"Leading with Golden Sixty, the racers are beginning to enter the turn."
"Hot on Golden Sixty's heels is Agnes Digital, followed by Urban Sea and Sham. Trailing Sham by a length is Fresh Memory."
"Two lengths behind Fresh Memory is Leap of Faith, and in seventh place is Jade Lion. Running almost neck and neck with Jade Lion is Ever Flourishing, while Platinum lingers at the rear, waiting for her moment."
The commentator's voice echoed through the broadcast, but the Uma Musume on the track could only catch bits and pieces. Right now, none of them had the spare energy to focus on the live commentary.
Especially Leap of Faith, Jade Lion, and Ever Flourishing—the three of them were growing increasingly restless.
What in the world is that sound...? Jade Lion wished she could clamp her hands over her ears. That drum-like rhythm was grating on her nerves.
It wasn't just Leap of Faith; all three of them could hear this bizarre noise!
Jade Lion's mind involuntarily flashed back to her time in the Mongolia Derby.
The early stages had been fine, but as the race wore on, one day they'd run straight into a sandstorm.
It wasn't the kind of sand that pattered down like rain, rising and falling—it was a moving sea of sand, flowing over them like a swarm of locusts with a clattering, crackling sound that blotted out the sky. Once you were swallowed by it, you lost all sense of direction.
Though the sound was different, Jade Lion connected the two in her mind. This meant danger. It meant it was time to run for her life.
Almost against her will, Jade Lion glanced back. During a race, especially while navigating a turn, such a move was risky, but she found herself doing it almost as if possessed.
She needed to know where that sound was coming from.
At almost the exact same moment, Ever Flourishing also stole a glance backward as she entered the curve.
Both of their silent questions were answered. They immediately understood the source of the sound that had been haunting them. But then, they were faced with a reality they liked even less.
You've got to be kidding me...
Is that... the sound of the Uma Musume behind us... galloping?
Platinum's hooves dug into the turf, leaving clear imprints and emitting a heavy 'thump' with each impact.
She was doing it on purpose.
Back when she hadn't yet learned how to run properly, this was exactly the kind of brute-force, unrefined running style she'd used.
In truth, probably everyone ran like this at some point, but it put a lot of strain on the knees and ligaments. Most Uma Musume were as fragile as glass. But Platinum didn't worry about that—she felt she was pretty durable.
This running style certainly didn't offer the slightest boost in speed—but what Platinum wanted was the relentless, pounding sound of hooves.
She wanted to tell every opponent in front of her: I'm charging forward now!
Either get out of the way, or get shattered.
It was like hurling back to ancient times, to the war drums beaten by soldiers on massive chariots. This was her war cry, a proclamation that she was about to gallop forth and crush everything in her path!
Platinum gritted her teeth, summoning every ounce of strength as she glared fiercely at the Uma Musume blocking her way, her expression so vicious she looked like she hadn't eaten in days.
I'm not missing another chance to overtake...
Whoever stands in my way, I'll fight them with everything I've got!
I absolutely refuse to stay in last place! I'd be nailed to the pillar of shame forever!
Up in the stands, Agnes Tachyon's face was a mask of calm, but her left hand, hidden in her sleeve, was clenched into a tight fist.
She didn't spare a single glance for the retired Uma Musume battling it out up front, keeping her eyes locked solely on Platinum.
Yes, that's it... You're doing perfectly.
--+--
"You told me to scare them..." Platinum had scratched her cheek. "How am I supposed to do that? Feels like Sham would be better at it than me."
Agnes Tachyon, sitting under the desk lamp, had rolled her eyes upward, giving Platinum a sidelong glance. "Uma Musume are a skittish bunch. That's why some choose to wear ear muffs or blinders—to reduce the impact of their surroundings."
"It's a common phenomenon, even among the top international Uma Musume."
"Of course, I don't expect you to scare those seasoned veterans. But those little tricks of yours... they're more than enough to handle the rookies in your year."
—Remember to look fierce. Don't worry about how they're running, or about colliding with them. Just charge.
--+--
Platinum recalled Agnes Tachyon's instructions.
"Just charge? What if I actually crash into someone?"
"Think of it like humans driving cars," Agnes Tachyon had shrugged. "If you crash, you're at fault."
"But... let's say you've got a loudspeaker on your car, blasting that you're driving drunk and you've floored the accelerator. I think anyone with a sane mind would steer clear, right?"
"Since you're already not exactly burdened with morals, if you find yourself in that situation, just play the part of the drunk, reckless driver on the track."
'Look fierce.' Platinum wasn't entirely sure how to manage a fierce expression, so she settled for glaring daggers at the backs in front of her and baring her teeth.
"...Is she kidding me?!" Ever Flourishing's hair stood on end, her tail nearly bristling straight out.
Wasn't running supposed to be a happy, joyful process where everyone finished together and then sang and danced?
That look in her eyes, that sound of her hooves... it's like I slaughtered her whole family!
This kind of intensity was something the young girl from Ireland had never seen before.
Poor thing, she'd just gotten her driver's license and now she was facing a reckless driver going the wrong way on the highway. Who knows if this would leave her with lasting psychological scars.
...Now's the time!
Platinum immediately halted the intimidating hoofbeats and switched to the lighter, more agile gait she'd learned from Okino, surging forward.
Such a huge gap! Even someone who'd only passed the first driving test could slip through that!
"Waaah!" Ever Flourishing, seeing Platinum accelerate straight toward her, panicked completely.
The young girl tucked her tail and dodged to the side, practically wanting to drop and cover her head. In her frantic evasion, she failed to mind her surroundings and ended up bumping elbows with Jade Lion.
"Tch!" Jade Lion clicked her tongue in annoyance, closing one eye as she veered closer to the inside rail.
This unlucky kid, dragging me into it too. With Leap of Faith still blocking the path ahead, Jade Lion took a solid elbow shot from Ever Flourishing.
Seizing the opportunity, Platinum surged past both Ever Flourishing and Jade Lion, finally breaking through the blockade and drawing up alongside Leap of Faith.
--+--
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!
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