September 13 — Hanshin Racecourse.
It was McQueen's debut day.
There were no major graded features on today's Hanshin card, so the crowd wasn't exactly packed. And the race about to start was a low-profile rookie Shiny Debut—interest on the stands looked downright thin.
Most fans would rather pour their passion into already-famous Uma than try their luck guessing who might break out from a field of unknown newcomers. Even so, for some people, today mattered more than anything: this was McQueen's first race after her True Blooming—the very first step on her road to legend.
As usual, Kuroha personally brought her to the track.
"Don't be nervous, McQueen."
In the preparation room, Kuroha smoothed a crease on her warm-up jacket and spoke gently.
"It's only 2,000 meters. Treat it like a routine workout. Go enjoy your first race—and show everyone the strength of the Mejiro family's Uma."
"Yes, Trainer."
No tension showed on McQueen's face—only that composed, elegant calm of hers. But deep in those violet eyes danced a fire of anticipation and fighting spirit she could no longer hide.
She had been preparing for this far too long.
After watching that straight, upright back disappear into the runners' tunnel, Kuroha headed for the stands and picked a spot with a wide view. He wasn't worried about the result in the slightest. With McQueen's current power, running a rookie debut was like a max-level boss wiping slimes in the starter zone. He'd come to witness, more than anything—to witness a new star begin her anthem on the turf, the overture of a long-distance sovereign descending.
With the PA humming to life, the Uma filed out one by one as the intro rolled. All of them were newly True-Bloomed, all running a race for the first time in their lives. Plain nerves, rigid tension, cocky confidence—the whole range played across those rookie faces.
The commentator for a Shiny Debut doesn't bring the fever pitch you hear in a Grade 1. His voice stayed even, reading the card and introducing each Uma about to run her first official race.
"…And next, Number 7. This Uma hails from Central Tracen Academy's Chasing Light team…"
At that, the flat tone picked up a distinct rise.
"Heir to Mejiro—dawn of the new generation of Chasing Light… McQueen!
"As the scion of a famed house, can she honor Mejiro's name and take the first stride of a legend on this course? She's also the top pick in the betting for this race!"
Chasing Light… Mejiro…
The two names dropped like pebbles on a still lake, sending ripples across the sparse grandstand.
People who'd been slouched back, killing time with a cheap ticket, sat up a little straighter. Heads lifted from phones. Eyes locked on the poised, elegant figure emerging from the tunnel.
"Wait, did he say Chasing Light?"
"Chasing Light—the one that went undefeated this spring and swept a bunch of G1s?"
"And Mejiro… as in that Mejiro?"
"Hah, thought this was a dull rookie field—didn't expect a surprise like this!"
Murmurs spread. Interest lit like tinder.
Could she possibly be ordinary? That thought didn't even occur. Come on.
"Chasing Light" and "Mejiro"—put together, they're synonyms for strength, a guarantee of honor. How could an Uma named McQueen ever be mediocre?
In an instant, every gaze converged on the same Uma. Folks who'd only come to pass the time now felt a pulse of excitement—they just might be witnessing a top-class ace of the new generation being born.
Up in the stands, Kuroha listened to the buzz swell around him, a faint smile tugging at his lips. He looked down at the figure who held her poise even under the weight of the entire venue's attention and said in his heart:
"Go, McQueen. Show them that your era begins today."
At the gates, McQueen calmly finished her last warm-ups. Around her, whispers from other rookies slipped out despite themselves; iron shoes ticked on the ground as nerves made hooves fidget. None of that noise—half worry, half excitement—could touch her focus.
Her naturally strong psyche, sharpened further by opening the first step of her Domain, gave her a clear read: not a single rival in this field could truly threaten her.
That was when a sharp, deliberately needling voice cut into the quiet by her side.
"My, my. Isn't this the illustrious lady of the Mejiro house—McQueen-ojōsama?"
McQueen's hands paused for a fraction. A flicker crossed the violet eyes; she glanced toward the voice.
A dark-haired Uma with sun-kissed skin and a crisp, shoulder-length bob stood there, half-covering her mouth as she snickered with a look that screamed "I'm here for the drama."
"I heard you've only been True-Bloomed for, what, about four months? In such a rush to race—if you lose, won't you disgrace both Chasing Light and Mejiro?"
A little black-bellied gremlin—very much the Empress's style… except the Empress's jokes never feel unpleasant. This girl was different.
McQueen's heart stayed still as a lake. "And you are?" she asked, lightly.
The black-haired girl hadn't expected such composure; her smirk froze for an instant, unsure what to do with itself. She quickly puffed up, forcing out what she thought sounded most imposing.
"Hmph—!"
"Listen up and remember! I am Mill Wakaba! And I'm the one who's going to grind you into powder in this rookie race!"
Faced with the direct challenge, McQueen blinked—then the corner of her mouth curled almost imperceptibly.
"Feel free to try," she said, voice calm, and walked into her stall.
Wakaba pressed her lips together as the Mejiro lady disappeared into the gate. "So… taunting didn't do much?"
She scratched her head with a tiny sigh. "Am I just bad at provoking people? But Shiraishi said I sound like I'm provoking even when I talk normally…"
So much for rattling McQueen's mood. Slightly miffed, Wakaba still drew a long breath and stepped into her own gate.
"If words won't work, we'll settle it with the real thing."
"I'm here to challenge that 'Grey Monster.' I'm not losing to some pampered ojōsama!"
(End of Chapter)
[Get +20 Extra Chapters On — P@tr3on "Zaelum"]
[Every 500 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter Drop]
[Thanks for Reading!]