The atmosphere somehow suddenly became strange.
However, the commentator's voice once again echoed throughout the venue.
"Next up is Group Two's 2000m middle-distance turf race. And this group has a notable contender! Like Mihono Bourbon this morning, Inahoichi, who achieved a perfect record in the simulated battles, is one to watch. Another formidable presence is Uma Musume number four, Tamamo Cross, who also achieved impressive results in the simulated races. Let's look forward to what kind of race these two will deliver."
Upon hearing this, Miss Hayakawa said with a hint of apology, "I'm sorry, Asama-kun, I still have matters to attend to here. If anything else happens, you can contact me if necessary."
Seeing Miss Hayakawa say this, Kazuo could only nod in agreement.
After watching Miss Hayakawa leave, Kazuo quickly turned his attention to the race track.
Because he had made an agreement with someone else.
This was the race Xiao Hai Wan had previously arranged with him, and fortunately, he made it in time.
Sure enough, he immediately noticed Xiao Hai Wan's figure.
In gate number six, Super Creek.
The girl's tall stature, coupled with her exquisite temperament, made her easy to spot.
Although the commentator didn't focus on introducing her, many people in the audience had already noticed this beautiful lady.
Despite a small unexpected event, Kazuo quickly adjusted his mood.
After all, he had an appointment with Xiao Hai Wan. Although it was still unclear why Xiao Hai Wan wanted him to watch this race, Kazuo knew that she seemed to want to convey something, or rather… to tell him something.
.
"All Uma Musume have entered the gates. They are ready. The second group's 2000m middle-distance turf race, who will emerge victorious—"
"Start!! The race begins!!!"
"Inahoichi and Tamamo Cross are in third and sixth place respectively. Judging by their previous running styles, both seem to be planning to make their move in the middle section of the race!"
"And currently in the first position is Uma Musume number six, Super Creek! Surprisingly, it's Super Creek who has taken the lead."
Unlike the unexpected situation the first time, Xiao Hai Wan's stride and posture were both standard and unique at this moment. Just the distance covered during her gate acceleration was enough to make people feel her distinctiveness.
"They quickly reached a bend! At this point, Super Creek deliberately chose to slow down! Uma Musume number four and Uma Musume number two instantly overtook her and took her leading position. She seems to have done it intentionally. What exactly is going on?!"
"…Is it a Leading running style?"
Placing herself in the leading group but not as the front-runner, on one hand, reduces unnecessary wind resistance, and on the other hand, it allows her to be in a favorable position with a certain degree of initiative. Without a Trainer, Super Creek was judging the situation herself and making temporary adjustments on the track accordingly. A very intelligent Uma Musume, she didn't even need a Trainer to guide her. She easily controlled the pace of the race and maintained balance with that rhythm. In middle-distance races, especially for Elementary School Division students, rather than absolute speed, the focus is actually on comprehensive qualities, as well as tests of stamina and willpower. In addition, strategy and tactics also hold a certain weight in middle-to-long distance races.
However—
In this race, Xiao Hai Wan was certainly not the only one performing excellently.
"On the second straightaway, the race hierarchy is starting to change!!! Inahoichi from behind is slowly accelerating and closing the distance, and Tamamo Cross on the other side is also catching up!"
The two Uma Musume who were the focus before the race, their strength was evident. The extremely powerful burst of speed that Tamamo Cross displayed in front of Kazuo that day, like lightning, left a deep impression on him.
And Inahoichi, needless to say, her characteristic of inverse acceleration in tight spaces while dodging and weaving was truly terrifying.
The distance between the two of them and the top three was visibly shrinking, while Xiao Hai Wan, on the other hand, remained in third place.
Her running ability also began to improve little by little.
"Now halfway through the race, Tamamo Cross is choosing to overtake on the outside, accelerating at this point! And Inahoichi is also choosing this moment, but she is using her best running style, weaving through the group of Uma Musume! Her speed isn't fast, but the effect is excellent!!"
And just as these two were about to reach Xiao Hai Wan's position, she suddenly paused and dipped forward.
She charged forward directly.
"Such incredible speed! Super Creek has also started to accelerate, her position changing in an instant!! Are the three of them planning to compete right here and now!!?"
Everyone's attention was almost entirely focused on them.
As Tamamo Cross and Inahoichi exerted themselves, the two who were originally in the lead were instantly overtaken, and Xiao Hai Wan also chose to accelerate at this moment, charging forward from third place.
The speed displayed by the three of them made everyone exclaim in surprise in an instant.
While the sight of someone leaving everyone else in the dust is incredibly impactful, a neck-and-neck race with evenly matched competitors and suspense is equally exhilarating.
It was only then that people realized, with surprise, that they had overlooked the third participant in this race.
The consequence of the three Uma Musume's acceleration in the middle section was that by the last six hundred meters, they had already pulled ahead of the other competitors by two or three horse lengths.
Clearly, if this momentum continued, the final top three would be decided among these three Uma Musume.
This race had transformed into a competition belonging solely to the three of them.
"Tamamo Cross and Inahoichi can still accelerate! Tamamo Cross is surprisingly only narrowly ahead of Inahoichi, and Super Creek is almost neck and neck with them!! The final bend, and then they will enter the sprint phase—"
"Guh-uh-ah!!!"
Tamamo Cross once again burst forth with a sprint speed like lightning, and Inahoichi, not to be outdone, revealed her powerful side, unyieldingly increasing her speed again. At this moment, Xiao Hai Wan seemed to be slowly falling behind the two.
Kazuo stood by the track watching all of this, but his eyes were fixed solely on Xiao Hai Wan.
What kind of relationship exactly is there between a Trainer and an Uma Musume?
They would quickly pass in front of Kazuo's viewing stand on the final straight sprint track.
Looking at that person, who was clearly on the track but felt incredibly close to him.
Kazuo almost instinctively raised his hands:
"Go, Super Creek!!!"
His voice was so loud that it even startled the other Trainers who were watching the race.
And it was precisely this sound that made Xiao Hai Wan turn her head, catching a glimpse of the figure standing on the viewing platform out of the corner of her eye.
Sweat was pouring, she was breathing heavily, she was still running.
But the girl showed the most beautiful smile on the track.
And in the next second, a surge of immense energy seemed to erupt within her once more, bringing her directly alongside Tamamo Cross in an instant.
Her stride was truly exaggerated, almost as if she was bouncing as she sprinted.
And with this method, which only she could achieve, she once again drew level with the two of them. Then she looked at Tamamo Cross, showing a slightly apologetic smile:
"I'm really sorry… Tamamo, this time, I also have a reason why I can't lose."
The wind, the track, and the brilliant light that finally emerged victorious.
"The final overtake!! She actually, actually, achieved a comeback with a two-horse length difference! Overtaking the two most anticipated favorites in one fell swoop!!! Super Creek! Crossing the finish line in perfect form!!!!"
PS:
PS:
Will Kazuo's first Uma Musume truly be Xiao Hai Wan? The next chapter will reveal all!
PS:
Third update today, seeking recommendations and collections! I've opened a bounty! You give, I update, speed is absolutely guaranteed. Three or four updates, ten thousand characters a day, is child's play!
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T/N: Although I'm an inexperienced Editor, I do have a Patreon account! Although it seems like I don't have many supporters right now, my webnovel will be released in full every day, and the advanced chapters will be uploaded to Patreon.
It may not be worth it now, but who knows, it might be different in the future. Who knows!
patreon.com/TripleCrown07
If you want to see it, then why not?