Watching the 2400-meter Legend Race stood a Horse Girl and a single Trainer. For her, this was a race she had to see—otherwise, she felt she could never move forward. That was why she watched, though... Japan was far different from her homeland, beyond anything she had imagined.
"Go, Sunday!! Overpass Rampage right there!!" "Sunday, you're the best!! Crush them with that sheer spirit!!"
Though they could have watched from the VIP section, she positioned herself in a corner of the stands. Yet, more than the race itself, she couldn't hide her shock at the roaring heat and thunderous cheers of the crowd. Easy Goer was here to observe firsthand how the races were actually run, as she worked toward setting up the URA Finals and Legend Races in America. But the extraordinary frenzy and overwhelming roars shook her to her core.
"How does it look through your eyes?" "Happy. Yes... she looks like she's having so much, so much fun running."
Beside Easy Goer stood her Trainer. Following the incident at the Champions Cup, her family had issued a direct notice of termination. However, Easy Goer had declared that if he were fired, she would leave home, protecting him. Bound by that bond, the two of them watched a expression on Sunday's face that was never seen in America.
"She used to overflow with hatred for her surroundings, rage toward others, and an aura that seemed to say she'd slaughter everything except herself... You understand why she makes that face now, don't you?" "...Yes. Japan accepts her so warmly, doesn't it?"
『She's moving up, moving up!! Has Sunday Silence caught up to Twin Turbo and Silverstone, and already passed them!? What terrifying stride, what insane cadence!! Is this the Horse Girl who bit back at destiny, Sunday Silence!?』
During her active career, Sunday was the rival she had fought with everything she had. At the time, Easy Goer hadn't even thought about simply "winning"—she had poured out all her strength just to put on the ultimate race. She believed Sunday was a worthy opponent for that all-out effort. But—the Sunday running now looked far more free and relaxed than during her prime.
"Could I... have run like that too? If I could have..." "You can."
Before the emerging regret could surface, the Trainer took her hand with a smile.
"You promised to run with her once more. So just run when that time comes. Dwelling on the past changes nothing; you can only use it as a lesson to fuel today or tomorrow. So think for the sake of the future." "The future... In that future ahead, will I truly be able to run properly? When all that remains for me is to decline?" "The answer to that is right in front of you, isn't it?"
Easy Goer lifted her head and immediately turned her gaze back to the race. Indeed—those running in the Legend Race were all individuals who had retired from the Twinkle Series. The answer was already right there.
『Sunday Silence is making a furious charge, passing Twin Turbo to take second place!! The lead is still held by Mejiro Rampage. Approaching the backstretch, the 1000m passage time is—what, 57.0!!? What is this, is that actually correct!!?』
Akasaka's scream-like voice echoed through the racetrack. It was far too fast. When Rampage had set her own world record the previous year, the passage time had been 57.2—she had shaved off 0.2 seconds compared to last year.
(I love you, Suzuka, Minami-chan!!)
Suzuka's running style as a front-runner was already fully perfected; if anything, the only issue was that her body couldn't keep up with it yet. But doing it herself meant there was no problem whatsoever.
(Though man, this really hits the legs just like I thought... I was right to make Suzuka stop early and focus on basic training... Be happy, Suzuka, this is one of the forms you'll run in someday!!)
『Mejiro Rampage has accelerated here!? Accelerating right before the third corner, Mejiro Rampage!!』
"Gehh~... Yeah, this might be tough... but wanting to overturn that is just who I am!!"
The moment Rampage accelerated, Mr. C.B., who had been holding back at the very rear, finally unleashed her legs. As if her running up until now had merely been to warm up her legs and body, she burst into a sudden surge of acceleration. Within C.B.'s line of sight ran a certain Horse Girl. She too had launched forward, displaying a brilliant run while stubbornly refusing to be outdone.
"—Heh..."
Unintentionally, a smile welled up at that sight. Silverio's running style had something unique to it—one aspect being full-body movement. That wasn't exclusive to her, as Rampage and Teio could do it too, but what stood out as peculiar was her footwork. A step where she deliberately dove into the pack she ought to avoid, yet passed right through them in an instant. Watching it, C.B. chuckled and mimicked the technique, finding herself surging forward with surprising ease.
"The Crossover Step... showing me something nostalgic, aren't you, C.B.-san!" "Oh? You knew about it?" "Yeah! It was Ran's specialty!!"
As she began her climb, Ryan came up alongside her, identifying the step. And in the image of Silverio surging forward, Ryan saw the shadow of Mejiro Rampage.
"—I can't afford to lose either!! Teio, I'm going ahead!" "Teiooooo!!" "You came, Cedar!! In that case, all the more reason I won't lose either!!!"
Developments continued to unfold non-stop. None of this should have been possible in the Dream Trophy League... She really was remarkably skilled at making people's hearts boil over. As if sensing her inner thoughts, Ramonu smiled seductively.
"Go on. Have it out completely with the Tyrant." "—Ha! My thanks, Ramonu. My fog has... cleared!!!" "You should have done that sooner... That side of you suits you best, after all."
Symboli Rudolf began to move. Everyone buzzed as the Emperor finally made her move. Among them, the one whose heart beat with the greatest excitement was Bizen Nishiki.
『Symboli Rudolf moves!! She surges forward all at once, but Bizen Nishiki moves up right alongside her!! The gap to Mejiro Rampage is steadily closing!! The chase grows fiercer!! Now Mejiro Rampage passes the fourth corner still in the lead!! All that remains is the final stretch! Who is coming, who on earth is—Ah, from behind Agnes Flora, from right behind as she made her move, Soul Decator is surging forward at incredible speed!!』
"What on earth!?"
Flora, who had unleashed her legs thinking it was time to strike, had been certain the decisive moment had arrived—only to have it exploited. And the Kei who passed her gradually slowed down slightly for some reason. Yet, somehow, Flora couldn't pass her back. Why? The reason became clear immediately. It was like shifting gears in a car. So now—
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