Starlight certainly couldn't outrun anyone.
Very quickly, she was scooped up by Special Week, who held her tightly in her arms like a porcelain doll and carried her back to the starting spot.
"Right! Now that we've moved past that little interlude, the interview officially begins!"
"Trainer, from a neutral perspective, give us your judgment: Between McQueen and Teio, who has a better chance of taking this one?"
"This... sigh, to be honest, I'm not sure. After all, both girls have trained incredibly hard, and their growth is visible to the naked eye. Also, as their trainer, I don't want either of them to lose."
"Exactly, exactly. That's the spirit. Now, Starlight-chan, what do you think?"
The camera panned to the silver-haired Uma Musume.
The viewers watching the livestream froze simultaneously, and for a split second, even the bullet chat comments stopped.
"Senpai... seems to have changed her hairstyle?"
"Eh, you're right. I didn't notice just now, but it suits her so well."
Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka whispered to each other.
"I think they are both very strong. My thoughts are the same as Trainer Nishizaki's."
"Then... Starlight-chan, regarding your current condition, is there still a chance for you to return to the track? Many fans are longing for your comeback."
Hearing this, Divine Starlight paused for a moment, her golden eyes trembling slightly.
The atmosphere turned quiet.
Many of Starlight's fans were watching the stream, so they all grew tense along with her.
"Aren't the stars of the discussion McQueen and Teio? How did the focus shift to me... However, if there is a chance, I will return!"
As those final words left her lips, the bullet chat instantly flooded the screen.
Everyone began to look forward to seeing that silver silhouette on the racetrack once again.
Tenno Sho Spring. 3,200 meters.
In addition to being a long-distance course, the track layout involves a second lap with bumpy, uneven sections beyond the standard turf, which tests the runners' grip and core strength.
In the front row of the stands, Mihono Bourbon and her trainer watched the parade area.
Not far from them, Rice Shower had also arrived.
Further back in the VIP seats were Symboli Rudolf and Maruzensky.
"It's quite a crowd."
"Make sure you burn this race into your memory," Ikuno Dictus said in her usual flat tone.
"Ah, yeah. A full-force showdown between such brilliant Uma Musume."
"Why are you wearing your racing outfit?" Matikane Tannhauser asked, looking at Twin Turbo next to her with confusion.
"Hmph hmph! Just in case any Uma Musume drops out at the last minute, I can fill in immediately!"
The other three members of Team Canopus looked at her, feeling utterly speechless.
"Entering the track now is Mejiro Palmer! Before the race, she claimed she would lead until the very end."
"It looks like we have another 'Great Escapist' on our hands!"
As the voice of announcer Akasaka rang out, Mejiro Palmer waved toward the stands.
"Good luck, bestie!"
Daitaku Helios was as enthusiastic as ever, but she hadn't shouted more than a couple of times before her peripheral vision caught the silver-haired Uma Musume diagonally above her.
"Starlight-chan!!??"
Delighted, she turned around and immediately started scooting over toward Starlight.
Meanwhile, Gold Ship and Special Week began selling special "McQueen and Teio" bento boxes in the stands.
Ryo Nishizaki watched the track nervously.
Suddenly, a burst of explosive cheering erupted.
The next Uma Musume stepping out from the inspection area was the second-favorite, Mejiro McQueen.
The top favorite was Tokai Teio, who had advanced to the Tenno Sho after winning the Osaka Hai.
The mental states of the two were, as usual, somewhat opposite.
McQueen's ears were drooping. She looked extremely nervous, so much so that she didn't even notice the strange sound coming from beneath her feet.
Fortunately, the glint of light caught the eye of the wandering Mejiro Palmer.
She knelt down, picked up the object, and realized it was McQueen's horseshoe.
"McQueen, your shoe fell off."
"Ah, thank you..."
After reporting to the staff, McQueen was granted the opportunity to have her horseshoe refitted.
As she stood back up, the race was set to begin.
One by one, the Uma Musume entered their gates. The moment the green light flashed, the gates snapped open with a bang.
The first to break away was Mejiro Palmer, who immediately began a desperate, full-throttle lead.
Following closely in second was Mejiro McQueen, with Tokai Teio positioned not far behind in fourth place.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
As they approached the first corner, red light began to emanate from many of the runners.
In this segment of the race, no one could escape the Red Skill debuffs being hurled around. Mejiro Palmer, leading the pack, took the brunt of it.
Her speed began to dip slightly, but she managed to hold her ground and stay in first. B
ehind her, McQueen's power and willpower had seen significant improvement, taking two Red Skills was no longer a major hindrance for her.
On the other hand, Tokai Teio seemed to struggle a bit more, though she pushed through.
The first lap was nearing its end.
Rounding the final bend, the front-runner Mejiro Palmer reached the home straight in front of the grandstands.
After the initial chaos of the start, the turf here had already been torn up, leaving the ground uneven and pockmarked by horseshoes.
Running became a grueling chore.
"The turf is being ripped right out of the ground." Maruzensky remarked from the VIP seats.
"Yes. This track is a test of pure power. I wonder if Teio..."
Symboli Rudolf looked on with concern at Tokai Teio, who had now drifted toward the middle of the pack.
'Second lap, past the third corner... accelerate!'
Tokai Teio calculated her move and began adjusting her position.
Moving toward the outer lane, she fixed her gaze on Mejiro McQueen ahead.
'Perfect. From here, I can clearly see McQueen's movements...'
Soon after clearing the bend, Tokai Teio didn't hesitate for a second and accelerated decisively.
Flames erupted around her, and her crimson feather earring emitted a faint glow as the ground beneath her seemed to grow scorched and hot.
Her speed surged as she overtook the third-place runner and Mejiro McQueen, closing in on Mejiro Palmer.
Clad in her white-and-blue dress-style racing suit, McQueen remained composed.
She didn't rush her move. Waiting for the perfect moment, a blue light flashed in her eyes.
Flash, flash, flash!
Three Blue Skills activated simultaneously, rapidly restoring McQueen's stamina.
As she prepared to enter the fourth corner, she unleashed a massive burst of speed.
She kicked off the ground with all her might.
CRACK!
A large chunk of turf and soil was sent flying.
Heavenly blue flames roared around her. As her Unique Skill activated, the "landscape" under her feet seemed to physically push back Teio's domain.
The ground became like a mirror reflecting the azure sky, as if she were racing along the very horizon.
Unique Skill: Legacy of the Strong.
"Whether it's an undefeated Uma Musume or a powerful rival from the Arima Kinen... I've endured all the grueling training and hardships of these past weeks."
"From the moment Starlight-chan handed me her precious bracelet, I was given a reason I absolutely cannot lose!"
McQueen looked up, her purple eyes burning with hollow blue flames.
She shot past Tokai Teio, her focus locked purely on the path ahead.
Her silhouette was a blur.
After overtaking Tokai Teio and entering the final straight, McQueen's speed didn't falter.
The gap between her and the second-place Teio grew wider and wider.
'How... why can't I increase my speed any further...?'
Teio stared down at her legs.
She was overextending her stride to the absolute limit, yet the distance between her and McQueen only continued to grow.
'I can't lose... I can't lose... I am the undefeated Uma Musume!'
From behind, two more figures swept past Tokai Teio.
She grit her teeth as she watched them go, a hollow feeling beginning to ache in her chest.
"Mejiro McQueen! It's Mejiro McQueen! She crosses the line! She has defended her title as the Hegemon of the Tenno Sho!"
As McQueen claimed her victory, a wave of shock followed.
Tokai Teio had lost.
Given her "undefeated" reputation, the crowd simply couldn't fathom how she could have been defeated.