Uma Musume: To The Top!!

Chapter 333 333: 444

As a way to pass the time, this G3 race was acceptable.

As for whether it was exciting...

At least to the current Kuroha, it truly did not stir much of a reaction.

Not only was the intensity of the race more than a level below that of a G1 event, but among the dozen or so uma musume on the field, not a single one could even touch the threshold of a Domain.

Aside from the somewhat rough positioning battles and Mamba Shot in the early stage, as well as the details of how they handled the curves on Irish turf, which could barely serve as tactical reference, the entire race did not hold much value for him.

But the talkative uncle sitting beside him clearly did not think that way at all.

"Damn! That was awesome!"

The uncle clenched both fists, the veins on his arms bulging from the force.

He even stood up in excitement, cheering wildly for the winner who had crossed the finish line.

That pure enthusiasm really did fill the venue with emotional value.

Kuroha smiled and shook his head. He stood as well and casually complained that the winner's interview had taken up the tail end of the broadcast.

After applauding, Kuroha patted the talkative uncle, who was still in a state of excitement, and said, "Uncle, I'll be heading back first."

The uncle turned back in a daze, his face full of confusion. "So soon? There are still several races after this. Don't leave, young man!"

Kuroha waved a hand. "I still have some things to do, so I won't be staying."

"Then... fine. See you again if fate allows!"

The uncle did not press him. He said goodbye with a hearty laugh, then threw himself into the pre-race buildup for the next event.

...

Kuroha slowly walked out of Leopardstown Racecourse.

As noon approached, the crowd at Ireland's most famous racetrack also began to surge.

It seemed the audience had been sparse earlier purely because it had been too early, and many of the diehard fans had yet to crawl out of bed.

However, when Kuroha reached the main gate, he keenly noticed that the atmosphere was a little off.

The black-clad bodyguards he had seen when entering earlier were hurrying around with anxious expressions, stopping people from time to time to ask a few questions.

"Excuse me, sir!"

Just then, a man in black came to Kuroha in a panic and showed him a photo.

"May I ask if you have seen the princess in this photo? This is what she looks like!"

Kuroha lowered his head to look.

The little girl in the photograph had a pair of bright eyes that shone like gold.

Her dark brown hair was combed back into a bun, and the conspicuous white streak in the middle of her bangs was very distinctive.

Most striking of all were the two shamrock hair ornaments clipped to each of her ears, representing Ireland. Her whole appearance was full of noble charm without losing its playful air.

Fine Motion?

She got lost?

A royal princess can get lost too?

Kuroha gave the man in black a strange look, then answered honestly, "No. I just came out of the venue, and I didn't see her on the way."

Under Kuroha's gaze, the man in black clearly looked somewhat embarrassed, but he still dutifully explained.

"Her Highness finished watching the race just now, then took advantage of the crowd and slipped away with her little maid in the blink of an eye."

"Ah... It's like this every time she comes to the racecourse. It's exhausting."

Judging from that tone, it seemed this princess was already a habitual runaway.

Kuroha quietly complained in his heart.

Still, since she had disappeared together with a maid, it meant she still had some sense of safety. Nothing too serious should happen.

Only...

Kuroha recalled his vague impression of Fine Motion from his previous life.

Because she was not as overwhelmingly popular as Tokai Teio or Mejiro McQueen, his understanding of her was fairly limited.

But based on her character setting, had this princess always been this mischievous?

Or was it simply that people changed as they grew?

"In any case, sir, if you happen to see Her Highness later, please pass on a message. Tell her she must return before noon, or Madam will truly get angry."

The man in black had clearly already lost all hope of personally finding Fine Motion.

For a moment, Kuroha found it hard not to laugh. Still, when it came to dealing with troublesome children, he had plenty of sympathy.

"All right. If I'm fortunate enough to meet your princess, I'll be sure to pass the message along."

"Thank you!"

The man in black sighed wearily, thanked him, then hurried toward the next street corner.

After fully leaving the racecourse area, Kuroha was not in a hurry to return to Gildune Manor.

Instead, he wandered through various streets. Whenever he saw some distinctive dessert, he bought it, preparing to bring it back as a reward for McQueen.

Before long, Kuroha walked out of a dessert shop in satisfaction.

"The flavor's pretty good. McQueen should be rather happy."

Feeling the weight of the bag in his hand, Kuroha nodded.

He had not prepared only McQueen's portion. Kuroha had also specially bought some for Folkqueen and Godolphin.

After all, there was no training today. When it was time to relax, they should naturally relax a little.

With his morning plan successfully completed, he was just about to cross the road and leave the commercial street when someone suddenly tugged lightly at the hem of his clothes.

Kuroha stopped in confusion and instinctively looked down.

He saw a little girl wearing a wide sunhat, a hoodie, and even a mask. At that moment, she was straining to lift her little head, her clear, watery golden eyes staring at him with burning eagerness.

"You are..."

Kuroha looked at this fully disguised Irish girl, somewhat at a loss.

"Mr. Kuroha!"

Before he could ask, the little girl called his name in a low voice, her tone somewhat excited.

?

Kuroha raised an eyebrow.

Although he was famous in professional uma musume circles, he was not a celebrity like an uma musume, constantly exposed to the spotlight.

To the general public, his name might be familiar, but probably not many people could recognize his face.

For example, the talkative uncle who had chatted with him the whole way earlier had not connected him to that legendary Trainer at all.

He had not expected this little girl, who did not even look old enough for middle school, to recognize him at a glance.

Kuroha took the opportunity to crouch down, bringing his gaze level with those golden eyes, and asked gently, "Little miss, why are you here alone? Where are your guardians?"

"Guardians?"

The sunhat-wearing girl froze, then stretched out a small hand and pointed at the dessert shop Kuroha had just walked out of.

"They're buying things for me in there."

Kuroha looked back in the direction she indicated and indeed saw several women in similar clothing with striking appearances standing at the shop entrance, glancing over from time to time.

The instant those women met Kuroha's gaze, they revealed extremely serious expressions. Some even "casually" rolled up their sleeves, exposing exaggerated biceps.

Kuroha: "..."

Where did these Mulans come from?

...Mm?!

Wait!

Very quickly, inspiration flashed through his mind. Looking at the little girl before him, who seemed more familiar the longer he looked, Kuroha hesitated briefly before asking tentatively, "Fine Motion?"

The little girl froze when she heard that. Then she calmly removed her sunhat and mask, revealing a pair of adorable little ears and an exquisite, pretty face.

After being recognized, this royal little girl lifted her skirt and gave an elegant curtsy.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Kuroha. My name is Fine Motion."

Looking at the royal uma musume before him, who radiated nobility from head to toe, Kuroha fell silent for a moment before saying softly, "...Your mother said that if you don't go back before noon, she's going to get angry."

"Guh."

The little girl's body abruptly stiffened. She scratched her head awkwardly, but still looked at Kuroha and said, "That isn't urgent! Mr. Kuroha, the reason I took the liberty of disturbing you is because there is something very important I would like to discuss with you."

"What is it?"

Kuroha was somewhat puzzled.

He did not seem to have any connection to the Irish royal family.

Fine Motion considered her words for a moment, then said with a serious expression, "Although this may be your first time meeting me, this is not my first time seeing you."

"Last year, when you brought Miss Oguri Cap to Leopardstown for open training before the race, I was there."

"I also watched that Irish Champion Stakes from beginning to end."

Oh?

So she's a little fan?

Kuroha smiled. "Did Your Highness stop me specifically to say that?"

"No."

Fine Motion shook her head. Then she secretly glanced at the maids behind her, lowered her voice, and said, "I want... to study at your Central Tracen Academy!"

"?"

(End of Chapter)

[Get +30 Extra Chapters On — P@tr3on "Zaelum"]

[Every 300 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter Drop]

[Thanks for Reading!]