Uma Musume no Nama no Nichijou (Horse Girl), First and foremost

But Maruzensky only raised an eyebrow and remained silent in response.

"Ahem, let's put that aside for now. What did you think of Tamamo Cross's performance just now?"

When the question was asked, Maru Zenki, as the secretary, immediately composed herself and used her professional expertise to pinpoint the key points on the field:

"Well, it was definitely fantastic..."

"However, when she finally overtook Golden City and Meguro Dylan in the middle, their reactions seem to be more noteworthy."

"There seems to be some concern about a foul, but most of the time, such mistakes in key movements are not a problem as long as they don't affect the time much."

At this point, a thought flashed through Maru Zensky's mind.

Kotamamo wasn't suspected because there wasn't much time left...

But what if this time continues to drag on or even affects other things... Oh no, really?

Maruzensky glanced at the hardworking student council president beside him, and a hint of pity flickered in his eyes.

"Within the rules, although my judgment as an objective person in the audience may not be fair, I can see that Tamamo Cross did not touch the two racehorse girls."

"Besides, even if a collision did occur, it would be almost impossible for it to affect the sprinting action of these experienced racehorses. If a collision of that magnitude had actually happened, an accident would have occurred long ago."

"So... it's about momentum?" Hearing the emperor's confident judgment, Maruzensky then mentioned the action that Tamamo Cross had taken at that time: "And it's a momentum technique that can be activated at a crucial moment?"

"That's right, the powerful acceleration that followed broke through the upper limit along with the momentum."

“It seems this child has a good chance of setting foot in our area, Maruzen.”

Maru Zenki, a racehorse who has never tasted defeat in her current career.

The symbol of the legendary seven-time champion racehorse, Rudolph.

The height at which these two are positioned is indeed distinctly different from that of ordinary racehorse girls.

"I see... That's true. During the race just now, my body did have the urge to run again."

"Hmph, saying that already reveals your age and experience, senior." With a hint of a joke, Rudolf then shifted his tone to one of satisfaction.

"But this is also good. I was worried that if she doesn't do well this time, I might have to leave the competition early. If she can really reach our level, winning the championship shouldn't be a problem."

"Next match... President, are you still thinking about that matter?"

Upon hearing Rudolf's symbolic remark, Maruzensky, as his secretary and friend, immediately thought of the competition she might participate in.

"Yes, that's right, the glory of the Japan Cup."

"After all, we don't have the large population base, resources, and long-standing training traditions of European or American female racehorses, which are the capital that allows them to dominate their own top international races."

"But... but we can't just keep handing the Japan Cup to others like this."

Having said that, Rudolph, as the student council president of Central Teresen Academy and a symbol of the legendary Japanese horse racer Rudolph, felt more helpless than anything else.

The Japan Cup was restructured into the G1 Grand Prize event at the same time that she and Katsuragi Aoya won the Japan Cup consecutively as Japanese horse race girls.

However, for two consecutive years after that, the Japan Cup was won by foreign female racehorses, and only one Japanese female racehorse won a third place in those two years.

This undoubtedly undermines the Japanese people's confidence in their own racehorse girls.

Despite having advantages in venue and rules, their pride was severely shattered by foreign racehorse girls in terms of pedigree and skill.

This kind of pain is unbearable, yet it is something we have to face.

"So, President, another reason why you have high hopes for Oguri Hats, besides wanting her to act as a catalyst for Central Horse Racing Girls, is that you also hope this year's Horse Racing Girls can uphold the reputation of Japanese Horse Racing Girls?"

"Yes." The emperor nodded, looking at the setting sun gradually disappearing into the distance. A hint of gentleness appeared at the corner of his mouth amidst his resolute and moving face.

"Whether it's Tamamo Cross or Oguri Cap, as long as they belong to our Central Racema Girls and can represent Japan Racema Girls to uphold the reputation of the Japan Cup..."

"By then, no one will even consider that absurd proposal put forward by a minority of reformers."

As a junior and as a friend, the emperor respected the other party.

However, some things were ingrained in her from the education she received from a young age.

It symbolizes everything about the prestigious family, everything about the Horse Girls Association, and even the glory of Japanese horse racing girls.

These things are undoubtedly of greater priority to Rudolf's symbolism than simple personal affection and friendship.

[Proposal: To allow Racehorse Girls Golden Victory to participate in the Japan Cup during her suspension]

[Proposal: Should Saima Musume no Ogre Victory represent Japan in international races?]

Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Stage of the Winners

Night fell over the stage of Hanshin Racecourse.

On the winner's stage specially set up for the racehorse girls next to the racetrack, the moment the curtain lights flashed, the previously almost dim first night came into the bright light that should be present in broad daylight, as if time had turned back.

Countless spectators, holding cheering sticks, were already in position and ready for the performance, even before the performers appeared on stage.

As the accompanying music began, the racehorse girls, who were originally positioned below the stage, slowly ascended to the audience via a rising platform.

Immediately, everyone started cheering and applauding.

[On your marks]

【preparation】

【run!】

"Woo~~ (We are horses)"

"Woo-hoo! (The horse is bouncing and hopping)"

"Waaah~ (I like you!)"

"Woo-woo (like a horse)"

"Little Pony, Little Pony, Meow Meow Meow 3 2 1 Fight!!"

As the center of attention, Tamamo Cross, despite her petite stature, became the focus of everyone's attention under the lights.

Especially when she sang with her cheerful and clear voice, which seemed disproportionate to her figure, she exuded an indescribable strength and the charm that came with it.

Even though the other two racehorse girls were much taller than her, as the winner, she stood on this stage just as if she had won the championship.

Her petite and adorable appearance successfully won over the audience with her unexpected charm.

"Tamamo-chan!" "Tamamo-chan!" "Tamamo-chan!"

Cheers continued, but the area specially reserved for the contestants seemed to lack such enthusiasm.

"We lost..."

Gently pinching the ends of her golden hair, Golden City looked at the three racehorse girls performing on the winner's stage, especially the one in the middle with the goose hair, and her tone was somewhat unwilling.

"Yeah, we lost. I thought you were my most troublesome opponent in this competition, but in the end we didn't even make it into the top three."

Meguro Dylan, standing to the side, also looked at the stage and spoke with the Golden City with some emotion.

The two most popular contestants ended up in sixth and tenth place respectively in the final competition.

Not to mention the top three, they didn't even make it into the top five—a dismal result...

"Constantly changing running styles, even if I get second place in the Classic, I don't get more recognition from the audience. This time, I made a mistake in adapting to the running style and lacked stamina, so I didn't even get a top-three finish."

"What are your plans now? Keep running? Or retire and become a full-time professional model?"

no answer.

Golden City's gaze turned slightly colder at the racehorse girl's question, and she immediately countered with a similar question:

"And what about you? You didn't have time to react this time, probably because your injuries hadn't fully healed yet, right?"

"It's a pity that Mejiro family's racehorse girl retired at the peak of her career, but isn't this a way to protect her reputation? Mejiro Dylan, the winner of the Chrysanthemum Prize."

The two didn't actually have much interaction.

However, being losers in the same competition, they now have something to talk about.

Although the way the two sides communicated seemed to have a slightly resentful tone.

Beneath the cheerful stage atmosphere, the tension between the two horse racers seemed to have eased somewhat.

But the next moment, the two racehorse girls looked at each other and couldn't help but smile.

They then burst out laughing.

Laughter unconsciously blended into the joyful atmosphere brought by the winner's stage.

"Hahaha..." "Hahaha..."

On the field, they are rivals, but off the field, they are all horse girls.

They cherished each other.

They encouraged and cheered each other on.

As for what to choose after that, they already have the answer in their hearts.

"Is there even a need to ask that question? Of course... of course we should continue the game."

"I don't want people to gossip and say that I did this job because the income of a model is higher than that of a regular racehorse girl who can't win a championship, and I don't want people to say hurtful things like that my hobby is just a hobby."

"Only by standing on the field, in the center of that stage, can I truly unleash my beauty."

What were the reasons for the victory?

She wanted to prove herself and push her limits in terms of "beauty".

"Hmph, me too."

"This minor injury is nothing to worry about. I just had bad luck after recovering and ran into this unreasonable little monster, which took me a little too long to adapt to."

"I will definitely win the championship in the next competition. You better not run into me."

"As a member of the Mejiro family, as long as my legs can still run, I must compete and win."

As he spoke, Huang Jincheng raised an eyebrow and gradually relaxed as he continued chatting with the other person.

"Oh dear, that's really scary, but I won't give up if I really run into one."

"So...how about we practice sometime sometime?"