"Hey, Nearl! Over here."
A familiar voice called from the stands, drawing a faint smile from Nearl, who had been standing with her eyes closed.
Turning toward the sound, she wasn't surprised to see four familiar figures in the front row, all draped in gray cloaks and wearing face masks to avoid drawing attention.
"You guys are overdoing it with the disguises," Nearl said, shaking her head in amusement.
"Not at all. If I didn't cover up, the crowd would swarm me—no way I'd get to watch your race then."
One of the hooded horse girls spoke in a muffled tone. Her ruby-red eyes gave away her identity.
"March, how's your leg doing?" Nearl asked. "I see you're not using a cane or any support anymore."
"All good. I've started training again—taking it easy since the injury just healed, but I'll be back to my old self soon enough."
Fujimasa March clenched a fist over her chest, her voice brimming with excitement at being able to run again.
But then she pointed at Nearl and made an X gesture with her arms.
"That said, I'm not keen on facing you again. You really don't give anyone a chance when you run."
"Don't worry, I won't be in the same races as you for a while. I still need to build my reputation and prize earnings."
Nearl smiled wryly at Fujimasa's joking tone, then turned her gaze to the other three, who had been quiet until now.
"Norn, Rudy, Mini—thank you for coming to watch my debut race."
"Don't mention it," Rudy Lemono waved it off. "I'm just here with Fujimasa. Mini's the same. Only Norn actually wanted to come see you."
She pulled Norn Ace forward toward Nearl.
"C'mon, Norn, say something. Weren't you all excited on the way here?"
"I was not excited! I'm just… happy for Nearl, that's all!"
Norn Ace retorted defensively, then hesitated under Nearl's encouraging gaze before finally stretching out a hand and stammering:
"C-can we be friends…?"
Looking at the outstretched hand, Nearl's lips curled into a warm smile. Without hesitation, she grasped it firmly.
"Then we're friends, Norn."
Norn didn't reply. She shakily withdrew her hand, clutching it tightly to her chest as if she'd just downed a strong drink.
"Hehe… ohh…"
"Oh, for crying out loud…" Rudy covered her face in embarrassment, while Fujimasa March looked on with a pained expression.
"And now, in gate number one—Margaret Nearl! As this is her debut race, what surprises does she have in store for us? Let's wait and see!"
The announcer's introduction meant it was time for Nearl to enter the starting gate.
"Go on, Nearl! We'll be cheering you on from here," Fujimasa urged, her eyes full of confidence.
"I won't keep you waiting long."
With a smile, Nearl turned and jogged calmly toward her assigned gate.
"Ooh, Nearl enters the gate smoothly—no signs of anxiety or resistance. She must've practiced this well."
"True, but how will she handle the break? It's common for new Uma Musume to get nervous in their first official race and miss the start. Let's hope she stays calm."
Down on the track, Fujimasa March smirked at the commentators' words.
"Miss the start? Even if the gate broke and didn't open, she'd probably smash right through it."
Inside the gate, Nearl stayed quiet—as all horse girls tended to do once locked in.
Out here, the roar of the crowd and the voice of the commentator felt distant, almost like another world. A unique tension began to spread across the field.
Every Uma Musume felt it, deep down—they were stepping onto the stage of fate.
This was the pursuit bestowed upon them by the Three Goddesses. This was the destiny inherited from another world, carried in their names.
This was their stage.
"Ready!"
At the call, every racer in the gates sharpened their focus.
Weight low, driving foot back, body slightly turned, head up, eyes forward—the standard stance for breaking from the gate.
But out of the eight competitors today, only two managed it perfectly:
Number one, Margaret Nearl, and number two, Everlamp.
"3!"
"2!"
"1!"
Clang!
The gate lights switched from red to green. The metal doors sprang open with a burst of compressed energy.
In that instant, the path ahead lay clear—nothing but open track and dust drifting lightly on the breeze.
Thump!
A chaotic chorus of hoofbeats erupted as the Uma Musume burst from the gates. A few, startled by the intensity, hesitated and fell behind.
"Oh no! Number six missed the break! She's been left in the dust—already a huge gap to make up!"
"Numbers four and seven are keeping up with the pack, but their paths are blocked! That's the cost of a slow start. They'll have to bide their time at the back."
"And now leading at the front is…"
"…"
The commentator fell silent, stunned by what she was seeing. Only when the crowd erupted into thunderous cheers did she find her voice again.
"Am I seeing this right? Yes! It's Nearl! Margaret Nearl is leading! No—wait, her speed—this isn't just leading! No Uma Musume can keep up with her!
Only Everlamp in second place is barely hanging on! The rest are already several lengths behind!"
"An incredible sight! Is Nearl planning to dominate from start to finish with a Great Escape?!"
"How?!"
"Impossible!"
"I can't keep up—!"
Cries of despair echoed among the racers trailing behind Nearl, their voices tinged with powerlessness.
Even the commentators were at a loss.
"And we've only just begun! The race is already spinning out of control! Margaret Nearl has opened a massive lead in the first 200 meters!"
"What breathtaking force! She's completely ignoring every opponent—or rather, no one can catch her! She's like a streak of golden light across the turf—this is her solo performance now!"
"Miss Hana! Look behind! Everlamp is still pushing hard in pursuit!"
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.