Amidst Mejiro Dober's frustration and Mejiro Bright's dazed bewilderment, Platinum crossed the finish line a full length ahead.
It wasn't a matter of lacking stamina or falling short in the final sprint—it was simply that Centaurea felt she had already secured the win, and saw no need to push any further.
In short, she slacked off right at the end.
"Centaurea takes the finish! First place!"
Ardan, standing nearby, announced the result of the training race, quickly composing herself to avoid showing any undignified reaction.
Beside her, the head of the Mejiro family wore a grave expression. She watched as Centaurea wandered idly along the track after the race, and asked Ardan hesitantly:
"Ardan, what was Centaurea's time for the final three furlongs?"
(Note: In horse racing, a furlong is about 200 meters. "Final three furlongs" refers to the last approximately 600 meters.)
"Thirty-four point five seconds, Grandmother."
Ardan checked the stopwatch in her hand as she answered.
"That can't be right. We both saw that form in the sprint—it was like she was running in another world entirely. Her speed had to be greater than that."
The Mejiro matriarch spoke with unwavering certainty. She crossed her arms, lost in thought for a moment, then suddenly turned to Ardan with an instruction.
"Ardan, check the time for just the middle furlong of that segment."
"Yes."
Ardan began adjusting her stopwatch, and after a few seconds, she pulled up the time for Platinum's fastest stretch during the sprint.
But the number was so staggering that she was momentarily speechless.
It wasn't until her grandmother pressed her, eager to know the result, that she finally responded.
"Well? What was the time?"
"…"
Ardan took a deep breath, then slowly let it out. She stared at the number on the stopwatch with a complicated expression, her voice coming out slightly strained.
"Grandmother, Centaurea-chan's… her fastest furlong time was 9.4 seconds. Far beyond any recorded time."
"9.4 seconds…"
The number left the Mejiro matriarch feeling almost dizzy. Having once been a top-tier Uma Musume herself, she understood all too well just how absurd that time was.
She could say without a shred of doubt that, in a short sprint, no Uma Musume alive could rival Centaurea as she was now.
Good heavens—this was a runner who could unleash a devastating final kick even after covering 2600 meters!
At that moment, the Mejiro matriarch made a resolution.
"Ardan, go and congratulate the child. I have matters to attend to, so I must take my leave. Please convey my congratulations to her as well."
Having informed the still-stunned Ardan, the matriarch turned and hurriedly left the training grounds.
As she walked, she pulled out her phone and made a call.
"Steward, it's me. Take me to the branch family at once. I want to see for myself what kind of talent that child named McQueen has."
After their grandmother's departure, Palmer, Ryan, and the others gathered around Centaurea and made their way over to Ardan.
The scene quickly grew lively, with complaints and praises mingling in the air.
"That was amazing, Centaurea! That final sprint was breathtaking!"
Mejiro Ryan clapped Platinum on the shoulder, her face lit up with a bright, cheerful smile.
"It was truly a dream-like finishing speed, but I won't admit defeat. Next time, I'll win it back."
Unlike Ryan, the more sensitive Dober possessed a fiercely competitive spirit.
Even knowing she couldn't match that explosive final kick, Dober had no intention of giving up.
"Fufufu~"
Nearby, Bright had returned to her usual soft, slightly spacey self, no longer as aloof as she'd been on the track.
She simply watched her younger sister's frustrated pout with a happy, gentle smile.
Only Palmer seemed lost in thought, as if contemplating something.
'So this is what it feels like to front-run? I think I'm starting to understand the appeal of this running style. Maybe I should try it again sometime.'
Thus, the seed of Mejiro Palmer's future preference for front-running was quietly sown.
"How is everyone feeling? Very tired?"
Ardan approached the group with her usual gentle warmth. Immediately, the sensitive Dober latched onto her, seeking comfort, and Ardan skillfully soothed her with practiced words.
Meanwhile, the victor herself was left somewhat ignored—but Centaurea didn't mind in the slightest.
She simply stood off to the side, watching the lively interactions of the young ladies of the Mejiro household.
Her face showed little expression, but far away in Kasamatsu, Nearl suddenly felt an unexpected surge of contentment and warmth in her heart.
After a moment of reflection, Nearl smiled and shook her head.
"So our emotions are connected after all? How strangely mysterious. And, Trainer, please focus—I can see you slacking off."
Kitahara, who'd been lounging nearby, jumped guiltily and quickly scurried back to his desk with an apologetic grin.
Back at the track, having comforted her sister, Ardan didn't forget Centaurea, whom she also regarded as a younger sister.
"Congratulations, Centaurea-chan. Grandmother asked me to pass along her congratulations as well."
"It's nothing worth making a fuss over. It was just a run."
Platinum shook her head, causing a few strands of her silver-white hair to cling to her face.
Feeling a slight itch, she tucked the stray locks behind her ear with her fingers.
Her smooth, silvery hair brushed back from her slightly flushed cheeks, settling neatly behind her ear.
Her light brown eyes shifted slightly, sparkling with a radiant glow that, in Ardan's experience, she had only ever seen in Nearl.
In that moment, a serene and tender aura seemed to emanate from her, captivating every Uma Musume present—except for Ardan and Dober.
"Mmm…"
"Ah…"
"Haha…"
Palmer and Ryan stared, slightly dazed, while Bright gazed at Centaurea with a soft, bun-like smile.
"Ah, Centaurea-chan, if only you paid a little more attention to yourself normally, you'd be a perfectly beautiful girl. Can't you change your attitude a bit?"
Ardan looked at this suddenly quiet, goddess-like version of Centaurea, brimming with charm, and couldn't help but sigh with regret.
"What nonsense. I am who I am."
Once she'd fixed her hair, Centaurea instantly reverted to her usual self—that captivating beauty once again hidden beneath her languid tone and carefree demeanor.
"Huh?"
"She's back…"
She could almost hear the faint sighs of disappointment from some around her.
"That run was pretty comfortable. I guess I really am an Uma Musume after all."
Platinum raised her arms and stretched deeply, letting out a relaxed sigh.
"Well then, I'm heading back. Looking forward to our next match."
With a casual wave, she turned and left the training grounds without a second glance.
That unfinished afternoon tea was still waiting—the black tea was probably cold by now, but those pastries were meant to be served cool anyway. They'd still be perfectly edible.
Watching Platinum depart so decisively, everyone else exchanged silent glances.
"With such incredible talent and skill… it seems like Centaurea-chan doesn't have that burning desire for competition."
Ardan mused, somewhat puzzled.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
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If you guys wanna check it out.