"I just wanted to say—my qualifications aren't for you to measure."
"I hope you'll still have the nerve and the confidence to say what you just said, once this race is over."
For a moment, Tacit Accord found those words particularly grating.
This wasn't trash talk—it felt more like a normal exchange, a response to the pre-race interview—yet there was something needling beneath the surface.
On one hand, it showed Barbatos's confidence in herself and in this race.
On the other, it subtly hinted at the gap between them. How long had she been racing? She was already Japan's most popular Uma Musume, already competing against legends like Tamamo Cross.
And yet, after her loss in the Takarazuka, here she was, picking herself back up in the Keio Hai Junior Stakes.
It wasn't that G1-level Uma Musume never ran in G2 races.
But the Keio Hai Junior Stakes was a race meant mostly for those in their debut year.
Most Uma Musume who'd already raced in G1 events wouldn't come back to a race like this.
In their eyes, the real targets were races like the "Mainichi Okan."
Two years into her career, still scrapping for recognition in the "Junior Stakes"—that alone showed the distance between them.
Maybe not even a year from now.
If she lost to Barbatos here today, would she still have the nerve to say what she'd said before?
Barbatos hadn't exaggerated. She'd spoken plainly, like in everyday conversation—and everything she'd said was true.
But precisely because it was true—
It stirred something uneasy in Tacit Accord's heart.
No! She's trying to break my focus right at the start—to make me break slow!
A veteran of many races, Tacit Accord quickly steadied her mind, pushing Barbatos's words aside as she waited for the gates to fly open.
No one could predict the future, but in this race—today—she would come out on top.
She would win this Keio Hai Junior Stakes!
--+--
"It looks like competitors Barbatos and Tacit Accord have already begun their battle of words."
"Even before the race has started, you can already feel the tension building!"
Up in the commentary box, the well-known commentator—Akasaka Misato, green-haired and bespectacled—made the observation.
Beside her was her partner, Hosoe Junko. Together, they were Japan's most famous commentary duo.
And this was their first time calling a Barbatos race.
"Barbatos's verbal jabs have caused several opponents to break slow before—will Tacit Accord be affected?"
As the most professional and well-informed pair in the business, they'd studied all of Barbatos's prior races.
--+--
In a G2 race, breaking slow at the start almost certainly meant kissing victory goodbye. There would be no miracle recovery like Special Week's debut race—where she'd still won despite a late break.
The Uma Musume running in G2 events were no pushovers.
Just then, the starting gate's red light began to flash.
Tacit Accord held her breath, focusing every ounce of attention on the gate. She wouldn't let Barbatos's words cost her a slow start.
The gates burst open!
"And they're off!"
"All Uma Musume have gotten a clean start!"
"It looks like the positioning battle will be fierce."
Hosoe Junko worked in tandem with Akasaka Misato, breaking down the race for the viewers.
"Up front fighting for position are Girl Smile, third in the odds, and Dramatic Development, twelfth!"
"Dramatic Development truly lives up to her reputation as a front-runner—she's already taken the lead. It seems being placed next to Barbatos in the gates hasn't affected her."
"Girl Smile and Dramatic Development aren't giving an inch—are we seeing a duel between two front-runners right out of the gate?"
While Akasaka passionately narrated the early action, Hosoe Junko frowned slightly.
Something wasn't right. Tacit Accord, second-favorite, skilled in both front-running and stalker tactics, was nowhere to be seen among the leading group.
"Tacit Accord! Tacit Accord is all the way at the back—is she planning to stick to Barbatos like glue?"
Following her partner's cue, Akasaka shifted her gaze toward the rear. "Instead of pushing forward early, she's choosing to mark Barbatos?!"
"Does she have a plan to handle Barbatos's terrifying final sprint?"
That seemed nearly impossible.
"Wait—Tacit Accord doesn't look right!"
Akasaka remotely zoomed the camera in on Tacit Accord. The screen showed a face streaked with blood—her nose was bleeding!
"Can she even continue like this?!"
On the track, Tacit Accord wiped her nose hard with the back of her hand, feeling the strain with every stride.
Because of Barbatos's words, she'd been too focused at the start—she'd burst out too fast and smashed her face into the gate.
Damn it… This is going to become a joke.
Was this all part of your plan, Barbatos?!
She'd stay tight on Barbatos's heels. If she couldn't build a lead, then she'd cling to her—no matter what, she wouldn't lose this race so easily.
As for how she'd keep up with Barbatos's final sprint—
Who cared about that right now!
In the stands, the entire Canopus team, along with Minamizaka, were tracking Barbatos's movements. Once again, she was running as a closer.
It was a cautious approach for her first G2 race—Minamizaka and Barbatos had agreed on it beforehand. There'd be no repeat of last time, where she'd led without him knowing.
Matikanetannhauser watched Tacit Accord, dead last and bleeding from the nose, and couldn't help touching her own nose.
She'd had enough nosebleeds to know—trying to run hard while your nose was bleeding would definitely affect your form.
Especially when the bleeding came from hitting something hard.
"The first and second are really pushing the pace—the field is stretching out!"
"Can the others keep up?"
"There's already a significant gap."
"Dramatic Development is maintaining this speed! She's running like she's truly running for her life."
"Isn't she?"
"If she doesn't build a bigger lead, Barbatos will definitely catch her."
The rush of wind, the rhythm of footsteps—all faded into the background for Barbatos.
Her eyes were fixed on Dramatic Development's distant figure.
Catch her!
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 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.