Uma Musume: From Being Knocked Ten Meters Away

Chapter 460 Surpass her, defeat her, and then... crush her
Closest to the northern Black Steed, Shengzhi Stone stared intently at the figure ahead, his eyes filled with regret and resentment:

She should have realized the current state of the race for Kita Genko just seconds before she overtook Satomi Noble at the final corner exit.

I knew all along that the opponent had amazing stamina, I knew all along that the opponent had an unusually strong sense of rhythm, I knew all along that the opponent was good at outrageous sustained acceleration...

But why should we be complacent just because the opponent didn't take the lead at the start?

"We should have... noticed it sooner..."

She clenched her teeth tightly, a bitter taste rising in her throat, yet she felt invigorated once more.

Even if the strategic judgment is inaccurate and an oversight occurs, there is still a chance to win!

Sweat trickled down Shengzhishi's cheeks as she stared intently at the black and gold victory uniform of the Northern Black Steed, her mind replaying the match videos she had repeatedly watched.
Last year's chrysanthemum viewing, followed by the Arima Memorial, and the Emperor's spring viewing a month or two ago...

Like the precise control of a fine instrument, deliberately suppressing the slow escape of the lead distance, accelerating when there are still hundreds of meters left in the finish line...

Every game recording, every detail, and every analysis by the trainers all confirms the same thing:

All the strategies and tactics used by the Northern Black Horse are to maximize their endurance and physical advantages, using continuous attacks to cover up their weakness of insufficient explosive power in the last leg!
In other words, as long as you can withstand the opponent's relentless bombardment, the final kick... will be your decisive moment!

"So now... we absolutely cannot fall behind!"

As memories surged, a roar suddenly erupted from the depths of Shengzhishi's heart.

The excruciating pain from the buildup of lactic acid suddenly transformed into a raging inferno. She arched her back, and the sprinting motion she had repeated millions of times on the training field started instinctively.

The pale blue figure shot out like an arrow, the sound of horseshoes tearing through the mud carrying a desperate, all-or-nothing resolve:
"I...I will definitely catch up!"

As the blue and white battle uniform billowed in the wind diagonally in front of him, the bright sunshine did not distract him in the slightest.

The focus was solely on the figure at the very front, while at the same time, the scene of being left behind by the other party last year was burning on my retina.

Out of the corner of her eye, she still caught sight of Shengzhishi's movements, as well as the equally astonishing speed of Tianxia Weiyi and Dongbao Gulang.

Noticing this, she was momentarily distracted.

It's so similar. The eyes, aura, and even the choices made by the only one in the world and Dongbao Lone Wolf at this moment are so similar.

There seemed to be some kind of tacit understanding between her and them... no, not just "seemed," but there was indeed a tacit understanding.

At this moment, bursting forth with all their might amidst the mud and mist, they are chasing more than just the championship.

It was also that black and gold silhouette that had once caused them both to suffer such a tragic end.

Having narrowly missed victory, the scenes of defeat haunted my mind like ghosts.

However, the falls and regrets have all been transformed into sweat and toil on the training field, and the fighting spirit that burns at this moment.

Their tails billowed as they swept through the swift wind, their eyes fixed on the figure of the Northern Black Steed, their bodies leaning forward to the extreme, as if they had become one with the trembling racetrack beneath their feet.

Muscles tensed and relaxed in the sweat, each step carrying a do-or-die determination. Their long-dormant obsessions were now transforming into sharp piercing lights that broke through the gap in distance ahead.

Alongside them, as they chased the Northern Black Steed, several pairs of eyes were also fixed on the one in front.

The brim of Gao Shangjunyi's hat had been blown open by the wind, revealing the raging fire in her eyes.

Her nails dug deeply into her palms, and the scene in the preparation room corridor before the match kept replaying in her mind:
When he blushed and said, "I must beat you," there was a determined look in Beibu Genko's eyes.

At that moment, she seemed to hear her sister's words again: "Defeat her, Gao Shangqin, you can do it." These words struck her heart like a heavy hammer.

Every step she took through the puddles felt like a struggle against her past self. The race she lost to the Northern Black Horse, the sight of that black and gold figure rushing past at the finish line, the taste of sweat trickling down her lips—it all welled up in her throat again now.

For this Takarazuka memorial, she turned down all other activities and immersed herself in training, repeatedly practicing cornering sprints in torrential rain and challenging her physical limits time and time again under the scorching sun.

"Xiao Bei, this time I won't let you run far!"

Her panting carried a desperate, all-or-nothing intensity. The hem of the victory robe fluttering in the wind on the northern front became the flag she most wanted to tear to shreds.

Beside her, the tips of Satomi's crown's ears trembled violently in the wind.

Her gaze was fixed on the back of the Northern Black Steed, her heart pounding so hard it hurt her eardrums.

She recalled her time with the Northern Black Horse, and the confident, always-leading girl, and a complex mix of emotions welled up inside her.

Now, her mind keeps replaying the conversation she had with her childhood friend, who is also becoming an increasingly formidable rival, before the match.

Or rather, it was Gao Shangjunyi's words, "Xiao Bei is very strong, but the competition isn't just about the two of you."

These words acted like a force, making her now completely focused on pursuing this one thought.

For this competition, she meticulously studied every video of Northern Black Horse's races, repeatedly rehearsed tactics with the trainer, and simulated various possible scenarios on the training field.

At this moment, what those strategies and tactics are, and what their purpose is, is no longer important.

Her legs felt like they were being infused with flames, and the soreness from the lactic acid only made her more excited.

Burning with excitement, she had only one thought:
Chase after her, and then... overtake her!

She took a deep breath, her nostrils filled with the scent of earth and sweat—the unique battlefield aroma of racehorse girls.

Adjust your breathing, lean forward as far as you can, and every strand of hair flying in the wind seems to be telling the story of your unwavering belief in victory.

With her heart pounding, she unleashed her pent-up energy like a volcanic eruption, launching a final sprint toward the finish line.

On the outer track, a curtain of mud half a person high was raised, and the thunderous roar was like a black cheetah galloping freely on the track.

Her pupils were filled only with the image of the Northern Black Steed, and the promise kept echoing in her mind:

"If I win this Takarazuka Memorial, then we'll go to the Arc de Triomphe together."

This promise became her sole obsession at this moment, burning away all other thoughts like a raging fire.

The frustration of the defeat in Dubai and the pain of injuries sustained during the training camp have now transformed into motivation for my steps.

Her breathing became more and more rapid, each breath feeling like it was tearing at her chest, but her pace did not slow down at all.

"Surpass her! Beat her! And then... crush her!"

The thought cycled through her mind like a spell, her muscles screaming wildly, but it was no match for the burning flame in her heart.

She arched her back, swung her arms with all her might, and every step she took was filled with a do-or-die spirit.

Mud splashed on her face, but she was completely unaware, her eyes fixed only on the black and gold figure in front of her.

"Northern Black Steed, here I come!"

She roared inwardly, her voice echoing in her chest.

(End of this chapter)