Chapter 20. Rice Shower vs. Mihono Bourbon, First Battle [Part 2]
While the Trainers chatted in the cafeteria, Mihono Bourbon, leading the pack, was about to exit the final bend.
Reward Garcon and Kuri Try, who were originally in second and third place, had both lost speed and were gradually being swallowed by the pack behind them. In contrast, Mihono Bourbon maintained a lead of at least four lengths over her opponents behind her.
"Looking at it this way, Mihono Bourbon being able to enter the final straight with a four-length lead means her final burst of speed needs to be 0.8 seconds faster than hers, which isn't easy for Rice Shower,"
Shuta An frowned.
Because he had been paying attention to Rice Shower, he noticed that although she had accelerated in the final bend, she had only reached fourth place—in other words, she had only overtaken the severely slowing Reward Garcon and Kuri Try. As for the other Uma Musumes who were originally ahead of her, Rice Shower had not overtaken a single one.
"She definitely has to unleash her final burst of speed here,"
Tokai Teio said.
"Rice-chan can't hesitate now. Don't think about accelerating only after getting on the Slope Road. She must catch up in one go here, even if she steps onto the Slope Road section in the middle, she must show an attitude of not relaxing, even if it means consuming more stamina."
"It's still the same old saying—the time for trading stamina for position is over. Now it's about trading more stamina for a stronger burst of speed."
Shuta An paused.
"I never worry about Rice's stamina, but her burst of speed—She's not a final burst-type Uma Musume. If it were Dober, I think this five-length gap would be easy to close, but Rice—"
"So, we can't win?" Kurofune said.
"If we lose here, it should be the first time our Sadalsuud Team loses a Classic Race, right? Suzuka-senpai wasn't on the team when she lost the first two races of her Classic Race season, so that doesn't count."
"That's right, but—"
Shuta An turned around, looking at Tokai Teio and the other two, and instructed,
"When Rice comes back, I think you should know what you can say and what you can't say."
"I know!" Tokai Teio responded loudly. "We can't let Rice-chan feel guilty! Because she worked very hard this time, everyone can see that!"
"I definitely wouldn't say such things!" Kurofune waved her hand. "Rice Shower-senpai is stronger than me, how could I bear to hurt her."
Admire Vega just nodded silently—Shuta An wasn't worried about her, after all, Admire Vega really didn't speak up much and her EQ was quite high.
And Deep Impact, as an outsider, stood on the side, observing the reactions of the three seniors, lost in thought.
In the future, I can't let my teammates worry about these things.
She tightened her grip on the railing.
I must win everything in the Twinkle Series and the Dream Cup, and become the most successful one.
—
With only 200 meters left to the finish line, Rice Shower overtook Stant Man, moving into third place.
At this point, only Asaka Regent remained between her and Mihono Bourbon. This Yayoi Sho runner-up was now gritting her teeth, desperately fending off Rice Shower's pursuit.
I already failed once in the Yayoi Sho, and I absolutely don't want to fail a second time here! I must block you!
Asaka Regent steeled herself, vigorously swinging her legs with the resolve to abandon everything.
And Narita Taisei, who had been following behind Rice Shower, had now moved to the outermost side of the pack. Staying diagonally behind Rice Shower, she also fiercely launched her first challenge against her.
I've held back for so long before, and now I can't endure it anymore! I'm going to overtake you, overtake Asaka Regent, and then challenge Mihono Bourbon!
Feeling the pressure from her opponents in front and behind her, Rice Shower lowered her center of gravity. Her thighs were already starting to ache, but she seemed oblivious, using all her strength to continue charging toward Asaka Regent ahead.
Overtake you, and then overtake Mihono Bourbon!
Even though she had a premonition in her heart, Rice Shower would not concede defeat before Mihono Bourbon crossed the finish line.
The past glory of the Sadalsuud Team transformed into an endless burden for her at this moment. To avoid being the one who lagged behind, Rice Shower now only wanted to give her all on this 310-meter straight.
I don't want to become an example to my juniors!
But Mihono Bourbon's undiminished speed after stepping onto the Slope Road cleanly tore apart all illusions of her opponents behind her.
Even Rice Shower knew that even if she could overtake Asaka Regent, she wouldn't be able to catch Mihono Bourbon.
So, the Trainer was always comforting me in advance during those times because he foresaw this very moment?
Shuta An's constant reassurance to Rice Shower before the Satsuki Sho flashed through the black deer-haired Umamusume's mind. At this moment, she had a new understanding of the young man's actions.
The Trainer said that time is on my side.
Rice Shower clenched her fists, swung her arms, drove her legs, and pushed past Asaka Regent.
But I don't know when my time will come!
Is it the Japanese Derby? Is it the Kikuka Sho? Or do I have to wait until all my opponents leave this stage?
Rice Shower's mind was in turmoil, her sprint now driven entirely by physical instinct.
But even so, Narita Taisei remained half a length behind Rice Shower, unable to get any closer to her.
What is this?!?
Narita Taisei couldn't understand why Rice Shower could show such tenacity here.
She clearly has a disheartened expression! Why is she still working so hard to stay ahead of me! Wouldn't it be better to just lose speed?!
—
Below the track, watching Rice Shower's leg movements and her tearful expression, Shuta An felt utterly uncomfortable. Losing a race was never something to be happy about. Even though Shuta An had mentally prepared himself since Rice Shower joined the Sadalsuud Team, he still closed his eyes the moment Mihono Bourbon, two lengths ahead of Rice Shower, crossed the finish line.
"She lost," he whispered with a sigh.
Tokai Teio heard her Trainer's sigh. She tugged at Shuta An's sleeve, wanting to comfort him.
But before Tokai Teio could speak, the young man opened his eyes and smiled.
"I'll go pick up Rice. You guys can wait for me in the Box."
"Yes!"
Tokai Teio still wanted to say something, but Kurofune directly pulled her and Admire Vega away, while Deep Impact obediently followed behind Kurofune.
Shuta An rubbed his cheeks with both hands.
It's okay, it's just one race. I want Rice to know that she didn't do anything wrong. Whatever problems there are, I'll take them. No one will blame her.
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