End Fuji's POV
Fuji: "Never thought I'd be walking side by side with you like this. You sure you're okay? You just recovered from an injury and only recently won again, right? Why the Takamatsunomiya Kinen?"
Brian: "…No real reason. I'm taking back what I need, one step at a time. That's what my trainer and I decided."
Fuji: "Got it… But this is a race, so I'm not holding back."
Brian: "Obviously. Knowing you're my opponent, my blood's been pumping, screaming, 'Let me race!' 'When's the race?!'"
Fuji: "Haha, battle junkie, huh? I get it, though. I'm looking forward to facing you too—not just you, of course. Mind if I borrow your strength, senpai?"
Brian: "Cut it with that 'senpai' stuff."
Fuji: "Just kidding! Let's go meet the crowd!"
Brian: "…Yeah."
Announcer: "Here come the final two! The Triple Crown Uma Musume from two years ago and last year! Fresh off her comeback win at the Hanshin Daishoten, she's diving into this G1 on a tight schedule! The 'Monster Who Fears No Shadow,' Narita Brian! And the last, last year's undefeated Triple Crown Uma Musume! She dominated the Hankyu Hai with ease to earn her spot today. Can she claim victory with her dazzling run?! The 'Radiant Triple Crown Uma Musume,' Fuji Kiseki!"
So many people… What a turnout.
Akebono: "Fuji-senpai, let's make it a great race! I'm gonna bo-no all over this track!"
Biko: "I've got a killer move planned just for today, so no mercy!"
Brian: "Noisy bunch…"
Fuji: "Haha… go easy on me, okay?"
♪~♪~♪~♪~
Announcer: "The fanfare rings out at Chukyo Racecourse! The first turf G1 of the year, a blink-and-you'll-miss-it six-furlong sprint! Alongside short-distance specialists, we've got two Triple Crown Uma Musume—an incredible lineup! The favorite is, of course, Triple Crown star Fuji Kiseki! Second favorite is Hishi Akebono, followed by the other Triple Crown Uma Musume, Narita Brian. But it's a close race—anyone could take it!"
Commentator: "Triple Crown Uma Musume rarely tackle sprints, so this is unusual. Distance aptitude matters, but this is unprecedented."
Announcer: "All runners are in the gates! Here we go—Chukyo Racecourse, 1200m G1, the Takamatsunomiya Kinen…"
Bang!!
Announcer: "And they're off!! Isami Sakura from the innermost gate stumbles, starting from the back! The lead battle sees Three Course, Flower Park, and Towa Winner neck-and-neck! Just behind, Hishi Akebono, Biko Pegasus, Fuji Kiseki, and Fujino Makken O form a tight group! Right on their heels are Ei Yu Girl and Meisho Samurai, with Dojima Muteki pushing up! Narita Brian runs alone behind them, followed by Noble Grass, then Ei Shin Mizuri, with Isami Sakura trailing at the rear!"
So fast… But I'm fine! Thanks to Bakushin O and Maurice for toughening me up.
Announcer: "Into the third corner! Three Course leads, with Flower Park and Hishi Akebono two lengths back, side by side! The front-runners are picking up! Fuji Kiseki's holding steady—when will she make her move?! Can the back runners close the gap?!"
Here's my chance to surge!!
Announcer: "Final corner into the straight! Hishi Akebono charges from the outside, but Flower Park holds the lead! From the middle, Fuji Kiseki and Biko Pegasus are climbing! Flower Park's ahead, stretching her lead from two to three lengths! Fuji Kiseki finally moves into second! Narita Brian's making a late push, but it might not be enough!!"
Fuji: "Ngh…!!"
Announcer: "Flower Park breaks away alone!! Flower Park crosses the finish line!! It's Flower Park, storming to victory!! Second place, Fuji Kiseki! Third, after a tight race, Biko Pegasus!! Narita Brian settles for fifth!!"
No… I couldn't catch up…
Announcer: "Flower Park outruns two Triple Crown Uma Musume to claim victory! Fuji Kiseki and Narita Brian pushed hard but finished second and fifth. And with this, Fuji Kiseki's undefeated streak comes to an end!!"
Fuji: "!!"
My undefeated record… it's over…
Fuji: "…"
Park: "Fuji-senpai…"
Fuji: "…Haha, I lost. Wow, you were fast! Amazing run!"
Park: "Y-Yes!"
Fuji: "Sorry, everyone. Let's give a big hand to Flower Park!!"
…I'm sorry. I'm really not in the mood to face anyone right now.
Waiting Room
Fuji: "…"
I lost… My first loss… That's fine, I'm not dwelling on it. But… I feel so sorry for Hachiman. To lose like this…
knock knock knock
Fuji: "!"
Chukyo Race 11 – Results
1st: ⑩ Flower Park – 1:07.4 2nd: ⑭ Fuji Kiseki – 1 1/2 lengths 3rd: ⑬ Biko Pegasus – 1 length 4th: ⑦ Hishi Akebono – 1 length 5th: ⑤ Narita Brian – 1 1/4 lengths
Fuji's first defeat…
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