Chapter Text
MAY 2ND, 2004. KYOTO RACECOURSE.
If you asked Tadao Higa how good of a trainer he was, he would always reply the same way.
“Good enough.”
It wasn’t an inaccurate assessment.
Sure, he’d worked with some of the best of the best - even got up close and personal working with trainers that had over ten GI victories to their belts! It’s just, well, nowadays, the kids would probably call him something like, ‘A GIII Umamusume Merchant,’ and they weren’t exactly wrong.
He’d been training at Tracen ever since Sirius Symboli took the world by storm, and it’d taken eighteen years to even get his first GI. A second in the same year? If he didn’t know any better, he’d say that he’d finally gotten the hang of being in the big leagues!
If only that were the case. If anything, he was just lucky enough that enough people turned Neo Universe down for no reason.
Honestly? It still angered him. To be dropped by a trainer was normally a bad sign, especially if the trainer was someone with experience. So, of course he’d been shocked when he learned that Neo Universe was dropped by a trainer.
She was kind, talented, and so much more than what you could see initially.
He was just lucky enough to be the first trainer to find her in her funk. Sitting down and taking the time to understand her was something that anyone should do.
And, well, he’d been rewarded with a phenomenal career. Multiple GI victories, consistent placements, and just an overall excellent performer, training Neo Universe would surely be a bright spot on his resume for any future prospective trainee looking into him.
Despite that, Tadao Higa felt like he had failed.
It wasn’t something you would notice at first glance. Neo Universe was an excellent trainee.
But he’d gotten here first. He knew that this prep room was just refurbished. But with the way it looked now…
The doorknob, mirror, sliding door to the changing area, they all showed telltale signs of damage. Most certainly caused by whatever was ailing Neo Universe, the girl had been so stressed that she couldn’t properly control her strength.
It seemed like the kind of stress an Umamusume would feel when—
Oh.
Oh no.
He’d fucked up. He didn’t know how or why, but he’d fucked up. And at this point? Sitting here contemplating how he got here would do him nothing.
He needed to get out there and do his damn job.
“Attention, please. Number 11, Neo Universe, has requested both to be the last Umamusume out for the paddock show and to be the last Umamusume loaded into the gate during race 11. Please forgive us for the inconvenience.”
Huh?
Uni asked for a delay?
…why?
The thought started up the old trainer gears in her brain. Anxiety?
Sure, Uni had seemed nervous about something ever since they had started dating, but, well, surely it couldn’t be that important.
They had the best years of their lives ahead of them! They were going to be able to run with everybody for at least a decade, and then maybe a decade more, and then they could keep going after that!
W-why would…anyone want to…stop running…?
Was Uni afraid of continuing to race?
Deep breaths, Marie. It. No. Shove that–that out of your mind.
It can’t be that.
It…the girlfriend thing. She…no.
If Neo Universe was scared to run, then Marie would be there for her.
Every step of the way.
TENNO SHO (SPRING). 3200 METERS.
“Now! The fourth favorite might not have won at this type of distance before, but this might be her breakthrough! In Bracket 6, Post 12 is Agnes Marie!”
Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck. Why did the damn tunnels have to be so large!?
Tadao Higa needed to get to the exit, but it felt impossible to reach today.
Like the distance between humanity and the stars, never meant to touch.
“She may not be well known, but she sure is a powerful stayer! Say thanks to Namura Thanks, who is joining us today in Bracket 7, Post 13!”
Damn, the lights in the tunnels were really bright today, weren’t they…?
Each name that echoed through the stadium walls reminded him that he only had so much time before his trainee would take to the turf, and then, he’d be too late.
That couldn’t do.
That wouldn’t do.
He needed to talk to her one more time before this critical juncture.
He needed to make sure Neo Universe heard what he had to say.
“Coming off of a strong win at the Hanshin Daishoten, it’s your fan favorite! Bracket 7, Post 14 belongs to Lincoln!”
At this point, he was wondering if Kyoto had gotten renovated recently, but that couldn’t be right.
Had he taken a wrong turn or something? He slowed his pace down to look for a map, to try to find where he was. Eventually, he came across one, and…
Huh.
He had been going in the complete wrong direction. How did he pull that off?
Well, there were still four runners that needed to be called out before his trainee.
If he put the pedal to the medal, surely he could get to her in time.
“In Bracket 7, Post 15 is someone who is surely going to try their best today - give it up for Camphor Best!”
“Excuse me!”
Why were there still staff members down here! Don’t they all want to watch the race? That was the third one he had to go through so far, but–ugh.
Something was burning in the back of his throat. Like an iron ball had been shoved down it and splashed into his stomach.
Tadao Higa grit his teeth. Heartburn, too? Was this what that fortune cookie meant, when it said that ruin was approaching?
Ignore the pain, ignore the premonitions - he needed to get there – now!
“She may only be fifth in the fan polls, but she’s still as sharp as ever! Coming in Bracket 8, Post 16 is Zenno! Rob! Roy!”
Come on, come on, if only his legs would move today!
He knew he was slower than he was in his prime!
He knew he might not make it in time!
But he needed to get there! No matter what!
“Fresh off a win at the Osaka-Hamburg Cup, this girl looks to finally collect her first GI. In Bracket 8, Post 17, it’s! Vita! Rosa!!!”
Something the Director said to him long ago, when he was first hired, flashed through his mind.
“Reassurance! I hand-pick all trainer applicants! To be able to make it through my process means that you are undoubtedly phenomenal!”
With the way his legs were screaming in agony, he sure didn’t feel like it.
And once the reality of his results set it, he wasn’t sure if that was anything more than a false reassurance.
Good trainers place consistently in GII’s. He couldn’t even do that consistently.
But he could hear the chants of the crowd. He knew he was almost there.
Just a little more, and he’d make it to his trainee.
“Here she is! Number 18, Ama—”
And that was why, when he finally breached that impossible distance, and saw his trainee.
“Neo Universe!”
He didn’t wait.
He just belted out seven words.
“You will win the Spring Tenno Sho!”
Seven words that he truly believed from the bottom of his heart.
EIGHT BRACKETS. EIGHTEEN RUNNERS.
Umamusume.
Zenno Rob Roy was not nervous.
Not today. Today, she was truly prepared for everything.
A practice duel with Kris S and Opera O allowed her to be absolutely certain that she would be able to obtain victory today.
After all,
She had finally found her own strength.
They are born to run.
Ai Watanabe looked down at Kyoto Racecourse from her box seat.
It’d been a long time since she had watched a race up here, but today, she had elected to witness history in private today.
She didn’t want to be asked questions about her father, after all. But as a sister, she still had a job to do.
So she raised her camera, and took aim at the runners.
They inherit the names of horses from another world,
To Yume Utsujou, this was not a race that truly mattered.
If it did not contain her trainee, or the girl in the snow…did it truly matter?
But, either way, Still wanted to watch this race with her.
So here Yume stood, just like she had hundreds of times before.
whose histories were sometimes tragic and sometimes wonderful.
Sometimes, Stay Gold wished her career could have gone on forever.
Saving Silence Suzuka was perhaps the most important decision of her life - dueling the superstar so the tragedy behind the zelkova tree would not take place, but…she could only run as a high level-Umamusume for so long.
This world was wonderful, but it was also cruel.
And there was nothing Stay Gold could do today but pray to the Three Goddesses for a miracle.
And with those souls, they run.
Admire Groove wasn’t sure what everybody was so worried about.
Both Still and Universe had been extremely worried about this race. Personally, Admire Groove didn’t see the problem, as they were both strong enough to plow through their competition with no issue, but Still couldn’t hide her worries from Admire Groove’s keen eye.
So it was up to her to make sure Still was alright.
And, if she enjoyed the little smile Still’s trainer gave when she surprised the two of them, well, she kept that to herself.
It reminded her of a smile she had seen oh-so long ago…
That is their fate.
Despite not being the most memorable race of Opera O’s career, the Spring Tenno Sho held a special place in Etsuko’s heart.
It was where Opera O won twice, after all.
Perhaps that was why part of her was so confident today. That somehow, some way, with her, Meisho Doto, and T.M. Opera O cheering her on…
Zenno Rob Roy would reach her first crown.
The lives of these Umamusume,
Plenty of people would say that That’s a Bunch wasn’t ready today. After all, she hadn’t been in the best form in her loss to Lincoln, either.
They knew nothing about her.
Only three wins? Who gives a damn!
That was three more than any of those chumps would ever achieve!
So! Today.
Today would be her day.
as you have already been told,
A young Italian man looks at his viewing guide one last time.
He is new to this country, but his passion has already charmed many of his coworkers.
Perhaps his success in the future will unify them even more, but for now, he finds solace with one runner.
The otherworldly Umamusume shared a similar struggle to him - cast in a world that didn’t understand her, she shared his struggles.
And for that reason?
For that reason, he wants her to win.
are set in stone.
“The eighteen are all loaded up and the 18 Umamusume are linked. And now…”
Once Neo Universe finally entered the gate, and entered a ready position, fate locked her muscles in place.
…so that was why the ‘GATE’ was unbreachable.
She was a fool for ever trying.
The gates opened, and fate dragged Neo Universe along by its chain.
“They’re off!”
There was only ever one outcome for this race, wasn’t there?
“A decent start, all in a line out of the gates.”
When she watched the racers shoot out of the gates, a strange chill ran down Admire Groove’s spine. She had felt it before, late at night, a pressure, bearing down on her from all sides, shutting out all other light.
Something was off about this race.
Admire Groove just wasn’t sure what.
“Outside, Lincoln got off well, inside, Ingrandire being pressed down on the inside.”
Marie could only be mildly annoyed at what she saw happening on the inside.
Someone clearly trying to go for first, right away. What she would want to do, too, but…
There were eleven other Umamusume in the way of taking the inside railing. Since she only had an average start, it would require an excess burst of energy to take the front this early.
Besides, she could settle for a position behind the leader.
It wouldn’t change the outcome of the race either way.
“Will That’s a Bunch challenge her in second?”
Someone gunnin’ for her spot, eh?
Well. They could have it.
“Ingrandire, then That’s a Bunch, Silk Famous now overtakes her.”
Still in Love was terrified.
She knew the stakes for Uni in this race.
And even though everything was normal so far…
Some deep untrustworthy part of her was certain that something was going to go wrong.
“On the outside, Vita Rose is going to second. Silk Famous in third.”
“Haaah ha ha ha! Another year, another eighteen Umamusume here to match my legacy!”
Etsuko could only smile at her former trainee’s antics. “Does the Overlord wish to share her thoughts about the race so far?”
“Yes! It’s a perfect start for my squire! I can already imagine the songs that will be sung in her honor! Haaah ha ha ha!”
Etsuko nodded in agreement. “We just need to see if she stays calm, then.”
Come on, come on…Etsuko had full confidence in her trainee, but she still bit her lip in worry. A pat on the back from the other Umamusume present helped her relax.
“She’ll do great.” The calming voice of Meisho Doto rang out, and Etsuko nodded. Yes, she would. But would Zenno Rob Roy do well enough to satisfy herself? Etsuko didn’t know.
“Then That’s a Bunch, Amano Bravery, and Agnes Marie.”
Thirty two hundred meters was a lot. That’s a Bunch knew that more than anything - it was why she hadn’t contested the lead as much early on for her Kikuka Sho win, after all.
So sitting back here?
Good enough for her.
“Zenno Rob Roy has begun to move up, then there is Chakra and Lincoln in the mix. Then following is Namura Thanks.”
The Italian man clenches his fist in worry.
Her path to victory right now is clear.
It just needs to stay clear.
“Then there’s number three, Derby Regno, and behind him is Win Generale, Camphor Best is there outside.”
Will it stay clear?
He doesn’t know. All he knows is that Neo Universe had faced similar challenges to him, and for that, she has his full support.
Through thick and thin, his spirit will always cheer for Neo Universe.
“Then number four, Win Blaze. Behind, number eleven Neo Universe sitting quietly on the outside, then number five, Sunrise Jaeger.”
She could not move.
Neo Universe was moving, but it was not her that was moving.
Like a puppet on strings she ran, stuck running a specific way.
A specific strategy.
『Neo Universe’s』strategy.
…and all she could do was curse her existence.
“In the rear group there’s Narita Century and Fast Tateyama, sharing the rear. Heading downhill on their first lap into the fourth corner."
Alright.
One fourth of the way done, Marie. You got this.
“Soon they’ll be passing the yellow half-mile marker from the start,”
Neo Universe only had to be pulled along for around two and a half more minutes.
Then, this torture would be over.
But what then?
Would she hide to avoid injury, killing her career? Or let it die the way fate wanted it to, with an injury during training camp?
Neo Universe didn’t know what to do.
But the result of the choice was the same either way, so did it even matter?
“It’s fifty seconds, It’s fifty seconds this year.”
“Everything’s going well for Uni so far…”
“Careful, Still. The race is far from over.”
“It’s Ingrandire, Ingrandire leading the way. In second it’s Amano Bravery, then Zenno Rob Roy, Agnes Marie, and Vita Rosa, up early with the pace.”
Yuki was proud of her trainee.
Staying calm this entire time, even as Ingrandire took a greater lead? Good for her.
If she kept that up, this race would go the exact way they wanted it to, and Marie would have her third crown.
“Vita Rosa in fourth, Silk Famous in fifth. Zenno Rob Roy in good shape, settling into her groove.”
Deep breaths, Rob Roy.
She could do this.
Etsuko believed in her.
Opera O believed in her.
All she needed to do was stay calm for just a little bit longer, and then, the world would see.
“Namura Thanks is there behind as well as number one, That’s a Bunch, also in great shape.”
That’s a Bunch was fine where she was.
It was a great position, and it would allow her to find the exact place she needed to be to take the lead before the final corner.
Personally, she would have liked to be a bit more upfront, but some gut instinct of hers told her that that would be defeat.
So, she stayed exactly where she was.
"That’s a Bunch is midpack on the inside. The leader, now passing the goal line, and here’s Lincoln, starting to shake her head a bit.”
The announcer's words shook Marie out of her steady rhythm. That was…concerning.
If Ingrandire stretched that lead more, she’d be impossible to pass.
Alright. It was time to move up.
“Then there’s Neo Universe fifth to sixth from last, quietly finding her preferred position.”
Neo Universe had known that, in a way, every single race in this world was predetermined.
Perhaps that was why she was unable to cry? She had known of this outcome for a long time.
And even now, as her body moved, there was nothing more she could do.
So there was no reason to shed any tears.
Almost halfway down now.
…at least it would end.
“As they make their way past the roar of the crowd, this is the time to get settled."
Stay Gold could only curse.
Damn it all.
Damn this world.
The goddesses had saved so many of them. Given them life when tragedy tried to cut it down.
So why weren’t they doing anything here!?
Was it too much to ask for them to save one more!?
“Making their way from corner one to corner two.”
Alright, that’s it.
No way she was letting Marie and Ingrandire stay all the way out in front like that.
Time to burst–
…what?
“From the start the 1600m pace is one minute thirty nine seconds.”
Normal. That was all Admire Groove could think about.
Normal, it was just a normal race, this race was too normal.
It was terrifying. It wasn’t right.
It almost felt like watching a replay…
What was this…?
“Out front…”
Hm…
Everyone else seemed to be writing her off, but…
Marie wasn’t too sure about Ingrandire’s lead. It seemed suspiciously safe.
So, that meant she should…
“Out front it’s Ingrandire, with Agnes Marie having taken second, seeking to police Ingrandire’s lead.”
There. Something that felt normal.
Finally, someone moved in a way that didn’t feel scripted. Of course, it had to be her, but Admire Groove would take any sign that the spell over the racecourse was being resisted.
“A runaway…?”
“Yes.” Just like the Japan Cup last year, there was a runaway.
And unlike last year, if Admire Groove’s feeling was correct…
Nobody was going to stop her.
“Why isn’t anyone besides Marie worried about it…?”
“Now into the backstretch, swept away by the spring greenery, Amano Bravery is sitting in third.”
“Because they think it won’t matter.” That was Yume’s honest opinion on the matter.
Arove seemed to disagree, but it was the truth.
“Even Marie’s goal is just to scare her off from it. Nothing else.”
“And then Zenno Rob Roy, doing everything she can to get settled.”
“..scaring her off? No. It’s more like she’s the only person doing anything about it.”
“W-what do you mean, Arove?” Ah. Even with her skills, Still couldn’t feel it.
“This isn’t a real race. It’s a replay.”
“Now looking to overtake, it’s That’s the Plenty.”
This was bullshit.
This was fucking bullshit.
Something was holding her back!
That asshole was right up there up front and all she wanted to do was match with Marie and fuckin’ burst but something! Kept! Blocking! Her!
This stupid fucking racecourse was hers, dammit! She had won here!
And now whatever was fucking with her just wanted to, what? Just let Ingrandire be there?
Fine. Fine. Fine. Make her stay in place for now.
But this damn ghost better not think I’m going to stay put forever.
“Just behind her is Chakra and Lincoln, doing everything she can to stay settled, saving energy for that deadly final spurt.”
Wait. Wait.
Something wasn’t right about what Yume had just heard.
“Arove. The commentators…called number one ‘That’s the Plenty…’”
That caught her attention. “Yes.” She could see Arove’s hold on the railing tighten so tight that she wouldn’t be surprised if it shattered like ice. “I knew it. It. It shouldn’t…”
“Shouldn’t what?” Yume could hear the fear in her trainee’s voice, but she wanted to know as well.
“There’s something wrong with this race. Something is trying to force it to happen a specific way.”
“...do you think that way has Uni losing? Or getting hurt?”
The way Arove clenched her fist told Yume all she needed to know. “It won’t matter. Universe is strong. She wouldn’t lose to a cheap tactic like this.”
With how much Still had been dreading this race, Yume could only hope that was true…
“But along with Lincoln, there’s also this Umamusume here…”
It was always going to be this, wasn’t it?
No outcome existed in this world that wasn’t『Neo Universe finishing in tenth place.』
Every single possible thing she could have done had been irrelevant. Futile.
“Here she is, here she is, Neo Universe.”
She was never enough. She would never be enough.
But she could do nothing. She wanted to throw it all away, crash into the ground, do anything to stop the race, but she couldn’t.
“She’s in the middle of a spot fourth from the back.”
Because she failed.
She had not able to break through the ‘GATE,’ and so, she could only play her role, as Ingrandire held a lead fifteen le—
“Now on to the third corner, the runaway Ingrandire still holding at least a twelve length lead.”
Neo Universe blinked, double checking her approximation of Ingrandire’s lead.
Twelve lengths.
That…wasn’t right.
Ingrandire wasn’t far enough in front.
How had…
Neo Universe adjusted her gait, and started to sway to the outside.
It should have been impossible. She had not been able to make her own tactical decisions all race. She had been forced to follow『his』path.
But now another stride, and she further distanced herself to the outside. In a few more strides, she’d be able to pass everyone, if she wanted.
Her brain was running at a mile a minute. Her choice. She had a choice she could make.
…didn’t that mean that the ‘GATE’ wasn’t infali—
Fate doesn’t define you!
Another step.
This shouldn’t be happening.
Nobody told her this could happen.
No Neo Universe had ever seen this happen!!!
Go for it!!!
“Far behind her is the main pack, heralded by Zenno Rob Roy.”
All her life, she’d been preparing for this one moment.
For the ‘GATE’ to grab onto her and shove her back down.
And for it to let go, on the third corner, before it even could deal the finishing blow…
I loved his races, but I want to see yours too!
The laws of this world dictated many things, but ever since the『Heroine’s』debut, it had loosened its grip on this world.
It had only seemed to take it back with the ‘GATE.’ It had even shackled the『Heroine,』preventing her from challenging the runaway, and shackled her to the mid pack, where she would be swallowed easily.
…but Ingrandire only had an eleven length lead now.
Even in these few seconds that felt like endless moments, she could see that change.
Something had happened. Something had—
You’re amazing!!!
The stars.
She could see the stars. In the middle of the day. They were talking to her.
Somehow, the stars were involved with this. The selves of her from the other worlds had never informed her of this, and she had little time to talk to them now.
The stars had broken her free, but she would still have to claim victory on her own.
And although the outside was free for her to use, the approaching corner meant that she would be running a far greater distance than she had initially planned.
“And behind them, Neo Universe has taken to the outside. Is she looking to make her move early?”
There were less than five furlongs between her and freedom now.
She had to do it. She had to do it.
She didn’t want to be the『Love Interest.』 She didn’t want to be a『Footnote.』She wanted to run, run, run, 『run,』but she couldn’t find the will to mo—-
“Neo Universe!”
Neo Universe stumbled in shock.
She quickly recovered, but—
It had felt like an impossible burden was lifted.
You’re the best, Universe!
She knew that voice. She had never heard it before, but she knew that voice.
It was his voice, after all.
It had come from the stars, but it was unmistakably his. And it hadn’t come to her because she was the『love interest,』or anything of that manner.
It had come to her because Neo Universe was an—
Umamusume.
Ah.
Don’t let it end here!
She was only receiving this boon because she was Neo Universe, the Umamusume.
This blessing was only given to her because of『Neo Universe』and the people whose hearts he had touched, but…
“I will love you,”
They are born to run.
If she was『Neo Universe,』this blessing would be unnecessary.
We’re rooting for you!
But because she was in a world where『Fate Could Be Changed…』
…no.
Neo Universe, you are awesome!
Because she was in a world where『Fate Had Been Changed,』
Always remember, there’s someone with you until the end!
Because the Observers cherish both『Neo Universe』and Neo Universe…
“for all of eternity.”
They inherit the names of horses from another world,
“Neo Universe was the horse I loved the most.”
…he was truly too kind.
A jockey rode thousands of competitors over the course of their career.
No matter what happens, I still care!
She hadn’t done nearly as much as『he』 had done for him, so why…
Why….!
Why were the voices of him and everyone else coming through the stars!?
I don’t want to see a sad ending!
whose histories were sometimes tragic and sometimes wonderful.
Neo Universe wasn’t sure how this was happening, but…
“Without a doubt, Neo Universe's best point was the strength of his heart.”
Every step, every voice sent to her seemed to cause her steps to become stronger and stronger.
Go forth, and sever the threads binding you!
As the power the ‘GATE’ had over her was fading away, something else started to form.
You can be more than he was!
It was only in her minds eye, but…
And with those souls, they run.
A『Path』had started to form.
I believe in your strength!
Using the stars that now shined so clearly in the midday sky, Neo Universe could ‘Align’ herself.
“Neo Universe was absolutely an unforgettable horse.”
All she needed to do was return to a more humble trajectory, one not used in decades.
Run with no regrets!
But it had already saved others once thought doomed.
Thank you, Neo Universe. For leading me here,
That is their fate.
and letting me love this world too.
Surely, it could save her as well.
To be honest, I don’t know what to say.
It only required one thing.
“Meeting you was great!!!”
A ‘Controlled Burn.’
I never expected to care this much.
One that would allow Neo Universe to cross the winning post first.
The lives of these Umamusume,
Eight hundred meters.
I wish I had known about you earlier,
Eight hundred meters was all that remained between Ingrandire and victory.
“You changed my life.”
All Ingrandire needed to do to shut the door of fate in front of Neo Universe forever was to cross that post, eight hundred meters away.
But Neo Universe was nine hundred meters from that same post
So I could have cared about you at the start, too.
And the results of their races that have yet to unfold,
Nine hundred meters to break free from『Neo Universe’s』fate.
But I can’t change the past. Only the future.
Nine hundred meters to best fate’s champion.
So run, Neo Universe. I will always be your fan.
Nine hundred meters until the ‘GATE’ closed in front of her, forever.
“I will always keep you in my heart.”
Nine hundred meters to prove that she was herself.
Remain unknown.
Nine hundred meters to exercise her right to exist.
So Neo Universe let her cleats dig into the turf,
And became one with the stars.
FREE RETURN
“And Neo Universe takes off! From the outside, she slowly starts to pass the main pack!”
In the grand scheme of things, nine hundred meters wasn’t a long distance.
In spaceflight, it was practically nothing, but here?
It was a sprint. All that was left was to perform the final act of a long, sustained journey.
And all Neo Universe needed to do was steadily increase her speed until nobody could catch her.
“It’s Ingrandire running away with it, but her lead is slowly fading! Did she make a miscalculation!?”
Okay, good.
She’d successfully disarmed the runaway, unless this was some kind of grand trick, and opened up the lead for herself.
Great. This was good.
The Japan Cup wouldn’t repeat itself.
“That’s a Bunch has yet to go, but Zenno Rob Roy is gunning for third! A length in front is Agnes Marie, but she seems to be sinking back into the main pack!”
Still, judging by what she could hear, there was something she was missing…
Everything looked good for her to take the lead once Ingrandire tired out, so why?
Why did she feel like there was an unstoppable—
“Neo Universe has made it to the front! She’s made it to the front!”
Ah.
Yeah.
That would do it.
That blistering beauty passed her without a glance, and Marie realized her folly.
By expending extra energy spooking Ingrandire and messing up her rhythm, she had opened up potential victory for everybody else.
Everybody else, who didn’t spend excess energy manipulating the pace.
Uni was just the first person to pass her - who knew how many more would.
All Marie could do now was hope that they would tire out before she did, or all would be lost.
“At last, she shows herself, and she’s sweeping in from the outside to take second place! Ingrandire has seven more lengths left to give before disaster strikes!”
Everything was stable. At this pace, Neo Universe was ‘Gaining Velocity.’
She could take a deep breath here. She was fine. She was going to make it.
She was going to break—
Once upon a time,
“But another Umamusume is starting to break from the pack!”
there was a young girl.
She was gentle and kind, but she thought little of herself.
“I want to be a hero!” Her soul cried so many times, but she never seemed to be able to do it.
So, she sat in her library, content to guide others to a treasure she could not reach.
However, due to the young girl’s kind nature, she had amassed many allies. A foreigner from afar had taken her under her wing, and set her on a path to Tracen Academy.
Once she had reached there, she started to bloom, but the all seeing eyes of the masses in tryouts spooked her, getting her hurt.
“No!” She cried, “How will I ever become a hero now?” In darkest despair, she believed fate’s only plan was for her to watch all she longed for from afar. Read, in quietude, in ink penned upon parchment forevermore.
However, not all was lost! For among the eyes of the masses were the eyes of the great Overlord of Century’s End!
“Haaaah ha ha ha! You wish to be a hero? Well fear not! I know of a Great Sage – she is a grand strategist, and will surely aid you in your quest!”
And so the girl became a squire, and trained and trained until she finally reached the battlefield proper. A stumble at the open level had her transition to an allowance race, where she won with flying colors.
Then, she set her sights on the Aoba Sho. There, she proved her mettle, and earned her right to her first trial on the path to becoming a hero.
But the whims of fate were not kind to the young squire. Stumble after stumble after stumble cast doubt on her plans. “Is this not the right path for me?” She thought, nearly giving into despair.
“You are strong, squire, but your opponents are even stronger! Fear not, however! In order to properly prepare you for the trials of your senior year, I will let you bask upon the Overlord’s radiant light!”
So, the squire basked in the true glory of the Overlord of Century’s End, and sharpened her sword by hand. Her own way to enact her will upon the world.
Now, she had drawn her blade, and aimed it to the heavens! One swing would clear the darkness, and prove to all the hero she could be!
“Zenno Rob Roy! She’s gunning for the lead!”
All she had to do was make sure she didn’t miss.
“She’s caught up to Neo Universe! The two of them are now only six lengths behind!”
The squire and the alien had known each other for very a long time.
“But Ingrandire’s fading fast! She’s now only got five lengths to keep!”
The stars spun their stories such that one could not cut their threads without tearing the cloth.
“Four lengths!”
The squire may have never picked up her sword if she hadn’t seen the alien in action,
“Three lengths!”
and the alien may have never tried at all if she didn’t have the support of the squire.
“Two lengths! Neo Universe and Zenno Rob Roy are side by side!”
And as tragic as it was, only one of them could be the hero of today.
And the squire would not settle for second place.
“One length!”
Five hundred meters.
There were now only five hundred meters between Neo Universe and her fate.
Had she done enough?
She did not know.
So she kept running.
“Ingrandire is trying to make it to the final straight in time but she can’t! Zenno Rob Roy passes her with Neo Universe half a length behind!”
The squire knew she was flawed.
She knew that on some level, she would never truly understand the alien.
But that was okay. To be friends with her, the squire did not need to fully understand the alien.
When their hearts were one, this communication was good enough.
“The final straight! Four hundred and four meters until victory!”
The squire knew this race concerned the alien greatly.
But this too was a part of their communication. On the track, with their hearts bared for the world, words were unnecessary.
And today?
Today, the squire wanted to show the alien just how far she’d come.
“Rob Roy in front! Rob Roy in front!”
Haaah, haaah.
Neo Universe could feel it. Every step was taking more and more out of her.
She did not know how long she could keep this ‘Velocity.’
…
“Could this be Zenno Rob Roy’s chance to finally be the bride!?”
…
What would happen if she lost?
Fate had been broken. Ingrandire had been bested.
If she finished in『A Position That Wasn’t Tenth Place,』wouldn’t she be alright?
She had broken free, and now…
Everything hurt.
Her legs hurt.
Her lungs hurt.
Her soul hurt.
Surely it would be fine to just slow down, wouldn’t it?
A ‘ZEER’ would achieve victory. Wasn’t that—
“HEY!”
That—
“From the far outside!”
“Don’t you dare back down, Universe!”
She had defied fate?
“I won’t settle for beating you—”
“That’s a Bunch! It’s That’s a Bunch!”
"—at anything less than your best!”
It should have been impossible. At the highest stage, That’s a Bunch had been bound to『That’s the Plenty』even tighter than she had been bound herself.
None of this should have happened. Today was meant to be for『Ingrandire,』but…
Oh.
Neo Universe had forgotten.
“Rob Roy’s passed the two-hundred!!”
This world was made for all Umamusume.
That was why Agnes Marie existed.
For the Umamusume that didn’t exist.
That was why That’s a Bunch existed.
For the Umamusume that faded away over time.
That was why Neo Universe existed.
For the Umamusume who could have been so much more.
Therefore…
“That’s a Bunch is closing in! It’s a showdown between three of last year’s stars!”
“Everyone!”
Eh?
“Neo Universe–”
“It all comes down to this! The emperor’s prize will go to one of these three!”
“No,”
Somehow, the young Italian man finds another lung to keep cheering from.
He is being rude, disorderly, every problem in the book.
But he doesn’t care.
Because he wants to see it. He wants to see—
“I am going to win the Spring Tenno Sho!”
Horse racing.
It’s a sport in which part of its beauty lies in its inhumanity.
Those horses will reach speeds and shatter records that humans are physically incapable of matching.
That is part of what makes it all so tantalizing. Those stories of humans and horses working together to become one in order to reach their goals. To find glory. To be remembered.
But this isn’t a story about horse racing, is it?
This is a story about Umamusume.
Girls who inherit the legacies of horses from another world.
Horses who are loved, cheered for, and cherished, even in the darkest of times.
The existence of Umamusume will trigger more and more people to love the horses that came before them, inspired them, and came after them.
Due to their emotions, desires, and individuality, this story became a story about Umamusume.
And there is one Umamusume in particular that has reached a critical point.
An impasse, in which the outcome will determine if she is allowed to be something more than the horse that inspired her.
The horse cannot be saved. His story is over.
But the Umamusume can be saved.
“Like three shooting stars, Neo Universe, That’s a Bunch, and Zenno Rob Roy all fight for the emperor’s prize! Only fate knows who will take the crown!”
So, she shifts into the final gear she will need.
And,
at the same time,
the ‘GATE’ shatters into a million pieces.
“Rob Roy! Rob Roy—she—what—”
The squire glanced to her left, a split second distraction between her and becoming a—
And realized just how far she still had to go.
“IT SHOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE, BUT SHE REFUSES TO LOSE!!”
Hahahaha.
HAHAHAHAHHAHA~!
So this had been what she was holding back?
“You stay right there, Universe! I’m coming for you!”
“NEO UNIVERSE ERASES THE LEAD!”
Yes! Oh thank the Three Goddesses, it had finally happened!
The shackles, the chains that had been following Uni for so long were gone. Gone!
Witnessing her final spurt was quickly turning into one of the best days of Still in Love’s life!
So what if she was undignified with her cheering right now? Uni needed all the support she could get!
She would not accept doing anything less!
“ROB ROY’S FADING! SHE CAN’T KEEP UP!”
All the tension she had felt, that dread that made her skin crawl, left Admire Groove in a single sigh.
All that worrying, for months on end, and now Still in Love was cheering so passionately that Arove had to keep a hold on her to make sure she didn’t fall down.
Really? Still and Universe had been worried about nothing. With how strong, how remarkable the two of them were,
Admire Groove had no doubt that this would be the outcome.
“BUT THAT’S A BUNCH ISN’T GIVING UP!”
He throws his race guide up into the air and cheers.
He can’t help himself.
She will cross the finish line and light this new universe up with a radiance not seen in millennia!
“ONE HUNDRED METERS!”
Stay Gold let out a hearty laugh.
Good. Someone had listened.
“A LENGTH LEAD!”
Ah, today wasn’t her sister’s day…
Oh well.
Now, to take the finish line photo…
“TWO LENGTHS!”
She’d done it.
No, that wasn’t right.
Tadao Higa did in fact do something to help foster this victory.
For the first time, they had won together.
“THAT’S A BUNCH WON’T MAKE IT! BUT NEO UNIVERSE WILL!”
Yume could barely breathe.
As soon as Neo Universe’s victory was certain, Still had scooped up her and Arove into a giant hug in the heat of the moment.
It was tight, but…it was nice.
Perhaps there was something to the races that unimportant Umamusume ran in.
“NEO UNIVERSE TAKES IT!”
somewhere, a bell chimes.
What…was this feeling?
Something had changed when she had crossed the finish line.
Neo Universe did not know what, and she was so overwhelmed with emotion right now that she knew she wouldn’t be able to figure out what.
Now, she just needed to wave to the crowd, and—
No.
Something that simple wouldn’t suffice for how important this victory was.
“She claims her third GI in phenomenal fashion! What an incredible race!”
Man.
Man, oh man.
Man, she got fuckin’ cooked.
Second’s fine, but to that? Nobody’s going to remember what That’s a Bunch did today.
Everyone was going to remember how Neo Universe dominantly took the lead at the end, and shattered her demons.
Well, they wouldn’t know about the metaphorical demons. They’d just know about—
Holy shit she can flip like that?
Damn. Damn, that’s good.
“AND SHE DOES A SOMERSAULT FOR THE CROWD AS WELL! She must feel like she’s on top of the world!”
Zenno Rob Roy couldn’t lie to herself.
She was angry.
Angry, frustrated, sad, a million different words could be used to describe her emotions right now.
She had been so close. She had activated the thing! And she still lost!
And she couldn’t even be too mad about it, either, because Uni looked like the happiest person alive! How could she ruin that smile?
She’d have to talk about this with her trainer. Now, she and Bunch were standing off to the side, just waiting for everything to be finalized and cooling themselves down before moving to head back to the tunnels. Uni had wandered off on her own to celebrate with the crowd, but she seemed to be done, too.
Although, she was heading over to them rather quickly—
“Oof! Uni, you could have warned us!”
Let it be known that Neo Universe could give great hugs.
This one was a little tight, though, considering she was hugging both Rob Roy and Bunch.
“Apologies. Neo Universe was so excited…she could not resist.”
Hehe. It really was so hard to stay mad at Uni.
“I can’t believe you actually did it. All that worryin’ and you finally beat the big bad race that was haunting you, huh?” Well, Rob Roy wouldn’t have worded it like that, but Bunch did have a point. The Spring Tenno Sho did seem to be haunting Uni recently, and she looked so much more free now that it was over.
“Yes.『I』did it.『I won the Spring Tenno Sho.』Hehe.”