Night, Winner's Stage.
The instant the spotlights poured down like a river of stars, Kitasan Black's eyelashes fluttered gently in the harsh light.
The dry-ice mist spewed out by the stage apparatus washed over her ankles. On one side, she heard the faint sound of Duramente adjusting her breathing; on the other, the clear chime of Futanari Shingang's metal anklet striking against the stage floor.
The screens that had displayed the fierce races during the day stretched across the back of the stage and along the dome overhead, while a digital countdown floated at the center.
As the fluorescent "3" pierced the darkness and faced the countless multicolored glow sticks before her, Kitasan Black suddenly recalled the sensation of crossing the finish line—the gust from Duramente's charge brushing the fine hairs on the back of her neck, and the grass clippings and dirt kicked up by her opponent splattering against her calves.
"Get ready." The director's order came through her earpiece. Kitasan Black shifted her center of gravity forward and raised her arms.
Bright Badge on her front left and Clear Sky on her front right spread their arms in sync, while the remaining Horse Girls unfolded into a staggered formation.
The intro to Winng the Soul flooded the entire venue like water, and the glow sticks ahead began to wave more and more wildly alongside the cheers.
When the verse began, Kitasan Black spun and met Satono Crown's gaze. She clearly saw not only congratulations in her friend's eyes, but also the lingering traces of fighting spirit and competitive drive from earlier.
With another spin, she saw Anjing Zhen in the front row of the audience.
And beside him, the senior Horse Girls applauding and giving them a thumbs-up.
Even when the final climax arrived and rainbow-colored rain of