I'm the winner?
That had to be the funniest joke Narita Brian had heard all century—funnier than anything Symboli Rudolf had ever come up with.
On the track, she'd given it her all, and in the end, she still lost. Lost completely, devastatingly.
And now you call her 'the winner.'
"Sorry, President Rudolf, I'll have a good laugh about it later. Right now, I just want to sleep." She was utterly exhausted.
"Have a good laugh… Hmm, I'm not joking, Narita Brian." Rudolf crossed her arms, explaining calmly, "That black Uma Musume was ineligible for the [Japan Derby]. So, with her disqualified, by order of placement, you are the victor."
The [Japan Derby]—the race every Uma Musume of their generation dreamed of.
The ultimate contest, where one champion rises atop a mountain of fallen dreams.
No one could just trample over this peak built from the corpses of aspirations.
No matter their strength or privilege.
Rules were rules!
And so, as a matter of course, the winner of this Japan Derby was Narita Brian. Even the spectators at the racecourse seemed to accept it.
There were dissenting voices, of course, a few who insisted the black Uma Musume had won outright, but they were a small minority, quickly drowned out by the crowd.
"The Winner's Stage is in thirty minutes. Once it's over, you can return to Tracen Academy to rest."
As Rudolf spoke, Narita Brian's ears twitched. She peeled the sweat-soaked tape from her nose and replaced it with a fresh strip from her pocket, a clear look of impatience on her face.
"Losing is losing. What's all this about rules and placements?" She scratched her head. "If even she wasn't qualified to run in the Japan Derby, then the current system is downright stupid."
She grumbled discontentedly.
The URA did have its rigid, strict aspects—Rudolf couldn't deny that.
But this time, the problem clearly lay with the other party!
Even if it weren't the Japan Derby, even if it were just a G2, G3, or a regular race, you couldn't just jump in right before the start.
This wasn't some child's game where you could come and go as you pleased.
However, there were a few puzzling points that Rudolf still couldn't figure out.
Why couldn't any equipment record her presence?
Phones failed, cameras failed, even the sensor at the finish line failed.
The only image of the black Uma Musume was left by a sketch artist in the stands.
He'd drawn her likeness during the race.
But he'd covered the completed drawing with a mess of chaotic lines, leaving her with a hazy, indistinct appearance.
Worse, the artist had drawn a shadowy figure beside her, saying, "It was as if she was being guided—"
How could such an abstract thing be any basis for finding someone!
It was unbelievable that a massive racecourse didn't have a single full-body image of the black-clad Uma Musume.
Rudolf felt the same.
If this were a nightmare, she wished she would wake up now.
But the dull throb in her forehead told her to stop dreaming.
Rubbing her temples, Rudolf looked at the reluctant Narita Brian and ventured a question:
"In that case, do you know who that Uma Musume was?"
"Who…" Narita Brian paused, a deep voice echoing in her ears.
'My name is…'
"Why would you think I know her?"
Instead of answering, she threw the question back.
"Because you were the closest. You should have been able to see her face clearly."
"See her face?" Narita Brian curled her lip. "Sorry, President Rudolf, there was still a significant distance between us. How could I see clearly?"
"Is that so…" Rudolf fell silent for a moment before saying, "If you didn't see, then forget it."
"Regardless, the winner of the [Japan Derby] is officially you. The stands are full of fans supporting you all. As the most anticipated Uma Musume, you need to respond to their cheers."
"Heh, most anticipated, most… anticipated?"
Narita Brian's expression was complicated.
"Speaking of qualifications, I'm the one least qualified to stand in that spot. You saw her ability for yourself."
"Yes."
Ability that was fully a match for Narita Brian at her peak.
Not just that, Rudolf recalled.
Even at the very end, she hadn't used that running form—the one that had stunned Rudolf.
Did she deem it unnecessary?
Or was there another reason?
Just how deep did her true strength go…?
Shaking her head, Rudolf stopped that train of thought.
The URA officials were already searching for the black Uma Musume. She could worry about the rest later.
"She is strong," Rudolf nodded in agreement. "But, Narita Brian, you possess potential no less than hers."
"Anyone can spout empty praise," she snorted.
"From the stands, I saw it." A faint light glimmered in Rudolf's eyes. She had seen it clearly from her seat—Narita Brian had entered an exceptional state within a short span of time.
She was certain of it. At that moment, Narita Brian…
"Had touched the fringes of that realm—"
Hearing the term, Narita Brian's ears pricked up slightly.
"What do you mean?"
"...Just that I'm telling you, you will undoubtedly become stronger in the future."
Indeed, the current Narita Brian wasn't even a powerhouse who had fully stepped into that realm.
But once, in the future, she strived with all her might for something, then every movement, every thought, would flow with effortless, natural grace.
She would wield all her abilities to their absolute limit.
Just how powerful would Narita Brian become then?
"I don't need you to tell me that. I will."
She stood up, opened the door, ready to fulfill her final duty as an Uma Musume and, in this race, as the loser. Before leaving, she said to Rudolf, "I'm going on stage in this outfit. Can't be bothered to change."
"Understood." Rudolf nodded, watching as Narita Brian left the lounge, before reflexively reaching out. "Ah, at least wipe the mud off your shoes before going on stage…"
--+--
The post-race Winner's Stage was a sea of darkness.
This was a venue built specifically for Uma Musume, who held the dual responsibilities of athlete and idol. The audience gathered here to enjoy a performance belonging to the victor.
The stands were packed, spectators clutching their glow sticks, ready for the thrilling moment.
How stupid, watching a performance that didn't belong to the true winner.
Behind the curtain, Narita Brian's face was cold. She was long accustomed to the feeling of stepping onto the stage, unlike rookie Uma Musume who might stand before tens of thousands of spectators and tremble with stage fright.
Behind her stood the other Uma Musume who had achieved high placements.
But none of them caught Narita Brian's attention.
As the stage spotlights flicked on, the crowd fell silent, the stadium becoming eerily quiet. Then the platform slowly rose, lifting the competing Uma Musume into view before everyone.
Yet, at that very moment, Narita Brian, standing at the front, suddenly took several steps back. Under the gaze of the entire audience, she moved to stand among the Uma Musume in the back row.
Resolutely, she struck the pose of a backing dancer.
The light shone from behind, casting a long shadow over the spot she had just vacated.
Yes. This was right.
Narita Brian thought.
She raised her arm and, under the gradually shifting stage lights, began to sing in her characteristically steady, deep voice.
Across the dim spectator stands, glow sticks waved and flickered, like countless stars scattered across an endless night sky.
O strong one, I sincerely await our next meeting on the battlefield—
--+--
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.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.