Chapter 153: The Emperor’s Sole Obsession on Her Path

The Dream Trophy League.

It is regarded as a tier of races that stands above the Twinkle Series.

Naturally, as the upper level, its entry requirements are nowhere near as lenient as those of the Twinkle Series. …Well, even the Twinkle Series is already a narrow gate on a national scale. But the Dream Trophy League is dozens of times harsher.

Each year, roughly four hundred girls step into the Twinkle Series. The Dream Trophy League, by contrast, accepts at most around ten.

The requirement to enter the Twinkle Series is simple: “Enroll at Tracen Academy and win either your Make Debut or a maiden race.”

For the Dream Trophy League, however, the condition is: “Achieve a certain level of results in the Twinkle Series and receive an invitation from the URA.”

That word—“invitation”—is the difficult part.

To put it bluntly, a girl who cannot consistently win graded stakes races will almost never be invited. And even that is not the full picture. Some G1-class Uma Musume never receive an invitation, while occasionally a G3 runner does.

From what Ayumu-san has told me, ability is of course a major factor. But popularity, temperament, the runner’s own wishes, and her overall contribution to race entertainment are also taken into account. It is a comprehensive evaluation.

That said, the primary selection criterion is, naturally, strength.

I—Hoshino Wilm—am almost certain to receive a call. So are my rivals: Nature, Teio, McQueen-san, and Meek-senpai.

…Actually, McQueen-senpai and Meek-senpai have likely already been invited. It would not be strange for them to move up at any time.

The timing of the transition from the Twinkle Series to the Dream Trophy League is left to each camp’s discretion. And that timing varies wildly.

A classic example would be the Golden Generation. In my previous life, in the anime I loved, Grass-chan and El-chan moved to the Dream Trophy League during their first or second year as Seniors. In contrast, Sky-senpai and Spe-senpai remained in the Twinkle Series until last year to settle unfinished rivalries. And my own roommate, Meek-senpai, is still actively racing in the Twinkle Series even now.

On average, most make the jump somewhere between the end of their first Senior year and the summer of their second.

For one year, they are permitted to run every race in the Twinkle Series. During that period, promising Uma Musume are forced to decide whether to advance to the next stage.

…But that raises a question.

Is the Dream Trophy League truly above the Twinkle Series?

Among Uma Musume, there is a phenomenon known as “peak-out.”

While it can simply mean reaching one’s peak, it often carries a darker implication: “from here on, it’s only downhill.” Among us racers, it usually means the latter.

Once a racing Uma Musume passes her prime, decline is gradual but inevitable. Improvement becomes difficult. Past performances cannot be replicated. It becomes harder and harder to shine.

Racing Uma Musume have a clear competitive lifespan. No matter how carefully they avoid injury, no matter how well they maintain their legs, there exists a line that cannot be crossed.

…If that is true, then what of the Dream Trophy League?

Since most runners enter it after their Senior years, it often becomes a stage for those who may already have passed their peak.

If that is the case, can it truly be called superior to the Twinkle Series?

The Uma Musume standing before me will answer that question.

"It’s been a while, Hoshino Wilm. My apologies for making you wait so long."

These days, perhaps because my reputation has grown, many girls tense up when facing me.

She showed no such sign.

If anything, she looked at me with quiet consideration.

Undefeated Triple Crown. Strongest active runner.

She did not waver before such titles.

Because she herself possessed them.

Her long chestnut hair flowed in the wind, marked by a beautifully streaked blaze. Sharp, intelligent eyes shone within her cool features. On her dignified green racing outfit, seven medals gleamed—the same number as her G1 victories.

"Let’s make this a good race."

The one who smiled at me with regal composure was Symboli Rudolf.

The current student council president of Central Tracen Academy.

The hero who achieved the first undefeated Classic Triple Crown in Twinkle Series history.

And now, riding a five-race winning streak, the strongest active Uma Musume in the Dream Trophy League.

Unlike me, she constantly radiates authority.

Even now—though this is only a mock race—the pressure she exudes feels heavier than ever. It is almost enough to crush me.

Honestly… it is incredible.

I have never felt pressure like this before.

It resembles the aura Teio carried during the Derby and the Spring Tenno Sho—yet sharper, more refined.

The dignity of an Emperor.

No… perhaps it would be more accurate to call it divine might.

…But I will not be intimidated.

Just as she is the strongest, so am I.

To show that we stand as equals, I return her smile.

"Yes, I’ve been waiting.

The one Teio admires above all else. The achiever of countless feats. The one and only Eternal Emperor, said to bring absolutes to racing.

The day I could run against you has finally come."

At the beginning of this year, in exchange for delivering the representative speech to the incoming students, I obtained the right to run a mock race against Rudolf-senpai.

But the truth is, that race had not happened until now.

Both Rudolf-senpai and I have been absurdly busy this year.

I have been swamped—not only with training, but also with a flood of requests incomparable to this time last year.

And Rudolf-senpai, balancing student council duties, training, and professional work, was apparently just as overwhelmed this spring.

…Probably because I stirred up the Twinkle Series so much.

It is not a bad thing, but I cannot help feeling a little apologetic.

In any case, our promised mock race was repeatedly postponed.

Time passed.

Before we knew it, half a year had gone by.

Two weeks after the Takarazuka Kinen, our schedules finally aligned.

Today was the day.

"To be honest, I too have long wished to run against you. I am glad the opportunity has come. …Though I must apologize that it has grown so grand."

Rudolf-kaichō offered a wry smile as she glanced around.

On the Tracen Academy turf stood sixteen Uma Musume in full racing attire.

Surrounding us were thousands—no, tens of thousands—of spectators. They filled the rails and even the school buildings, cameras trained on us from every direction. The turf had been groomed to perfection. Starting gates had been specially installed.

There was even a finish board that read: “Undefeated Triple Crown Commemorative.”

"Now colliding—past and present! Triple Crown versus Triple Crown! Strongest versus Strongest!

The miracle exhibition match every Uma Musume fan in Japan has dreamed of!

Symboli Rudolf versus Hoshino Wilm—at last, it happens!!!"

"Both are, needless to say, racing Uma Musume worthy of being called this nation’s pride. Their physical conditioning and technique are at the absolute domestic pinnacle. The other runners are fired up as well—this promises to be a fantastic race."

A temporary commentary tent had been set up nearby.

And not just anyone—official URA commentators who frequently call my races.

Working on your day off, I see.

Thank you for your service.

At this point, it feels less like a mock race at Tracen Academy and more like a major graded stakes at a real racecourse.

No—since every runner is in full racing attire, it feels like a G1.

Honestly, I had not expected it to grow this large.

But perhaps it is only natural.

In all of history, only two Uma Musume have achieved the Classic Triple Crown undefeated.

If those two collide, a commotion is inevitable.

Still… it is hard to believe the scale is this massive for that reason alone.

The real reason is likely my upcoming challenge at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Japan’s long-cherished dream—the Arc.

Simply declaring my participation carries enormous weight.

"…Hoshino Wilm."

"Yes?"

The slightly serious tone in her voice makes me turn back toward President Rudolf.

Her expression has changed.

Gone is the faint smile of a dominant champion brimming with composure.

Instead, her gaze is earnest and direct… yet tinged with something shadowed. Something complex.

"Do you know about my past in the Twinkle Series?"

"To some extent."

Since around this time last year, I have grown more interested in the great runners of history, and Ayumu-san has taught me bits and pieces.

President Rudolf’s time in the Twinkle Series was dramatic—fascinating, even.

The first undefeated Triple Crown Uma Musume in history: Symboli Rudolf.

Born into the prestigious Symboli family, she was a thoroughbred who proved the excellence of her lineage beyond doubt.

After winning her Make Debut and two open races, she continued her streak through the Yayoi Sho, Satsuki Sho, Japan Derby, St. Lite Kinen, and Kikuka Sho—achieving the Triple Crown without a single defeat.

In the following Japan Cup, victory slipped away to Katsuragi Ace, who outpaced even the previous Triple Crown winner, Mr. C.B., along with challengers from overseas.

But she struck back by claiming victory at the Arima Kinen.

With those results, she was awarded Horse Girl of the Year without dispute.

Entering her Senior year, after the Nikkei Sho, President Rudolf faced the former Triple Crown winner Mr. C.B. in the Tenno Sho (Spring).

Against an opponent poised to recreate her unconventional Kikuka Sho tactics, Rudolf remained unshaken and ran her own race.

With that victory, she secured her fifth G1 win—matching the legendary warrior Shinzan’s five-crown record.

And then—

Preparing for an overseas campaign in the autumn, she planned to run in the Takarazuka Kinen first.

"Senior year, first season. Just before the Takarazuka Kinen, ahead of my overseas expedition, I developed leg trouble.

Naturally, I had to withdraw. There was no possibility of going abroad in that condition."

She speaks while gazing somewhere distant.

Honestly, I can only imagine how that must have felt.

If it had been me… I might have broken down crying.

Well, I have Ayumu-san.

After the way he detected Nature’s leg issue this spring, I cannot help but trust him completely.

"…To be frank, I was crushed by my own inadequacy. More than anything, I resented fate.

I had confidence—no, conviction—that my Trainer-kun and I could win, even at that stage.

And yet, as though to forbid it, fate forced injury upon me.

In a sense, you could say that because of me, Japan’s victory at the Arc de Triomphe was pushed further away."

"That’s not your fault, President Rudolf. Nor your Trainer-kun’s."

Most trainers cannot prevent accidents or detect injuries through sheer effort alone.

If that were possible, the exceptional trainers at Central Tracen Academy would never allow their Uma Musume to be injured.

Ayumu-san claims he has no talent.

But you cannot do what he does without something innate.

The way he can analyze a runner simply by observing her hindquarters—

That observational ability is extraordinary.

…Unfortunately, President Rudolf’s trainer was not Ayumu-san.

It was a critical period. They were not careless.

It must simply have been an accident.

Accidents happen.

Injuries happen.

That much is unavoidable.

"You’re right. It was not my fault. Nor my Trainer-kun’s.

…If only I had truly been able to convince myself of that."

President Rudolf briefly glances toward the cameras trained on us.

"The Sirius who was meant to accompany me went overseas alone.

She ran well in numerous races… but when she was defeated in the Arc de Triomphe and failed to win, she was criticized relentlessly.

I cannot help but wonder—

If I had been there, might something have changed?"

"That’s…"

Sirius Symboli.

If I remember correctly, she was President Rudolf’s childhood friend—one of the Japanese Uma Musume who challenged the Arc.

Perhaps there had been frustration there as well, at being unable to go abroad herself.

But judging from President Rudolf’s expression, the way Sirius Symboli was treated back then… it could not have been kind.

Maybe that was what weighed on her most heavily.

For someone whose goal is “a world where all Uma Musume can live happily,” the thought that someone close to her suffered, even partly because of her absence, must have been unbearably heavy.

…It hurts.

Misfortune beyond human control, and the unhappiness born from it.

A sad, lonely story.

When I realized I had made a bitter face, President Rudolf shook her head slightly and let out a small, wry laugh.

"I’m sorry. I hadn’t intended to say so much… but you’re a very good listener."

Her expression softened into a gentle smile as she looked up at the sky.

The rainy season had just ended. Today’s weather was beautiful—clear blue stretching beyond drifting white clouds.

As I followed her gaze upward, she continued.

"What I wished to say is this. I want to support you—not as the student council president of Tracen Academy, nor as a senior member of the Dream Trophy League, but as Symboli Rudolf herself."

"Support me?"

"Yes. What I could not accomplish in the past… I wish to entrust to you. You, who ran in the Takarazuka Kinen in your first Senior season and won it as though it were only natural.

The summit of the world—the Arc de Triomphe. I want you to bring about Japan’s resurgence there."

That was quite a burden to entrust to someone.

I could not help but let out a faint, wry smile.

…But President Rudolf is not alone in feeling that way.

Four Uma Musume have challenged the Arc de Triomphe so far.

Those who once placed their hopes in them must now look to me—for their sake as well. A form of revenge. A resurgence.

At the forefront of that hope is Meek-senpai, who once saw El off as part of the Golden Generation…

And President Rudolf, who could only watch her childhood friend depart alone.

"With that in mind, I asked myself what I could do for you. In the end… there was only one answer."

"And that is…?"

When I asked, she answered without hesitation.

"In this mock race, I will give everything."

Her sharp gaze locked onto mine.

"I will hold nothing back. I will show you my full power—my entire being.

If you intend to leave the well called Japan, then at least learn how deep the sky truly is."

With those words, President Rudolf’s pressure intensified even further.

It was no longer simply the presence that naturally emanated from her as an elite Uma Musume—

She was deliberately releasing it now.

The aura of a racing Uma Musume pouring everything she had into the race before her.

Ahh—so this is Symboli Rudolf.

The Eternal Emperor who brings absolutes to racing.

The other reigning strongest—now in her second prime within the Dream Trophy League.

My skin prickled.

Heat surged through my mind.

The thought that I was about to race her—

It was intoxicating.

My heart would not stop pounding.

"Once more—let’s make this a good race. …If you can manage to escape me."

"Heh heh… oh, gladly! Let’s make it a good race indeed! …If you can catch me!"

While President Rudolf and I were pledging our best to each other—

"Hey, what are you two talking about all by yourselves?"

A Uma Musume in a red racing outfit trotted up to us.

Despite her playful tone, she radiated overwhelming strength.

Tokai Teio.

My rival alongside Nature, and one of the finest runners in the Twinkle Series.

We were scheduled to clash again in the autumn.

For this mock race, to better recreate official race conditions, the trainers had gathered sixteen Twinkle Series racing Uma Musume.

After all, how often do you get the chance to run alongside not just Hoshino Wilm, but Symboli Rudolf herself—the undefeated Triple Crown winner who rarely races anymore?

Apparently, there had been a flood of volunteers.

And among them was Teio, clad in that red racing outfit I had grown so used to seeing lately…

"…………"

And also Nature, standing in her usual racing gear, quietly biting her lip with a slightly flustered expression.

Noticing that Teio clearly wanted to speak with President Rudolf, I gave a small bow and stepped away from them.

I did want to keep talking.

But I was more concerned about Nature.

This would be my first race with her since last year’s Arima Kinen, after she had taken time off earlier this year due to leg trouble.

Honestly, I had been just as excited to see how much stronger she had become as I was to race President Rudolf.

"Nature."

"…Oh, Wilm."

When I called out as I approached, she turned toward me with a slightly distant look.

Better than before—but still… something was off.

"Is something wrong? Your vibe feels a little… different."

Her eyes widened slightly.

Then she sighed.

"Guess it’s written all over my face, huh."

"…This is bad. A serious President is seriously bad news."

"She’s definitely incredible, but… that much?"

"Ah, right. I guess you wouldn’t get it, Wilm."

For a split second, I almost bristled at the slightly rude phrasing—

But her next words erased that irritation instantly.

"I don’t feel like I can win. No matter what plan I come up with, I don’t think the President as she is right now would fall for it."

"…That serious?"

Nature.

The same Nature who might act timid the day before, but on race day would glare and declare, "I’m going to win."

And now she was saying she did not think she could win…?

As I blinked in surprise, Nature frowned more deeply and began gnawing at her thumbnail.

"Box her in from the front, slow the pace, block her line—hell, even if I tried getting inside her head… I don’t think it would work. What am I supposed to do…"

"Is that instinct? Or analysis?"

"Both. Yeah… the Dream Trophy League racers are seriously something else."

"Well, President Rudolf is apparently the strongest active runner even there. I doubt they’re all quite that overwhelming."

"Now that I think about it, she must’ve been holding back a lot in that mock race last year… kind of a blow to the ego."

Hmm… this might not be good.

Right before a race, and she’s already feeling intimidated.

That’s not the Nature I want to race.

I reached out, cupped her drooping face with both hands, and lifted it firmly.

"Hey, Nature. It’s fine to think—but don’t get discouraged. We’re about to race. Run your hardest, enjoy it, and take whatever you can learn from it.

…And don’t forget to look at me too, okay? I’ll get sulky otherwise. It’s our first race together in a while!"

She blinked in surprise.

Then, slowly, a faint smile formed on her lips.

"You’re right. Same as last year—this is experience too…

If I’m going to beat you and the President someday, I’ve got to start figuring out strategies now. Guess I’ll give it my all!"

"That’s the spirit. …Though no matter what strategy you come up with, I’m still going to win!"

"Oh, you’re asking for it… you little—!"

She lightly punched at me—thump, thump—and I laughed.

"No fair, I’ve got a barrier!"

We grinned at each other.

And then—

At last, it was nearly time to head to the starting gates.

…Alright.

Dream Trophy League’s strongest active runner—Symboli Rudolf.

Let’s see what you’ve got.