The prevailing narrative on every TV special leading up to the URA Finals was a predictable one: a landslide victory for the Central elite. It was simply the reality of the sport—the gulf in resources and pedigree between Central and the regional circuits was thought to be insurmountable. At best, pundits expected the regional girls to provide a bit of spice, perhaps pushing the favorites just enough to make for a good show.
But reality had a different script.
The Short and Mile sprints had both been claimed by regional girls. Not only were they filling the leaderboard while the Central favorites floundered, but many of the top finishers hailed from ordinary, non-specialized schools. Had it been restricted to the short sprints, the critics might have found an excuse—after all, the shorter distances often lacked the prestige of the "True Path." But once the Mile fell to the outsiders, the atmosphere shifted from curiosity to crisis.
"Hey... this is getting bad, isn't it?"
"I don't believe it. My girl... she didn't just lose to a regional racer, she couldn't even keep pace with a girl from a general school!?"
"Man... talk about a total upset. This is a disaster."
In the trainers' stands, the Central contingent was a sea of pale faces and trembling nerves. Some were so traumatized by their trainees' crushing defeats that they had collapsed into their seats, heads in their hands.
"YEAAAHHHH! Blade, you're the best!"
"First the Sprint, now the Mile! The Regional Trecs are sweeping the board!"
"It's a celebration! Someone get the drinks! Bring the sake!"
In stark contrast, the regional trainers were in the midst of a full-blown festival. The sight of the Central elite crumbling wasn't just satisfying—it was the realization of a lifelong dream. To see the giants toppled with their own eyes was a joy beyond words. Now, the momentum was palpable; the crowd began to whisper that even the Middle Distance—the crown jewel of racing—might be snatched away.
But the Central trainers stiffened their spines. They refused to let go of their last shred of pride. The turf at 2400 meters was their domain. It was the "King's Road," and they were certain their supremacy there remained absolute.
"Well, let's see how this plays out..."
Minamisaka cast a cold, detached glance at his colleagues—who were practically praying for the outsiders to fail—and turned his gaze toward the starting gates. The race was about to begin.
『The URA Finals, Turf Middle Distance: 2400 meters! This is the King's Road—the same hallowed stage as the Japan Derby and the Japan Cup. What kind of legend will be written here today? And—they're off!』
『An incredible jump by the girl in the lead! It's the "Pure Gold of Kagoshima," Oro Zipangu! She's exploded out of the gate and is looking to dictate the pace from the front! What a bold move!』
『And look at those silks—blindingly gold! You can't miss her out there!』
『Following her is the British exchange student, Locksmith, holding a perfect tactical position. Behind her, we have Hitchy Leap from Ibaraki, followed by Central's own Overdrain and Triple Stage!』
"Now, my Majesty! Behold my brilliance!" Zipangu cried out as she tore down the backstretch. Her voice carried the theatrical flair of a "Supreme King" yet to come, but she had the raw power to back up her bravado. She had vowed to win the Finals and offer her love as a trophy, and her stride suggested she meant it. Behind her, Locksmith watched with narrowed, predatory eyes, observing Zipangu's every muscle movement like a scientist dissecting a specimen.
『The field is stretching out! Sword Dramatic is in the middle of the pack, and trailing at the very back, we have Richemont from Yokohama, Cedar Blade representing Odawara, and Tokyo's Meteoro Athenae. The tension is building! As they hit the backstretch, Oro Zipangu still holds the lead. Can she maintain this blistering escape? Locksmith is shadowing her, keeping the gap precise—neither gaining nor losing an inch. Meanwhile, Hitchy Leap has just reclaimed second place from Overdrain!』
『It's still anyone's game. It all depends on when the closers decide to pull the trigger.』
『We're at the halfway mark! Wait—look! Meteoro Athenae is making her move! She's surging forward early! Is she trying to catch the leaders before the final turn?』
"Time to shift gears...!" Athenae hissed, her eyes locked forward.
『Athenae is climbing! She's passing one after another, moving into seventh! Sword Dramatic is following her lead!』
『They're getting caught up in the heat of the moment! I hope they haven't ruined their pacing too early!』
"The time has come to shine!" Zipangu shouted from the front. "Flashy! Radiant! Gorgeous! These words were made for me and me alone!"
『They're entering the third corner! Zipangu still leads, but here comes Locksmith! She's turning on the heat! It's a full-on challenge for the front! Zipangu is digging in—can she hold? Hitchy Leap is staying patient, waiting for the perfect moment. We're at the fourth corner! Overdrain and Triple Stage are pushing up! We're entering the final phase! Wait—what happened!? Overdrain and Triple Stage have stumbled! They've lost their balance—no, they've recovered! But the opening is there, and here comes Richemont! Richemont is exploding through the pack!』
In an instant, the chaotic web of "Skills" being fired off by the other racers vanished. Richemont's "Domain" had activated—a singular, terrifying field of influence that neutralized the efforts of those around her. Unlike a "Rampage" that feeds on others' strength, Richemont's power simply erased them. With the path cleared by her own gravity, she surged toward the lead.
They hit the home stretch. Now, only the long, grueling straight of Fuchu and the final hill stood between them and glory.
"Let's go... it's showtime!!"
A voice roared from the very back. Sweeping wide, almost brushing the outer rail, a lone racer kicked up the pristine turf where no one else had dared to tread.
"Go, Cedar!!" a friend's voice screamed from the stands.
Turning that encouragement into pure kinetic energy, Cedar Blade launched her assault.
『AND HERE COMES CEDAR BLADE FROM THE DEPTHS! She's coming from the very back, screaming down the extreme outside! What incredible late-game speed! She's picking them off one by one! She's reached the lead group right behind Richemont! Can she catch Oro Zipangu? No, Locksmith is surging too! Zipangu is fading—she's struggling! But Hitchy Leap is still in it! Meteoro Athenae is in fourth! Locksmith is neck-and-neck with Zipangu! They're level! They're fighting for every inch!』
『200 meters to go on the Tokyo straight! Zipangu is still clinging to the lead! Locksmith tries to pass! Here come the closers—Athenae, Richemont, and Cedar Blade are all descending like a storm! Can Zipangu hold on!? Locksmith is gaining... she's ahead by a hair! NO! The three closers have reached them! It's a five-way dead heat! Who will be the first Middle Distance Champion of the URA Finals!?』
『THEY CROSS THE LINE! It's Oro Zipangu—no, Locksmith and Cedar Blade were right there! It's too close to call!』
『That was a photo finish!』
『Richemont takes fourth, Athenae fifth, and Hitchy Leap sixth. The tension is unbearable... wait, the results are in! The winner of the URA Finals Turf 2400m Middle Distance is—CEDAR BLADE! CEDAR BLADE! She snatched victory by a nose! Locksmith takes second, and Oro Zipangu third! Truly, a hair's breadth between the top three!』
Drenched in sweat, her breath coming in ragged, searing gasps, Cedar Blade collapsed to her knees on the turf. The world was a blur; she didn't have the strength to look around, let alone process the result. She focused entirely on the simple act of forced inhalation.
Suddenly, she felt someone throw their arms around her.
"Cedar Blade! You were incredible! I knew my friend could do it!"
"Te... Teio...?" Cedar blinked, her voice weak. "Wait, what happened...?"
"What are you talking about? Look! Look at the board!"
Cedar looked up at the giant leaderboard. There, at the very top, was her number. The reality crashed into her—she had won.
Before she could even gasp, a high-pitched, boisterous laugh rang out. Oro Zipangu was standing nearby, clapping her hands with genuine fervor.
"Hahaha! A total defeat! I concede—your radiance, your brilliance, it is second to none! Come, stand tall! Listen to them—that thunderous applause is all for you!"
Cedar looked around, wide-eyed. Richemont, Meteoro Athenae, and Hitchy Leap were all clapping for her. Even Locksmith, despite a flicker of frustration in her eyes, was smiling as she joined the applause.
Finally, seeing the beaming, prideful smile on Tokai Teio's face, Cedar forced herself to stand. She turned to the stands. Every single person in the stadium was cheering for her victory.
A wave of pure, unadulterated joy washed over her—a feeling she had once told herself she would never experience. She had given up on the idea of being a champion, but the race had given it back to her. With tears welling in her eyes, Cedar Blade raised her hand and answered the roar of the crowd.
"Finally... a girl from a general school has won. And in the Middle Distance, no less. This is why racing is the greatest... Man, I want to get out there and run right now!"
The 1st URA Finals
Inaugural Middle Distance Champion: Cedar Blade
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