The desolation of yesterday seemed to already predict that not many spectators would arrive today.

Sure enough, very few people came. The vast racecourse’s stands resembled unfinished fill-in-the-blank questions.

So desolate, who knows how long this racecourse can last.

Not only that, but there were also very few Uma Musume participating in the race, only a mere five.

“Having gotten used to the lively central racecourses, I wonder if Uralala will feel a sense of disparity…” Lu Jue thought, but then saw Uralala starting her warm-up on the track.

“Uralala, go for it!” he shouted Uralala’s name loudly.

Because there were so few people, Uralala immediately heard Lu Jue’s voice.

She waved towards Lu Jue and responded, “Trainer, I’ll do my best!”

......

Soon after, with all five Uma Musume in the gates, the race officially began.

Uralala had a very good start and quickly cut into the inner lane, closely following the leading Uma Musume.

“My steps feel much heavier than usual, and each step requires more leg strength.” Uralala knew this was due to the heavy track; it was her first time running on such a surface, and she was slowly adapting.

Based on the situation on the track, she began to recall Lu Jue’s usual teachings in her mind, pondering appropriate countermeasures.

However, due to the small number of participants, the race situation was not complicated. Even at the turns, the five Uma Musume had ample space to perform.

But this way, the petite Uralala would instead be at a disadvantage.

......

The psychological pressure and sensations during a race were different from regular training; this was Uralala’s most genuine feeling.

She maintained well in the early and middle stages, but in the latter stages, the accumulated lactic acid gradually made her legs heavy, and her breathing became disordered.

“The final straight, it’s time to sprint!”

Thinking this was correct, but everyone thought the same.

You can’t give Uralala Special Week’s last spurt with just a period of training, nor can you make up for her lack of natural running talent...

At this final sprint moment, Uralala’s stamina was severely depleted, making it impossible for her to sustain a full-length sprint.

In other words, she began to lose speed and was being caught up by the Uma Musume who were previously behind.

“Grit your teeth! Pump your arms! Persevere!”

In a daze, Lu Jue’s voice echoed in her ears again.

But no miracle happened.

“Trainer, I really wanted to win for you to see…”

She looked at the finish line ahead, and suddenly felt a kind of sorrow for having let everyone down.

Even after crossing the finish line, this feeling still clung to Uralala like a curse.

It felt just like an ordinary training session or a simulated race.

But she felt she hadn’t run well.

Amidst sparse cheers, Uralala tried hard to smile and wave to the audience, then left the racecourse.

That’s right, Uralala had a group of powerful companions, but at the same time, she also bore the immense pressure brought by her companions.

......

“Uralala, welcome back.”

“Trainer…”

The moment she saw Lu Jue, all of Uralala’s grievances and unwillingness found an outlet.

She cried and rushed into Lu Jue’s embrace, “I lost, I really wanted to win…”

Tears quickly soaked Lu Jue’s shirt over his chest.

Lu Jue was not surprised by Uralala’s defeat. “Uralala, I’m not disappointed in you. I’m always looking forward to you bringing me a victory.”

“Inviting you to join the team was never a spur-of-the-moment decision for me, so I won’t regret it, not now, and not ever.”

113 races, how many horses can achieve that number? And how many horses can complete it without major physical issues?

“But Trainer…” Uralala’s disheartened words hadn’t even left her mouth, but Lu Jue had already begun to resolve them one by one, based on his understanding of Uralala.

“There’s no ‘but’ about it. I’ve always been afraid that you’d feel inferior because of Xiao Te and the others, underestimating yourself. You sometimes have that thought in your heart, don’t you?”

Uralala hugged Lu Jue’s waist, her small body still trembling, “Yes…”

“But in my opinion, Uralala also has many shining qualities that they lack… such as unyielding resilience, and an optimistic spirit.”

“I’ll tell you a secret, when Xiao Te and Seiun Sky lost races, they cried even more sadly than you do.”

“Trainer, is what you said true?” Uralala lifted her tear-filled eyes, her pink eyes like plum blossoms bathed in rain.

“You still don’t believe me?” Lu Jue wiped Uralala’s tears with the pad of his thumb, “And I just saw it, even if she lost, Uralala was still smiling and waving to everyone.”

“So… Uralala is an Uma Musume who brings smiles to everyone.” Lu Jue kept affirming Uralala; his words were like threading a needle, mending the gaps in Uralala’s heart.

“Haru Urara.” Lu Jue called Uralala’s full name, “When your mother named you, she must have wanted you to be as brilliant as spring.”

“One day, this racecourse will be filled with spectators because of you.”

“Now, your only spectator is standing in front of you. Isn’t it a bit bad to still be crying at this moment?”

“Wuwu—”

Uralala wiped her tears but cried even harder, unable to stop her tears, “Trainer, can you… please not tell anyone that Uralala cried…”

“Of course I won’t tell anyone. When we go back, I’ll proudly tell Xiao Te and the others that Uralala ran fourth.”

“Fourth place?”

“Fourth place!”

......