Uma Musume, Master of Love

Kawada adjusted his sunglasses slightly, revealing a smile. How could no one possibly come to welcome him? Tokyo Airport even had a special area set up, but to maintain the mystery, it was best not to tell her.

Along the way to Liberty Island, I felt something was off, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. I just felt that there were fewer people around us after Kawada and I got off the plane.

The waiting hall was a bit noisy. While on the elevator, Liberty Island kept curiously peeking over there, wondering what was going on!

Welcome home, Triple Crown Queen, Liberty Island!

A huge banner was hung at the entrance, which was very eye-catching, and the decorations were actually the different hair accessories that he wore for each game!

Liberty Island froze at the elevator. Kawada pulled down his sunglasses, a smile playing on his lips. It seemed she had actually believed his lie that no one was coming.

Of course, now it was her and her classmates' time. Kawada pulled her suitcase and temporarily disappeared into the crowd.

In the few seconds that Freedom Island reacted, I only caught a glimpse of a large, white, pitch-black streak suddenly darting up from the corner of my eye.

"Idiot Island—you scared us to death! Welcome home..!" The strawberry cream daifuku, which used to be expressionless, was now so soft and chewy. The brain of the island was working at high speed. Was this really the Chunqiu Fen who had won the Japan Cup with such arrogance?

Liberty Island was held tightly by the Spring and Autumn Equinoxes, and was almost strangled to death.

"Damn it... Let go! You bastard who ran away after winning a game!" Free Island's tail and ears stood up like they were standing on end. Before it could even catch its breath after breaking free from Spring and Autumn's embrace, it was hugged again by a horse girl wearing a blue-purple headband and with a meteor hairpin that was almost identical to hers.

"Xiaodao...! Are you really alright? Is there anything bad about it...!" Xingying Tianxia's hug was short, and then he held her face and stared at her intently. The gold star ring earring on her left ear was slightly crooked due to the large movement.

"Sister, I'm fine now. I'm fully recovered and can even jump and walk!"

Xingying Tianxia wanted to say something more, but seeing her lively and energetic younger sister in front of her, she was almost there, though she didn't burst into tears of joy. She wiped her moist eyes and stepped aside to make way for her.

"Hey, wait! Where did Kawada go? Why did he disappear the moment I lost focus!" Ziyou Island looked around, hoping to spot the face of the man who always had a smile on his face in the crowd, but obviously he couldn't this time. Kawada had already moved away from the crowd and was waiting in the parking lot with his motorcycle.

You should know that although he is a trainer, he is a motorcycle enthusiast in his private life. He decided to take her to rest for a while, starting in Japan, traveling all over Japan, and then the whole world.

"Old buddy, your time to shine is coming soon." Kawada, who had already changed into his motorcycle gear, patted the front of the bike and leaned back, quietly waiting for Liberty Island to emerge from its grand welcoming ceremony.

This is a gift that hundreds of thousands of fans and Central Treson have been preparing for over a month, and even if it continues until late at night, Kawada can wait.

"Welcome! Heroic Queen Liberty Island, on your overseas expedition!" Akikawa Yayoi's voice ignited the crowd. Countless ribbons fell from the sky, some even sticking directly to Liberty Island's head. Liberty Island patted her cheeks, her eyes sparkling.

What should I say now? What should I do? Or should I just stand here and do nothing?

Liberty Island had no choice but to bow deeply, at an angle greater than ninety degrees, and when he looked up again, his face was covered in tears: "Thank you everyone."

Even though she hasn't won a single match since the Autumn Flower Slam, even though she almost always came in last place at the Emperor's Slam after returning from Dubai, and even though she's not favored in her next expedition, her fans have always supported her.

That's enough, isn't it?

This was the first time in Liberty Island's life that he had cried out loud, not because he was sad, but because he was overjoyed.

When Kawada saw Liberty Island, it was already getting dark. He waved to the girl who was walking towards him, signaling her to get on the motorcycle.

"You used to be able to ride a motorcycle? (Part Two)"

"I occasionally go for a drive during the holidays, but most of the time I'm busy with your things." Kawada started the engine and put on his goggles. "But now that I have more time, how about giving it a try?"

"Great?" Liberty Island was also very excited. This was the first time in his life he had tried something so exciting, and being led by a trainer made it even more anticipated!

The roar of the motorcycle echoed along the darkening road, sparking another story.

In mid-August, Freedom Island held its belated retirement performance at Zhongshan Racecourse. Two years later, the former Triple Crown Queen still shone on stage. Passion and pride remain Freedom Island's stage signature. A true queen is not defined by victory or defeat, nor is she bound by them.

That day, the Zhongshan Racecourse reached a level of popularity comparable to Arima Kinen. Finally, facing hundreds of thousands of fans across the country and nearly a million fans around the world, Liberty Island uttered those words.

"My story on the court actually came to an end in April. But at that time, I couldn't accept it myself, and I also had to recover from my injury. Now, more than three months have passed, and I've come to terms with it. I can face everyone and say those words now."

"Thank you all for your continued support! From today onwards, Liberty Island will officially withdraw from the Shining Series and will no longer participate in the Dream Cup Series! I know this is regrettable, but... I sincerely thank everyone who has supported me all this time!"

"From breaking records in Niigata's debut tournament to achieving three titles at the Akika Sho, from the narrow defeat in the Japan Cup to the unexpected result at the Queen Insurance Cup... there have been joys and tears, but now it's all over!"

"I am truly, truly grateful to everyone. Without you all, I wouldn't be who I am today. Although we won't see each other on the field again in the future, but..."

"I'm certain we'll meet again on another stage. I'm also trying to start a new life, and I hope everyone can start a brand new life from today! After all, dwelling on the past isn't a good thing, right?"

Liberty Island waved its glow stick high in its left hand, the brightest presence in the pitch-black night.

"So, my last gift to everyone... is called... MY ALL!"

Ayumi Hamasaki wrote this song entirely for her fans, and it's also perfectly suited to be her farewell song, "Freedom Island."

The crystallization is now praised and the brilliance shines

Liberty Island is a shimmering gem, and now she is shining brightly under the world's gaze!

Dreams, vanish.

Our dream has always been there, and our dream will never die!

See you with a smile

Seeing your smiling face

愛眩

Adorable and dazzling

See you with a smile

Many children want to see that kind of smile again.

Today's servant

That's why I'm still alive today.

愛感

I can feel your love

Powerful temperature

Powerful and warm

Unconditional love

Such selfless love

Full body sensation

I tried my best to feel it.

I have always loved you all. It was only because I wanted to see your smiles again and feel your love once more that I was able to be reborn from the cold operating room...

The fans waving cherry blossom pink cheering banners throughout the stadium also love Liberty Island. Ever since the Queen's Cup ended, they have been looking forward to seeing the smiles that belong only to Liberty Island.

Love is never one-way; it is passed between people who love each other...

In the very last line of the song, the voice of Liberty Island is no longer present.

The voices of the fans echoed for miles around.

No matter what is about to happen

僕全

I will use all my strength

Shou Ai Xing

I will always protect you

We have always been protecting you, Liberty Island!

At the end of the song, Liberty Island on stage had already squatted down and was crying uncontrollably. In fact, strictly speaking, this was already a stage accident, but so what?

As fans spontaneously clapped their hands at the end, Liberty Island bowed more than 90 degrees once again, stood up, and had tears in his eyes.

“Yiqi Luyi Shan l Er Jiu 5!”

There are so many things I want to say, but in the end, all I can express is this simple yet powerful gratitude.

At this moment, what is in Freedom Island's eyes is not tears, but the stars and the sea.

"Until the day we meet again arrives... please keep smiling and waiting! Bye-bye—!!!!!"

Tonight, the Zhongshan Racecourse is a sea of ​​stars.

Tonight, Liberty Island is the brightest star.

A star never goes out; it will only continue to shine in another place.

The story of Liberty Island, the three-time champion, ends tonight, but the story of Liberty Island continues.

As for how to continue writing in the future, she thinks she should first try out fashion, which she is most interested in.

Let's try... first walk the stage of TGC (Tokyo Fashion Week), and then become an elegant lady at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

Her journey is far from over, so long that it cannot be fully described.

(Finish)

----

Here are some of my random thoughts.

It's been about a month since I picked up my pen and put it down, and now I've finally finished writing.

The island in the story with a happy ending is really touching, but in the end, it has its own life, right?

What Kojima said makes a lot of sense. We should always look forward. Staying stagnant in the present moment is a form of regression.

I can't quite put my finger on what I'm saying... Anyway, I hope everyone will want a happy ending to this story.

The island is destined to become a super popular runway model at TGC...

So let's support Kojima at every TGC!

Happy Dragon Boat Festival!

I want to relax during the holiday, so I'll put the main text aside for now...!

Thank you all for your continued support!

Chapter 269 [Real Horse Anecdotes]: Huiyi's Human Pit, Staff Fainted from Fright

Recently, Osamu Satomi's core business has not been going well.

While acquiring Sega at a low price through mergers and acquisitions is a long-term investment, Sega has only just completed its restructuring, shedding its bloated systems. Maintaining its market presence and even reviving itself still requires significant financial investment. A company's profits can only be reflected in its financial statements, and then are quickly swallowed up by operating costs.

Satomi Osamu's recent horse racing career can only be described as a fantasy.

The cheapest horse in their inventory, and arguably the cheapest at last year's Central Auction, the White Horse Shining White, has already won all six of its races, including three Grade 1 races, earning a total prize of 400 million yen—equivalent to Sega's monthly profit. Shining White's merchandise is also on its way. Given Oguri's and White Horse's reputation, its earning potential might rival Sega's. Now, horse racing fans are completely convinced that this horse has Oguri's bloodline: although its strength is completely unlike that of the Oguri family, its ability to create miracles is unmatched only by the Oguri family.

These past few days have been a celebration of Huiyi's NHK victory with carrots and grapes. Huiyi has devoured a basket of carrots over the past few days, causing his neighbors to groan and drool with envy. During training and racing, mares and stallions are kept on opposite sides of the stables, and Huiyi's neighbor is naturally a mare. For the sake of convenience, his neighbor is a foal from the same generation that entered the stable, named... Rhine Power! That's right, Rhine Power also chose the Setoguchi Tsutomu stable, but after several races without a single victory, Rhine Power doesn't receive many visitors and appears desolate and lonely.

Now, Huiyi has even started eating grapes, and his glaring eyes, like a god on a menthol drink, are all seen by Rhine. Unable to get what he wants, Rhine can only lament. The staff are truly guilty!

While Hikari was devouring the carrots, Satomi Osamu was admiring the white-haired miracle.

"Huiyi, Huiyi, you're so young yet so fair-skinned, and you run really well. My allowance depends on you." Satomi Osamu said this, and Huiyi, who had been letting people pet him, suddenly tilted his head back and turned away, leaving his big white buttocks to look at people.

"How can this horse be so easily fooled!" Satomi Osamu wanted to flatter the horse, but seeing that Hikari had already raised his hind legs as if to kick, he reluctantly withdrew his hand.

"The first pony I bought myself won the Eight Great Races... It feels like a dream... If it's a dream, at least let me dream of winning the Autumn Flower Award."

"Let me see the horse racing newspaper's effusive praise first."

After Huiyi won several consecutive victories, Satomi Osamu finally realized how dazzling the horse racing newspapers' praise was. His previous image as a sucker was gone, and now reading horse racing newspapers was mostly a good thing.

"A transformed mare, a double crowned white steed, a new champion on the mile race!"

Huiyi was so angry at the two-legged beasts that he ran away and huddled in a corner for a long time until the two-legged beasts finally dispersed.

Huiyi stretched out its head and feet with difficulty and kicked the carrot basket to the side. Then it chirped a few times toward the Rhine.

Rhine, who had been wondering, finally understood. He strained his neck to reach the basket and then bit down.

Watching Rhine's wide eyes and his increasingly rapid chewing, one could almost see the sweetness of the carrot spreading in his mouth. Because of the stable's location, Rhine had to stretch his neck to reach the basket after each carrot, but the sweetness compelled him to eat every single carrot within reach!

After Rhine finished destroying the stolen goods, there was a satisfied shout of joy.

Horse breeding works like this: a team only needs to ensure their horse is healthy and ready for races, then enjoy the glory and celebrate. However, jockeys who ride in several races a day have much more to consider, especially those jockeys who ride in every major race.

While Huiyi's camp was still celebrating and showering praise, jockey Katsuki Ando was overwhelmed with headaches from JRA news.

I played perfectly at Yasuda Kinen last year and won my first Mile G1 victory, but this year's opponent is obviously a level above last year.

"Bull Spirit Lucky Star Surprisingly Breaks Elite Master's Winning Streak! Elite Master Narrowly Loses!"

Hong Kong's strongest representative is about to head to Yasuda! Eri from Japan encounters her toughest opponent!

Can Japan defend Yasuda's position? Will the Hong Kong team achieve a grand slam in the first Asian Mile Challenge?