Commentator: "And now, the fanfare has ended, and the Tokyo Racecourse is enveloped in thunderous cheers. With the conclusion of today's G1 race, the G1 races held at Tokyo Racecourse will take a temporary break. Indeed, the G1s in Tokyo began with a mile race and will end with one. Who will be crowned the Mile King in the Yasuda Kinen, alongside the Victoria Mile!?!"
Commentator: "The overwhelming favorite is, as expected, the Triple Crown Umamusume, Gate 6, Number 12, Fujikiseki! Can she avenge her loss at the Takamatsunomiya Kinen!? Second favorite is Gate 7, Number 13, Trot Thunder, the Mile CS champion from last year, making a long-awaited entry! Third favorite is last year's champion, Heart Lake! However, other Umamusume also have ample chances! The Yasuda Kinen, a clash of speed and power, is about to begin!!!"
Fuji: (Everyone, I'm sorry, but just for now, I can't be the gentle dorm leader Fujikiseki. I'm going for the win.)
Perhaps due to the aura emanating from Fuji, many Umamusume are refusing to enter their gates. Fujikiseki herself, thanks to her even-numbered gate, is still waiting outside. Among the Umamusume intimidated by her aura, those refusing to enter their gates are being urged in by officials.
--- Several minutes later ---
Commentator: "And now, all the Umamusume are finally in their gates! Let's go, the Spring Mile King Deciding Race! Tokyo 1600m, G1 Yasuda Kinen..."
CLANG!!
Commentator: "The gates have opened, and they've burst out! But it's a scattered start!! Taking the lead is the G1 debutant Toho Kelly, followed by Hishi Akebono and Flower Park, and from the inside, Fujino MacKen Oh! Observing the situation, will the Triple Crown Umamusume Fujikiseki make her comeback!? Yamanin Paradise and Taiki Blizzard are behind them, with Pico Pegasus alongside Towa Winner on the inside, followed by Meisho Yushi, Genuine, and Mademoiselle on the inside, while Hishi Amazon smoothly moves up from the outside! And following suit, Trot Thunder and Generalist also advance!! Dance Partner is in the middle, Heart Lake is second from last, and Osumi Tycoon is at the very rear! They've now reached the third corner!!!"
Fuji: (I'll show them, right here... a 'Miracle' (Kiseki)!!)
Commentator: "And now, everyone has passed the giant zelkova tree, they're past the halfway mark and heading towards the fourth corner! Hishi Akebono in the lead, maintaining her advantage! From behind, Fujino MacKen Oh and Toho Kelly, and from the outside, Fujikiseki makes a sudden burst to move up! Now, what kind of race, what kind of development awaits us!? The Fuchu straight, the battle begins here!!!"
Fuji: (Here I go!!)
Hachiman: (Alright, break through!)
Commentator: "Now, Hishi Akebono is in the lead, but her advantage is almost gone!! From the middle, Fujikiseki, Fujikiseki is coming up with incredible speed! Who's making a late charge from the rear!? Fujikiseki takes the lead, now running solo at the front!! Hishi Akebono in second, Trot Thunder in hot pursuit from the far outside!! But Fujikiseki won't be caught! She's running alone, pulling ahead by three to four lengths!! She's completely broken away!! The leader is Number 12, Fujikiseki~!! Fujikiseki crosses the finish line first!!"
Fuji: "I did it!!"
Commentator: "The Triple Crown Umamusume, revived!!! Number 12, Fujikiseki!! This is Fujikiseki! It was a magnificent run, not letting any of the Umamusume behind her get close!!"
Fuji: "Haa... haa... Yes!!"
Amazon: "Haa~... I lost, Fuji. You really do run incredibly, you know."
Fuji: "Thank you, Amazon."
Amazon: "You're certainly good at your (specialized distance), I couldn't even catch up. If this were a middle or long-distance race, I might have had a chance though~."
Fuji: "When that time comes, I won't lose either."
Amazon: "Well, I'll excuse myself here. From this point on, it's your stage alone."
With that, Amazon and the other 16 headed from the Fuchu turf into the underground passage. Only Fujikiseki, who had raced to the front and won the Yasuda Kinen, remained. Fujikiseki responded to the crowd's cheers, quickly making her way towards the winner's circle.
Fuji: "...As I thought, you waited for me."
Hachiman: "Air Groove and, for some reason, the Professor were nagging me to come to you. Did you need a迎え (pick-up/escort)?"
Fuji: "Of course! When I win a G1, it's a rule that Hachiman-san comes to pick me up, isn't it? I'm so happy you came, Hachiman-san ♪" (Hugs!)
Hachiman: "Hey, not in public... Good thing it's not my arm."
Fuji: "Then perhaps it would have been better if I hugged you so hard it looked natural?"
Hachiman: "Give me a break. Do that with someone of the same gender; don't do it to me, a man."
Fuji: (Honestly, Hachiman-san... Well, even I'd be too embarrassed in public, so I'll stop.)
Hachiman: "Well, I don't think you'll be unable to walk today, so I'm going now."
Fuji: "You're not going to escort me? I think it would look better for those watching, don't you?"
Hachiman: "Is that... asking me to link arms?"
Fuji: "Can I ask for an escort?"
Hachiman: "...Just this once, okay?"
And so, Fuji and Hachiman walked arm-in-arm towards the underground passage, and at that moment, a great cheer and applause erupted from the spectators.
--- Tokyo 11th Race - Results ---
1st: ⑫ Fujikiseki 1:32.9
2nd: ⑬ Trot Thunder 4 lengths
3rd: ⑧ Taiki Blizzard Neck
4th: ② Hishi Akebono 1½ lengths
5th: ⑨ Genuine 1 length
Fuji wins splendidly!
And surprisingly, Hachiman agrees to escort her!
-----------------------------
I've posted the next 40 chapters exclusively on Patreon!
If you like this story, please come and support me.
Here's the link: [pateoncom/DaoistRoeoNQ]
Thank you so much for your continued support!
