Chapter 43: Leading Anxiety of the Diva
So strong!
That was Stardust Mirage's first impression in this race.
Although she had participated in a training race just a few days ago when she first arrived at Central Tracen Academy, that was organized by Toyama Hikaru for Mihono Bourbon and was more of a mutual learning session.
So even though the participants were all central-level horse girls, most didn't give it their all—only a few escape specialists went all out.
But this time was completely different. Several participants were top-tier contenders even at the classic level. Moreover, with three teams betting on the exchange learning opportunity with the French team, this internal academy training race was essentially on par with any public race in terms of standards.
No one would treat such a race with a playful attitude... or maybe not.
Thinking of Gold Ship's grinning face just after the start, Stardust Mirage corrected herself internally.
But that didn't lessen the pressure she felt now. Even after the early stages, using the high-speed start advantage from Dig In, no one had managed to take the lead from her and Mihono Bourbon.
However, that didn't mean everything was settled!
On the contrary, even though she and Bourbon had formed the leading group, the prickling sensation on her back grew increasingly intense. Without looking back, Stardust Mirage knew that several horse girls using forward running tactics were closely following behind them.
More importantly, according to the data gathered by Toyama Hikaru before the race, whether it was Taiki Shuttle, Mejiro McQueen, or Narita Brian—these three specialists—their final three-furlong acceleration in the late stages exceeded her own test data.
In other words, if they continued to lead and battle until the final stages, she might be overtaken by one of the runners behind due to insufficient acceleration.
And in this short-distance race, the short course meant fewer chances for a comeback—being overtaken in the final stages almost certainly meant losing the victory!
Thankfully...
Stardust Mirage, closely following Mihono Bourbon, let out a slight sigh of relief.
This situation had been anticipated by her trainer, Toyama Hikaru, and herself. Although she believed she was no worse than any opponent, as a newcomer just starting out, she indeed didn't have a physical advantage over the other horse girls.
But so what?
To deal with this, Toyama Hikaru had devised a tactic based on Stardust Mirage's and Mihono Bourbon's running styles and their own willingness.
Its name—Heartbreak.
Mihono Bourbon, capable of executing the most standard running method with precision, now had nothing in front of her and was leading in first place.
Yet there was no trace of pride in her eyes for successfully taking the lead—her face showed no emotion at all. In her mind, vast amounts of data were constantly processing.
The moment she accurately reached the early-stage starting position and stepped down, Mihono Bourbon suddenly lowered her body, shifting her entire center of gravity forward onto her right leg—
Following closely behind, Stardust Mirage seemed to share the same intuition, changing her running posture at that moment. Both of them simultaneously stomped down hard, their speed exploding once again!
Mihono Bourbon transformed into the engine of a bullet train, roaring forward in that instant, slicing through all wind resistance ahead. Stardust Mirage was like the carriage pulled by the engine, running completely parallel to Ramon with only half a length between them.
With every step Mihono Bourbon took, her heels came perilously close to Stardust Mirage's face. If her rhythm as the engine slowed even 0.1 seconds off the bullet train's track, Stardust Mirage, running so close to her, would undoubtedly suffer an unprecedented impact.
But Stardust Mirage showed no fear, nor any hesitation. During their week of special training, Mihono Bourbon had not once faltered in her rhythm.
She was like a finely tuned running machine, absolutely incapable of the deviations and mistakes an ordinary person might make!
At this moment, the two of them, completely in sync, charged forward down the track...
The Draco Bullet Train had departed!
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Have they gone mad... no!
Mejiro McQueen, running gracefully, also noticed the acceleration of the two leaders. She froze for a few moments before realizing.
A great escape—it's a great escape!!!
McQueen, currently running in fourth place, panicked. Though she often encountered leading-type opponents in long-distance races, a big escape was extremely rare.
After all, attempting a big escape in a long-distance race, where stamina is already stretched thin, was practically suicide. Unless someone was completely out of their mind or exceptionally strong, no one would do something so futile.
But this race was different. A short-distance 1400m track meant that if the opponents chose to start with a big escape sprint, they must have ample stamina—at least enough not to lose all speed by the final stages.
In that case, what should she do?
Should she follow her trainer's instructions, ignore the two great escape runners, conserve stamina for the latter half, and then push?
Or should she chase immediately, ensuring they didn't build too large a gap to close even with a final sprint?
No, in this situation, maintaining her own rhythm was even more crucial!
After a moment's thought, McQueen made her decision.
Even if the opponents were going all out with a big escape, umamusumes have fixed stamina levels. It's impossible for them to sprint early and then unleash another high-level acceleration in the final stages.
So, as long as the other runners weren't affected by the big escape's pace, she was confident that with the exceptional stamina from the Mejiro family's bloodline, she could defeat all her opponents!
However...
Just as she resolved to maintain a steady pace, Mejiro McQueen was shocked to see Taiki Shuttle ahead and Narita Brian behind also accelerating to chase!
What were they doing? Did they want to settle things with the big escape runners right now?
McQueen immediately realized the situation had taken a drastically unfavorable turn.
If she still had confidence in chasing down the two novice horse girls leading the race in the final stages, she had no such confidence against Taiki Shuttle and Narita Brian.
Both were incredibly strong horse girls. If they accelerated now to chase the big escape and McQueen maintained her earlier pace, she would inevitably fall behind by a terrifying margin.
Leaving Narita Brian aside for the moment, McQueen doubted she could possibly close such a large gap in a short-distance race against Taiki Shuttle's final-stage burst capability.
Damn it, damn it damn it... damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it!
Gritting her teeth, McQueen had no choice but to expend all the stamina she had reserved, pouring her entire strength into her legs as she stomped forward.
Faced with the race dynamics completely disrupted by the big escape, she now had only one choice: chase!
Note: I'm new to translating so please be kind and tell me any mistakes you all find, I will try to release a chapter a day but don't expect much
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