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

Compared to the Darby in Japan, today's Chrysanthemum Appreciation event saw nearly 120% of Uma Musume viewers choose to watch the competition, including those watching it via online television broadcast.

Hmm? Why did you say 120%?

That's because the audience watching the race included those who don't usually follow the horse racing scene.

Spending a few minutes or even tens of minutes watching the actual content of the game during a live broadcast or online stream is not a waste of time compared to truly time-consuming entertainment.

Even if they plan to continue participating in the subsequent winners' stage live stream, most people, unless they're in the live audience, will be watching the replay...

"It's really lively here..."

Even those inside could feel the intense atmosphere around them, which intensified the pre-match tension.

Even though this race wasn't something most female horse riders paid much attention to, since not all female horse riders could maintain their normal condition and run the entire 3,000-meter track smoothly.

"To be honest, it's not really normal. Chrysanthemum appreciation usually doesn't attract this kind of crowd."

After a moment's thought, the well-informed Rokuhei Ginjiro gave an explanation of the problems that existed in today's match and in the past.

"The main thing is that today's race is likely to produce a Triple Crown horse girl. Moreover, the Triple Crown horse girl that Tokai Emperor wins will represent the fourth Triple Crown title for the Golden Family, which is almost like writing a new history."

As for why the three female racehorses have four Triple Crown titles...

That's because a certain pure white horse girl senior managed to occupy two spots all by herself.

Thinking of this, the veteran trainer couldn't help but feel a strange mix of amusement and emotion, while also feeling a pang of regret for the stalwart horse girl he had been supporting.

Favorable timing, location, and human factors are essential elements that a female racehorse needs to pursue when their strengths and conditions are similar.

But... in the face of this situation, everyone hopes for a Triple Crown Girl, a miraculous undefeated Triple Crown Girl.

Because the audience members who were able to come to the event were almost all very emotional.

At least for now, I'm driven by emotion.

"Hey, they're shouting about miracles and miraculous comebacks, but who knows, they might turn around later and say that this match wasn't exciting or of high quality, and then report us for match-fixing."

If it weren't for the fact that the Golden Family was founded with the backing of a prestigious family of female horse breeders, a match like today would have been incredibly awkward no matter how it was played.

Hearing the old man's apparent disdain for today's match supporters, or rather, those who came simply to see what they wanted to see, Fujimasa March nodded in agreement.

"There's nothing we can do about it. After all, the Uma Musume Association itself prefers this kind of publicity and even hopes to achieve this result."

"To be honest, now that the system and skills are facing a new era, everyone is more eager to seek some extra excitement than in the past."

"As for reporting or anything like that... ha, isn't winning this match enough?"

Looking at the brand-new Glorious and Little Chestnut Hat that were undergoing final adjustments next to him.

"Today's running shoes are made of the exact same material and style as the ones you wore during your last practice session. In other words, Oguri, you just need to run the race based on how you felt back then."

"Ah."

Hearing the other party's brief and embarrassing response actually made Kasamatsu and his group feel a little more relaxed.

Because this is the kind of competitive state that this goose-haired horse girl with the chestnut hat should be in.

"Oguri, let me remind you one more time. You need to remember that these shoes will become lighter and lighter as you go faster, at which point you should adjust the force you use with your legs to sprint as hard as possible."

Without explaining how to unleash power or the angle of contact between the legs while running, Shining Radiance directly offered the simplest advice to Oguri Hat's needs.

Just give it your all in the race, that's all.

"Xiao Li, I don't really have any special tactical advice to give you, but the East Sea Emperor and the Super Little Bay, which are your team members, are indeed the opponents you need to be most careful of."

Rokuhei Ginjiro: "Oh?"

Despite Kitahara having already discussed the matter before the match, Rokuhei Ginjiro felt a mix of emotions—both nostalgia and relief—to finally see his former trainer, whom he had personally mentored, grow up.

"In terms of momentum and technique, we can judge everyone's actions at the beginning of the match to decide how to execute the tactics. You've already memorized the tactics, right, Oguri?"

"Yes, I've already thoroughly reviewed the march in terms of momentum and technique."

"There may still be some changes due to individual differences, so Oguri, you have to pay attention to these details and adjust them according to your own feelings."

These are things that Fujimasa March believes she doesn't need to remind herself of.

What she did before was to feed the opponent moves so that Oguri Hat could memorize enough variations, and then provide countermeasures based on the situations caused by those momentum techniques.

It takes a lot of time and the training content can be described as very strenuous.

However, Oguri Hattori was actually enjoying this girl with the goose-haired horse who was determined to win the Chrysanthemum Prize, and didn't feel tired because of everyone's various demands.

"Others think they can win the competition because they feel they have reached the required score of 95, 99, or even a perfect score."

"But for you, Oguri, the reason you were able to get a perfect score is simply because the maximum score in this competition is only one hundred."

"Keep up the good work and don't pay attention to what others are saying. If it's an honor that you can fight for, then it's yours to win. If other people's dream of a triple crown isn't earned through their own efforts, then they might be crushed by the wave of doubts."

"So even if the other side wants to win the Chrysanthemum Award, you must ensure that if the Emperor of the East Sea really does achieve a miraculous victory, no one will have anything to say afterward. That's it."

"Yes! I will do my best to win the match, for myself, for everyone, and for Golden Victory senior. I will win the match."

After saying that, everyone left, leaving Xiao Limao with the last bit of time to be in top condition to face the test on the performance stage.

"March...you're mostly deceiving her by saying that, aren't you?"

Kitahara uttered these words with a hint of inexplicable emotion, then added, "No matter how brilliant the performance, there will always be people who nitpick and constantly attack based on some self-righteous facts."

“I know, Little Chestnut Hat isn’t stupid.”

"So I hope that Oguri can do something that can be considered a miracle in a certain sense."

"Otherwise, if the Emperor of the East Sea really has a chance to win the race then, how can she be called the Miracle Racehorse Girl?"

......

"Oh dear... I feel inexplicably lonely."

"Actually, Tamamo Cross and Inaichi originally wanted to come here to cheer you on, but I, as their trainer, rejected all their plans in one go."

Naze Fumino directly explained the reason behind the two-person space that Super Small Bay faced before the match.

"Eh, so, Fumino, do you have some considerations?"

"Tactical Allocation and Application"

"All the preparations are complete; all that's left is to face the challenge."

"Compared to the Emperor of the East Sea, compared to Little Chestnut Hat, you are not as good as them, that is a fact, but you also have advantages that they do not have."

"Is it about momentum and technique? Saying that makes me sound like the legendary Golden Victory."

He jokingly expressed his thoughts, but Super Small Bay was met with a shake of his head in denial from his trainer, Fumino Naise.

"What I want to talk about is pressure and responsibility."

"The most popular and most likely winner of this Chrysanthemum Award, Oguri Hat, the goose-haired horse girl, has pushed herself into a real predicament. If she loses this match, in addition to being embroiled in the so-called match-fixing scandal, her goose-haired monster title will probably disappear as well."

"Hmm...that's true. After all, Oguri herself is working very hard, and everyone objectively and rationally believes that she will definitely win this match."

"As for the East Sea Emperor, the undefeated three crowns she has been pursuing are within reach. However, due to her injury and the time required for recovery, she is now getting further and further away from that dream. She must exert all her strength, even beyond her current strength, to try to defeat her strongest enemy, Oguri Hat."

"As for your point about the small bay, where you said that momentum and technique are advantages, I don't think that's entirely true. In terms of sheer force and strength, there's no doubt that you have the upper hand, and you could even be described as terrifyingly decisive in influencing the course of the battle."

"But... do you think their backers won't think of this and then be wary of you or even target you?"

"So in this match... I'll allow you to use your momentum techniques to your heart's content."

After delivering her long speech, seeing Xiao Haiwan's fluctuating emotions, Naze Fumino handed over her final and most important pre-match pep talk to him.

"As for your goal... what do you want to get at the Chrysanthemum Appreciation, the small bay?"

Super Small Bay: "..."

"As for me... I still really want to win a Game 1 match."

Because those one or two eras were simply too cruel for her.

It's one thing for others to be unaware or persecuted, but she herself, a member of the Golden Family, found herself in a strange predicament after learning about each other's strengths.

Forget about the Japan Cup or Arima Kinen; Golden Victory definitely won't give any female racehorses a chance. If you go there, you'll mostly be trying to get in and be prepared to be a runner-up.

The matches that follow will only become more difficult, and will only gradually plunge people into despair.

"I don't seem to have any reason to refuse the opportunity to win this competition. In fact, I really want to compete with them."

Is Oguri's hat very strong?

It's very strong; the monster with the goat feathers isn't called that for nothing.

Is the Emperor of the East Sea very powerful?

She's definitely very strong. When there are a lot of people in a race, the East Sea Emperor, being a genius racehorse girl, is so powerful that it's unmatched.

"Since you've made up your mind, I don't think it's necessary to give you any instructions for this competition."

If it were the family training that Fumino Naze usually received, it would be more inclined to give commands to the racehorse girls.

However, perhaps because she was in the Golden Family, seeing all the trainers, especially the trainer of the pure white horse girl, Fumino Nase clearly felt that she had indeed been influenced a lot during this period.

Whether it's good or bad, she couldn't say for sure.

It feels good, but if I go back to my hometown and tell my family in this state, they might just yell at me and call me an idiot before cutting ties with me.

"That's all for now. Focus on your studies. I'm going back to my seat to cheer you on."

She deftly turned around to give her opponent more time to hone their skills. This process might be optional for other racehorses, but for Super Cove, a racehorse who focuses more on momentum and technique, it was absolutely necessary.

However, just as Naze Fumino opened the door to close it and leave, a voice from behind, seemingly from a tiny bay, said:

"Actually, I'm not just doing this for myself."

"I will also strive to win the competition for you, Xiaowen."

Fumino Nase: "...Hmm."

"Then I'll wait and see."

After saying that, the other person left the players' lounge with a confident stride...

Feel......

I feel a little nervous.

Hehe, perhaps the tension I feel today is unprecedented.

"Ah, this is the way. We arrived a little late. Your Majesty, you don't mind, do you?"