His gentle eyes twinkled with warmth, and a soft smile graced his lips. As if he had long anticipated Kousei's arrival, he stood there, radiating tender affection.
Kousei had never imagined she would see him here. She swallowed hard and asked tentatively, "Father?"
Her father chuckled softly. "It seems we've been apart for too long if my own daughter doesn't recognize me anymore."
Only after hearing his confirmation did Kousei dare to believe the man before her was truly her father.
"How did you end up here?" she asked, her confusion evident.
"Heh~ Does a father need a reason to miss his daughter?"
"Not exactly, but... it's business hours. Can Mother manage the shop alone at the shop? And..."
Kousei glanced at the Chairman, who sat leisurely fanning herself, seemingly unconcerned with the situation.
Why would he come here? Kousei wondered inwardly, but she didn't voice the question. She knew her father's temperament; even if she asked, he probably wouldn't answer.
"It's alright, it's alright. This is a rare opportunity. Come, let's take a walk together, just the two of us."
"Huh? But my leave application..."
"I've already applied for you," Dad said with a smile, gently pushing Kousei through the Gate. As he stepped over the threshold, the Chairman gave him a solemn look, pausing what she was doing.
Kousei noticed that Sirius, who had brought her here, had vanished. She couldn't help but wonder, "Could the 'gift' she mentioned be Dad? If so, she must know about his past with Mom."
Thoughts of Sirius filled Kousei's mind, blinding her to her father's gaze and the vertically slit pupils hidden within his eyes.
At first, Kousei felt a little awkward. Since growing up, she had rarely spent time alone with her father, and she wasn't as lively as she had been as a child.
Fortunately, Dad was still the same kind and cheerful man she remembered. His loving smile and easygoing nature gradually helped Kousei reconnect with her childhood feelings. Little by little, she relaxed and fully immersed herself in this rare "Companionship Day."
They visited the amusement park she had always dreamed of going to as a child, browsed shops for quirky accessories like glasses that shot out eyeballs, and even took a boat ride on Swan Lake. Kousei had a wonderful time, leaving all her accumulated worries behind.
Feeling a little tired from playing, Kousei stopped at the food cart where she used to buy drinks with McQueen and Teio.
Her father noticed her lingering gaze at the cart and understood. "Tired from playing? Want something to drink? What would you like, Kousei?"
Kousei pondered for a moment. "I'll have a Bubble Tea."
Her father went to buy the drinks while Kousei gazed absently at the cart. It's been so long since I last saw Teio. I wonder how her leg injury is doing.
As she was thinking this, Kousei suddenly felt someone watching her. Following the gaze, she saw a kind-looking elderly woman leaning on a white cane, seemingly waiting for someone.
Grandma appears to be blind. Was that just my imagination? Kousei frowned, frustrated that even her perception seemed to be failing her now.
"Isn't that Grandma Yako? Long time no see!" Kousei's father said as he returned with the Bubble Teas.
Hearing his voice, Grandma Yako smiled gently. "Heh heh~ You've grown up so much. Your voice has gained such strength and presence."
Grandma Yako approached, navigating the bustling crowd despite it not being peak hour. Kousei, initially concerned, hesitated to offer assistance, but Grandma Yako moved with a grace that belied her blindness, effortlessly avoiding hurried pedestrians as she slowly made her way toward them.
"Here," Kousei's father said, handing her the Bubble Tea.
Kousei accepted the drink, her gaze shifting between her father and Grandma Yako. "Why are you running into so many people you know today, Dad?" she wondered.
Kousei could sense her father's deep respect for Grandma Yako, who appeared to be an ordinary, kindly elderly woman. Could she be Dad's former teacher? Kousei mused.
"It's been years since we last met. You're married with a child now. Is this lovely young lady your daughter? She looks just like her mother did when she was young." As Grandma Yako spoke, her clouded, sightless eyes turned toward Kousei, a flicker of tender affection shimmering within their milky depths.
Kousei blinked in surprise. Her father chuckled proudly. "That's right. This is my wonderful daughter."
Hearing her father's proud words, Kousei lowered her head, a blush of embarrassment coloring her cheeks. She hadn't won a single race since her Debut Race, a fact that weighed heavily on her conscience.
Yet a question lingered in Kousei's mind. She glanced stealthily at Grandma Yako, wondering, How did she know I was here? How did she find me?
The encounter seemed purely coincidental. After a brief chat with her father, Grandma Yako prepared to leave. As she turned to go, she affectionately patted Kousei's head.
"Do your best," she said kindly.
"Huh?" Kousei blinked.
As dusk settled, Kousei and her father walked toward the Tracen Academy gate.
"Dad, I had a wonderful day today," Kousei said. "Thank you. Please give my best regards to Mom."
A smile crinkled the corners of her father's eyes as he quietly observed her. "You're not quite as lively as you were when you were little."
Whether she liked it or not, his daughter was steadily growing up.
"Sounds like you're trying to shoo your poor old dad away," he teased, feigning utter heartbreak.
"Huh? But it's almost dark! Even family members aren't allowed to stay on campus after curfew."
Her father straightened up. "You're right. But before we go, I want to take you somewhere."
Kousei felt a twinge of unease. "I can't shake this feeling that something's off today."
Following her father, they arrived at an old, run-down classroom building Kousei had never seen before. It was so dilapidated, the Academy should have abandoned it long ago.
"Looks like we'll need to do some cleaning," her father remarked.
Though aged, the building wasn't structurally unsound, and inside, only a layer of dust had accumulated.
"We're here," her father announced.
A faded photograph was taped to the training room door, showing her parents in their youth.
"Want to see your mom and dad's old training room?"
Of course she did. Kousei nodded without hesitation.
But inside, she found the room almost completely empty, save for a few posters and scattered odds and ends.
Kousei's face fell. "This isn't what I expected at all."
She had hoped to uncover some secret about her parents here, or at least glimpse some lingering memories. Instead, it was disappointingly ordinary.
Dad, completely oblivious to Kousei's mood, had barged into the room and immediately started rummaging through drawers and cabinets, seemingly searching for something specific.
"Dad, are you just trying to help me relax today?" Kousei finally asked, the question she'd been holding in all day.
Though a bit slow on the uptake, Kousei could still sense her father's well-intentioned efforts.
"Oh? What do you think, Kousei?" Dad replied absently, continuing his search.
"I don't know, but something feels strange today. Sirius, the Chairman, even Grandma Yako—everyone I've encountered seems to be watching me."
Dad paused his rummaging for a moment before resuming. "My daughter truly is loved by many."
"Huh?"
Why is everyone saying things I don't understand today? Kousei wondered.
"Ah! Found it!" Dad exclaimed, as if he'd uncovered a hidden treasure.
He carefully wiped away the dust to reveal a Trainer's badge.
"After all these years, it's just been gathering dust."
"Yeah, it's a beautiful badge," Kousei agreed.
"Hmm, I never thought I'd wear this again after all these years."
Dad pinned the Trainer's badge to his chest, gently stroking it as if reuniting with an old friend he hadn't seen in ages. A sudden realization dawned on Kousei, yet she still struggled to believe it.
"Dad..."
"No, not Dad," he corrected, looking earnestly at her. "I'm your Trainer now."
Just as I suspected!
"But... why did Dad have to come back? Didn't you and Mom dream of running Kasuga House together? What about Mom if you're here?"
I can't... I can't burden my parents.
As if anticipating her question, Dad spoke softly, "Still asking why? It's all because of my foolish daughter."
"It's because of me again!" Kousei's heart ached. "Why do I always fail?"
"I couldn't stand it anymore."
"Huh?"
"I couldn't stand Central's methods, or those incessant blabbermouths. I came here to shut them up—to show them what kind of Umamusume my daughter truly is."
"But... but..."
"This was a decision your mother and I made together. Kasuga House used to be our most precious treasure, but that changed the moment you were born."
Those words silenced all protests, leaving a bitter mix of heartache and guilt swirling in the chest.
"You have such wonderful friends," he said.
Eyes burned with unshed tears. The urge to cry was fiercely suppressed.
"Can I win?"
"What's wrong? Have you reached the age where you doubt yourself?"
A dad's love is never rational; it's a deep, chaotic devotion. If the world turns against you, he'll stand defiant against it.
"Kousei. I want to be your exclusive Trainer. Will you join me in going beyond the peak?"
The childhood dream she'd always voiced—he always said it for her.
It had nothing to do with talent. "I've always been his greatest masterpiece."
Unable to read Kousei's expression, the girl remained silent. Clenching her fists, she nodded stubbornly, just as she had as a child.
Her father opened his arms, as if welcoming his daughter home. In that long-awaited embrace, Kousei threw herself into it.
Years ago, he fought for his wife. Now, for his daughter, this man once again stepped onto the battlefield.
"Why did Dad come back?"
"To protect my daughter."