"Reiko~"
"Twilight Cloud!"
Reunited after a long separation, the arrival of Twilight Cloud's group of three brought a touch of joy to the tense team. They threw a party together and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
Kousei temporarily suppressed her inner thoughts, wholeheartedly indulging in the rare moment of joy. When she grew tired from playing, she fell asleep listening to the sound of the rain. If it weren't for the racetrack, Kousei actually didn't mind rainy days.
It wasn't the rain she disliked, but the memories associated with it.
Due to the downpour, Kousei's training was moved indoors. During the session, her attention was clearly fixed on the area outside the training grounds, so much so that she didn't even hear Reiko calling her name.
"Kousei!"
Reiko's slightly annoyed shout snapped Kousei back to reality. She smiled sheepishly.
"Sorry."
"You seem off. You've been so distracted lately. What's on your mind?"
Reiko's concern was justified. Kousei never lost focus during training; her current state clearly indicated something was troubling her.
"There are so many people outside," Kousei suddenly remarked.
Reiko couldn't help but glance outside. "They're probably all here to cheer you on."
The fans wanted to catch a glimpse of Kousei before her final race, but for various reasons, NAU staff had forbidden pre-race visits.
The primary reason was to avoid affecting Kousei before the race, as the crowd's anxiety could be projected onto the Umamusume. Even so, the people refused to leave, and the whispers from outside couldn't escape Kousei's ears.
"Oh, well." Reiko shook her head. In her current state, Kousei probably couldn't fully focus on training anyway.
Besides, time was running out. Without access to the racetrack, the indoor training at the gymnasium was better than nothing, but only just.
"We've reached the final step. Time really flies, doesn't it?" Reiko sighed wistfully.
The scene of their first meeting felt like only yesterday, yet looking back, they had journeyed a long road together—especially for Kousei.
"It has been long," Kousei agreed with a radiant smile. "So long that I've almost forgotten my own age."
Time had slipped by unnoticed. New juniors appeared one after another, and even her memories of racing alongside McQueen had begun to blur.
Strangely, despite having run as an Umamusume for so long, Kousei felt she had only recently begun to truly feel like she was on the racetrack.
"Hey, Kousei," Reiko teased, "what are your plans after retirement? Getting married?"
"My parents got married right after they retired, but I'll still be a high school student for the next two years."
"So, what are your plans? Going to college? Your grades are excellent—are you thinking of resuming your studies? Or maybe becoming a model?"
"How did you know about that?" Kousei asked, surprised.
"When I met with Mr. T, I saw a magazine with you and Gold City on his desk."
That explains it, Kousei thought.
"Honestly, I don't know," she admitted. "I haven't thought about life after retirement. If I could, I'd want to stay on the racetrack forever."
"If that's what you want, once Northern Academy is able to host races, you could run occasionally. Winning or losing wouldn't matter."
"If that's the case, then I'd rather not," Kousei replied. "It would be too disrespectful to the younger generation."
The joy of victory comes from the struggle. The roar of giving everything you have is the proof you've truly lived.
"Maybe I'll go back to the Shopping District and take over Kasuga House," Kousei mused. "Occasionally go to a baseball game with McQueen... or just chat over afternoon tea on a warm afternoon. That sounds nice."
"That does sound good," Reiko agreed. "Central must be much warmer than the North. We can't even dream of a warm afternoon at Northern Academy."
"You could move in with me if you want," Kousei offered. "If Way is willing, the three of us could run Kasuga House together."
They looked at each other and smiled, but the smiles quickly faded into melancholy. Deep down, they both knew they would never choose such a life.
"Isn't it too early to talk about retirement?" Reiko said, her voice firming. "We haven't achieved our dream yet."
"You're right," Kousei replied, her focus returning to the racetrack. "We still have unfinished business. And I have a reason I must run. Failure is not an option."
Their minds were once again locked on the race.
"Honestly," Reiko continued, "there's nothing more I can do. This final race is all up to you. I won't give you any more advice. Every decision is yours to make."
"Don't worry," Kousei said, glancing at Reiko. "We didn't work this hard just to be helpless against the same obstacle again. I've always trusted the weapon we've honed. I promise you, I will win. I will fulfill your wish and prove to the world that the Umamusume trained in the Chiin Style are the strongest."
"Go fulfill everyone's dreams, Kousei."
Their cheerful laughter echoed through the stadium, seeming to lift the gloom of the rainy day.
"Amel arrived this morning," Reiko mentioned. "I never expected someone like her to show up at the NAU."
Reiko had thought Morgan was the biggest name Central could possibly bring in. But Amel hadn't been sent by Central; she was here purely for Kousei—or perhaps because of some ancestral grudge.
"She just swept the Japan Cup, and now she's here at the NAU," Reiko sighed. "She really doesn't give anyone a moment to breathe."
"Amel reminds me of Caesar," Kousei mused. "They share something in common, but Amel gives me this strange, unsettling feeling that Caesar doesn't."
"Something in common? Their blonde hair?"
"Uh... I guess that counts."
Click.
"What's this? Thinking about me?"
The sound of the door opening cut their conversation short. Kousei turned to see Amel strolling toward them. The atmosphere grew tense; after all, they'd been caught red-handed by the very person they were discussing.
"What's wrong? Why did you stop?" Amel asked, feigning surprise.
"Who could possibly keep talking with you standing right there?" Kousei retorted.
"Since you're so concerned about me, let me tell you a little secret," Amel said with a smirk. "My relationship with Caesar is much closer than you think."
"First Morgan, now you," Kousei grumbled. "Why is everyone causing me trouble at the end somehow connected to Caesar?"
"I'm nothing like Morgan," Amel scoffed. "I consider my personality far more agreeable. Only someone like Caesar could tolerate that woman."
Just as chatty as Caesar, though, Kousei thought.
"Since you love talking so much," Kousei said, seizing the opportunity, "why don't you tell me where Caesar actually went?"
"Hmm? Didn't the other three idiots tell you?" Amel shot back.
Kousei's expression turned icy. "Who are you calling idiots? Don't you dare insult my friends."
"Oh?" Amel's interest was suddenly piqued. "I had no idea you were so close with them. If I recall correctly, didn't they used to pick fights with you?"
"That's none of your business," Kousei said, staring coldly at Amel. "If you're here to cause trouble, please leave."
After a tense minute of silence, Amel raised her hands in surrender.
"Alright, alright. I'm sorry. I didn't come here to cause trouble, Kousei."
"Then what are you here for?" Kousei demanded, her tone hostile.
"I told you from the start, didn't I? I came here for you."