"We meet again, Senpai~"
"Please guide us, Senpai."
One was flippant, the other formal. Kousei rubbed her temples, looking at Tides and Hyacinth before turning to Reiko, her eyes silently demanding an explanation.
"I invited them before the race," Reiko explained. "Northern Academy would welcome them regardless of the outcome. It seems that after careful consideration, they finally realized Northern Academy is a better option than Tracen right now. Tides and Hyacinth seem particularly interested in you, so they stayed. The other two have already gone back to the academy to report."
"It's a shame," Reiko added with a helpless shrug. "Happy Meek returned to Tracen immediately after the race, giving us no chance to poach her."
"That's not the main issue here..." Kousei sighed internally but decided to follow Reiko's lead. "Is this really okay? Their previous academy must have some kind of contract with the Central Committee. Won't there be trouble if they just break it?"
"Don't worry. I've already discussed this with them, and the problem is solved."
A question mark appeared above Kousei's head.
"The problem is simple: poaching them requires paying a massive penalty—a very, very large sum."
"And you sound proud of that?"
Reiko scoffed. "It does cost a fortune, but we have a friend who's practically rolling in dough. This amount is nothing to him."
"Ah…" Kousei already knew the answer. "So it was Rohan."
"Correct."
If it's Rohan, then it makes sense, Kousei thought. The Eastern Lands are so wealthy that money is the least of their problems.
"Why are you still in contact with Rohan? I thought our collaboration was just for that one live stream."
"Please. The Eastern Lands are impeccable allies. What's wrong with staying in touch? Besides, I haven't fulfilled my promise to Rohan yet, so of course he'd keep contacting me."
"You dared to ask Rohan for help when you haven't even finished your part of the deal?"
"I didn't ask in my name. I asked in your name. So now you owe him a favor."
"…"
Kousei was furious but couldn't find a single reason to argue.
The thought of owing Rohan another favor made her head throb. She could sense the immense ambition hidden in his heart. Now that things had come to this, she could only hope she wouldn't get burned.
Kousei decided to push the matter aside and focus on Tides and Hyacinth.
"So, what's the real reason you insisted on poaching them?"
Seeing Kousei finally ask the question, Reiko cleared her throat. "Good question! Why don't you guess?"
"Was training me too easy?"
"Wrong. Forget it, that blockhead of yours probably can't think of anything besides racing.
"Listen up," Reiko continued, correcting herself. "We... no, the Northern Academy needs more excellent Umamusume. Our core principle is to create strong competitors through training alone, without relying on bloodlines.
"We accept mediocre talent, but we also need superstars who can be the face of our academy."
Kousei raised an eyebrow. "Am I not doing a good enough job?"
"You're doing great, Kousei. Excellent, even. But the Northern Academy can't rely solely on you. I hope you achieve everything you dream of, but what happens after your journey ends?
"Your story will end one day, but the Northern Academy must continue long after."
Reiko's words struck a chord, and Kousei understood the deeper meaning.
"This is what you need, Kousei."
Following Reiko's gesture, Kousei's gaze shifted between Tides and Hyacinth.
"That's right," Kousei said. "This is what I want—a legacy."
An Umamusume's career is brief and brilliant. Kousei only truly understood this after losing her "Indestructible" Body. She was getting on in years for a racer, and each subsequent race would undoubtedly be more grueling than the last.
She was dancing with the Grim Reaper, performing in a play that could end at any moment.
"Give it a try, Kousei. Try being a senpai and guiding them forward."
Tides's eyes burned with fervent admiration. Hyacinth was calmer, but the intensity in her gaze was equally hard to conceal. Unlike Tides, her respect was tinged with a hint of competitive spirit.
When I've grown strong enough to be called your rival, I will challenge you again.
Her eyes seemed to say as much.
"Hmph~" Kousei chuckled softly, marveling at the unpredictability of fate.
Contrail had known her longer and had even inherited her Personal Racing Outfit. Moreover, Contrail's trainer was her own father. By all rights, Contrail should have been far closer to Kousei.
Yet, Kousei had never once guided Contrail; they hadn't even met.
Now, these two newcomers, Tides and Hyacinth, were to receive her guidance, even though they had only just properly met.
Well, there's nothing to be done about it, Kousei thought with a self-deprecating sigh, then pushed the thoughts from her mind.
"So, you agree?"
"Ha." Kousei shrugged.
"They're naturally gifted and will surely become pillars of the sport in the future. Besides, there's something in it for you too."
"Oh? I'm all ears."
"There's only one race left in the NAU. Win this next one, and you'll truly leap the Gate. 'Cinderella' will no longer be just a children's fairy tale. Everything you want to convey to the world will be realized in that moment.
'Crucial' doesn't even begin to describe it. This might be the only chance we get in our lifetime.
You and I both know she will definitely appear in this final race."
"Yes," Kousei affirmed. "She'll definitely be there."
The final and strongest obstacle: the Golden Lion, Amel.
"Tides and Hyacinth can help," Reiko continued. "They can run alongside you as parallel runners. You know you've always lacked a partner for parallel running. Obviously, Way is no help in that regard."
"Hey, hey! Reiko-san, I'm still right here, you know!" Just a Way protested, but Reiko ignored her completely.
Kousei considered it and realized Reiko had a point. Running parallel with Tides and Hyacinth would be beneficial, with no downsides. With the final battle looming, she had to use every resource available.
"I understand."
With everything explained, Kousei had no reason to refuse Reiko's proposal.
"Speaking of which," Kousei added, "I heard Mr. Ivan detained the envoy from the Central Committee. Is it really okay to be so blatant?"
"Don't worry. Mr. Ivan is just putting some pressure on the Central Committee. He's applying it from multiple angles, wearing them down bit by bit. When they're weakened, he'll deliver the final blow—just like in your races."
Kousei didn't quite understand these political maneuvers, but if her Trainer said it was fine, then it was fine.
"Rest assured, Ebinuma's life isn't in danger," Reiko added. "Of course, he won't get away completely unscathed either."
The conversation seemed to be taking a darker turn, so Kousei decided not to press for details.
"By the way, Reiko," she said, changing the subject. "My training schedule needs to be adjusted. It's a bit... too demanding for me right now."
"What's wrong? You never complain."
"You don't know?"
"Hm? Know what?"
"Ah... so you really don't know."
"Huh?! Should I know?"
"I thought Doctor Takuya would have told you."
"Huh??? Wait, what happened?"
They stared at each other in silence, a silence that spoke volumes.