Tracen Academy turf track.
1800 meters.
"Welcome, racing fans! We're here for the Maiden Race, over 1800 meters on this beautiful sunny day, and clockwise direction, where the hopes of winning are at stake for the new batch of umas wishing to carve their name into history." The beautiful voice of a girl resounded through the audio system, and both commentators were ready to start broadcasting, "My name is Kokoro, and besides me, we have the legend, Mr. Satoshi!"
"Thank you for inviting me here. As always, it's a pleasure to see new faces as they push for their dreams. The temperature and weather are kind today, we can expect them to go all out since the terrain is firm."
"This time the favorite is Flashy Step, she is a young promise, a very talented front-runner that already caught the attention of the media, will she live up to the hype?" Kororo let out a cute giggle, as if she could already imagine the results. "But her competitors won't let her steal the glory without a fight, that's for sure!"
The cheers from the crowd didn't wait; this was a significant day for the runners aiming to make a name and captivate some hearts.
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"Are you ok?" I asked Flashy as she stretched in the exit zone before going to the track.
"I'm a little bit nervous," She admitted with a feigned, then looked at me and winked, "Nervous... because... what if I run too fast and you are not able to witness me?"
"Haa... you are so cocky." I couldn't help but smile.
Even from here, we could hear the crowd cheering, and this was just a maiden race; I couldn't even imagine how it would be at a G1 race. Now that I think about it I haven't gone to see a real race, this would be the first time I can see one, but my heart beat so fast, I can't help but feel anxious... what if Flashy can't win? She has to win... right?
"I will win," Flashy declared, "I can't lose here if we are going to clash at Arima Kinen, right?"
She hasn't forgotten about that, for a reason I feel like this has way more deep for her than for me... but I hope that after today I can have a better insight. The last two weeks flew by, the training has been Spartan, and at some points one reporter started filming Flashy trainings... then two... then Aoi had to ask them kindly not to disturb us before the debut... but then the gossip started, and Flashy became something like a hope, she must be feeling the preassure under that confident facade... and as for me... I was briefly mentioned as the shadow under Flashy. I didn't really care, but for some reason Flashy was angry about it, and so was Gold Ship when we met again. She said the reporters were fools who didn't understand.
"They will see!" Golshi had told me.
And yes, my own debut is just in a few days. When Aoi told me, I felt so sick that I had to throw up because I was nervous. I don't get it, why the people see me as something special... I mean, yes, Happy Meek in the game was something like the last boss of the career, but I didn't have her stats, or not even her mental strength. I just came to the conclusion that people wanted to make me feel good.
"You are right, go get 'em," I finally told Flashy. She smiled and trottled outside towards the blinding light that connected with the outside, as I made my way back to my seat.
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I arrived at my seat near Aoi when the fanfare was about to end. Aoi smiled at me as she handed me some sweet carrot skewers, and her eyes turned back to the starting gates. Flashy was in number 6.
Then the starting gates clank open, and the crowd roars.
"And they are off!" Kokoro announced.
"A wonderful start for all the competitors," Satoshi said. You could feel his smile through the audio device.
"Flashy Step bursts from the gate like a rocket, taking the lead right out of the blocks!"
"Happy Sunrise follows behind her, followed by Mini Lilly."
"Flashy Step is already a length ahead, the race is just starting, but the rest are scrambling to keep up!"
"The pressure is immense if the lead starts pressing early," Satoshi commented. "Textbook front-runner strategy here. She's setting a blistering pace, clocking an early 24-second quarter. Her trainer, Aoi Kiryuin, has honed that natural speed; she is gliding smoothly on this turf."
"Choco Choco is making her move! She is pressing forward from the back!" Kokoro announced with emotion, and the crowd cheered for them not to give up.
The racers were crossing the first turn, Flashy maintaining her lead.
"What a sight!" Kokoro laughed, "We reach the 800-meter mark! The second place, Happy Sunrise, is two lengths back!"
As I watched them pass ahead of us, for a moment I could feel in slow motion the eyes of Flashy on me as she smiled, I skipped a beat, I was amazed, for a moment not just Flashy, but her competition too, where surrounded by flowers, my right hand reached toward my heart...
'What is this?' I asked 'Is this what truly admiration feels like?'
"All of them are doing a good job, their form is impeccable," Satoshi threw some compliments to the racers.
"The controlled pace and steady breathing suggest Flashy Step's not even at full throttle yet, the competition is trying to close the gap, most of the pace chasers are making their move as we reach the 1000-meter mark!"
"Are we about to witness a new record?" Asked Satoshi with curiosity.
The field enters the final straight, 600 meters remaining, and the crowd roaring intensifies.
'Go... Flashy...!' My eyes steadily follow her.
"Here comes the final 400 meters!" Kokoro roared, "Flashy Step is a vision of grace and power; she is locked in to victory!" Her breath became a little erratic from the emotion. "She is extending her lead three lengths, now four! Can anyone catch her!?"
"Unlikely at this point. Her stamina is holding strong, Choco Choco is in third place... second now! but still the gap is too wide!"
The finish line nears, and the crowd erupts.
"Flashy Step! Flashy Step!" The crowd began to chant.
"It's over! Flashy Step crosses the line with a commanding five-length victory! What a debut! The crowd is on its feet, chanting her name! She slows to a trot, her chestnut ponytail bouncing. Choco Choco is second, followed by Mini Lilly!"
Flashy raised her hand to salute the public, and they showered her with applause.
"Let's go, Meek," Said Aoi with her voice full of pride and joy. "Meek?"
And I finally understood it, was crying without me noticing, for others would look like an emotionless husk watering.
'I see... so this is racing...' I finally smiled and tilted my head. 'I'm cooked'