With the announcer's cry, the race officially began.
The uma musume surged forward in perfect order. According to the data gathered for this race, at least eight runners specialized in front-running positions, so the pressure at the front was intense.
Because of that, Shirayuki chose a late-running strategy for this race.
She decided to avoid the chaotic early fight for position, conserve her stamina, and wait. The more complicated the race, the more carefully every step had to be calculated. As the longest race of the Triple Tiara, stamina distribution would be the key.
What she had to do now was keep her eyes on the distance markers and avoid being affected by the other runners. The best thing about this race was that there were no escape runners disrupting the pace. She could run according to her own plan instead of being forced into passive choices.
That was what Shirayuki had originally thought.
Until—
"Hi~"
A voice suddenly came from beside her.
Seeking the Pearl, dressed in her red racing outfit, had run up next to her.
"This humble maiden offers her greetings, Snow Dancer."
A playful smile appeared on her face.
This girl…
She did not throw the race into chaos with a wild escape like last time. Instead, she came beside me.
Don't tell me she's running from behind too?
That differed somewhat from Shirayuki's expectations. After all, Seeking the Pearl's recent training had all been for a forward-running style. But considering she had suddenly gone for a reckless escape last time, running from behind actually seemed more normal by comparison.
Maybe she had also noticed how much pressure there was at the front and changed strategies at the last moment.
But Shirayuki was more willing to believe that Seeking the Pearl had simply altered the original race plan on a whim.
Just like Gold Ship never listened to her, Seeking the Pearl would not listen to her trainer either.
Sure enough, at the side of the training ground, Seeking the Pearl's trainer stared with a dark expression at Seeking the Pearl, who had inexplicably gone to the rear.
He had clearly told her that even if she wanted to run as an escape runner this time, she absolutely should not run from behind. There were too many uma musume at the front, and when it was time to accelerate, she would very likely be trapped behind them.
Still, the situation was not entirely unrecoverable.
At least she had not started another mindless runaway. If she observed carefully, there was still a chance to win.
That trainer comforted himself with that thought.
"In this race, all I need to do is keep my eyes on you. With my gaze, I'll lock onto you completely."
Seeking the Pearl spoke beside her.
So it wasn't a late-running strategy.
Shirayuki understood.
Just like Mejiro Dober, Seeking the Pearl was using a marking strategy. She would identify the strongest opponent in the race, adjust her stamina according to that opponent's position and rhythm, then overtake in one decisive move when the opponent accelerated, leaving no chance behind.
This technique placed high demands on the uma musume herself. She had to constantly observe her opponent's movements without being influenced by the others around her. On top of that, her stamina needed to be stronger than the opponent's.
As an uma musume who could still launch a second chase after a reckless escape, Seeking the Pearl's stamina needed no explanation. Among this group, she was outstanding. She also believed that her stamina was no less than Shirayuki's, perhaps even greater.
So, on a sudden whim, she threw her trainer's plan aside and began marking Shirayuki on her own.
Shirayuki's eyes flickered.
She did not respond to Seeking the Pearl's words.
But immediately after, she noticed another figure blocking her route ahead.
Long pink hair fluttered in the wind. Those same pink eyes glanced sideways at her.
It was Kyoei March.
She was actually in front of her.
She had not been there just now.
Did she lose the fight for position?
No.
Shirayuki quickly realized it was not that Kyoei March had fallen behind in the position battle.
She had deliberately chosen that spot.
The reason was to mark her.
Shirayuki looked at Kyoei March in front of her, then at Seeking the Pearl beside her.
The situation had developed beyond expectations.
One in front and one to the right.
The two of them had trapped her firmly in the middle.
These two probably had not planned this together. They had simply targeted the same person at the same time.
Looking at the narrow gap between them, Shirayuki narrowed her eyes.
Passing through there was almost impossible.
Even Rudolf would not be able to do it.
In other words, her path forward had been completely sealed by the two of them.
"This is bad."
From the observation platform, Rudolf spoke softly.
"Shirayuki has been put completely on the defensive."
With every acceleration route sealed, escaping from the middle would require forcing her way through. But that would inevitably mean colliding with others, and if that happened, she would lose a large amount of stamina and struggle to maintain her momentum.
Her opponents had made it clear.
This race was aimed directly at Shirayuki.
But as the winner of the Oka Sho, being targeted like this was only natural.
Air Groove remained silent.
The tightness of her brows already revealed her tension.
A strong runner was different from a reckless one. Powerful uma musume were not merely those with superior stamina. They also needed exceptional observation, judgment, and courage.
Whether Shirayuki was truly a strong runner or merely a reckless one would depend on the decision she made here.
Rudolf curved her lips.
She was very much looking forward to what answer this little Empress would show her.
"The race has entered the second corner! Currently leading is Sky Bird! In second is Absolute Justice! Third place is…"
The announcer's voice echoed through the racecourse.
At this moment, Shirayuki was in twelfth position. Kyoei March was in front of her, Seeking the Pearl was at her side, and as for Mejiro Dober, she was in fifth.
In this race, Mejiro Dober had joined the front-position battle and won successfully.
The reason she had joined the fight was because she had drawn gate three, placing her on the inner side. She was naturally at an advantage compared to the others. After seeing her gate number, Fujiwara Chiya had immediately decided to have her seize the more advantageous front position.
In later acceleration, Mejiro Dober was inferior to Shirayuki. But at the start, her speed was faster, and her chances of taking the front were greater.
This strategy involved some gambling.
If she was carelessly swallowed by the pack, Mejiro Dober's chances of victory would become slim. She might even exhaust her stamina during the fierce early fight and lose the ability to accelerate later.
Fortunately, she had won the gamble.
Just as Trainer believed in her, Mejiro Dober believed in Trainer.
In the fiercely contested front group, she successfully secured the best position.
Mejiro Dober turned her head to look at the densely packed middle group.
Trying to break out from within that crowd would be anything but easy. The uma musume would form a human wall, blocking anyone who tried to overtake from behind.
In this race, she had a major advantage.
All the strong contenders were stuck in unfavorable positions.
Thinking that, Mejiro Dober's heart began to beat nervously.
Trainer-san, please lend me your strength!
The race continued with mounting tension.
Soon, the announcer's voice rang out again.
"Fifteen hundred meters passed! The race is entering the final corner!"
Kyoei March glanced at the group ahead, then at Shirayuki behind her. Her white teeth lightly bit her red lip.
She did not choose to accelerate.
Instead, she continued blocking the path.
So your target really is me.
You two want to completely obstruct my timing, destroy my rhythm, and prevent my acceleration.
Shirayuki closed her eyes.
When she opened them again, the world seemed to pause for an instant.
In the spectator stands, a girl with windmill hair ornaments on her ears suddenly widened her eyes. She opened her mouth and murmured,
"Kongō Yaegaki-ryū…"