When Daiwa Scarlet cried out, Vodka was frowning in thought.
Like her best friend, she had been pondering Trainer Anjing Zhen's strategy for Kitasan Black in this race.
In her eyes, the junior had a strong burst of speed and could maintain a good pace.
But she struggled with changes of pace, turns, and breaking through the pack—anything that required strength.
The best choice in this situation was to take the lead.
Only by staying in first place from start to finish, leading the race and controlling its pace, would she have the best chance of winning.
She was very familiar with this strategy. Her rival beside her was the best at it, and even if she wasn't, she was certainly quite familiar with it.
However, the Trainer beside them had clearly chosen a different strategy for Kitasan Black.
From the opening stages through the middle of the race, Kitasan Black had stayed close behind the leading group, seemingly waiting for the Final Burst to overtake them and claim first place near the finish.
It was a textbook Early Lead. Vodka was certain of that, because aside from Late-run, Early Lead was what she excelled at most.
The problem was, Little Kita didn't seem to have much of a Final Burst—at least, not compared to the other racers in this race.
So if she was going with Early Lead, how was she supposed to compete in the Final Straight...?
As she pondered this, she heard Daiwa Scarlet cry out.
Sato no Takarazuka? The racehorse girl in front of Little Kita?
What did that racer have to do with anything? But since Daiwa had reacted like that...
Wait, Sato no Takarazuka's position, and where she had been earlier...
"So that's it!"
Vodka cried out too.
"Hey, hey, that strategy's way too sneaky, isn't it? But for Little Kita, with her honest personality... it's surprisingly well suited to her?"
Just then, Trainer Anjing Zhen, who had been watching his own racer through binoculars, looked away and glanced at the two astonished girls.
"Sneaky... maybe."
He smiled, then turned his gaze back to the binoculars.
"Looks like I don't need to explain it. Your talent... really is every bit as impressive as they say."
At that, Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka looked at each other, clearly seeing understanding and admiration in each other's eyes.
It was true. A race at this high a pace had many disadvantages for Little Kita.
There were ways to handle it, of course: she could lead from the start to avoid trouble, or use the Saki-Chasi Running Style and rely on her Final Burst.
But when they thought that way, they unconsciously drew on their own experience and abilities, overlooking one reality.
This was only Little Kita's second race, and she had been training for just two months.
No matter how outstanding a Trainer was, there was no way to give a racehorse girl a systematic understanding of racing in just two races and two months.
But if no explanation was needed, everything suddenly became simple.
Little Kita didn't need to think about how to handle every possible situation on the track.
At least, not before she began to accelerate.
Because one of her opponents would handle things better than she could.
All she had to do was keep her eyes on that racer, then, when just the right amount of distance remained, use her exceptional stamina to keep accelerating all the way to the finish.
The opponent who handled things better than she did was none other than the "Sato no Takarazuka" Daiwa Scarlet had just cried out.
On the track.
As strength kept surging into her legs and feet, Kitasan Black unconsciously gauged how much distance remained, secretly amazed.
Just as Trainer had said, this race... was much faster than her Debut Race.
And the other racers were using up a lot of stamina. It felt like... the field had stretched out considerably.
Takarazuka's adaptability was strong, just as expected. Judging by her breathing and footsteps... she should still have plenty left in reserve.
And I still have plenty left, too.
Even... more than that.
So... it's time!
Just like in her Debut Race, a trembling sensation suddenly spread through her entire body. Without a moment's hesitation, she leaned forward, lowered her step, and planted her foot heavily on the ground.
At the same time, the commentator's voice paused, then grew excited.
"The frontrunners have entered the Third Turn. The field hasn't changed much for now... Wait!
"Kitasan Black!
"Kitasan Black is making her move!
"With a sudden burst of speed, she's closing in on the group ahead!
"There are still a full 600 meters to the finish. Is it really wise to make a move at this point?
"But without the slightest hesitation, Kitasan Black is overtaking the racers ahead of her one by one!
"She's past the Third Turn, and now entering the Fourth Turn!
"Saint Martin, Minnesuk, Crusher Blaze, Touki...
"Over this turn, which is nearly 300 meters long, Kitasan Black has overtaken four racers in a row!
"Kitasan Black has taken the lead!
"And she's steadily opening up a five-horse-length gap!
"Incredible! Her stamina is truly astounding. After maintaining that pace earlier, she still has so much left in reserve?
"Will she hold her lead all the way to the finish?! Kitasan Black?!
"The other racers have reacted, and they're trying to catch up!
"Out of the turn! 300 meters to go!
"Sato no Takarazuka has caught up too!
"She's moving fast!
"Just like Kitasan Black, she's overtaken four racers in a row to catch up!
"What an astonishing Final Burst! She's closing in on Kitasan Black!
"But there are still four horse lengths between them!
"Now three horse lengths!
"The Final Straight!
"200 meters!
"It's clear now! Kitasan Black is in the lead, with Sato no Takarazuka two horse lengths behind!
"The winner will come from these two!
"Can she withstand the pressure from behind?! Kitasan Black!
"Can she catch up?! Sato no Takarazuka!
"100 meters!"
On the track, nothing else remained. In Sato no Takarazuka's sight, there was only the figure ahead of her, seeming both within arm's reach and impossibly far away.
Holding back the urge to reach out and grab that retreating figure, she felt more than just the determination to give everything she had to catch up. A faint regret lingered too.
I shouldn't have... shouldn't have backed down then...
And I shouldn't have hesitated...
How could this...
In just a moment...
Why couldn't I catch up at all?!
"Kitasan Black—!!!"
As she screamed hoarsely, her vision suddenly blurred, and the black-haired girl ahead disappeared.
Sato no Takarazuka froze.
She charged onward for several dozen meters on sheer momentum, then heard the crowd's thunderous cheers and the commentator's shouts.
"One-quarter of a horse length!
"Let's congratulate Kitasan Black on winning this race by a quarter of a horse length!
"Her momentum is unstoppable—two wins in a row...
"Achieved!!!"
She froze again. Then, gasping uncontrollably as exhaustion suddenly swept over her, Sato no Takarazuka struggled to turn around.
It turned out the black-haired girl she had been chasing hadn't disappeared.
After crossing the finish line, she had gradually slowed down and come to a stop.
At the same time, Sato no Takarazuka heard a soft, delighted murmur.
"Hehehe, I didn't trip and embarrass myself this time..."
Then came an excited yell.
"Hey—Trainer! Grandpa! Dad! Senpais! Everyone! Did you see that? I won—!"
...Trainer, and senpais...
Sato no Takarazuka jolted, then turned toward the stands, dejected, her ears drooping as she panted heavily.
I'm sorry, Trainer... Senpai...
I... shouldn't have backed down and hesitated in that moment...
But...
She unconsciously clenched her fist, took a long look at the black-haired girl celebrating nearby, then turned and headed off the track.
Next time... I definitely won't hesitate!
Before you continue