"Good evening. Coming to see me this late isn't like your usual style, Affirmed."
After finishing the day's work and staying late into the evening, Secretariat had just been about to leave her office when an orange-haired Umamusume knocked and came in.
"I just found something interesting. I thought Big Sis might be interested, so I came over."
"Oh? Something I'd be interested in? Do tell."
Secretariat knew Affirmed was usually quite earnest. Since she said it was something Secretariat would be interested in, it probably was. So she sat back down and watched as Affirmed came over with her phone.
"Here, this. It just popped up on my homepage when I refreshed."
"Mm… hm?"
After glancing at the screen, Secretariat saw what seemed to be a race. The competitors were still entering one by one, so it looked like the pre-race stage. From the announcer's voice, Secretariat could tell this was a race being held in Japan.
Secretariat usually had no interest in races from Japan. Aside from the Japan Cup being somewhat worth a look, most Japanese races, in her eyes, were basically people playing in their own little circle. On top of that, the Japan Cup title had not been in Japanese hands for a long time, and even second-rate Umamusume from America could go over there and flatten them. As far as she was concerned, races with that little weight behind them had no value as reference material.
"This is…"
"It's morning over in Japan right now. This is the race for the strongest local newcomer Umamusume in Japan. The G1 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes."
"A local Japanese G1 race… Why did you suddenly start watching something like this?"
Although she had no real interest in that kind of race, the fact that Affirmed had brought it over meant there had to be something interesting inside. Secretariat's curiosity was piqued, so she pulled a chair over for Affirmed, and the two tall Umamusume leaned over the desk together to watch the video.
["...THE FIRST FAVORITE OF THIS RACE!! KNOWN AS 'THE SECOND COMING OF MEJIRO RAMONU'—INARI KAGURA!!"]
"!!"
Secretariat's eyes widened, and she unconsciously straightened up. She immediately understood why Affirmed had brought this video for her to see. This was the official live broadcast of the race. In other words, this race was happening right now.
"Good grief, you had something this good and didn't bring it to me sooner?"
"I only just saw it too… Good thing the race has only just started. Watch, watch!"
During the competitor introduction segment, the official broadcast even gave the first favorite, Inari Kagura, a close-up shot. On the screen, Inari Kagura wore a faint smile. She did not look the least bit nervous. Her every movement carried a composure unlike the other competitors.
Of course, both of them knew Inari Kagura was a once-in-a-generation genius. Her composure had the strength to back it up. Seattle, still confined to her room, was the best proof of how powerful Inari Kagura was. But that was not what had made Secretariat's eyes suddenly widen. It was—
"That face…!! There's no mistake… It's her!! It's definitely her!! But isn't she already a historical figure from hundreds of years ago?"
"Big Sis, I understand your admiration for that legendary powerhouse, but… the little miss is still different from that princess. Look more carefully."
"Blue eyes… Ah…"
Once she focused, Secretariat finally noticed that Inari Kagura did have some differences from the legendary princess. Her sky-blue eyes, for example. Her hair, which carried a slight blue tint. Her gentle aura as well. Clearly, none of those matched that princess's features.
"I was thinking that princess didn't leave any descendants either…"
Still, even after realizing that Inari Kagura was not the person she had hoped to see, Secretariat decided to focus and properly watch the race to the end.
The racecourse atmosphere was unusually lively. The Umamusume entered the gates one by one. The race began, and Inari Kagura was the first to shoot out of the gate like an arrow loosed from the string, taking the lead at extremely high speed.
"That speed of hers… It's almost bizarrely fast. Seattle didn't lose unfairly. No aptitude, on the other party's best turf, and the other party was that strong…"
After watching for less than half a minute, Secretariat quickly reached her evaluation of the race. Other than Inari Kagura, not one of the ones behind her was worth watching. Only Inari Kagura, running in the lead, truly had the ability to contend with the top racers on their side.
"The competitors in this race aren't even on the same level. I wouldn't find it strange if missy ended up crossing the line twenty lengths ahead. She's the strongest newcomer Umamusume, without question."
"Yes. Eh, speaking of which, Affirmed, do you feel like the lighting on the field has been a little dim this whole time? Did you turn your phone brightness down?"
"I don't think so. I remember my brightness has been maxed out the whole time."
Affirmed, who also felt the screen looked a little dark, poked at it a few times in confusion, then found that the brightness was indeed at maximum.
Very soon, the image became even darker. Just as the two tall Umamusume were wondering whether something had gone wrong with the official broadcast, the announcer's commentary immediately clarified the situation for them.
["WHAT?? AN ECLIPSE APPEARED DURING THE RACE!?"]
The two tall Umamusume's eyes widened at once, and they pressed close to the phone screen, practically wishing they could stuff themselves into it.
Soon, on the screen, a pitch-black shadow gradually covered the field. In just a few short seconds, more than half the field had sunk into darkness. Only Inari Kagura, running at the very front, was still racing beneath the faint light.
"To think it could be this similar… Interesting… Interesting!! Looks like I'll have to make a trip to Japan myself when I have the time…"
"Has Big Sis become interested in Miss Kagura?"
Seeing Secretariat's excited, fighting-spirit-filled expression, Affirmed knew Secretariat had truly been moved this time. She also knew Secretariat's old habit. Whenever she saw someone strong, she always wanted to go run a few laps with them. Fortunately, there was not that much work on their side, and the student council structure was complete. Even if Secretariat, as president, spent half the year outside looking for people to spar with, things would still be able to operate.
"An Umamusume that strong really does make the blood rush… Good thing you went along and salvaged our side's impression a little. Otherwise, if it had only been Seattle… when I went over there later, I'd probably get plenty of cold looks too. Nicely done."
"You flatter me… Are you planning to find a chance to go to Japan?"
"Yes… No, I suddenly thought of something even more interesting. I may have to go to Europe next year for a bit of fun."
"Oh?"
Affirmed watched Secretariat take out her own phone, tap away a few times, and pull up a contact she probably did not use often. Affirmed looked carefully and saw the contact note read "President of the European Professional Umamusume Association."
Secretariat swiped the screen to switch back to the live broadcast, then tapped share, forwarding both Inari Kagura's account and the official account for this race to that contact. She also attached a line underneath.
[Secretariat]:I saw something you might be interested in. Take a look?
"That's wicked, Big Sis. Aren't you afraid they'll make the first move?"
Looking at Secretariat stirring the pot, Affirmed could not help wanting to laugh.
"What's there to be afraid of? Even if I don't share it, Galileo will send this link over in a few minutes anyway. If I send it first, I can still watch their reaction. Haha!"
...
"What did Secretariat suddenly send me after not contacting me for years? Account links?"
"Why is she sending me some food blogger out of nowhere… What's so interesting about a race in Japan?"
"Hmm? This is…"
---
bonus chaps
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300 stones -> 3 chapters
and so on
hehe every 100 followers on either instagram or twitter is 5 bonus chapters...? (for all tls ongoing)
idk theyre at like 35 followers both :3c
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