Nakayama Racecourse.
King Halo's gaze was locked on the figure ahead, watching Seiun Sky's form as she charged up the slope.
Running in second place, she too had reached the incline.
All those grueling hours of training had built up her stamina.
Even after maintaining a front-running position, sticking close to Seiun Sky's pace, she still felt strong, her energy reserves far from depleted.
For many Uma Musume, the final 400-meter straight is where the race is decided.
But for her, this slope right here—this was where the battle could truly be turned.
When she first entered Tracen Academy, when she first debuted, she carried a pride all her own. It was a pride born from her family's legacy and her own natural talent.
That is, until she met El Condor Pasa, until she met Special Week, until she met Barbatos.
Loss after loss at their hands forced her to face reality. She learned that her confidence, her pride, meant nothing in the grand scheme of things.
Ahead of her stood far more powerful Uma Musume.
Only by outworking them, by pushing herself harder than they ever did, could she truly embody the form of a king.
The sound of footfalls from behind grew closer.
A sturdy figure quickened her stride, beginning her final sprint, ready to challenge King Halo and Seiun Sky on the final straight.
"Special Week is catching up!"
"She's reached the slope almost neck-and-neck with King Halo!"
"Special Week is about to overtake King Halo for second... Huh?"
The race caller let out a puzzled sound.
Special Week had made a late charge, a move that should have represented her top speed.
At that pace, she should have overtaken King Halo, or at least forced King Halo to respond and kick into a higher gear herself.
But the scene unfolding before her was different from what she'd expected.
On the track…
Special Week, who had been building momentum for one big push, felt her speed dip slightly as she hit the upward grade. It was perfectly normal, something she'd experienced in countless past races.
Yet, King Halo, who should have been within overtaking range, was now moving up the slope faster than she was, as if running on flat ground.
The only noticeable difference was how low King Halo kept her body, leaning so far forward she seemed to skim the surface of the slope itself.
The distance Special Week had just closed began stretching open again. No matter how hard she willed herself to accelerate, the slope robbed her of that power.
She'd have to wait for the final straight to unleash her last, desperate kick.
Whoosh…
The form of the king almost brushed the ground as she swept up the incline, beginning to close the gap on Seiun Sky.
In King Halo's eyes, this slope was part of the final straight. The time to decide the victory was now!
Blessed with a powerful pedigree and renowned elders, even her most punishing training was never mindless grinding. She had access to their wealth of experience and guidance, even a private training ground that could simulate the Yayoi Sho's punishing slope.
It allowed her to find the most efficient running form for an incline, making her training infinitely more productive.
King Halo's line of sight shifted, tilting upwards until it leveled out.
She had conquered the pre-straight slope in less time than Seiun Sky or Special Week, shrinking the gap to the leader.
Now, it was time to press the advantage!
She blocked out the roar of the crowd, ignored the chaser at her back. Her world narrowed to the running form ahead, to Seiun Sky alone.
Overtake Seiun Sky!
Win the Yayoi Sho!
Show everyone the true form of a first-class Uma Musume!
Her legs unleashed their power. Having cleared the slope at speed, what came next was her ultimate finishing kick!
King Halo's figure instantly accelerated, her pace jumping a full notch in a heartbeat.
She didn't bank on Seiun Sky, a front-runner, fading from exhaustion in the final stretch.
She went all out from the get-go. You could never underestimate any Uma Musume on the track! Never underestimate any of your contemporaries.
That was the lesson beaten into her by experience.
She wasn't the most dazzling among her generation. She wasn't the king of her peers. But she would become that king!
She would make them all witness the running form of royalty!
Under the force of her final kick, the distance between her and Seiun Sky began to melt away.
At the same time, Special Week, having cleared the slope, also entered the last 400-meter straight—the place where victory was meant to be decided. Her speed suddenly surged, her powerful legs flying over the turf.
"Special Week is also launching her final drive!"
"The Yayoi Sho! Who would have thought this year's Yayoi Sho would be so fiercely contested!"
Even the veteran race caller, having seen countless battles, was on her feet, commentating with fervor. Seiun Sky, King Halo, and Special Week were all showing their formidable strength.
If the races of Barbatos and El Condor Pasa were about overwhelming superiority, about crushing their contemporaries…
Then this battle between the three of them was a true clash of titans!
"Leader Seiun Sky is 300 meters from the finish!"
"Can King Halo and Special Week catch her in the final 300 meters?"
"Special Week?"
"Special Week has accelerated, but the gap to King Halo isn't closing?!"
"It seems Special Week, in her attempt to chase down King Halo, has failed to close the distance!"
Special Week, now at full sprint, watched King Halo ahead of her. A sense of helplessness welled up inside. She gritted her teeth, wanting to find another gear, but it felt like she'd already hit her limit.
If I hadn't had a slow start... I wouldn't be so passive now.
Am I really going to lose like this?
If I lose here... does that mean I can't become Japan's top Uma Musume?
A whirlwind of thoughts stormed through her mind.
But then, through the chaotic yet powerful roar of the crowd cheering her on, her ears picked out one voice—familiar, unmistakable.
Suzuka!
Suzuka was here. Suzuka was watching this race. How could she possibly give up now?
She hadn't reached the finish line. The race wasn't over yet!
Her heart hardened with resolve. Special Week pushed again, her whole body finding another surge of speed as she chased after King Halo and Seiun Sky.
This time, the distance between them began to shrink. And there were still 200 meters to go.
Seiun Sky, closest to the finish, could hear the footsteps behind her with crystal clarity.
She felt King Halo and Special Week drawing near.
If she maintained this pace, the odds were high they'd catch her before the line.
However…
Who said a front-runner couldn't accelerate on the final straight?
--+--
T/N: 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.