The Kyoto Racecourse looked weary and somber under the heavy veil of rain.
In this grey world, where every splash of color seemed washed away by the downpour, seventeen silhouettes streaked across the track like falling stars.
The racing silks of the Uma Musume shimmered defiantly through the curtain of water, their high-speed arcs drawing the breathless gaze of every spectator in the stands.
Among them, the most radiant streaks were undoubtedly the flashes of blue-white and deep green. Tucked away within the pack, their positions weren't particularly eye-catching at first glance.
Yet, anyone with even a passing knowledge of the turf knew that those two figures held the keys to this Kikuka-sho. Even the most grizzled veterans in the crowd could have made the same call without looking at their past records.
Their lines were simply too fluid.
From the stands, it's often difficult to track the precise footwork of an Uma Musume, but the arcs carved by their high-speed gallop are unmistakable.
In this cluster of runners, only those two displayed a level of grace that was a cut above the rest.
On that merit alone, the experienced fans had already placed their bets.
The crown of this Kikuka-sho would belong to one of them, and no one else.
But the time for a verdict hadn't come yet; the tension was still coiling.
Up in the broadcast booth, the announcer shared the same sentiment. After scanning the tactical landscape of the field, he spoke into the mic.
"Alright, we've just done another lap through the current order, and things remain largely unchanged."
"However, we are fast approaching the fourth corner. The longest uphill straight of Kyoto Racecourse lies right ahead—it's a brutal test of stamina for any Uma Musume."
"One slip in concentration, and a runner might burn through too much energy here, leaving them with nothing left for the final explosive sprint."
As the announcer finished, his color commentator picked up the thread seamlessly.
"Precisely. At this stage, energy conservation is the name of the game. Only the Uma Musume who manages to hoard her strength through this climb and the final turn can hope to seize the win."
"Symboli Kris S and Hishi Miracle are playing it very smart. As long as they maintain their current pace, they'll hold the ultimate advantage in the coming war of attrition."
The announcer nodded in firm agreement, rubbing his chin as he analyzed the scene.
"They certainly live up to their status as the first and second favorites of this Kikuka-sho. Not only is their movement a tier above the rest, but their tactical choices are incredibly solid."
"The picture is clear now. Symboli Kris S and Hishi Miracle just need to wait until the final straight to—"
Mid-sentence, he felt a sharp nudge from his partner's elbow.
Confused, the announcer turned, only to see his colleague pointing frantically toward the track.
What could possibly change now? Isn't the climax of this Kikuka-sho locked in for the final straight?
With that thought, he looked back at the field. One glance was all it took to make his jaw drop just as far as his partner's.
But the show had to go on. No matter how much his heart hammered against his ribs, he had to call the play.
He gripped the microphone, took a sharp breath, and suddenly roared.
"Hishi Miracle! Hishi Miracle is accelerating?!"
The announcer's shock was well-warranted. Although this incline was the penultimate straight of the race, the Kikuka-sho was a grueling marathon. The start of this climb was still a vast distance from the finish line.
On this three-thousand-meter stage—second only to the Tenno Sho (Spring) in length—the race had only just passed the halfway mark!
To kick into high gear barely past the midpoint... and with a long hill and two consecutive turns still to negotiate... the announcer couldn't fathom a single reason why Hishi Miracle would choose to burn her fuse now.
The same shock and confusion rippled through the hearts of every Uma Musume on the track.
"She's accelerating now?! No way!"
"There is a way!"
Facing a sea of bewildered stares, Hishi Miracle surged forward. At a moment when the others were so stunned they forgot to adjust their strides, her sprint looked almost effortless.
If her trainer, Dream Weaver, was like a razor-sharp blade—cutting through the pack with an unstoppable, piercing force—then Hishi Miracle's acceleration was an impossibly smooth arc.
She moved with a light, nimble grace, flowing around every obstacle in her path.
The rain at Kyoto wasn't a shackle to her; it was a blessing, a gift that lent her strength.
Hishi Miracle merged into the downpour like a dragon returning to the sea. That blue-white light wove through the crowd, commanding the attention of the entire stadium.
Symboli Kris S narrowed her eyes, her gaze fixed on the blue-white streak dancing through the rain.
This was a formal challenge. As Hishi Miracle's rival, she understood the unspoken message hidden in that move better than anyone else.
If you want to win, then keep up.
Hishi Miracle wasn't passively praying for the three thousand meters to drain Symboli Kris S's strength. She had chosen to strike first, throwing down the gauntlet before the "decisive moment" had even arrived.
Just as Hishi Miracle couldn't stop Symboli Kris S from mirroring her path, Symboli Kris S couldn't control when Hishi Miracle chose to bolt.
Now that Hishi Miracle had executed a perfect acceleration on the legendary Kikuka-sho line, Symboli Kris S was left with only two choices.
Option one: Stay patient. Rely on her mastery of the "Late Surger" strategy to stockpile energy and hope to turn the tables with a final burst of speed on the last straight.
Option two: Follow Hishi Miracle. Continue to mimic her perfect line, turning this Kikuka-sho into a private stage for the two of them—and start the final duel right here, right now.
For Symboli Kris S, however, the first option had never even crossed her mind.
"If I don't even have the courage to answer a challenge..."
"How could I ever be worthy of the crown?!"
The usual stoic calm on Symboli Kris S's face wavered, just a fraction.
Hishi Miracle's footwork from a moment ago was etched into her mind. Exactly five seconds after the first move, a deep green streak ignited within the pack.
With the same fluid grace, she carved through the other runners, giving chase to Hishi Miracle!
"Unbelievable! Symboli Kris S has accelerated as well?!"
"They've only covered seventeen hundred meters! Are they treating the Kikuka-sho like a middle-distance sprint?!"
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T/N: I have a Patreon! 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.