Verxina's repeated attempts at breaking through temporarily came to a halt. At least before entering the first bend, there were no further clear attempts.
But watching from the sidelines, Gotham Song saw everything clearly. She deeply understood what Verxina was thinking right now.
Rather, being one of the world's most skilled Uma Musume in breaking through—according to Dancing Brave-senpai—Gotham Song even spotted precisely where Verxina's breakthrough attempts were lacking.
But…! Even though Donna's defensive abilities weren't poor, this was still the very first time she'd faced an opponent of this caliber in an official race! Naturally, Gotham Song's anxiety was intensifying under these conditions.
Verxina's attempts had temporarily stopped, but that silence was actually far scarier than if Verxina had continued attacking relentlessly.
Because if Verxina kept attempting a breakthrough, it might look dangerous—there were indeed several close calls—but it would remain only dangerous in appearance!
Donna, whose speed wasn't particularly terrifying, would have difficulty succeeding purely on that front. Even exceptional stamina alone would find it hard to secure victory in today's Uma Musume races.
Because once speed fell short, it became nearly impossible to counter a front-runner's lightning-fast pace.
But…!
Donna had something even stronger that could compensate for her shortcomings in speed and talent.
That was her incredible strength, a sturdier build, and an unparalleled natural advantage in interception and suppression!
Ever since her very first race against Flightline, Donna had fully demonstrated the meaning of tactical victory. That was exactly her greatest strength—and her greatest hope—when facing a front-runner.
If she completely suppressed Verxina, then Donna would only have one opponent left to worry about: Almond Eye.
Then, could Donna stop Almond Eye's charge and challenge? No—there was no hope for that. Or rather, if Donna maintained only her current state, there would be no hope.
Only a miracle…only with a miracle could Donna claim victory in the Oka Sho.
"Verxina-san hasn't continued her breakthrough attempts. Is she conserving her stamina, switching to a stalking strategy? Or is she just waiting for an opening? Regardless, we'll soon find out what Verxina's real choice is!"
"Coming up next is the very first bend of the Oka Sho! How will this contest for first and second position at the race's start unfold? How will the struggle change things here?"
"Can you break through, Verxina—or will Donna completely erase every possible chance you have for victory?!"
"My heart's racing—I'm getting unbelievably excited!"
The commentator's voice soared. Clearly, she was eagerly anticipating this scene. Rather, who wouldn't love a race filled with sparks from the very start? This was the most direct, the fiercest, most transparent struggle—a relentless contest for victory that would never retreat, even betting their lives on that pursuit…!
No—I don't want to lose. Absolutely refuse to lose… No matter what…
The name of this era should belong to Verxina—!
The end of the first straight was already right in front of her. Verxina grit her teeth, forcibly maintaining her composure, raising her chances of finding the best opportunity for a breakthrough to the absolute maximum. In that precise instant, her overwhelming emotions surged violently, then condensed into a single point—
At that very moment, Verxina vanished from this world—if only for a split-second—and the Uma Musume running there became someone entirely different.
Verxina was still running, but at that instant, she'd temporarily abandoned everything else, transforming into a terrifying beast crawling straight out of Hell.
Verxina—face twisted ferociously—became an insatiable demon on the racetrack, endlessly devouring victory…!
Heehee…Ahahaha—I will definitely win! No matter what, I'll win!
At the exact moment they entered the bend, Donna fiercely accelerated for the first time. Her move sounded like a trumpet declaring war, adding even more explosive tension to the already scorching air.
"Donna-san has entered the bend—but is she already accelerating now?! Accelerating here, right now, at the very first bend?! If Donna-san accelerates now, will Verxina-san have a chance to break through?!"
Donna's sudden acceleration naturally widened the gap between her and Verxina. In other words, Donna's airtight blockade now showed a subtle gap—and right in the bend, which was already an ideal place to break through!
Then…should I make my move here? Right now was absolutely the perfect timing. The price to pay for breaking through would only be some stamina, but since they were already entering the first bend, if she moved now…
Her stamina should just barely be enough to reach the finish line…right?
But she couldn't worry about that now! She had to consider if this might be the very best chance in the entire race—if she missed it, she might never see another opportunity! Managing stamina was critical, yes, but if she had enough stamina yet no chance to accelerate, then all that stored stamina would be useless…!
I'm sick of thinking and hesitating. Since accelerating now can't possibly be a mistake…
Verxina—move out!
"Ohhhhhh! Verxina-san makes her move! Verxina-san is on the attack! She's openly challenging Donna-san head-on! At the very first bend—at the very first bend! Can she catch up? Can she overtake?!"
"Can she completely surpass Donna, avenging the earlier suppression and blockade?!"
Of course I can—I'll do it easily!
Verxina accelerated wildly, her speed exaggerated to the point where it seemed limitless. To ensure her breakthrough, she didn't hug the inner bend but instead surged toward the far outside lane, aiming to swing wide and burst free.
Verxina's instincts were terrifyingly sharp, because this was exactly the kind of choice that would deny Donna any chance of blocking her after exiting the curve. The only tradeoff was the already-significant stamina cost becoming even greater…!
But at this moment, Verxina paid no heed. She just charged recklessly onto the far outside track, leading the pack with a fierce assault toward first place!
Then—would it go according to her wishes?
Accelerating from the far outside was a very risky move. But Verxina gambled on the fact that this race was just sixteen hundred meters and wouldn't be excessively taxing, thus committing herself fully. And indeed, her risky choice yielded considerable results.
Although Donna had taken the bend earlier, Verxina's terrifying speed allowed her to swiftly close the gap, nearly pulling even alongside Donna.
Even more encouraging for the crowd was that Verxina's wide route had allowed her to easily angle herself inward, swiftly occupying the innermost lane—the ideal position for a front-runner. As long as she maintained this momentum, Verxina had an excellent chance at victory.
Meanwhile, Donna, who had been blocking Verxina earlier, now seemed visibly distanced from the advantageous inner lane. It appeared she wasn't particularly adept at navigating curves, lacking confidence in her ability to maintain speed on such a technically demanding path.
The spectators roared in approval, their cheers swelling like an ocean wave.
"A breakthrough—is it finally successful?! Verxina-san has secured the innermost lane! Clearly, if she maintains this acceleration, she'll finally break free! Could it be that Donna-san, who previously held the lead, is actually weak on curves?!"
Even though Donna was a member of Eternal Beat, it seemed not every Uma Musume could learn Gotham Song-san's terrifying cornering techniques!
If that was the case…
"Verxina is surging forward! Verxina is about to break free—Donna's being left behind… What?!"
"Donna-san—Donna-san suddenly blocked every possible path for Verxina's advance?!"
Just as the commentator began to draw conclusions, something utterly unexpected happened. Donna, who'd seemed poor at cornering just moments ago, suddenly sliced sharply inward, flawlessly adjusted her posture in a split second, and displayed unmatched cornering skills—even more flawless than Verxina's.
After all, I am a member of Eternal Beat…!
So, Verxina, who had wasted enormous amounts of stamina without achieving any results—what would your choice be now?
Donna knew clearly what she had to do in this race: cripple Verxina in the early stages, making her lose all capacity to compete for first place in the final sprint, and then confront Almond Eye head-on at the very end, purely relying on her resolve and hunger for victory…!
If so, how could she utterly eliminate Verxina's chances to catch up?
Simple—after suppressing her, Donna deliberately gave Verxina hope, forcing her into choices that drained enormous stamina. And then, at the very last instant, she would clamp down and suppress her again.
Only like this would Verxina desperately throw everything she had into a fleeting hope, recklessly attempting breakthroughs. But Donna naturally wouldn't allow Verxina to escape.
This was precisely why Donna resumed suppression at the crucial final moment.
Facing this situation—having expended tremendous stamina, her breakthrough now just a step short—what decision would Verxina make?
The first bend was already coming to an end. Next came a super-long straightaway and then the second bend. At this final chance, Verxina charged desperately, recklessly ignoring everything else.
She was now just frantically trying, with everything she had, to break past Donna…!
But it was useless. Completely useless. Having lost her best opportunity, no matter how desperately Verxina tried, Donna only needed to slightly adjust her position to effortlessly pin her rival behind her—!
Yet Verxina still didn't give up. She tried again and again, but failed each and every time. In this hopeless struggle, her relentless attempts even continued halfway through the second long straight.
But anyone could plainly see, at this moment, by this stage of the race… Verxina's stamina had been nearly exhausted, drained down to the very last drops. Although she was fighting with all her strength, forcibly persevering, even so…
Even so, Verxina's hopes for victory had already faded completely. Only now did Donna finally release her suppression.
Was it because she couldn't keep it up? No. It was because she no longer needed to.
Donna…Donna now began accelerating with all her strength, trying to build up as much of an advantage as possible for the confrontation ahead.
Her stamina was truly monstrous. Let alone 1,600 meters, even in races of 2,200 meters, Donna could easily find herself in situations where the problem wasn't a lack of stamina—but having far too much stamina left over, struggling to reach her peak performance.
"Verxina-san is completely spent! Could it be Donna-san had planned this strategy from the start of the race?! What a terrifyingly calculated Uma Musume! But after Verxina-san lost all competitive ability, why is Donna-san accelerating now? Could Donna-san be trying to win the Oka Sho as a front-runner?"
"No—no, that can't be right! Donna-san wouldn't make such a reckless choice. The race is halfway finished. If nothing unexpected happens, all Donna-san needs to do is watch the pack behind her carefully…wait, the trailing pack—?!"
Suddenly realizing, the commentator quickly turned her gaze backward. Just as she did, seeing clearly the situation behind, she shouted with even greater excitement:
"Yes! Of course! Of course an Uma Musume as meticulous as Donna-san wouldn't do anything reckless! The one she has to be careful about is among the pack behind her—and at this moment, the undisputed top favorite of this race, Almond Eye-san, is finally baring her fangs!"
Originally, Almond Eye hadn't been in any hurry as a closer-type, never vying early for advantageous positions. Naturally, the commentator hadn't paid much attention to her, given the breathtaking duel between the two leading fillies.
But now, everyone began looking forward to something else entirely…
Would Donna versus Almond Eye really happen?
Was a challenge truly about to unfold—from the very rear ranks all the way to the front—crossing the entire Uma Musume field?!
Normally, such a huge gap would be impossible even for a closer-type Uma Musume to close. But the one catching up from behind was Almond Eye—the very filly who'd boldly proclaimed she would restore glory to the Japan Cup…!
If it was her, perhaps she could do it?
"Almond Eye—Almond Eye is charging forward from the back!"
"Almond Eye has begun her challenge!"
The flaxen-haired streak of lightning raced forth from the back, swift as the wind—electric and unstoppable!
---
bonus chaps
100 stones -> 1 chapter
200 stones -> 2 chapters
300 stones -> 3 chapters
and so on
discord.gg/wisetl
patreon.com/wisetl