Not sure why I went with an anime episode name theme for this chapter, but I like it. It's the first main race that'll actually be written out, so I think it's justified. This is the longest chapter so far, so I hope you enjoy!
<><><><><><><><><>
The next day…
"Honey, hurry up! The event is about to start!" An Umamusume with long, curly grey hair and light blue eyes called out to her husband.
"Just give me a moment, I have to make sure my camera is ready!" He replied while checking the condition of his camera. "I have to make sure I record the whole race, to make up for us missing his first race."
These two were Blue Avenue and Nicholas, Kurofune's parents.
The two of them suddenly hear the roars of the crowd.
"Hurry!" Blue Avenue urged as she began running to the stadium.
"Hey, wait!" Nicholas shouted as he ran after her.
<><><><><><><><><>
Kurofune could be seen walking down a hallway. He was currently wearing some standard race clothes. A blank white shirt that had a race bib on it which contained his name and his bracket number, along with a pair of red shorts.
"Today's finally the day. My second chance."
This time…
Kurofune exited the tunnel with a determined expression.
…he was going to win. No matter what.
He heard the crowd erupt once they caught witness to all of the racers finally present. He couldn't help but bask in the environment.
'I've been here before, but it all still feels unreal.'
Being able to race, especially in front of all these people. He couldn't help but feel happy just being here.
"Hey, what are you smiling about?" An annoyed voice suddenly shook him out of his thoughts.
"Yeah, you think you've already won just because you're the number one fave?" Another annoyed voice asked.
When he turned to the source of the voices, he noticed a pair of Umamusume with very similar features. They each had red hair, with one twin having it tied into a ponytail, while the other had it tied into pigtails.
"And you are?" Kurofune mimicked their tones as he crossed his arms.
"I'm Meiner Escape," The girl with a ponytail answered. "And this is my twin sister, Meiner Despot. Be grateful that you even received an answer, you stallie."
(A/N: You can just think of "stallie" as some sort of derogatory term for male Uma/Umamusuko.)
"Ah, yes. I'm very grateful," Kurofune rolled his eyes.
Escape's face twitched a little because of his sarcasm, but she kept her composure.
"I'm surprised they allowed a stallie like you to even race?"
"I know right," Despot agreed with a slight chuckle. "He might end up breaking something in the middle of the race, the poor frail thing."
Kurofune sighed.
'Here we go again.'
This sort of thing wasn't new to him, so he knew exactly how to respond to them.
"You should worry about yourself," Kurofune remained unphased. "Last time I checked, you shouldn't be concerning yourself with others."
"Don't tell us what to do, stallie," Escape sneered as she stepped closer to him. "We can say and do anything we want, especially to the likes of you. Wastes of space like you don't deserve to race on the same tracks as us."
"Blah, blah, blah," Kurofune made a mocking gesture before walking past the two. "You're honestly just wasting my time."
"Hey, we're not done with you—!" Escape went and grabbed his shoulder.
However, when she does so, she freezes. Kurofune could be seen glaring back at her with an intense expression filled with nothing but malice towards her. She quickly retracted her hand, breaking out into a cold sweat.
Kurofune's expression returned to normal and he walked off.
"Hey sis, you okay?" Despot asked with a worried look.
"Y-Yeah," Escape replied before regaining her composure. She turned to the retreated figure of Kurofune and clenched her fists. "You're thinking what I'm thinking right."
"Mhm," Despot nodded. "We can't let him win, no matter what."
<><><><><><><><><>
In the stands…
As the runners entered their gates, the crowd's anticipation grew.
"Hey, Trainer-san," Scarlett suddenly spoke up. "Do you think that he can win?"
"Definitely," Okino replied confidently. However, upon remembering what happened last time, he sheepishly scratched the back of his head. "At least, as long as he doesn't start late. Though even if he did, I still have complete faith that he'll win."
"Number 6, That's Gorgeous, has entered the gate last!" Miyuki, the announcer for this match, announced. "With all runners at their gates, the race will begin shortly!"
"It's the moment of truth," Vodka said.
"Good luck, Kuro-san!" Teio cheered.
"Do your best!" Special Week cheered as well.
A decent bit away, Tap Dance City, Agnes Digital, and Air Shakur could all be seen together in the crowd.
"Good luck, Kuro-chan!" Agnes Digital cheered.
"He can't hear you, you know?" Air Shakur said as she covered her ears. "And I'm pretty sure he wouldn't want you to call him that."
"That just makes me want to say it more," she replied.
"I think the nicknames Digi-chan comes up with are cute," Tap Dance City comments. "I'm sure he'll come around to accepting that nickname eventually."
<><><><><><><><><>
Kurofune's body began shuddering.
'Why do I feel like someone said something weird about me?'
<><><><><><><><><>
Elsewhere in the crowd, President Rudolf could be seen silently observing the race alongside another Umamusume. She had long and wavy light brown hair which had a black ribbon attached to the back of it. She gave off a sort of older sister vibe from her body language.
"I'm surprised to see you at a maiden race of all things, Maruzensky-san," Rudolf commented.
"To me, these races are the perfect spot to witness new stories being birthed right before my eyes," Maruzensky replied before asking. "What about you? What brings you here today?"
"Just curious about a certain racer participating today, that's all."
"You mean the Umamusuko? I'm quite curious about him as well."
"Yeah," Rudolf nodded. "I actually managed to have a conversation with him a couple of weeks ago. It gave me quite the good impression of him."
"If he's managed to receive some praise from you, he must be good," Maruzensky smiled. "I'm looking forward to it."
<><><><><><><><><>
Meanwhile, on the track…
Kurofune, along with the rest of the runners, could all be seen lined up in their gates. He took a moment to briefly glance at the other competitors before refocusing once it was announced that they were about to start soon.
"...Start!"
—Thunk!
The gates opened as the race suddenly began. Kurofune, actually being focused this time, manages to start on time.
<><><><><><><><><>
"Nice, he managed to start on time," Okino smiled. "As long as he runs like normal, he'll win."
<><><><><><><><><>
Kurofune quickly moves into a decent position around five places behind the front runner. He immediately recognized the front runner as Meiner Escape.
'But where's the other one—?' Kurofune wondered when…
—Thud!
He was knocked to the inside as someone ran beside him.
"Oops, I tripped~," Despot said.
"So, that's your game. Then I'll just have to outrun you—" Kurofune paused his sentence, coming to a realization.
'Wait, I'm completely boxed in.' Kurofune assessed. 'There's a runner directly in front and behind me. Not to mention, her. She's pacing herself to completely stop me from running out from the side..'
"Looks like you realized too late," Despot smiled. "I'm sure you know what happens to runners when they're boxed in like this. They might as well kiss their chance of victory goodbye."
"Tch," Kurofune clicked his tongue.
"And don't even think about pushing me away. You'll end up getting disqualified if you directly interfere with another runner."
'She's right…I'm completely stuck right now.' Kurofune frowned.
The runners approach the first corner of the course!" Miyaki announced. "Leading the pack on the first corner is the fourth favorite Meiner Escape. Trailing around a length behind her are the second and third favorites, Foundry Mayasan and Elway Prince! But what's happening to the first favorite, Kurofune!? He's completely trapped in the middle of the pack! If he doesn't find a way out of there soon, he'll only end up falling behind!"
<><><><><><><><><>
"Oh no, he has to do something!" Agnes Digital shouted.
"Quiet down. He can't do anything right now and you know it," Air Shakur responded.
"He'll have to wait until everyone starts making their move," Tap Dance City commented. "But even then, there's a chance that he still won't be able to get out."
"Why?" Agnes Digital asked.
"Can't you see. Meiner Despot seems to be targeting him," Tap Dance City pointed out. "She's the one that knocked him into the crowd in the first place, and since then, she's been pacing herself to ensure that she's always blocking his way of escape."
"Wait, that's allowed!?" Agnes Digital sounded surprised.
"It is," Air Shakur confirmed. "As long as you are discreet and not directly impeding on a runner's ability to run."
<><><><><><><><><>
"The runners have now exited the second corner, and have reached the straight! The placements remain unchanged, with Meiner Escape maintaining her lead!" Miyaki announced. "They'll have to be careful however, because in around 400 Meters, they'll encounter an uphill climb!"
'This could be my chance." Kurofune thought. 'It'll be harder for the pack to remain close together once the hill comes into the equation.'
He'll have to time it perfectly, with Meiner Despot hot in his tail, he won't have much time before she catches on. But as long as he concentrates, he can do it!
"The runners have finally reached the uphill climb!" Miyaki shouts. "This is where the true fangs of this race course will rear their head!"
The crowd began to open up a bit as the surrounding Umamusume all struggled to push through the uphill.
'Now!'
—WHAM! WHAM! WHAM!
"Huh!? What!?" Despot was surprised as Kurofune almost instantly accelerated out of the pack.
"Oh, what's this!" Miyaki exclaimed. "Kurofune has quickly broken out of the pack and is quickly moving up the ranks on the uphill! What incredible power!"
<><><><><><><><><>
"Alright!" Okino pumped his fist. "The fruits of his training are taking effect."
<><><><><><><><><>
"Impressive," Rudolf commented. "He managed to change the state of the field in a decisive move. That's quite an impressive racing IQ, especially for a newbie."
"Seeing this is making me want to run down there too," Maruzensky commented."
<><><><><><><><><>
"The number one favorite, Kurofune has managed to move up to fourth place as the racers begin trekking downhill!" Miyaki announced. "Hot on his tail is Meiner Despot in fifth!"
"I'm not letting you get away, you stallie!" Despot sneered.
Kurofune glanced back at her and smirked.
"You can chase me all you want. Just don't get mad when this stallie leaves you in the dust."
That seemed to tick off Despot, which was what Kurofune was aiming for. The angrier she gets, the more rash her movements will be. When you're in a strategy battle, being the first to be angered is a surefire way to your defeat.
Meiner Escape who was at first glanced behind her, noticing Kurofune coming up from the side. She grits her teeth.
"That useless sister, can't she do something right for once…" She muttered. "Guess I'll have to take matters into my own hands."
"The runners approach the third corner!" Miyaki announced. "Kurofune has just passed Elway Prince, and is quickly closing in on Foundry Mayasan! Meiner Despot is also close behind, passing Elway Prince who now falls to fifth place! It looks like the race is reaching its climax as we approach the fourth and final corner."
'Time to start the last spurt!' Kurofune thought.
As the runners approach the final corner, Kurofune begins putting more power into his legs, accelerating as they prepare to slingshot out of the final corner.
—WHAM! WHAM! WHAM!
"Kurofune is speeding up! He's just passed the second favorite Foundry Mayasan and is quickly shrinking Meiner Escape's lead!" Miyaki exclaimed. "But he's not free yet, as Meiner Despot is also quickly approaching from the side, passing Foundry Mayasan as well! It looks like the winner will be one of these three Uma! But who will be crowned the winner!?"
<><><><><><><><><>
"Go! Go! Go!" Teio cheered.
[Push!] Scarlett and Vodka shouted in unison.
"Keep pushing! You're almost there!" Okino shouted.
<><><><><><><><><>
"You're almost there! Go!" Tap Dance City shouted.
"You got this!" Agnes Digital cheered.
<><><><><><><><><>
Since they were close to the crowd again, Kurofune managed to hear their cheers, even the thunderous roars of the crowd.
"Thanks for the positive energy, guys…" Kurofune smiled. "I'll be sure to pay you back twofold with my victory."
"As if!" Despot shouted as she shoulder checked Kurofune.
"Tch," Kurofune clicked his tongue in response as the two were engaged in a clash as they exited the final corner.
'What the hell is she doing?' Kurofune wondered. 'Isn't she aware that she'll end up disqualified if she keeps doing this!?'
"I could care less about winning at this point, I just want to see you lose!" Despot sneered.
Well, there was his answer.
Despot shoves him out of the way as she runs forward, causing Kurofune to stumble back a bit.
'Shit…that just made me lose some speed!' Kurofune began panicking. 'They're getting away!'
As they started moving further and further ahead, time slowed down as the world around Kurofune turned grey. The doubts within him began creeping back up.
'Am I…going to lose? Again?'
Even after everything he had done. All the sweat he had put into training. He was going to fail yet again.
He did everything he could, and yet…
'My best wasn't good enough.'
Granted, if the two of them had played fair, he would've definitely ended up winning. But again, that's a what if.
This is reality.
They didn't like him, so they devised a plan to stop him from winning.
That's the reality of racing.
Even when everything going up to a race has gone your way, the result of a race is never predetermined. Issues can arise, whether it's injuries or being unlucky enough to get trapped in the middle of the pack. Realities like that are commonplace on the track, and he had just encountered one.
He just has to accept it.
But…
'I really hate losing.' Kurofune thought. 'It's embarrassing. Proclaiming that you were going to win. Getting people to put their faith in you, just to return to them with a loss in the end.'
Maybe they were right. Umamusuko really aren't cut out for running—
He paused that thought as he noticed something in his peripheral vision. His parents could be seen pushing through the crowd towards the front. Once they made it, they began shouting something at Kurofune, something that he couldn't hear.
But…he could understand the intention. They were cheering for him, telling him to not give up or lose hope.
He smiled.
"Sulking around really isn't my style," Kurofune commented, the world around him regaining color as he returned to the present moment. "I still have time. I can definitely turn this around."
"The runners have reached the final straight!" Miyaki announced. "Meiner Escape is currently in the lead, 6 lengths ahead of the second place runner, Meiner Despot! There's nobody to contest her as we approach the final 200 Meters!"
Upon hearing that, Meiner Escape smiled.
"It looks like that stallie isn't even in the game anymore," Meiner smirked. "I guess that sister of mine isn't as useless as I thought."
She was home free. She had a six length lead at the 200 Meter mark, the odds of her losing it, especially to anyone behind her sister is near impossible.
At least, that's what she thought until…
—Crackle!
She suddenly sensed something from behind her. Glancing back briefly, she was stunned when she saw some sort of aura in the shape of a phoenix rise into the air. She wasn't sure why, but the phoenix seemed to be staring not just at her, but into her as well.
"What is that?" She asked aloud in shock.
However, when she blinked again, the phoenix was replaced with something…no, someone else. It was a Umamusuko with silver hair and light blue eyes that gleamed with a fiery determination.
"T-The stallie!?" She cried out in shock.
"Kurofune! Kurofune has just caught some sort ofsecond wind, quickly passing Meiner Despot to reclaim his previous second place spot!" Miyaki exclaimed. "He's quickly closing down on Meiner Escape even with her six length lead! What incredible speed!"
"B-But how!?" Meiner Escape asked aloud as her lead shrunk down to only a single length as they reached the final stretch.
"..." Kurofune didn't respond. In fact, he wasn't even looking at her at all. His eyes directly staring at the approaching finish line in front of him.
"Kurofune has caught up! Meiner Escape and Kurofune are neck and neck!" Miyaki exclaimed.
"No…NO!" Meiner Escape began panicking.
The two of them used every trick they could think of to stop him, but he was still able to reach this point even after all of that.
She just couldn't accept it. She wasn't going to accept it!
"If it's come to this, I'll just make us both lose!" Meiner Escape shouted as attempted to slam into Kurofune at full speed.
<><><><><><><><><>
"Watch out!" Okino immediately shouted after knowing her intentions.
<><><><><><><><><>
Meiner Escape smirked as she noticed that Kurofune hadn't seen her coming.
'I win!' She thought.
However, before she connects, a sly smirk suddenly forms on Kurofune's face.
"The two of you really need to work on containing your anger," Kurofune scoffed as he quickly sped up, narrowly avoiding her shove.
"N-No way…" Meiner Escape stared at him completely hopeless and she stumbled behind him. This miscalculation of hers allowed him to decisively take the lead.
"The winner of today's race by a decisive two lengths is….KUROFUNE!" Miyaki announced. "And would you look at that! He's set a new track record of 2:00.7!"
The crowd erupted with a deafening roar upon the declaration of the victor, thoroughly entertained by the surprising comeback.
Kurofune approached the crowd, smirking as he pumped his right fist into the air. Basking in the praise from the crowd.
'This sensation. This praise. This is what I've been looking for!'
"So this is what victory feels like," he said aloud.
…
"It feels great."