"Um..."
After an awkward, dry laugh, Deep Impact and Mejiro McQueen exchanged glances, then looked hesitantly at Agnes Tachyon. After pondering for a moment, Deep Impact ventured, "Tachyon Senpai, do McQueen Senpai and I need to remind Forest Treasure Hole Senpai? There are still the Introduction Segments for the other contestants coming up."
For this race, Mejiro McQueen and Deep Impact, who had come to inspect the event, were responsible not only for confirming the organizational details but also for commentary.
Aside from that, Agnes Tachyon—who had been helping with the training camp at the track and was more familiar with the situation here—was in charge of the rest of the proceedings.
She was responsible for explaining and directing things such as data collection, medical treatment, and the Introduction Segment that had been added at the last minute.
"Meh, don't mind that loudmouth. That's just her personality. She'll yell for a while and then calm down on her own."
As everyone watched with amused resignation, Agnes Tachyon leisurely picked up the microphone in front of her.
She narrowed her eyes slightly, a mysterious smile appearing on her face. Speaking into the microphone in a somewhat eerie voice, she said, "Kukuku, it really has been a long time since we ran together, Treasure Hole.
"You want to race together? No problem. But if you've gotten too lazy over all these years and make it too easy for me to win, that would be far too dull and boring.
"So, if you want to have a proper race with me, Kukuku... first win this race, then we'll talk."
This provocation, like T.M. Opera O's earlier declaration of a challenge, left the venue briefly silent before all manner of screams erupted.
Amid cries of "Ag! Nes! Tach! Yon!" "I'm definitely going to beat