Chapter 15: Training Run Alongside Oguri Cap
Afternoon, at the Nagoya Training Ground.
Originally, Stardust Mirage wanted to start the training plan the next day, but Musaka Ginjirou hoped to begin learning Festive Miracle immediately. So, the three of them came here right after lunch.
The place had been booked by Old Man Musaka to prevent leaks about Oguri Cap's training situation, and Stardust Mirage could conveniently enjoy the treatment of a central top-level Uma Musume for once.
"After you finish the warm-up exercises later, you'll need to do a training run alongside Oguri first. Do you know what a training run is?"
After spending a few hours together, Stardust Mirage found that Old Man Musaka, who seemed stern and strict, wasn't as serious as he appeared. As long as it didn't involve Oguri Cap matters, he mostly spoke with her amiably, just like now.
"A training run?"
Stardust Mirage recalled memories from her previous life. In the Uma Musume world, a training run could be simply understood as a mode where Uma Musume train together in a practice race, but its purpose isn't to compete for first place, but to learn from each other.
"But, the gap between me and Oguri Cap..."
Stardust Mirage also had self-awareness. Even in a practice race, there was a world of difference between her and Oguri Cap, who was currently in her peak condition preparing to challenge for the Arima Kinen championship. She hesitated before replying.
"It's fine. Oguri will match your pace while running. The main purpose this time is for her to observe your running style during the run. You can also learn some experience from her, right?"
Nearby, Oguri Cap, who was folding her whole body and pressing it against the ground, seemed to hear her name mentioned. She lifted her head, looking blankly at the two conversing, her two ears twitching as if asking, "What are you talking about?"
"Oguri, during the upcoming training run, you'll stay behind or beside Stardust Mirage until the final 200m, observing. You are not allowed to pass her. Is that clear?"
Musaka asked this way.
"No problem. I will study hard."
When it came to matters related to running, the simple-minded air about Oguri Cap lessened considerably. She nodded and continued stretching her flexible body.
Watching Oguri Cap's exaggerated stretching movements during the warm-up, Stardust Mirage couldn't help but recall another Uma Musume who was called a genius due to her body's flexibility...
"Very flexible, right?" Musaka, standing nearby, seemed to read her thoughts. He explained:
"Generally speaking, if a Uma Musume's body achieves the level of flexibility that Oguri has, it will be a great help for running. You could say it's like a ticket to the G1 level. But accompanying that is a susceptibility to injuries."
"Oguri Cap has already been injured multiple times in her third year of racing for various reasons. This is also the main reason we decided to make the Arima Kinen her retirement race. After retirement, she can continue running on the Dream Cup bestowed by the Three Goddesses, so her body won't have as many troubles as it does now."
"Injuries... huh?" Recalling Tokai Teio's originally disaster-ridden racing career, Stellar Mirage understood. A flexible body is just a double-edged sword.
Her own systematically enhanced body, however, had become a guarantee against injuries, which could be considered her unique advantage – come to think of it, didn't the system mission rewards include a panacea?
"Alright, now that preparations are almost done, let's enter the starting gates."
After confirming both had warmed up, Musaka led them to the gates.
This training ground was built entirely to the Japan Racing Association standards. One could say this track was the standard for 1600m, good going, counter-clockwise, winter race conditions.
As Stardust Mirage and Oguri Cap entered the gates one after the other, she instantly felt the aura of Oguri Cap beside her change dramatically, like a monster on the verge of awakening.
This is... that feeling from before!
Stardust Mirage instantly remembered the creepy fear she felt the first time she saw Oguri Cap in the shop, and the suffocating feeling of being choked when she met Symboli Rudolf.
Is this the pressure from a top-tier Uma Musume!?
"Now, are you both ready?"
Old Man Musaka, standing to the side, held the gate control button and raised his right hand towards them:
"Three, two, one... Go!"
BANG!
Stardust Mirage and Oguri Cap started simultaneously. Their right feet landed on the turf, accompanied by a burst of air, their figures shot out of the gates like arrows from a bow!
Oguri Cap's gate breakout speed was even slightly higher than Stellar Mirage's, but she immediately adjusted her pace, allowing Stardust Mirage to pull ahead past her.
Stardust Mirage inwardly marveled; she was actually quite confident in her own gate speed.
The facts also proved Oguri Cap's breakout speed wasn't truly faster than hers, but Oguri Cap seized the instant the gates opened, gaining a minuscule lead in the timing of her exit.
Concentration? Or single-minded focus?
Stardust Mirage privately speculated about the skills Oguri Cap might possess.
Her current speed was already maintained near its maximum, while Oguri Cap ran effortlessly on the outer lane beside her.
Neither looked directly at the other, but even with her peripheral vision, Stardust Mirage could tell that Oguri Cap was far from using her true ability. Even each step on the ground felt light and floaty, completely lacking the sense of heavy power that comes with acceleration.
"It seems speed is her advantage, but she seems lacking in power, and her stamina doesn't seem sufficient either."
Old Man Musaka, standing trackside, watched Stardust Mirage running on the course, pondering the training plan.
It wasn't that he wasn't concerned about Oguri Cap's situation, but based on Musaka's study of race recordings, the timing for Stardust Mirage's special running style to erupt should be in the latter half of the race, near the final sprint, so he didn't need to worry about it for now.
The race quickly entered the latter half. Feeling the warm sensation of her stamina recovering for the second time, Stardust Mirage cast her gaze towards the area of the final turn ahead. The last 777 meters of the race lay on that bend.
If you want to see Festive Miracle, show it right there!
Thinking this, she suddenly kicked out a forceful step, her body shifting directly from upright to a forward lean. She seemed to vanish from the track for an instant, reappearing the next moment leading Oguri Cap by over half a length!
Skill, Shukuchi (Ground Shrinkage)... Huh!?
WHOOSH!
Almost the instant Stardust Mirage completed her move, a scorching aura suddenly surged from behind. Oguri Cap's body leaned forward until it was almost touching the ground, her footfalls immediately becoming rapid.
Skill, Straight-line Acceleration, activated!
Oguri Cap gave Stardust Mirage almost no time to react before closing the gap again. The two ran neck and neck, tightly pressed along the inner rail, directly entering the final turn.
"Trying to overtake Oguri Cap under these circumstances is still too forced. Is her competitive spirit really this strong?"
Old Man Musaka frowned. He could clearly see Stardust Mirage's current condition, including how that Shukuchi just now was a technique particularly damaging to an Uma Musume's legs. Frequent use could easily lead to injuries.
It seems she needs more focus on basic training. Otherwise, relying too much on technique will just make this Uma Musume neglect the fundamentals.
He secretly resolved to do so.
Note: I'm new to translating so please be kind and tell me any mistakes you all find, I will try to release a chapter a day but don't expect much
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