"Seriously, that was an absurd strategy... Tanino Gimlet usually just goes from behind or takes the lead."
"It's fine. I didn't tell them to escape; I just told them to maintain the distance with Bourbon-san, who would be in front."
"Is that even 'fine'?"
"A magnificent start for Rice Shower and Matikane Tannhauser! Closely behind them, Mihono Bourbon surges forward, now overtaking both to seize the lead! Mihono Bourbon is in front! One length back is Rice Shower, and half a length behind her is Matikane Tannhauser!"
A perfect start—the first phase of the strategy was to burst out of the gate and take the lead immediately. To achieve this, they had sought the cooperation of Rampage, who excels at starts, and Turbo, known for her exceptional dash. Bourbon also has a good start, but by momentarily snatching the lead with an even faster burst, they could initiate their plan.
"Can Mihono Bourbon maintain this lead for the entire 2400m? Rice Shower and Matikane Tannhauser are waiting behind, both eyeing their chance. When will their legs finally shine? Yet, despite Mihono Bourbon's high-paced escape, the two of them are sticking right with her. The crowd can't hide their astonishment!"
Bourbon continued to lead, but Rice and Tannhauser refused to let her get away.
"Sticking with you, sticking with you, sticking with you!!"
"Not yet!!"
"—It's more than we anticipated, but it's within the range of correction."
Even Bourbon was somewhat surprised by this, but it was still no problem. In the end, the one who crosses the finish line first is the winner. There's no need to worry about interim results; she would run her own race, the race she had built with her master, Kuronuma.
"Halfway through the Japan Derby, three Uma Musume are leading, but from here, others will gradually begin to make their moves. Mihono Bourbon, Rice Shower, and Matikane Tannhauser are still at the front, with Rice and Tannhauser maintaining their distance from Mihono Bourbon."
"You'd think being pressured like this would disrupt her pace, but she's not faltering at all. It's astonishing how those two are keeping up with such a high pace."
"Minamisaka... so that's the tactic you chose. A cunning fellow."
Even as he said it, Kuronuma's expression was delighted, as if he had found a formidable rival. And indeed, he was pleased; this would only fuel Bourbon's fighting spirit further. The two behind her would push Bourbon to evolve even more.
"(I can still go...!!)"
"(I have plenty left, I can do it, I can do it!!)"
"(Sister)""(Turbo)"
"Thank you!!"
The counter-strategy for this day meant one thing: practicing starts and keeping up with the top speed of Rampage and Turbo. It was a simple logic: if the opponent sets a fast pace, you just need to get used to running at a fast pace so you don't lose. Fortunately, as stayers, both had high stamina, making this strategy entirely feasible once they got used to the pace distribution.
"Now, into the 4th corner! From here, the strong Uma Musume will attack Bourbon! And now, the final straight! The Fuchu straight is 500 meters long!"
The final straight. Here, many Uma Musume unleashed their final burst, and Rice and Tannhauser were no different. The two who had maintained their distance from Bourbon finally kicked the ground with all their might.
"400 meters remaining! Bourbon, this is uncharted territory! Uncharted territory! Here come Rice Shower and Matikane Tannhauser, the two who maintained their distance have finally bared their fangs! They're closing in on Bourbon! What will happen? Can Bourbon hold on? Can you do it, Bourbon?! They're neck and neck! Neck and neck! 200 meters left, they've passed the 2200-meter mark!!!"
"Uuooooooo!!!"
"Yaaahhh!!!"
"Guh...!!!"
Bourbon sprinted desperately, a hint of焦り (impatience/anxiety) now visible on her face. She had already unleashed her ace in the hole, her full-body sprint, yet she couldn't shake off the two. Just as she had forged herself with Shinzantei's steel, the two of them had diligently done everything they could, and their astounding progress filled her with a momentary sense of dread. Feeling the murderous aura from the usually gentle and quiet Rice, and Tannhauser's scream, a burning heat surged within her.
"Even so, I—I won't lose!!"
Bourbon, described even as a cyborg, earned that moniker for her machine-like response to Kuronuma's spartan training. But today, she cast that aside. Surrendering to the passion bubbling up from within, she cried out and galloped as her heart desired.
"Bourbon holds on! Bourbon holds on! Still neck and neck! 100 meters remaining! Who will claim the glory of victory in the 59th Japan Derby?!"
"Uuuaaaahhh!!!!"
"Yaaahhh!!!!"
"Haaahhhhh!!!!"
The cries of the three echoed, a dead heat where anyone could win. No one could relax; it was a clash that ignited the soul. Everyone wished this battle could last forever, such was its intensity. Just as they tried to burn the image of the victor into their minds—they crossed the finish line. The neck-and-neck battle concluded. As if to answer the question of who the victor was, who had earned the title of Derby Uma Musume, the announcer's voice echoed through Fuchu.
"The winner is—Mihono Bourbon!!! By a nose! By a nose, Mihono Bourbon!!! An undefeated two-crown Uma Musume is born, 6 wins in 6 starts!!! Second place is Rice Shower, and third is Matikane Tannhauser!!! And the time is... 2:24.5!! Mihono Bourbon wins the Derby with a new record!!!"
"Just a little more..."
"They were so close..."
Rampage and Minamisaka couldn't help but utter those words. It was truly by the narrowest of margins, such a close and fierce battle. But a Derby worthy of such praise is rarely seen.
"But you were amazing, Rice~! Machitan~!!"
"You two were incredible~!!"
"You both were wonderful~!!"
"Uwaaaah, I'm so movedddddddd!!!!"
"Kuhhh, you guys totally lit me up, senpai! That was the best one-on-one ever~!!!"
"Truly, truly amazing!!"
"It was the best race~!!"
Everyone from Canopus showered the two with an overflowing torrent of praise for their run. And following them,
"Rice~! That was an incredible run~!!"
"Next is the Kikuka Sho~!!"
"Win it next time~!!"
"Tannhauser, you also did great~!!!"
"I'm a Rice-chan fan club member, but I've become a Tannhauser-chan fan too~!!!"
"Me too~!!!"
The members of the Blue Rose Society also cheered loudly, with voices that wouldn't be outdone by those congratulating Bourbon's victory. Perhaps their cheers reached the two, as Rice and Tannhauser exchanged glances and waved with smiles.
"Master..."
Bourbon turned her gaze to Kuronuma. This time, she hadn't run exactly as Kuronuma had ordered. She had run at a pace exceeding it, an undeniable deviation. But Kuronuma's lips curved into a smile, and he nodded. Seeing that, Bourbon felt a shock like being struck by lightning, yet she imitated his smile, then bowed her head, and finally waved in response to the cheers.
"Spirit can transcend the body... Yes, Bourbon, that fervent passion shattered your limits. You can become even stronger."
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