Only One Year Left—I'll Become a Legendary Uma Musume!

Defeating Twilight Song? Is that even possible?

When things truly descended into the worst possible scenario, Festival Glory, who had once considered victory feasible, now found those past thoughts laughable.

She'd studied Twilight Song's footage from the Satsuki Sho, watching hundreds of times until she discovered a method that might grant her a slight chance of victory.

Yaeno Muteki's strategy had been entirely correct—the reason she'd failed was simply a pure difference in ability.

Yaeno Muteki's start was far slower than Twilight Song's. Compared to that monster, most Uma Musume were just too slow!

Could Festival Glory start faster, block Twilight Song early, and shut her down?

Impossible. From the beginning, it was impossible under normal circumstances. But Festival Glory couldn't accept defeat—not even once. This Kentucky Derby was probably her only realistic chance.

The reason was simple: just yesterday, Twilight Song had raced in the 2000 Guineas. In other words…

Festival Glory had to capitalize on Twilight Song's fatigue, her inability to fully recover, in order to defeat her.

This wasn't dishonorable or unfair—it was exploiting every opportunity to win on the battlefield.

Even if it did feel slightly underhanded, how else could Festival Glory ever hope to defeat such an opponent?!

Twilight Song was a monster, through and through. So monstrous, in fact…

That even after Festival Glory had pushed herself this far, even after becoming someone willing to seize any advantage to win, she realized something chillingly clear:

I've only raced two consecutive G1s—what makes you think you could ever beat me, even tired as I am?

This was a monster who simply could not be challenged. Perhaps only those legendary Uma Musume—the winners of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe or similar legends—could stand a chance.

Festival Glory didn't want to lose. She refused to concede, gritting her teeth and pushing herself harder, madly sprinting until her legs blurred. She even began to brush against the edge of awakening her [Skill] again.

She was truly risking everything now, staking her very life. She accelerated recklessly, ready to win even if it meant dropping dead the next moment.

But would it even matter?

"Festival Glory's lead is shrinking—smaller, smaller, nearly gone—now they're neck and neck! My God, Twilight Song overcame an entire straightaway's worth of distance! Can Festival Glory still resist, still carry out her revenge?"

"If you take this, the track and the future will be yours. All America will cheer your name—"

If only she could.

Bitterness filled Festival Glory's heart. She refused to give up, still running desperately, her footsteps leaving afterimages.

But could this really change anything?

"She overtakes! A complete overtake! Twilight Song has fully surpassed Festival Glory, leaving nothing but open track ahead. She now charges boldly toward victory, unstoppable by any rival behind!"

"Churchill Downs, prepare to welcome your new queen! Today this track is filled with cheering—and this overwhelming roar shall echo to the heavens for just one person!"

The commentator had nothing left to say, and she didn't need to—Twilight Song had already reached the finish line.

She was enveloped in glittering white stardust, her every step trailing luminous ribbons of light, almost as if she were flying rather than running.

Every spectator's gaze was fixed on her, everyone screaming and cheering, witnessing the birth of a new legend.

"Ruka! Ruka! Ruka!"

"Caesar! Caesar! Caesar!"

The loyal finish line finally welcomed not a challenger who had exhausted herself and failed, but a newly crowned queen who breezed effortlessly past.

Twilight Song continued running far past the finish, only gradually slowing once inertia ceased driving her forward.

Honestly, the inertia that carried Uma Musume after races always stirred strange thoughts in her mind—especially now, when her exhausted brain was ready to protest and shut down—but she shook away these odd, bloodthirsty thoughts with a sigh.

In the end, she completed one last lap, raising her hand in triumph even before the second-place Festival Glory crossed the finish line.

Three victories. Three G1 races. Three championships at three different racecourses.

The Kentucky Derby? The American Triple Crown!

I came, I saw, I conquered.

...

"So…any more questions?"

For the first time, Twilight Song felt some faint anticipation toward the reporters below her stage. It'd be great if they just kept asking questions forever.

But in reality, as the absolute center of attention, the journalists had already stood there for two or three hours. Initially, they'd expected it would be difficult to get anything substantial from this newly crowned legend, given her past reticence—but who could've expected Twilight Song to proactively grab reporters and urge them to ask questions?

That's right: the athlete was chasing the journalists, begging them for questions.

But there were none left. Not even one. They'd exhausted every possible inquiry.

Eventually, everyone began preparing to leave, ignoring Twilight Song's disappointed expression—they still had to rush back to prepare their stories for tomorrow's front page. This exclusive interview was a jackpot.

Only Twilight Song was left standing awkwardly on the stage, her expression turning embarrassed.

For the first time, the little filly seriously contemplated something:

Should I go attend the Winner's Stage…?

Why such a sudden one-eighty in attitude?

Simple:

Because Mejiro Ardan, smiling warmly, now stood right beside her—one hand firmly gripping her shoulder, giving the filly no chance to slip away.

Gah! Next, Ardan-nee will knock me out with one punch, drag me off, and throw me straight into a hospital for a medical check-up!

"Um, Ardan-nee… Could you maybe, possibly…let go of me?"

Gone was the fierce intensity from the race; Twilight Song now spoke in a quiet, timid whisper.

But what was Mejiro Ardan's choice?

She only tightened her grip further.

While Mejiro Ramonu might soften for various reasons, Ardan, despite her gentle nature, was absolutely unyielding when it came to important matters.

The reason was simple: Ardan, who spent every day with Twilight Song, knew the filly's personality too well—if she truly tried to run, Ardan would never catch her. Thus, she had to capture the filly's gentle heart like this instead.

"According to the schedule, we should've already been at the hospital by now, Ruka."

Twilight Song looked away guiltily. Right, precisely because of that, she'd desperately stalled for time.

But clearly, it hadn't worked.

Ardan-nee, you bully… No, that's not right! She's just too responsible!

"Hmm? Hmmm…?"

"Ruka, do you really hate the idea of telling me that much? I promise I won't say anything to Ramonu-nee—will that be enough?"

But Mejiro Ardan left her no chance to even think it over.

She followed up with a direct strike.