Inside the Spica clubroom:
"What do you mean 'not smooth sailing'?! Does that mean I won't achieve the Undefeated Triple Crown? Trainer Mizuki, what exactly happened?!"
Tokai Teio had been overjoyed when she first saw her name appear in the diary. She had stood there with her hands on her hips, acting like her usual cheeky self, ready to bask in the glory. But as she read on, she froze, and anxiety began to cloud her face.
'Did my story end in regret? What kind of regret?'
"Teio..."
McQueen looked at her with concern. As fellow members of Spica, she and Teio were the closest of friends, constantly encouraging each other. If Teio were to fulfill her dream, McQueen would be the happiest person in the world.
But Mizuki's words left McQueen feeling uneasy. Out of her 1,000-pound weight, 999 pounds were currently made of pure fear for her friend. She began to pray silently that Teio would be okay.
"Personally, I think the signs don't look good for Teio," Gold Ship chimed in, being her usual blunt self. Her words turned Tokai Teio into a living emoji of shock. Teio's nerves were already frayed, but now she was truly panicking.
"Because Trainer Mizuki used the word 'regret.' she used that same word when describing Duramente's career. So, I'm wondering if Teio gets injured too?" Gold Ship mused.
"Eh? Injured..."
Teio took a step back. When she had read about Duramente's career earlier, she had felt a deep resonance. Duramente had won the Satsuki Sho and the Tokyo Derby, she was only the Kikuka Sho away from becoming a Triple Crown Uma Musume. But at the final moment, she suffered a fracture.
Missing a once-in-a-lifetime chance at the Kikuka-sho and the Triple Crown... it was a pain too deep for words. Teio began to wonder:
'Would I also miss out on races because of an injury?'
"No, that won't happen! I am Teio-sama! My body is as tough as iron, and these legs of mine can dance through any track. I won't get injured!"
Teio said this while performing a quick "Teio Step," but despite her words, her heart was racing. She decided to stop overthinking and just keep reading. She believed in herself. She would win many races and become the Tokai Teio everyone loved.
However, Teio didn't realize that while people did love her for her victories, they loved her even more for her will, for the will that refused to bow to fate. Just as she would say years later, through tears, after enduring countless trials:
"Well, I guess I have no choice. I'll just keep on running."
In the Tokyo countryside:
"Regret? No way..."
Kitasan Black was still running back when she saw the diary entry. Her heart skipped a beat. Tokai Teio was her idol, her inspiration. Naturally, she wanted Teio to be safe and sound.
However, Kitasan wondered... maybe Teio just lost a race? To her, losing was much easier to accept than an injury.
Having read about her own 7-G1 career, she knew that failure is a constant thread in life. She had started her journey thinking she'd win the Classics, only to have that dream end before it really began.
Kitasan decided to keep reading. Suddenly, she spotted Cheval Grand wandering aimlessly nearby. She called out happily:
"Hey, Cheval! What are you doing here?"
"Ki... Kitasan Black?"
Cheval Grand looked up to see Kitasan waving and smiling at her. Being the ultimate social introvert, her first instinct wasn't to say hello, but to hide. She scrambled into a small alleyway, hoping Kitasan hadn't seen her.
But she wanted to run, and she couldn't hide. With a burst of speed, Kitasan appeared right in front of her.
"Cheval-san! What a coincidence! You look energetic today!"
Kitasan's passion was as scorching as sunlight, making Cheval's heart thud. She was terrible at socializing and could only stutter, her embarrassed expression looking incredibly cute.
Kitasan had actually come to invite Cheval to Satono Diamond's birthday party. She knew Cheval was part of the same generation as her and Dia. The more people, the merrier the celebration.
However, as soon as Cheval heard "party," she panicked and immediately started making excuses.
"Eh? A birthday party...? I... I can't. Actually, I have things to do that day."
Cheval turned her head away, not daring to look at Kitasan. She really couldn't handle it. If she went to a party and everyone looked at her, she'd wither instantly.
If she ruined the atmosphere, it would be too awkward.
"I see. That's a shame, but if you're busy, it can't be helped. But seriously, Cheval, you're amazing! I saw the diary, you beat me in the G1 Japan Cup! You really are a rival I can't underestimate."
"But next time, I definitely won't lose to you!" Kitasan pumped her fist in her signature "punching" pose.
"Me...? Don't praise me, I'm not that great," Cheval whispered, looking down. But inside, she was glowing.
Kitasan Black considered her a rival. That one sentence from Kitasan was enough to keep Cheval warm for the whole day.
"You really are great! Dia-chan and I both think so. Anyway, speaking of Dia-chan, I have to go before she finds me!" Kitasan waved.
"Okay, see you... Wait, Kitasan! That party... I... I'll go. I just remembered, I should be free that day," Cheval blurted out. She realized everyone acknowledged her, so she wanted to find the courage to give Dia her blessings.
After saying it, she stayed quiet so she wouldn't take it back.
Kitasan was thrilled, promising it would be a great day, and then she truly departed.
In a luxury villa in Tokyo:
Tokai Natural was also reading the diary. She was Tokai Teio's "mother." Wearing a sun hat and white athletic gear, she looked dashing and radiated vitality.
She shared that same cheeky look with Teio, though with a more mature, "onee-san" aura.
Natural came from a wealthy family. Her villa featured a small garden with tree sculptures and a climate-controlled pool on the side. After all, her family had the means to arrange a pairing with Symboli Rudolf back in the day.
Teio's birth was actually a bit of an accident. In late 1986, after Symboli Rudolf retired, the plan was for her to pair with Tokai Roman, the Oaks winner. But Tokai Roman had a great season and her team decided to delay her retirement.
To not waste the breeding rights with Rudolf, they chose her half-sister, Tokai Natural, who shared half her bloodline. Through that stroke of luck, Tokai Teio was born.
So, while the horse Teio's birth was an accident, he entered the world surrounded by immense expectations.
Incidentally, Tokai Natural herself had been unable to debut because of a leg injury, turning straight to breeding. Rudolf, despite his glorious career, had also suffered through ligamentitis, lameness, sprains, and other ailments.
One could say the parents' history was a foreshadowing of Teio's own bumpy road.
"Hey, Natural, stop calling me all the time! I'm not a superhero, you know, I can't always be ready to answer!" Tokai Roman said over the phone from Tracen Academy.
"You still haven't sorted it out!" Natural huffed, acting even more spoiled than Teio.
"Relax. I know what you want. I'll make sure Rudolf looks after Teio and guides her training," Roman replied.
"Good. Specifically tell Rudolf to keep Teio safe. Don't let her get injured." As Rudolf's "wife," Natural felt entitled to demand she protect their "kid."
She hung up shortly after.
Natural cherished Teio deeply. Because she herself could never run, young Teio had told her, "I'll take your dreams. I'll fulfill them for you and run with all your desire for the race."
That moment had moved Natural to tears. Knowing Teio idolized Rudolf, Natural often used her connection to make sure Rudolf guided her. She was always providing support from the shadows.
Now, seeing the diary, she was worried sick about Teio getting hurt, which is why she pestered Tokai Roman again. Although Teio was just a junior from the same family, Natural treated her as a daughter.
And as a mother, the results don't matter as much as the child being healthy.
While everyone watched with bated breath, Mizuki's diary continued:
[Tokai Teio was born on April 20th in Hokkaido. As the most famous descendant of the legendary "Emperor" Symboli Rudolf, expectations for him were sky-high from birth.]
[As a foal, Teio wasn't highly rated because his legs were long and his frame was thin. But once he started moving, he showed incredible flexibility and grace, catching the eyes of experts.]
[It was discovered that as a young foal, he would jump over fences over a meter high just to play, then jump back in when he was done.]
[He had a habit of escaping. He'd frequently hop the fence to go wander, but he always knew his way back. T.M. Opera O has a similar habit of slipping away during grazing.]
[But unlike Teio, T.M. Opera O often holds his head high, walks off, and immediately forgets the way back, requiring someone to go pick him up. Teio always finds his own way home.]
[While Teio was usually quiet, he couldn't stand it if other horses were given priority over him. He'd throw a tantrum, so they always had to put him first in line.]
[Teio also loved apples so much that he believed anyone holding an apple was a saint. He'd proactively nuzzle anyone with an apple just for a bite. He'd do anything for an apple.]
[In Tracen, she's the same. She loves being the center of attention. When people focus on her, her tail starts wagging uncontrollably. If you pay attention to someone else and ignore her, she'll hide in a corner and sulk.]
[Though at Tracen, she prefers honey drinks even more than apples.]
Inside Spica:
"Trainer Mizuki! It's only natural for Teio-sama to be given priority! I mean, I am Teio-sama! People should be tripping over themselves to see me!"
Teio's face was beet red after reading the entry. But she refused to admit it. She claimed she wouldn't be unhappy even if she weren't put first.
"Oh? Is Teio embarrassed?" Hokko Tarumae giggled. She found this side of Teio, the little girl who wants to be noticed, very cute.
"I don't know about the rest, but I watch Teio often," McQueen said with a smirk. "Her tail really does start wagging in spite of herself when she's getting attention."
"It does not! It doesn't!" Teio protested. "And McQueen, why are you watching me so much anyway? You're acting weird!"
Teio seized the opening and counter-attacked.
"McQueen, you're acting weird."
"McQueen, you're acting weird."
"McQueen, you're acting weird."
The rest of Spica immediately jumped on the bandwagon, teasing the chonky pony.
"Ahem... I'm just observing her running form! What are you all thinking?!" McQueen stammered. She had been enjoying the fun a second ago, and now the target was on her.
It was a classic case of getting caught in the crossfire. She waved her hands frantically, looking like she wanted to cry.
In the Tracen pool:
"Ha~~hahahaha! T.M. Opera O repeatedly escaped the fences? It seems the real-life version of me truly loved freedom! As the Overlord of the Century's End, I naturally cannot be easily confined!"
T.M. Opera O struck a dramatic pose, as dramatic as ever.
"For some reason, that pose is so cringeworthy that I'm embarrassed to stand next to her," Narita Top Road whispered, her face red and her toes curling.
"Be bolder with your words. It's extremely cringeworthy," Admire Vega muttered, covering her face. "Based on her proud tone, you'd think she won a G1, but she's literally just bragging about being a dummy who wandered off and got lost."
"I guess so... By the way, Doto, why aren't you reacting? Aren't you embarrassed?" Top Road asked.
"I... I guess I've just gotten used to it. Opera O has always been like this, it's not strange to me anymore."
Doto replied weakly. Without even realizing it, she had seemingly adapted to the madness.
"You actually got used to such shameful scenes... in a way, you're the truly terrifying one here."
Admire Vega sniped again. She finally understood that being the "Vice-Overlord of the Century's End" was no easy task.
In the Ritto Dorms:
"Haha, so the real-life Teio likes apples? I wonder what the real-life me likes to eat?"
Nice Nature was curious.
In reality, the horse Nice Nature wasn't a picky eater, his favorite foods were carrots and apples. However, during his time as a stud, he once grew so fat from overeating that he was described as looking like a "pregnant woman" or a "sumo wrestler."
During that time, because he was too heavy, his diet was restricted to just one apple a day. If you had tried to feed him a carrot back then, he would have lunged at you like he'd gone crazy.
"Speaking of which, Teio and I are from the same era. I wonder if I'll show up in Trainer Mizuki's diary? Can I actually win a championship?"
Nice Nature suddenly got nervous, her heart rate accelerating. But she quickly shook her head, entering a state of internal conflict.
'Hey, hey, don't give yourself so much screen time, okay? This is clearly Teio's chapter. Here I am talking about taking first place when I always say a modest, average life is the happiest...'
'But... maybe I'll get lucky this time... maybe snagging a long-awaited first place or something...?'
Nature twirled her hair cutely, her cheeks flushing pink. Deep down, she craved that victory, but she was too shy to say it out loud.
This side of Nature only made her look more youthful and endearing. It was truly adorable.
"Neicha-san, what 'first place' are you mumbling about? Do you want to win a race?"
Urara walked in curiously, giving Nature a fright.
"Ah? I... I didn't say anything!" Nature denied at lightspeed.
"Is that so? Maybe Urara misheard. Urara has another race tomorrow! It's a dirt race. I did special training with Trainer Mizuki, so I feel like I might win!"
Since returning, Urara had sought advice from Mizuki. She had patiently explained her running issues on dirt and provided methods for improvement.
Mizuki had made sure to explain things in a simple, easy-to-understand way. Urara understood instantly and saw a huge jump in performance during training.
Her gratitude toward this Trainer was now at an absolute maximum.
"I hope Urara works hard. If only I could be as famous as Neicha-san," Urara said longingly.
"Haha, Urara can definitely win. But my fame? Within Tracen Academy, it's actually pretty average," Nature said, giving her usual shrug and self-deprecating smile.
"That's not true! Everyone knows Neicha is super strong because she's always in the top three! People even say things like: 'Friendship first, competition second, Neicha third'!" Urara recalled innocently.
"That... that really stings."
Nature felt her soul leave her body. That sentence completely shut her down.
Lies don't hurt, the truth is the sharpest blade.
She gritted her teeth, determined to prove herself. She wanted to be number one, she would climb to the top, step by step.
At Team Canopus:
"Oh? If that's the case, I should be making an appearance soon too! I wonder how I'll do? Probably just something ordinary, ehehe."
Matikane Tannhauser was looking at the diary. She wanted to see her future results— would her luck improve? Would she become more "unique"?
"Say, Tannhauser-san, are you sure you won't try Twin Turbo's method? Let a big spider chase you while you run. You might break a record! Trust me, Twin Turbo is a genius!"
Twin Turbo stood with her hands on her hips, full of confidence. She believed this solved all of Tannhauser's problems: It would make her run faster and give her a unique personality that everyone would remember.
"That's too scary! I'd rather not. Isn't there any other way?"
The mere thought terrified Tannhauser. She actually owned many spider plushies for "desensitization training," but those were fake. Every time she saw a live spider, she'd faint instantly and end up lying on the ground like a corpse.
She decided not to think about it for now and focus on her future in the diary.
Mizuki's diary continued:
[Tokai Teio debuted in his Newcomer Race on December 1, 1990. As a descendant of the 'Emperor' Symboli Rudolf, he was the first favorite even in his debut. He won easily by four lengths on a heavy 1800m track.]
[Moving into 1991, Tokai Teio cruised through his next three OP-level races. These were the Cyclamen S, Wakakoma S, and Wakaba S, and throughout every race, the jockey didn't even need to use the whip. These races were also mentioned in the anime.]
[As a side note, the day after Teio's debut, on December 2, 1990, Nice Nature debuted in his own Newcomer Race. However, he was blocked on the final straight and finished second.]
[On January 19, 1991, Nice Nature participated in the first OP-level race of his career, the Wakakoma S. The winner was the aforementioned Tokai Teio. As for the highly anticipated Nice Nature, he did not disappoint the expectations of being a "Bronze Collector" and finished in 3rd place.]
[Unfortunately, after this race, Nice Nature suffered from periostitis, which forced him to miss the Satsuki Sho and the Tokyo Derby.]
[On March 2, 1991, Twin Turbo debuted in his Newcomer Race and took his first win with a "Great Escape" style. However, because he debuted late, he didn't meet the requirements for the Satsuki Sho. While Nature was recovering, Turbo began striving for the Tokyo Derby.]
[Of course, Nature and Turbo debuted after Teio. In fact, many of his contemporaries debuted even earlier.]
[This includes Mejiro Palmer, who debuted on August 12, 1989, and finally won his first race on his third attempt.]
[And Daitaku Helios, who debuted on October 29, 1989, and also took three tries to get his first win.]
[One can only say their eternal friendship is destiny, both took three races to break their maiden status. Compared to the 1991-bound Tokai Teio, they had already entered their Senior years.]
[On April 14, 1991, Tokai Teio reached his first G1 race: The Satsuki Sho. His performance immediately drew the attention and gasps of everyone.]
[Despite not having a graded stakes win yet, Teio was the first favorite with 2.1 odds, beating out the 2-year-old G1 winner Ibuki Maikagura. He lived up to the hype, even from the outermost 18th gate, he used his expert strategy to seize the lead on the straight, winning with a time of 2:01.8.]
[Exactly seven years prior, in his own Satsuki Sho, Symboli Rudolf ran a 2:01.1 to win by one length.]
[In the commemorative photo after the race, jockey Takayuki Yasuda imitated Rudolf's jockey, Yukio Okabe, by holding up one finger. This signaled that the first crown was secured and declared to the world: "We will take the Triple Crown."]
[The runner-up of this race was Shako Grade, a descendant of Mr. C.B. You could say that just as Symboli Rudolf beat Mr. C.B, Tokai Teio beat Shako Grade. This is basically an ancestral bullying passed down through generations.]
Mizuki paused to reflect.
Actually, Shako Grade's performance was shocking. As the son of Mr. C.B., he wasn't favored initially due to poor debut results, he was acctually the 16th favorite, but he charged to 2nd place, losing only to Teio
As for the 2-year-old champion Ibuki Maikagura, he finished fourth.
In the second season of the anime, having Mr. C.B. watch the Satsuki Sho was a deliberate arrangement by Cygames to highlight this father-son bond.
At Spica:
"Haha! The first crown is mine!"
Tokai Teio happily held up one index finger. In her game victory animation, she does exactly this— jumping into the "Teio Step" while holding up a finger. Cygames clearly referenced this history.
As a side note, Special Week also holds up a finger after winning, but Spe's version is a bit more... clunky.
Speaking of the "General of Japan," Tokai Teio's performance in the 1992 Japan Cup was what truly ended the dominance of foreign horses.
Teio is just as deserving of the title "General of Japan" as Special Week. However, because Special Week defeated the "once-in-a-century genius" Montjeu, he holds a unique place in the hearts of Japanese fans.
Usually, when people mention the "General of Japan," they think of Special Week!
"Teio is on a five-race winning streak now! Maybe she really can win the Undefeated Triple Crown!" Hokko Tarumae said excitedly.
"There's a saying at Tracen," Gold Ship added while spinning her Rubik's Cube. "'The fastest horse wins the Satsuki Sho, the luckiest horse wins the Derby, and the strongest horse wins the Kikuka Sho.' Teio has already proven she's the fastest."
Gold Ship's current goal was to beat her real-horse equivalent by getting a 7th G1 win. Also, she was determined never to let that "High-Kick" incident at the Hanshin Daishoten happen again.
She hadn't expected Kitasan Black to reach 7 G1s, but regardless, Teio's first G1 was in the bag.
"I asked Trainer Mizuki before," Daiwa Scarlet said. "She said to win the Triple Crown, you need effort, luck, and strength. Missing any one makes it impossible."
Much like Duramente, who just lacked a bit of luck.
"Then let's look at the Derby! Teio-sama has both strength and effort. I believe I'm also the luckiest!" Teio puffed out her chest with a grin.
In reality, throughout Japanese racing history, the winners of the Tokyo Derby often had careers filled with hardship. Special Week was one of the luckier ones.
Derby winners are often labeled as "early bloomers" who burn out after the race and never perform well again.
When Gold Ship lost the Derby, some joked that he was "too smart". Knowing Derby winners have bad luck, he intentionally finished 5th. He didn't win, but he finished in the money. He had the system figured out.
"But I didn't beat President Rudolf... I was 0.07 seconds slower. Dammit, just a tiny bit!" Teio felt a bit frustrated looking at the times.
"Well, Teio, the track conditions matter too. You were in the outermost 18th gate, which definitely had an impact," McQueen consoled her.
"I know, I know. But I was still slower than the President. It's okay, McQueen! I'll prove to everyone in Spica and to Trainer Mizuki that Teio-sama was worth recruiting! I'll be stronger than everyone. I won't let you down, ni-shi-shi!"
Teio grinned, her inner determination shining through her playful exterior.
"Okay, Teio. Let's work hard together," McQueen smiled, moved by Teio's spirit.
"McQueen, you believe in me, right?"
"Of course." McQueen nodded. She had always been watching Teio.
In the Student Council Office:
"Yukio Okabe... did he really strike such an exaggerated pose when we won the first crown?" Rudolf asked with a smile.
She was curious about what kind of person Okabe was. She also wondered what kind of "fanfic" he might have written.
"He seems like a very cheerful person," Mr. C.B. commented. She felt a bit awkward seeing the "ancestral bullying" mentioned in the diary.
"So Rudolf's line beat my line again? Don't get too ahead of yourself, Rudolf. My kids might surpass yours later."
Rudolf chuckled. "Coming from behind is fine. I hope they all keep winning."
C.B. teased, "Aren't you afraid your 'Emperor' throne is in danger?"
"The old era always passes. The new era belongs to the young." Rudolf was at peace with it.
Narita Brian added, "Spoken like a true Emperor. I agree with that."
At Team Canopus:
"So Teio really got first? And I really got third... for some reason, I'm getting used to it. The Wakaba Stakes, huh..."
"Also, I got injured? Where? I guess my body isn't as tough as those youngsters..."
Nice Nature shrugged. In reality, she was very young then too, though she felt old compared to the likes of Mayano Top Gun later on. S
he had been nervous waiting for her turn, and while she was still getting 3rd place from the start, she was sad to miss the Satsuki Sho and Derby.
"Hey, Turbo. If I had raced in the Satsuki Sho and Derby, do you think I would have placed well?" Nature sighed.
Fortunately, with the diary's exposure, she could avoid her injury.
"Hmph, of course it's possible! Neicha, don't forget: Canopus is destined to defeat Tokai Teio!" Twin Turbo puffed out her chest, supporting her teammate.
She was disappointed to miss the Satsuki Sho herself, but she'd aim for the Derby and show Teio who was boss.
The diary continued:
[After the Satsuki Sho, Tokai Teio remained in top form.]
[In the Tokyo Derby on May 26th, Teio was assigned the 20th gate— the outermost 8th bracket, from which no horse had ever won. Despite this, he was the overwhelming first favorite with 1.6 odds. It showed the public's absolute faith in him.]
[On the stage of the Derby, Tokai Teio performed his "Teio Step" again, his glory unmatched.]
[The second favorite of 1991 was Leo Durban, a descendant of the Maruzensky line. In the Cygames story, she greets "Auntie" Maruzensky, saying she felt the guidance of destiny.]
[The third favorite was Shako Grade. She greeted Mr. C.B., likewise stating that she felt the guidance of destiny. In Cygame's design, Shako Grade's character art also features a red top hat. It's an inherited trait, after all.]
[One can only say that these top three favorites were a true "Father-Son" showdown. All three greeted the old folks in the stands before the race.]
[However, in the stands, the two legendary commentators of the Uma Musume world met Kitasan Black and Satono Diamond for the first time, beginning a solemn introduction to the strengths and weaknesses of the runners.]
[Kitasan and Diamond were completely dazed, the commentary was just too professional.]
[And finally, the Japan Derby began.]
[Tokai Teio drew the outermost gate, a lane from which no one had ever won. Right out of the gate, Teio settled into the Late Surger group, which was the third group. Considering the wide gate, this was the most rational way to run.]
[Through the first and second turns, Tokai Teio moved up step by step. By the third turn, he had reached the seventh position.]
[There is, however, one advantage to the wide outer lane: Upon entering the final straight, it's easier to exert power on the outside. The hooves don't get trapped, the turf is clean, and one can charge up the straight in a single breath.]
[Evidently, that is exactly what Tokai Teio did. After the third turn, he found his opening and burst forward with a sudden surge, instantly pulling away from the others. One length, two lengths, three lengths... Tokai Teio was about to ascend the Derby throne!]
[The announcer on the scene shouted in excitement— ]
["Tokai Teio is coming! He's digging in on the outside! 400 meters left, Tokai Teio is charging all the way!"]
["But the other horses are fast too!"]
["Tokai Teio has overtaken them! Teio has passed them! 3 lengths, 4 lengths! There's no doubt now, no doubt at all! The disadvantage of the outer gate means nothing to him!"]
["Tokai Teio has conquered the Japan Derby!"]
["Simply incredible, Tokai Teio!"]
["The second crown is his!"]
["A crushing show of pure strength!"]
["Tokai Teio has taken the Japan Derby in dominating fashion. Following in the footsteps of the 'Emperor' Symboli Rudolf, he has once again achieved the Undefeated Two Crowns!"]
[At that moment in the anime, Kitasan was overjoyed, jumping up and hugging Dia-chan.]
[The famous meme of "Kitasan choking Dia" was born from this moment.]
[The story of those two had officially begun.]
In the Uma Musume world, Kitasan and Satono Diamond were already entering the early stages of their maturation now, whereas they were still little foals in Season 2 of the anime.
Growing taller a bit early doesn't change their actual transformation timeline, so it wasn't a big issue.
Mizuki continued writing in the diary.
[At this very moment, Tokai Teio had secured a magnificent six-race winning streak. After the race, jockey Takayuki Yasuda held up two fingers. Yukio Okabe, who finished second in the same race, remarked: "Even if Yasuda had made three or four mistakes, I still wouldn't have won."]
[In the plot of the Uma Musume Season 2 anime, Teio makes the same gesture after winning the Japan Derby, holding up two fingers amidst the cheers of the crowd.]
[One can only imagine that seeing Takayuki Yasuda reminded Yukio Okabe of his own high-spirited self when he rode Rudolf.]
[What's more noteworthy is that Tokai Teio had secured the Two Crowns with an undefeated record. Only the Kikuka-sho stood between him and the Undefeated Triple Crown. People began to hope they would witness the first-ever inherited Undefeated Triple Crown in history. Since Teio was Rudolf's child, if he achieved it, he would undoubtedly created history.]
Inside Spica:
"Ni-shi-shi! Am I really going to get the Undefeated Triple Crown?"
Tokai Teio was ecstatic, though she mused: "But wait, what does 'Uma Musume Season 2 anime' mean? Has Teio's story been turned into an anime?"
McQueen said, "It's possible. And if Uma Musume is an anime, everyone probably gets a chance to appear."
Vodka added, "Then I'm sorry, Daiwa Scarlet. If it's an anime, according to history, I'm going to beat you several times."
Daiwa Scarlet huffed with her hands on her hips, "Hmph! I've won plenty too, okay? Now that the diary is exposed, I'll practice even harder so you won't win a single time."
Hokko Tarumae wondered, "I wonder if I'll be in it? Everyone else is so amazing, they'll definitely film you guys. Will I have any screen time?"
Special Week encouraged her, "Of course you will, Tarumae-san! You work so hard for Tomakomai, everyone will see that."
Daiwa Scarlet muttered privately, "In the real world, they made a game about Uma Musumes early on, but I was just a 'starter giveaway' character. I hope the anime gives me more screen time."
Vodka teased, "Miss Honor Student, I heard that!"
Scarlet's face turned red instantly as she went full Tsundere: "What? Whatever! I'm ignoring you!"
In Ireland:
Baaeed had previously come here to challenge everyone. At the time, only Solemia accepted the challenge. The final result was a massive lead for Baaeed, showing the absolute strength of this British Uma Musume.
Solemia was a Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner, yet before Baaeed, there seemed to be no possibility of winning. Even the powerful aura Solemia unleashed at the end was stepped over and crushed by Baaeed's overwhelming momentum.
In front of Baaeed, the Irish Uma Musumes seemed to have no one left to answer the challenge.
But just then, Sea the Stars returned to Ireland from Hong Kong.
She was usually very gentle, but she interpreted Baaeed's behavior... poorly.
'Is this brat trying to provoke a conflict between Irish and British Uma Musumes?!'
In that case, Sea the Stars didn't mind stepping in personally.
However, Sea the Stars was a bit surprised to see Baaeed. She had to admit, they looked quite similar.
But that didn't stop her from wanting to give Baaeed a harsh lesson, in fact, she felt it was exactly what she should do.
Indeed, Sea the Stars was technically Baaeed's "father." Baaeed was incredibly strong, at the level of a world champion, but her opponent was Sea the Stars, a legend who could stand alongside Frankel.
There was still a gap.
Knowing Baaeed had just finished a 2400m duel, Sea the Stars gave her time to rest. Once both were ready, their duel officially began.
On the Irish training grounds, the crowd was bustling. Thousands had poured in, and it seemed the entire school had come to watch the race between Sea the Stars and Baaeed.
The scene was magnificent.
Some rookie Irish Uma Musumes were worried, constantly cheering for Sea the Stars.
But Solemia knew: In the face of Sea the Stars, who possessed the disposition of a world-ruling monarch, the current Baaeed, though powerful, had no chance of winning.
As long as "The Star" was back, she was the strongest, unless the world champion Frankel herself arrived.
The thought of a duel between Sea the Stars and Frankel alone made Solemia 's legs feel weak.
After entering the gates, Baaeed was extremely nervous. She knew what kind of opponent she faced, one of the strongest in the world. But she would not show fear.
She looked at Sea the Stars and said:
"I don't care who you are. I will prove that I am the number one Uma Musume in the world."
Sea the Stars replied: "Is that so? You think running is too simple. I watched one recording of you, your style is full of openings."
Hearing this, a raging fighting spirit burned in Baaeed's eyes: "Hah, you've watched one recording and talk like you know everything about me."
With that, Baaeed seemed to step into a "Zone." A blue glow appeared in her eyes.
"Oh... nice aura. You seem a bit stronger than I thought," Sea the Stars praised her "kid." She then settled into her running stance, looking forward to the race.
Soon, the race was off.
As the gates opened, Sea The Stars and Baaeed bolted out together. Both were incredibly fast.
In Baaeed's eyes, a daunting, ghostly light flickered. Blue lightning seemed to leap across her body, forming a massive trail of light as she sprinted.
It was clear Baaeed was using her full strength from the start. She wanted to control the pace in this 2400m contest, disrupt Sea the Stars' rhythm, and seize victory in one fell swoop. Her strategy was brilliant, and her tactical intelligence was high.
However, Sea the Stars was a peerless genius. How could she let Baaeed influence her pace?
Sea the Stars remained calm even when facing a coordinated siege by the Coolmore group, let alone now.
Initially, Sea the Stars and Baaeed ran neck-and-neck.
But after the first turn, Sea the Stars exerted her power first. With a single stride, she instantly seized the lead and took the initiative.
Baaeed's face darkened, but she said nothing. She was far calmer than expected.
She continued to accelerate behind Sea the Stars, remarkably keeping up. The two engaged in a fierce struggle once more.
"I see. You are indeed not to be underestimated."
Sea the Stars felt a terrifying aura welling up within her. Just as Baaeed caught up, Sea the Stars counter-attacked. At that moment, her presence became overwhelming.
Terrifying bolts of lightning seemed to descend from the sky, sending her flying forward like a lone rider ahead of the pack.
Baaeed's own surge of energy was no less impressive. Their two auras clashed like titans, and the battle intensified instantly.
However, Baaeed soon realized that while her desperate burst of power increased her speed, it was like trying to put out a raging fire with a cup of water. She could only watch as Sea the Stars' back gradually drifted further away.
Baaeed's momentum felt as if it were being annihilated by Sea the Stars. She gritted her teeth and persevered. She knew that if she was beaten here, her failure would be absolute.
They reached the final straight, but Sea the Stars was already a full length ahead.
The most eerie thing was that Baaeed found that no matter how much she accelerated, that one-length gap felt impossible to bridge. Ultimately, despite her desperate speed, she lost by half a length.
In this contest, Baaeed had lost. It was a complete and utter defeat.
Indeed, Baaeed had not yet reached her full peak. Facing Sea the Stars, she had no chance of winning.
Even if both were at their peaks, Sea the Stars would still hold the edge.
"Uwah..."
The atmosphere on the scene became delicate. Baaeed realized the gap, she stood there and couldn't help but cry. It started with a few tears, then turned into uncontrollable sobbing.
"Why is it like this..." Baaeed cried out, having turned into a British crybaby.
Sea the Stars walked over, patted Baaeed on the shoulder, and said helplessly:
"Your idea was good when you tried to disrupt my rhythm at the start. But your overall speed isn't enough to threaten me yet. Plus, you haven't reached your peak, so your body's explosive power is limited. Keep working hard."
"Waaaaah, Sea the Stars-sensei!" Baaeed suddenly looked at Sea the Stars with teary eyes and wailed.
"Eh?"
Sea the Stars was stunned by being called "Sensei."
Good grief, now she was going to experience what Nice Nature felt like being chased around by students calling her "Sensei."
But perhaps it was destiny. The sire and the foal, through a strange twist of fate, had finally met.
Solemia felt a weight lift from her shoulders and sighed in relief. To be honest, she was shocked by Baaeed's talent, but seeing the British Uma Musume call Sea the Stars "Sensei" left her speechless.
A British Uma Musume calling an Irish one "Sensei"— wasn't this a form of NTR?
But having read Tokai Teio's diary, she realized that Uma Musumes in every country were getting stronger. Ireland had to do the same, otherwise, how could they defend their glory if someone like Baaeed challenged them again?
Baaeed naturally paid the price for her arrogance, the principal from Britain called to apologize, as did Baaeed herself. But this made Solemia realize the importance of strength.
Furthermore, Sea the Stars brought news that China was building new venues and applying for international G1 status. It seemed the future would undergo cataclysmic changes.
They had to do their best too.
At Team Canopus:
"Did Twin Turbo not compete? Why isn't my name in the Japan Derby?"
Twin Turbo was very displeased. She felt that if she had participated, she would have grabbed everyone's attention.
"I'm not sure, but it's good you weren't injured. Speaking of which, I should be healthy again after the Derby. I wonder what kind of result I'll get in the Kikuka Sho," Nice Nature said.
However, she felt a sense of resentment. If Teio competed, everyone would assume she'd be first without even considering the idea of anyone else winning. Nature knew this, but she still felt unsatisfied.
Other racers had a chance to win too, even if it's against a genius like Teio.
She silently cheered herself on. A girl like her, who always seemed to fall just short at the finish line, couldn't make excuses before a once-in-a-lifetime race. She hoped to get the championship.
"I wonder what I was doing... Uwah, Neicha-san, I'm not going to never appear once, am I? I really am ignored," Matikane Tannhauser said sadly.
She had been reading for a long time but hadn't seen herself yet, even though she was Teio's contemporary. She had filled her notebook with everyone's running characteristics, studying them seriously.
But that method didn't seem to be working.
"Maybe you just haven't debuted yet? Let's wait and see," Nature comforted her. Tannhauser nodded, it was a possibility. They continued reading.
Soon, Mizuki's diary continued.
[After winning the Two Crowns, Tokai Teio naturally headed for the Undefeated Triple Crown. However, three days after the Derby, he was diagnosed with a fracture of the third tarsal bone in his left hind limb.]
[This fracture revealed Teio's fatal flaw: Because his body was so flexible, his leg lift was higher than the average horse. This resulted in excessive pressure upon landing while running, making him more prone to injury than other horses.]
[Healing would take six months, but only five months remained until the Kikuka Sho.]
[The dream of the Undefeated Triple Crown that our Teio cherishes so dearly shattered ruthlessly. In the anime, she refused to accept this fact. She held onto a sliver of hope that perhaps she could heal faster. Thus, she began training desperately.]
[The members of Spica and everyone else gave Tokai Teio the best care possible.]
[With Teio's left leg wrapped in a thick bandage, Gold Ship brought her a self-balancing scooter. McQueen let Teio watch her run to help her remember the feeling of racing. Special Week always brought fresh carrots. Spe-chan really is the Carrot Queen, as if she were born for it.]
[Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka took care of her constantly. Silence Suzuka would often call to soothe Teio's spirit during her injury. Matikane Tannhauser, Nice Nature, Twin Turbo, and others would all come to visit.]
[Even the cast on her left leg was covered in cute drawings by Gold Ship, Twin Turbo, and Nice Nature.]
[Her Trainer did his best to support her, just like the rest of Spica.]
[I wonder where he is in this world? Did I take his place, or did me joining Spica cause him to lose out on the job of his dreams?]
[I feel bad thinking about that. I hope he's happy wherever he is.]
[Back to the story.]
[Tokai Teio's heart was originally filled with anxiety. Five months can be brushed aside in a single sentence, but those who have truly experienced leg injuries know how excruciatingly difficult it is.]
[The tension filling one's heart, the pain of a body unable to run, and the anxiety of a dream that could shatter at any moment... it is enough to destroy a person. Fortunately, Teio had companionship, and in her heart, she truly thanked everyone again and again.]
[In her heart, she also looked forward to a miracle, she was willing to believe in the arrival of one.]
[However, when she went to see the doctor again five months later, the miracle she had been longing for did not happen. The doctor shook his head at her, her body was not yet strong enough to support the intensity of a race.]
[In that moment, she accepted all the results with a smile. But behind that smile, her years-long dream was shattered. The dream of the Undefeated Triple Crown that she had chased since childhood, after five months of struggling, still lost to cold reality.]
[In that split second, what was Tokai Teio feeling in her heart? No one could know. The only thing that could be said was that this innocent and energetic Uma Musume had perhaps undergone a sliver of growth.]
[Supporting herself on crutches, she could only choose to go to the site of the Kikuka Sho to watch the race she had so desperately longed for.]
[A dream she had worked toward for years was only one step away.]
[However, in reality, while Tokai Teio was recovering from her injuries, many other things occurred. Her contemporaries were also working hard for their respective dreams.]
[First, let's talk about Twin Turbo. He didn't participate in the Japanese Derby because he only placed 9th in the Aoba Sho, losing his eligibility for the Derby. On May 26, he raced in the Komakusa Sho, but once again capsized on the final straight, finishing in 5th place.]
[Then, in the Radio Tanto Sho on June 30, 1991, Twin Turbo once again led the entire way to the finish line, winning the first graded stakes (G2) title of his career. Because of this extremely unique running style, he became widely known.]
[After all, everyone loves an "all-out escape" style from the very start, it's enough to make everyone cheer.]
[On September 22, Twin Turbo participated in the St. Lite Memorial, a precursor to the Kikuka-sho, and held his 2nd place position until the finish. However, although Twin Turbo gained eligibility for the Kikuka Sho through this, the team took the long distance of the race into account and voluntarily gave up the right to enter.]
[As for Nice Nature, he had also completed his recovery. In July 1991, after half a year of rest, Nice Nature made his comeback in a race at Chukyo Racecourse and went on to win consecutive races held at Kokura Racecourse.]
[He also obtained the qualification to participate in the final leg of the 1991 Classic Triple Crown, the Kikuka Sho, in November.]
[On August 10, 1991, Rice Shower made his official debut at Niigata Racecourse as the second favorite, beginning his professional career.]
[On September 15, 1991, Matikane Tannhauser successfully debuted by taking 1st place as the second favorite in a 1700m turf Newcomers' race at Chukyo Racecourse.]
[On April 21, 1991, Daitaku Helios and Daiichi Ruby met for the first time in the Keio Hai Spring Cup. He was overtaken by Daiichi Ruby by 1 and 1/4 lengths, placing 2nd.]
[On July 7, 1991, in the 2000m turf G2 Takamatsunomiya Hai, Daitaku Helios won by a narrow nose, shattering Daiichi Ruby's dream of three generations of her maternal line dominating the G2 Takamatsunomiya Hai.]
[In 1991, Mejiro Palmer returned from injury. In his comeback race on March 2, he placed only 12th out of 16 horses. Mejiro Palmer's camp increasingly felt he was unsuitable for flat racing and began considering moving her to steeplechase racing.]
[Thus, while Mejiro Palmer continued flat racing, he also practiced for steeplechases. Midway through, he participated in the 1991 Spring Tenno Sho but finished only 13th. In the subsequent Hanshin Daishoten, he even came in dead last.]
[However, Mejiro Palmer belongs to the "late bloomer" category of racehorses, his moment in the spotlight belongs to 1992.]
At this moment, inside Tracen Academy, all the Uma Musumes were shocked beyond measure by the content they saw. Especially within Team Spica.
"My... my dream is shattered? And my fatal flaw... is the height of my leg lift?"
Tokai Teio didn't know what to do for a moment. This wasn't a training issue, she was born this way. If she deliberately tried to change her leg lift height, it might have the opposite effect.
In reality, Tokai Teio's leg lift height was the reason for her incredible speed, but it also made her more prone to injury. It was innate and indeed difficult to change.
Now, Teio's expression became very sad. It wasn't just the shattered dream, she realized that while everyone was doing their best to help her and stay by her side during her injury, she didn't get better in the end.
She felt as though she had let everyone down.
"Teio... it's okay. We can still figure something out. I'll have the Mejiro family medical team look into nutritional injections that can strengthen bones. I'll have them give you some when the time comes. Also, we can ask Trainer Mizuki, she'll definitely have a way," Mejiro McQueen said immediately, stepping in to comfort Teio.
"Eh? Nutritional injections... McQueen, do those hurt?"
However, the moment Teio heard about "injections," she was instantly scared to death, her face contorting into a meme-worthy expression.
Though she was grateful for McQueen's concern, when it came to shots, no matter what, it was a definite no-no.
"Hey, Teio, is this the time to be talking about whether it hurts or not? Even if it does, you have to endure it for me, okay? No more being selfish," McQueen huffed. The "Big Mac" indicated that there would be no compromise on this.
"Ugh... I don't want to get a shot."
Teio wasn't overly afraid of anything, but when it came to needles, she was truly terrified. Then, Teio added:
"But it's fine. After I recover, I can keep running. McQueen, maybe we'll even face off against each other. I won't lose to you then!"
Tokai Teio said this as she planned to see what happened next. Surely she would still be amazing after returning from injury?
At the same time, she wanted to go thank Nature. Even though Nature had just recovered from her own injury and missed the Satsuki Sho and the Derby, which was even more of a regret, she still comforted her afterward.
'Nature truly was a strong and kind person.'
Little did Teio know, her subsequent career would be even more turbulent.
Meanwhile, at Canopus:
"So Teio got injured after I did? That kind of regret... how should I put it, I can completely understand it," Nice Nature said.
However, she was more optimistic, now that she had discovered this, couldn't it be avoided in advance? Also, seeing that she participated in the Kikuka Sho, she hoped to break the curse of "third place."
If she could get first, she would be very, very happy.
She was also getting nervous now, wanting to see what followed.
"Haha! Twin Turbo definitely has lots and lots of fans! But I didn't get to participate in the Derby? It must have been because I wasn't in good form that day."
Twin Turbo's expression changed wildly along with the diary content— sometimes happy, sometimes surprised. She was the most comedic of the group. At first, she thought that because the Derby wasn't mentioned, she simply hadn't placed, she didn't expect she didn't even have the qualification to enter.
In the Tracen Board Chairman's office:
"Did Teio... simply lack a bit of luck?" Symboli Rudolf said with regret. She also planned to comfort Teio later.
"The luckiest horse wins the Japanese Derby. Tokai Teio clearly won the race, but can we only say that this race used up all her good luck?" Narita Brian sighed.
In the Tokyo countryside:
"Teio... how could this happen? Waaaah..."
Kitasan Black was honestly more heartbroken seeing Teio injured than if she were injured herself. She had already run back to the Tokyo countryside, Satono Diamond hadn't yet discovered that Kitasan had gone to prepare a birthday celebration for her.
"It's okay, Kita-chan. This is Teio, she won't give up so easily," Satono Diamond said.
"You're right, Dia. I believe in Teio. She will definitely overcome her injury."
Soon, Mizuki's diary continued to appear.
[In November 1991, the Kikuka Sho was held as scheduled. Leo Durban and Nice Nature were hailed as favorites to win. Soon, the race began.]
[Tokai Teio arrived at the scene. With a smile on her face, she watched the race she had struggled for five months to reach, but she had no chance to step onto the stage.]
[Once the Kikuka Sho started, it could be described as a total free-for-all. Eighteen runners were bunched together, taking turns in the lead.]
[Watching the scenes of everyone running their hardest, Tokai Teio couldn't help but fantasize that she was among them. She looked at them with a sense of frustration, and scenes of her own participation flashed through her mind.]
[Yes, if it were her, she would hold back before the third corner, then exert power at the next corner to overtake everyone in one fell swoop and take the third crown.]
[She imagined these scenes, and the more she thought, the more regret she felt. Countless grievances accumulated in her heart until they could no longer be suppressed. Tears burst from her eyes, wetting her face. She truly wanted to run. She wanted to run more than anyone.]
[Tokai Teio was crying, but just then, she saw everyone running toward the finish line. They were also giving it their absolute all. For a moment, Teio looked up at everyone struggling, and she became dazed.]
[Standing there, she realized that everyone else is working hard to chase their dreams. With tears in her eyes, as if venting the desire in her heart, she shouted for everyone with all her might: "Go!! Run!!!!"]
[Amidst the shouts of Tokai Teio and the entire audience, the champion was born. It was Leo Durban! Leo Durban, who took second in the Japanese Derby, proved herself in the Kikuka-sho!]
[In reality, many people believe that if Tokai Teio had participated, he would have had a very high probability of winning the Kikuka-sho. Because in the Japanese Derby, Teio had beaten Leo Durban by a full four lengths. It was a crushing victory.]
[However, on the URA stage, any race is filled with miracles and uncertainty. A 3000m race is not the same as a 2400m race. But regardless, if Teio had competed, the probability of him winning would have been very high.]
[Furthermore, Leo Durban's path was also very rough. After the Kikuka Sho, he also suffered a major injury and never recovered his form.]
[In this race, Nice Nature took fourth. After the race, she lay on the grass in frustration, tears of sadness in the corners of her eyes.]
[However, Twin Turbo had no tact at all. She was in the stands cheering for Nice Nature, saying fourth place was actually pretty good. Ikuno Dictus, on the other hand, saw Nature's frustration and suggested Turbo learn a bit about emotional intelligence. McQueen's old flame was indeed different from Turbo.]
At this moment, in Tracen Academy:
"Waaaah, it's so touching!"
Narita Top Road had already turned into a crying meme. As the number one crybaby in Tracen, she was already weeping openly reading this story. She understood this feeling of frustration all too well.
Whether for Tokai Teio or Nice Nature, she could relate to both. At the same time, she wasn't just sad, she also congratulated Leo Durban. She knew Leo Durban had been training with Maruzensky and Sakura Chiyono O, and finally, she had won a championship.
"You, your threshold for tears is really low," Admire Vega said, though her own eyes were actually a bit red. However, being stubborn, she poked fun at Top Road.
"Hmm? But I saw Admire Vega secretly wiping the corners of her eyes just now," T.M. Opera O said, exposing her directly.
"You saw wrong," Admire Vega blushed instantly.
'This Opera O... how could she be so annoying?'
Elsewhere:
"These girls are truly moving," Oguri Cap said blankly while wiping her eyes. But this was the charm of racing, everyone on the track gives their all. She would work hard too.
"One after another, why is everyone getting injured?" Symboli Rudolf looked distressed. First she saw Nature injured, then Teio, then Leo Durban. She wished everyone could be okay.
She wondered if combining "dad jokes" with health reminders would make them more acceptable to everyone.
She shared this idea with Air Groove and was instantly rejected. Rudolf felt hurt, and her mood dropped slightly.
At Spica:
"Waaaah, Teio, so you were that frustrated!"
Hokko Tarumae couldn't control herself and burst into tears. She had changed somewhat, initially, she ran for Tomakomai, but now she realized that everyone's dreams were poured into every race. Her running contained so much.
"Graaaah!! This is just too moving!"
A hot-blooded idiot like Vodka couldn't take it anymore after seeing Teio's inner monologue and shouted out loud.
"Hey, are you a moron?" Daiwa Scarlet had been about to cry too, but seeing Vodka's sudden outburst, she suddenly couldn't keep a straight face. This girl was a total blockhead.
Regardless, Vodka's shout improved the atmosphere quite a bit. Only Teio's face was beet red, embarrassed to death.
As the person involved, she felt shy about such things being revealed. "Trainer Mizuki, you're too much!"
McQueen looked at Teio, thankful that there was still a chance to fix everything.
In the Ritto Dorms:
"Waaaaah! It's all Mayano's fault! It must be because Mayano makes Teio stay up late every day, and Teio didn't rest well, so she got injured!"
As Teio's roommate, Mayano Top Gun often dragged Teio into staying up late for games. Now she felt incredibly guilty.
In reality, it didn't have much to do with her, but the innocent little girl was already extremely apologetic.
At Canopus:
"Nature, I didn't expect you to cry too. It seems you were also very frustrated," Twin Turbo said in surprise.
"Uh... stop it... don't say any more, Turbo," Nice Nature wished she could find a hole to crawl into. She was very thin-skinned, and seeing herself publicly exposed like this had her dying of shame.
Usually, she acted nonchalant about race results. She even said so at the shopping district: "Friendship first, competition second!"
But now, everyone knew she actually cried and felt sad after losing. If she went back to the shopping district now, how could she face anyone?
Nature was completely numb. She felt such immense shame that she felt the world was no longer worth staying in.
Twin Turbo was actually quite cheerful about it, but since Nature had spoken up, she didn't mention it again, though she still found it rather amusing.
Seeing Nature's reaction, Ikuno Dictus couldn't hold back either, it could only be said that the "World Where Only Nature Is Hurt" had been achieved.
At this moment, in a park near Tracen:
Sakura Chiyono O said, "Leo Durban, congratulations! You won the Kikuka Sho. I hope I can win the Japanese Derby too, that was Maruzensky's dream as well."
Leo Durban replied, "I'm sure you can. However, I got injured afterward, so I'll have to be careful when the time comes."
Leo Durban was quite optimistic. After all, she was Maruzensky's "child" (or rather, grandchild) and possessed a certain natural air similar to her grandfather's. She chose to be happy first and worry later.
In another location:
"Yes, when I go to the party, I must tell Tokai Teio to be careful about safety. Oh, and Nature will be there too, right? I should tell her as well."
Cheval Grand was very nervous right now. Even though the party was on January 30, she had already started feeling anxious by the 28th.
"Right, I need to memorize the script Vivlos gave me."
As it turned out, Vivlos was thrilled when she found out Cheval Grand was going to the party, stating it was "a small step for Cheval, but a giant leap for the family."
To help Cheval Grand avoid being so nervous that she couldn't speak, Verxina wrote several lines for her.
Cheval Grand read them out, one word at a time, devoid of any emotion:
"Wow, Satono-san's birthday party is amazing."
"Such a fashionable venue, and the guests are top-tier too."
"Everything the eye can see is sparkling."
"I can't stop my heart from fluttering with excitement."
"Ah, but, but... for me, I think the best thing of all is— you, Dia-chan."
"As the star of the birthday party, you are truly, truly incredible. I thought so the moment I saw you."
"When responding to everyone's blessings, you are as steady as an adult, exceptionally elegant— you feel like a true celebrity."
"In short, you are especially dazzling."
"I really look up to you."
"On your birthday today, I also hope to become a person like you."
Cheval Grand finished reading the whole thing in one breath without a change in tone. She felt these words were far too difficult for her, but she also wondered: 'If I praised Dia like this, would she really be happy?'
She was mostly afraid that she would get nervous and forget everything while reciting.
"For now... let's memorize it again?"
Well, Vivlos was certainly a character. The lines she wrote were actually quite good, but they were actually Vivlos's own true feelings.
She had attended a Satono family party before, and these were the things she wanted to say to Satono Diamond, simply channeled through Cheval Grand.
Uma Musumes are very pure, especially someone like Vivlos. She didn't have the schemes to write something just to flatter Satono Diamond. It was all a genuine flow of emotion.
In fact, those words would be enough to make Dia-chan float away on a cloud of praise.
However, coming from Cheval Grand, it remained to be seen if she could hold it together.
She simply felt that attending a party was so, so difficult— it felt harder than winning a G1 race. It was just too much for her.
At that moment, Mizuki's diary continued.
[Soon, it was the 1991 Arima Kinen. Nice Nature entered as the 2nd favorite, while the 1st favorite was the highly popular noble of the Mejiro house, Mejiro McQueen.]
[At the time, Nice Nature's jockey, Masahiro Matsunaga, used Mejiro McQueen as the target to chase, believing that as long as they beat McQueen, they would take 1st place.]
[As for Twin Turbo, after giving up the Kikuka Sho, he participated in the Fukushima Kinen. However, in that race, Twin Turbo failed to maintain his lead on the final straight and was overtaken, placing a regrettable 2nd.]
[For the year-end Arima Kinen, Twin Turbo chose to participate. The field was filled with powerhouses like Nice Nature, Mejiro Ryan, and Daitaku Helios. Against such a lineup, Twin Turbo was only the 11th favorite.]
[However, the fun part about this race was the birth of two famous memes.]
[One was that Twin Turbo's team stated he would definitely burst out at the start. He did, but he lost speed midway through, earning the hilarious title of "Reverse Jet."]
[The other was that the "Bronze Medal Collector's" path to bronze was about to shine brightly.]