"Welcome everybody tooooo THE GII AOBA SHO!!!!"
"Today at the Tokyo Racecourse, we will be witnessing an unprecedented race that I'm sure all our viewers are looking forward to!"
There in the commentator's booth was the familiar Akasaka Misato, who spoke with her usual enthusiasm.
"The winner of last year's Arima Kinen! The Overlord who defeated the Emperor and rose to the pinnacle of Japan! The one! And only—! T.M. OPERA O!!!!!"
"After a four-month break following the Arima Kinen, the Overlord has finally returned to the tracks!"
"And this time, there is only a singular challenger that stands in her path."
"Undefeated, a record of four wins in four races, and who also made a spectacular showing at last year's Japan Cup— our proud and soaring, EL CONDOR PASAAAA!!!"
"In this two person showdown, will the Overlord's overwhelming authority be proven unshakeable yet again?! Or will El Condor Pasa be able to topple her reign?! Let's wait and see!"
"Sigh... so it's come to this..."
In the stands, Hana Toujou, as El Condor Pasa's Trainer, was present as expected.
However, she didn't carry her usual confidence, nor did she look enthusiastic in the slightest, which was something that Grass Wonder and Taiki Shuttle beside her, the only ones from Team Rigil who came down to watch, shared.
The others all had their own agendas to attend to— and, of course, all of them knew that this race was just El Condor Pasa's way of venting her frustration.
For such a race, even if they weren't there... the outcome was basically decided; they couldn't bear to watch it.
It was better to give some space to El Condor Pasa and let her closest friends, Taiki Shuttle and Grass Wonder, comfort her.
"...Trainer, do you think El-chan will win?"
Grass Wonder, though still maintaining her Yamato Nadeshiko-like mannerisms, showed a face full of worry.
"...Our own team's proudest and strongest ace was defeated by the other party. Even if I try to muster up all the hope and positivity I can, her chances of winning are minimal at best."
Showing a bitter smile, Hana Toujou genuinely felt like she had sold her shares the day before their value skyrocketed, much like how she made that bet over T.M. Opera O's ownership with Wada Ryuji last year.
Firstly, Wada, who she assumed was green back then, managed to somehow train Meisho Doto to beat T.M. Opera O, taking away an Uma Musume whom she had high hopes for.
Then, as if the both of them activated a cheat code, T.M. Opera O managed to grow at bafflingly fast rates under his guidance, their record becoming more and more unbelievable by the month.
Even her proudest Uma Musume, Symboli Rudolf, the Emperor, was defeated by them wholeheartedly.
A newcomer with no prior experience fighting tooth and nail alongside his beloved Uma Musume to victory, surpassing her highest achievements within his first and currently only year...
To be honest, Hana Toujou wasn't even angry or jealous about it anymore; she just felt hopeless whenever she thought about it, as if the decades she had dedicated to this industry had been a complete waste.
"I admit defeat... Is it finally time for me to retire?"
"Toujou-senpai, you're still far from retirement age. You're in your prime right now; it would be a shame to retire so early."
Just then, Wada and Meisho Doto suddenly arrived, smiling as they greeted the members of Team Rigil that were present.
For a time, the two Trainers conversed without interruption from the others.
"Trainer Wada, don't you think calling me 'senpai' is a bit too much? If you really see me as your senpai, then why have you opposed me so many times? Are you doing it on purpose?"
Rolling her eyes at Wada, Hana Toujou's tone turned a little strange as her eyes became dead.
"TakingT.M.OperaOawayfromme,beatingRudolfattheArimaKinen,takingawayElCondorPasa'schanceatthePrixdel'ArcdeTriomphe-"
"Now, you're even going to crush my Uma Musume's last bit of pride? Really, as my junior, you don't show an inch of respect to your senpai."
"Are you planning to sweep our team for two years in a row? I have a temper too, you know. If you go too far, I'll cash in one of the favours Okino owes me and have his team teach you a lesson."
"Ah hahaha..."
Not knowing if Hana Toujou was just joking or actually threatening him, Wada could only awkardly laugh in response.
Of course, Wada understood what Hana Toujou must be feeling right now. Even if he didn't intend to oppose Team Rigil this year, he didn't expect to break that intention by April.
Although, strictly speaking, Wada couldn't be blamed, as it was El Condor Pasa herself who goaded T.M. Opera O.
He was innocent, okay? He originally just wanted T.M. Opera O to challenge the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
Though, considering that the spot for the l'Arc originally belonged to El Condor Pasa, the situation developing to this point could only be explained as karma.
Seeing Wada's guilty expression on his face, Hana Toujou wanted to be angry but couldn't, simply turning her head away as she returned to a sullen tone.
"Forget it, I'm not a hypocrite. After all, Rudolf and I did do similar things in the past. So I understand how you feel."
"But more importantly, here's a word of wisdom from your 'senpai' who was in your position before: don't solely rely on T.M. Opera O to be considered an excellent Trainer."
"What I'm saying is, once you help T.M. Opera O truly reach the pinnacle... perhaps try leaving her and becoming your own individual."
"Even if it might feel tempting to bind yourself to a super success forever, only when you can train an excellent Uma Musume all on your own, will you become a true S-Rank Trainer."
"...Thanks for the advice."
Slowly nodding in agreement, Wada fell silent in thought.
However, unknown to them, their conversation was overheard by Meisho Doto, whose eyes were wide open from disbelief as she began to think to herself,
'Trainer... leaving T.M. Opera O on his own...?'
Now considering this new possibility, Meisho Doto unconsciously became a little more active again.
...
"T.M. Opera O and El Condor Pasa have both arrived at the gates! Are they ready to begin the race?"
"The fewest participants in a GII race in Tokyo Racecourse's history, yet its value is no less than any GI. Who will emerge victorious?"
Accompanied by Akasaka Misato's voice, El Condor Pasa and T.M. Opera O slowly did their stretches.
After finishing their preparations, the two Uma Musume entered their respective gates, El Condor Pasa provocatively saying to T.M. Opera O,
"Heh! El Condor Pasa will be giving it her all, desu! Prepare to fall, Overlord!"
"Hahahaha! Then bring it!"
If T.M. Opera O truly went all out, with her Aura and Zone, winning against El Condor Pasa would be trivial.
However, if she relied on crutches like these, she wouldn't be able to prove to El Condor Pasa that she was truly worthy of taking her place in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
As her first race of the year, T.M. Opera O certainly hadn't slacked off in her training.
Even while learning practical knowledge and adapting to the European turf with El Condor Pasa, she had not relaxed a bit on the thing that had elevated her to becoming 'Japan's Strongest.'
T.M. Opera O understood that she wasn't invincible; losing was still a possibility.
And once she lost one day, the higher the pedestal she sat on, the taller the fall, and the more miserably she would crash.
Although her record of four consecutive GI wins, becoming a Classic Triple Crown Uma Musume, and defeating Symboli Rudolf may give people the impression of invincibility, T.M. Opera O understood very well that Uma Musume were beings who embody 'Miracles,' adept at breaking myths.
Perhaps not this year, but what about next year, or the year after? Who could guarantee that no one would be stronger than her? Who could guarantee her reign as the Overlord was unshakeable?
So, during these one to two years where she didn't need to worry about Student Council matters, she should focus on improving her own strength.
After all, her end as an Uma Musume... was something T.M. Opera O herself had already known.
Ever since she managed to sort through a good chunk of the fragmented memories she gained from "T.M. Opera O," she guessed that she might very well not have many more years to continue running on the tracks.
Thus, she wanted to grow stronger in every way she could before her prime inevitably waned.
It was also for this reason that T.M. Opera O planned to impose restrictions on herself this time.
For the duration of this race, T.M. Opera O did not intend to use abilities that El Condor Pasa did not possess, making this duel as fair as possible.
Thinking this, T.M. Opera O slowly opened her eyes and got into a ready to run stance.
Clang!
"And they're off! El Condor Pasa and T.M. Opera O started without a moment's hesitation— oh? T.M. Opera O seems to be doing something unusual!"
"Is this the Overlord's pride? Or is there a greater plan to this? But no matter what, El Condor Pasa has taken the lead and is now a full length ahead of T.M. Opera O!"
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Not much to say here~
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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.