"The Derby's about to start. Nervous?"
"Not really, Dad."
A chuckle came from the other end of the line. "You haven't changed a bit. You still bottle everything up inside."
Kousei neither confirmed nor denied this, simply asking, "Will you and Mom be watching the Derby?"
"Of course! It's our precious daughter's once-in-a-lifetime stage."
A long silence hung between them.
"...Okay."
Kousei was about to hang up when her father added, "Go out there and win, but don't push yourself too hard."
"I understand, Dad."
In the locker room, Kousei stared absently at the Rudolf poster on the wall, rising onto her toes to stretch her legs. She seemed fine.
It was time to enter the track. The locker room was deserted, her Trainer nowhere to be seen. Kousei was the only Umamusume still getting dressed.
Click.
"I'm heading out."
Passing through the tunnel, Kousei stepped onto the grand stage of the Tokyo Racetrack.
"Welcome to the Japanese Derby!"
"Hoo!"
The roar of the crowd was deafening. The passion of the tens of thousands of spectators at the Tokyo Racetrack surged in waves, threatening to overwhelm Kousei even before the race began.
"Whether you're a novice or a seasoned enthusiast, cast aside your worries! This is the Tokyo Racetrack, this is the Japanese Derby—a spectacle guaranteed to satisfy every appetite! Abandon all reservations and revel in the thrill!"
"Derby! Derby! Derby!"
This was the Japanese Derby, the grandest celebration of the classic route and the pinnacle of racing frenzy. The glory of the Derby champion drew countless contenders, making it a stage worth burning one's entire life for.
Kousei took a deep, glittering breath, trying to calm the turmoil within her.
"This is the Derby... the very stage where Teio once stood."
McQueen approached with a gentle smile. "We've arrived," she said. "Our Derby."
"Our Derby?" Kousei seemed lost in thought.
"What's wrong? Didn't you get enough rest?" McQueen sensed something amiss and asked with concern.
"I'm fine. I slept well."
"Really? That's good."
McQueen turned to the grandstand. "Look at them all. They're here for us."
Kousei followed McQueen's gaze, seeing the excitement and anticipation etched on the faces of the crowd. This was the place McQueen had described to her before. As McQueen turned back, she said, "Come on, it's time. The show starring the legendary 'McQueen' is about to begin."
McQueen's outstretched hand held no hesitation. She was waiting for her dance partner.
"Alright! Let's start! At this grand festival, let's run a race that rivals the Empress herself!"
Kousei grasped McQueen's hand. If McQueen had chosen her, she would reciprocate without hesitation, even if it meant facing hostility from all sides. Besides, Kousei had never intended to lose in the first place.
Kousei pressed her fingers to her temples, closed her eyes, and murmured, "Focus! Focus!"
When she opened her eyes again, the lingering confusion had vanished. No matter her condition, Kousei would give her all on the racetrack.
McQueen smiled faintly. "I was worried she might not be in top shape, but it seems I was mistaken."
In a corner of the arena, Sirius watched Kousei's dazzling performance on the track. "Always giving it her all, no matter the situation? She's got some real talent."
Amidst the crowd of horses, a pair of eyes remained fixed on the two figures.
The luckiest Umamusume wins the Derby—the most fervent celebration and the most grueling deathmatch. Luck, by its very nature, is unpredictable. In this festival, every participant is a protagonist.
"I will win the Japanese Derby! I will claim the title of Derby Champion!"
A cool sensation brushed against her nose.
"What's this?"
Kousei extended her palm, puzzled, and looked up. A single drop of water landed in her hand, then another, and another, dotting her face.
Everyone instinctively tilted their heads upward. The sky was gradually being swallowed by ominous clouds, and Sirius frowned slightly.
The sunlight vanished, and a torrential downpour began. Within the rain, a monstrous presence materialized.
All eyes turned toward a single figure. The purple-coated Elite turned back amidst the downpour, her pupils radiating arrogance tinged with violence.
This was a final warning, delivered one last time: ahead lies hell.
Into the gate.
The Umamusume inside the starting gate were noticeably more agitated than usual, constantly shifting and pawing at the gate and the turf. This was all because Mejiro McQueen was on the track.
3!
2!
1!
Full concentration!
Bang!
The moment the gate swung open, the Umamusume surged forward. With no front-runner horse in the race, the fiercely competitive McQueen, brimming with energy, seized the lead. Kousei, however, chose not to immediately follow, instead settling into fourth or fifth position.
"In just over ten minutes, the track has deteriorated to this extent," Kousei muttered.
Her decision to hold back stemmed from the sudden downpour that had completely altered the racetrack's "ecosystem." She needed time to adapt to the changed conditions.
This was Kousei's first time running on a soft track, a completely unexpected challenge. With each step, her hoof sank into the mud as if trapped, making forward progress feel like wading through quicksand. Every stride required significantly more stamina than usual.
Still, the situation could be worse. While unfavorable, it wasn't yet critical. If conditions worsened, it would spell true disaster.
Only one Umamusume could run freely from the start: McQueen. Her powerful legs made the muddy track feel like flat ground, her overwhelming strength rendering the conditions insignificant.
"I'm getting used to it," Kousei thought. "The rain's getting heavier, and it'll only get worse. Time to challenge McQueen."
Kousei had no control over the weather. She could only adapt, ensuring the track wouldn't disrupt her rhythm, even though it meant inevitable stamina loss.
By the time Kousei finished adjusting, McQueen had already cleared the first turn, widening her lead to four lengths over second place.
"Alright! Time to close the gap!"
Seizing the opportunity, Kousei surged forward, positioning herself ahead before accelerating toward McQueen.
"Oh! As expected of an elite, maintaining her elegant front-runner position. She'll likely take this as easily as the Satsuki Prize."
"Let's hope so, but her longtime rival, Kousei, has already launched her attack. Can she replicate her Hopeful Stakes triumph? Is this a fleeting moment of glory, or does she truly have what it takes? We'll have to wait and see!"
The commentator's excitement filled the air, but Sirius's stern expression betrayed no enjoyment of the race.
"You're already here. What's the point of hiding?" Sirius said abruptly, her expression stern.
"Heh, you haven't changed a bit," Rudolf replied, stepping out from behind Sirius.
"So you came to watch the race after all," Rudolf observed.
"Don't act like you know everything," Sirius retorted, her tone sharp, but Rudolf didn't seem offended.
"I know you're here for Kousei, aren't you?" Rudolf pressed.
Sirius remained silent, tacitly confirming Rudolf's assumption.
"You're interested in that girl too?" Rudolf asked, genuine curiosity evident in her voice.
"Somewhat," Sirius admitted. "I simply find her... unique. There's something I want to ask of her."
Rudolf looked genuinely surprised. "You, asking someone for a favor? Is there truly anything you can't handle yourself, my Blood Kin?" A playful smile spread across her face.
The words "Blood Kin" seemed to strike a nerve. Sirius's veins bulged, but she suppressed her anger, instead gazing at the sky. "This rain couldn't have come at a more opportune time."
Rudolf followed her gaze upward, a hint of melancholy in her voice. "Yes," she murmured, "it feels almost destined."