Hachiman's POV

The announcer's voice thundered through the packed grandstands, electrifying the air like a storm about to break. "Ladies and gentlemen, brace yourselves for the autumn showdown of the century! Last week, the young stars set the track ablaze with their raw speed and fiery spirit, but don't count out the seasoned seniors! They're back, hungrier than ever, ready to reclaim their throne! It's the 114th Tennō Shō (Autumn)—the main field entrance is underway! Who'll be the first to step into the spotlight?!"

My eyes swept across the Uma Musume lined up in the preparation area, each radiating a razor-sharp aura, like warriors poised for battle. "They're all in peak condition," I muttered under my breath, arms crossed tightly. "This race is going to be a brutal wall to climb."

Fuji, standing beside me, shot me a curious glance, her brow furrowed. "Is it looking bad for Bubblegum, Trainer-san?"

I shook my head slightly, voice low and measured. "Not exactly. But races like this aren't just about raw power or speed. It's race sense—the instinct to read the flow of the track—that decides the winner. That's what I'm drilling into you now, Fuji. It's the same lesson I taught Air Groove. Whether Bubblegum can bridge that experience gap will determine if she walks away with the crown."

The announcer's voice erupted again, drowning out the roar of the crowd. "And now, the moment you've all been waiting for! The spotlight trio takes center stage! First, the reigning champion of this year's Tennō Shō (Spring), gunning for the coveted spring-autumn double—Sakura Laurel! Next, the ultimate Uma Musume, who dominated the Takarazuka Kinen with dazzling versatility and unmatched flair—Maya-no Top Gun! And finally, with two conditionals, three G3 titles, and a crushing victory in the G2 Kyoto Daishōten, riding an unstoppable six-race winning streak toward G1 glory—Marvelous Sunday! The big three have arrived, and the stands are shaking!"

Sakura Laurel flashed a confident grin, her eyes sparkling with determination. "This one's mine, Maya-no-chan!"

Maya-no Top Gun smirked, her voice dripping with defiance. "Don't get cocky like it's spring again!"

Marvelous Sunday let out a bold laugh, her presence commanding. "The flow belongs to me—Marvelous!"

The announcer kept the energy soaring. "And here comes the final contender, emerging from the shadows! Sidelined by a devastating injury last spring, she made a triumphant return with a third-place finish in her comeback race! Now, carrying the weight of spring's regrets, she's here to claim autumn's glory—the only classic-grade Uma Musume in the field—Bubblegum Fellow!"

Bubblegum stood motionless, her gaze locked straight ahead, cold and unyielding. No bright smile, no playful wave to the roaring crowd. Just pure, unshakable focus.

I narrowed my eyes, sensing something off.

Kenta, standing nearby, frowned, his voice tinged with unease. "She's… different today, isn't she?"

Air Groove nodded slowly, her tone serious. "Yeah. Normally, Bubblegum would be hyping up the crowd, feeding off their energy. But today? She's completely shut off."

Hiratsuka-sensei, arms crossed, chimed in with a knowing nod. "That's unheard of for Bubblegum."

Fuji turned to me, her eyes searching. "You see something, don't you, Trainer-san?"

I paused, letting the moment hang before responding. "…Maybe."

Hiratsuka-sensei's lips curled into a sly smirk. "You've spotted it, haven't you, Hachiman?"

If my gut's right… she's teetering on the edge of something extraordinary. A state even Air Groove hasn't touched. If I'm not mistaken, Bubblegum, you're about to cement yourself as the undisputed classic-grade queen.

Minutes later, the announcer's voice surged again, booming like a tidal wave. "Here it is, folks—the battle for supremacy in the mile-to-middle-distance realm! The 114th Tennō Shō (Autumn) is upon us, and it's going to burn hotter than ever! Where's the action? Let's hear it!"

The analyst jumped in, his voice brimming with excitement. "It's all about the big three, no question. Maya-no Top Gun is a cut above the rest—her versatility is unmatched. Sakura Laurel's in solid form, but I'm worried about her condition holding up under pressure. And don't sleep on Marvelous Sunday—her six-race streak makes her a serious threat."

"The Uma Musume are entering the starting gates!" the announcer bellowed. "Sixteen fillies are locked in, and the final one, Maillot Jaune… she's set! Who will claim the autumn shield? The 114th Tennō Shō starts NOW! Right out of the gate, Sakura Laurel drops back, sticking to the rear! Tōkai Tarō seizes the lead, but Kanetsu Cross surges forward, stealing first! In third, we've got classic-grade Bubblegum Fellow, holding strong, followed by Narita King O, a length behind Go Go Zetto and Maya-no Top Gun! Marvelous Sunday and Yūsen Shō are keeping pace, eyes locked on the leaders. On the inside, Best Tie Up holds steady; in the middle, Satsuki Shō's Genuine; and on the outside, Maillot Jaune, all bunched tightly together. Right behind them, veteran Nice Nature and Sakura Laurel are biding their time! Bringing up the rear are Yashima Sovereign, Kamino Magic, and Daitaku Sājan, climbing from the outside! They're hitting the third corner now!"

Kenta pumped his fist, his voice cracking with excitement. "Yes! She's in a solid spot!"

I nodded, my eyes glued to the track. "Yeah."

Air Groove spoke up, her voice calm but firm. "That position gives her options. She's got room to maneuver."

Fuji nodded eagerly. "Now it's all about…"

Hiratsuka-sensei finished the thought, her tone charged with anticipation. "…the straightaway slugfest."

The announcer's voice roared again, shaking the air. "They've passed the 600-meter mark! Kanetsu Cross and Tōkai Tarō are neck-and-neck, battling for dominance! Narita King O is closing in, but Bubblegum Fellow slips to fourth! They round the fourth corner—here comes the straightaway showdown! And look at that—the big three are charging from the outside, making their move!"

Kenta gasped, his eyes wide. "The three are coming fast!"

Fuji shouted, her voice trembling with excitement. "They're closing the gap!"

I stayed silent, my focus locked on Bubblegum, my heart pounding in my chest.

"Maya-no Top Gun is stretching her stride!" the announcer screamed. "But wait—Bubblegum Fellow breaks through the middle like a bolt of lightning! Sakura Laurel and Marvelous Sunday are storming from behind! Bubblegum Fellow holds the lead, digging in with everything she's got! Maya-no Top Gun is chasing hard, refusing to back down!"

Maya-no's voice cut through the chaos, fierce and determined. "I'm catching you!"

Laurel shouted, her tone brimming with defiance. "You're not getting away!"

Marvelous roared, her voice booming. "Marvelous!"

Bubblegum's voice came low, almost a growl, cutting through the noise. "…No."

No way…

Then, like a thunderclap, Bubblegum surged forward, her voice exploding with raw power. "I won't… let ANYONE take the lead!!!" GOOOO!

My eyes widened, my breath catching in my throat.

She did it… she's in the Zone.

The announcer's voice cracked with disbelief. "Bubblegum Fellow stretches again, pulling away! The big three are chasing desperately, but they can't close the gap! The balloon's about to burst—and it's POPPED! Classic-grade Uma Musume Bubblegum Fellow crosses the finish line in triumph! The balloon explodes, shattering the generation gap, mowing down sixteen senior rivals in a historic upset!"

Kenta leaped up, screaming at the top of his lungs. "She did it! She actually did it!"

Hiratsuka-sensei grinned wide, her eyes shining. "Hell yeah!"

Fuji beamed, her voice bubbling with awe. "That final stretch… it was unreal!"

Air Groove nodded, her tone heavy with respect. "Her unyielding will… it was overwhelming. I've never seen anything like it."

"Fifty-nine years!" the announcer bellowed, his voice shaking with emotion. "The iron wall of history has fallen! Bubblegum Fellow becomes only the second classic-grade Uma Musume to conquer the Tennō Shō since Happy Might!"

The analyst laughed, his voice tinged with disbelief. "I'm absolutely floored! What a performance!"

I muttered under my breath, a wry smirk tugging at my lips. "I might've just created one hell of a rival."

Tokyo Race 10 – Results

1st: ④ Bubble Gum Fellow

2nd: ⑧ Maya-no Top Gun

3rd: ⑯ Sakura Laurel

4th: ⑪ Marvelous Sunday

5th: ③ Go Go Zetto

Afterword

Bubblegum Fellow explodes into legend! Her Tennō Shō triumph, hitting the elusive Zone, shatters a 59-year record and humbles the big three. Air Groove's pride and Hachiman's awe cement her as a rival to watch, with Fuji cheering and Kenta soaring. The jealous seniors? Eating dust. Air Groove's Triple Tiara legacy holds, but Bubblegum's star is rising—here's to epic battles ahead!

---------------------------------------------------------

🚀 Want more?

📖 Unlock 10+ early chapters on my Patreon!

💖 Support me here: patreon.com/DaoistRoeoNQ

🔓 Get ahead of the story today!