"Mejiro McQueen breaks through in the final 2000 meters! The winner is Mejiro McQueen! Congratulations to Mejiro McQueen for securing the first crown of the Classic Triple Crown and claiming the title of the fastest Umamusume of her generation!"
Kousei gasped for breath, defeated by McQueen once again. Since awakening her full potential, McQueen had grown even stronger. With her innate talent unleashed, nothing could halt the wheels of the White Chariot.
Kousei had hoped that intensive training would narrow the gap between them, but as expected, those with true talent never rest on their laurels.
This first loss in the Triple Crown was Kousei's bitter reality.
McQueen wasn't the only formidable Umamusume of their generation. Even though McQueen considered Kousei her rival, the Classic Triple Crown ultimately wasn't a stage for just the two of them. Or perhaps, it simply wasn't Kousei's stage at all.
"Accept reality and keep moving forward steadily."
Now was McQueen's time. Kousei walked alone toward the losers' tunnel.
As a Triple Crown contender herself, McQueen already commanded significant attention, especially given the legendary foundation laid by Teio. Having witnessed such a legend, people now fantasized about what would happen if McQueen also conquered the Triple Crown.
By the time the Classic Grade arrived, Kousei and McQueen would be the Twins, both vying for the Triple Crown. The clash of these two powerhouses was sure to set hearts racing.
After her defeat in the first race, Kousei immediately resumed training upon returning to the Academy. She could accept losing to McQueen, but she refused to do nothing about it.
"If I lost to McQueen, it means my training isn't enough," she muttered, her gaze fixed on her dad's training plan, clearly deep in thought.
"I've already finished today's training. I shouldn't push myself too hard." Though her mind told her this, a persistent voice inside her whispered, "My body hasn't reached its limit yet. Another session wouldn't hurt. Perhaps dad underestimated my growth rate."
As if trying to convince herself, Kousei repeated the thought over and over.
"Just one more lap..."
Under the rising moon, Kousei returned to the dormitory covered in mud. Fuji Kiseki greeted her with mild surprise. "Kousei? Didn't you head straight to training after getting back? What took you so long?"
"I got a little hungry, so I went to the cafeteria for a snack," Kousei replied.
Though Fuji Kiseki didn't fully believe her explanation, she let Kousei return to her room without further questions.
"Remember, don't push yourself too hard, okay?" Fuji Kiseki cautioned, sounding like an older sister.
"I know," Kousei replied.
Back in her dorm room, Kousei kicked off her sneakers and rubbed her aching ankle. "Did I overdo it?"
Even for Kousei, that training intensity had been excessive. She'd initially planned to run just one extra lap, but as she ran, she lost track of time. By the time she realized how late it was, her feet were throbbing.
"This hurts," she sighed. Recalling the foot fatigue ointment McQueen had given her earlier, she immediately applied it. "Hopefully it won't be anything serious."
Kousei lay in bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. "What was I even rushing for?"
The next morning, Kousei's first act upon waking was to check her ankle. Relief washed over her when she found it unharmed.
"Exactly! My health is my greatest weapon."
For an Umamusume, injury is the worst possible setback. It not only harms their physical condition but also leaves irreversible mental scars. Once the heart is shackled, it becomes difficult to run freely again.
Kousei headed to the training grounds. "This time, I absolutely can't be impatient. I need to trust dad."
After psyching herself up, Kousei began her daily training.
Time flew by, and the session ended quickly. Though she still had energy to spare, she decided not to push herself further.
"Time to head back," she muttered to herself.
As Kousei turned toward the dormitory, she noticed someone watching her intently from the edge of the training grounds.
When did they get here? Was I too focused to notice anyone?
To her surprise, it was none other than Sirius Symboli, whom she had met briefly before.
"You'll never beat Mejiro McQueen training like this," Sirius declared bluntly.
Kousei frowned. This training regimen had been custom-designed by her dad, and Sirius's words felt like a direct insult to his expertise.
"What's wrong? Do you have a problem with my dad's plan?"
"There's nothing wrong with the plan itself. It's perfectly suited for you. But you're still too far behind."
"What do you mean?"
"Figure it out yourself. Think about what crucial element you're missing."
With that enigmatic remark, Sirius turned and left. Kousei knew deep down that she was indeed lacking something fundamental—not a technical skill, but something more abstract.
Come to think of it, why did she seek me out in the first place?
Sirius Symboli... what a strange person.
Kousei tossed and turned, unable to sleep. She couldn't tell if it was the upcoming Japanese Derby or Sirius's words that kept her awake.
With such a short interval between the Satsuki Prize and the Derby, Kousei needed to quickly recover and maintain her daily training. Yet the more she tried to focus, the harder it became to fall asleep.
Since Kousei had a single room, there was space for a television. She finally gave up trying to sleep, got up, and switched it on.
It was late-night programming, and two hosts were discussing the Classic Triple Crown.
"Mejiro McQueen recently won the Satsuki Prize. The Mejiro Family's Young Lady is on a roll. What are your thoughts on her?"
"Heh, that's certainly exciting news. But McQueen's true target is likely the Spring Tenno Sho. The Classic Triple Crown is merely a stepping stone for her."
"Oh? Are you suggesting McQueen wasn't giving her all in the Triple Crown races?"
"You must know that McQueen excels at middle to long distances. Ultimately, she's strongest at the long distance. After winning the Satsuki Prize, do you really think any other Umamusume can truly be considered her rival?"
"That may be true, but doesn't Mejiro McQueen already have a rival? Kousei, who ran neck and neck with her in the Hopeful Stakes, seems to be someone McQueen herself intends to treat as her arch-rival."
"Kousei? I watched that race. To be honest, her performance was quite impressive and eye-catching. However, her performance in the Satsuki Prize was underwhelming. I suspect that earlier race was just a flash in the pan. Besides, she didn't even win, did she?"
"Ultimately, the only true rival for the Twins can be another Twin. Only an undefeated Genius can dethrone a shining Elite. I think we're better off focusing on the upcoming battle of the Classic Grade Triple Crowns."
Kousei curled up on her bed, silent as she listened to the entire program. The television switched to the next broadcast, but her gaze drifted aimlessly into the distance, her thoughts inscrutable.