It was past 11:50 PM, not quite midnight, and Yugo Ohara was already sitting in front of the TV, playing on his phone while waiting.
"Click~"
The sound of the door opening rang out.
Immediately following it was the voice of his father, Keiichiro Ohara: "I'm home."
A few seconds later, Keiichiro Ohara, having already changed into his indoor shoes, came into the living room.
"Welcome back, Dad," Yugo Ohara said, looking up.
"Hmm."
Keiichiro Ohara nodded expressionlessly, put down his briefcase, went to the kitchen, poured himself a glass of water, and then returned to the living room and sat down on the sofa.
After a few minutes, seeing that Keiichiro Ohara still hadn't gotten up, Yugo Ohara couldn't help but turn his head and ask, "Aren't you going to take a shower?"
"No rush, I'll go after watching TV," Keiichiro Ohara replied solemnly.
Yugo Ohara was taken aback: "TV? Uma Musume 2?"
Keiichiro Ohara drank his water silently, neither nodding nor denying it.
Because they had watched the first season of Uma Musume together back in '18, Yugo Ohara wasn't too surprised, but he couldn't help asking, "Tonight is the final episode, you've watched the previous twelve."
"Otherwise, what would I be watching?"
Keiichiro Ohara wore a speechless expression.
In fact, he had been following this anime since the second season started airing; it was a program he watched every week without fail. It was just that his son had been busy preparing for university entrance exams, so he hadn't known.
As for Keiichiro Ohara, without waiting for the remaining few minutes to finish airing, he stood up, didn't even bother to clear away his cup, and said in a low voice, "I'm going to take a shower."
He had to get away!
If he didn't run now, his son would see him looking embarrassed.
"What else would I be watching it for?" Keiichiro Ohara looked speechless.
In fact, he had been following this anime since the start of its second season, making it a weekly must-watch. It was just that his son had been busy preparing for university entrance exams before, so he didn't know.
Of course, he wouldn't bring this up himself. Not only that, he even said tsundere-ly, "Don't get me wrong, I only watch this anime because its portrayal of horse racing is quite authentic. Otherwise, I wouldn't even pay attention to it, let alone watch it."
He didn't watch any other anime, so Yugo Ohara didn't find anything unusual about it.
At this moment, it was twelve o'clock, and the final episode of the second season of "Uma Musume" was airing on TV.
Tokai Teio found Team Spica's trainer and said she wanted to participate in the Arima Kinen. This shocked the trainer because although Tokai Teio had recovered from her third fracture, her performance hadn't improved since her recovery. Moreover, jumping straight into a G1 race after a year-long hiatus was clearly not feasible.
Tokai Teio, however, said, "It's not a question of whether I can or not. I will win, definitely."
Seeing Tokai Teio so serious, the Trainer finally decided to support her, and her teammates in Team Spica also expressed that they would help.
What followed was intense training, and her teammates were indeed helpful in various ways.
At the same time, the list of participants and the popularity poll results for the Arima Kinen were announced. First in popularity was Biwa Hayahide, second was Winning Ticket, and third was Rice Shower. Tokai Teio, having not raced for a year, ranked fourth. In addition, there were other formidable rivals such as Legacy World, Nice Nature, T.M. Opera O, Mejiro Palmer, and others.
Besides Tokai Teio, there were seven other Uma Musume who had won G1 races; the field was exceptionally strong.
Fans held no hope for Tokai Teio's victory, not only because the competition was so fierce and Tokai Teio had been away from racing for so long, but also because there was no precedent for an Uma Musume to return from a year-long hiatus and immediately win a G1 race.
However, since this race determined its participants through fan voting each year, Tokai Teio was able to enter despite only ranking fourth in popularity, which was fortunate.
On the day of the race, the Nakayama Racecourse was flooded with a large crowd, and many others were watching via live television broadcast.
In the backstage lounge.
The Emperor found Tokai Teio, and when Tokai Teio asked her what she should do when she desperately wanted to win a race, she received this answer:
"Everyone who enters a race wants to win just as much as you do. They hone themselves, improve their skills, focus their minds, and challenge the final victory to win. But the unexpected can happen at any time. No matter how well you prepare or how good your condition is, there are always twists and turns in a race. There are no certainties on the racetrack. However... the conviction in your heart, the emotions that will never waver—these are things no one can influence."
After that, the race began.
The starting gates opened, and amidst the roar of the crowd, 14 Uma Musume rushed out together.
Although Tokai Teio wanted to win, all the other Uma Musume wanted to win just as much, each of them holding a strong conviction, all wishing to be the first to cross the finish line.
As they ran in front of the grandstand, Mejiro Shinshin was in the lead, Biwa Morning Glory, the most popular, was in 4th place, Rice Shower was on the outside, and Tokai Teio was slightly behind, giving the impression that the situation was very unfavorable for her.
Although her teammates said it was fine, their expressions were heavy. The Spica trainer was also saying, "She never could return to her prime form until the very end."
All they could do was cheer for Tokai Teio until the very end.
Outside the arena, someone watching the live broadcast made a bet, declaring that Tokai Teio absolutely couldn't win, and if she did, they would shave their pompadour into a buzz cut.
On the track, as the race entered the 4th turn, Biwa Hayahide made her move first, picking up speed and overtaking the previous leader, Mejiro Shinshin.
The commentator said excitedly, "Biwa Hayahide takes the lead! Biwa Hayahide takes the lead! Truly powerful! As the race favorite, will anyone else be able to catch up to her? Will it be Rice Shower? Will it be Nice Nature? What about Winning Ticket?"
Whether it was Rice Shower, Nice Nature, or Winning Ticket, it was possible. As for Tokai Teio, the commentator didn't even mention her, clearly not believing she had any chance of catching up to Biwa Hayahide.
The camera cut to Mejiro McQueen.
Although she had arrived earlier, she hadn't had the courage to watch from inside the arena. Now, having finally mustered up the courage, she walked toward the viewing stand with a bit of trepidation, and then, she saw an unbelievable scene at a glance.
On the racetrack, Tokai Teio is catching up behind Biwa Hayahide, hot on the heels of the leader.
Seeing Tokai Teio putting in so much effort, Mejiro McQueen's eyes widen slightly.
In the commentary booth, the announcer instinctively calls out, "Tokai Teio is making her move!"
Immediately realizing something is off, she adds with a surprised, "Eh?" and repeats, "Tokai Teio is making her move?"
Inside the stadium, the entire crowd falls silent, stunned by the scene unfolding before them, and the viewers watching the live broadcast are equally taken aback.
The camera cuts to Tokai Teio, initially using several slow-motion shots to emphasize her arduous struggle to catch up.
Then, her internal monologue unfolds: "My breathing is so painful, but even if my lungs explode, it doesn't matter. My legs are so heavy, but they can still move. I... have suffered setbacks so many times—that time, and that time too. I've suffered more setbacks than anyone else. No one is more frustrated than I am! No one wants to win more than I do! I won't back down! It must be, it must be... it must be me!"
She roars in her heart and begins to push with all her might.
"The one who wants to win more than anyone else is me!
I will not back down!
It has to be, it has to be...
It has to be me!"
She roared in her heart, and then she began to push herself.
"Go," Mejiro McQueen whispered from the spectator stand.
The Trainer and the Emperor also whispered, "Go," and "Run," as if this could convey their conviction to Tokai Teio, making her run even faster.
On the track, Tokai Teio shouted with all her might as she ran: "Let's settle this!"
Then, she accelerated, gradually closing in on the leader, Biwa Hayahide.
In the front row of the spectator stand, the members of Spica were crying as they cheered loudly for Tokai Teio:
"Teio! Don't lose!"
"Please, you can do it!"
"Go! Overtake her!"
Many people outside the racecourse were also watching the live broadcast, crying as they cheered for Tokai Teio.
Even those who hadn't favored Tokai Teio at the beginning were moved to tears at this moment, turning to cheer for her instead.
Kitasan Black, the little fangirl; Satono Diamond, McQueen's little fangirl; the Trainer of Team Rigil—everyone, whether related or unrelated, was crying inside the racecourse as they cheered for Tokai Teio.
The announcer continued their passionate commentary:
"Tokai Teio is giving her all to catch up, while Biwa Hayahide refuses to yield! Just one horse length separates them. It's so close, just a little bit more, but Tokai Teio cannot get any closer. Biwa Hayahide is not giving an inch, displaying..."
"Tokai Teio is giving chase with all her might, Biwa Morning Glory is giving no ground. It's just a one-length gap, so close, just a little more, but Tokai Teio can't get any closer. Biwa Morning Glory isn't budging, demonstrating the power of a Kikuka Sho record holder, simply refusing to let Tokai Teio pass. But, Tokai Teio is closing in, the returning Emperor is narrowing the gap!
There's only 100 meters left in the race, less than 100 meters, the final tug-of-war.
Has she pulled even with Biwa Morning Glory? Tokai Teio.
The new generation champion Biwa Morning Glory, and the Tokai Teio aiming for a comeback!
Nakayama, the entire Nakayama Racecourse is trembling!
The Arima Kinen, who will win the race?"
On the track, Tokai Teio, thinking of Mejiro McQueen, shouted out loud, her stride quickening as she finally managed to overtake Biwa Morning Glory.
The announcer continued their commentary:
"Tokai Teio has a slight lead, but the advantage is slim, and Biwa Morning Glory is hanging on.
Is it Tokai Teio, or is it Biwa Morning Glory?
Is she going to show the grit of a Derby Horse Girl?
Tokai Teio! It's Tokai Teio!"
As Tokai Teio reached the finish line first, the announcer became even more emotional: "Tokai Teio, a miraculous revival!"
On the spectator stand, Mejiro McQueen was already covered in tears.
The camera cut to Tokai Teio, but only captured her profile. There were several beads of sweat on her face, and her specific expression couldn't be seen, but she was heard softly whispering: "I did it."
The entire racetrack erupted in cheers.
The commentator, crying while calling the race, said: "After a year-long absence, Tokai Teio has won... A miracle, it's simply a miracle. Tokai Teio has completed a miraculous comeback... How could such a thing exist in this world? Returning to the track exactly one year after last year's Arima Kinen, Tokai Teio has successfully defeated 13 opponents."
It was simply unbelievable, but precisely because of that, it was also incredibly moving.
Both inside and outside the racetrack, everyone was either shedding tears or cheering with joy.
In front of the television, Yugo Ohara was so infected by this emotion that he found himself weeping without even realizing it.
As for Keiichiro Ohara, he didn't even wait for the final few minutes of the broadcast to end before standing up. Leaving his cup behind without bothering to tidy up, he muttered under his breath: "I'm going to take a bath."
He had to escape quickly!
If he didn't leave now, his son would see him looking pathetic.