She was already in fourth place!
Though Platinum couldn't clearly make out the commentator's voice, her eyesight was sharp enough. Golden Sixty, Sham, Agnes Digital—only these three remained ahead of her now.
From inside the railings came the sound of tires rolling over damp earth. The jeep equipped with cameras kept pace alongside the racers, its lenses tightly focused on the competitors.
Earlier, Platinum had been trailing far at the back of the pack.
The cameras, naturally fixed on the leaders, hadn't captured her at all. But as Platinum gradually picked up speed, she began to enter the viewers' line of sight.
Now, broadcasted live on television, viewers at home could see Platinum and Agnes Digital even more clearly than the spectators at the venue.
"The gap between Platinum and Agnes Digital is still closing—can she overtake her?"
"But Agnes Digital has maintained a relatively steady pace all along; she clearly still has something left in the tank. Will she let Platinum pass her so easily?"
Platinum...
Agnes Digital tilted her head slightly, glancing back at Platinum, who was half a length behind.
It was an unusual move—in a race, there's no room to spare attention on rivals. Every Uma Musume runs as if wringing the last drop of strength from her body. Under such circumstances, listening for footsteps behind you is already the limit.
Yet Agnes Digital actually turned her head—and in the middle of a curve, no less! If a racer can't see the track ahead, she can't judge how to lift her feet or plan her route.
Was this arrogance… or…?
From the very beginning, Agnes Digital had stepped onto the track out of admiration for other Uma Musume.
Like everyone else, she had a desire to win. But she also possessed a sincere, passionate heart—one that held nothing back in its love for the Uma Musume.
Sometimes, these two emotions conflicted. But at other times, they fueled each other.
She longed to witness more thrilling, more moving stories on the track. She yearned to witness the grand, fateful encounters she had always chased after.
This special race felt almost like a stage born of fantasy. Retired Uma Musume who should no longer have been able to run together, newcomers just starting out, even those who hadn't yet debuted—all shared the same ground.
Just being able to set foot on such a stage was already deeply satisfying.
As a retired racer, she had long lost that burning desire for victory. Only that sincere heart of hers never diminished.
That's why she had to look back. Agnes Digital wanted to see with her own eyes—
Whether the blazing fire in Platinum's eyes was one she herself had kindled.
After a soft, brief sigh, Agnes Digital let out a contented breath.
This was enough.
Platinum swept past Agnes Digital.
"She's still going! Platinum shows no sign of slowing down, charging straight toward Sham and Golden Sixty!"
"This is almost… am I dreaming?"
Agnes Tachyon stood in the stands, pacing back and forth, afraid of missing even the slightest detail.
"It's still too early… still too early…" Agnes Tachyon muttered under her breath. "Never mind Golden Sixty, even Sham still has energy to spare…"
--+--
"Will she be stopped at third?"
In the student council room, Symboli Rudolf stared intently at the television, holding her breath so completely she nearly forgot to breathe.
To think she could come this far… Platinum might be far more exceptional than I ever imagined…
In the Spica training room, Okino shot up from his seat at the images on the screen.
"Platinum's pushing too hard—she's lost her senses!"
"She's already this close to Sham and Golden Sixty! That's a battlefield no one else should dare to enter!"
"Losing the race is one thing… but I hope she doesn't get hurt!"
Some were thrilled, others anxious—everyone's hearts felt tightly clenched by an invisible hand.
--+--
And in that moment, Platinum's mind went blank. After passing Agnes Digital, she was now the closest to Sham aside from Golden Sixty.
Only now did she realize the immense pressure Agnes Digital had been under. Only now did she understand what Agnes Tachyon had meant.
—'Not the slightest chance of facing them head-on.' Those were Agnes Tachyon's exact words.
A continuous rumble, like thunder, poured into Platinum's skull. She almost felt as if she were at the center of a thunderstorm, surrounded by flashes of stark white and brilliant yellow lightning.
What's more, the two ahead possessed top-tier speed. Sham had the legs that could keep up with Secretariat in a Great Escape, and Golden Sixty could basically be considered the pinnacle of contemporary Hong Kong racing.
At her current speed, trying to overtake them was nothing short of a fantasy!
Then accelerate again—no, impossible! Platinum felt a dull ache in her calves. She still had stamina left, and her physical condition was good. But after such an intense run—from last place all the way to this position—this was already Platinum's limit.
Maybe one day she'd be capable of more, but for a newcomer like Platinum, this was already pushing it.
Forcing her legs to push harder wasn't entirely out of the question, but they were in a curve. At her current speed, it was already a struggle just to keep herself from veering off the track. If she were to attempt a second burst of speed, it would have to wait until the final straight.
Right now, just maintaining this distance without falling further behind was taking everything she had.
Platinum sighed softly in her heart.
So it's still not enough… This outcome isn't completely unacceptable, though.
It stings a little, but it's still better than last place, right?
She'd already given her all. If Agnes Tachyon really wanted to blame her, she might as well offer up her own legs.
See if she understands the meaning of 'profound apology.'
As long as she could hold onto her current position, it'd be enough to boast about later. Her efforts were plain for all to see—surely Symboli Rudolf wouldn't have anything to criticize?
But… but…
Platinum bit her lip tightly.
She just couldn't accept it! But what could she do?
She'd already made it to third—anyone would start wondering if they could take second, or even first!
They were right there—less than three lengths ahead of her!
Come on, can't I push just a little harder?!
"Go—!"The cry escaped Platinum's throat almost unconsciously.
Suddenly, she felt a weight lift from her body, and the thunderstorm-like pressure surrounding her vanished entirely. She stared in surprise at her surroundings. Could it be she had some power of words—that her command had taken effect?
Of course, it wasn't that Platinum had gained the power of incantation. The answer had to lie elsewhere.
Sham's foot landed on the grass, but her body pitched forward uncontrollably. The fiery phoenix tattoo on her waist flared a deep, vivid crimson.
She was about to fall.
--+--
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.