"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the Zhongjing Newcomer Championship!"
With ten minutes remaining until the official start of the race, the commentator's voice, amplified by the microphone, reached everyone's ears.
"There are fifteen Uma Musume participating in today's race. One of them will emerge victorious in this 1600-meter mile race, becoming the ultimate winner of this competition!"
"Will she be the Uma Musume you're supporting? Let's wait and see for the final result!"
"Next, allow me to introduce the Uma Musume participating in this race. First up is…"
"There are so many spectators for this race. Could it be that everyone remembers me because of my excellent performance in my debut race?"
"I think what they remember more clearly is the fact that you were late for your debut race."
Saito Asuka, who felt no tension from the Black-haired Horse Girl beside him, retorted.
"Oh, if you keep bringing that up, I'll get angry~?"
Although she said that, Seiun Sky, whose expression remained all smiles, placed a finger on her lips: "However… my last race certainly wasn't 'flawless'."
"In this race, I need to work hard to do my best~?"
…I need to focus more on this race and not make the same mistakes I made in my debut.
"When the broadcast calls your number, you need to go to that stage first, pull off the clothes draped over you, and then walk off the stage to the gate to wait for your position."
Beside her, Saito Asuka, like an old father, kept repeating what he had already said several times: "Most importantly, don't be nervous during the race, absolutely don't…"
"…Trainer, I think the words 'don't be nervous' suit you better, don't you?"
Seiun Sky interrupted Saito Asuka, somewhat exasperated: "Trainer, why don't you have a cold drink to calm down?"
"…Sorry, I was indeed too nervous."
After a few seconds of eye contact with Seiun Sky, Saito Asuka closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
The man, when he opened his eyes again, was noticeably more relaxed.
He looked at the Black-haired Horse Girl in front of him, and after a brief silence, he spoke: "Good luck with the race."
"I'd do that even if you didn't tell me to."
Seiun Sky grinned and extended a hand: "Don't be so nervous. Come on, let's high-five~?"
"Then, Trainer, you just watch my performance on the track!"
"I understand."
The man nodded solemnly: "…Everything from now on, I'm entrusting to you."
"Mhm, feel free to entrust everything to me!"
Seiun Sky said confidently, "I won't let everyone down."
After saying this, Seiun Sky brushed the strands of hair on her shoulder behind her and walked towards the exit of the Player Channel.
"…Next up is the third favorite, Seiun Sky!"
The moment she walked out of the jockey path, the commentator's voice also rang out.
"In her debut race, she absolutely crushed the other Uma Musume with overwhelming strength. Despite being late, she still crossed the finish line with an absolute advantage of seven lengths!"
"Let's eagerly anticipate her spectacular performance in this race!"
"Swish!"
Amidst the commentator's voice, Seiun Sky walked onto the display stage, grabbed a corner of the clothes draped over her, and dramatically pulled them open.
…Does this segment have any essential meaning?
Looking at the cheering audience in the stands, Seiun Sky felt puzzled by the existence of this pre-race segment.
She was wearing a tracksuit, and the clothes draped over her were also a tracksuit.
If that was the case, then why specifically add this segment?
Puzzled by this, Seiun Sky walked off the display stage and arrived in front of the closed gate.
Forget it, why think so much?
Seiun Sky shook her head and stood still in front of her number seven gate.
…Let's finish this race first before talking about anything else.
Seiun Sky shook her head, then focused all her attention on the race that was about to begin.
…
"Yo, you're back."
Seeing Saito Asuka reappear in his sight, the pet shop owner, with a cigarette in his mouth, waved at him: "How's that kid? Still nervous?"
"Nervous? He's the one who's nervous, isn't he?"
Before Saito Asuka could answer, Nakayama Megumi, staring at the Black-haired Horse Girl standing in front of gate number seven, said without turning her head: "…During her debut race, Fūga, who was participating, wasn't nervous at all, but he was so nervous beside her that he kept telling Fūga what to pay attention to during the race."
"Coming so late this time is also because of that reason, right?"
"Ha… hahaha…"
Saito Asuka, whose thoughts had been exposed, let out an awkward laugh.
Why did he feel like his status kept dropping ever since Seiun Sky arrived?
Saito Asuka muttered gloomily to himself.
"Asuka, aren't you worried that you'll transmit your nervousness to Seiun Sky?"
Hearing Nakayama Megumi's reply, the pot-bellied man said somewhat teasingly: "You need to start learning to control your emotions."
Yes, that makes sense.
Hearing the half-joking remark from his friend, Saito Asuka couldn't help but nod.
If he was always nervous and kept nagging Seiun Sky in her ear whenever she participated in a race, her emotions would be affected by him to some extent.
Every Uma Musume is a spirit born to run.
They love the wind that blows in their face when they run, and they also love the exhilaration of running.
Saito Asuka, Saito Asuka, even if you can't help, you can't make Seiun Sky anxious.
"Thanks, An."
"Hmm?"
The man who heard Saito Asuka say this first paused, then nodded knowingly.
"You two need to work hard together, Asuka."
"I will."
"Fifteen Uma Musume are entering the gates! Today's Zhongjing Newcomer Championship is about to begin!"
The ten-minute preparation time was about to end, and the closed gates opened accordingly.
The Uma Musume on the grass walked into the gates one by one. Saito Asuka and the others, standing in the front row of the stands by virtue of being 'Trainer', could even see Seiun Sky in gate number seven lightly jumping.
"Bang!"
Then, after a few seconds of silence, the gates in front of the Uma Musume opened, and the Uma Musume, who had been waiting for a long time, almost instinctively rushed out, beginning to run on the grass.
"The race has officially begun!"
The commentator's voice was late in coming after the Uma Musume burst out of the gates.