Chapter 37: Why Can’t I Catch Up?

Chapter 37: Why Can’t I Catch Up?

Scarlet cried out in surprise just as Vodka stood frowning in deep thought.

Like her friend, she had been mulling over Trainer Yasui strategy for Kitasan in this race.

From her perspective, the rookie had solid burst speed and could maintain a good pace.

However, she struggled with changing pace, cornering, and breaking through traffic—things that relied more on raw power.

In such cases, the best strategy would usually be to take the lead from the start.

If she could stay in front from beginning to end and control the pace of the race, her chances of winning would be at their highest.

Vodka was quite familiar with that tactic—it was the specialty of her eternal rival. Even if she didn't favor that style herself, she knew it inside and out.

But the trainer beside her had clearly gone with a different plan for Kitasan.

From the start to the midsection of the race, Kitasan had been tailing the front pack tightly, as if she were saving her final burst to overtake them at the finish line.

It’s a classic pace chaser running style. And Vodka was sure of it—besides being good at breaking away early, she was also highly experienced with the pace chaser running style.

But the problem was… Kitasan’s final spurt didn’t seem particularly strong.

At least, not compared to the other competitors in this race.

So if she’s using a pace chaser running style, how was she planning to outpace them on the final stretch…?

Just as she got to that part of her thoughts, she heard Scarlet cry out again.

“Satono Rasen?! Is that the Umamusume in front of Kita-chan?”

What’s with that name? Is she important?

Still, if Scarlet is reacting like this...

Wait. Satono Rasen’s positioning, and her earlier positioning battles…

“Ah! I get it now!”

Vodka exclaimed as the realization hit her.

“Whoa, whoa—this tactic is super sneaky! But with Kita-chan’s honest personality… it might actually suit her pretty well?”

At that moment, Makoto, who had been watching his Umamusume closely through a pair of binoculars, glanced at the two shocked Umamusumes beside him.

“‘Sneaky,’ huh? Maybe so,” he said with a small smile, turning his attention back to the race.

“But I guess I don’t need to explain it. The two of you… your instincts are just as sharp as your reputations suggest.”

Hearing that, Scarlet and Vodka exchanged glances—each saw the same realization and admiration reflected in the other’s eyes.

It was true: this race, with its high pacing, posed many challenges for Kitasan.

There were certainly ways to handle it—like leading from the front to avoid pace issues, or hanging back and relying on a strong final burst.

But when they had been thinking that, they’d subconsciously been comparing it against their own experiences and strengths.

They’d overlooked a simple truth.

This was only Kitasan’s second race.

She’d only been in special training for two months.

No matter how talented a trainer might be, it was impossible to give an Umamusume full competitive instincts and experience in just two races and two months.

But—what if she didn’t need to think?

What if you eliminated that burden entirely?

Then things would become very simple.

Kitasan wouldn’t need to make her own judgments about race conditions.

At least not until it was time to push for acceleration.

Because among her competitors… was someone who could make those judgments better than she could.

All she had to do… was follow that girl.

And when the distance remaining reached just the right length—she’d unleash everything, and sprint for the finish with all her might.

That “someone” who could read the race better than her… was none other than the one Scarlet had cried out about: Satono Rasen.

. . . . .

On the Track

Power surged through her legs with every step.

As she instinctively assessed the distance remaining, Kitasan Black was quietly stunned.

Just like her trainer had said—this race was much faster than her debut.

And her opponents… were spending a lot of energy.

She could feel it—this race had stretched the pack thin.

Satono Rasen’s adaptability was also as amazing as expected.

From the sound of her breathing and her hoofbeats… she definitely still had plenty left in the tank.

And her own stamina?

Just as much.

No—it’s actually even more.

Which means…

It’s time.

Just like in her debut race, a thrilling sensation spread through her chest and down to her limbs.

She didn’t hesitate—her body leaned forward, her steps grew heavier—and she pounded the ground with full force.

At that moment, the race announcer, who had been calmly narrating the situation, suddenly paused and shouted in excitement:

"The front runners are now entering the third corner—no change in the current standings—Wait a minute! Kitasan Black is making her move!"

“Kitasan Black makes her move!”

“With a sudden burst of speed, she’s charging straight at the front pack!”

“There are still 600 meters left! Is this really the right time to go for it?!”

“But there’s no hesitation at all—Kitasan Black is overtaking the other front runners one by one!”

“They’ve just exited the third corner and are now entering the fourth!”

“Saint Martin, Minnesota, Crusher Rays, and Toki—!”

“In this nearly 300-meter-long curve, Kitasan Black has overtaken four other runners!”

“She’s now in first place!”

“And she’s pulling away—five lengths ahead!”

“Amazing! What an astounding stamina! Even after maintaining such a high pace race, she still has this much power left?!”

“Is she going to keep this lead all the way to the finish?!”

“The other racers have noticed—they’re giving chase!”

“They are out of the turn! 300 meters to go!”

“Satono Rasen is coming up too!”

“She’s incredibly fast!”

“Just like Kitasan Black, she’s overtaken four runners to catch up!”

“What a powerful final spurt! She’s rapidly closing the gap with Kitasan Black!”

“She’s only four lengths away!”

“Three lengths!”

“They’re on the final stretch!”

“200 meters!”

“It’s official! The one in front is Kitasan Black! Two lengths behind is Satono Rasen!”

“The winner will be decided between these two!!”

“Can Kitasan Black withstand the pressure from behind?!”

“Can Satono Rasen catch up?!”

“100 meters!!”

. . . . . 

On the track, everything else disappeared.

In Satono Rasen’s vision, there was only that silhouette ahead of her—so close she could almost reach out and touch it… yet impossibly far away.

She held herself back from trying to grab it with an outstretched hand.

Right now, the only things left in her heart were a fierce determination to catch up—and a faint, biting sense of regret.

She shouldn’t have…

She shouldn’t have hesitated back then…

Shouldn’t have pulled back…

Why…

Why can’t I catch up, even after just one moment of hesitation?!

“Kitasan Black—!!”

She roared in frustration.

But in the blink of an eye, the black-haired girl ahead of her vanished from sight.

Satono Rasen froze.

Carried forward by inertia, she ran several more meters before the crowd’s thunderous cheers filled the air.

The voice of the announcer echoed from the speakers—

“A quarter of a length!!

“Let us congratulate Kitasan Black for winning today’s race—by a quarter-length margin!!

“A glorious two-win streak—”

“Achieved!!”

Another moment of blankness.

Then came the uncontrollable gasping, and the overwhelming wave of exhaustion that slammed into her body.

Struggling to turn her head, Satono Rasen looked back—

The black-haired girl hadn’t vanished after all.

She’d simply slowed down after crossing the finish line, and come to a stop.

And just then, Rasen heard her say something under her breath—a voice tinged with mischievous pride:

“Hehehe~ I didn’t trip and fall this time~”

Followed by a joyful shout:

“Hey—Trainer! Grandpa! Dad! Senpais! Everyone! Did you see that? I won—!!”

Trainer… senpai…

Rasen flinched.

Then turned toward the stands, ears drooping, gasping for breath.

I’m sorry, Trainer… Senpais…

I shouldn’t have hesitated in that moment…

But…

Her fists clenched tight without her realizing.

She gazed long and hard at the black-haired girl cheering in the near distance.

Then, without another word, she turned and began walking off the track.

Next time… I won’t hesitate again.

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