The jet-black phantom burst from the blind spot with precise, lightning-fast speed. By the time Kousei realized it, she only caught a fleeting glimpse of its receding form.
She emerged from my blind spot?! Why didn't I hear her coming?!
Kousei couldn't afford to be distracted. The black Umamusume had taken a tighter, faster line through the turn. Like a thrust from a foil, the dark horse effortlessly emerged ahead.
Not Double Entanglement, nor White Grimoire. To slip through that chaos so calmly... this one can't be underestimated!
Kousei pressed closer, her expression grave as she tried to identify the mysterious racer.
Eishin Flash! It's Eishin Flash! Seizing the narrow opening, she surges past Kousei, who sparked the commotion!
Eishin Flash? Kousei thought the name sounded familiar.
"Good afternoon," the leading Umamusume suddenly called out. "Thank you for creating the chaos that allowed me to execute Plan B."
"Impressive! I completely missed you. That was an incredibly risky move, cutting in at such a sharp angle. Would most people even attempt that?" Kousei wasn't just being polite; she genuinely admired the daring maneuver.
In theory, it's possible, but the risks are too great. Most people wouldn't choose that path. Even Kousei hadn't considered it, which is why she overlooked it when analyzing Eishin Flash's movements.
"It's not a gamble," Eishin Flash said calmly, as if stating a fact. "This was part of the plan all along."
"What? Who would make such a dangerous move part of their plan?"
"In every race, I execute my plan flawlessly. As long as the theory exists, I refuse to allow myself to fail."
While Eishin Flash's ruthlessness felt different, Kousei had seen similar competitors before—Mihono Bourbon, Rice Shower's contemporary.
A Cyborg who followed instructions with absolute precision.
Eishin Flash, however, exuded composure—a composure that radiated absolute confidence.
"Everything is planned out! Eishin Flash will follow the plan and seize victory!" With a fierce glint in her eyes, Eishin Flash slammed her foot down and surged forward like a black flash.
"So fast!" In an instant, Eishin Flash vanished from Kousei's sight.
"I remember now! I saw her in Umamusume Weekly! The Jet-Black Flash! The Derby Champion!"
To think such a formidable contender would participate in this year's Osaka Cup.
"Eishin Flash is really starting to push now, closing in on Gold City at an incredible speed. How will Gold City respond?" The commentator remained focused on the race, oblivious to the growing unease in the stands.
"Hey, doesn't this seem a bit too dangerous?"
"Yeah... This running style is just..."
"It's practically heresy!"
The audience's dissatisfaction was palpable, and the commentator finally noticed the commotion.
"What's going on? Everyone seems to be complaining about something?" At that moment, a staff member leaned in and whispered, "They seem unhappy with Kousei's strategy earlier."
"But hasn't Kousei always raced like this?" the commentator asked, genuinely puzzled. If they were dissatisfied, why were they only voicing their complaints now?
"We're not sure exactly why, but it seems like a few ringleaders stirred things up, escalating the situation."
The commentator paused. "Go calm the audience down. The Umamusume are the stars of the racetrack, and wasting such a thrilling race is a grave sin."
The staff member raised an eyebrow, thinking, It's not that serious, is it?
Meanwhile, Kousei remained completely focused on the race, and the commotion in the stands quickly subsided.
"Not Kousei, but Eishin Flash. As expected of a Derby-conquering Umamusume—her speed is extraordinary," Gold City realized the figure closing in behind her wasn't Kousei and swiftly changed lanes.
"What's the current progress?" Kousei glanced at the trackside indicator, noting they were about to enter the final stretch.
"Such rapid progress! While I was trapped by Double Entanglement and White Grimoire, they've already reached this point."
With no time left for restraint, Kousei abandoned all pretense.
"Now is the time to give it everything I've got."
Eishin Flash surged forward, closing in on Gold City when suddenly a crimson mist appeared beside her.
"Red mist? Could it be...?" Eishin Flash recalled her Trainer mentioning Kousei's Gate Technique manifested as crimson mist.
The appearance of red mist on the track meant Kousei had activated her Gate Technique.
True to form, Eishin Flash abruptly stumbled, her ankles ensnared by chains. The interference disrupted her running rhythm, causing an unnatural, stuttering halt.
"The burden on my legs has increased, accelerating stamina depletion. Situation critical—switching to Plan B," Eishin Flash assessed calmly, showing no signs of panic or surprise.
Kousei's brilliant Gate Technique no longer held the novelty it once did; after a year, everyone had seen it countless times. With Umamusume race schedules publicly available, Eishin Flash had already thoroughly studied Kousei's races with her Trainer, devising detailed countermeasures well in advance.
"Commencing strategy against Kousei," Eishin Flash declared, shifting her tactics.
"As expected of the Derby Champion—poised, composed, and utterly in control," Kousei thought with genuine admiration. "Though the timing's off, she's still so cool."
The Classic Grade was teeming with hidden talent, and the first race of the year had already brought her so many surprises.
"In the past, my world revolved solely around McQueen. I believed that, aside from President Rudolf, McQueen was the strongest Umamusume in the world—a superhorse who could even snatch a victory from an undefeated Genius.
For a year, I chased after McQueen's shadow, convinced that beyond surpassing her lay the scenery I craved. I fully understood why everyone adored McQueen; she stood at the pinnacle of prestige, and I, too, was captivated by her.
But my world was ultimately too narrow.
At the Seishun Cup, I faced Narita Brian for the first time. I had run alongside her countless times before, believing I understood her strength. Yet only when we stood on the track did I realize how superficial my understanding had been."
Narita Brian's strength far exceeded my imagination. If Umamusume were ranked, Triple Crown Umamusume would belong to an entirely different echelon, distinct from both the strong and the weak.
Eishin Flash, Double Entanglement, White Grimoire—every Umamusume running on this racetrack was a formidable opponent, far stronger than those I faced at the rookie level. Yet despite their increased strength, why was I so exhilarated?
Damn it, I can't suppress this grin.
So, besides McQueen, there were so many other powerful Umamusume in the world.
And now! I'm racing alongside them on the same track!
The wind whipped past Kousei's glittering ears. The turf at Hanshin Racecourse was lush and vibrant green. Ahead, behind, and as far as the eye could see, Umamusume galloped freely.
Kousei heard it—the rhythmic pounding of hooves on the turf. She heard it—the labored breathing of every Umamusume.
Day and night, she had dreamed of this moment.
"This is incredible!"