When it comes to Daitaku Helios's running style, there is actually a lot of specialized craft involved.
As a famous "loiterer" on the racetrack, she and Mejiro Palmer belong to the "ultimate disruption duo."
Unlike Starlight's tactical versatility, these two belong to the category of running however they feel like, completely disregarding whether their opponents live or die.
The scariest part is that after these two turn the pack into a chaotic mess, they can still ensure one person wins the race.
But unfortunately, Daitaku Helios was the only one in this race.
On the track, she "exploded" right from the start, darting back and forth through the pack of Uma Musume.
She completely shattered everyone's rhythm and plans.
Watching Daitaku Helios charging at the very front, Starlight's lips twitched, unsure of how to even cheer for her.
"Starlight-chan! Look at me~ I've charged to the very front— ahahaha, ah!!!"
While running like this was certainly exhilarating, the downside arrived quickly.
That's right, Daitaku Helios ran herself right out of breath.
Her face turned pale as she clutched her throat and collapsed right on the final 100-meter straight.
The one participating in the race alongside her and successfully claiming the championship was a brown-haired Uma Musume wearing a white sun visor.
Her turquoise eyes looked at the little gal lying on the ground, and she shook her head helplessly.
Facing the spectator stands, she bowed elegantly as her final curtain call.
"Let us congratulate the winner of this race, Ines Fujin!!!"
Poor Daitaku Helios still fell on the soil just shy of victory.
However, after the race ended, Ines Fujin watched as the Daitaku Helios who had just stood up bolted toward the front row of the stands like a streak of light.
She lunged straight into the arms of a silver-gold Uma Musume.
"Waaaaah~ Starlight-chan, I actually lost! I was running so well at the front, I even pulled out a huge lead—"
Rubbing the girl's head, Starlight comforted her softly.
"There, there. Helios was already very impressive. At least in my eyes, it was a magnificent run. Very cool~"
"Really? Does Starlight-chan really think I ran coolly?"
"Really, really."
Ines Fujin: 'Wait, are you sure you actually came here to compete?'
"Well~ don't be like this. There's still the Winning Live later. Helios, hurry up and get off me, okay?"
"I... I didn't even finish the race. The Winning Live has nothing to do with me anymore..."
Daitaku Helios said with a pout, looking quite aggrieved.
"Ah, is that so? It's fine! we'll win it back next time, alright? This was just a slip-up."
Nodding, Daitaku Helios lifted her head from Starlight's chest.
"Exactly! If it weren't for me running out of breath, that Fujin-whatever definitely wouldn't be my match!"
Ines Fujin: 'Girl, I'm still your Senpai, you know? Give me some respect here!'
Looking at Daitaku Helios talking big with renewed confidence, Starlight didn't burst her bubble.
She smiled and rubbed the girl's head.
"Alright, you're a contestant, so hurry down there. I'll wait for you outside."
"Oh, okay..."
While Daitaku Helios's failure was indeed a bit hard to take seriously, it served as an appetizer before the main event.
Nearly a week later, the most important and high-profile race arrived.
It was the first leg of the Classic Triple Crown that all Uma Musume dream of, the Satsuki Sho.
If you don't win this race, the Triple Crown is off the table.
Because of this, all the participating Uma Musume were fully prepared, including Special Week.
Due to her victory in the Yayoi Sho, she had feasted too much and gained a lot of weight. After grueling weight-loss training, she had finally recovered somewhat.
"Hehe, Starlight-senpai~ how is it, how is it? Does my Racing Outfit look good?"
At nine o'clock in the morning, in a rest area outside the racecourse, Special Week— dressed in her white and purple dual-toned outfit— showed it off to Starlight with a grin.
"Oh my, whose little grape-yogurt cake is this? You look truly delicious~"
Hearing this, Spe-chan's face turned slightly red.
She raised her small fist and lightly tapped Starlight's shoulder.
"Senpai, how can you say that..."
"Don't hit, don't hit, Spe-chan! Do you really have the heart to strike your adorable Master?"
"It's because Starlight-senpai says such strange things, okay!"
"Spe-chan really is full of energy~"
Suddenly, from behind Starlight, a "kitten" draped herself over Starlight's shoulders.
Seiun Sky looked as lazy and unmotivated as ever, though her Racing Outfit was quite lovely.
The upper half featured a cyan-and-white ruffled dress, paired with green shorts on the bottom, giving off a refreshing and crisp vibe.
"Sky-chan, didn't you already head inside?"
"Uh, please look a bit closer. The one who just went in was clearly King Halo!" Seiun Sky grumbled.
"Sorry, sorry, Sky-chan."
Waving it off non-committally, Seiun Sky wrapped both arms around Starlight's waist, leaning her entire body weight against her.
Beside them, Silence Suzuka seemed a bit off.
Her face, which usually held little expression, grew completely cold.
"And here is our little green-grape mousse! Quickly, let me have a taste~"
Starlight didn't think anything of it.
She reached out to pinch Seiun Sky's cheek, speaking with a laugh.
"Hehe~ Starlight-chan, I'm going to eat you up first, you cream-pineapple cake!"
"Ahem. You two, you should head to the inspection area soon. It wouldn't be good if you were late and missed the race."
Silence Suzuka spoke with narrowed eyes and a smile, though the underlying tone of her voice was remarkably flat.
"True. Well then, we're off~"
"Do your best, Spe-chan!"
"Special Week, go get another win..."
Watching Spe-chan's retreating figure, Vodka looked left and right, scratching her head as she asked:
"By the way, where did Gold Ship go?"
"There, she's manning the fried noodle stall."
"See? Her spatula is moving so fast it's practically throwing sparks."
Daiwa Scarlet pointed toward a distant yakisoba stall to explain.
"She looks busy, but is her only real opponent Oguri Cap? That's incredible..."
In the spectator stands, Starlight found a decent vantage point.
She looked left and right, just about to head toward where Grass Wonder and El Condor Pasa were sitting.
Suddenly, a pair of slender but strong arms pulled her firmly into a hug.
'So firm, who is—'
Looking up, it turned out to be Silence Suzuka.
Rubbing her slightly reddened nose, Starlight asked in confusion:
"What's wrong, Suzuka-chan...?"
"Starlight-chan, where are you going?"
"Over there, to Grass and the others—"
Before she could finish, the crowd surged around the two Uma Musume, making the Rigil team members almost impossible to see.
"The Satsuki Sho crowd is as huge as ever. So, wouldn't it be better for Starlight-chan to watch it with me?"
"Alright, I'll watch with you then, Suzuka-chan. But can you let go of me first?"
"Hehe... space is a bit tight, Starlight-chan, I can't help it..."
"I'm sorry for making you squeeze in here with me..."
Hearing Suzuka's saddened tone, Starlight quickly tightened the grip of the hands Suzuka had wrapped around her.
"It's fine, it's fine! I like Suzuka-chan's warm hugs. Let's watch together."
"Mm..."
'As I thought, pulling Starlight over here was the right move...'
Thinking this to herself, Silence Suzuka rested her head on Starlight's shoulder.
Savoring the faint, fresh scent lingering on the other girl, she turned her gaze toward the track.
"Ladies and gentlemen! We meet again! Welcome to the first leg of the Classic Triple Crown, the Satsuki Sho!"
"I am your old friend, Akasaka!"
"I truly didn't expect the Oka Sho not long ago to be so brilliant."
"So, what kind of spectacle will today's Satsuki Sho provide, with so many heroes competing for supremacy?!"
"First, please welcome our Number One favorite, Special Week! As the winner of the Yayoi Sho, she defeated both Seiun Sky and King Halo."
"Now that these three Uma Musume have gathered once more, we can only imagine what kind of sparks will fly!"