"Sirius, huh?" Rudolf murmured, gazing at the newspaper with a hint of nostalgia.
Her thoughts flashed back to the days when she and Sirius stood side by side on the racetrack, much like the Twins did now.
Perhaps we were the original Twins.
Knock, knock.
The sound of a knock interrupted her reverie.
"Come in."
Air Groove entered, carrying a file. Rudolf took it and began to study it.
"I see... Acting Chairman Kashimoto wants me to make the final appearance."
"Yes. Teio will undoubtedly target you. Acting Chairman Kashimoto likely hopes we can secure victory without clashing with Teio. If all goes smoothly, you might not even need to race."
Rudolf set down the file. "If Teio doesn't compete, Rapid has a hundred percent chance of winning?"
"According to Acting Chairman Kashimoto's projections, we might only lose one race if all goes well. Besides Teio, Mejiro McQueen poses the greatest threat, so he wants me to defeat her."
Air Groove's voice remained calm, as if simply stating facts. "Moreover, even if you do need to race, you won't lose."
"So I'm really being counted on, huh?" Rudolf smiled faintly, asking almost casually, "Is it because I'm the 'Emperor,' the Symboli Rudolf?"
Air Groove remained impassive. "Because you're the Student Council President, and I'm the Vice President. Having been by your side all this time, I know better than anyone that your presence alone puts us at ease, regardless of your actual strength."
Rudolf lowered her gaze, studying the documents before her without a word. After a long pause, she asked, "How's Brian doing?"
"The same as always, but perhaps because the Seishun Cup is approaching, she's even more restless than usual."
Rudolf made no comment. Air Groove continued, "Actually, there's something I don't understand."
"I know—it's about why I support Acting Chairman Kashimoto and why the Three Great Families have tacitly approved of it, right?"
Air Groove's silence served as confirmation.
"As my Vice President, I shouldn't keep secrets from you. Please forgive me, Air Groove, but I can't tell you just yet."
"Don't misunderstand. I'm not blaming you, nor do I care about the reasons. What concerns me is whether you made this choice of your own free will and whether you're in trouble."
Rudolf looked up. Air Groove had always maintained an unflappable demeanor, and even Rudolf couldn't discern her true emotions or intentions from her words.
"I'm not in any trouble, so there's no need to worry."
"Understood."
Air Groove didn't linger; after receiving Rudolf's reassurance, she left immediately. Just then, Narita Brian pushed open the door and entered.
She could sense it—though the room looked no different from usual, it was permeated with an unusual sentiment.
The day of the Seishun Cup had arrived.
Tracen Academy was packed to the brim. The announcement of the Seishun Cup's revival had reignited long-dormant enthusiasm. The disappointing Arima Kinen had left everyone yearning for a grand spectacle to soothe their restless spirits before the new season began.
Unlike the Twinkle Series, the Seishun Cup, being hosted by Tracen Academy, was essentially an exhibition match with no official scoring.
Despite this, the Seishun Cup's popularity remained exceptionally high.
The reason lay in the teams themselves. Not only would fans get to witness Symboli Rudolf's long-awaited return to the track, but the event also promised a clash between old and new eras. The most anticipated showdown was undoubtedly the duel between Teio and Rudolf.
An Undefeated Triple Crown Winner versus an Undefeated Triple Crown Winner—the invitation extended at the Kikuka Sho had finally been answered.
As everyone knew, there could only be one apex predator, one true King.
Even though it wasn't an official race, people yearned to witness the duel between the inheritors of the Royal Road Legacy.
"Ah! So many people! Urara has never seen so many people before!" Urara exclaimed, leaning excitedly over the windowsill, her eyes wide with wonder as she gazed at the crowd outside.
"Urara, be careful! Don't fall!" McQueen hurriedly grabbed Urara.
"Damn it! Turbo wanted to be the first one out!" Twin Turbo looked thoroughly displeased.
Teio, on the other hand, didn't seem to care about the starting order. "I just need to run with the President."
Kousei hammered spikes into her shoes. Although her specially forged horseshoes were perfectly fitted to her hooves, only she knew the exact comfort points.
"Are you nervous about going first?" McQueen asked Kousei, still holding Urara's hand.
"A little excited. I wonder how many people are watching me?"
Since winning the Japan Cup, Kousei had gained more fans online. She hoped some would be here today.
"You really don't seem nervous at all," McQueen sighed softly.
"Don't worry! Even if you lose, Turbo will win easily!" Twin Turbo clenched her fist and pointed her thumb at herself, radiating confidence.
Teio shot her a teasing glance, smiling silently.
"Damn you, Teio!"
Despite the race starting soon, everyone seemed remarkably composed.
"Speaking of which, does anyone else feel any sense of urgency?" Kousei wondered inwardly.
"Alright, it's time to go." Kousei changed into her Personal Racing Outfit and running shoes. Teio and McQueen each placed a hand on her shoulders.
"Run your heart out!"
The crowd roared with excitement. Previously, the only opportunity to enter Tracen Academy was during the Fan Appreciation Festival. Even with reservations, visitors couldn't linger for long, despite the academy's racetrack being far smaller than the Four Major Racetracks.
Yet when it came to racing, the passion of the spectators remained undiminished.
Adding to the anticipation was the unique competition format, which kept the identity of the upcoming competitors a secret.
A white figure strode onto the track, and the clamor abruptly ceased.
An all-too-familiar face stood proudly erect. The once-overlooked protagonist, now the representative of the "Villains of the Century."
"Kousei!!!"
"Long time no see! Are you in good health?!"
"Go get 'em!"
The cheers, though not loud, were clear and forceful. A small figure squeezed through the crowd to the front. Adjusting the goggles on her forehead, she leaned over the railing, gazing intently at the track.
"Ah! It's Kousei!" The little Horse Girl with goggles tried to cheer for Kousei, but her voice was drowned out by the roaring crowd.
As if sensing her presence, Kousei glanced up. Through her own eyes, she saw the small, goggled Horse Girl, her adoring gaze strangely familiar.
Kousei strode onto the stage, meeting the gaze of the crowd.
"What are you waiting for, Narita Brian?!" Kousei shouted toward the entrance tunnel.
In an instant, a beast was unleashed from its cage. The audience's breathing unconsciously deepened as golden, vertical pupils ignited in the shadows. Heavy, rhythmic footsteps reverberated, announcing the arrival of a pitch-black beast, its hooves armored with iron shoes.
Fingerless gloves and bandages, a jacket billowing like a vagabond's cloak, and crisscrossing buckles resembling a beast's fangs—a fiercely independent loner.
"Narita Brian!"
Under the boundless blue sky, the blazing sun stretched Narita Brian's shadow long and menacing, like a crouching monster.
Her mere appearance ignited a frenzy. Without doing anything, simply standing there, she drew thunderous applause.
"Such enthusiastic cheers. You're quite popular, aren't you, Narita Brian?"
"You're dropping the honorifics now? Greedy little brat."
Kousei grinned, and Narita Brian mirrored the expression. Even before the race began, their rivalry had already ignited.
"Before the race begins, I'd like to ask you something. Do you support the Management Education Program?"
"Huh? Why are you asking me that?"
"I'm just curious why the Student Council would join it. My impression was that President Rudolf wouldn't agree with such a program."
"I'm not really sure. To be honest, I don't care much about Student Council matters. The President told me to do it, so I did. I don't care about the reasons behind it. I run when I want, do what I want. I entered the Seishun Cup just to race you. I don't care about the President or Acting Chairman Kashimoto."
I run when I want. That's only natural.
Just as everyone naturally assumed Narita Brian would win.
No alliances, no concerns, no conspiracies.
This solitary pride was proof of Narita Brian's genius.
Wooooo!
The starting trumpet blared, and a low growl rumbled from the Jet-Black Runner's throat.
No words were needed. Bloodred eyes met crimson ones as the scarlet serpent and the jet-black beast faced each other.
"Come! / Let the carnage begin!"