Uma Musume: From Being Knocked Ten Meters Away

Chapter 577 Look at me

Northern Black Horse was slightly taken aback, and then, as if two blazing flames were suddenly ignited in her crimson eyes.

Without flinching, she nodded vigorously in response, her smile equally bright and confident, brimming with high morale.

"Yes! I've been looking forward to it for a long time! To fight with Shining-chan and everyone else on the field, giving it my all!"

They are both friends and rivals who must be defeated with all their might—this unspoken understanding was clear the moment their eyes met.

……

Time flies by, and it's already afternoon on the day of the Japan Cup match.

The atmosphere inside Tokyo Racecourse was like a boiler being pressurized, with cheers from lower-level races outside the track faintly coming through the walls, as if warming up for the upcoming grand finale.

In the G1 players' private preparation room, the air was relatively quiet, with only the solemn sound of finalizing tactics remaining.

"...The above is the final confirmed plan."

Finally, Yasui pointed to a spot on the track diagram on the tactical board with his finger:

"But things can change in an instant. Remember, the most important thing is always to trust your own judgment on the day."

He raised his head, his gaze steady and trusting as he looked at the Northern Black Horse. "We have made all the preparations we can."

"Go, Xiao Bei."

Alice pushed up her glasses and added, "Let data and analytics be the power that propels you forward, not the reins that bind your steps."

Yamato Akari and Apricot also gave each other brief but firm encouraging looks.

The team members left the preparation room one by one, leaving the Northern Black Horse with their last moments of alone time to adjust.

The room quieted down, and the distant noise from the stadium became blurred, rising and falling like the tide.

Northern Black Horse was doing its final stretches, adjusting its breathing, trying to bring every part of its body to its peak.

Just then, her phone screen suddenly lit up, accompanied by a light vibration.

It was a video call request from Chunqiu.

Northern Black Steed paused for a moment, then immediately answered the call.

On the other side of the screen, the background is crowded with people, which is undoubtedly the racetrack. In the closest position, there is a short chestnut-haired racehorse girl with a worried expression.

In the very center of the screen, Chunqiufen's little face was almost pressed against the screen, filled with tension and barely suppressed worry. Her eyes were red, as if she had just secretly rubbed them, and her voice carried a clear, suppressed sob.

"Senior Xiao Bei! I'm sorry... I know... I know I shouldn't bother you at this time... but... I just couldn't help it... I'm so worried... and so excited..."

She seemed afraid she wasn't speaking fast enough, so she hurriedly held up the black and red mini lion dance pendant to the camera, her voice trembling slightly:
"I...I'm with the little lion...we will definitely, will do our best to cheer you on!"

Looking at the little guy on the screen, who was almost overwhelmed by complex emotions but still trying his best to convey his feelings, Beifang Xuanju felt the softest part of his heart gently touched.

She showed no impatience whatsoever, and a smile that was both extremely gentle and incredibly firm blossomed on her face.

She carefully reached into her pocket, took out the black lion dance doll, brought it up to the camera, smiled, and gently shook it.

“Look, Little Score,” her voice was gentle yet firm, “I brought the ‘lucky charm’ you sent to the preparation room this time.”

"Always, always, it's been kept by my side."

She gazed into Chunqiufen's slightly widened eyes in the camera lens and spoke clearly, word by word:
"So, your concern, your blessings, and even your overflowing feelings of nervousness and excitement for me...

“I have always carried it with me properly, completely, and without any problems.”

Her gaze sharpened and focused, filled with an unwavering determination:

"So, don't worry or be afraid."

“Next, don’t think about anything…” She paused, as if trying to transmit all her power through the screen:
"Do it properly, attentively, and seriously..."

"look at me."

On the other end of the video, Chunqiu stared blankly at her senior on the screen, whose smile was firm and who seemed to be radiating light. She looked at the familiar little black lion waving in front of her, nodded vigorously, wiped her eyes quickly with the back of her hand, and finally revealed a relieved, though still a little shy, but incredibly bright smile.

call ended.

Northern Black Horse carefully placed the doll in the most conspicuous position on the conference table in the preparation room.

She took two steps back, tilted her head, and felt that the doll seemed to be placed crookedly.

She walked over and straightened it, patted it gently, and smiled unconsciously.

After changing into her battle attire and confirming the horseshoes, she walked toward the door of the preparation room, paused, and looked back at the lion doll.

Then he turned the doorknob and went outside.

……

Inside the athletes' tunnel, the lighting was somewhat dim, a stark contrast to the dazzling arena at the end of the tunnel, bathed in the afternoon sun.

Through the exit, the thunderous cheers, like tangible waves, surged into the passage, vibrating the air and resonating in the hearts of every contestant.

Northern Black Steed took a deep breath and walked step by step toward the bright exit.

In front of her, behind her, and to her left and right, figures appeared one after another, converging into a stream flowing towards the arena.

Thunderous roar, noble and elegant, unique in the world, to be decided later, California shines, outbreak...

Familiar faces, formidable but unfamiliar adversaries.

There were no words exchanged between them, and even eye contact was rare, but in every fleeting moment when their eyes met, it was as if invisible sparks of electricity were flying through the air.

It is scrutiny, measurement, challenge, and recognition...

It is also a promise to all supporters and to myself...

And the purest and most fervent desire for victory.

At the end of the passage...

An endless, deafening roar...

Countless flashing cameras and waving flags...

The emerald racetrack, edged with gold by the sunlight, leads to dreams and ultimate glory...

And then there was the commentator's impassioned shout, which instantly ignited the emotions of all the viewers:
"Ladies and gentlemen! The ultimate showdown you've all been holding your breath for is about to unfold on this stage of dreams!"

"All the female racehorses have entered the gate!"
"Look, the strongest fighters from home and abroad have gathered in that gate!"
"Is the king who protects the glory of the homeland - the Northern Black Steed - about to win the second of the three autumn crowns?"
"Or will it be the powerful figures who have crossed oceans that can shake Tokyo with their absolute strength and herald the arrival of a new era?"

The commentator's voice grew louder and louder, almost tearing the air apart.

"The gears of fate have begun to turn! Everyone's heartbeats will soon be in sync with the roar of the stadium!"

"This is a clash of wills! A battle of dreams!"
There is no way back, only to go all out and run towards that one and only finish line!
"So, the 2400m grass track in Tokyo, G1, Japan Cup..."

"At this moment..."

The brief, suffocating pause seemed to suck all the air out of the world:

"Start!"

(End of this chapter)