Mr. C.B., also known as C.B.. She was a lady of extraordinary beauty, even among the Uma Musume.
With rich, dark brown hair that cascaded down her back, delicate and refined features, and a pair of lively blue-green eyes as clear as a mountain lake, she radiated an uncommon brilliance.
Though her figure wasn't explosively curvaceous, it was elegantly proportioned and gracefully tall; those long, slender legs were taut and powerful, perfectly accentuating her charm.
Miss C.B. could easily turn heads with her looks alone, but what truly made her famous was her exceptional running and legendary—yet bittersweet—career.
From her debut onward, she won nearly every race, suffering only one setback with a fourth-place finish, before charging all the way to the final leg of the Triple Crown, the Kikuka Shō.
She claimed victory in the Satsuki Shō, the Japanese Derby, and the Kikuka Shō—three once-in-a-lifetime G1 triumphs—becoming the third Triple Crown winner in Japanese history, bathed in glory.
Back then, due to her somewhat carefree nature, C.B. often had slow starts, which led her trainer to adopt a closing running style for her.
Unexpectedly, this suited C.B. perfectly, allowing her to unleash her breathtaking final kick.
That ability to overtake rivals in the final strides and turn the tide electrified the crowds and earned Miss C.B. the glorious title of "Pegasus."
During that period, C.B. was undoubtedly the audience's darling, the center of attention like no other. Countless Uma Musume looked up to her.
But perhaps fortune frowns on genius—C.B. couldn't continue her legend.
There were many reasons, but only two are widely known: overwhelmingly powerful rivals and her own physical struggles.
C.B.'s hooves were fragile; her tender soles couldn't endure hard horseshoes. Every race was like dancing on knife blades.
The worst came after the Kikuka Shō—her hooves were worn raw and bleeding, leaving her unable to walk. She had no choice but to take nearly a year off to recover.
Many people today still feel a deep sense of regret, especially since technology has advanced and gel-padded horseshoes have been invented.
If C.B. had had access to such horseshoes back then, she surely would have achieved even more honors.
But aside from her own physical woes, the emergence of a formidable rival also cut short the path of this free-spirited Uma Musume like a sharp blade.
Japan's first Undefeated Triple Crown winner, a nightmare on the track with seven G1 titles from the early era, a ruler whose overwhelming presence and crushing margins dominated the races—"The Emperor."
Symboli Rudolf.
This Uma Musume appeared like a demon queen; no one dared challenge her during her active years. Every victory was decisive, won by open lengths.
At that time, two Triple Crown winners emerged almost back-to-back—a sensation that defined an era. All the fans eagerly anticipated a showdown between these two legends, everyone wondering whose Triple Crown would weigh heavier.
Their wish was granted.
In November of the year C.B. returned to racing after her recovery, at that Japan Cup, the two Triple Crown winners—born just a year apart—finally faced off.
But the clash proved deeply disappointing. C.B., due to a tactical error, got boxed in and couldn't break free. Using her come-from-behind style, she finished a miserable tenth, while Symboli Rudolf, suffering from stomach pain, came in third.
Neither of the much-heralded Triple Crown winners lived up to expectations.
After that, C.B. seemed to fall completely from grace, never winning another race.
Their second meeting, at the Arima Kinen: defeat, third place.
Their third, in the Tennō Shō (Spring): defeat, fifth place.
Then, due to illness, C.B. retired. The "Brave Challenger's" quest had ended in failure.
Now, whenever this Uma Musume is mentioned, most agree she wasn't as strong as the Emperor. But even so, her popularity never faded.
And now, here she was, standing before Nearl and Fujimasa March.
"Well hello, you two! I'm Mr. C.B., but just call me C.B.."
She smiled warmly and waved at the two young Uma Musume, her ears twitching cheerfully.
"M-m-miss C.B.!" That was Fujimasa March.
"Pleased to meet you." That was Nearl.
The contrast was striking. Fujimasa March looked like she'd just seen her idol, her greeting trembling with nerves, while Nearl remained perfectly calm.
"Hmm~ Miss Hayakawa filled me in. She's on her way to find Oguri Cap, so I'm filling in for her at the gate for now."
Crossing her arms, C.B. spoke with playful interest, her gaze roaming over the two Uma Musume.
"Honestly, it's pretty rare for country Uma Musume to come visit friends at the central circuit. Not many from the local tracks make it up here."
"That just proves how exceptional Oguri Cap is. We're both very lucky to have a friend like her," Nearl replied gently, while March nodded vigorously in agreement.
"True, good friends are priceless. Even better if they can also be rivals," C.B. remarked, nodding sagely.
"Like you and the Emperor?" March blurted out, looking at C.B..
But the reaction wasn't what she expected.
C.B.'s face instantly shifted to a mix of shock and mock outrage, her cheeks puffing out like a child's.
"How is that the same? That Rudolf is just the worst! If I saw her right now, I'd give her a good kick with my boot!"
To emphasize her point, C.B. threw a few playful punches at the air, as if Symboli Rudolf were standing right there.
The scene drew a wry smile from Nearl, while Fujimasa March looked utterly thunderstruck.
Nearl patted March's shoulder and whispered comfortingly.
"After all, she's known as 'The Free-Spirited C.B.' This kind of behavior suits her image."
"'Cause that's just how I am! I do what I like and steer clear of what I don't," C.B. declared, not the least bit embarrassed. Instead, she proudly placed her hands on her hips, looking like her nose might tilt right up to the sky.
"And hey, you, the golden-haired little one—I like you! How about calling me big sister?"
Without waiting for a response, Miss C.B. took a large stride forward, looping an arm around Nearl's neck, her affection completely unrestrained.
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T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
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