"We lost, huh? It seems I couldn't hold on in the end," Manhattan Cafe said, her face etched with guilt.
"Well, we just lost. That's all," Sunday Silence replied, standing beside Cafe. They were so similar, almost identical, but unfortunately, no one else could see them. "Don't be too down about it. If it weren't for you, I never would have had the chance to step onto the racetrack again."
Cafe examined her own body. "It looks like this is the end for me too."
She had always been mere embers, burning herself out one last time for Sunday Silence—though Tachyon's encouragement had played a part.
"Each generation brings forth new talent. Sometimes, you just have to accept you're getting old," Sunday Silence said with a smile.
They both turned to look at their juniors, their expressions filled with pride.
"Judging by their faces, it seems they're enjoying the race again."
"Winning is important, but so is enjoying the race itself."
Cafe's gaze scanned the crowd, searching for Tachyon. She spotted her hiding in a corner, up to her usual strange antics. A knowing smile touched Cafe's lips. "They were a strange bunch, but racing alongside them back then... it was truly fun."
The lingering heat of the race still pulsed in Eternal Halo's heart. It had been ages since she'd felt this way—the exhilarating sensation of sweat streaming down her face.
Her body still trembled slightly from the clash with such elite opponents. This single race had been more thrilling than all the others she'd run this year combined.
"Rice Shower..." Eternal Halo murmured, her gaze fixed on the weeping girl. Lost in thought amidst the chorus of boos, she pondered her next move.
"Halo, what are you planning to do now?" a fellow racer asked.
After a moment of deep consideration, Halo spoke. "I'm done listening to Central. I've found their races utterly meaningless."
The other racers weren't surprised. In fact, they harbored similar thoughts and had only been testing the waters to see what others would say.
"I thought so," one of them said. "The Central Committee members keep going on about Kousei, but I just can't imagine her doing something like that. There must be more to the story."
While their bond with Kousei wasn't as deep as McQueen's, there was always a special connection among those who debuted in the same year. They had long harbored doubts about the Central Committee's directives but had been unwilling to confront them.
Given the current situation, they had no choice but to re-examine their own positions.
"Well, I guess our part in this is pretty much over now," someone said, scratching their head with a resigned sigh.
That's right, they thought. The tide of a new era is rising. It's about time we stepped aside.
"At the very least, let's support the juniors who are still fighting so hard."
Their gazes returned to Rice Shower, their minds made up.
"Silence—"
Rudolf stepped forward, and the boos immediately ceased. Such chaos was unbecoming of the Tenno Sho. She stood imperiously at the pinnacle, drawing every eye.
No one dared to speak. Rice Shower wiped away her tears and met Rudolf's gaze.
"The farce ends here," Rudolf declared from her lofty position, her presence utterly commanding.
Sunday Silence's lips curled into a smirk. "That aura is as overbearing as ever. My friend, the real show is just beginning."
Before Cafe could react, Sunday Silence vanished without a trace.
"I am Symboli Rudolf, the Umamusume who stands at the apex of Central with Seven Crowns to my name. Since you wish to challenge the Student Council, I will grant you an opportunity. On the grand stage at year's end—the Arima Kinen—I will personally take the field."
Everyone was stunned. They had always known that defeating the Student Council was meaningless without defeating Rudolf herself. Yet, when Rudolf personally announced she would take the field, their hearts still trembled uncontrollably.
Symboli Rudolf—the very foundation of Central, the great legend who forged history.
"Her Majesty the Emperor!!!"
"Invincible! Her Majesty the Emperor will never lose!"
"I'll always support you, Your Majesty!"
The few dissenters dared not speak, leaving the racetrack filled with unanimous praise. Rudolf's declaration was a clear message: even if they managed to defeat her, they would never be able to lead the masses.
The name "Symboli Rudolf" itself represented the will of the people—she was not merely the strongest, but utterly invincible.
The Arima Kinen was unlike other races; participation was determined by fan votes. Rice Shower had almost no chance of qualifying. Leo and Black Bullet might have a shot, but even if they won, it would do nothing to resolve Central's crisis.
Without the ability to unite the two factions, the internal division and conflict would never end. Everything would simply repeat in an endless cycle.
"Rice Shower, will you be the one to challenge me? Or perhaps... Leo?"
As Rudolf spoke, the atmosphere crackled. Her supporters immediately adopted a hostile stance, ready to defend their Emperor. Rudolf, seemingly unfazed, radiated an oppressive aura. Rice Shower gasped, struggling to regulate her breathing.
The situation was overwhelmingly one-sided.
"Hey, why isn't Kousei back yet?" Speedstar whispered. Twilight Cloud shook her head. "I don't know. The race is over. Where could Senpai have gone?"
Elsewhere, Dober was searching for McQueen.
"Bright, have you seen McQueen?"
Bright just chuckled, offering no response for a long moment.
"Never mind, I'll go ask Ryan."
After Dober trotted off, Bright finally spoke slowly, "McQueen... huh?"
Bright looked around, bewildered, as if she had no idea where Dober had just run off to.
After what felt like an eternity, Rice Shower seemed to muster her courage. Under the crushing pressure of Symboli Rudolf's presence, she finally spoke: "The one who will challenge President Rudolf is neither me nor Leo-senpai."
"Not Leo? Then who could it possibly be?" the crowd murmured in confusion. After all, Leo Durban was widely considered the best possible choice.
Curiosity drew their eyes to Leo Durban's group. To their surprise, Leo and her companions all wore expressions of absolute confidence, which only deepened the mystery of who could inspire such unwavering faith.
"If the opponent is an Undefeated Triple Crown," Rice Shower declared, her gaze locked firmly on Rudolf's, "then we'll send out an Undefeated Triple Crown of our own!"
Triple Crown Winners were rare enough, but an Undefeated Triple Crown Winner was a legend. The only person who fit that description and was eligible to race was...
"Could it be...!"
A familiar, rousing melody suddenly blared through the stadium. The Central Committee members shot up from their seats, their eyes wide with shock as they stared at the entrance tunnel. Under the intense gaze of the entire arena, a long-absent yet instantly recognizable figure strode onto the track with a light, confident gait.
Arrogant, poised, and utterly unflappable—it was none other than Tokai Teio
Most of the crowd was still reeling from shock as Tokai Teio came to a stop behind Rice Shower.
"Well done. You've worked hard," Teio said, squeezing Rice Shower's shoulder before striding past her. "Leave the rest to me."
Rice Shower nodded emphatically. Eternal Halo couldn't help but smile at the sudden intruder. "So, you're finally back."
Though Teio had to look up at Rudolf, she carried herself with such effortless grace that they seemed to stand as equals.
No wonder the resistance had been so fearless. The Umamusume who had always proclaimed herself the strongest and most invincible had returned.