"Ohhh, it's starting!"
Sakuraba Ryo watched as the Umamusume warming up on the track stepped into the starting gates.
Oguri Cap's debut race was finally about to begin!
"Oguri-san, go—!"
Beside him, Kitahara shouted his support at the top of his lungs.
Truth be told, Sakuraba Ryo wanted to cheer too... except the one he wanted to cheer for was Fujimasa March on the other side, so there was no way he could shout that out loud.
As the ace of his own camp, openly rooting for the enemy general would've been a little inappropriate.
My retainers are ready to fight to the death, so why is the emperor surrendering before the battle even starts?
No, no.
It's better to cheer for March quietly in his heart.
At a time like this, all he had to do was put on a deep, focused expression while staring at the track. Nobody would suspect a thing.
Stare~
Sakuraba Ryo kept his face composed as he watched the Umamusume prepare for the start. Focused as he was, he completely failed to notice that Kitahara beside him had taken in every bit of his expression.
Sakuraba-san is watching so seriously.
He never came by during regular training, but now that it's Oguri Cap's debut race, his true feelings are showing...
Look at that focused gaze!
Look at that expectant expression!
So Sakuraba-san really is hoping for Oguri-san's victory!
At that thought, Kitahara's cheering got even louder.
"Oguuuri-san! Goooo!"
The sudden increase in volume nearly made Sakuraba Ryo jump.
Kitahara, you are so loud!
...
BANG!
A sharp gunshot tore through the air above the racetrack, and the gates flew open in response—
The Umamusume, already coiled and ready, burst forward like arrows loosed from a bow!
There was no hesitation at the start, no mistakes, no one looking back—only a chaotic storm of footfalls pounding against the track like heavy rain.
And in that lightning-fast instant, a blue-green figure sliced cleanly into the inside lane like a gust of wind—Fujimasa March!
She lowered her body, eyes blazing, and seized the lead with perfect precision!
Not far behind her, Oguri Cap ran calmly in the middle-rear of the pack.
She showed no urgency in fighting for position. Her stride was steady and powerful, her blue-green eyes fixed on the swaying backs ahead.
You're not coming after me, Oguri Cap?
Fujimasa March frowned slightly when she realized Oguri Cap didn't seem interested in contesting the lead.
Planning to save your strength and fight me with your final spurt at the end?
Heh.
Who do you think you're underestimating?
Do you think I'm going to give you that chance?
This debut race was a true short-distance event—only 800 meters!
Saving strength in a race this short? Don't make her laugh!
Watch closely, Oguri Cap. I'll show you what Kasamatsu's number one looks like!
Fujimasa March drove her foot down hard, kicking up flecks of dirt as her speed spiked in an instant!
Her blue-green figure shot forward as if lashed by an invisible whip, opening a visibly wider gap between herself and the chasing pack.
The wind pressure crashed against her, but her sharp eyes only burned with even fiercer resolve.
This wasn't her usual style.
What she excelled at, what she had honed, was the cool, observant Pace Chaser style—like a hunter lying in wait, delivering a fatal blow at exactly the right moment.
But—!
This time, she intended to crush Oguri Cap head-on!
So the style she had chosen now was the more aggressive Front Runner approach!
The tactical shift paid off almost immediately.
Fujimasa March widened the distance from the middle of the field in one go, turning the race into a one-girl show at the very front.
Oh hell yes, I knew March had it in her!
Seeing Fujimasa March out in front, Sakuraba Ryo cheered wildly in his heart.
Damn, March, if you were this strong, you could've told me sooner!
You had me worrying for nothing.
She's this far ahead already. Looks like Oguri doesn't stand much of a chance. After the race, I'll just treat her to a nice meal to comfort her—and lose a beautiful chunk of money while I'm at it~
"So you're trying to open up the gap early by running Front Runner... Heh. A little trick like that won't be enough to beat Oguri-san!" Kitahara said with a smile, seeing a scene that had already made Sakuraba Ryo start celebrating too early.
"Sakuraba-san, just watch!"
"Oguri-san's not limited to this level!"
The scene shifted back to the track.
Half of the 800 meters was already gone in a flash.
Fujimasa March held firmly to the lead, looking as though she might carry it straight to victory.
Still not making your move, Oguri Cap...?
Don't disappoint me!
The moment the pack entered the final bend, a chill suddenly swept up Fujimasa March's spine from behind!
That feeling... like being stared down by a beast?!
Could it be—?!
TAP-TAP-TAP-TAP—!
A string of rapid footsteps came from the outside! Before she knew it, the sound of rough breathing was already right by her ear!
Fujimasa March's face filled with shock. Out of the corner of her eye, all she could catch was a streak of white hair!
Oguri Cap?
When did she get there?!
THUD!
A footstep hit the ground like a cannon shell landing, and the gray-white figure blasted past Fujimasa March in an instant!
"HOLY SHIT!"
Seeing Oguri Cap accelerate in such an absurd way, Sakuraba Ryo summed up his feelings with the most concise two-word reaction possible.
Ref!
Ref, where are you?!
I'm reporting this—somebody's hacking!
She caught March without even needing a full turn, and you're telling me this is an F2P build?
Those hideous stats—AAARGH!
The one who felt Oguri Cap's strength most clearly at that moment was March herself, the one facing her head-on!
The instant Oguri Cap passed her, March gave everything she had to chase her down!
But the gap between them only kept growing.
Oguri Cap—! So this is your full power—?!
Oguri Cap, meanwhile, paid no mind to what March might be thinking. Her black shoes slammed hard against the track beneath her feet!
Her speed surged again!
Sprint!
Dash for the line!
First place!
All in one fluid motion!
AAAAAH—!
MARCH-DONO HAS FALLEN—! :sob:
The moment Oguri Cap crossed the finish line, Sakuraba Ryo let out a wail of grief.
"Sakuraba-san, I know you're excited to see Oguri Cap win... but aren't you maybe a little too moved?" Kitahara couldn't help saying as he looked at the man beside him.
"Leave me alone..."
Covering his face with both hands, Sakuraba Ryo pretended he was crying tears of joy, hiding the mask of agony on his face.
---
T/N: what. is she actually hjacking, can u hack irl what she must have a system herself what the heck