The curtain rose on the 2nd URA Finals. The sequence followed last year's schedule, kicking off with the Sprint division. And right out of the gate, one particular runner was blowing the competition away.
"The fierce duel over six electric furlongs, the Finals Sprint Division! Currently holding the lead is none other than the crowned champion of the inaugural tournament, Rabbit Parabellum!! Can she navigate the infamous curve safely again this year?!"
The champion of the inaugural Sprint division had returned, declaring her intent not only to defend her title but to charge straight into the Legend Race. Her imposing stance as a reigning champion, perfectly paired with the relentless spirit of a challenger, sent hearts soaring across the stands. Every runner on the turf was pushing their limits to dethrone her. Yet, her terrifying speed remained untouched as she led the pack right into the dreaded bend.
"Here it comes! We've reached what might be the most terrifying climax of this race!! Ah—WOAH! She's flaring out wide to the outside again!! Wait, this is bad—Rabbit Parabellum is heading STRAIGHT for the outer rail—!!!"
"NOOOO! TURN! TURN, PLEASEEE!!"
Both Akasaka and Saito shrieked into their microphones as Rabbit tore off course. It was as though the infamous "99% curve failure rate" was asserting itself once again. But she had no intention of quitting—and she refused to drop her speed. Because—
"Go, Rabbittt~! You can do it~!!"
"Watch closely, Urara-chan!! THIS IS... MY VERY OWN... CORNERING TECHNIQUE—AAAAAAAH!"
"In stark contrast to Rabbit Parabellum, Marvelous Suniday and Cantate Tourmaline execute breathtakingly smooth turns! Taking the lead now is—WAIT, WHAT THEEE—?!"
"SHE LEAPED?!"
"RABBIT PARABELLUM LITERALLY KICKED OFF THE OUTER RAIL TO FORCEFULLY AVERT THE COLLISION AND BOUNCED RIGHT BACK ONTO THE STRAIGHTAWAY?!"
"WHAT KIND OF BRUTE FORCE WAS THAT?! Light Line and Platinum Sebon, charging up from behind, are completely stunned as Rabbit rockets past them! But that move ignited their fighting spirit—Light Line and Platinum Sebon are unleashing insane late-stage power to close the gap!"
"Awesome, awesome, AWESOME~! Hey, hey, Grandma, did you see that?! She leaped ba-byuuun with a kick just like a superhero!"
"Gahahahaha! Now that's what I call raw grit! As expected of my great-granddaughter, Parabellum Bullet!"
A pink-haired girl beamed with sparkling eyes, while beside her, a grey-haired elder clad in a traditional kimono roared with laughter. Though advanced in years, the elder's eyes burned with unbroken vigor as her gaze remained fixed on the track.
"Yeah, yeah, YEAH! What a wild run~!"
"Talk about reckless~!"
"Well, that's just... HOW I ROLL!"
In the blink of an eye, Rabbit re-established her range on the lead pack. Executing a maneuver that absurd should have wrecked her legs with sheer recoil, yet she didn't show a single flicker of strain. Was it the pride of a reigning champion, or the unyielding grit of a true racer?
"Go get 'em, Rabbit! Show them what you're made of!"
"Cantate Tourmaline holds the front, with Marvelous Suniday closing in—but somehow, Rabbit Parabellum is ALREADY BACK IN THE HUNT! What terrifying late speed! Six electric furlongs—this domain truly belongs to her!! BUT THE OTHER MAIDENS REFUSE TO BACK DOWN! Platinum Sebon surges up the inside, while Light Line and Marvelous Suniday push hard from the outside—THEY'RE ALL LINED UP NECK-AND-NECK! Who will claim the front?! Who will break out of this wall?! IT'S ANYONE'S RACE NOW!!"
"I promised... I PROMISED! THIS VICTORY IS MY FAREWELL GIFT TO URARA-CHAAAAAN!!!!"
"R-RABBIT PARABELLUM FINDS ANOTHER GEAR! She's stretching her lead—one length! SHE BREAKS AWAY! Holding the lead all the way to the line—GOAL! Rabbit Parabellum takes FIRST PLACE! Second goes to Marvelous Suniday, third to Light Line! Last year's champion proves her absolute dominance once more! The inaugural Sprint Champion surges straight toward the stage of Legends once again!!!"
"YEEEEEEAAAHHHH!!! Urara, did you see that~?! My win is my send-off present to you! Knock 'em dead in Central~!!!"
Rabbit Parabellum's victory was driven by her ambition for the Legend Race, but even more so by her devotion to her friend, who was transferring to Central next year. As a representative of Kochi heading to the big stage, Rabbit wanted to give her the ultimate send-off. In her mind, nothing less than defending her URA title would suffice.
"That was amazing, Rabbit! I can't believe you actually kicked the fence to bounce back!"
"Ahaha... honestly, that was pure instinct. I couldn't do it again if I tried..."
"Be that as it may, doing something that reckless could damage your hooves or legs," a nearby trainer scolded gently. "Let me inspect them properly in a moment, alright?"
"Ahaha... but still, I'm just so glad I won..."
The overwhelming feeling in her chest wasn't just the pride of qualifying for the Legend Race; it was pure relief. To be completely honest, no one quite understood how her dear friend Urara had gotten accepted into Central in the first place. Central was a place where raw results usually reigned supreme, yet they chose Urara—who was undeniably the slowest among their group. Everyone had scratched their heads over it, but not a single soul spoke ill of her. That was simply a testament to Urara's infectious charm and genuine heart.
"Grandma Para."
"What is it, Urara?"
"Racing... racing really is incredible, isn't it?!"
"Heh... glad you see it that way. You make sure you become a runner who gives people that exact same feeling, got it?"
"YES!!"
"Fufu~ My, my! I can hardly wait for next year now!"
Watching from the stands, Sakura Bakushin O—who was set to compete in the Sprint section of the Legend Race—felt a surge of pure joy. Seeing Rabbit claim back-to-back Finals titles and secure her spot on the very stage Bakushin O would command next year made her blood boil with excitement.
In the domain of sprinters, no one surpassed Sakura Bakushin O. But Rabbit was a rare talent whose raw straightaway speed could challenge world records. The thought of clashing against a runner like that sparked an irresistible, burning fighting spirit within her.
"You look thrilled, Bakushin-chan."
"Yes, extremely so, Trainer-san! As the Class President, I cannot help but get fired up when someone so formidable rises to the challenge! Therefore, I will win—and next year, we shall run together on that track!"
2nd URA Finals Sprint Division Champion: Rabbit Parabellum.
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