The Cunning Rice Cake (2700)

The Uma Musume ran along the track in formation. Though they held back somewhat, every footfall still struck the ground hard.

Dust flew, and footprints covered the ground.

The once-pleasant turf immediately became a miserable mess of pits and divots. But this was only the first lap, meaning they would have to set foot on that turf again after the Uma Musume had trampled it into something resembling a dirt track.

Yet the terrifying girls destroying the grassy slopes moved with such athletic grace that the spectators paid the damage no mind. Their eyes left the big screen, and they turned to look to the right instead.

After the Fourth Turn, the Fifth Pack would pass in front of the stands.

Horses were very timid creatures.

At Oguri Cap's retirement ceremony, there had even been an incident where an Uma Musume was frightened by the spectators' voices and ran off the track.

Although Uma Musume were rare and not everyone had the chance to meet one, the spectators knew that they had sensitive ears and that some were timid.

But they couldn't help themselves. Watching those Uma Musume run for their own convictions, sweat pouring down as they strode forward with resolute eyes, utterly captivated the audience.

As the Uma Musume charged valiantly toward the end of their first lap, the spectators could no longer contain their emotions and began cheering for the Fifth Pack.

No Uma Musume wanted to lose, and no spectator wanted the Uma Musume they supported to lose either!

They believed their cheers could reach the girls' ears and lift their spirits, but even if they didn't, that was fine.

Even if the girls couldn't hear them, the spectators still wanted to cheer from the heart.

Because those girls were Uma Musume, beings who pursued their