Why can't I catch up at all?

As Yamato Akagi cried out in surprise, Vodka was frowning in thought.

Like her friend, she had been pondering Yasui Makoto's arrangements for Hokubu Genkoma in this race.

In her opinion, this junior's burst of speed and speed maintenance were quite good.

However, details like changing speed, cornering, and breaking away would be difficult due to her strength level.

The best option in such a situation was to lead from the front.

Only by running in first place from start to finish, dictating the race pace the entire time, would there be the greatest chance of winning.

She was very familiar with this tactic; her rival beside her was the best at it, and even if not, she was certainly very familiar with it.

However, the Trainer beside them clearly had a different plan for Hokubu Genkoma.

From the early stages to the middle of the race, Hokubu Genkoma stayed firmly behind the leading group, seemingly waiting to use her Final Speed to overtake everyone at the finish line.

This was a standard Front Runner strategy, Vodka was sure of it, because besides a Closing Speed strategy, Front Runner was precisely what she herself excelled at.

The problem was, Xiao Bei's Final Speed ability didn't seem that great, at least not compared to the other opponents in this race.

So, if she was running as a Front Runner, how would she fight for the final straight...

As her thoughts reached this point, she heard Yamato Akagi's exclamation.

Satono Diamond? Was that the Uma Musume in front of Xiao Bei?

What did she have to do with this Uma Musume, but since Yamato said so...

Wait, Satono Diamond's position, and her previous positioning...

"I see!"

Vodka also exclaimed.

"Hey, hey, isn't this tactic too cunning? But for Xiao Bei's honest personality... it seems unexpectedly suitable?"

At this moment, Yasui Makoto, who had been staring at his Uma Musume through binoculars, shifted his gaze and glanced at the two Uma Musume with surprised expressions.

"Cunning... I suppose so."

He smiled slightly and looked back into the binoculars.

"It seems I don't need to explain. The talent of you two... is indeed as rumored."

Hearing this, Yamato Akagi and Vodka exchanged glances, clearly seeing understanding and admiration in each other's eyes.

Indeed, a race with such high speed was disadvantageous for Xiao Bei in many ways.

There were solutions, of course, such as avoiding it by always leading, or playing catch-up and relying on Final Speed.

But as they thought this, they unconsciously projected their own experiences and abilities, overlooking a reality.

This was only Xiao Bei's second race, and she had only undergone special training for two months.

Even the most outstanding Trainer couldn't instill systematic race experience in an Uma Musume within two races and two months.

But if no explanation was needed, things instantly became simpler.

Xiao Bei didn't need to consider how to handle every possible race situation.

At least not until she entered her acceleration phase.

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

She only needed to keep an eye on that person, and when the remaining distance was just right, she could continuously accelerate to the finish with her outstanding stamina.

That opponent who did better than her was precisely "Satono Diamond," whom Yamato Akagi had just exclaimed about.

On the track.

Power poured into her legs and feet, and she unconsciously felt the remaining distance, Hokubu Genkoma marveled inwardly.

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

And the opponents' stamina was greatly depleted; it felt like... the pack must be stretched out.

Student Penton's adaptability was also very strong; judging by her breathing and footsteps... she should still have a lot of reserve energy.

And my reserve energy... also a lot.

Even... more.

So... it's time!

Just like in her debut, a tremor ran through her entire body. Without thinking, she leaned forward, dug her feet in, and stomped heavily on the ground.

At the same time, the commentator's voice paused, then became excited.

"The leading group has entered the third corner, and there's no change in the pack for now... Wait!

"Hokubu Genkoma!

"Hokubu Genkoma has made her move!

"A sudden acceleration, she's closing in on the leading group!"

"We're still a full 600 meters from the finish line. Is this really a wise time to make a move?

"But without a hint of hesitation, Hokubu Genkoma is gradually overtaking her rivals ahead!

"The third turn is past, and now it's the fourth turn!

"Saint Martin, Minisuke, Crush Rally, Touki...

"Approaching the 300-meter mark on the turn, Hokubu Genkoma has consecutively passed four racers!

"Hokubu Genkoma is now in first place!

"And she's gradually pulling ahead by five horse lengths!

"Incredible, what astonishing stamina! How can she still have so much energy left after that burst of speed?

"Will she maintain this lead all the way to the finish?! Hokubu Genkoma?!

"The other racers have reacted and are desperately trying to catch up!

"Exiting the turn! 300 meters left!

"Satono Diamond is also catching up!

"Her speed is incredible!

"Just like Hokubu Genkoma, she's consecutively passed four racers to close the gap!

"What an amazing Final Speed! She's relentlessly closing in on Hokubu Genkoma!

"But there's still a four-horse length gap!

"Now a three-horse length gap!

"The final straight!

"200 meters!

"It's confirmed! Hokubu Genkoma is in the lead! Satono Diamond is two horse lengths behind!

"The winner will be decided between them!

"Can she withstand the final push?! Hokubu Genkoma!

"Can she catch up?! Satono Diamond!

"100 meters!"

On the track, there was nothing else. In Satono Diamond's vision, only the figure ahead remained, seemingly within reach yet impossibly far away.

Suppressing the urge to reach out and grab that retreating back, her heart was filled not only with the resolve to give her all and catch up, but also with a faint sense of regret.

I shouldn't have... I shouldn't have hesitated back then...

And I shouldn't have faltered then...

How could this happen...

It was just an instant...

Why can't I catch up at all?!

"Hokubu Genkoma--!!!"

As she roared hoarsely, her vision blurred, and the black-haired girl ahead vanished.

Satono Diamond froze.

Carried forward by inertia for dozens of meters, she heard the earth-shattering cheers from the stands and the announcer's booming voice.

"A quarter of a horse length!

"Let us congratulate Hokubu Genkoma for winning this race by a quarter of a horse length!

"A magnificent second consecutive victory with unstoppable momentum...

"Achieved!!!"

She froze again, then came uncontrollable gasps and a sudden wave of exhaustion. Satono Diamond turned her head back with difficulty.

So, it wasn't that the black-haired girl she was chasing had disappeared.

It was that after crossing the finish line, she had gradually slowed down and stopped.

At the same time, Satono Diamond heard a whisper laced with glee.

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

Followed by an excited shout.

"Hey--Trainer! Grandpa! Dad! Seniors! Everyone! Did you see it? I won--!"

...Trainer, and seniors...

Satono Diamond was startled, then turned with a crestfallen expression towards the stands, her ears drooping, breathing heavily.

I'm sorry, Trainer... Seniors...

I... shouldn't have hesitated at that moment...

But...

Unconsciously clenching her fist, she took a deep look at the jubilant black-haired girl not far away, then turned and walked off the field.

Next time... I definitely won't!