Prompted by the announcer's shout, the crowd's attention shifted entirely toward the petite pink-haired Uma Musume.

Urara had escaped the tightly packed group, surging unhindered along the outer track, sprinting furiously forward.

"!"

The unfamiliar Uma Musume who had exchanged greetings with Urara before the race stared wide-eyed as Urara blew past her.

She'd originally planned to protect the little pink-haired girl from getting bumped by other racers—but how could she be running this fast?!

"Oyster~" The stranger, stamina completely drained, could only watch helplessly as Urara swiftly disappeared ahead.

In just ten seconds, Urara surged from eighth place straight up to second, trailing only two lengths behind Happy Meek—and still closing the distance!

Boom! Urara seemed to pour out every ounce of stored energy, accelerating even further, unleashing a spectacular final sprint!

"So fast! Haru Urara instantly overtakes another racer and is now rapidly closing in on Happy Meek!" The announcer shouted excitedly, igniting the crowd's enthusiasm.

"Whoa—!" Spectators gasped, captivated by Urara's dazzling dash.

"Urara-chan! Go for it!"

"Hang in there, Happy Meek!"

The entire audience cheered passionately for both girls.

This race no longer concerned any of the other racers; it was purely a duel between Urara and Happy Meek!

"Ngh…" Feeling Urara swiftly gaining behind her, Happy Meek clenched her teeth, squeezing out every last drop of strength for another burst of speed.

The finish line was just two hundred meters away!

All Happy Meek had to do now was keep her lead.

"Just one hundred meters left! Haru Urara is right behind Happy Meek, about to overtake her!"

"Happy Meek accelerates again, trying desperately to widen the gap!"

"But Haru Urara is too fast! Happy Meek is caught!"

"The two are neck-and-neck! The finish line is right ahead!"

"They've crossed the line!"

"Whoa—!" The audience was stunned.

In the final instant, Urara and Happy Meek had crossed simultaneously! The winner couldn't be identified by eye alone.

After crossing the line, both girls slowed down, finally coming to a halt.

"Haa… haa…" Happy Meek doubled over, clutching her chest, gasping for air.

"I… can't…" Urara was even more exhausted, flopping face-first onto the grass, unable to move.

About a second later, Delicious Fresh crossed the finish line in third place.

"Damn it…" Delicious Fresh clenched her fists bitterly as she stared at Happy Meek and Urara.

She'd lost…

And with it went her date with her trainer…

A surge of sadness welled up inside her, tears gathering at the corners of her eyes.

"Now, our professional judges will review the footage to determine who crossed the finish line first!" the announcer declared.

As the staff began checking the replay, spectators grew noisy again, debating who had won.

"I think it was Haru Urara!"

"It has to be Happy Meek!"

"Delicious Fresh is first!"

Those nearby looked dubiously at the guy who claimed Delicious Fresh was first.

"Hey, man, are your eyes alright? Delicious Fresh is third—how could she possibly be first?"

The man shook his head solemnly and said:

"I'm her trainer. Delicious Fresh gave it her all. In my heart, she'll always be number one!"

"Oh, so that's it!" Everyone nodded understandingly.

"Delicious Fresh must be really lucky to have such a kind trainer!"

"We wish you both all the best!"

The trainer beamed, "Thanks for your blessings!"

Mizuno: "…"

Why does this feel strangely familiar?

Just then, Kiryuin Aoi turned to Mizuno beside her. "Trainer Mizuno, who do you think won?"

Mizuno pondered seriously for a moment, then answered earnestly, "In my view, there are only two possibilities: either Meek won, or Urara won."

"Pfft~ Haha, Trainer Mizuno, you're hilarious!" Kiryuin giggled at his serious joke.

"How about we make a bet?" she suddenly suggested.

"What kind of bet?"

"If Meek wins, you'll treat me to dinner."

"Sure," Mizuno nodded readily. "And if Urara wins?"

Kiryuin smiled playfully. "If Urara wins… I'll become your girlfriend. What do you think?"

"Pff—!" Mizuno nearly spat blood.

Girlfriend?!

Isn't this bet way too unfair—and outright insane?!

"Guh…" Rice Shower and Tokai Teio, standing on either side of Mizuno, immediately tensed, glaring at Kiryuin with a dangerous gleam in their eyes.

Oblivious to the hostile aura, Kiryuin just grinned mischievously at Mizuno's flustered reaction, clearly enjoying herself.

She was merely joking, of course—she had no intention of actually becoming Mizuno's girlfriend, nor had she even considered it.

After all, Trainer Mizuno was old enough to be her father!

With his intelligence, Mizuno surely understood it was just playful teasing.

"So, Trainer Mizuno, what do you say?" Kiryuin winked impishly.

Rice Shower and Tokai Teio stared intently at Mizuno, tightening their grip on his sleeves slightly.

All the pressure was now squarely on him.

"Allow me to decline," Mizuno responded without hesitation.

The veteran trainers at Tracen Academy had long warned him: romances within the academy were strictly forbidden—whether between trainers, trainers and Uma Musume, or any other pairing, regardless of gender.

For his own safety, Mizuno absolutely would never accept Kiryuin's wager, even jokingly.

Girlfriend? No way in hell!

"Haaa…" The two Uma Musume breathed a sigh of relief.

"Hehe~" Kiryuin laughed, thoroughly delighted.

Trainer Mizuno really was fun to tease; his awkward expression was adorable.

If it had been that irritating Hiroshima trainer, he would've already been drooling at the suggestion, hoping fervently that he'd win.

Kiryuin then offered an alternative, "Alright then, how about this? If Meek wins, I'll treat you to dinner, but if Urara wins, you'll be my boyfriend."

"Is there any difference at all?! I still refuse!"

"Hehehe~"

Just as Kiryuin continued teasing Mizuno, the judges finished examining the video footage. After careful review, the announcer revealed the results:

"After careful deliberation, our judges have determined who crossed the finish line first!"

"The result of this race is…"

"Haru Urara and Happy Meek—joint first place!"