When that crimson streak crossed the finish line and the four starkly clear characters lit up the screen, the Tokyo Racecourse erupted.
"She's done it! She's done it! History has been made! Northern Dreams has done it!"
"The three-race showdown with Narita Brian has finally concluded with her victory! The great feat even the Mejiro family couldn't accomplish—the spring and autumn Tenno Sho double—has once again graced the racecourse today!"
Amid Akasaka Rin's impassioned commentary, Sugimoto Kentaro had long since slumped into his seat.
Without him even realizing it, Sugimoto Kentaro's eyes had grown moist.
The first Uma Musume he'd ever seen, back when his father took him to the races as a child, was from the Northern family. And later, when he was a bit older and befriended Zaizen Shuuji, they both came to admire another Uma Musume from the Northern family.
The Northern family—a name perhaps long forgotten in public memory—represented Sugimoto Kentaro's childhood, his youth, nearly his entire life.
He had thought these memories were something he'd only fondly reminisce over in private. He never expected that the entry list he saw a year ago would bring him such an immense surprise.
A year ago, the Northern family was a name buried in the dust of history, all but forgotten.
A year later, Dream Weaver, having won the Kikuka Sho and the spring and autumn Tenno Sho, had become the hottest rising star in the entire horse racing world.
The veteran Sakura Chitose O, who had galloped across the tracks for years, was defeated.
The absolute long-distance queen, Rice Shower, was defeated.
Even last year's so-called 'strongest monster of the generation,' Narita Brian, had now suffered three consecutive defeats against her.
In the current racing scene, Sugimoto Kentaro couldn't think of a single existence capable of beating Dream Weaver. She had used her own race record to personally demonstrate to this generation's spectators what it meant to be the strongest.
Sugimoto Kentaro let out a long, deep sigh—a sigh laden with countless emotions, the full flavor of which only he himself could truly comprehend.
After pausing for a few seconds, he finally looked back at the track, gazing at that red figure and said with deep feeling.
"She is the last remaining legacy of the fallen Northern family, the dying embers rekindled from the ashes."
"And this flame will surely spread from here, from the Tokyo Racecourse, to the entire world."
"I'm so glad… glad I could be here to witness the birth of a legend."
Seated in the stands, Zaizen Shuuji, hearing his old friend's emotional words, was also overwhelmed with a mix of feelings.
Unlike Sugimoto Kentaro, who had watched races since childhood, he had only truly come to adore Uma Musume in his youth. The first one he had loved was Dream Weaver's mother.
Her mother's mysterious withdrawal from racing had always nagged at Zaizen Shuuji. It was why he later pushed himself to the limit, burning through day and night to earn dual medical doctorates, entered the Mejiro household, and used his talents to gradually become a trusted retainer of Mejiro Asami.
Even now, he dared not recall the moment he first learned the truth behind Dream Weaver's mother's withdrawal.
Every time he dreamed of that near-breaking point, he would jolt awake from the nightmare.
But even after learning the truth, Zaizen Shuuji remained with the Mejiro family.
The reason, of course, was to research the Northern family's bloodline limiter. He did not want to see the tragedy of the parent generation repeat itself in Dream Weaver.
Although Dream Weaver later publicly challenged the Mejiro family in front of reporters, causing a significant public relations crisis for Mejiro Asami and considerable fallout for Zaizen Shuuji himself as her confidant, he never once blamed Dream Weaver for her choice.
Whether it was initially wanting her to go to the better-equipped Mejiro household or later allowing Dream Weaver to make her own choice, Zaizen Shuuji felt that her happiness was all that mattered.
And now, seeing her fulfill her mother's unfinished dream, making the Northern family's banner shine with glory once more in the racing world, Zaizen Shuuji felt greatly comforted.
"Miss Dreams… are you happy now?"
He murmured, gazing at that dazzling red figure on the track.
After Zaizen Shuuji finished speaking, a burst of chaotic commotion drew his gaze away from Dream Weaver for a moment.
He turned to see the group of Uma Musume who had been enthusiastically discussing earlier now cheering.
"Yay! Miss Dreams won! The spring and autumn Tenno Sho double! There aren't many Uma Musume in history with that honor, right? And she did it undefeated! That's definitely a historical first, isn't it?"
Seiun Sky was so happy she was dancing around. As one of Dream Weaver's earliest supporters, she had practically watched Dream Weaver rise from obscurity to her current fame.
Seeing her favorite Uma Musume achieve such heights, how could she not be excited?
"The reason she could do an undefeated double is mainly that she's entered so few races, right…?"
"And didn't you always love her Great Escape style? This autumn Tenno Sho's strategy wasn't a Great Escape, you know."
Fujino Makken O, seeing Seiun Sky's excitement, couldn't resist teasing her a little, and immediately received an eye-roll in return.
Seiun Sky 'hmph!'ed, stuck her tongue out at Fujino Makken O, and then clung to Rice Shower's arm saying, "I'm not listening to you, you meanie! Right, Miss Rice Shower?"
Hearing this, Rice Shower smiled gently, patted Seiun Sky's head and said, "Dream Weaver is truly amazing. Anyone who has stepped onto the same track with her would understand deeply. Even though Fujino-san said that, she actually acknowledges Dream Weaver too."
As she spoke, Rice Shower fell into a brief reverie.
After the spring Tenno Sho, encouraged by Dream Weaver, she had resolved to skip the Takarazuka Kinen and discussed her retirement timeline with her trainer. That's why she had the free time to come watch the race today.
If Dream Weaver hadn't spoken to her back then, perhaps she'd still be training desperately, trying to compete in more races.
Thinking of it that way, Dream Weaver was somewhat the benefactor of this rare break of hers.
At this thought, Rice Shower smiled unconsciously. Seiun Sky, meanwhile, stuck her tongue out at Star Man on Rice Shower's other side, signaling she had no intention of letting go.
"See, you're disliked now. Feeling sad?"
"But who told you to always tease her? You know how much little Seiun adores Dream Weaver."
Merci Stage poked the unmoving Fujino Makken O, sounding a bit gleeful. As roommates, she naturally seized the chance to tease Fujino Makken O the moment she saw her discomfited.
Fujino Makken O watched the two chatting happily, her own feelings mixed.
As the Uma Musume with the most honors among the three, she had previously been the one Seiun Sky sought advice from. She never expected that position to be taken by Rice Shower today.
All she could do was shrug helplessly and say, "But the way she puffs up her cheeks when teased is really quite amusing."
"You're such a bad egg."
After a bit more playful bickering with Merci Stage, Fujino Makken O turned her gaze back to the track, her emotions complex as she watched the red figure.
Their own interaction with Dream Weaver had been limited to just one race, the Kobe Shimbun Hai, and in that race, they hadn't exchanged a single word—they were simply utterly crushed.
At first, Fujino Makken O had been somewhat unconvinced, wanting to face Dream Weaver again in a later race to settle the score. That's why she had gone to watch the Kikuka Sho live, hoping to find weaknesses in both Dream Weaver and Narita Brian.
But after watching race after race, arguing with other spectators in the stands for Dream Weaver time and again, Fujino Makken O found herself, without realizing it, developing a deep respect for her.
In her heart, Dream Weaver had actually surpassed Narita Brian, who once held the title of 'strongest of the generation,' and had become their generation's greatest pride and role model.
Thinking this, Fujino Makken O let go of that last bit of obsession and said softly, "But she really is quite likable, isn't she?"
While the stands were filled with laughter and joy, Narita Brian on the track wasn't having an easy time.
She was breathing heavily, the memory of Dream Weaver's final, god-like slash still etched into her soul, leaving her muscles feeling incredibly weak.
Leaning on her knees, she stared blankly at the grass in front of her and muttered, "I lost again."
This was her third defeat. Although the margin this time wasn't as large as in their previous two encounters, Narita Brian had still lost.
For today's autumn Tenno Sho, she had chosen to follow Dream Weaver's advice and properly recuperated. During that time, not only had her physical condition reached its peak, but her resolve had also strengthened. She had even made peace with the shadow that had haunted her for years.
Yet even under such conditions, she had still lost.
Narita Brian began to doubt herself.
Could she really be considered Dream Weaver's equal?
The evenly matched rivalry she had hoped for seemed never to have materialized. There was no fierce battle of fangs and blades; each time, it was almost a one-sided domination.
In the autumn Tenno Sho, it took Dream Weaver five 'draws' of her blade to defeat her and Rice Shower. But today, only one was enough. Compared to herself, Dream Weaver's progress seemed even more terrifying.
At this thought, even Narita Brian couldn't help but feel disheartened.
"I'm still… too weak."
If anyone else heard her say this, they'd surely be stunned speechless. If the 'Shadow Roll Monster' was considered weak, then what did that make all the other Uma Musume who fell far short of Narita Brian?
But Narita Brian was never the type to wallow in self-pity. Since doubt had arisen in her heart, the direct solution was to go find the one who caused that doubt.
Without the slightest hesitation, Narita Brian immediately walked towards the figure standing before the stands.
Dream Weaver wasn't moving at all, just standing quietly in place, seemingly soaking in the cheers from the audience. She didn't even react when she saw Narita Brian approaching.
Even though she was right in front of her, Narita Brian hesitated uncharacteristically. She weighed her words for several seconds before slowly asking, "You… what do you think of me?"
It was a question easily open to misunderstanding, but there was no helping it. Narita Brian was never good at communicating with people.
At Tracen Academy, her perpetually cold expression often led to misunderstandings that she was aloof, but in truth, she just didn't like making expressions.
Dream Weaver seemed thrown by the strange question as well. It took a long time before she spoke.
"What do you mean?"
Her voice was hoarse and low, utterly unlike the tone a victor should possess, but Narita Brian, lost in her self-doubt, failed to notice.
"About… the race, and such. Did I ever give you a sense of… being evenly matched?"
After speaking, Narita Brian felt anxious. She even felt the heart in her chest pounding more fiercely now than during the race itself.
Her fingertips dug deeply into her palms. This Uma Musume, always seen as cold and powerful, now resembled a prisoner awaiting judgment.
If even Dream Weaver, whom she considered her only true rival, couldn't feel that resonance in their clashes, then what was the meaning of the figure she so stubbornly chased?
Dream Weaver fell silent again for a long while. Just as Narita Brian was starting to feel the urge to flee, she let out a soft laugh and said, "Evenly matched? Why would you think that?"
Narita Brian's whole body stiffened.
An indescribable mix of emotions instantly flooded her heart, leaving her momentarily at a loss.
But before she could react, Dream Weaver continued, "You've pushed me to the point where I could barely breathe."
Hearing this, Narita Brian's eyes lit up. Her horse ears instinctively pricked up, eager to catch Dream Weaver's next words.
"But this time, you only used your 'Zone' once, didn't you? Back in the autumn Tenno Sho, it took five times. Doesn't that mean my progress hasn't kept up with yours?"
"But this one 'Zone' drained almost all my strength. Because if I hadn't done that… I truly didn't know how else I could win against you."
Narita Brian's eyes grew brighter and brighter. She asked urgently, "Am I really that strong?!"
It was hard to imagine that Narita Brian, always called a 'monster,' would one day so desperately seek validation from someone else's words.
"Extremely strong."
Narita Brian's tail behind her practically started wagging. She leaned closer to Dream Weaver and asked eagerly, "Then let's race again next time! Next time, I'll definitely win!"
"It's already October now. What about the Arima Kinen? How about the Arima Kinen! We missed facing each other last time. Let's settle it there this time!"
Feeling the intense pain shooting through her limbs, making further movement nearly impossible, Dream Weaver slowly closed her eyes.
The memories in her mind were already a tangled mess from the pain.
Narita Brian's words sounded as blurry and distant as if they were coming from another world.
Hearing the chaotic, almost indistinguishable sounds, Dream Weaver used her already hoarse, nearly ruined voice to whisper softly, "If there is still a chance…"
The moment her words fell, she could no longer hold onto consciousness, and her vision plunged into darkness.
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T/N: Why am i not surprised...
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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.