Under the overwhelming pressure of the pitch-black Aura, the most dazzling figure seemed to soar like a Heavenly Horse, tearing through everything in her path as she reached Kyoei March's side.
She didn't even give her rival time to run alongside her. In one move, the Silver-white Figure overtook Kyoei March, who had confidently unleashed her trump card!
Before the third turn, Platinum—who was supposed to be a Mid-runner—changed her running style, took first place, and charged ahead without a care in the world!!
41. Looking Back at the Moon, Dominant Victory! (Please vote!)
In the front row of the stands sat two tiny Uma Musume who looked unbelievably small.
One was a chestnut-haired Uma Musume with a diamond-shaped fringe. Though petite, she had an elegant air about her, and her face was full of anticipation.
The other was an energetic black-haired Uma Musume, beaming with a smile.
Sato no Diamond! Kitasan Black!
The two young girls were so little that they hadn't even begun Full Bloom. Now, they were watching the race with keen interest as spectators.
Chestnut-haired Sato no Diamond was a devoted fan of Mejiro McQueen, so she was also interested in seeing Mejiro Dober, a fellow genius from the Mejiro family, race.
Love someone, love their crows!
In her arms, she held a small cheering sign with the words "Mejiro Dober, Victory Is Certain!" written on it.
Sato no Diamond first looked at Platinum and Kyoei March at the front, then at Mejiro Dober among the Mid-runners, and couldn't help praising her.
"Miss Dober is so composed. No wonder she's Miss McQueen's junior—she's just as steady!"
In the eyes of countless Japanese spectators and Uma Musume alike, the most reliable running styles were always Leader and Mid-runner!
Compared with Platinum and Kyoei March, who were competing for the Lead Runner position, Mejiro Dober seemed far more promising. She was in excellent shape and could afford to wait for her moment.
But the very next instant—
"Huh?!"
"Wha—what just happened? Why is Miss Platinum in first place all of a sudden?"
"Is Miss Kyoei March deliberately giving up the lead so she can overtake later?"
After the third turn.
"H-how is that possible?!"
Even after giving it everything she had and using her racing skill, Kyoei March could only stare in shock.
The Aura she had summoned with all her might was instantly suppressed, even overwhelmed.
The Aura coming from Heavenly Horse Platinum was indescribably oppressive. Even a popular, accomplished Uma Musume like Kyoei March felt as if she were... suffocating!!
The Aura she had always been proud of couldn't resist Platinum's in the slightest. It was immediately crushed until it was barely perceptible.
It was like one of them was a flower raised in a school greenhouse, while the other was a warrior who had survived the carnage of a battlefield filled with blades and spears! Their Auras weren't even on the same level!
Her full-speed sprint hadn't troubled the Silver-white Heavenly Horse beside her in the slightest!
The difference between their Auras was like a mighty tiger appearing behind a cat baring its fangs!
What Kyoei March had never dreamed possible was that she hadn't even managed to run alongside Platinum before she was overtaken with ease?!
Only now did she finally understand. She'd thought she'd already given Platinum enough credit... but in truth, she'd still underestimated that Heavenly Horse!
"Guh... It's over!"
Kyoei March had never had outstanding stamina and relied heavily on her Aura. After her strongest trump card was easily suppressed by that Heavenly Horse, she lost the ability to fight back.
"Oysters!!"
It was... a stunning turn of events!
Platinum, a gifted but far too young competitor whom no one had expected much from, had taken first place before the third turn and started leading the race!
One horse length! Two horse lengths! The young Heavenly Horse widened her lead without restraint. Could she maintain her Big Escape all the way to the end of this 2,400-meter race?!
As the commentator's astonished voice rang out, tens of thousands of spectators grew increasingly tense and excited.
At the very front, the Silver-white Heavenly Horse's flying strides were incredibly fast.
Miss Heavenly Horse wondered whether she should use her Aura skill.
At this point, Miss Heavenly Horse had reached 15% Full Bloom and learned some skills, but she had never used them before.
(Kyoei March and Mejiro Dober's Auras probably aren't much weaker than mine. They must be trying to make me underestimate them.)
(For the prize money, I'd better be cautious! I'll activate my skill when they're about to catch up!)
Having made up her mind, Platinum continued to maintain her terrifying Aura, widening her lead even further!
Three horse lengths!
Four horse lengths!
Platinum hadn't even noticed how far ahead she'd gotten before the final stretch!
Meanwhile, among the Mid-runners!
"Hah..."
"How can that Aura be so powerful?"
Another favorite to win, Mejiro Dober, narrowed her eyes and stared intently at the front.
Even she was shaken by that Aura, but she quickly regained her composure, determined to win.
(I underestimated Platinum too much. I can't let her keep leading!)
Kyoei March, in second place, was already a fair distance behind her, while Platinum was a full four or five horse lengths ahead of the runner-up!
The final stretch was coming up. If she let Platinum keep flying ahead, her Final Burst might not be enough to catch her.
In that case—!!
"I'll gradually pick up speed and try to close the gap. Then I'll settle this on the final stretch!"
The honor student of the Mejiro family unleashed an Aura even stronger than Kyoei March's!
However... it still fell far short of the pitch-black "ruined battlefield" that continued to loom over the entire racetrack.
The gap was too great for Mejiro Dober to use her Aura to suppress Platinum, but it was enough to strengthen herself and activate her racing skills!
Strive for Success: Slightly increases acceleration when chasing an opponent
Fearless Heart: In the second half of the race, increases speed and slightly increases acceleration when positioned in the middle of the pack
In an instant, Mejiro Dober astonishingly overtook every Mid-runner around her.
She paid no attention to the other Uma Musume. She didn't even spare a glance for Kyoei March, the rival she'd thought most dangerous before the race. Her eyes stayed fixed on Platinum's back.
Before long, she overtook the Leaders ahead of her one by one. None could pose an obstacle!
Meanwhile, Platinum reached the final turn first and was the first to enter the final stretch!
"The glory of the Mejiro family can't rest on McQueen's shoulders alone."
Clenching her teeth, Mejiro Dober finally drew alongside Kyoei March, who had been in second place but was slowing down after running out of stamina, and overtook her.
Second place changed hands, but that wasn't enough for Mejiro Dober!
At last, she too stepped onto the final stretch.
But what made Mejiro Dober increasingly uneasy was that Platinum's lead had stretched to... six horse lengths!!
If she didn't close the gap now, she'd lose—and suffer a humiliating defeat!
Take a Breather: Recovers a little stamina in the latter part of the race
All-Out: Slightly increases stamina consumption and boosts acceleration on the final stretch
"The time to settle this has come!!"
The young lady of the Mejiro family gave it everything she had. Her full-throttle sprint was beautiful and dazzling, and she opened up a considerable gap between herself and the pack behind!
But—
Mejiro Dober had nearly everything going for her: resolve, physical ability, Final Burst, Aura, and skills. Yet even after she gave it her all—
Just seconds later, the utterly cruel reality lay before Mejiro Dober. She could hardly believe it: Platinum's dazzling figure in the distance hadn't grown any closer.
If anything, she seemed to be getting farther away?
Even with her all-out Final Burst, she still couldn't close the gap with that cold, gleaming Heavenly Horse by even a little!
(How... could this be?!)
Platinum had accelerated all this time and changed from a Mid-runner to an Escape Horse, and she still couldn't catch up?
Just what kind of monster was she?!
(That girl... is she really an Uma Musume?)
At the very front, the finish line was drawing near on the final stretch!
Seven horse lengths!
Eight horse lengths!
When the gap reached nine horse lengths, the whole stadium's tension and excitement turned into... sheer astonishment!
Nine horse lengths! No one could catch her now!
Heavenly Horse Platinum had changed from a Mid-runner to an Escape Horse and was about to achieve a Dominant Victory. Just what kind of terrifying monster was she?!
Her stamina seemed endless! This was clearly a "Heavenly Horse that defied common sense!"
At the very front!
Miss Heavenly Horse's delicate face was calm and composed, showing none of the gritted teeth, strain, or shock visible on the other Uma Musume.
Yet in her jewel-like, sparkling eyes, there was still a hint of confusion and innocence.
Wait, where were they?
She was almost at the finish line. What about Dober and Kyoei March's trump cards? Their Auras?
Why weren't they using them?
Looking at the finish line just ahead, almost within reach, Heavenly Horse Platinum couldn't figure it out. At the very last moment before crossing the line...
She couldn't help turning her head to look back. As she raced toward the finish line, she looked behind her at the other Uma Musume, gazing at Mejiro Dober in the distance.
The high-speed camera at the finish line captured the moment perfectly, creating a classic image that would be remembered for generations!
It became known as "Looking Back at the Moon"!!
Heavenly Horse Platinum crossed the finish line first by ten horse lengths!
She... had Looked Back at the Moon and achieved a Dominant Victory!!
Celebrate! An unprecedented new champion had arrived—the youngest-ever GI champion by time!
42. Sorry I Didn't Make You Give It Your All
Looking Back at the Moon!
A Dominant Victory in the highest-level GI race!
Before you continue