As expected, Tachyon seized the front position from the start, maintaining her lead. Kousei and Ryan settled into the mid-pack, a familiar opening scene for the Takarazuka Memorial.
"A good position," Rudolf observed from the shadows, cloaked as usual, with T beside her.
"Indeed. I initially worried that her vision and instincts might have dulled after such a long absence from the racetrack, but she immediately secured such a favorable position. It's remarkable how quickly she's regained her competitive edge after just a few months of recovery training."
"The Satsuki Prize victory shouldn't be underestimated," T added, clearly impressed by Tachyon.
This position allowed Tachyon to leverage her Free-footed Style while avoiding unnecessary risks. The mid-pack competition was too fierce, and though she had used Chaser tactics in the past, with Kousei and Ryan vying for position in the Takarazuka Memorial, engaging in that struggle would be far from optimal.
This position avoided the intense mid-pack clashes without placing excessive strain on her legs like a Front-Runner would. Knowing her legs' fragility, she had to choose her strategy carefully.
"But Kousei hasn't chosen the optimal strategy either, has she?" Rudolf glanced sideways at T.
"As expected of the Emperor, she hasn't chosen the optimal strategy. With the Free-footed Style as her weapon, she should have seized the lead from the start, competing directly with Tachyon. Her brilliant maneuvers, like a coiling serpent, could have weakened Tachyon's stamina through relentless confrontation. Even if she failed to maintain the lead, falling back into the Mid-Pack would still allow her to navigate with ease."
The two believed Kousei must have considered this. So why hadn't she chosen the best approach?
"Everyone's wary of Tachyon," Kousei murmured, sensing the fluctuating emotions of the Umamusume around her.
Tachyon was a notorious eccentric at the Academy. Before her hidden past was revealed, most simply dismissed her as a fanatical scientist—after all, scientists being a bit unhinged was practically a cliché.
But now that Tachyon's history had been unearthed, this phantom Umamusume who had once dominated generations with her unparalleled speed and reached the very limits of Light had reappeared in the world's gaze. Her figure shimmered like lapis, ethereal and otherworldly.
They were all G1 participants, the cream of the crop. Precisely because of this, they could directly perceive the arrogance beneath that bizarre smile.
The Phantom Horse was positively exhilarated.
Her aura shifted abruptly, and the Umamusume's pupils narrowed, their gazes locking onto a single figure in unison.
Mark.
"Oya~"
A scorching, razor-sharp aura pierced directly toward Agnes Tachyon.
"As expected, everyone's most wary opponent is Tachyon."
While the other racers focused their attention on Tachyon, Kousei shifted her gaze to the side. Beside her, Ryan was coiled like a spring, ready to pounce.
"Tachyon isn't the only one we need to watch out for."
After all, this race included the Mejiro Family. Compared to the dreamlike "Light" shimmering ahead, the threat beside her felt far more urgent.
"Go, Ryan! You can do it!"
"Your fighting spirit is contagious."
As the race progressed, the overall formation remained largely unchanged since the initial scramble for position.
"It's about time to make a move. Where will Ryan launch her attack?"
The pack moved smoothly, neither congested nor chaotic. The Front-Runners maintained a steady pace, neither too fast nor too slow. Typically, this would be a moment to conserve stamina, but victory required gradual progress. If they lagged too far behind, the final leg's pressure would intensify when the pack spread out on the Final Straight.
Especially against Tachyon, who held a distinct advantage in the final leg's arena. Kousei had no intention of relying on a final sprint. Instead, she would stick to her usual strategy: confining Tachyon to an unfavorable position for her burst of speed and preventing her from widening the gap.
If Ryan doesn't make a move soon, I'll fire the first shot myself, Kousei thought.
Just as she passed the first slope, Ryan finally moved.
Here she comes! This is her moment! Is she planning to seize the advantage at the first turn?
After the first slope, there was only a short sprint stretch. Ryan, nestled within the pack, suddenly unleashed her full power. Perhaps because most eyes were focused on Tachyon, or simply because Ryan was inherently formidable, she surged forward.
Possessing a burst of acceleration akin to McQueen's, combined with her robust physique, Ryan weaved through the pack with ease. Scattered grass clippings marked her trajectory, not as dazzling as Thunder's lightning strikes, but like a steady mountain—only her looming presence commanded awe.
A powerhouse no less formidable than McQueen, Mejiro's strength wasn't solely reliant on McQueen or Ramonu.
A glorious lineage, the elite family that had seized the title of "Endurance."
"Amazing!" the commentator exclaimed.
Like a razor-sharp blade slicing through the pack, the Mejiro bloodline displayed its domineering might.
"Such a forceful breakthrough! It reminds me of McQueen's signature moves!" a spectator exclaimed excitedly.
When people think of Mejiro, the first name that comes to mind is Mejiro Ramonu—the beginning of the Mejiro Family's ascent to the pinnacle.
Even among the Mejiro Family, she shone with unparalleled brilliance—a bewitching woman blessed with both beauty and talent, the one and only Triple Crown queen.
As an Umamusume, Mejiro Ramonu was virtually flawless. The glittering Crown, which should have been her crowning glory, instead became a mere accessory. Dubbed "Mejiro's Treasure," this title alone carried immense weight, and some even hailed her as the complete Umamusume.
Such was the mesmerizing power of this bewitching woman that even the Emperor, upon first seeing her, reportedly froze in awe.
Next came McQueen, one of the dazzling Twins, burdened with a noble mission. She was striving for the title of "Strongest in History," a feat unprecedented—one even the Emperor had failed to achieve. Yet, on McQueen, the weight of this ambition seemed full of promise.
People genuinely believed she could do it. When Mejiro McQueen ascended to the Divine Throne, we would all be witnesses to a legend in the making.
"As expected, everyone's eyes are only on McQueen."
Precisely because of this, the other Mejiro Family members inevitably faced comparisons to McQueen, with every conversation revolving around her.
"Ryan's making a move! Can anyone stop her?! Are we just going to let her take the lead so easily?!"
Amidst the commentator's frantic shouts, a crimson streak surged from the pack.
"When did she—?!" The other competitors recoiled in shock and dread.
She emerged like a ghost, silent and swift. Mist seeped through the cracks, lurking in unnoticed corners.
"Kousei breaks free with dazzling speed! She's challenging Mejiro after all!"
Ryan turned to see Kousei right behind her.
"So this is the Kousei that McQueen always mentions! She's coming for me!"
The wave of fighting spirit hit her like a scorching flame.
"Bring it on, Mejiro!"
Their clash generated a powerful shockwave. The last time such an intense confrontation occurred was also against Mejiro—but with McQueen.