The clamor of voices instantly died down as a single figure entered the room. With Kashimoto Riko's arrival, Speed and the Student Council also came into view.
"Look! It's Tokai Teio!"
The one who drew the most attention wasn't the Acting Director or the Seven Crowned Emperor, but the "Vanished Genius," Tokai Teio. This was her first public appearance since the T.M. Showdown.
Teio walked silently behind Rudolf, completely ignoring the murmurs around her.
"She's still the same," McQueen said with a faint smile. "No matter when she appears, she instantly steals everyone's attention."
Even with her brilliance deliberately concealed, the moment Tokai Teio appeared, everyone began to talk about her.
"Is this your team?"
As Kashimoto Riko spoke, the crowd's focus shifted back to the center of the room.
"Yes," Leo Durban replied, puffing out her chest and meeting Kashimoto's gaze head-on, utterly composed and without a hint of embarrassment.
"The 'Witch,' the 'Blue Rose Assassin,' the 'Elite Heretic,' and the 'Villains of the Century'... What a motley crew. A team like this has no chance of conquering the URA."
A team composed entirely of unorthodox mavericks—no matter how you looked at it, it was impossible to feel confident in them.
Sweep Tosho pouted and glared fiercely at Kashimoto Riko, yet miraculously remained silent. Everyone knew the "Little Witch" was Kashimoto Riko's charge, but Kashimoto seemed utterly unconcerned that Sweep was now on the opposing team.
"The Thorough Management Education Program must not continue. I will never accept such a reality," Leo Durban declared.
Kashimoto Riko raised an eyebrow at Leo. "Why not? The Thorough Management Education Program has helped many Umamusume achieve results beyond their wildest dreams. From a results-oriented perspective, it's the correct choice."
"Don't judge things solely by their results! Freedom and friendship should never be bargaining chips for victory!"
"Hero, let me ask you this: If an Umamusume doesn't pursue results, what should she pursue? As a Trainer, I've seen far too many Umamusume leave the racetrack filled with regret.
"For me, opportunities aren't that important. If I fail this time, there's always the next. Perhaps one day I'll take on an exceptionally talented Umamusume and join the ranks of senior Trainers.
"I am a Trainer. I can have countless Umamusume throughout my life.
"But what about those Umamusume? How many chances do they get? If they fail to achieve results this time, can you guarantee they'll have a next time?"
"Tell me, Hero. Do you know what it feels like to have your dreams shattered?"
Faced with Kashimoto Riko's challenge, Leo thumped her chest without a hint of hesitation. "Of course!"
"You? You can't possibly be talking about that time you lost to Tokai Teio," Kashimoto Riko retorted, clearly unconvinced that Leo Durban truly understood.
"I had a senpai I deeply respected—a mortal living in the Emperor's era." Leo's gaze shifted to Rudolf. "As a child, I saw the resentment she held for President Rudolf. I learned firsthand how agonizing it is to struggle in the shadow of Symboli Rudolf.
"Dreams? No, she couldn't even leave her name behind before vanishing into the river of history. I'm no Hero. I only ever wanted revenge on Rudolf.
"By defeating Tokai Teio, the one known as 'Emperor II,' I intended to make the world remember my senpai's name."
"But you lost. You should understand me," Kashimoto Riko pressed.
"Yes, I lost. But in that moment, I saw a sight I'd never witnessed before—a future that could never coexist with the Thorough Management Education Program."
"What kind of... future?"
"A future where we move forward together."
A future diametrically opposed to Kashimoto Riko's ideals. It was no wonder Leo stood against her.
"I see. Very well. But it's an undeniable fact that the Thorough Management Education Program improves an Umamusume's performance."
"That's precisely why we're challenging you," Black Bullet interjected. "True revolution requires struggle. We will prove that our philosophy is superior."
Looking at this spirited Derby King, who would have guessed she had once struggled in the Regional League?
"The Umamusume who claimed the Derby laurel... You too are dissatisfied with my management?"
"I'm afraid I don't deserve the title of Derby King. I know deep down that if McQueen hadn't been distracted at the last moment, I never would have won the Derby."
"It seems that Derby still weighs on you. So why are you here now? What did you realize during your time away from Central?"
Black Bullet chuckled. "I just took some time to rediscover myself. I imagine that Young Lady did the same."
Black Bullet was, of course, referring to Mejiro Palmer, who was now on the same team.
"Kousei, whom you drove out of Central, must be the same."
Black Bullet's words were shocking. Her eyes held a playful glint, clearly a deliberate provocation.
"Kousei... To hear that name twice in such a short time."
Since that incident, no one at Central dared to mention that name anymore.
"I'm back. Palmer is back. And you know, one day, she'll be back too."
Although everyone knew this, no one had ever dared to discuss it openly.
"It matters not. She broke the rules and was punished accordingly. My conscience is clear," Kashimoto Riko stated, unshaken. "We will be prepared to eradicate any threat to Central."
Black Bullet simply smiled without replying. Her words hadn't been meant for Kashimoto Riko, but for the Central Committee behind her.
At least let them lose a few nights' sleep.
"Is that so? Then what about this young lady?" Black Bullet pointed to Sweep Tosho. "Care to explain why she came over to our side on her own?"
This was the question on everyone's mind. Why would Kashimoto Riko's own Umamusume defect to the opposition?
"Why?" Kashimoto Riko seemed genuinely baffled by Sweep's intentions.
"I found it! The magic that can make you smile!"
"Huh?"
Sweep's words were as cryptic as ever, but she seemed unusually puffed up with indignation.
"Are you still hung up on that? I already told you..."
"No! I'm serious!"
The Little Witch was known for being spoiled and willful, so everyone assumed she was just throwing another tantrum. Only Kashimoto Riko seemed to sense something different in her tone.
"If you don't believe me, then let me show you! I'll absolutely make you smile!"
The crowd stared at Sweep in disbelief. It was astonishing to hear such words from someone so childish.
"Do as you please."
With that, Kashimoto Riko turned to Rice Shower. "And why are you here?"
"I... I don't know. I just felt I had to do something!"
Rice Shower had no concrete plan, only the conviction that she had to move forward. Perhaps the answer lay ahead.
"I understand what you're all thinking. However, I must remind you: as you are now, you have absolutely no chance of conquering the G1. The Twinkle Series is an incredibly long and grueling battle. You won't just be facing me; you'll have to contend with all the other Umamusume chasing their dreams.
"Race schedules, track suitability... you're lacking in far too many areas. The URA isn't a competition you can win on passion alone."
"How will we know if we don't even try? If we're going to give up, it'll be after we've given it our all!" Leo declared passionately. Black Bullet glanced at her, her smile growing even more cryptic.
Kashimoto Riko shook her head. This was precisely the kind of impulse she'd always tried to suppress—the so-called throb of emotion that lured people into the abyss.
Truth be told, Leo and the others knew that conquering the G1 was a fantasy. But knowing something and accepting it were two different things.
Besides, their minds were already made up. There was no room for hesitation now.
Suddenly, a triumphant trumpet blast echoed through the air. The tightly sealed gates swung open, and someone began to stride forward.
"Bakushin! Bakushin!"
A fierce gust of wind swept through as Sakura Bakushin O strode proudly into the arena, shouldering a Sakura banner. Chiyoda O and Laurel followed close behind. To the astonished onlookers, members of the Sakura Family continued to file in one after another.
"The Sakura Legion! Has arrived!"
Bakushin O swung the banner and planted it firmly into the ground. A broad, confident smile spread across her face. Her every move radiated an indomitable aura, as if she alone could hold off ten thousand foes. She was truly magnificent.
"What the hell?! The Sakura Family, one of the Three Great Families, is getting involved personally?!"
Even Rudolf had acted as an individual, not as a representative of the Symboli Family. But the Sakura Family's intervention escalated the situation entirely, pushing it far beyond the scope of mere "rebellion."
Kashimoto Riko's brow furrowed. The hidden members of the Central Committee exchanged stunned glances. What had seemed like a fantastical, impossible plan was now shrouded in uncertainty with the Sakura Family's arrival.
The Three Great Families had always remained neutral in Academy affairs. During the Seishun Cup, the Sakura Family had explicitly chosen to stay on the sidelines. Why intervene now, of all times?
Kashimoto voiced this very question. Bakushin O simply turned and replied with a serene smile.
"Spring has come. Why not enjoy the cherry blossoms?"
Her stance and attitude were crystal clear. A smile broke out on Leo's face and the faces of her companions. The pressure of confronting Kashimoto Riko alone had been immense.
A voice crackled in Kashimoto Riko's earpiece, and her expression darkened another shade. Things had come to this; she was too far in to back out now.
Still, she had the Student Council's support. As long as Symboli Rudolf was on her side, everything would be fine.
"Very well," she declared. "I swear in the name of the Three Goddesses: the contract is sealed."
Such a matter hardly required an oath sworn to the Goddesses, yet Kashimoto Riko still sought their witness. It seemed she was prepared to go all-in.
The Central Committee was in turmoil. This might become the most swift and decisive reform in the Academy's history. Among those stirring this storm, who would emerge as the final victor?
At this critical juncture, another piece of news arrived from across the ocean, pushing the tension to its absolute peak.
[After three months, Kousei has appeared at Longchamp Racetrack.]