October 29th, Overcast, Tokyo Racecourse.
Though November was just around the corner, the chill of late autumn seemed nowhere to be found on the blazing-hot spectator stands.
Every soul at Tokyo Racecourse had their eyes glued to the track, cheering and shouting for their favorite Uma Musume.
Among them, the name Northern Dreams was naturally on everyone's lips—so much so that the roar for her was beginning to rival even that for Narita Brian.
The Satsuki Sho, the Tenno Sho Spring—both clashes between Northern Dreams and Narita Brian had ended in absolute victory for her. Now, even the most stubborn skeptics had no choice but to acknowledge her strength.
And then, months ago, Dream Weaver's televised declaration of war against the Mejiro family's Tenno Sho domination had sent her name echoing throughout the entire horse racing world.
By now, nearly everyone who followed Uma Musume knew her story.
The third decisive battle with Narita Brian, the old grudges between the Northern and Mejiro families—all of it would be settled today, at the Tenno Sho Autumn.
Amid such intense drama, attendance at this year's Tenno Sho Autumn had broken historical records, with countless more watching from home, waiting for the race to begin.
Everyone wanted to witness this moment in history.
"Genuine, Ayrton Symboli, Sakura Chitose O, Narita Brian, Northern Dreams—as these mighty Uma Musume, each a symbol of brilliance and glory, gather here in the hallowed grounds of Tokyo Racecourse, we know…"
"The moment has arrived!"
Akasaka Rin's passionate announcement echoed through the racecourse's speaker system. Her electrifying voice, like a spark to tinder, instantly ignited the already feverish crowd. A wave of anticipation-fueled cheers erupted, soaring skyward.
The moment her words faded, Sugimoto Kentaro's voice cut seamlessly through the excitement with piercing clarity.
"The Autumn Tenno Sho is not only the ultimate test of speed, stamina, and will—at the end of this two-thousand-meter journey lies a symbol of supreme glory."
"Countless legends have been crowned here. Countless dreams have blossomed here. The final straight, stretching over five hundred meters, is their stage of destiny!"
"Who will conquer the final slope? Who will seize the ultimate glory? Let us hold our breaths and watch together! Witness who will become the undisputed monarch of this autumn!"
Sugimoto Kentaro's gaze burned as he looked out over Tokyo Racecourse. Over these past months, he had witnessed the whirlwind of attention stirred up by Dream Weaver.
He had watched the colossal Mejiro family scramble in response to her challenge. He had seen the Northern family name resound once again through the racing world.
One event after another had set his heart racing.
He never imagined that Dream Weaver would gain support rivaling Narita Brian's, nor that the prestigious Mejiro family would actually choose to avoid direct confrontation with her.
Now, he even felt that his own worries during the Tenno Sho Spring had been needless. The racecourse was, after all, a world ruled by sheer ability.
The five-length victory in the Satsuki Sho, the seven-length triumph in the Spring Tenno Sho—together, they had forged Dream Weaver's indomitable reputation.
Faced with such undeniable power, even a giant like the Mejiro family had to step back, if only for a moment!
Not a shred of doubt remained in Sugimoto Kentaro's mind.
Here and now, he believed with all his heart that Dream Weaver would win today's Autumn Tenno Sho, using a second Tenno Sho victory to lift the Northern family to new heights.
"The atmosphere today… it's really different, isn't it?"
Because of her school commitments, Seiun Sky hadn't had much time to follow the off-track drama. So, when she arrived at Tokyo Racecourse today and heard the wave-like cheers urging Dream Weaver on, her face was a picture of disbelief.
"With her ability, it was inevitable she'd receive cheers like this."
"It's actually quite late that she's finally getting public recognition now."
Fujino Makken O and Merci Stage, sitting behind Seiun Sky, spoke one after the other. As Dream Weaver's earliest rivals, they had long anticipated this day.
"So, this time, Dreams will probably use her Great Escape tactic again, right? If she could do it in the thirty-two hundred meter Tenno Sho Spring, then the two-thousand meter Autumn version should be a piece of cake?"
Seiun Sky's eyes sparkled as she looked at the track, addressing the older girls beside her.
Before Fujino Makken O or the others could respond, the black-maned Uma Musume sitting nearby, who had been quietly looking down, suddenly spoke up.
"It's hard to say."
"The final straight of the Autumn Tenno Sho is over five hundred meters. Such a long, straight stretch is very disadvantageous for a Great Escape strategy."
Rice Shower's voice drew the gazes of the entire group. Her appearance, as a famously skilled Uma Musume, took everyone by surprise.
Especially Star Man. As a devoted fan of Rice Shower, seeing her idol right in front of her nearly made her jump out of her skin with excitement.
She practically leaped past her two friends, squeezing right up to Rice Shower, her eyes shining brightly.
"Miss Rice Shower! Miss Rice Shower! I've always been a huge fan! Could I please have your autograph?!"
Star Man's booming voice startled Rice Shower. Her large ears twitched back instinctively, but they relaxed again once she got a clear look at the speaker.
"You're last year's Naruo Kinen champion… Star Man, right?"
Star Man was overjoyed that her idol actually remembered her. Her tail started wagging like a fan. Seiun Sky, sitting nearby, waved her arms in mock annoyance, trying to block the 'tail attack.'
From the row behind them, Zaizen Shuuji quietly averted his gaze. The truth was, he had been present at Dream Weaver's very first race. As he looked out at Tokyo Racecourse now, memories flooded back, and he couldn't help but let out a deep, heavy sigh.
"The Tenno Sho… it's been a long time…"
As he spoke, he turned his gaze toward the commentator's booth, looking at the old friend who had once shared the same stage—the same world—as him.
Inside the booth, Sugimoto Kentaro seemed to feel that strange, nostalgic pull as well. Staring at the materials in his hand, his mind drifted for just an instant.
It wasn't until Akasaka Rin beside him gave his shoulder a light pat that Sugimoto Kentaro snapped out of his reverie.
Catching his partner's meaningful look, Sugimoto quickly regained his composure and set down the papers. The details about this Uma Musume were already etched in his mind; the words he wanted to say had been brewing in his heart for a long time.
"The Kobe Shimbun Hai, the Satsuki Sho, the Tenno Sho Spring—from obscurity to a name that shakes the world, she has proven one thing to everyone with her undeniable power—"
"The glory of the Northern family has returned!"
Sugimoto Kentaro's words flowed without a pause. This speech had lain dormant within him for years. Today, he would deliver it with all the fire he possessed.
"But this is far from the end! Neither the 'Shadow Roll Monster,' hailed as the strongest of her generation, nor the 'Black Assassin,' revered as the king of long distances, could halt her unstoppable charge! We have every reason to expect that she will create legends even more breathtaking!"
"And today, the moment has arrived."
"The great achievement of consecutive Tenno Sho victories is within reach. The eyes of the entire venue are fixed upon this stage. Today, you will become its undisputed leading star!"
"First in popularity, first selection! Northern Dreams!"
--+--
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.