January...
A small Uma Musume, about five years old, dashed anxiously through the racetrack stands, searching for the perfect spot to watch.
She'd rushed over immediately after school ended but had still missed the race's start.
That was why she was frantically hunting for a good view, even though the race was already well underway.
Soon, she spotted an empty space.
She sprinted toward it.
Standing on her tiptoes.
She wasn't very tall, but stretching like this allowed her head to just barely clear the railing.
...
"Now moving from the third corner into the fourth! Currently, the Emperor is running in seventh or eighth place!"
"Approaching the fourth corner—into the bend!"
It's not time yet.
Symboli Rudolf, still trapped within the pack, had reached this conclusion.
In the past, she had never accelerated at this point.
Now, even more so, since she couldn't be sure if her current stamina was enough.
If she began accelerating around this bend, then perhaps...
...
"Only the final straight remains! The entire pack bursts forward!"
Watching the Uma Musume racing fiercely down the track, the young Uma's eyes filled with admiration.
But what she admired wasn't just anyone—it was one particular Uma Musume.
...
"The Emperor's moving to the outside! Two hundred meters left!"
The commentator's voice never reached the racers' ears.
Yet as competitors in the Dream Cup, all of them were veteran Uma Musume who had graduated from the Twinkle Series races.
Each had her own standard of judgment.
Rudolf's assessment of the current situation was simple...
...
"The Emperor accelerates from the outside! The Emperor is speeding up from the outside lane! She's gaining ground!!"
Hearing this, the little Uma Musume strained even higher onto her tiptoes, desperate to see Rudolf defeat all her opponents.
She wanted to witness exactly that kind of moment—!
...
"The Uma Musume ahead of her are also giving it their all!"
But unlike the commentator's lighthearted remarks...
Rudolf's condition wasn't good at all.
Every part of her body screamed in pain, but even so—!
Thinking of Tokai Teio's expectations, Rudolf pushed herself onward.
Even if she clearly sensed her body had reached its absolute limit...
...
"They're all fighting hard! But the Emperor's advance is unstoppable!"
Everything happening on the track was clearly reflected in Symboli Sirius's eyes.
As an Uma Musume from the Symboli Family, Sirius regularly received reports about Rudolf's health.
She knew perfectly well that Rudolf's participation today would unquestionably harm her body, perhaps even permanently.
Yet Sirius could also clearly see the little Uma Musume pressed tightly against the railing, standing on her tiptoes.
Sirius had noticed her as soon as she'd arrived.
Therefore, Sirius fully understood exactly why Rudolf was pushing herself to such extremes.
...
"The Emperor's overtaking nonstop!"
As Rudolf flashed past the little Uma Musume's position, the girl's eyes widened, and she let out an excited shout.
Her idol was relentlessly surpassing her opponents.
And that figure seemed to proclaim loudly to everyone—even after nearly two years away from the track—
She was still the Emperor.
...
"No one can catch her now!"
"Absolutely overwhelming, she's completely left second place behind!"
"The Emperor has crossed the finish line!"
"After conquering seventeen other Uma Musume, nearly two years after leaving the track, she seizes victory once more!"
"She has reaffirmed her title as the Emperor!"
Rudolf gradually slowed but did not immediately turn around.
Her body was slightly hunched, the pain showing no signs of subsiding—
Even Rudolf herself could sense the warnings her body was desperately sending her.
Yet, slightly turning her head, Rudolf gazed toward the stands.
As a competitor, she had no way of knowing if that person was even in the audience.
But...
Ignoring the agony coursing through her body, Rudolf straightened her posture and looked directly into the stands.
The crowd cheered loudly, but the ringing in her ears prevented Rudolf from hearing clearly. Her darkening vision screamed that she had to leave the track.
...
After the race, Rudolf sat in the locker room. Having barely maintained her composure on the track, now that façade had entirely fallen away, leaving her utterly spent.
The faint sound of the door opening reached her ears, prompting Rudolf—who had been slumped over the table—to straighten once more.
"Oh, it's you..."
Realizing her visitor was Symboli Sirius, Rudolf allowed herself to relax again.
Seeing Rudolf's obvious exhaustion, Sirius could only sigh. "Did these last few months of effort finally pay off?"
"I'm not sure."
"Tokai Teio was in the audience earlier."
"Really?!"
The sudden, unexpected joy in Rudolf's voice slightly eased her pain, thanks entirely to Sirius's news.
"Yes." Sirius slowly approached Rudolf. "Should I turn down the post-race interview?"
Rudolf hesitated briefly at Sirius's question.
She knew her current condition clearly.
Right now, she could collapse at any moment.
Yet…
Thinking of that child, who might still be nearby—or might watch the interview later—
Rudolf pressed a hand onto the table, forcing herself to stand once more. "Let's go."
"Tch..."
Sirius felt subtle irritation at Rudolf's complete disregard for her own well-being.
Whether that was the real reason, however, only Sirius herself knew.
Having stood up, Rudolf adjusted her posture slightly before turning to Sirius. "How is it? Anything noticeable to others?"
"No."
Sirius's response brought Rudolf some relief.
Taking a deep breath, Rudolf turned again. "Then let's go."
"Need me to come with you?"
Watching Rudolf's now-straightened back and steady figure, Sirius offered.
"Thanks."
After a brief, simple reply, the two left the locker room and proceeded toward the press area.
...
Amid camera flashes, Rudolf remained silent, gazing impassively at the gathered reporters.
Suddenly, a childish voice rang out from among the reporters.
"Excuse me!"
It disrupted Rudolf's carefully controlled expression.
"Hey, little girl, only authorized personnel—"
"No, it's alright." Interrupting the reporter, Rudolf turned her gaze toward the young Uma Musume. "Do you have something you want to say?"
Her voice sounded unlike that of the Emperor at all.
"I-I… I want to become a strong and cool Uma Musume like Emperor-san!"
"Is that so..."
Facing the young Uma filled with dreams, Rudolf walked over and knelt slightly before her. "First of all, you shouldn't become an Uma Musume like me."
Gently correcting the girl's words:
"You must become yourself." Rudolf continued softly, bending down further. "Could you tell me your name?"
Rudolf already knew exactly who she was.
But...
It meant far more to hear it directly.
"T-Tokai Teio!"
Tokai Teio's voice was timid.
Rudolf understood—it was because of her earlier words.
But still...
"I'd much rather hear Tokai Teio's own name shining on the racetrack, rather than Rudolf's successor. Can you do that for me?"
"…" Teio froze for just a moment before instantly realizing Rudolf's meaning. "Yes!!!"
Seeing Teio's excitement, Rudolf felt a sudden urge to pat her head—but ultimately resisted.
"Do your best."
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