The signal from Air Groove dropped, and the four Uma Musume burst from the starting line.
Silent Suzuka surged ahead immediately, her stride crisp and powerful, pulling away from the pack with her signature escape strategy.
Condor and Grass Wonder followed close behind, while Peach Waves held back, conserving her energy in the early phase.
"Is Suzuka-senpai going for a full escape again?" Vodka asked, watching intently.
"Probably. Her speed is unreal. I don't know how Peach Waves plans to catch up," Scarlet replied.
On the outer lawn, a brown-haired Uma Musume with a dogtail grass stem in her mouth lounged with crossed legs, watching the race with interest.
Her maroon eyes reflected Peach Waves' figure.
"That little one's got something special."
Rudolf Symboli approached, arms crossed.
"When did you get back, Sirius?"
"A few days ago. Finished a race overseas. Came home to find the canteen's got a new chef—and she's racing too."
"So? How good do you think this chef is?"
Rudolf gestured toward the four racers.
Sirius sat up, spat out the grass stem, and grinned.
"Depends who she's up against."
"Me?"
"You'll surpass her soon."
"And you?"
"Lose? Me? Sirius always shines the brightest."
Rudolf chuckled and shook her head.
"When will you grow out of that?"
Sirius stood and leaned in close, her posture teasingly ambiguous.
Rudolf didn't flinch.
"I think I'm perfect as is, Emperor-chan～"
Rudolf calmly swatted her hand away.
"Grow up when you get back to school."
Suddenly, gasps erupted from the crowd. Both turned toward the field.
Suzuka had accelerated again, widening her lead to seven lengths.
Peach Waves, sensing the shift, veered to the outer lane and began her own acceleration.
Halfway to the finish line, the race was heating up—but a battle royale wasn't realistic.
As Peach Waves passed Condor and Grass Wonder, a faint fragrance trailed behind her, catching both girls off guard.
"Wait… that scent. Isn't that from the cafeteria?" Condor blinked.
"It's Peach Waves' scent… but it's fading?"
The aroma stirred something in them. Their pace quickened instinctively.
Grass Wonder's eyes flashed red for a moment—then she accelerated too.
Peach Waves felt the pressure. Her body tensed.
Someone's chasing me… Condor? Grass Wonder?
She glanced back. The two were closing in—one on each side.
"Whoa! Condor and Grass Wonder are double-teaming Peach Waves!"
Urara pointed from the stands.
"This is tough. Can she break through their blockade?"
Seiun Sky squinted.
"Three racers in a chase… no clear strategy."
Nishino Flower sighed.
"Looks like Suzuka's got this. Peach Waves was catching up, but now she's boxed in."
Air Groove nodded.
"Trainer, is Peach Waves going to lose?" Scarlet asked.
Okino watched silently.
"Hard to say. I don't know all her techniques yet."
"Is there still a chance?" Vodka pressed.
"Suzuka's almost at full speed. How can she win now?"
Gold Ship put down her Rubik's Cube, unusually serious.
Toujou Hana scribbled notes on her tablet, adjusting her glasses.
"If Grass Wonder can't hold her, it'll be too late."
"But how did Condor and Grass Wonder sync up like that?"
They hadn't. They were simply drawn to Peach Waves' scent—worried about her, intrigued by her.
Peach Waves, caught between them, gritted her teeth.
I need to break free. Condor's pressing from the left, Grass Wonder from the right…
She spotted the upcoming corner and smirked.
Perfect. Time to use the skill I just learned.
As the three entered the curve, Peach Waves planted her feet and exploded forward.
Her body launched like a rocket.
The crowd gasped.
"She's accelerating in the curve?!"
Both Condor and Grass Wonder were stunned.
"That's too risky!" Vodka frowned.
Okino's eyes widened.
"That posture… it's the triple burst!"
"Triple burst?" Scarlet asked.
"Remember her training?"
"Yeah, it was exhausting. Why?"
"Look at her form. It matches the elastic band training."
Okino popped a lollipop into his mouth, pointing at the field.
Peach Waves' stride matched the rhythm of her resistance drills.
"She's executing the three-stage burst!"
"Wait… she can use that in a race?"
Okino shook his head.
"It's incredibly hard. Even in training, it nearly broke her. To replicate it in a race…"
Scarlet perked up.
"Well, I'm still faster than Vodka."
"What?! I wasn't at my best!"
"Come on, let's settle this!"
"Hey, stop it, you two."
Back on the track, Peach Waves hit the second burst.
Dust kicked up. Her clothes fluttered in the wake.
King Halo, Hana Toujou, and the entire Rigil team stared in shock.
"What is this?! How did Peach Waves do that?" Maruzensky gasped.
"She accelerated again?!" Hana Toujou's pen froze.
The gap between Peach Waves and Suzuka shrank rapidly.
Condor and Grass Wonder faltered, thrown off by the sudden double burst.
They'd been following Suzuka's escape pace—but Peach Waves' twin accelerations shattered their rhythm.