As the commentary gradually settled into a calmer cadence, the pack on the track sped through the bend on the right side of the course and gradually entered the side straight.
Compared to the opening stages, the field had visibly stretched out along the straight.
Seiun Sky was the first to clear the bend. Less than half a second later, Special Week, in second place, swiftly followed.
Nearly another two seconds passed before Mejiro Komei, who had been at the back since the Start Gate, finally rounded the bend "at a leisurely pace."
Just as they had at the Start Gate, the dozen-plus figures racing at full speed seemed to share rehearsed Tacit Understanding. There were no eye-catching clashes whatsoever as they took the bend.
This not only made the commentary increasingly calm, but even the roaring noise from the stands seemed to drop by a notch or two.
"No direct confrontation at all? Then it looks like..."
Leaning over the railing in front of her, Almond Eye was less fired up than before. "The seniors are probably planning to decide the winner at the Final Bend or on the straight...?"
Beside her, Kitasan Black and Duramente watched the field on the track. Upon hearing Almond Eye's words, they nodded in unison.
Yet as she nodded, Kitasan Black felt something strange and could not help furrowing her brow slightly.
"The final bend and final straight... That doesn't feel like Special Week Senpai's or Little Grass Senpai's style..."
Caught off guard, she recalled their previous training races, trying to pinpoint what felt so off.
"Your instincts are right."
Still watching the race, Anjing Zhen suddenly said, "It's not that there hasn't been any direct confrontation. The confrontation started long ago...
"No—it hasn't stopped since the Start Gate!" He could not help