At 3:20 PM sharp, the vibrant energy of the presentation ceremony swept across Nakayama Racecourse like a wave. The commentator's voice boomed through the speakers with electric excitement, cutting clearly through the spring air.
"The warm sun of early spring bathes the land today, and Nakayama Racecourse is in perfect condition!"
Fifteen Uma Musume stood ready to clash in a fierce battle over the 2000-meter turf track, each one hungry for the title of the fastest of their generation. Thousands of passionate fans had packed the stands, hearts racing with anticipation. Everyone wanted to witness this historic moment with their own eyes.
The first Uma Musume to step into the spotlight was announced with flair.
"A dazzling descendant of a prestigious bloodline! Carrying the unstoppable momentum of three straight victories! Group 5, Number 8, first favorite… Satono Crown!"
All eyes turned as Satono Crown made her entrance in a sleek, form-fitting racing outfit. The dark green sleeveless top hugged her figure perfectly, paired with black shorts trimmed in light gold, long black silk gloves that reached past her elbows, and matching black long boots with stockings. She looked even more striking and confident than usual. As she climbed onto the presentation stage, thunderous cheers erupted from every corner of the stands. The commentator's voice grew even more animated, feeding off the crowd's electric atmosphere.
Next came Manhattan Cafe, the second favorite, followed closely by Duramente, the third favorite. Each one drew her own wave of applause and excitement.
Then the moment many had been waiting for arrived.
"Also riding a hot streak of three consecutive victories! Shattering every doubt before her debut with that unmistakable dark figure! A girl who turns every stage into a festival! Group 4, Number 7, fourth favorite… Kitasan Black!"
The black-haired girl bounded onto the stage with her usual joyful energy. The roar that greeted her was just as deafening as the favorites before her. In the front row of the stands, Yasui Makoto lowered his binoculars and gave a satisfied nod, a small smile tugging at his lips.
That's my girl, he thought warmly. Kita-chan, you've come so far. This presentation finally went off without a single hitch.
A lively voice laced with mock dissatisfaction cut in from beside him.
"Trainer Yasui, how can you even wish for your own assigned Uma Musume to mess up on stage?"
Yasui Makoto turned to see Tokai Teio giving him a playful yet pointed look. He set the binoculars down and let out a wry chuckle.
"That's not what I meant at all."
He rubbed the back of his neck, still smiling.
"It's just that in the last three races, Kita-chan had a tiny slip-up every single time. First race, she put her running shoes on backward. Second race, the zipper on her jacket snapped right before the gate. Third race, her bib number was on upside down. If Special Week hadn't been paying such close attention, I probably wouldn't have caught that last one either."
Tokai Teio blinked in surprise. She knew Kitasan Black had won three in a row, but she had never heard about these little disasters. The junior who idolized her would never mention such embarrassing moments herself. Hearing her own trainer casually expose them left Tokai Teio momentarily stunned.
Then something else clicked.
"Careful…" she murmured, glancing across Yasui Makoto with a mix of confusion and amusement. "Are you really talking about Special Week?"
On the other side of Yasui Makoto sat Mejiro McQueen, Daiwa Scarlet, and several other familiar faces who knew Kitasan Black well. They all turned with knowing smiles. Special Week herself looked a little sheepish, scratching the back of her head while holding her phone.
"Tokai Teio, don't you think that's a bit much…?"
Even as she tried to defend herself, a gentle, slightly amused voice floated out from the phone's speaker.
"Yes, Special Week can be surprisingly careful sometimes. Tokai Teio, you might be teasing her a little too much."
The voice was soft and warm, carrying a clear note of protectiveness. On the screen appeared a serene Uma Musume with smooth, glossy orange hair that caught the light beautifully and calm emerald-green eyes that reminded everyone of a peaceful early-spring lake. It was Silence Suzuka.
Tokai Teio's usual serious work demeanor melted into a relaxed, playful grin the moment she saw her old friend.
"Well, it was only a joke. But Suzuka, it really is a shame you're missing Kita-chan's Satsuki Sho this time."
Silence Suzuka offered an apologetic smile.
"I'm sorry… I just can't get away from my work in America right now. But I've already rearranged my schedule. I'll be back in Japan by the end of the month. I won't miss Gold Ship's Tenno Sho (Spring), and I definitely won't miss Kita-chan's Japanese Derby either. I'll even come cheer for Special Week at the Summer Dream Cup."
The Uma Musume gathered around the phone lit up with pleasant surprise. They all leaned in eagerly, firing off questions at once. Yasui Makoto remembered how Special Week had started the video call earlier and smiled quietly to himself. Silence Suzuka had been an absolute star during her racing days. Her signature ultra-high-speed front-running style had left an unforgettable impression on the entire industry, and clips of her races were still used as teaching material for aspiring front-runners today. After a serious injury forced her into retirement, she had taken up work as a sports rehabilitation therapist, which often kept her overseas.
Before the excited chatter could continue, a loud voice suddenly cut through everything.
"Alright, enough about what happens later!"
Gold Ship, the tall Uma Musume with striking silver-gray hair, stepped forward with a solemn expression that was completely at odds with her usual theatrical flair. She stretched her arms out dramatically, as if preparing to unleash some invisible force. Cupping her hands in front of her, she aimed them straight toward the presentation ring and the path leading to the starting gate, where Kitasan Black and the others were now walking.
"Kita-chan's race is about to start! What we should be doing right now is cheering her on with everything we've got! Don't forget our tradition! I'll begin! Disperse Disperse Evil thoughts disperse ~"
Gold Ship struck an odd pose, eyes locked intently on Kitasan Black as the black-haired girl drew closer to the starting line. Yasui Makoto could only stare in quiet disbelief.
What kind of tradition is this? Is this seriously how they cheer someone on?
He was still processing the strange sight when an even more astonishing scene unfolded. Tokai Teio, normally so serious and composed, along with the ever-elegant Mejiro McQueen, the straightforward Daiwa Scarlet, the free-spirited Vodka, the seemingly clumsy Special Week, and even the calm and steady Silence Suzuka on the phone screen… every single one of them suddenly wore the same solemn expression and copied Gold Ship's bizarre pose exactly.
They stood in a perfect line between the starting and finishing posts, facing the path to the gate. Kitasan Black noticed them immediately. Her eyes widened with delight, and she waved back with all her might, looking more energized than ever, as if she had just received a powerful blessing.
So this really is their strange, magical ritual… Yasui Makoto thought, feeling his understanding of the world shift just a little. He found himself waving back without thinking, a grin spreading across his face as he prepared to ask what on earth was going on.
But before he could speak, the commentator's voice rang out louder than ever.
"The bell of destiny has rung! The Satsuki Sho entrance music begins! Each Uma Musume steps toward her own starting gate, carrying her own ambitions and dreams!"
In an instant, the lively roar of tens of thousands of spectators seemed to fade into a hushed, almost reverent silence. It was as if the entire world had pressed pause. Fifteen Uma Musume, each wearing an expression of confidence or quiet solemnity, walked one by one into their assigned gates under the weight of every eye in the stands.
Kitasan Black stepped into the familiar starting gate. The moment felt both ordinary and strangely new. She took a deep breath, leaning forward with her left arm across her body and her right leg shifted slightly back. To her own surprise, an inexplicable sense of calm settled over her heart.
A heartbeat later, the commentator's voice cut through the tension one final time.
"All Uma Musume are in position! The 75th Satsuki Sho, Turf 2000 meters, G1… Start!"