"The race enters mid-phase! The gap between the leading duo and the pack has blown out to a staggering ten lengths! In a G1 mile, this scene is almost unimaginable!"
"Fujimasa March and Oguri Cap still aren't slowing! They're like two meteors fallen to earth—determined to burn up in the brightest way possible!"
In the stands.
"S-so… amazing…"
Silence Suzuka murmured without realizing, her small hands gripping her hem tight. Those blue eyes didn't blink, afraid to miss a single moment.
That kind of headlong running—leaving every rival far behind… that feeling that the whole world contains only one's own loneliness and speed—
It etched itself deep into her soul.
Kuroha said nothing, simply watched.
He knew what Fujimasa March was doing.
This was the answer March had found for herself—her strongest resolve to answer every expectation.
Use the most extreme style to defeat the strongest foe.
That was her pride.
...
Halfway through.
Just when everyone thought those two figures would finally show some fade—
Change struck again!
"Oguri Cap is accelerating! Before the third turn, Oguri opens up from the outside—she's drawing even with Fujimasa March!"
The commentator cried out!
The gray Monster finally bared her fangs!
She wouldn't stalk any longer—she would use the power she's proudest of to crush the rival before her from the front—utterly!
"BOOM—!"
Air burst!
In an instant Oguri reeled in that silver streak, and at last, the two ran side by side!
All of Kyoto Racecourse exploded!
"They're even! Finally even! After nearly 800 meters of furious pursuit, Oguri Cap has caught Fujimasa March! The final showdown ignites early—on the third turn!"
On the track, the two were nearly hoof to hoof, shoulder to shoulder.
Silver storm and gray airstream crashed, twined, devoured each other—two currents distinct yet intermingled into a strange, beautiful sight.
"March!"
A broad, unrestrained smile spread over Oguri's face—the joy that wells up when you meet a worthy rival, joy from the heart.
"You've gotten stronger!"
"Of course I have!"
March angled her face; in those ruby-crystal eyes burned the same searing fire.
"Because I promised him—here, I will surpass you!"
Twenty-one months, Oguri.
From the day we parted at Kasamatsu, I thought of this day without pause.
I used to think I'd never catch your back.
I used to think my greatest wish… was only to run longer than you.
But then he appeared.
He gave me a dream I didn't dare to covet.
And now—that dream is right before me!
"Come, Oguri Cap!"
March roared. Her voice tore through the storm, steeped in absolute will.
"Let's settle it here!"
"Gladly!"
Their Domains erupted without reservation!
Silver radiance and gray flame speared skyward, as if to rip the heavens apart!
Their speed didn't sag after this long, blistering run—if anything, with wills colliding, they climbed yet again to a brand-new peak!
"S-still accelerating?! You've got to be kidding!"
Back in the pack, eyes went wide a third time with despair as the front pair opened the gap yet again.
Their common sense, their theory, their experience—shattered in this moment!
Final straight before the finish!
Silver and gray cut forward like two peerless divine blades, surging for the line with world-rending force!
This fated duel, twenty-one months in the making—finally reached its climactic act!
...
In the forward group behind.
Aotake Memory's mind went blank.
Impossible…
This has to be a lie…
Are their stamina bars… infinite?
She watched those two figures now nearly ten lengths away—beings of another dimension, untouchable.
All her constant effort—sweat and tears—before this absolute difference in ability… was it truly so fragile?
A huge helplessness welled up.
But just as she began to waver, an emotion surged from the deepest part of her heart!
Not resentment. Not jealousy.
Yearning! Hot blood!
The purest urge to challenge that stirs in an Uma Musume before the strong!
I want… to catch them!
Even if I can't win—even if I'll lose miserably—I want to burn everything on the same stage as them!
This is what I want! This is what I dream of!
I am Aotake Memory!
"AAAAAA—!!!"
Aotake let loose a roar from her soul! No more hesitation—no more calculating splits, no more tactical apportioning!
Her black-green silks flashed like lightning as she tore loose from the main group, launching a do-or-die chase at those twin lights!
"Aotake Memory moves! She goes, too! She's abandoned waiting—she's chosen to strike!"
"She's the first to challenge those two monsters head-on!"
...
On the course, the twin rays were nearly two parallel lines, flying over the turf at a speed beyond imagination.
"Ha… ha…"
"Haa… ha…"
Silver and gray panted hard.
A mile is nothing for two of Central's top runners.
Their drain came from maintaining full Domains for nearly a kilometer.
Though their bodies screamed protest, March and Oguri's wills were iron.
On the final straight their Domains burned hotter; silver radiance and gray flame braided into a devastating storm that tore the very air.
Each step made the turf shudder; shockwaves rolled like a tsunami down the track.
Behind, Aotake's black-green figure flashed like an unyielding bolt. She ignored the bottoming of her tank—her eyes held only those two rays.
"Catch them… even if it's just a millimeter!"
Her breath steamed white. Each step shattered a limit. The distance was vast, but that will to challenge kindled hope through the whole pack.
Behind her, the Central runners bellowed with all they had, unleashing their kicks—charging the two monsters ahead!
(End of Chapter)
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