“Ready—set—”
“Go!”
......
At a single command.
Before the stirred-up dust had a chance to settle, the four Uma Musume had already shot far ahead.
Leading the pack was still Silent Suzuka, steadfast in her decision to “never yield the view before her.”
Her running posture was also the most unique among them, like a fish weaving through a gale.
Seiun Sky and Special Week followed closely, benefiting from Silent Suzuka’s windbreak.
However, this running style wasn’t very comfortable for them, but they were afraid that Silent Suzuka would open up too much of a lead, which would only increase their psychological pressure in the final stage.
What surprised Seiun Sky was that this time, she could see Special Week’s figure in her peripheral vision.
The other party was biting down hard, not as half-hearted as in previous simulations.
“So, you’re finally going to be serious, Xiao Te,” Seiun Sky thought to herself.
Trailing at the end of the pack was Haru Urara.
Her eyes were almost squinting, and even her expression was strained as she ran.
But the distance between her and Silent Suzuka and the others was gradually widening.
Lu Jue wasn’t surprised; he felt that Haru Urara finishing the entire race was a victory in itself.
He shouted into a megaphone, “Uralala, come on! Control your rhythm, and pay attention to your arm swing!”
......
The simulated race here was quite lively, attracting the attention of many Uma Musume who were also training.
The members of “Spica” stood behind Nishizaki Ryu, watching the figures of Silent Suzuka and the others race past.
“That’s truly passionate,” his words were relaxed, but his eyes clearly revealed a sense of unease.
In Nishizaki Ryu’s eyes, these were all promising talents.
“So fast!” Daiwa Scarlet’s eyes widened slightly, and her small fangs peeked out curiously.
Currently, the “Spica” team members only included Gold Ship, Daiwa Scarlet, and Vodka. Except for Gold Ship, Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka had not yet debuted.
So, upon seeing this sight, Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka couldn’t hide their inner astonishment, and at the same time, a surge of passion boiled within their chests.
“Darn it, I really want to debut soon and compete with them!” Vodka said, clenching her fists.
“Tch, you’d better beat me first,” Daiwa Scarlet said, putting her hands on her hips and lifting her chin high.
Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka are rivals who motivate each other to improve in the anime, but they also have deep connections in reality.
“I’m too lazy to bicker with you,” Vodka turned to Nishizaki Ryu, “Trainer! When can I debut?”
Daiwa Scarlet was not to be outdone, “Trainer, me too!”
Only the laid-back Gold Ship stood by, looking serene, “Why are you two in such a hurry~”
“Alright, alright, your debut races will begin very soon,” Nishizaki Ryu withdrew his gaze and said with a smile to the two of them.
......
“Hoo—hoo—”
Heavy breaths came in rapid succession.
After running two thousand meters, the speed of the leading trio had slowed considerably compared to the start.
Seiun Sky felt her legs ache; every step was like sinking deep into a swamp and then desperately pulling herself out.
She couldn’t stop, and she certainly couldn’t let Silent Suzuka widen the gap.
But those short three horse lengths felt like an insurmountable chasm.
Silent Suzuka was actually not feeling well either; whether it was Seiun Sky or Special Week, the pressure they exerted from behind her was immense.
“I can’t give up… I can’t disappoint Lu Jue-jun!”
But Silent Suzuka’s will to run was always firm; no matter how many difficulties and obstacles lay ahead, she could forcefully tear open a path.
Eight hundred meters…
Six hundred meters…
The final four hundred meters.
Either explode in silence, or perish in silence.
Seiun Sky was the first to make her move, initiating her final burst of speed, slowly closing the gap between herself and Silent Suzuka. This was her last chance!
But Silent Suzuka and Special Week were equally excellent Uma Musume.
The moment Seiun Sky accelerated, Silent Suzuka and Special Week also burned through their stamina, each charging towards the finish line with their beliefs.
“This… this is…”
Lu Jue, who was watching at the finish line, suddenly looked astonished, blinking his eyes hard.
But everything before him was as usual.
Impossible… that definitely wasn’t an illusion.
He had just seen various colors of light – blue, green, and light pink – emanating from the three of them without warning… like the shape of meteors.
However, that moment was very brief, like lightning unexpectedly streaking across the sky, finally dissipating into the horizon.
While Lu Jue was still in a daze, the figures of the three Uma Musume were already getting closer to him.
A strong, invisible gust of wind whistled past his eyes, rustling the hair on his forehead, and the outcome of the three’s race was decided.
“First place is Silence Suzuka.”
“Second place, Xiao Te.”
Lu Jue recorded the completion time, his voice somewhat slow, “Third place… Little Seiun.”
......
Silent Suzuka walked slowly on the grass, and hearing the results, a faint smile still appeared at the corner of her mouth.
Special Week, on the other hand, let out a deep sigh.
Only Seiun Sky, leaning on her knees, was bent over, panting.
Her drooping hair was like a barrier, separating her from the outside world; no one could see the expression on her face, and no one knew if the drops falling were sweat or tears.
“Little Seiun…”
Lu Jue was about to step forward but was interrupted by Uralala, who had just crossed the finish line.
“Trainer, I finished!”
“I’m so tired!”
Uralala, with a smooth motion, lay peacefully on the grass, breathing heavily.
“Don’t lie down immediately; get up and walk slowly.”
Lu Jue had also been paying attention to Uralala’s condition.
But no light had flashed on her.
Was it due to talent? Or was it the influence between competitors?
In any case, this discovery was worth Lu Jue’s in-depth research.
He recorded Uralala’s completion time and looked towards Seiun Sky again.
By then, Seiun Sky had recovered her breath and was chatting with Special Week and Silent Suzuka.
Seeing her relaxed expression, she didn’t seem to be disheartened by her recent defeat.
It’s best if she can adjust herself.
If not, Lu Jue wouldn’t comfort Seiun Sky at this moment—she had buried her disappointment in the soil, and he couldn’t just dig it out.
“Everyone, take a moment to adjust. I’ll go get you towels and water.”
Lu Jue returned the recorded training data to the lounge, then returned again and sat down beside his team members who were sitting side by side.
......