"Easing the entry requirements!? What's going on here?"
In a worn-out dormitory, three young women sat huddled together.
"You mean, us country Uma Musume can now enter central races?" said the short-haired Uma Musume.
"Eh, really? So even I could participate?"
A girl with her jacket slung over her shoulders, habitually scrolling through her phone, her hair tied in a side ponytail, asked.
"Haha, no matter how relaxed the rules get, it's not gonna be your turn, Norn Ace."
The short-haired Uma Musume didn't hold back her teasing.
"It says the minimum qualification is still winning a Jpn3 race."
"A Jpn3 race!? How is that 'easing' the conditions?"
It was important to know that in local racing, the lowest grade was C3, and the highest was A1. Unlike the central circuit, you didn't necessarily need to win races to qualify for higher levels here.
By continuously accumulating race results, even Uma Musume who never won could eventually qualify for an A1 race.
But a Jpn3 race was, for the locals, already on par with the central graded stakes.
This new rule basically said that only the top performers—the ones who actually won in the local circuits—stood a chance of entering the central races.
"It's a big step already. Before, the idea of a local Uma Musume racing centrally was just a pipe dream. Now the central committee is actually loosening up."
"It must be because of that incident, right?"
The third girl at the table, with long hair and a bit of a delinquent look, spoke up.
"The incident where someone crashed the central races. Twice in a row."
"I know about that. Who doesn't? It's been the talk of every local track."
The [Japanese Derby] and the [New Zealand Trophy] – both had been intruded upon by an outsider, who even went on to win.
"Come on, central security can't be that cheap. I watched the replays of both races. There was no 'black Uma Musume' anywhere."
"Eh? Mini the Lady, you actually watch that stuff?" exclaimed the side-ponytailed girl, Norn Ace.
"Well, since Oguri left for the central circuit, I keep an eye on things. They might be her future rivals, after all."
That's right. The three girls here were friends Oguri Cap had made during her time racing locally.
Norn Ace, Mini the Lady, and Rudy Lemono.
Ever since Oguri Cap transferred to the central circuit, the world that once had nothing to do with them suddenly felt connected.
"They say that Uma Musume doesn't show up on cameras! Her appearances are all mysterious and spooky, too—"
Mini the Lady grinned, eerily raising a hand to spook Norn Ace.
"W-what nonsense! It's just media hype, right? There's no way..."
"That's what I thought too, but the internet is flooded with people saying she just materialized out of thin air."
"One or two people, maybe. But when so many say it, you have to wonder."
"Not necessarily," Norn Ace shook her head. "Could be bots or paid comments."
"Ugh... if you're going to be like that, there's no talking to you. But if it was just a regular Uma Musume, why would the central committee go as far as changing the rules?"
"And a change like this basically breaks down the wall between local and central racing. It's not something they'd do lightly. This is probably just the start; more changes will come."
"What if," Rudy Lemono interjected suddenly, "she's actually a ghost?"
The comment earned her looks of pure disbelief from the other two.
"Eat more walnuts. They're good for your brain," Mini the Lady advised.
"Hey, I'm serious! When I saw the news, I kept thinking, what kind of person could do such a thing? And the only logical answer I could come up with..."
She raised a finger. "Is that she's not a person at all."
"Pfft..."
A sound escaped Mini the Lady.
"Pfft... Bahahahaha! Did a starting gate hit your head? 'Not a person'? Then what is she, a ghost? Have you seen a ghost in broad daylight!? Ahahahaha!"
Mini the Lady slammed the table laughing.
"That's a bit too far out there. I suspect it's more likely someone from the local circuits is behind it," Norn Ace said, resting her cheek on her hand. "If the central committee's reputation falls, maybe people will come to our smaller, less-watched races instead."
At their least popular, local races couldn't even fill the front row stands. It felt lonely, like everyone was just running by themselves.
The competitors lacked passion too, more like they were out for a stroll than a race.
"No, I'm not spouting nonsense, really!"
Rudy Lemono's face turned red as she slammed the table. "I've seen a ghost before!"
"Yeah, yeah, you mistook a white sheet blown away by the wind for a ghost. We've all heard that one."
"That wasn't it... Wait! How do you know about that!?"
"Of course we know. You let it slip while talking to Oguri Cap in the cafeteria."
"Forget it! Erase it from your memories—now!" Rudy Lemono covered her head.
Just then, the dorm door slid open with a rattle.
A girl with turquoise-blue hair, wiping sweat with a towel, walked in. Her crimson eyes fell on the three at the table.
"I could hear you from outside. What's all the noise about?"
"Hey, Fujimasa March, back from training?" Mini the Lady greeted her.
"Just doing some basic exercises in my room. Haven't hit the track yet. So," she approached them, "what's the topic?"
"It's the central committee's new entry rules," Rudy Lemono said, quickly changing the subject.
"Central rules? What's that got to do with us?"
"So you haven't heard." Norn Ace covered her mouth.
"Heard what? What is it?"
"Don't be too shocked, okay?"
Mini the Lady built up the suspense.
"Apparently, the new rule says that us local Uma Musume... we can enter central races now!"
Boom!
It felt like a thunderclap exploded in her heart.
Local Uma Musume can enter...
Didn't that mean she might have another chance to compete on the same stage as Oguri Cap!?
--+--
"I see. So this is your proposal?"
"Yes, Central Chairwoman."
Symboli Rudolf stood tall.
"To relax the entry policies, allowing local competitors and those with overseas racing experience to participate in the classic races. Is that correct?"
"Exactly."
"Symboli Rudolf." The Central Chairwoman's gaze was sharp as a blade. "Do you truly understand what you are suggesting?"
You are challenging the very foundations of the central circuit's regulations.
"I do."
Rudolf understood perfectly.
"And now, for the sake of a single Uma Musume, you propose we change the rules of the entire central circuit."
The Chairwoman continued, "Do you know the cost of such an action?"
Rudolf straightened her posture, her voice resolute.
"Initially, I had my doubts. But after witnessing the figure of that black Uma Musume leaving the track, I became utterly convinced."
She was an existence completely apart from the shining world of the Twinkle Series.
"Central Chairwoman." Rudolf raised her voice.
"The Twinkle Series is the ultimate stage that carries the dreams of countless individuals. Everyone wishes to become a dazzling new star, to be remembered as a legend. I am no exception."
"Yet now, there is someone who seeks to destroy this stage of dreams."
That nameless black Uma Musume.
That unseen powerhouse.
"If there is a way to make her leave the track!"
"It is only by defeating her."
"But right now, there are too many strong individuals buried outside the circuit, stifled by the central committee's pointless regulations. How can we hope to oppose this lawless black Uma Musume under such circumstances?"
"Therefore, I implore the central committee to allow those geniuses, lost due to the entry rules, to return to the place they rightfully belong."
Rudolf bowed deeply, lowering her head before the Chairwoman.
"Symboli Rudolf." The Chairwoman spoke.
"What makes you think she will simply leave the track if she is defeated?"
"Instinct."
"Instinct?"
"Correct." Rudolf lifted her head.
"Tell me, has the central committee managed to track her movements? Do we know her true identity? Despite our best efforts, we haven't found a single trace of her."
"All evidence points to her being an existence beyond conventional understanding."
"Therefore, we must also use methods beyond the conventional to drive that arrogant Uma Musume from the track. The only way is to defeat her utterly, in a race!"
"Otherwise, that black Uma Musume will keep appearing, despite all our barriers, snatching the glory from the victors. The final outcome would be—"
The central committee's credibility would be shattered. The Twinkle Series would become a laughingstock.
Hearing Rudolf's words, the Central Chairwoman's expression grew graver than ever before.
"I understand. I will consider this proposal seriously."
She noted the proposal down. "You may leave now."
"Yes."
Without receiving a definitive answer, Rudolf left the room.
Looking at the various points listed in the proposal, the Central Chairwoman felt the weight of responsibility heavily upon her.
Ring ring ring!
The telephone rang. Answering it, she heard the voice of the Head Director.
"Chairwoman, the media outlets have refused our request. They insist on publishing the stories. What should we do now?"
After a long silence with no response, the Head Director asked again, "Chairwoman? Are you there?"
"Head Director." The Chairwoman finally replied. "Please summon all the racecourse managers, and the local circuit representatives as well... I need to convene an important meeting..."
--+--
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.