"Look at Ines Fujin's swift stride. That sudden incident earlier must've been nothing more than a minor hiccup."
"Yeah, thank goodness nothing happened. It would've been such a waste if a genius racer like her ended up injured or worse."
"That speed is incredible. Ines Fujin has overtaken Mejiro Ryan again and reclaimed second place. And she's not slowing down at all—she's charging straight at Nearl! Mejiro Ryan doesn't seem to have any way to respond!"
"But Nearl up ahead is steady as a mountain. No matter how outstanding Ines Fujin is, she still poses no real threat. Truly the least surprising surprise of an Uma Musume."
"And Nearl's condition today seems unusually good. Even her speed feels faster than before. Monster doesn't even begin to describe her strength. No… even monsters fall short."
The commentators carried out their duties with utmost professionalism, but a whole group of legendary Uma Musume stood in utter silence, quiet as falling snow.
They wished they could bolt their eyes directly onto Nearl and never look away.
"Hey, say something already. This silence is really creeping me out."
Mr. C.B. forced herself to speak, breaking the atmosphere. The others exchanged glances, then finally began to discuss this earth-shaking sight.
"Hey, Rudolf. You're the closest to Nearl. Did she ever mention this? Or were there any signs at all?"
Maruzensky voiced what everyone wanted to know. After a moment of thought, Symboli Rudolf slowly shook her head.
"No. Nothing at all. Not a single hint. This is the first time Nearl has ever shown this level of power."
"Whew… This is only Nearl's first year after fully finishing her Maturation, right? She's still so young. And yet when it comes to understanding the very essence of being a Uma Musume, she might've already ground us into the dirt."
"A heaven-born genius. Nothing less."
Rudolf spared no praise. Standing before Nearl now, she couldn't even put on the airs of a senior anymore.
"But what exactly is that creature formed from her Domain? It looks like a winged donkey, but far more majestic."
Mr. C.B. stared at the golden being galloping across the turf. The rise and fall of its hooves utterly mesmerized her.
"I don't know either. But I think someone definitely does."
"Who?"
"Of course, our little monster. The very protagonist of this astonishing transformation."
As Rudolf spoke, she lowered her head and tried to straighten a steel pipe she'd accidentally bent.
"Nearl isn't the type to hoard secrets. If we asked her, she'd probably tell us. But I won't be the one to go."
"Huh? Why not?"
"Why do you think? Have you all lost every shred of pride as seniors? The path ahead is already there. I plan to understand it on my own."
Flicking her ears, Symboli Rudolf spoke with righteous conviction. Seeing everyone fall into thoughtful silence, she finally let out a quiet sigh of relief.
'Nearl, this is as much as I can do. I hope this buys you at least a little peace.'
--+--
"We've entered the final three hundred meters! Nearl is still far ahead, utterly unmatched!"
"Ines Fujin is still chasing desperately, but it's completely ineffective. Nearl is just too strong!"
"Mejiro Ryan is sprinting as well. She's currently in fourth place, with Shiraishi holding her off by half a length up front."
"The final two hundred meters! Nearl has opened an utterly despairing gap! It's impossible—no one can threaten her now! The winner of this year's Japanese Derby is about to be decided!"
"Magnificent! Etch this strength into your hearts—unprecedented, and perhaps never to be repeated. A Derby Uma Musume beyond compare!"
"From regional races to the central stage, tempered by countless competitions without ever losing her shine, breaking through every obstacle to arrive at this history-making arena!"
"The final one hundred meters! The final one hundred meters! Nearl! Nearl! She's crossed the line!"
"The winner is Margaret Nearl! The strongest undefeated dual-crown holder in history! I'd even say there won't be any other winner for the Kikuka Sho!"
"Is a new generation's Undefeated Triple Crown about to be born?!"
The commentator screamed himself hoarse, but his voice was completely drowned out by the thunderous roar of the crowd.
Even with a microphone, one person's voice was no match for the passion of the entire stadium.
After crossing the finish line, the Golden Pegasus spread its wings and soared upward, hooves stepping on empty air as it spiraled into the sky.
In the eyes of the Uma Musume who could see it, it gradually dissolved into drifting particles, leaving behind only a lingering afterimage in memory.
On the track, Nearl blinked, awkwardly moving her fingers as she tried to adjust.
"So this is what it feels like to run as a horse? That's… strange."
After stretching a bit, Ines Fujin, who had taken second place, finally crossed the line and stopped in front of Nearl. Gasping for breath, her legs gave out and she collapsed straight down before her.
"Hah, hah, hah… Nearl, you monster. You're way too strong."
"Don't talk yet. Take a moment to rest."
Carefully helping Ines Fujin up, Nearl watched her calmly until, after a minute or two, Fujin's breathing finally steadied.
"Whew, okay, okay. My head's finally cooled off. I never thought I'd push myself this far. Looks like my potential really isn't half bad."
Wiping the sweat from her face, Fujin glanced around the stands. The crowd was chanting Nearl's name in unison, and the scene burned itself deep into her heart.
"One day, I'll make the whole crowd shout my name like that too."
"Mm. With your ability, Ines, that won't be hard at all."
"Heh, I'll take that as motivation. Even though I lost to you again this time, at least I managed to force out your trump card. Totally worth it."
Ines Fujin grinned, carefree as ever. What she didn't expect was that Nearl smiled along with her.
Not her usual gentle smile, but one tinged with meaning and a hint of playful mischief—an expression Nearl normally would never show.
"Is that so? Then I'm relieved."
"…"
Ines Fujin suddenly shuddered.
"Nearl, what's wrong? Ah—are you upset about how recklessly I ran earlier? Ahahaha, sorry about that!"
Facing Nearl's direct gaze, Ines Fujin bowed without hesitation. After all, her actions during the race really had been dangerous.
"I accept your apology."
"Huh?!"
Nearl's simple words stunned her. Such an easy forgiveness felt instinctively off.
"That's it? Nearl, you don't need me to make it up to you or anything?"
"No. For making me worry, that apology is enough. No matter how close friends are, some decisions still have to be made on your own."
"Nearl… you're really incredibly understanding."
Moved by Nearl's magnanimity, Fujin even felt a twinge of guilt herself.
"But whether your family will scold you is another matter. After all, relatives sometimes do get to interfere."
"No way?! Nearl, don't say that!"
--+--
T/N: 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.