As the doors to the competitor tunnel swung open, one rookie after another—each wearing the same gym uniform—stepped up onto the parade stand under staff guidance.
The atmosphere at the track turned subtle in an instant.
These girls, who had only just set foot into their professional careers, all reacted differently.
Some held their heads high, ambition glittering in their eyes, as if they could already see the future where they dominated the circuit.
Some wore blank, stunned expressions, their bodies stiff, and there were even girls secretly wiping away tears.
Others had their brows tightly knit, as if they'd heard some rumor, scanning their surroundings with worry written all over their faces.
It wasn't until the stadium broadcast—spoken in that steady, flat tone—suddenly lifted slightly, breaking the heaviness.
"Next up is a Uma Musume who is also today's top favorite in this rookie debut!"
"I'm sure among everyone here, there's at least one person who already knows who she is, right?"
The commentator made a rare joke, then raised his voice.
"Please welcome—Chasing Light's new generation, Tokai Teio!!!"
Clap, clap, clap—
Ohhh—
Sparse applause and cheers rose from the stands, thin but full of expectation.
The next moment, a set of footsteps came from deep within the tunnel—steady, yet carrying a lively bounce.
Where everyone's gaze converged.
A petite girl in the standard gym uniform walked out.
She had the signature long black hair and crescent-shaped bangs. The instant she appeared, a confident smile bloomed on her face—one that didn't match her age at all.
That look made quite a few spectators familiar with Chasing Light blink in surprise.
This didn't match the vibe of the other Chasing Light Uma Musume at all.
Setting aside the legendary Uma Musume they'd already brought in, and someone like Fujimasa March, who was practically an absurd phenomenon—
Even just last year's Daydream.
Her personality and presence were famously cool and noble.
Just standing there, the aura of a prestigious young lady and a top-class runner was enough to make hearts tighten.
But this girl named Tokai Teio was like the blazing sun of summer, radiating dazzling vitality, as though she was overflowing with drive at any given moment.
However, down below, some sharp-eyed Uma Musume had already sensed that something about the outfit—and that face—felt off.
It was her eyes.
Those deep blue eyes held none of a rookie's confusion or timidness, instead shining with a confidence so intense it was almost pride.
She merely swept her gaze across the other Uma Musume standing side by side, confirmed these were today's opponents, then—perfectly in rhythm with the host below—raised her hand and waved to the audience with bright enthusiasm.
That smile was vivid as a flower in bloom, leaving you unable to dislike her even a little.
"This girl… is she really from Chasing Light?"
Below the parade stand, a Uma Musume who'd had her arms crossed the whole time frowned in confusion.
Her Trainer had heard about this debut race earlier and immediately jumped out of the car to watch.
He'd looked like he'd been triggered by an alarm.
He dragged her into studying Chasing Light race footage and track data day and night without rest.
Thanks to all those recordings and materials, in her mind, the Chasing Light seniors all had thunderous presence—one glance was enough to tell they were terrifyingly strong.
But this small girl, giggling and fooling around…
She didn't have that "strong at a glance" oppressive feeling at all.
"Who cares. Chasing Light or not, today she's losing under my feet!"
Another Uma Musume snorted, her eyes full of defiance.
For girls like them—who had only recently gone through True Blooming, with their strength and speed surging rapidly—
The idea of "fear" was still far away.
At this age, not a single one of them lacked absolute confidence in their own speed.
Their Trainer says they can't beat others their age?
Yeah right.
Even if a same-aged Student Council President Rudolf were standing right in front of them, they'd still claim they could crush her easily!
Just then, Teio on the stage seemed to notice the hostile stares gathering around her.
She stopped waving and suddenly spoke, her clear voice snapping everyone's attention toward her.
"Everyone!"
The sudden shout startled the Uma Musume below into instinctively covering their ears.
In the next moment, the adorable girl slowly extended her right hand, forming a big "V" sign, her face lifting into a wildly soaring grin.
"Go ahead and witness it from behind me, a dance that belongs to Teio-sama!"
"Because next—this is going to be my stage!!!"
…
Silence.
A deathly silence across the entire venue.
Two seconds later.
"…Hah?!"
"The hell?!"
"What does that mean?!"
"You're picking a fight with us?!!"
The Uma Musume who'd been harboring their own thoughts moments ago all felt veins bulge on their foreheads, fists clenching until their knuckles creaked.
"Take that back!"
"This Tokai Teio… she's seriously arrogant!"
"We have to beat her!!"
In an instant, the participants—who'd been a scattered mess—reached an unprecedented, united consensus.
Defeat Tokai Teio.
Up in the stands.
"T-Teio… that was bold!"
Turbo's pupils went wide, her mouth forming a perfect O.
"Heh…"
Nature and the others exchanged looks, forcing awkward but polite smiles as cold sweat broke out on their foreheads.
That was a full-area taunt.
If it were them, even with a hundred times the courage, they wouldn't dare provoke opponents like that before the race.
Only Tokai Teio—someone with absolute confidence in her ability, confidence bordering on arrogance—could say something like that as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
…
On the track, as warmups ended, the Uma Musume moved toward the starting gates one after another under the commentator's direction.
Click.
The sounds of the gates closing rang out in succession.
Inside Gate Five.
The girl with crescent bangs closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
But it wasn't the deep breath of nervousness.
It was the deep breath she took to keep her mind clear for what was about to begin.
When she opened her eyes again, the confident smile on her face was even brighter.
"Come on!"
"All Uma Musume are in the gates."
"Any moment now, with the chime of the gates—"
Under the vast, cloudless sky, at Chukyo Racecourse, Turf 1800 meters, the rookie Uma Musume debut race is about to begin!
The next moment, music rang out—completely different from the heavy, solemn feeling of a G1 feature.
Bang—
With the lights shifting, the gates burst open!
"The race begins!"
(End of Chapter)
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