Chapter 171: The Highest Respect for All That Has Come Before
Grass Wonder had no idea what Special Week beside her was thinking—but if she did, she would be shocked, and wholeheartedly agree.
Because if Grass Wonder herself was a shadow, then in her eyes, Special Week was a flame that never went out.
From before her debut through her classic year, injuries clung to Special Week like heavy shackles, restricting her movements.
Even heavier was the identity of being a "foreign-born Umamusume" and the URA Association's old regulations.
Because of those rules, she had been barred from countless races every Umamusume longed for—the Classic Triple Crown.
Yet at some point, that bright, optimistic smile of Special Week had quietly dispelled all the gloom in Grass Wonder's heart, and had long since branded itself deep within her.
Every time she stepped onto the track, the moment she saw Special Week, she couldn't help wanting to shine with the same light and heat—like a torch ignited.
At this moment, the track beneath her feet felt like a corridor of time, with scenes from past races flashing one after another.
Yes, she had given everything in each race to win.
But even more than that, each fierce battle was her way of conveying the fighting spirit that Special Week had ignited in her.
She didn't know whether all their matchups—from the past to today—had ever let Special Week feel that.
But as long as they could keep racing together, keep running together, she would never give up this belief.
By no coincidence, as she gradually closed the distance on Seiun Sky ahead, the falcon—El Condor Pasa—couldn't help but glance back at the Special Week between her and Grass Wonder.
To soar through the sky and become the strongest racer in the world—that was her dream.
Her spectacular record of 11 starts, 8 wins, and 3 seconds felt like she had already come close to that dream.
Like Grass Wonder, she too had been unable to enter the Classic Triple Crown due to being a "foreign-born Umamusume," and yet she had defeated Special Week in the Japan Cup.
The moment she held the Japan Cup trophy, the glory shone like brilliant starlight, illuminating the path she sped across.
The world had been right within reach.
But the moment she lost to the aristocratic bloodline in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, it felt like the whole world's shadow had swallowed her.
Later, in another Japan Cup—same race, same opponents—when Special Week defeated the very same aristocratic horse who had beaten her, the gloom within her suddenly blazed away.
The wind roared past her ears, like the cheers and shouts from races long gone.
Looking back at Special Week locked onto her from behind, El Condor Pasa felt as if she were looking into a mirror.
In that special mirror, she saw her own hunger for victory, and every moment of glory and sorrow she had ever run through.
As expected… you really are a special Umamusume, aren't you, Spe-chan.
And because of that—I absolutely cannot lose. Because…
This is my highest respect for you, for all of us, and for all the races of our past!
As if ignited, all of El Condor Pasa's strength exploded at once.
The wind screamed sharply in her ears, like an eagle's cry spiraling high in the sky, yet also like the roar of the crowd celebrating her surge.
Her vision sharpened like a raptor's. It was no illusion—Seiun Sky's steps had definitely wavered.
Perhaps she was losing speed.
Perhaps she was pressured by the storm of rivals bearing down on her.
But whatever the reason—
This was the chance!
With a sudden burst of speed and a swift shift of her body—in the blink of an eye, she had overtaken Seiun Sky.
Almost simultaneously, Special Week and Grass Wonder noticed Seiun Sky's misstep as well.
Without even a heartbeat of hesitation, the two who had been locked in battle since the third corner split apart with perfect understanding—one veering left, the other right—cleanly avoiding Seiun Sky.
Special Week clenched her teeth, determination blazing in her eyes as she pushed forward with all her strength.
Grass Wonder's gaze was sharp as a blade; with every powerful stride she took, grass stems snapped beneath her hooves, flinging chunks of dirt behind her.
And both of them were targeting the same thing—El Condor Pasa, now less than a hundred meters from the finish line!
The stands erupted, the roaring cheers nearly lifting the entire racecourse into the sky.
Even the commentator's voice trembled with excitement:
"Critical moment! Critical moment! El Condor Pasa has surged past Seiun Sky! Special Week and Grass Wonder are right behind her!"
"They're sprinting with everything they've got! We are entering the decisive moment of the race!"
"Behind them is King Halo! On the far outside are Daitaku Helios and Mejiro Bright!"
"But! 50 meters left! El Condor Pasa is still in the lead!"
"The final chance! This is the final chance for Special Week and Grass Wonder!"
"Right now…"
"Finish!!"
The first to slow down was El Condor Pasa.
Like pure instinct, she kept trotting for a long moment after crossing the line, letting her body ease the momentum. Sweat rolled from her forehead and temples, gathered at her chin, and fell in heavy drops. She tilted her head back, hands pressing her waist, gasping desperately for breath.
In the next second, the cheers from the stands dipped for a brief instant—then exploded.
Applause, shouts, shrill screams—her name mixed into all of them—burst upward like a storm that shook the heavens.
"Soaring once again across the green turf!"
"The champion of this Dream Trophy League… El Condor Pasa!!"
"Grass Wonder edges ahead of Special Week at the very last moment!"
"Following them, Seiun Sky, Daitaku Helios, and Mejiro Bright cross the line almost simultaneously—please wait patiently for the photo finish results!"
Dazed for a moment, El Condor Pasa felt the summer sun and hot wind blowing against her body along with the waves of sound. Gradually, she came back to her senses and looked up at the display board.
Her name shone at the very top.
Her mouth—which had already been open from panting—slowly stretched wider and wider, becoming an exaggerated expression of disbelief before she suddenly spun around and dashed back toward the others.
"Hey—hey—! I… I won! Of course it's me! I won!!"
Her excitement spilled out in scattered, breathless words.
Then she paused, blinking, and suddenly laughed.
"Hey, Spe-chan, why are you face-down on the ground again? Honestly, this is just like when we first met…"
Lying flat on the ground in the shape of a giant '木' character, Special Week wobbled as she pushed herself up. Her face was dripping with sweat as she scratched her head and gave a goofy grin.
She opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something, but only moved her lips—phff—and spat out a mouthful of grass blades.
El Condor Pasa froze for a moment, then burst into laughter.
Grass Wonder and Seiun Sky, who had rushed over in concern, relaxed and began laughing as well.
"Well, you're still as dopey as ever. Good, that means you're fine…"
Like she hadn't just run a fierce race, Seiun Sky rested her hands on the back of her head and let out a lazy sigh.
"Sigh… there's still a stage performance later. What a pain…"
Arms crossed, King Halo looked back at the finish line and pursed her lips.
"Didn't expect that even with this running strategy, I still can't beat you lot…"
"Hey, that's got nothing to do with me," Seiun Sky waved her hands dismissively. "I was just here to make up the numbers. If you've got complaints, tell them, not me."
After spitting out the last pieces of grass and wiping her mouth, Special Week suddenly turned to El Condor Pasa and raised a big thumbs-up.
"La victoire est à moi! El-chan!"
El Condor Pasa's smile froze instantly.
Grass Wonder blinked in surprise—and then covered her mouth, trembling with laughter.
"...So, Spe-chan, you actually remembered that…"
Scratching her head awkwardly just like Special Week did earlier, El Condor Pasa's mouth twitched.
"See, the thing is… the meaning of that phrase is actually—"
"I know! It means 'Watch closely,' right?"
On her usually simple, cheerful face, a flicker of slyness appeared in Special Week's eyes. She scratched her head again and said:
"Hehe~ Broye explained it to me. I know you were teasing me."
"I guess I held a tiny grudge… so I've been waiting for a chance to give that line back to you."
"Alright! The race is over—let's all go eat together!"
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Latest Post In Patreon: Chapter 274: Adjusting the Start and Pacing Rhythm[2]
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https://www.patreon.com/collection/1617249?view=condensed[4]
[1] https://www.patreon.com/collection/1617249?view=condensed
[2] https://www.patreon.com/posts/155512898?collection=1617249
[3] https://www.patreon.com/posts/155512898?collection=1617249
[4] https://www.patreon.com/collection/1617249?view=condensed