Tracen Academy, President's Office.
Symboli Rudolf was watching the latest developments. In her hands were the files for Kitasan Black, Duramente, Satono Diamond, and Cheval Grand. As she read the diary entries, it was as if she were reliving her own Arima Kinen.
She was now very eager to see what kind of race Kitasan Black would run in her final Arima Kinen. Could she achieve victory in the place where she had tasted bitter defeat twice before?
"Kitasan Black had 7 G1 wins, didn't she? She likely achieved a perfect ending at the Arima Kinen, but that definitely wasn't easy... unless she lost and delayed her retirement...?"
"Regardless, she's proven herself to be a world-class Uma Musume. Who knows how much effort she put in behind the scenes?"
Rudolf looked at Kitasan Black's profile card. It featured a photo of her bright, energetic smile. Kitasan Black always gave off that vibrant feeling. The card also listed her records from her local school before coming to Tracen.
Then, Rudolf saw the goals Kitasan Black had written during the Fan Thanksgiving Festival:
"I want to become an Uma Musume like Tokai Teio. I want to be an Uma Musume who runs alongside Satono Diamond. I want to be an Uma MUsume who brings everyone a grand festival. And... I want to be a 'man of the people' just like my father."
Rudolf looked forward to the future with a smile. She knew that when these hard-working girls finally arrived at Tracen, they would stir up a new storm. The future of Tracen Academy was bound to be spectacular, just reading these words was enough to make one's blood boil with emotion.
'Perhaps... in the near future, Tracen's distance from the world stage would no longer be so far.'
"Is the future we hope for just around the corner?" Rudolf smiled. Seeing more and more powerful horse girls emerge made her incredibly happy.
Moreover, the future didn't just belong to Kitasan Black and Duramente. She also wanted to know what heights Tokai Teio would reach.
'She will definitely succeed. She will become the next Undefeated Triple Crown horse girl.'
But for now, Rudolf decided to focus on Kitasan Black's story. How would she perform? At the Arima Kinen, where she had failed twice, was her moment finally coming?
In another part of Tokyo:
"I... how... someone like me actually won the G1 Japan Cup? I beat Kitasan Black?"
Cheval Grand couldn't believe it. She was someone prone to self-doubt, always feeling inferior to her older and younger sisters. Even when others encouraged her, she often dismissed it as mere politeness.
But seeing the diary now, she was overcome with excitement. Being shy, she didn't know how to express her joy, but her ears— which were twitching uncontrollably— betrayed her true feelings. Little Cheval's heart was bursting with happiness.
Her face was beet-red. If you were to tease her right now, you'd see her most adorable side. After all, Cheval is a massive social introvert, if you don't mess with such a cute introvert when you meet one, you're missing out.
"This is great... is this really real? I did it... I did the same thing Heart's Cry-senpai did."
The more she thought about it, the happier she became, her cheeks flushed a lovely pink.
Indeed, when she was little, Cheval Grand didn't even dare to speak her dream aloud. It wasn't until she saw Heart's Cry's performance at the Arima Kinen that a fire was lit inside her.
For the first time, her younger self had dashed out and gathered the courage to shout her resolve.
She wanted her name to echo across the top stages of the URA, to resonate atop the G1 podiums.
Finally, her hard work had paid off. In that October Japan Cup, she had triumphed over Kitasan Black and a field of powerhouses to claim the G1 trophy.
"This is wonderful."
Cheval Grand was surprised to find her vision blurring with tears of joy.
'Am I going to cry?'
She quickly shook her head, she'd be mortified if someone saw her. She had only won one G1, while Kitasan Black had seven. She felt she had no right to be this emotional yet.
In reality, it was perfectly normal. Years of self-denial and pressure were finally being released. Her dream had finally touched reality.
"However... as for me, I also want to win the Arima Kinen at least once."
Cheval Grand was now paying close attention to what happened next. She wondered if she would be voted into the Arima Kinen that year, as it was a fan-voted race. She worried about whether she would make the cut.
"Someone like me, whom nobody likes... if I win the Japan Cup, maybe I'll have a tiny chance?"
Cheval Grand was as insecure as ever. However, she shook her head, regardless of her nerves, her resolve to win the Arima Kinen remained unchanged.
Kitasan Black had a total of 7 G1 titles. If her next race was indeed her last, it meant she achieved a perfect ending in her final performance.
Cheval decided to keep reading. If she really did lose in the end, she would analyze the experience and win it back when the time came for her own race against Kitasan Black.
In another part of Tokyo:
"Finally... we've reached the end of the road, Dia-chan."
Kitasan Black said this with a smile. Looking back at her career in the diary, she was overwhelmed with emotion. She had met so many people along the way. In the beginning, there was Duramente, whose arrival dealt her a heavy blow early in her career.
From then on, she made Duramente her goal, growing step by step. Yet, by the time of the Kikuka-sho, Duramente had to withdraw due to injury, and later, her condition worsened, forcing an early retirement.
Kitasan Black could only feel a deep sense of regret, she never got another chance to challenge the noble blood of Duramente.
Still, she continued to work tirelessly. She accepted the most grueling training without a single word of complaint. Her efforts were rewarded as she claimed victory after victory, drawing closer to her dreams and putting on one grand festival after another.
But her one lingering regret was that she was still one step away from the grandest festival of all: The Arima Kinen.
Now, in her final race, could she fulfill her long-cherished wish?
"Yeah, Kita-chan, you've worked so hard. For some reason, after reading about your career, I feel a sense of melancholy. After this last race, you'll be heading to the Dream Trophy, right?"
"...Actually, come to think of it, is there even a Dream Trophy in the world of 'Real Horses'? Trainer Mizuki never seems to mention it."
"If there isn't, what would you go and do?"
Satono Diamond asked in confusion. Having finished reading Kitasan Black's professional career, she was full of admiration for her friend, but she couldn't help wondering what Kitasan Black would do after retiring in the "Real Horse" world.
In reality, the Real Horse world has no Dream Trophy. As for Kitasan's retirement, that was the beginning of his suffering. Kitasan was destined to be completely milked dry, and it only got worse when Equinox began to dominate the JRA,
Actually, had Duramente lived, his fate wouldn't have been much better. However, Duramente left early due to an accident.
But that didn't matter now, with the appearance of the diary, Duramente could make up for those regrets.
When the time comes, Duramente and Kitasan Black can be milked dryntogether. Good brothers to the end.
As for Satono Diamond, by 2024, he had been moved out by Shadai. His stall now belongs to Equinox.
"I don't know. But Dia-chan, what will you be doing during this race? Will you participate in this Arima Kinen too?" Kita-chan asked with a smile.
"Not necessarily, Kita-chan. Maybe after breaking the Satono family curse, I'll choose to break an even bigger one. I might go for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe," Satono Diamond replied.
"But Kita-chan, no matter what, I'll be there to watch your final race. After all, I'm just as excited for this festival you've dreamed of."
"So, you have to win, Kita-chan."
Hearing this, a look of determination surfaced on Kita-chan's pretty face. She nodded seriously and said:
"Mm. I promise you, Dia-chan. I will win. Because I am the Festival Uma Musume— Kitasan Black!"
At that moment, under the tense gaze of the crowd, Mizuki's diary continued.
[December 24th. Kitasan Black welcomed his retirement race, the 2017 Arima Kinen. In this race, Kitasan Black once again took the #1 popularity spot. #2 was that year's Tokyo Derby runner-up, Suave Richard.]
[Satono Crown, Sounds of Earth, and Cheval Grand, these highly popular horses and Kitasan's old rivals, also participated in this Arima Kinen, a race destined to go down in history.]
[However, Kitasan Black's best friend, Satono Diamond, did not participate in this Arima Kinen due to his entry in the 2017 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Regrettably, the Japanese JRA suffered another crushing defeat at the 2017 Arc.]
[Satono Diamond and Satono Noblesse, who went to compete, finished 15th and 16th respectively.]
[Upon returning to Japan, Satono Diamond considered aiming for a consecutive Arima Kinen win, but ultimately chose to rest and adjust for the remainder of the year, pushing his next race to the following year.]
[Thus, Satono Diamond was not part of Kitasan Black's retirement race.]
[When the 2017 Arima Kinen began, Kitasan Black immediately drew everyone's gaze the moment he stepped onto the track. After all, this was his retirement match. He began to enter his gate, which was number 2. His entry was as smooth as always.]
[The other horses were the same, each looking dignified and spirited, all harboring the thought of challenging Kitasan Black one last time. Winning the Arima Kinen crown among this field of G1 winners was no easy task.]
[The G1 Arima Kinen is a stage where miracles happen. On this stage watched by the entire nation, every horse burns their bridges and gives their all, seeing who can endure until the very end.]
[Soon, all horses were successfully loaded into their gates, and the race that held everyone's attention finally began.]
[With the crack of the starting pistol, Kitasan Black, having exited the gate smoothly, once again adopted his Front-runner tactic. This time, he grabbed the lead early, utilizing his flexible cornering technique to firmly control the lead on the track.]
[Kitasan Black stuck to his strategy of leading the whole way. The start was extremely smooth, but his jockey, Yutaka Take, didn't dare relax. In Kitasan's previous two Arima Kinen attempts, he had been overtaken at the very last moment.]
[Thus, he maintained focused control over the horse throughout, keeping Kitasan Black at a speed that could keep the others behind while conserving enough stamina for the final straight.]
[Kitasan Black maintained this lead-from-the-front strategy. Their first lap was very smooth, as was the first half of the second lap. Countless people knew that the race would once again be down to the final straight.]
[At this moment, countless people watching the live broadcast were extremely nervous.]
[On the screen, Kitasan Black's powerful physique galloped forward. The Nakayama track has massive undulations, but to Kitasan Black, who had undergone brutal training, this was nothing. He possessed incredible uphill and downhill ability, and his taut muscles gave him immense stability.]
[Under the gaze of millions, Kitasan Black entered the final 400-meter straight with a one-length lead.]
[However, at that moment, a scene that made everyone's heart race occurred. The horses behind Kitasan Black suddenly began to accelerate, closing in on him in an instant.]
[Horses like Cheval Grand and Suave Richard utilized their strengths, beginning their sprint for the crown with incredible closing speed.]
[As they were 'closing' horses, they had more stamina preserved, intending to catch Kitasan Black at this moment and deliver the finishing blow.]
[On the final 310-meter straight of Nakayama Racecourse, jockey Yutaka Take finally began to use the whip.]
[And Kitasan Black made the entire racecourse boil over! He accelerated once again, pulling away from the pack. Amidst the clash of all the horses, he broke through the encirclement, his powerful strides charging toward the finish line step by step.]
[The commentator, Hitoshi Aoshima, swept up by the atmosphere, shouted with passion:]
["It's time for the pursuit! Is the Arima Kinen a battle of endurance?!"]
["He's pulling away! Kitasan Black, carrying everyone's feelings! Yutaka Take! He's using the whip! Once! Twice!"]
["Fly! Fly! Fly! 100 meters to go!"]
["The second-place horse is catching up! In the middle is Cheval Grand! On the outside is Suave Richard!"]
["But! This is! The curtain call of a man!"]
["KI— TA— SAN— BLACK!!!!"]
[Amidst the thunderous applause of the audience, Kitasan Black was finally crowned after three consecutive years of challenging the Arima Kinen, achieving a perfect ending.]
[He became another 7-time G1 winner, joining the ranks of Symboli Rudolf, T.M. Opera O, Deep Impact, Vodka, and Gentildonna.]
[Kitasan Black climbed to the absolute throne of the JRA, while simultaneously breaking T.M. Opera O's Japanese prize money record with 1,876,843,000 yen.]
[After T.M. Opera O and Vodka had achieved seven crowns as a Satsuki Sho winner and a Derby winner respectively, Kitasan Black filled the gap as a Kikuka Sho winner. The three horses formed the "Assorted Triple Crown" within the 7-time G1 winners club.]
[With this, Kitasan Black's Arima Kinen dream was perfectly concluded.]
[In the 2015 Arima Kinen, Kitasan Black led the whole way only to be overtaken by Gold Actor and finish third. In 2016, he led again but was overtaken at the end by Satono Diamond to finish second. In 2017, on his third consecutive attempt, this "man of the people" finally refused to yield the lead and took the prize.]
[Simultaneously, in this final 2017 Arima Kinen, Cheval Grand finished 3rd, watching as Kitasan Black completed his perfect ending. Satono Crown suffered a heavy defeat, finishing 13th.]
[As for Sounds of Earth, he finished 7th, marking his 4th loss to Kitasan Black.]
At this moment, seeing the contents of the diary, countless Umas subconsciously swallowed. They were deeply shaken by Kitasan Black's achievements— especially the final prize money amount.
To think her starting price was only 3.5 million yen, it had increased by an astronomical factor.
Many girls were also moved to tears. They wanted to make Kitasan Black their goal, to run and fight with all their might.
In the countryside near Tokyo:
"Wow, Kitasan Black-san... in her last race, she led from start to finish! That unstoppable running style, that aura... it's just too amazing."
Equinox spoke excitedly. She felt an immense sense of pride for Kitasan Black.
She decided right then that her own retirement race would also be the Arima Kinen, and she would achieve a greatness just like Kitasan's.
In reality, however, Equinox's retirement race was the 2023 Japan Cup. The 2023 Arima Kinen was won by Do Deuce from Gate 16, with Stars on Earth taking second and Titleholder taking third.
Do Deuce also made history by achieving the best result ever from Gate 16 at the Arima Kinen.
However, if Equinox had competed, few would believe Do Deuce had a chance, given Equinox was the 2023 World's Best Racehorse.
Speaking of Stars on Earth in the 2023 Arima Kinen, she was called the second coming of "Buena Vista" and was truly unlucky. Her record of unlucky G1 losses is extensive:
1: Lost the Shuka Sho by 1/2 a length.
2: Lost the Osaka Hai by a nose.
3: Lost the Victoria Mile by less than 1 length.
4: Lost the Japan Cup from the outside by 1 length to Liberty Island.
5: Lost the Arima Kinen from the outside by 1 length to Do Deuce.
Compared to Buena Vista, Stars on Earth has a gap in strength and popularity, but they truly are both unlucky stars, always losing by a hair.
"Hehe, Equinox, I told you! The Great Escape style is invincible!" Panthalassa said with a grin. Her head was full of nothing but explosive sprinting.
Seeing Kitasan Black win like that, she decided she wouldn't care about anything else, she'd just close her eyes and blast forward.
Titleholder snorted upon hearing this. "Panthalassa, your Great Escape is different from Kitasan Black's tactic of leading the whole way. If you just charge recklessly, you'll likely run out of steam halfway through."
"Besides, that kind of running puts a lot of strain on the body. I'm telling you this because I care— you need to control yourself so you don't get injured."
Titleholder was sharp-tongued but soft-hearted, having seen the example of Duramente, she didn't want anyone to get hurt.
Liberty Island nodded as well: "For me, being temporarily behind is acceptable, as long as I give it everything in the final moment."
Panthalassa, only half-understanding, asked, "But why wait until the final moment to give it your all? I give it my all from start to finish!"
Titleholder patted her head helplessly. "Panthalassa, you really have a one-track mind."
Equinox let out a cheeky laugh. "Sometimes having a one-track mind isn't a bad thing. At least you don't have any hidden schemes."
Indeed, between Equinox and Panthalassa, there are 799 schemes: Equinox has 800, and Panthalassa has negative one. Equinox could talk Panthalassa into a corner easily.
Equinox wanted to keep reading.
"'Carrying everyone's feelings'... mine must have been among them. This is the retirement of a real "man of the people." I want to be like Kitasan Black in the future."
"I wonder what story people will tell about Equinox when my retirement comes..."
Equinox looked forward to it immensely.
In another part of Tokyo:
"Hahaha! I lost to Kitasan Black four times? Amazing! Absolutely wonderful.!"
Sounds of Earth held a violin, her movements elegant as she slowly played a classical song on her violin. Her eyes were closed, lost in the music.
If you didn't know her, you'd think she was a refined musical artist.
"You think it's 'wonderful' to lose four times? Surely a melody of victory is better than failure," a young Uma asked in confusion.
If she lost, she'd cry all night, but Sounds of Earth just kept playing.
"That's not necessarily true, little one," Sounds of Earth said with a smile.
"Perhaps in the eyes of others, a failure is a wound to be poked. But if you've worked hard and have a clear conscience, you can still sing a song of triumph."
"The winner takes the spotlight and leaves the rest in shadow, but that just means the champion is exceptionally bright. It doesn't mean the other racers are truly dull. On the contrary, every Uma Musume that gives her all is shining brilliantly."
Sounds of Earth knelt down and patted the little girl's head.
"Well said."
A round of applause came from in front of them— the little girl's parents had arrived.
"Daddy! Mommy!" the little girl shouted happily. "Thank you, Sounds of Earth-oneesan! I think I understand... I'll work hard too!"
Sounds of Earth laughed and asked, "What's your name?"
"Stars on Earth!"
"I... I will definitely win a championship in the future! I'll make my achievments like the stars in the night sky— radiating brilliant light to illuminate the whole world!"
Stars on Earth waved goodbye with a grin. The little horse girl understood: Failure is something that can be talked about, as long as you give your all and have no regrets.
"Mm. Do your best..."
Watching Stars on Earth's departing figure, Sounds of Earth turned and left with a flourish.
"Ha— hahahaha~~~"
Meanwhile, at Tracen Academy, inside Team Spica:
"Kita-chan finally won the Arima Kinen and completed her perfect ending. I feel like I've watched her grow up... I'm getting misty-eyed for some reason."
Mejiro McQueen suddenly wiped the corner of her eye. She was overjoyed, having unknowingly held her breath for Kita-chan.
She was also happy for Satono Diamond, though she failed at the Arc de Triomphe, McQueen believed she would stand back up.
Satono Diamond was that kind of girl, resilient to her core. Once she decided on something, she wouldn't give up easily, no matter the obstacles.
"Ni-shi-shi! Kita-chan really is amazing. Come to think of it, she wanted to train with me before. Looks like I'll have to use even more power to stay ahead of her!"
Tokai Teio grinned. She really wanted to run with Kitasan now. This junior was not to be underestimated.
At the same time, she felt she needed even more G1 titles. 7 G1s weren't enough, she wanted at least 8!
Teio really was a child at heart. As the idol Kitasan Black looked up to, she felt she had to be even stronger.
In high-EQ terms, she was "childlike", in low-EQ terms, she was just a brat. She was always thinking about "bullying" Kita-chan in a race.
Poor Kita-chan. In the game's story, she was bullied into tears by the cheeky Teio, and it looks like the same will happen now.
At the same time, Teio began to think about her own retirement.
'Before I retired, could I deliver a race that everyone would remember forever?'
She soon stood with her hands on her hips, smiling.
'Of course I could! I'm the genius Tokai Teio, after all!'
Over at Team Canopus:
"Sigh, Kitasan Black is so impressive. I wish I had a junior that amazing. I'd probably lose myself in being called 'Nature-senpai' over and over."
Nice Nature sighed. She didn't know yet that while Kitasan Black wouldn't call her "Nature-senpai," she would chase her around calling her "Neicha-sensei" until she nearly became depressed from the pressure.
However, Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen were indeed worthy of envy. The two biggest fangirls in Tracen were Kitasan Black and Satono Diamond.
One constantly chirping "Teio-sama!" and the other "McQueen-san!"— who wouldn't feel lightheaded hearing that?
Imagine walking through campus and having a cute girl looking at you with worshipful eyes every day, calling your name sweetly, saying she wants to grow up to be just like you, giving you gifts when you're down, and cheering you on.
That's a dangerous level of cuteness.
"Hahaha! Twin Turbo is going to get 7 G1s too! Is it too late to start now?"
Twin Turbo put her hands on her hips, full of confidence.
"It'd be better to forget it."
Ikuno Dictus pushed up her glasses, giving Turbo no encouragement at all.
"Hmph! Twin Turbo will become Tracen's number one rookie!"
Turbo didn't care at all, acting even more boastful.
"Tokai Teio, Biwa Hayahide... I'll make them all my defeated rivals! When Twin Turbo retires, I'll take everyone's feelings and fly toward the finish line with all my might!"
Nice Nature smiled. "Remember to take Nature-san's feelings too. Charge to the finish in your own unique way."
Turbo's eyes sparkled. She said seriously, "Neicha-san's feelings... I, Twin Turbo, will put them in the most important place!"
"Uh..."
Nature was a "high attack, low defense" type, and she immediately got embarrassed. Thinking about how she always teased Turbo, she felt a slight twinge of guilt... but only a little.
She'd probably keep teasing her anyway.
Elsewhere:
"Ha~~hahahaha~~ An 'Assorted Triple Crown'? Come to think of it, Admire Vega, Narita Top Road, and I also have an 'Assorted Triple Crown' between us. Is this fate?"
T.M. Opera O laughed.
"Hmph, who wants an 'assorted' anything with you? Listen well: I'm taking all the future trophies for myself," Admire Vega said quietly.
"I... I won't lose either."
Narita Top Road looked at Admire Vega. She had already lost all respect, the story of her being a "little crybaby" was known to everyone.
At this point, she couldn't afford to lose the Kikuka Sho title she had in her hands, or all those tears would be for nothing.
Top Road huffed. To think that someone as strong as herself had bowed before a G1 trophy and cried like a baby.
She was strong, yes, but when it came to crying, strength had nothing to do with it. She cried without any hesitation, much to everyone's amusement.
Her smile hadn't disappeared, it had just transferred to everyone else's faces.
In the Tokyo countryside:
"That's Kita-chan... I feel like she always radiates a deeply attractive charisma. Just as the commentator said, she was 'carrying everyone's feelings.' Everyone must have been moved by her race and her efforts at that moment."
After finishing the entry, Satono Diamond looked at Kita-chan and spoke seriously. It was as if she could feel the scene of Kitasan Black giving her all at the end and making the crowd roar.
That truly was the best festival.
Seeing Kitasan fulfill her dream made her happier than winning a title herself.
"I... it's nothing, Dia-chan! Hearing you say that makes me so embarrassed!"
Kitasan waved her hands frantically, her face turning bright red. Words like "deeply attractive" and "charisma" sounded almost like a confession.
It felt strange, but she knew what Satono Diamond meant, and she was happy.
Her dream was to become a "man of the people" like her father. She vowed that on that day, she would perform the greatest festival.
At this moment, Mizuki's diary continued.
[On January 7, 2018, Kitasan Black, who had won the JRA Horse of the Year title for the second year in a row, held his retirement ceremony at Kyoto Racecourse. He ended his bumpy yet glorious career with a record of 12 wins, 2 seconds, and 4 thirds in 20 starts.]
[The 81-year-old owner, Saburo Kitajima, wore his Enka costume and performed at the final 'Kitasan Festival.']
[All those associated with Kitasan Black, including his two main jockeys, Hiroshi Kitamura and Yutaka Take, were invited on stage. However, Yutaka Take, who knows nothing about singing, stood there like a bystander, awkwardly clapping to the beat.]
[He was likely thinking: 'This is so embarrassing. What should I eat for dinner? When will this end?']
[Looking back at Kitasan Black's career, he was never the 'overpowered protagonist' many thought he was. Instead, he was the most recognized, down-to-earth hard-worker.]
[In the first half of his career, he lived in the shadow of Duramente and was defeated by horses like Satono Diamond.]
[He was even the only 7-time G1 Horse of the Year who went over a year without being the #1 fan favorite.]
[He lost to geniuses, lost to peers who suddenly peaked, and lost to his own exhaustion. But after every failure, he stood back up and continued to run with everything he had. Before his final Arima Kinen, he even performed a brutal 'Triple Slope' training session.]
[In his final year, he ran six G1 races, challenging both the Spring and Autumn Triple Crowns. Though he didn't complete a Triple Crown, he unknowingly racked up G1 wins, reaching the 7-G1 milestone after the Arima Kinen.]
[Kitasan Black's story soon moved to a different phase. Initially considered to have mediocre bloodlines, soon... a brilliant morning sun would pull back the curtain of the changing eras. Another Horse of the Year was about to explode onto the scene.]
[But that is a story for another time.]
[As a side note, after Kitasan Black retired, Satono Crown, Satono Diamond, and Cheval Grand continued to race.]
[Satono Crown ran three more races. On March 31, 2018, he went on his final overseas expedition for the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic, finishing 7th. In June 2018, he finished 12th in the Takarazuka Kinen, won by Mikki Rocket.]
[Jockey Ryuji Wada finally fulfilled his dream in that race, 17 years after T.M. Opera O. In November 2018, Crown finished 9th in the Japan Cup, won by the future JRA legend, Almond Eye. Then, Satono Crown retired.]
[Satono Diamond's journey was similar. In March 2018, he finished 3rd in the G2 Kinko Sho. He was the 3rd favorite for the G1 Osaka Hai but got trapped in the pack at the final turn and finished 7th. In the Takarazuka Kinen, he finished 6th.]
[Later, he met his old rival Cheval Grand in the Kyoto Daishoten and finally won for the first time in a year and a half. But this was the final flare of his career. He finished 6th in both the Japan Cup and the Arima Kinen.]
[The winner of those races was the new Queen, Almond Eye. Satono Crown and Satono Diamond both retired as Almond Eye took the throne, the eras had shifted.]
[As for Cheval Grand, he planned to retire at the end of 2018, but his team cancelled the plan for an overseas expedition. However, in his second G1 race abroad, he met the strongest opponent of his life.]
[The terror of this opponent was such that even if you added the honors of Duramente and Kitasan Black together, they would still fall short.]
[On July 27, 2019, Cheval Grand teamed up with Irish jockey Oisin Murphy for the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. The field included Prince of Wales's Stakes winner Crystal Ocean and the European Horse of the Year, Enable.]
[When Enable's name appeared, the outcome of the race seemed to lose its meaning. Standing before Enable at her peak, Cheval Grand had no chance. In fact, no horse of that era had a chance against Enable.]
[She was the Horse of the World, the most powerful horse Cheval Grand would ever meet. Compared to Enable, the gap between Kitasan Black and her was the gap between Japan and the world's absolute peak.]
[After returning to Japan, Cheval Grand finished 8th in the Japan Cup and ended his career with a 6th-place finish in the 2019 Arima Kinen.]
[Enable, Treve, Almond Eye... these Empresses were truly powerful. I'll tell their stories when I get the chance. But we'll see, since I also want to talk about Tokai Teio.]
[This cheeky brat, who could have guessed the moving race she would create at the very end?]
Mizuki finished writing for the day and waited to see her rewards.
[Diary uploaded successfully.]
[Congratulations! You have received the naming rights to China's first major racecourse. You will drive the development of Chinese Uma Musume racing!]
[China's first racecourse will be established in Zhejiang. You will receive partial ownership.]
[The Chinese racecourse will be the first step to the creation of a Chinese Classic Triple Crown. Construction is expected to finish within three years.]
Mizuki was stunned. She was just thinking about starting racing in China, and the system gave her this?
This can't be put down to just luck.
A major racecourse like Tokyo or Nakayama is massive. Tokyo Racecourse alone has 13,750 seats and can hold 223,000 spectators. This new racecourse might even be able to hold more people than that.
More importantly, a racecourse meant a school like Tracen Academy would appear in China. Who would be the principal?
If Japan had Yayoi Akikawa, would China have a similar rich-lady to start their own Twinkle Series?
Mizuki's guess was correct. Her reward caused a stir in the Chinese Racing Association. A legendary and wealthy Chinese Uma Musume had just gotten a notification.
She muttered, "The permit I've been coordinating for so long finally came through. This is the hope for Chinese Uma Musume... but according to the call, this permit is related to Trainer Mizuki...?"
"Did she provide the funding? But I thought she was just a broke Trainer in Japan?"
"I should contact her when I get the chance. The permit for a single major racecourse is a big step in the right direction, but I don't want to stop with just this."
Meanwhile, many Umas were dumbfounded by the diary entry.
"Enable... Heavens, who is that?" Bamboo Memory was shocked. She checked the global racing records and found Enable hadn't debuted yet in this world.
"Kitasan Black has 7 G1s, and Duramente had the record times for the Satsuki Sho and Tokyo Derby, but there's still a 'huge gap' between them and Enable?"
She couldn't believe it. She had heard of Frankel and Sea The Stars, but now Enable's name was before her.
What kind of achievements did she have to suppress Kitasan and Duramente single-handedly?
"I have to keep working hard. Youth is never-ending!" Bamboo Memory tightened her headband, her eyes full of fighting spirit. The world was still so far away.
When would a racer capable of shaking the world emerge from Japan?
She didn't know, but she'd give her all in training.
'Maybe it'll be me?'
At Team Spica:
"Enable... how can that be? Is the gap between us and the world that big?" Hokko Tarumae realized the distance again.
Even 7 G1s weren't enough to stand before Enable? She desperately wanted to see what kind of records Enable had set.
In reality, Enable's professional career was even more terrifying than Treve's. Like Treve, she won back-to-back editions of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, and though both ultimately fell one step short of a historic third consecutive victory, Enable arguably had the greater chance.
Furthermore, by the time Treve secured her second Arc, her dominance had waned, and she had suffered defeats in other G1 events.
Enable, however, entered every race with an aura of total suppression. She was the Empress of that era, reigning supreme over the world.
One could even argue that Enable is the greatest mare across all generations. No other mare has achieved what she did: 11 G1 victories, consecutive Arc wins, and breaking records across the board.
Unless a future mare achieves the unprecedented feat of a Triple Arc victory, Enable's status will remain virtually unshakable.
In JRA racing circles, there's even a common joke: El Condor Pasa is just the "male version of Enable."
"So that's how it is... The Empress, Enable?"
Vodka's fighting spirit flared up. If she ever encountered such a monster, she would give everything to race her, she refused to believe she would have zero chance of winning.
However, Vodka soon shifted her focus back to Tokai Teio. Was the next story really about Teio? She was curious to see what heights the other could reach.
She knew Teio was an undisputed genius who came to Tracen with the goal of surpassing Symboli Rudolf. Despite such a bold claim, no one ever accused her of bragging, a testament to her sheer talent.
'I wonder if Tokai Teio can achieve the Undefeated Triple Crown?'
"Ni-shi-shi! Trainer Mizuki, hurry up and write it so Teio can see! I'm definitely going to have the best career ever."
Tokai Teio's expression was full of anticipation, she couldn't wait. Right then, she received a notification— it was a message from Kitasan Black.
Despite the fact that they couldn't mention the diary in front of Mizuki, the girls found out that they could still text about it. Mizuki simply wouldn't see the messages.
In the Team Spica group chat:
[Kitasan Black: Everyone, did you see my career? I'm so happy! And Teio-san is next!]
[Tokai Teio: Hehe, that's right! Finally, it's my turn. Teio-sama can't wait~]
[Mejiro McQueen: Teio? I wonder what kind of results she'll produce.]
[Kitasan Black: We'll see then! But that's not why I'm here today.]
[Hokko Tarumae: What's up, Kita-chan?]
[Kitasan Black: Well, January 30th is Dia's birthday. I want to buy her a cake and prepare a gift. Can we decorate the Spica room?]
[Kitasan Black: And... one more thing. Does everyone have any money? Could you... could you lend me a little? I'm broke right now, but it's okay! I'll work part-time and pay everyone back immediately! If not, it's fine...]
Kitasan Black felt terribly embarrassed. She'd had money, but she spent it all buying lunch and toys for Piedra de Luna, and now her pockets were empty.
She bowed her head, fidgeting with her fingers. It took her a long time to work up the nerve to ask. She was great at helping others, but asking for help made her feel like a burden.
She was still young, after all, with limited pocket money, and she didn't want to ask her father.
[Mizuki: I see. Are you coming by this afternoon to order the cake? You can go with McQueen, she's going to buy gifts anyway. Don't worry about the pocket money, you're joining Spica eventually, so consider it an advance on your bonus.]
[Kitasan Black: Really?! Yay!]
[Kitasan Black: Then everyone, let's prepare the surprise! Dia-chan is coming to Tracen soon, and Jan 30th is the freshmen party. I want to give her a birthday she'll never forget!]
[Mejiro McQueen: No problem. We don't have classes this afternoon, so we can split up. You order the cake, and I'll buy decorations.]
[Hokko Tarumae: I'll come along too.]
[Kitasan Black: Let's do this!]
[Tokai Teio: Ni-shi-shi! Then Teio will do the cleaning! I just bought two buckets to store honey, I can use one to mop the floor.]
Tokai Teio grinned, pulling out her buckets. Just thinking about it made her crave honey again.
'Hachimi, hachimi, hachimi~~~'
[Daiwa Scarlet: Vodka and I will help with the cleaning too.]
[Gold Ship: Party time!]
[Mizuki: I'll wait for you then, Kita-chan. Remember to keep it a secret from Dia!]
Once classes finished, the members of Spica headed to training. Even with birthday preparations, training came first. After lunch, everyone gathered on the field.
"Isn't that Ryan? She's preparing for the Spring Tenno Sho too. She's training so seriously," Vodka noted.
"Symboli Kris S, Tap Dance City, Hishi Miracle, Neo Universe, No Reason, Agnes Digital, Zenno Rob Roy... they're all training. They asked Trainer Mizuki for advice earlier. What did you suggest to them, Trainer?" Gold Ship asked curiously.
In reality, Symboli Kris S, Tap Dance City, and Neo Universe were from the same era. Tap Dance City debuted earliest in 2000, Kris S in 2001, while Neo Universe and Zenno Rob Roy debuted a bit later in 2002 and 2003.
After the "Golden Generation" came the "Turn of the Century" generation. The generation connecting them consisted of horses like Manhattan Cafe, Symboli Kris S, and Tap Dance City.
However, because characters like Kris S, Hishi Miracle, and Zenno Rob Roy were added to the franchise later, their stories were neither as famous as the previous generations nor as trendy as the newer ones. They were stuck in the middle.
Mizuki shrugged as she answered Gold Ship.
"I suggested they hold an intra-team ranking match."
"Ranking match? What's that?"
"In simple terms, it's a competition designed to boost training motivation," Mizuki explained.
The rules were simple: Racers were paired off into four groups and then went against each other. Losers went to the losers' bracket, winners to the winners' bracket, and from there, they kept going until a winner was declared.
Mizuki did this because girls like Kris S, Neo Universe, and Zenno Rob Roy had poor social skills. Deep down, they wanted to make friends, and this format encouraged interaction.
"That sounds like so much fun! We can play too!" Tokai Teio was eager to try.
"Sure, no problem," Mizuki agreed readily. She had intended it for Spica anyway, but her "ranking match" wasn't about running, it was about who performed better during training drills.
Teio didn't realize this, she just wanted to be number one. She had no idea she had walked right into a trap.
Since Spica only had seven members, members of the Golden Generation and Team Canopus joined in. After drawing lots, McQueen paired with Hokko Tarumae, Vodka with Daiwa Scarlet, Special Week with Teio, Gold Ship with Buena Vista, El Condor Pasa with Grass Wonder, King Halo with Nice Nature, and Seiun Sky with Twin Turbo.
Ten minutes later, the first round ended. The challenge: Brick breaking.
Tokai Teio immediately felt cheated. She thought it was a race! But she didn't mind, she was the invincible Teio— she could conquer any training.
Still, she felt something was off. If she won, she'd have to "compete" in more training drills... wasn't this just tricking her into doing more work?
Regardless, she started chopping. She wouldn't lose to Spe-chan!
Her opponent, Special Week, was also chopping at lightning speed.
"Hahaha! Grass, you're no good at all! Is that it?" El Condor Pasa taunted Grass Wonder after a successful strike.
"You're quite capable, El-chan," Grass Wonder said with a sweet smile.
"The chill! The demon! Terrifying!" El suddenly trembled, her hands losing all strength.
"El, if you're being threatened by a bad woman, just blink twice," Mizuki joked. One look at Grass Wonder's smile told her El might regret it if she did manage to win.
El Condor Pasa immediately turned her head towards Mizuki and started blinking rapidly.
Unfortunately, Mizuki had to be unbiased, so she didn't intervene.
Ten minutes later, the round ended. Special Week, Grass Wonder, Buena Vista, Twin Turbo, and Nice Nature moved to the winners' bracket. The next challenge: Frog jumps in the mud for strength training.
This round was chaotic. Having used too much power breaking bricks, everyone was exhausted. Special Week tripped mid-jump, and before she could get up, Nice Nature— who couldn't brake in time— accidentally ran her over.
Ultimately, the ranking match champion was Buena Vista. She was truly formidable.
Tokai Teio was frustrated. She realized she couldn't out-chop Special Week, who seemed to have freakish strength.
Indeed, Teio was smaller in stature, compared to Special Week, there was a clear power gap.
"Everyone did great today," Mizuki summarized. "This match was to teach you not to use all your strength at the start, or you'll have nothing left for later. Spe, your race is coming up, pay attention to your stamina distribution."
Special Week nodded and immediately started taking notes. Though her handwriting was messy, she was diligent. She was less than ten days away from the Kisaragi Sho on February 8th.
On the other side of the field:
"Don't worry, Zenno Rob Roy-san! Let me be the hero of our generation. I'll leave the other girls in the dust. My body feels lighter than ever after training!" Tap Dance City said with a laugh.
"Hero..."
Hearing that word, Zenno Rob Roy's delicate face froze. Her dream, as seen in her story, was to see herself become a hero. Her name came from a book, sharing a name with the protagonist Rob Roy.
But Rob Roy was a national hero who fought to restore her clan's honor. Compared to him, she felt like a fool.
She pretended to give up on her dream of being a hero, yet she still secretly wrote about wanting to be one in her notebook. Her repeated setbacks since her debut made her feel that being a hero was just an eyesore of a dream.
Hearing Tap Dance City speak with such confidence made her heart ache with mixed emotions.
Furthermore, she had never seen her name in Trainer Mizuki's diary. She felt like a total side character. Perhaps her dream would never receive an answer.
"Rob Roy, today is the deadline for this copy of Rob Roy, right? Hokko Tarumae borrowed it, and I'm here to return it."
Mizuki walked over and handed the book to her. As a librarian who specifically categorized hero stories, her love for them was obvious.
"Okay... I'll put it back later," she said weakly.
"By the way, your running style is truly memorable. Wild, desperate, powerful, and noble— just like the hero in this book, fighting in the wilderness and writing his own story."
Mizuki wasn't exaggerating. Rob Roy's running style was impressive. she had overheard her conversation and knew she was a girl who wanted to be a hero but was held back by self-doubt.
Rob Roy was stunned and began to stammer. She felt she was far from a hero, since she always failed and hadn't helped anyone yet.
Mizuki continued:
"Zenno Rob Roy, you aren't just a hero when it comes to running. As a librarian, you helped Spe-chan pass when she was failing her exams. You look out for everyone, and you never slack on your training. I believe your heroic chapter is about to begin."
The others were shocked. Spe-chan was failing with a score in the 20s, but Rob Roy managed to help her pass?!?!
Even Symboli Kris S, who just arrived from abroad, was shocked.
But they soon focused on Mizuki's point: Rob Roy was indeed kind and hardworking, but because she was so timid and quiet, they often overlooked her.
"Now that you mention it, finding books is always so easy because Rob Roy is there," No Reason noted.
"It seems you truly live up to your name," Symboli Kris S added gently.
"Please keep helping me in the future. I'd be lost without you! Hahaha!"
Tap Dance City also laughed along.
"I... I won't let everyone down!"
Zenno Rob Roy was incredibly happy, her heart pounding in her chest. Being seen as a hero was something she hadn't even dared to dream of before.
As long as everyone believed in her, she would give it her all. More importantly, she was deeply grateful to Trainer Mizuki, her words had given her a massive boost in confidence.
With Valentine's Day approaching, she felt like she wanted to find a way to express her gratitude.
Soon, Mizuki waved goodbye.
Back at Team Spica:
Mizuki, Special Week, Tokai Teio, Mejiro McQueen, and Kitasan Black were already gathered. Kitasan had actually run all the way there, took a hasty shower, and then changed into one of the dresses from the Mejiro estate.
Kitasan's usual style was very festival-oriented, so she felt extremely self-conscious in a dress, acting quite clumsy. However, when she struck a pose, she still looked very beautiful.
"Trainer Mizuki, you're here! Let's get going then," Kitasan said.
The venue for Satono Diamond's birthday party was set at the Spica clubroom. Once the freshmen welcome party ended around 9:00 PM, they would celebrate her birthday there.
"Since it's her first birthday after her maturation, I'll go prepare the party poppers and decorations," Mizuki assigned the tasks. Splitting up would make them faster.
At a bakery on the outskirts of Tokyo:
"Ladies, what kind of custom cake would you like to order?" the clerk asked as Kitasan and Hokko Tarumae entered.
"A birthday cake."
Kitasan had picked out the best bakery, but she froze when she saw the prices. The cakes here were quite expensive. But for Dia-chan, none of that mattered.
"Birthday cakes are this way. Since you're Uma Musume, we can offer you a discount!" The clerk led them to the dedicated birthday cake section.
Kitasan looked around and said, "Hokko Tarumae-san, how about this one? It looks delicious."
She pointed to a three-tier cake adorned with various fruits, looking vibrant and colorful. On the top tier, they could even put a portrait of Satono Diamond. It was a wonderful design.
However, when Kitasan Black saw the price tag, her tail started to twitch. This cake cost 20,000 yen.
Although Kitasan's family was wealthy, she was a very obedient girl who rarely asked for money. When she did have money, she usually spent it on treats for younger girls like Equinox and Piedra De Luna, so she hadn't saved much.
She knew Trainer Mizuki would be footing the bill, but she felt terribly shy about it. She secretly vowed to run hard and earn even more money for Trainer Mizuki in the future.
Kitasan paid the deposit, and the clerk gave them a 20% discount, which made her very happy. After clarifying the details, she and Hokko Tarumae prepared to head back.
The custom cake would be delivered to the Spica clubroom on Dia's birthday.
Just as they were about to leave, a sweet voice called out from inside the shop.
"Wait! You're Hokko Tarumae, right?"
A cute girl walked out. This the shop owner's 20-year-old daughter. She was a baker who loved browsing short-form videos and often saw clips of Aston Machan and Hokko Tarumae.
"You recognize me?" Tarumae asked.
"Yes, yes! Look, I'm a follower of your account! I've been a fan since the beginning. Your videos are hilarious! They always make me laugh until my stomach hurts."
"Many young people recognize Machan and Hokko Tarumae now. Both of you have plenty of fans online too."
Hokko Tarumae was flattered. She knew that their videos really were hits— Machan's main account had over 400,000 followers, after all— but she never imagined she'd meet someone who recognized her.
This made Tarumae realize for the first time that if they achieved great results in the URA later, their popularity would explode.
"Thank you for your support. I'm the local idol of Tomakomai! And I hope you all remember Machan too," Tarumae said, still worrying that Aston Machan might be forgotten again.
"Of course! I even bought a Machan plushie! They're in high demand right now. Sometimes I think about making cakes themed after you guys, I bet they'd sell out."
"Oh? So you all are Machan fans as well?"
Another customer entered and joined the conversation. Upon seeing Hokko Tarumae, she immediately asked for an autograph and promised to visit Tomakomai.
Tarumae was embarrassed but happy that her hometown was getting publicity and that Machan was being remembered.
Even if the videos she filmed were "cringe-worthy" to her, the results were good.
They returned to Tracen Academy. Kitasan's clothes were dry now. She changed and hurried back to her usual spot so Dia-chan wouldn't suspect anything.
On her way out, Kitasan spotted a reporter at the gate. It was Etsuko Otana from the monthly magazine Kirari. She wished for the Uma Musume world to flourish and poured her passion into her reporting. She appeared frequently in the URA story.
Now, with the annual Freshmen's Welcoming Party about to begin and the Spring G1 races in full swing, she wanted to interview more girls to spread the news.
Since Tokyo has a temperate climate, the snow in January was quite deep, but temperatures were starting to climb.
According to her observations, the tracks at Kyoto and Tokyo Racecourses were already being treated to ensure there would be no snow on them when it came time for races to begin. She knew that for Uma Musume, overcoming the weather was a major hurdle.
"A few more days to go... I'll definitely get some great interview material then!" She made some notes and headed back.
In the Spica clubroom:
Mizuki had everything settled. It was now January 28th. Seeing how happy Chairwoman Akikawa Yayoi had been lately, she wondered what kind of party she would throw on the 30th.
Knowing her style, it'd be like nothing Mizuki had seen before.
She was right.
Under a massive stage, Akikawa Yayoi was commanding a construction crew of dozens to perform a complete overhaul. The stage featured the latest acoustic designs and high-tech building materials, giving it a futuristic vibe.
The stage wasn't just for singing and dancing, at the back, there was a hundred-meter track for remote-controlled cars, allowing the Umas to enjoy mini-games and races.
However, the Chairwoman didn't dare tell Tazuna Hayakawa about this massive expenditure. The inspiration came from a track she saw at Amanohashidate. She didn't have time to play that day, so she brought the track to her own big stage.
She designed three types of mini-cars for short, mile, and long distances respectively. Uma Musume only needed to wear specific equipment and VR headsets to control the cars.
She checked the list again. Many live singing and dancing performances... it was going to be exciting!
She stood with her hands on her hips in triumph, unaware that a certain "Green Demon" was approaching with a smile.
"Chairwoman-san..." Tazuna said sweetly, her voice gentle but radiating an extreme chill.
"TAZUNA?!!!" The Chairwoman was terrified. She knew she was finished.
The following scene was as brutal as expected. Chairwoman Akikawa was lectured like a child who had done something wrong. Though she was annoyed, she couldn't argue, since she had spent way too much money again.
In the Spica room:
Mizuki began writing her diary again. Having read the story of Tokai Teio, she couldn't remain calm. She hadn't realized how much Teio had endured until now.
Teio had watched her dreams shatter over and over, helpless to stop it. How much resentment and despair must she have felt?
Yet, in the final moment, she conquered herself.
Mizuki only had one thought: 'Teio, you're my hero.'
She assigned some tasks to the Spica members and started writing.
[Training today was pleasant. The Spring G1 races are about to start, and the tension is rising. The main timeline I'm in is centered around the "Golden Generation." That's Special Week, El Condor Pasa, and the others. The upcoming races will be exciting.]
[On the field, I met Team Canopus, Zenno Rob Roy, Symboli Kris S, and Tap Dance City.]
[I have to say, Twin Turbo really charges too fast. As expected of Tracen's number one "Dumbas— " er, I mean, the "number one little fighter."]
In the Canopus room:
"Hmph! Trainer Mizuki, don't think Turbo doesn't know what you were going to say! You were going to call me a bad word, weren't you? I'm not stupid!" Twin Turbo huffed, while also being anxious to know when her career would be featured.
Surely she won many G1s.
Nice Nature was stifling a laugh. When Turbo demanded to know what was so funny, Nature said she just remembered something happy.
The diary continued:
[Also, Gold Ship took Tosen Jordan's phone again today and gave it to Zenno Rob Roy. Jordan was so mad she said she'd pay someone to beat Gold Ship up.]
[I wanted to say: Just give me the money, and I'll have Gold Ship do extra training sets pulling tires with McQueen sitting on top. I'll increase the intensity of her training several times.]
[Come on Jordan, we need to keep the benefits in the family.]
[And Zenno Rob Roy was reading hero stories again today. In the hearts of many, she is a hero. Especially for Spe-chan, she only got a score in the 20s, and it was only thanks to Grass Wonder's tutoring and Rob Roy's books that she passed the makeup exam.]
Seeing this, countless people burst out laughing.
"Trainer Mizuki is so smart. If we crowdfunded a prank on Gold Ship, everyone would be in," Hishi Miracle laughed.
After all, who in Tracen hadn't been pranked by Gold Ship? Everyone had a long-standing grudge.
However, Hishi Miracle wasn't being malicious, she just thought the image was funny. But some people really wanted Gold Ship to get her comeuppance.
"Oh? Really? I'm willing to pay," Tosen Jordan said seriously. She really wanted to punch Gold Ship in the face for constantly teasing her.
She genuinely wanted to "increase the intensity" of Gold Ship's life.
On the other side:
"Waaaah! Stop talking about my score of 20! It's embarrassing, Trainer Mizuki-san!" Special Week wailed. She had tried so hard to hide that score, and now it was public knowledge. She felt her mood dropping to "Awful.
She was trying to change her clumsy image, but her Trainer kept bringing this up!
Mizuki was right about one thing though: Special Week really was grateful to Grass and Rob Roy.
Gold Ship just scratched her head. How did she get caught in the crossfire while just lying there?
She didn't mind, though. Gold Ship was incredibly smart, Tosen Jordan had no chance of out-pranking her.
The diary continued:
[But today, the girl I want to talk about is from our Team Spica: Tokai Teio.]
[Her career was not smooth sailing, but she moved countless people.]
[This is a story about never giving up.]