"Initially, no one could have imagined that the Umamusume with mediocre talent would one day become the protagonist of her generation. Everyone believed the best she could achieve was to become a renowned supporting character, just like her mother. Her growth was inseparable from the meticulous guidance of her senpais, who passed down their skills, taught her the way, and answered her questions. They taught her well, but what was even rarer was her passionate heart. Sometimes I wonder: for an Umamusume athlete, which is more important—talent or love for the sport?
In Central, countless others possessed far greater talent than her, yet few could persevere in their dreams. How many geniuses are there in the world? Should one simply give up upon encountering someone stronger?
If victory truly belonged only to the inherently strong, the world would long have been devoid of brilliant names. If each era has its own answer, then I believe Kousei is the best answer a Trainer could offer for this one. She represents the pinnacle of effort, the ultimate expression of training.
In the future, many more Umamusume will undoubtedly follow in Kousei's footsteps onto the racetrack. Her success has opened up new possibilities for countless others who harbor dreams."
It's never that the strong win, but that the winners become strong. The legend of the Gray-Haired Monster ends here. For Mejiro McQueen, her debut and her finale were both brilliant—both were Kousei. A story should have a beginning and an end. The people of Central never realized that from the very beginning, they had been captivated by the rivalry between these two.
It was never a one-woman show. Lightning and the Monster, McQueen and Kousei—together, they were the "Gray-Haired Monster."
I always feel a sense of regret. Central missed out on a golden age. I often wonder: if Kousei hadn't left Central, if Central hadn't fallen into internal strife, if Tokai Teio, Mejiro McQueen, Kousei, Leo Durban, and Black Bullet had all gone to compete overseas together, would Central have achieved its greatest honor in history?
We're always like this. Whenever things start to get better, we ruin them with our own hands. First with Sirius, now with Villains of the Century.
Why do we always reap what we sow? Why haven't we learned from history after all these years? If only Kousei were still here, she would surely change Central. I suppose she acted as she did because she, too, had lost faith in Central.
They all called her an ominous demon, claiming she would bring destruction in the future. Now, seeing her lead the foreign invasion, they shout, "See? Just as we predicted!" But in truth, we are the ones who brought this destruction upon ourselves.
What goes around comes around.
Perhaps we should try stepping into the unknown, embracing what is unfamiliar. We must not forget who once fought tooth and nail for this land.
"If only Kousei and McQueen could once again..."
Etsuko Otonashi suddenly stopped writing, lost in thought. She hesitated, unable to put pen to paper, then sighed and tossed the manuscript into the fireplace. There would be no more Kousei and McQueen. What was missed was missed forever; there was nothing left to do but lament.
The Spring Tenno Sho left behind a legendary record: two minutes and twenty-seven seconds. A time unprecedented, and likely never to be surpassed.
With just that single race, Kousei had all but secured her position as the year's representative horse girl—a testament to how earth-shattering her performance truly was.
After the Spring Tenno Sho, Mejiro McQueen announced her retirement from all future races, citing her age and injuries. The news caused an uproar. While her retirement was expected—given her periostitis, pulmonary hemorrhage, and ankle fatigue—people still couldn't accept it. It felt like McQueen had just debuted yesterday; how could she already be retiring?
Thus ended the era of a Pegasus. The legend of the Gray-Haired Monster had come to a close.
Just as the people of Central were mourning McQueen's departure, a bombshell dropped, stunning everyone.
[Kousei will run in this year's Japan Cup.]
"Kousei? Can she even still run?"
Those who had witnessed that epic battle couldn't help but wonder if the news department had been drinking. With only a few months until the Japan Cup, it seemed impossible for anyone to run two G1 races back-to-back.
"If it's Kousei, though... it might be possible."
Suddenly, the people of Central remembered: Kousei had always been remarkably durable. Back in her Central days, she was famous for her grueling race schedule and had never once been reported injured. It was entirely possible that she would indeed compete in the Japan Cup.
Panic spread like wildfire.
"What are we going to do?! Not even McQueen was a match for Kousei. Is there anyone left who can stop her?"
The Japan Cup was the very symbol of Central's pride. If they lost this race too, Central would be utterly finished. Kousei's overwhelming power left the people of Central with no hope. Some had already given up, resigning themselves to reality.
The Central Committee desperately urged their runners to compete against Kousei. But the runners, having witnessed the vast gap in strength during the Spring Tenno Sho, had lost all fighting spirit. Not a single one of the so-called pillars of the Veteran Horse Front was willing to enter the race.
"At this point, why bother humiliating ourselves?"
Only then did the Central Committee realize the bitter truth: the runners they had cultivated under their tight control were useless in a real crisis. They were mere pawns, incapable of providing the genuine strength needed when it mattered most.
With no Central runners announced for the Japan Cup, and their top contender from the Spring Tenno Sho not even qualifying to join the fray, the pent-up emotions finally burst. Central became a breeding ground for fear. The Great Dark Age had arrived.
Contrail felt a bitter taste in her mouth. As she watched Central crumble, she couldn't bear to think that the one responsible for it all was the very senpai she had always admired.
What could she do?
McQueen had already lost. No one in Central could stop Kousei.
"There you are." Almond Eye appeared suddenly. "I've been looking all over for you."
"For me?" Contrail couldn't understand why Almond Eye would need her.
"Did you hear? Kousei-senpai is entering the Japan Cup."
"Ah, yes. I know." Isn't that common knowledge by now?
"I'm going to run in the Japan Cup. Contrail, join me."
Contrail's eyes widened, and she swallowed hard. "Forget it," she stammered, struggling. "Even McQueen-senpai couldn't win. It's useless for you to go, Almond Eye."
"Not me. Us." Almond Eye stared directly at Contrail, her gaze so intense it made Contrail want to shrink away.
"I... I can't," Contrail said, a flash of pain crossing her face as she refused again.
"I know how much Kousei-senpai means to you. I also know how incredibly strong she is. But right now, we're the only ones left to stand up for Central. All the other senpais are too afraid to face her. If we don't run, who will protect Central?"
Central might not be as perfect as they once imagined, but it was still their home. They had debuted here, and they wanted to protect it.
"Even if I run, what difference will it make?" Contrail argued. "Can I turn the tide of battle all by myself? It's not just Kousei-senpai—you saw those foreign runners. Every single one of them is a monster. How can we possibly win?"
"It's not just the two of us! Honcho, Noda—everyone has decided to fight for Central! Join us, Contrail! We need you!"
Almond Eye extended her hand, her invitation sincere. The hand hung in the air before Contrail, who, after a long, agonizing struggle, turned her face away.
Almond Eye's expression fell, and she slowly withdrew her hand in disappointment. Turning to leave, she said dejectedly, "Just pretend I was never here."
Contrail wandered aimlessly, her spirit crushed, until she found herself before the Whispering Tree. It was a place where Tracen Umamusume would confide secrets they couldn't tell anyone else.
She stood frozen before the hollow, her fists slowly clenching. Her body trembled as she bit her lip so hard that a bead of blood trickled down her chin.
"Why? We're both Triple Crown Winners... so why am I such a coward?!"