Fujii set down his camera, hands trembling slightly as he began scrolling back through the gallery—a series of photos he'd taken almost reflexively.
The first shot captured the scene on the track: Oguri Cap straining ahead with all her might, while Platinum pursued calmly from behind.
His hand shook as he swiped to the next photo, and then the next, moving faster and faster. Image after image flickered across the screen.
"So that's how it is…"
Fujii Sensuke's voice came out unsteady.
He quickly scrolled from the first photo to the last again, this time paying close attention to the changes in Platinum's position each time.
It was strikingly clear: within the same span of time, Platinum was closing the gap between herself and Oguri Cap at an astonishing rate.
This was especially obvious in the photos.
Between two consecutive shots, Oguri Cap's posture still looked somewhat continuous, but Platinum seemed to jump from one frame to the next—each photo a separate, distinct motion.
"To be this much faster than Oguri Cap's sprint… just who is this Uma Musume?"
But Fujii's amazement couldn't reach the track, where Oguri Cap was still locked in her grueling struggle.
"Hah… hah… hah…"
Her ragged breathing made it clear—she was running out of stamina. A second sprint was out of the question now; just maintaining this speed was a struggle in itself.
Platinum, on the other hand, still had plenty left in the tank. Though it was nowhere near what Nearl possessed, the talent she'd been blessed with lay in explosive power.
A mere 2400 meters? To tire her out, you'd need to at least double that distance.
Seeing the finish line wasn't far now, and noting Oguri Cap's near-depleted stamina, Platinum didn't hold back.
She pushed off the ground with a little more force, and her speed shot straight up. The short distance left between her and Oguri Cap seemed to vanish in an instant.
In the blink of an eye, she was running shoulder-to-shoulder with her.
"…"
Oguri Cap saw Platinum in her peripheral vision, but she just gritted her teeth and stayed silent, not even glancing her way.
The moment she'd felt her arms and legs grow heavy, she'd already understood one thing: Margaret's younger sister was far stronger than she was.
So it wasn't a surprise that Platinum could overtake her now. If an Uma Musume of this caliber couldn't pass her, then what was she even training for?
Besides, she was running dangerously low on energy. Her lungs burned, her throat was parched—she couldn't have spoken even if she'd wanted to.
Better to use what little strength she had left for the final push.
"Oguri Cap, remember this feeling—what it's like to face a 'Domain.' I'm taking the lead now."
Seeing the strained look on Oguri Cap's face beside her, Platinum offered a few rare words of advice.
'She's passing me.'
Helpless, Oguri Cap watched as Platinum surged ahead, leaving her in the dust. In that moment, she finally understood:
Uma Musume who possessed a 'Domain' were opponents on a completely different level.
But as Platinum overtook her, that dark mist seemed to pull away from Oguri Cap's side as well. Now she could no longer feel that oppressive, heavy pressure from before.
"In that case… I can still hang on!"
Feeling suddenly clear-headed and refreshed, Oguri mustered all her remaining spirit. Freed from the Domain's pressure, she felt more comfortable in her own body than ever.
But it was too little, too late. Mental resolve couldn't make up for physical exhaustion—and her sprint had never been a match for Platinum's to begin with.
And so, the training session concluded with Oguri Cap finishing a full stretch behind Platinum.
The spectators outside the track each had their own reactions.
Nearl was well aware of the respective strengths of Centaurea and Oguri Cap, so the outcome didn't surprise her.
Trainer Musaka Ginjirou knew all too well the gap between a Domain-user and an ordinary Uma Musume. Though the result was unexpected, it was still within the realm of comprehension.
But Fujii Sensuke was having a hard time processing it. His eyes kept darting between the photos in his hand and the two Uma Musume on the track, his face contorted.
"Impossible… How can she be that fast?"
The next moment, he rushed onto the field, camera in hand, making a beeline for Oguri Cap—who was lying on the ground catching her breath—and Centaurea, who was only slightly winded.
"Miss Uma Musume!"
Fujii's loud voice rang out before he'd even reached them.
"Please—you have to grant me an interview! The way you run… it's incredible!"
He charged straight toward Platinum, looking so excited he seemed about to grab her by the shoulders.
"Back off. I believe I said I dislike reporters."
Platinum's cold eyes fixed on the approaching journalist. The intense aura she'd unleashed during her full-speed run hadn't yet faded, and now, mixed with open hostility, it slammed straight into Fujii's mind.
Thud!
This time, Platinum hadn't held back. The sheer pressure made the reporter's legs give out, and he dropped to his knees midway.
"Tch."
With a disdainful glance at the man now kneeling awkwardly on the grass, Platinum paid him no further mind, turning instead to walk toward Nearl and Trainer Musaka.
After a short rest, Oguri Cap got to her feet and noticed the disheveled, kneeling journalist. Curious, she walked over.
"Glasses Reporter, why are you kneeling? Did you run alongside us taking pictures the whole time? Is that why you're so tired?"
She was startled by her own assumption.
"Haha, let's just call it an accident."
Struggling to stand up from the grass, the reporter laughed awkwardly, though his eyes still held a trace of lingering fear as he watched Platinum's retreating back.
'That aura… where does it come from? Not even the Emperor feels this dangerous.'
As Platinum approached Nearl, it was Trainer Musaka who spoke first.
"A brilliant run, Centaurea. I knew you could win, but I didn't expect it to be so effortless—such a large margin."
Platinum's reaction to the praise was indifferent. She waved a hand casually, as though it were nothing.
"It was alright. Oguri Cap is just too weak right now."
No sooner were the words out of her mouth than she received a sharp "love tap" on the head from Nearl.
"Ow!"
Platinum clutched her head, glaring irritably at Nearl, who simply smiled and curled her fingers meaningfully.
"Urk!"
Platinum shrank back.
"Actually, Oguri Cap has excellent natural talent and determination. If she can master a Domain, she'll be able to give Centaurea a real challenge," Nearl said, smoothing things over.
"Domains aren't exactly common, you know. For two sisters like you to both possess one at the same time—that's nothing short of a miracle."
Looking at the golden and silver sisters standing before him, Musaka Ginjirou seemed genuinely impressed.
"But with both of you helping, I'm sure Oguri Cap will master her Domain much sooner. After all, there are no stronger rivals than the two of you."
As he spoke, Trainer Musaka lifted his tablet, excitement clear in his expression.
"So from now on, I'll plan Oguri Cap's training around you two. We'll make full use of your strength."
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.