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

A brilliant flash of lightning sliced across the sky.

Twilight Song stood before the vast expanse of Longchamp Racecourse, breathing deeply.

This was the final race she'd ever compete in.

Although she'd announced she would participate in the Kikuka Sho, she knew deep down that there wasn't enough time left.

She could still joke that if she really wanted to run the Kikuka Sho, she'd probably have to wait until her next life.

Next life, huh…

Twilight Song stood quietly in front of the athlete's preparation room, gently stretching her limbs, warming up one last time.

Of course, she wasn't alone. Three others stood by her side:

Mejiro Ramonu, Mejiro Ardan, and the stubborn Symboli Rudolf, who had refused to leave.

Granted, Ramonu had tried to shoo her away earlier, though unsuccessfully.

Meanwhile, Mejiro McQueen had already climbed into the stands with Bright and Palmer, eagerly seeking out the perfect spot.

Their youngest sister had earnestly declared that she intended to engrave every moment of "Ruka-neesan's" victory into her memory.

Hearing that, everyone had smiled warmly.

Perhaps one day, years from now, Mejiro McQueen would have the chance to stand on the very same grounds Twilight Song had conquered, returning faithfully to the Arc.

And maybe then, it'd be Twilight Song watching from the stands.

"Are you really okay with this? The weather outside looks bad."

It was likely to be a heavy track…

Twilight Song had struggled with heavy tracks before. Ever since the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, she'd deliberately intensified training in this area.

But clearly, she hadn't improved enough to reassure everyone completely.

The reason was simple:

Twilight Song's raw strength was abysmal.

So poor, in fact, it barely met the lowest standard of any Uma Musume Symboli Rudolf had ever seen.

This anomaly had even left Miss Emperor herself wondering why.

Given Twilight Song's incredible speed, there had to be some other underlying reason for her lack of strength, right?

"It's fine. I'll give it everything I have."

The words Dancing Brave spoke yesterday had deeply shaken Twilight Song. In fact, they'd been so shocking and unexpected that even recalling them now felt slightly insane:

"I don't want to defeat the ordinary you. What I want is to challenge the strongest you—the you who surpasses your limits. Even if I'm headed straight toward defeat, I'll still charge headlong into it. To battle someone truly strong like that… I'd willingly leave my life behind."

Terrifying, yet dazzlingly inspiring.

At that moment, Twilight Song finally felt she truly understood what it meant to be an Uma Musume.

To comprehend, at last, what running with your life truly meant.

Before now, though she had burned away her life force, it hadn't been by choice. It had been something beyond her control, even frightening.

But now…

Sometimes life doesn't need to be complicated.

What lay ahead was clear:

She had to do this, and she had to win.

And if that was true…

Then in the final month of her life, Twilight Song wholeheartedly wished to experience, at least once, what it meant to truly run.

A heavy, muddy track?

I'll trample it flat.

She raised a determined fist—though the gesture looked adorable rather than threatening, it still conveyed her resolve clearly.

This race would be the brightest moment of her entire life. Since that was the case, she just hoped everyone would watch carefully and remember it forever!

Mejiro Ramonu remained silent, confident in Twilight Song's resolve.

This was what Twilight Song had chosen. What reason could she possibly have to object?

Symboli Rudolf, unusually, was the hesitant one this time. After quietly studying the small filly for a moment, she finally gave Twilight Song's shoulder a reassuring pat.

"Go on. Win this race. I'll be waiting to personally show you around campus when you enroll next year."

Lastly was Mejiro Ardan, standing at the door.

"Well, then, I'll—"

"Shh. Wait a moment. Close your eyes, Ruka."

Twilight Song twitched her ears but obediently closed her eyes, lowering her head slightly.

She felt gentle fingers brush against her ears, followed by the soft sensation of ribbon being carefully tied around their base.

"You gave your previous earrings to little McQueen, right? Then…this one is my gift to you."

Mejiro Ardan gazed softly at Twilight Song, gently pinching the filly's cheek before stepping aside from the doorway.

"Go on. Conquer the track, Ruka. Don't worry—we'll always be by your side."

I'm with you. Together, we'll cut through the wind on the track.

Twilight Song reached up to touch the ornament now adorning her ears. Instead of looking at it in a mirror, she carefully traced its shape with her fingertips, trying to sense Ardan's sincerity.

It felt… like a ribbon decorated with tiny star-shaped charms.

Hmm… I can't see the color, but I'm guessing it's probably a soft blue!

With this thought, Twilight Song accepted the surprise gift, then—for the first time—she stepped forward to initiate a warm hug with Mejiro Ardan.

"Well, I'm off."

Stepping out of the preparation room, Twilight Song walked alone down the dark athlete's tunnel.

It reminded her vividly of her debut race when she'd walked alone through a similar tunnel.

Back then, she'd been trying to escape. Now, she was stepping out onto the battlefield.

So much has changed.

From complete isolation to having countless people care deeply about her. From fearing this familiar yet unfamiliar world, to confidently venturing out alone.

People naturally drew strength from those around them, even without realizing it.

So, was Twilight Song still the frightened little filly who'd first arrived in this world, terrified of every day?

Finally, her white racing shoes—trimmed with sleek black and dotted with tiny blue stars—touched the grass. Amid the thunderous roar of the stadium, the new queen, who would shake Longchamp itself, ascended the cold stone steps.

Twilight Song gently touched the ornament in her ear, then met Dancing Brave's unflinching gaze near the starting gates.

What was this, exactly?

The former queen, returning for glory, against the legendary challenger whose name had already spread far and wide?

Very well. Then I'll respond with all the respect you deserve.

Twilight Song raised her hand high towards the stormy sky, then clenched her fist, bringing it down decisively.

Cheer for me, Longchamp! The new queen you've been waiting for is here!

Thunder rumbled, rain poured, and the world trembled beneath cheers louder than the heavens themselves.

Thousands—tens of thousands—were chanting a single name:

"Ruka! Ruka! Ruka!"