The residual warmth of the Tenno Sho (Spring) had yet to fade when the Japanese racing world was swept up by another wave of excitement—voting for participation in the Arima Kinen officially began.
As the pinnacle event concluding the year, the Arima Kinen gathered the most elite Uma Musume in all of Japan, and this year’s voting list was almost entirely dominated by the Rigil Team.
Symboli Rudolf topped the list with an overwhelmingly high number of votes, her regal demeanor as the Japanese Derby champion deeply rooted in people’s hearts.
Maruzensky followed closely, leveraging her exquisite tactics during the Autumn Flower Award and her immense popularity.
Although Air Groove and the recently returned Mr.
C.B.
had just debuted, Air Groove successfully entered the top ten, having gained countless fans through her crushing victory in her debut race.
Meanwhile, Ryo ranked third thanks to her stunning performance at the Tenno Sho (Spring); the imperial aura in her crimson eyes captivated countless spectators.
Inside the Tracen Academy Student Council office, five people gathered around a screen, looking at the long list of Rigil Team names, their faces filled with excitement and anticipation.
“This is great!
All five of us made the list!” Mr.
C.B.
excitedly smacked the table.
“The Arima Kinen is the ultimate showdown.
Just thinking about standing on the track with everyone makes my blood boil!”
A look of aspiration flickered in Air Groove’s blue eyes: “Competing alongside all of my seniors is a rare learning opportunity.
I will definitely give it my all.”
Maruzensky laughed and put her arms around Ryo and Symboli Rudolf’s shoulders.
“This is going to be fun.
The internal rivalry within our Rigil Team might be even more exciting than competing against external rivals.”
She turned to Ryo, her tone teasing, “Little Ryo, you beat me at the Tenno Sho last time.
I won’t be holding back this Arima Kinen.”
Symboli Rudolf nodded slightly, her eyes blazing with fighting spirit.
“Competing against the strongest teammates is exactly what I look forward to.”
Ryo looked at her enthusiastic companions, but a complicated emotion flashed in her crimson eyes.
She raised her hand and rubbed the ranking list on her device, her fingertip tracing over her own name as she softly said, “I’m sorry, but I might not be able to participate in the Arima Kinen this time.”
The cheerful atmosphere in the office instantly froze.
The smile on Mr.
C.B.’s face stiffened.
“Little Chisato, what did you say?
Why can’t you participate?”
Air Groove also showed a look of surprise, her blue eyes filled with confusion.
“Is there a problem with training?
Or are you feeling unwell?”
Ryo shook her head, her voice tinged with regret.
“Neither.
It’s family reasons.
My parents are abroad, and my grandmother had surgery in Paris a while ago.
I’ll be going there to stay for a period after the New Year, which unfortunately coincides with the Arima Kinen schedule, so I have to miss it.”
“You’re just leaving temporarily?” Symboli Rudolf keenly caught the crucial information, her deep brown eyes showing concern.
“Yes, I’ll be back after the New Year.” Ryo nodded, a slight smile curving her lips, trying to dilute the regret.
“It’s nothing major, just a bit of a shame.
I was really looking forward to competing against everyone on the Arima Kinen track.”
She had prepared for a long time, eagerly anticipating a true showdown against powerhouses like Symboli Rudolf and Maruzensky in this pinnacle event, only to have her plans disrupted by unexpected family matters.
Maruzensky saw the regret in her eyes and patted her shoulder.
“It’s alright, there will be plenty of opportunities later.
The Arima Kinen happens every year.
When you return, we’ll have a proper race, and you aren’t allowed to miss it then.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t.” Ryo nodded.
Although the regret in her heart hadn’t completely vanished, she felt much better because of her companions’ understanding.
Symboli Rudolf’s tone was steady.
“Have a safe journey.
We will uphold Rigil’s honor on the Arima Kinen track for you.
When you return, we will charge toward even greater heights together.”
Air Groove and Mr.
C.B.
also nodded, their eyes full of reluctance and anticipation.
“Ryo, we will race well.
We’ll wait for you to come back and share the joy of victory!”
After hearing the news, Tojo Hana remained calm, but she still reserved a post-return adjustment period for Ryo in the training plan.
“You must maintain basic training while abroad; don’t slack off.
I will send you the Arima Kinen videos, and we can analyze the tactics when you get back.”
The day of departure quickly arrived.
The day before she left, the four members of the Rigil Team specially held a simple farewell dinner for Ryo.
There was no extravagant setting, just a few home-cooked dishes and a bottle of juice, but the atmosphere was full of warmth.
“Come on, Little Ryo, cheers!
Wishing you a safe trip and a quick return!” Maruzensky raised her juice glass, a hearty smile on her face.
“Cheers!” The four simultaneously raised their glasses, and the crisp sound of the juice glasses clinking echoed in the small restaurant.
Ryo looked at her companions before her, her heart filled with warmth.
She knew that this bond would not be weakened by distance, nor would the desire for victory be extinguished by a temporary farewell.
Early the next morning, Ryo stood at the gate of Tracen Academy with a simple backpack, bidding farewell to the four.
“I’m leaving.
Good luck, and don’t let anyone steal the Arima Kinen championship.”
“Don’t worry!” the four replied in unison, their eyes filled with determination.
Watching Ryo’s figure disappear into the distance, Symboli Rudolf softly said, “We will wait for her to return and complete the unfinished showdown together.”
Maruzensky nodded.
“That’s right.
The Arima Kinen feels like it’s missing something without her.
But it’s okay.
When she gets back, we’ll make up for it with an even more spectacular race.”
Meanwhile, in a residential house on the outskirts of Kyoto, Tokai Teio was sitting in front of the television, watching the Arima Kinen voting list.
When she saw Ryo’s name, she excitedly clapped her small hands.
“It’s the silver-haired older sister!
Is she going to race too?”
Her parents smiled and nodded.
“Yes, but we heard she has to go abroad temporarily, so she might not be able to participate in this race.”
The smile on Tokai Teio’s face instantly dropped, and her little brow furrowed tightly.
“Huh?
Then I won’t get to see her race?”
“It’s okay, there will be other chances when she returns,” her parents said gently, patting her head.
“Besides, there are other amazing seniors racing; we can watch them together.”
Tokai Teio nodded vaguely, but her small fists clenched again.
She looked at Ryo’s photo on the TV screen and silently thought, “Silver-haired older sister, you must come back soon!
I’m waiting to surpass you later!” The innate persistence and passion within her grew even hotter.
Ryo sat on the flight heading abroad, watching the map of Japan gradually shrink outside the window, her heart filled with longing for her companions and regret over the Arima Kinen.
But she knew this was only a temporary farewell.
After the New Year, she would return to Tracen Academy, return to the Rigil Team, and return to the track that belonged to her.
And this Arima Kinen, which she could not attend, became a small regret in her heart, transforming into the motivation she needed to compete against her companions upon her return.
The legend of the Rigil Team continued, and the Imperial Path belonging to Ryo never stopped.