"The current leader is Twin Turbo! In second place is Snow Dancer, third is Mejiro McQueen, and fourth is Special Week!"
The announcer rapidly described the situation on the track. After Twin Turbo widened the gap to a massive lead, Snow Dancer also began accelerating. Less than two seconds later, Special Week and Mejiro McQueen followed close behind.
The race had now entered the final corner.
"Go, Shirayuki!"
In the office, Tokai Teio jumped up excitedly. Behind the sofa, Nase Fumino looked thoughtful.
Coincidence... or judgment?
Shirayuki's acceleration timing was exactly the same as her own judgment. If Shirayuki had deliberately accelerated at that point, then she possessed at least the experience level of a graded-race Uma Musume.
Once the race ended, Fumino would have to find a chance to talk to her.
For now, Shirayuki had seized the timing and taken an excellent position. What mattered next was whether her strength could carry her through.
On the track, Mejiro McQueen looked at the blue figure at the very front.
That girl... still hasn't run out of stamina?
As they rounded the corner, Twin Turbo's body was swaying, but she was still maintaining considerable speed. If they had not chosen to accelerate earlier and had instead kept their original positions, they definitely would no longer be able to catch her now.
As expected, Shirayuki had already seen through the race situation and made the correct decision.
Even as her opponent, Mejiro McQueen had to admit it. In terms of tactics and racing experience, Shirayuki was far above her.
In that respect, I'm inferior to you, Shirayuki. But...
Mejiro McQueen clenched her teeth.
She would never allow herself to shame the Mejiro family in terms of raw ability.
Her feet struck into the ground, and Mejiro McQueen's speed suddenly rose. The Mejiro family had a special training method that helped young foals improve their stamina. They had already begun training before entering Tracen. That was also why most Mejiro Uma Musume had strong aptitude for long-distance races.
So when it came to stamina, she was stronger than Shirayuki.
The purple figure surged forward.
But next to her, someone was moving even faster.
With a clear shout from the girl, Special Week gathered all her strength and desperately chased ahead.
"Daaahhhhhhh!!"
Shirayuki... Shirayuki is right ahead! I'm Shirayuki's friend, and I'm also her rival!
Her feet felt like they were burning. The veins in Special Week's body stood out as her eyes locked firmly on the figure ahead.
This girl is a monster too!
Mejiro McQueen clenched her teeth. If her stamina had been built through the Mejiro family's special training, then Special Week's strength came purely from natural talent. Her body had been born stronger than others.
None of you big eaters are simple at all!
Mejiro McQueen let out a low sound of effort.
Seeing the three behind her draw closer and closer, Twin Turbo unleashed her final shout.
"Turbo... burn out! Massive explosion!"
"The race is down to the final two hundred meters!"
Twin Turbo was already showing obvious signs of exhaustion, but she forced herself to squeeze out the last of her remaining heat through sheer guts. Mejiro McQueen and Special Week charged straight toward Fujiwara Shirayuki ahead of them.
The four of them gradually closed in on one another.
"They're side by side! Snow Dancer has caught up to Twin Turbo! Mejiro McQueen is also closing in! Special Week is launching her attack from the outside! Four runners! Who is in front? Who is leading this race!?"
They've already caught up?
Fujiwara Shirayuki glanced behind her.
She saw Mejiro McQueen's serious gaze.
She saw Special Week's eyes, fixed entirely on her.
The instant their gazes crossed, Fujiwara Shirayuki felt Special Week's determination.
Spe-chan!
I still have strength left. Then... I'm going!
Fujiwara Shirayuki took a deep breath.
Twin Turbo's wild lead had put enormous pressure on her, but the special training she had gone through recently had greatly improved her foot strength. Even though she felt as if her lungs were about to burst, her feet could still rise.
Her speed could still increase.
Thud.
With a dull sound, Shirayuki's foot drove into the ground.
It was as though time had slowed. Fujiwara Shirayuki's body gradually leaned forward.
This was the acceleration method she had developed over all this time.
A way of accelerating that belonged only to her.
Her foot strength was enough to support a brief but explosive start.
The instant Shirayuki bent low, people saw it.
Her snow-white arms seemed to turn into the forelimbs of a beast. Her powerful hind legs struck the ground. Her body drew a beautiful flowing line through the air as she broke free from the group.
"She's passed them! It's Snow Dancer! Snow Dancer has broken away from the pack!"
Mejiro McQueen stared in shock at that acceleration.
Why do you still have that much foot strength in this situation?
She wanted to keep chasing, but her feet felt as though they had been shackled. The sound of iron chains seemed to rattle around her.
Faster. Move faster!
Mejiro McQueen urged herself on, staring down at her own feet.
But she could no longer accelerate even one step more.
Her body had reached its limit.
Is this as far as I go...?
Mejiro McQueen bit her lip.
Beside her, Special Week was gasping for breath. Her breathing could no longer keep up with the exhaustion consuming her body. Shirayuki was right there in front of her, yet there seemed to be an invisible wall between them.
She could not close the gap.
She could not reach her.
So this is... Shirayuki's full power...
"Snow Dancer! Snow Dancer is in the lead! Special Week is desperately chasing! Mejiro McQueen is pushing forward at full speed! Can they catch her? Can they still catch her!?"
As though trying to pour out every last bit of remaining strength, the three of them let out fierce cries.
Sweat blurred their vision.
Their bodies could barely breathe.
Their feet felt as though they were stepping on burning-hot iron plates.
Even so, they used the last of their strength to sprint toward the finish line.
At last, the white figure flashed past first.
The announcer's thunderous voice rang through the racecourse.
"She crosses the line! In the final moment, she displayed a storm-like sprint! A shining figure like a blade cutting across the track! The winner of this Chukyo Junior Stakes is Snow Dancer!"
"Oooooohhhhhhh!!"
The stands erupted with cheers powerful enough to pierce the heavens.
The spectators gave thunderous applause for this spectacular race.
Fujiwara Shirayuki gasped heavily for breath. Her knees were trembling badly, and waves of weakness and burning pain spread through both feet.
But even with her body reduced to this state, Fujiwara Shirayuki's heart was still soaring.
She looked at the crowd celebrating her victory, and a hazy, dreamlike feeling rose within her.
As an Uma Musume, she had won the first OP race of her life.
"Ugh... ngh... breathing... breathe..."
Right behind her, Twin Turbo, who had completely burned out, collapsed on the ground with her face pressed against the track. It was impossible to make out exactly what she was saying.
Nearby, Mejiro McQueen looked unable to accept the result. Her fists were clenched, her teeth biting down hard.
As for Special Week, like Shirayuki, she was covered in sweat. Her cheeks were flushed from the blood rushing through her body. With both hands on her knees, Special Week gasped for breath.
"Shirayuki... I... I..."
Before she could finish speaking, Shirayuki had already run over and hugged her tightly.
Special Week froze for a moment.
The entire racecourse seemed to pause as well.
Then, an even louder wave of cheering erupted than before.