The voice drew nearer, and Kousei's dazzling face gradually came into focus.
She emerged from the mist, clad in deep black, her expression etched with an indescribable solemnity.
"She's here," Amel murmured, discreetly scanning their surroundings. "This mist... it seems to follow her."
This was their first official race against each other, and Kousei felt different to Amel. Sharper than usual, more aggressive and imposing.
"Don't tell me you were waiting for me?"
"Of course not. My call with Caesar just ran a little long."
At the mention of Caesar, Kousei seemed to have something to say. She opened her mouth slightly, then hesitated. Amel naturally noticed the subtle movement but paid it no mind, striding out of the tunnel.
After all, given their relationship, there was little to discuss. Kousei followed close behind, stepping out of the player tunnel. Rain pattered down on her, and she instinctively looked up. The dense, dark clouds were strikingly similar to those at the Derby.
"So heavy."
Kousei tested the ground beneath her feet. The lush, waterlogged turf combined with the soft subgrade created a double burden. Both Power and Stamina were essential here; only the most elite heavy-track specialists could move freely.
Clearly, Kousei was not among them.
An unpleasant odor, wafting from the stands, permeated the air. Beneath a sea of black umbrellas, every face was etched with unease.
Even without setting foot on the track, they knew how treacherous the conditions were. After seven consecutive days of rain, the so-called racetrack was little more than a swamp.
Looking back at Kousei's races in the NAU, almost none had been on a heavy track, and none had been long-distance. Her poor performance on heavy ground and her winless record in long-distance races gnawed at the hearts of the spectators.
Her past triumphs, once like a fairy tale, were now being dragged back to reality by the dull rumble of thunder.
Human emotions can be transmitted to Umamusume, and both Kousei and Amel felt the despair hidden beneath the silence.
Kousei... is going to lose.
This unspoken truth echoed with every drop of rain.
"See? This is what I wanted to tell you. You should have listened to me."
Amel stared at Kousei, her gaze seemingly reprimanding her for acting on impulse. While Amel wasn't a top-tier heavy-track specialist either, today's conditions affected her far less than they did Kousei.
When your opponent is at a disadvantage, you hold the advantage. With the weather and terrain completely in her favor, Amel saw almost no possibility of losing.
Kousei stood silently in the rain. The opening fanfare was long overdue, making her feel like a traveler trying to escape their fate.
A group of figures in black raincoats slipped into the racetrack, hiding in a secluded corner. Their eyes seemed to be searching for something.
The rain was so heavy, and they were so far away, that Kousei couldn't make out who they were.
In a fleeting moment, their gazes met. All at once, every eye in the group locked onto Kousei. The sudden, intense scrutiny sent a shiver down her spine. The more she thought about it, the more bewildered she became; she had no idea who these mysterious people could be.
"I should have listened to you?" Kousei scoffed. "I really hate people like you."
She turned back to face Amel, who froze for a moment.
"You sound just like the adults I despise. What's next? Are you going to say this is all 'for my own good'?"
"Listen to me—"
"I won't," Kousei cut her off sharply. "Don't get so arrogant, you bastard."
A quiet fire burned in her eyes, blazing even in the pouring rain.
"I see," Amel replied, her voice cold. "Then bring it on. I'll make you understand—I am your reality."
As her words fell, the fanfare finally blared.
Amel was the first to enter the starting gate. Her coat, shimmering with a golden luster, stood out starkly against the gloomy backdrop.
"You're not the only one who's made up their mind."
The lion bared its fangs in the rain.
Feeling the heartfelt intentions woven into her Personal Racing Outfit, Kousei stepped into the starting gate, carrying the love of her father and mother with her.
Cheer for me, Dad, Mom.
Who would write the final chapter of the NAU?
They held their breath, their focus absolute.
BANG!
Two figures burst from the gates almost simultaneously. But it was Kousei who executed a perfect start, seizing the lead and the inner lane.
"What?!"
A gasp rippled through the stands. Even Amel was stunned. On a Heavy track, Kousei's starting speed was somehow faster.
What's going on? Isn't she affected by the conditions?
Kousei gave Amel no time to think. After cutting to the inner lane, she began to accelerate. Amel had no choice but to abandon her thoughts and immediately give chase.
Her strides are heavy. I can't follow directly behind her, or I'll run into trouble.
On a Heavy track, the turf becomes soft and easily damaged. Kousei's powerful strides, heavier than most racers', often tore up the ground—a common tactic of hers.
But Amel was a world-class competitor. Dealing with such tricks wasn't too difficult for her.
After evading the damaged turf, she surged forward from the outside. Her innate talent allowed her to advance relentlessly, even in the pouring rain.
ROAR!!!
Kousei shuddered violently. She whipped her head around, but before she could even see what was coming, a powerful collision slammed her hard against the rail.
"I hear you're strong. Want to put that to the test?"
Kousei stumbled, barely managing to regain her balance. She hastily looked up to find a pair of Gold Eyes staring down at her.
The same eyes as Brian!
The phantom lion overlapped with the memory of the Blue Wolf, stirring recollections of the past.
"Bring it on!"
Blood-red eyes flared in the wind. The lion and the giant serpent locked in a fierce struggle, a tug-of-war as they surged forward. What began as an even match gradually shifted, with Kousei slowly losing ground.
A flash of pain crossed Kousei's face. Amel's physical strength surpassed hers; she couldn't win a direct physical confrontation.
Fortunately, the first turn was fast approaching, offering Kousei a chance to catch her breath.
That was close. If she'd pinned me against the rail, it would've been over.
A super-enhanced version of Narita Brian. A true apex predator.
I'm starting to miss the days I raced with Brian.
While Kousei had the luxury of reminiscing on the track, the spectators' hearts were pounding in their chests.
"That was too close! Thank goodness they've reached the turn!"
Reiko, already on edge, grew even more worried as she watched Amel overpower Kousei. Her expression was grave, and the murmurs of the crowd only fueled her agitation.
"I'm counting on you, Kousei..."
The curve was Kousei's domain. Her meticulously honed cornering technique allowed her to navigate turns without decelerating.
As a top-tier racer, Amel had no weaknesses. The two maintained their separate lines through the turn, neither interfering with the other, with Amel trailing by just one length.
Kousei couldn't pull ahead in the curve. The moment they exited the turn, Amel surged forward, instantly erasing the slight disadvantage she'd incurred.
"That Amel... her acceleration is terrifying."
Amel's brilliant performance was like rubbing salt in the wound. The world's top Umamusume always had a way of shattering any lingering hopes of an easy victory.