"Can the other contenders still muster the strength to close in?"
"Golden Sixty leads the pack! The dark horse, Platinum, trails by two lengths. She's fast, but Golden Sixty is equally swift—the gap between them isn't closing!"
Just two lengths...
Platinum gritted her teeth, her jaw clamping down unconsciously, grinding until they squeaked, as if she might shatter them to dust.
By all logic, a mere two-length gap should be nothing for her explosive finish. Catching up ought to be effortless.
But... she couldn't close it!
Platinum was pushing with every ounce of strength she had, wringing out the last dregs of power from her body.
Yet... her closing speed fell far short of what she'd imagined. It wasn't anywhere near her usual capability.
Had she wasted too much energy early on? Or had she started her sprint too soon?
Her teeth ground together, a muffled swallowing sound escaping her throat as she fought the urge to gasp for air. Her brain, starved for oxygen, felt almost completely blank. With stiff, jerky movements, she shifted her gaze to the figure ahead.
Or was it... because of her? Golden Sixty?
The moment Platinum's eyes fixed on Golden Sixty, they felt dry and strained. She could almost see Golden Sixty racing within the eye of a storm, surrounded by a hurricane that stretched thousands of miles across the open plains.
Platinum remembered her past race against Symboli Rudolf.
That same frustrating feeling—always, always falling just short by a hair's breadth.
As if those few meters between her and the runner ahead weren't solid ground to tread, but rather—
In Platinum's eyes, the entire world seemed to sway, battered by a hurricane far more menacing than anything Sham had made her feel.
The storm swept between her and Golden Sixty, the ground beneath her feet shattered violently, and a fissure yawned open between them—bottomless, as though it plunged straight to the earth's core.
It looked like a gap she could leap over with ease, yet in reality, it felt impossibly vast. Platinum even imagined Golden Sixty shrinking in her vision, as if she'd already been left behind by hundreds of lengths!
For the first time in this world, Platinum felt a sense of suffocation. In the middle of a race, on this very track... was she actually feeling suffocated?
That sensation of being violently choked, lifted off her feet, legs flailing helplessly.
Even amid the intense race, Platinum broke out in a cold sweat, her hands flying to her neck.
Was her head still attached? Was she still alive?
Symboli Rudolf had claimed Platinum and Golden Sixty were on the same level—both champions?
Facing Symboli Rudolf, she'd never once feared that she might... not make it off the track alive.
"Platinum in second place now leads Agnes Digital by six lengths! The race has fully evolved into a duel between Golden Sixty and Platinum. Can Golden Sixty withstand this challenge from her junior and defend her legacy?"
In the commentator's words, Platinum still held a glimmer of hope for victory. But as the one out on the track, she knew better—it was pure fantasy.
Forget surpassing Golden Sixty this time. Even with another year... or two... perhaps she'd never beat her in her entire life.
How could anyone ever get ahead of Golden Sixty?
Platinum's courage had shattered.
As the race entered its final stages, the stands erupted into a frenzy of excitement.
Even Uncle Francis found himself silently sweating for Golden Sixty, his round spectacles clutched in his damp hand.
He never would have guessed that the one to stick with Golden Sixty until the end would be Platinum—the newcomer no one had ever seen as a real rival.
At the same time, a growing unease tightened in his chest. Uncle He could only reassure himself that this foreboding was nothing but a trick of his nerves.
Meanwhile, Agnes Tachyon had found a seat and settled down, turning her eyes away from the track. Unconsciously, she was drenched in sweat, as if she'd just run a race herself.
At this point... she'd done all she could. Platinum had done everything within her power too... Agnes Tachyon closed her eyes lightly.
Now, in the final stretch, all tricks and strategies were useless. All that remained was a straightforward contest of closing speed.
In other words, a battle of endurance—how much could be squeezed out, and how much determination remained. There was no room for shortcuts, not even a sliver.
Winning a race doesn't just depend on yourself—it also hinges on your opponent.
--+--
In front of the television, Symboli Rudolf rested her chin on her hand, a sense of unease rising within her.
Golden Sixty, don't get carried away... Remember to hold back a little. Don't crush Platinum's spirit too hard.
At this stage, a little setback is secondary... After all, Symboli Rudolf never expected Platinum to come this far in the first place.
So, Platinum, you must remember what I told you! Don't focus on winning. Protecting yourself comes first—nothing else matters!
--+--
At this point... isn't it enough?
Platinum's vision blurred. She didn't know if it was from her brain starving for oxygen or because of the hurricane-like illusion blocking her sight.
Wasn't this enough? Second place was a result worthy of praise. She'd only debuted a year ago—achieving this already meant she couldn't really be considered a loser.
Golden Sixty winning was no surprise; in fact, anything less than a decisive victory would be embarrassing for her. For Platinum to come this far had already exceeded everyone's expectations.
Platinum didn't ask much of herself. While running certainly held meaning in her life, her main goals were earning some prize money and unlocking a few achievements. That was enough for her.
After all, survival was what mattered most.
If anything, making it to second place was only possible because Agnes Tachyon had been pushing her relentlessly from behind. It was already an overperformance.
In truth, she had no answer for those retired Uma Musume. Urban Sea, Agnes Digital, Sham—the reasons she'd surpassed them lay not within herself, but within them.
Golden Sixty had no weaknesses. She was powerful enough to drive one to despair. Seeking advantage and avoiding harm is human nature. Reckless action serves no purpose.
So, then...
Platinum's breaths came in ragged, almost sobbing gasps. The distance to Golden Sixty hadn't shrunk, but it hadn't grown wider either.
Like a fallen dodder seed clinging stubbornly to a trouser leg, impossible to shake off.
So why... why were her legs still chasing the figure ahead, as if they had a will of their own?
--+--
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.