"The race has officially begun!"
"All competitors have started perfectly!"
Horse girls capable of participating in G1 races naturally wouldn't make mistakes in this fundamental yet crucial starting step.
"King Halo has temporarily taken the lead and is gradually cutting inward toward the inner lane."
...
In this race, Seiun Sky's position was closer to the inner lane, while Special Week was on the relatively outer track.
As the race line stretched out, the various groups were temporarily established.
This time, Seiun Sky maintained her position on the outer edge of the middle group, while Special Week, after moving closer to the inner lane, closely followed Symboli Rudolf.
" King Halo... Spe-chan..." Seiun Sky furrowed her brows, maintaining her own running posture while also keeping track of the positions of several highly threatening opponents.
Perhaps inspired by Lucian's encouragement, she was exceptionally calm in this race, constantly analyzing the situation on the field with a broad perspective.
Compared to her, Special Week seemed somewhat impatient.
Aside from doggedly following King Halo, she was also mentally calculating the sprinting position similar to the one in the Yayoi Sho.
...
After the straight sprint, they entered the curve.
In truth, it's not just the final curve before the straight sprint that matters—every curve is crucial.
When navigating the curves, horse girls must ensure they don't lose speed and secure an optimal sprinting position.
Seiun Sky was clever.
She conserved her stamina during the straight sections and stayed away from the crowded middle group during the curves.
Her goal was to utilize the pitch running technique Lucian had taught her to accelerate during the last two curves!
"What's that!?" On the sidelines, Haru Urara exclaimed, nudging Lucian's arm. "Trainer, look at Seiun-chan!"
"I see her. That girl... she's really something..." Lucian didn't believe it was the promise he made that suddenly awakened Seiun Sky.
This was the result of her own training, though some factors of timing, location, and harmony also played a part.
But effort was ultimately the most critical element in determining success or failure.
Silence Suzuka's hands unconsciously gripped the railing. True champions inherently crave strong opponents.
Her stirring heart told her she wanted to race against Seiun Sky and Special Week again.
...
"King Halo is still in the lead! She's the first to pass the final curve!"
"Six lengths behind her, Special Week is catching up!"
"Next is Seiun Sky! She's shaken off Dextrous Bailey behind her—Lightning Strike, Silver Hooves..."
The effect was remarkable. After Seiun Sky passed the final curve, she naturally broke away and charged toward the final straight.
In her field of vision, only the figures of Special Week and King Halo remained.
Before hitting the slope, Seiun Sky accelerated once more, visibly closing the gap with Special Week.
In Seiun Sky's eyes, both Special Week and King Halo had become prey!
"From here on out, Spe-chan, I won't lose to you again this time! Don't go crying on me now."
A blue-green glow enveloped Seiun Sky's silhouette like smooth ribbons fluttering behind her!
Lucian's eyes widened, his mouth agape with astonishment, large enough to fit a pigeon egg.
He held his breath, watching the anomaly on Seiun Sky's body, afraid of missing anything.
The azure light still appeared faint and translucent, as if a strong gust of wind could shatter it into pieces.
Yet it was no longer a fleeting glimpse but a persistent flicker, like a fragile yet tenacious life force.
"If... if she can maintain this state for the entire race, or even master it...?" Lucian's imagination ran wild, and his analytical curiosity grew uncontrollably, like bamboo shoots after rain.
...
"Seiun Sky has overtaken Special Week!"
Just as Special Week was about to start her sprint from the same position, a figure flashed past her, instantly moving ahead.
"WOOOOOAH!!!!!!!"
Simultaneously, the cheers from the crowd erupted like thunder, resonating endlessly.
Special Week felt dazed amidst the overwhelming roar of cheers, but the next second, she assumed a sprinting posture. "I can't lose!"
...
Seiun Sky wore a smile as she lowered her center of gravity again.
Perhaps her legs would feel heavy after the race, but now she felt nothing—only growing lighter with each stride.
This slope, so familiar—she had run it over and over again!
"I won't lose to anyone here!"
...
King Halo's leading momentum began to wane.
At this moment, she sensed an immense pressure approaching from behind.
"If I can just hold on through this last stretch, I can claim victory..."
King Halo gritted her teeth, forcing her heavy legs to push forward.
Yet the pressure from behind only intensified.
Until a powerful gust of wind roared past her ears—only then did she realize the azure figure had already surged ahead.
Like a bolt of blue lightning, carrying boundless momentum, it swallowed her whole.
The cheers of the audience surged like tidal waves, pushing the race to its climax once more.
On the stadium's giant screen, the name of the first-place finisher appeared, the time frozen at 2:00.2.
(In history, Seiun Sky's winning time for this race was 2:01.3.)
King Halo narrowly defeated Special Week, securing second place.
Lucian saw it clearly—if Special Week had performed normally, second place would have been secured, and first was within reach.
But at the final moment, the child's heart had likely faltered, and with it, her rhythm.
...
The race concluded. After resting, Seiun Sky faced the spectator stands, accepting the crowd's congratulations.
She bowed gracefully, but upon turning around, she spotted Special Week not far away.
The other girl noticed her too, offering a faint smile as she approached. "Seiun, congratulations."
"Thank you. You did great too, Spe-chan." Seiun Sky had expected Special Week to cry, but instead, she came to congratulate her right away.
"Spe-chan! Seiun!" Haru Urara and Silence Suzuka had somehow entered the racecourse and were walking toward them.
"Congratulations, Seiun-chan! And Spe-chan was amazing too!" Haru Urara never held back her praise, especially when it came to her teammates—of course, she'd cheer for them all.
Silence Suzuka nodded in agreement. "Both of you were outstanding."
Seiun Sky expressed her gratitude. "By the way, where's the Trainer? Why didn't he come with you?"
Was he trying to avoid keeping his promise by running away?
She was, after all, a pretty girl... Was it really that much of a burden for him? If anything, he was the one benefiting.
Haru Urara recalled Lucian's instructions. "Oh, the Trainer said you should head over to him later—something about an interview."
"Is that so? Then I'll go now."
...
After Seiun Sky left, Silence Suzuka and Haru Urara turned their gazes to Special Week.
"What's up?" Special Week tilted her head, puzzled, then continued on her own. "Losing this time is a bit disappointing, but I'll just have to work harder!"
"Mhm, it's fine." Silence Suzuka chuckled softly and shook her head. "Go change, Spe-chan."