On the day of the Japanese Derby (Tokyo Yushun), a rain shower suddenly fell.
Until the race began, the shower didn't stop, and dark clouds in the sky blocked the sunlight.
Arriving at the race venue, Symboli Rudolf, Hana Tojo, and the others felt as if a shadow had been cast over their hearts.
Without realizing when it started, they had become accustomed to Tokai Teio's appearance always being accompanied by that miraculous sun.
It was as if no matter the season or weather, wherever Tokai Teio appeared, the sun would always miraculously rise. But today's weather showed no sunlight at all. Although this thought seemed a bit too superstitious, considering the Japanese Derby is closely related to luck, they couldn't help but feel worried about Tokai Teio's race.
Tokai Teio didn't know they were worried sick about the weather. If she knew, she would definitely secretly complain that they were too superstitious.
Do they really think I'm a Child of the Sun or a Sun God?
I'm not a Kamen Rider; I just thought that pose and catchphrase were cool, so I used them.
Tokai Teio entered the venue full of confidence.
Although getting rained on was really annoying, this weather condition had zero impact on her state.
Possessing adaptability to various track conditions and climates, she had no weaknesses.
Many opponents in this race were from the previous Satsuki Sho. It seemed that even if the Triple Crown challenge failed, no one wanted to give up on G1-level races.
In reality, without the limitations of training turns (like in the game), there is one less Classic race every time one is run; there's no way anyone would want to give up.
If nothing else, the high prize money alone was enough to attract competitors to register.
So Tokai Teio could feel the targeting from other competitors. It seemed everyone knew that among the participating competitors, only she, Tokai Teio, was the summit.
"Although I should be happy, because it looks like this will be a heated race, but..."
Tokai Teio reached out and touched a raindrop, instantly losing that mood.
"Better finish running early and go back to shower early."
In this environment, even Tokai Teio didn't want to enjoy the race.
The fur on her tail was already soaked wet; it was really uncomfortable.
If only I were really a Kamen Rider. At least Kamen Riders don't dissolve in water, and that armor is waterproof.
"Although it is currently raining at the Tokyo Racecourse, the enthusiasm at the scene today is still hot enough to seem like it could burn away this rain shower."
"That's right, the audience's enthusiasm isn't affected by the weather at all, and the competitors' condition is also excellent!"
The voices of the live commentator and analyst rang out from the speakers.
"Favorite #1, Tokai Teio has entered the track. As the undefeated winner of the first Crown, we look forward to her performance in today's race."
"This is the competitor I'm most looking forward to! She must perform well!"
The analyst no longer hid the truth that she was also a Teio fan.
Who isn't a Teio fan nowadays?
With Tokai Teio's entrance, enthusiastic cheers came from the audience seats, completely on a different level from when previous competitors entered.
Even in weather like this, it couldn't stop the fans' passion; the stands were still packed.
Tokai Teio actually felt they didn't need to risk catching a cold in the rain to watch her race. If they really got sick, wouldn't that be suffering too much?
Because I am destined to win. Even if you don't come to the venue to watch my race, the glory I obtain will be shared with everyone.
Although she thought this in her heart, seeing such enthusiastic fans, Tokai Teio's mood, which had been somewhat down due to the rain, rose rapidly at this moment.
She faced the audience seats and raised her finger to the sky, as if saying: "Can't be helped then. Let's make this race a little more magnificent."
Please watch me, watch my—Tokai Teio's—race!
Tokai Teio's eyes became filled with fighting spirit in an instant. Carrying everyone's expectations, she couldn't let these cheers down!
Symboli Rudolf and the others, who had been observing her condition, relaxed.
Although they didn't know what happened, seeing the look in Tokai Teio's eyes now, the unease in their hearts suddenly disappeared.
"No problem. It's just a 'Bad' track condition; it can't block that child Teio's hegemony!"
If Symboli Rudolf had this thought in the past, she definitely wouldn't have imagined that one day she would worry about whether a competitor would underperform because of the weather.
This behavior of worrying her heart out—people who didn't know better would really suspect the relationship between her and Teio.
Hana Tojo, observing that Teio's stats hadn't changed due to the weather's influence, curled the corners of her mouth slightly. She knew Tokai Teio was a competitor who wouldn't let her down.
"I will watch your race carefully, Teio."
Mayano Top Gun was also mixed in the crowd wearing a raincoat.
"You must win, Teio!"
"The signal has been given; competitors prepare to enter the gates."
"Classic G1 race, the Japanese Derby. Who will be the victor to win this race today?"
"Favorite #1, currently the Undefeated Satsuki Sho Winner Horse Girl, Tokai Teio. Can she win this race today and achieve the honor of the Undefeated Double Crown?!"
The indicator lights lit up, and the gates opened.
"The race officially begins; competitors have completed the breakout!"
"A very beautiful start; everyone's fighting spirit is high today!"
"Leading is #8 Tokai Teio. Although assigned to a disadvantageous lane, it seems not to affect this King at all!"
Tokai Teio was about to enter the first corner before Seiun Sky, the Runner, finally caught up.
Because of the "Bad" track condition, Seiun Sky, performing normally today, actually looked stronger.
"No way, do you guys want me to run Escape? Although I probably won't need it, my Teio Step can't be used while leading."
The only reason Tokai Teio didn't like the Runner (Escape) position was that she couldn't use her Teio Step in this position.
Although she hadn't used this move in official races yet, "using it" and "not being able to use it" were two different things.
Her Teio Step was so cool—it was a unique skill that could only be displayed when chasing from behind.
"Teio... as expected, she is strong. Is she not affected by the soaked turf at all?"
When Seiun Sky caught up, she noticed Tokai Teio's calm expression and immediately knew the track and weather had no effect on Tokai Teio today.
This discovery was terrible. While her own strength was weakened by the environment, her greatest rival was unaffected.
Even though she successfully reclaimed the lead position before the first corner, Seiun Sky couldn't feel happy.
Because as a Runner, only reclaiming the lead from the Leader-running Tokai Teio at this point was in itself a very humiliating thing.
"Am I helpless already? Then I can only do my best!"
Seiun Sky completely gave up the idea of snatching victory. She now only wanted to unleash all her skills to the fullest and try to get a good result in the end.
Actually, many competitors had similar thoughts.
After all, having lost to Tokai Teio in the Satsuki Sho, they already had no hope of fulfilling the long-cherished wish of the Triple Crown.
This mindset wasn't exactly good or bad.
Although the desire to win was indeed lowered, the mental burden was also lightened, allowing them to focus more on the race.
In this situation, many competitors could actually perform stronger than before. This is the impact of mindset on competitors.
The desire to win is the key to opening the Zone, but focus is the key to entering Flow.
In the upgraded world, it wasn't impossible for any unexpected super-performance to occur during a race.
However—
Tokai Teio sensed the opponents' conditions and smiled confidently.
In my, Tokai Teio's, race, there is no second outcome!
I will win!
This is the only truth!
"The race enters the middle straight! Currently leading is still Seiun Sky!"
"Will other competitors make a move? In the last race, Tokai Teio started her breakout from here!"
Just as the voices of the commentator and analyst fell.
Tokai Teio discovered she had already eaten a debuff skill. She helplessly used her willpower to resist the debuff's influence. I really didn't expect these guys to debuff me this early.
Behind her, Nice Nature and Biwa Hayahide rushed out simultaneously.
They were indeed guarding against Tokai Teio's mid-race explosive power and planned to explode here as well.
Although she didn't know where they got this confidence, Tokai Teio didn't shatter their fantasies for the time being.
"Passing the 1000m mark, leading is still Seiun Sky, second is Biwa Hayahide, followed by Nice Nature. Tokai Teio is here, in fourth place!"
"Tokai Teio chose the 'Royal Road' running style here."
To everyone's surprise, Tokai Teio chose a running style that conserved stamina in the middle leg today.
Although that was the Royal Road style, the audience, unclear on Tokai Teio's actual condition, didn't know if they should worry for her at this moment.
Based on past experience, it seemed there was no need to rush yet.
But Tokai Teio's massive explosion starting from the middle leg in the Satsuki Sho had left too deep an impression.
So why didn't she choose to explode at this time?
They couldn't figure it out; they simply couldn't see through Tokai Teio's unfathomable upper limit.
Not just the audience, even the two challengers, Nice Nature and Biwa Hayahide, expressed inability to understand. Are our demonic skills really that strong? But thinking of the calm expression on Tokai Teio's face they glimpsed just now, they even doubted whether their debuffs had really affected Tokai Teio.
"Teio... what on earth is she thinking?"
"No matter what Tokai Teio wants to do, I only have one thing to do, and that is to run my own race well!"
While Nice Nature was still guessing Tokai Teio's thoughts, the experienced Biwa Hayahide had already seized the momentum to rush out, opening a relatively large distance from Nice Nature.
Meanwhile, the leading Seiun Sky gritted her teeth in unwillingness.
Like this again. It's this situation again!
Could it be that she won't even get into the top three this time?
Debuffed to the point of doubting life, Seiun Sky's mentality was on the verge of collapse.
...
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