Umamusume's days are numbered

No, where did I offend her? The smile on Excellent Quality's face froze, and he was about to lose his composure.

If we're talking about serious opponents, compared to myself, it's definitely the likes of the Tokai Emperor and the New Universe who deserve my respect. Even if I were to choose from among the competitors on the field, it should be Ibuki Maikaku. She's a genius second only to the Tokai Emperor.

So... it really was a death omen, wasn't it? It was definitely a death omen, wasn't it?

Referee, did you see that? Platinum is trying to kill me!

In the audience, the little blue guy saw the two of them sticking together and jumped three feet high.

"Did you see that? That's absolutely a vicious and ruthless Spica player threatening our teammates!"

Ignoring the noisy Twin Turbine, Ikuno Didos adjusted the round-framed glasses in front of him, slapped Twin Turbine on the head and pushed her down, then crossed his arms over his chest.

Watching the scene on the field, Ikuno Didos muttered to himself along with his companion.

"This distance... well, it's not that I want to fight, it's just that I want to..."

Let's leave aside Ikuno Dedus for now.

“…Negative.” For some reason, Ikuno Didos’s companion seemed a little unhappy.

Meanwhile, Ibuki Kagura's expression was as if she'd been struck by lightning. In the eyes of someone with excellent qualities, Platinum was coldly issuing a death sentence; but in Ibuki Kagura's eyes, Platinum and excellent qualities... were inextricably linked!

Isn't that what it means? In my eyes, there's only you.

Saying this to your opponent on the field is almost as important as confessing your feelings!

I've even fantasized about doing this to the Emperor of the East Sea on the stage of the Satsuki Sho!

Ibuki Mai Kagura is a typical example of a Uma Musume (a popular Japanese horse racing show) mentality. In her teens, racing and competitions occupied most of her life. Although she was talented, she couldn't afford to neglect rigorous training. Over time, this made her somewhat stubborn.

She takes the competition very seriously, especially looking forward to the friendships that blossom on the field. Over time, she's started to come across as a bit like an AI (AI/Digital) player on the field.

Making wild guesses and letting one's imagination run wild.

Why...?

Ibuki Mai and Kagura felt so wronged that they almost cried.

Why is this happening?

I should be in that position!

I am the one who has been recognized as a Platinum-level rival. Have you forgotten our conversation in the lounge?

(Referring to an exchange in which only Platinum spoke one sentence)

And the way we looked at each other back then, wasn't it so intense that you could see sparks flying?

(Ibuki Mai and Kagura were so frightened that they didn't dare to look up)

Wasn't that the beginning of our friendship? Mingming even came to my lounge specifically to see me!

(The answer is that Platinum got lost, and she didn't recognize any of her opponents besides those with exceptional qualities...)

No matter how much you fabricate a memory that doesn't exist, it will never truly exist, Ms. Ibuki Kagura.

Why were you skipping over me?!

Ibuki Maki Kagura really wanted to jump in front of Platinum, pull her face close to hers, and ask her.

Look at me! Look at me!

You're so busy whispering sweet nothings to me about your excellent qualities... Ibuki Maikaku's lips trembled.

what about me?

That's what Ibuki Kagura thought, and that's what she did. She jumped directly between Platinum and Excellent qualities, pushing both of them away with one hand each.

"What are you doing? What are you doing in broad daylight?"

She stood in the middle, growling fiercely like a little kitten.

"The game is in session, can we talk about it after the game?"

This is a lie! If Ibuki Maki and Kagura were in that position of outstanding qualities, they would wish this moment could last forever!

The mutual respect between rivals, the ambitious declarations before the match—this is the kind of scene that Ibuki Maikaku loves most!

But now that things have come to this, all I can do is break them up...

Despite being pushed aside, Platinum still stared intently at Excellent Quality through Ibuki Mai and Kagura, continuing to stretch out her hand and place her thumb across his neck.

With her hands covering her face, Yu Youci once again questioned why she had participated in the Yayoi Prize; Ibuki Mai Kagura clenched her teeth so tightly that she almost broke them off.

Finally, with the help of staff, the three were pulled through the gate. Only then did the farce come to an end.

"Okay, as we can see, although there were some twists and turns in the process, all the contestants have entered the gate."

"Platinum, Ibuki Maikaku, excellent qualities. It seems that as highly watched star contestants, they also appreciate each other."

Excellent qualities? Cover your face. Mutual appreciation my foot... Whose mutual appreciation is this—slitting your throat without saying a word?

She secretly glanced at Platinum next door. Unexpectedly, Platinum sensed her gaze and immediately turned her head to stare directly at her.

“Eek…” Excellent quality turned pale.

Platinum extended his index and middle fingers, first pointing to his eyes, then using those two fingers to indicate his excellent qualities.

"I'm watching you."

"Stop looking!"

Seeing the interaction between the two, Ibuki Maki and Kagura grabbed the gate and stared longingly at Platinum, hoping that Platinum would do the same for her.

Platinum didn't turn around at all. After pausing for a moment, he pointed two fingers at his eyes and then back to his excellent qualities.

"I'm watching..."

"I told you not to look!"

Look at me!

Okay, the farce isn't over yet.

"So, the eight contestants are ready to go."

As the commentator announced the victory, everyone—from Platinum, Ibuki Mai, and Kagura to those with excellent qualities—ceased their conversation in an instant.

The Yayoi Sho is no longer a casual, ordinary competition; it's a highly anticipated and prestigious event. As a precursor to the Satsuki Sho, the Yayoi Sho garners even more attention than regular G2 tournaments.

The contestants who garnered significant attention in such an important competition... whether it was Platinum or Ibuki Maikaku, their outstanding qualities were unmatched by other contestants.

She's only modestly calling herself "ordinary" when she claims to have excellent qualities; in reality, her abilities are undeniable.

We must win... We must win today's match no matter what! Platinum exhaled slowly, like a bullet loaded into a magazine.

"I must make Platinum look at me with new eyes..." Ibuki Maikaru glanced at Platinum sideways, her feet sinking slightly into the ground as she exerted force.

Since that's the case... let's test our limits. With excellent qualities, he clenched his fist, staring intently at the gate.

"---The match begins!"

Episode 148 The Gap

Just in case, let's take a look at the ecosystem among female racehorses.

Led by the Central Teresen Academy, thousands of female racehorses across the country undergo training each year and are already or about to become racehorse girls.

For the vast majority of them, winning their debut battle is a pipe dream.

Being able to win the debut battle, regardless of how many times you've run, and just make it to the debut already shows you're a very talented racehorse girl.

Those who win the top prize in the OP competition are already among the best in Uma Musume. Among them, the number capable of winning G3 and G2 competitions is even smaller. They can be considered the backbone of the horse racing world, usually possessing considerable popularity and being well-known stars.

Above these women are the racehorse girls, who stand at the pinnacle. They all possess the potential to win the G1 championship and are the focus of the nation, household names.

Like Ibuki Maikaku, like the Tokai Emperor, like Shin Uchu—these are the kind of star players who are expected to shine. People firmly believe that with the talent they are currently displaying, winning the G1 championship is only a matter of time.

So, how many internationally recognized G1-level grass court tournaments are there in Japan?

The answer is, at most, less than thirty games.

Even if we consider that each race selects a unique female racehorse to win, only about twenty people can stand at the top.

Horse racing is a bloody and cruel sport that relies heavily on talent. Only a few can reach the top of the pyramid—and all of this is closely related to talent.

After saying all this, the ultimate goal is simply to express this:

For racehorse girls, talent truly allows them to do whatever they want.

And, there will always be someone who can run faster than you.

Ibuki Kagura felt as if her lungs were about to explode, gasping for breath. Her usually light and agile pace was completely disrupted. Her eyes were bloodshot from lack of oxygen to her brain as she stared incredulously at the figure running ahead of her.

—How is that possible?

—I am, and always have been, a genius praised as being comparable to the Emperor of the East Sea. My talent is unparalleled; I will surely defeat and triumph over him, even if he is the monstrous Emperor of the East Sea before me.

"Haha, haha..." Incredibly, Ibuki Maikaku laughed during the match.

No, no, no, this is really too funny.

—I must be dreaming. It must be.

Otherwise, there's simply no way to explain it. There's no way to explain that—unimaginably fast speed!

"Too fast! Platinum is the first to burst out of the second corner and onto the straight!"

The commentator's voice and the audience's gaze were all firmly focused on the figure that had left the other players far behind.

One horse leads the way, leaving all others in the dust—this perfectly encapsulates the nature of horse racing. The audience's eyes are always focused on the very front.

"They established a firm advantage from the very beginning, leaving no possibility of resistance!"

At the beginning, the audience, commentators, and live streamers might have been worried about Platinum's stamina, wondering if such a rapid surge would cause him to lose speed during the race.

However, after experiencing one match after another, Platinum's presence and characteristics have been etched into memory.

"Platinum did not employ a mass exodus strategy —"

"Instead, the other players couldn't keep up with Platinum's speed, making it look like she was fleeing!"

"Unrivaled, unparalleled, and unmatched!"

"Today's Platinum player seems to be more determined than ever. Is she showing off to all the players who still dare to compete?"

The outstanding individual hidden within the team blinked helplessly when he saw Platinum's figure ahead.

"This is a distance we can't possibly catch up to..."

Ibuki Mai and Kagura, in second place, were frantically chasing after Platinum. The distance between her and the others in the group continued to widen, but...

The gap between Ibuki Mai and Kagura and Platinum is still widening!

Ibuki Kagura was forcing herself. She felt that even breathing was painful, and a metallic taste was spreading from her throat to her lungs.

Her vision was getting dark, and she didn't even have time to wipe the drool from her mouth; it was flowing down her body mixed with sweat.

Even so, even so...

There's no way to narrow the gap.

At this moment, Ibuki Kagura finally understood how the other racehorse girls had viewed her in the past.

Once the gap becomes too large, even the will to fight back will completely disappear. That was true for the horse racers who used to surround Ibuki Maikaku, and it's true for how Ibuki Maikaku looks at Shirogane now.

All that remains is deep admiration.

And what about Platinum? Did Platinum really run so smoothly? Was she really showing off to all the other competitors, as the commentators said? Was she really in complete control?

Platinum is now... terrified!

I've finished running, finished running, finished running... only half left, just half left!

Victory is just around the corner; this is the darkness before dawn!

At this very moment, Platinum was also being driven. Driven by a fear that had vanished without a trace in her heart. Platinum didn't even dare to look back.

How many people are following me now? Are they all planning to overtake me? If they do, can I overtake them back?

Absolutely not! Wouldn't that mean I'm doomed to lose?

Her flawed mindset led her to make incorrect judgments and experience unnecessary anxiety. In fact, at that moment, Platinum had indeed entered a surge, a very dangerous state.