Having trained real horses, why are we now training racehorse girls after time-traveling?

"Calm down, Megumi McQueen... The trainer has already planned out the tactics for this competition, so there's no need to worry too much."

"Grandmother and the others will be here this time, right? This match... we absolutely cannot lose."

Yes, they absolutely couldn't lose, but they also absolutely couldn't let Mi Yu's competitive career end like this. This time, McQueen, with this realization in mind, worked with Jin Lang to make ample preparations in a short period of time—this was the best they could do.

The rest is up to luck and the three goddesses... This is the best they can do.

"Da da da".

"Hmm? Who is it?" The sudden knocking interrupted McQueen's thoughts, and just as she finished speaking, the door to the lounge opened, and the little head of the East Sea Emperor peeked in.

"McQueen, how are you feeling?"

"The Emperor? What brings you here?" McQueen was also somewhat surprised by the arrival of the Emperor of the East Sea, but she didn't think too much about it and answered gently:

"Everything that needs to be prepared is ready... Although I'm still a little uneasy and not entirely confident of victory, I will do my best."

"If it really comes down to a crucial moment and I have to choose between victory and Mi Yu's health, I will choose the latter without hesitation; but if Mi Yu can really defeat me with her own strength, then I don't think losing to Mi Yu would be a shameful thing."

As McQueen spoke, he seemed to notice the Emperor's hesitant and insecure demeanor, as if she didn't know how to start the conversation. He tilted his head slightly. If the Emperor and she weren't just friends, McQueen might have mistaken this behavior for a confession of love...

"What's wrong? Your Majesty?"

“McQueen… I haven’t told you or Turrena before because I wasn’t confident in verifying it, but now I still feel that I should tell you.”

After some hesitation, the Emperor of the East Sea finally made up his mind with great difficulty and said, "Do you remember that friendly match we had with Mi Yu? I think I might have found a weakness in Mi Yu's [domain] during that friendly match."

"But I'm not entirely sure... I just feel that maybe this news could help you win the competition, McQueen?"

"I'm not sure if my idea is right, McQueen...would you like to hear it?"

Faced with the Emperor's somewhat uncertain words, McQueen's expression gradually changed from relaxed to serious. She vaguely felt that the Emperor's discovery this time was not unfounded and might be the key to breaking the deadlock.

……

"Mi Yu, who is currently the most popular contestant, is in great spirits today. After this Spring Emperor's Slam, Mi Yu chose to retire due to her injuries. This Spring Emperor's Slam will be her last match."

"Although Miyu's career as a racehorse girl is short, she has already shown enough strength and popularity. Everyone is looking forward to Miyu, who will be the last race of her career in the Spring Emperor's Sho. This time, she has also surpassed our second most popular racer, Megumi McQueen, to take the number one spot in popularity."

"In the previous Arima Memorial, the Golden Master lost to Mejiro McQueen. So, can Miyu, the Golden Master's formidable rival, avenge himself and the Golden Master by defeating Mejiro McQueen in this Spring Emperor's Slam?!"

"Will Mejiro McQueen be able to continue her GI winning streak in this race? Mejiro McQueen is now heading towards an unprecedented goal: to win the Spring and Autumn Emperor's Sho for two consecutive years! Can she achieve this goal and become the first horse girl in history to win the Spring and Autumn Emperor's Sho for two consecutive years?!"

On the popular stage, Mi Yu, dressed in a jet-black final outfit, elegantly displayed her figure to all the audience. At this moment, accompanied by the commentator's impassioned tone, cheers rang out from the audience for Mi Yu.

"Miyu! We have to win!"

"Win the second GI match, Ah Mi Yu!"

"Waaaaah—Don't retire so soon, Mi Yu!"

Hearing the cheers, Mi Yu smiled and bowed to everyone. She had already announced her retirement after the Spring Emperor's Award. This was the first time Mi Yu had truly become the most popular person. Although she felt a little regretful that her most glorious moment was about to end, she was already very satisfied with the feeling of bringing dreams to everyone.

This match absolutely could not be lost. Only after making up her mind did Mi Yu slowly walk off the stage.

Just as Mi Yu stepped off the stage and walked towards the other side of the corridor, she discovered a figure waiting for her there. Mi Yu immediately recognized the person and asked with some surprise:

"Miura-san? What are you doing here?"

This person was none other than Miura Bourbon. Having missed the Spring Emperor's Slam due to injury, Miura Bourbon walked straight towards Miyu the moment she saw her. In Miyu's memory, Miura Bourbon's speech had always been cyberpunk, even leading Miyu to suspect she was a mechanical horse racer girl. This time, however, she actually spoke with a distinct intonation:

"...Mi Yu, I heard you're going to retire after this Spring Emperor's Award?"

"Huh? Miura-san, you actually..." Mi Yu almost didn't react either. The anxious tone she just heard actually came from Miura's mouth, but she quickly swallowed back the rude words and then smiled and said:

"Yes... because of injuries, Mi Yu has decided to retire."

"I'm sorry, Miura-kun, it's a pity that Miyu could only run this far. Are you here to cheer for Miyu? I'm so glad. I will definitely do my best in this competition."

"..." Seeing Mi Yu's satisfied smile, Miura felt a little empty inside... as if she was the only one who felt sorry for Mi Yu's retirement - no, not just sorry, but unwilling.

She hadn't even caught up with Mi Yu's retreating figure... Why did she have to retire so soon?

In that case, wouldn't she never have a chance to catch up with Mi Yu's silhouette in her entire life? Miura Bobang really didn't want that outcome.

That's why she came here. She hopes Mi Yu can seriously consider that this match really shouldn't be her retirement match...

Chapter 494: Rice Bath's Final Awakening and Bloom

"Mi Yu... Don't you think it would be a pity to retire at this time, when your career has just started to get on track and you've just gained honors and popularity?"

This time, Miura Bourbon's words were completely free of any mechanical tone, as if she had forgotten her "Cyborg Horse Girl" persona. It was unclear whether she was anxious because she didn't want Miura to retire, or because she felt unwilling to miss the opportunity to compete against her most desired rival. This time, Miura Bourbon's normal tone indicated her current anxiety.

“You were the strongest racehorse girl in our year, besides the Golden Master. And now, with my renewed training and Special Week, we have both recovered from our failures and are back on track.”

"Miyu, do you know? I... really want to run another race with you."

Miura Bourbon bit her lower lip slightly, and finally stepped forward to say to Mi Yu, "For me, the opponent I want to surpass is not the Golden Master - she is too far away from me, too far away from us, I don't have her talent."

"The horse girl I want to surpass is you, Miyu. I've always been chasing after you. Ever since the Japanese Derby, I've wanted to surpass you time and time again, but each time, I've found that I'm just as far away from you."

“I believe I may not be a match for the Golden Master, but I refuse to believe that I am the weakest among us… Mi Yu, you are the one I want to surpass. You were the racehorse girl who came closest to the Golden Master that year.”

“I have always been chasing after your shadow, Mi Yu, always.”

“Miura-san…”

Miyu was also surprised that Miura Bourbon would say such things to her, as she hadn't had much contact with Miura Bourbon in private. Before the Yayoi Sho, Miyu and Miura Bourbon had no contact because at that time Miyu hadn't transformed yet; she was still a timid, ordinary racehorse girl with no achievements, and her performance in the Yayoi Sho was unremarkable.

It wasn't until the later classic triple crown that Mi Yu showed his strength time and time again, becoming the biggest threat besides the Golden Master several times. In the Chrysanthemum Award, Mi Yu finally relied on his own strength to fight against the Golden Master in the final battle, which left a deep impression.

From the moment Miyu entered Miura Haruka's field of vision, Miura Haruka had been chasing after her, failing time and time again, but getting up again and again.

She thought she would surpass Mi Yu one day. She might not have the talent for "momentum" and "domain", but now she had found her direction and learned how to train her mental strength. Just when she felt that she would definitely be able to compete with Mi Yu in the future, Mi Yu suddenly announced that she was going to retire.

A silhouette that can never be caught up with in a lifetime... Miura Hōbō doesn't know what this feeling is like, but just thinking about that scene makes Miura Hōbō feel unable to accept it.

Even if she experiences another failure, she doesn't want that goal to become a vague and unattainable dream.

"Mi Yu, this time, is it really not possible... to back down?"

"Just this once, please give me at least one chance... to catch up with you."

“…I’m sorry, Miura-san.”

However, facing the desperate pleas of Miura Bourbon, Miyu was moved and smiled. A few tears welled up in her eyes, which were already quite sentimental. She wasn't sad, but rather moved and proud that she had unintentionally made a racehorse girl she once thought was unattainable chase after her.

She also felt regretful that she had only just noticed that there was a racehorse girl chasing after her, and that she had only just realized that she had given the other person a goal and a dream.

But... she had already made up her mind, and that decision was truly irreversible.

"Miyu also wants to run around with everyone a few more times... but I'm sorry, Miura-kun, this may be Miyu's last peak."

"Perhaps we will never have the chance to step onto the field together again in the future, but, Miura, I hope you can keep this moment and Miura's all-out effort in your heart."

"This is Rice Bath, the last dream I can bring to everyone. Please watch carefully."

Having said that, Mi Yu didn't want to say anything more and chose to continue forward—she was afraid that if Meipu Bobang tried to persuade her to stay any longer, she would regret it. She would really not be able to refuse Meipu Bobang's feelings and would choose to miss the last chance to unleash her peak strength in this competition, instead focusing on recovering from her injury. Even if she missed her peak period, it wouldn't matter, as she could at least keep running.

But she had made up her mind. Just like when she performed at the Arc de Triomphe, she was going to give it her all. And this time she was basically fine. The doctor told her that it was okay to go all out this time. As long as she rested well for a while afterward, she should not suffer from the pain of a fracture.

However, there is no doubt that it will be a long process for Mi Yu to return to her peak after the recovery period. Such a fracture requires at least six months of rest. During these six months, Mi Yu will not be able to compete, engage in high-intensity training, or participate in the training of female racehorses.

Such a long period of stagnation would be fatal for any racehorse girl. Therefore, after discovering her own hidden dangers, Miyu carefully decided to make this Spring Emperor's Sho her last race.

Therefore, this is her final all-out effort; she wants to unleash her last belief on this field.

As Miyu brushed past her, Miura Nappa bit her lower lip slightly, tears of resentment welling up in her eyes. She immediately turned around and, with a mixture of reluctance and longing, called out Miyu's name again to her retreating figure.

"Rice bath!"

"..."

At that moment, Mi Yu's body trembled visibly, as if her resolve had been shaken.

But in the end, Mi Yu continued walking briskly forward without looking back. Behind Mi Yu, Miura Bobang reached out her hand unwillingly, as if trying to grab Mi Yu's back.

But that figure eventually left her...

Mi Yu walked step by step toward the arena, leaving behind Meipu Bobang. Mi Yu's expression slowly changed from wavering to firm and indifferent again—this was something she had learned from the Gold Master. She discovered that the Gold Master's state in competition and in daily life were completely different. Such a technique could be more effective for her performance in the arena. Therefore, Mi Yu also tried to learn this calm method.

At least for now, this method seems to be working very well for Mi Yu. She quickly regained her indifferent demeanor from the competition, and her aura as the "dark hero" grew stronger as she approached the arena.

Finally, with a ray of sunlight shining down, Mi Yu appeared on the field, appearing in everyone's sight.

"Miyu has arrived! The most popular Miyu! Will this Spring Emperor's Prize be a success for Miyu, or a solid step for McQueen towards a goal that no racehorse girl has ever achieved before?!"

The moment Miyu stepped onto the track, all the racehorse girls' eyes were focused on her, including Megumi McQueen, who had entered the track ahead of time after speaking with the Emperor.

McQueen, also a powerful figure in the [Domain] realm, sensed Mi Yu's current strength. Her pupils narrowed slightly, and she murmured to herself:

"It has indeed become stronger...Mi Yu."

The true peak of Mi Yu's career. The aura emanating from Mi Yu at this moment even gave McQueen the feeling of facing a Golden Master—of course, the former Golden Master. The aura of the now fully formed Golden Master is far more powerful than this.

But there is no doubt that Miyu's current talent has already touched the boundaries of a top-class racehorse girl, and she can be said to be McQueen's biggest threat in this race.

Whether he can win or not, McQueen can only hope that the information the Emperor provides him is correct.

Chapter 495: The Meguro Family's Strong Expectations for McQueen

"So, Senior Jinlang, are you confident about this tactical arrangement?"

As for the audience seats, the Miracle Team members all chose to come and watch this Spring Emperor's Slam. After all, their team might have a new member joining this time, and in order to show their sincerity, everyone on the team chose to be there. Even if Mi Yu doesn't join, their attitude is still very important.

Unlike before, this time Jinlang and his team had a very good viewing spot. Not only was the surrounding area very open with a great view, but they also had a special prop for them called the "Spartan Encouragement Microphone," which was perfect for cheering on the racehorse girls in the arena (but it did not have any other bonus effect).

Of course, this is not because the Miracle team members received special treatment from the racetrack staff after their value increased—although they could certainly enjoy such treatment if they wanted to, the Miracle team members are all relatively low-key and don't really want to trouble the staff.

Of course, they're sitting here not because they've suddenly had a change of heart, but because...

"Mr. Jinlang, please have some tea."

"Ah... um... thank you, Miss Aldan."

When Naruto received the cup of chilled oolong tea from Megumi Ardan, who was sitting above him, he nodded somewhat awkwardly. Behind the Miracle Team, all the members of the Megumi family were sitting a few rows above them, exuding an aura of "one person goes to war, the whole family supports them."

However, the Mejiro family had already put up a similar lineup when Mejiro McQueen went to compete in the Spring Emperor's Slam last time, but the scale of this event is absolutely unprecedented, although everyone can understand why.

After all, if Mejiro McQueen wins the Spring Emperor's Shot, it will mean that he has achieved an unprecedented two-peat in the Spring Emperor's Shot for the Mejiro family! Furthermore, if McQueen wins the Autumn Emperor's Shot in October, it will be an unprecedented two-peat in the entire Japanese horse racing world!

This is not just a simple fulfillment of the Meguro family's long-cherished wish; it's something that would make the Meguro family's elders so happy they'd rise from their graves to applaud. Therefore, Madam Meguro wasn't worried about McQueen losing at all, and she arrived at the scene with great fanfare this time.

"My grandmother asked me to inquire about the chances of trainer Jinlang winning the Spring Emperor's Prize this year."