Air Groove's POV

Kyoto's straight stretched before me, a ribbon of green under the blazing autumn sun, my first time facing its unforgiving 2000 meters. It was shorter than the Oaks, but those hills—sharp, relentless—made it trickier than Hanshin or Tokyo. This was no ordinary race; it was a gauntlet of wits and will, and I was ready to conquer it. Trainer Hachiman and I had burned midnight oil hashing out strategies, mapping every curve, every incline, until I could feel the track in my bones. The Shuka Sho was my shot at etching my name in history, the final jewel in the Triple Tiara. My hooves gripped the turf, my heart thumping like a war drum. Let's do this.

The announcer's voice roared over the stadium, igniting the air. "Here she is, Air Groove, greeted by a thunderous roar! Hailed as potentially the greatest Uma Musume ever! Let's recap her record: six races, six wins, undefeated since her debut in Sapporo. Every victory, save the Sakura Sho, was a crushing blow—five lengths or more over the runner-up!"

The commentator piled on, voice thick with awe. "She's phenomenal. Five months since the Oaks, she looks even stronger. This race is going to be a spectacle."

I shut them out, my chestnut mane swaying as I zeroed in. Focus. Time to lock in. The crowd's cheers were a tidal wave, but I couldn't let them drown me. Hachiman's voice echoed in my head: Stay ahead of mid-pack. Use the outside gate. Those summer camp sprints on the beach, his quiet nods of approval—they'd forged me into this moment.

A ripple ran through the field, my rivals twitching like spooked horses. "?!"

"What… is that?!" one gasped, her halo flickering nervously.

"I can't stop shaking!" another said, hooves unsteady.

"No way…" a third whispered, eyes wide with dread.

Rose Color, her fiery mane glinting, tensed beside me. "It's like back then… that pressure!"

Little Audrey, soft-spoken as ever, murmured, "This can only be…"

Ibuki's shout cut through the chaos. "Air Groove!!"

Their stares hit me like a gust, heavy and unnerving. What's their deal? My presence was spooking them, their halos dimming under some invisible weight I didn't mean to throw around. My pulse spiked, not from fear, but from the fire in my chest. It's you guys I wanna ask! I feel eyes on me, like I can't settle! This pressure—it's breaking my focus…

The fanfare blared, trumpets cascading through the stands. Cheers and applause swallowed the stadium whole. The announcer's voice surged. "Kyoto's 10th race, the main event Shuka Sho, rings with fanfare! The crowd's fervor wraps the stadium. The Uma Musume approach the gates… but what's this? Some stride in smoothly, others hesitate! What's going on?!"

The commentator sounded baffled. "One pausing isn't odd, but so many? Something's up. What's affecting them?"

I snorted, tail flicking. Wish I knew! Their gazes were like weights, messing with my head, but I forced myself to settle as I stepped into the gate. My outside position was a challenge, but Hachiman had prepped me for it. The announcer kept going. "Urged by officials, they're in the gates, but some are still rattled! Air Groove's settled, poised for history: a win here claims the second-ever Triple Tiara and the first undefeated one! Last to enter, big outside, Little Audrey! The gates are set! The inaugural Shuka Sho… they're off! A messy start! Who'll take the lead?!"

The gates crashed open, and I launched, hooves pounding the turf like thunder. Hachiman's plan was clear: stay ahead of mid-pack, use the outside to dodge the crush. The announcer tracked us. "Silk Phoenix, Silk Splendor, and Mark Rimanish bolt out! Fabulous Laffin follows, with Air Groove right there! Into the first corner, Air Groove's just ahead of mid-pack. Second favorite Hishi Natalie trails her, while third favorite Erimo Chic lingers at the rear! On the backstretch, Silk Splendor escapes to the lead!"

Fabulous Laffin hugged the front, her blonde mane flashing. Sticking close, huh? Fine. I'll use your draft to my advantage. I tucked in behind her, letting her pace shield me from the wind, saving my strength for the critical moment.

The announcer's voice echoed. "1000 meters in 58.7—a steady pace! How will this unfold? The pack's tightening, but what's next? Approaching the third corner—Kyoto's notorious third corner!"

Now! My muscles surged, and I shot forward, wind screaming in my ears. ZSSSH!

The announcer went wild. "What?! Air Groove moves! Before the third corner, she's surging! Her speed and position climb fast—is this sustainable?!"

"She's going now?!" a rival gasped, voice lost in the chaos.

"Why?! Spurring there? She'll burn out in the straight!" another cried, panic rising.

"Suicidal move! But… this is my chance!" a third thought, her eyes glinting.

I ignored their chatter, my focus a blade cutting through the noise. Hachiman's training—every sprint, every strategy—was alive in my legs. The announcer roared. "Air Groove storms to the lead! Mid-third to fourth corner, she's in a solo charge! Can her stamina hold? Are her legs fresh? She hits the straight alone! Rounding the final corner, here's the showdown! The pack's charging hard!"

Stamina? Legs? They'll hold. I grinned, defiance burning in my chest. I'm defying reason itself. Watch closely—I'm about to shatter your expectations! My hooves tore into the turf, each stride a vow to win, the hills no match for my will.

The announcer's voice hit a fever pitch. "Air Groove! She's pulling away! Still stretching her lead! The gap's nine… no, ten lengths… it's immeasurable from here!"

"No way!" a rival shouted, her voice cracking.

"How?! That position, that speed?!" another stammered, falling back.

Rose Color gaped, mane whipping wildly. "Stronger than the Oaks? What is she?"

Little Audrey whispered, barely audible. "Same generation as us?"

Fabulous Laffin panted, her strides faltering. "I… can't catch her…"

The finish line loomed, the crowd's roar a deafening wave. The announcer sealed it. "Air Groove leads! Air Groove dominates! Her stride's relentless! She crosses the line! Triple Tiara achieved! A perfect conquest of the classic Tiara route! An invincible queen is born!"

I gasped for air, chest heaving. "Huff… huff… huff…" My legs burned, but my heart soared. I'd done it—the first undefeated Triple Tiara. Hachiman's face flashed in my mind, his quiet faith in me at camp. This was our victory.

The announcer wrapped up. "Finally, Fabulous Laffin takes second! Erimo Chic in third! Air Groove has done it—history's first undefeated Triple Tiara!"

The stands erupted, banners waving as my name echoed. The results flashed:

Tokyo 10th Race – Results

1st: ⑰ Air Groove

2nd: ⑮ Fabulous Laffin

3rd: ⑪ Erimo Chic

4th: ⑩ Rose Color

5th: ⑧ Rainbow Queen

Afterword

Air Groove's done it! The Shuka Sho crowns her the first undefeated Triple Tiara queen, her thunderous charge rewriting history on Kyoto's turf. Hachiman's strategy, Fuji's support, and the awe of rivals like Fabulous Laffin and Rose Color cement her legend. With Man o' War and the crew cheering, this is the classic season's peak. Fuji's arc looms, but Air Groove's reign is absolute—long live the queen!

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