Clatter, clatter, clatter.
Special Week followed behind Silence Suzuka, climbing the steps all the way up.
Staring at the figure in front of her, her purple eyes flickered with a flame of determination.
With a loud shout, Special Week's speed surged. This sudden burst even startled Suzuka ahead of her.
As the two of them reached the mountaintop, Ryo Nishizaki clicked his stopwatch.
Looking at the result, he couldn't help but break into a cold sweat. The watch clearly read 38.47 seconds.
That's right— 38 seconds. Special Week had broken into the 40-second mark, and her speed was remarkably fast.
"How was it, Trainer? What was the time?"
"Ahem... You two were moving too fast just now, I forgot to record it. Do it again!"
"Ahhh, how could you?! Fine—"
Watching the two figures head back down the mountain, a smile tugged at the corner of Ryo Nishizaki's mouth.
'Not bad at all...'
Nearby, Mejiro McQueen stood next to Starlight.
After watching Special Week's entire training session, she turned around, somewhat speechless.
"What on earth... are you four doing..."
Nearby were four Uma Musume crawling on the ground. Someone who didn't know better might think they were watching a cricket fight.
"We're looking for a four-leaf clover, obviously! We need it to boost Spe-chan's luck." Tokai Teio turned her head to explain.
"Hm? A four-leaf clover? Isn't that one right by your foot?" McQueen pointed it out, speaking casually.
"What? It really is! You're amazing, McQueen-chan!"
Seeing the four Uma Musume dying of happiness over a little piece of grass, McQueen truly felt they were like a bunch of children.
She looked toward Starlight beside her and quietly leaned in a bit closer.
"Um, Starlight-chan... your performance in the Japanese Oaks was incredible."
Hearing this, Starlight slowly turned to look at her. She squinted her eyes with a smile and took McQueen's hand.
"Yeah, and that's all thanks to McQueen-chan accompanying me for early morning training every day~"
With a faint blush creeping onto her face, the tail behind McQueen began to wag vigorously.
"T-that's the result of your own hard work. What does it have to do with m-m-me...?"
"Don't say that. If I didn't see McQueen every morning, I wouldn't have had the motivation to keep going."
"So McQueen-chan is very important."
'Am I important? I'm important to Starlight-chan... hehe...'
"How did those sweets I made for you last time taste?"
"Mm, they were delicious. The portions were just a bit small, they were gone in two bites."
Starlight reached out and pinched McQueen's cheek playfully.
"Little glutton."
"Hey! It's clearly because Starlight-chan made them too small... stop pinching my face!"
Seeing her hand swatted away, Starlight didn't get angry.
She nodded and rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "Then, should we open a sweets shop for the upcoming School Festival...?"
"That's a great idea! I'll definitely be your best customer when the time comes."
The day of the Derby.
A roar of excitement erupted from the packed spectator stands. Down in the tunnel leading to the inspection area:
Special Week looked at everyone from Team Spica and Starlight-senpai, feeling a bit unsure of herself.
"Everyone, I..."
Suzuka didn't say much, she simply cupped the other girl's face.
"It'll be fine, Spe-chan! We've trained together for so long, you will definitely win."
"Spe-chan, this is for you." Daiwa Scarlet tucked a handmade lucky charm into her hand.
"This is... a four-leaf clover?"
"That's right. We all looked for it together. We almost failed to find one, but luckily McQueen-chan spotted it," Tokai Teio explained.
"Huh? McQueen, you're already thinking about contributing to the team?" Facing Gold Ship's teasing, McQueen crossed her arms and turned her head away.
"Hmph. It just happened to be where I was looking. Besides, those who work hard deserve a beautiful reward."
"Spe-chan is very strong now. Just trust yourself and you'll be fine," Starlight said, waving with a smile.
"Everyone... yes, thank you! I'm off!"
Clutching the four-leaf clover lucky charm in both hands, Special Week smiled and headed toward the exit.
"The annual Derby is underway once again! Eighteen exceptional Uma Musume have been selected for this grand stage, many of whom are old rivals. What kind of sparks will fly this time? Let's wait and see!"
Akasaka-san, holding her script, delivered the commentary with high spirits.
After the inspection, Special Week entered the gate and tucked the lucky clover into her racing clothes.
She gazed forward with steady eyes.
'Mom, I will definitely become the strongest Uma Musume. I won't let you or everyone else down.'
The signal lights flashed, and the gates swung open with a bang. Eighteen Uma Musume surged out at once.
This time, however, King Halo surprisingly chose to contest the lead with Seiun Sky.
In the back, Spe-chan stuck to her usual habit and chose a Late Surger position, with El Condor Pasa following right behind her.
"Ah, Spe-chan looks so small..." Ryo Nishizaki remarked while peering through his binoculars.
"Trainer, aren't your binoculars upside down?"
At Daiwa Scarlet's critique, Ryo Nishizaki flusteredly adjusted them, his face turning a shade of red.
"Ahem, how could I not know they were upside down? I was just trying to ease the tension for you all."
'Please, Spe-chan, you have to win...'
On the track, Special Week watched Seiun Sky and King Halo battling for the lead.
'They're still locked in a stalemate. Where is El-chan? I can't see her anywhere?'
'Forget it, I'll wait until the final stretch to make my move... better to play it safe.'
Seiun Sky watched King Halo pushing hard to maintain her lead, and wisely chose to yield the front position.
After all, she was also very skilled as a Pace Chaser, and in King Halo's current state, it would be difficult for her to activate her Unique Skill...
Indeed, for some reason, King Halo was currently feeling restless, causing her running style to be extremely aggressive. It even looked like she was attempting a Great Escape.
Smirking as they approached the fourth corner, Seiun Sky accelerated and overtook King Halo. As they neared the end of the bend, she successfully activated her Unique Skill.
With a smile on her lips, she looked at the scenery ahead, it was as if she were sitting on a riverbank, casting her fishing rod.
A large fish leaped from the water. Faint water-blue patterns began to spread around Seiun Sky's body.
"Since I have to accelerate anyway, I might as well pour it on now and seize control early."
However, the moment Seiun Sky accelerated, Special Week followed suit from behind.
The once clear sky seemed to dim as multi-colored stars streaked across the firmament. The brilliant, colored tail-light ignited beneath Special Week's feet.
A massive sense of pressure surged from behind.
Seiun Sky's pupils contracted.
'How is this possible?! Don't panic, Seiun Sky— the uphill stretch is coming. Spe-chan isn't good at climbing!'
Thinking this, Seiun Sky forced herself to stay calm and began to exert herself on the slope.
Clatter, clatter, clatter!
The rapid sound of footsteps didn't fade, instead, they grew closer and closer.
'Impossible! She actually learned how to climb, and why is she so fast!?'
But then... the cry of a hawk echoed from behind.
Seiun Sky and Special Week both glanced back.
El Condor Pasa, speeding like lightning, surged forward as if the uphill slope were flat ground. After passing Seiun Sky, she fixed her gaze on Special Week.
"Come on, Spe-chan! Let's settle this!"
As they entered the final 200-meter flat stretch, El Condor Pasa held a slight lead, and the crowd began to reach a fever pitch.