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“T-e-n-n-o S-h-o~ Tenno Sho~ We’re gonna watch the Tenno Sho~”
A cheery voice rang out through Kyoto, with some pep in her step as she and her partner made their way to the Kyoto Racecourse.
“Hehe, I’m glad we were able to come to see this, Ringo★ I know how excited you were about this!” replied her laid-back companion, smiling at her partner’s glee.
“Yeah, thanks for finding us tickets for the race, Maguro! Who do you think will win?”
“Team Spica’s Mejiro McQueen seems poised to win, but I’m also kinda interested in Rice Shower. She’s been doing well for herself since the Kikka Sho. I’m curious to see how she’ll do★”
“Yeah, absolutely! Although, given McQueen’s performance, I’d love to see her win her third Spring Tenno Sho! Either way, this is gonna be super exciting!”
The pair were soon enough at the Kyoto Racecourse, and after waiting in line, predictably headed by a pair of very eager Umamusume youth, gradually filed into the seating area. The stadium was packed, the tension was high, and snacks were picked up from the concession to munch on during the race.
Soon enough, the race was set to start, as the Umamusume slowly started to make their way to the starting gate.
“Look, there they are, Maguro!” exclaimed Ringo excitedly, watching her favourites walking across the turf. “This race is going to be so awesome!”
“For sure, Ringo★ Looking at the favourites, the top three favourites are Matikanetannhauser, Rice Shower, and Mejiro McQueen. Feels like this is gonna be a good race★” analyzed Maguro, thumbing through the competitors’ records and other notes regarding race expectations.
Ringo, for her part, was interested in the analysis, but also just as restless for the race to begin.
“If McQueen’s showing from previous Tenno Shos is anything to go by, I wouldn’t be surprised if she ends up chasing the pace set by someone like Mejiro Palmer, but Rice could turn the last spurt into an intense showdown…” she mused. “The possibilities are so exciting, I can’t wait to see how this factors out!”
Sure enough, all fifteen runners were lined up at the gate, after a brief push being needed to get McQueen in, and the race was set to begin. The tension was at its peak as the whole audience, Ringo and Maguro included, waited with bated breath for the gates to open. “All fifteen Umamusume are in the gate,” narrated commentator Akasaka, “And now the Spring Tenno Sho…has begun!”
The gates opened and the racers surged out in sync, kicking off what would be a most intense race, one that would push its racers to their very limit in a heated 3200-metre race.
“Rice Shower has caught up!” declared Akasaka, her attention rapt to deliver the best commentary she could for the race’s climax.
The final spurt had quickly become intense, with McQueen and Rice alike pushing out in front of the pack, fighting for the decisive crown of victory.
“They’re both so close, Maguro! I can’t turn away…!” exclaimed a starry-eyed Ringo.
“They’re fighting so hard★ I can’t tell if McQueen will be able to get her third Tenno Sho win or if Rice will be able to make her mark!” replied Maguro in turn.
“…! Rice Shower managed to overtake McQueen! Look!”
“Oh, wow, so she did. This is getting intense★”
Maguro wasn’t wrong. McQueen and Rice were fighting for the lead on the final stretch and Rice Shower had just managed to put in an even stronger spurt, overtaking McQueen.
“Rice Shower has taken the lead!” announces Akasaka, “The lead’s growing from two lengths to three! And Rice Shower crosses the goal in first place…!”
And the course fell silent. Most of course, disappointed in Rice’s victory over McQueen. But as for Ringo? Her silence was sheer elation in such an intense and well-run race, a sentiment shared by Maguro and further validated when McQueen, graceful as ever, led an applause conceding her defeat and congratulating Rice on her victory. The elation lasted well into the Winning Live, Ringo early waving her light sticks and singing along to the racers’ performance of NEXT FRONTIER, almost as if she wanted to be on the stage herself.
Soon enough, the day came to an end and Maguro and Ringo were on their way back home.
“That was so much fun, Maguro! Thanks for today, I had a wonderful time!”
“Are you sure you didn’t want to be born an Umamusume, Ringo? You seemed really into the Winning Live there, you know★”
“Oh, hush, you. You know I also really enjoyed the race, too! Rice and McQueen ran so well! Honestly, all of the Umamusume did today!” Ringo beamed at Maguro with a smile of pure glee.
“Hehe, I know, I know★ I had fun, too. Wanna invite Ris and Ecolo next time, too?” Maguro asked, taking Ringo’s response in stride.
“Yeah, we should! I bet Ecolo would love to see Gold Ship, in fact!”
“I could see that, assuming he isn’t the reason Gold Ship causes trouble again★”
“Thanks again for today, Maguro!”
“Anytime, Ringo. Anytime★”
And thus, hand-in-hand, the happy pair walked back to the train station for the ride home to Suzuran, satisfied with their day’s adventure.