Uma Musume: From Being Knocked Ten Meters Away

Chapter 641 The Awareness Unique to Competitors
While pondering, Beibu Genko unconsciously ate the remaining noodles in his bowl.

The warm noodle soup gradually dwindled, and even after she put down her chopsticks, she still hadn't managed to organize her thoughts.

Alice, who had also finished breakfast, wiped her mouth and looked with interest at the bowl of noodles with only a little soup left. She commented:

"Hmm... The width of the noodles and the temperature of the soup base are perfectly matched. It seems that Yasui can still give some very useful advice in addition to training and competition."

Then her gaze swept towards the direction of the hotel entrance, and she changed the subject:
"So, we've already finished eating, why hasn't Yasui arrived yet? Aren't we waiting for him, this local, to be our tour guide today?"

Upon hearing this, Beibu Genko pursed his lips, intending to take this opportunity to try and ask Apricot Eyes what she thought.

Unexpectedly, before she could even speak, almond-shaped eyes looked over first.

Her almond-shaped eyes clenched slightly in front of her, her gaze clear and resolute. She looked at the Northern Black Steed, her voice soft yet carrying a powerful determination:

"Senior Kobe...can we go and check on Kasamatsu today?"

She paused, took a deep breath, as if she had unloaded a burden, and her tone became more certain:

"And... I... I want to participate in the exhibition match there!"

These words surprised both Alice and Yamato Akaki.

"An exhibition match?" The two asked almost simultaneously, their gazes shifting between Kita Genko and Almond. "What exhibition match?"

"Ah, this..."

When he subconsciously responded, Kita Genko suddenly remembered that when Yasui Makoto mentioned this idea last night, these two seniors were still having an in-depth discussion with Yasui's uncle in the study, and they didn't mention it again after settling into the hotel.

She quickly gave a brief explanation of the Kasamatsu exhibition match, then tried hard to recall what she had heard from Yasui Makoto last night, organizing her thoughts as she spoke:
"Well... how should I put it..."

"Almond Eyes will officially debut in the second half of the year. If she has the opportunity to compete with such experienced seniors now, even if it is just an exhibition match, it will allow her to experience the real competition atmosphere and learn many things that cannot be learned in training."

She paused, then continued explaining, her words unconsciously taking on a Makoto Yasui-esque analytical tone:

"Moreover, this kind of 'experience' is best provided by other seniors."

"Because Xingmu and I are always training, eating and studying together, we are too familiar with each other, so it is difficult to bring that sense of novelty and impact."

"As for winning or losing... we certainly don't underestimate Oguri Hat-senpai and Inari-senpai; their strength and achievements are beyond doubt."

"But the reality is that the seniors have indeed retired for many years. Even if they continue to maintain their training habits, their physical condition and competitive level are definitely not comparable to their peak period."

She looked into almond-shaped eyes, her tone full of encouragement and trust:

"But Almond is different. She has been undergoing systematic and scientific training and is improving every day. Her body is in its best development period and has unlimited potential."

"This is where our opportunity lies."

"Besides, this is just an entertainment exhibition match, focusing on communication and demonstration, just like... just like the event race when I first met Xingmu! We have experience with that kind of atmosphere, so there's no need to feel too much pressure." After listening to Beifang Xuanju's clear analysis, everyone nodded thoughtfully.

Alice let out her signature light laugh, her gaze filled with amusement and a hint of admiration, and accurately retorted:

"Kukuku... Such a reliable and calm analysis. It sounds... almost like Yasui is speaking through your mouth."

She didn't give Beibu Xuanju time to react, abruptly changing the subject and turning her gaze directly to the stunned almond-shaped eyes beside her, tossing the final decision back to him:
"So, Almond... after all this analysis, the most crucial thing is still your idea. Do you... really want to give it a try?"

Almond-eyed took a deep breath, raised her head, and her gaze swept over everyone present before finally settling firmly on Alice, nodding vigorously:
"Yes! I want to participate!"

She clearly stated her intentions, then softened her tone and spoke candidly:
"Then... when I first heard about this match last night, I was indeed... I was a little scared. For some reason, I started to have second thoughts, and I was completely flustered."

"Later, when I got back to my room, I lay on the bed and tossed and turned for a long, long time. My mind was a mess, and it took me a long time to fall asleep."

Hearing this, Chunqiufen suddenly realized and let out a soft "Ah," saying in a low voice, "So, the reason why Senior Xingqian tossed and turned for so long before falling asleep last night was because she kept thinking about this..."

Her almond-shaped eyes met Chunqiu Fen's, a hint of apology on her face. She nodded, then continued to analyze her inner thoughts, her tone becoming increasingly clear and firm:
"I thought about it carefully, and I realized why I did that... It's probably because from the beginning of training until now, whether it's daily practice or the activities, competitions, or joint training sessions I participated in before, I've almost always been with Senior Xiao Bei, or with my peers, friends, and classmates."

"I have never... never before have I faced such a powerful senior all by myself..."

She paused, corrected herself, and her eyes sharpened:
"No, to be precise, I have never 'faced a powerful opponent alone'."

"That's why I felt scared and wanted to back down at that moment."

"but--"

Her voice suddenly rose, carrying a clarity and determination that seemed to break through the fog.
"This isn't like me at all! This isn't me either!"

"If it were me... if it were just me..."

She clenched her fists, her eyes burning with a familiar, defiant flame:
"Even if they are seniors, even if they are the most powerful seniors, I should never back down!"
"I must also do my best to challenge and try to defeat them!"

"That's the meaning of running, isn't it?"

As Alice listened to Alimee's declaration, which transformed from confusion to determination, a glint of admiration flashed in her eyes, and a smile of interest appeared on her lips:
"Kukuku... I see. From fear to actively seeking challenges? This shift in mindset is very interesting and worth observing. I support it."

She pushed up her glasses, her tone becoming more meaningful:
“That’s right, training and competition are two different things, and competing alone… is something else entirely.”

"Or rather, no matter how many friends you have or how much support you receive, in the end, the only one who puts on running shoes, stands at the starting gate, and runs alone on the track is always yourself."

Her gaze seemed to drift away for a moment, as if recalling some shared experience, before focusing back on her almond-shaped eyes:
"I think Yamato, your senior Koki, and I all understand this very well."

"Congratulations, Almond Eyes, even if it's just a little bit, you've now truly experienced it:"

"This is the weight one must bear on the way to the competition, and it is also the awareness that belongs only to competitors."

(End of this chapter)