The [Tulip Sho], a recently-elevated G2 race. Many saw it as a prelude race to the first leg of the famed Triple Tiara; the counterpart to the Triple Crown's [Yayoi Sho]. The victor of the race would be seen as a promising candidate to win one of the legs of the Triple Tiara.
Though it was just a G2, the excitement brewing around the race was easily comparable to that of a G1 race. Some had even gone so far as to call it a 'Super G2', though that remained controversial.
That in itself was enough to make the participants tense with worry, but this Tulip Sho was unique.
Because there was a super-rookie they had to handle!
"The top favorite—No. 7, Blossom Star!"
Following the crowd's powerful cheers, an umamusume walked out of the athlete's tunnel, dressed in the standard race outfit as the other participants. Her chestnut hair was tied into a ponytail, and her eyes blazed with a blue so bright that it seemed to leave behind contrails with her every move. Her steps were powerful, and the worried stares from the other runners went ignored as she entered the track.
Blossom Star began stretching, and as she did, she began observing her competitors. Those that met her eyes quickly looked away, their spines tingling with instinctive fear.
Some had also planned to try and intimidate the local rookie first, but the moment their gazes met, their confidence had quickly dimmed.
Even Shiyono Roman—the 2nd favorite in the race—found herself incapable of meeting Star's gaze head-on. The back of her head burnt when tried, as if staring at the umamusume for too long would burn her alive.
She gulped. The only time she'd ever felt something similar was during the initiation, when Symboli Rudolf had stepped forward to deliver a welcoming speech.
But she quickly shook the thought away. Comparing the super-rookie to Symboli Rudolf was just wrong.
"Today's race is 1600m in length, Good track, with sunny skies."
"W-Wow…" Sakura Chiyono whispered. "Blossom-san looks so…different.
"It's a G2 race after all." Dicta Striker gave her comments as she drank from her juice box. "It's a massive jump from the local races she did back in Kasamatsu." She grinned as she bit into her straw. "But I doubt she'll be in much trouble. There ain't anyone too interesting this time."
"Her growth has been incredible." Yaeno Muteki said, having personally witnessed Star's growth herself over the past month.
"All runners are to enter their gates!"
Up in the VIP room, Kitahara was shaking like a leaf in the wind, trying his best not to look anywhere else but the race track far below.
Musaka Ginjirou sighed, but he didn't admonish his foolish niece. Instead he turned back to the benefactor that'd allowed Team Kitahara to even enter the VIP room. "Thanks for the opportunity, Symboli-san."
Symboli Rudolf smiled as she gently shook her head. "It is no trouble, Musaka-san. After all," she gazed at the gate Blossom Star just entered. "Today marks the first G2 Team Kitahara tackles, no?"
Musaka nodded silently.
"So high…!" Oguri Cap said in wonder, practically pressing her cheeks onto the massive windows. "Belno! Look! I can see the entire track from here!"
Belno Light giggled at Oguri's enthusiasm, though she carefully pulled Oguri back. "Be careful, Oguri-san."
Oguri nodded enthusiastically, though she was back to pressing her face against the window just seconds later. Belno couldn't help but sigh as she gently pulled Oguri back again.
"All the runners have entered their gates!"
I took a deep breath as I dug my foot into the turf. The track felt a little tougher compared to the one Tracen Central maintained, but the difference wasn't substantial enough to cause any issues. The week had also thankfully been dry, saving me from having to contend with a wet track.
I closed my eyes for a moment. Being here didn't feel too different compared to the races back in Kasamatsu, but that was likely because there wasn't anyone I had to worry over. This time, my true opponent would only be myself—to see whether I could race forth and attain a beautiful victory.
Taking another breath, I did Oguri's warrior shake to clear my head from any senseless thoughts. And once I tidied my hair, I took a glance at the floating panel only I could see.
[Name: Blossom Star
Track Affinity: [Dirt: A] | [Turf: B]
Running Affinity: [End: G] | [Late: G] | [Pace: C] | [Front: A]
Distance Affinity: [Sprint: G] | [Mile: C] | [Medium: B] | [Long: A]
SP: 724]
In the end, I didn't manage to raise my Mile to at least Rank-B. I'd considered purchasing the {Mile Affinity Up} a few days before the race, but I ultimately decided not to. There was still two more weeks before my first true challenge—there was still time to potentially raise my affinity without the SP Shop's help.
As for this race?
Nah, I'd be fine.
"The race is ready to begin!"
The world fell silent. Tension thrummed through both the runners and the audience. The seconds ticked by.
One.
Two.
Bang!
The gates slammed open, and suddenly I shot forward past the other runners in a stunning display of immediate acceleration.
"The gates have opened-!"
"No.7, Blossom Star immediately takes first!"
"It's her famed Great Escape!"
I could hear the crowd's excitement even from here, but I ignored them. The steps of the other runners vanished into the winds as our gap widened. The only thing I could hear then was the whistling of the winds as they blew past my ears.
At that moment, the world was gone, with only me and the ever-extending track existing in this solitary dream.
"Blossom Star has already entered the second straight!"
"No.5, Shiyono Roman is in second! Is she going to try and accelerate soon!?"
Then, again, it appeared.
An illusory umamusume seemed to be running in front of me, this time having taken the form of an umamusume I didn't quite recognize. Her mane was dark brown, and her short yellow jacket glimmered like the sun. Her thick boots seemed to tear into the turf with every step, as if the ground was incapable of handling the immense weight of her steps.
My breaths shortened. At this point, I was sure that the phantom was real. During these strange moments between dream and reality, someone would always be running in front of me, seeming to beckon me forward. For me to run faster and faster until I could one day grasp at their tailwind.
"She's only midway through the second straight, but Shiyono Roman has begun accelerating!"
"It's the only option! Blossom Star has already entered the fourth corner!"
The crowd roared, confident that my victory was certain. But I didn't share their excitement.
Instead, I only gritted my teeth as I watched the phantom accelerate further, her back shrinking as the gap between us grew. I tried to speed up by activating {Homestretch Haste}, but even that wasn't enough to stop our gap from shrinking.
Then, for a moment, the phantom glanced back at me. But while her expression was strict and cold, her eyes—bright red like rubies—were incredibly warm. "Chase me." The phantom's voice echoed out like a wind chime, barely audible compared to the winds rushing around me.
And what else could I do but comply?
"Blossom Star is entering the final-"
"W-What!? Blossom Star is accelerating even further! Shiyono Roman can't catch up in the slightest!"
I raced forward, and the short grass of the turf seemed to wilt every time my foot stomped into the dirt. The air around my shoes seemed to bend, as if my legs exuded so much heat that the air began to twist.
The other runners, who'd begun accelerating earlier than normal, quickly despaired as they watched the shrinking gap suddenly extend once more, as if all the effort they'd put in hadn't mattered in the slightest.
So, inevitably,
"Blossom Star crosses the finish line!"
"Incredible! She maintained her Great Escape from beginning to end! Just how insane is her stamina!?"
"An incredible lead of over 4 lengths!"
I slowed to a stop once I registered the announcer's words. And the moment I came to a full stop, I managed a small breath before I swayed slightly. I managed to keep myself upright, but I had to take a moment to fully catch my breath, all while pressing a hand onto my chest.
It might've looked like I'd dominated that race, but the truth wasn't so simple. I only had a Rank-C in Mile and a Rank-B in Turf races definitely hit me hard, and my usually powerful stamina had been completely drained. The fact that I only managed a lead of 4 lengths despite me maintaining my Great Escape from start to finish was damning evidence.
I was lucky this time. If I faced Muteki or Sakura Chiyono O in this race instead?
I had no doubt that I wouldn't have fared so well.
…alright, enough of that.
After taking a few more breaths, I turned to the cheering audience. I ran a hand through my hair, and then flashed the audience a daring grin as I raised my fist to the skies.
Just like that, I received my first graded victory.