Grass Wonder didn't know what Special Week beside her was thinking. Had she known, she would've been deeply surprised, yet wholeheartedly agreed.
Because if she was truly a shadow, then Special Week, in her eyes, was a flame that never went out.
From before debut through their classic year, injury had clung to Grass Wonder like heavy shackles, restricting her movements.
Even heavier was the identity of a "foreign-born Uma Musume," along with the URA Association's regulations at the time. Due to these, she couldn't participate in the Classic Triple Crown races that countless Uma Musume dreamed of.
Yet somehow, without her noticing, Special Week's bright optimism gradually dispersed the dark clouds in her heart, imprinting itself deeply.
Every time she stepped onto the track, every glimpse of Special Week lit a desire within her to shine just as brightly and warmly.
Now, the racetrack beneath her felt like a corridor through time, replaying scenes of their past competitions.
She had poured her heart into each race—of course, for victory.
But even more, she wanted each heated competition to convey that inspired, burning spirit she had absorbed from Special Week.
She didn't know if Special Week had ever sensed that intention in their many battles.
But as long as they continued running together, she would never abandon that thought.
Coincidentally, now pulling ahead of Seiun Sky, El Condor Pasa also instinctively glanced back toward Special Week, locked in her rivalry with Grass Wonder.
To become the world's strongest Uma Musume, soaring freely in the sky—that was her dream.
Her brilliant record of 11 starts with 8 wins and 3 second places had brought her tantalizingly close to that dream.
Like Grass Wonder, she couldn't compete in the Classic Triple Crown due to being foreign-born, yet she had defeated Special Week in the Japan Cup.
The moment she held the Japan Cup trophy, glory had illuminated her swift path forward like brilliant starlight.
The world was clearly right before her eyes.
But the instant she lost to Montjeu at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, it felt as if the world's shadow had engulfed her completely.
Later, when Special Week—her friend and rival, who had once lost to her—defeated that very Montjeu in another Japan Cup, it felt as if all the shadows of her defeat had been instantly illuminated.
The wind rushed past her ears now, sounding like cheers from past races.
Glancing back at Special Week, El Condor Pasa felt as though she was gazing into a mirror.
That unique mirror reflected her own desperate hunger for victory, showing every moment of glory and gloom she had ever run through.
As expected, you really are a special Uma Musume… Spe-chan.
Exactly because of that, I absolutely cannot lose. Because...
This is the greatest respect I can give—to you, to us, and to everything we've been through together!
As if set ablaze, El Condor Pasa's entire being burst with renewed strength.
The wind screeched past her ears, piercing like an eagle's cry high above, as if applauding her sudden surge.
Her vision sharpened—no illusion—the strides of Seiun Sky ahead had definitely faltered slightly.
Maybe it was fatigue, maybe pressure from the pack closing behind her.
But whatever it was, this was her chance!
Instantly accelerating once more, El Condor Pasa slipped forward, flashing past Seiun Sky in an instant.
Almost simultaneously, Special Week and Grass Wonder also sensed Seiun Sky's sudden struggle.
Without any hesitation, the pair who had been locked in a duel since the third corner parted in perfect synchronization, darting around Seiun Sky—one on the left, one on the right.
Special Week clenched her teeth, eyes blazing with determination as she gave every ounce of energy into her sprint.
Grass Wonder's eyes burned fiercely, each step crushing grass stems beneath, sending dirt flying in great clumps behind her.
Their goal was identical—El Condor Pasa, now less than a hundred meters from the finish!
The stands erupted so furiously it felt as though the entire racecourse would overturn. Even the commentator's voice trembled with excitement:
"The critical moment! El Condor Pasa has overtaken Seiun Sky! Special Week and Grass Wonder close in fast behind her!
"They're sprinting with everything they have! The race reaches its peak!
"Behind them, King Halo! And further outside, Matikanefukukitaru and Mejiro Bright!
"But now, just 50 meters left! El Condor Pasa still leads!
"The final chance! Special Week and Grass Wonder's final chance!
"At this moment…
"They cross the finish!!"
El Condor Pasa was first to slow down.
Instinctively, after crossing the line, she jogged for a while to slow her momentum. Sweat streamed from her forehead and temples down her chin, falling in heavy droplets. Head tilted upward, hands on hips, she gasped desperately for air.
In the next instant, she faintly noticed a brief hush settle over the stands.
And then—cheers, applause, screams mingled with her name, erupting toward the heavens.
"Soaring over the turf once again! The champion of this Summer Dream Trophy… El Condor Pasa!!
"Grass Wonder edges out Special Week at the very last moment!
"Following them, Seiun Sky, Matikanefukukitaru, and Mejiro Bright cross the line nearly simultaneously! Please await the photo finish!"
Lost in a daze for a moment, summer's blazing sunlight and heated wind mingled with the noise and gradually pulled El Condor Pasa back to reality. Eyes widening, she looked sharply up at the results board.
Seeing her own name at the very top, her already gaping mouth opened further in disbelief, before quickly spinning around toward those behind her.
"Hey—Hey—I… I won! As expected of me! I won!!"
She babbled incoherently from excitement, then paused, suddenly laughing to herself.
"Hey, Spe-chan, why did you end up falling down again? Really now, ever since we first met..."
Lying face-down on the grass like the character for "big" (大), Special Week slowly got to her feet after El Condor Pasa spoke. Sweat plastered her face, but she still scratched her head, smiling foolishly.
Her mouth opened and closed a few times as if trying to speak—but she just ended up spitting out a few blades of grass instead.
El Condor Pasa froze momentarily, then burst out laughing uncontrollably. Grass Wonder and Seiun Sky, coming closer, also dropped their concerned expressions and started laughing.
"Ahh, still as silly as ever—I guess there's nothing to worry about, then..." Seiun Sky said lazily, arms stretched behind her head as if she hadn't just finished a brutal race.
"Sigh, we've still got that stage performance later. So troublesome... I just wanna go fishing already."
King Halo crossed her arms, glancing back toward the finish line and pursed her lips. "I can't believe even with this tactic, I still couldn't beat you guys…"
"Don't look at me," Seiun Sky quickly waved her hands nonchalantly. "I was just here to fill out the numbers. You should probably complain to them instead."
Having spat out the last blade of grass and wiped her mouth, Special Week suddenly turned to El Condor Pasa, giving her a thumbs-up.
"La victoire està moi! Condor-san!"
Instantly, El Condor Pasa's smile froze completely. Grass Wonder paused briefly before covering her mouth, quietly snickering.
"…Uh, Spe-chan, you remembered that...?"
Scratching her head awkwardly—just like Special Week had moments ago—El Condor Pasa's lips twitched, "Actually, about that phrase, it means—"
"I know! 'Watch me closely,' right?"
On Special Week's usually goofy face flashed a rare mischievous grin. She scratched her head again. "Hehe, Montjeu explained it to me later. I knew you were teasing me.
"So, I guess I've been holding a bit of a grudge… Anyway—
"I've just been waiting for the right chance to say it back to you.
"Alright! Race's over, so let's all go eat together!"