Choosing a "Betweener" style is a lonely path. Before they make a name for themselves, practically no one pays attention to where they are in the pack.
Even if Oguri Cap was the second favorite of this race, she remained a ghost to the crowd.
The commentator's voice remained steady: "Crown Author, the third favorite, is currently in third place, biting hard at the heels of Moonlight Amber in second. Fujimasa March is right behind them; her breathing and movements are incredibly stable. When will Kasamatsu's star decide to make her move?"
Crown Author was a chestnut-haired Uma Musume with a composed aura. When Southern Heroine had aggressively seized the lead and set a blistering tempo, Crown Author had followed without hesitation. However, she chose a calculated following distance—close enough to ride the slipstream Southern Heroine created, yet far enough to avoid being dragged out of her own rhythm.
Theoretically, third place was the "Throne." It was the perfect vantage point: close enough to react instantly to the leaders' movements, positioned to suppress those behind and prevent any sudden breakaways, all while facing minimal air resistance. It was a tactical heaven.
Fujimasa March had wanted that spot. But after investigating her opponents' data, she had decisively yielded the position to the more powerful Crown Author. Instead, she tucked in right behind her, releasing pressure bit by bit—like a frog in slowly heating water—waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
Fujimasa March viewed Crown Author as a formidable runner, so she intended to bring the girl under her total control, silently draining her stamina.
At first, Crown Author didn't realize March's intent. She was entirely focused on Southern Heroine at the front, preparing to execute a decisive overtake the moment the leader showed signs of fatigue.
But as a strange sensation began to mount, she slowly realized what was happening: It's Fujimasa March!
By then, however, that invisible, cold, and heavy pressure had already become a shackle she couldn't break.
It wasn't a roaring wind pressure or the sound of closing footsteps; it was something sharper than the wind and more unsettling than footsteps—it was the sensation of being dead-locked.
Fujimasa March ran steadily at Crown Author's flank, separated by only half a horse-length. Her breathing was level, her rhythm flawless. She wasn't even staring at Crown Author directly.
And yet, Crown Author could feel it—that gaze, so calm it bordered on indifferent, was pinned firmly to her spine. It felt like a patient hunter observing a prey's weakness, waiting for the exact heartbeat to deliver a killing blow.
"Is she applying pressure, waiting for me to make a mistake?" Crown Author finally understood, and the realization sent a chill down the back of her neck.
Even more terrifying was Fujimasa March's physical state. She wasn't rushing to close the gap, nor was she veering away. She maintained that specific distance that maximized psychological strain: close enough for Crown Author to be acutely aware of her presence, yet far enough to render any attempt at a tempo change futile.
Without a doubt, Crown Author had fallen into the spiderweb March had woven for her.
Whenever Crown Author adjusted her stride even slightly to match Southern Heroine's tempo, Fujimasa March behind her would mirror the adjustment perfectly. She was a shadow that Crown Author could never shake.
This invisible wrestling was more exhausting than a full-out sprint. Crown Author was forced to divert precious focus to guard her rear. She unconsciously gritted her teeth, a wave of agitation washing over her.
One reason for this was the nature of the Kasamatsu track; its dirt was composed of river sand. To exert force effectively, an Uma Musume had to grip the sand firmly with her feet. Every slightly off-balance stride born of her mental unease was silently eroding Crown Author's endurance.
Just then, the lead runner, Southern Heroine, suddenly began to breathe heavily. Her steps faltered for a fraction of a second.
"Now!" A light flashed in Crown Author's eyes, and her long-accumulated power erupted! She surged past Moonlight Amber, her chestnut silhouette streaking forward like a blade drawn from its sheath!
But just as the commentator let out a gasp at Crown Author's explosive effort, a faster, steadier, and more unstoppable blue-gray shadow tore past her side!
It was a crushing blow. Fujimasa March displayed a dominant, sovereign posture, forcefully overtaking the spent Southern Heroine. Like a queen inspecting her domain, she ascended to the throne of the lead runner!
"Fujimasa March! At the final 400-meter mark, she has executed a textbook overtake!" The commentator's voice finally cracked with excitement.
The stands erupted. Practically the entire crowd was chanting Fujimasa March's name.
"Oguri..." Double Bell Light's ears drooped. She couldn't believe Oguri Cap was still buried in the back.
Fujimaru Ritsuka habitually patted the girl's head, offering comfort. "It's alright. The real race has only just begun. Now is when Oguri shows her strength."
Before his words could even settle, silver-gray hair unfurled in the air, and a ferocious aura slammed into the track!
The surging gale that followed was so violent it actually tore through the headwind that was hindering Fujimasa March, causing March's blue-gray hair to whip forward against the wind!
The commentator was caught completely off guard by this sudden eruption and shouted instinctively: "W-what?! What is happening?!"
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Musume: Oguri Cap Grand Order (50 Chapters – Ongoing)
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