"Why are you here, you creep?"
"Don't be so harsh, Brian-kun~ In a way, we're comrades, aren't we?"
"No, I'm not your comrade. Onee-san told me to stay far away from you."
"That's so hurtful! I just wanted to observe the 'Monster' up close and see how powerful you truly are."
Narita Brian glared irritably at Kousei, completely at a loss for how to handle Agnes Tachyon, who was standing nearby swinging her sleeve.
"Why did you have to provoke this girl?"
Kousei selectively revealed parts of Agnes Tachyon's story, claiming Tachyon was helping him test data. Since it was for Narita Brian's training, he didn't elaborate further, though their relationship didn't suddenly improve.
"Come on! Let me see how you and your most compatible Umamusume react together!"
They ran side by side.
"Oya? Truly worthy of being called a 'Monster.' Even standing on the sidelines, I feel a chill down my spine. Brian, let me study you!"
"Tch! I refuse! Today's side-by-side run is over. I'm leaving now."
Narita Brian didn't want to linger with Tachyon, who watched her receding figure with a hint of confusion.
"Has she always been this shy?"
Perhaps shyness wasn't the reason, Tachyon thought.
Tachyon glanced back at Kousei. "Even though we ran in parallel, she still finished five horse lengths ahead. That's quite a gap."
"Yeah, even though T and Sirius keep emphasizing Narita Brian, and I've raced her many times, I still can't figure her out. I'm clearly not the same type of Umamusume as her, so what exactly is T thinking?"
This frustrating sense of being blocked by mist, unable to move forward, was more agonizing than defeat.
"I'll send you the data later. Here, take this massage oil. It's homemade, but I guarantee it's exceptionally effective—and it's gardenia-scented."
Kousei accepted the oil, her heart pounding with apprehension. "Are you sure it's safe?"
At least it's not glowing in rainbow colors. It should be safe enough, right?
"Hehe~ I've gathered so much data today. May I borrow your 'treasures' for a bit longer?"
With that, Tachyon left the Training Track. Kousei stood there, bewildered. Recent training sessions had been ending unusually early, leaving her unsure how to spend her time.
After training sessions, Kousei usually engaged in self-directed practice. If she didn't keep moving, her mind tended to wander into unproductive thoughts.
Recently, T had strictly forbidden self-directed training, seemingly to give Kousei more time for contemplation.
"Speaking of which, I haven't seen Sirius in ages. I wonder what she's been up to?"
Kousei gazed up at the sky, watching the clouds drift lazily by.
Outside the cafeteria
Kousei clumsily fumbled with her phone.
"This should look decent enough, right?"
She snapped a photo of the parfait in front of her. Though her photography skills left much to be desired, Kousei herself was quite satisfied with the result.
"I'll just upload this to UG as is."
(SpyNote: Umastagram)
Seizing the rare opportunity, Kousei decided to experience something girls her age typically do. After all, she had only ever known training and felt she was missing out on the vibrancy of youth.
As it was her first attempt at online interaction, Kousei felt a nervous flutter in her chest. After carefully clicking "upload," she hurriedly turned off the screen.
"I wonder if anyone will even see it?"
Kousei's ears twitched inward, and her tail swayed back and forth.
"Alright, time to dig into this parfait."
She picked up the silver spoon, about to dig in, when a voice suddenly interrupted her.
"Hello! Can I have this parfait?"
The unfamiliar voice carried a slight accent, yet it felt strangely familiar. Kousei looked up to see a black Umamusume with a bright smile, her eyes blinking at her.
Though Kousei couldn't possibly know every Umamusume, this one felt entirely foreign to her.
"Hello~"
Seeing Kousei's lack of response, the black Umamusume waved her hand and repeated the question.
"Please, go ahead..."
Kousei pushed the parfait forward. The black Umamusume's face lit up instantly as she sat down opposite Kousei.
While Kousei was still trying to figure out who she was, the black Umamusume had already started devouring the parfait with gusto.
"You're so kind, treating me to this parfait!" she mumbled through a mouthful of parfait.
The Umamusume was genuinely grateful to Kousei, though it hardly counted as a treat.
"Sorry! I don't have any money to buy anything, so meeting someone like you is such a blessing. Oh, right, introductions! I'm Twilight Cloud, and as you can see, I'm an Umamusume!"
"I'm Kousei," Kousei replied, "also an Umamusume."
Twilight Cloud's eyes widened at the mention of Kousei's name.
"You're Kousei! I've seen your races."
"Huh?"
Could I really be meeting a fan or a junior here? Twilight Cloud didn't exactly look like a senpai.
"So that's it... You're Kousei," Twilight Cloud muttered to herself, her words enigmatic.
"Heh~" Twilight Cloud chuckled, her smile as cunning as a fox's.
"Actually, I'm new here and not very familiar with the place. Would you mind showing me around, Senpai?" Twilight Cloud gave Kousei a pitiful look, as if on the verge of tears.
"You're not expecting me to treat you, are you?"
"Please, Senpai! I'll pay you back!"
After some hesitation, Kousei finally agreed. I have nothing else to do anyway, so I might as well show Twilight Cloud around. It's my duty as a senpai, after all.
Thus, the pair walked side-by-side down the street.
"Did you just join Tracen?"
"Mmm... about that."
Kousei felt a surge of warmth. So I really am a senpai now, even though I'm still just a beginner-level Umamusume myself.
"How does it feel to be at Tracen?"
"It feels amazing! There are so many unique Umamusume here; I can't resist the urge to race against them," Twilight Cloud said, licking her lips. "Especially those two."
On the massive poster, familiar profiles loomed:
The Most Anticipated Spring Tenno Sho in History: Heaven vs. Earth
McQueen and Teio stood side by side on the poster, their arrogance undiminished. The Twins' first clash was naturally highly anticipated.
"McQueen and Teio? Is it already starting?"
This race held immense significance for McQueen. Not only was it a chance to prove her Glory, but it was also the long-awaited first showdown against Teio.
In every sense, this race was the center of attention. Even imagining the two competing set hearts racing.
"Hey! Our senpais are really strong, right?" Kousei asked, completely absorbed in the moment and oblivious to the subtle excitement in Twilight Cloud's voice.
"They're terrifyingly strong—so strong it inspires awe."
Kousei wouldn't miss this race. As McQueen's dearest friend, she wanted to witness this legendary moment firsthand at the racetrack.
"That's good. It doesn't matter who wins anyway."
Twilight Cloud stared intently at the poster, her eyes as deep and bottomless as an Abyss.