Maruzensky looked genuinely stunned.
"That last burst was similar to Opera's…"
If Barbatos's earlier Zone activation represented her peak condition…
Then based on Maruzensky's racing experience and insight, she had already analyzed that Barbatos wouldn't be able to catch King Halo before the finish line, ruling out a win.
It was only in the final stages of the race.
She saw sakura petals, crimson sakura petals, swirling around Barbatos's form.
Her speed climbed yet another notch, granting her the ability to chase down King Halo right at the wire, leading to this near simultaneous finish.
You could say she had surpassed her own limits.
"Evolving her Zone further?"
"This is a Uma Musume capable of defining an era…"
The Winter Dream Cup seemed to have just gotten a lot more interesting.
The question now was, was Barbatos really okay? That sudden loss of momentum after the collision didn't seem faked at all…
--+--
On the central display screen of the racecourse, the final photo finish was still being processed.
Special Week had her hands over her eyes, almost too afraid to look at the result.
Both runners were dear friends of hers, and she was also terribly worried about Barbatos's condition.
"Sei-chan, who do you think won? Is it B-chan or King-chan?"
After a moment of silence with no reply, Special Week looked beside her only to find the spot where Seiun Sky had been standing was now empty. She turned a bewildered gaze to her other friends. "Where'd Sei-chan go?"
Meanwhile, Minamizaka's face was etched with concern.
His worry wasn't about whether the photo would show Barbatos had lost.
He was worried about her legs. After getting bumped by Queen Berry and then pushing herself beyond her usual limits, sprinting faster than ever in that 'self-transcending' dash, were they really okay?
Sure, Barbatos was still standing there now, waiting for the result.
But what about afterwards?
Once the photo finish is announced, the adrenaline will fade. That's when she might realize her body can't hold up.
In a situation like this, a fracture would almost be considered a best-case scenario.
The worst would be needing a year or so of recovery before returning to the track. But given Barbatos's innate talent, as long as she could overcome the psychological fear, even returning to the circuit a year later, she'd still be a G1-level Uma Musume.
He could only hope it was just a fracture…
Minamizaka's expression was grave, so much so he didn't even acknowledge Special Week's question.
Urara tugged on Minamizaka's sleeve. "Let's go find the racecourse doctors, quick! If B-chan needs help, we can get them here right away."
Truth be told, the thought had already crossed her mind.
But she'd never raced herself and didn't know where the Tokyo Racecourse infirmary was, so she had to wait for Minamizaka.
As for B-chan herself, she probably didn't need their immediate worry just yet.
--+--
Neither Barbatos nor King Halo spoke after crossing the finish line.
A hush had even fallen over the entire racecourse. The vast majority of spectators held their breath, eyes glued to the big screen, waiting for the photo finish verdict.
In the eyes of many, regardless of the official outcome, Barbatos was the champion of this race.
To be bumped by Queen Berry, fall significantly behind, and then stage such an incredible comeback with that absolute, overwhelming speed…
Under normal circumstances, King Halo would be no match for Barbatos.
But sometimes, while the journey matters, it's the final result that everyone ultimately focuses on.
It was like the legendary "Phantom Triple Crown" Uma Musume, Fuji Kiseki. Everyone acknowledged that if she hadn't been injured, she would have secured the Triple Crown.
But if you actually compared Fuji Kiseki to Narita Brian and Symboli Rudolf…
Almost everyone would agree that Brian and Rudolf were considered greater, simply because they were the actual, official Triple Crown winners.
Even among legends, there are distinctions!
As Barbatos waited.
A figure all too familiar appeared before her. Those jade-green eyes were filled with unmistakable worry, a stark contrast to the usual Seiun Sky.
"How… how do you feel?"
Worried sick about Barbatos, Seiun Sky had vaulted over the railing and dashed onto the track the instant the race ended.
Even with staff trying to stop her, they couldn't keep up. Standing close now, she could clearly see Barbatos's legs trembling slightly.
Something was definitely wrong.
"How is it?"
The question made Barbatos pause for a second, then she placed a hand on her hip, putting on a confident front. "Don't worry, I never lose."
Inside, she was nervous too, afraid she might have lost this one by the slimmest of margins.
But in front of the girl she liked, how could she let her worry?
Seiun Sky's lips parted. She wanted to say that wasn't what she meant, wanted to step forward and support Barbatos right then.
She didn't stop to consider if rushing over like this was appropriate; she'd simply followed her heart without a second thought.
Just then.
The photo finish flashed up on the big screen. It showed Barbatos, winning by a nose.
"I declare the winner of the Tokyo Sports Hai Junior Stakes G2, Barbatos!"
"Second place goes to King Halo!"
"Third place…"
The announcer's first word was nearly drowned out by an explosion of cheers from the stands.
While purely in terms of competitive quality, this race might not have matched the intensity of the Keio Hai Junior Stakes, nor featured as many famous Uma Musume as the Tracen Academy Relay Marathon, the spectators had witnessed Barbatos's incredible comeback from the brink, a miracle wrought by a 'Prodigy of Our Time'.
Listening to the tsunami of cheers, Barbatos allowed a faint smile to touch her lips.
She had snatched victory from a seemingly impossible situation, claimed another win in front of the girl she loved.
Looking at Seiun Sky before her, she couldn't contain her emotions any longer. She reached out and pulled her into an embrace.
Maybe this was still just a G3 race at its core, but it was her first win that felt so perilous, the first time she'd felt that helpless dread waiting for the photo, and the first time the result sent a thrill through her like that heart-pounding excitement of a successful backdoor play.
Here and now, she couldn't suppress the surge of emotion. In front of the live audience, in front of everyone watching the broadcast, she held Seiun Sky close.
Feeling the softness of the figure in her arms and that familiar, sweet fragrance, she whispered joyfully,
"I won!"
"Mhm~"
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 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!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.