Contrail wandered the streets as passersby discussed the Spring Tenno Sho. She wore a hoodie, concealing herself completely, terrified of being recognized.
She bought some desserts, hoping the sweets would lift her spirits.
"Almond Eye is going to win the Spring Tenno Sho again, isn't she?"
"Probably. No one in her generation can match her."
The passersby, resting nearby, didn't notice Contrail. But their conversation about Almond Eye caught her attention. She pretended to be engrossed in her food while secretly eavesdropping.
"Maybe Almond Eye will only lose once she reaches the Senior Grade."
"The Senior Grade? Honestly, I'm not so sure about that anymore."
"Why do you say that?"
"Most of the old guard on the Veteran Horse Front are gone. McQueen has been resting for almost a year; she's probably about to retire. The Veteran Horse Front is practically empty. Central might have to do a major overhaul starting next year. Almond Eye won't be facing legends like McQueen anymore—her rivals will still be from her own generation."
The other person's eyes widened in realization. "You're right. But isn't there a Contrail in her generation? The Undefeated Triple Crown Winner?"
Hearing her name, Contrail tensed up.
"Haven't you been watching the races lately?" her companion asked.
"No, I've been swamped with work."
"No wonder. It's practically a foregone conclusion that Contrail can't match Almond Eye. She's already lost two races in the Spring Triple Crown, and Almond Eye completely outclassed her on the track. She'll probably go down as the greatest Tiara winner in history. She might even break Symboli Rudolf's Wall."
"Break the Seven Crowns? Unlikely. Even McQueen only managed seven. Can a Tiara winner really do it?"
"That's biased, isn't it? What's wrong with being a Tiara winner? Almond Eye is undeniably incredible. I'm telling you, she'll become a new legend after McQueen."
"I still think McQueen is better. If only McQueen could win one more time... A third consecutive Tenno Sho victory, plus being the first to break Symboli Rudolf's Wall—McQueen's historical status would be unparalleled."
The two grew more and more excited as they debated, but Contrail couldn't bear to listen any longer. She stood up and left, barely touching the desserts she'd just bought.
Her mind was a tangled mess as she wandered aimlessly through the day. Perhaps drawn by her thoughts, she found herself inexplicably at the foreign racers' quarters.
"Kousei-senpai..."
Right now, she desperately needed her senpai's guidance. Even though the Central Committee had repeatedly warned her not to approach the foreign racers, she cast those orders aside. Kousei had risen from the depths of despair time and time again, and Contrail hoped to receive her advice.
So she mustered her courage and knocked on the door. Moments later, it opened, and Twilight Cloud peeked out.
It's her, Contrail thought, recognizing Twilight Cloud instantly. After all, Contrail had been there when Kousei defeated the invading foreign racers at the Japan Cup.
To this day, Contrail still didn't understand why Kousei would associate with Twilight Cloud and her group. Logically, they should have been Central's enemies.
Twilight Cloud recognized Contrail immediately as well. Huh? Isn't she one of Kousei's juniors? What's she doing here?
"Hello, I'm looking for Kousei-senpai," Contrail said, her voice tinged with hostility. She instinctively took half a step back, her gaze locked on Twilight Cloud.
"My, aren't you on guard," Twilight Cloud chuckled, dismissing it.
However, Kousei's surgery had just taken place, so she definitely couldn't see Contrail. Besides, their plan was to keep Kousei's whereabouts a secret. Twilight Cloud decided to make up an excuse to send Contrail away.
"Senpai is busy right now. She's not available."
"Please, just let her know I'm here! I really only need a moment!" Contrail pleaded, her voice edged with desperation.
"Even if you say that, there's nothing I can do. Senpai can't see visitors right now. Go home, kid," Twilight Cloud said, starting to close the door.
Contrail quickly thrust her hand out, blocking the heavy gate. "Is Kousei-senpai really unavailable?!"
She didn't believe it. She was certain Twilight Cloud was lying to her.
Twilight Cloud's expression turned cold. "Of course. And you don't need to worry about us doing anything to harm her. After all, we are her comrades now."
The word "comrades" struck Contrail like a blow, pulling her back to reality as the gate slammed shut.
That's right... Kousei-senpai isn't a Central racer anymore.
The closed gate barred her from a world she couldn't begin to understand.
It had been a terrible day. Defeated, Contrail had no choice but to return to her dorm room. But her awful day was far from over.
Almond Eye should have been at training at this hour, which was why Contrail usually chose this time to come back. But the supposedly empty room now held an unexpected guest. Contrail glanced at the insignia on the person's chest. "An Envoy?"
"Yes, esteemed Triple Crown Winner," the Envoy replied respectfully. To Contrail, however, the tone dripped with sarcasm. She shook her head and walked straight to her bunk.
"What instructions does the Central Committee have now?"
"Naturally, it concerns the upcoming Spring Tenno Sho."
"Then tell them I'll give it my all, and to stop bothering me," Contrail snapped, not wanting to look at the Envoy for a second longer.
"Heh heh~" The Envoy's chuckle grated on Contrail's nerves. "You misunderstand. The Central Committee's directive is for you to avoid this Spring Tenno Sho."
Contrail froze mid-motion as she was about to sit on her bed. She turned to scrutinize the Envoy. "The Central Committee wants me to withdraw?"
"Correct."
"Are you kidding me?" Contrail's anger flared.
"I wouldn't dare. I'm merely the messenger," the Envoy replied, their tone neither servile nor arrogant.
"Fine," Contrail said, suppressing her rage. "Then tell me exactly what the Central Committee means by this."
"An Undefeated Triple Crown is a golden brand. Used properly, it can achieve great things. However, if you continue to lose, that brand will shatter in our hands."
The Envoy's message was clear: they didn't want Contrail to further tarnish the prestige of the Undefeated Triple Crown.
"You think I'll lose?" Contrail demanded sharply.
"You will lose, won't you? After all, you just can't beat Almond Eye," the Envoy retorted, their tone turning venomous.
The words hit Contrail like a bucket of ice water, instantly cooling her anger. Wasn't this exactly what she had been fearing?
"You can't beat Almond Eye, just like Kousei could never beat McQueen."
Contrail glared at the Envoy, who immediately raised their hands in a placating gesture. The tension in the room became palpable.
After a long, agonizing silence, Contrail finally spoke. "The Central Committee wants to protect the Triple Crown Winner title, but wouldn't withdrawing be even more humiliating?"
"No need to worry. The Central Committee's influence is vast, and public opinion is well within their control. Trust us. No one at Central will remember you withdrew from this race. Before long, they'll be calling you the Triple Crown Winner again."
Contrail remained hesitant. "I can avoid her this time, but can I avoid her forever? I'll have to face Almond Eye again eventually. What then?"
"Retire."
"What?!"
Contrail trembled, doubting she had heard correctly.
"The Central Committee wants me to retire?"
"That's right. If you retire, you'll never have to face Almond Eye again." The Envoy's words pierced Contrail's heart like a dagger.
"When?"
"We'll begin preparations as soon as your rookie year ends."
Heh. They won't even give me a chance to reach the Senior Grade.
The weight of retirement was crushing, and Contrail couldn't bring herself to decide.
The Envoy continued their insidious persuasion. "Remember what you want. Think of Kousei. Didn't you want to inherit her legacy, to make your name known throughout the world?
"Just leave it to the Central Committee. With the golden reputation of the Undefeated Triple Crown preserved, fame and fortune will pour in. One year? Two? Three? Who will remember you withdrew from one race?
"You are the Undefeated Triple Crown Winner, the Commander-in-Chief. People will only remember your noble image. You will become the new Symboli. That way, you won't have failed Kousei's name."
The Envoy's words began to take effect. Contrail's resolve wavered.
"Can the Central Committee guarantee it?"
The Envoy's mouth split into a grotesque grin. Their human facade crumbled, revealing the demons and monsters lurking beneath. A devil's whisper slithered into her ear: "Of course. After all, you are the Commander-in-Chiefwe chose."
Foolish masses, hearts led astray.
At the Spring Tenno Sho, Almond Eye waited anxiously on the track, but her friend's figure never appeared.
The Tenno Sho ended in a major upset. Almond Eye failed to place, and everyone could see she was in poor form, her mind weighed down by worries. After the race, she didn't linger, quickly leaving the racetrack.
"Triple Crown Winner? More like the King of Cowards!"
"Everyone knows the last Triple Crown Winner was Tokai Teio."
"I can't believe this. She has no shame!"
The storm of public opinion raged, the screen's glow illuminating Contrail's devastated face. She had moved out of their dorm room, unable to face Almond Eye any longer.
At least I haven't failed Kousei-senpai... Contrail tried to console herself.
Slumping back in her chair, she tilted her head up and let out a long sigh. Sometimes, Contrail wondered if it had all been a dream, and now was the moment she finally woke up.
Years of relentless training, a dream shattered in an instant.
So close to the peak, only to lose everything.