As soon as she exited the curve, Seiun Sky didn't even need to glance back—just from the sounds behind her, she knew she was in trouble.
She understood her own abilities perfectly.
Among her friends—and rivals—of the same generation, in speed, stamina, or power, she wasn't the strongest in any category.
If there was anything worth bragging about, perhaps it was only that her brain was slightly sharper than the rest.
In past races, she'd always anticipated most of the scenarios accurately, almost nine times out of ten.
Yet the one thing she could never predict was the result.
The same applied here. She'd replayed every past showdown against Special Week and the others in her mind, analyzed each of their races repeatedly, and discussed endlessly with her former trainer before settling on today's strategy.
Did it work? Up until a second ago, absolutely, just as planned.
But now, clearly, it was as if none of that mattered.
She had guessed Special Week and Grass Wonder might entangle each other in their strange rivalry, but she hadn't expected them to surge forward while still grappling.
That once-solid five-length lead evaporated like a lie. The moment she stepped onto the final straight, she caught sight of those two rapidly approaching like twin bolts of lightning.
In an instant, their silhouettes loomed large, their clear outlines blurring from the sheer speed, like two massive storm clouds rolling toward her, ready to swallow her whole at any second.
Their rapid breathing and pounding footsteps grew louder in her ears.
Special Week's breaths sounded almost desperate, every exhale accompanied by low growls—nothing like her usual carefree self. It felt disturbingly as if she'd been starving for days.
Grass Wonder's footsteps were even heavier, every strike on the ground thumping like war drums, beating fiercely against Seiun Sky's heart, as if the next step would see Grass swinging down something terrifying like a naginata.
The track beneath Seiun Sky's feet had become like a giant drumhead, trembling fiercely with every breath and step from behind, clearly transmitting just how ferocious their pursuit was.
If it were only those two, it would've been fine.
But in the corner of her eye, Seiun Sky glimpsed more than just Special Week and Grass Wonder behind her.
El Condor Pasa—previously locked in by those two rivals—now seized a fleeting gap the instant they transitioned from curve to straight, slicing inward with a gaze sharp enough to pierce the air itself.
Her entire form lived up to her name, swooping down from the sky like a hawk diving to seize prey, carrying an imposing, piercing presence.
Or perhaps more like a bowstring drawn to its absolute limit, waiting only for the instant her target relaxed to release a fierce, unmatched arrow.
For a split second, Seiun Sky felt as if the air behind her had literally been torn open by this rival.
The wind from El Condor Pasa's sudden move even swept back toward Seiun Sky, the intense current rippling sharply across her skin.
A chill raced up her spine, yet strangely, there was a fiery heat mixed into that icy sensation.
Caught between hot and cold, her whole body involuntarily shuddered, and in that instant, countless memories from her days at the academy flashed vividly through her mind.
Back then, they'd also been breathing heavily like this, footsteps pounding, salty sweat mixed into the air—again and again, day after day, to and from school, training, and races.
Feeling it all again now, she suddenly felt as if she'd returned to those past competitions.
Ahh, again and again…
I just wanted to run casually and leisurely, you know. Never wanted to fight this desperately with you all...
Heh. As if.
The sentimental thought vanished as quickly as it appeared.
Catching another glimpse of the swiftly approaching figures, ears trembling from the resounding noise behind her, Seiun Sky clenched her teeth, but the corners of her mouth rose into a defiant smile.
"We know each other so well. You must've known from the start—all that stuff about running leisurely, about 'no rush'—you all knew I was just kidding, right?!"
Growling those words, her determination to protect her lead surged furiously within her. Once more biting down hard, she felt renewed strength flood her increasingly fatigued arms and legs.
"As expected, they've caught up! They've truly caught up!"
The commentator's voice echoed wildly through the speakers, vibrating with barely-contained excitement:
"Into the final straight, only 400 meters remain! El Condor Pasa—as expected—has made her move!"
"Seiun Sky's lead, once a formidable five lengths, has shrunk to less than two! Right behind her now are El Condor Pasa, Special Week, and Grass Wonder!"
"But Seiun Sky is still fighting fiercely against their surge!"
"And meanwhile—from even further back!"
"With incredible judgment—King Halo!"
"Previously blocked by Phalaenopsis and Erimo Excel, King Halo seized the instant Stay Gold shifted inward, forcing the others to reposition!""
"In that tiny opening, King Halo followed El Condor Pasa's path, surging forward!"
"Mejiro Dober reacted just a step slower, but is now closely following King Halo's advance!"
"300 meters to go—but on the outside!"
"Matikanefukukitaru shows equally precise judgment, seizing Stay Gold's former position, now charging forward from the outside alongside Mejiro Bright!"
"In the lead, still Seiun Sky!"
"Inside, El Condor Pasa, Special Week, and Grass Wonder are fiercely pursuing! King Halo and Mejiro Dober follow closely behind!"
"And on the outside, Matikanefukukitaru and Mejiro Bright are determined to catch Seiun Sky, who's led since the gates opened!"
"Just 200 meters left in this dreamlike Dream Trophy—but…"
"This is precisely the stage known as the Golden Generation!"
The stands were now filled with spectators on their feet, eyes locked feverishly onto those streaking figures on the track, their voices raised high with absolute passion.
On the track, however, the Uma Musume running at their limits gradually blocked out the world around them, fully immersed in their own speed.
Special Week's peripheral vision remained fixed at her side.
Grass Wonder clung like a shadow she could never shake off, seemingly entwined with her from the very first moment they'd met.
Now, too, their steps were almost perfectly synchronized; their breaths so close, they could feel each other's presence.
Yet her eyes stayed locked forward.
Seiun Sky still had energy left. She finally understood her friend and rival's true intention—not the old Kikuka Sho tactic, but something familiar and equally troublesome.
El Condor Pasa's rush forward felt too familiar—that piercing sharpness made Special Week momentarily feel like a sheep on an open plain, about to be snatched away by a bolt of lightning-like shadow.
Yet this troubling sensation lasted only a fleeting instant.
In the next moment, her lips pressed into a determined line, footsteps pounding down as if to crush the track beneath.
She squeezed out every remaining ounce of strength in her body, sprinting toward the finish line now looming ever closer.
Further back, King Halo stared at those rivals ahead with whom she'd clashed countless times. Frustration and stubborn pride surged within her heart.
Born into the same generation, they were like stars forever shining brilliantly above.
She herself felt as if she'd always chased from the shadows, only catching up to that glow at the very end.
Yet at this moment, she glimpsed that dawn once again, feeling herself like a sword drawn from its sheath, ready to cut through any obstacle ahead and reclaim her rightful place of glory.
Matikanefukukitaru held unwavering faith that the goddess of fate favored her. Stay Gold's sudden inward shift had granted her an invaluable position, a sign that destiny was smiling upon her once again.
Meanwhile, in Mejiro Bright's perception, she was simply like a train racing along its rails—shut off from all external noise, immersed in her own rhythm, silently gathering strength as she charged relentlessly toward the finish line.
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T/N: was gonna update earlier but got lazy, so im just doing 4 chapters for today's update, should be an update tomorrow too maybe 4 maybe not
Hello. I'm Enkidu.
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