Standing atop the platform that symbolized glory, Offside Trap took the pen the host handed her and wrote her name on the board behind her.
It was the first time the Coronation Cup had ever borne the name of a Japanese horse girl, and the Japanese fans in the stands and watching from their screens erupted in cheers.
The smile never left the host's face. The girl before her was simply too adorable, and she could not help but feel fond of her. So she subtly signaled to the reporters behind her with her eyes.
It was her way of telling them not to ask anything too difficult. In her eyes, as the winner of the Coronation Cup—and such a lovable kind of horse girl at that—even setting aside the fact that she came from a country considered "behind" in horse-girl development, she was more than worthy of respect and affection.
The reporters immediately caught the meaning.
And just as immediately, all of them silently decided: We're reporters. You're just the host. No promises.
Offside Trap had no idea what they were all signaling at one another for, but as she looked at her name on the board, a wave of regret suddenly hit her.
She should have listened to Sakura Laurel back then and practiced her handwriting.
Even if she had only practiced writing her own name.
Ever since the Autumn Triple Crown had ended, Sakura Laurel had predicted that a day like this would come and had even told Offside Trap so. Unfortunately, Offside Trap had been so completely focused on her trainer and her training that the advice had gone in one ear and out the other.
She smacked her forehead.
The reporters in front of her, as well as Shinji Terizumi beside her, all looked puzzled. Up until just moments ago she had been all smiles after winning, so why was she suddenly looking so regretful?
Negative emotion +40
The system notification echoed in Shinji's mind. He had no idea what it was about, but let it go. At the host's urging—and under Offside Trap's expectant gaze—he walked over to stand beside her.
Offside Trap naturally hooked herself around his arm, and as she did, she could not help but think of what Saint Halo had once said during an interview—
Actions always mattered more than words.
Offside Trap was going to make it known to the world that she and her trainer were the best possible combination.
"First of all, congratulations on winning the Coronation Cup," the host began. "This victory doesn't just mean that Offside Trap has now achieved six straight graded-race wins and five straight G1 victories—it also marks Japan's first victory in Europe in a top-level middle-to-long-distance race. With that in mind, I'd like to ask Offside Trap how she feels right now."
With the official start of the interview, both Shinji and Offside Trap adopted serious expressions.
Only the arm looped around his showed no sign whatsoever of letting go.
Shinji made a small attempt to free it, but Offside Trap only tightened her grip.
"Being able to win a race like this here today means a great deal to me," Offside Trap said. "Being able to handle a course like this gives me even more confidence for the races ahead, and the opponents I faced here today have made me believe that I can win the races to come as well."
She lifted her chin slightly, looking confident and breathtakingly charming. The graceful line of her neck was laid bare, and the reporters immediately began hammering their shutters.
As the clicks rose and fell around them, another reporter quickly seized the chance to ask the next question.
"I'd like to ask Trainer Terizumi: what is Offside Trap's current plan for her next race? Also, Eagle—another Japanese horse girl—is about to run in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. After this victory, is there anything you'd like to say to her?"
"For now, I'd like to confirm—or possibly restructure—our race schedule based on this result, so I think it's still a little too early to say anything definite about future plans. It would be better to wait for our next official race announcement," Shinji replied.
Then he smiled.
"As for what I'd like to say to Eagle, personally, I think she just needs to go out there and give it everything she has. There's no need for her to carry too much pressure."
He paused for a beat before adding,
"After all, Offside Trap already won the Coronation Cup. Eagle should be able to race without having to bear any extra burden now."
It was the sort of statement bound to stir controversy, but Shinji looked at the gathered reporters without the slightest concern.
"Then let me ask another question," one reporter pressed on. "If you were to analyze things rationally, what do you think Eagle's chances are of winning the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud?"
"That's not something you should be asking me—you should be asking Trainer Tojo," Shinji said. "But personally, I'd say Aristocratic Line has the greater advantage in that race."
A number of reporters looked startled. They had not expected this Japanese trainer to be so blunt.
Then again, this really was his style, wasn't it?
As they realized that, quite a few of them lit up with excitement. They were already looking forward to more chances to interview him.
Being from Japan and yet able to produce these results already made him a fantastic story. The fact that he also handed them extra talking points on a silver platter only made him more beloved in the eyes of the press.
"Next, I'd like to ask Offside Trap," another reporter said. "After this race, we know your goal for this year is the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, and that your main campaign from here on will focus on European turf races. When you think about the many powerful rivals you may face in the future, do you feel any pressure? And is there any declaration you'd like to make?"
Offside Trap looked at the man asking the question. His expression was serious—he truly wanted to hear a declaration straight from her heart, something carrying both her own dreams and the hopes of all her fans. Perhaps he felt it would become a defining mark on her road to legend.
"After beating Dolce, Royal Anthem, and Good Dream," Offside Trap said, "I think that no matter how strong the opponents I face from here on are, I'll approach them with the mindset that I can win. Across all of Europe, I believe Dolce already stands at the summit of the Flash Series. As for me—whether it was the Japan Cup or the Coronation Cup—I think I've already found my place within it..."
Her words sent a visible ripple through the interview area, while the grandstand exploded into thunderous cheers. Even fans of other horse girls shouted themselves hoarse in response to her "wild claim."
This was Europe, after all.
European racing fans loved hearing words this bold. Just like the fierce blood-pumping competition on the track itself, declarations like these were part of what made the sport so electrifying.
"As for a declaration," she continued, "I suppose what I just said counts as one. I've found my place in the Flash Series. Only when someone has already touched the mountaintop—and is on the verge of stepping onto it—can they truly understand where each step they once took lay upon that mountain."
The reporter nodded vigorously, eyes even reddening slightly from the force of her words. He was far from the only one so moved. The crowd was in an uproar, and Offside Trap smiled radiantly.
For just a moment, Shinji was reminded of the interview before the Tenno Sho (Autumn).
Back then, she had been terribly self-conscious. Even after winning a high-quality G2, she had not dared utter a single word of rebuttal when compared to Silence Suzuka.
And now?
Now, after victory upon victory, she had gained a formidable confidence, and it gave her an utterly captivating aura.
As he watched Offside Trap sign one of the television cameras, Shinji suddenly lifted his mic and joked,
"Aren't any of you going to consider getting my autograph too?"
The moment the words left his mouth, the surrounding atmosphere broke into laughter.
"It's true," Offside Trap replied in the same teasing tone. "My trainer's handwriting is just a little prettier than mine."
And as she said it, she once again wrapped herself around his arm, drawing another round of laughter and applause from everyone present.
Join here to read ahead.
In Star Rail, Ultra-Beast Armored — Have I Caught "Equilibrium"? l (Chapter 80)
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Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Doctor, Not a Bangboo (Chapter 165)
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TYPE-MOON: Redemption Beginning with the Holy Grail War (Chapter110)
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I, Lord Ravager, Utterly Loyal! (Chapter250)
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Elf: My Starter Pokémon Is Inc 65
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Uma Musume, but My Cheat Power 248
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The Violent Girl Group Is Beat 125
Uma Musume: The Horse Girl Who 67
Uma Musume: From Beginner 145
Becoming a Horse Girl, I Will 85
Uma Musume: I Want All 120
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Tanya Starts from Re:Zero 80
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Honkai's Otherworld? Wait—Who Are You People?! 80
Emiya Shirou, Determined to Slay Every Curse and Evil Spirit 57
The Uma Musume Who Became 55
I'm Definitely Not the King of 60
After Maxing Out Every Class 45
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I, Sakazuki, Won't Go Down Tha 20
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