Myriad Dreams' final leg exploded once again, her hoofbeats sounding like rapid drumrolls.
The gap between her and Marvelous Sunday was shrinking at a speed visible to the naked eye.
A powerful sense of pressure surged from behind. Even without looking back, Marvelous Sunday could feel the approaching momentum.
She clenched her teeth. Both were currently pushing their speed to the absolute limit, yet Myriad Dreams was still closing in!
The distance vanished rapidly, going from five lengths down to three!
The announcer's voice nearly cracked.
"The final corner is right before our eyes! Whoever clears this turn in better form will seize absolute dominance for the final sprint!"
The hearts of the Team Spica members were in their throats. Special Week clenched her hands, offering a silent prayer for her teammate.
The instant before entering the home straight, the gap had narrowed to just one length.
Relying on her wealth of experience and precise judgment of the track, Marvelous Sunday was the first to slice into the corner!
Following the rhythm she had practiced countless times with Fuji Kiseki, she fluidly adjusted her center of gravity.
Her steps landed precisely on the optimal path, her body carving a perfect arc.
"Now I've won!"
The advantage of the inner lane bolstered her confidence, it felt as if she could already touch victory.
However, in that lightning-fast spark of a moment, the System in Myriad Dreams' mind issued a critical command:
[Sharp curve ahead. Advice: Activate "Prototype Zone" to assist with stability and acceleration!]
Without a shred of hesitation, Myriad Dreams focused her spirit.
A faint yet mysterious aura instantly expanded with her at the center— it was the unrefined prototype of her Zone!
Bolstered by this power, her cornering movements became leaner and more efficient. She pressed her body lower, almost brushing the ground.
With a logic-defying acceleration, she zipped past the inner edge like a blue phantom, completing a breathtaking overtake!
"What?!"
Marvelous Sunday's pupils suddenly contracted. That near-perfect, limit-pushing cornering was completely beyond her predictions and reaction threshold!
By the time she adjusted her slightly disrupted rhythm from the decelerated turn and re-accelerated with all her might, Myriad Dreams had already gained a four-length lead thanks to that incredible cornering!
The finish line was within reach, only 100 meters to go.
"Is it... really going to end like this?" A massive sense of loss gripped Marvelous Sunday's heart.
"After all the sweat I shed with Fuji-senpai, after all that harsh training... in the end, I'm still going to lose?!"
"NO!! I REFUSE TO ACCEPT THIS!!!"
A cry from the depths of her soul, accompanied by intense frustration and obsession, transformed into tangible power!
A blazing light seemed to ignite in Marvelous Sunday's eyes. Shimmering points of light, like stardust, began to emerge around her.
An aura far more complete and majestic than Myriad Dreams' prototype erupted!
The Zone.
At this moment of desperation, she had miraculously touched the legendary supreme realm of Uma Musume.
[Warning! Warning! High-energy "Zone" reaction detected! Host, please sprint at full power immediately!]
The System alarm blared shrilly.
Even without the reminder, Myriad Dreams had already felt the heart-stopping wave of terrifying energy behind her.
She felt as if her lungs were on fire, every step was as heavy as a mountain. But the fire burning in her eyes never flickered out.
"I've fought so hard to get to this point... there's no way I'm falling here!!!!"
"AAAAAAAAAHHH!!!" x2
Two desperate roars converged into a final call for the charge.
Myriad Dreams squeezed out every ounce of potential from her body, while Marvelous Sunday, having awakened her Zone, was closing the distance at a terrifying speed!
Four lengths, three lengths, one length... the finish line was right there!
"Crossing the line—!!!"
Two figures tore through the finishing tape almost in parallel. It was impossible for the naked eye to distinguish who was first.
The entire stadium fell silent instantly.
Every eye was glued to the screen that would decide their fates. The numbers flickered wildly before finally settling:
Myriad Dreams
Marvelous Sunday
Margin: Nose
"She won... it's Myriad Dreams! By the narrowest margin of a nose, Myriad Dreams has won this soul-stirring battle! She has defeated Marvelous Sunday in her awakened Zone!"
Hearing the result, Myriad Dreams could no longer keep herself upright. She collapsed onto the grass, exhausted, her chest heaving violently.
A wave of lingering fear washed over her.
'If Marvelous Sunday's Zone had awakened even half a second earlier... this victory would likely have changed hands.'
Behind her, Marvelous Sunday was equally drained, her eyes brimming with tears of frustration.
Despite that, she choked back her sobs and stepped forward to offer her congratulations.
"Congratulations, Myriad Dreams. Next time, I absolutely won't lose again."
"Ah... let's talk about 'next time' when it gets here."