Accompanied by the audience’s enthusiastic cheers, the Umamusume entered the track one by one to begin their warm-ups In fact, before entering the track, there was a paddock parade where the Umamusume introduced themselves—usually taking off their tracksuits, posing for the crowd, and picking them back up Currently, three commentators were providing live commentary on the Umamusume.
Although an Umamusume’s real popularity comes from fan votes, in game mechanics, popularity ratings were determined by the commentators’ evaluations Still, believe it or not, the commentators’ insights were actually worth listening to However, Kouki and Rice Shower had arrived a bit late, so they missed the paddock parade But did that really matter?
A few minutes later, amidst thunderous cheers from the stands, the Umamusume loaded into the starting gates in sequence It was worth noting that the gate entry process followed odd numbers first: 1, 3, 5, 7, and so on Then it proceeded to the even numbers: 2, 4, 6, 8, and so forth This measure was designed to prevent overcrowding inside the gates, avoiding potential pre-race mishaps Additionally, if a particular Umamusume was overly excited or high-strung, she would be assigned to load into the gate last so as not to agitate the others Silence Suzuka drew bib number 7 today, making her the fourth Umamusume to load into the gate [“Clear blue skies without a single cloud today—perfect weather for racing!”] [“The third favorite is Gate 13—’Don’t Underestimate Me’!
Her eyes are sparkling with intense motivation!”] [“The second favorite is Gate 9—’Kitty Punch’!
Despite her cute name, she’s a fierce competitor!”] [“And standing as the top favorite is Gate 7—Silence Suzuka!
What kind of breathtaking performance will she treat us to today?”] [“Miss Junko, which Umamusume are you eyeing most closely today?”] [“The one I’m anticipating the most is undoubtedly Silence Suzuka.
She is, without a doubt, the standout star of this race.”] [“I see!
Then let’s hold our breath and watch today’s race unfold—hopefully, it will be a thriller!”] *Beep…
Clack!* The red indicator light flashed, the front gates sprang open, and all the Umamusume surged forward almost simultaneously [“It’s a clean, simultaneous start for all runners!”] Without making any blunders at the break, the Umamusume immediately jostled for position along the inside rail while executing their designated tactics.
The inside rail was always the shortest path around the course, so in theory, the lower the gate number, the greater the natural advantage.
For fairness, gate numbers were assigned via a randomized computer draw As for the lineup count in Graded Races, those were determined through official lotteries held prior to race day So, in theory, there was no room for manipulation [“Taking the lead right out of the gate is Silence Suzuka!
Silence Suzuka seizes the front!”] [“Leading the pack is Gate 7, Silence Suzuka!
Right behind her in second is Gate 4, ‘Officer’!
Both are running an Escape strategy!”] [“Chasing in third is Gate 9, ‘Don’t Underestimate Me’, followed closely by Gate 13, ‘Kitty Punch’, and behind them…”] Suzuka maintained a steady, firm rhythm at the very front of the field.
Subconsciously, she had intended to follow her trainer’s pre-race instructions, but as she glanced toward the track apron, she spotted Kouki standing near the rail Standing next to Kouki were two Umamusume Silence Suzuka didn’t recognize.
One had long black hair and a small black hat, her petite, delicate frame looked incredibly endearing.
The other was a simply dressed Umamusume with a distinctive white streak in her dark hair.
She was staring intently at the track, her large eyes practically glowing with passion Amidst the roar of the crowd, Suzuka saw Kouki’s lips move.
Even though she couldn’t hear his voice over the noise, she instantly understood the message he was sending her “Run!
Run all the way to the ends of the earth!” *** “If you’re worried about running out of stamina, maintain your rhythm and breathing.
Don’t run recklessly, but don’t hold back either.
Pace your stamina with a steady, natural rhythm, then unleash your speed in the final stretch” “It might be tough, but I know you can do it” “Because you are Silence Suzuka.
If you pull this off…” “True to your name, you will enter the *Silent Territory*—a realm where you will no longer hear the footsteps of any other runner behind you” “And—never again in your life will anyone be able to stand beside you on the track” “You’ll never have to surrender your view to anyone ever again” “That’s what I firmly believe” *** “I…
I don’t ever want to lose again!
I don’t ever want to let go of that magnificent scenery ahead again!” “I want to run…
to my heart’s content!” Silence Suzuka’s expression settled into complete composure.
Her eyes locked onto the path ahead.
With a powerful drive from her left foot, she instantly opened up a full length on second-placed ‘Officer’—and the gap kept expanding The commentator was in the middle of running through the field’s order, but just as he reached sixth place, his attention was violently pulled back to the frontrunner [“What’s this?!
Silence Suzuka is still accelerating!
She’s STILL picking up speed!
She’s already three…
no, four lengths ahead of second place!”] On the track, because of differing tactics, the field usually settled into three distinct clusters The Escape group, the Pace Chaser group, and the Late Surger group Yet in just a matter of seconds, the entire field was forcibly split into four separate tiers *Silence Suzuka*, the Escape group, the Pace Chaser group, and the Late Surger group!
[“Unbelievable!
Silence Suzuka is pulling off a jaw-dropping Great Escape!
She’s already SIX lengths ahead of second place!
Has she lost her mind?!”] [“The first 1,000 meters flew by in an astounding 57.8 seconds!
With terrifying speed, Silence Suzuka has unleashed a solo Great Escape, leaving the rest of the field far in the dust!”] Not only were the commentators stunned, but the entire crowd in the stands was left breathless Although the Valentine Stakes would eventually be changed to a 1,400-meter dirt race in later years, at this point in time, it was an 1,800-meter turf race For any normal Umamusume, burning through the first 1,000 meters in 57.8 seconds would mean complete stamina exhaustion over the remaining 800 meters Fading completely down the final stretch and dropping out of the top ten would be a certainty.
Why on earth did Silence Suzuka choose to burst into such an aggressive Great Escape right from the start today?
Even Silence Suzuka’s current trainer, standing in the spectator area, had started cursing in frustration “Why won’t she listen to me?!
Didn’t I tell her to control her pace?!” The trainer was well aware of Silence Suzuka’s nature; her wild instinct to run at the absolute front gave her speed far beyond ordinary Umamusume However, his years of coaching experience told him that relying on raw instinct alone wouldn’t win races; victory required calculated tactics and energy management For any ordinary Umamusume, his logic would be spot on But…
she was Silence Suzuka!
Silence Suzuka—born for greatness!
[“Is she controlling the rhythm, or is the rhythm controlling her?!”] The commentator’s eyes were completely glued to Silence Suzuka.
The reason was simple: the commentator’s perspective was the audience’s perspective, and being captivated meant that at this exact moment, every single eye in the stadium was fixed solely on Silence Suzuka After establishing an overwhelming six-length lead, Silence Suzuka stabilized her stride at a pace where no pursuer could touch her Her breathing rhythm adjusted smoothly to match her stride [ Skill Activated: *Promising Future* (Restores stamina while holding the lead in the mid-leg) ] Kouki’s eyes widened.
As Silence Suzuka maintained her flawless pace, he saw soft blue particles of light shimmering around her body In game terms, that visual represented the trigger of a blue recovery skill And the system notification floating before Kouki’s eyes seemed to confirm: *”You’re not seeing things.”* Under Kouki’s awestruck gaze, the distance between Silence Suzuka and the rest of the field didn’t shrink by a single inch; she kept up her explosive Great Escape all the way into the final bends [“Astonishing!
Silence Suzuka has turned this entire race into a battle for second place!”] [“An absolute, dominant solo Great Escape!”] [“She’s rounding the fourth corner!
Can she hold this incredible speed all the way to the finish line?!”] Silence Suzuka swept through the fourth corner still holding her massive lead.
With just 400 meters remaining on the home stretch, the race entered its decisive final battle Behind her, the rest of the field began unleashing their full acceleration, steadily closing in [“The trailing pack is launching their final sprints!
The gap is starting to close!”] [“Will it be the inside rail or the outside line?!
Inside or outside?!”] [“Gate 13, ‘Kitty Punch’, overtakes ‘Officer’ to claim second place and is closing the distance on Silence Suzuka!”] [“Gate 9, ‘Don’t Underestimate Me’, moves up into third!
She’s closing in on ‘Kitty Punch’ as well!”] [“Both chasers are charging toward Silence Suzuka!
After saving their energy throughout the race, can they catch the leader in time?!”] [“Five lengths…
four lengths…
three lengths…
two lengths!
She’s about to be caught!”] “This is a left-handed track…
my absolute specialty” “I still have plenty of stamina left” “Their footsteps…
are far too noisy” “I’m sorry, but the view ahead…
and the victory…
belong to me!” [ Unique Skill Activated: *I Won’t Give Up the Scenery Ahead!* (Explosive acceleration in 1st place on the final stretch) ] A burst of brilliant, rainbow-colored light particles surged around Silence Suzuka, fusing directly into her body She drove her left foot into the turf and catapulted forward like a launched missile Before Kouki’s stunned eyes and the utterly dumbfounded stares of the crowd…
Silence Suzuka effortlessly pulled away from second place once again Two lengths…
three lengths…
four lengths…
[“WHAT?!
SILENCE SUZUKA IS ACCELERATING AGAIN!”] [“After blazing through 1,400 meters out in front, SILENCE SUZUKA PICKS UP THE PACE ONCE MORE!!!!!!”] [“Final 200 meters!
Silence Suzuka re-establishes a commanding four-length lead!”] [“Sprinting home!
Silence Suzuka leads with a Great Escape from wire to wire!
She cruises across the finish line with a four-length margin!”] [“Second place goes to ‘Kitty Punch’, third place to ‘Don’t Underestimate Me’!”] [“SILENCE SUZUKA TAKES THE WIN!
A COMPLETE WIRE-TO-WIRE VICTORY!”] Deafening cheers erupted across the stadium Every single pair of eyes was fixed on Silence Suzuka Clad in her grass-green racing silks, she looked like a goddess descending upon the track at that moment Bathed in thunderous applause and cheers, she bowed gracefully to the crowd, which drew even wilder ovations After taking her bow, she turned her gaze directly toward Kouki standing near the apron Kouki, who hadn’t yet fully recovered from his shock, met Silence Suzuka’s locked-on gaze Collecting his composure, he gave her a firm thumbs-up and mouthed a sentence to her Suzuka couldn’t hear his voice over the noise, but she understood his lip movement instantly “I’ll be waiting for you”