Inside the hospital room, Bourbon recounted the outcome of the NAU to Toyama.
Toyama's expression remained calm, even though cancer had ravaged him, leaving him emaciated.
"On the slope before the final straight, Kousei's time was 19.7 seconds. Master, Kousei succeeded."
Toyama was visibly moved. What an astonishing time. Throughout history, countless Umamusume had faltered on that slope. The mountain that had shattered innumerable dreams had finally been conquered.
"Master, following Acting Chairman Kashimoto's instructions, slope training has been added to the training regimen. Most Umamusume planning to run Long Distance races have incorporated it into their plans."
His long-held wish had finally been realized. Through Kousei, people had witnessed the effectiveness of slope training. The dream of those who dared to defy conventional wisdom—both human and horse—had been fulfilled through another. No one would ever again mock his stubbornness; slope training was now recognized as the key to dominating Long Distance races.
This gentle breeze, blowing from a distant land, would surely guide Central toward a brighter tomorrow.
Toyama had found peace. His life was ending, but his dream would live on in another form. He stared blankly out the window, where bright sunlight poured in unrestrainedly.
What was he thinking in his final moments? He had long lost the ability to speak; his last communication with the world was through his eyes.
Perhaps he was simply reminiscing about his life. Such a life was surely one worth cherishing.
"I'm sorry, Bourbon."
With his back to Bourbon, Toyama uttered his final words. Even in his last moment, his guilt toward Bourbon made him unable to face the partner with whom he had chased their dream.
Watching the electrocardiogram flatline, the Cyborg calmly pressed the nurse call button and waited in silence.
"Mr. Toyama!!!"
A nurse burst into the room, rushing to check Toyama's condition. The Cyborg remained motionless until the room filled with more people. Only then did she rise and walk toward the door.
As she closed the door behind her, an indescribable sorrow washed over her. The Cyborg fought back tears, refusing to cry out. She wiped her eyes and continued walking forward. She knew in her heart that she would never see Trainer again.
From a corner, Rice Shower watched Bourbon walk away, her heart a whirlwind of emotions. In her hands, she held a carefully chosen get-well gift, but it seemed it was no longer needed.
Such sorrow... Why is happiness always so fleeting?
Rice Shower looked up and saw a poster. It depicted Kousei's victory at the NAU—a figure battered and bruised, yet bathed in light.
In that moment, she seemed to make a decision. The timidity that had always clung to her vanished completely. Rice Shower turned and walked away, her eyes filled with a resolve she had never known before.
Behind her, the door slowly opened, and Nakayama Festa stepped out. In a place like a hospital, joyful expressions were hard to find.
"You left without a word, Hanako."
Nakayama Festa's expression was desolate. She unwrapped a lollipop and popped it into her mouth.
"It's not that sweet, after all."
Her gaze drifted to Kousei's poster, and she seemed to fall into deep thought. After a final glance back at the hospital room, she lowered her head and departed.
-
"Proprietress, look! Look!"
A young boy clutching a poster burst into Kasuga House. Kousei's Mother, who was serving customers, saw him gasping for breath and quickly handed him a glass of water.
"Hey, isn't that the old vegetable lady's grandson? What's he in such a hurry for?" one of the diners at Kasuga House recognized him immediately.
"Look... look..." The boy was so flustered he couldn't form a complete sentence.
"Don't rush, take your time," Kousei's Mother said, gently patting his back. He slowly calmed down.
"Proprietress! Look!" the boy exclaimed, excitedly showing her the poster.
"What's all this excitement about?" Kousei's Mother chuckled, taking the poster from him. At that moment, she didn't think much of it. But when she saw the image, she froze.
"It's Kousei! She's incredible now!" the boy shouted, instantly drawing the attention of all the diners.
"Kousei?! Proprietress, let me see!"
The customers scrambled forward, crowding around Kousei's Mother. With limited space, they had to crane their necks to get a look.
"It really is Kousei!"
Kousei had grown up on this street. The old neighbors, who had known her since she was a child, naturally recognized her. They had watched her grow up and always held a special fondness for her.
"Quick, quick! Tell us when this happened!" someone asked eagerly.
After all, Kousei's reputation had plummeted since the Takarazuka Incident. Although the people of the Shopping District refused to believe she could do such a thing, others weren't so convinced.
Later, Kousei had suddenly burst into the Spring Tenno Sho, only to vanish without a trace after losing to McQueen. Both daughter and father disappeared overnight, leaving Kousei's Mother to run Kasuga House alone. Out of concern, the neighbors often patronized the shop and would bring small gifts or help out on ordinary days.
They knew nothing of the details—Central had sealed off all information. So, they threw themselves into their daily lives, finding that staying busy helped them forget their worries.
"Prepare to be amazed! Kousei passed the NAU's trials and earned the right to compete in the Arc de Triomphe!"
"NAU? What's that? Is it even bigger than the URA?"
"I'm not sure, but what Kousei did is an unprecedented feat—it'll definitely go down in history! And she defeated one of the world's strongest Umamusume! Kousei really is amazing! She's not the kind of person who'd resort to dirty tricks!"
"We told them all along! Kousei would never do something like that! We know that girl better than anyone!"
"Exactly! Exactly!"
Although no one knew what NAU really was, hearing that Kousei had become so incredible made everyone genuinely happy for her.
"Proprietress! Bring out the sake! This round's on me!"
"Get outta here! It's on me!"
"Hahaha!"
Kasuga House filled with laughter and cheer. Kousei's Mother skillfully poured drinks, but for a fleeting moment when her back was turned, her eyes reddened against her will.
Perhaps it was joy at seeing her daughter grow so splendidly, or perhaps it was heartache over the injuries she had endured.
-
At the same time, T stared at the poster, his expression complex. He didn't know how to process his emotions. He couldn't bear to see his daughter suffer such a severe setback, yet he was also happy for her. She had broken free from her shackles and thrived even without her parents' protection.
Now, she was no one's shadow, radiating a light all her own. T felt an immense sense of relief, certain that sending Kousei abroad had been the right choice. As long as she remained in Central, she would never have found what she was truly seeking.
"This time, Dad made the right choice, didn't he?"
By letting her grow freely, she had found the best companions and embarked on the greatest adventure.
At that moment, T desperately wanted to tell someone, This is my daughter. This is my proudest child. But he couldn't.
He still had unfinished business. He had to maintain his identity as "T." Gently stroking the poster, his heart ached with a bittersweet longing.
The door suddenly swung open, and T swiftly hid the poster. His expression instantly returned to normal, betraying nothing out of the ordinary.
Only when he clearly saw who had entered did he lower his guard.
"My apologies, Teacher. You've caught me in an embarrassing moment," T said with a wry smile.
"There's no shame in a father missing his daughter," the Sakura Family Head replied.
This stern, unsmiling old man was T's most trusted pillar of support in Central. T had studied under him during his active years and still relied on the old man's help even after all this time.
In his teacher's presence, T let down all his defenses. After a moment's hesitation, he took the poster he had just hidden back out of the drawer.
If there was anyone in the Academy he could truly open his heart to, it was the man standing before him.
T held up the poster, a proud smile spreading across his face as he declared in a voice filled with pride:
"Look, this is my daughter—"