Kousei eagerly opened the gift box, revealing a dazzling treasure inside: a brand-new, personalized Personal Racing Outfit.
"This is... that!" Kousei exclaimed, her words tumbling over themselves in excitement.
T smiled and nodded. "That's right, it's your very own Personal Racing Outfit!"
Kousei could hardly believe it. She was actually receiving her own Personal Racing Outfit. Yet a question lingered: she had never heard T mention any related projects. How had he obtained her measurements?
"I got them from Agnes Tachyon," T explained.
"Could it be...?" Kousei recalled the day Tachyon had insisted on measuring her bust, waist, and hips. So, it had all been a secret preparation for this outfit.
"Try it on!" T urged.
Kousei changed into the Personal Racing Outfit and gazed at her reflection in the mirror. For a moment, she couldn't even recognize herself in the mirror.
The design resembled Tokai Teio's, echoing the childhood doodles Kousei had drawn based on Rudolf's Personal Racing Outfit. But the iconic ribbons were gone, replaced by several dazzling diamonds that sparkled like brilliant stars.
It all stemmed from childhood dreams, and Dad remembered every detail.
"This must have cost a fortune, right?" Kousei asked.
Although the Personal Racing Outfits were custom-made by Central, given Kousei's circumstances, even with government funding, the budget couldn't have been extravagant. This outfit was exquisitely crafted and lavishly adorned—Kousei simply couldn't believe it came from Central's allocated funds.
"It's not too bad," Dad replied. "After all, you're our only daughter. Your mother didn't hesitate for a moment to contribute her bonus money. She insisted on getting you the best possible Personal Racing Outfit."
"Ehhh... You used Mom's bonus?" Kousei's innocent gaze made her father squirm with guilt. He silently turned away, saying, "Enough about that. Your dad's been working hard, okay?"
Kousei chuckled softly, lightening the mood considerably.
-
This time, as Kousei stood outside the gate, preparing for the Japanese Derby, she wasn't alone. Unlike before, even leaving the rest room didn't feel empty anymore. Someone was here, eagerly anticipating her return.
"Enjoy the race."
Kousei turned with a smile, nodded, and said, "Mm-hmm," before disappearing into the tunnel.
The Tokyo Racetrack was packed to the rafters. Despite widespread skepticism about Kousei's chances, every seat was filled today, perhaps because deep down, even the smallest glimmer of hope still flickered in their hearts.
"First favorite! The flawless King, the undefeated prodigy who descends like a celestial being—Caesar Rose!"
"Second favorite! The cunning fox! Always snatching victory with playful ease, the enigmatic Twilight Cloud!"
"Third favorite! The ultimate escape artist, the Executioner of Hell. The strongest Front-runner of the new generation—Speedstar!"
"Fourth favorite! The Final Burst hero, the outer lane prodigy who gallops across vast distances—Tenmile Cloud!"
Who could have imagined? The top four favorites for the Japan Cup were all foreign Umamusume!
Her heart ached with a mix of emotions. Though she had fallen to the very last spot, the silver-haired figure remained absent from the entrance tunnel. Would she ultimately fail to reach the stage after all?
Disappointment or relief?
"Just barely squeezing in as the Central representative and representing the Mejiro Family, Symboli Family, and Sakura Family! The 'Unruly Storm'! Kousei!"
The crisp clatter of horseshoes echoed through the contestants' tunnel as a figure emerged, shimmering with light. The Personal Racing Outfit, strikingly similar to the Emperor's, created a momentary illusion until a second glance revealed it was someone else entirely.
"She actually made it here, and through the Three Great Families' nomination, no less."
Her plummeting popularity had been resurrected by the Three Great Families' nomination, allowing her to stand here with unwavering legitimacy.
Kousei tilted her head upward, the sunlight bathing her face.
"What a perfect day."
The sun was just right, the breeze felt refreshing, and the turf was in excellent condition.
It was a perfect day for racing.
In a secluded corner of the stands, Air Shakur and Manhattan Cafe wore baseball caps and masks, trying to blend in as much as possible.
"Why are you acting so nervous, Air Shakur?" Manhattan Cafe asked, puzzled. "If we're here to watch the race, why not just watch normally?"
"I don't want to be bothered," Air Shakur replied. "It's just a disguise, no harm in that."
That was true enough. Cafe didn't press the matter further.
"Go watch Kousei's race for me."
Shakur came here because of Tachyon's words, seeking that one percent of the future she spoke of.
"Yo~ if it isn't our Central Representative? Making such a grand declaration and then disappearing into thin air. I thought you were hiding," Speedstar taunted. Whether due to her poor relationship with Kousei or her naturally aggressive temperament, she maintained her relentless, confrontational attitude.
Kousei brushed past Speedstar, ignoring her provocations. Only at the final step did she glance back, her round eyes reflecting both Speedstar's arrogance and vitriol, yet holding only a thin veil of disdain.
Such a mediocre talent, yet she carries herself with such haughtiness! Speedstar had never endured such humiliation. The mere thought of being so utterly disregarded sent her temper flaring, but a sudden, oppressive aura halted her outburst.
Behind her, Caesar Rose fixed Speedstar with an icy glare. "Victory is the ultimate humiliation," she hissed.
Their objective was to avenge the arrow Symboli Rudolf had fired at them years ago. They couldn't let petty squabbles distract them from the race.
"Fine, since we're guaranteed to win anyway, I'll just have a little 'fun' on the racetrack."
Given her title as the "Executioner," it was inevitable that her personality would be ruthless.
Kousei entered the gate. The grass at Tokyo Racetrack felt comfortable underfoot, as it wasn't raining. This time, neither McQueen nor Teio were present. It was Kousei's first G1 race without McQueen by her side.
"As long as I keep idolizing you, I'll never catch up."
As Student Council President, the "Emperor," the insurmountable peak for all Umamusume at Tracen Academy, the "Hall of Fame Wall," Symboli Rudolf appeared in full regalia, surveying the world with imperial disdain. Today, Her Majesty the Emperor had graced the occasion with her presence.
It was only in such moments that one could glimpse the ruthless dictator stripped of all traces of "Rudolf."
"I once watched you from this very spot, and now I stand on the same stage.
Do we share the same feelings?
Or is it that someone like you feels no pressure at all, because victory comes so easily?
But no matter."
Kousei averted her gaze, the atmosphere growing tense. She settled into her starting position, awaiting the gate's opening.
"Because the world will focus on me now."