Chapter 445: 557

Kuroha leaned against the wall, rubbing his chin thoughtfully as he examined the detailed statistics of his two Umamusume.

Judging purely by their numbers, McQueen's overall attributes were clearly superior to Teio's, with the sole exception of Power.

The difference in Stamina alone was nearly three hundred points.

However, that did not mean Teio had no chance of winning.

Differences in raw numbers could be overcome through mechanics.

At the level of [Domain], McQueen's control over [World] was superior, but the two had reached the same realm. That small difference was not enough to determine the outcome of a race.

In terms of technique, both were Chasing Light Umamusume who had joined the team at the same time. Consequently, they had received exactly the same training.

However, thanks to her superior natural talent, Teio learned considerably faster than McQueen.

Because of this, even though McQueen had completed her growth spurt a full year before Teio, she had never managed to establish a substantial advantage in technique.

It was similar to the sisters Urban Sea and Sea the Stars.

Urban Sea had needed dozens of days to adapt to dominant-leg training before she could barely put it into practice.

Sea the Stars merely listened to the theory from the sidelines for a while, played on the grass for half a day, and somehow mastered it without instruction.

This was despite Sea the Stars still being a young Umamusume whose growth spurt had yet to begin and whose natural gifts had not been fully released.

It demonstrated the enormous gap between her and an Umamusume whose body had already fully matured.

Of course, the difference in talent between Teio and McQueen was nowhere near as absurd as the difference between the Sea sisters.

If Kuroha had to make a comparison...

The gap between Sea the Stars and Urban Sea was like the difference between Raditz and Krillin at the beginning of Dragon Ball Z.

It was complete domination.

Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen were more like Super Saiyan 1 and Frieza at one hundred percent.

One was only slightly stronger than the other.

Well...

It was only an analogy.

In any case, Teio and McQueen were almost evenly matched in the mechanics of [Domain] and technique.

However, Teio possessed one additional trump card.

It was the gift she had possessed since birth: her extraordinary bodily flexibility.

When that flexibility was applied through her ankles, it granted Teio unparalleled instantaneous acceleration.

Kuroha had tested how much this gift could improve Teio's performance years ago.

The answer was a pure Speed increase of approximately 150 points, only slightly weaker than the enhancement produced by a second-step [Domain].

In other words, if Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen both unleashed their absolute maximum speed on the final straight, then, ignoring the difference in their mastery of [World], Teio's maximum velocity could rival McQueen's current speed.

Of course, that was purely hypothetical.

Under normal circumstances, McQueen's absurdly high Stamina meant that she would never allow Teio to remain within striking distance by the time they entered the final straight.

Nevertheless, this revealed an important fact.

Suave was correct that Central Tracen currently had no Umamusume in her Senior Year capable of keeping pace with Mejiro McQueen.

However, just because nobody in the Senior Year could do it did not mean the Classic Year was equally hopeless.

Still...

Although Kuroha understood his Umamusume's abilities better than anyone, Teio had not entered this year's Arima Kinen.

As for the reason...

"Because this is McQueen's race."

That was what the adorable girl with crescent-shaped bangs had told him with a smile.

Tug... Tug...

While Kuroha was lost in thought, he suddenly felt someone gently pulling on his trouser leg.

He looked down and found Sea the Stars standing close beside him, just as she always did.

"Here we go again, Star-chan."

Kuroha laughed helplessly and gently pinched the little girl's soft, rosy cheek.

Sea the Stars moved even closer and spoke in her tender, childish voice.

"Onii-chan, I'm sleepy."

"Would you like to rest on the sofa?"

The little brown-haired girl shook her head.

Without saying anything else, she raised her two short, chubby arms and assumed a clear pick me up pose.

Since coming to Chasing Light, this exceptionally intelligent little girl had quickly understood the situation.

She was the youngest.

There was no competition whatsoever!

As the youngest Umamusume on the team, it was perfectly reasonable for her to claim Trainer's arms as her personal property.

That was also why Kuroha had carried Sea the Stars almost everywhere during this period.

Naturally, it was not because he was a lolicon.

Sea the Stars was simply the one constantly clinging to him.

"Honestly..."

Kuroha smiled helplessly, his eyes filled with affection.

He bent down and expertly lifted Sea the Stars into his arms.

The little girl obediently buried her head against his shoulder. After finding a comfortable position, she gently closed her eyes.

Before long, the sound of her steady breathing could be heard.

Not far away, Teio was sitting and swinging her legs.

When she witnessed the scene, she mischievously stuck her tongue out at Kuroha. Then she lowered her voice and silently mouthed:

"Trainer is playing favorites again!"

Joking aside, Teio genuinely felt somewhat aggrieved.

In the past, Trainer's arms were not the only place that belonged to her. Even the top of his head had been her exclusive territory!

Her nickname, the Little Facehugger, had not come from nowhere.

However, ever since completing her growth spurt, she had barely been able to climb onto him.

No!

When New Year arrives, I'll tell Trainer that this is the gift I want!

Trainer spoils me more than anyone. He'll definitely agree!

Tokai Teio rolled around indignantly inside her mind while releasing a marmot-like shriek.

Time passed, minute by minute, amid their warm conversations and quiet waiting.

Bzzzt...

A faint burst of static suddenly came from the speakers above the waiting room.

Immediately afterward, the announcer's clear and passionate voice echoed throughout the competitors' area.

"Attention to all teams participating in this year's Arima Kinen. The race will begin shortly. All competitors and trainers, please proceed to the competitors' passage for final preparations."

Upon hearing the announcement, McQueen slowly opened her eyes.

All gentleness had vanished from those amethyst eyes.

In its place was absolute focus and sharp determination.

She rose to her feet, and the ornate skirt of her race outfit swept outward with the movement like a cape.

Gallant and confident.

Kuroha smiled at the sight.

He carefully handed the sleeping Sea the Stars to the smiling Godolphin.

"Godolphin, please look after Star-chan for me."

After Godolphin accepted the little girl, Kuroha turned and approached McQueen, who was already fully prepared.

Their gazes met in perfect understanding.

"Let's go, McQueen."

"Yes, Trainer!"