Tokyo Racecourse.
The stands were packed, and the noise was deafening.
The atmosphere was charged with anticipation and fanaticism.
All eyes from the racing world were fixed there: the final of the most important event of the year, the Japan Cup, was about to begin!
Eighteen of the best Umas from all corners of the world had gathered at the starting line.
Among them, the most striking were the eight girls wearing magnificent racing silks, all belonging to Tracen Academy, but with distinct styles.
Their auras varied, yet they subtly merged into a harmonious whole.
They were the absolute center of attention in this race.
They were El Emperador, the Overlord, the Queen, the Hero, the Wolf King, the Painter, the Empress, and... the Invader from America.
In the suffocating final silence before the start.
These eight girls, who should have been the fiercest rivals, simultaneously performed the same action.
Everyone unanimously turned their gaze toward the sidelines, focusing on the only black-haired man wearing casual trainer clothes: Kaito
Kaito stood on the sidelines with a calm expression, looking them in the eyes.
To El Emperador, whose gaze was steady, he gave a quiet wave of his hand, signaling: "Stay calm"
To the Queen, whose fighting spirit was high, he gave a forceful fist pump, signaling: "Unleash everything!"
To the little hero, who needed the most encouragement, he offered the warmest smile—the one that reassured her the most.
To the lonely Wolf King, he silently whispered two words: "Watch me"
Every glance, every movement, was a silent tactical instruction that only they could understand.
And it was also the most fervent and inspiring phrase... "I am watching you"
In that instant, the flames of battle were completely ignited!
"Bang!"
The starting gates burst open!
Eighteen figures shot out instantly, like eighteen arrows released from a bowstring!
"The race has begun!"
The commentator's voice boomed through the speakers, echoing up to the sky!
France's "Undefeated Queen of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe" and England's "Derby Triple Crown Champion" immediately seized the most advantageous lead positions thanks to their terrifying bursts of speed!
From the start of the race, they tried to drag all their opponents into the abyss of death using the classic, relentless pace typical of the European racing circuit.
Meanwhile, the Tracen Corps, led by El Emperador, Symboli Rudolf, and the Overlord, TM Opera O, remained unperturbed, strictly following Kaito's order to "Maintain rhythm, conserve stamina," and stayed clustered in the second group.
But—
"Oh! Taiki Shuttle from America! She's charging forward!"
The commentator exclaimed.
"She's like a released caged tigress, fiercely biting the heels of the two main European champions! My God! Is she trying to challenge the two strongest queens of Europe all by herself?"
The race entered the middle phase!
The most intense and brutal stage of positioning began!
Everyone on the track was crowded together, engaged in fierce and relentless physical clashes to secure the best sprint line!
Amidst this "World War," there was a certain "friendly" internal competition.
Gold City tried to use her powerful strength to forcefully overtake from the outside, aiming for the golden position for the final sprint!
However, right beside her, the "Empress" Air Groove, El Emperador's most loyal guard, also accelerated instantly!
Using her body and trajectory like an iron wall, she cunningly and firmly blocked Gold City's overtaking route during a crucial moment.
The two exchanged glances while running at high speed.
Golden sparks seemed to flash intensely in the air!
On the other hand, TM Opera O was preparing to elegantly slide through a fleeting, perfect gap on the inside line.
But Agnes Tachyon, running behind her, acted like a prescient seer, moving half a body length ahead and performing a seemingly unintentional and extremely slight change of direction.
Blocking that gap perfectly and precisely!
She even gave the Overlord in front of her a mischievous smile that said: "Everything is within my calculations"
Kaito, watching this scene—which could only be described as a palace drama—from a distance, rubbed his forehead helplessly.
He knew those troublesome and captivating women.
Before "eliminating" all the outsiders, they would never miss any valuable opportunity to "eliminate" a romantic rival!
Just when they were being "friendly," they would trip each other up.
An Australian track and field champion, known for her stamina, found a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and prepared to make a breakthrough from the outermost lane.
But a sudden change occurred!
Gold City, the Queen, and the Empress, Air Groove, who had just been blocking each other, seemed to share a telepathic understanding.
Without even exchanging glances, they simultaneously moved toward the outside!
The two instantly formed an impenetrable mobile wall, completely and mercilessly blocking the Australian champion's path!
"We can fight among ourselves, but under no circumstances will we allow a stranger to benefit from our conflict!"
This domineering understanding, unique to Kaito's "harem," left Kiryuin Aoi, who was sitting on the sidelines, completely speechless, muttering to herself:
"Is this also part of your strategy...?"
The last 400 meters, the home stretch!
Taiki Shuttle, who had been relentlessly suppressed by the two European champions but clung to them like a barnacle, let out a roar of excitement, preparing for the final showdown!
But at this very instant...
Those who had been constantly lurking in the second group... El Emperador! The Overlord! The Queen! The Wolf King! The Hero!
It was as if, at that exact moment, they had heard the silent command emanating from the heart of the man on the sidelines!
—They simply initiated their final sprint!
"Advance!"
Right away!
Five, six, seven figures in racing silks, varied in color but equally magnificent, burst forth like seven unsheathed swords piercing the heavens.
From both outside and inside, they simultaneously launched a devastating, coordinated group attack!
Their speed was a full level higher than that of the world champions, who had already exhausted their strength and consumed their energy...
No, two levels faster!
"A MIRACLE! This is a miracle!"
The commentator's voice broke completely due to overflowing emotion!
"The Tracen Corps! They have launched a divine group charge on the home stretch! My God! Their speed is still increasing! They have overtaken all the foreign runners! Not a single one is left!"
"The track... this world-class track... has been completely transformed, at this moment, into the exclusive victory stage of Tracen Academy!"
"The final 200 meters!"
"On the track, only the eight figures belonging to Tracen remain!"
They stopped obstructing each other and tripping each other up.
Instead, they formed an incredibly magnificent and perfect "V-formation," like the most elite fighter squadron!
And guiding everyone at the very tip of this formation—
It was El Emperador, Symboli Rudolf!
As they approached the finish line, Rudolf slightly reduced her pace.
The seven coming up from behind accelerated again instantly!
Forming a perfect, almost horizontal line with her!
Finally—
Before tens of thousands of spectators in the venue and hundreds of millions of television viewers around the world.
These eight girls, like deities, descended to the earth.
As if eight queens were being crowned side by side at the same time.
In the most incredible and visually striking way, almost in a "single horizontal line"...
THEY CROSSED THE FINISH LINE AT FULL SPEED!
The gigantic electronic scoreboard next to the finish line displayed a miraculous, unprecedented result that will likely never be repeated—a result worthy of being etched into the annals of world racing history!
"From first place to eighth!"
"The difference between them was a mere 0.1 seconds!"
"Tracen Academy, in the most dominant, overwhelming, and completely irrational manner... "
"Has completely swept the top eight positions in this year's Japan Cup!"
The entire Tokyo Racecourse.
After ten seconds of deathly silence.
It erupted into a deafening roar, like a sea tsunami of frenzied cheers, capable of shaking mountains and blowing the roof off the Tokyo Dome!
Everyone stood up!
For this incredible, mythical, and legendary scene!
Applause, shouts, and screams like crazy!
However, the eight girls who created the legend on the track did not care about the tiny difference in their rankings.
Simultaneously and proudly, they walked toward the sidelines.
They walked toward the only man who was smiling and applauding them.
In the VIP box at the highest point of the stadium.
A lady with blonde hair and blue eyes, with a noble and elegant bearing like that of a queen, slowly lowered the golden binoculars she held in her hand.
Her face reflected an expression that was both serious and extremely excited.
She gave an instruction to the secretary beside her in impeccable English:
"Go investigate"
"Find out everything about that man"
"It seems our 'game' has finally run into a truly interesting opponent"
Meanwhile, in the backstage lounge.
Kaito looked at his "champions": the eight girls in front of him, sweaty, panting softly, but staring at him with the same burning, possessive eyes.
He felt a sharp headache coming on.
He knew the battle on the track was over.
His true "battle"... was just beginning.
How to distribute the tempting "Exclusive Week"
It would be the sweetest yet most agonizing torment... of the next chapter.
In the post-race celebration party.
Taiki Shuttle, holding her eighth-place slip, determinedly pulled Kaito out of the crowd.
"Hey! Hand of God! Even though I wasn't the champion!"
"But! I was the first person in Tracen to issue a 'Conquest Declaration' to you! Right?"
"So, according to our American rules! First come, first served!"
"Tonight, you belong to me!"
She completely ignored the murderous fury emanating from the others nearby.
And immediately dragged Kaito toward the darkest and most deserted corner of the party venue...