"Ha ha! Eat and drink your fill! Rukomachi's special today—unlimited servings!"
"Ooh!!!"
Clinking glasses and bursts of laughter filled the hall. Thanks to Genbao's proposal, Rukomachi had thrown a grand banquet. Just a Way, Aoi, and Takuya chatted merrily while sipping rice wine, while Reiko, with her Elite family's reserve, remained less boisterous than her companions.
"Miss Umamusume, would you care to try Rukomachi's artisanal rice wine?" An elderly gentleman who used to push a cart offered a bottle to Kousei.
"No, thank you. I'm actually still in the Junior Division," Kousei politely declined.
"What a pity. These young ones grow up so quickly these days," the old man said wistfully as he walked away.
Kousei frowned, feeling a bit down. "So what happened to my prize money?"
She glanced down at the fish on her plate. "Maybe it was repurposed into local delicacies and wedding gifts."
Kousei chuckled, picked up a piece of fish, and popped it into her mouth. "Well, at least I can eat my fill today."
"How is it? Rukomachi's fish is quite good, isn't it? A bit ugly, though."
"Why is the bride-to-be bothering to check on me?"
Yurei took a seat beside Kousei. "Everyone's crowding around Mr. Genbao. It's good for him to get used to the attention before the wedding."
"As for the bride... I'm sorry, but I probably won't be able to attend your wedding."
Kousei didn't need Yurei to explain; she already understood.
"I know you're about to leave and continue challenging NAU," Yurei said, her eyes flickering. "Actually, there's something I wanted to tell you."
"What is it?"
"At NAU, you must be extremely careful," Yurei said, her expression suddenly serious.
"Is it dangerous?"
"Not exactly. A long time ago, I faced a legendary racer in a duel—the only time I ever crossed paths with her. Later, her name would echo throughout the Racing World."
Her name was Rigantona, a masterpiece born from the painstaking efforts of countless top Trainers. A natural fighter, she was one of the strongest middle-distance runners of her era."
Rigantona... Kousei was hearing this name for the first time.
"The strongest middle-distance runner... that means she must have won the Arc de Triomphe, right?"
"Exactly! But even at the Arc de Triomphe, Rigantona's power shone exceptionally bright."
"If I compete in the Arc de Triomphe, would I have a chance to race against Rigantona?"
Seeing Kousei actually considering this seriously, Yurei chuckled.
"You're being way too fanciful! Rigantona was from my generation of Umamusume and fought in the top tier. She's long since retired."
Kousei's face flushed. She had forgotten that Yurei was a senior and that Rigantona, her contemporary, had likely retired from the top level as well.
"I just want to tell you something: your opponents will be formidable. Though I don't know exactly who you'll face, those competing in that arena will undoubtedly be the strongest from every generation. Longchamp's lush grasslands and soft track will drain your stamina; if you can barely run 2,400 meters now, it won't be enough. Central Umamusume and Longchamp have terrible compatibility—success in Central Racing doesn't guarantee results here.
"Encountering a Domain would be fatal. The European Turf is far more aggressive than Central Racing, and the strongest middle-distance runners must have no weaknesses in any area. Mastering the middle distance means mastering all."
Kousei was astonished by Yurei's detailed knowledge.
"Don't be surprised," Yurei explained. "I researched the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe long ago, preparing to challenge Rigantona. It's just a pity we never had the chance to compete again."
Yurei seemed lost in reminiscence, perhaps viewing her past grudges through a different lens now.
"Give it your all, Kousei. From Rukomachi all the way to the Arc de Triomphe—you must win!"
Yurei's tone was like that of someone speaking to a child they held great hopes for. She gazed deeply at Kousei before flashing a radiant smile.
"Give that Genius a proper thrashing for us."
One Umamusume entrusted her dream to another. Kousei nodded emphatically in response. Receiving the acknowledgment, Yurei nodded in return and turned to leave.
"Are you finished saying everything?" Genbao whispered.
"Yes, I have no regrets left."
"Do you think she can win?"
"Why not, Mr. Genbao? Failure isn't meaningless. Even if you don't reach the Finish Line, the path you've walked still leaves footprints. It's such a pity, Mr. Genbao. You're an excellent Trainer, yet you're too indecisive. You refuse to take risks, to walk paths others haven't tread. That's why you'll never see vistas others can't."
"Well, I am your Trainer, after all."
"Yes, we're both the same. It's... truly a shame."
They stood shoulder to shoulder beneath the radiant moonlight.
"Kousei! Hurry!" Just a Way called out urgently.
Kousei burst through the Gate in a frenzy, kicking off her shoes haphazardly.
"This is terrible! I got so absorbed in eating, I almost missed the live stream!" At the banquet, Kousei had only planned to grab a quick bite, but Rukomachi's special dishes were so irresistible—it was a real shame they weren't available for takeout.
Just a Way handed Kousei a bag of dried vegetables, and the two settled down in front of the television.
As the Central logo flashed across the screen, the URA Race officially began.
Kousei watched intently, the familiar terrain on the screen stirring deep nostalgia. She had once poured her sweat and tears onto that very ground.
The camera panned across the scene for a fleeting moment, yet even in that brief instant, McQueen's chestnut figure drifted into the thoughts of someone who longed for her.
"McQueen..." Kousei murmured, her heart brimming with complex emotions. She wanted to say something, but the words seemed to elude her.
"Miss McQueen looks to be in excellent spirits," Just a Way observed.
"Way, you noticed McQueen too?" Kousei asked in surprise. After all, McQueen hadn't even been properly featured on camera, appearing only briefly as the lens swept over the paddock. For Just a Way to have caught her condition was remarkable.
"Way likes Miss McQueen. But of course, Kousei is still Way's favorite," Just a Way replied matter-of-factly.
Her dynamic vision is almost as good as McQueen's, Kousei thought to herself, but didn't voice the thought aloud.
"Rice!" Kousei suddenly exclaimed, her face lighting up with joy.
Rice Shower, often overlooked among the Umamusume, was smaller in stature compared to her peers on the Triple Crown Route. This contrasted with Kousei, who relied on overpowering opponents with her strength and was considered one of the taller Umamusume in her generation.
Through the screen, Kousei could only see Rice Shower muttering something repeatedly, as if reciting a mantra to sharpen her focus.
"Are Kousei and Rice close?"
"Huh?"
Caught off guard by Just a Way's sudden question, Kousei paused to think. "Of course! Rice was my first Master! She taught me everything—how to mark my targets and how to shadow them!"
Just a Way nodded thoughtfully.
"Go for it, Rice!" Kousei clenched her fist, her heart brimming with anticipation.
"Number one! Popularity! An undefeated monster! Ultimate! Invincible! Seven consecutive wins! In the previous generation, Tokai Teio achieved the Triple Crown with an unblemished record, and the Royal Road Legacy remains vividly etched in memory.
Beneath your hooves lies the Eternal Kingdom established by the Founding King, while atop the throne sits the New Reigning King, a tyrant reborn. Sweep across the land and heed the echoes!
This time, listen to the Fool's Tale. The moment of truth has arrived. As the autumn chrysanthemums bloom, shatter Kyoto with your precise strides and carve the Triple Crown into history!"
"Bourbon! Bourbon!"
The Kyoto Racecourse erupted in a deafening roar of cheers. Central's obsession with the Triple Crown was fanatical, and never before had they seen a competitor like Mihono Bourbon.
First and foremost, she was a Front-Runner, a crucial advantage. Moreover, while Triple Crown Winners existed, none had ever emerged from such a weak bloodline. Weak-blooded aspirants had been repeatedly crushed in the Classic Triple Crown races, and in the previous generation, Kousei herself had repeatedly fallen to McQueen.
Bourbon's victory held profound significance, even though everyone knew the Kikuka Sho would be an immense challenge for her. Some trainers even went to the trouble of pleading with others to instruct their Umamusume not to contest the lead against Bourbon.
People desperately wanted Bourbon to become a symbol—a symbol of the possibility of rising from rock bottom.
Countless hearts and minds were captivated by this desire, yearning for the miracle of the Autumn Chrysanthemum Prize to bloom.
"Temperature, humidity, wind direction: measurements complete. Target input: Triple Crown Umamusume. Construction complete. Repeat construction complete."
Bourbon extended her right hand. "Status optimal, Master. Mihono Bourbon, deploying."
The selectively ignored figure, its faint blue spectral flames flickering like a phantom, resembled a dark specter, much like the heavy, brooding clouds looming over Kyoto.