Team Canopus arrived at the farm, and under Nice Nature's lead, they each received their own plots of farmland.
"Excellent! We must take first place in this event to demonstrate our strength."
"Yeah!"
Twin Turbo expressed strong agreement with Matikane Tannhauser's speech.
Behind them, Ikuno Dictus and Nice Nature were squatting on the ground, planting with small trowels.
Hearing the voice, they listlessly waved their trowels in support.
"Oh..."
Over at Spica Team.
Since Mejiro McQueen was still in the recovery phase, Tokai Teio and Special Week went to fetch water, while Vodka and Daiwa Scarlet went to collect seeds.
Silence Suzuka, in her role as a manager, couldn't intervene directly and could only offer guidance from the side.
If you were to talk about who was the busiest, it was definitely our farm owner.
Starlight was practically surrounded in the center, many Uma Musume were asking all sorts of questions.
It was manageable at first, but a long line gradually formed, making her golden eyes start to spin.
Fortunately, Rudolf stepped in, and using her status as the President, she successfully rescued Starlight from the dire situation.
"Phew... Thank you, Madam President. I almost fainted there—"
"Yes, I'm not sure why, but everyone is too dependent on you. That's not good."
Rudolf was wearing dark blue denim shorts, a light brown shirt, and had a white towel hanging around her neck.
"Did you just finish your work, President?"
"Mhm. Our team has quite a few Uma Musume, so we were assigned two plots of farmland. We've finished planting all the vegetables now."
Narrowing her eyes, Starlight spoke in a teasing tone.
"Even though I'm one of the tasting judges at the end, if there are only carrots, you won't get a high score~"
Hearing this, Rudolf crossed her arms and turned her face away.
"How could that be... I've also planted tomatoes and potatoes."
"Oh, is that so? That sounds good. What kind of food are you planning to make?"
"It hasn't been decided yet, we'll see."
"By the way, are you going to continue competing?"
"Of course. It's tomorrow. Teio said she wants to participate too. Although I lost my comeback race, it's okay. This time, I'll lead the race completely."
"Well, alright... Are your legs really okay?"
"They're fine now because I've let go of the burden in my heart."
Rudolf didn't understand the meaning behind Divine Starlight's words, simply assuming that she had fully recovered.
After a busy day, the Uma Musume responsible for watching their respective plots stayed behind and went to the dormitory area to rest, while the other Uma Musume chose to return to Tracen.
The next morning, at Nakayama Racecourse, the G2 race, the Spring Stakes, began.
An 1800-meter mile track.
Starlight stood on the grass behind the starting gate, looking into the distance.
"Starlight-senpai..."
Tokai Teio, wearing her red racing outfit, walked over with a smile.
"I thought it would be a long time before you could get back on the track, but I didn't expect it to be so soon."
"What's the matter? Is Teio-chan scared?"
"No way! By the way, Starlight-chan, are your legs really okay?"
Turning to look at Teio's worried face, Starlight narrowed her eyes and pointed at the track ahead.
"Whether they're okay or not, you'll find out in a bit."
A rustling sound came from behind the two, and an Uma Musume walked up slowly.
"Starlight-senpai, Teio-san, please take care of me today."
"Mhm. Let's do our best together. You two little ones better give it your all~"
After saying that, Starlight walked into her gate.
After exchanging a look, the two Uma Musume smiled and walked into their respective gates.
"Amazing. A G2 race is actually more lively than a G1 level event."
In the stands, Satono Diamond looked at the packed audience around her and remarked with emotion.
"Hehe, look who's racing! Besides Starlight-onee-san, there's Tokai Teio! And last year's favorite, Mihono Bourbon, is here too!"
Kitasan Black was very excited.
She looked at the contestants who had already entered the gates, her eyes full of anticipation.
"Who do you think will be the champion?"
Nearby, the conversation between two men caught the attention of these two little Uma Musume.
"Nonsense, Mihono Bourbon, of course. Just look at the state Tokai Teio and Divine Starlight are in. One has faced setback after setback, and the other was upset right in her comeback..."
As soon as these words were spoken, Kitasan Black immediately became unhappy and retorted.
"What are you saying! Teio and Starlight-onee-san are just finding their rhythm. They'll definitely win today."
Seeing that it was a little Uma Musume, the two men immediately controlled their temper.
They didn't dare to challenge a little Uma Musume. If things got serious, they'd be the ones in trouble.
"Yes, yes, yes, this young lady is right. We were short-sighted."
"Hmph, just you wait and see. Starlight-onee-san and Teio will definitely make a comeback."
Bang!
The moment the gates opened, a light pink figure shot out first. Then came a silver figure.
Seeing this, everyone couldn't help but recall the past, the time when the silver reigned supreme at the start.
Back then, Star's start was in a league of its own. Just as you were starting, that silver blur would already be two horse-lengths ahead of you.
But now, she actually couldn't beat Mihono Bourbon.
Tokai Teio followed closely behind, passing two Uma Musume to reach a position beside Starlight, following her closely.
However, Starlight didn't choose to follow Mihono Bourbon closely, nor did she choose an escape strategy.
She was using the most common Late Surger strategy.
Leading the pack, Bourbon looked back at Star, her blue eyes filled with reminiscence.
She took a deep breath and turned her gaze forward, toward that silver phantom that had always been ahead of her.
Her pace began to quicken.
'Senpai, I believe you will return, so... I'm going to chase after your silhouette.'
"Now the leader, Mihono Bourbon, has accelerated! She's starting to pull away with a six-length lead over the second place..."
The race was already half-over.
Aside from Mihono Bourbon, who was still pressing forward, Starlight and Tokai Teio seemed like stones dropped into the ocean, leaving no ripples.
"The gap is already huge. Starlight and Teio have no chance..."
"Exactly. Although it's a pity, it really is over."
"...Wait! Starlight, in the back, has accelerated! She accelerated before Mihono Bourbon hit the turn!"
The announcer's words made the audience look toward that silver-haired figure.
Despite what they said, in their hearts, they were still hoping, hoping she would once again perform those steps that belonged only to her.
As her golden eyes flickered, everything around fell into a colorless void.
Mihono Bourbon, who was about to enter her domain, was forced to a halt.
She felt her body stiffen, and as she looked at the accelerating figure behind her, her pupils trembled violently.
"No way, Starlight-senpai"
Bang—
Her trembling foot struck the ground again, the explosive force shattering the surface.
Starlight endured the pain and began to accelerate.
Still six lengths behind Mihono Bourbon, she activated her second-stage acceleration.
'No determination to win?'
'No, I have it. How could an Uma Musume not have it!'
'It's just that with the passage of time, it faded... Breaking Waves, watch closely!'
Whoosh.
"Starlight-chan! Good luck!"
"Divine Starlight, go for it!"
From the audience's perspective, there were no flashy special effects, only a silver-haired Uma Musume whose speed had suddenly surged.
Seeing the distance between her and Mihono Bourbon gradually shrink, everyone began to cheer once more.
Tokai Teio in the back was also staring intently.
Seeing Starlight's stumbling figure, she grit her teeth.
'This is what Starlight and I agreed on. I can't fall behind!'
The colorless world shattered, the sound of erupting flames and birdsong rang out, and Tokai Teio also accelerated to keep up.
Mihono Bourbon in front naturally wouldn't be willing to be restrained, golden light flickered around her, and her feet trailed brilliant colors.
The three Uma Musume began a fierce competition on this track of less than four hundred meters.
"Tokai Teio has also rushed up! The three Uma Musume have reached the same line. Who is in the lead! Who is it—"
Bang!
Three-Stage Acceleration!