In Tachyon's laboratory, Air Shakur and Agnes Tachyon watched the recording.
Unlike Tachyon's leisurely demeanor, Shakur's expression was slightly stern, even a bit fierce, though she always seemed a bit intimidating.
"Are you sure you didn't record the wrong Umamusume?"
"Oh my, Shakur-chan. I take my experiments very seriously."
Shakur fell silent, knowing Agnes Tachyon would never joke about her research. She turned her attention back to the recording, where Kousei was relentlessly chasing after Narita Brian.
"She can actually run a race like this? She's getting closer and closer to becoming a 'Monster'."
Shakur had heard rumors about Kousei.
She always valued numerical data and calculations. As a contemporary of Mejiro McQueen, Shakur had secretly collected Kousei's data and calculated that "Kousei could never catch up to Mejiro McQueen."
This computational prowess surpassed even Agnes Tachyon's. Shakur's calculations bordered on future prediction, accurately predicting when Kousei would attack, when she would lose speed, and the exact distance separating them.
A race's outcome was predetermined before it even began. Air Shakur never faltered, which only strengthened her unwavering confidence in her computational abilities.
Yet, during the Japanese Derby, Mejiro McQueen, who had possessed an overwhelming advantage that day, still lost. According to Shakur's simulations, McQueen should have secured the Triple Crown.
This discrepancy sparked a peculiar doubt in Shakur's mind about the infallibility of her calculations.
Agnes Tachyon seized the opportunity, luring Air Shakur into her laboratory with a flurry of persuasive arguments—though much of it was due to Shakur's genuine curiosity about what Tachyon was proposing.
"As you can see, the resonance between them grows stronger by the day. Use your vaunted computational skills to predict their success or failure in the Japan Cup."
Shakur gazed at the data for Caesar Rose and the others, lost in thought.
"Where did you get this data?"
Tachyon grinned openly. "I didn't get it myself. A Trainer did. I'm not that resourceful."
The "Trainer" Tachyon mentioned could only be Kousei's Trainer T, the illustrious figure.
"Alright, let me take a look."
Shakur immersed herself in the calculations while Tachyon leisurely sipped her coffee nearby. It wasn't that she didn't want to help; at Air Shakur's level, her assistance would only complicate matters.
Time ticked by, and the sky gradually darkened. As Shakur's calculations reached their conclusion, Tachyon leaned in.
"What's the outcome?"
"I've derived 27 possible outcomes, none of which result in a victory."
The rational voice carried no trace of personal emotion. Shakur never allowed her calculations to be swayed by sentiment; this was the outcome her Future Calculation had foreseen.
Tachyon smiled. "Just as I expected."
Shakur couldn't understand why Tachyon was smiling.
"Shakur-chan, your face is practically screaming 'confusion'!" Tachyon even found the mood to tease.
"I... I don't understand."
After much hesitation, Shakur finally voiced her perplexity.
"Exactly! Shakur-chan, your bewildered expression is priceless!"
"Ah! Are you messing with me?!"
Shakur, visibly agitated, seemed on the verge of exploding. Tachyon, however, calmly replied, "With such exceptional computational skills, it's a pity you're not a scientist."
Tachyon poured herself another cup of coffee. Shakur noticed she had already drunk eight cups today, the dark circles beneath her eyes particularly pronounced. Shakur couldn't imagine how long Tachyon had gone without sleep, yet she continued to refill her cup, as if forcing herself to stay awake.
A person who should have been utterly exhausted had a glint of excitement in her eyes.
"Hey! Stop drinking and go get some sleep," Shakur said, her voice flat.
"Hehe~ Shakur-chan is so sweet. I almost fell for you."
A faint teasing tone from Tracen's most unconventional Umamusume. No one could ever truly fathom what went on in that brilliant mind.
"Actually, there's something I'd like Shakur-chan to take a look at."
Shakur took the project proposal from Tachyon's hand, but she froze the moment her eyes landed on the first page.
It felt as if someone had thrown a firecracker into her mind. Shakur held the project proposal, reading each word carefully until she reached the very last one. Slowly, she lifted her head, the document in her hand now feeling like a thousand pounds, weighing her down and rendering her immobile.
What Shakur held wasn't just thin paper; it was Tachyon's very life.
At that moment, Shakur understood the mystery surrounding Tachyon and why she had been drawn into this.
Tachyon was preparing a surgery to defy fate itself, determined to reclaim her legs from the Divine at any cost.
"Heh~ Shakur-chan. Use your vaunted Future Calculation to predict the outcome for me."
"What a joke!"
No calculation was needed. One glance at the plan made it clear: this was suicide. Shakur's anger surged, yet Tachyon, the mastermind and participant in this scheme, wore a faint, enigmatic smile.
This was a matter of life and death, yet Tachyon remained so nonchalant?
"Please, Shakur-chan. I truly need your help," Tachyon said calmly.
Shakur composed herself, quietly observing Tachyon, searching her fanatical eyes for any hint of compromise.
But there was nothing.
Without a word, Shakur initiated another Future Calculation. This time, the process was significantly faster, and she completed the simulation in short order.
As Tachyon awaited the results, Shakur stared at her, unmoving, as if she had anticipated this outcome all along. Tachyon smiled serenely.
"Is that so? Just as I suspected."
Without a trace of disappointment, she simply picked up her coffee as usual.
"To be honest, you should give up."
"Thank you, but I refuse."
Shakur couldn't fathom why anyone would pursue something utterly impossible, even to the point of risking their life.
"Do you really think you can succeed? Fine! Let's say, for argument's sake, that you manage to increase the probability to ninety-nine percent. No one would still perform this surgery for you! The Academy would never allow an Umamusume to face any risk of losing her life, and no surgeon would operate on you. Stop this madness!"
"There is someone. I've already found them."
Shakur could hardly believe her ears. Someone was actually willing to join such a reckless plan?
"Shakur-chan, thank you for your calculations. Now, I need your help with the next step. Please accompany me a little further."
"Don't joke around! I don't want to spend another second with you!"
Air Shakur stormed out of her seat, but Tachyon called out to her from behind.
"Do you know why I chose Kousei?"
Shakur paused, her back still turned.
"Because our essences are the same. The moment Narita Brian and I saw her, we recognized our own reflections in her.
We are fellow travelers on the same path, similar yet subtly different. We each possess what the other envies most, though Kousei herself remains unaware.
Whether Kousei had appeared or not, I would have pursued this path regardless. Her presence simply offered me a glimmer of possibility. Shakur, your calculations are flawless—perhaps you truly saw the future.
But that is precisely your limitation.
Those who foresee the future become slaves to it. Umamusume, however, are creatures who transcend such boundaries.
Would you refuse to challenge a race you felt you couldn't win? Would you abandon a goal simply because it seemed impossible?
Shakur-chan, why do you stand on the racetrack?
I know there are other paths, including the choice to give up. But for me, a life without running is a life of torment."
"Tachyon..."
Tachyon's figure overlapped with Kousei's radiant glow, their expressions different yet conveying the same profound anguish. Even Tachyon, usually so madly cheerful and always laughing heartily, looked so tormented.
"This is the path of evolution for Kousei and me. Together, we will shatter the future of despair."
"Even if it costs your life?"
"Even if it costs my life."
With that, further words were futile.
The next morning, a knock echoed at the dormitory door. Kousei tiptoed inside.
"Tachyon, I'm here."
"Yaho! My dear kindred spirit, let's begin today's experiment!"
Tachyon was as enthusiastic as ever, her boundless curiosity overflowing. Kousei smiled faintly—no matter what, Tachyon would always be Tachyon.
Suddenly, Kousei froze. Beside Tachyon stood an Umamusume she didn't recognize.
Air Shakur cast only a fleeting glance at Kousei before expressionlessly tinkering with the equipment.
Kousei sensed something was different, though she couldn't quite put her finger on it. Under Tachyon's radiant enthusiasm, she pushed the thought to the back of her mind.