The slight feeling of weightlessness as the plane ascended made Ryo subconsciously clutch the corner of her clothes.
Outside the porthole, the outline of Tracen Academy had long since blurred into the clouds, but the scene from the farewell at the airport was as clear as if it were right before her eyes—Symboli Rudolf stood at the front, her dark brown eyes holding undisguised concern, her tone still steady but filled with extra advice; Maruzensky rarely put away her jokes, waving her arm and shouting, “Come back soon, I’ll save the championship for you”; Air Groove and Mr.
C.B.
had red-rimmed eyes, repeatedly telling her, “Little Ryo, take good care of yourself.”
She raised a hand to press her chest, her silver hair falling over her shoulder, concealing the fleeting look of melancholy in her eyes.
The Arima Kinen entry bib was already tucked deep inside her luggage.
Its silver-white and blue colors should have traced a dazzling arc as she ran on the track, but now it could only lie quietly, like an unfulfilled promise.
After more than ten hours of flying, the plane landed at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.
Stepping out of the arrivals hall, she saw a driver holding a sign with the character “Chisato.” He wore a crisp black suit and spoke respectfully: “Miss Ryo, the Master and Madam are waiting at the manor.”
The car drove away from the city center, and the jungle of steel and concrete was gradually replaced by continuous greenery.
Along the way were neatly trimmed vineyards, where golden sunlight shone on the vine leaves, giving off a warm luster.
About an hour later, an ancient and elegant manor appeared in view.
Stone walls were covered in ivy, and the carved iron gate slowly opened, revealing large lawns and a fountain.
The air was filled with the mixed scent of roses and fresh grass.
“Ryo!” As soon as she got out of the car, her mother quickly came forward, embracing her gently and lightly brushing the wisps of hair from her forehead.
“It must have been a tiring journey.
You look a little thinner.”
Her father, Chisato Shigeaki, stood on the steps, impeccably dressed in a suit.
His expression was gentle, yet he couldn’t hide his relief: “It’s good that you’re back.
Was the journey smooth?”
Ryo nodded, her shoulders and neck relaxing slightly now that the luggage was off.
“It was fine, no delays.” She followed her parents into the manor.
The living room was spacious and bright, with an expansive courtyard visible outside the French windows.
A faint fire burned in the fireplace, driving away the early winter chill of Paris.
During the pleasantries, a servant brought warm black tea and desserts.
Her mother sat beside her, carefully asking about life at Tracen Academy, the intensity of her training, and her teammates in the Rigil Team, her words full of concern.
Her father occasionally interjected, mostly giving advice about races and future planning, but his love for his daughter was evident.
Ryo answered each question, but her gaze involuntarily drifted toward the wall clock—it was Tokyo Time, the exact moment the Arima Kinen was starting.
“Thinking about the Arima Kinen?” Her father guessed her thoughts and handed her a tablet.
“I’ve already set up the live stream for you.
Watch if you want to.”
She took the tablet, her fingertips slightly cool.
Tapping the live stream interface, the familiar Kyoto Racecourse instantly filled the screen.
The stands were packed, and cheers transmitted through the speakers, making the excitement feel almost unreal.
The camera scanned the exclusive starting gates for the participating Uma Musume.
Symboli Rudolf, wearing her signature Imperial Color racing uniform, stood calmly before the gate, the white fur on her forehead shining brightly in the sun.
Maruzensky’s uniform had lively patterns; she was raising her hands to stretch her shoulders and neck, the same composed smile still gracing her lips.
Air Groove maintained a straight, upright posture, her blue eyes fixed firmly on the track ahead.
Mr.
C.B., meanwhile, was lightly skipping to warm up beside the gate, her short hair bouncing with her movements, her eyes full of eager anticipation.
The four teammates entered the gates one by one, adjusting their stances according to the staff’s instructions, waiting for the moment the gates would open.
Ryo’s finger unconsciously traced the screen, a hollow feeling in her heart—if not for this sudden return home, she should have been standing in an adjacent gate, holding her breath with them, feeling the tension and anticipation before the gates opened, chasing the same light of the finish line.
“The Uma Musume are all in the gates—” The commentator’s voice suddenly rose, “The gates are about to open!”
Accompanied by a crisp click, the gates instantly sprang open.
Over a dozen Uma Musume shot out like arrows released from a bow, their hoofbeats exploding on the track like rapid drumbeats.
Symboli Rudolf maintained her familiar leading posture, her dark brown figure quickly taking the front position.
Maruzensky, following her tactics, stayed steadily in the second group, her gaze sharply observing the situation ahead.
Air Groove maintained a steady rhythm, accumulating strength step by step.
Mr.
C.B.
continued to run unconventionally, weaving flexibly through the groups, searching for the optimal moment to overtake.
Ryo held her breath, cold sweat gradually forming in her palms.
She knew her teammates’ running styles too well: Rudolf’s endurance and explosive power, Maruzensky’s tactics and control, Air Groove’s final sprint, C.B.’s agility and tenacity.
Every move, every acceleration, was within her expectation, yet it brought a pang of bitterness to her heart.
Halfway through the race, Rudolf was still leading, with opponents close behind, but she steadily blocked every attempt to overtake.
Maruzensky suddenly accelerated on the bend, instantly closing the distance with the frontrunners.
Air Groove used her flexible physique to avoid a minor collision.
Mr.
C.B.
seized the opportunity, completing a beautiful overtake from the outside and charging to the front of the third group.
“That was magnificent!
The four Uma Musume of the Rigil Team have displayed unparalleled strength!” The commentator’s voice trembled with excitement.
“Symboli Rudolf still holds the lead, Maruzensky is right behind her, and Air Groove and Mr.
C.B.
are quickly catching up!”
Ryo watched the running figures on the screen, feeling as if she were on the track herself, her heart pounding violently in sync with their rhythm.
How much she wished she could be by their side right now, how much she wanted to sprint with them, how much she wanted to share that joy of victory—but she could only be an observer, separated by mountains and seas.
In the final three hundred meters of the straightaway, Symboli Rudolf suddenly exerted herself, increasing her speed once more and widening the gap with those behind her.
Maruzensky changed lanes at the critical moment, overtaking from the inside and following closely behind Rudolf.
Air Groove unleashed astonishing sprinting speed, darting out like a black flash of lightning.
Mr.
C.B.
also gave it her all, her short hair messy in the wind, but her eyes exceptionally resolute.
“They cross the line!”
Symboli Rudolf hit the line first, her regal demeanor earning cheers from the entire venue.
Maruzensky followed closely, taking second place.
Air Groove and Mr.
C.B.
also achieved excellent results, coming in fourth and sixth, respectively—the Rigil Team once again swept the core honors of the event.
On the screen, the four embraced, their smiles bright and dazzling.
Symboli Rudolf raised the trophy, her gaze sweeping over the camera as if searching for something.
Maruzensky waved at the camera, her lips forming the words, “Waiting for you to come back.” Air Groove and Mr.
C.B.
flashed victory signs at the camera, their eyes full of anticipation.
Ryo watched the scene, her eyes feeling slightly warm.
She was happy for them, proud of Rigil’s glory, but the disappointment in her heart surged like a tide, tightly enveloping her.
She had ultimately missed this pinnacle race that she should have participated in with them.
For the next few days, Ryo was listless at the manor.
She no longer had regular morning training, spent her afternoons staring blankly at the courtyard, and spent her evenings reviewing old race footage.
She was completely deflated, lacking the vibrancy and sharpness she usually had on the track.
Her mother saw this and felt pain in her heart but didn’t know how to comfort her—she knew that her daughter’s disappointment could only be cured by the racetrack.
Chisato Shigeaki saw all of this and quietly made an overseas phone call.
A few days later, during dinner, he put down his knife and fork and said casually, “Ryo, the Irish Champion Stakes begins early next month.
I’ve already signed you up.”
Ryo suddenly looked up, her red eyes instantly lighting up with disbelief: “Dad?”
“The Irish Champion Stakes is also a top-tier international event, no less intense than the Arima Kinen.” Chisato Shigeaki saw the fighting spirit rekindle in his daughter’s eyes and offered a gentle smile.
“Since you missed the Arima Kinen, why not let them see the capabilities of the Qianli Family’s daughter and the Rigil Team on the European Circuit instead?”
Her mother also smiled and added, “There’s a dedicated training track behind the manor, so you can adjust your condition well over the next few days.
We have already contacted Trainer Tojo Hana, and she will send over the targeted training plan.”
Ryo put down her utensils, her fingertips trembling slightly, the disappointment in her heart replaced by sudden joy.
Looking at the love and support in her parents’ eyes, she nodded vigorously, the familiar fighting spirit blazing in her red eyes: “Thank you, Dad!
Thank you, Mom!
I will definitely win the championship!”
The Parisian night outside the window was still gentle, but in Ryo’s heart, the storms of the racetrack had already begun to brew.
The regret of what she missed would finally be compensated, and this upcoming Irish Champion Stakes would be her new stage to prove herself to the world.