"McQueen! McQueen! McQueen!"
As befitting a member of the elite Mejiro lineage, the cheers for McQueen were deafening. No one had expected her to appear in the second round.
Standing on the platform with grace and composure, McQueen, the representative who had secured the first victory, radiated unwavering confidence. Even without the privilege of choosing the track and facing any formidable Umamusume opponent, Mejiro McQueen exuded an aura of reassurance.
Tenno Sho's sharpness towers above the world, none under heaven fails to recognize your name.
Who could possibly challenge Mejiro McQueen?
The racetrack buzzed with speculation.
McQueen lifted her gaze, a flicker of focus crossing her eyes. In the next instant, a refreshing breeze swept across the track, silencing the clamor as if even the wind had submitted to her will. She strode forward with regal steps.
This was the moment the "Empress" revealed herself.
Her intense gaze commanded submission from all, her tightly clenched fingers seemed capable of piercing skin.
The Umamusume known as "Ideal"—Air Groove.
"Not Little or Bitter Glasse, huh?" Kousei murmured in surprise from the stands, taken aback by Air Groove's early appearance.
McQueen faced Air Groove, her posture dignified and unsmiling, her presence overwhelmingly imposing.
This imposing aura didn't stem from innate authority; it was a manifestation of her self-respect.
She pursued her ideals and sought victory above all else.
This very posture embodied Mejiro McQueen's ideal.
"I never expected you to participate in this," Air Groove said to McQueen.
"Nor did I expect Air Groove Senpai to agree to such an absurd plan."
Air Groove showed no particular reaction. "Strict management of students doesn't strike me as wrong. Tracen's discipline has indeed grown far too lax."
"Are you being serious?"
"This is the Student Council's decision, and Rudolf's decision as well. As Vice President, supporting Rudolf is my duty."
McQueen's gaze dimmed. "The Air Groove Senpai I knew would never have said such things."
"I taught you before: on the racetrack, you must give your all against every opponent—Senpai, junior, or even your dearest friend."
Yes, McQueen remembered everything Air Groove had taught her.
"You seem to have changed slightly."
"In what way?" McQueen asked, puzzled.
"Your demeanor, perhaps. Unlike the flawlessly elegant young lady you once were, you now carry an air of unrestrained freedom."
"Is that a good thing?"
"Of course. At least you're starting to enjoy running," Air Groove replied, a rare smile playing at the corners of her lips, revealing a hint of emotion.
"2200 meters, clockwise, turf. As the 'Empress,' my pride demands I reclaim victory. I will show no mercy."
It seemed Air Groove was aware of McQueen's leg injury and, true to her word, had no intention of holding back.
The disadvantage of her leg injury, the opponent's favored track—McQueen had anticipated it all.
"Bring it on. The Mejiro crest will be stained with the Empress's bloody tears."
So what? she thought. I am Mejiro McQueen, the Horse Girl who can go beyond the Heavens, whose name resonates with glory.
The starting gate swung open.
Their reaction times were nearly identical, but Air Groove's initial burst of speed gave her the edge. McQueen, renowned for her powerful legs—the "White Chariot" relied on that strength to secure an early advantage—found herself blocked by Air Groove's Empress-like figure, who seized the inner track with a decisive first step.
This explosive start surpassed even most Front-Runners. While still short of the top-tier elites, it was undoubtedly elite-level.
Generally, Air Groove would position herself in the middle of the pack, launching her attack on the final turn. This time, however, she opted for a front-running strategy, determined to challenge McQueen head-on. In this battle for position, Air Groove gained the upper hand.
"As expected of Air Groove Senpai! Truly astonishing."
McQueen remained remarkably calm. Even Air Groove's move to seize the inner lane posed no real threat to her. With unparalleled leg strength and stamina, sacrificing some ground speed meant little to McQueen.
"From the outer lane, I'll surge ahead in one burst!"
First Turn
McQueen surged outward, her engine roaring as her powerful strides tore through the grass like spinning wheels. Her figure shot forward, closing in on Air Groove with relentless force.
Air Groove had anticipated McQueen's move. She knew McQueen would sacrifice stamina to run alongside her, and if McQueen possessed such talent, she should use it to its full potential.
"I'm catching up, Air Groove Senpai!"
Just as McQueen seemed poised to overtake Air Groove, Air Groove's speed suddenly shifted into a higher gear at the exit of the turn.
The distance between McQueen and Air Groove widened once more.
Unlike formal races where other competitors could interfere, this contest was a pure head-to-head battle. Victory would be decided solely by this one-on-one showdown.
At 2200 meters, McQueen's endurance couldn't be fully utilized.
"I can't rely on my old habits," she thought. "I need to be more adaptable!"
McQueen knew she had to quickly adjust to the changing pace, or Air Groove would leave her in the dust.
Air Groove glanced back at McQueen, realizing that even her unparalleled talent couldn't shield her from mundane worries. Graceful and composed, as a top-tier honor student, Mejiro McQueen seemed flawless.
Yet perfection could also be a limitation. McQueen's technique was comprehensive but overly rigid. After a year of rigorous training, her fundamentals had become impeccable. To put it bluntly, McQueen was now exceptionally strong, but this also meant she had reached her ceiling.
Two streaks of wind surged across the racetrack. McQueen repeatedly tried to break through, but Air Groove blocked her every attempt.
Her textbook-perfect form made her too predictable.
Kousei, by contrast, possessed an element of surprise, launching attacks from unexpected angles. Teio exuded a sense of freedom, like an unconstrained seagull, impossible to anticipate.
This was McQueen's dilemma: she needed a change, a touch of individuality.
Break free from the shackles of the Rules.
"To become stronger than she is now, McQueen must overturn her own theories and approach problems from an entirely new perspective."
A hint of anxiety crossed McQueen's face. Air Groove knew how difficult it was to overturn what she already possessed.
"Here it is again... this same situation."
McQueen had initially believed this was an isolated case, a result of Kousei's unique running style that allowed her to predict McQueen's movements. But Air Groove had revealed that this wasn't an anomaly; unlike generational differences in strength, experienced Veteran Horse Lane racers could intercept her simply through experience.
"I know! Perhaps experience is part of it, but the fundamental issue is that my movements are too predictable."
After watching numerous races, McQueen had come to realize her shortcomings. Even the most refined techniques were useless if they could be easily deciphered.
Kousei understood McQueen's predicament. Caesar Rose's piercing gaze had once given her a great deal of trouble.
"McQueen, what kind of evolution will you undergo?"