaka let out a soft 'huh,' turning to her colleague Take Yutaka, who was handling the commentary with her.
"Take Yutaka-sensei, do you feel like today's Barbatos is different from before?"
She and Take Yutaka had been the hosts when Barbatos competed in the Juvenile Fillies G1 race, so discussing topics related to Barbatos felt familiar.
"Her mental state and presence... they seem stronger than ever."
"Mhm, it's as if she isn't a competitor who's been away from racing for four months at all."
"I see."
"So, Take Yutaka-sensei, between Barbatos and El Condor Pasa today, who do you think has the better chance of winning?"
"It's hard to say..."
Take Yutaka initially wanted to fall back on the standard line—that in racing, nothing's certain until the very end—but after a moment's thought, he simply chuckled.
"Objectively speaking, Barbatos has only just recovered, and she has that four-month gap."
"And it's not just a four-month break from racing; it's also four months without training."
"If El Condor Pasa weren't in today's Oka Sho, even with that layoff, Barbatos would still have a solid chance at the win, at claiming the first leg of the Triple Tiara."
"But as it stands, El Condor Pasa is here."
Akasaka smiled knowingly. As a seasoned commentator, she immediately grasped the underlying meaning in Take Yutaka's words—it was something she'd considered too.
She now looked "puzzled" at Take Yutaka beside her. "Isn't that obvious?"
"Even though none of the other competitors in this Oka Sho are weak, there are still gaps among the top contenders. What does what you just said have to do with Barbatos's layoff?"
"Naturally, there's a connection."
"It might sound harsh, but sports rely on talent."
"Sometimes, an Uma Musume with average talent might train hard for four months. She'll improve, sure, but that progress might be slow, and there's a ceiling to it."
"There are a few runners in this Oka Sho who've faced Barbatos before."
"If they've used these four months to try and close the gap with Barbatos... they might have caught up, or there might still be a distance."
"But what about El Condor Pasa, who was already considered her equal?"
"I've heard that recently, El Condor Pasa even took time off to undergo intense training specifically for the Oka Sho."
It was a straightforward point, one many understood, though from a fan's perspective, it wasn't something they'd want to dwell on.
Akasaka feigned a moment of "realization." "So, you're saying Barbatos has already fallen behind El Condor Pasa?"
"Perhaps."
Take Yutaka's reply was noncommittal.
This genuinely puzzled Akasaka a little. After laying it out like that, was "perhaps" really the right word now?
Take Yutaka chuckled again. "Under normal circumstances, yes, El Condor Pasa would have the advantage."
"But I recall that before the title 'Chosen One of the Era' came about, Barbatos and her peers were called the 'Protagonists of Their Generation,' right?"
"That's correct."
Akasaka nodded in confirmation.
"And what does it mean to be a protagonist of your generation? It means turning the impossible into possible. If Barbatos is indeed such a protagonist, then perhaps in this race, she can surpass herself and create a miracle?"
"Sometimes, you can't measure genius by common sense."
"No, I should say, we can't use human common sense to measure Uma Musume, to measure the athletes in competition."
"History has seen plenty of Uma Musume pull off miracles on the track."
Akasaka agreed while silently complaining to herself. For all that Take Yutaka had said, he hadn't actually committed to anything, hadn't stated who he thought was more likely to win.
His words sounded like he believed Barbatos could work a miracle.
But wouldn't that same statement apply to any other Uma Musume?
"Well then, all competitors have now made their entrance. Next, please proceed to the starting gates. The first leg of the Triple Tiara—the Oka Sho—is about to begin!"
As Akasaka spoke, Barbatos, El Condor Pasa, Sakura Rambler, Dramatic Development, and the other Uma Musume were being guided by staff toward the starting gates, entering them one by one.
After a brief wait, Barbatos stepped into Gate No. 7.
To her left was Dramatic Development, already settled in her gate and ready. To her right, Sakura Rambler was just preparing to enter her gate.
Both were old rivals she'd faced last year, now positioned on either side of her. She was going to be marked tightly.
The thought crossed her mind, though she didn't pay it too much heed.
Both Dramatic Development and Sakura Rambler had improved over those four months—she and Seiun Sky had studied their races.
If she stuck to her usual front-running strategy and got boxed in, it could get uncomfortable.
But this time, she wasn't planning to run from the front.
"Hey, B-Chan, don't go crying if you lose this one, okay?"
A confident voice came from the gate on her right—El Condor Pasa, already in her gate on the outside track.
"That goes for you too."
Barbatos's tone was brimming with fighting spirit as she met the eyes behind El Condor Pasa's mask.
This time, she could clearly sense the competitive fire and confidence in El Condor Pasa's gaze—the confidence in winning the duel they'd set upon their debut, the intense rivalry!
'Beat Barbatos, then go conquer the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, defeat Montjeu, and become the world's number one Uma Musume.'
That was probably what El Condor Pasa was thinking.
Well, she'd have to dash those plans for the Arc this year. Because the winner was going to be her.
"Oh, by the way, I plan to go all out right from the start today. Wanna see if you can keep up?"
"Sounds perfect. Let's make it a duel then!"
Meanwhile, Dramatic Development, positioned next to Barbatos, was focusing intensely, trying not to let any potential trash talk from Barbatos affect her start.
But she'd heard the entire exchange between Barbatos and El Condor Pasa.
She could almost feel the air crackling around her, their fighting spirits and auras clashing invisibly.
'Dramatic Development, ignore them. Focus on your own pace. You can do this.'
She quietly cheered herself on internally, also noting Barbatos's comment about going all out from the start.
Was she planning to lead from the front in the Oka Sho?
In that case, she couldn't get swept up in their pace. She had to maintain her own rhythm and wait for her chance.
With that thought, Dramatic Development calmed her mind, concentrating fully, waiting for the race to begin.
A moment later, the red light flashed, and the gates slammed open.
Every Uma Musume on the track was among the best of their generation. Unaffected by Barbatos's chatter, none were likely to have a poor start.
Yet, the moment they launched forward, a tremendous pressure made their strides falter momentarily—as if an ordinary soul reaper had suddenly faced a captain-level spiritual pressure.
A Zone?!
Barbatos had unleashed her Zone the instant 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.