England, a residential district.
A strikingly beautiful young woman with long chestnut hair sat on a sofa, the wall behind her adorned with various landscape paintings.
What was initially just a temporary rental to cope with races had, over time, unconsciously become a place she called home.
After living in England for six months, her next plan was to head to Germany to participate in the [Grosser Preis von Baden].
Unexpectedly, during this time, astonishing news reached her from back home.
'This year's [Japanese Derby] concluded without a single victor claiming the laurels.'
"Hmm...?"
Now that was interesting.
Such news was unprecedented.
Just what earth-shattering events had transpired in her homeland while she was abroad?
Muttering to herself was a young woman who had chosen an overseas campaign in her quest to reach the pinnacle.
"Something this fascinating happens the moment I leave? Could it be they were deliberately trying to avoid me?"
An expression of keen interest played on her face.
"A 'black horse girl' appearing like a phantom, descending upon the racetrack. Claiming victory with an undeniable air."
"Afterwards, the girl vanished from sight, with not a single photo captured by the tens of thousands of spectators..."
"Pfft, what is this, really? Is this actually news?" The girl let out a magnetic laugh.
Her rose-red eyes scanned the lines of text on the screen. If not for the banner at the top reading "Flash," she would have thought she'd clicked into some clickbait spam page.
Since when did the Japanese racing world, which had been mediocre for so many years, produce such blockbuster news?
To think I missed such a rare spectacle!
Damn, I'm suddenly hit with the urge to return home.
Just as she was engrossed in reading further, ding-dong, the doorbell chimed.
A visitor.
Who could possibly be coming at this hour...?
Putting away her phone, she opened the door with a hint of puzzlement.
Outside stood a young woman wearing an elegant dress, with medium-length brown hair and a bowler hat.
Upon seeing the occupant, she gave a slight bow.
"Good afternoon, Miss Sirius Symboli."
An elegant voice reached Sirius Symboli's ears.
So it was her.
The visitor was Moonlight Lunacy, an Uma Musume she had trained alongside in England, who shared her ideal of competing overseas.
She boasted an impressive record of ten wins in twenty-three races, including two GⅠ victories.
She was undeniably a top-tier competitor.
Not only that, Moonlight Lunacy was also the daughter of the British Duchess of Nerfolk, a genuine aristocrat.
A Uma Musume who combined both formidable skill and prestigious lineage.
"What a rare occasion for you to visit in person," Sirius Symboli quipped. "Could it be you've grown lonely after so long apart? Quite bold of you, Lady Moonlight Lunacy. You're always welcome here."
With that, she swung the door open wider, inviting the other inside.
Although they'd been acquainted for a while, Moonlight Lunacy still felt somewhat resistant to Sirius's manner of speech.
It always felt like her words were laced with improper implications.
However, Moonlight Lunacy knew this was just her incurable habit.
Hard to change, and she didn't seem to want to.
At Sirius Symboli's gesture, Moonlight Lunacy took a seat on the sofa.
"What would you like to drink? Coffee or tea?"
"Plain water is fine."
"How could I offer something so ordinary in the presence of a lady?"
Walking into the semi-open kitchen, Sirius opened an ornately decorated box from a shelf.
"Though it can't compare to truly high-end fare, and may not win your favor, this is the best I can modestly offer."
"You haven't changed a bit. I said water is fine."
"Tea is, after all, mostly water."
A few minutes later, after placing the brewed tea on the table, Sirius Symboli leaned back against the sofa and asked, "You're alone today? No bodyguards in tow?"
"It's not like I'm leaving the country. No need for passports or bodyguards."
She replied evenly, picked up the teacup for a sip, her eyebrow twitching almost imperceptibly, then gently set it back down.
"There's more to it than that, though, isn't there?" Sirius said.
"What do you mean?"
"The esteemed lady didn't want to be disturbed during her time with me, so she dismissed her entourage."
A smile played on her lips. "How greedy. But that just makes you more adorable. Fine, my time today is yours to command."
There she goes again. Every conversation seems to steer into strange territory. Can't you ever be serious?
"I did not come here for that sort of discussion, Miss Sirius Symboli."
Moonlight Lunacy's eyes narrowed sharply, a note of displeasure in her voice.
"And for Lady Moonlight Lunacy, what exactly constitutes 'that sort of thing'?" Sirius Symboli leaned forward, her crystalline rose-colored eyes gazing directly at the other.
"Surely you came here because you want me to do something for you, or perhaps... you wish to offer me some service?"
The suggestive words made Moonlight Lunacy frown deeply.
What did she mean by 'offer a service'? While it was true she had questions for Sirius Symboli, phrasing it that way made the conversation impossible to continue.
"Haha, just a harmless joke. You're still the same, not very good at handling banter between friends."
Wearing a teasing smile, Sirius Symboli straightened up.
"So then, you certainly didn't come just to invite me out, did you?"
"Indeed not, Miss Sirius Symboli." She sat up primly. "There is something I wish to ask you."
"And that is?"
"Might you be aware of the current situation regarding Japan's [Twinkle Series]?"
"Oh?"
Sirius Symboli paused, then curled her lips into a smile.
"What's this? Suddenly interested in Japanese affairs? Are the races there catching your eye?"
In terms of competition level, Japan's [Twinkle Series] couldn't really be considered top-tier internationally.
If not for the restrictions of the Japanese classic race rules, the major titles would have long been scooped up by foreign competitors.
So for a world-class Uma Musume like Moonlight Lunacy, who competed and won championships across various countries, Japan wasn't exactly the best place for self-improvement.
Lately, however, the winds seemed to be shifting.
"Are you familiar with astrology?" Moonlight Lunacy asked.
"Astrology...?" Sirius Symboli pondered for a moment. "I've heard a little. It's a form of divination that observes the positions and movements of celestial bodies to predict worldly events."
"More or less." Moonlight Lunacy nodded. "Actually, before deciding to participate in any major event, my family holds an astrological consultation. To see which country might be more favorable for the next race."
"You have that tradition?"
"It started mainly to humor my father, who is fond of astrology. The decision on which race to enter is usually already made."
She spoke slowly. "But this time's reading was different."
"The pattern of stars in the sky was unusually clear. Even without deliberate interpretation, I could understand it myself." Her fingers unconsciously traced the shape in the air.
"What kind of pattern was it?"
By now, Sirius Symboli was genuinely intrigued.
"Just a few stars aligned together. Not terribly specific, but the moment you see the pattern form, a phrase pops into your head."
'Journey to the island nation in the East.'
'Seek the absolute strongest.'
"Sirius Symboli, you, like me, aspire to compete overseas. You must understand this feeling, this craving for competition."
Needless to say, Sirius Symboli understood perfectly.
To defeat the strongest opponents and stand at the pinnacle as Uma Musume.
That was the very reason for their existence as overseas contenders.
"I sense it. In that place, there is an opponent I must defeat."
"However, Japan's central racing association seems to be restricting information flow abroad. It's difficult to get detailed intelligence from overseas."
That's why Moonlight Lunacy had come to seek out Sirius Symboli, who had means of contacting the homeland.
Hoping to gain useful information from her.
To think there was such a thing.
Sirius Symboli's heart thumped powerfully with excitement.
Interesting.
Truly fascinating.
Was this the world beyond boredom?
It thrilled her to no end.
If there really was a race that allowed foreign Uma Musume to participate, then one event in particular had to be mentioned.
A race specifically designed for foreign Uma Musume to compete against domestic ones.
A super stage where the world's top contenders battle together.
The first authoritative, internationally invited GI race established within the Twinkle Series.
The [Japan Cup].
She wanted information on the [Japan Cup].
"Heh, I see..." Sirius Symboli let out a low laugh.
It wasn't just Moonlight Lunacy; even she was deeply curious about the affairs of the central association.
Especially regarding that mysterious Uma Musume who burst onto the scene and stole victory. Sirius Symboli was intensely curious about her identity.
After all, she herself had won the previous [Japanese Derby].
Sirius Symboli knew well the intensity of that competition.
"Your luck is in, my lady. I do indeed have a way to acquire internal information."
In her phone's contact list, there was clearly the name of that childhood friend she had grown up with.
Symboli Rudolf.
"I appreciate your trouble." Moonlight Lunacy nodded in thanks.
She had a feeling that the race she was about to enter would undoubtedly change her destiny.
The morning star in the sky told her so.
It would definitely be a race... not to be missed.
Meanwhile, in various countries around the world, events unnoticed by ordinary people were unfolding.
In the United States, New Zealand, Italy, Germany, France, top-tier Uma Musume across the globe simultaneously raised their heads in the black of night, gazing intently at the sky.
The morning star was shining brightly.
'If the principle of synchronicity is a form of coincidence, then how should we define coincidence in operational terms?'
Later, an expert would remark thusly.
'Aside from awaiting the outcome, there is little else we can do.'
'Because meaning must be collectively bestowed by these individuals.'
The souls known as 'the strong' were igniting.
Their hearts beat violently.
It wasn't the joy of victory.
They were excited, they were anticipating, they heard—
Someone standing there, uttering an incomparably arrogant challenge.
'Go on, try to catch up to me—'
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.