Uma Musume: From Being Knocked Ten Meters Away

Chapter 195: Fighting against you on behalf of the family
From the entrance of the dance hall to the stage, and then to dancing towards the colorful cheering sticks like the galaxy, Beibu Xuanju kept thinking about what happened before.

It's not just about the "family" that Satomi Hōran mentioned, but also about the many things he has experienced so far.

She has won many championships.

The moment I stood on the highest podium, I was greeted with flowers, applause, cheers, and shouts...

All the glory was concentrated on her, as if the whole world was cheering for her.

But at this moment, after experiencing failure and contradiction, witnessing sadness and injury, and seeing the different expressions of many horse racing girls on the track, her state of mind quietly changed.

She thought of Satomi Benten. Every time they competed, his opponent was full of fighting spirit and gave his all.

However, the result of the game is always cruel, and one party will always have to taste the bitterness of failure.

Just like this St. Regis Memorial, I stood in the position of champion and the lead dancer on the stage of the winner.

But before, Rimi Benteng could only stand under the podium, but now he can only stand behind him.

It would be very sad and regretful. She felt that this was what her opponent must be thinking.

Maybe it's more than just thinking.

When she arrived in front of the stage, she couldn't help but pay attention to the other person's expression.

Compared to the impression I had, Satomi Pentium did not have the loss and distraction he had during the Spring Championship, nor the sadness he had when he changed trainers.

She became much calmer, and when she noticed the gazes coming her way, she just nodded calmly and even said hello.

However, what I inadvertently glimpsed in the depths of my memory were the expressions of other horse girls in the past and today.

Some of them lowered their heads silently after the game, their disappointment evident in their words.

Some people should cheer up and prepare to try again next time.

Some forced themselves to smile, trying to hide their inner sadness.

There are also Ribbon Triumph and Sky Wing Swift Feather.

Even if the past grudges have been resolved, even if they smiled at me today, I will still have to meet them at the next chrysanthemum viewing event.

There is no way I would give up the championship.

There will still be wins and losses, and there will still be loss, sadness, and desolation.

So, just as Emperor Senior and many other seniors said, the Shining Series... is actually very cruel.

This was what she thought in her heart when she took the lead in taking a bow to the millions of audience members at the end of the song.

Coming backstage from the stage, she subconsciously looked around, trying to find the Satomi sisters.

...Is he not here? In the audience?

Not finding the person she wanted to see, she thought for a moment and prepared to go to the audience seats.

However, out of the corner of her eye, she suddenly noticed that Rimi Benten, who also came to the backstage, seemed a little strange.

He still looked calm after going through a lot, but his brows were slightly furrowed, and his eyes revealed an indescribable complexity.

There was a sense of loss, but it didn't seem to be because of the competition, but more like the worry and embarrassment caused by something more complicated.

There was even a hint of resentment.

Confident in his ability to sense people's emotions, Kita no Xuanju hesitated for a moment and then walked towards Satomi Pentium.

"Benteng-san, although it's presumptuous, but... are you worried about something? Or is it Crown-chan and the others...?"

Her eyes were full of concern and her tone was particularly gentle, as if she was afraid of disturbing the running of Satomi at the moment.

Slightly startled, Satomi Benten looked towards Beifang Xuanju, blinked a few times, and then shook his head:
"…Nothing. Thank you for your concern, Kita-kun."

"...That's it."

Feeling that Satomi Benten didn't really want to say anything, Beibu Xuanju hesitated: "Well, if you have any worries... you can tell the trainer or the seniors. I'm just like that. Many problems can be solved!"

Finally, she habitually used an enthusiastic tone.

"...Yes, thank you."

Sensing Kitaguchi's genuine concern, Satomi Benten unconsciously raised the corners of his mouth and his tone became more sincere.

And when Beibu Xuanju smiled and nodded, turned around and took a few steps, she suddenly gritted her teeth and took a step forward.

"Hey……"

"Ah...?" Northern Xuanju looked back blankly, his eyes full of confusion.

Satomi Benten took a deep breath, as if to muster up courage, and said slowly:

"Although she said she would tell you later, but..."

She paused and then said:
"Anyway, Crown has withdrawn from the Chrysanthemum Appreciation.

"This time, I'm the only one who will fight you on behalf of the Satomi family."

……

It was early October, autumn was deepening, and the warm morning sun shone softly and evenly on the academy's Kyoto branch like a veil.

Along the campus paths and between the teaching buildings, many leaves have turned golden. When the breeze blows, a few leaves fall on the retro-style buildings with red walls and white tiles.

At the edge of the playground, An Jingzhen held the tablet computer that he always carried with him and pointed to the training ground in front.

“…Compared to the Nakayama course, the slopes in Kyoto are where you need to be most careful.

“The entire Zhongshan slope is on the left side of the stands. The uphill slope is a little steeper, but the top of the slope is generally flat, which can effectively buffer your physical strength.

“The one in Kyoto is on the right, and it starts on a slope. When you exit the gate, it’s a continuous uphill climb, and the downhill descent is also very long and lasts a long time.

"And you have to go up this slope twice. The second time you go up, you have to start from one-third of the way up the opposite straight line. This is more physically demanding than the first time..."

Yasui's explanation was truly detailed, from analyzing every key terrain of the Kyoto circuit, to the strategy for cornering, to the energy allocation strategy on the straights, to the handling of the slopes...

His words were full of careful consideration for the upcoming events.

As usual, Northern Xuanju was holding a carrot-shaped ballpoint pen in his hand, writing quickly in his small notebook, but his mind unconsciously drifted to the St. Lit Memorial two weeks ago.

After hearing the news from Satomi Benten that Satomi Crown had withdrawn from the Chrysanthemum Festival, her inner turmoil has never stopped.

The shock was like a raging flood that washed over her. Without giving it much thought, she went to find her friend that night.

Standing in front of her friend, she cast out the shock and doubts in her heart, and she clearly saw that Satomi Crown's eyes widened.

But just a moment later, a hint of realization flashed in those familiar eyes, and they became lively again.

"That loudmouth Ben Teng, I said it all myself..."

After muttering with anger and helplessness, Satomi Crown smiled.

"Yes, I..."

As she spoke, she lowered her head slightly, her long eyelashes casting a faint shadow on her eyelids:

“I can’t go to the chrysanthemum viewing event anymore.

"After some discussion within the family, it was decided that my long-distance ability...wasn't up to the level of a chrysanthemum shang."

When she said this, she raised her head and tried hard to pull the corners of her mouth, forcing out a seemingly bright smile.

That smile seemed to be shrouded by an invisible sadness, appearing particularly forced:
"But, but it's okay, Xiaobei, I...

"Look, I've already signed up for the Emperor's Autumn Viewing!
"How about it, huh, pretty impressive, right?
"As for me, I'm about to compete with those powerful seniors from the ancient horse year before you."

(End of this chapter)