Kousei pondered calmly. Both T and Sirius had been emphasizing the same question:
Who exactly am I?
Mother and Brian...
The crimson figure's face was filled with untamed defiance, her cold eyes burning with longing. The "self" lies within them.
Having opened the Forbidden Gate, what am I still lacking?
Brian had been waiting for a long time. Kousei lifted her gaze to meet her sharp, unwavering stare.
"Come on."
-
Evening
Kousei gasped for breath. Today's result was the same as always.
"Thank you for your guidance!"
Narita Brian nodded curtly, offering no further comment.
"It's getting late. Go back and rest. Remember to get your foot massages on time; don't neglect your body," Sirius reminded her.
"I know, don't worry. My body's in top shape."
After Kousei left, Sirius turned to Narita Brian. "What do you think?"
Brian closed her eyes. "What do I think? As you see, mediocre. Not bad, but not good either. At least, that's how it seems so far."
At these words, Sirius fell into deep thought.
"Don't wear that expression. The shackles of talent aren't easily broken, but there's no need to despair. That underdog foal, once dismissed, has now crossed the Forbidden Gate. Even the Derby Champion still struggles at the gate. Who says talent determines everything?"
Sirius glanced sideways, surprised. "I thought someone like you wouldn't care about others."
"I heard a little about her story from my onee-san. Even when faced with setbacks, she never stopped running." Narita Brian suddenly smiled, though only for a fleeting moment.
"What are you smiling at?"
"I'm laughing because you were right there and still couldn't hear her heart. It seems some things shatter along with hope." Narita Brian's gaze shifted from Sirius's legs to the brilliant figure departing in the distance.
"What a pity."
Lamenting something unspoken, Narita Brian left alone.
A long sigh echoed behind her after a long silence.
It was already late, and Kousei glanced worriedly at the Training Room. I wonder if T has rested yet?
She decided to go check directly. But in the Training Room, Kousei found an unexpected person.
T smiled and waved, and Kousei slowly approached, her gaze fixed on the newcomer.
"Miss Fujino..."
Fujino smiled warmly. "Long time no see, Kousei."
Intelligent and gentle—it was indeed Miss Fujino. But why was she here?
"I still have some matters to attend to. Kousei, would you like to chat with Miss Fujino for a while?"
Though caught off guard, Kousei pondered briefly before nodding.
The two left the training room together.
"Miss Fujino! Is Teio's leg okay?" Kousei asked anxiously as soon as they stepped outside.
"Yes, there are no issues. She's been diligently undergoing rehabilitation lately and seems eager to compete again."
"That's a relief," Kousei replied, feeling reassured.
"If you're concerned, I suggest you tell your friend yourself. It would mean more coming from you."
Kousei knew this, of course.
"I understand, but it's not the right time yet."
Sensing Kousei's hesitation, Miss Fujino smiled gently. "Friends don't speak like that. Do you believe that you can't be friends with someone unless you're on the same path?"
"Not exactly..."
"Then that's good. Hiding yourself will only hurt the people who matter most to you."
Hurt the people who matter most to her? Kousei paused, pondering the meaning behind Miss Fujino's words.
"Why did you come here, Miss Fujino?"
Hearing this, Miss Fujino smiled enigmatically. "Why indeed?"
The lack of an answer was an answer in itself.
-
The next day
Lunch break
Kousei pulled her bento box from under her desk. Normally, she'd just grab some bread to get by, but today was different. Today, she was going to see her friend.
Clutching the bento box nervously, Kousei approached McQueen's classroom. McQueen was calmly packing up her desk, her long absence having transformed her into an even more refined and elegant Young Lady.
It was a curious role reversal. Usually, McQueen would be the one waiting outside the classroom for Kousei; now, Kousei was waiting for McQueen.
McQueen noticed the unusual commotion both inside and outside the classroom. Glancing up, she saw Kousei holding the bento box, her gaze tinged with apprehension.
McQueen averted her eyes and smiled faintly.
As Kousei was still mulling over how to start the conversation, McQueen had already quietly approached.
"Mc..."
"Good afternoon, Kousei."
She was the epitome of a refined and elegant Young Lady, maintaining the impeccable demeanor of the Elite at all times. Yet, before Kousei, her smile turned mischievous, even a hint of cunning sparkling in her eyes, giving her an extra spark of liveliness.
In this imperfect moment, she felt reassuringly genuine.
"Good afternoon, McQueen."
She swallowed back her tension and anxiety. Relax. You're just meeting a friend.
On the rooftop, the familiar silhouettes reappeared once more.
Savoring the delicious bento box, the companionship of her dearest friend proved to be the best seasoning of all.
"I heard you found a Trainer. Congratulations," McQueen said, her mouth full but her hands never still. She ate while chatting with Kousei, the elite etiquette long forgotten.
"Heard? I thought I was the first to know."
"Exposed already? Looks like Uncle couldn't keep the secret after all."
A long-lost feeling resurfaced.
Kousei asked McQueen, "Teio is recovering and should return to the racetrack soon. McQueen, what races are you planning to enter next?"
"Oh? She's coming back? My rival~"
Kousei blushed slightly. "I don't think I can compete. My performance at the Triple Crown Races wasn't very good. Even if I wanted to enter with you, I don't have enough support. My father has already arranged other races for me. I'll be watching you and Teio from the sidelines, cheering you both on, even if I can't be on the track myself."
"And then, one day, I'll return. As your rival, standing by your side, my dearest friend."
McQueen's gaze softened. "It seems you've found something."
Kousei gazed up at the sky, shimmering with starlight. "Perhaps. Until now, everything has been beyond my understanding. The Twinkle Series is far more brutal than I imagined. But that doesn't matter. I will keep running. Even if I'm lost, I will keep running. I want to see the view from the peak, witness my rival's determined strides, and compete alongside my fellow Umamusume.
The only way to see all that is to keep running.
I will run, no matter what. Even if I struggle clumsily, I will keep running until the day I can't run anymore."
Yes, running has never been about compromise; it's about longing.
"Exactly, Kousei. Dedicate everything to running, as you always have."
The roar of my rival's heart from the Japanese Derby still echoed in my chest.
I await.
I yearn.
I will witness.
"I'll be waiting for you."