From Mejiro Palmer to Mejiro McQueen, from Mejiro Ryan and Mejiro Bright to Mejiro Dober and Mejiro Ardan—every single Uma Musume from the Mejiro family was a G1-level competitor.
Even Mejiro Ardan, who never won a G1 race throughout her career, couldn't be underestimated. After all, she'd raced in a generation filled with monsters like Oguri Cap, Super Creek, and Inari One. Though she never claimed victory, she consistently secured top-three finishes, outperforming most of her peers from that era.
This was what it truly meant to be from a "prestigious Uma Musume family."
In comparison, no matter how famous the Satono family was, they had never won a G1 race. The gap between them and a family like Mejiro was obvious to anyone.
Precisely because of this, winning at least one G1 race had become the unspoken yet universally understood goal within the Satono household.
Now, seeing up close the strength of these senior G1 racers and recognizing the difficulties faced by her peer Kitasan Black, Satono Crown was understandably tense and under immense pressure as her own G1 debut approached.
Understanding her sister's feelings, Satono Diamond unconsciously glanced toward Crown, intending to offer some comforting words.
But the instant she turned her gaze from the track, Diamond noticed her sister's eyes widening in shock.
For a moment, she was confused—but quickly realizing something significant was happening, she abandoned thoughts of comfort and hurriedly refocused on the racecourse.
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Kitasan Black had finally made her decision.
Trainer had once told her that the ideal time to use this technique was at the finish line.
But he'd also warned that races were unpredictable; sometimes it was wiser to seize the moment rather than wait passively for the "perfect" opportunity.
During his explanations, he'd shown numerous examples and designed special training routines for her.
Back then, she hadn't completely understood.
Still, she'd earnestly written down every piece of advice and diligently practiced each session.
Afterward, she'd often revisit those notes at home, repeatedly practicing movements to internalize the lessons.
At the time, she hadn't thought much about whether those efforts would pay off.
She'd simply believed that, compared to her friends, seniors, and classmates—most of whom seemed more talented—she needed to work even harder.
Only now did she realize that hard work truly bore fruit.
After the gates opened, she had rigidly stuck to her previous training and experiences, forcibly attempting to seize the advantageous inner lane, inadvertently putting herself in a poor position.
She had suffered through the early stages of the race, continually struggling to devise a strategy—until, at the exact moment she exited the second turn, inspiration struck.
Now!
She had to move right now!
Forget about saving strength for the final sprint…
This isn't the time to hold back!
If she didn't charge forward now, her rhythm would only worsen, and she'd lose any chance at victory long before the finish.
With newfound determination, she lowered her posture without hesitation, shortening her stride and quickening her breath into rapid bursts—exactly what was required for a decisive acceleration.
And then, like a miracle, the formidable wall of seniors blocking her path suddenly revealed a small gap.
There was no time to wonder how this opening had appeared. Her gaze locked instantly onto it.
Her heartbeat thundered in her ears, and new strength surged through her legs.
She burst toward the gap.
Just then, Tokai Teio's excited voice echoed from the announcer's booth:
"They're exiting the second turn! Kitasan Black is accelerating!"
"Amazing timing! Incredible burst of speed!"
"She's finally shaken free from her disadvantageous position out of the gate, overtaking Vodka and Special Week all at once—and now…"
"She's drawn even with Daiwa Scarlet!"
The stands exploded instantly—cheers, gasps, and shouts mingling into a storm of excitement.
Everyone had witnessed it. From being trapped along the rail right from the start, Kitasan Black had erupted from the turn with astonishing speed.
Taking advantage of a slight gap created by Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka drifting outward, the black-haired girl had skillfully surged forward, pulling alongside Daiwa Scarlet.
"W-What incredible acceleration…!"
"No way! She's performing like that against these seniors?!"
"That's Kitasan Black, isn't it? Her determination is unreal!"
Eyes wide, Satono Crown watched the rapidly advancing group on the track.
"That's incredible… She's amazing…"
Muttering softly, excitement overtook her as she shouted passionately:
"You're incredible, Kita-chan! Go! You've got this!"
Beside her, Satono Diamond wore a look of disbelief, soon joining in enthusiastic support.
"So fast…! Keep going, Kita-chan! You can do it!"
At the front row of the stands, Duramente, who had remained silent till now, brightened visibly.
"…Go for it, Kita-chan…" she murmured softly.
Her voice was quiet, lost amidst the noisy crowd; Air Groove standing beside her didn't hear.
"Hmm…excellent timing," Air Groove nodded appreciatively, arms crossed and eyes sharply fixed on the field. "Trainer Yasui must've anticipated something like this."
She paused thoughtfully.
"But making such a strong acceleration mid-race… That kind of burst burns stamina fast. How will she handle the rest of the course?"
At the commentary booth, Mejiro McQueen was voicing a similar thought:
"Remarkable judgment by Kitasan Black, seizing a common opportunity at the curve to break out of her earlier disadvantage. However…stamina management from here will be crucial."
Back on the track, Kitasan Black had just realized what she'd accomplished.
Thanks to that single decisive acceleration—and the mysterious gap she'd seized—she had suddenly overtaken both Vodka and Special Week, now running neck-and-neck with Daiwa Scarlet.
Joy and disbelief flooded her heart. Unconsciously, she broke into a delighted smile.
Just then, a low voice filled with approval came from beside her.
"Not bad, Kita-chan. Quite a fierce stride you've got there."
Startled, she instinctively glanced aside, immediately catching Daiwa Scarlet's proud, satisfied expression.
She wanted to thank her senior for creating that opening—but the instant she opened her mouth, a fierce gust of wind stole her words.
Quickly closing her mouth slightly, she marveled inwardly.
How can Daiwa-senpai speak so normally in this wind…?
But after that brief praise, a fiery intensity lit up Daiwa Scarlet's eyes.
Gazing straight ahead, as if locking onto the finish line itself, a confident, competitive grin rose on her lips.
"But precisely because you're performing so splendidly, as your senior, I have to defeat you."
"Don't expect me to hold back, Kita-chan. This race…"
"Has only just begun!"
With that spirited declaration, Daiwa Scarlet adjusted her breathing rhythm, shortened her stride, slightly lowered her posture—and surged forward once again.