Only One Year Left—I'll Become a Legendary Uma Musume!

Festival Glory… Just what kind of Uma Musume was behind that name?

Twilight Song stood rooted to the spot, watching numbly as the morally upright reporters packed their gear and quietly left.

But she couldn't bring herself to move.

It wasn't fear or anxiety that kept her frozen, but genuine confusion as she seriously considered the question.

Even after racking her brain, Twilight Song came up empty.

Sure, the announcers had mentioned the name during the race—but only briefly.

As for Festival Glory's actual appearance, Twilight Song had absolutely no memory of it.

If Twilight Song had never left a mark in Uma Musume's history, if she'd been nothing but another face in the crowd…

Then in three years—no, even just one year from now—no one would remember her name, let alone the fact that she once existed.

They say people die three times. The final death occurs when no one living still remembers you, when your memory disappears entirely from the world.

Twilight Song couldn't accept becoming someone like Festival Glory—a forgotten existence. She didn't want to disappear. She didn't want her life to end so swiftly.

Yet the cold countdown of the system was relentless, and this desperate chase for glory was merely her way of distracting herself, of bracing her heart for the inevitable.

The white-haired filly painfully closed her eyes, pressing her hand to her mouth as she took deep, trembling breaths.

Watching quietly, Mejiro Ramonu thoughtfully reached into her pocket and handed Twilight Song a tissue.

Awkwardly taking it, Twilight Song discreetly coughed up the bitter, filthy taste into the tissue before quickly discarding it in a nearby trash bin. Then, composing herself, she briskly moved toward the exit.

Ramonu lingered behind briefly, glancing down thoughtfully at the pocket-sized packet of tissues and Twilight Song's fragile retreating figure.

Has this girl… been needing tissues more often lately?

Aqueduct Racetrack eagerly anticipated their new Caesar's performance on the winner's stage, but Twilight Song had already vanished, leaving the spotlight to second and third place finishers.

Stepping outside, descending the steps, she climbed into the limousine where Mejiro Ardan held the door open. Only then, shielded from prying eyes, did Twilight Song allow herself a faint moment of relief.

But she still couldn't afford to appear weak. The secret she desperately hid was something the Mejiro family must never know.

So, despite her exhaustion and longing to collapse completely, she forced herself to lean casually against the seat, adopting a calm expression.

Ramonu soon followed, slipping quietly into the front passenger seat.

"You performed splendidly out there, Ruka. With this win, you should have no issue qualifying directly for the Satsuki Sho."

The Satsuki Sho, the first jewel in Japan's Triple Crown, usually required participating in preliminaries like the Yayoi Sho to qualify.

But that was no longer an issue now.

Winning the Gotham Stakes—the American Triple Crown's preliminary—granted her automatic eligibility for the Satsuki Sho.

"Thank you. I simply did my best."

Not her absolute best. Just seriously enough—not yet desperately so.

"Indeed, racing in the Satsuki Sho would be ideal… But, Ruka, want to hear another suggestion I have?"

"Eh? Of course, Ramonu-neesan. What is it?"

Ramonu crossed her arms, smiling faintly as she considered how absurd her idea was. She'd never recommend something so reckless to anyone else—but seeing Twilight Song's potential…

This girl was destined to be legendary. If given enough time, she might seize every title the world had to offer.

Unfortunately, racing schedules inevitably conflicted. Still, this path seemed ideal for Twilight Song, offering immense prestige.

"Let's not run the Japanese Triple Crown."

Not run the Japanese Triple Crown?

Not only did Twilight Song silently contemplate this, but Ardan also suddenly realized the implications. Eyes widening, the normally composed mare sat upright, gripping Ramonu's shoulder urgently.

"Mejiro Ramonu, do you even realize what you're saying? This is not a joking matter!"

For an Uma Musume, joking about the Triple Crown was absurdly inappropriate—a joke even worse than Symboli Rudolf's famously terrible puns.

Ardan could hardly believe her suspicion, but given the circumstances, there was only one logical explanation.

Besides qualifying for the Satsuki Sho, Twilight Song now had another choice:

The Kentucky Derby.

That meant abandoning the safe path of the Japanese Triple Crown and instead challenging the grueling American Triple Crown.

There was nothing funny about this.

Unlike Japan's relatively spaced-out races, the American Triple Crown was run entirely on dirt, with three intense G1 races within a single month.

In other words, this would be an enormous gamble, betting on Twilight Song's endurance to handle three high-intensity races in rapid succession. She'd abandon being a favorite for Japan's Triple Crown in exchange for this incredibly risky bet.

Was Ramonu serious? Winning the Japanese Triple Crown was already a dream for most Uma Musume!

Ardan stared into Ramonu's eyes, but the latter couldn't meet her gaze.

Ardan was correct—a single G1 victory was already a lifelong bragging right.

Twilight Song, however, blinked thoughtfully, taking a deep breath.

"You mean… Ramonu-neesan, I should aim for the American Triple Crown?"

Three dirt-track G1 races in one month…

Indeed, compared to Japan's more forgiving schedule, it was a superior choice—not just because Twilight Song was surprisingly talented on dirt.

It was also about time.

Time was the one thing she lacked most.

In truth, Twilight Song had already considered giving up on the Japanese Triple Crown. After all, the Kikuka Sho—the final race—was held in October, and Twilight Song seriously doubted she'd survive until then.

It was time to make a decision.

"You're right, Ramonu-neesan. I agree."

"Ruka?"

Twilight Song met Ardan's deeply concerned eyes. For the first time, she showed this gentle mare a faint, sincere smile.

"I'll challenge the American Triple Crown."

"You're sure about this?"

Relieved, Ramonu visibly relaxed. She'd been worried about suggesting something so reckless. But if Twilight Song agreed, she'd fully support her.

"Wait. I'm not done yet."

Twilight Song raised a hand, cutting off her sisters' confused glances.

"I'll also run in the Satsuki Sho."

Running the Satsuki Sho while simultaneously competing in the American Triple Crown was absurd. For normal thoroughbreds, it'd be pure madness—crossing oceans between intense races, switching from dirt to turf at peak exhaustion?

If someone dared this in real horse racing, she'd become instantly notorious—a scandal worse than the infamous "Dosoles Incident."

Even in the Uma Musume world, it was utterly irrational.

"Say that again, Ruka."

Ramonu's voice dropped dangerously low—cold, precise, almost emotionless. Rarely did she speak to family in such a severe tone, but now she spoke not as an older sister, but as the future head of the Mejiro family.

Ardan hesitated before gently clasping Twilight Song's hand.

This foolish little filly would surely reconsider once she realized how absurd she sounded.

"I said, I want to compete in the Satsuki Sho too."

Ramonu felt the gentle string of patience in her heart snap entirely. But before she could react, Ardan swiftly pulled Twilight Song close, cradling her face gently.

"Ruka, you can't be reckless like this."

Reckless? Maybe a bit.

Twilight Song understood their intense reaction clearly. Part of her even felt warmth and belonging.

But that was wrong. Their kindness had already crossed dangerous lines.

Did Ramonu and Ardan need to follow her across the ocean? Not at all. They'd only come out of worry and affection. In other words…

They genuinely saw Twilight Song—the stubborn, distant girl—as their own precious sister.

Uma Musume truly were such gentle beings.

But that gentleness would only bring them pain—and she couldn't allow that.

Meeting Ardan's gentle eyes directly, Twilight Song gently pushed her away.

"I know, but this is truly my plan."

I'm sorry… but I'm so afraid—I don't dare rely on you.

"Do you realize an Uma Musume's career is short? Just winning the American Triple Crown is incredible enough. Don't joke like this, Twilight Song."

Ramonu stared grimly out the car window, calling her by her full name for the first time—a clear warning.

"You're risking your entire career. Maybe suggesting the American Triple Crown was a mistake."

Ramonu remained perfectly calm; she had to. She knew better than anyone how fleeting an Uma Musume's career was—like a meteor streaking across the sky. Twilight Song was still young, talented, thoughtful, and beloved—she shouldn't rush herself.

She could win Japan or America's Triple Crown this year, then try the Takarazuka or Arima Kinen next year. Maybe even challenge the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Next year, the year after that...

But running races at this insane pace would turn Twilight Song into a fleeting shooting star.

"You still have a long career ahead. Do you really need to rush and prove yourself this year?"

Ramonu's voice softened. She didn't know what secret terror haunted this filly, driving her toward madness and desperation…

Do you truly have to rush?

Through the rearview mirror, Ramonu's eyes met Twilight Song's reflection.

But Twilight Song said nothing.

A long career ahead? Right…

She closed her golden eyes, hiding their brilliance, burying the fear deep within.

Next year, next spring… But by then, she would already be dead.

Fear clawed mercilessly at her heart, but she couldn't ask for help.

"Yes. You're right. Sorry for speaking foolishly."

Twilight Song curled tightly in her seat, falling silent.

Ramonu hesitated, wanting desperately to press further, to break Twilight Song's shell. But one glance at Ardan shaking her head gently stopped her.

Not yet.

Instead, Ardan hugged the trembling filly fiercely, gently stroking her hair again and again.

Ramonu looked away, feeling a sudden urge to apologize.

Had her words been too harsh?

But seeing Twilight Song's exhausted, sleeping form in Ardan's embrace, she closed her eyes.

Next time… there's always next time.