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

Am I...am I destined to be trapped in a birdcage?

Is there no way to remove this shackle?

Tears blurred Ruby's vision; even on stage, she couldn't suppress her pain and sorrow.

Avoiding the microphone on her chest, she murmured to herself:

"What should I do?"

"—"

A sharp, dagger-like gaze instantly stung the ruby's senses.

She looked up in alarm, only to be met with the sharp gaze of the Stardust Illusion.

"Is my Stardust Illusion's stage for victors something you can afford to be distracted from?"

Although the other party didn't say it outright, Ruby understood the warning in that look...

Yes, she's just a pathetic loser now.

In Stardust Illusion's eyes, there was no possibility that it could challenge her.

Unable to win the competition, she has no right to be sad or in pain.

She could only serve as a foil... to highlight the victorious Stardust Illusion.

This victor never cared about himself, what heir to some magnificent clan...

He's just a pathetic guy who lost the game.

As expected... this fate was inescapable.

Whether it's the fate of the loser or the fate of the heir...

"If you're really lost, just run. Running will tell you the answer."

The unexpected words interrupted Ruby's self-pity.

The stardust illusion, having shed such a statement, continues its dance and returns to the T-shaped position at the very center of the stage.

Ikuno Dedus's singing continued to resound:

"With a resounding voice."

"Break the rusty old window."

"Let's abandon this birdcage that we've already had enough of."

"From now on, there's no need to look back!"

Abandon the birdcage?

Can I really do it?

With mixed feelings, Ruby switched places with Ikuno Didos and continued singing:

"Let your breath resonate in unison with your soaring heartbeat—"

"Spread your wings and fly away from this prison!"

In that instant, the ruby ​​understood.

She knew what she truly wanted.

Just as Stardust Illusion said, she shouldn't be bothered by such things at all.

If you feel lost, just run.

Escape! Escape the confines of this cage, escape the responsibilities of your family—

How can you possibly win if you're even in shackles while running?

Where should we escape to?

The First Ruby already had the answer in his heart.

That was where her closest friend and the trainer who cared about her the most were.

Her team.

(If I go back, I need to apologize to everyone properly... and I also need to ask the president to help me withstand the pressure from the family.)

(This will cause a lot of trouble for everyone, won't it?)

(It's really... not flashy at all.)

Ruby chuckled, but didn't relax on stage.

At this moment, all the racehorse girls are lined up diagonally in two rows on the stage, forming the shape of a bluebird spreading its wings.

Singing at the same time:

"When you take that first step, believe in yourself and you can do it."

"That's an invitation for us to go, a call from a far, far away place!"

"Even in the face of blinding stares, I would hold your hand tightly."

"Follow the desire in your heart, fly towards that azure, azure sky!!!"

The stage went dark at that moment.

The silhouette on the screen transformed into a real bluebird, soaring in the sky.

The triple spotlight shone on the Stardust Illusion once again, highlighting her alone.

Her temples were already damp with sweat as she sang with all her might, conveying her emotions to every listener.

That was the sense of freedom she felt while running, the feeling of a strong wind brushing her face.

That's something everyone longs for—to soar like a bluebird!

"Didn't I already know that one day I would fall from the blue sky?"

"Even so, I will still pursue the existence that shines brightly!!!"

That's right, whether it's a competition or a stage for the winners.

Every opportunity to shine in front of others is the goal that I, Stardust Illusion, pursue.

Even if one day I fall because of this, it doesn't matter.

Because that would mean that before that... Stardust Illusion could never be defeated!

"When you spread your wings and soar, make up your mind never to look back—"

"What we seek is that snow-white, snow-white drifting cloud!"

When you break through the clouds, you will know where your dream lies—

"Break free from all constraints and fly towards that azure, azure sky!"

"Fly towards that azure, azure sky!"

"Fly towards that azure, azure sky!!!"

The bluebird in everyone's heart soars freely at this moment.

It spread its wings and flew into the endless distance, and then it could no longer be seen.

As the lights dimmed, the ethereal, otherworldly song of Stardust Illusion rose once more:

"Countless loves have overlapped together..."

"Our times overlap here..."

"In the song that transformed from the primordial stirrings..."

"I've now made my entrance—"

Thump, thump ...

Two rows of incandescent lights shone directly from beneath the stage floor, tracing paths in the air before converging at the feet of the stardust illusion.

The runner had already planted his crimson longsword on the T-shaped ground in front of him, with his fists clenched and hands on his hips.

She faced the completely erupting audience with composure and declared loudly:

"Position Zero!"

"I apologize to all the fans and my opponents for not being able to go on stage in the previous two competitions."

"In contrast, every stage I perform on from now on will shine uniquely!"

Chapter 120 Panacea...Not Panacea at All?

"What about the Stardust Illusion?"

After stepping off the winner's stage, the first ruby ​​wanted to find the other party to express his gratitude.

She knew that this song wasn't for her own ears; in fact, it was entirely a way for Stardust Illusion to express its own feelings.

But there is no doubt that standing on the stage and being inspired by this winning song made her truly understand what she wanted.

In addition, the other party had previously helped her stop the aggressive female housekeeper on the field.

This can be considered an immense favor to her.

Even though Ruby has now decided not to be swayed by her family's choices, her pride as a member of the Magnificent Clan remains unchanged.

Since you have received a favor from someone, you must repay it; that is the noble thing to do.

"I think we were just here a moment ago."

Ikuno Didos wiped the sweat from his face and answered casually.

Unlike Ruby, who experienced a sudden enlightenment from a single song, she did not have a profound awakening.

But this song also resonated with this iron lady. Having almost lost the ability to run, she too had dreamed of flying like a bluebird.

It is because of that dream that she has persevered and come this far.