On the morning of the second day, after the morning dew had receded slightly.
Despite it being this early, the Kyoto Racecourse was already completely packed with people.
The Kikuka Sho this year had attracted a truly large crowd of Uma Musume fans, hours before the race even officially started.
Many of the fans wore casual or formal attire, but an even more significant number wore eye-catching cheering outfits.
Among them, the fans wearing T-shirts emblazoned with Mejiro McQueen and T.M. Opera O were the most enthusiastic, clearly showing that the true contenders in this race were well-known to the fans.
Mejiro McQueen, an Uma Musume who relentlessly chases after the Tenno Shos as her goal and has already achieved spectacular results, and T.M. Opera O, who had already won two of Classic Triple Crown races and had the potential to become a new Classic Triple Crown Uma Musume.
Their rivalry had countless spectators, both present and absent, eagerly anticipating the race with it causing the number of spectators for this year's Kikuka Sho to reach a new peak.
"Welcome, ladies, gentlemen and you folks watching on TV, toooooooo, the Kyoto Racecourse! I am Akasaka Misato, your commentator for this year's Kikuka Sho!"
"And my partner for this live commentary is Junko Hosoe, a retired Trainer from Central Tracen Academy!"
"Hello everyone, I am Junko Hosoe, pleased to meet you."
A beautiful woman with black hair, standing beside Junko Hosoe, calmly greeted everyone:
"Thank you all for coming to the Kikuka Sho. I could just feel the enthusiasm oozing off the audience."
"That's right! After all, this Kikuka Sho will hold the highly anticipated rematch between T.M. Opera O and Mejiro McQueen! It's practically a historical moment!"
Akasaka Misato also said, unable to hide her excitement:
"Not only that! Everyone's curious if the next Classic Triple Crown Uma Musume will be born at Kyoto Racecourse."
"Will Mejiro McQueen prove the Mejiro Family's strength once again, or will T.M. Opera O, with no particular background whatsoever, surpass everyone and become the next Classic Triple Crown Uma Musume?"
"—Incidentally, T.M. Opera O's Trainer, Wada Ryuji just led his other Uma Musume, Meisho Doto, to win the Autumn Tenno Sho at the neighbouring Tokyo Racecourse."
Junko Hosoe, on the side, also smiled gently:
"I truly admire Trainer Wada. Although he may not be present yet, I am very impressed that he could train two such excellent Uma Musume."
"Hehe, what's that? I think I heard a hint of something unusual in your words, Miss Hosoe."
Akasaka Misato teased Junko Hosoe upon hearing this, and immediately, the entire audience let out excited laughter, clearly finding such topics very interesting.
Junko Hosoe only realized it belatedly, her cheeks slightly flushed as she said:
"It's merely an appreciation as a former Trainer."
"After all, I retired very early, and my previous results were not outstanding... So, to see such a young Trainer achieve so much already is admirable…"
"Mmm, I understand. I've seen Trainer Wada's photo too. He's seems hardworking, talented, and also handsome too."
Akasaka Misato, upon hearing this, adopted an "I get you" expression and immediately changed the subject:
"Alright, alright, enough gossip, now it's time for the popularity rankings...!"
...
...
...
"...It's finally here, the Kikuka Sho."
In the spectator stands, Hana Toujou stood, feeling a little nervous.
She was surrounded by a group of Uma Musume from her team, Team Rigil.
Many of them were already accomplished and were no longer actively participating in races, while others were future stars, but without exception, all were exceptionally strong Uma Musume.
For example, Symboli Rudolf, Taiki Shuttle, Air Groove, El Condor Pasa, Hishi Amazon, Fuji Kiseki, and so on.
It could be said that a majority of the strong Uma Musume in Tracen, whose names were well-known, were part of Hana Toujou's Team, many of whom, had also competed in the Classic Triple Crowns.
Although it wasn't her Uma Musume participating in the race, and Hana Toujou, as a Trainer, shouldn't be nervous, she couldn't hide her excitement at this moment.
"Are you nervous, Hana?"
Okino, at some point, had also arrived beside Hana Toujou.
He didn't have as many Uma Musume around him as Hana Toujou, but if our three Trainers were here, they would recognize many familiar faces.
They include Special Week, who had raced in Tracen's mock race, as well as Silence Suzuka, Daiwa Scarlet, and Vodka.
This was currently his entire team.
However, in Okino's team, the only one who currently had the potential to compete with T.M. Opera O was Special Week, and Special Week still needed some time to qualify for GI races.
As for Silence Suzuka… her specialized field did not completely overlap with T.M. Opera O's, and Okino did not intend to let Silence Suzuka try to challenge T.M. Opera O.
"You should really calm down a bit woman, your team isn't even running in this Kikuka Sho. Don't be so nervous."
"I'm not nervous, Okino, I'm excited."
After a series of deep breaths, Hana Toujou managed to control her annoyance at Okino and said:
"I'm excited to have the chance to witness the birth of the next Classic Triple Crown Uma Musume after so many years."
"My only concern is Shadai. Something like rigging the outcome probably wouldn't even be something that out of character for them."
"Don't worry, Trainer, we have all made our best efforts."
Beside Hana Toujou, Symboli Rudolf smiled and said:
"Each of us has worked hard to make this race as fair as possible. We do not intend to go easy and let T.M. Opera O win the race, but we also will not allow something like Shadai to interfere with this race."
"…President, you seem very excited?"
At this moment, Air Groove also noticed an abnormality in Symboli Rudolf's emotions, and this "Emperor" surprisingly nodded without any concealment, her eyes becoming a few shades hotter as she looked towards the Racecourse, saying with a hint of excitement:
"That's right, Air Groove, I am very excited."
"This race will finalize my conclusions about T.M. Opera O, and it will also determine whether I will participate in this year's Arima Kinen."
"Oka- wait... participate? President, you're going to compete in this year's Arima Kinen?!"
"Really?! Rudolf, you're going to Arima Kinen?!"
As soon as Symboli Rudolf uttered these words, not only Air Groove, but all the surrounding people were startled and looked at Symboli Rudolf.
Symboli Rudolf's face showed no trace of joking, only a faint smile.
And this smile… made those familiar with her feel a momentary trance.
For a moment, they seemed to see that "Emperor" running on the Racecourse again, the Seven Crowns Uma Musume.
She was excited, excited that she had finally found an Uma Musume who could truly threaten her position, after waiting for so long.
The Aura Rudolf was emitting, full of fighting spirit, made everyone realize that Symboli Rudolf's side as an Uma Musume had not diminished in the slightest.
"Yes, but all of this will depend on today's race."
Symboli Rudolf also reined in her leaking Aura, returning to her usual kind Student Council President demeanor, and smiled faintly:
"If T.M. Opera O's performance truly impresses me, then I will compete with her in the Arima Kinen, but if she only wins and doesn't exceed my expectations…"
"Then, I'll just let this Overlord dominate this brief period I suppose."
Symboli Rudolf was not an existence who could be aroused to fight by just any Uma Musume.
Only an Uma Musume whom she truly believed could surpass her and redefine an era would have the chance to awaken her fighting spirit.
At least so far, Symboli Rudolf had never planned to compete in the Arima Kinen again, not even for Tokai Teio.
It was simply that the potential Teio had displayed so far wasn't enough to make Rudolf feel like Teio could threaten her to the limit.
But the situation was different now.
During their brief encounter at the hotel last night, Symboli Rudolf felt that T.M. Opera O was currently in a bottleneck state, similar to a cocoon.
Her condition was very unstable.
She was troubled, she was lost; and this was the final stage of her "training."
And as long as she broke through this barrier, then T.M. Opera O would undergo a qualitative change.
When that happens, she would become an Uma Musume that truly stood above the mundane.
"Let me see your resolve, T.M. Opera O."
"This will be your first and only chance to break through your limits. The opportunity to break free and transform into a butterfly is right before you."
"If you can do it, then by all means, come and challenge me."
But, has Trainer Wada not arrived yet?
Symboli Rudolf looked around. Although the race hadn't started yet, it wasn't far from starting.
According to the bullet train schedule, if he hadn't arrived by now, it was probably due to traffic.
However, Symboli Rudolf was more worried that… it could be more than just simple traffic.
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Imanami lowkey stealing all of Okino's Umas
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If you spot any errors, feel free to comment about it and I will fix it as soon as I can.