"Personal Racing Outfit: OK. Shoes: OK. Horseshoes: OK. Twin Turbo: OK." McQueen checked Twin Turbo over meticulously, fussing over her like a mother hen.
Twin Turbo, brimming with mischief, tilted her head and declared to the group, "Watch out! Turbo will lead all the way to the finish line!"
"Full of confidence, huh?" Teio chimed in, bolstering Twin Turbo's spirits.
"Our opponent is Bitter Glasse, an Umamusume with an unknown racing record, just like Little Cocon," Kousei explained. "However, as Acting Chairman Kashimoto's dedicated Umamusume, her strength is beyond doubt. Although we still have the track selection advantage this time, Twin Turbo lacks Urara's Dirt aptitude. Given her personality and racing style, pulling off a surprise victory seems unlikely."
Hearing Kousei's words, Twin Turbo immediately threw a tantrum. "What 'surprise victory'? Didn't I say I'm leading from start to finish?!"
The trio exchanged glances, their resolve unwavering.
"Bitter Glasse is really strong, you know?" Urara suddenly chimed in. "Little Cocon says she's nicknamed 'The Powerhouse' and trains so relentlessly that even her teammates keep their distance."
As expected of Urara, the social butterfly of Tracen Academy.
"Hmm, maybe she's the same type as McQueen. If the opponent excels at long-distance races too, Twin Turbo would do well to avoid that."
"But the distance can't be too short either. We don't know her running style, and if she's strong, she'll have explosive power even in sprints."
"No worries! Leave it to Turbo! No matter who comes, Turbo will lead from start to finish!"
We exchanged knowing smiles. Alright then.
Let Twin Turbo run as she pleases. Win with a dominant Front-Runner victory.
"Go get 'em, Turbo!"
"Urara will prepare lots of carrots for you!"
"We're counting on you, Ace!"
"Mm-hmm."
Twin Turbo puffed out her chest proudly and thrust her fist forward. "Watch me! After I win this race, I'm challenging Teio to a final showdown!"
With that declaration, the Umamusume turned and sprinted toward the racetrack.
This was a crucial battle. Unlike the clueless spectators who were cheering wildly, the Umamusume of the Academy were unusually tense.
"Look! It's Twin Turbo!" someone suddenly shouted. Twin Turbo strode confidently through the tunnel, head held high.
"Whoa! Twin Turbo! Time to put on a show for everyone again today!"
"Let's make this race even more exciting!"
Surprisingly, Twin Turbo seemed to be quite popular. The crowd erupted in cheers and laughter, their faces beaming with delight.
"I didn't realize Turbo was so popular," Kousei muttered, still somewhat surprised by the enthusiastic reception.
"Hmm?" Twin Turbo's expression didn't quite match the jubilant atmosphere. Kousei nudged McQueen with her elbow.
"Hmm? What is it?" McQueen asked, puzzled.
"Turbo seems... off."
At Kousei's words, the group turned their attention to Twin Turbo. They noticed she seemed to be desperately suppressing something, her fists clenched tightly.
Everyone was baffled. She had seemed perfectly fine before entering the racetrack.
"Could the problem be on the track itself?" Kousei's gaze deepened as she scanned the wildly cheering crowd.
On the track, Twin Turbo stood with her head bowed, her fists clenched tightly. Keep laughing now! I'll make sure you never laugh again!
Before anyone could fully grasp Twin Turbo's strange behavior, the crowd's attention was drawn to something else.
At the other end of the tunnel, a brown-skinned Umamusume strode confidently onto the track.
Her robust physique, radiating health and an infectious smile, stood in stark contrast to the delicate and refined Little Cocon.
Everyone knew Kashimoto Riko managed two mysterious and powerful Umamusume. No proof was needed; her very name carried immense credibility.
"Is that real? What's with that body?" The crowd gasped, their gazes riveted by her sculpted physique.
After so long apart, Bitter Glasse was even more stunning than their first meeting.
Her body, forged through relentless training, concealed astonishing brute strength beneath layers of muscle. That radiant smile was, in its way, a testament to her unwavering confidence.
"Another training maniac," McQueen teased, glancing at Kousei. "You two seem to get along well."
Kousei instinctively touched her own abdomen, which could barely be considered soft.
"Twin Turbo? We've met before," Bitter Glasse greeted Twin Turbo warmly.
"Turbo remembers. Turbo also remembers you saying you wouldn't hold back."
Bitter Glasse nodded. "That's right. We're enemies. I have no personal animosity toward you, but my position requires me to defeat you."
"Big talk! Turbo won't lose!"
Faced with Twin Turbo's vehement rebuttal, Bitter Glasse smiled faintly. "Regardless of the outcome of our race, the result has already been determined."
"What?!" Twin Turbo exclaimed, shocked.
"Whether we win or lose, it doesn't matter at all. As long as the Emperor is here—that seven-crowned King—no one can shake our victory."
Twin Turbo instinctively glanced toward the VIP seats, where Symboli Rudolf surveyed the scene from above.
Without any fanfare, the mere presence of this Umamusume exuded overwhelming pressure.
There are no absolutes among Umamusume, but Symboli Rudolf symbolizes the absolute.
The Emperor's title weighed heavily on all Umamusume. Twin Turbo gripped her collar, stumbling back a few steps.
"Now do you understand? The moment Urara lost, the race was over."
"Hmph!"
Bitter Glasse was met with a cold snort as Twin Turbo released her grip. Panting heavily, she forced a strained smile and glared at Bitter Glasse.
"Turbo knows! You're exactly the kind of person Amazon onee-san warned me about!" Twin Turbo flashed a defiant grin. "One of those despicable types who tries to pressure others with words before the race even begins!"
Bitter Glasse was taken aback, not by Twin Turbo's taunt, but by her condition.
"Something's clearly wrong with her. What happened?"
"An unshakable victory! The Absolute Symbol! When it comes to kings! We're the stronger ones! Stronger than the strongest Emperor! Only that deserves to be called Teio!" Twin Turbo slammed her chest, declaring, "I will defeat you. Teio will prevail. And after that, I'll crush Tokai Teio!"
This is a vow to myself.
"I will win!"
Her expression radiated impatience. Her heart roared like an engine, as if ready to burst free from its restraints.
Bitter Glasse abandoned her dismissive attitude, replacing it with newfound respect.
"I sincerely apologize for my arrogant words," she said solemnly, bowing to Twin Turbo.
Then her eyes lit up. "The Emperor's victory means nothing to me. The one standing before me is you. To restore my honor, I'll give this race my all with utmost respect. I won't stop until I've utterly defeated you."
As if in response, Bitter Glasse's muscles crackled and popped.
Her cannonball-like physique surpassed even Tenmile Cloud's formidable build.
"Just what I wanted!"