Just a day later,
"Belno Light crosses the finish line first!"
"An incredible showing! The other runners tried their best to escape, but The Tactician captured them in her net once again!"
Kitahara screamed loudly in excitement, but for once, his childlike joy wasn't out of place. The rest of the crowd was just as excited as he was, cheering for Belno's first victory over a G2 race.
"Belno…!" Oguri was similarly excited, her eyes sparkling as she waved. "Congratulations!"
Compared to the two's excitement though, Musaka's complexion was far more severe. "This is troubling…" He whispered, tightly gripping onto his cane as he gazed down at the track.
I glanced at him for a moment before I nodded slowly. "Yeah, this was pretty rough." I said, narrowing my eyes. "She really struggled there."
And she did. Most people probably hadn't noticed, but I'd been with her for almost a year by this point. It wasn't hard to see that Belno was beginning to lose control over her composure halfway through the race, her concentration disrupted due to several previous plans she'd attempted and failed to implement during the race.
It wasn't her fault. Just like the [Yayoi Sho], the [Spring Stakes] was seen as a precursor to the [Satsuki Sho]. The runners who participated were at a far higher level compared to the runners she faced during her first G3 race. Not only that, but most of them seemed at least somewhat prepared to deal with Belno's style of tactics.
In the end, she'd gone back and used the 'Blocker-Urara' technique she hadn't used in a while; something she only used whenever she began to really panic. It'd worked this time, but I doubted the technique would ever be as useful ever again. The tactic would probably be dissected to death after this race's recording went public.
I pursed my lips. "If this keeps up-"
"The [Aoba Sho] won't be easy." Musaka finished, frowning deeply as he pulled his hat down.
I nodded slowly. The first chink in Belno's armor had been revealed, so to say. And if nothing was done, it was a vulnerability that could fester into something worse.
But,
"This won't stop her." I said confidently, smiling as I saw Belno waving at us. "She still has a month before the [Aoba Sho] to prepare."
"That she does." Musaka agreed, before he too smiled. "Guess I'll have to work a little harder." He hummed as he scratched his chin. "Should still have some old notes I kept from a while back."
"Oh? So we're finally getting some of the juicy stuff?" I asked with a sly grin.
Musaka scoffed. "Sod off, girl. It ain't anything that serious." His expression darkened for a moment before he huffed. "Just some old notes I had from my previous trainees. Ain't sure how helpful they'll be for the lass, but it should give her some ideas at least."
I nodded. "She'll appreciate that."
Musaka hummed. He was quiet for a moment before he glanced at me. "You know, you can afford to be a little more excited during these races, girl." He nudged his cane towards the still-celebrating Kitahara. "Take a few cues from that fool over there. His head ain't that great, but his heart's in the right place."
I smirked. "What? Getting a little tired of little ol' me?"
"You're an umamusume." Musaka continued, unbothered. "You should come alive in races like these." He turned and stared at me, his gaze judging. "You don't need to worry so much. Let yourself relax."
…Ha.
"I'll try." I said with a sigh. "I-, just can't help it, I guess." I smiled wryly. "Most of our careers are painfully short. And knowing a single wrong move can send all of it burning to the ground-" I huffed. "Nevermind, I'm rambling."
Musaka said nothing, but I could tell agreed with me. After all, having been a trainer for decades, I'm sure he'd seen many such instances himself.
We spent the next few minutes in silence, before we were directed to the nearby stadium to watch Belno's Winning Concert.
…
A while later, after the evening had long turned to night, I found myself still running on the track despite how late it'd gotten.
I quickly wiped my face with a towel after another lap around the track. I glanced around the track while I took a few moments to rest. As expected, the track was pretty much empty this late into the night. The lack of any noise was a little eerie at first, but this wasn't the first time I've stayed up late, and the silence had become somewhat comforting to me.
Rather, I was still up late because of a decision I'd been debating for a while now.
The {Mile Affinity Up}—something I could purchase from the SP Shop that'd bump my Mile affinity by one rank. Since my affinity for Mile races was still at Rank-C, it'd definitely become a hindrance a couple weeks later once the [Oka Sho] would take place.
Except I was now second-guessing myself. Considering my lack of talent, I doubted I'd be able to raise my Mile affinity in the two weeks I had left. But did I really want to spend 500 SP just to get my Mile affinity to Rank-B? Sure, it'd help me during the [Oka Sho], but that was the only Mile-length race I'd need to race for the Triple Tiara. The other two were both Medium-length races, which I had an affinity of Rank-B already.
Instead, I could purchase the {Medium Affinity Up} instead and bump my affinity to Rank-A, ensuring I could run the [Japanese Oaks] and the [Queen Elizabeth II Cup] at my absolute best.
The reason I was even considering this was because of something I just recently found out.
As it turned out, Sakura Chiyono O wouldn't be running in the Japanese Derby. Instead, she was set to run in the Japanese Oaks instead. I was no doubt the reason for the change, and when I first heard it, I nearly dropped the melon bread I'd been snacking on.
Because Sakura Chiyono O was scary. The "O" in her name was Japan's way of calling her a king, signifying her potential of becoming a conqueror.
Really, had she not been surrounded by legends like Oguri Cap and Super Creek, I had no doubt Sakura Chiyono O could've become a legend just like them.
…Still, it would be a mistake to be hasty. Not much might change in two weeks, but who knows?
That aside, I had something else I wanted to try out.
{In Body and Mind}
Moderately increase velocity in the last spurt.
Cost: 170 SP
Even after deducting the 500 SP, I still had enough SP leftover to purchase another Skill. I spent some time debating what I should get, but after considering my weaknesses, I decided to upgrade {Homestretch Haste} into its ultimate form.
And the difference between a "slight" increase compared to a "moderate" increase was truly shocking. If {Homestretch Haste} increased my maximum speed by about 10% during my final spurt, then {In Body and Mind} easily increased it by 30% or even more. It was the perfect upgrade, especially since I just recently bought the {Leading Charge} Skill to boost my acceleration.
Of course, I still needed to get used to that sudden boost in speed, which was why I was out here late at night.
Anyway,
After a few minutes of rest, I was ready to take another lap. I gave my shoulders a quick roll, and after stretching my legs, I began running across the track once more.
I ran at the usual speed I took when I used my Great Escape. My breathing was even throughout most of my run. It was only when I entered the fourth corner that I took a deep breath, preparing myself to lunge forward the moment I entered the final straight.
The moment I did,
{In Body and Mind} and {Leading Charge} activated together, and the turf below trembled as I kicked forward with all my might. I soared forward at incredible speeds, and before I knew it, I crossed the finish line.
I quickly skidded to a stop, and I instinctively turned to the scoreboard, only to feel slightly disappointed when the screen remained dark.
But of course it wouldn't be on—everyone was likely asleep or back in the dorm.
I shook my head, and after a few moments of rest, I returned to the track and began another lap.
I continued to run late into the night, with only the stars above as my witness.