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The Leaping Monster, The Monster Who Doesn't Want to Dance
Seven software titles, six discs, five plushies, four figures, three controllers, two consoles, and one sofa. This is what has accumulated in the trainer's room over the last six months. By the way, the plushies are deformed Uma Musume characters, apparently won in a batch from a game center.
However, my body hasn't changed much. In six months, I've only grown 1 cm in height, and I've maintained my figure, which unfortunately makes my legs look quite prominent.
Unlike Spe-chan and King-chan, who are in their growth spurts, I haven't run with them since that mock race. On the other hand, I sometimes run alongside Suzuka-san, who is a close friend of Shimoi and Yoshino. Or rather, it's not really "running alongside"; it's just that whenever I start running, Suzuka-san silently starts running with me.
When we get along, she's surprisingly easy to get along with and often makes jokes, so I can't let my guard down. However, while she seems lonely, she doesn't project a "popular kid" aura, so I feel that our wavelengths match, even if I'm saying so myself.
By the way, I used to wonder if it was okay for her to be running alongside me right before her debut, but there was no need to worry about such things. She effortlessly achieved a two-race winning streak at her debut. Her Maiden race was a runaway victory by 10 lengths, and the next race, despite some trouble in late November, was also a runaway win.
Today, the New Year has arrived, and it's Suzuka-san's third race. She is finally entering the Grade III Kyodo News Cup, so I've come to the Tokyo Racecourse with Spe-chan and King-chan to cheer her on.
Even though it's nearby, it's cold, and I had been planning to laze around in the trainer's room, but when such a beautiful girl asks me to come and watch, it's hard to choose not to go.
"Wow, next, next!"
"Spe-chan, please calm down."
For some reason, Tazuna-san, who usually isn't here (right?), is smiling and watching from beside the paddock.
"Now, presenting Post 2, Number 2: Silence Suzuka!"
The stadium erupts in cheers in time with the announcer's voice. As the curtain rises, Suzuka-san steps out with a stride slightly larger than usual.
Her eyes are so sharp that one wouldn't believe this is only her third race. It seems she's providing yet another mistaken basis for the rumors recently whispered among some Uma Musume that Suzuka-san is a "delinquent." By the way, Spe-chan told me this story with a sad face, so I have no intention of mentioning it further.
"Two consecutive runaway victories since her Maiden race. Today, she has an inside post which favors a front-running strategy. I look forward to seeing what kind of battle she will show us."
"Yes, yes, Suzuka-san was so cool the other day!! I'm so envious."
Spe-chan says that, and when I turn to King-chan, she is looking at me too. It seems Spe-chan's usual "Suzuka-worship" mode has kicked in.
Indeed, Suzuka-san won decisively against a Class 1 opponent in her previous race, but things were quite difficult before the start.
It turns out she became anxious because she couldn't see her trainer after settling into the gate. During the process of other Uma Musume entering their gates, she leaned her upper body out to search for her trainer.
That race had no bad start, and she secured a runaway victory by 3 lengths. However, her behavior in the gate was naturally problematic, resulting in a re-test of the gate and a one-month suspension from racing.
Because of this, she was unable to compete in the Hopeful Stakes, the Junior Championship Decider held at the end of the year.
I went to watch that race with Spe-chan and King-chan as well. It was a rare stroke of luck to see Suzuka-san, whose facial expressions are usually hard to read, writhing in shame.
"Since there was a gate trouble in the previous race, we hope she can handle it smoothly today."
"Yes, she is certainly not bad at starts, and with the turf condition rated 'Good' today, we expect a runaway victory in a Grade race. If she wins here, I think it will be a huge step towards the Classics."
As I recall the previous race, the announcer mentions it right then, and Suzuka-san, picking up her discarded jacket, looks somewhat embarrassed.
"Next to appear is..."
The appearances in the paddock proceed one by one, and the stadium roars with each one. While some Uma Musume go through the motions calmly, many others have fans, especially in Grade races, and some actively appeal to their fans.
"Post 8, Number 13: The highly anticipated Uma Musume, Mejiro Bright. Riding on the momentum of her victory in the previous Hopeful Stakes, she has chosen the Kyodo News Cup as her first race in the Classic front."
Guided by the announcement, a fluffy-looking Uma Musume appears. Her aura is that of a leisurely young lady of the Mejiro family, and at first glance, she doesn't look strong. However, the volume of the cheers reveals her true strength.
It seems her pre-race evaluation was low during her Maiden race. However, she won her Maiden, then placed second to Seeking the Pearl in a Grade race, and finally achieved a Grade victory in the Hopeful Stakes at the end of the year.
In other words, she is the favorite for this race.
I buy yakisoba and taiyaki from a food stall and move towards the main stand. By the way, Spe-chan said she was nervous and stuffed herself until her stomach was full.
"Suzuka-san, it looks like the gate is fine today."
"Mmm, mmm, mmm."
"Spe-chan, don't talk with taiyaki in your mouth."
As the Uma Musume settle in smoothly, Suzuka-san seems able to concentrate on the race. If she messes up here, her chances of running in the Classic races would be in jeopardy, so her trainer mentioned that she had undergone sufficient training.
As I'm saying this, all the Uma Musume finish entering the gates.
"Grade III, Kyodo News Cup. Settled... and they are off! All horses had a beautiful start."
The scene of the start is also shown on the giant display (Turf Vision) in the middle of the turf, and the initial position battle begins.
"Now, how will the two key figures move? As expected, she goes! Silence Suzuka is already leaping to the front!
Two or three others are moving up from the outside to form a lead group... no, they don't.
It doesn't form a lead group.
Silence Suzuka has launched a massive breakaway!
On the other hand, Mejiro Bright is a closer; she holds back in the rear, keeping the other 12 in her field of vision. The two key figures are positioned at the front and back extremes, and the race seems to be progressing."
A murmur crosses the stands, drowning out Spe-chan's cheer of "Suzuka-san, go for it!" against Suzuka-san's massive breakaway. Whether she knows of this unrest or not, Suzuka-san accelerates further, looking quite pleased.
"The leader is Silence Suzuka, already pulling away by 5, then 6 lengths. Second place is Third Priority in the yellow bib. Slue Brown is alongside, forming a second-place group.
The pack is becoming somewhat vertical, and Mejiro Bright enters the third corner in second place from the rear."
By the time the first long straight is finished, it is clearly visible even from the stands that Suzuka-san is running a solo lead. Her hair fluttering behind her reflects the winter sun, sparkling.
According to King-chan, the race pace is also quite fast.
"Now, the leader Silence Suzuka has already reached the midpoint between the third and fourth corners. The second-place group is gradually being caught up from behind, forming a single pack.
Will Silence Suzuka hold on like this?"
"Suzuka-san, this might be..."
"If it's Suzuka-san, she's fine! Go for it!"
"Silence Suzuka, setting a fast lap, breaking 800m with a 7-length lead.
Can the Uma Musume behind catch her?
The highly anticipated Mejiro Bright is taking the outside lane, slowly but surely accelerating."
Entering the fourth corner with the acceleration of the followers, the cheers rise another notch. Even with the ear covers my trainer gave me for cold protection, it feels so loud.
"Passing the fourth corner, Silence Suzuka enters the straight early. Mejiro Bright is coming up from the outside. The blue bib, Yamato East, is also making a move for a final kick battle.
Silence Suzuka, the lead is 5 lengths. The Uma Musume behind are sprinting one after another. Will she hold? Silence Suzuka, will she really hold?
Mejiro Bright is currently 5th, 4 lengths from the lead, but can she catch Silence Suzuka?
Each Uma Musume is accelerating... but... the gap doesn't close. The distance to Silence Suzuka does not narrow at all.
Ah! Silence Suzuka is stretching out even more, stretching out. The lead over second place opens up again to 3 lengths, 4 lengths. What incredible legs she was hiding---!"
On the final straight, after briefly pulling the Uma Musume behind closer, Suzuka-san accelerates again.
"Mejiro Bright is coming. Currently 3rd, but can she reach?
200 meters to go, climbing the slope.
The leader is Silence Suzuka, pulling away again.
Mejiro Bright is coming up with great legs in 2nd place, but she can't reach.
It's Silence Suzuka! She is indeed strong! A runaway victory in her first Grade race, leaving no shadow for the others!
Mejiro Bright, who chased to 2nd place.
And this record is a new record! She updated the 1:47.5 set by Triple Crown winner Narita Brian by 0.2 seconds!
Silence Suzuka, for three consecutive races, she left no shadow for the others. The view is clear for the Classics!"
"We did it!!"
Watching Suzuka-san wave at us, we leave the cheering stands and are about to head home when...
"Eh? Wee-chan, aren't you going to watch the Winning Live?"
I am pulled by Spe-chan.
Winning Live?
Now that she mentions it, did such a thing exist? Is it where the winning Uma Musume sings and dances?
Wait, does that mean if I race, I also have to sing and dance?
Is that impossible?
Suddenly, the surrounding Uma Musume seem like inhabitants of a distant world.
I realized something terrible, but for now, I just watched Suzuka-san's magnificent figure.
Please leave your ratings, favorites, comments, and "likes" (if you have them)! Typo reports are always a great help.
Race descriptions are difficult, aren't they? Also, the title, the text, and the tone of voice are all tricky.