"Thank you all for waiting, the long-awaited GI race, the Kikuka is about to begin! We can already feel everyone's excitement for this ultimate showdown between Uma Musume!"
As Akasaka Misato's excited voice faded, the entire Racecourse erupted in enthusiastic applause and cheers.
"McQueen! McQueen! McQueen!" XN
"T.M. Opera O! T.M. Opera O! T.M. Opera O!" XN
"—The entire Racecourse is cheering the names of McQueen and T.M. Opera O!"
Akasaka Misato turned to Junko Hosoe beside her and said, "The audience's enthusiasm today is truly irresistible."
"That's right. As the winner of both the Satsuki Sho and the Japanese Derby, T.M. Opera O has gathered a considerable amount of dedicated fans, though slightly less than Mejiro McQueen, making her the second favorite,"
Junko Hosoe replied gently.
"And there's no doubt on why Mejiro McQueen is the favourite. She is the rising star of the Mejiro Family and had cemented her strength through her amazing performance at the Japanese Derby.
"Not to mention that Uma Musume from the Mejiro Family are known to be incredibly adept in long-distance races."
"True! Speaking of which, for those of you who had just arrived. Meisho Doto, who shares the same Trainer as T.M. Opera O, had just won the Autmn Tenno Sho yesterday!"
"The Mejiro Family has always been known to chase after the Tenno Shos, and Meisho Doto even broke the famous curse of the 'demon of Fuchū'! I really wonder what Mejiro McQueen thinks of this."
Akasaka Misato promptly relayed this news to some audience members who might not have known about it.
Immediately after, the entire Racecourse buzzed with renewed excitement, sparking another wave of fervor.
"... Did Trainer Wada's child really win the Tenno Sho? If so, she might become a formidable rival for McQueen in the Spring Tenno Sho."
"C'mon Grandmother... did you really not know? You should really learn how to use the internet instead of just reading newspapers if you wanna keep up with the news."
Meanwhile, in the stands, was a particularly eye-catching sight.
A group of exceptionally beautiful Uma Musume sat around an old woman, occupying a small, but luxurious private room.
The Mejiro Head, who had just waved off Mejiro Palmer's comment, muttered to herself:
"It seems the new generation of Uma Musume are quite talented this time around... I wonder if Ryan and McQueen can win the Kikuka Sho this time."
"Grandmother, you've already allowed Ryan and McQueen to team up against Shadai, so why are you starting to worry about them not winning the race now?"
Mejiro Ardan, who was nearby, couldn't help but ask with a smile, "Shouldn't them joining this race regardless, already proof of their strength?"
"Perhaps so." At this, Madam Mejiro smiled slightly, shook her head with a sigh of emotion, and said:
"Alas… I'm getting old now. This era truly belongs to you young people now…"
…In contrast to the lively atmosphere in the stands, most of the Uma Musume about to participate in the Kikuka Sho were very nervous.
Especially within Team Miracle, Fumino Nase paced back and forth in the waiting room, still anxiously letting her mind wander:
"Why hasn't Trainer Wada arrived yet? Did something happen on the way?"
"I don't know; he didn't pick up my calls earlier either."
Ikezoe fidgeted with the phone in his hands. His anxiety was not much less than Fumino Nase's.
Orfevre and Curren Chan had already gone to wait for Wada outside the Racecourse, planning to notify them immediately when Wada arrived.
As for T.M. Opera O… she was uncharacteristically calm, her eyes closed, lost in thought.
She had been in this state now for quite long, which made Fumino Nase and the others feel worried.
But just then, a broadcast suddenly sounded, making everyone present's heart skip a beat.
"Participating Uma Musume, please begin making your way to the Racecourse. The GI race, the Kikuka Sho is about to begin. Repeating broadcast soon... Participating Uma Musume, please..."
'Time's up!' Fumino Nase thought in despair.
She couldn't help but turn to look at T.M. Opera O, only to find that T.M. Opera O had silently stood up.
T.M. Opera O didn't speak. Dressed in her racing outfit, she was starkly different from her usual confident, almost narcissistic demeanor when participating in races.
Even the crown on her head seemed a bit duller than usual.
Her entire mood was somber, yet faced with such an T.M. Opera O, even Fumino Nase and Ikezoe were completely helpless.
"T.M. Opera O…"
"…It's alright. I am ready."
Facing Fumino Nase's concern, T.M. Opera O promptly interrupted her, responding with a calm voice:
"Ahead lies the road the Overlord has to cross. I have no intention of surrendering victory."
"Ryuji… he must be supporting me even now. I will live up to his expectations."
With that, T.M. Opera O left the waiting room without looking back, walking step by step towards the Racecourse at a leisurely pace.
Her steps were slow. Many Uma Musume had already quickly passed her, but T.M. Opera O herself continued her methodical pace.
It was as if she were a truly aloof Overlord; no matter how many people challenged her, even if she was alone and without aid, she showed no fear.
"—T.M. Opera O!"
But just as T.M. Opera O was about to leave, a voice from the corridor made her instinctively pause.
Without hesitation, she immediately turned around, her previously serious expression instantly transforming into a familiar smile, calling out with a mix of surprise and delight:
"Ryuji? You're here?"
On the other side of the corridor, at this crucial moment, Wada finally arrived.
Meisho Doto had not come with Wada—because when she rushed into the Racecourse earlier, Meisho Doto accidentally knocked down two staff members.
She was probably with Orfevre and Curren Chan now after apologizing to the two staff members who were almost injured.
But Wada truly had no time to dwell on that now. He arrived in front of T.M. Opera O, panting, completely oblivious to his disheveled appearance.
"Ye... yeah... T.M. Opera O… I... I'm here."
"I'm sorry, I'm a little late, bu... but…"
Wada had sprinted with all his might to get here, just to see T.M. Opera O one more time before the Kikuka Sho began.
But when he actually reached T.M. Opera O, Wada suddenly didn't know what to say.
How should he encourage her? Say something like "You got this!"?
He had great faith in T.M. Opera O's ability, but he couldn't do anything to help her. He could only watch her run alone from afar.
But just then, Wada's mouth was suddenly covered by a slender finger. T.M. Opera O's face was radiant with a faint smile, and she said softly:
"No need for more words, Ryuji… I understand. I and the other me, we both understand."
"You don't need to say anything, and you don't need to do anything more. The rest, just leave it to your strongest, most invincible, most trusted Uma Musume."
"And you, Ryuji, my most loyal subject, my most beloved… and my most valued Trainer, you just need to witness this century-defining performance by the Overlord."
"—You shall witness the arrival of the true Overlord's era."
"I want you to witness all of this, Ryuji. That. Is how you will fight alongside me."
"Witness me surpass, witness me win, and witness me conquer!"
With that, T.M. Opera O stood on her tiptoes and, without a moment's hesitation, gently hugged the man in front of her, whose mere presence made her feel at ease.
As for Wada... he also understood that he didn't need to say anything more.
This was T.M. Opera O's race, and he… he just needed to be her most loyal aide, and it would suffice.
"—Go win, T.M. Opera O, go win the whole world."
"Mm, I will definitely win, no matter what obstacles are in our way."
Yes, no matter what obstacles are in our way.
Even if it's Mejiro McQueen, even if it's Shadai...
And even if it's the other me... I'LL CRUSH THEM ALL!
For the current T.M. Opera O, the true opponent in this race was not Admire Vega, Narita Top Road, Mejiro Ryan, Mejiro McQueen, or even Shadai.
Her true opponent in this Kikuka Sho was only herself.
A "past version" of herself that was stronger than her in every aspect.
After a brief embrace with Wada, Wada watched as the Overlord silently turned and walked towards the Racecourse once more.
This time, T.M. Opera O's steps were still methodical, like a monarch stepping into her kingdom.
But this time, her confident and upright chest, and the crown sparkling in the sunlight, all proved that T.M. Opera O was back to her peak mental state.
And at this moment, by T.M. Opera O's side, the figure of "T.M. Opera O" slowly manifested, but this time she had no superfluous words, only saying faintly:
"If you want to beat me, then try, me. This will be the final time we run against each other."
"Try and surpass the absolute zenith! Me, The Overlord of the Century's End!"
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I was trying to come up with a quippy comment but I couldn't, ts is just way too cool.
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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.