Chasing from the very back of the field, Lucky Lilac felt the strain in every step.
She had often come to watch Orfevre-senpai and the others train before, and after coming into full form—especially while preparing for the entrance exam—she had begun actively taking part in these sessions herself.
She had thought she was already familiar with her senpais' training rhythm, and that partner runs and mock races would not feel all that different.
But the moment this mock race began, she realized it was nothing like that.
Orfevre-senpai, usually so cold and sharp by nature, now seemed as if her fighting spirit had been set ablaze. A piercing aura radiated from her entire body, and every step made the ground tremble faintly as she chased Kitasan Black with everything she had, carrying an intensity that said she would not stop until she reached her goal.
Nakayama Festa-senpai had also cast off her usual careless air. Her agile figure looked even sharper on the track, packed with explosive power, as if she were waiting for the perfect chance to break through the defense and overtake her opponent.
Even Dream Journey-senpai and Stay Gold-senpai, who were normally steadier during training, had entered a state of high-strung competition.
They lay in wait in Late Surger position, likely watching every shift in the situation ahead. Their auras were like flames hidden in the dark—calm on the surface, yet ready to erupt at any moment and strike their opponent down.
And though Gold Ship-senpai had been a little slow off the start, that restrained, unspent presence of hers made it seem as if she meant to overturn the entire racecourse.
Faced with this unprecedented intensity, Lucky Lilac felt as though the air ahead of her had been torn open by her senpais, forming a powerful current that blocked her pursuit.
Every breath felt like a struggle against invisible pressure, and every step was harder than the last.
She could feel it clearly. This mock race no longer had the relaxed atmosphere of her usual training with her senpais. It was filled with the tension and pressure of a real race.
And all of it was probably because of the senpai at the very front: Kitasan Black.
So this is… what a powerful senpai who can win the Arima Kinen in her Classic year is like?
Gold Ship-senpai did the same thing, but…
It feels completely different…
As Lucky Lilac worked to steady her breathing and footwork, trying to close the gap to the group ahead, she could not help marveling inwardly at the change Kitasan Black had brought to the training.
She found herself thinking that if she could hold on through competition this intense and keep tempering herself, her future strength would surely rise by leaps and bounds.
As the thought crossed her mind, a turn was already right in front of her.
Watching her senpais ahead cut smoothly into the bend, Lucky Lilac felt both nervous and expectant.
She did her best to imitate their movements, angling her body slightly and driving with her legs as she tried to enter the turn smoothly.
But because she lacked experience, her entry angle was just a little off. Her body lost balance in an instant, and her steps fell out of rhythm.
Fortunately, she reacted quickly. Relying on the stamina and coordination she had built through daily training, she managed to adjust in time. Even so, the delay widened the gap between her and the group ahead again.
Once she cleared the turn, she had no time to catch her breath and immediately accelerated with everything she had.
She looked at her senpais—especially Kitasan Black's steady, confident back at the very front—and her heart filled with longing.
She knew she still had a long way to go before she could catch up to such a powerful senpai.
But that gap did not discourage her. Instead, it became the force driving her forward.
At that moment, the competition on the track grew fiercer still.
Orfevre had gradually closed the distance to Kitasan Black. A burning light flashed in her eyes, as if she might overtake Kitasan Black in the very next second.
Nakayama Festa refused to fall behind. Seizing her opportunity, she used her own flexibility to keep searching for openings on the track, trying to slip past her opponent from the side.
Dream Journey and Stay Gold remained calm behind them, quietly storing up their strength as they waited for the perfect moment to launch their final spurt.
Gold Ship was also chasing hard. Her heavy yet swift footsteps echoed across the entire training ground, making the atmosphere of the mock race even more intense.
Standing beside the track, watching the mock race with complete focus, Imanami Takatoshi kept his gaze fixed on Orfevre and Kitasan Black. He nodded slightly and said, "Orfevre's momentum is building. Kita-chan has been leading the whole way, so she's used up quite a bit of stamina. If Orfevre goes all-out in her final spurt, Kita-chan will have her hands full dealing with it."
Yasui Makoto's gaze had also never left the track. Hearing Imanami Takatoshi's analysis, he nodded slightly and added, "You're right, Imanami-senpai. Orfevre's final spurt is top-class even across the entire racing world. Once she really gets going, it won't be easy for Kita-chan to hold her off."
"But Kita-chan's stamina and rhythm control have always been good. It depends on whether she can keep that rhythm steady under this much pressure."
"And Nakayama Festa can't be underestimated either. She's been looking for a chance to break through this whole time. If she catches an opening while Kita-chan and Orfevre are fighting it out, she might be able to turn the tables."
After the two finished discussing the front of the field, their gazes shifted almost in unison to Dream Journey and Stay Gold in Late Surger position, then toward Gold Ship and Lucky Lilac at the rear.
A hint of admiration flashed through Yasui Makoto's eyes before he continued, "Dream Journey and Stay Gold's final spurts are nothing to take lightly either. Of course, the same goes for Gold Ship… I suppose Umamusume from the Gold family are basically all known for powerful final spurts."
"And they have plenty of experience. They know exactly when to make their move."
"That ability… I think both Kita-chan and Lucky Lilac should try to learn from it."
Imanami Takatoshi thought for a moment. "For Kita-chan, she already has plenty of race experience, so taking another step forward should be somewhat easier.
"As for Lilac-chan… she still needs to build up more experience and improve on her shortcomings."
"In that regard…"
The old man looked over sincerely and nodded.
"I hope you'll be generous with your guidance, Yasui."
Yasui Makoto hurriedly waved his hands.
"You're being far too polite, Imanami-senpai. Kita-chan's results today are thanks to her own hard work, as well as all the guidance and help she receives from her senpais every day."
"And Lucky Lilac has outstanding talent and works hard. Under your careful guidance, I'm sure she'll grow quickly."
"Of course, if I can offer any useful advice, I'd be duty-bound to help."
At the same time, the mock race entered its final phase.
Kitasan Black was still leading the field, but her breathing had clearly grown rapid. Bead-sized drops of sweat rolled down her forehead, soaking the strands of hair at her temples.
Even so, her gaze only grew firmer. Her steps did not slow in the slightest, and with tenacious willpower and excellent stamina, she maintained her lead.
Orfevre followed close behind, her eyes locked tightly onto Kitasan Black. Her legs moved like wheels spinning at high speed, every step carrying tremendous impact as she continued to cut down the distance between them.
Nakayama Festa spotted the gap between the two of them and was just about to launch her final spurt, trying to overtake from the inside.
Dream Journey and Stay Gold, who had long been lying in wait in Late Surger position, also sensed the opportunity keenly and accelerated at the same time, charging toward the runners ahead.
And rushing up alongside those two Umamusume was Gold Ship, who had been at the very back when the race began.
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