Uma Musume: From Being Knocked Ten Meters Away

Chapter 601 All This Is Enough

"well said!"

An unyielding, steel-like fist clenched:
"That's how it should be! Xiao Bei, get back into shape, that's the way to go! Otherwise, if we lose for some other reason, wouldn't it be such a shame to lose this last Game 1 of the year!"

"Mm." Satomi Hikari nodded slightly, his eyes clear and earnest.
"Me too, looking forward to a showdown on the court with 'Senior Xiao Bei' who's in top form."

Gao Shangjunyi didn't say anything, but just gripped the book in his hand even tighter.

The Heavenly Emperor Song pushed up his glasses, and a glint of light flashed across the lenses.

Sensing the intense fighting spirit emanating from its formidable opponents, the Northern Black Steed not only did not back down, but instead raised an even more confident and composed smile:

"Of course! I will definitely win!"

The atmosphere was heating up when Northern Black Horse suddenly remembered something, his tone tinged with regret:

"Ah...it's a pity that Crown-chan went to Hong Kong, otherwise everyone could have gathered together for the Arima Memorial Tournament."

Upon hearing this, Satomi Hikari parted his lips slightly, as if he wanted to say something.

But Beibu Xuanju's eyes lit up, and he excitedly suggested, "That's right! Crown Sauce's Hong Kong Cup match is tomorrow morning! Let's watch the live broadcast together and cheer her on!"

"Great idea!" Unyielding Steel was the first to respond.

"Yes! Go Crown!" Thunderous applause nodded.

Gao Shangjunyi and Tiandi Song also expressed their agreement.

Seeing the sudden surge of excitement among the crowd, Satomi Hikari swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue, a gentle smile appearing on his face as he nodded slightly.
"Um, okay."

As school let out, the group of female racehorses, who were about to step onto the biggest stage of the year, chatted and laughed as they naturally walked together toward the training ground.

Their group walking along the school paths was a striking sight in itself.

Wherever he went, the younger students along the way cast admiring, hopeful, and even slightly awe-inspiring glances his way, whispering among themselves like a gentle breeze.

"Wow! To see so many amazing seniors all at once... I'm so lucky!"

"Look! It's Northern Senior and Satomi Senior! And also Thunderous Senior and Unyielding Senior..."

"Have you heard? This year's Arima Anniversary voting is incredibly competitive!"

"After all, it's the year-end competition! And Senior Xiao Bei is aiming for the Autumn Triple Crown! In history, only legendary predecessors like Good Opera and Desert Hero have achieved such a feat!"

"Will Hikari-senpai also be competing? The undefeated triple crown horse girl from the classic year versus the autumn triple crown horse girl from the ancient year, wow... just thinking about it makes my breath catch!"

These whispers drifted into the girls' ears, evoking varying reactions.

The thunderous roar seemed to simply find the atmosphere lively, and it curiously looked around. Unyielding Steel straightened its back, a confident smile playing on its lips as it accepted the challenge.

Gao Shangjunyi blushed slightly, lowered his head somewhat embarrassed, and quickened his pace. Tian Di Song adjusted his glasses.
A rational glint flashed across his glasses, as if he were calmly analyzing the amount of information contained in those words.

Despite hearing these words, the Northern Black Horse continued to walk briskly.

She suddenly realized that in the past, when she heard heavy words like "autumn triple crown", "legend" and "duel", she might have subconsciously tensed her shoulders and felt a huge pressure.

But now, her heart feels as if it has been warmed by water, leaving only a heavy sense of security and a burgeoning confidence.

As she got closer to the training field, she took a deep breath, the familiar scent of grass and sweat filling her chest.

She remembered many things.

She remembered the old tree in her hometown courtyard that always shed leaves onto her head, she remembered her grandfather and parents seeing her off at the door... she remembered the sweat on her palms when she first put on her championship uniform...

I'm reminded of what the emperor once said: "Just keep running..."

I remember encouraging each other with Diamond and Crown, sharing a bag of almost melted lemon candy, and dreaming about the outline of the distant future...

I think of the letters sent by supporters I've never met...

I remember the roar that erupted in the stands after she crossed the finish line each time, the shouts of her name, the cheers for her, all blending into a gust of wind that lifted her up as she sped away.

I also recall countless mornings spent training alone in the dew, countless times when my muscles ached so much I couldn't lift my legs, countless times when I repeatedly practiced the angle of my arm swing by watching videos, and countless times when I swallowed the bitterness of failure in the rain, under the scorching sun, and against the wind, and then got up again and again, leaving my footprints deep on this seemingly endless track.

All these fragmented, heavy, and radiant memories of the past have now settled beneath our feet, becoming the solid foundation of the runway.

Then she remembered Yasui Makoto.

I remember his slightly furrowed brows as he silently watched the race, the calmness on his face as he analyzed the data, the occasional light touch when he handed me the water bottle, and his always steady voice that always betrayed a slight tremor as she crossed the finish line.

He doesn't praise easily, but every training plan is precisely tailored to her limits and growth.

He never spoke of his expectations, but every glance he gave was filled with unwavering trust.

He knew all her efforts and struggles, and understood all her hidden brilliance and shortcomings.

He never tried to confine her to a safe cage, but silently and steadfastly opened up the widest wilderness for her, and then believed that she could fly higher.

Ah Zhen...he knows everything, and he believes everything in himself.

That's enough.

With all this in mind, Northern Black Horse walked towards the training ground with a natural and bright smile on his face. He even took the initiative to wave to a few lower-grade students who had mustered up the courage to greet him, which made those little horse girls so excited that they almost jumped up.

As we approached the edge of the field, the restless atmosphere that permeated the academy seemed to be replaced by a more focused and arduous one.

She tapped the track beneath her feet and lifted her face. The sunlight poured down relentlessly, evaporating the last trace of hesitation in her eyes, leaving only a refined and pure determination.

"I'll head over now!"

She was the first to stop and wave energetically to her friends.

"Oh! Keep it up!" replied Indomitable Steel.

"Okay, see you later," Satomi Hikari said softly.

Before the words were even finished, the Northern Black Horse had already turned around and, like a cannonball fired from its barrel, galloped off with a joyful and eager momentum toward Yasui Makoto, Airi Soko, and Yamato Akama, who were already waiting in the center of the field.

The remaining racehorse girls watched her dash off almost instantly, their expressions varying.

"Oh... Xiao Bei still runs so fast." Ming Sheng Lei Dong blinked and exclaimed.

"Heh, isn't that obvious? She's the Northern Black Steed." Unyielding Steel crossed his arms, his tone filled with self-righteous praise and eagerness.

Gao Shangjunyi and Tian Disong also silently gazed in that direction.

Only Satomi Hikari remained silent, standing quietly in place, her clear eyes silently following Kita Genko's figure.

Watching her run to the trainer without any hindrance, like a gust of wind, and then gesturing and talking with a bright smile, her eyes deep and gentle, I wondered what she was thinking.

(End of this chapter)