WebNovels

Chapter 3 - Chapter 3

"TheShootingStarPrince – Ten Point"

Even someone like me, who only ever played the mobile game and knew nothing about horse racing, recognized that name.

A legendary racehorse with 18 starts, 11 wins, and 8 graded victories—three of them G1 titles.

He may not have won any of the Classic G1 races, but alongside his rivals...

"The Heavenly Horse – Tosho Boy"

"The Green Assassin – Green Grass"

...he fought countless fierce battles through the Classics and older horse divisions.

The three of them were so dominant that people combined their initials and called them the "TTG Trio" or the "TTG Generation."

In particular, the 1977 Arima Kinen, where Ten Point defeated his rival Tosho Boy in a fierce head-to-head duel, is still remembered as one of the greatest races in Japanese horse racing history.

But above all, his end is one that cannot be spoken of without tears.

In the 1978 Nikkei Shinshun Hai, Ten Point fractured his left hind leg and was forced to stop midrace.

It was an open fracture so severe that the bone pierced through the skin and blood spurted out.

Normally, a horse with such a severe injury would be euthanized to spare it from suffering,

but thousands of calls from fans pleading for his life, along with the owner's and trainer's wish that "he become a stud horse," led to an unprecedented surgery.

They cut open his leg, fixed the shattered bone with special alloy bolts, and encased it with an aluminum cast.

The operation was initially deemed a success—his temperature and heart rate stabilized—but when Ten Point tried to bear weight on the leg, the bolts deformed, the bone shifted, and it was set incorrectly in the cast.

The wound became infected, leading to further complications.

Despite the desperate efforts of his veterinarians and trainers, he crossed the rainbow bridge 43 days after the accident.

News broadcasts at the time reported his passing as the top story of the day, showing just how beloved he was across Japan.

A horse that shone like a meteor and captured countless hearts—

that was The Shooting Star Prince, Ten Point.

And now, standing before me, smiling gently, was—

The very same "Ten Point," the Tragic Prince of racing, whose Uma Soul had been inherited by the horse girl Ten Point before my eyes.

"..."

So this is what people mean when they say they're at a loss for words.

My brain froze, barely able to process the scene in front of me.

Sure, Ten Point is a named character in Uma Musume,

even older than Maruzensky—the oldest of the currently implemented ones (by about a year).

She hadn't been added to the mobile game, so I didn't even know if she existed in this world.

But actually meeting a horse girl born from a real legend—it made my mind go blank instead of emotional.

"Well, since I was injured mid-race and half-retired after that, I can't blame you for not knowing me.

Now, though, I've been given this rather unfitting position as Student Council President, for the sake of my juniors."

So… this is after the Nikkei Shinshun Hai, right? Thank goodness—you're alive.

"W-wait, those people you mentioned earlier—'Shou-san' and 'Grass-san'—

could they be…?"

"Oh, you know them? Yes—Tosho Boy and Green Grass both volunteered as Vice Presidents.

It's a bit embarrassing to have old rivals helping me now, but it's also quite heartwarming."

Yup. The TTG trio—Tosho Boy and Green Grass. Of course.

...Uh, hold on?

Where's Symboli Rudolf? Where's Kaichou?

Thanks to Ten Point, I know this isn't the same as the app version, but what timeline is this?

Is this even before the anime and manga versions!?

Anyway—

"A-ah, the Arima Kinen was amazing!"

"Haha, I'm glad to hear that. I kept losing in the Classics, but in the senior division, I finally managed to repay that debt.

Shou and I ended up teasing Grass a bit afterward, and he teased us back—it was all in good fun."

Her laughter was warm, genuine.

I couldn't help but recall that real-life quote from Tosho Boy's jockey, Take's father, who said after the Arima Kinen:

'Third place? Green Grass? He was there? I didn't notice!'

Hearing Ten Point laugh about it herself made me realize how strong their rivalry—and friendship—must have been.

Even as a casual fan who only knew bits and pieces from Uma Musume, I could feel it deeply.

I can only imagine what real racing fans must feel.

"Now that introductions are done, let's hear what brought you here.

You seem more relaxed now."

"I-it's really nothing big…

I just enrolled today, and I don't know my way around the academy yet.

I was wandering the campus to memorize the layout when I stumbled upon the student council room.

I thought, since I'll probably be under your guidance in the future, I should at least introduce myself…

but I didn't want to disturb you, so I was hesitating outside…"

That wasn't a lie.

I really had been exploring, and while it was true I came here intentionally,

I genuinely did want to greet them.

If I told the real truth, though—that I'd possessed the body of Nice Nature after dying—

I'd be in a padded cell before sundown.

Ten Point blinked, then burst into laughter.

"Hahaha! I see, I see. No problem at all.

To be honest, no one ever drops by just to chat. The student council's reputation scares most students away.

See how quiet the hallway is?

We'd love for people to come, but everyone seems to fear us. It's rather lonely, really."

Well, yeah, of course they'd be scared!

Though I wasn't about to say that out loud.

"It's been a while since someone came by for anything other than paperwork.

Would you keep me company for a little chat? I could use a break."

I couldn't say no to that.

Getting to hear stories about a legendary horse not even in the app? Of course I was in!

And so we talked.

About her debut race in Hakodate—where she set a course record in a 1000m sprint.

About the Satsuki Sho, where schedule changes left her underprepared.

About the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby), where she ran sick and lost a shoe.

About the Kikuka Sho, where her bad habit of drifting wide cost her the win by two and a half lengths.

And about the fierce battles of her senior racing days.

Every story was fascinating, and she told them so vividly that time flew by.

Before I knew it, the sky outside had turned red with sunset.

"I'm sorry, I kept you so long," she said, apologetically.

"No, not at all! It was wonderful hearing all that. I'd love to listen again sometime!"

"Then come by anytime. The student council doors are always open.

If I'm not too busy, I'll gladly have you as my conversation partner."

As I bent to grab my bag and say goodbye, she turned her head slightly, looking away.

Following her gaze, I noticed—hanging on the wall—a large golden frame with an English inscription.

Of course. This is the student council room, after all.

"Eclipse first, therest nowhere."

"…'One that stands alone, unmatched by any other,'" I murmured.

"Oh? You know it?"

"N-no, not deeply, just the phrase…"

I'd muttered it without thinking.

The sunset reflected off the golden frame, making the words glow as if with burning passion.

The phrase came from Eclipse, the British racehorse of the 18th century (1764–1789),

undefeated in 18 races and said to be the foundation of all modern Thoroughbreds.

It's said that if you trace back the bloodline of almost any racehorse today,

you eventually arrive at Eclipse himself.

Literally, the phrase means "No one else even placed," but the Japanese translation—

"One that stands alone, unmatched by any other"—has such poetic grace to it.

"Nice Nature," Ten Point said softly, "what do you see in the Twinkle Series?

What do you aim for? What is your dream?"

"My… dream?"

"Yes. Simply entering this Central Training Academy already proves your talent. Be proud of that.

But enrollment isn't the goal—it's the starting line."

Her words made me think deeply.

In the original game and anime, Nice Nature's dream was vague at first—she just wanted to "shine."

Then, through her trainer and rivals, she gained a goal: to beat Tokai Teio.

But me?

I wanted to run, yes—but maybe that was just this body's instinct as a horse girl.

It didn't feel like my dream.

Still, as someone who loved Nice Nature, who had been moved by her story,

I had to run in the Twinkle Series as her.

"Well, sometimes you find your dream through running," Ten Point said kindly.

But her words barely reached me—I was lost in thought.

Every goal I considered—defeating Teio, the Triple Crown, the Triple Tiara, the Tenno Sho—felt… wrong.

Then suddenly, something clicked inside me.

Had I been trying to run out of duty?

That's not what this was about!

I remembered why I loved Uma Musume in the first place—

I wanted to make the girls shine.

To see them glowing on the track, and to feel that joy with them.

Yes. That's it.

That's my reason.

I don't just want to shine alone.

I want to help others shine.

To support the next generation of horse girls, to be the one closest to their light.

That's it. That's my dream.

"Ten Point-san, I've found my dream."

"Oh? That was fast," she chuckled. "Then tell me—what do you aim for in the Twinkle Series?"

I smiled, a bit mischievously.

"My dream is to become a Trainer—to make other horse girls shine.

To support them as they chase their dreams, and to watch their brilliance up close.

If that means I have to win the Triple Crown, the Triple Tiara, or consecutive Tenno Shos to get there,

then I'll do it.

I'll use the Twinkle Series as a stepping stone toward my dream."

Ten Point froze, eyes wide. That clearly wasn't the answer she'd expected.

Then, after a long silence—she burst out laughing.

"I've heard countless dreams—'I want to win the Derby,' 'I want the Tiara,' 'I want the Arima Kinen'—

but never have I heard someone say they'd use the Twinkle Series as a stepping stone!

You're amusing, Nice Nature. Becoming a Trainer, huh? That's a fine dream indeed.

But…"

Her eyes sharpened.

"Don't underestimate theCentralAcademy."

The air grew heavy. The pressure she exuded was crushing—Ten Point, the true legend,

radiating an aura of authority.

"Every year, thousands enter this academy. Most never debut.

Many retire after their first race.

You have talent, Nice Nature—enough to win a graded race, perhaps.

But remember, everyone here has talent.

They all train desperately, chasing their dreams every single day.

And you call this a stepping stone?

You think you can win like that?

The Twinkle Series isn't so naive."

Sweat poured down my face. My body trembled. I wanted to run.

Yet—I refused to back down.

"A man's dream never dies."

The words slipped out before I could stop them—a line from a manga I'd loved in my past life.

But my tone was low, defiant, carrying weight far beyond the cheerful Nice Nature I once knew.

"Everyone has the right to dream.

A girl once seen as a villain can still become a hero.

Another, injured and broken, can still rise again and win.

Ten Point-san, I won't give up on my dream.

And if anyone tries to stop me—

even you—I'll defeat you and keep moving forward.

Because I want to see future horse girls become the brightest stars in the sky.

As long as I don't give up, my path will always be there."

So—

"Don't underestimate me, Ten Point!"

Nice Nature, the horse who always brought home prize money,

who ran in countless races even without a single G1 win—

I'll show you what that kind of horse can do.

Our eyes locked, neither of us backing down.

The red sky deepened to indigo, and a single bright star began to shine.

"…Very well," Ten Point finally said. "I accept your resolve.

I told you I'd support you—and I meant it.

I only wanted to see if you had the courage to face your rivals head-on."

She smiled again—a gentle, dazzling smile.

The earlier intensity was gone, replaced by warmth.

"It's getting late. You haven't even gone to your dorm yet, have you?

You'd best hurry."

I realized she was right—I hadn't even unpacked.

If I missed curfew on my first day, I'd never live it down.

"Then… see you tomorrow!" I said, bowing before hurrying out of the student council room.

"'See you tomorrow,' huh… what a bold one."

At the window, Ten Point watched the younger girl run toward the dorms, murmuring softly.

She'd never had anyone she could truly call a junior before.

"…Having someone who looks up to you… isn't so bad after all."

As her words faded, the darkening sky filled with glittering stars—countless shining jewels of light.

"Now then," she said, smiling to herself, "I should finish the rest of this paperwork—

so I can be proud when she visits again."

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