"JENG JENG JENG! We're back again for today's 'Derby Discussion' show! I'm your lovely host, Starlight!"
The massive screen overlooking the central plaza flickered. A pint-sized umamusume with shimmering silver hair and oversized star-shaped hairpins bounced onto the digital stage. She struck a pose, pointing a glittering microphone toward the camera as virtual confetti rained down.
"With the Japan Derby just around the corner, everyone is asking the same question: Who will cemented herself as a derby winner in this once in a lifetime chance?"
Starlight spun around, gesturing to a sleek, curved sofa behind her. "To help us break down the field, we have two very special guests! Please welcome Mr. Fujiwara Senku-san and Mr. Iwata Maeda-san"
Two figures stepped into the frame, bowing politely before taking their seats on the sleek sofa.
"Now, let's dive straight into the deep end!" Starlight bounced on her heels, her silver tail swishing excitedly as a big screen lighten up behind them, displaying a list of this year classic-generation umamusume. "Fujiwara-san, let's start with you. How does the field look after the grueling battle at the Satsuki Sho?"
"The Satsuki Sho took a heavy toll on the runners, as it always does. The intense pace forced everyone to their absolute limits." he fixed his glasses. "With only around a month of rest and training before the Derby, this is where the real test started. With a window that small, whether they can fully recover from such a high intensity racing will determine their result in the Derby. Like they said, the Derby is won by the luckiest."
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"The luckiest, huh?"
A soft, breathy chuckle drifted through the dim, chemical-scented room.
Agnes Tachyon swiveled slowly in her desk chair, away from the monitor displaying the broadcast and toward a glowing array of glass test tubes. She was swathed in her usual oversized white lab coat, her long, unruly chestnut hair spilling over her shoulders like a chaotic mane. A half-empty flask of a glowing, neon-green liquid sat dangerously close to her keyboard, bubbling softly.
"How delightfully unscientific," Tachyon murmured. She lifted a slender finger, lightly tapping the rim of a beaker. "To attribute the pinnacle of classic-generation performance to a statistical anomaly like 'luck.' What a lazy baseline to establish."
"Luck is merely the colloquial term the uninitiated use for variables they fail to calculate," she continued. "Don't you agree with me, Cafe?!"
"Mmh..." From the deepest, darkest corner of the laboratory, a soft clatter of porcelain can be heard. Manhattan Cafe stood by a small, meticulously organized table, carefully pouring boiling water over a bed of freshly ground coffee beans. A dark, rich aroma bloomed into the air, doing its absolute best to combat the sharp, chemical tang of Tachyon's bubbling formulas
"..... Well, at least you answered me this time! Haaa Haaaaa!" Tachyon returned to her desk. "I simply don't believe luck can be considered a factor. Anything that have a result can be calculated. Although..... Air Shakur has proven even the most accurate calculation can still miss even by a tiny margin"
The monitor begin showing the faces of those who will participate in the Japanese Derby, but her eyes were locked on a certain umamusume. "I wonder..... when will that happens? Definitely not in the Derby"
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After that night, the creepy sensation on her nape is gone. Whether should she be grateful or worried, she doesn't know.
But now, she have this very uneased feeling. There are times when her hearts beating abnormally fast, even though it doesn't last long. She only need to take a moment to calm herself and it's gone.
The only explanation she have for this is because of anxiety.
After all, today is the Derby.
The Japanese Derby.
Astonishing stared at her reflection. Looking somewhat... unimpressed.
Forget winning, even just by participating in this race is already a dream of many. Everyone is excited, after all, this an once a lifetime chance.
Thump-thump-thump.
Ever since this morning, she can't shake out this feeling.
Astonishing lifted a hand, pressing her palm firmly against her chest, right over the crisp fabric of her racewear.
She squeezed her eyes shut, forcing her lungs to expand to their absolute maximum volume before letting the air out.
CLACK
She opened her eyes, turning her head away from the mirror toward the doorway. Standing there is her trainer.
"Is something wrong?" he asked.
"It's nothing, just trying to ease the anxiety" she assured.
"I see..." Takeda stepped fully into the room, the door clicking shut behind him and muting the distant, thunderous vibration of one hundred thousand fans packing the Tokyo Racecourse grandstands.
"That is normal, after all you're going to run in one of the most prestigious race in Japan" he said with an assuring smile
"..... Trainer." she turned around to face him.
"Hmm?"
"Do you think... I can win?"
Takeda's smile softened. He walked towards her, and...
PUFF
He patted her head. "I wouldn't wish for less."
He let his hand stay for a few seconds before letting it drop back to his side. "Let's go."
"Mmm..." she nodded.
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The Tokyo Racecourse was an absolute sea of humanity. Over one hundred thousand spectators packed the multi-tiered grandstands, waving colorful banners, shaking plastic cheering batons, and screams.
[Now now now now now! We are here in the Tokyo Racecourse for the climax of the classic races! Tokyo Yushun, Japanese Derby!]
The commentator's amplified voice boomed from the massive stadium speakers.
[The weather is pristine, the turf is firm, and eighteen of the finest classic-generation umamusume have assembled to answer the ultimate question! Who will conquer the grueling 2400 meters and etch their name into eternal legend? Who will become this year's Derby winner?!]
Everybody's attention shifted on the green turf. Several participating umamusumes are already on the track. But one figure stand out more than the rest, the Satsuki Sho winner, none other than:
World's End Opening.
Her eyes are locked ahead, and as usual, her cape waves gracefully as wind hits the track. She's the 1st favorite, the Satsuki Sho winner, the center of the Classic, and thus the wall that every other classic-generation umamusume had to climb. She was the absolute standard.
Astonishing stared at her back. Anyone would be mesmerized just by looking at her.
She looked like a ruler awaiting her coronation.
As if noticing her stare, End immediately turns around. For a split second, the roaring grandstands seemed to vanish as their eyes met. "At last, fate has brought us together again"
She didn't smirk, nor did she display a fierce, burning bravado that usually rippled through a race favorite. Her expression remained entirely serene, the unshakeable calm of someone who already knew the outcome of the battle before a single blow had been struck.
"..... did you really miss me that much?"
"What is a king without his knight?" End lightly brushed a stray strand of hair from her forehead "Besides, I need someone to coronate me. A true triumph requires a witness who understands its exact magnitude. I expect nothing short of your absolute zenith today, Astonishing."
[The race will start in a moment]
Following the announcement, all umamusumes entered their gates.
[All umamusumes has entered the gate. Eighteen runners! Twenty-four hundred meters! The gateway to eternal legend is about to slide open...!!]
Inside the narrow, metallic confine, Astonishing pressed her gloved hands firmly against her chest.
Thump-thump-thump-thump!
'Is this truly just anxiety?' she questioned internally, she still can't forget the shadowy figure that haunted her that night. 'There's no time to think about it'
CLANK
[And they are off! A clean break! The first favorite, World's End Opening is already taking the front! Will she leads the race all the way to finish like she did in Satsuki Sho?]
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"Hmm~ a promising front runner isn't she? There aren't a lot of front runners who wins the Derby, but seeing her performance, I'm sure she'll make it work. Right, Rudolf?"
Maruzensky leaned against the railing of the VIP viewing lounge. Beside her, Symboli Rudolf stood perfectly straight, her hands resting elegantly over the guardrail. The "Emperor" did not immediately answer. Her eyes are locked on the track, observing the runners.
"The Derby is always full of surprises. Even logic doesn't always apply here" she said, her eyes still locked. "Although, what you said is true"
She closed her eyes for a second. "Indeed, you can count them with your fingers. Winning a race like that truly is an achievement. However..."
Rudolf's gaze turned into a certain umamusume. "Like I said, the Derby is full or surprise. It's a race, that for many, awakens their true strength"
"I get you. So, do you think she can do it?"
"Unless she awakens her true strength.....
she has no chance, but no warrior returned from a battle empty handed. She will surely find her way sooner or later"
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[And now they rounded the first corner! The positioning is settling, but the heat is absolutely unprecedented for the opening stages of the Derby!]
[World's End Opening maintains her position ahead! Behind her is Max Lux, she finished third in Satsuki Sho, could this race be her redemption? In third is Leolalilei, right next to her is Geo Logic, followed by Super AM not far behind.]
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-Astonishing's POV-
A 2400 meters race, it's 400 meters longer than Satsuki Sho. Can I do it?
If any, the longer the distance, the better it is for a closer like me. However... I'm aware that my preparation for the race was somewhat lacking. Twelve days without running, and even after that, I still couldn't maximize my result.
Can I... really do it?
At least, I have to try!
[They are approaching the third corner! The pace isn't dropping! World's End Opening completely untroubled as she begins to accelerate even faster! The gap is widening!]
I must make a move now!
The 2400m layout of Tokyo Racecourse has a pretty long straight, around 525 meters, longer than Nakayama's. Thus, it gave more time for the runners behind to accelerate to their full speed.
Because of this layout, standard tactical logic dictates that a closer should wait. Hold the line, save the energy, and ignite the engine only after clearing the final turn.
But my preparation was already broken. I'm not the only one improving, everybody else does, maybe they improved better than me.
To use the same strategy every time, I got no choice.
[Number 7, Max Lux is now side by side with Might O Kai! But wait! Look at the wide outside lane! It's her again! The Satsuki Sho runner up, Astonishing has begin her move!]
The commentator's voice cracked over the stadium speakers, the volume surging aggressively against the collective murmur of one hundred thousand fans as the digital tracking screen scrambled to update the layout.
[Now here we are in Tokyo's long straight! This is it! The winner will be decided here in this very straight. Who will it be?!]
By launching my outside sweep so early in the third corner, I already use a lot of stamina. I had forced my body to fight centripetal force and a blistering pace simultaneously, but thanks to that I was able to close so much distance with her.
"I can... win...!" I ground the words out through my teeth, pouring every remaining ounce of my soul into the turf.
It's only 4 lengths away.
I leaned forward, forcing my legs to stretch, ignoring the burning agony screaming through my muscles.
[The gap is shrinking! It was four lengths! Now three lengths! Two lengths! Can she do it?!]
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"It's over" Symboli Rudolf stands up from her seat, and begin walking towards the door.
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"Hah! Hah! Hah! Hah!"
'Why? Why is the gap not closing?'
Astonishing threw more weight forward, forcing her heavy stride to stretch even further, practically begging her legs to override the pain.
But no matter how hard she tried, she can't get close to her. If any, the gap between them widen for every seconds.
The cape of World's End Opening whipped violently in the wind ahead of her, completely detached, pulling away like a phantom dancing out of reach. Two lengths became three. Three became four.
The momentum evaporated completely. Astonishing stalled. From behind, the terrifying, thunder of fleeting foots grew rapidly.
First came Max Lux, her eyes ablaze with the fierce redemption she had hungered for since the Satsuki Sho, blowing right past Astonishing's right flank. Then Might O Kai surged through a pocket on the inside rail, followed closely by the powerful, relentless strides of Leolalilei and Geo Logic.
She was shrinking. Shrunk to third. Shrunk to fourth. FIfth.
Every instinct screamed at her body to go harder, but the tank was entirely empty. Her vision blurred slightly at the edges as Super AM tore past her outside shoulder, robbing her of one final inch just as Astonishing crossed the finish line.
[It's over! World's End Opening claims the crown! A flawless, undisputed victory to cement her name into eternal legend as the Derby winner!]
The commentator's voice reached a pitch of pure hysteria over the roaring speakers, barely cutting through the uproar of one hundred thousand fans. Virtual confetti rained down in a glittering storm, drifting across the giant digital screens displaying the final standings.
[In second is Max Lux, followed by Might O Kai in third! Leolalilei takes fourth, Geo Logic fifth, and crossing the line in sixth place is Astonishing! Behind her is--]
Astonishing slowed down, before eventually stopped. Her vision is blurry, her breathing is ragged, and she doesn't feel like she can take another step, thus she let her body drop into the ground with her arms supporting her body.
The turf felt cold in her hands. Dirt and grass clung to her gloves, but she didn't care. She couldn't care.
The roar of one hundred thousand spectators was deafening, a massive tidal wave of noise celebrating the birth of a new Derby legend.
Astonishing squeezed her eyes shut
Sixth.
That is her placement.
She opened her eyes again to see the winner of this race.
There, End stood proudly, waving lightly at the spectators, a majestic figure framed by the glittering, falling debris of a hundred thousand shattered expectations. But right beside her... is something...
Astonishing's eyes widened.
It was the exact same thing that had haunted her room a few nights ago.
Thump-thump-thump-thump!
That thing was real. And it was standing right next to the champion.
Its eyes stared at her, as if looking down on her. Then, a wide mocking smile appeared on its face.