The Dream Series, as its name suggests, is a dream stage for Uma Musume fans. Perhaps it's also a dream stage for the Uma Musume who participate, and for the trainers who send their Uma Musume out to race.
The exclusive racing uniform is usually only worn for G1 races, but for the Dream Series, the Uma Musume wear a special, even more unique uniform to run the race.
The design itself is simpler compared to the regular exclusive uniform. It consists of white shorts and a sleeveless, midriff-baring tank top. The color of the front and edges of the tank top vary for each Uma Musume, and a fluttering, semi-transparent lace wraps around their waist.
Rice also had one made for her beforehand, and she chose a deep blue color, the color of a blue rose that she loves.
(Well, what can I say... some Uma Musume's uniforms are even more daring or extreme, but a midriff-baring top and shorts...)
And the ones wearing it are young maidens... and all of them are beautiful Uma Musume, which is something else entirely.
(But you can see their bodies so well... it's easy to see the muscles in their legs and upper body.)
I thought this as I stood in the front row of the spectator seats, watching Rice and the others enter the course.
"We've been blessed with clear skies at the Tokyo Racecourse on this midsummer day. The Uma Musume are now entering the course. The fourth race of the Summer Dream Trophy, a 2500-meter long-distance race, is about to begin. The track condition has been announced as 'Good'."
"Maruzensky won the first race, the sprint, Fuji Kiseki won the second race, the mile, and Air Groove won the third race, the intermediate. As is customary in recent Dream Series races, Team Rigil is proving to be very strong. I wonder what will happen in the fourth race, the long-distance race."
As the Uma Musume entered, the announcer and commentator began to speak.
"Will Team Rigil's dominance continue this time, or will an Uma Musume emerge to challenge them? The anticipation is growing."
"To back up that anticipation, according to the URA's announcement, nearly one million people have gathered for this Dream Series, including those who couldn't get into the racecourse. The area around the Tokyo Racecourse seems to be overflowing with people."
The commentator's words elicited a murmur from the crowd. One million people is an incredible number... No, but even in this world, Tokyo's population easily exceeds 10 million, so it's not a big deal if you think that one in ten people came to watch... No, no, it's still incredible. There's a limit to what can be considered a national pastime.
Well, setting that crowd aside... The distances for this Summer Dream Trophy are 1400 meters for the sprint, 1600 meters for the mile, 2000 meters for the intermediate, and 2500 meters for the long-distance race. The dirt race is 1600 meters, which is an easy distance for most dirt Uma Musume to run.
And as expected, it seems that all three of the previous races were won by Uma Musume belonging to Team Rigil. The ones who didn't get first place still placed... no, they all finished in the top three.
(Hmm... I can see why Team Rigil is called the strongest in Tracen Academy with these results...)
And what's more, Team Rigil is also active in G1 races in the Junior, Classic, and Senior grades. Tojo-san is truly the Great Demon Lord.
Rice and the others entered from the exclusive Uma Musume path and didn't head straight for the gates. Instead, they walked along the home stretch and lined up in front of the spectator stands. Unlike the paddock unveiling, each Uma Musume is introduced individually so that all the spectators can see them.
For turf races at the Tokyo Racecourse, the full gate is 18 Uma Musume. However, perhaps because there are so few Uma Musume who can advance to the Dream Series, there are only 12 competitors in this long-distance race.
No, you have to have an excellent track record to participate, and even if you do, some Uma Musume might truly retire if they decline, so 12 is actually a lot.
If 12 Uma Musume participated in all five races, that would be a total of 60, but it's a very narrow gate, considering that only about 3% of all Uma Musume at Tracen Academy can participate. If you think about it as only about one person per class being able to participate, it's clear how few there are.
Excluding Uma Musume who win multiple times, about 30 G1 Uma Musume are born each year. This is because there are currently 30 G1 races a year in the Twinkle Series, including both turf and dirt.
However, the Dream Series is only held twice a year. This means that only 10 winners are born each year. Only 3% of the Uma Musume at Tracen Academy can participate, and only 0.5% of them become winners each year. If there are Uma Musume who win multiple times, that percentage drops even further.
Rice is about to challenge such a race.
"Now, we will introduce each Uma Musume. Gate 1, Miho Bourbon. She is participating for the first time and is the ninth favorite."
"An Uma Musume with two G1 wins is finally making her first appearance in the Dream Series. This girl runs while keeping a precise pace, so I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of escape she'll show us. Her posture of continuing to run after returning from a long-term medical treatment is wonderful."
After the Uma Musume lined up and the spectators' cheers subsided, the introduction of each Uma Musume began. Miho Bourbon had been competing in the Senior Grade after returning from a long-term medical treatment, but it seems she's continuing to run by moving to the Dream Series.
Am I being too biased toward Rice to think that Miho Bourbon came to fight because Rice is challenging the Dream Series? Or rather, I'm surprised that Miho Bourbon is only the ninth favorite.
"Gate 3, Tokai Teio. She is participating for the first time and is the fourth favorite."
"Here she comes... one of the T.M.R. who livened up last year's Senior Grade, an Uma Musume with five G1 wins. The fact that she's the fourth favorite despite this being her first time participating shows the fans' high expectations. Her final burst of speed is incredible. She's an Uma Musume we can expect a good run from."
As for Tokai Teio... she's perfectly prepared. It looks like she's in great shape after six months of preparation, and she seems to be in perfect condition.
For Tokai Teio, this is also a match against her idol, Symboli Rudolf. She must be full of fighting spirit.
Also, it seems T.M.R. is being called R.T.M.... I guess that's the order of their G1 wins.
"Gate 6, Rice Shower. She is participating for the first time and is the second favorite."
"Just like Tokai Teio, she's also one of the R.T.M. who livened up last year's Senior Grade, and she's their leader! Six G1 wins! She conquered the long-distance G1 races! She won both the spring and autumn Tenno Sho! She won the autumn Senior Triple Crown! And she won the Arima Kinen twice in a row! The strongest stayer!"
The male commentator's excitement suddenly increased. And the fans in the spectator seats also got excited, and a roar of cheers, like a rumbling of the earth, echoed throughout the Tokyo Racecourse.
It was so loud that Rice might have shrunk back, but... no, she's okay. Perhaps because she's been watched by thousands of fans every day since the training camp started, she's not flustered at all.
"Gate 8, Symboli Rudolf. She is the first favorite."
"The champion of the Dream Series and a G1 seven-time winner! The first Uma Musume in history to achieve an undefeated Classic Triple Crown! Two consecutive Arima Kinen victories! The 'Absolute' 'Emperor' Symboli Rudolf! She is the undisputed first favorite!"
Hmm... Is the treatment different for the most popular Uma Musume? I guess it's to build up excitement, but the male commentator's enthusiasm is different. Perhaps he's in the same vein as Otome-shi-san.
Symboli Rudolf must have spent a lot of time and effort training her body. When Rice finished in a dead heat with her in a mock race during last year's summer training camp, it was after the Summer Dream Trophy... in other words, after the air had been let out of a tightly stretched balloon.
She must be stronger and more mentally prepared than she was at that time. But Rice has also grown compared to the training camp last year. She properly retrained her body after recovering from her fracture, and the current Rice is probably on par with the one from last year's Arima Kinen.
But... this is the first time I'm seeing Symboli Rudolf in a live race, and the atmosphere is completely different. Her dignified demeanor is so unlike the Uma Musume who constantly blurts out puns as soon as she thinks of them.
"Incredible... that's the 'Emperor,' that's the G1 seven-time winner."
I couldn't help but murmur. I haven't seen her run yet, but I can tell without a doubt.
That Symboli Rudolf is the pinnacle of domestic racing. She is the champion of the Twinkle Series, a title that Rice, who has graduated from the Senior Grade, cannot surpass.
There are ways for Rice to surpass her in G1 wins, like by challenging and winning overseas G1 races, but she can no longer surpass her within the Twinkle Series.
"Uncle, is winning seven G1 races really that amazing?"
Dia-chan, who was clinging to my waist, asked me that. But I didn't have the luxury of looking at Dia-chan. I stared at Symboli Rudolf and answered.
"No Uma Musume has ever surpassed that record in the Central Racing Association... You should watch carefully, Dia-chan. It's no exaggeration to say that that Uma Musume is the current pinnacle of Japanese Uma Musume."
"The... pinnacle... of Uma Musume..."
As I said that, I reached out and gently stroked Dia-chan's head. I thought to myself that the time will come for this girl to start running as an Uma Musume, too.
But well, I said Symboli Rudolf is the pinnacle, but there's a possibility that King could surpass her. She has already won four G1 races, and if she wins the autumn Senior Triple Crown, she will tie with seven G1 wins. And King is still in middle school and just became a Senior Grade student this year.
"Yes, the pinnacle. But Rice is going to win. She's the strongest stayer. No matter who says Symboli Rudolf is stronger, even if it's millions of people or the whole world, I'll believe in her."
And even if she loses in the number of G1 wins, I don't think Rice is inferior in ability. She is the strongest stayer.
Symboli Rudolf? We have Rice Shower. The strongest stayer crowned with the name of blessing.
"Muu..."
As I spoke with conviction, I heard a sulky voice from Dia-chan. And the arms wrapped around my waist tightened... Ouch, ouch. My bones are creaking, so stop that.
"Gate 9, Mejiro McQueen. She is participating for the first time and is the third favorite."
"The last of the R.T.M. and a G1 three-time winner! The reason she's more popular than Tokai Teio is probably because she's a stayer who has fiercely competed with Rice Shower! Mejiro McQueen is strong in long-distance races!"
Mejiro McQueen bowed toward the spectator seats with her introduction. Just like Tokai Teio, she seems to be in perfect shape and condition.
And the captain of Team Spica is so hardcore... to have two Uma Musume from the same team in the Dream Series, and to have both of them in the long-distance race... there's no other option, like having one in another distance, like Team Rigil does. If I were in their shoes, I would have done the same thing.
Tokai Teio is here to challenge Symboli Rudolf and to beat Rice.
Mejiro McQueen is here to compete with the other two R.T.M.
When they have that kind of hope, I can only nod.
After the introduction of the Uma Musume, they bowed to the spectator seats and began to head for the gates. The Tokyo Racecourse is a left-handed track, and for this 2500-meter race, the gates are set up on the left side of the spectator stands... just past the fourth corner.
From there, they will run a full lap and then sprint down the home stretch to the finish line.
However, at this rate, Rice probably won't have the time to come all the way over here... Still, when I checked on Rice, I saw that she was staring intently at Symboli Rudolf. Rice also recognizes that she is the biggest and strongest opponent in this race.
Even so, Rice looks over at me... Huh? Did Rice's fighting spirit suddenly increase? She's looking at me with a look of awe-inspiring smile... You're full of fighting spirit, Rice. I have high hopes for you.
Rice's fighting spirit was so powerful that the Uma Musume around her flinched.
With that, each Uma Musume headed for the gates, and as the fanfare sounded, they began to enter. Since the introduction of each Uma Musume was already over, they entered the gates one after another, following the lead horses.
(Rice...)
I was nervous the first time she challenged a G1 race, but as a trainer for three years, I'm naturally nervous to challenge the Dream Series for the first time.
But well, it was probably pretty strange that her first G1 race was the Arima Kinen. Thinking about that, I was able to slowly relax the tension in my shoulders.
I looked over and saw that both Urara and King were also looking at Rice with serious expressions. The most prestigious race in the country for Uma Musume is about to begin. I can't take my eyes off it for a second.
The Uma Musume are entering the gates one after another. The spectators seem about to cheer loudly, but they can cheer as much as they want once the race begins. As if thinking that, the cheers slowly quieted down, suppressing their passion.
Even so, nearly 200,000 people are gathered in one place. Even a small sound of clothing rustling becomes a loud noise when there are so many people.
The midsummer sun shines down, and sweat trickles down my cheeks. I can hear the cicadas chirping in the distance, and the midsummer air fills the Tokyo Racecourse.
And the Uma Musume finished entering the gates, and the Summer Dream Trophy began.
"All Uma Musume have entered the gates... and they're off!"
With a thud, the Uma Musume all burst out of the gates at once. As expected of Uma Musume in the Dream Series. There were no stumbles, and each of them got a clean start.
"The first to burst out is number 1, Miho Bourbon. Number 5, Eisen Tentsaer, is right there with her. Followed by number 2, Revival Lyric, number 3, Tokai Teio, number 6, Rice Shower, number 8, Symboli Rudolf, number 9, Mejiro McQueen, and number 10, Greed Hollow. A little bit behind them are number 4, Tuerjiboir, number 7, Waltz Step, and number 11, Frilled Grape. And in the rear is number 12, Polar Dipper."
"Miho Bourbon got a good start, so she was able to get to the front smoothly."
The race in front of me is the fourth race of the Summer Dream Trophy. This means that unlike the 11th race, which Rice usually runs, the inner rail isn't very rough, so Miho Bourbon, in gate 1, ran to the front without any trouble as soon as the race started.
(As expected of the Dream Series... they are all good at running.)
Their starting technique, their positioning right after the start, and their awareness of their surroundings. Taking all of these into consideration, they run in order, starting from the Uma Musume in the inner lanes, except for the escape Uma Musume Miho Bourbon and Eisen Tentsaer.
I thought that with Rice's legs and starting technique, she would quickly get to third place, but the other Uma Musume, who are inferior to Rice in speed and stamina, are using their experience and technique to run.
Their ability to assess the situation, feint, and check on their surroundings is on the same level as breathing, making them truly worthy of being in the Dream Series.
"And now the Uma Musume are running down the home stretch. The leading Miho Bourbon is accelerating, trying to pull away from the pack. But number 5, Eisen Tentsaer, is right behind her."
"She got into a good position early on. She must be trying to conserve stamina by using the slipstream while leading."
Hmm, I murmured softly. When I looked over, I could see Uma Musume behind Symboli Rudolf, who is a large Uma Musume among the competitors, while Rice is small.
"The leading Miho Bourbon is now entering the first corner. Eisen Tentsaer is right behind her. About three lengths behind are number 2, Revival Lyric, number 3, Tokai Teio, and number 6, Rice Shower, competing with each other. Number 8, Symboli Rudolf, is behind them, and behind her is number 10, Greed Hollow. Number 9, Mejiro McQueen, has fallen back a bit. A length behind them are number 4, Tuerjiboir, number 11, Frilled Grape, and number 7, Waltz Step. Two lengths behind them, in the rear, is number 12, Polar Dipper."
After running about 800 meters, the distance from the leading Miho Bourbon to the rear... is about seven lengths. She's not running away as much as Twin Turbo, but Miho Bourbon is still going pretty fast... No, is she forced to go fast because someone is right behind her?
"The leading Miho Bourbon is now passing the second corner and heading down the backstretch. They passed the 1000-meter mark in exactly 1 minute. Is that a little too fast?"
"Miho Bourbon is running at a precise pace. It's still the middle of the race, but her calmness in her first Dream Series race is impressive."
While going at a certain pace, Miho Bourbon seems to be running at a precise pace. Just as the commentator said, it takes a lot of guts to be able to execute that kind of running in her first Dream Series race.
(No... not just Rice, but Miho Bourbon and the others have run in G1 races many times. This level of guts is probably standard for them.)
Running as they normally would, unfazed by the hundreds of thousands of spectators, might be considered standard equipment for Uma Musume who participate in the Dream Series.
The spectators are extremely excited by the sight of the Uma Musume running on the course, and each of them is desperately shouting the names of the Uma Musume and cheering for them.
"The Uma Musume are running down the backstretch. Number 1, Miho Bourbon, is still in the lead. However, the distance from the leader to the rear, which was about seven to eight lengths just a moment ago, has now shrunk to about six lengths."
"No matter how good they are, they can't see all the Uma Musume behind them while running... Each Uma Musume is already making their move."
From the spectator seats, I can see that the distance from the leader to the rear is gradually shrinking, just as the announcer said. Even the Uma Musume who are aiming for a comeback are running a little bit ahead... No, maybe it's because their abilities are so close?
The Dream Series is held twice a year. This means that unlike the Classic or Senior grades, there won't be another race a month after this one.
Today is the culmination of six months of training, and it might even be their last race as an Uma Musume.
That's why the passion and yearning for victory from every Uma Musume in the race is different.
It's not that Uma Musume in the Twinkle Series have a weak desire for victory. It's that the Uma Musume in the Dream Series have a completely different level of desire for victory.
Uma Musume in the Twinkle Series can also retire due to injuries during a race, which is a worst-case scenario. But the Uma Musume who participate in the Dream Series are always on the verge of retirement.
As they get older, their peak as an Uma Musume gets further and further away. Symboli Rudolf and the members of Team Rigil who have been running in the Dream Series for a long time are exceptions; it would be difficult for a normal Uma Musume to continue running in the Dream Series for many years.
This one race is everything.
They will give their all in this one race.
If they continue to run, will they have another chance in six months?
They will give it their all, as if they don't care about such things, and that's what captivates the viewers.
Many Uma Musume in the Twinkle Series probably run with the resolve that the race in front of them might be their last. However, this is even more apparent and desperate for the Uma Musume in the Dream Series.
"Miho Bourbon is still in the lead, running through the third corner. She just passed the 1000-meter mark. She'll want to maintain this lead."
"Her calmness is surprising for someone who just moved up from the Senior Grade. There are always some who get overwhelmed by the atmosphere of this venue."
I furrowed my brow slightly at the commentator's words. The number of people and the excitement are indeed incredible, but they must have experienced running in a packed racecourse many times in G1 races in the Twinkle Series.
I thought, 'Why now?', and then I understood.
(Right... that's right...)
Compared to the Twinkle Series, the Uma Musume are desperate, but the spectators cheering for them are also desperate.
This might be the last race for an Uma Musume they have been cheering for for many years, perhaps even since the Junior Grade.
"Go, go, go, go! Do your best, do your best, do your best!"
This might also be the last race for Rice. Realizing that, I shouted even louder than before. I desperately called out to Rice, who was heading toward the home stretch, entering the fourth corner from the third.
In my estimation, Rice can still run for a few more years. She will take care of her body and mind, and train and get in shape for the race that happens once every six months... but still, one day, her limit will come.
That day may not be today. It's something I don't even want to think about, but it's possible that Rice could trip in one second, and her career as the Uma Musume Rice Shower could end.
I've keenly felt that many times in the Twinkle Series. I've also seen Uma Musume who pushed themselves past their limits, got injured, and retired.
But no matter how strong or energetic an Uma Musume is, the day will eventually come when they decline and can no longer win races. They might be able to continue running after that, but it won't be like their peak.
"And now, the Uma Musume are back on the home stretch! The leader is still Miho Bourbon... no! It's changed! Eisen Tentsaer, who was right behind her, has moved to the front! Miho Bourbon is trying to make a comeback! What a gutsy move!"
"What incredible stamina and guts. Many Uma Musume would lose their will to fight once they're overtaken. But... as expected, here she comes!"
"Here she comes! Symboli Rudolf, who was in the middle of the pack! The 'Emperor'! She's accelerating and moving to the front all at once!"
She has retired from the front lines of the Twinkle Series. But she continues to run on the dream stage of the Dream Series, and she's still showing an incredible run.
Seeing her charge to the front, I couldn't help but smile.
(What, she's got a great face.)
I thought she was a girl who worked hard as the student council president but often blurted out puns. But she's truly an amazing Uma Musume.
(But Rice is going to win.)
The final stretch. Symboli Rudolf isn't the only one who has accelerated all at once. Rice, Tokai Teio, and Mejiro McQueen are also increasing their speed and moving to the front. And Miho Bourbon, who had been passed once, is also accelerating and holding on to the lead.
"The R.T.M. are moving up! Are these three still the strongest here!? But their opponent is Symboli Rudolf! And Miho Bourbon is still holding on to the lead! There's less than 200 meters left in the straightaway!"
"The other Uma Musume are also accelerating one after another! Who will be the winner!?"
The announcer and commentator were leaning out of their seats and shouting. And I, too, leaned out over the railing and shouted.
"Win, win, win, win! Rice! You're the strongest!"
I clenched my fists and swung them as I shouted. I believe Rice will win, even if her opponent is Symboli Rudolf, but I can't help but shout. Thinking that this might be Rice's last glorious moment, I can't help but shout until my throat is hoarse or even torn.
"Symboli Rudolf, Rice Shower, and Tokai Teio are side by side! Miho Bourbon is still holding on! She's holding on, but she's been passed! Mejiro McQueen is also charging! Less than 100! No, less than 50! Three are in the lead! They're side by side, and now they've crossed the finish line!"
Rice crossed the finish line. But next to her were Symboli Rudolf and Tokai Teio. All of them seemed to be in a similar position, with no one having an advantage or disadvantage...
"Huh!? It's a photo finish! The word 'Photo' is flashing between first and third place on the results board!"
"It was impossible to tell who was in first place at the end..."
The word "photo finish" caused a stir at the racecourse. Fourth place was Mejiro McQueen by a neck, and fifth place was Miho Bourbon by one length, but...
"Symboli Rudolf won."
"No, it was Tokai Teio."
"Rice Shower definitely won."
The spectators were talking to each other. But their eyes were fixed on the results board, and the sight of nearly 200,000 people all staring at the results board at once was incredible.
"Trainer... Rice-chan won, right?"
"I hope so, too. But, I wonder what the ruling will be..."
"Uncle..."
Urara and King were also looking at the results board, and so was Dia-chan. I was doing the same, staring at the results board... It's taking a long time.
(It's taking quite a while... Is it difficult to make a ruling?)
It's already been several minutes. Modern photo finishes are incredibly precise, so it's rare for it to take this long...
It was a moment I didn't expect.
The results board lit up for a second, and then the display changed, and the results were shown.
"First place is number 3, Tokai Teio! Second place is number 6, Rice... Ah, my apologies."
The announcer seemed to get excited and then immediately calmed down, his words becoming unclear.
"This is... surprising..."
I knew what the commentator's face looked like without even having to see it. I'm sure he was dumbfounded. Because my mouth was wide open, too.
"--Dead heat! It's a dead heat! Number 3, Tokai Teio, number 6, Rice Shower, and number 8, Symboli Rudolf! All three are tied for first place! All three are listed as first place! The first time in the long history of the Dream Series! Three people in first place!"
The Tokyo Racecourse went silent for a moment at the announcer's words, and then an explosion of surprise and cheers erupted.
About ten minutes passed, and the situation finally calmed down.
The Tokyo Racecourse was filled with so many voices from both inside and outside the stadium that I was worried it would collapse. The echoes bounced back and forth from all directions, making the Tokyo Racecourse an improvised sonic weapon.
By the way, the photo of the finish line was displayed on the giant screen, and they were indeed a perfect dead heat. It's rare for two people to finish in a dead heat, but for three people to do so is a very unusual event.
In this case, all three of them are considered first place, and the rankings for fourth place and below are as they finished. This would cause some problems, though...
"Speaking of which, Uncle, what's going to happen with the victory live performance?"
Dia-chan, who was still clinging to my waist, asked me. I couldn't help but smile wryly at her question and looked toward the course. I could see a stage rising from the inside of the course, and Rice and the others were in position.
"Since all three of them are in first place... it seems it's going to be like this."
Normally, the first-place winner would be in the center, and the second and third-place winners would dance to their left and right. But it's impossible when there are three first-place winners... so three people were in the center, and Mejiro McQueen, who finished in fourth, and Miho Bourbon, who finished in fifth, were to their left and right.
The three first-place winners danced to the first-place choreography, Mejiro McQueen danced to the second-place choreography, and Miho Bourbon danced to the third-place choreography.
The three first-place winners will also change positions while dancing so that all of them can have a turn in the center.
The reason it turned out this way was due to the dance choreography. Some songs would be fine even with three first-place winners, but this song had a few poses that were only allowed for the first-place Uma Musume.
Therefore, they couldn't have two of the three first-place winners dance to the second or third-place choreography.
(But, with this song...)
The intro, which I had heard so many times during practice, began to play, and each Uma Musume began to dance. And Rice, Tokai Teio, and Symboli Rudolf began to sing, their voices harmonizing beautifully.
It's a song that has an impact no matter how many times I hear it. But my impression of it was...
"Ah..."
But when my eyes met Rice's as she sang and danced, I couldn't help but let out a sound.
Rice was singing and dancing with all her might. She was putting all her heart into it.
The first time I heard this song, I wondered why they made it like this. But now, I understand... I see. It all clicked into place.
Even though it's a bright, intense, and not a sentimental song.
"My beloved Uma Musume..."
As I murmured that, I felt the tears overflowing from my eyes trickle down my cheeks.
--------------------------------------------
🚀 Want INSTANT Access & Bonus Content?
"Loving this story so far? You can read ALL chapters RIGHT NOW by joining my P4tr3on!
✨ Unlock instant access to the full completed novel
✨ No waiting for daily updates
✨ Support your favorite degenerate author (that's me!)
Only $5.99 for the full experience!
đź”— Check my profile for the Link!!