As T.M. Opera O took the final step, in the eyes of the audience, she secured another easy and predictable victory, with Akasaka Misato's voice sealing the end.
"AND THE OVERLORD DOES IT! THE VICTOR OF THE GII AOBA SHO IS T.M. OPERA OOOO!!!!"
"Now with a five race win streak, will anyone be able to stop the Overlord's reign?!"
"But regardless, let us cheer for T.M. Opera O for her victory once again!"
Like countless other times, T.M. Opera O's name was being chanted in unison by the people in the stands.
Of course, the fervor was not as enthusiastic as it was during the Arima Kinen since most people were not uncertain at all on who was going to win, T.M. Opera O's victory merely validating their preconceptions.
Still, this didn't change the fact that T.M. Opera O was at the center of attention.
Spreading her gaze throughout the stands, T.M. Opera O once more raised her hands in acknowledgment of everyone who supported her.
Just then, a panting El Condor Pasa could be seen slowly approaching T.M. Opera O with a strained smile on her face.
"Thank you... Opera-san, I almost gave up on myself just now..."
"Desiring victory is nothing to be ashamed of, El Condor Pasa. Rather, it would be a true disgrace if an Uma Musume chose to not even show resistance and simply hand over their position."
Bringing down the fist she raised, T.M. Opera O extended it towards El Condor Pasa with confident gusto.
"I, T.M. Opera O, the Overlord, will carry your wings and soar through the skies to deliver the promised victory! I will absolutely not fail!"
"—Mmh! It's a promise!"
After closing her eyes for a moment, El Condor Pasa's opened eyes became even clearer, a wide grin on her face as she fist bumped with T.M. Opera O.
"You gotta win with my share, okay? With my blessing, T.M. Opera O must win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and bring that big trophy back to us; otherwise, I'll really suplex you!"
"Hahaha! Yes, I will!"
Officially taking on El Condor Pasa's burden now, T.M. Opera O nodded with equal determination.
At that moment, though their conversation naturally couldn't reach the audience, the scene of the two Uma Musume bumping fists was captured perfectly.
Unintentionally, the two managed to positively influence the public perception of each other, earning this 'tyrannical' Overlord the reputation of respecting her opponents.
After their little fist bump, El Condor Pasa quietly chose to withdraw, leaving T.M. Opera O alone to enjoy the joy of victory.
However, despite having essentially achieved a perfect ending, T.M. Opera O didn't seem that happy.
It was not because T.M. Opera O had missed something, nor was it because she grew bored of the sweetness of victory, rather...
'My legs feel weak... That's strange. According to "my" memories, nothing should happen to me yet.'
Looking down at her sweat glistening legs, T.M. Opera O moved them a few times but did not find anything abnormal.
It felt like her soles were numb, but not the kind she usually felt from running; it was just a series of strange sensations she could not describe with words.
'Maybe it's the European running style? The Japanese turf was designed to hinder foreign Uma Musume, after all.'
T.M. Opera O wasn't very sure, but she felt like this was the most likely scenario.
If this was truly the case, no wonder foreign Uma Musume found it difficult to adapt to Japanese tracks; this was how it felt after every run.
Secretly huffing out a breath of relief, T.M. Opera O stretched her ankles in discomfort.
"Next time, I really shouldn't use this running style for domestic races. The load is a bit too much... it wouldn't be good if I got injured before going to the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe."
After testing it out herself, T.M. Opera O, who considered her legs to not be that strong, decided to vehemently avoid using this running style in the Takarazuka Kinen, even if it meant losing a valuable opportunity to experience it.
...
Meanwhile, in the passageway below the racecourse, El Condor Pasa slowly trotted through it.
However, before she could even reach the lounge room, El Condor Pasa forcefully covered her mouth to prevent herself from uncontrollably crying out.
Just from the trickling tears from her red eyes, it already proved that El Condor Pasa was not as accepting as she had appeared to be in front of T.M. Opera O earlier.
But who could fault her? This defeat had completely sealed the fact that her dream had ended.
She truly wasn't as strong as T.M. Opera O. Not only in terms of abilities like Aura or Zone, but also in her proud adaptability to foreign concepts, speed, strength, mindset, and everything else...
She was completely lost to T.M. Opera O in every way, and this was not even her full strength; otherwise, she would probably have been crushed miserably.
"What am I... what am I doing...?"
"T.M. Opera O won... she has already proven that she is a better choice than me in every way..."
'But I'm still so, so unwilling...'
"...El Condor Pasa?"
Upon suddenly hearing a voice, El Condor Pasa, who was in tears, immediately felt shaken as she looked at the source of the voice.
There, slowly approaching from the other side, was Wada, who had come to apologize to her about the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
The reason Wada had only decided to apologize to her now was mainly because back then, El Condor Pasa didn't seem to even want to address it.
But now, the guilt he felt far surpassed his fear.
Even if he had a premonition that he would get beaten up by the mask wearing Uma Musume, Wada resolutely chose to step out to talk about it.
As soon as El Condor Pasa saw Wada, as Wada feared, she immediately charged at him.
Nervously closing his eyes, Wada prayed to every god he knew as he prepared to be beaten to a pulp by this Uma Musume wrestler.
However, while someone did pounce on him, rather than the hard and incredibly painful feeling Wada was expecting, he only felt something soft pressed against him.
And as Wada opened his eyes, he only saw El Condor Pasa bawling her eyes out into his shirt while hugging him.
"Waaaaahhhhhh—!!!!"
"—El Condor Pasa?!"
Wada was, predictably, confused; after all, he barely even knew her! Why was she hugging him?!
"Um, why are you hugging me...?"
"Waaaahhh!!! I- I just w- want something to hug...!!!!"
"W- why! WHY?! Why am I always just a little short?! I w- worked so hard to break out into the world!!"
"I trained until my feet started bleeding, I ran until my legs almost broke. S- so why... WHY AM I STILL SO WEAK?!!!"
"TELL ME!! WHY DID YOU TWO TAKE AWAY MY DREAM!!! WHY DID YOU STEAL EVERYTHING I HAVE!!!!"
"Why... why..."
Although her emotional outburst was rather intense, El Condor Pasa gradually calmed down.
And as for Wada, who was the target of El Condor Pasa's grievances, he almost coughed up blood from how tight El Condor Pasa was squeezing him.
Fortunately for him, El Condor Pasa's grip on him gradually weakened as her tears began intensifying.
Quietly listening to her complaints, Wada did not retort, simply patting El Condor Pasa's back as he comforted her.
"Yes, yes, I'm the one at fault, I'm sorry, I'm really sorry..."
With the two staying like this for a while, El Condor Pasa finally started to ease, from initially bawling, to later sobbing, and then gradually subsiding into occasional hics.
Just like that, after a good cry, El Condor Pasa finally regained her composure.
People, and especially Uma Musume, often become sad when they lose.
If the person they lost to was a friend or family, this sadness would not be that bad; after all, they can see the sheer effort each other had put in; if they lost, they will only blame their own weakness while congratulating the other's strength.
But for those whom they aren't close to, despite them logically understanding that the other party must've worked incredibly hard, they will only have the feeling of giving everything they had... and receiving nothing in return.
And as casual acquaintances, Wada definitely couldn't say anything like: "T.M. Opera O worked incredibly hard, it's normal you couldn't win." That would just be kicking her when she's down.
Thus, between these two unlikely individuals, Wada gently comforted El Condor Pasa while she hugged him in tears.
However, it seemed like the suddenness of the entire situation caused Wada to have some things slip his mind... overlooking a certain Uma Musume whom he had sent to buy some gifts.
And this Uma Musume, seeing her Trainer being hugged by an Uma Musume not named T.M. Opera O... felt incredibly irritated.
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Getting cucked is a right Meisho Doto reserves only for T.M. Opera O.
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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.