How did things turn out like this?
Fujiwara Chiya guessed that maybe Teio's recent races had been going too smoothly, causing her to grow somewhat arrogant. That said, she did indeed have the strength to justify it. Ever since her debut, Teio had never lost, whether in official races or mock races. She possessed strength comparable to Rudolf in her younger days.
The only time she had failed was probably the time trial between Tokai Teio and Rudolf. Rudolf had been one second faster than Tokai Teio. Although the two had not stood on the track together directly, it was clear at a glance who was stronger.
In the end, Tokai Teio was still an uma musume in the middle of a rapid climb. Compared to someone already standing at the summit, there was still a considerable gap.
During that period, Tokai Teio had become a little depressed. But she quickly recovered and began training again. Now, she had already completely forgotten about Rudolf leaving her behind by one second back then, and had started swelling with confidence once more.
Shirayuki was a little worried about Teio. She leaned closer to her.
"Teio, are you sure you want to race her?"
"Of course. Are you worried that person will lose too badly after I leave her too far behind? It's fine, Shirayuki. I can hold back a little so she won't look too embarrassing."
Shirayuki covered her face.
She felt that Teio had already found the path to her own downfall.
At least losing to Rudolf would not be embarrassing, and the difficulty would even be smaller. But racing against Hayakawa Tazuna, who was dressed like a human trafficker, made Shirayuki fear that Teio's pride would shatter all over the ground.
Over on the other side, Chiya was telling Tazuna to hold back and not go too far. No matter what, Teio had only just entered her Classic year. Meanwhile, strictly speaking, Hayakawa Tazuna could be considered a senior uma musume.
This also brought up another question.
Why had Hayakawa Tazuna still not entered an uma musume's decline period after so long?
Logically speaking, given Hayakawa Tazuna's age, her strength should at most be around seventy to eighty percent of her peak. Yet she could still run this fast. It did not make sense.
Or perhaps her ability was so exaggerated that even at seventy to eighty percent, she could still far surpass the current generation of uma musume.
If that was truly the case, then even if she had only participated in one race, she should still be an existence recorded in history.
Who possessed strength comparable to Hayakawa Tazuna?
Fujiwara Chiya thought for a moment.
St. Lite, Shinzan, Speed Symboli, Kurifuji, Tosho Boy, Haiseiko…
A whole pile of names appeared in his mind. These were all great seniors in uma musume history, but none of them was named Hayakawa Tazuna.
Could it be an alias?
Did Hayakawa Tazuna race under another name?
Fujiwara Chiya had only heard of some of those races and had not seen them personally, so he could not match Hayakawa Tazuna's image with those people. After all, he had not watched that many races from that era and only knew a little about them.
Moreover, after so many years, those uma musume must have changed greatly. Last time, when he saw St. Lite on Central's Famous Uma Musume Interview program, she had already become a gentle and beautiful woman. She was completely impossible to connect with the gallant figure she had shown during her racing days. If they had not said her name, Fujiwara Chiya would not have recognized her at all.
Perhaps Hayakawa Tazuna was one of those powerful figures. In that case, it would not be strange for her to maintain this level of strength.
However, while appearance could change, the color of one's eyes would not.
Those emerald-green eyes of Hayakawa Tazuna made Fujiwara Chiya think of two people.
One was Haiseiko, who had pushed the entire Twinkle Series to its peak.
The other was the undefeated uma musume with the phantom name, Tokino Minoru.
No matter which one it was, either would be an extraordinary existence.
"Tazuna, are you Haiseiko?" Fujiwara Chiya asked.
"What are you talking about, Chiya?"
"Then are you Tokino Minoru?"
"I'm Tazuna."
"I see…"
It seemed Hayakawa Tazuna had no intention of telling him. Perhaps Central had placed a gag order on her.
Hayakawa Tazuna looked at Fujiwara Chiya, then gently hugged him.
"I'm going to race."
"Don't go too hard on Teio."
"I know."
Fujiwara Chiya watched her leave.
Whether she was Haiseiko or Tokino Minoru, either one could completely crush the current Tokai Teio. Of course, it was also possible she was someone else. Fujiwara Chiya could not judge. Just now, Hayakawa Tazuna's voice had sounded as though she truly knew nothing.
The race between Teio and Hayakawa Tazuna quickly drew other students over. Even Rudolf came out from the Student Council room. Ever since Shirayuki became the "Empress," she had also been paying extra attention to Teio's education, training with her whenever she had time. As a result, most of the Student Council work had now fallen onto Air Groove.
Looking at the strangely dressed uma musume on the track, Rudolf narrowed her eyes, vaguely sensing something.
"Hmph hmph. Are you ready to challenge the great Teio-sama?"
Tokai Teio walked arrogantly up to Hayakawa Tazuna and raised her head high.
"If you lose, then from now on, I'll be the one training with Shirayuki. Also, you have to take off those weird sunglasses on your head and look me straight in the eyes!"
Hayakawa Tazuna nodded.
"If you lose to me, you will run three laps around the track while repeatedly shouting, 'I am an idiot.'"
"Fine! But there's no way I'll lose!"
With that, the two stood on the track. Several students spontaneously formed a judging group. They held up flags and shouted,
"Race start!"
In an instant, Hayakawa Tazuna shot forward.
A deep footprint appeared in the turf.
Tokai Teio widened her eyes, then immediately followed.
What was that reaction speed!?
She had already dashed out the very instant the flag came down.
"President Rudolf, you have the leisure to watch students race too?"
Narita Brian appeared beside Rudolf.
"I was planning to train with Teio. I didn't expect to run into this scene."
"Hm? That person is…"
Narita Brian looked at the strange uma musume wearing a face mask and sunglasses.
From the start, the other party continued accelerating nonstop. Very quickly, she opened a seven-length gap with Tokai Teio. In a two-thousand-meter race, that pace was clearly too fast.
"She normally does not participate in races. I do not know what came over her today, suddenly wanting to run, and against Teio of all people…"
Rudolf sighed.
"Well, this is fine too. Let Teio witness the strength of truly top-class uma musume. Afterward, she may be able to train more calmly. Recently, she has been far too restless."
"President, do you know her?"
Rudolf smiled but did not answer.
With four hundred meters left in the race, Tokai Teio launched a desperate pursuit. However, she had already been left eight lengths behind. At the very end, Tokai Teio managed one burst of speed, but she only reduced the gap to five lengths.
In the end, that mysterious uma musume won.
"You… who exactly are you…"
Tokai Teio gasped for breath while staring at the strangely dressed uma musume.
This was the first time she had ever been left so far behind. In all of Tracen, only President Rudolf possessed that kind of strength.
"Me…"
Hayakawa Tazuna thought for a moment, then said half-jokingly,
"I am Shirayuki's older sister."
"Shirayuki's older sister!?"
Tokai Teio did not even know Shirayuki had an older sister!
"Do not forget our promise, Teio-san."
After saying that, Hayakawa Tazuna left.
Tokai Teio, who was left behind, gritted her teeth and stomped her foot. Then she ran three laps around the training grounds while shouting,
"I'm an idiot!"