Uma Musume Girl, I'll tell you about my Santa Hat special move too?

After explaining, Rudolf, seeing the performance of the stardust illusion before him, added:

"Don't worry, since it's our debut battle, people won't have too high expectations. Just a little jumping around is fine."

You're still lying to me!

Stardust Illusion still remembers the embarrassing situation of the original boss back then, not to mention her, an amateur athlete who had only practiced professional running for less than a month.

I've never performed live in my entire two lives, I'm definitely going to be laughed at again!

"But I don't even have a costume—"

"That's not a problem either. The stage setup will be prepared for you. All you need to do is go on stage and perform."

Rudolf looked at the panicked stardust illusion and laughed heartily.

Born in the same place, using the same last-minute method, and now both troubled by their first-time winner's stage, the horse girl in front of her was almost identical to the Oguri Hat from her memories.

However, there is one thing that makes them different.

That is the desire for victory.

Unlike the monster whose eyes are only focused on winning, Oguri Hat, Stardust Illusion, although it also wants to win, does not show that kind of determination to fight with all its might.

However, Rudolf believed that he should not point this out to her; only the Stardust Illusion could comprehend it through repeated runs.

"I hope you'll gain something from this meeting with Oguri Hat."

Rudolf simply said this in the end.

Chapter Thirteen: This can be considered a traditional skill.

【——I love horses! 】

[My heart is pounding, my heart is racing, I take a step and start running!]

[One step, two steps, and they sped away~]

This is the first time I've ever had a competition like this!

On stage, the racehorse girls, dressed in gorgeous costumes, are focused on the winner's performance. Whether it's the East Sea Emperor, Excellent Quality, or Electric Snowflake, each of them looks radiant under the stage setup.

Apart from her.

"Thank goodness I didn't go up there." Stardust Illusion, wearing hooded sunglasses, stood below the stage, letting out a huge sigh of relief.

Just looking at her opponents, jumping and dancing on stage in their flowing dresses, made her shudder at the thought of doing the same.

That would be so embarrassing!

Fortunately, she made an excuse, telling the staff that her feet were under a lot of strain from using the "shrinking" technique twice and needed to rest.

Since she wasn't first, and according to the professional analysis by the horse racing association, it was confirmed that that running style did indeed pose a significant threat to the female racehorse's health, her application was approved.

Standing below the stage and watching, without imagining myself dancing on it, I felt truly radiant, like the Emperor of the East Sea.

Although I don't want to go up there and sing and dance like an idol, I can't help but admire her dazzling presence.

I want to be number one.

In Stardust Illusion's mind, this thought gradually became clear: it wasn't for the bounty or out of spite, but simply because he wanted to beat everyone through running and make himself shine...

"Oh, Stardust Illusion? Is your leg alright?!"

Just as she stood there in a daze, the performance on stage had ended, and the brown-haired racehorse girl in a black dress happened to walk out from backstage and saw her.

"Leg...? Ah, my leg is fine." Stardust Illusion immediately realized and replied.

Are you in a bad mood?

Necha patted Stardust Illusion on the shoulder and asked reassuringly.

Neicha noticed it on stage; Stardust Illusion had been standing there, staring blankly at the dancing East Sea Emperor.

She must be very unwilling to accept this, right?

She fought so hard against the East Sea Emperor, even suffering a leg injury during her debut battle that prevented her from reaching the winner's stage, but in the end she only managed to get second place.

Come to think of it, how come I, who came in third place and didn't even catch up with the two of them, am the one comforting people?

Thinking of this, Necha couldn't help but sigh.

"We all have to start over," she said helplessly. "Try to calm down and not worry about this too much. The Empress is different from us; she's a genius."

As she spoke, she touched her short brown hair, her expression showing some resentment.

"What are your thoughts on the upcoming races that I haven't won yet? I'll probably choose a short-distance or mile race to make my debut. I felt too much endurance pressure after this race."

“I…” Stardust Illusion felt extremely uncomfortable upon hearing Necha’s words.

Those words were as if they had already admitted that the two of them were inferior to the Emperor of the East Sea, but she knew that Necha was just comforting herself, so she couldn't directly refute them, and it was even more impossible for her to interfere with Necha's choice of the next match.

"Hey, it's Stardust Illusion and Excellent Quality~!"

"Speak of the emperor, and the emperor arrives," came the familiar, endearing voice of the Emperor of the East Sea from behind the two.

"Hehe, even the emperor should participate in heart-to-heart talks!"

The petite Emperor of the East Sea smiled and approached the two women, taking their hands in his.

The girl's face was still glistening with sweat from dancing, but she didn't show any arrogance in the face of the second and third place she had just lost to. Instead, her movements carried a hint of coquettishness.

"We were just casually chatting about the Stardust Illusion Leg." The person with excellent manners didn't look particularly pleased upon seeing the Emperor's arrival.

Clearly, the Stardust Illusion shows that Necha didn't actually believe he was inferior to the East Sea Emperor from the beginning, as he claimed. Otherwise, he wouldn't have become so uncomfortable upon seeing the victor.

"leg?"

The emperor was oblivious to the complex emotions of the two people before him, and simply looked down at the legs of the star illusion.

These legs appear longer than the Emperor's, which is why Stardust Illusion can maintain an advantage in speed against her. However, the well-trained Emperor is stronger in terms of power and endurance, a point also reflected in previous matches.

"My leg is fine, it's just that it's hard for me to dance," Stardust Illusion had to lie again. To change the subject, she quickly continued, "Your Majesty, what are your plans for the upcoming competition?"

"The next match?"

Upon hearing this question, the Emperor of the East Sea excitedly put his hands on his hips, raised his head, and replied, "Is there even a question? Of course, it's to become a racehorse girl on par with the Chairman. There's only one goal."

"That's the undefeated three-time champion!"

When this topic was brought up, Stardust Illusion could clearly see the Emperor's eyes shining brightly, as if they could emit light, and his longing was evident in his expression, as if he were saying that he was born for this.

but.

but……!

“Emperor,” the Stardust Illusion spoke.

"Huh? What?"

"Today is my first race, my first time standing on the track competing with other female racehorses."

She lowered her head, her voice a little low, "From the start to the end of the race, it only took a few minutes in total, so short that it could almost be said to have passed in the blink of an eye. After finishing the race, I couldn't help but wonder: Is it really over already?"

"But in those few short minutes, I realized something."

"No matter how many excuses you make for yourself, no matter what reasons you have, if you lose, you lose. In the end, only the person who crosses the finish line first is the winner."

"This time... you won."

Stardust Illusion stared intently into the eyes of the East Sea Emperor and continued speaking to her:

"You're really amazing, Emperor. But if your goal is the classic Triple Crown, then I'll definitely participate in that too, and I'll fight tooth and nail to defeat you!"

"Huh?" The person with excellent qualities standing to the side was dumbfounded.

What's the situation now?

She lost her debut battle to a genius, then issued a challenge declaring that she would definitely win next time. Is she the protagonist who escaped from some shonen manga?

"Oh?"

Upon hearing Stardust Illusion's words, the emperor's smile grew even brighter.

"It seems we've thought about the same thing. I would be very disappointed if I didn't have you as an opponent."

"The president told me that to achieve the undefeated triple crown, it must be the strongest racehorse girl who can defeat everyone."

"So, if Stardust Illusion wants to take this honor from me, then come on! Let me see who can surpass all the racehorse girls next year and stand at the top of the Triple Crown!"

After speaking, the emperor extended his white-gloved hand in front of him.

Stardust Illusion also extended his hand and clapped his hands, saying, "Then it's a deal. I'll definitely show you my true strength when the time comes!"

What about me?!

Necha, standing to the side, was so embarrassed that he shouted in his heart.

These two suddenly started making a passionate pact, completely forgetting that she, the third person, was still standing to the side.

"Seriously, these two guys are so clueless about what they're thinking."

She watched the two of them high-five and laugh, then helplessly touched her ear and muttered to herself:

"How can I possibly convince myself to choose an easier match after seeing something like this...?"

Let's try one more time and continue with the unwinnable mid-range game.

That's what Necha thought to himself.

Chapter Fourteen: The Terrifying Beast, Lizlar

"I don't understand either. Who knew that only the first place in the debut battle gets a prize? I saw that in other competitions, you just need to participate... Don't worry, unnie, I'll just participate in the undefeated round again."

It's another sunny day.

Stardust Illusion sat in a restaurant called Salia, with a nearly empty plate of spaghetti bolognese in front of him.

She was talking on an old cell phone, her white-tipped, red-backed ears twitching, clearly indicating she was in a good mood.

Today was the day Stardust Illusion was supposed to meet Oguri Hat, and to avoid being late, she arrived early to let her sister, who was still in the hospital, know that she was safe.