The race was in full swing.
Fujiwara Shirayuki was currently in seventh place, with Special Week two spots ahead of her. Special Week used a fairly standard pace-chasing style, staying close behind the leader and preparing to accelerate and overtake in the final corner. This approach did not require the same level of precise timing as a stalker strategy, but it relied heavily on the runner's physical ability. Since it involved early jostling right from the start, strong stamina was essential. Special Week fit that perfectly. She had a huge appetite and turned everything she ate into muscle, which alone created a noticeable gap between her and most others.
After evaluating Special Week, Shirayuki shifted her gaze toward the very front of the pack, to Tokai Teio. To be honest, she did not know much about her. Today was their first meeting, and they were practically strangers. However, Shirayuki did know about Teio's trainer, Nase Fumino. As one of Tracen's most famous prodigy trainers, Nase had already produced a G1-winning Uma Musume in her first year. In her second year, she trained one of the "Heisei Three Strong," Super Creek, who went on to win three G1 races. She was like a legend among trainers, with an exceptional eye for talent, able to identify strengths and weaknesses and guide her runners through every challenge.
Uma Musume chosen by her usually shared two traits: top-tier natural talent and a genius-level racing mind. Only those who possessed both would be selected. Tokai Teio had earned her recognition at such a young age, so calling her a genius was no exaggeration.
At that thought, Shirayuki's expression grew serious. There was no shortage of geniuses among Uma Musume. Symboli Rudolf, Maruzensky, and Mr. C.B. were all examples. From the very beginning, they had displayed overwhelming strength, as if their existence existed to show just how powerful Uma Musume could become. People admired geniuses, praised them, and feared them. Shirayuki was no different. To her, they were dazzling stars that drew her in. But behind that brilliance lay the shattered dreams of countless others. Their success was built upon the failures of many.
She had once seen people withdraw because of such overwhelming talent. Now, she stood on the opposite side of it. What kind of pressure did that create? What kind of effort would it take to defeat someone like that? Shirayuki wanted to know. As both a trainer and a runner, she wanted to understand. So, Tokai Teio, show me just how despairing a so-called genius can be.
"Currently in first place is Seiun Sky. In second is Tokai Teio. Third place is Ultimate First, followed by Crown Writer in fourth. The gap between the runners is steadily widening!"
In the waiting area, Gold Ship, Meisho Doto, and Rice Shower watched the race without blinking. As they saw Shirayuki falling further behind the front group, they could not help but grow tense. They had all seen her ability. Even as an undebuted runner, her acceleration was already at the level of one-win and two-win runners. That was impressive. Even so, closing a seven-length gap in a short time was no easy task.
At this moment, Shirayuki was already seven lengths behind Seiun Sky, and the gap was still growing. If this continued, the race would be in danger.
"Shirayuki! Go already!" Gold Ship shouted.
"Shirayuki, hang in there!" Meisho Doto called out after changing her outfit.
"Shirayuki!"
Letting go of her personal feelings, Rice Shower shouted as loudly as she could.
Should she accelerate now? Right here?
In the stands, Fujiwara Chiya stared intently at the track. Seiun Sky's front-running strategy had forced a decision. Should she change her pace and chase, or ignore it and gamble that Sky would run out of stamina before the finish? Even as a trainer, he found himself hesitating between the two.
"Seiun Sky is already close to her limit."
At that moment, Nase Fumino spoke softly. "Her steps aren't as strong as they were at the start, and her stride is changing. Her stamina is good, but trying to maintain a front-run at an undebuted level is still too much for her."
Hearing that, Chiya finally made his decision. Maintain the current pace and wait for the final corner.
"Shirayuki!"
Gold Ship grew anxious. Why wasn't she speeding up yet? Was she really going to wait until the end?
"Maybe Shirayuki has her own plan…" Meisho Doto said quietly. If it were any of them, they would have accelerated by now. Anyone would panic seeing the leader pulling further away.
"She's got patience."
In a quieter corner of the stands, Symboli Rudolf spoke. "That girl not only has excellent timing, but also makes very accurate judgments about the race." Rudolf had already seen it. Seiun Sky was nearing her limit. As someone who had competed at the highest level, her grasp of race flow was no less than that of a trainer.
"Of course. Shirayuki has great talent," Hayakawa Tazuna said with a satisfied nod.
"Talent? This does not feel like just talent," Rudolf replied. "If anything, it feels like experience. Tazuna, are you sure Fujiwara Shirayuki really transferred from an ordinary school?"
"Of course. Why do you ask?"
"It's just that ordinary schools do not even provide proper training for Uma Musume. Even private training programs are better. And simply watching races should not be enough to develop this kind of practical sense. I'm curious about her background."
"I see. But I'm afraid you'll be disappointed, Rudolf." Tazuna smiled. "Shirayuki is just an ordinary student. She transferred from Sakura Municipal Middle School."
Her background was completely normal.
Hearing that, Rudolf gave her a long look, then dropped the topic. She did not believe her. Fujiwara Shirayuki was definitely not ordinary.
At the same time, Tazuna recalled the moment she had processed Shirayuki's transfer. "Shirayuki, which school are you from?" "Sakura Municipal Middle School." "And your student ID?" "47… 5823." "And your personal details?" Shirayuki answered each question one by one.
Tazuna entered the information into the education system.
In the end, only one line appeared.
[No such person found]