The black SUV cut through the city lights.
It was headed straight for their destination—Tokyo Tower.
The view from the tower at night was far better than during the day, which was why most visitors preferred to ascend after dark.
From up there, you could look down upon Tokyo's evening traffic and spot many of the city's iconic buildings.
"Barbatos, you ran brilliantly today."
Minamizaka, who was behind the wheel, offered his praise.
To handle such a tightly-contested race with such ease, and to win her first G2-level event so comfortably—it offered a glimpse of Barbatos's true capabilities.
After all, even during those rare training sessions, Minamizaka had never seen Barbatos go all out.
Perhaps the only time she'd truly given her all was during that relay race, that showdown with Tamamo Cross.
"It was only possible because this was just the Junior Stakes."
Barbatos replied casually.
She figured Minamizaka probably wouldn't bring it up today, but sooner or later, he'd remind her—the Keio Hai was just a junior-level race, and she shouldn't judge all G2 events by that standard.
Better to say it herself, then, without worrying about dampening the post-victory mood.
"If this had been something like the Mainichi Okan, things would've been much tougher."
The Mainichi Okan was practically G1-level—some even considered it more competitive than certain G1 races. The intensity there far exceeded what she'd face in her next event, the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies.
"A rookie Uma Musume in her first year can't participate in the Mainichi Okan."
Ikuno Dictus chimed in from the backseat.
First-year runners were limited to junior-level races—like the Keio Hai Junior Stakes, or the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies.
Someone like Barbatos, who was also slated for the Winter Dream Cup, was an exception.
Otherwise, with her schedule, she'd normally qualify for the year-end Arima Kinen as well.
But as a first-year rookie, Barbatos wouldn't be touching the Arima Kinen just yet.
Come next year, though, she'd likely run in the mid-year Takarazuka Kinen and the year-end Arima Kinen.
"Guess I'm still in the 'newbie protection phase,' then."
Barbatos joked. "This rookie shield lets me run without worry, so I don't have to face certain elite bosses too early."
"But by next year, I'll be aiming for the Triple Crown."
Around this time next year, she'd be preparing for the Queen Elizabeth II Cup in late October. Win that, and she'd be a genuine Triple Crown Uma Musume.
Without a doubt, the Triple Crown was the highest honor a Japanese Uma Musume could achieve.
And if anything could surpass that, it would be winning the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and becoming the world's number one Uma Musume.
"I'm gonna become a Triple Crown Uma Musume too!"
Twin Turbo, Urara, and Matikanetannhauser all declared in unison.
"Barbatos, you're already aiming for the classic races?"
Nice Nature seemed surprised, though given Barbatos's current strength, she'd have a solid shot in next year's classics.
"Not the Classics—the Triple Tiara."
"The Kikuka Shō would be a real headache for me right now."
Barbatos didn't mention that competing in the open classics would mean facing Seiun Sky.
Even if they did end up as rivals—say, she won the Satsuki Shō and the Japanese Derby, while Seiun Sky took the Kikuka Shō—
Then, if they got together later, they'd basically form a combined Triple Crown, 2 + 1.
That'd make for a pretty legendary story.
But she'd rather try for the Triple Tiara herself—see what it takes to earn that title.
Rather than struggle through the Kikuka Shō, she chose to leverage her strengths and aim for the Triple Tiara instead.
After all, middle distances were still something she needed to work on gradually.
"The Triple Tiara…"
Nice Nature fell silent for a moment. During strategy meetings, she often indulged in internal commentary,
But for some reason, when Barbatos declared her goal of becoming a Triple Tiara winner, it didn't feel far-fetched at all.
As Barbatos's teammate, having watched her race so many times, she genuinely believed Barbatos had what it took to become a Triple Tiara Uma Musume!
"If you go for the Triple Tiara, that means you won't clash with El Condor Pasa."
Ikuno Dictus adjusted her glasses as she spoke.
Though Barbatos was more famous now, nobody could deny that El Condor Pasa was a formidable rival not to be underestimated.
Besides, if Barbatos entered the open classics, Seiun Sky would also be a tough opponent.
"El Condor Pasa? She's running in the Oka Shō with me."
"…"
El Condor Pasa… in the Oka Shō???
Nice Nature and Ikuno Dictus exchanged stunned looks. So the two most promising candidates for next year's Triple Crown had both abandoned the open classics?
That was just… unbelievable!
Traditionally, the open classics were the most fiercely contested.
But now, because of Barbatos, the competition had split—the two strongest runners of this generation were both aiming for the Tiara route.
--+--
Soon, with Minamizaka at the wheel, the members of Team Canopus arrived at the parking lot near Tokyo Tower.
A bright moon hung overhead.
Bathed in moonlight, Tokyo Tower looked like something straight out of an anime—maybe he'd seen it in Cardcaptor Sakura.
Even Barbatos was captivated by the night view of the tower. They all pushed the car doors open and stepped out, pulling out their phones to take pictures.
They were all looking forward to seeing the view from the top.
Seiun Sky emerged from the vehicle and pulled a baseball cap over her head.
Minamizaka walked to the side and waved the girls over. "How about a group photo?"
From this angle, he could capture everyone with Tokyo Tower and the moon in the background. Plenty of other visitors were snapping photos nearby.
The seven of them quickly gathered, ready for the group shot with Minamizaka's help.
Nice Nature looked puzzled. "Why is everyone wearing hats?"
"If we don't, fans will swarm us for autographs."
Hearing such a straightforward answer, the others felt even more eager for their own debut races.
Click.
Team Canopus's first group photo was taken at the foot of Tokyo Tower.
Once the photo was done, Twin Turbo eagerly dashed toward the tower. "Let's race to see who can climb to the top first!"
"Twin Turbo!"
Minamizaka quickly called her back. "You can't just climb it, and besides—there's an elevator!"
It wasn't until they were all riding the elevator up Tokyo Tower, that Barbatos finally understood why she'd had a bad feeling.
It was so high up!
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 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.