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

"Oh no... This is terrible!!!"

Before the lady could fully respond, the starting whistle sounded, and the gates in front of all the runners opened simultaneously the instant the indicator light turned from red to green.

The racehorses, like a group of lightning-fast sprites, burst forth like arrows the moment the gates opened, displaying unparalleled speed and power, pushing their legs with all their might as if to make the earth tremble.

No matter how much she wanted to say before the race, the racehorse girl kept her mouth shut and focused all her attention on the track.

From this moment on, running is the best way for these girls to communicate!

Except for... the two guys at gates 1 and 2.

The golden ship clinging to the side wall and the noblewoman looking up at her both realized almost simultaneously what had happened.

The two exchanged a glance, then frantically rushed out of the gate and ran away!

[All the racehorse girls have successfully completed the start... Wait a minute, the Golden Ship and the Lady are late!!!]

[The Golden Ship and the Lady both started late, and the remaining 8 runners began vying for starting positions!!]

--------

(Are those two idiots?)

Megumi Ryan, who was at gate number 3, had already passed through the gate smoothly. She had just seen what had happened between the two people next to her and was secretly amused.

But what's more important is the current state of the match!

With that in mind, Ryan began to observe the strategies chosen by the runners in front of him.

Except for the two who were at the back, the other eight female racehorses all successfully completed their exit from the gate. At the same time, almost none of them rushed to choose a position according to their own running style. Instead, they looked at the figure that had already run to the front!

That girl racehorse girl who has already started to leave everyone else in the dust, running faster than any other runner towards the front of the track—Stardust Illusion!

[The Kyoto venue has been activated.]

[Good location, already activated.]

[Natsuma Musume O, activated.]

[Skill is not at standard range (0), activated.]

[Skill right return o, activated.]

[Skill: One Wolf, activated.]

[Golden skill guarantees victory with the first strike, already activated!]

[Golden skill, Full Concentration, activated!]

[Golden Skill Escape, activated!]

[Skill Ground Solidification, activated!]

Stardust Illusion, which had been giving it its all from the very beginning, was now riding the power of wind and thunder. Almost instantly, it had used this long series of skills to increase its acceleration to a level that no one else could reach.

For her, no matter how tough the opponent in this race is, and no matter whether choosing other running methods would give her more leeway, as a master of escape, she will not think about anything else.

All we need to do now is to grasp the scenery at the very front of us!

[It flew out right at the start of the race! Stardust Illusion! Stardust Illusion's starting speed was like a whirlwind! Stardust Illusion is currently leading the race in the early stages.]

So... is it coming?!

(Just as I thought.)

Megumi Ryan watched the girl in the Flame Dragon Battle Suit, who was far ahead of the group with a fanatical look on her face, and silently changed the pace of his running.

Facing a player like Stardust Illusion, Ryan knew that even though she was only at the level of a Classic Year player, as long as she grasped the essence of the Great Escape, it would be difficult for her opponent not to control the rhythm of the entire match.

She certainly remembered watching the Satsuki Sho and Neon Derby. The East Sea Emperor had earned the opportunity to fight her fairly because he had clung to the Stardust Illusion.

Those runners who are unwilling to pursue the great escape, or who are simply unable to pursue it, have already lost the possibility of winning from the very beginning.

Although this was the first time she had actually experienced the Stardust Illusion Escape before her eyes, Ryan was still able to judge based on his extensive experience:

Unless she is a top-tier runner chasing from behind, a racehorse girl like her, who mainly uses a central running style, must choose to also run away when facing Stardust Illusion in order not to be at a disadvantage!

(Have McQueen, Aldan... caught up yet?)

Immediately afterward, Ryan caught sight of the other two sisters out of the corner of his eye. They had adopted the same strategy as Ryan, following closely behind the stardust illusion that was rushing forward.

Further back, walking almost side by side, were Alice and Maicheng Tea House, their faces expressionless and focused on the game.

All six contestants simultaneously chose... to escape?

Airi Soko, who was temporarily in sixth place, stared intently at the race of horse girls ahead, feeling gratified.

(Unlike any of the previous Stardust Illusions races, there aren't many weaklings here who will be left behind from the start...)

Even with its incredible acceleration, the Stardust Illusion couldn't decisively shake off the people behind it. Although the gap was visibly widening, the rate of increase was far less than the distance the Great Escaper needed to cover.

In other words, if Stardust Illusion continues running forward in this state, she will never be able to meet the conditions for a real escape: creating a sufficient gap in horse length.

So there's no need to rush. Although Alice also changed her pace to a chase-and-escape rhythm, she still lagged behind the others, all to keep track of the normal rhythm of the game.

(You have to make that final push at the crucial moment...)

Thinking this, Alice's steps were light, and she made no attempt to shorten the distance in front of her.

As she moved, the Manchester City tea table next to her also changed its running style, switching to a way of running that was much easier to conserve energy.

That's right, this match doesn't require much strategic thinking...

The Stardust Illusion racing at the forefront is not someone that can be defeated by analysis and strategy. An instinctive runner like her always has the potential to create miracles.

To completely suppress her and force her into a corner, we must confront her head-on and surpass her.

Therefore, Alice turned her gaze to the three people in front of her and smiled.

Go, go beyond the stardust illusion... force her to burn everything she has completely!

----------------

(The silhouette of Stardust Illusion is right in front of me... I absolutely cannot let her gain a significant advantage!)

Currently in second place, two horse lengths behind Stardust Illusion, White McQueen is weighing the current race situation.

Due to the earthquake, the Takarazuka Memorial, which was originally scheduled to be held at Hanshin Racecourse, was moved to Kyoto Racecourse this year to prevent accidents.

This news, however, was a very favorable decision for Megumi McQueen.

First of all, her current G1 wins, Chrysanthemum Appreciation and Tenno Appreciation Spring, were both won on this track.

This means that even though it's only a 2200m race, McQueen's familiarity with the entire course is greater than that of most people present.

It can be said that she has extensive experience in major competitions and knows very well how to gain every advantage in this field.

For example, right now—

Due to the unique nature of Kyoto Racecourse, this race is a long downhill course from the start, and it is the forward shift of the center of gravity caused by the downhill slope that gives her a higher starting acceleration.

The Stardust Illusion, which had already pushed acceleration to its near limit, couldn't enjoy much of the benefits of going downhill.

With this shift in momentum, McQueen caught up with the runner ahead, who was moving like a whirlwind, and even began to consider further increasing his speed to maintain the gap between him and his opponent.

From almost half a horse's length behind them, they could hear Aldan and Ryan's hurried footsteps.

It can be said that from the moment they left the race gates, having chosen to escape, they had no way out and had to fight on this track from the very beginning.

Only one person can compete for victory, and even Stardust... must surpass her without hesitation!

The purple-haired girl lowered her head slightly, beads of sweat trickling down her cheeks.

At such close range, Megumi McQueen could certainly sense the chilling aura emanating from the Stardust Illusion's body.

The all-consuming darkness swirling around the Stardust Illusion Battle Qi is constantly rising; that is a power called demonic nature.

Megumi McQueen knew very well that Stardust, who had evolved to this level, could control both demonic energy and battle aura with ease, and would soon be met with her fierce attacks, wave after wave, like towering waves.

(There's no problem with my stamina. As long as the grass is firm enough, even if I speed up a bit more, I won't run into any stamina issues...)

Logically speaking, it would be unwise for McQueen to unleash his speed-up ability on top of his escape, especially since he hadn't even crossed the first straight line in the very beginning of the game.

This is not only because taking the lead doesn't actually benefit McQueen much; on the contrary, it would mean losing the opportunity to enjoy the Stardust Illusion wake and unnecessarily increasing the cost of breaking the wind.

Furthermore, given her physical attributes and understanding of the track, it would be more prudent to save her burst of energy for the final stretch and rely on her endurance advantage to secure victory in the endgame.

However, McQueen knew he had no choice but to do so at that moment.

Apart from Stardust Illusion, McQueen didn't think any runner deserved such special treatment from him, but conversely, as long as Stardust was on the same track as her, it was only natural for her to use such a specialized running style.

McQueen's exceptional stamina allows her to unleash her full potential in the early stages of the battle, completely suppressing the Stardust illusions before her, and ensuring that she doesn't lose the opportunity to unleash her final burst in the endgame.

It can be said that ever since losing to Stardust in the simulation, McQueen has meticulously studied the Great Escape's tactics, which led him to devise this strategy—not quite the Great Escape, but one that fully leverages its strengths and avoids its weaknesses, effectively sealing off Stardust's illusionary Great Escape.

Taking advantage of the downhill slope at the start to interfere with Stardust Illusion's maximum speed, the real priority is to forcefully suppress her now and prevent Stardust Illusion from getting excited too early because of leading the race.

Once Stardust Illusion is allowed to fully unleash its potential in the lead, McQueen knows very well that he will face the most terrifying situation.

Like the East Sea Emperor in the derby, he chased the opponent for an entire match but could not catch up with him, and was toyed with by Stardust like a fisherman using bait.

This absolutely cannot happen to her, lest it bring shame upon Meguro's name!

Therefore, accelerating the final battle against the Stardust Illusion here is her only option at this moment!

Countless training sessions and competitions have forged her legs and endurance, making her a shining example of Mejiro's glory.

While Megumi McQueen's true strength lies in long-distance running, this doesn't mean she's inferior in middle-distance running; both uphill and downhill running fall within her area of ​​expertise.

(Stardust, I will surpass you. No matter where your great escape may take you, I will display my noble bearing... I will chase your shadow to the ends of the earth!)

Thinking this through gritted teeth.

This match will be her confession to Stardust Illusion, a battle she absolutely cannot afford to lose.

On the Takarazuka Memorial stage, he staked everything from the very beginning—if he could overcome her, he could get everything he wanted.

If one cannot even overcome this situation, how can one be worthy of such a dazzling stardust illusion?!

McQueen glanced past Aldan and Ryan behind him and fixed his gaze on the silhouette of Stardust Illusion.

Take a step forward and move on—

Push yourself to the point where you can catch up with this dazzling escape to a whole new level!

(Stardust... I'm here!!!)

The fighting spirit surrounding his entire body suddenly surged, and a huge phantom of a castle flashed across the sky above the arena.