For some reason, Fujiwara Shirayuki had been labeled as Tokai Teio's main rival. Special Week was in the same situation, but her challenge carried a strong sense of friendship. Teio, on the other hand, simply wanted to defeat her.
As she stepped into the gate, a wave of tension hit her. As a trainer, Shirayuki had seen this scene countless times, but stepping into the gate herself was a first. Cold metal rails and a heavy steel door sealed shut made it feel like being cut off from the world.
"…I really don't want to go in."
Seiun Sky muttered in annoyance. After pacing around outside for a bit, she was eventually pushed in by a race official.
Sky, I get how you feel.
Watching her reluctance, Shirayuki gave a look of complete understanding.
Even though this was just a mock race, there were already thousands of spectators. Looking at the packed stands, Shirayuki felt her breathing grow uneven. The weight of all those gazes pressed down on her like something tangible, drawing a faint layer of sweat across her forehead.
"Relax," Seiun Sky's voice came from the next gate over. "Just think about going back to sleep after this. You won't feel nervous anymore."
"…Going back to sleep…"
Shirayuki clenched her fists and took deep breaths, trying to steady herself. Watching and doing were two completely different things. She might have seen countless races before, but actually stepping onto the stage herself was another matter entirely. Racing was no different.
She had thought she was mentally prepared, but the moment she stood here, she realized she was still far from ready.
"Trainer Fujiwara, are you alright?"
Up in the stands, Nase Fumino couldn't help but speak when she saw Fujiwara Chiya's unfocused gaze.
"I'm fine…"
"Your breathing is uneven. Are you nervous?"
"No… I'm just not used to this yet. Give me a moment."
Chiya swallowed and slowly closed his eyes. When he opened them again, his gaze locked onto the track. In his mind, two perspectives overlapped, one from the stands facing the gates, and one from inside the gate as a runner.
"Shirayuki, it's okay. I'm nervous too. But when I think about running with my friends, it helps me relax."
Special Week's voice reached her.
"If you're already this nervous in a mock race, there's no way you'll survive in a profession this harsh."
Tokai Teio stood proudly inside her gate, her tone full of confidence. There wasn't a trace of tension in her. If anything, she looked excited. This was her chance to shine in front of the crowd and the President.
Hearing that, Shirayuki shifted her gaze outward. Teio was right. If she couldn't even handle this, she had no chance of becoming a true racer.
"Spe-chan, let's give it everything we've got this race!"
"Okay!"
With that reply, Shirayuki lowered her stance and took her starting position. Everyone runs for a reason. Uma Musume are no different. To win, to gain recognition, to shine brighter on the stage.
Shirayuki's reason was simple. To understand them. To understand their thoughts, their emotions, and most importantly, their fighting spirit. That was why she wanted to become a trainer, and it was what she was chasing.
The lights above the gates flickered, counting down.
Beep.
The steel doors burst open. The enclosed world vanished, replaced by a straight stretch of green track ahead. All the runners launched forward at once.
At the same time, Hishi Amazon's voice rang out.
"All runners have made a clean start! Currently in first place is Seiun Sky!"
The moment the gates opened, she had sprinted out at full speed. Seeing the green figure take the lead, Special Week widened her eyes.
Wasn't she supposed to take it easy!?
Taking the lead, Seiun Sky began to set the pace for the entire field. This was her running style. Front-running, also known as going all-out from the start. She pushed at full speed from the very beginning and maintained it through the race. It resembled Twin Turbo's style, but unlike that reckless burst, Seiun Sky controlled her top speed within the limits of her stamina, ensuring she wouldn't collapse in the latter half.
By leading the pack, she forced the others into a choice. Let her build a gap early, or stay close behind and prevent her from pulling away. Either option came with risk. Letting her go meant she might build too much of a lead to catch later, while following her could disrupt their own pacing. Facing a front-runner like this was always troublesome.
"I'm not letting you mess up my rhythm," Teio said lightly.
She adjusted her stride. She didn't chase Seiun Sky directly, but she also didn't let the gap widen. Maintaining roughly half a length, she gradually settled into her own pace.
Watching Teio make the correct decision, Symboli Rudolf gave a subtle nod. To find the right answer in her very first mock race showed exceptional race awareness. She was easily among the top tier of this year's newcomers.
After observing Teio, Rudolf shifted her gaze to the back, to the white figure. Fujiwara Shirayuki had settled into the middle of the pack. That was typically the position of a stalker, saving energy early, looking for an opening, then unleashing everything in the final corner.
Strategy was one thing, but what truly caught Rudolf's attention was her form. Even without formal training, Shirayuki's posture was extremely low. Her center of gravity sat far beneath the others, her body almost two-thirds their height.
As expected.
From the stands, the difference was even clearer.
This was a style only a few had used before. Narita Brian and Oguri Cap. A technique that relied on explosive power to overtake opponents in the latter half.
Like a beast crouched low, waiting for the perfect moment to strike, then ending it in a single decisive blow.
Rudolf's expression grew serious.
If Tokai Teio let her guard down and failed to notice, Shirayuki could seize that moment.
But Rudolf also knew Teio well. She might be proud, but she never underestimated her opponents.
And sure enough, up ahead, Teio tilted her head slightly, watching Shirayuki's movement.
That stance… just like Narita Brian.
This girl…
She's a serious threat.