"The pace of this race should be on the slower side, and there aren't any noteworthy contenders. Based on Palmer's past performances, my finishing kick is far superior to hers.
"Breaking through should be easier than in the Arima Kinen. I'll just stay at the back like usual and wait for the final straight. As long as I perform normally, victory is guaranteed."
Inside the starting gate, Dai Yusaku's mind raced as she waited for the race to begin. She had entered the Takarazuka Memorial hoping to defeat a Mejiro once more, to prove she wasn't just a one-shot wonder.
News of McQueen's injury had long since spread throughout Central. Although the Takarazuka Memorial held great significance for the Mejiro family, Dai Yusaku had only harbored a faint hope that McQueen might make her comeback here.
Defeating McQueen again would be ideal, but if the opportunity didn't arise, she wouldn't force it. Thus, Dai Yusaku's true target for this race had been Ryan—another active and formidable Mejiro.
That's right. Victory itself wasn't Dai Yusaku's goal. Defeating a powerful opponent—that was her true objective.
But Ryan didn't show up. Palmer did.
No, if this is the case, how can I prove myself to the world? I can't just run like before. I need to put on a better performance. If there are no strong opponents, then I'll steal everyone's attention with my performance!
Dai Yusaku made up her mind. She decided to completely change her usual running style. She would seize a position in the leading group during the opening stage and win with a performance even more brilliant than a Mejiro's. This was her way of proving herself.
Dai Yusaku focused completely, her concentration sharper than ever before. Anyone with even a slight understanding of Umamusume could see that she was in excellent form.
A late start? Impossible.
Bang!
As the gates flew open, Dai Yusaku shot forward.
Yes! The lead and the inner lane are mine! Dai Yusaku rejoiced inwardly. But unexpectedly, a whirlwind of speed blew in from an outer gate, cutting sharply to the inner lane and seizing the lead in one swift move.
Who is that?! Dai Yusaku was stunned. Her reaction at the start had been flawless. Yet, in this Takarazuka Memorial, someone had managed to overpower her even at her absolute best.
It wasn't just Dai Yusaku; the audience was equally astonished. They found themselves staring, desperate to get a clear look at this "Whirlwind."
Kousei and the others wore varied expressions. As world-class competitors, they could, of course, see the true identity of this "Whirlwind."
Speedstar's face was filled with smug satisfaction, while a flicker of approval appeared in Kousei's eyes. Among the Mejiros, Bright and Dober were completely bewildered. In contrast, McQueen and Ryan exchanged glances, each seeing an indescribable meaning in the other's eyes.
All eyes were fixed on the track. The competitor who had captured everyone's attention right from the start was—Mejiro Palmer!
"How could it be Palmer?!" At that moment, the crowd's confusion outweighed their surprise.
That unremarkable Mejiro, the "Misfit" who seemed so out of place here, had just delivered such a breathtaking performance.
Yes! That's it! Keep your eyes on me! The unexpected move had paid off handsomely. Her sharp break from the gate was like a swift, deadly assassination.
The intense visual spectacle tugged at the audience's heartstrings. Even those who had come only to see Dai Yusaku, with no interest in the race itself, unconsciously straightened their backs, their focus shifting from a single competitor to the race itself.
Palmer felt the gazes from the stands, each carrying a different meaning. Despite the varied intentions, she knew the entire stadium was watching her, and the feeling filled her with joy.
Dai Yusaku's experience was far more direct. Even with her full concentration, Palmer's cut-in from the outer gate was broadcasting a wealth of information.
At this moment, Palmer possessed an incredibly powerful start. While everyone else was still reeling in surprise, she had already opened up a significant lead.
Dai Yusaku had intended to seize the lead from the very beginning, yet she still found herself left behind by Palmer. Swiftly adjusting her mindset, Dai Yusaku began to take the competitor ahead of her seriously.
She's different from the other Mejiros.
The Mejiro breeding philosophy was traditional and orthodox, favoring Chaser or Stalker running styles. This philosophy aligned with the conventional image of a powerful competitor; the very impression of an elite racer was essentially the image of a Mejiro Umamusume.
Mejiro McQueen was hailed as "the greatest Mejiro of all time" precisely because she embodied this theoretical ideal of strength. One could say McQueen was the one who pushed the Mejiro Family's philosophy to its absolute pinnacle.
Elegant. Powerful. Orthodoxy was Mejiro.
The most important aspect of this was orthodoxy, yet Palmer was defying it completely. Dai Yusaku... no, most people had never seen a Mejiro run as a Front-Runner.
Times change. Perhaps there had been Front-Running Mejiros in the past, but the current generation had long forgotten them.
A Mejiro running as a Front-Runner was as outlandish as Bakushin running the Arima Kinen—pure fantasy.
The Mejiro who appeared at Hanshin Racecourse was a heretic.
No one had expected Palmer to choose a Front-Runner strategy. Her move completely overturned the tactics Dai Yusaku had devised before the race.
Because of Palmer, the pack of Umamusume was stretched thin, and several racers began to fall behind. The entire field was split into three distinct groups. Palmer's Front-Runner strategy had achieved a major success.
Dai Yusaku maintained a four-length distance behind Palmer. As they passed the 1000-meter mark, her expression grew increasingly grim.
"The pace is too fast!"
Dai Yusaku had faced Front-Runners before, but Palmer's pace was even faster than the typical Front-Runner.
"A Great Escape!" Having allowed Palmer to lead, Dai Yusaku now fully understood the situation on the track. "This isn't some feint! She's committed to running as a Front-Runner all the way to the finish!"
A sharp glint flashed in Dai Yusaku's eyes. The probing was over. Now that she knew Palmer was attempting a Great Escape, she couldn't let her lead comfortably.
Palmer, leading the pack, naturally sensed the hostility from behind. She couldn't help but chuckle. "So you've figured it out? I thought I could keep you guessing a little longer."
Dai Yusaku was an experienced racer who calmly analyzed unexpected situations and observed her opponents' movements.
Palmer had exploited this very trait to gain an advantage in the first 1000 meters. She wasn't particularly surprised; it was only a matter of time before her pace gave her away.
Dai Yusaku was just being cautious. If it had been one of those racers with "Wildness," they would have charged forward long ago.
"The real race starts now," Palmer declared, her fighting spirit surging. "Like a true Mejiro, I'll face you head-on for victory!"
The two protagonists of the Takarazuka Memorial clashed for the first time after the 1000-meter mark. Dai Yusaku possessed explosive acceleration, and the four-length gap visibly shrank.
"Dai Yusaku is attacking now! So that running style really is a Great Escape!" Dai Yusaku's move confirmed the spectators' suspicions.
The unexpected turn of events ignited the crowd's passion—a rare dream matchup.
The Mejiro Heretic with her Great Escape strategy versus the One-Shot Wonder with her single, decisive strike.
Who would emerge victorious?