Uma Musume Girl, I'll tell you about my Santa Hat special move too?

What is this feeling...?

No, we should focus on running...

[…Stardust illusion! Stardust illusion! Stardust illusion! Emperor of the East Sea! Stardust illusion! Stardust illusion! Emperor of the East Sea!]

In my ears, I seemed to hear a voice, completely different from the host's, passionately shouting.

The stardust illusion instantly realized that it was an auditory hallucination coming from somewhere...

Everything in front of me blurred in that instant, and even the condition of the lawn in front of me was hard to determine.

For a moment, she couldn't even tell whether she was hallucinating or in reality.

The voice from her debut race transformed into an unidentifiable runner, chasing after her from behind the stardust illusion, intertwining with the enthusiastic shouts of the host on the field, giving her a splitting headache.

I bit down hard on the tip of my tongue, and the metallic taste of blood instantly filled my mouth.

A strong gust of wind blew against her face.

The hat on Stardust Illusion's head was blown off by the strong wind, revealing his face, which was completely grotesque from pain.

Even so, the sounds of the past still lingered in my ears.

Despite being so disturbed, the girl still refused to slow down even an inch. Her legs, already at their limit, continued to run at top speed, showing no intention of slowing down at all.

(What on earth is going on? Is a phantom from the past also trying to stop me, wanting the events of that debut battle to repeat themselves?)

The track has reached the third turn. Stardust Illusion, who was supposed to change her running style here, found that the figure of the East Sea Emperor was also becoming blurry in her eyes, gradually overlapping with the phantom from her debut battle.

Now that we've entered the third turn, there are still 800 meters left in the race, which means we're approaching that position.

Stardust Illusion understood that it should prepare itself here to welcome its own moment.

Since the Emperor of the East Sea has already used a power called the Domain level, if I want to fight against him, I must also use a running technique of the same level.

However, this sudden hallucination, like a persistent affliction, tightly entwined itself around the stardust illusion.

It not only interfered with her vision, but it also prevented her from regaining a clear and tranquil state of mind...

(Ah, I finally understand.)

I understand the Stardust Illusion.

Why did this situation occur, even to someone who doesn't understand it?

Why does the body fall into a state of fear before the mind does?

Why... what is she afraid of?

This discordant note, preventing the stardust illusion from harmonizing with one's inner self, chases after the stardust illusion, until the runner, whose form is obscured, finally reveals his true appearance.

That's right, it wasn't as Stardust Illusion had previously thought, that it was because it wasn't completely obsessed with victory, shining, running... that it felt fear.

It was precisely because she was too fixated on the outcome of her battle with the Emperor of the East Sea that this happened.

What she feared was precisely the thing called failure itself.

The scene before him was like a phantom from the past, bringing back to life the memory of losing to the East Sea Emperor in the debut battle, a memory that had always been hidden deep within Star Illusion's heart.

Seeing such a similar scene, my body started to feel fear before my brain could process it, fearing that the scene from my debut battle would repeat itself...

He hurriedly chased after the East Sea Emperor, trying his best to catch up with his back as he passed by, but in the end he failed completely because he missed by a hair's breadth.

Her obsession with winning and losing, with striving for glory... this kind of dedication that surpasses that of ordinary racehorse girls.

Only such an abnormal psychology could transform into a rope binding her perspective, a hand blinding her eyes, and a clamp gripping her throat.

Indeed, this mentality undoubtedly stems from her instinct as a racehorse girl, which transcends everything.

It was this instinct, so persistent it was extraordinary, that allowed me to overcome powerful enemies and reverse desperate situations time and time again – the Stardust Illusion.

This time, this instinct backfired and brought bitter consequences.

The scenes of the present and the past kept flashing before the Stardust Illusion, impossible to dispel, preventing her from truly seeing everything in front of her.

This abnormal situation was a devastating blow to the racehorse girl who was running at full speed.

If you can't see the track ahead, it means you can't check the status of the other runners.

If they were still on the run, it would be fine, but the Emperor of the East Sea has gradually overtaken her, and the two of them have entered the third bend together.

(What other way is there? I'll do anything to win—)

The inner instinct is like a contradiction, driving the body to resist surpassing the Emperor of the East Sea, but on the other hand, it keeps urging the Stardust Illusion to think of new ways.

What are they really thinking?

She herself couldn't explain her state of mind at that moment.

If it were a normal person, she would probably say something like: "Just keep running."

Regardless, the fact that the game isn't over means there's still a chance to win.

But in this Satsuki Sho event, is it really enough to just run?

Facing this third bend, she can no longer use the cornering technique she learned from Super Creek.

Even if it wanted to try to accelerate again to catch up, Stardust Illusion would have a hard time judging whether it would directly collide with the Emperor in front of it.

A desperate situation...?

The smell of rust permeated my parched throat, easing the burning sensation in my throat slightly.

The battle seemed to be a foregone conclusion, and he had completely lost the advantage that would allow him to defeat his opponent.

In such a state of mental confusion, one cannot enter the realm known as the domain.

However, being unable to enter the domain means that Stardust Illusion can no longer reclaim the lead from the domain-level emperors...

"……ha."

However, faced with this incredibly oppressive situation, Stardust Illusion suddenly laughed.

All problems stem from one's own disadvantageous situation.

The East Sea Emperor, who has unlocked his domain and become the absolute protagonist on the field, is even more formidable than the East Merchant Revolution, which has also unlocked its domain.

Although we don't yet know exactly where the Emperor's domain lies in its strength, but...

Can we make that assertion now?

At this moment, she has transformed into the greatest enemy blocking the Stardust Illusion from seizing victory.

This lingering image of the past, which seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, constantly bothered her, making it difficult for her to even enter the realm.

However, this is far from being a desperate situation.

Regardless of any unfavorable factors, I am still standing on the track at this moment, and the other runners have not yet crossed the finish line.

The game is not over yet.

For the Stardust Illusion, confirming this fact is enough.

The race is not over yet, which means that every runner has the potential to win.

It blocks my view, interferes with my hearing, and affects my thoughts.

It prevents me from unleashing my domain-level power, and it prevents me from sensing the current situation on the field...

But so what?

If you can't see with your eyes, then just close them and keep running. Are you trying to be a racehorse girl...?

Having participated in the Yayoi Prize before, how could I not remember what the track of the Zhongshan Racecourse was like?

If we cannot open the domain, then we should use other powers.

The more you think about "opening up a new domain," the more you'll be hampered...

Wasn't this something that the prominent families had taught me?

Ultimately—

No matter how harsh the environment, could it be more unbearable than the heart-wrenching pain of not being able to hold onto the shining Top Star, as if one's soul were being squeezed and crushed?

(Don't try to make me laugh here.)

The Stardust Illusion's mind mercilessly mocked all those thoughts it had just had.

Is it only in favorable circumstances that one can seize the glory of victory?

My Stardust Illusion... is not in the same league as those runners!

He slowly narrowed his eyes, letting the scenes from the two matches overlap, the two noisy commentary voices intertwining in his ears.

Stardust Illusion took a deep breath, and his body gradually regained control.

He took a step forward, his foot landing heavily on the ground.

Anyway, we've finally arrived at this location.

[Skill 777, activated.]

If it is truly instinct that is suppressing oneself, instinct that is fearful of pursuing the Emperor of the East Sea...

Then transcend this instinct.

As a racehorse girl, all I need to do is keep overtaking and leave everything behind.

No matter what means they use, no matter how pathetic they appear, Stardust Illusion wants to hold the most dazzling star in its hands.

She understood her true thoughts.

Now, at this very moment.

From the moment she stepped onto this field... no, from the moment she crossed the finish line of her debut battle, she had never truly forgotten the feeling of defeat.

This feeling of failure became the primary driving force propelling her forward.

This feeling of failure has become an obstacle preventing her from moving forward today.

So what should we do?

Very simple, right?

Stardust Illusion has responded countless times to the obstacles that block its progress...

That is, step over it!