Time quietly slipped by amidst peaceful daily training, and before anyone realized it, the day of Rudolf's race had arrived.
Thanks to the full effort Kagura and Trainer Tojo had invested these past weeks, Rudolf's weight not only returned to normal, but even dropped slightly below her usual figure just in time for the race.
Rudolf still vividly remembered something that had happened not long ago: She'd visited Trainer Tojo's office, hoping to ask about race details, but instead of Tojo, she found Kagura sound asleep at the desk.
Scattered around the sleeping Kagura were several open books on nutrition, and resting on her lap was a half-written recipe plan. Rudolf could clearly see Kagura was painstakingly crafting a meal schedule that not only met strict nutritional standards, but also allowed Rudolf to enjoy something different every day. Kagura was probably the only Uma in all of Tracen capable of making nutritional meals genuinely tasty; at least, according to the feedback Rudolf had heard, nobody else ever thought nutrition food could taste good.
Though perhaps not especially dramatic, that quiet scene had deeply etched itself into Rudolf's heart. She knew Kagura had been incredibly busy this entire month because of Rudolf's indulgence-induced weight gain, but seeing Kagura collapse at the desk from exhaustion moved her in a way words couldn't express.
She'd quietly tiptoed into the office, afraid to wake Kagura yet also worried the chilly weather might catch her cold. So she took off her own coat and gently draped it over Kagura's shoulders, softly patting Kagura's small head a few times before silently leaving for training.
Trainer and Kagura worked so hard for me… I absolutely can't let their effort go to waste in this race.
Standing before the starting gate, Rudolf clenched her fists, thinking firmly to herself.
She glanced toward the spectator seats where Tracen students usually gathered. Due to the distance, she couldn't clearly make anyone out, but she knew that her supporters were there, watching.
This race—I must win!
As she silently declared this, Rudolf leaned forward, taking her starting stance.
The other Uma Musume lined up beside Rudolf suddenly felt an intangible pressure, causing an unease to ripple through them. Bizen Nishiki, standing alongside Rudolf, also sensed something off, though she couldn't quite pinpoint the source. All she knew was, according to her trainer's strategy, she had only one real opponent in this race: Rudolf.
"…Today's weather is very good, and track conditions are normal. We hope all contestants will perform well!"
The distant commentary sounded faint, like a soft breeze in Rudolf's currently heightened state of concentration.
The unease among the Uma in the gates continued to grow, as if something dangerous was lurking unseen nearby. Even the commentator's voice reporting track conditions failed to calm their nerves.
Clang!!
Only when the crisp sound of the gates opening rang out did the other Uma snap back to attention—but Rudolf was already surging ahead!
"Ohhh! What's going on today?! Every contestant except Rudolf has suffered varying degrees of late starts! Rudolf is already pulling far ahead!"
Utterly focused, Rudolf executed a perfect start. Bizen Nishiki was second quickest to recover—her delay minimal, yet enough to leave her trailing behind Rudolf.
What happened!? How could I be late!?
Bizen Nishiki quickly picked up speed to close in, noticing as she did that Rudolf—who had looked slightly overweight mid-month—was now back in perfect condition, perhaps even better than before!
Did Rudolf-san really adjust back to peak condition within just one month?
Bizen Nishiki was somewhat surprised by Rudolf's rapid adjustment, but she trusted her own strength. Her record was slightly ahead of Rudolf's, and she'd entered today's race as the favorite. Even if Rudolf had fully recovered, Bizen still believed she could prevail.
...
Meanwhile, from the distant spectator seats, Narumiya Akimitsu, Trainer Tojo, and Kagura closely observed the race. Rudolf's exceptional start certainly didn't escape their eyes. The strange mass-late-start phenomenon startled every spectator present.
This…must be that same intimidating aura Mejiro Ramonu-san used on me before?
Having experienced this kind of intimidation herself, Kagura quickly realized what had happened. If Rudolf were replaced by Mejiro Ramonu in those gates, today's strange mass-delay would undoubtedly have been the same.
"…Impressive, Trainer Tojo. Rudolf-san has completely recovered and is even in better shape than before—all within a single month."
"You're too kind. Ensuring our runners can race without worry is exactly our duty as supporters. Your own Bizen Nishiki seems in excellent shape today, too—quite determined."
Trainer Tojo knew very well how hard Kagura had worked this month—arguably even harder than herself—but deliberately didn't mention Kagura's contributions, following Kagura's own wishes.
"That girl's been looking forward to this race for a long time indeed… But how could she have gotten a late start?"
Narumiya Akimitsu replied to Trainer Tojo while occasionally glancing at Kagura, who remained silent, staring intently at the track. He could clearly see that Trainer Tojo's vague words were intentionally covering something up: Kagura had undoubtedly made enormous contributions, easily matching Tojo's own. Just the sheer frequency of Kagura's nutritional cooking in the cafeteria had increased several times over, not even counting her other efforts. Rudolf's specialized track strategy today also clearly carried Kagura's fingerprints.
In just one short month… Inari Kagura-san is truly incredible.
The more Narumiya thought about it, the more he envied Trainer Tojo. Initially, Support Uma weren't particularly valued at Tracen—their impact hadn't seemed obvious until Kagura appeared. Trainers began to truly appreciate Support Uma because of her. Rudolf's stunning adjustment this month further reinforced this fact: Kagura's professional expertise could literally tip the scales of victory toward whoever she supported.
On the track, after their initial delay, the other Uma Musume finally adjusted back to their ideal positions, but at the cost of extra stamina. Rudolf, however, wasn't rushing—she patiently followed behind the front-runners, mind sharp and clear, carefully analyzing each opponent's condition.
Bizen Nishiki, however, wasn't as composed. Her initial delay had deepened the unease in her heart, eyes locked onto Rudolf, keeping pace closely behind, poised to seize the first opening to burst forward.
Watch me closely… Kagura. I'll repay all you've done this month with a magnificent victory—
"…Contestants now entering the third turn—ohhh!! Rudolf is making her move! She's accelerating!"
Just as they reached the third turn, Rudolf decisively judged it the perfect moment to accelerate. The front-runner group showed a clear gap—she seized the opportunity, cleanly piercing straight through their formation!
"What!? Accelerating already!?"
Bizen Nishiki instantly pushed her pace, but quickly realized something alarming—Rudolf's current condition was flawless, beyond even 100%! Bizen had already reached her absolute limit, yet couldn't close the gap at all!
"—Right here, I'll crush you all!!"
With perfect form, Rudolf unleashed her full potential, effortlessly overtaking the leading runner and seizing first place. Bizen Nishiki chased desperately, but the distance between them kept widening!
"Amazing! She's so fast! Rudolf is displaying an unreasonable level of explosive power! Bizen Nishiki trails closely but can't catch up!"
"How…how can this be!?"
Bizen Nishiki let out a disbelieving cry. She'd believed her gap with Rudolf wasn't large—perhaps she was even stronger—but today she finally understood: Rudolf was on an entirely different level. Rudolf's strength could only be described as overwhelming!
"This speed… Her condition is absurd!"
Even the usually calm Narumiya exclaimed incredulously from the stands, watching Rudolf effortlessly extend her lead by three or four lengths ahead of Bizen Nishiki.
The stands erupted with cheers so thunderous Kagura covered her ears slightly, considering if she should buy earmuffs.
"Now entering the final straight! The gap isn't shrinking! Bizen Nishiki is desperately accelerating—but Rudolf is still widening the lead!"
"No more suspense! Finish line! Rudolf overwhelmingly dominates this race!"
As the commentator's voice fell, cheers rolled through the stadium like a tidal wave, chanting Rudolf's name endlessly.
The scoreboard displayed an astonishing eight-length gap between Rudolf and second-place Bizen Nishiki. Rudolf had decisively proven: despite Bizen's undeniable talent, she posed no threat whatsoever to Rudolf.
"A magnificent race—a splendid victory, Rudolf-san."
When Rudolf turned around, she saw Bizen Nishiki approaching, smiling energetically despite slight disappointment, extending her fist for a bump.
"You too, Nishiki-san—very strong."
"I'm looking forward to our rematch in the Satsuki Sho… Next time, I won't lose!"
"Same here. Next time, I still won't give you a chance to surpass me."
Because—I have a reason I absolutely must win.
As she replied, Rudolf quietly gazed toward the distant stands, reaffirming her determination.
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