"That's right, an expedition. Back then, the once-invincible Sirius set its sights abroad. Led by the young Emperor and boasting powerhouses like Sirius herself, everyone naturally expected them to achieve great success, perhaps even claim the coveted championship.
Yet this team, burdened with such immense expectations, ultimately suffered a crushing defeat."
"What?" Kousei and Cafe exclaimed in disbelief.
"Yes, Sirius didn't win a single race and returned to Central in disgrace," Tachyon emphasized, her eyes gleaming with intensity.
Kousei frowned deeply, clearly struggling to accept this truth.
This was Symboli Rudolf's symbol and Sirius's symbol combined—the pride of Symboli, who had never lost a race, had failed so utterly. And with other strong members on the team, how could they have suffered such a humiliating defeat?
"What happened during that competition?" Kousei asked.
"That remains a mystery. Everyone involved tacitly agreed to keep silent, sealing the Emperor's failure as a permanent secret. After returning home, Sirius quietly disbanded, and its members gradually left the racetrack. The injuries to Sirius' legs symbolized the breakdown of her relationship with Rudolf, and they parted ways. Sirius faded into the background, while Rudolf ascended to the throne as the current Student Council President."
It sounded like the expedition from years ago wasn't just about losing a race. Something must have happened to cause Sirius and Rudolf, once the closest of friends, to sever their bonds.
Speaking of which, when Sirius helped Kousei back then, she made a request: that Kousei would one day return the favor.
"How did the Seishun Cup feel to you?"
Kousei looked up, puzzled. Tachyon maintained her unchanging smile, but something had shifted.
Kousei's intuition rarely failed her. This eccentric Umamusume, Agnes Tachyon, didn't seem to know the inside story as she claimed—or at least, she wasn't revealing the whole truth.
The conversation was taking an odd turn, prompting Kousei to adopt a more serious tone.
"It felt like just a prelude, like dark clouds gathering before a storm. A mere warning. Something's going to happen after the Seishun Cup."
Originally, Kousei hadn't felt this way, but after hearing Tachyon's words, she now had a new perspective on Central's attitude toward Kashimoto Riko.
"I wonder if Teio knows anything about this."
As the team's core member and representative, Tokai Teio might know more than Kousei.
"Tachyon, how did you find out about this?"
"Hmm, I heard it from Guinea Pig-kun."
"Guinea Pig-kun?" Even though Tachyon insisted she wasn't joking, Kousei couldn't help but wonder if she really wasn't.
"Forgive my boldness, but is 'Guinea Pig-kun' an affectionate nickname?" Kousei asked, still unsure of the exact relationship between Guinea Pig-kun and Tachyon.
"Ah?" After a brief silence, Tachyon replied, "Yes, of course. It's definitely an affectionate nickname."
Ah, the scent of a lie.
"Who's racing next?" Tachyon asked, perhaps to change the subject.
"Twin Turbo. It's showtime. Twin Turbo will face Bitter Glasse, and Teio will race Rudolf."
"Triple Crown against Triple Crown, huh? They'll need the chance to compete first, right?"
Kousei paused. "That's right. We've already lost two matches. If Twin Turbo loses again, the competition is over."
"Are you confident? Didn't you say those two were exceptionally strong?"
"I don't know, but I choose to believe in Twin Turbo."
"And if she fails?"
"We'll deal with that later."
Hearing Kousei's response, Tachyon smiled silently. Visiting hours were up, and Kousei and Cafe had to leave.
As they were about to depart, Tachyon suddenly called out, "If you need information, go find Digital. She knows everything about the Umamusume."
Kousei remembered Digital and nodded in acknowledgment.
After the pair left, a nurse watched them intently as they walked away.
"Thank you for your help, Cafe."
"No problem. If I didn't come, only two people would be here to visit her anyway."
Cafe smiled. "Good luck in the race."
"Mm."
The two parted ways formally, and Kousei nonchalantly headed to the Training Track. Everyone was helping Twin Turbo train; tomorrow's race was crucial. McQueen and Teio took turns pacing her—a level of support unmatched anywhere in Tracen.
"Damn you, Tokai Teio!"
Twin Turbo roared, gasping for breath as Tokai Teio crossed the finish line ahead of her.
It was hard to tell how many times this had happened, but judging by their banter, Twin Turbo hadn't won a single race yet.
Just a Way noticed Kousei first. "Where have you been? You're so late!"
Just a Way quietly called Kousei over. As her roommate, she knew Kousei always went for a morning run, but she had never been late before. Whether for training or any scheduled activity, Kousei was always punctual.
"It's nothing. I just met a friend."
Just a Way sensed something was bothering Kousei. "What's wrong? You've been acting strange ever since Urara's race, and today it's even worse."
Kousei didn't answer immediately, turning to look at the three focused on training. "Way, what do you think of the Management Education Program?"
"The starting point was good, but the methods were wrong."
"What about Acting Chairman Kashimoto?"
Just a Way seemed momentarily taken aback, but quickly regained her composure when she realized Kousei wasn't focused on her.
"The same applies to her."
Seeing Kousei's silence, Just a Way asked, "Why are you asking about this?"
"I'm not entirely sure myself. I just feel inexplicably restless."
This feeling was familiar, like the one she'd had before the Japan Cup—the sense that something was hurtling toward her.
"Who is it? Who's the enemy?"
What exactly was the Seishun Cup aiming for?