As Rice Shower and Dream Weaver conversed, time flowed on. The announcer introduced one Uma Musume after another. After a series of encouraging cheers, the entire Kyoto Racecourse fell into a sudden silence, as if collectively holding its breath.
They were waiting, waiting for the announcer to call out the name they had all been longing to hear.
"Her dominant victory in the Arima Kinen was like a declaration—a proclamation to the entire horse racing world."
"She is not only the strongest Uma Musume of this generation; even when facing seniors older than herself, she effortlessly claims glory. Her aim is to become a legend in history!"
"The monster who blindsides her rivals! The lone wolf of the track! Let us adorn her entrance with our most fervent cheers—"
"First in popularity! Contestant number ten, Narita Brian!"
Unlike the entrances of all the previous Uma Musume, the moment Narita Brian's name was announced, it immediately ignited a frenzy. The crowd waved their arms, chanting her name in unison. The overwhelming wave of sound seemed to drown the entire Kyoto Racecourse, filling the sky with echoes of her name.
Narita Brian.
Her steel-gleaming brown boots strode forth to the roar of the crowd as she emerged from the tunnel.
Her golden, beast-like eyes shone with a terrifying ferocity under the gloomy sky.
The instant Narita Brian stepped onto the track, every Uma Musume present felt her overwhelming presence and instinctively turned to look in her direction.
Narita Brian paid no mind to the cheers of the audience, nor to the sidelong glances of the other Uma Musume. From the very second she set foot on the track, she was searching for one figure—a figure clad in black and red.
When that once-distant red cape once again pierced Narita Brian's vision, the ferocity in her eyes surged violently, like a provoked wild beast. A fearsome, intimidating aura erupted with her every step, instantly sweeping across the entire venue.
"Found you at last..."
Narita Brian's golden wolf-like eyes fixed intently on Dream Weaver, her voice hoarse as she spoke.
Without the slightest hesitation, she strode fiercely toward Dream Weaver, bypassing all the cheers and gazes. With each step, her menacing aura grew more terrifying. By the time she reached Dream Weaver, most of the Uma Musume had lost the courage to look Narita Brian directly in the eye.
Across the vast Kyoto Racecourse, among the dozen or so competing Uma Musume, only two could meet the ferocious intensity in Narita Brian's gaze at that moment.
Though petite in stature and delicate in features, Rice Shower was, after all, a seasoned veteran of the track.
She had faced and overcome many formidable opponents on the racecourse. Though the pressure Narita Brian exuded was exceptionally violent, Rice Shower would not cower in the slightest.
Her amethyst eyes, ignited with competitive spirit, blazed with a faint, blue-rose-like flame. Her right hand quietly rested on the dagger at her waist.
But before she could speak, Narita Brian moved first.
Facing this renowned senior, hailed as the strongest active long-distance Uma Musume, Narita Brian didn't even spare her a glance from the corner of her eye.
At this moment, Narita Brian directed all her attention and sharpness entirely toward the Uma Musume before her—the one with long black hair, just like her own.
"The Arima Kinen... Why weren't you there..."
As the words fell, the terrifying aura around Narita Brian surged to its peak once again. Even Rice Shower, standing nearby, couldn't help but feel a flicker of surprise. She hadn't expected that, in the mere months since the Arima Kinen, Narita Brian could have improved so significantly.
Judging by the intensity of her aura, she might have—no, she absolutely had—awakened her Zone.
Yet, faced with Narita Brian's vicious, wolf-like, and dangerously aggressive pressure, Dream Weaver remained unflinching. She met the other's gaze coldly and said,
"My choice of races is none of your concern."
"But if you came here to declare war, then let me tell you—"
"The winner of the Tenno Sho (Spring) will be me."
With that, she brushed past the aggressive Narita Brian with her shoulder and walked toward the starting gate.
Her grandmother's last words, the glory of the Northern family, and the past between her mother and Mejiro Asama—Dream Weaver had experienced too much in these past few months.
A casual remark she'd made months ago during the Kikuka Sho to extricate herself from the situation had long since faded from her memory.
Now, seeing Narita Brian's overwhelmingly ferocious demeanor, Dream Weaver instinctively saw her as a challenger coming to declare war. To such an Uma Musume, she naturally had nothing more to say.
But though Dream Weaver sought to leave, Narita Brian would not allow it. The moment Dream Weaver brushed past her, Narita Brian seized her, gripping Dream Weaver's collar and shouting angrily into her face.
"What did you say?!"
Memories from the end of the Kikuka Sho erupted instantly within Narita Brian. The bitterness of defeat and the excitement of encountering a kindred spirit had intertwined, driving her determination to face her rival again in the Arima Kinen.
But as she honed her skills and waited with anticipation for the Arima Kinen...
She never saw her rival on the track.
Were the senior Uma Musume who had debuted before her strong? Of course they were. If they hadn't stood out among the countless Uma Musume, they wouldn't have been competing in the Arima Kinen.
Rice Shower's strength was renowned throughout the world; the title of strongest active long-distance Uma Musume was no empty boast.
But to Narita Brian at that time, the Arima Kinen felt utterly dull. Every Uma Musume present was strong, and in the past, she would have been thrilled by such competition.
Yet after the Kikuka Sho, after that flash of red brilliance, these powerful Uma Musume could no longer stir her dormant heart. They were strong, but they couldn't evoke the same sense of danger that Dream Weaver had.
During the Arima Kinen, Narita Brian had chased the phantom of that figure before her eyes to seize the championship.
Since then, she had ceaselessly sought news of Dream Weaver, and her desire to stand on the same track as this kindred spirit had grown increasingly heavy with the passing days.
So, when she learned that Dream Weaver had decided to compete in the Tenno Sho (Spring), she stubbornly entered the race, disregarding her trainer's advice.
All for the chance to face Dream Weaver again here.
She had been angry that Dream Weaver didn't come to the Arima Kinen, but she didn't care anymore. All she needed was for Dream Weaver to offer any reason, any excuse, to satisfy her when she asked.
But Narita Brian never imagined that Dream Weaver would respond like this.
Her expression was so indifferent, her tone so icy.
As if they had never met at all.
Narita Brian gritted her teeth, revealing a savage grin as she snarled at Dream Weaver,
"Fine. You want to win the Tenno Sho (Spring)? Then I'll snatch that victory right before your eyes!"
If you don't remember me, then I'll make you remember me through the most crushing defeat!
As Narita Brian's words faded, the announcer's voice rang out.
"All Uma Musume, please take your positions!"
The race was about to begin.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.