Chapter 444: 556

Today.

The sky was clear and the air crisp.

Several cars slowly pulled into the parking lot of Nakayama Racecourse.

Click!

The door of a red sports car was the first to open.

Two French girls practically fled from the vehicle. Their complexions looked awful, and their beautiful eyes seemed to be spinning.

Kuroha and the others got out at the same time.

The first thing they saw was Suave and Dancing Brave crouching beside a support pillar and dry-heaving.

Kuroha turned helplessly toward Maruzensky, who climbed out of the car looking thoroughly refreshed.

"Maruzensky, we didn't even take the expressway. Why did you keep accelerating and braking so suddenly?"

"Don't worry, Trainer!"

Maruzensky confidently patted her chest, causing her magnificent curves to bounce with the motion.

"I'm already an experienced driver. It was completely safe!"

Given an Umamusume's reflexes, there was almost no chance that Maruzensky's reckless driving would cause an accident.

Besides, Kuroha, Godolphin, and the other Three Goddesses were there to protect them.

"Safety isn't the issue..."

Kuroha sighed.

It seemed Maruzensky would never overcome her love of high-speed driving.

Well, as long as she enjoyed herself.

The other Chasing Light Umamusume climbed out of their cars and looked at Suave and Dancing Brave with contempt.

They had actually dared to ride in Maruzensky-senpai's car.

These world-class foreign Umamusume truly lived up to their reputations!

"Suave, are you all right?"

While everyone else unloaded their luggage, McQueen called out with a small smile.

Suave turned around with a lifeless expression.

"How could I possibly... Ugh... Hah... I'm fine!"

Even Dancing Brave was covering her mouth, her complexion pale.

Seeing their miserable condition, Kuroha shook his head with an amused smile. He walked over, and a faint glow appeared around his hand as he gently patted both girls on the back.

"There. Do you feel better?"

"I... Huh?"

Suave turned toward Kuroha.

She had originally intended to act pitiful, complain about her suffering, and extract a few benefits from him. However, the nausea and tightness in her chest had significantly diminished after Kuroha patted her back.

A refreshing sensation was even spreading throughout her body.

"Mm... I'm back to normal."

Suave immediately understood.

This was another application of Kuroha's miraculous and mysterious power.

Unfortunately, she had suffered through the entire ride without receiving any special benefits.

She still felt somewhat shortchanged.

Dancing Brave also rose to her feet. She looked at Kuroha behind her, then lowered her gaze toward her own hand, her expression filled with disbelief.

"Feeling better?"

Kuroha smiled before standing and beckoning to them.

"All right, it's time to enter."

"Okay."

The two girls answered obediently in unison.

Suave immediately shuddered and turned wide-eyed toward her senpai.

Dancing Brave stared back in confusion.

What?

You're getting worked up just because I said 'okay'?

Dancing Brave fell into thought.

Had her sworn little sister become somewhat carried away after meeting her true love?

Meanwhile, Suave was also growing suspicious.

Is Brave-nee becoming increasingly gentle and obedient in front of Trainer?

Suave recalled the high-spirited and dignified vice president of France's Tracen Academy from two months ago.

Then she compared that image with the girl before her now.

Something definitely felt wrong.

...

After passing through the VIP entrance, the members of Chasing Light arrived at the competitors' waiting room.

Rumble...

The cheers of the spectators throughout Nakayama Racecourse penetrated layer after layer of obstacles. Even the walls seemed to be vibrating.

Thud.

Once the last person entered, the door closed.

The world instantly became quiet.

However, the dozen or so Chasing Light Umamusume inside the waiting room immediately began chattering among themselves.

"Wow, McQueen. You really are popular."

Tokai Teio moved beside Mejiro McQueen with a grin.

"I felt as though everyone outside was shouting your name."

"It was that title, the... Mmph!"

Before Teio could finish, McQueen immediately covered her mouth.

"Stop mentioning that title, Teio!"

McQueen spoke through gritted teeth. A faint blush could be seen on her cheeks.

Several seconds later, she finally released Teio.

After regaining her freedom, Teio scratched her head in confusion.

"Is it really that bad? I think it sounds incredibly imposing!"

"..."

The Mejiro girl ignored her.

Teio smiled without concern.

"But McQueen, what happened outside really was unbelievable."

"Before I won the Kikuka Sho last month, I could occasionally hear people supporting Nice Nature and the others."

"Today, I think I only heard your name. Even when I looked around for their supporters, I couldn't hear anyone cheering for them."

Fujimasa March was pouring hot water for everyone. Hearing Teio's words, she smiled.

"McQueen is the strongest Umamusume in the world now, after all."

"Saying that everyone supports her might be an exaggeration, but claiming that 999 out of every 1,000 people support her would probably still be underestimating it."

Inari One crossed her legs and grinned.

"Yeah. It's far more extreme than anything I experienced in my day."

The Chasing Light Umamusume who competed at Central all nodded.

Even Sunday Silence and Queen of the People, who spent most of their time in White Eagle and Oceania, agreed.

They had never witnessed support on this scale.

During this period, whether in everyday life, online, or here at the racecourse, the entire country seemed to possess only one voice.

Even McQueen's opponents, their trainers, and their groups of family and friends wanted Mejiro McQueen to win.

As McQueen's greatest rival, Suave nodded deeply in agreement.

"It's perfectly understandable. McQueen is incredibly strong."

"Central doesn't currently have a single Umamusume capable of keeping pace with her."

Even though McQueen had already weathered countless major events, she still grew somewhat embarrassed when all her companions began praising her.

Kuroha leaned against the door and quietly watched his girls interact, a faint smile on his face.

These adorable girls came from different continents, countries, and factions.

Now, they had all gathered together within Chasing Light.

There was no distance, unfamiliarity, or restraint between them.

Watching them joke, play around, and laugh together filled Kuroha's heart with warmth.

However...

Was there truly no Umamusume at Central capable of keeping pace with McQueen?

A light flashed through Kuroha's eyes as he opened the system panels of two Umamusume.

[Mejiro McQueen]

[Track Aptitude: Turf S, Dirt B]

[Distance Aptitude: Sprint G, Mile A, Medium S, Long S]

[Running Style Aptitude: Front Runner S, Pace Chaser S, Late Surger A, End Closer F]

[Unique Skill: The Duty of Dignity Calls Lv. 5]

[Domain: The End of the Sky, World!]

[Skills: Prudent Positioning, Concentration, Wet Conditions, Professor of Curvature, Hydrate, Spring Runner, Stamina Keeper, Lead Keeper, Mountaineer, Long-Distance Straightaways...]

[Speed: 1,592, Stamina: 1,754, Power: 1,543, Guts: 1,625, Wit: 1,767]

McQueen's panel remained as powerful as ever.

It perfectly demonstrated what it meant to possess both overwhelming numbers and extraordinary mechanics.

According to Kuroha's estimate, McQueen would reach the limit of her natural potential once each of her attributes approached approximately 1,600.

Then there was the second Umamusume.

[Tokai Teio]

[Track Aptitude: Turf S, Dirt A]

[Distance Aptitude: Sprint F, Mile A, Medium S, Long S]

[Running Style Aptitude: Front Runner A, Pace Chaser S, Late Surger D, End Closer F]

[Unique Skill: Ultimate Teio Step Lv. 5]

[Domain: Throne of Dreams Beneath Crimson Wings, World!]

[Skills: Position Sense, Lightning Step, Light Step, Technique Specialist, Prudent Positioning, Concentration, Wet Conditions, Corner Adept, Lead Keeper, Mountaineer, Long-Distance Straightaways...]

[Speed: 1,421, Stamina: 1,466, Power: 1,581, Guts: 1,462, Wit: 1,283]