The farce of the new generation was quickly overshadowed by the Arima Kinen showdown between Teio and Rudolf. Central was always like this—as long as there was fresh excitement, they would swiftly forget what had come before.
This was precisely why the Central Committee members acted with such impunity.
The Arima Kinen showdown unfolded as expected: Teio defeated Rudolf by a narrow margin. Though this dream match was never officially recorded, it must have been a battle for the ages.
Following the Arima Kinen, Rudolf resigned as President in accordance with their agreement, and Tokai Teio took her place as the new President. The Student Council underwent a major overhaul. As the saying goes, "A new official lights three fires." With Teio's ascension, Vice Presidents Air Groove and Narita Brian naturally stepped down alongside Rudolf.
Leo Durban and Black Bullet took their places. Veteran members like Mr. CB and Maruzensky also chose to leave the Student Council.
At the same time, Teio streamlined the Student Council, removing a large portion of its members. She had already prepared replacements for the vacant positions, and the transition proceeded smoothly. A brand-new Student Council was born.
Among the new members, one stood out conspicuously: Almond Eye, who had recently been gaining immense popularity. Teio took special care of her, her intention to promote Almond Eye couldn't have been more obvious.
Another major event was Kashimoto Riko's resignation as Acting Director, a move she made to take responsibility for her actions. Director Akikawa, returning to Tracen Academy, took her place. With Kashimoto Riko's departure, the "Thorough Management Education Program" was naturally abolished.
The sudden change was disorienting at first, but the Umamusume quickly found themselves immersed in the joy of reunion. Some wept with their faces buried in their hands, while others poured out their hearts to one another.
After all, in recent years, the distance between them had felt both infinitesimally close and impossibly far.
A wind of change swept through Central, bringing with it a vibrant, flourishing atmosphere. The garden bloomed with spring colors, and joy overflowed.
It seemed Central had reached a turning point that satisfied everyone—except, of course, for a certain few.
"Rudolf! Didn't you say everything would be fine as long as you were here?!" a Central Committee member roared, her feigned composure finally shattering.
The Committee had been able to stir up trouble and act with impunity because they held the Three Powers firmly in their grasp. But now, with a new "king" ascending the throne and the Director returning, the Three Powers were once again independent.
Teio's sweeping reforms uprooted the Central Committee's hidden agents one by one. For Teio to accomplish this, someone inside must have been leaking information. The Central Committee now had internal rifts, and logically, Just a Way was the prime suspect. In recent years, he had practically become the Committee's spokesperson, involved in all their core affairs.
However, the Central Committee members dismissed the idea that Just a Way was the traitor. He had managed every major and minor incident for them; if their schemes were exposed, he would be the first to face the consequences, even before them. His position was far more precarious than theirs. Could there really be a madman in this world willing to sacrifice himself to set such a trap?
Rudolf, who had rarely slept well during her tenure, now slept until noon every day since stepping down, indulging in snacks to her heart's content. Her face had grown noticeably rounder, and when she flopped down, she looked like a large block of white tofu.
"Eh? But I'm not in charge anymore," Rudolf said lightly, completely dismissing the Central Committee member's words.
"Don't tell me you intentionally lost to Teio?"
"How could I? I swore an oath before the Three Goddesses; how could I break it? A loss is a loss. What could I do? Besides, my condition has been declining for years, plagued by chronic ailments. If not for that, why would you all have been so desperate to find the next 'Symboli'?"
Rudolf's explanation left the Central Committee member speechless. The changes had come so swiftly and unexpectedly that they were caught completely off guard. Though the member had always known Rudolf was never truly on their side, they were now powerless. With things as they were, all they could do was vent their frustration.
"Fine! In that case, you should worry about your family!" the Central Committee member snarled, their face turning ashen and their eyes growing sinister.
"Is that so? If you still have the files, feel free to try," Rudolf replied, her uncharacteristically fearless demeanor surprising the member.
After ordering a subordinate to investigate, the member learned that the files related to that past incident had indeed vanished. Only then did they understand: Rudolf's confidence was born of preparation.
"I will no longer be your puppet," Rudolf declared. "And neither will this newly formed Student Council."
The Central Committee member couldn't bear Rudolf's contemptuous gaze. Before they could erupt, Rudolf continued, "I've seen enough of your faces. I think you should have a proper discussion with the new President."
As Rudolf finished speaking, the grand doors burst open with a resounding thud. A figure strode in boldly, their eyes flashing with untamed defiance.
"Hello, everyone. Have you been sleeping well?"
The dark circles under the Central Committee member's eyes made it clear that Tokai Teio was mocking them. Ever since her debut, this genius had always done as she pleased. Now, as the new President, she was an even greater headache for the Central Committee.
They had assumed that controlling Rudolf meant controlling Tokai Teio. The Central Committee had truly underestimated her.
"As everyone knows, you all 'pour your heart and soul' into Central's work," Akikawa Yayoi said, hiding her face behind a fan, her eyes glinting with an unreadable smile. "With such tireless labor, you must have no time to rest."
Though both women were petite, their presence was overwhelming. The Central Committee member, no longer possessing the calm confidence of someone holding all the cards, was forced to act with caution.
"In that case, this remnant will take her leave," Rudolf said, withdrawing and leaving the entire conference room to the three powers.
The atmosphere grew awkward. After all, Director Akikawa and Tokai Teio had barged into the meeting—an act no one would take kindly to. However, the Central Committee members had one commendable trait: no matter their friction with others, when it was time to solve problems rather than vent frustrations, they would patiently compose themselves. Losing their cool would only put them at a disadvantage.
"You two have arrived so abruptly. What is your business here?"
"Oh? So you can keep your composure?" Teio taunted.
"President, you exaggerate," the Members replied calmly. "We have no quarrel with you. Why can't we be civil?"
Teio smiled but offered no rebuttal.
Director Akikawa, standing beside her, spoke up. "We came here today to discuss the matter of opening our races to foreign competitors."
The Central Committee member's heart sank. "The Director intends to accept foreign competitors? Allow them to participate in our races?"
"Precisely," Director Akikawa confirmed with a nod.
"How can you not know Central's current situation? If we allow foreign competitors to participate, what will become of Central's reputation?"
Tokai Teio snorted coldly. "Central's reputation, or your reputation? Are you afraid people will discover that under your control, Central is nothing but a hollow shell?
"Ever since the disastrous defeat in last year's Japan Cup, you've implemented this isolationist policy, living in self-deception. The championship honors you promised are nothing but a flimsy veil that tears at the slightest touch. You are the parasites poisoning Central."
Teio's every word was a sharp, piercing truth, leaving the Central Committee member flushed with shame. The Central Competitors had become what they were largely due to the Committee's deliberate manipulation.
"You! No matter what! We will never agree to this!"
"Do you have a choice?" Teio retorted.
With two votes secured, the Central Committee member's decision was indeed irrelevant.
"Don't you realize what Central will face once we reopen? Why do you think Kousei returned?" the Committee member demanded.
Facing the accusation, Tokai Teio remained as calm as still water. "Of course I know. That's why I'll be the one to open Pandora's Box myself."
Foreign Competitor Participation Approved. Central Reopens.
"Oh~ They move fast," Twilight Cloud murmured, a satisfied smile spreading across her face as she scrolled through the headlines. She set her phone down and stretched luxuriously.
Her two canine teeth peeked out, and her nine tails cast the shadow of a fox spirit. Twilight Cloud turned, a fierce glint in her eyes.
"Let's go, everyone. As Senpai instructed: 'Wait for the right moment, then crush Central.'"
-
After the Arima Kinen came the New Year. Contrail made a special trip to the temple to pray. Soon, her days as an Umamusume competitor would come to an end.
Perhaps this is for the best. If I were just an ordinary student, maybe I wouldn't face so much criticism.
"Great Deity," she prayed, "please protect Almond Eye from harm and illness. May all her wishes come true."
After finishing her prayer, Contrail gazed up at the snowflakes drifting down from the sky, lost in thought. The New Year always brought bustling crowds and noise.
But today, the atmosphere felt different.
"Did something happen?" Contrail wondered, unlocking her phone. Her expression instantly twisted into horror. "How could this be!?"
One piece of terrible news followed another. The foreign competitors of old had finally revealed their true, monstrous nature.