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

Chapter Twenty-Four: Publicly Confessing Her Love to the Emperor of the East Sea?!

Before long, Stardust Illusion arrived at the press conference prepared at the racetrack.

This is also her first time here as the main interviewer.

Looking at the reporters below the stage, some carrying cameras, others holding recording pens and sketchbooks, Stardust Illusion's eyes revealed a hint of curiosity.

This was just a post-match interview for a minor, undefeated event. The reporters in front of me were just from some local newspapers and television stations in the Nagoya metropolitan area. It was on a completely different level compared to the previous interview with Tokai Teios.

At this moment, she felt a mix of emotions, including a touch of joy, as Stardust Illusion truly experienced the honor that victory could bring.

As Stardust Illusion took her seat, Beer Belly, who had just spoken to her, stood in the corner with a furrowed brow, utterly puzzled as to why she had rejected him.

She said, "You'll understand after listening to the interview."

Will Stardust Illusion do something outrageous during the interview?

"Miss Stardust Illusion, it's said that you were too exhausted from the Great Escape and missed the winner's stage. Will this affect the upcoming matches?" As soon as you sat down, a reporter began asking questions.

"This won't have a big impact. It's just that I'm a little exhausted for a while. You see, I'm almost fine now."

Stardust Illusion smiled and stretched out his arm in a strongman pose to show that he was fine.

"The result of this race was unexpected. Stardust Illusion, you won by a huge margin of 10 horse lengths by taking the lead the whole way. Was this something you planned in advance?" another reporter asked.

“Someone told me to choose the most comfortable running style—so once I stepped onto the track, I ran according to my feelings, and that’s how I got this result.”

Stardust Illusion's answer was watertight; after all, to say that she had been preparing for a complete escape would be to look down on the other racehorse girls.

"However, I must say... it feels really good to be in the lead, and I might use this running style more often in the future."

"Are you suggesting more of these running tactics? Do you mean regular lead-outs or mass exodus?" the reporter quickly pressed.

"Both are true, I will continue running based on my instincts."

As Stardust Illusion stated this, a rustling sound of writing filled the room. Clearly, the reporters unanimously considered her statement that she would "take more escapes in the future" to be the focus of the news.

"We know that this is your second time participating in the competition, Stardust Illusion. In your first debut battle, you narrowly lost to the East Sea Emperor and won two rounds. What do you think of her?" Another reporter with a cameraman behind him asked.

Stardust Illusion didn't answer immediately, but instead revealed an excited smile. She turned to look at Beer Belly standing in the corner, as if trying to convey some message with her eyes.

When Beer Belly saw her fiery gaze and recalled the fierce battle between Stardust Illusion and the Emperor of the East Sea, a flash of inspiration seemed to strike him.

He knew what the Stardust Illusion was trying to do!

No, we have to stop her. If she really says something like that, there'll be no way to salvage the situation.

"In the debut battle half a month ago, I lost to the East Sea Emperor, because of her strength and her competitive spirit."

Stardust Illusion reached out and grabbed the microphone, speaking with a beaming smile.

Looking at the reporters in front of her, she knew very well that now was the time that Grandpa Liuping had mentioned.

Since meeting the Emperor of the East Sea, her feelings can finally be conveyed through the media!

"I've heard it said that when two people meet, something magical happens, and it might even change the world..."

"I think such an encounter happened at the Zhongshan Racecourse at that time. Me and her, Stardust Illusion and East Sea Emperor."

"It was there that the emperor taught me what the desire for victory is... so I must repay her!"

"The East Sea Emperor's goal is an undefeated classic triple crown, right?"

Behind him, a stardust illusion seemed to be burning fiercely, staring at all the media present with its beast-like eyes.

This impassioned demeanor made everyone present feel as if the air had become heavier, and even breathing required a great deal of effort.

"So my goal is also the classic triple crown, and I will give it my all to beat her as a reward for that."

"Victory begins today!"

What?! What is this horse racer saying?!

This statement was like a thunderbolt dropped on the scene, and everyone looked speechlessly at the racehorse girl in the center of the arena.

Faced with the announcement of the Stardust Illusion, the beer-bellied man's eyes were just as strange as everyone else's.

His mouth gaped slightly, and for a moment he didn't even know what to do with his hands and feet; only his brain was still working instinctively.

What did she say?

To challenge the classic triple crown and defeat the East Sea Emperor head-on on that stage?!

No wonder Stardust Illusion said he would wait until after the interview to make a decision. Beer Belly couldn't even imagine how devastated he would be if they had reached an agreement and then heard Stardust Illusion make such an explosive statement—

Challenging the East China Sea Emperor in the classic triple crown is tantamount to declaring war on the central government!

No, no, what am I thinking?

The biggest question now is, where does she get the confidence that she can definitely enter the competition for the classic triple crown?

It's worth noting that over 7000 people in Japan were able to enter the classic-level races of Saima Musume last year, and among them, only about 10 people were able to qualify for all three G1 races in the same year: the Satsuki Sho, the Neon Derby, and the Kikuka Sho.

Qualification for each of these three races needs to be earned in advance, and more importantly, each female racehorse only has one chance in her lifetime to challenge for the classic Triple Crown.

Beer Belly has always hoped to cultivate a new "Oguri Hat" for the people of Chukyo, but Oguri Hat never got the chance to challenge for the classic triple crown and can only be given the regretful title of "Phantom Triple Crown" by fans.

Now, this racehorse girl, Stardust Illusion, who just debuted after participating in the Undefeated Class race, is talking as if she has already qualified for all three Triple Crowns?!

Does she realize how many people will laugh at her after these words are reported by the media?

Thinking of this, the beer-bellied man coughed lightly and lifted his foot to walk onto the stage.

It's no longer the time to think about publicity.

If he didn't stop the media from reporting on this, he couldn't even imagine how many people would laugh at her, this fool who challenged the Central Genius, if Stardust Illusion didn't qualify.

However, it's not just beer bellies that notice it.

All the media personnel present were excited by this speech. You see, in the news industry, they're not afraid of people saying silly things, they're afraid of people not having any sensational stories.

The people here are all professionals who have some knowledge of horse racing, and they can certainly see that Stardust Mirage's strength in both races is quite impressive.

But in the end, she's just a local racehorse girl; she probably has no idea how powerful the central level is.

Now this Stardust Illusion is openly challenging the East Sea Emperor, and is it limited to the classic Three Crowns?

At least we'll have headlines tomorrow!

Thinking of this, everyone immediately moved even closer, eager to continue the interview.

Unexpectedly, after saying these words, Stardust Illusion ignored the beer-bellied man and a large group of media people who had gathered around him, stood up, bowed to say goodbye, and then turned and left the venue without looking back.

Chapter Twenty-Five: Arima Commemoration, a Miracle Unfolds

[Next up is number 8, the most popular player in this match... Little Chestnut Hat!]

As the host's voice was heard throughout the venue, the entire Zhongshan Racecourse was instantly filled with cheers.

The venue, which has a maximum capacity of only 15 people, was packed with 17 people, almost all of whom came for the horse racer.

—The monster that led the era, Oguri Hat.

April 23, Zhongshan Racecourse.

Today, Stardust Illusion is sitting in the front row of the arena, next to Ginjiro Rokuhei, who is wearing sunglasses.

After leaving the interview venue last night, she rushed here to watch Oguri Hats' retirement match.

"Actually, you didn't need to rush over here so much."

Grandpa Liu Ping's eyes, hidden behind his sunglasses, followed Xiao Li Mao on the field the entire time, and he spoke without turning his head.

"How can that be? I've lost to Oguri Hat over 800 times! With such a close relationship, how can I not come to watch her match?"

Stardust Illusion's expressions were exaggerated, and her tone was also very flamboyant. She wanted to use this method to make Grandpa Liuping relax a little.

"Haha, you rascal..."

Grandpa Liuping smiled and shook his head, seemingly feeling a bit more relaxed, his body not as tense as before.

On the racetrack, a female racehorse seemed to have encountered some problems and did not immediately enter the starting gate.

"So, how are you feeling? Did what you said yesterday make everyone think you're a fool?"

Seeing that there was still some time before the match started, Rokuhei Ginjiro simply smiled and started chatting with the Stardust Illusion beside him.

"Let them be, as long as what I want to say gets through."

Stardust Illusion curled its lip.

After yesterday's interview, major media outlets rushed to publish the news, with many writing about her as an overconfident country bumpkin racer. Some even compared her to Oguri Hat, who retired today, to highlight just how ignorant she was.

I'm a little worried about my sister. I wonder if she'll overthink things if she sees these kinds of reports.

What annoyed her most was that a local Nagoya newspaper actually wrote Stardust Illusion's words as her boldly professing her love to the Emperor of the East Blue. This was a completely malicious misinterpretation, sacrificing everything for the sake of popularity!

"So you're still a little concerned?" Grandpa Liuping, always adept at reading through the racehorse girl's thoughts, immediately saw that Stardust Illusion was still worried and offered words of comfort:

"Don't worry, it's not as bad as you think."

“When Oguri first came to the central government, everyone thought she was just a country girl and that even if the emperor took a liking to her, she probably wouldn’t achieve much. The doubts were overwhelming. Apart from the local supporters in Kasamatsu, there was no one else supporting her.”

Do you know how Oguri managed to do that back then?

“She…defeated the then-dominant Lager Stout head-on,” Stardust Illusion replied.

Grandpa Liuping wasn't surprised that she could answer the question. After all, in his opinion, Stardust Illusion must have carefully observed every race of Oguri Hat before developing that running style.

"That's right. For racehorse girls, what they say doesn't matter. What matters most is how they run."

"That's exactly what Oguri did. She can't say nice things, and she doesn't know how to interact with people. The only thing she knows is... how to run."

"One match after another, one miraculous victory after another. Oguri, relying on his own two legs, turned everyone into his supporters."