At this Debut, the audience's enthusiasm was significantly higher than when Kitasan Black debuted, and the venue was basically full.
First was the presentation session for the Umamusumes who had not yet debuted.
The order of appearance followed the Umamusumes' assigned numbers, and the first to appear was Leukerbad of the Leuker Clan.
"The first to appear is Gate 1, No. 1, Leukerbad."
As the streamer's voice fell, an Umamusume with smooth, long black hair stepped out from backstage.
Several TCB members in the audience clearly felt that many viewers became much more excited when Leukerbad appeared.
Although this was also Leukerbad's first time appearing on stage, there was no nervousness or shyness on her face at all. She walked to the center of the stage with a confident expression and then threw off her sweatshirt.
Leukerbad was different from the lively and straightforward Kitasan Black. The audience could clearly feel Leukerbad's unconcealable aura from her steady steps and dignified expression.
The enthusiastic cheers from the venue frightened many Umamusumes waiting backstage. Some who did not know Leukerbad even had the illusion that someone had already crossed the line.
This was not the level of popularity an amateur Umamusume who had not yet debuted supposed to have.
"Is this really an Umamusume who hasn't debuted yet? This is too amazing… Even the average G1 Umamusume probably doesn't have her level of popularity, right?"
Although Sakura Baimu had already told her in advance, Smart Falcon was still shocked by the emotional audience around her.
"Of course. A famous clan's reputation is not for nothing," Sakura Baimu spoke.
The Umamusumes who appeared after Leukerbad obviously did not receive the same treatment and even before the race began, many of them felt this psychological gap.
When the presentation for No. 5 ended, it was finally Satono Diamond's turn at No. 6.
"Next up is Gate 6, No. 6, Satono Diamond."
With the narrator's voice, Satono Diamond, with her long, hip-length princess hair, walked out from backstage.
Also a famous Umamusume, Satono Diamond had a very different personality from Leukerbad.
Leukerbad was clearly the type who was extremely confident and outwardly assertive.
Satono Diamond, on the other hand, fit the traditional impression of a noble lady in everyone's mind, with a graceful demeanor and elegant steps.
Satono Diamond's delicate and beautiful face carried a somewhat serious expression as she also threw off her sweatshirt.
Her graceful movements won cheers from the audience no less enthusiastic than those for Leukerbad, and her elegance gave everyone an impression completely opposite to Leukerbad's.
"Look at her, McQueen. That's what you call a proper young lady." Sakura Baimu stared at Satono Diamond on stage, elbowing Mejiro McQueen beside her.
"Huh?" Mejiro McQueen looked displeased. "Is there anything about me that can't compare to Dia-chan when I'm on stage?"
"Dia-chan acts the same in private as she does on stage. Look at your attitude—she wouldn't talk to me like that."
"Hmph. I suggest Trainer-san find your own problems. I still have the image of a Mejiro Umamusume to maintain in front of others."
Mejiro McQueen ruffled her hair and turned her head away from Sakura Baimu.
In the audience, Satono Diamond's father was not surprised by the level of cheers his daughter received. However, after seeing Leukerbad's extremely confident appearance, he could not help but feel slightly nervous.
—
At the end of the presentation session, the Umamusumes entered the track one after another.
"Now, the second most popular: Satono Diamond."
"Coming from the Satono Clan, she is highly anticipated. As her name suggests, we look forward to her shining with diamond-like brilliance on the track."
…
"Finally, the number one favorite of this race, Leukerbad."
"She also comes from the famous Leuker Clan in the racing world and is the center of attention."
"This is the most anticipated Debut in recent years—a 50,000-popularity showdown between the Satono Clan's Satono Diamond and the Leuker Clan's Leukerbad!"
In this Debut, all the Umamusumes except Satono Diamond and Leukerbad seemed to have become supporting roles.
Their presence merely served to highlight the two most beautiful roses.
Of course, no one was willing to be a supporting role, and they all took advantage of the last moments to warm up in front of the gates.
Leukerbad stretched her waist in front of the gate and then set her sights on Satono Diamond.
Satono Diamond, however, did not look at her and continued stretching.
Leukerbad observed her for a moment. Noticing that Satono Diamond had no intention of observing her in return, she withdrew her gaze.
"For the pride of the Leuker Clan, I will not lose," Leukerbad encouraged herself and did not take Satono Diamond too seriously.
After all, popularity did not equate to strength, and the Satono Clan had yet to produce a G1 Umamusume.
Satono Diamond was not a threat.
"Now, the two highly popular Umamusumes have entered the gates one after another, and the race is about to begin."
Almost all the spectators had come for this "50,000-popularity showdown." It was rare for two famous Umamusumes to meet in their debut match.
Although the streamer did not say it explicitly, most people understood its significance.
This was not merely a duel between two highly popular Umamusumes, but also a showdown between two of the biggest names in the local umamusume community.
The Leuker Clan and the Satono Clan both had their famous Umamusumes debuting in this event. If either side could win, it would be equivalent to gaining the upper hand among this year.
A Debut race could be said to be very important for an Umamusume. Although there had been cases of Umamusumes failing in their debut races yet achieving good results later, winning the debut race undoubtedly played a crucial role in building confidence for a newly debuted Umamusume.
A famous clan would certainly not allow its own Umamusume to fail in her debut race, so this head-to-head showdown between the Satono Clan and the Leuker Clan was highly anticipated.
"Kyoto Racecourse on a sunny day."
"All the runners are already in the gates."
"In this highly anticipated 50,000-person Debut showdown, the strongest debut race in recent years, who will win in the end? Let's wait and see."
"Debut—now!"
"Start!"