The cheers from the Tokyo Daily Cup had not yet fully faded, and the backstage corridor was still filled with the faint scent of sweat and flowers.
Ryo changed out of her Winners Uniform and back into casual clothes.
Her long silver hair was tied loosely behind her head, and the red hair on the right side shimmered under the lights.
She walked straight toward Maruzensky’s lounge—they had agreed before the race to go watch the rehearsals for the Winners Uniform stage together.
“Senior.” Ryo pushed open the door to the lounge and immediately saw Maruzensky standing at the entrance.
Beside her stood a familiar deep-brown figure: Symboli Rudolf.
Symboli Rudolf clearly hadn’t expected to run into Ryo here.
A flash of panic crossed her pale pink eyes, and she subconsciously prepared to turn and slip away.
She had snuck in to watch the race today and had been caught red-handed by Maruzensky, and now she had bumped into the person herself.
The usually composed “Emperor” was unexpectedly flustered.
“Thinking of running?” Maruzensky was quick-witted; she grabbed Symboli Rudolf’s wrist and pulled her back with force, her tone carrying a hint of playfulness.
“Our Emperor, thinking of slipping away right after watching the race?” She dragged Symboli Rudolf directly in front of Ryo and said with a smile, “Little Lingyao, look who I’ve caught for you?
A rival who snuck in to watch your race but is too embarrassed to admit it.”
Symboli Rudolf stumbled, the white hair on her forehead swaying slightly.
A faint flush appeared on her cheeks, but she still feigned composure and struggled with her wrist.
“I was just passing by.”
“Passing by, and you just happened to pass by the front row of the spectator stands?” Maruzensky raised an eyebrow, mercilessly exposing her.
“And I saw with my own eyes that when Little Lingyao crossed the finish line, your fists were clenched tight.”
Ryo looked at Symboli Rudolf’s slightly embarrassed appearance, and a hint of a smile flashed in her scarlet eyes.
The slight unnaturalness displayed by this usually high-and-mighty, battle-hardened “Emperor” made her feel more real.
She didn’t call her out, only saying calmly, “Since you’re here, let’s go watch the rehearsal for the Winners Uniform stage together.
After all, you are a rival who will compete on the same stage as me in the future.”
Symboli Rudolf paused for a moment.
Looking at the openness and expectation in Ryo’s eyes, the panic in her heart gradually dissipated.
She pursed her lips, didn’t argue further, and just nodded gently, silently agreeing.
Seeing this, Maruzensky smiled, her eyes curving into crescents.
She leaned deliberately close to Symboli Rudolf’s ear, her voice lowered a few notches, carrying a clear sense of teasing.
“It seems our Emperor is also looking forward to a head-on confrontation with Little Lingyao?
Should we make a reservation in advance—if you win the next race, will you let Little Lingyao treat you to dessert?”
Symboli Rudolf’s cheeks turned bright red instantly, and a flash of shame and annoyance crossed her deep-brown eyes, but she didn’t know how to retort.
She hadn’t expected Maruzensky to tease her so bluntly.
The usually eloquent Emperor was at a loss for words and could only glare fiercely at Maruzensky.
Ryo watched their interaction, a faint smile curving her lips involuntarily.
Maruzensky’s “mischief” was indeed indiscriminate; even the composed Symboli Rudolf could be teased into a state of fluster by her.
The three of them walked toward the Winners Uniform stage.
According to the Academy’s rules, the Winners Uniform stage was an exclusive stage prepared for the eighteen Uma Musume who participated that day.
No outside personnel were invited, and the spectator seats were only open to relevant Academy staff.
The true protagonist of the stage was the first-place winner of the race, with the second and third-place winners acting as supporting roles, and the remaining Uma Musume participating as backup dancers.
The entire stage revolved around the champion’s glory and served as the highest tribute to the winner.
As the champion of this Tokyo Daily Cup, Ryo was the absolute protagonist of tonight’s Winners Uniform stage.
Walking into the backstage area, the other Uma Musume had arrived one after another, and Sirius Symboli was among them.
Seeing Ryo, she immediately walked up.
The unwillingness and provocation were gone from her brown eyes and red pupils, replaced by pure expectation.
“Ryo, today’s race was very enjoyable.
I look forward to racing against you next time.”
Ryo nodded slightly, her tone peaceful.
“Same here.” She had only had two races since her debut and had not yet truly clashed with top-tier peers other than Sirius Symboli.
Symboli Rudolf was one of the opponents she looked forward to the most.
Soon, the rehearsal officially began.
The music started, and the eighteen Uma Musume stood in their predetermined positions.
Ryo stood in the very center of the stage, and the spotlight instantly focused on her, making her figure appear exceptionally dazzling.
As the protagonist, her dance movements were simple yet powerful, displaying the spirit of an Uma Musume without losing elegance.
Every turn and every lift of her hand landed precisely on the beat, coordinating perfectly with the supporting cast and backup dancers behind her.
In the spectator seats below the stage, Maruzensky and Symboli Rudolf sat side by side.
Maruzensky watched the radiant Ryo on stage, her brown eyes full of appreciation.
“Little Lingyao is truly a natural protagonist.
Whether on the racetrack or the stage, she can firmly capture everyone’s gaze.” She turned her head to look at Symboli Rudolf beside her, her tone teasing.
“Emperor, do you think if you win the race next time and stand in the center of this stage, you’ll be even more dazzling than Little Lingyao?”
Symboli Rudolf didn’t respond, her gaze locked tightly on the white figure in the center of the stage.
In her deep-brown eyes, there was appreciation, fighting spirit, and a hint of concern she hadn’t even noticed herself.
She had to admit that Ryo’s radiance was too dazzling.
Whether it was the absolute dominance on the racetrack or the calm confidence on the stage, it made the competitive spirit in her heart grow even stronger—she longed to stand in the center of this stage, and even more, she longed to defeat her fair and square on the racetrack.
The rehearsal lasted for over an hour and didn’t end until the sky grew dark.
Because they had to maintain their best state for the official performance in the evening, the participating Uma Musume didn’t have time to eat dinner, just simply replenishing some energy bars and warm water.
When the official performance began, the entire venue was brightly lit, and the spectator seats were filled with Academy teachers, Trainers, and Uma Musume from other grades.
As the music started again, the eighteen Uma Musume walked onto the stage wearing uniform performance outfits, and Ryo still stood in the very center.
When the spotlights lit up again, her movements were more fluid and confident than during the rehearsal.
A firm light flickered in her scarlet eyes, and every dance step seemed to be recounting the passion and struggle on the racetrack.
On stage, she was no longer that cold Emperor, nor that elegant princess, but an Uma Musume enjoying the stage and blooming with her true self.
When the performance ended, thunderous applause and cheers erupted throughout the venue.
Ryo bowed in thanks along with the other Uma Musume, a look of relief on her face.
After the performance, it was already late at night.
Ryo, Maruzensky, and Symboli Rudolf walked out of the venue together and came to the lawn behind the Academy.
The night breeze carried the scent of grass, cool and comfortable.
Looking up, one could see the sky full of stars, dazzling and eye-catching.
“Finally, I can relax.” Maruzensky stretched, sat casually on the grass with her hands supporting her behind her, and looked at the stars in the sky.
“Little Lingyao on stage was just too dazzling.”
Symboli Rudolf also found a place to sit down.
The starlight reflected in her deep-brown eyes, and her tone was much softer than usual.
“Your performance was very good, both in the race and on the stage.”
Ryo sat between the two of them, feeling the tranquility of the night, and a warmth welled up in her heart.
She looked at the two people beside her—one lively, free-spirited, and fond of joking, the other composed, introverted, and full of fighting spirit—both were important bonds she had made in this world.
“Actually, when I stood in the center of the stage, I thought of many things.” Ryo spoke softly, starlight flickering in her scarlet eyes.
“I thought of the sweat during training, the struggle on the racetrack, and the little things since meeting you.” She turned to look at Symboli Rudolf.
“Although we haven’t truly clashed on the racetrack yet, I look forward to that day.
I believe that will be a very wonderful race.”
Symboli Rudolf looked at her, a hint of firmness flashing in her deep-brown eyes.
“Me too.
I will go all out and won’t let you down.”
Maruzensky smiled and interjected, “You two, so serious whenever you talk about racing.
But that’s good; there is no progress without competition.” She looked at Ryo, her tone carrying a hint of teasing.
“Little Lingyao, you’ve already won two races now.
Would you consider challenging longer-distance races next?
I can be your sparring partner.”
“Of course.” Ryo nodded, her eyes full of fighting spirit.
“My goal doesn’t stop here.
I want to stand on a higher stage, win more honors, and become a true legend.”
“Then I’ll be waiting and watching.” Maruzensky said with a smile.
She turned to look at Symboli Rudolf and began teasing again.
“Emperor, you can’t fall behind.
If you’re left too far behind by our Little Lingyao, you won’t have the chance to be on the same stage.”
Symboli Rudolf’s cheeks turned slightly red, and she glared at Maruzensky.
“You don’t need to remind me, I have my own plans.” Although she was tough on the outside, she knew in her heart that Ryo’s growth speed was shockingly fast, and she had to work even harder to keep up with her pace.
The three sat on the grass, chatting about interesting things during training, about their expectations for future races, and about their bonds with each other.
Starlight sprinkled on them, outlining three young and firm figures.
Ryo knew that the road ahead was still long, and there would be more challenges and competition waiting for them, but as long as she had such opponents and partners by her side, she had nothing to fear.
This Winners Uniform stage belonging to the eighteen Uma Musume had come to an end, but the story belonging to Ryo, Symboli Rudolf, and Maruzensky had just begun a new chapter.
The blessings of the three goddesses might be quietly descending, and this bond nurtured under the starlight would eventually become the most precious power for them on the racetrack.