"Miss C.B.! This is so irresponsible. As the leader of our team, you should at least set a good example. I'm not asking for much, really, but watching TV is just too much."
"Our department was just established, and we need to build our external image gradually. As the head, please put in a bit more effort..."
"Blah, blah, blah..."
Mr. C.B. wore a pained expression, folding her ears back in an attempt to muffle her colleague's lecture. But it wasn't very effective—there was just too little space between them.
During this lengthy admonishment, Mr. C.B.'s thoughts began to drift. For some reason, this scene felt strangely familiar, unconsciously reminding her of someone not very tall, yet fiercely imposing.
"Senior, C.B.-senpai, you came to watch my race."
In a daze, that youthful, smiling face from the past resurfaced in her memory, making Mr. C.B. shake her head vigorously.
"Ugh, what is this? Why am I thinking of that person right now?"
"Director C.B., are you even listening?"
Seeing Mr. C.B. spaced out, the lecturing employee became even stricter.
--+--
On the track, the race had just begun, but the atmosphere was already electric, a far cry from the Satsuki Shō and Yayoi Shō she had participated in before.
Unlike previous opponents who only made tentative challenges at the start and gave up after a hundred or two hundred meters, Nearl now keenly felt the difference the race distance made.
"We're almost at the 500-meter mark, and there are still several Uma Musume keeping up? I really have a lot to learn about mile races. This would never happen in a middle-distance race."
Sprinting at full speed, Nearl had no time to look back, but the Domain she had deployed from the start was like an extension of her own limbs.
The situation behind her was as clear as a scan.
"Suzuka is going all out, using a different strategy from her recent races. It seems Trainer Okino kept his word—he gave Suzuka the greatest freedom to choose."
"But..."
Nearl felt her own Domain continuously gathering toward Suzuka's direction, wrapping tightly around her legs like orange bandages.
If there were any other Domain-users present, they would surely witness this astonishing sight.
Unfortunately, there weren't.
They had all assumed Nearl's victory and didn't bother to watch this G1 race, especially with the Japan Derby right around the corner. That prestigious race consumed all their attention.
Of course, with the exception of a certain someone slacking off at work.
But Mr. C.B. wasn't watching live either; she was tuned into the broadcast, so she couldn't see what Nearl's Domain was doing.
This was a unique, special Domain, its significance beyond words.
The joy of not having to worry about permanent injury, of channeling every ounce of strength into acceleration—something humans could never understand.
Yet this did nothing to ease Nearl's concerns. On the contrary, it made her even more worried about Suzuka's future.
"If she needs my Domain's support just to run at full speed, does that mean in races without me, she might actually get hurt? She's too fragile."
Here, Nearl couldn't help but fall into deep thought.
She began considering whether she could help nurse Suzuka back to health, to at least make her body a bit sturdier.
But the thought was fleeting, because the race was still ongoing.
Her opponents were all top-tier Uma Musume capable of competing in G1 races, and the initial acceleration advantage she had built up was now completely spent. From here on out, she couldn't afford to lose focus.
As her momentum faded, Nearl's speed noticeably dropped a notch—a fact clearly observed by Suzuka behind her.
'Just as Trainer predicted. Nearl may not look robust or imposing, but her strength is top-class, giving her absolutely dominant adaptability.'
'But when it comes to the agility for instant acceleration, I'm superior!'
Suzuka's eyes sharpened. She increased the force in her stride, instantly overtaking Nearl's position to take the lead!
...Of course, that was impossible.
The reason Suzuka could stay behind Nearl now was because she had adopted a "Great Escape" strategy—sprinting from the very start, holding nothing back.
Where would she find the extra stamina to accelerate further?
With almost half the race over, Suzuka could no longer maintain her exceptionally high speed. She slowed her pace now, beginning to recover stamina in preparation for another burst in the latter half.
As for the other competitors, they had long since lost the strength to chase, now barely keeping up from behind.
It was clear that the presence of the two "Great Escape" runners, Nearl and Silence Suzuka, had inflicted immense psychological pressure on them. Their rhythm was now completely shattered.
And so, here, the fierce chase temporarily eased into a lull.
"Incredible! Truly incredible! This is a G1 race for a reason—the fighting spirit burning like fire!"
"But fuel is limited, after all. The scene has temporarily stalemated. Nearl leads as always, but Silence Suzuka behind has also displayed an exceptionally high standard. The gap between them is now only eight lengths."
"My goodness, there might come a day when I call an eight-length lead 'only.' Even crazier, I'd think that statement is completely justified. What on earth has changed my perspective?"
"They've cleared the turn! All runners are now entering the final stretch!"
One moment, the commentator was joking; the next, his tone suddenly soared as he swiftly shifted into work mode.
That's mile racing for you. The relatively short distance means most Uma Musume don't need to worry about stamina management.
Even the importance of tactics diminishes, highlighting the most direct clash of speed—which is exactly what makes it so thrilling.
'Now!'
Having rested, Silence Suzuka was ready. Only 500 meters remained to the finish line. She was certain she could sprint all the way to the end, and at her top speed throughout.
Whoosh!
Grass was trampled under iron shoes, then sprang back up. Orange hair streamed fiercely in the wind, but Suzuka paid it no mind.
"I see it... that scenery!"
Her stamina was still sufficient, her feet felt lighter than ever, and the one she wanted to chase was right ahead. In this moment, Silence Suzuka felt utterly content.
"Ah, this is the first time I've been chased down to this extent by an Uma Musume."
Sensing the momentum behind her, Nearl's tone held a touch of resignation.
"Using me as a target, and so unceremoniously drawing on the power of my Domain... I almost feel sorry for myself."
Consuming her own strength to protect an opponent—this kind of self-sacrificing, altruistic Domain was probably something no other Uma Musume would use even if they had it.
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.