The evening after their parting at the long bench, McQueen paced nervously outside Mejiro Ramonu's room, twisting her tail as she fretted over what excuse to use to strike up a conversation.
Before she could devise a plan, however, the door swung open, and Ramonu seized the initiative.
"Stop loitering outside, McQueen. Come in."
"Then I'll be intruding, Ramonu onee-san."
Kousei entered with a fluttering heart. Her grandmother sat regally in her armchair, a warm smile spreading across her face as she greeted McQueen.
(SpyNote:IRL Ramonu is mcqueens grandmother so its not the strangest, but she still refers to her as onee-san so hmm. )
"Mejiro's Next Treasure seems a bit nervous?"
"Please don't tease me, Grandmother!" McQueen protested, though the rebuke helped her relax slightly. Before she could speak, her grandmother seemed to read her mind.
"I know you've come about those four mysterious visitors, haven't you?"
McQueen blinked in surprise before nodding. "Yes, Grandmother. I hope you can tell me who they are."
"It's time you knew, since you'll be involved regardless," her grandmother said, pausing for a moment. "The Japan Cup is about to begin. Those four mysterious visitors are racers who have come all the way from other academies to participate."
"The Japan Cup... Is it already that time of year? So that's why Grandmother and Ramonu onee-san have been so concerned."
"As you know, the competition format has been revised. This year's Japan Cup participants will be selected from the two most recent generations. Central initially wanted you and Teio to compete together, but I'm well aware of your circumstances. Participating in the Spring Tenno Sho would significantly impact your chances in the Japan Cup.
After I reported this to Central, they ultimately chose Tokai Teio as their representative."
As expected, McQueen wasn't particularly surprised by this outcome. After all, Teio had just secured the Undefeated Triple Crown and was riding a wave of momentum. No one believed Teio could lose.
"However, Tokai Teio is still recovering from a serious illness, so her physical condition remains a concern. Rudolf called earlier; she's already explained the situation to Teio. Central will likely announce this decision on the day of the Spring Tenno Sho."
"What does Teio think?"
"She hasn't refused to compete, but her attitude is somewhat ambiguous. It seems she intends to participate in the Spring Tenno Sho alongside you."
"What?"
Competing in the Japan Cup immediately after the Spring Tenno Sho is practically unthinkable.
"Central also considers this inappropriate. Teio's participation in the first place carries inherent risks. Although she won the Kikuka Sho, she paid a heavy price for it. To now enter the even more grueling Spring Tenno Sho so soon after recovering—it's practically madness."
McQueen frowned deeply, her hands clenching involuntarily. "Why is Teio doing this?"
"No matter what, Teio insists on competing in the Tenno Sho (Spring), even if it means competing in the Japan Cup with a fatigued body afterward. McQueen, her determination toward you is unwavering."
In the arena she had long pursued, defeating the strongest opponent would once have been an irresistible honor for McQueen. But now, with Teio set to compete in the Japan Cup—a stage where individual glory no longer mattered, and victory or defeat represented more than just personal achievement—McQueen instinctively began formulating words to dissuade Teio.
Just then, Ramonu spoke up. "It's a difficult dilemma. Logically, Teio shouldn't compete in the Tenno Sho (Spring). But she's a born King, and her stubbornness is legendary. No one can reason with her, not even His Majesty the Emperor."
"Faced with this impasse, a trainer named T stepped forward and recommended an Umamusume to Central. You already know who I'm talking about, don't you?"
"Kousei!" McQueen nearly shouted. "That's impossible! Even if Central approves Kousei's participation in the Japan Cup, her support level is far too low. According to the competition format, Kousei shouldn't even be eligible! And what's more—"
McQueen fell silent. Besides the competition itself, there were other concerns. If Kousei were confirmed to compete in the Japan Cup, a torrent of accusations and doubts would descend upon her—a metaphorical murder orchestrated by rumors. How could T do something like this?
Grandmother's expression hardened. "Hmph~ So he goes by 'T' now. I've almost forgotten what he looks like after all these years, but he's certainly become far more capable than before."
"Grandmother, you know T?" McQueen asked, surprised.
"Yes, I do. So Kousei is the daughter of those two... No wonder he's become so hysterical, so obsessive. More mature and dangerous than before. A once-in-a-millennium opportunity has presented itself, and an unwelcome intruder has emerged. It had to be this way. Has the arrow he shot all those years ago finally returned to him?"
McQueen was utterly bewildered. "But how will we resolve the issue preventing Kousei from competing?"
"I'm not entirely sure myself. But this is his first and final move. Kousei will definitely compete. The real question is: what are your and Teio's intentions?"
The tapping of Grandmother's cane on the floor snapped McQueen out of her reverie.
For the first time, she sensed that the world as she knew it was beginning to shift.