Uma Musume: Beyond Peak

Was this truly a victory? An eerie silence fell over Kyoto Racecourse, devoid of the cheers that should have celebrated the victor. Tokai Teio stood at the finish line, gasping for breath. Her legs trembled uncontrollably, her petite frame teetering on the verge of collapse.

What miracle or sheer tenacity could have enabled those legs to run again? Even in defeat, no one would have blamed her. Why stake her future on winning this one race? No one knew the answer.

The crowd stared transfixed, completely forgetting they were still at the racecourse.

Slowly, Tokai Teio lifted her foot, her entire body tensing as she clenched her teeth. With yearning in her eyes, and under the watchful gaze of her dearest friend and her rival, she took a shaky step toward the winner's enclosure.

The mere twenty meters seemed shorter than the Kikuka Sho, yet Teio moved with unprecedented slowness. She paused for tens of seconds between each staggering step, and Leo Durban restrained herself from rushing to her side.

This wasn't a painful struggle; it was the coronation ceremony of a new queen. With each step, she ascended toward her rightful throne.

From this moment on, she bid farewell to the self that had always been overshadowed by Rudolf.

Come, witness the realization of a dream.

Everything seemed to unfold too quickly. The sight of Tokai Teio standing there left people utterly unprepared.

Her blue-and-white racing uniform and victor's cloak billowed in the wind. The scene they had long yearned for suddenly materialized, yet felt strangely surreal. For the first time, someone noticed the stark difference between Tokai Teio and Symboli Rudolf.

Symboli Rudolf radiated regal authority, her immense power and imposing presence inspiring divine reverence. But let us not forget, gods dwell in lofty realms.

What of Tokai Teio? Was she strong? Undeniably so. Her presence? Without unwavering resolve, one couldn't even dare to challenge the King.

They were so alike, like father and son: the Undefeated Triple Crown, the Royal Road Legacy.

How could two beings once so similar now appear so distinct?

Stripped of her dazzling facade, Tokai Teio stood alone.

A question suddenly arose in the hearts of the crowd: "When did I begin to see Teio as Symboli Rudolf?"

Before anyone could react, Teio struggled to raise her arm. Despite her body operating far beyond its limits, she remained steadfast to her vow. Slowly, she extended three fingers toward the sky.

"Triple Crown!"

Tokai Teio! A woman of her word!

This was the moment the world had been waiting for.

"Tokai Teio!"

A thunderous roar erupted, followed by a cascade of cheers. The Kyoto Racecourse reverberated with the joy of the new queen's coronation, the crowd chanting Teio's name in unison, wave after wave.

"Tokai Teio! The strongest!"

"I can't believe it! I'm actually witnessing this!"

"It's like a legend come to life! It's wonderful to be alive!"

Some wept openly, overwhelmed by the magnitude of Teio's victory. This moment would forever be etched in history whenever her name was mentioned.

Leo Durban sighed, shaking her head with a wry smile. Her defeat was undeniable. Glancing up, she saw her onee-san still watching her with a gentle smile and a nod of approval. The lingering frustration in Leo's heart instantly vanished, replaced by sincere applause for Teio.

As if on cue, the entire stadium erupted in thunderous applause. The deafening ovation shook the very foundations of the racecourse.

"Teio... she finally clinched the Undefeated Triple Crown," McQueen's voice trembled slightly.

When Teio fractured her leg, McQueen's heart had clenched with worry. Even after Teio's miraculous comeback victory, McQueen hadn't been able to fully relax. But now, hearing the crowd chant Teio's name, McQueen felt genuine joy for her friend.

"Ah...! Ah...!"

"Kousei!"

Unlike McQueen's stoic composure, Kousei had already dissolved into tears, sobbing so hard she couldn't utter a single word. McQueen gently wiped Kousei's tears with a handkerchief, murmuring soothing words.

At the Derby, Kousei had only seen Teio's dazzling brilliance. But at the Kikuka Sho, she had rediscovered Tokai Teio. This was the Umamusume who had come closest to realizing her dreams, a spectacle that moved her beyond words.

Despite everything, they both had one thing they wanted to say to Teio:

"Congratulations, Teio."

Originally, the interview had been scheduled to be postponed due to Teio's physical condition. However, Teio herself insisted on proceeding as planned, so it went ahead as scheduled.

As the saying goes, a victory interview always feels incomplete without the winner's remarks.

Before the interview could begin, however, Teio stopped Leo Durban as she was about to leave. Though Teio didn't explicitly ask her to stay, Leo Durban understood the unspoken request and remained.

"First, congratulations on securing the Undefeated Triple Crown, Teio."

"Thank you."

"Now that you've achieved the Undefeated Triple Crown, how are you feeling?"

"How do I feel? Naturally, I'm delighted. As you saw, it was a tough race, and my victory didn't come easily."

"Do you have any words for your rival, Leo Durban?"

"Hmph~ I'll save them for later."

Huh? The reporter was momentarily taken aback by the response, but professional training kicked in, and she swiftly moved on to the next question.

"Today, you've completed the Undefeated Triple Crown, officially inheriting Symboli Rudolf's Royal Road Legacy. What message do you have for her?"

Teio flashed a radiant smile and waved three fingers toward the VIP seats. "President, did you see that? I've completed the Triple Crown too!"

From the VIP section, Rudolf couldn't help but smile. "I saw it all."

The host continued with a few more perfunctory questions, which Teio answered politely as time ticked away.

"Alright, this is the final question. Now that you've achieved the Undefeated Triple Crown, everyone is eager to know your next move. What are your plans for future races?"

A faint smile curled the corner of Teio's lips. Finally, they're asking the real question.

Her expression shifted abruptly as she declared, "My plans? I've already decided."

Once again, Teio raised three fingers, their meaning lost on the crowd. Slowly, she lowered her hand, reducing the three fingers to two, then one. Her index finger pointed resolutely toward Symboli Rudolf in the VIP box.

Tokai Teio stood tall and regal, her arm held high like a royal scepter. Amid the audience's bewilderment, she ripped off her riding glove and flung it violently to the ground before everyone's eyes!

The Kyoto Racecourse erupted in chaos!

Even the dullest mind couldn't misinterpret this gesture.

The spectators' mouths gaped open in shock. Kousei, McQueen, and Leo Durban recoiled in surprise.

Unprecedented! Sensational!

"Hahahaha!"

A wild laugh echoed across the racecourse, punctuated by three thunderous cries of "Bravo!" The Emperor's overwhelming presence instantly swept through the arena as a spectral image of the Emperor materialized above, its piercing gaze surveying the stunned crowd.

The spectators gasped for breath—the Emperor was serious!

"It's so hot! So hot!"

Kousei's heart pounded violently, her entire body burning as if aflame.

Undeterred by the overwhelming pressure, Teio stood motionless on the field, a picture of effortless ease. Luminous particles overflowed around her, ready to usher in a new era.

They will understand why I am here. They all will.

"Hey! What are you doing?!" someone shouted urgently.

Kousei and McQueen had already leaped onto the railing, their calm eyes unable to conceal their burning resolve. Teio glanced up and smiled faintly. "Come on!"

With a graceful leap, she landed on the battlefield. Simultaneously, two powerful wills erupted from the VIP seats—one brimming with pride, the other seething with ferocity.

The Kyoto Racecourse had transformed into a vortex, the shockwave of this historic clash rippling outward to engulf the world.

Tokai Teio glanced at Leo Durban, as if asking, "What about you?"

A thunderous current surged through Leo Durban's veins, fueled by battle lust and exhilaration. She couldn't contain herself.

The Hero turned away, unable to contain the raging fire in his heart.

"Magnificent!"

The Genius brought the Crown to the mortal realm, stirring up a new storm. The strongest, the invincible, the apex—only one can claim these titles. Those who covet the Throne, step boldly into this arena.