Rice won the Summer Dream Trophy in a three-way dead heat.
For me, it was a little... no, quite unsatisfying, but first place is still first place.
It was an unprecedented three-way dead heat in the Dream Series, the first in the long history of Uma Musume in Japan. The next day, it became a strange event that was featured in newspapers, magazines, and news broadcasts, with extra editions being distributed everywhere.
My colleagues said, "Are you sick with a disease that will kill you if you don't do something crazy?" But it wasn't me who did it. It was Rice. But I was the one who raised her.
After the victory live performance, we were interviewed, and when we returned to the training camp, it was a big mess. Otome-shi-san, breathing heavily, approached us, other reporters surrounded us and Rice, and an unauthorized reporter broke into the inn and was apprehended by the police.
Tazuna-san had apparently requested the police to patrol the vicinity, judging that a reporter would cause trouble because of the Dream Series.
Afterward, we had a celebratory party in the large hall of the inn, and there was a scene where Rice was surrounded by the Uma Musume of my colleagues and juniors, who were looking at her with sparkling eyes, giving her a standing ovation, and making her blush profusely.
By the way, regarding the prize money for the Summer Dream Trophy, the prize money for first through third place is combined and divided equally among the three of them. The total prize money is 165 million yen (100 million for first, 40 million for second, and 25 million for third), which is divided into 55 million yen per person.
It's less than the original first-place prize money, but it's still a huge amount. I was satisfied just by being able to see Rice's victory live performance, even if the full amount was transferred to her account.
As I've said at times, my beloved Uma Musume won first place in the Dream Series, even if it was a dead heat. My cheeks relaxed as I thought, "Next time, it'll be a complete victory."
Rice was also happy that she was able to dance in the victory live performance with Tokai Teio, Mejiro McQueen, and Miho Bourbon, even though she was a little frustrated that it was a three-way dead heat.
I thought we would have a fun night of drinking and eating and then work hard at the training camp starting tomorrow.
"Whoa..."
The next day, I checked the newspaper in the morning, read yesterday's article, and headed to the training course with a satisfied expression, but I couldn't help but say that. I had thought that Rice would have a light training day today, but a sight that blew my mind was unfolding before me.
"Wow... a lot more people came..."
"I guess that's to be expected?"
Urara was genuinely surprised, and King's cheeks were twitching as she said that.
This was probably because of yesterday's Summer Dream Trophy. More Uma Musume fans than ever before came in the morning.
The area around the training course was packed with people, and many people were swarming the merchandise stands... Wait, there's a banner set up. "Limited Dream Series Version Now On Sale"? Ah, they're selling merchandise like plush toys and photo cards of the Uma Musume, including Rice, in their Dream Series uniforms.
I didn't have time to stop by, but it seems they were also selling them at the Tokyo Racecourse yesterday. I had been informed by the URA beforehand that they wanted to make such merchandise, and I knew they would be sold, but I had completely forgotten about it due to the busyness of the training camp and my focus on the Dream Series.
They must have sent me a sample, but those are sent to Tracen Academy, so I can't receive them while I'm at the training camp.
In any case, more Uma Musume fans than ever before were here because of the Dream Series.
And perhaps because they watched yesterday's race on TV, the Uma Musume being trained by my colleagues and juniors were more motivated than ever. Of course, Urara and King were also full of motivation.
For Urara, the next G1 dirt race is the JBC series, which will be held in early November.
For King, it's either the Sprinters Stakes in late September or the Tenno Sho (Autumn) in late October.
(She won the Sprinters Stakes last year, so aiming for a consecutive victory is an option... But the autumn Senior Triple Crown is starting with the Tenno Sho (Autumn)...)
It would be a good idea to have her run in the Sprinters Stakes to see the results of the training camp.
However, we're training for the autumn Senior Triple Crown... the 2000-meter Tenno Sho (Autumn), the 2400-meter Japan Cup, and the 2500-meter Arima Kinen, all long-distance races. So having her run in the short-distance Sprinters Stakes feels a bit... well. It would be better than last year's ridiculous rotation, but I also want her to focus on the autumn Senior Triple Crown.
For Urara, we could have her run in a race before one of the JBC series, but there's also the possibility of having her run in the Champions Cup in early December and the Tokyo Daishoten in late December after the JBC series. So it's also a good idea not to have her run to avoid fatigue from the race.
(We've been doing a lot of parallel runs and mock races during the training camp... If we can have a mock race like last year to finish the training camp, we can sharpen our race sense...)
We've been doing mock races frequently during this year's training camp, so we don't have to worry about our race sense becoming dull. However, since both Urara and King are top-class Uma Musume among the participants, there are few opportunities for them to have mock races against stronger opponents.
That's why I was hoping we could have a mock race with Team Rigil and Team Spica, like last year.
"Trainer-kun, I'm sorry to interrupt your training. Could I have a word with you?"
Then, Symboli Rudolf came over and said that. The Uma Musume fans were in an uproar at the sudden appearance of Symboli Rudolf, but she didn't seem to mind.
"I don't mind... but what about your training?"
"It's a day off, of course. I'm tired from yesterday's race... Oh, Rice Shower-kun is training..."
Symboli Rudolf looked at Rice in surprise, but I smiled wryly.
"Rice is just doing a light workout. It seems she has nothing to do if she stays at the inn by herself."
Rice has been diligently working on her summer homework, so it's true that she has nothing to do if she stays at the inn. Well, I think she could relax in the hot springs or just rest, but it seems Rice feels more at ease when she's with me and training.
"So, what is it?"
"Oh, that's right. It's about a mock race. I was wondering what you plan to do about it this year. I came to see you on a walk."
As she said that, Symboli Rudolf gave me an intimidating smile.
"One selfish reason is that the race yesterday was a dead heat, so I want to settle the score. Also, our Brian has been nagging me, saying she wants to compete with Rice Shower-kun and King Halo-kun. Trainer Tojo also said it would be okay if you agreed."
"Narita Brian?"
She has good taste to specifically ask for Rice and King. But there was something in Symboli Rudolf's words that bothered me.
"I know it's not as simple as settling the score in the next Winter Dream Trophy. But is it okay to settle it in a mock race?"
If we're going to settle the score, I want them to do it on that big stage. It might not make a difference whether it's a mock race or the Dream Series if they're both satisfied, but I thought this after watching yesterday's race.
I want to see the Dream Series... or rather, Symboli Rudolf and Rice run in a proper place. However, since I don't know if there will be a next time, I guess Symboli Rudolf also wants to settle the score when she can.
If they train diligently now without letting their guard down, they will be able to perform with the same potential as yesterday's race. But...
"Besides, if it's the same as last year, other Uma Musume will run, and we have a lot more people this year. Many girls probably want to run with you, and it won't be like a real race."
It would be difficult to organize, given the number of people, even if we set conditions like in the Dream Series, such as dividing the races into sprint, mile, intermediate, long-distance, and dirt, with each person only running in one race.
The juniors who were late to join for financial reasons have also arrived, and there are also the newcomers who are here for a short-term training camp. All together... there are nearly 70 Uma Musume...
And since she's talking about settling the score from yesterday's race, she'll probably also call Tokai Teio. In that case, Team Spica will also participate, and we'll need to hold multiple races for intermediate and long distances due to their aptitudes.
Of course, we could do it with just Team Rigil, Team Spica, Team Kitalpha, Kiryuin-san, and Meek, like last year, but... my colleagues and juniors who were listening were giving me looks like, "You're not going to hog all the fun, are you?" and "Please let us challenge the pinnacle of Uma Musume."
Symboli Rudolf seemed to notice that, and she gave a small wry smile.
"Yes... I was being too selfish. In that case, I'll have to properly prepare for the next Winter Dream Trophy and win the real thing."
Symboli Rudolf said that, with a determined expression. It seems she has no intention of giving up her position as the pinnacle.
"No, no, Rice is going to get a solo first place and beat you next time. But, we should still do a mock race. We can settle the score at the next Dream Series, but don't you want to feel a little more refreshed?"
So I smiled and replied. Symboli Rudolf also gave me a combative smile at my words.
"--So, I can take that as an agreement!? This is a wonderful thing!"
And then a very excited Otome-shi-san came running in.
And so, August was coming to an end.
With only one day left in the training camp, a mock race was decided to be held as a finale.
However, based on the judgment that a large number of Uma Musume fans would show up, we asked Tazuna-san for permission, and it turned into a huge event.
It seemed she had anticipated that we would hold a mock race this year, so they increased the number of security guards, added more merchandise stands, and even set up a proper announcer's booth, turning it into a huge commotion.
By the way, even though an announcer's booth was set up, they didn't provide an announcer. So, Gold Ship-chan and I were sitting in the booth. It's been a year since we sat together like this, Gold Ship-chan.
And while it was fine that we were going to be the announcers, an unexpected person... or rather, an Uma Musume also showed up.
"Falko is sad that you didn't invite me to something this fun!"
Smart Falcon showed up, having heard about it from somewhere. When I looked confused, she said she had gathered information from Uma Musume fans' Umatter accounts and decided to come here after judging that the mock race would be held today.
"It's a chance to run with Urara-chan! I held back from coming to the training camp, but I couldn't hold back anymore!"
Smart Falcon said that with a brilliant smile. But somehow, her eyes weren't smiling, or rather, the emotions she directed at Urara were not normal... But well, Urara seems happy to hear that she can run with Smart Falcon, so I guess it's fine.
Smart Falcon's demeanor has changed since the Teio Sho. Her smile has become more natural, and her indescribable intimidation has faded.
However, when Urara is involved, she reverts back. No, I should say her intimidation has increased. It's probably because she sees her as a rival, but I can see an even stronger emotion... Maybe as an Uma Idol, she's conscious of Urara, who is so popular on dirt tracks.
And so, the mock race began. According to Gold Ship-chan, there were nearly 30,000 Uma Musume fans gathered.
When I asked her how she found that out, she said she calculated it based on the circumference of the practice course, since the Uma Musume fans were completely surrounding it.
The mock race wouldn't be a good reference or practice if the skill gap was too big, so we divided them into Junior Grade only, confident Junior Grade students and Classic Grade students, confident Classic Grade students and Senior Grade students, and Senior Grade students and above. Just like last year, we divided the races into sprint, mile, intermediate, long-distance, and dirt... It's like the Dream Series.
We decided to match the distances to this year's Summer Dream Trophy and let them run.
"Now, it's Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka racing for the lead. They're pulling away from the pack and moving to the front. It feels like they're faking being in the Junior Grade, but here comes T.M. Opera O! Who will win!?"
"Daiwa Scarlet is so good... And Vodka's legs are also amazing. But T.M. Opera O is in even better shape."
Gold Ship-chan and I continued to commentate on the mock race.
"The strong competitors in the Senior Grade are challenging them at their own strong request! But is the generation gap too thick!? Narita Brian is at the back! She's slowly being pulled away! What's wrong, Narita Brian!? Will she even place!? Crazy in Love is moving up!?"
"Gold Ship-chan, are you on bad terms with Narita Brian? But she's in good shape for a Classic Grade student. She's grown to a level where she can definitely beat a normal Senior Grade opponent. Well, her opponents aren't normal this time. Or rather, my King."
"Your team is on good terms, old man."
"Everyone on my team gets along."
Although we had Rice skip the race due to the huge skill gap, we had Narita Brian challenge King as she had wished.
"Here comes Special Week! Special Week is moving up! But Grass Wonder is also fast! Less than 200 meters left!"
"Special Week must be conscious of her past failures. She chose the right moment to make her move. But Grass Wonder is better at that. Even so, they're both putting on a good run, competing in the final stretch."
At times, we would provide serious commentary.
"And it's these two who are competing in the final stretch! The 'Sand Falcon' Smart Falcon and the 'Record Breaker' Haru Urara! Which one will the goddess of victory smile upon in this dirt showdown!?"
"Go, go, go, go, go! Uraraaaaaaa!"
And at other times, I would take a break from commentating to cheer with all my might.
"Hyah! I can't take it anymore! I'm joining in!"
"Alright, I'll take over the commentary. The next race is a long-distance race featuring familiar faces: the G1 seven-time winner, the 'Emperor' Symboli Rudolf; the G1 six-time winner, the strongest stayer Rice Shower; and the G1 five-time winner, the 'Emperor' Tokai Teio. The distance is the same as the Arima Kinen, 2500 meters, and the track condition is good."
I said goodbye to Gold Ship-chan, who abandoned her commentary just like last year, and then, in the form of a mock race, I had Rice run with Symboli Rudolf, Tokai Teio, and Mejiro McQueen.
The Uma Musume competed with each other, sometimes smiling, and sometimes twisting their faces in frustration, but they still ran forward.
Urara, Rice, and King.
The Uma Musume being trained by my colleagues. Or the Uma Musume who have recently transferred from other places.
The Uma Musume being trained by the juniors, and the Uma Musume being trained by the newcomers. Everyone was running with all their might as if they had forgotten about the summer heat.
"In the final stretch, it's these three who are moving up! Symboli Rudolf, Rice Shower, and Tokai Teio are accelerating as if to settle the score of the Summer Dream Trophy! Following them is Mejiro McQueen! And from the back, Gold Ship is moving up! But what about it!? Will she make it!?"
The Uma Musume fans watching, the reporters, and even the Uma Musume who had finished running. They were all cheering on Rice and the others, who were running with all their might.
"It's a close race to the finish! The ruling is... oh, not this time either. So, it's a three-way dead heat!"
This summer was hot and passionate, and in this way, the second training camp came to a close.
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