"Huh? What did you say? McQueen can't perform?"
The backstage staff member looked apologetic. "That's right."
"Why?" Kousei couldn't understand how McQueen could suddenly be unable to perform on the day of the show.
The staff member dodged the question, offering no clear explanation. Determined to find out, Kousei decided to check McQueen's dressing room herself.
She pushed open the door.
"McQueen! What's wrong? Are you in trouble?"
The rustling sounds inside the room abruptly ceased. Kousei saw a group of people huddled around McQueen.
"Hmm? What are you all doing?"
No one answered. Kousei noticed Leo Durban struggling to pull something away from McQueen, whose face instantly flushed crimson like a sunset.
McQueen's embarrassed demeanor, combined with her exposed midriff, lent a slightly awkward, pinkish hue to the atmosphere.
"No, it's not like that!" McQueen desperately tried to explain, eager to avoid any misunderstanding.
Kousei had already crept closer. She poked the slightly protruding area on McQueen's side—it felt soft and springy.
"Did you gain weight?"
The question silenced McQueen, who could only nod in silent agreement.
"But you were fine yesterday!"
McQueen's face flushed crimson as she stammered, "Yesterday, Palmer brought back a limited-edition cake—a rare and high-end treat that's nearly impossible to find. I couldn't resist having an extra slice."
"Just one extra slice shouldn't cause this, right?" Kousei had never heard of such a thing.
Though Kousei was curious about the real reason, McQueen's fierce glare warned her not to pry.
"What should we do? McQueen can't perform. Should we ask Senior Fuji to step in?" Leo Durban suggested tentatively.
"That wouldn't solve the problem," Kousei pointed out. "McQueen can't perform because her costume doesn't fit anymore. Even if Senior Fuji came, she'd face the same issue."
Unintentionally, Kousei had once again struck a sore spot for McQueen.
"Then what's the solution?"
"Don't worry. We'll adjust the positions. I'll cover McQueen's part."
The performance itself wasn't the concern. What worried them was the disappointment of the fans who had come specifically to see McQueen. They would surely be disappointed if she didn't appear.
But this was unavoidable.
Beneath the stage, the crowd buzzed with anticipation.
"I thought the performance would be canceled after Teio's injury."
"Yeah, even without Teio, at least we have McQueen."
"I heard they're performing a new song this time. I'm really looking forward to it."
"Still, Teio did win the Triple Crown. It would have been perfect if she were here."
Two fans, waving their glowsticks, whispered to each other. Nearby, someone was bundled up so tightly that only a strand of golden hair peeked out from under their hat. Though their face was hidden, their elegant aura hinted at extraordinary beauty.
"I'm here for you, Kousei," Gold City murmured from the audience, her eyes shining with anticipation.
"Yo~ Good job~" Tokai Teio called cheerfully from her VIP box on the second floor as McQueen stepped onto the stage.
McQueen shot Teio a playful glare. "Only you could come up with something like this."
"Hehe, don't be mad. You agreed to it, didn't you?"
McQueen decided not to dwell on it. The two settled in to wait for the performance to begin.
"Huh? Where's McQueen?"
One by one, the Umamusume took their places on the stage—all except Kousei. The audience began to notice something was amiss. Why hadn't McQueen appeared yet?
"Is McQueen not coming out?"
The moment those words were spoken, a palpable unease rippled through the audience. On stage, Leo Durban and the other Umamusume exchanged worried glances. McQueen had been brought in to fill the void left by Teio's absence, and now that she too was nowhere to be seen, the crowd's emotions threatened to boil over.
The arena plunged into darkness. A spotlight pierced the gloom, illuminating a single, extraordinary Umamusume as she glided onto the stage. The restless crowd fell silent, utterly captivated by the radiant figure bathed in light.
"I remember her."
"I've seen her before."
"I recognize her."
At the Hopeful Stakes, on magazine covers, in overlooked corners, her presence lingered in their memories.
As the music swelled, Kousei began to dance with effortless grace to the rhythm. Her movements flowed like moonlight on still water, as delicate as a lotus blossom unfolding on a pond. Her steps were light and airy, her skirt swirling with each pirouette. She was the sole focus of attention, transforming into a constellation of stars adorning the night sky. Not even the legendary celestial fairies could rival her radiance.
The earlier concern over McQueen's absence vanished from their minds. Every eye was fixed on this enchanting dancer. Her eyes, as luminous as distant stars, glittered with an irresistible allure, drawing all gazes into their radiant depths.
In the next instant, Kousei abruptly tore off her dance dress.
Beneath it was an entirely different outfit, eliciting gasps of surprise from the audience and visibly shocking the other Umamusume on stage.
"It's alright! Don't panic!" Leo Durban whispered discreetly, calming the other Umamusume. "Kousei said that no matter what happens, we just need to keep dancing!" Though the audience couldn't fully grasp what was happening, they were undeniably captivated by Kousei's actions.
The blue-and-white color scheme seemed strangely familiar.
With a graceful turn, a fluid twist of her waist, and a fleeting upward glance, the starry brilliance shattered, replaced by an aura of icy resolve. Her hand closed around an imaginary hilt, as if wielding a longsword, her posture radiating heroic vigor.
As the Sword Dance began, a subtle force seemed to flow through her movements. Bizarrely, the crisp ring of clashing blades echoed in the air. The familiar flexibility and strength in each step and gesture told a wordless story, gradually bringing that hidden will to life.
Someone swallowed hard, involuntarily whispering, "Tokai... Teio?"
That's right, the blue and white color scheme was identical to Tokai Teio's race uniform.
They know "you" aren't here, and I know "you" aren't here, but I'm determined to tell the world that "you" are here!
The dance steps intensified, each movement sharp and powerful. The Derby's spirited vigor, the Kikuka Sho's all-out effort—this was the Winner's Stage for the strongest Umamusume, and "she" was right here!
With a sudden shift in the choreography, an arm raised high, drawing the audience's gaze to the second floor.
The two Umamusume on stage remained absorbed in their performance, momentarily unaware of the commotion. But the crowd erupted in frenzied shouts: "Tokai Teio!"
Yes, the strongest, most invincible Umamusume—she is right here.
How could such a nonsensical situation exist? How could Mejiro McQueen make such a rookie mistake? She knew this was an attempt to win "attention" for her, but there were lines she couldn't let them cross.
As the dance concluded, unnoticed by the crowd, the performer on stage took her final bow.
"This dance is dedicated to my dearest friend."
Amidst the enthusiastic cheers of the crowd, Gold City's gaze lingered on the retreating figure, a soft smile playing on her lips. "Looks like I was meddling unnecessarily."
One pair of eyes remained steadfastly fixed on the performance, only shifting to Tokai Teio after the last glimmer of silver had vanished from the stage.
"Kousei... So that's what it means. Now I finally understand."
Pushing through the throng, she was the first to exit the theater. The setting sun bathed her face, casting aside her disguise to reveal her stunning beauty.
Gold City gazed at the horizon ablaze with twilight hues, her voice tinged with wonder. "Turns out, sunsets are just as breathtaking as sunrises."
In high spirits, she immediately dialed her most trusted manager.
"Can you arrange a dance instructor for me?"
"Of course, but why the sudden interest in dancing?"
Gold City glanced back at the bustling theater, then let her gaze drift deeper. "On a whim."
We will meet again someday.