…A 2000-meter race, huh. A few hundred meters more than before — a distance I've never tried…
After the start of the training race, Oguri Cap let her mind drift for just a moment.
In every previous race, Kitahara would carefully analyze her opponents and devise a strategy. But this time…
No — I can't keep depending on Kitahara forever.
He's already so busy. Even though I've been trying to keep an eye on him, he's just getting busier and busier. I can't be someone who causes him extra trouble.
Besides, if my opponents are Tama, Creek, and Inari…
…I can analyze and plan for myself.
With a shift in her thoughts, like a holographic map, the entire training ground, every detail, appeared in her mind.
This was a "talent" she had never told Kitahara about.
Whenever she trained or raced, she didn't need to consciously observe. Just using the corners of her eyes, her ears, and even her sense of smell, she could "transfer" the entire state of the track into her mind.
It was as if, when sprinting at full speed, her line of sight inexplicably floated up from the ground into the sky, overlooking the racecourse like a hawk, grasping the entire situation from above.
She figured the other Uma Musume must have this ability too — it had to be something everyone could do. And besides, she wasn't great at expressing herself, so she never saw the need to tell Kitahara.
Mm… as expected of Tama. She's run a lot of Central races; her starting sense is way better than mine.
But she's still affected by what happened.
She could've been in the lead, but because I approached her, she instinctively shifted sideways, wasting that advantage.
That means — Super Creek's lack of experience kept her from taking the lead at the start. Inari's starting technique is still as rough as in practice…
Now's the time! Get to Tama's side!
This time I don't just need to win — I have to surround Tama! That's what Kitahara specifically instructed!
Amazing. As expected of someone who's gone ten-for-ten. This Oguri kid.
From the very start, she was already scanning left and right. Inari quickly noticed — Oguri had judged the moment in a split second and seized the spot right next to the fastest starter, Tamamo Cross, without a sliver of wasted time.
Damn it. Should've listened more to Big Sis and Taro back then
The posture at the start, the breathing rhythm, the arm swing — they're all about the same. But something about Oguri and Tama's technique just feels a little sharper than mine
Is this what Big Sis and Taro were talking about — that my technical details still need improvement?
Ugh, so frustrating, so frustrating, so frustrating. I want to learn those techniques properly, but I really can't understand them…
Aaahhh… how the heck is Oguri doing this…
Even during this period, when I was at least trying to make sense of that old man Kitahara's lectures, she was just secretly napping through them…
How the heck did she figure this stuff out?!
Aahhh! So frustrating! So frustrating! So frustrating!
Screw it!
First we surround Tama — then we talk!
"Ahhhhhhhhhh—! Huh… wah, wah?!"
"You can't just charge in recklessly like that, Inari…"
Trying to use brute force to charge up next to Tamamo Cross, pushing forward by over a length in one breath — but just as she launched, Inari was stunned to see out of the corner of her eye, somehow, Super Creek had already slipped past her with ease.
Not only had Super Creek passed Inari — she had smoothly passed Oguri Cap and Tamamo Cross as well.
Amid the astonished gazes of the other three Uma Musume, she seized the lead.
Good — running in escape mode early, spending some stamina now — this is to my advantage.
Listening to the three breaths coming from behind her, Super Creek gave a subtle nod.
A blessing in disguise, in a way. I spent so much time recovering, especially pretending to hide my foot inflammation. I arrogantly forced myself into practice, dragging down so much time…
But, precisely that gait I developed to hide the inflammation — it's become an advantage.
Stepping lightly, Super Creek thought with confidence:
I can control my stamina better than Oguri, Tama, or Inari!
This light, airy footwork — I can gain more speed with less energy!
That way, the stamina I just spent is already offset — I can hold this lead all the way to the end!
Even if I started late, even if I lack experience, even if I haven't even debuted yet…
I absolutely won't lose to you!
Ha…
Hahaha…
Hahahahaha!
Yes — that's it! This is the kind of race I've been waiting for!
Without even realizing it, Tamamo Cross widened her eyes, her mouth stretching into a huge grin, silently laughing out loud.
This is the kind of race I wanted!
Yes — that's it! Surround me! Oguri, Little Bay, Inari!
When I saw Oguri in that "Youth Crown Race," I knew it — sooner or later, I'd have a head-to-head with you!
Super Creek, are you gonna be defeated by injury? As if! You're Super Creek!
Line up to race me? Too cocky, Inari!
Like hell I'd lose to you lot!
All that "trauma," all that "mental baggage"…
To hell with all of it!
I am —
The White Lightning of Naniwa —
Tamamo Cross!
Edge of the training field.
"…Whoa, whoa, whoa — those four… are insane…"
This training race was arranged to observe Tamamo Cross's condition, so the whole team was present. The one who shouted in shock was Komiyama.
"Whoa whoa whoa whoa! What the hell — what speed is that…?! This is supposed to be a training race?!"
She continued shouting, grabbing the person next to her without even looking, crying out,
"Which — which one of you just hit the stopwatch?! They're so damn fast, I forgot to hit mine!"
The one she grabbed was Yuzuhara Tarō. The grip was so tight from panic that his face twisted in pain.
"Tss… uh — actually, I forgot to time it too."
He bared his teeth, subtly trying to tug at her grip, but when it didn't budge, he just endured the pain and admitted honestly: "I was too busy being shocked, I didn't hit it either."
"Uh, Kitahara, Kyoko…" He shot a pleading glance to the side.
"Relax," came Miyamura Kyoko's voice. Though her face also held surprise, there was even more of a smile:
"After coming back to Kasamatsu with Kitahara-sensei, I spent a lot of time purchasing medical equipment."
She gestured with her arm to encompass the entire track. "Maybe you haven't noticed, but in fact, along the edge rails of this training field, I've installed all kinds of measuring instruments."
"Miniature ultra-high-speed cameras, infrared speed sensors, laser rangefinders… the data I process every day comes from these devices."
"And not just that — a few days ago, I installed a 'thermal imaging integrated detection system' at the end of the track. This way, even their fastest moments — that is, their final sprints — we can analyze those states too."
"So even without a stopwatch, I can reproduce the details of this race from the data."
Almost as if seeking some credit, she smiled brightly, giving a big thumbs-up, and looked at the others with full delight. "So rest assured."
"Truly reassuring, Kyoko."
With a word of praise, Kitahara gave a wry smile, raising the stopwatch in his hand.
"Actually… I also forgot to press it…"
Then he looked toward the track. "I honestly didn't expect that when the four of them ran together, it would work this well — that their speed would turn into something matching a G1-level event. So at the start, I also forgot…"
"…Hm?"
Suddenly, his eyes widened.
(End of this chapter)