Because Rudolph Symbol, who was currently in the spotlight, had also announced that she would come to watch the race, the selection race drew an unprecedented amount of attention. Akikawa Yayoi had even had to move in extra steps to expand the stands, and only barely managed to find seats for everyone.
"Don't be nervous, Nature. I've already investigated your opponents. No one in this selection race can threaten you. Believe in yourself, but don't underestimate them, either. Just run the way you did during our special training."
In the athletes' waiting area, Kagura gave Nice Nature her final reminders and guidance before the race. In truth, her main goal was to steady the nervous Nice Nature's state of mind. Having already asked Toujou Hana to investigate the opponents, Kagura believed that as long as Nice Nature performed calmly, winning this race would be no problem at all.
"I understand... To be honest, I... can't make myself as calm as you, Kagura. If you weren't by my side... even if I signed up, I'm afraid I might have run away in fear..."
"Don't think so much about it, Nature. You only need to know that I'm right beside you now. Believe in yourself. You can definitely do it."
As she spoke, Kagura hugged Nice Nature and patted her back. Nice Nature nodded and hugged Kagura in return. She felt that reassuring presence radiating from Kagura, and it calmed her down considerably.
"Nice Nature, participant in the 2,000-meter race, please prepare to enter!"
The announcer's voice came from outside. Nice Nature realized that it was time, so she released Kagura and saw her smile.
"Good luck, Nature!"
"Okay... I'm going!"
Nice Nature nodded at Kagura, then turned and resolutely walked down the entrance passage.
—Oh my, you really do care about this child. Having a friend like you is truly one of the greatest blessings in her life.
The words of Miss Eclipse appeared on Kagura's phone screen, then slowly faded away.
Miss Eclipse, what do you think of this race?
—What else is there to think? You investigated all the participants, didn't you? They're all students still studying at school. Some of them don't even have trainers. How could they possibly compare with that child? Unless a genuine prodigy appears, she really can't lose.
If Nice Nature encountered that rumored prodigy, there might have been some suspense. But the participants in this race had probably barely run a few training races, if any, and none of them even had trainers. Eclipse couldn't imagine how those students could compete against Nice Nature, who had undergone proper professional training.
After watching Nice Nature leave, Kagura also left through the entrance and entered the spectator stands. She considered where to watch the race. Nice Nature's supporters were gathered around the middle of the course. Kagura had originally wanted to go there, but after thinking it over, she decided to squat near the final straight instead.
It's been so long, but I don't think I've ever properly cheered anyone on... What should I say?
Nice Nature walked from the waiting area onto the track.
For young Uma Musumes, a distance of 2,000 meters was still rather difficult. Thus, most participants in selection races usually competed in short-distance or mile races. There were relatively few 2,000-meter races, and this was the only one in this selection event—the one Nice Nature was running.
Nice Nature didn't know any of the other participants at all. Her social circle at school was actually quite small. Aside from her classmates, she only knew Kagura. At present, Kagura was truly the only person she could call a familiar friend.
Since I made it to Tracen Academy, that means I must have some talent, right? I... should be able to do it this time!
Nice Nature looked toward the finish line and thought silently.
Perhaps she had been cursed somehow. Whether in exams or races, she had always bizarrely ended up in third place. It was as if she had some strange grudge against the number three. She no longer remembered how long this eerie third-place streak had lasted. It had robbed her of her confidence, and she had stopped striving for first place—until that afternoon—
—Thanks for helping me move those things~ My name is Inari Kagura. I'm a maid of the Symbol family.
The young Uma Musume she had met by chance had dyed the ordinary world in Nice Nature's eyes with dazzling colors. She had continued trying to take Nice Nature to see even more colorful sights. Thinking back, the turning points in her life—from being accepted into Tracen Academy to standing on the selection-race track today—seemed inseparable from this young Uma Musume.
"The weather is exceptionally fine today, and this 2,000-meter race will also be held on a favorable track..."
The commentator's voice explaining the track conditions drifted over from a distance, but Nice Nature didn't pay much attention.
Where is Kagura?
She had already seen her supporters, but she couldn't see where Kagura was. Still, she believed Kagura must be watching her from somewhere in the stands.
Following the instructions, Nice Nature entered the starting gate. She focused her mind and stared straight ahead.
"Clack!"
With the crisp sound of the gates opening, Nice Nature made a smooth start. She steadily followed behind the front-running Uma Musume, just as Kagura's tactical plan instructed.
"Excellent. All the participants have made clean starts. This is also the only 2,000-meter race in this selection event. I hope everyone can perform at their best."
Listening carefully, Nice Nature realized that Rudolph Symbol was commentating this race. No wonder the voice sounded familiar. She instinctively glanced toward the commentary booth, but she didn't see the person she was looking for.
No, Kagura said not to get distracted during the race. I have to focus on my opponents. I need to respect them and not underestimate them!
After glancing over and suddenly realizing that she had lost focus, Nice Nature hurriedly pulled her attention back and concentrated on the situation around her.
The several Uma Musumes in the front-running group were running in a loose formation. Nice Nature could easily find an excellent route through them, as long as they maintained their current pace.
As for the chasers behind her, Nice Nature hadn't noticed anyone trying to accelerate and catch up yet. For now, she was at the very front of the chasing group.
"The several runners in the lead are fiercely fighting over first position. Is this really a wise decision?"
Rudolph Symbol watched the front-runners battle intensely for the lead. Such struggles also occurred in professional races, but students' stamina generally couldn't support this kind of prolonged contest, especially over a distance of 2,000 meters.
"Oh my, the front-runners seem to be overdoing it a little. I hope they can find a chance to catch their breath."
The other commentator—Maruzensky, a girl overflowing with youthful energy—had also spotted the problem with the leading group. She shook her head helplessly.
The leading group is restraining one another and wasting too much energy. They're no longer a threat. The girl Kagura has been watching has already lost three opponents.
Having determined that the front-runners would slow down midway through the race, Rudolph Symbol crossed those three Uma Musumes off her list of potential winners. Her gaze shifted backward, and she quickly found Nice Nature at the front of the chasing group.
To be frank, Nice Nature's performance was the one Rudolph was most satisfied with in this race. The front-running group was a complete mess, while the chasers behind seemed to be suppressed by Nice Nature and couldn't find an opportunity to break through. Nice Nature had firmly occupied first place among the chasers and was staying very close to the front-runners.
With a formation that loose ahead, if I were in that child's position, I could easily break through at the third turn. All I'd need to do is avoid the slowing front-runners...
Rudolph Symbol speculated about the tactics Nice Nature might use. After all, the chaser strategy Nice Nature was using was one Rudolph had taught Kagura during their daily training. Kagura, who had originally only known how to run in front, definitely couldn't have taught that girl how to run as an escape runner. She had most likely modified Rudolph's method.
The race was halfway over. All the Uma Musumes had passed the second turn, and amid the noisy cheers from the entire crowd, Nice Nature heard a familiar voice:
"Go, Little Su!! Get up there!!"
"Big Sis Nature!! Go for it!!"
Ah, it's Mom! And everyone from the Shopping District!
Nice Nature felt a surge of emotion. Kagura had already explained how to run the uphill and downhill sections of this course while conserving energy, so Nice Nature still had plenty of stamina. With the third turn approaching, she began judging whether she should accelerate here.
"Oysters—!"
As they neared the turn, Nice Nature had just found the right position and was preparing to cut through the pack when one of the front-runners suddenly made a sound that jolted her heart. She glanced at the situation ahead and smoothly followed Kagura's instructions to avoid the exhausted Uma Musumes being overtaken. However, she also lost her chance to break through at this turn.
That was close! Luckily, Kagura warned me that something like this might happen... Damn it. In that case...
The formation of the front-running group changed because several of its members had slowed down. It no longer had the same loose shape as before. Nice Nature needed to find another opportunity to break through.
I have to break through before that point. Otherwise, it'll be difficult later...
Nice Nature's gaze settled on the final turn in the distance. The pack ahead had become completely clogged. She had to break through as soon as possible. If everyone maintained their speed into the final straight without slowing down, she would be in trouble.
She increased her speed slightly, pulling farther away from the chasing group to prevent anyone from suddenly bursting out behind her. Watching the situation ahead, Nice Nature continued accelerating as she prepared to break through. Just as she approached the fourth turn, the corner of her eye suddenly caught sight of someone she had searched for a long time without finding—a figure standing beside the track at the final straight.
"Big Sis Nature~! Go~!!"
It's Kagura!!
The small, black-haired Uma Musume waved her arms and rose onto her tiptoes, calling out to Nice Nature with a smile like a genuine little child. Her voice wasn't loud, but Nice Nature still heard it clearly. That soft, clear voice, as crisp as silver bells, made Nice Nature's heart skip a beat.
An inexplicable surge of emotion welled up from the depths of Nice Nature's heart. She seemed to feel a new strength rising within her, and the urge to fight instinctively made her lower her body—
I'm carrying the hopes and expectations of so many people... I can't lose... I absolutely won't lose here!!
"Right here... I'll pass you all!!"
On the stretch just before entering the fourth turn, Nice Nature found a risky opportunity. She suddenly accelerated and slipped directly through a gap that happened to open in the front-running group, breaking out cleanly and decisively.
"No way!?"
Nice Nature heard the astonished voices of her opponents, but she no longer cared.
"Whoa!! Nice Nature has accelerated dramatically! At this rate... Nice Nature has broken out of the front-running group!! She has entered the final turn first!!"
Rudolph Symbol's commentary followed immediately. The timing of Nice Nature's breakthrough was slightly different from what Rudolph had expected, but the way she broke through and chose her opportunity was excellent by the standards of a rookie Uma Musume.
"Nice Nature is now in the lead!! Her legs show no sign of fatigue! She's still accelerating!! She has entered the final straight and begun her sprint!"
"Even an ordinary person like me... has moments when I can do it too—!!!"
Nice Nature let out a forceful roar and dramatically increased her speed once again!
"Six lengths, seven lengths...!! Amazing! Too fast! The gap is still widening!! No one can catch her!!"
"There's no chance left for the other participants to catch up! She's crossing the line!! Nice Nature has displayed overwhelming strength and dominated the race by an absolute margin!!"
As Rudolph Symbol's announcement ended, the results appeared on the scoreboard beside the field. Nice Nature, who had just crossed the finish line, didn't stop. She waved her arms toward the stands in response to everyone's cheers, then glanced at her result.
—The gap between her and second place was nine lengths. If she had broken through and accelerated a little earlier, the display might have shown a massive margin.
"Haa... haa—I did it... I did it!! I really did it!!!"
Panting heavily, Nice Nature couldn't even spare the time to catch her breath a few more times. Unable to suppress her excitement, she raised her hands toward the sky and let out an exhilarated roar.
And so, the shadow of the number three that had plagued Nice Nature for several years finally vanished completely from her heart.
I Told You It Was Mom, Didn't I? ()
"Nice Nature! Nice Nature!!"
The spectators' cheers still echoed around the field. Her spectacular performance had won over everyone present. Not only the audience, but even her opponents sincerely expressed their admiration for her.
"Thank you for your support!! Thank you so much!"
Tracen Academy's selection races didn't have a subsequent winners' stage, so all Nice Nature had to do now was leave the field, rest for a while, and prepare to receive a flood of trainers.
"Congratulations on winning the selection race, Big Sis Nature~"
"Ah!"
As soon as Nice Nature stepped into the exit passage, she saw Kagura waiting there. Kagura also kept her promise from before the race and changed the way she addressed Nice Nature.
Bliss...
Hearing Kagura call her "Big Sis" in that soft, sweet voice, Nice Nature couldn't help letting out a delighted d'aww in her heart. She felt filled with strength again, as if she could go back out and run another 2,000 meters.
Nice Nature's selection race had finally ended, and the stone in Kagura's heart had also landed. Nice Nature had won this race in spectacular fashion. Her performance could be called flawless, and a nine-length gap was more than enough to prove how strong she was.
"Kagura, um... c... could you call me that one more time?"
"Hehe~ Of course, Big Sis Nature."
"That's the best—"
Hearing that adorable voice, Nice Nature felt her heart melt. If she hadn't been soaked in sweat, she probably wouldn't have been able to resist hugging Kagura and rubbing against her.
"All right, all right. You still have to meet the trainers. Think carefully about what kind of trainer you want to choose. Toujou recommended a trainer named Nanban, but it would be best for you to observe him yourself."
"Okay! Why don't you come with me too, Kagura? I'm afraid I won't be able to handle so many trainers alone."
"I was planning to go with you anyway. I don't trust you to handle things by yourself, silly girl. I need to see for myself what kind of person you choose. I don't want some irresponsible fellow holding you back."
Kagura lightly tapped Nice Nature's head with her small notebook. She planned to accompany her not only to assess the trainers in person, but also to give the notebook to Nice Nature's chosen trainer. She couldn't guarantee that it would be completely useful, but it should at least serve as a reference.
"Okay~!"
Nice Nature cheerfully left the waiting area with Kagura. They hadn't gone more than a few steps before a large wave of trainers surrounded them, and the area suddenly became noisy.
Kagura listened carefully and found that they were all asking whether Nice Nature intended to look for a trainer. This was the first time Nice Nature had encountered such a situation. She instinctively wanted to ask Kagura for help, but she raised her hand and then lowered it again. She hadn't forgotten that she was a "big sister." This was something she would have to face on her own sooner or later. She couldn't rely on Kagura to shield her from everything.
—So many trainers came to recruit that child. Your goal has been perfectly achieved. Congratulations. Can you finally take a break?
Not yet. I can rest once we've found one.
Kagura watched Nice Nature work hard to maintain a calm expression while speaking with the trainers crowding around her. Although Kagura didn't directly speak up to help Nice Nature respond, she kept gesturing from the side, reminding the trainers not to surge forward all at once. This was partly to prevent anyone from being trampled, and partly to reduce the number of trainers Nice Nature had to deal with simultaneously.
I seem to remember that Tracen was short on trainers. Today, there are enough people to nearly burst through the doors. Are they really short on them?
Looking farther back, Kagura also spotted her old acquaintances Nishizaki Ryu and Toujou Hana. Nishizaki Ryu was still craning his neck around the outer edge of the crowd, while Toujou Hana stood nearby shaking her head helplessly. Judging by the crowd's density, Nishizaki Ryu probably had no chance of squeezing in. Kagura also wondered whether the trainer named Nanban, whom Toujou Hana had recommended, had come to watch Nice Nature's race.
After listening from the side, Kagura roughly summarized what the trainers were saying. Their pitches were quite consistent and easy to understand: they either promised to lead Nice Nature to victory or claimed they could provide some kind of training conditions. Although Kagura knew that trainers meeting her for the first time could probably only say those things, the ones she had seen so far seemed rather unreliable.
Those who immediately promised a championship, as well as those who thumped their chests and boasted about their coaching ability, all revealed an air of urgency. They didn't seem like suitable people for Nice Nature. Kagura had met all kinds of people through her work, and she had developed a certain ability to judge a person's character.
That was why Nice Nature still hadn't agreed to anyone. On one hand, she was still waiting for Kagura's signal from behind—if Kagura thought someone was suitable, she would poke Nice Nature twice. On the other hand, Nice Nature herself hadn't found anyone she considered suitable. She also felt that these trainers weren't right for her and that their personalities didn't mesh.
What left Nice Nature somewhat speechless was that, aside from the trainers who came to recruit her, some even wanted to recruit Kagura behind her as well. It seemed Kagura had already gained a little renown among the Logistics Uma Musumes. Some trainers whose teams had Logistics Uma Musumes, or who knew such Uma Musumes, wanted to find a reliable one for their team's runners, so they also tried inviting Kagura. Naturally, Kagura refused.
More and more trainers gathered around them, but those who approached later were clearly less anxious than those at the front. After Nice Nature politely declined the less reliable trainers, the loud voices of those impatient people faded, and Kagura gradually began to hear the voices from the back of the crowd.
—That girl is incredibly strong. If she doesn't win the championship, it'll feel like the trainer's incompetence...
Comments like that were common among the trainers who arrived later, leaving Kagura unsure how to judge the situation. It felt somewhat familiar. She had heard that Rudolph Symbol had experienced something similar during her selection race. Rudolph, like Nice Nature, had left her opponents far behind, frightening the surrounding trainers so much that none of them dared approach easily.
After several more cautious trainers left, Kagura saw a handsome young man step forward. By Kagura's standards of beauty, he was indeed a genuine pretty boy, with a face that girls would love. He also looked quite kind, and he spoke in a refined, gentle, unhurried manner. He had none of the urgency of the earlier hotheads, nor the timid lack of confidence of those who came later.
Oh? This person seems to have something going for him... His personality seems pretty good too. He feels like a steady, dependable big brother.
Before you continue