"Why the long face?"
"I don't know."
Just a Way sat down beside Kousei, appearing the moment Amel had left. She must have been waiting nearby for a while. Perhaps she'd even overheard most of Kousei and Amel's conversation.
"I was going to tell you that Central sent someone," Just a Way said, "but it looks like that's no longer necessary."
"You heard everything?"
"Everything," Just a Way admitted without hesitation.
Kousei sighed repeatedly, her expression tinged with melancholy.
"Are you scared?"
"Scared? Me?" Kousei paused, a flicker of confusion in her eyes. "Maybe. But not for myself. I'm more worried about everyone else."
"Was what Amel said true?"
"It's true. Everything has a price, doesn't it? I should have known this day would come." At that moment, Kousei thought of her father. Did you foresee this, Dad?
Just a Way watched Kousei's monologue with a complex expression.
"I've always lacked 'luck,' ever since the Derby. Before I raced in the NAU, I used to think that if I failed, I could just start over. But now... it seems I won't get that chance. I only have this one shot.
"Way, do you know?"
"I grew up on stories of Rudolf, watching her become the 'Emperor.' I idolized her, bathed in light as she ran, carrying everyone's hopes on her shoulders. That image filled me with such longing.
"At first, I wanted to be Rudolf. Then, I wanted to be like Rudolf. But now that people are actually counting on me, I'm starting to feel... timid. I've beaten Jade, I've beaten Morgan. With the skills I've honed so far, I truly believed I wouldn't lose to anyone.
"But now, it's different. Everything I've earned through relentless training could vanish in an instant. I've started to wonder... what if I lose?
"The NAU has finally started to gain momentum. I don't want it to become another URA—at least, not the URA as it is now. What was President Rudolf thinking back then?
"Did she face the same problems? Or, because she was the 'Emperor,' did she never even consider the possibility of losing?"
Just a Way could see that Amel's visit had truly shaken Kousei.
"You know, Kousei," she began slowly, "I don't know what President Rudolf was thinking. But I do know this: if Rudolf were in your shoes, she might not have done as well as you have."
Kousei shot Just a Way a surprised look.
Just a Way continued, "As the one who reigns at the pinnacle of the Central Umamusume, President Rudolf is undoubtedly an extraordinary Umamusume."
"But I'm certain that everything Kousei has done... Rudolf could never have accomplished it. Rudolf can only be Rudolf, and Kousei can only be Kousei.
"Symboli Rudolf embodies power, wisdom, and composure. She weighs pros and cons, acts with calm calculation, and would never attempt something she deemed impossible.
"That's why, if it had been Symboli Rudolf, she probably would have given up on becoming an Umamusume racer the moment she was first rejected.
"But Kousei is different. Ordinary, reckless, impulsive. Thanks to that, she's suffered more than once, but she never compromises. Because Kousei marches to the beat of her own drum, I can sit here with her now, sharing our thoughts like this.
"Where would anyone else have given up? In the infirmary at the very beginning? During her fruitless Classic Year? During the Takarazuka Incident? Or when her registration was erased and she was expelled from Central?
"Kousei, you're incredible.
"I don't know how else to say it, but you're incredible. We've come so far together, and I know exactly what kind of Umamusume Kousei is.
"Don't be afraid of failure. Don't be afraid of letting people down.
"What's so wrong with our hero becoming a little more like us?"
Kousei stared blankly at Just a Way, murmuring, "Hero..."
A villain? A hero? Me?
"She's right, Kousei-senpai."
The two looked up nervously to find Happy Meek standing before them.
"Who are you?" Kousei asked, confused.
"My name is Happy Meek. You can call me Meek."
"Meek? Aren't you the Central Umamusume Amel mentioned, the one who came to Yunlin?"
Kousei looked at Meek and slowly rose to her feet. She felt no hostility toward this Umamusume, only concern. To be dragged here by Central at such a critical time, forced to carry the burden of defeating her...
"Hello, Meek."
Happy Meek handed Kousei a letter.
"What's this?"
"Mr. T asked me to give it to you."
"Dad?" Kousei's voice was a mix of shock and joy as she eagerly tore open the envelope.
Did Dad really foresee this?!
Her hands moved even faster, her heart pounding with excitement.
But inside, there was no grand strategy, only a single, short sentence and a photograph.
The photo showed Contrail wearing Kousei's Personal Racing Outfit, with her father standing beside her. They held the Derby trophy together, beaming at the camera with brilliant smiles.
"The dream you can no longer achieve, this child will fulfill in your place. —Dad."
In that moment, a bittersweet mix of sorrow and joy washed over her. Kousei stared at the photograph for a long time, a smile playing on her lips, but her eyes were filled with bitterness.
"Thank you so much, Kousei-senpai."
"For what?"
"For everything."
Happy Meek smiled faintly. "My generation, and the younger ones after me, we all grew up on your stories. We looked up to Mejiro McQueen, Tokai Teio, Kousei, Leo Durban, Black Bullet... We saw you all fighting against The World with everything you had.
"It wasn't President Rudolf who shielded us from the storm—it was you. So no matter what anyone else says, I thank you from the bottom of my heart."
Happy Meek bowed deeply, a gesture of sincere respect.
Suddenly, Kousei understood what President Rudolf had been trying to tell her all along.
History moves forward. Time waits for no one. Rudolf's eyes reflected... me. We will fail. We will fall. We might spend our entire lives striving for success and never reach it.
But... what does it matter?
"The path I forged will one day be followed by others."
Kousei suddenly burst into laughter, a joyous, unrestrained sound, as if she'd finally understood everything.
"So that's it... So that's what it meant. President Rudolf, Tachyon... I understand what you said now. It's my turn."
In an instant, a heavy burden lifted from Kousei's shoulders. She had never felt so liberated.
"Perhaps you think I came here because I was coerced, Senpai," Happy Meek said. "But the truth is quite the opposite. Central was forced to let me come. Between your recent activities, Kousei-senpai, and the resistance from Leo Durban and Black Bullet, Central is completely overwhelmed.
"Public resentment is growing, and public opinion is shifting in our favor. Just give Mr. T a little more time. He'll take care of everything."
Kousei nodded three times, patting Happy Meek's shoulder lightly.
"Give my father a message for me. Tell him I'm doing well out here, and he doesn't need to worry about me."
After these brief instructions, Kousei turned to leave. The smile on her face deepened, and her steps were light and quick.
"Kousei!" Just a Way called out, stopping her.
Their eyes met.
"You won't lose, will you?"
They both smiled.
"What a ridiculous question. I'm the strongest Umamusume in The World."