Tokyo Racecourse.
The sky had not yet brightened.
At the spectator gates, rows of racing fans sat cross-legged on the ground, nursing drinks and snacks they'd brought along.
They chatted and bickered with friends and family, debating the favorites to win today's prestigious crown.
Amidst the sea of seated enthusiasts, a man and an Uma Musume stood tall, forming a stark contrast to the crowd around them.
The man wore only a white sweatshirt on his upper body, left unzipped to reveal a chiseled set of eight-pack abs.
Hidden behind dark sunglasses, his face remained a stoic mask of discipline. He looked incredibly severe, so much so that the fans sitting nearby instinctively lowered their voices whenever they spoke.
It wasn't until the gates finally groaned open and the crowd began packing up their food to move toward the entrance that the man finally spoke.
He turned his head slightly, addressing the girl beside him with gravity.
"Bourbon, you must watch this race with absolute focus."
"This edition of the Japan Cup will be the highest caliber of competition in the history of modern Japanese racing—perhaps of all time."
"Yes! Master!"
Mihono Bourbon responded with her trademark mechanical brevity.
In the surging tide of people behind them, another Uma Musume followed.
Dressed entirely in black, her petite frame was barely larger than Tamamo Cross. She walked step by step through the tunnel, a gentle light shimmering in her dark eyes.
Rice Shower wants to become an Uma Musume who brings happiness to everyone too!
Caught in the press of the crowd, her small stature allowed her to feel the palpable waves of excitement and anticipation radiating from those around her. It was a beautiful, collective joy.
If only I could bring happiness to people like the stars of the Japan Cup once I make my debut.
--+--
In every major city across Japan, giant LED screens on skyscrapers had begun broadcasting the live feed of the Japan Cup.
Even in the most remote corners of the country, from bustling restaurants to quiet private homes, nearly two-thirds of all television channels were dominated by the event.
Over in China, the buzz was just as intense.
Professional League of Legends players, who usually spent their time streaming ranked matches, had almost all synchronized their schedules to go live for the race.
Major streaming platforms like Bilibili, Douyu, and Huya had even placed the Japan Cup front and center on their homepages.
The most popular stream belonged to Meiko, the support for EDG and a recent World Champion.
As a reigning pro and arguably the best support in the world, he didn't usually follow Uma Musume closely.
He had crossed paths with Barbatos in high-elo League games before and even had her on his friends list, but his grueling pro schedule meant they weren't particularly close.
However, basking in the joy of his recent Worlds victory and finally having some downtime, he had decided to tune in.
From America to Europe and across Africa, racing fans everywhere had logged into their streaming apps, waiting with bated breath to see if their local legends could seize the throne.
As the clock ticked down, three figures appeared on the screen.
The commentary booth featured a familiar duo: Akasaka Misato and Hosoe Junko.
But sitting beside them was a mystery guest, invited following the recent reforms to the racing association.
She hadn't been teased in any previews, making this her first appearance before the public in this capacity.
The moment the camera hit her, the Japanese audience erupted in cheers. International fans who knew even a glimmer of Japanese racing history recognized her instantly.
Regardless of the era, this Uma Musume stood apart. She was the pillar that every Japanese racer eventually had to look up to—a sun reigning over the world of the turf.
Even outside the Tokyo Racecourse, her statue stood as a permanent landmark.
She was the absolute authority, the one they called "The Emperor."
Symboli Rudolf.
"For this Japan Cup, we are incredibly honored to have Lord Symboli Rudolf join us as our special guest commentator," Akasaka Misato said, her cheeks flushed with excitement.
Someone of her age had grown up on the legends of the "Emperor." Rudolf was the idol of every racing enthusiast.
Even as a professional in the industry who occasionally met celebrities, Misato felt that having the chance to commentate alongside her idol was the greatest gift the racing association's reforms had ever produced.
"Lord Symboli Rudolf, the eyes of the entire world are focused on this Japan Cup. Is there anything you would like to share with us?"
"First, I am honored to serve as the special guest for this year's proceedings," Rudolf began, her voice carrying the dignified, composed air of a Student Council President.
"The lineup for this year's Japan Cup is unprecedented. I hope our competitors from Tracen Academy give it their absolute all and put on a spectacular show, demonstrating the competitive spirit of Japan to our international guests."
Wow.
Akasaka Misato blinked, momentarily stunned.
While Rudolf was indeed the Student Council President of Tracen, that answer felt a bit... well, like a formal press release.
It reminded Misato of the stiff, rehearsed speeches broadcast over school speakers during sports festivals back in her student days.
However, as a seasoned pro, she quickly smoothed over the atmosphere. "It seems Lord Rudolf is cheering loudly for our Japanese representatives! Now, let's head over to the pre-race interviews."
"First up, the third-ranked favorite, the King of France, and one of the primary contenders for today's title... Montjeu!"
On the large interview screen, Montjeu appeared clad in a sleek, black form-fitting outfit.
She stood still for a moment before launching into a stride with a dramatic, lateral arm swing—a form reminiscent of a figure skater.
She blazed through a 1,000-meter sprint at a speed that rivaled, or perhaps even surpassed, Silence Suzuka.
When she finally came to a stop, she was barely winded, clearly possessing massive reserves of stamina.
She turned to look directly into the camera. "I will prove that I am the fastest."
"I intend to make tomorrow's track more vibrant than any race this year—even more so than the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe."
An off-screen reporter asked, "Will you be keeping an eye on Barbatos? She is currently considered Japan's number one."
"Not at all."
The interview was brief, and her answers were clipped, but no one could miss the sheer aura of confidence radiating from Montjeu.
She might have lost to El Condor Pasa at the Arc, but she remained one of the Uma Musume standing at the pinnacle of the world. In the eyes of the public, she and Barbatos were on the same level.
Back in the booth, Akasaka Misato's mouth hung open slightly. "Montjeu's thousand-meter dash is simply breathtaking."
"Now, let's look at the girl who defeated Montjeu at the Arc—the second-ranked favorite for the Japan Cup, El Condor Pasa!"
The screen shifted. El Condor Pasa was shown sitting under the shade of a tree, scribbling furiously in a notebook.
Her brow furrowed and relaxed in turns as she worked. After a long moment, she snapped the notebook shut, holding the cover up for the camera to see.
[The Definitive Guide to Beating Barbatos]
The look in El's eyes behind her mask was deadly serious, though her trademark confident grin still tugged at the corners of her mouth.
"Grass told me the opponents in this Japan Cup are all incredibly strong—kings and queens from their respective countries."
"But... B-chan!"
"Let's settle this one-on-one!"
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! 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.