Why Can't I Keep Up At All?

As Daiwa Scarlet shrieked in surprise, Vodka was furrowing her brows in deep thought.

Like her good friend, she had been pondering Anjing Zhen's strategy for Kitasan Black in this race.

In her view, this junior's explosive power and speed maintenance were quite decent.

However, the handling of details like gear shifts, cornering, and breaking through the pack would be strenuous due to her current level of strength.

The best choice in this situation would be to lead from the front.

Only by running in first place from start to finish, controlling the race pace throughout, would there be the greatest possibility of victory.

She was very familiar with this tactic; her rival beside her was the absolute master of it, or rather, even if she weren't a master, she was certainly well-versed in it.

However, the Trainer beside her clearly had not arranged such a strategy for Kitasan Black.

From the opening phase to the middle section, Kitasan Black remained firmly behind the Lead Group, seemingly waiting for the Final Straight to seize an opportunity to overtake the leader with a Final Burst.

This was a standard Early Lead; Vodka was certain of this, because aside from the Late-run, the Early Lead was exactly what she excelled at most.

The problem was, Little Kita's Final Burst ability didn't seem all that impressive, at least not compared to the other opponents in this race.

So, if she was running an Early Lead, how was she going to compete on the Final Straight...

As she reached this point in her contemplation, she heard Daiwa Scarlet's exclamation.

Sato no Takarazuka? Was that the Horse Girl in front of Little Kita?

What did that have to do with this Horse Girl? But since Daiwa said so...

Wait a second, Sato no Takarazuka's position, and her positioning from earlier...

"So that's it!"

Vodka also cried out in surprise.

"Hey, hey, isn't this tactic a bit too cunning? But for someone with Little Kita's honest personality... it actually seems surprisingly fitting?"

At this moment, Anjing Zhen, who had been keeping his binoculars fixed on his own Horse Girl, shifted his gaze to glance at the two astonished Horse Girls.

"Cunning... I suppose so."

He smiled, then turned his gaze back to the binoculars.

"It seems I don't need to explain; your talents... truly live up to their reputations."

Hearing this, Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka exchanged a look, clearly seeing the realization and admiration in each other's eyes.

Indeed, a race with such high speed had many disadvantages for Little Kita.

There were ways to handle it, of course, such as leading from the start to avoid the pack, or using the Saki-Chasi Running Style to gamble on a Final Burst.

But when they thought this way, they were unconsciously projecting their own experience and abilities, ignoring a reality.

This was only Little Kita's second race; she had only been undergoing special training for two months.

No matter how outstanding a Trainer was, it was impossible to cultivate systematic racing experience in a Horse Girl within two races and two months.

But if no explanation was needed, things suddenly became simple.

Little Kita didn't need to consider how to handle every single race situation.

At least, not until she entered her acceleration phase.

Because among her opponents, there was someone who would do it better than her.

She only needed to keep her eyes locked on that person, and then, when the remaining distance was just right, rely on her exceptional stamina to keep accelerating until the end.

That opponent who was doing it better than her was none other than the "Sato no Takarazuka" that Daiwa Scarlet had just exclaimed about.

On the track.

With strength continuously pouring into her legs and feet, and unconsciously sensing the remaining distance, Kitasan Black was secretly surprised.

Just as the Trainer said, this race... was much faster than her debut race.

Moreover, the opponents were consuming a great deal of stamina; it felt like... the pack must be stretched very thin.

Takarazuka's adaptability was indeed strong; listening to her breathing and footsteps... she should still have plenty of energy left.

And my own remaining energy... was just as abundant.

In fact... even more so.

So... it was time!

Just like in her debut race, a feeling of heartstrings trembling suddenly spread throughout her entire body. Without a second thought, she leaned her body, sank her steps, and stomped heavily onto the ground.

At the same time, the live commentary paused for a moment before becoming excited.

"The leaders have entered the third turn, and the pack remains largely unchanged... wait!

"Kitasan Black!

"Kitasan Black is making her move!"

With a sudden burst of acceleration, she charged straight toward the leading pack!

With a full 600 meters left to the finish line, is it truly a wise choice to make a move at this moment?

Yet, without the slightest hesitation, Kitasan Black gradually overtook the opponents in front of her!

The Third Turn has been passed, and now they are in the Fourth Turn!

Saint Martin, Minnesuk, Crusher Blaze, Touki...

Across the nearly 300-meter turn, Kitasan Black consecutively surpassed four competitors!

Kitasan Black has now moved into first place!

And she is gradually widening the gap to five horse lengths!

It is astonishing, such incredible stamina; how could she maintain such abundant energy after that previous speed?

Is she planning to hold this lead all the way to the end?! Kitasan Black?!

The other competitors have Reacted, and they are struggling to catch up!

Exiting the Turn! 300 meters remaining!

Sato no Takarazuka has also caught up!

Her speed is immense!

Just like Kitasan Black, she has overtaken four competitors in a row to close the distance!

An astonishing Final Burst! She is closing in on Kitasan Black!

But there is still a gap of four horse lengths!

Three horse lengths remaining!

Final Straight!

200 meters!

It is certain! The leader is Kitasan Black! Two horse lengths behind is Sato no Takarazuka!

The winner will be decided between them!

Can she withstand the pressure from behind?! Kitasan Black!

Can she catch up?! Sato no Takarazuka!

100 meters!

On the track, everything else ceased to exist; in Sato no Takarazuka's vision, only that figure ahead remained, appearing as if it were within reach, yet simultaneously as far away as the horizon.

Resisting the urge to reach out and grab that back, at this moment, her heart held nothing but the determination to chase with everything she had, along with a faint, lingering regret.

I shouldn't have... I shouldn't have Shrink Back at that moment...

Nor should I have hesitated back then...

How could it be...

It was only for an instant...

Why is it that I simply cannot catch up at all?!

"Kitasan Black—!!!"

As she let out a hoarse roar, her vision blurred suddenly, and the Black Haired Girl ahead vanished.

Sato no Takarazuka froze.

Carried by momentum for dozens of meters, she heard the cheers from the stands that shook the sky, as well as the loud announcement coming over the broadcast.

"A quarter of a horse length!

"Let us congratulate Kitasan Black on winning this race with a lead of a quarter of a horse length!

"An Imposing Momentum, a magnificent second consecutive victory...

"Achieved!!!"

She froze again, followed by uncontrollable gasping and a sudden wave of exhaustion; Sato no Takarazuka turned her head with difficulty.

As it turned out, the Black Haired Girl she had been chasing hadn't vanished.

Rather, after crossing the finish line, she had gradually slowed her pace and come to a stop.

At the Same Time, Sato no Takarazuka heard a low, gleeful murmur.

"Hehehe, I didn't trip and make a fool of myself this time..."

Followed by an excited shout.

"Hey—Trainer! Grandpa! Dad! Seniors! Everyone! Did you see that? I won—!"

...Trainer, and the seniors...

Sato no Takarazuka jolted in shock, then turned toward the spectator stands with a sense of despondent loss, her ears drooping as she breathed heavily.

I'm sorry, Trainer... Senpai...

I... shouldn't have hesitated and shrunk back in that moment...

However...

Clenching her fists unconsciously and casting a deep look at the Black Haired Girl cheering joyfully not far away, she turned and walked toward the exit of the field.

Next time... I absolutely won't!