"If you're that scared, why don't you go home and drink some milk?"
"Hmm?"
Kiana's ears twitched as she glanced toward stall number thirteen.
Ah~
That was the one who'd been staring at her with ill intent.
From the commentary, this creature seemed to be called Clever Béret?
"Don't talk about Nana like that!"
Special Week in stall fourteen puffed her cheeks and glared at Clever Béret, unhappy that anyone bad-mouthed Kiana.
"Uh... tch, you two know each other?"
Feeling the near-tangible resentment from the next gate, Clever Béret shut her mouth.
She looked left and right; both Uma Musume were shorter than her—she had a clear size advantage.
A flash of ruthlessness crossed her eyes.
At the same time, every Uma Musume had entered her starting gate.
"All runners are loaded. I now declare the Hanshin 1600m turf race for newcomers... open!"
Bang—
"Go!"
With the gunshot every gate flew open.
More than a dozen figures burst out; Kiana, racing for the first time, froze for a heartbeat before she dashed after them.
"Number twelve, Goddess of Moonlight, stumbles at the start—she looks tense."
One of the commentators spoke with regret, as though he'd already written her off.
Not only did Kiana hesitate at the gate, her running form looked awkward as well.
Everyone declared the white-haired Uma Musume finished, stripped of any chance at victory.
[Goddess of Moonlight: I'm doooomed! My debut is ruined! I'm supposed to be a frontrunner! (rolls around)]
[Gojo Kiana: A mistake like that can be fatal in racing.]
Kiana felt her stamina trickling away while sizing up the girls ahead.
She had no intention of tapping her own power.
Though the system's abilities were etched into her soul,
using Ultra Instinct in Goddess of Moonlight's body would basically end the girl's career on the spot.
A mortal frame can't endure divine might, after all.
Fortunately, Goddess of Moonlight trained hard; her stats were solid.
Kiana believed this body could still seize a chance, even from behind.
"In front is number two, Salabao."
"Number four Wild Victory and number two Final Generation are closing in! Special Week in fourteen follows right behind!"
"Number thirteen, Clever Béret, seems to be waiting for an opening."
Hearing the broadcast, Special Week tilted her head and looked back.
Clever Béret's eyes were gloomy, a nasty grin fixed on her face.
But Special Week paid no mind.
Nana... at the very rear, Kiana was completely boxed in; Special Week couldn't see her.
From the commentary she knew Nana had made a blunder she'd never commit in training.
I'll win for both of us, Nana!
Her gaze hardened as she stared at the three runners ahead.
"With 800m left, runners at the back are starting to accelerate."
Half the race was gone; many of those behind were picking up speed.
Last-placed Kiana, running in an unfamiliar form, watched the gap widen, irritation rising.
She couldn't draw out this body's true strength...!
No choice—she had to force it.
Kiana stamped hard, leaving a deep footprint behind.
She silently circulated Sword-Heart Chant to calm her agitated mind.
Her emotions steadied, yet the body's instinct for victory urged her faster.
Thump-thump—
Accelerating to the limit this body could manage, Kiana's face was drenched in sweat.
Beyond her own breathing she heard only her pounding heart; the world muted itself.
"Oh—! Number twelve, Goddess of Moonlight, is flying up the field! Could we see a miracle?"
"Oooyster!"
With each cry of "oyster" Kiana surged into sixth place.
[Goddess of Moonlight: I can be a closerrr too!?!]
Goddess of Moonlight was startled by Kiana's late burst.
Clever Béret in fifth glanced sideways, slowed a fraction.
When Kiana drew close she veered slightly and bumped her.
"!"
Kiana's pupils shrank; she braked sharply and evaded.
Cheater!
Eyes blazing, she stared at Clever Béret ahead.
She had already closed right behind Special Week.
The race entered its final leg—less than 400m to the finish.
Early leader Salabao faded and was overtaken.
Special Week seized the chance, kicked hard, and a pair of air-streams flared around her as her speed soared.
Clever Béret tried to bump her but found her too fast to reach.
Thump-thump—!
!!!
Every Uma Musume's pupils shrank; instinctive terror seized them.
Even the top five slowed.
Special Week felt it too, yet gritted her teeth and drove for the line.
"Aaaarghhh!!!"
Carrying Suzuka-san's and Nana-chan's hopes—dash! Sprint! (Otto voice)
200m remaining.
Kiana crouched low; violet aura flared around her and silver fire blazed in her right eye.
Bang—
Like an arrow loosed from a bow she shot for the finish.
After passing Clever Béret her speed climbed again, the flame in her eye growing.
At the end of all things, let a glorious victory Bloom—!
This was the power hidden within this body.
Kiana flashed past the girls in third and second, pulling right behind Special Week.
Only 50m to the finish.
Sensing the familiar presence behind her, Special Week felt joy—and defiance.
"Aaaaahhh!!!"
Eyes shut, head thrown back, she screamed and lunged for the line.
Just as she was about to hit it, a familiar silhouette nosed ahead and broke the tape first.
"And it's Goddess of Moonlight winning the newcomers' race by a nose!"
The stands fell silent, then erupted in cheers.
No one expected such a promising Uma Musume in a newcomers' race.
From that day on, the name Goddess of Moonlight was etched in many spectators' hearts.
"Hah... hah..."
Breathing hard, eyes moist, Special Week looked at Kiana lying on the turf, gasping.
She wiped her eyes with her sleeve, gave a sincere smile, walked over and pulled Kiana to her feet.
"Congratulations, Nana."
Seeing the redness at the corners of Special Week's eyes and her happy smile, Kiana hugged her.
"Thanks."
"Waaah... waaaah!"
The moment she was embraced, Special Week's tears burst free.
At the same time, Kiana quietly tapped Goddess of Moonlight's icon and sent the request to end the body-swap.
-------------------------------
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