Uma Musume Girl, I'll tell you about my Santa Hat special move too?

Chapter 353 Shameful! Get out of the battlefield immediately!

And so, today's official business is now completely finished.

Higanbana rushed back to the training base overnight to meet up with Shin-Taka and prepare for their next race at another racetrack.

Stardust Illusion, on the other hand, is someone who wanders off to the address that Wisdom had given him in advance to visit Zofu's house.

Stardust Illusion strolled to her destination and stopped in front of a slightly dilapidated apartment, which was the first time she had seen Zofu's home.

The apartment building in front of us doesn't look small. There seems to be an additional room on the top floor. It's several stories high and looks rather irregular. There's also a lot of moss on the walls, so it's clear that the building is quite old.

There is a small step at the entrance of the apartment, and a crooked iron sign that reads "Hyde House" hangs on the left side of the door. There are also two large black umbrellas and a pair of furry boots placed at the entrance.

As they climbed the steps, Stardust Illusion rang the doorbell.

"Wait a minute!"

Almost immediately, a crisp response came from inside the room.

Immediately, the stardust illusion heard the pattering sound of running footsteps growing closer, and then the door opened in front of it:

"Here it comes! Here it comes!"

The girl holding the doorknob was wearing an oversized T-shirt with three large Japanese characters written on the front: "Not allowed to attend school!"

Upon recognizing the newcomer as Stardust Illusion, the pink-haired girl immediately flashed her brightest smile: "Welcome, Stardust!!"

“Good evening—it’s been a long time, Zofu.” The Stardust Illusion returned the smile and handed over the gift in its hand.

"This is a gift, a Japanese specialty called yokan (sweet bean jelly), which Toyama prepared for me."

"Yokokan?"

After welcoming the Stardust Illusion into the house, the two changed their shoes and went into the living room. Zhuo Fu looked curiously at the beautifully wrapped gift box in her arms, eager to open it and take a look.

"I've seen this on Japanese TV before, but I've never known what it tastes like..."

Zhuo Fu suddenly stopped what she was doing and stared awkwardly in the direction of the kitchen. Stardust Illusion followed her gaze.

Over there, an old woman wearing a floral apron came out, holding a pair of huge chopsticks, staring at them with a very displeased look, like a mother leopard.

"Th-that—Grandma! This is Stardust Illusion!" Zhuo Fu quickly placed the yokan at her feet and introduced her friend beside her.

Grandma Hyde stepped forward, stopped in front of the two, and shifted her gaze from one face to the other:

"Zhuo Fu, I think I've taught you how to receive guests, haven't I?"

"Um... I'm sorry, Grandma, but Stardust isn't an outsider, is he?"

Zhuo Fu always appears very optimistic and fearless on the field, but she becomes timid when facing her grandmother who raised her since she was a child, afraid of making her angry.

"Really... no matter how good the relationship is, it's really rude to open a gift in front of a guest. Don't be so impolite next time!" Grandma Hyde tapped Zhuo Fu's chest with her chopsticks and said angrily.

"Um, you must be Grandma Hyde? Sorry to bother you today."

Seeing Zhuo Fu beside him looking like a wilted chick, Stardust Illusion quickly spoke up to help him out: "Although Zhuo Fu and I haven't met that many times, we've always been as close as sisters, so there's no need to be so formal."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Stardust Illusion. Since you're calling me Grandma, there's no need to be so formal. We're about to have dinner, so let's head to the dining room."

"Is dinner ready? Then I won't be polite!"

"Haha, I did hear Zhuo Fu say that you really like to eat."

Grandma Hyde was amused by her impatient expression and laughed heartily, then turned and walked toward the restaurant with the Stardust Illusion.

Stardust Illusion entered the restaurant and looked around. The space wasn't very large. In the center were a clean wooden table and chairs, and a familiar face was already sitting in one of the chairs.

"Yo! Good evening, Champion." Cai Zhigao, who was lying on the table, lazily raised his right hand to greet the visitor.

Stardust Illusion and Zofu also chose their seats and sat down, and the three of them started chatting about the matches they had played during the day.

Although Jacqueline was saddened for a while after the competition, she has a pretty good ability to adjust herself, so she is now talking about it more enthusiastically than describing the Stardust Illusion, which lacks ability. The three of them are having a great time.

Meanwhile, Grandma Hyde was making a racket in the kitchen, deftly stirring a large pot of pasta and occasionally adding pre-chopped carrots and meat sauce.

He kept muttering things like, "You need to eat well to have the energy to run," "If you're on good terms, don't let the competition create a rift," and "I wonder if this will suit the Japanese palate..."

When dinner was ready, both Wisdom and Stardust Vision ran to the kitchen, each carrying a large pot of noodles to the table, while Grandma Hyde was in charge of distributing sausages and fried eggs to everyone's plates.

“Zhuo Fu often talks about you to me, saying that you are her best friend and rival in Japan, and that you often treat her to food in Japan.”

As she spoke, Grandma Hyde quietly added two more fried eggs to Stardust Illusion's plate: "Eat more, eat more, you have to be full—consider it a celebration for winning the championship today."

"Grandma Hyde, I'm the loser today. Did you even consider my feelings when you said that?"

Cai Zhi raised his hand in protest: "I also want a reward!"

"Then let's give Cai Zhigao a bigger portion of carrot spaghetti too." Grandma Hyde laughed heartily, scooped the noodles out of the big pot, and began serving everyone.

"By the way, I heard that Stardust, you said this afternoon that you wanted to directly challenge Senior Vajra Might?"

Cai Zhigao looked conflicted, not daring to openly admit he didn't like it, so he could only fork up the noodles with a pained expression and put them in his mouth, while casually chatting:

"Hmm, I heard she was last year's European Horse of the Year, so she must be just as good as someone from a prestigious family, right? She definitely won't disappoint me."

Stardust Illusion, his mouth full of meat sauce, mumbled, "Toyama said that Kongo's strongest performance was in this tournament, which is why he chose this G1 match for me."

"Senior Jin Gangwei?" Zhuo Fu picked up a sausage with a fork, put it in her mouth, bit off a piece, and then showed a look of reminiscence:

"I don't know why, but Master's attitude towards this senior has never been very good. It seems like there's some hidden reason..."

"However, I heard from Master that Jin Gangwei seems to be preparing to retire this year—and her last wish before retiring is to win four consecutive Rothschild championships. That means, Stardust, you'll be facing her at full strength. Are you sure you're okay?"

"Well, if the opponent is a powerful family like a horse king, it might be a bit tricky."

Stardust Illusion nodded, handed the empty plate to Grandma Hyde asking her to refill it, and then continued to smile:

"But we will win."

“I will not lose to anyone before the Arc de Triomphe Award—this is the promise I made to you, Zoe.”

------

8 month 1 day.

Normandy region, Calvados department.

Although this place was once the site of a famous battle, it has long since taken advantage of its proximity to the bay and transformed into a summer resort famous throughout Europe.

It's currently the height of summer, and many tourists have already come here to visit and enjoy themselves—of course, even more tourists are here specifically for the world's largest entertainment event, the horse races.

Located here, the Deauville Racecourse is also an ancient racecourse with a history of over a hundred years. It is known for its pleasant environment and beautiful scenery, and is even hailed as one of the most beautiful racecourses in the world.

In this environment, even with the daily grind of tedious basic training, the racehorses remain highly motivated and fully committed to their daily runs.

Most runners find that the exhilarating feeling of being bathed in the sea breeze allows them to forget everything and fully immerse themselves in preparing for the upcoming race.

Stardust Illusion, however, is an exception: she has never cared much about the conditions of the arena, as long as she doesn't skimp on food.

However, whether it was to adapt to the venue environment or to prepare in advance to avoid unexpected situations, Higanbana Toyama decided to take her and Daka to the venue in advance for a pre-match rehearsal.

After all, in order to feel the pressure and seek a breakthrough opportunity, this guy even went so far as to make a boast again at the previous press conference, not only directly targeting the champion of this competition: Jin Gangwei, but also declaring that he would end the opponent's reign.

According to Toyama Hikari, this young man, last year's European Horse of the Year, plans to announce his official retirement after this Rothschild Grand Prix.

This also means that the Vajra Might that Stardust Illusion will face this time will definitely exert 100% or even 120% of its strength in pursuit of a perfect ending, and will regard the legendary achievement of four consecutive championships as its last dance before retirement.

"To be honest, if I were to consider cost-effectiveness and win rate, the G1 tournament, the Giers tournament, would be a better choice. With your monstrous strength, you could definitely defeat the other opponents in this tournament."

Inside the cafeteria, Scarlet Toyama sat down and suggested to Stardust Illusion, who was eating, "But I noticed in the first two matches that you're looking for a match where the opponent is stronger than you, aren't you?"

"..."

Stardust Illusion paused for a moment while eating, then said, "I want to break my own limits, I want to become a runner on 'that side' like Souko, and for that... pressure is necessary."

"Although I can't give you much advice on this area of ​​knowledge, since it's Stardust's request, what I can do is help solve problems outside of the competition."

Toyama Hiren looked at the data on the tablet, her gaze somewhat solemn: "Two more racehorse girls have announced their withdrawal from the race... There are only 6 people left in this race now, including you and Kongouwei. It seems that everyone understands that this is not a battle that ordinary racehorse girls can get involved in."

"But wouldn't that affect you?"

She was actually somewhat helpless. If the powerful clans weren't avoiding her, she could at least establish some contact with Jin Gangwei through this channel.

Although Stardust Mirage deliberately provoked the other party at the press conference in order to gain the strongest opponent, basic social etiquette still needs to be observed—unfortunately, it's all empty talk now. Without a runner of the caliber of Noble Family to help build a bridge, they from Japan have no chance of getting in touch with this current queen of equestrian girls.

"It doesn't matter. Racehorse girls who don't even have the courage to fight are not worth paying attention to."

Stardust Illusion shook its head slightly and finished the pork knuckle in front of it.

The moment she learned her opponent, the importance of this match was elevated to a level almost comparable to the Arc de Triomphe.

Without a doubt, the biggest opponent in this match is that King Kong Wei.

Last year, she was named the European Horse of the Year, and her strength is definitely among the top in Europe. After all, the once-famous Noble Family also won this honor (although Noble Family's more important achievement is the World Horse of the Year). It can be said that even if King Kong is a few steps behind Noble Family, it is by no means too far behind.

Judging from Stardust Illusion's estimation, the other party is very likely also above the ordinary realm, standing in the "Other Side" as a Star-Breaking Realm owner.

Then, we will be able to see that run again, a run that even fate itself has been surpassed...

"By the way, try not to go out these next few days... Because of your provocation of Jin Gangwei, at least half of the people in this city are now hostile towards us."

Hikari Toyama added from the side, casually picking up a sausage and stuffing it into her mouth, then continued speaking:

"If you can even defeat King Kongwei, your reputation will greatly increase, even without going to the Arc de Triomphe."

"No matter what happens then, it won't be like now, with its reputation being damaged and everyone being an enemy, making it inconvenient to even go out."

Hikari Toyama sighed; clearly, she had run into quite a few obstacles today.

If declaring himself the only king at Longchamp Racecourse would be seen by the French as a provocation against the elite, then announcing in a previous post-race interview that he would take away King Kong's fourth consecutive title would undoubtedly be a rebellion against the faith of all the residents of the city.

"It's alright, Toyama."

Stardust Illusion laughed heartily, seemingly enjoying her current situation: "Judging from Vajra Might's achievements and strength, she certainly deserves to be number one in popularity... But that's precisely why being able to defeat me, who is number one in popularity, makes her even more dazzling, doesn't it?"

"I will give it my all in this match no matter what. The rest is up to you, Toyama."

Stardust Illusion stood up from the dining table and stretched.

Is there any other version of events regarding this matter?

The next moment, a deep male voice came from outside the cafeteria.

An elderly man with gray hair, leaning on a cane, walked from the doorway toward the two people, followed by several security personnel in black suits and sunglasses.

Although neither of them knew who he was, they could tell at a glance that he was definitely an important person.