"Let me say this again because it's important." Agnes Tachyon pointed at Platinum's forehead.
"You said you want to win, right? Then I'm telling you—absolutely do not try to challenge Sham and Golden Sixty."
Platinum sat cross-legged on the bed, listening to Agnes Tachyon's words.
"Tachyon-sensei—I have a question." Platinum raised her hand.
"I know what you're going to say." Agnes Tachyon waved the rolled-up newspaper in her hand. "You just want to win the championship, not necessarily prove yourself against Sham and Golden Sixty."
"When they show signs of fatigue in the final stretch, that's your signal to charge. But if you force your way into their duel too early..."
Agnes Tachyon drew her thumb across her neck: "This will be the result."
"Remember, your greatest advantage is that they don't see you as a rival."
"In the eyes of those retired Uma Musume, you're still a junior who needs guidance and protection."
As she spoke, Agnes Tachyon glanced toward the door, in the direction of Agnes Digital's room: "Even Agnes Digital thinks this way."
"So, let them keep that arrogance..." Agnes Tachyon slowly clenched her fingers one by one in the air, "and then you'll give them a huge surprise."
"Let them witness your spectacular late-stage speed!"
--+--
"Idiot—moron—I didn't tell you to accelerate now—" Back in the present, Agnes Tachyon in the stands had completely lost her composure, nearly spitting out her black tea.
Had she not placed her can on the ground, she might have thrown it onto the track.
Uncle Francis remained silent beside her. If earlier he could privately marvel at this unseen side of Agnes Tachyon, now his heart was entirely tied to Golden Sixty's performance.
Sham was strong. Even though Golden Sixty was so confident, Uncle Francis, as her trainer, felt incredibly tense inside.
And Platinum's sudden acceleration was formidable. For some reason, when Urban Sea and Leap of Faith accelerated, Uncle Francis hadn't felt much, but when Platinum started her burst, his heart suddenly clenched.
It was as if she could genuinely threaten Golden Sixty! But she's just a rookie... just...
Platinum felt like the entire world was spinning around her. She seemed to have arrived at the center of the universe.
This was the most difficult race Platinum had ever run. Nothing had gone according to plan—not the initial pace, not when the chasing pack's rhythm got disrupted, and certainly not now.
But she still had energy to spare. Plenty of it, actually. She felt tired, but was nowhere near her limit.
Agnes Tachyon, that night, the question I wanted to ask wasn't whether I could win the championship without defeating Sham and Golden Sixty.
What I really wanted to ask was—
Is there really no chance, no possibility at all, that I could challenge them?
Now, Platinum's mind held no concern for the spectators in the stands. Though she'd been overwhelmed by fear when first stepping onto the track, this was no time to think about that.
When your mind becomes completely occupied by one thing, even the laziest person will get serious.
Even now, Platinum didn't believe she could win.
But since she'd come this far... shouldn't she at least lose gracefully?
So sorry, Tachyon. I can't follow your advice.
Right now, I can't hold back anymore! Full speed ahead—charge!
She felt like one of thousands of stars in the sky, falling rapidly like a meteor, burning red-hot all over.
Then, under Jade Lion's horrified gaze, mud kicked up by Platinum's hooves splattered across her smooth face.
By the time the mud hit her face, the small, pure-white competitor had already halved in size in her vision. The explosive air current formed what felt like a curtain of resistance, making her feel like she was running through glue.
—What terrifying acceleration! Has she been holding back all this time?
Earlier in the race, Platinum had maintained steady breathing, looking completely composed, so Jade Lion had assumed she was an endurance-type runner like herself.
But now...
Platinum had no time to consider what the runners behind her were thinking. The fierce wind made it hard to keep her eyes open, and she wobbled like a racecar driven by a novice, struggling desperately to maintain a straight line.
Golden Sixty was approaching the final turn. At this point, strategies like front-running or chasing no longer mattered. The turn was her only chance to overtake.
Platinum knew very well that once everyone reached the final straight and started jostling for position, she'd have no chance of breaking through.
So, this was her final opportunity!
Don't go wide, don't go wide, don't go wide... Platinum repeated in her mind.
Please, don't let me forget how Okino taught me to take curves!
First, right ahead of her was... Urban Sea!
Platinum's figure brushed past Urban Sea's then separated. Watching Platinum gallop ahead, Urban Sea smiled and slowed down further.
That's it, fly like this, fear nothing, just run like this.
The future belongs to you all. Your seniors are remarkable, but you will create even more miracles.
Next was... Leap of Faith!
As Platinum approached Leap of Faith, she heard an increasingly harsh, roaring sound. Uncomfortable, she narrowed her eyes and covered her ears.
Was this...
Sham?
But she could endure it!
Leap of Faith, meanwhile, looked completely spent, as if she might collapse at any moment.
Without thinking, almost as if guided by some impulse, Platinum slapped Leap of Faith's outstretched hand.
Platinum herself didn't know what it meant. Encouragement? Comfort? Neither, perhaps.
Maybe it wasn't a high-five, but rather... taking up the baton.
Past Leap of Faith!
"Platinum, Platinum is accelerating on the turn! She's passed Urban Sea, passed Leap of Faith, and is closing in on Agnes Digital! So fast, incredibly fast!" The commentator noticed the unusual development on the track.
"Incredible, truly incredible! Platinum has moved up from ninth at the start to fourth now! Can she maintain this position, or will she advance further?"
--+--
...This was... far beyond her expectations.
In her office, Symboli Rudolf slightly parted her lips, staring at the television screen in prolonged silence.
She had to admit she was shocked. Symboli Rudolf never expected Platinum to perform at this level.
"Go go go—pass her pass her pass her pass her!" In Spica's training room, Daiwa Scarlet held Vodka's head while shouting at the television.
--+--
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.