"Since that's the case, I'll get straight to the point. What do you..."
Morgan waved her hand, cutting Kousei off. "No need. I accept."
Morgan's decisiveness actually made Kousei somewhat wary.
"Really? I heard you're a bounty hunter who plunders everywhere and is as greedy as Fafner. If you need money, I can give you some. Didn't you just lose a huge sum?"
Kousei's merchandise sold very well, and her bounties were substantial, though not quite in the top ten of all time.
"I like money, but not this time," Morgan said with unusual firmness.
"Why?"
"Because this is Caesar's request. I will honor our agreement."
"I thought our cooperation didn't cover this part."
"Think what you want. I have nothing more to say to you. Just leave Rice Shower to me." Morgan had no intention of continuing the conversation. As she walked away, a hint of disappointment crossed her face.
Kousei didn't try to stop her. After all, she and Morgan truly had nothing more to discuss.
After Morgan left...
"That's great! Now we shouldn't have to worry about Rice Shower," Twilight Cloud said, sounding overjoyed.
"How can you be so sure?"
"Even though I don't like that woman, her skills are the real deal." Even Twilight Cloud couldn't deny Morgan's abilities.
Kousei knew better than anyone what Rice Shower needed most right now: the courage to confront Malice. To put it bluntly, Morgan was Malice itself.
"Of course, the Senpai who beat her is even more amazing~" Twilight Cloud seized the opportunity to praise Kousei again.
"You always say that," Kousei replied, a little exasperated.
"I'm just speaking the truth! By the way, Senpai, do you want to know why Morgan always looks so grumpy these days?"
"Oh? Tell me."
"Maybe it's because she knows she'll never get a chance to take revenge on you in this lifetime."
A ripple of emotion stirred within Kousei. In the past, she would have welcomed any challenger. Now, she couldn't even manage a parallel run. No wonder Morgan had looked so disappointed earlier.
Noticing the change in Kousei's expression, Twilight Cloud quickly added, "Anyway, Senpai, you've been running for so long. Just take a break now. Think of it as getting an early taste of retirement life."
"Retirement, huh..." Kousei murmured, gazing up at the sky. That word had once felt so distant.
"You're right. People should leave the stage when their time is up. After all... the story from here on isn't ours anymore."
Kousei figured it wouldn't be bad to use this time to relax. She could focus on her health or go watch a baseball game with McQueen—a chance to rest and recuperate for the final moments.
Time flew, and three months passed in the blink of an eye.
Kousei's condition had stabilized. As long as she avoided strenuous exercise, she was fine. McQueen's rehabilitation was also progressing smoothly. She was steadily reclaiming her peak form, her legs enduring the progressively intense training without complaint.
After a brief adjustment period, Palmer and the others' training also got on track. Everything was moving in the right direction.
"YEAH!!! Palmer's a total success☆ Now she's in perfect form! The Takarazuka Kinen is practically in the bag! Clap, clap—"
"Hehe~ I'll do my best."
Though Palmer said this, she didn't refuse Helios's praise.
"You've definitely gotten way stronger, Palmer," Gold City said. "And... it feels like something about you has changed. Hasn't it?"
"I feel like Palmer's a little different now, too," Jordan chimed in from the side.
"Hehe~ You're exaggerating~ I'm still me," Palmer chuckled happily.
"Exactly! Palmer is Palmer!" Helios added, grabbing Palmer's hand with an equally cheerful grin.
Gold City and Jordan exchanged a glance and smiled. "Never mind."
Just then, Speedstar approached them. "You now have everything you need to win the Takarazuka Memorial. For the rest of the time, just focus on maintenance training. The most important thing is to rest your body and enter the race in peak condition."
"Yes, thank you for your guidance during this time," Palmer said with a slight bow. Helios mimicked her gesture.
"Ah, no, no need for that," Speedstar quickly waved her hands. She wasn't used to people being so friendly with her.
Gold City studied Speedstar, thinking, So this is Kousei's current companion... They're really not on the same level at all...
A powerful ally, but an equally dangerous enemy.
"By the way, have any of you seen Kousei?" Speedstar asked.
Palmer and Helios exchanged a glance, then shrugged to indicate they didn't know. Gold City, however, seemed to recall something and murmured to herself, "Right... it's already today..."
The others looked confused for a moment before realization dawned on their faces.
Today, Hanshin Racecourse was roaring with its largest crowd since the disastrous Japan Cup. The reason was simple: Contrail was running in the Osaka Cup.
Kousei walked openly into the racetrack. The impact of the "foreign invasion" had faded with time, and the emergence of a new Triple Crown Winner had completely captured Central's enthusiasm and attention.
Contrail's appearance was profoundly significant. Central was facing both internal turmoil and external threats—a true dark age. Frequent incidents plagued the domestic scene, and the Japan Cup defeat had only made matters worse.
In this black era, with a severe talent gap between generations, everyone was gripped by panic and uncertainty. The Undefeated Triple Crown Winner was like a beacon in the night, rekindling the hopes Central had lost after Bourbon's time.
Kousei watched the spectators stream past, their faces beaming with smiles. She could feel their immense expectations—an inescapable responsibility weighing down on her.
She sank into deep worry.
This was undoubtedly the most promising generation in history. The Classic Route had its Undefeated Triple Crown Winner, Contrail, while the Filly Triple Crown Route had its new Undefeated Queen, Almond Eye.
Two undefeated champions from two different paths—it was an epoch-making performance.
Due to Central's long-held traditions, Contrail, the champion of the Classic Route, received far more attention than Almond Eye. The Central Committee was also intentionally promoting her, and the title of "Commander-in-Chief" had pushed her popularity to its peak.
High-spirited, young, and valiant. Kousei mused. Few in this world could resist such temptation. Fame and fortune truly are the world's sweetest poisons, willingly consumed.
Today was Contrail's first G1 race since her Triple Crown victory. It was also Almond Eye's first G1. That's right—the champions of both routes would face off today.
No further embellishment was needed; the keywords alone, stacked together, were enough to send shivers of excitement down one's spine.
Kousei stood anxiously before the waiting room, hesitating to push the door open. Throughout her own racing career, she had never felt such indecision. Yet, here she was, truly feeling her own hesitation before her junior's race.
After a brief internal struggle, Kousei sighed and pushed open Contrail's waiting room door.