Stealing the highest realm of an Umamusume with ease—wasn't that cheating?
Yet this was a trick no one could catch. It was invisible, efficient—the most masterful sleight of hand imaginable.
And right now...
It was time to stack the deck.
...
The spectators were stunned.
They had no idea how Garden Gale had suddenly surged forward.
Even the commentators—whose job was to track every detail on the field—were equally baffled.
In a single instant, the race had become another duel between T.M. Opera O and Garden Gale.
Every Umamusume accelerated, chasing with everything they had. Yet that dark silhouette—like lightning tearing through the night sky—was dazzling beyond belief. It cut through the field with the brilliance of daylight that refused to fade.
Past Admire Vega.
Past Narita Top Road.
Into second place.
Fans who had already lost hope felt it rekindle in their chests.
They shouted Garden Gale's name, cheering her on with everything they had.
The Japan Derby was nearing its conclusion.
The curtain was about to fall.
But now, a new question had arisen.
Could Garden Gale… truly overtake T.M. Opera O?
Doubt's surfaced.
Because right now, T.M. Opera O's speed was simply overwhelming.
Her final spurt surpassed anything she had shown before. Entering the [ZONE] had pushed her to a brand-new peak. At this speed, even among veteran runners, she would shine like a rising star.
A true contender for the championship.
Could she really—beat her?
Garden Gale's momentum was dazzling, but against a completed [ZONE]… it seemed hopeless.
As for Garden Gale herself—that question never crossed her mind.
She focused with absolute seriousness.
Slowly, she sank inward, letting every stray thought settle.
Like a gardener pruning away branches and weeds, cutting off everything unnecessary until only a beautiful whole remained.
That was exactly what Garden Gale did now.
She trimmed away every stray thought.
Leaving only a crystal-clear heart.
Focus surged back with her breathing. Her mind grew bright and lucid.
For Garden Gale—stepping into the [ZONE] wasn't difficult.
In fact, it was simple.
She could always enter that state of perfect flow.
So stealing the [ZONE]—was always possible.
Calling it theft wasn't quite accurate.
She was simply sensing the momentum of her opponent and stepping into the same realm.
Everything else began to fade away.
The fatigue of running.
The roaring cheers of the crowd.
The blazing intensity of the race.
It was as if a massive block of ice had been dropped into the burning storm of her mind, sealing it away.
Reflected in her eyes was only the clearest version of herself.
She ran with her heart.
Running free of distraction.
Only three sounds remained:
Her breathing.
Her footsteps.
The wind.
The three intertwined into a single melody.
A melody that made you want to hear more.
Her body, untouched by fatigue, kept pushing forward.
Her speed continued to climb.
Even second-stage acceleration came into play.
The technique she had pestered Symboli Rudolf to teach her—though still a little rough, still a little immature—now unfolded with the smoothness of magic.
Her body leaned further and further forward, once again looking as though she might collapse at any moment. An impossible angle, something that seemed to defy physics itself.
The countless flexibility drills she had endured as Tokai Teio's training—standing on one leg as a pivot, pushing her body to the limits of yoga. Combined with explosive speed, borrowed force, and endless serious practice.
All of it had forged her strongest weapon.
[SKY-HIGH TEIO STEP]
Her final spurt.
If the gap with the leaders shrank in the closing phase of the race, she would unleash a dramatic acceleration along the final straight with dazzling footwork.
[THIS DANCE IS FOR VITTORIA!]
T.M. Opera O unleashed her full strength as well!
The radiance of a kingly performance drove her speed to the absolute limit.
The ultimate clash of skills.
Combined with the completed [ZONE]!
...
Off the track, Mr. C.B. was nearly speechless.
What could she even say?
Praise Garden Gale's strength?
Just moments ago she had declared that entering the completed version of the [ZONE] this quickly was unprecedented—unheard of before or after.
And then she'd been slapped in the face by reality.
Because Garden Gale had stepped into the completed version of the [ZONE] as well, completing the final stroke of the Golden Generation.
This era—was undoubtedly the strongest generation since the Emperor and Mr. C.B. themselves.
There would be no more arguments.
No more doubt.
Whether it was B.N.W.
Or the four members of the Golden Generation.
None of them could rival the brilliance of these two.
Two completions of the [ZONE] at this stage of the race…
Even Admire Vega and Narita Top Road behind them might glimpse that realm someday.
Was this the golden year at the end of the century?
Two monsters, really.
It reminded Mr. C.B. of her own races back then—when she and the Emperor clashed head-on in the [ZONE], pure speed against speed.
Meanwhile, Symboli Rudolf simply wore a relaxed smile.
Good. Very good.
From the very beginning, she had believed in Garden Gale.
No matter whether Garden Gale was running from the back or anywhere else, Symboli Rudolf knew one thing—
Until the final moment arrived, there was always a chance.
Others, meanwhile, had been thoroughly slapped in the face.
All they could do now was clutch their burning red cheeks and remain silent.
Symboli Rudolf alone felt the joy of seeing her faith rewarded.
A subtle sense of superiority welled up inside her.
A pride that towered above everyone else in the stadium.
She nearly burst out laughing.
"So, like I said."
With a meaningful pat on Mr. C.B.'s shoulder, Symboli Rudolf tried to remain serious—but couldn't hide the smile tugging at her lips.
"Until the very last moment, you should always believe in Garden Gale."
Mr. C.B. said nothing.
She shot Rudolf a sideways glance.
But from that moment on, she understood one thing clearly...
Never underestimate Garden Gale.
In the future, she too would place unwavering faith in her, just like Symboli Rudolf.
And she would win back her pride in spectacular fashion.
Because Garden Gale repaid every believer who placed their faith in her.
Soon after, the two of them suppressed their emotions once more.
Symboli Rudolf murmured softly,
"Go."
"Cross that finish line—and tell the world your name."
...
The fans' voices swelled as well, rising like a ceremonial roar that pierced the sky.
The commentator spoke at lightning speed, analyzing the unfolding battle and the birth of a champion.
...
Admire Vega watched the two figures ahead of her from afar.
The light in her eyes slowly faded.
All she could do now was maintain her pace, keeping Narita Top Road behind her.
And watch as the two leaders decided the championship between them.
---
T/N: I FEEL SO BAD FOR ADMIRE VEGAAAAAAAAA, but... a winner's presence dictates the presence of a loser.
T/N2: I HAVE NO EXCUSE! EXCEPT THAT UHHH SPYTL! AND ASPENTL! HAS KEPT ME DISTRACTED! THOSE FIENDS! I will try to post more now...
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