More than half a month passed in a flash, like when McQueen's Trainer encountered Ryan and Rice Shower in the Tenno Sho.
"Ugh... is this what a G1 race looks like..." Special Week swallowed, looking at the venue with a very nervous expression.
Compared to her debut race, the number of spectators for this Osaka Hai had increased by countless times. The atmosphere on-site was even more enthusiastic than Suzuka-san's race she watched before enrollment.
"Well, after all, she had a full two-month break." Trainer Okino still had a lollipop in his mouth, but judging by how carefully he held it, the candy had already been eaten, and it was just a stick.
Z-chan, is this your lollipop management? It's terrifying.
"And she's the current most popular Uma Musume." Gold Ship was currently selling yakisoba before the race started; once the race began, probably no one would buy it.
"Yes, Little Special will definitely be able to do it too." Suzuka also looked at the nervous Special Week with a smile.
"Ugh..." Special Week was still very nervous.
Meanwhile, the commentators began to further hype up the atmosphere, with the familiar two commentators.
"Clear skies, gentle breezes caress the Hanshin Racecourse. Today's Osaka Hai will be commentated by me — Misato Akasaka."
"And Junko Hosoe."
"Speaking of the Osaka Hai, it's naturally part of the Spring Triple Crown, and today's Osaka Hai finally sees that particular contestant reappear."
"Indeed, I am deeply honored to be able to commentate for everyone here."
"Alright, the appearance is about to begin, let's turn our attention to the grand stage."
Behind the stage curtain... "Um, can I get your autograph after the race?"
"Me too!"
Many Uma Musume surrounded Ling, seemingly all fans.
After sending everyone away, Air Groove, in her winning uniform, looked at the relieved Ling with a smile.
"So, couldn't you just refuse a little?"
"It's still a bit troublesome for me..." Ling squinted and leaned against the wall. As the currently most popular Uma Musume, everyone gave her enough face to let her appear last.
"That's why your popularity is so high..." Air Groove couldn't help but sigh.
Running into Ling wasn't a one or two-day thing. From the moment the other party became a member of the Student Council, the two often encountered each other in various settings. Of course, she had never won when they met in a race.
This led to Ling having the nickname [Friend Assassin], because currently, all active Student Council members except Narita Brian had been backstabbed by her, and then the fact that Ling was good friends with them was also exposed, becoming one of the sources of various silly meme emojis.
It was probably like Ling holding a chainsaw and knocking on a door, with the current active Student Council members on the other side of the door.
"So, Ki-sho-nee, are you hoping I'll go easy?" Ling opened one eye and looked at Air Groove.
"Hmph, just don't get boxed in again like you did in the Arima Kinen." Air Groove retorted simply. She was used to Ling changing into a completely different person during races.
"I won't. This time I'll Escape."
"Is it alright to reveal your strategy like that?"
"As if you guys boxing me in means I can't run away." Just kidding, she was super brave. Switching running styles during a race wasn't impossible; she had run all those few running styles before.
"..." For this versatile and abnormal person, whether the strategy was leaked or not didn't really matter; she would simply switch to another strategy.
"It's almost my turn. See you on the track." Air Groove also felt it was almost her turn, so she left backstage first.
"So I really think this throwing the jacket and having to pick it up yourself is so stupid. Wouldn't it be better to just throw it into the stands as fan service and give it to whoever picks it up?"
"That would cause a stampede = =" Air Groove could clearly see that Ling was just purely too lazy to go on stage.
Soon, Air Groove's appearance was about to end, and Ling naturally sighed and put on her jacket.
Appearing on stage after two and a half months naturally caused countless spectators to erupt. Whether for these spectators or for her own trophy collection, today's race had to be won beautifully.
"Alright, the contestants are preparing to enter the gates. Let's take this opportunity to introduce today's contestants."
"Naturally, we start with the third favorite, Gate 6, Mejiro Dober. She seems to be in a slightly poor condition."
At this moment, Mejiro Dober was adjusting her breathing inside the gate. For some reason, Ling could sense that her opponent's mood was not calm at all, even when she appeared earlier, she just stayed by herself and was the first to leave.
"Hopefully, she can adjust her condition by the time the race starts."
"Next is the second favorite, Gate 9, [Empress] — Air Groove."
"Always maintaining the composure of an Empress, she remains calm even now. She will surely deliver an exceptionally exciting race today."
"Finally, of course, is the top favorite, Gate 13, [Absolute Ruler] — Absolute Zero! The cheers in the venue are constant!"
"Last year, she won 12 G1 championships in the Classic division. Now that she's in the Senior division, can she maintain her undefeated reputation against numerous seasoned veterans?!"
"I feel like Z-chan's current state is completely different from usual..." Teio looked at Ling, whose eyes were calm and expressionless.
This composed demeanor is like the President... Bah, what are you thinking, Tokai Teio? That's the President!
"You'll understand that her current calmness is just an act once she starts running." Gold Ship, whose small box in front of her was full of yakisoba, was not selling things in the venue for the first time.
"Hmm, (slurp), Z-chan in a race, (chew), is very strong. (swallow)" Oguri Cap was currently eating a super-sized yakisoba, making Special Week want to get one too, but she was also worried about gaining weight. Recently, because she gained some weight, Ling had forbidden her from having late-night snacks, which was super painful.
"Idiot Oguri! Finish your food before you talk!" Tamamo Cross jumped up and tapped Oguri Cap's head.
Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka, on the side, were arguing again for some reason, while Oguri Cap looked at them with an auntie-like smile.
"Well, if I could, I'd love to go run too!" And Inari One, who just arrived, an Uma Musume of similar build to Tamamo Cross and Ling, a frank Uma Musume who called herself an Edo native.
"Alright, the race is about to begin." Trainer Okino was now focused on the situation on the track, and naturally noticed the contestants starting to enter the gates.
"Gate entry smooth, all entered. The race is about to begin."
After the announcement that the race was about to begin, the atmosphere in the venue suddenly quieted down, making Special Week feel a bit oppressed.
Clap!
The gates opened, and everyone burst out.
"The race begins! Oh! Contestant number eight had a slow start!"
"Absolute Zero is immediately sprinting. Is she planning an Escape?"
[Focus]
[First Strike Advantage]
[In the Name of Absolute]
Initial acceleration, followed by activating her Domain. After all, they were people running with her, and it would be too regrettable if they couldn't meet again due to an accident.
After half a month of Domain adjustment training, she could now use only a portion of her Domain's abilities, while greatly reducing the mental consumption of the Domain.
And on a 2000-meter track, without having to bear too much pressure, her stamina was enough to support activating a large number of speed skills all the way.
"The race has reached the first downhill. Is it coming?"
"It's here! Absolute Zero's classic downhill rapid acceleration! An astonishing technique to be admired no matter how many times!"
"The other contestants have all reduced some of their speed to ensure no accidents, and the leading group has pulled a little distance from the trailing group."
If there was anything convenient in a race, the commentators' voices could, to a certain extent, let contestants know the approximate positions of others without looking back. However, most of the time, they would focus on the frontmost or the most popular Uma Musume.
"Absolute Zero, leading the pack, used acceleration again on the uphill. This is a complete shift to a Great Escape rhythm. Will her stamina reserves be enough?!"
This girl, she hasn't run for so long and she's going all out right away?
Air Groove gritted her teeth. At this moment, she was in the trailing group, her vision obstructed by other contestants, unable to see clearly ahead.
The use of red skills also had a certain range. A Great Escape running style like Ling's was often not so easily interfered with, unless she lost speed later.
Lose speed? What a joke. Air Groove had deeply experienced Ling's monstrous stamina. In last year's Arima Kinen, even when she was so boxed in, she still found an opening to force her way through, and finally had enough energy to accelerate all the way to the finish line. The most terrifying thing was that she still had stamina left after the race.
The Arima Kinen was a 2500m distance, so the current 2000m of the Osaka Hai was completely no problem for her.
Having one's rhythm disrupted by a Great Escape Uma Musume during a race was a major taboo for any Uma Musume, but at this moment, she could not let the gap widen further.
She knew very well that once Ling opened up enough distance and found an opportunity to maintain and recover her stamina, it would be absolutely impossible to catch up with her in the final stage.
No one would doubt Ling's Late Charge; its intensity simply overturned people's perception. There were more than one or two people who had been forcibly shaken off by her Late Charge in the final straight.
So, even if it was just to make her opponent expend more stamina and ensure she could interfere with her, she had to press forward.
"Air Groove from behind has accelerated, her position is about to catch up to the leading group! Is she changing tactics!?"
"Mejiro Dober from behind has also chosen to accelerate simultaneously! Although her condition is a bit poor, her experience on the track is still there!"
Are they catching up?
An Escape Uma Musume would not take time to specifically look at the situation behind her. Without other competitors providing a slipstream to reduce stamina consumption, the pressure an Escape Uma Musume has to endure is imaginable. Glancing behind is suicidal.
The uphill slope had already ended, but her rhythm had not yet finished.
"Entering the first turn! Absolute Zero is the first to enter the turn!"
[Arc Professor: Becomes good at turns, speed increases]
Air Groove and Mejiro Dober from behind also entered the turn, and the race entered its middle phase.
[Against Escape Uma Musume Strategy]
[Escape Uma Musume Containment]
[Whisper]
Several red skills were unleashed towards Zero, but Zero forcefully resisted them all, which also consumed a bit of her mental energy.
[Accelerate Rhythm] x2
Air Groove and Mejiro Dober once again pushed forward, further shortening the distance Zero had created, but they still needed to adjust their positions slightly.
The offensive cannot stop; she must try her best to consume more of her stamina. Even if she can't make her lose speed, she must make her acceleration less smooth.
(They must be thinking that, right?) Zero's gaze remained fixed forward, a slight smile playing on her lips, as if everything was under control.
[Gust of Wind]
[Moment of Recovery]
[Gale Straight]
[Escape Technique]
[Cool Down]
Two recoveries, one acceleration power, one acceleration, one sprint.
The distance is once again pulled away. Will you still catch up?
"Absolute Zero has once again pulled away! Will the competitors behind choose to follow!?"
Don't be ridiculous. If she accelerates again, she will definitely lose speed later. Air Groove knew very well that if Zero had intended to save more stamina for the Late Charge, she could have interfered more to consume it. But now, trying to keep up with her would not be so easy. The result of catching up now would be an inevitable loss of speed.
Mejiro Dober next to her was in a similar situation, but currently, her condition seemed to have affected her mentality somewhat; she was extremely hesitant.
(What should I do...) Her eyes dimmed slightly.
She hadn't had good results for too long. From rumors to family pressure, everything made her feel incredibly heavy.
If it were you, what would you do?
Her gaze turned to the leading figure.
Her back remained so free and easy, as if her small frame contained infinite power. Her fluttering white scarf was even more eye-catching than her tail.
Hmm? What's that?
[Vanguard's Insight: When leading by a large margin in the middle of the race, it's easy to maintain the advantage]
Just maintain it. In the second turn, continue to recover stamina with Arc Professor. After that, she only needs to maintain a relatively static speed with the closest competitor.
The feeling of wind rushing into her ears while running fast was not pleasant, but she did not reject it. Moreover, the blowing wind fed her feedback about the race situation.
The sound of every footfall from other competitors, their breathing, and even the sound of wind breaking as they ran, were all captured by her ears.
Even with a long distance pulled away, it was still like this. It seemed this was her innate talent.
[Gluttony: Recover stamina in the middle of the race]
Although not as good as Oguri Cap, the nutrients she usually stored transformed into stamina at this moment, nourishing her body and recovering stamina out of thin air.
She was about to approach the final turn. If the competitors behind did not react, then this race would be won without any suspense.
But... that won't happen, right? Air Groove.
Since Mejiro Dober's condition isn't good, it's not my fault!
The moment she entered the final turn, Air Groove determined that Mejiro Dober's stamina was insufficient to support further consumption, so she decided to start her own acceleration.
But before that... [Confusing Interference: In the final phase of the race, when in the lead, the vision of Uma Musume behind narrows]
[Escape Uma Musume Hesitation]
[Track Magician]
[Arc Professor]
[Curve Sommelier]
[Charming Whisper]
The Empress naturally wouldn't give up an opportunity; at this moment, she definitely had to prepare for a final push.
[Escapist]
[Curve Sommelier]
[Relax]
The approaching footsteps from behind would not disrupt her rhythm. The distance she had opened was already sufficient, and her remaining stamina increased once again with the help of another blue skill.
The turn was naturally no problem. If they couldn't get close to her by the end of the turn... [Senri Shippu - Shinsoku: Acceleration power increases, triggers [Whole Heart and Soul] [Gust of Wind] [Gale Straight] [Mid-distance Straight] [Escape Uma Musume Straight] [Escape Technique] [Escapist]] (Note: Just a reminder, the skills triggered by Shinsoku have their activation conditions removed and their effects applied directly)
The Shinsoku, with its seven skills, which had not been activated for a long time, felt quite moving to use again.
As she took her characteristic powerful stride onto the final straight, the atmosphere of the entire track boiled over again.
"Final straight! The absolute Late Charge of the King is once again displayed!"
"Triple acceleration! This is the last time!"
"Still in the lead is Absolute Zero! Air Groove is also chasing from behind! At this moment, it's completely a duet between the two!"
"Air Groove's stamina consumption seems a bit high; at this moment, it can be seen that she is in a state like burning her Guts."
"Another acceleration! Air Groove has once again shortened the distance, but she is still maintaining a 5-horse length lead!"
Faster! If only she could break through that limit... what then?
Just as Air Groove was about to burn her Guts, she suddenly felt a sense of pressure.
This is!?
[In the Name of Absolute (Reduction): During the activation period, Uma Musume will not suffer accidental injuries]
Accidental injuries can be many things, such as tripping and falling, or... injuring oneself by breaking through one's limits.
Protecting Uma Musume from accidental injuries is protection, and protection can sometimes be forceful, just like your grandmother making you wear more clothes in winter because she thinks you're cold.
Don't be ridiculous. This suppression... She bit her teeth hard to clear her mind. That heavy yet gentle double pressure almost made her succumb to it.
It was extremely bizarre, like someone patting the back of your hand and then gently caressing it. The contrast between pain and softness was inexplicably captivating.
It really is that child's style of pressure... The small figure was far ahead, but if she were to fall under this pressure, she would be unworthy of her title as Empress.
[Blade of Glory]
[Sharp Gaze]
The purpose of red skills is not just to interfere with opponents; they are naturally also used in clashes of aura. Red skills are not inconvenient things.
Relying on her resistance to the pressure, Air Groove finally found an opportunity to accelerate again, continuing to shorten the distance to Zero.
(It seems the reduction to the domain was too severe, but it doesn't matter.)
The skills used by Shinsoku do not count towards the number of skill uses. At this moment, the skills she had held back until now, the skills that could be activated at this moment, were more than one, but only one was needed.
[Whole Heart and Soul]
"Air Groove accelerates again in desperation, but Absolute Zero in front begins her fourth acceleration! There has been no loss of speed whatsoever!"
"Less than 50m remaining! An unrecoverable gap!"
"In the lead is Absolute Zero! Absolute Zero! Now crossing—the finish line!"
"The absolute King, returning after nearly three months, once again declares her victory with her absolute strength, claiming her thirteenth G1 of her career!"
"The winner is Absolute Zero, second is Air Groove! Third is the veteran Gold Ship!"
It hadn't been long since she left the track, but her return now felt like years had passed.
Confetti, streamers, and some betting slips scattered from the sky, the cheers of the audience, and the gentle breeze that seemed to celebrate her victory.
Standing at the finish line once again, Zero once again raised her right hand.
After fully raising it, she clenched it tightly.
Ohhhhhhhhhhh—!
The atmosphere of the track reached its peak.
Phase 1, 1/3.
"This is... Z-chan..." Special Week stared intently at Zero, who had a familiar smile on her face again, muttering to herself.
It was also an Escape, a completely different style from Suzuka-san.
"Has she learned to adjust the release of her domain? And this feeling... as expected of her." In a private box in the grandstand, the Student Council members were also watching the race.
"Shiro Hito, what do you think?" Hishi Amazon asked Shiro Hito, who was chewing on grass.
"For the Tenno Sho, I will compete with her." Suppressing the throbbing in her heart, Shiro Hito replied calmly.
"Don't mess up now~" Fuji Kiseki warned her not to underestimate her opponent in the Hanshin Daishoten.
"Of course not. Maya Heavy Gun is a worthy opponent."
PS: I initially considered whether to break the race in the middle and release it in two chapters, as this chapter has enough words for two. But in the end, I gave up.
After all, cliffhangers, even if you know there's more to come, can still be annoying. I've read many novels myself, and the feeling at those times was a mix of emotions. So I thought it's better to keep it in one chapter. Future races, unless they are more casual and have many branching storylines inserted in the middle (like the relay race in the OVA), I will also do this: one race, one chapter, straight to the end.
Of course, I'm not saying cliffhangers are bad, as sometimes cliffhangers might not be what the author intended, and it is indeed a technique. I just personally prefer the straightforward, satisfying feeling of getting it all at once.