Almond Eye was charging forward!!!
Of course, at the instant Donna heard this, she didn't feel even the slightest surprise.
The greatest spectacle of this race—and her real opponents—had always been the other two Uma Musume. As for Verxina, she clearly hadn't properly considered Donna as a serious threat from the start. That was why, when Verxina was initially suppressed, she became so anxious, so flustered—only able to blindly follow instinct in an attempt to break through.
Then what exactly was the real reason driving Verxina's panic and desperation? Could it be that Donna might genuinely maintain her lead throughout the race, completely crushing any hope Verxina had of chasing victory at the finish?
Probably no Uma Musume would seriously think that. Or rather, no Uma Musume would ordinarily even consider that as a likely possibility.
Then, what truly forced Verxina into such frantic attempts to accelerate, breaking past Donna no matter the cost?
Of course, it was because before the race even began, Verxina had recognized who the truly terrifying opponent was—the one lurking patiently at the back, ready to bare her fangs at any moment.
Almond Eye! You're finally making your move, aren't you?!
This was the real opponent Verxina feared, and also the primary reason Donna's strategy had succeeded so thoroughly—at the same time, it was precisely why Donna had waited until after the first bend had ended, until only the final stages remained, to begin accelerating.
Donna's speed was undeniably inferior to Almond Eye's. If she had maintained her original lead without further increasing the gap, Almond Eye definitely would've had a chance—no, not just a chance—a huge likelihood of catching up.
That's exactly why Verxina had been restrained by Donna around the bend and hadn't been able to break away: because otherwise, the entire race would still have been completely within Almond Eye's rhythm and control.
But…!
Donna understood this clearly. Her response to that reality was simple. Since you're so confident you can close this distance at the final stretch, Almond Eye—what if I break your rhythm and force our decisive battle to an earlier point, a timing you simply cannot accept?
Stamina!
This was Donna's ultimate advantage, and her most important reliance in any race. Although in a 1,600-meter race the full advantage of endurance—usually most obvious in longer distances—couldn't be fully displayed, what if she reframed it? What if endurance didn't just mean adaptability to race length, but also her ability to sustain maximum speed longer than anyone else?
Since this race's distance wasn't particularly long, if Donna intentionally chose to maximize stamina expenditure early, she would be turning the situation away from her weakness and instead directly into her greatest strength.
Therefore, Donna only accelerated at this precise moment, after Verxina was completely exhausted and unable to compete further. If Verxina hadn't been restrained, it would surely have been Donna who desperately chased and inevitably failed. But now, with Verxina out of contention…
When Donna deliberately chose to accelerate first, Almond Eye no longer had any choice…!
I know you were calmly waiting for the outcome up front. I know your composure comes from believing everything's under your control. I'm fully aware your speed surpasses mine by far—so far, you're certain you can overtake me at the final stage…!
But, if I break free from your rhythm, just like this—tell me, Almond Eye…
…Do you have the courage to refuse my challenge?!
The answer was no—of course Almond Eye wouldn't refuse. Because if an Uma Musume suddenly surged at full speed halfway through a race, pushing her absolute limit, there were only three possibilities: either she was insane, she was a fool, or she was fully confident…!
Was Donna an insane fool, a Twin Turbo-type Uma Musume? If she were, she couldn't have skillfully adjusted her tactics mid-race to so thoroughly dismantle Verxina…!
Then, there could be only one possibility:
Absolute confidence!
Only absolute confidence…! Donna had to be fully certain of her ability to finish at this pace. Only that could explain why she'd accelerate, why she'd challenge Almond Eye so directly at this exact moment.
Straightforward, utterly transparent—simply placing the choice once again before Almond Eye:
Can you keep up with me until the very end?
I don't know if you can keep up until the end, but no matter what… I can't let you have the luxury of choosing the outcome of this race so easily!
Thus, Almond Eye, forced by this situation, instantly exploded forward from the rear pack, launching her attack toward the front runners in a flash.
"Almond Eye—Almond Eye is surging forward! What terrifying speed—is she still accelerating?! She's already fully deploying her finishing speed this early? Did she sense something urgent? Or has she judged Donna-san's lead already so significant that if things continued like this, she'd have no hope at all?!"
"This invisible battle between the racers—my god, it's simply too wonderful! Donna-san's sudden acceleration, and Almond Eye-san's immediate reaction…indeed, this must be a direct challenge! Donna-san, after tactically crushing Verxina-san, is now directly challenging Almond Eye-san herself?!"
"An open and fearless declaration of war!!"
"Terrifying—Donna-san's strategic planning is simply terrifying! Almond Eye-san surely noticed her intent immediately, right? Is that why she chose this exact moment to accelerate as well?"
"Amazing! Heart-pounding! My heartbeat is accelerating right alongside the racers! Even for me, an experienced commentator who's seen countless races, this situation feels suffocating! I hardly dare to watch!"
The spectators might not have initially grasped the entire depth of Donna's intention, but under the commentator's ecstatic shouting, everyone quickly understood. Those who suddenly realized the sheer brilliance of what was unfolding erupted into explosive cheers after a stunned pause, their voices alone shaking the racetrack itself!
Yet amid this electrifying atmosphere, there was one person—or rather, one Uma Musume—who kept growing more excited. Her blood felt like fire, her body burning so intensely that white steam rose from her skin upon contact with the air itself…!
And those cross-shaped, clear-blue eyes, glittering sharply through the thin mist, pierced straight through all obstructions, releasing a dazzling and invincible brilliance.
Almond Eye had to admit: she never actually considered Donna to be her true rival in this race. Just like Verxina's thinking before the start, Donna's lack of speed was simply too glaring a weakness.
So, Almond Eye's attention had mostly been focused on Verxina from the very beginning. At the start of the race, she'd carefully observed Verxina's condition in particular.
After seeing Donna completely block and suppress Verxina, Almond Eye became even more certain of one thing: this Oka Sho's result had become utterly predictable. Had the only possible threat—Verxina's Great Escape—really been completely crushed right from the very beginning?!
Then what script would the race follow next? Would Verxina get hopelessly suppressed, while Donna, seemingly holding a strong lead, got overtaken by a late-surging Almond Eye at the very end?
Wouldn't such a race be far too dull?
Almond Eye couldn't help but feel disappointed. Of course, victory was extremely important to her—especially important to Almond Eye herself…!
But a boring, predictable victory like this would be too unsatisfying. After all, she was Almond Eye—proud Almond Eye, who aimed to trample Gotham Song beneath her feet as her ultimate goal…!
If her rivals offered no real challenge, if victory was easily within reach—
With this thought in mind, Almond Eye had chosen the safest strategy, running quietly in the rear of the pack as usual, maintaining her rhythm without hurry.
But—but she really never imagined this! This was truly beyond all expectations…!
As she'd thought, no Uma Musume would willingly give up victory or glory, right?! Donna-san was the same—of course she was…! To think Donna had prepared such a cunning tactical trap!
Destroying Verxina's goal…was it all to force me into accelerating, forcing me to pursue victory in the Oka Sho through the most direct, brute-force method—the method with the highest risk, but also the greatest threat to Donna herself?
This was provocation—an open challenge, entirely undisguised.
A duel—just you and me!
Is that what you're thinking, Donna-san? Then I must apologize—for previously believing this victory would come easily. I must sincerely apologize for underestimating you, for believing you posed no real threat to me.
Well then, now that I've apologized—am I allowed to hunt you down?
Excitement exploded in Almond Eye's brain, surging in her heart, boiling through her veins…! Of course, only victory in a challenging, thrilling race like this would truly feel satisfying… Right now, I'm going to surpass you!
What reason could I possibly have for not accepting your challenge, Donna? Almond Eye—moving out!
In that instant—barely a heartbeat after Donna had started accelerating—Almond Eye charged forward with a fierce grin. The vapor trailing behind her stretching from the sheer force of her acceleration, she surged onward, roaring like a beast. With unstoppable fury, she began her life-and-death challenge toward the front!
Perhaps my stamina really isn't enough to sustain this insane speed for the full 700 meters—but—but if you think you can beat me simply by betting I can't endure…
Don't underestimate me, Donna!
"Almond Eye-san—Almond Eye-san is surging forward! Ahhh, she's still accelerating—so fast, unbelievably fast! She's already at her usual finishing-kick speed seen in previous races, but can she go even faster? Can she sustain this incredible pace?!"
"Donna-san is still accelerating as well, but it's not enough—definitely not enough! The gap between the two is narrowing, little by little but clearly so…! In the end, has Donna-san's speed disadvantage finally caught up to her? Yet the gap right now is an entire stretch of the track! Time itself is Donna's greatest advantage, the only thing she can rely on. She's still in the lead, still maintaining that lead! Even though it's steadily shrinking, the finish line is already in sight…!"
"Is the outcome of this race about to be decided right here and now? Donna has seized complete control over the situation. Almond Eye lost the luxury of choice the moment she began her chase—either overtake, or fail!"
"But Donna's speed is still impressive! She doesn't show even the slightest sign of fatigue! Her acceleration continues—but has Almond Eye already reached her limits? What's being tested now—is stamina! Can Almond Eye-san keep up her acceleration? Or will Donna-san simply never tire?!"
"The finish line is visible now, yet Almond Eye is already catching up! The gap between her and Donna-san has become very small now—barely a dozen horse-lengths! But the race isn't over yet! With only a hundred meters left, will Donna fiercely claim the race, or will Almond Eye successfully stage a comeback?!"
Donna could clearly hear footsteps behind her. Honestly, if not for the commentary just now, Donna would've wondered if Almond Eye was already right behind her.
That scorching-hot, terrifying, beast-like roar closing in from behind—was it a monstrous predator, showing off, taunting her, about to catch up and tear her to pieces?
A monster indeed. A speed-monster capable of overcoming such a massive gap… Just kidding. Would Donna actually be shocked by something like this?
Maybe a little, considering this was really happening in the middle of an actual race, but—
Could something like this really be considered that shocking?
Absolutely not!
You're just this much—you're only at this speed, Almond Eye! You couldn't possibly think that this level of challenge would shake me, let alone bring you victory. Your speed is just…just that much!
Don't underestimate others! Don't underestimate me, a proud member of Eternal Beat! In this world, there's only one Uma Musume worthy of being called a speed-monster…!
For my Trainer, for victory, for myself…!
Almond Eye—I'll make you the most pitiful loser imaginable. With this race, I will tell you, tell everyone, tell the entire world—
Donna's era has arrived. Donna's race…holds no possibility of defeat.
I will win. I will absolutely win—utterly, completely, undeniably…!
This isn't a victory obtained by praying for miracles. Rather, it's dragging miracles kicking and screaming from their hiding places and telling them clearly:
For the sake of my victory, offer up every last bit of your brilliant glory!
Donna roared. She would never again pray for a miracle in the face of impending defeat. Call out to miracles?
Laughable…if victory could be gained merely by praying for miracles, then if I stepped upon miracles themselves—treating them as nothing more than trivial chips beneath my feet—
Who in this world could ever hope to chase after Donna's footsteps again?!
For the first time, rose-colored streams of light surged forth from her body. Behind her, the white vapor around Almond Eye was blasted apart in an instant. Donna roared again, brutally trampling over the so-called limitation of speed that had always restricted her.
She who no longer prayed for miracles—she'd caught a miracle by its tail, flung it beneath her feet, and pushed it to fulfill her ultimate wish.
Donna's Zone, on the battlefield of the Oka Sho, emerged for all to witness at precisely the instant defeat nearly caught up to her—
Donna stood triumphant upon the track at Hanshin. At this moment…
She was invincible!
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