Unbelievable.
Through her violet eyes, Symboli Rudolf watched the white figure surge up beside her, genuine surprise showing on her face. She was not the only one. Behind them, Narita Brian had widened her eyes as well.
Only then did Brian realize something.
This training run had never been about reaching the finish line first. The goal was for Shirayuki to break through and overtake.
But the intensity of the run had pulled her in. Before she knew it, she had treated it like a real race.
She reacted quickly, though. The moment she shifted toward the inside lane, she already sensed something was off. However, before she could move back into position, Shirayuki had already surged forward and taken her place.
The opening had lasted less than a second.
And in that tiny window, Shirayuki had seized it perfectly.
…Is she really a beginner?
The same question crossed Brian's mind, just as it had for Gold Ship and the others.
Her execution, her judgment, her decisiveness—none of it matched a newcomer.
Brian had trained first-years before. Even if she deliberately left a five-second opening, most of them would hesitate, unsure whether to accelerate.
Compared to them, Shirayuki was on a completely different level.
If there was one flaw…
Even someone as exacting as Rudolf could only point to a single weakness.
Her stamina.
The race had entered its decisive phase.
After overtaking Brian, Shirayuki no longer had the strength to maintain her burst. Her speed began to drop little by little, the classic case of losing momentum just before the finish.
Normally, that would mean she mistimed her acceleration.
But that was not the point of this run.
This was not about who crossed the finish line first. If it were, Rudolf and Brian would have finished long ago.
They glanced at Shirayuki one last time, then shifted their focus forward.
Their speed increased.
The gap widened.
One length. Two. Three.
Eventually, it stretched to seven lengths as Rudolf and Brian crossed the finish line.
Behind them, Shirayuki felt her legs growing heavier with every step, each stride dragging as if she were running through mud. The finish line was right there. She tried to straighten her body, but couldn't. Momentum carried her forward whether she wanted it or not.
Then it hit her.
The final and most important requirement of that running style was balance.
Her legs gave out.
As she crossed the line, her body pitched forward like a kite with its string cut. Just as she braced for impact, a warm, soft arm caught her, absorbing the force before she hit the ground.
It was Symboli Rudolf.
Looking down at the girl in her arms, Rudolf spoke gently."Good work, Shirayuki."
Still flushed from the run, Shirayuki could feel the warmth of Rudolf's body, slightly damp with sweat, carrying a faint but pleasant scent. Her heart skipped a beat. Flustered, she quickly pulled away.
"I'm so sorry, President Rudolf!"
"It's fine," Rudolf replied with a soft smile. After a brief pause, she added, "I underestimated you. I didn't expect this level of ability. Have you had any formal training before?"
"No. Today was my first time running."
Rudolf's expression turned subtle and unreadable. She glanced at Narita Brian, who looked exactly the same.
Your first time? Seriously?
Even so, it didn't change anything. Shirayuki had already proven herself. Among this year's newcomers, she was easily one of the standouts.
Brian folded her arms and gave a short nod."Not bad."
Rudolf followed, her tone calm but firm."Strength is what every Uma Musume strives for. To lead the field and leave the rest behind—that is the ideal. If you want to stand among them, you must keep pushing forward."
She softened slightly."And for this run… well done."
Shirayuki lowered her head."Thank you very much."
"Let's report back to your trainer."
"…Right."
The three of them walked over.
"Trainer Chiya, we've finished," Rudolf said. "Did you notice anything?"
"Hmm…"
Chiya paused, pretending to think.
"The issue is still her fundamentals. Shirayuki's timing is excellent, but her stamina can't keep up. Even when she finds the opening, she can't fully capitalize on it. And that running style is too risky. Without proper balance, she shouldn't rely on it. From here on, we'll focus on stamina and balance training. I'll revise her program once we're back."
"Understood. I'll leave her in your care," Rudolf replied.
"You've got potential," Chiya added, turning to Shirayuki. "Go rest for now. We'll continue later."
He played both roles seamlessly, acting out the exchange in front of Rudolf and Brian without missing a beat.
Brian raised an eyebrow.
"…Trainer, why are you sweating so much?"
His bangs were stuck to his face, his entire body soaked as if he had just stepped out of a sauna.
"How should I put it…" Chiya wiped his face. "Watching your run felt… immersive. Like I was actually on the track myself."
"…Is that so?"
Brian looked at him for a moment, then silently took out a handkerchief and handed it over.
"Thanks. I'll return it after washing."
"Feeling that tension is a good thing," Rudolf said, nodding. "A trainer should be in sync with their runner."
Even after running 1800 meters, she spoke as calmly as ever.
Retired or not, the Emperor was still the Emperor.
Someone like her could not be surpassed with tricks alone.
"Well then, President Rudolf, you should get some rest too. I'll need your help with the others later."
Chiya wiped his sweat as he spoke.
If everyone could go through a few rounds of joint training like this, their chances in next week's mock race would increase significantly.
This might be the chance to build real momentum.
Just as he started to feel optimistic—
"Trainer Chiya!"
Meisho Doto came running over in a panic, pulling Rice Shower along with her.
"Trainer Chiya, Rice Shower hurt her foot!"
"Pff—!"
Shirayuki immediately spat out the water she had just been drinking.
Chiya froze on the spot.
"…What did you just say?"