Meanwhile, at Kasamatsu Racecourse.
"Start!"
"No wonder this is called the 'Special' — the Shiwasu Special Cup gathers the best Uma Musume from both Kasamatsu and Oi at once!"
"The most popular, Oguri Cap, is using her usual tactics. She's running in a Pace Chaser position, closely sticking to whoever's ahead!"
"The second most popular… ah! Third most popular, Inari One, is running side by side with Oguri Cap! Is this Oi's ultimate weapon?! Truly a formidable competitor! How long has it been since Kasamatsu saw someone match Oguri Cap in explosive power?!"
"Inari One is also using a pace chaser strategy! As the reports said, she came specifically to challenge Oguri Cap in Kasamatsu. Can she succeed? Let's wait and see!"
…What kind of commentary is this?! It's clearly Oguri challenging me, Inari One! How did it become me challenging her?!
I…
N-no! I can't let this happen! Calm down, Inari! I can't rush like before!
Light has put in so much lately. The boss and everyone in the streets must be watching me on TV… no, maybe they've already come, right in the stands!Haha, same as always, trying to surprise me, huh?
Then I… absolutely cannot lose!
Watch closely, Oguri. As long as I, Inari One, stay calm…
"The crowd is cheering Oguri Cap's name — looks like the home advantage makes Kasamatsu's star more popular!"
"Aaaah! This is infuriating! Oguri! Just you wait and see!"
Huh? Did Inari just shout at me?
Never mind, focus on the race…
…As for Super Creek, she's probably using her training tactic: take the lead. With her abilities, she'll likely try to sprint ahead as far as possible, even if it costs stamina…
So, should I try to chase her? It's a bit early for that…
Tama, what will you do…
And Inari… she's closing in fast…
Meanwhile, at Hanshin Racecourse.
"Unbelievable! Unbelievable! It's just incredible! Charging straight to the front… it's Tamamo Cross!"
"She changed her tactics! Is this a surprise attack?! A desperate move despite being the least popular?!"
"Or did five straight losses make her reckless, a risk she couldn't avoid?!"
"Too crazy! Too crazy! She's like lightning! From the gate, she's ahead of every other Uma Musume! And she's shattered all audience expectations!"
"Can she hold on until the end?!"
Ha… hahahaha… hahahahaha!
What surprise attack, what desperate move!
We already know Super Creek will try to take the lead!
We can't give her the chance!
Her stamina is no ordinary pre-debut Uma Musume level!
We can't let her pull away!
Nor can we give Oguri or Inari the chance!
Hahaha! How's that — just like the audience here, and my competitors behind me, stunned, right?! Super Creek, Oguri, Inari!
I really want to see your expressions, but unfortunately, we're not on the same track.
Huh? If I pretend to run defensively, then on the same track, they'd be behind me now? Still can't see their expressions…
Well, whatever. After disrupting these opponents' rhythm, the next turn…
Control speed, return to the true front-runner tactic, conserve stamina!
Kasamatsu Training Ground.
"Eh eh eh?! Ki-Kitahara-san! Komiyama says Tama's having a problem!"
With headphones on, Kyoko Miyamura shouted.
Kitahara, focused on recording Super Creek's race, was momentarily startled, then quickly split his attention: "Quick! Turn up the volume! Hanshin! I need to hear what's happening!"
"Ah? Oh, oh…"
Kyoko flusteredly unplugged one of the phone's earphones. The next second, the thrilling commentary, mixed with Komiyama's panicked exclamations, reached them.
"Tamamo Cross has changed her tactic! She's gone from running defensively to front-runner! So front-runner is her true tactic?! She tricked everyone in the stands and all her opponents!"
"What should I do, Kyoko-senpai?! Tama suddenly changed her tactics without telling me, she's not good at running defensively… eh eh eh?!"
Kitahara quickly reasoned based on what he heard and concluded:
"Komiyama, don't panic! This should be Tama's tactic!"
"Remember, she's not just competing against the Hanshin opponents, but also against Oguri Cap, Inari One, and Super Creek. She probably ran defensively to mislead them! Now she's back to her real tactic!"
Urgently explaining his guess, seeing Komiyama's mood calm slightly, Kitahara gave a resigned smile.
Really… such chaos. Changing tactics without consulting your trainer… right at the event!
What if something went wrong? This is a high-stakes race, and you've already lost five straight, Tama…
Slightly worried, Kitahara showed no outward reaction and thought to have Kyoko unplug the other earphone as well.
"Kyoko, let me hear Kasamatsu."
A new commentary voice joined in.
"The race has reached the midsection. The most eye-catching, Oguri Cap and Inari One, haven't moved. They maintain side-by-side competition. Are they saving their victory for the final sprint?! Or will someone act soon?!"
Also added, Tarō's calm analysis:
"Kyoko, based on my stopwatch data, Oguri Cap and Inari's performance is normal. It seems they truly intend to turn this 1600m race into 2000m."
"If they do hold out until the end, make sure to examine them carefully after the race."
"The 1600m sprint stretch is only about 200m, but to secure victory in both races, they might turn the extra 400m into a sprint!"
"Ugh, I kind of regret agreeing to this…"
Then Belno Light's voice came through, full of trust and determination.
"No worries. They planned this race a long time ago. They only pretended to think of it now during the farewell because Kitahara-san and the others might not agree."
…Wait, Light, you mean… these innocent Uma Musume were playing mind games with us?
Kitahara couldn't help but laugh and groan.
What the heck, just say you want this race properly… geez…
"So, please trust them, Mr. Tōra."
Belno Light continued firmly: "We might not be as skilled, but as Uma Musume, we know our strengths."
"Oguri Cap's finishing kick, Inari's power, Tama's burst, Super Creek's stamina — they know their advantages and dare to compete like this. No problem."
"Plus, Mr. Tōra, Kitahara-san, Kyoko-senpai, Komiyama-senpai — you've put so much effort into weight training, parachute sprints, and tandem runs. They won't let you down."
"Please, look forward to their performance."
(End of Chapter)