After the Spring Tenno Sho, news of Tokai Teio's return spread like wildfire overnight. This long-awaited showdown pushed the hype for the Arima Kinen to its absolute peak, with no other event even coming close.
There was still some time before the Arima Kinen, so people still devoted some of their attention to the new generation's Spring Tenno Sho. Almond Eye, with her string of outstanding performances, was drawing more and more of the spotlight. Her repeated victories over Contrail and her dominant, undefeated presence within her generation made this Tiara Route contender the undisputed No. 1 of her era.
Never before had a Tiara Route runner garnered such attention—especially with an "Undefeated Triple Crown" winner in the same generation. Even the legendary Mejiro Ramonu hadn't had such a dazzling start to her career.
Contrail's support had plummeted after her string of losses following her Triple Crown victory. Her repeated defeats led many to question whether this new successor was all flash and no substance.
Perhaps she was just lucky. Maybe the other runners on the Triple Crown Route were simply too weak, allowing her to snatch the Triple Crown title.
Doubts about Contrail grew louder online. With only the Spring Tenno Sho left on her schedule for the year, no one knew if she would redeem herself or, like the senpai she so admired, vanish completely from the Central stage.
Contrail was in a terrible state. Aside from attending classes, she spent all her time holed up in her dorm room, her training completely abandoned.
After the Takarazuka Memorial, she had fallen into a deep state of confusion. The closer the Spring Tenno Sho drew, the more her fear intensified. She was terrified of stepping onto the racetrack—a stark contrast to her former self, who had once been so high-spirited and radiant on the track. Contrail had never imagined she would one day dread competing.
A rift had formed between her and Almond Eye. Even when they were in the same room, they barely spoke. Both were keenly aware of the growing distance, yet neither made a move to bridge the gap. Perhaps it was fate; the two close friends seemed destined to drift apart, their paths diverging further and further.
-
"I've heard plenty about you, but this is the first time we've actually met like this."
It was Kousei's first face-to-face meeting with Teio since arriving at Central.
"Isn't that because our resident genius is always so mysterious?" Kousei teased.
"I was just doing some investigating for the Student Council. Keeping a low profile helps, you know," Teio replied with a small shrug, her tone feigning helplessness but her eyes sparkling with pride. "Can't be helped when you're as famous as I am."
Kousei and McQueen exchanged a smile. After so long, Teio was still the same as ever.
"What happened to your leg?" Kousei asked, noticing the bandages wrapped around Teio's leg.
Teio waved it off. "It's an old injury. Miss Mizunoe said that if I race, it's almost certain to break again."
Kousei understood. So Teio's recurring fractures had plagued her all this time.
"So, is the fracture part of the reason you've been avoiding the public eye?" McQueen asked, looking at Teio.
"A little," Teio admitted with surprising frankness. "Who wouldn't want to compete in the Twinkle Series? But there's nothing I can do about it." It was clear she had long since wrestled with this reality.
"Looks like we're all in the same boat," Kousei murmured.
An unexpected wave of laughter rippled through the group. The former Supernovas were now nearing the end of their careers. Years of glory had vanished in the blink of an eye. Truly, time waits for no one.
"It's strange," Kousei mused. "It feels like just yesterday that Rudolf-senpai won the Japan Cup. How has so much time passed?"
The erosion of time, the accumulation of injuries. Tokai Teio was no longer as agile and versatile. Mejiro McQueen's stamina had its limits. And Kousei herself was no longer in perfect health.
"This will likely be our final year," McQueen said, echoing the sentiment.
"But we still have unfinished business," Teio declared with unwavering resolve. "Before we leave the stage, we must at least pave the way for the next generation."
"In the Arima Kinen, you'll be facing Rudolf-senpai. Have you thought about how you're going to win?" Since the topic had come up, Kousei naturally pressed further.
"There's no need to think about it. I will win."
"But your opponent is President Rudolf! Are you sure you should be so confident?" McQueen worried about Teio's arrogant streak.
"Of course! Because I'm the strongest, most invincible Umamusume!" Teio grinned brightly, holding up three fingers—a gesture symbolizing her ambition for the Undefeated Triple Crown.
"Oh, you..." McQueen sighed, helpless against Teio's bravado.
"Isn't it a good thing?" Kousei interjected. "If she were intimidated by the Emperor's presence, she'd already be guaranteed to lose."
"I'm just worried about her. You know as well as I do that an arrogant army is doomed to defeat," McQueen countered, her point valid.
"'An arrogant army is doomed to defeat'..." Kousei smiled and explained, "McQueen, no one knows better than us how incredible President Rudolf is. Just as no one admires her as much as we do."
Teio continued, "I know exactly how amazing the President is. But I will still win. I have three dreams—
"First, to become an Undefeated Triple Crown winner, just like the President.
"Second, for the Three Goddesses to bless Central Tracen Academy with a continuous stream of talented Umamusume.
"And third, for everyone to have the courage to chase their dreams. Dreams should be shouted out loud!"
"When someone hangs their head in disappointment, Tokai Teio will always stand at the forefront. That's why I always call myself the strongest and most invincible.
"I hope my back can also guide our juniors forward, just like the President's."
McQueen was slightly taken aback. The two Umamusume who had chased Rudolf's shadow had walked vastly different paths, yet both had arrived at the same conclusion. Perhaps this was the true meaning Rudolf had hoped they would understand from the very beginning.
"Besides, the arrow is already on the bowstring—it must be fired. A hero can't run away from a fight, right?" Teio's cool demeanor lasted all of three seconds.
As they were enjoying their conversation, a soft knock came from the door.
"Am I interrupting?"
They turned to see Doctor Takuya.
"Kousei, everything is ready. We're just waiting for you."
Kousei glanced at the time—it was indeed about that time. She stood up and said to Doctor Takuya, "I'm ready too. Let's begin."
Doctor Takuya nodded. The three of them followed him to another room where Tachyon, Uncle Ye, and Kousei's entire medical team were already assembled.
"Hee hee, it's almost time to start. Are you nervous?" Tachyon asked, as nonchalant as ever.
"Well, maybe a little. But compared to what you went through, this is nothing."
Tachyon didn't answer. That surgery had only a one percent success rate—no one who wasn't completely insane would have chosen it.
"The kiddo has already made a name for herself. As your senpai, I'm truly honored. Starting today, you're going to write the final chapter for this generation," Tachyon said, moved by the moment.
Kousei gave Tachyon a hug. "I'll remember you, Tachyon-senpai. Thank you for all your help."
"Eh... Oh..." Tachyon seemed a little flustered. "Come to think of it, this is probably the first time you've ever called me senpai."
"To me, you've always been an incredible senpai. I'm very proud of you."
Tachyon rubbed her nose and smiled with satisfaction. "Feels surprisingly nice."
"Has it started?"
The foreign racers began to enter, unsurprised to see Teio already there.
"We're just about to begin, but Kousei might have a few more words to say," Doctor Takuya replied to Twilight Cloud's question.
"I don't have anything more to say. I just wanted to say goodbye to Tachyon-senpai."
"Then let's begin."
Kousei nodded, and the door leading deeper inside slowly opened. She glanced back one last time at Teio and McQueen. Teio waved at her. "Leave it to us. When you wake up, everything will be over."
Kousei smiled, then turned her gaze to the foreign racers. Twilight Cloud also gestured for her not to worry. "Don't worry, Senpai. We guarantee we'll handle everything perfectly."
Kousei lowered her head, a look of relief on her face. Without further hesitation, she turned and walked into the endless expanse of white.