Kousei agreed to guide Tides and Hyacinth in exchange for their parallel run, and the results were remarkable. Although Tides and Hyacinth couldn't match Kousei's physical prowess, they were still one-in-ten-thousand talents.
The moderate pressure kept Kousei in peak condition, and during their runs, she discovered some interesting things about her companions.
Tides possessed the ability to use Gate Techniques. Despite her seemingly carefree demeanor, she was fiercely competitive, with unwavering fighting spirit and perseverance.
The moment Tides' chains wrapped around Kousei, it genuinely startled her. Tides later confessed that this was precisely why she was so fixated on Kousei.
Currently, Kousei was the only active Gate Technique user on the world stage. Before meeting her, Tides had planned to join Tracen Academy and seek guidance from Rudolf, as the Emperor's fame was largely built on her mastery of Gate Techniques.
Hyacinth, on the other hand, possessed immense leg strength. Her footfalls were heavy and stable, her form as imposing as a mountain. Standing only half a head shorter than Kousei, both shared a similar running style: a slow cadence with a long stride.
What set Hyacinth apart from Kousei was her speed; she resembled McQueen more than Kousei in that regard. Her exceptional positioning skills made it difficult for her to get boxed in by the pack.
"Hyacinth has excellent physical stats," Kousei advised. "She could focus on further strengthening her Power to secure a good position in the opening stage, ensuring she stays in the leading group. Then, in the final stretch, she can seize the right moment to clinch the victory."
Given Hyacinth's traits, Kousei believed a Leader strategy suited her perfectly—using her outstanding physical abilities to crush opponents with overwhelming force, just like McQueen.
As Kousei meticulously explained, a troubled expression crept onto Hyacinth's face.
"Hmm?" Kousei noticed the change and asked, "What's wrong?"
Hyacinth scratched her head sheepishly. "Actually... I prefer more agile footwork. I want to gracefully slip away from the pack and win with an air of ease, leaving everyone stunned."
"Like Tokai Teio?"
"Yes!" At the mention of Tokai Teio, Hyacinth's eyes lit up. "Teio's Dance—that's the image of a true champion in my mind."
Interesting, Kousei thought. Physically, she's clearly more like McQueen, yet she idolizes Teio.
Teio's Dance is nearly impossible to replicate, Kousei thought. Even I, with my flexible body, can't manage it, let alone Hyacinth.
As Kousei pondered, Hyacinth spoke up again. "Kousei-senpai, your footwork is also very refined. That's why I want to learn more positioning techniques. Besides... if I get too muscular, won't I turn into a gorilla?"
"A... a gorilla?!" The comment struck Kousei like a bolt from the blue. Her spirit plummeted at an astonishing speed. I'm... a gorilla...
"Ah, Senpai's dead. It's all your fault."
"My fault?!"
After that, the two began their individual training.
Kousei decided to take a break. Pushing open the door, she found Doctor Takuya standing there with a grim expression.
"What's wrong? Is there a problem with my health?"
Takuya seemed surprised to see Kousei at this time. After a brief moment of shock, he shook his head. "The problem isn't with you. It's Mejiro McQueen."
"McQueen?!" Kousei's heart suddenly leaped with anxiety.
Takuya handed her a report and sighed. "Suspensory ligamentitis. For an Umamusume's career, it's a devastating diagnosis."
"Suspensory ligamentitis..." Kousei didn't understand the condition, but from Takuya's expression, she could tell even he found it incredibly daunting.
"My daughter and Dr. Mejiro are trying to treat her, but McQueen's condition is more severe than we anticipated. If things don't improve..."
Takuya looked up, his gaze serious as he met Kousei's. "McQueen might have to retire from the URA stage."
"Retire?!" Kousei was both shocked and terrified.
Her mind went blank.
How could this happen... I haven't even beaten you once yet!
Driven by an unknown emotion, Kousei felt an overwhelming rage welling up inside her. Fate had played a cruel joke, turning their promise of a future showdown into dust in an instant. The Celebrated Actress's career was coming to an abrupt end, a legend-like destiny now tormenting the two who were meant to inherit it.
"Is there... no chance for McQueen?"
"I don't know. My daughter and Dr. Mejiro haven't given up, and I'll do everything I can. All I can tell you is that there's still hope."
When a doctor resorts to talking about "hope," it means the situation is already dire.
"Can I contact McQueen?"
"Yes."
The wait was agonizing. They hadn't spoken in a long time, and Kousei didn't know how she should face McQueen.
But Kousei knew one thing for certain: she truly cared about McQueen.
"Hello. It's been a while."
Kousei froze. She hadn't said a word, yet McQueen had already guessed who was calling.
"You knew it was me?"
"I figured. Miss Fujino's brow has been furrowed, and the doctors at the estate look sleep-deprived. My condition must be quite severe—so severe that they had to consult Doctor Takuya, who's abroad. If that's the case, you would surely know."
McQueen's tone was surprisingly calm.
Is she just putting on a brave face? Or...
McQueen chuckled softly. "You're as dense as ever. Don't worry about me. I've long anticipated this outcome. From the moment I decided to carry the family's glory, my fate was sealed."
She had shouldered the family's honor alone. The world knew her as an invincible, god-like figure, but beneath the title of "Gray Deity," she was merely mortal flesh and blood.
The frequent and grueling races hadn't been what "killed" her; it was the weight of expectations. Burdened by the destiny of her bloodline, her glory had become her curse.
Kousei was at a loss. She had always imagined they would have countless things to say to each other, but in a moment like this, what words could possibly suffice?
"I have upheld our glory until death. As the Umamusume Mejiro McQueen, I have no regrets."
That's right. McQueen has no regrets. She had earned the title "Strongest in History," achieved the Seven Crowns, and stood alongside the "Emperor." She had fulfilled her vow and brought glory to her family. She had no regrets—that must be why she sounded so calm.
There was nothing sudden about it; everything was the result of choices made. Both McQueen and Kousei had followed their hearts to this point.
What about the next generation? What will become of the Mejiro Family without McQueen? There was so much to say, so many angles from which Kousei could challenge her.
"What about me?"
No grand ideals, no noble reasons. When it came to Mejiro, her feelings were purely selfish.
"I'm asking you! You say you have no regrets, but what about me?! Didn't we promise we'd race again?!"
Faced with Kousei's sharp accusation, McQueen fell silent.
"But we promised! Why would you give up so easily? What have I been fighting for all this time?!"
"For your own dream. To become an Umamusume who can carry everyone's expectations. That's why you must go Beyond the Peak."
"But I've never beaten you!"
"You did. In your Debut Race."
"I've always dreamed of racing you one more time, of proving to everyone that I am the strongest. I wanted to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you, to race alongside you on the track."
"Win the Arc de Triomphe, and your name will echo louder than mine ever did."
So that's it. Kousei finally understood why she was so furious.
"Why don't you get it?! What's the point of going 'Beyond the Peak' if I can't beat you?!"
The Arc de Triomphe might decide the strongest in the world, but in Kousei's heart, there was—and only ever would be—one "Strongest."
"Are you just going to run away after winning?! Coward!"
"Do you think I want this?!"
McQueen finally snapped. "What else can I do but give up?! I've been injured so many times... I know there won't be any miracles this time!"
To say she had no regrets would be a lie. Mejiro McQueen didn't want to leave the stage she yearned for most, her most glorious stage. A three-peat at the Tenno Sho (Spring), back-to-back wins at the Takarazuka Kinen...
The URA held too much she couldn't let go of. Most importantly, she hadn't yet met her true rival. Unless she had no other choice, she refused to accept the fact that she could never run again.
"Everyone's trying to find a solution! Don't give up so early!"
"It's useless. Even without a doctor, I know how serious it is. I can't recover. Everyone else just refuses to admit it."
Kousei, though furious, was helpless. She could do nothing about the injury, and she knew that no amount of questioning would change McQueen's situation.
Can fate truly not be changed?