As the Horse Girls one by one entered the gates and got ready,
the previously noisy venue also quieted down.
Everyone held their breath in unison. Only the voices of one male and one female commentator echoed above the racecourse.
"This time, it's the Satsuki Sho, where the fastest Horse Girl has a better chance of winning, and it's also a very important race for the Horse Girls." the female commentator said while the Horse Girls were preparing.
"Yes, the 2000m middle distance requires moderate stamina, and Horse Girls all have techniques to conserve energy, so they don't need to be particularly good at it. It mainly depends on explosiveness and speed."
The other commentator chimed in.
"I wonder whose growth, as the first crown, will make us look at them with new eyes."
"The second favorite is Kagura in gate 11."
At this moment, the camera on the screen focused on the Horse Girl in gate 18.
Her blue and white racing uniform was clean and refreshing.
Beneath her short skirt, a pair of long, beautiful legs were a delight to behold.
"I'm sure everyone is already very familiar with this one, she is the top favorite of this race, Tokai Teio. We'll have to wait and see if she can continue her undefeated legend!"
"Gates closed, ready for the start!"
Ding!
As the signal sounded,
with a bang,
all the gates instantly opened.
The eighteen Horse Girls on the track burst out of the gates in an instant!
"And they're off! All the Horse Girls are in perfect alignment, a magnificent start! Everyone is incredibly focused. This is a once-in-a-lifetime race, and we're witnessing a fierce struggle on the track!"
The commentator's tone gradually became more intense.
"Currently vying for the lead are the top favorite Tokai Teio, the fifth favorite Season, and the second favorite Kagura."
"Facing layers of pressure, will Tokai Teio be able to deliver her usual results?!"
Griseo leaned on the railing, watching the Horse Girls run.
There were only eighteen of them.
But as they galloped across the grass, the continuous vibration of their feet hitting the ground filled her ears.
There was even a feeling of ten thousand horses thundering.
The earth trembled.
Before her, one Horse Girl after another, like cars speeding at full throttle, whizzed past.
Little Griseo had to adjust her hat due to it.
The gale stirred up by the Horse Girls nearly blew her hat off.
She turned to look at Okino.
His face still held that same confidence.
No, it was confidence in Tokai Teio.
Even now, it seemed difficult for her to break through, being caught between two opponents.
"Alright! After an intense competition, we see that leading the pack is… Shako Grey, who was sixteenth in popularity before the race! She has burst forth with unprecedented power!"
"Close behind is Iitoyo Kihou, and Tokai Teio is also hot on their heels!"
"Now entering the second bend, this competition is incredibly fierce!"
"At this point, a leading group has formed, with the three of them leaving the other Horse Girls behind!"
Suddenly, Griseo's ears twitched.
She tugged at Okino's sleeve beside her.
"?"
Okino paused, his questioning gaze turning to her.
"'Oyster'… what does that mean?"
Griseo asked.
"I heard the Horse Girls who just ran past seemed to be shouting that all along."
"You misheard."
Okino's mouth twitched.
"They were shouting 'effort'. Even though they can't catch up to the leading group, they still have to strive for a slightly better position."
"Oh." Griseo nodded, half-understanding.
Meanwhile, on the track, it was a critical moment.
For the Horse Girls, at a distance of 2000, the finish line was already in sight.
"Now entering the fourth bend! After this, it's the final straight, where victory will be decided!"
"There it is! Tokai Teio's ultimate dance! With a lead of more than one body length, can she overtake her opponents on this bend?!"
At this moment, the leading Shako Grey listened to the broadcast, with no thought of looking back. Her leg muscles instantly tensed, she stomped hard on the ground, and sprinted forward.
Yet, at her side, a blue-and-white figure, like lightning, effortlessly passed her just as she unleashed her top speed.
"Tokai Teio has broken through! Tokai Teio!"
"Only 200 meters left!"
"Tokai Teio's pace shows no sign of fatigue! Too strong! Too strong!"
"Shako Grey is in hot pursuit, but the distance between her and Tokai Teio is constantly widening!"
The commentator's voice became fervent and hysterical!
"Two body lengths! Four body lengths! Five body lengths! Tokai Teio's sprinting speed is astonishing! Leaving all other Horse Girls behind!"
That blue lightning bolt.
Leading the way.
"Only 50 meters left! No hope, all hope is lost! Tokai Teio! Tokai Teio!"
"Tokai Teio crosses the finish line first in a crushing victory!"
"She has dominated the Satsuki Sho! Earning the honor of one of the Triple Crown races! Continuing her undefeated legend! At the same time, the miracle of an undefeated Triple Crown begins today!"
Tokai Teio stood at the finish line.
She turned to look at the sea of Horse Girls.
She was panting, sweat dripping from her hair.
But her eyes were brighter than the sky.
With a smile, she decisively raised her hand.
Extending one finger.
At this moment, she was the chosen one, and the only one.
First Crown achieved!
At the same time, tens of thousands of people in the venue responded enthusiastically, as if by prior agreement.
"Teio!"
"Teio!"
"Teio!"
The sound grew from small to large.
From scattered to orderly.
Finally, it swept across the sky and earth like a tsunami.
Lingering endlessly.
"Teio ~ Teio!"
At this moment, little Griseo also stood at the side, her small face flushed, waving her small hands, and hoarsely shouting Teio's name.
Although Griseo was easily influenced by others.
She would unconsciously imitate, not to mention being in such an emotionally charged racecourse.
But this time, it was completely different.
She knew she wasn't influenced by the people around her.
But wanted to shout from the bottom of her heart.
These were her own thoughts and ideas.
Tokai Teio, who was waving in thanks on the track, also saw the desperately shouting little Griseo and returned a brilliant smile.