Chapter 6: Dancing Monsters, a Creature That Doesn’t Want to Dance

Seven games, six discs, five plushies, four figures, three controllers, two consoles, and one sofa—those are the things that have piled up in the trainer’s room over the last six months. By the way, the plushies are chibi-style Uma Musume, apparently scooped up all at once at a game center.

Physically, though, I’ve barely changed. My height has only increased by a single centimeter in half a year, and my body still has that “clear view of my feet” shape.

While I haven’t run with Spe-chan or King-chan since that mock race—they’re growing fast these days—I still sometimes run alongside Suzuka-san. Or rather, whenever I go for a run, Suzuka-san silently joins without needing to say a word.

Once you get close to her, she’s unexpectedly playful and loves slipping in deadpan jokes, so you can’t let your guard down. But even though she seems lonely at times, she doesn’t give off that extroverted vibe, so—selfishly—I feel like our wavelengths match pretty well.

For the record, I used to worry whether it was okay for her to run with me right before her debut, but that concern turned out to be unnecessary. She won her first two races easily. Her maiden victory was a front-running win by ten lengths, and in her second race at the end of November, even with a little trouble, she still finished with another wire-to-wire victory.

Today is her third race of the year, the GIII Kyōdō Tsūshin Hai. With the new year just starting, Spe-chan, King-chan, and I have come to Tokyo Racecourse to cheer her on.

Even if it’s nearby, it’s cold, and honestly, I had wanted to laze around in the trainer’s room. But when a beauty like her says, "Please come watch," it’s hard to refuse.

"Wow—she’s next, she’s next!"

"Spe-san, please calm down."

For some reason, Tazuna-san—who usually isn’t here, right?—is standing by the paddock with a gentle smile, watching over us.

"Now entering from Gate 2, Number 2: Silence Suzuka."

The announcement triggers a cheer across the venue. When the curtain opens, Suzuka-san steps forward with a stride just a touch longer than usual.

Her sharp gaze makes it hard to believe this is only her third race. It’s the sort of look that unintentionally lends credibility to that ridiculous rumor going around about her being a delinquent. Spe-chan told me about it with a sad expression, so I haven’t brought it up again.

"Two consecutive front-running wins since her debut. With today’s inside draw favoring speed, I’m excited to see what kind of race she’ll show us."

"Yeah, yeah! Suzuka-san was super cool last time too! I look up to her sooo much!"

Since Spe-chan said that, I glance over at King-chan—only to see her already looking back at us. Looks like Spe-chan’s usual Suzuka-fan mode is in full effect.

Sure, Suzuka-san dominated the field last race, but things were rough before the start. After settling into the gate, she panicked when she couldn’t see her trainer. While the other entrants were still loading, she leaned out of the gate trying to spot him.

Even so, she didn’t break slow; she won easily by three lengths. But naturally, the gate-side incident became a problem. She had to retake the gate exam and was suspended from racing for a month.

Because of that, she couldn’t participate in the year-end junior championship, the Hopeful Stakes.

We watched that race together—me, Spe-chan, and King-chan. And seeing Suzuka-san, who usually shows so little emotion, writhing in embarrassment afterward… well, it was a rare blessing.

"Given the gate trouble last time, I hope everything goes smoothly today."

"Right. She’s never had issues with the start itself, and with the turf rated Firm today, a front-running win in a graded race feels totally possible. If she wins here, it’ll be a huge step toward the Classics."

While I’m remembering the previous race, the announcer brings up the same incident. Suzuka-san picks up the coat she dropped earlier, looking a little embarrassed.

"Next up, we have…"

The paddock introductions continue one after another, the crowd cheering each time. Some Uma Musume move quietly through the motions, while others—now that this is a graded race—strike poses or appeal directly to their fans.

"Gate 13, in the eighth slot: all eyes on the standout Uma Musume, Mejiro Bright. After winning the Hopeful Stakes, she’s chosen the Kyōdō Tsūshin Hai as her first Classic-season race."

Following the announcement, a dreamy-looking Uma Musume appears. She radiates the gentle elegance of a Mejiro noble lady—cute, calm, and not at all intimidating at first glance. But the crowd’s cheers make her strength crystal clear.

Her maiden race had low expectations, but she won it. After that, she finished second to Seeking the Pearl in a graded race, and then finally claimed a graded victory in the year-end Hopeful Stakes.

If anything, she’s the favorite today.

After buying yakisoba and taiyaki from the food stalls, we head toward the main stand. By the way, despite saying she was nervous, Spe-chan stuffed herself full until her stomach rounded out.

"Silence Suzuka-san seems fine with the gate today."

"Mmff mmff—’hink so."

"Spe-san, don’t talk with taiyaki in your mouth."

The horses load in smoothly. Suzuka-san looks fully focused. A mistake now would threaten her chances of entering the Classic races, so her trainer gave her plenty of gate practice beforehand.

While we’re talking, all the Uma Musume settle into the gates.

"Grade III, the Kyōdō Tsūshin Hai—everyone is in… and they’re off! A clean break from the entire field!"

The enormous Turf Vision screen in the center of the course displays the start as the first battle for position begins.

"Now then, how will the two headliners move? As expected—she’s going. Silence Suzuka is already surging to the front.

A few others from the outside are pushing forward to form the lead pack… but no.

We do not have a lead pack."

“Silence Suzuka has gone for an all-out runaway.”

“Meanwhile, Mejiro Bright is a closer, settling near the back with the other twelve runners spread out before her. It looks like the two stars will take this race from opposite ends—one far ahead, one far behind.”

The roar sweeping across the stands is loud enough to drown out Spe-chan’s “Go, Suzuka-san!” As if unaware—or simply unconcerned—Suzuka-san accelerates even more, entirely in her element.

“Silence Suzuka leads by five, now six lengths. In second is the yellow saddlecloth, Third Priority. Through Brown moves up to form the second group.

The field is stretched thin, and Mejiro Bright enters the third corner from second-to-last.”

By the end of the long opening stretch, even from the stands we can clearly see Suzuka-san breaking away, completely alone at the front. Her hair streams behind her, catching the winter sunlight like scattered glitter.

According to King-chan, the race pace is extremely fast.

“Silence Suzuka is already approaching the midpoint between the third and fourth turns. The second group is gradually tightening as those behind begin advancing.

The question is—can Silence Suzuka maintain this pace all the way?”

“Silence Suzuka-san, could this be…”

“She’ll be fine! Go for it!”

“Silence Suzuka continues to clock fast fractions, and with 800 meters remaining she still leads by seven lengths.

Can the runners behind her even hope to catch up?

Mejiro Bright is swinging wide, steadily—steadily—but surely building momentum.”

The chasing pack accelerates as they enter the fourth corner, and the crowd noise surges again. Even with the ear warmers Trainer-san gave me for the cold, it’s almost painfully loud.

“They’re coming out of the fourth corner, and Silence Suzuka hits the straightaway first! From the outside, Mejiro Bright is advancing. The blue saddlecloth, Yamato East, is also launching her late charge.

Silence Suzuka leads by five lengths. The runners behind her are firing off their final sprints one after another. Will she hold on? Can she really hold on?

Mejiro Bright is now in fifth, four lengths behind the leader—but will she catch Silence Suzuka?

Everyone is accelerating… but nothing is closing. The gap isn’t shrinking at all.

Ah—Silence Suzuka finds more! She’s pulling away again—her lead over second grows to three, now four lengths! She had this kind of speed hidden away—!”

On the final stretch, after drawing the pursuing runners toward her for a moment, Suzuka-san kicks into gear once more.

“Mejiro Bright is coming! She’s in third—can she reach her?

Two hundred meters to go, climbing the hill!

Silence Suzuka still leads, and she’s pulling away again!

Mejiro Bright is charging into second with a powerful kick, but she won’t catch her!

It’s Silence Suzuka—she is that strong! A flawless wire-to-wire victory for her first graded win!

Second place goes to Mejiro Bright, closing hard!

And this time is a new record—she breaks Triple Crown Uma Musume Narita Brian’s 1:47.5 by two-tenths of a second!

Silence Suzuka—three races in a row without letting anyone even step on her shadow! A clear view ahead toward the Classics!”

“She did it!!”

We watch Suzuka-san wave toward us before disappearing down the lane. With the crowd erupting on all sides, we begin heading out—

“Huh? Wee-chan, aren’t you staying for the Winning Live?”

Spe-chan grabs my hand.

Winning Live? Oh… right. That was a thing, wasn’t it? The winning Uma Musume sings and dances afterward.

Wait—hold on. If I ever race… does that mean I have to sing and dance too?

That’s impossible.

Suddenly, all the Uma Musume around me feel like residents of a distant, unreachable world.

I’ve realized something terrible—but for now, I focus on witnessing Suzuka-san’s moment of glory.