"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen!!! We're your commentators for this year's SATSUKI SHO!! The first leg of the TRIPLE CROWN!!! WHO SHALL EARN THE TICKET TO BRANDISH THE PRESTIGIOUS TITLE!?!?!"
"Haaaaah… Fuuuuh…"
The young Mejiro lady entered her gate. The expansive sight of the green turf in front of her caused her heart to race. Any moment now, she will stomp her feet all over it.
"AND FOR TODAY'S NUMBER ONE FAVORITE!!! ON GATE NUMBER SEVEN!! MEJIRO MCQUEEN!!!"
"Ignore all of them… You are your own uma… Only you can decide the outcome of this race."
"All of the racers has enter their gates!! Let's all wait for the signal!!"
McQueen dropped her center of gravity and planted her feet firmly on the ground. Her feet bend so her toes are the only part that touches the ground. Her eyes are glued to the front, not even bothering to see who her adversaries are. There is only one spot at the podium for the number one, and that will be hers.
*Beep*
*Beep*
.
.
.
*BANG*
"AND THEY'RE OFF!!!"
Like most races, Umas instantly bolt forward the moment their gates are opened. Front-runners battle for the frontmost position, Pace chasers battle to be the regulator of the pace, Late surgers lag to maintain their stamina, and End closer store their powerful kick for the end.
"Battles for positions are happening all over the place!!"
"Number one is fighting for–Number one had just been overtaken by number three!"
"Number ten had just overtaken number twelve!! The battle for positions doesn't seem to be ending any time soon!!"
Ignore them. Focus on your own path. Maintain your pace. You're a Mejiro! You should assume control and not be controlled!!
"Number seven is keeping her position at the middle of the pack! No!! She's approaching the front!! She had just overtaken number eight!!"
Naturally, all the runners have to be aware of McQueen's position since she was the number one favorite for today's race. Her famous family and her position as the favorite indicate to everyone that she is not just an ordinary runner. She is amongst the top, even when she is a rookie.
Get close to the pack of the Front Runners and run just behind them. Take advantage of the slipstream they created.
*Ding*
*[Slipstream] activated*
"McQueen is taking advantage of the Front Runners' slipstream."
"Thankfully, there are a few Front Runners today, so the slipstream they created will be quite large. And they don't look like they have taken a lesson on how to deal with a Pace Chaser that is using them."
"So that's how it look like…"
Silence Suzuka watches as her fellow Front Runners are being taken advantage of. She can imagine the air flow crashing against the Front Runners and creating a hiding spot for McQueen. McQueen's running posture isn't as low as Suzuka's, but it's still lower compared to the Front Runners in front of her. That way, McQueen also lessens the air friction and conserves more stamina.
"What a sly tactic…"
"All fair in love and war, Suzuka. Every advantage needs to be taken, especially at the cost of your enemy."
"You're a wicked man, trainer."
"This is just the tip of the iceberg, Suzuka. I can personally show you my full power."
"And the racers are entering the first turn!! How will the dynamics change?!!?"
From the record, McQueen doesn't like it if she has to slow down for a corner. I can take advantage of her inexperience!!
"OH! Number nine is making her move!!! She is going on the outside and is charging forward!!!"
Get agitated and burn through your stamina, McQueen!!
The number nine runner kicks it up a notch and overtakes several runners, including McQueen, during the first turn of the race. She had researched the number one favorite and had taken note of how she was rash during her last race. Prefer to burn her stamina rather than waiting for the right moment.
"Kuh! What?!"
But the number nine had made a mistake. She had assumed that McQueen was stupid enough not realize her mistake and didn't do anything to fix it. While McQueen was overtaken, she didn't respond by doing anything other than glancing at the number 9 and focusing back on the race. She didn't try to change lanes or overtake the Front Runners. She is completely satisfied in her lane and taking advantage of the slipstream phenomenon.
Who is that idiot? There are still some considerable meters left before the finish line. Did they mistake this turn for the final corner?
"Did number nine change her strategy midrace!?!? What is she planning?!"
Damn it!! What the hell?!? I'll run out of stamina if I have to keep up with the front-runners!!
"Oh! Number nine is lagging!! She is being overtaken by several runners!!"
Number nine can't enter the pack easily. Any rash movement to the side, and she will get disqualified for trying to block the path of another runner. She has to be satisfied with being at the last of the Pace Chasers pack.
"The pack is entering the long straight!! Next will be the hottest part of the race!! Let us wait with anticipation!!"
*Ding* *Ding*
Good, McQueen. Activate all of your stamina recovery skills and prepare for the last stretch. You now have plenty in the tank, considering you have been running with slipstream the entire race.
"HERE IT COMES, FOLKS!!! PREPARE YOURSELF!!"
If I can't win, then at least she can't either!! I'll cage her in!!
"Kuh… Whaaa…"
Sensing the end is near, McQueen's stomps get stronger and stronger. She is warming up her muscles and preparing them for the last kick. These powerful stomps echo through the pack and intimidate some of them. It's as if a ruler is telling them.
"Move, peasants."
"Number seven is breaking through!! She runs diagonally between the runners without losing her speed and is fighting with the front runners!!"
We're not even entering the last corner yet!! What are you doing?!?
Kuh!! If I make my move now, I'll run out of stamina, but if I don't—
SHE'LL WIN THE RACE!!!
"OHHH!! Everyone is moving!! Number seven had just started the war!!"
"Positions are being blurred!! Everyone is overtaking and is being overtaken at the same time!!"
"Number seven!! Number seven enters the corner first, and look at the speed and acceleration!! She isn't slowing down on the corner!!"
*Ding* *Ding*
*[Corner Adapt] Activate*
*[Corner Acceleration] Activate*
I can't lose here!! The Dignity of the Mejiro Family is calling me for DUTY!!! I HAVE TO WIN!!
*Ding*
*[The Duty of Dignity Calls] Activate*
"SHE IS STILL ACCELERATING!! NUMBER SEVEN HAD JUST CREATED A SPACE OF THREE DISTANCE BETWEEN HER AND THE REST!!"
"SHE IS NOT SLOWING DOWN AT ALL!!!"
That's right, McQueen. Dump all of your stamina for the last spurt. You have plenty left inside the tank, so you will be able to maintain top speed for much longer.
"THREE LENGTHS!! THREE LENGTHS!! THE CLOSEST IS THREE LENGTHS!!"
"WILL THERE BE A DARK PIECE THAT SHINES DURING THE LAST MOMENT?!?!"
"THREE–TWO AND THREE QUARTER–NOOO!! STILL THREE LENGTHS!! THREE LENGTHS!!! AAAANNNNNDDD!! MEJIRO MCQUEEN WIN WITH THREE LENGTHS!!!!"