"May the Three Goddesses bless you, and may Kousei advance smoothly," Just a Way chanted repeatedly before the statues of the Three Goddesses. "May Kousei stay healthy and strong, may Way get carrots every day, and may we always be together..."
Before the opening of the NAU, Just a Way seemed even more nervous than Kousei, who hadn't raced in ages.
"Saying all that in one breath... aren't you being a little greedy?" Kousei teased.
"Shh! Don't be blasphemous!"
Kousei suddenly felt a sense of déjà vu. "It's like I've seen this before."
Holding a Crystal Ball, the superstitious Fukukitaru materialized in Kousei's mind. Come to think of it, Fukukitaru had once given Kousei a Wind Chime, said to be blessed by Great Lord Hakko. Sadly, the Wind Chime had been lost during the Takarazuka Kinen.
Due to the sudden chaos, Kousei hadn't had a chance to search for it on the racetrack. After all, a series of events had left her barely able to manage her own affairs.
"I wonder how everyone's doing..."
After recovering from her injuries, Kousei plunged into rigorous training, her schedule so packed that she had no time to think about anything else. Though she had Just a Way, Caesar, and the others for company at Northern Academy, it felt different. The most obvious difference was that Kousei no longer needed to attend classes.
Northern Academy's educational philosophy was brutally simple: the only course for Umamusume was racing. Almost every Umamusume there had a single-minded focus on running, prioritizing speed above all else and thirsting solely for victory.
Only winners were respected, and only power was pursued.
The native students were notoriously ill-tempered, but this unique educational approach allowed ill-tempered transfer students like Twilight Cloud and Speedstar to thrive like fish in water. No one cared about past glories; their sole ambition was to challenge and defeat the dazzling quartet of Caesar, and the others. If Kousei hadn't used her still-recovering body as an excuse to avoid racing, she would likely have been swamped with challenges daily.
"Counting the days, it should be Rice Shower and Bourbon's Classic Triple Crown season now."
Kousei had promised to be there in person to cheer for Rice Shower and Bourbon when they competed in the Classic Triple Crown.
Central's races were broadcast worldwide, so even if she couldn't attend in person, Kousei could still follow the Triple Crown's progress via television.
After all, this was Rice Shower and Bourbon's once-in-a-lifetime chance at the Classic Triple Crown—a moment Kousei refused to miss.
"Maybe I'll even see McQueen."
Kousei glanced at the Mejiro Family Crest lying quietly on her desk, shaking her head with a smile. She couldn't help but daydream: "Rice Shower has more talent than I ever did. She'll definitely secure a place in the Triple Crown. Running alongside Bourbon, bringing happiness to everyone—surely such a flawless dream will come true."
Kousei turned her radiant gaze toward the center, murmuring, "Give it your best, Rice."
She glanced back to find Just a Way still muttering to herself.
"Way, are you still praying? Take a break, okay?"
"Kousei, aren't you even a little nervous? If you fail, this whole year will be wasted. You'll have to wait until next year to compete again. Umamusume racing careers are precious—who knows how many years you'll be able to run for?"
Though Kousei knew her roommate harbored secrets, it didn't matter. At least Just a Way's concern was genuine. Besides, everyone around Kousei seemed to carry their own secrets—her dad, Reiko, even Tokai Teio.
Kousei had long stopped caring whether people were keeping things from her. All that mattered was following her heart.
"I might be a little nervous, but it's nothing compared to my time in Central. I understand you're worried about me, Way, but what I'm about to say isn't arrogance. I'm going to leave the Regional League and win the Arc de Triomphe. I'll bring back the highest honor no Central Umamusume has ever achieved and challenge Mejiro McQueen again, as an equal."
"Until now, I've never lost to any Umamusume except Mejiro McQueen. My body is far more mature and resilient than before. To put it bluntly, I don't believe I can lose to anyone."
Just a Way stopped what she was doing. "It's rare to hear Kousei say something like that."
"Isn't it obvious?" Kousei flashed Just a Way a bright smile. "What Umamusume would run a race expecting to lose?"
"Do you realize how many times I've been mocked?"
With each start from the gate, she firmly believed in her victory. This conviction, her so-called faith, remained unshaken by gossip or rumors.
Words are meaningless; her actions speak louder than any words.
"But next we're facing Sister Yurei. She's been so kind to us lately. And didn't Kousei say something about Sister Yurei's legs...?" Just a Way trailed off, conflicted.
"I'm grateful for Sister Yurei's kindness. She carries a heavy burden as she runs. However, showing excessive concern would be the greatest disrespect to her.
Besides, for us, words can never truly convey what's in our hearts."
The most rigorous promotion in history, as the Abyss opens its gates to the mortal realm.
"I've already decided: anyone who stands in my way will be utterly crushed!"
No mercy.