The Japan Cup roster was confirmed, and people were surprised to see Contrail's name. Since avoiding the Spring Tenno Sho last year, she had been in a state of semi-retirement. Everyone knew she had lost all her fighting spirit and was no longer fit to compete on the racetrack.
Her reappearance at this crucial moment made people worry that she might once again flee the race at the last minute, just as she had before the Spring Tenno Sho.
Even more notable was that Kousei was the only international entry on the Japan Cup roster. The other foreign horses had not entered, and while the reason was unclear, it was considered good news for Central—though not by much.
In the end, time always seemed to fly by.
"Have we forgotten anything?" T asked gently as his wife checked their luggage.
"I don't think so," she replied with a faint smile. "Is it today? We'll finally get to see Kousei. It's been so long since I've seen my daughter."
"She came home right after she returned, didn't she?" T countered.
His wife shot him a playful, reproachful look. "Then it's been a long time since I've seen my husband. Let's see... has it been three or four years?"
T was speechless, filled with guilt toward his wife.
"I'm so sorry," T said, lowering his head in shame. "I've been such a useless husband."
His wife's warm hand cupped his face. "Lift your head. My husband isn't the type to be so downcast."
T looked up, forcing a faint smile. "Thank you for always understanding and supporting me."
"Of course. I'm your wife."
T gently lowered her hand and turned toward the door. "I should go."
"I'll be waiting here for both of you."
"Yeah," T replied. "I'll come back with Kousei."
-
In the waiting room, Contrail changed into her brand-new Personal Racing Outfit. Staring at her reflection in the mirror, she felt like a stranger. It was as if she were seeing herself for the first time. She adjusted the goggles on her forehead until they sat just right.
So I really came after all, Contrail thought, surprised that she had actually shown up for the Japan Cup. She still couldn't make sense of many things, but she felt as if some unseen will had summoned her here.
Mr. T was right. At the very least, the Commander-in-Chief should be present. My presence might encourage Almond Eye, or at least help her stay focused. Even now, Contrail had no will to win for herself. She was pinning all her hopes on Almond Eye.
Suddenly, a series of harsh knocks pounded on the door. The person outside sounded desperate.
"Hmm? Who could that be at a time like this?"
Contrail opened the door to find an Envoy from Central.
"An Envoy? What do you need at a time like this?"
Before Contrail could say another word, the Envoy hastily shoved an earpiece into her hand. Without giving her any chance to ask questions, he stated forcefully, "This Japan Cup is of utmost importance! The Central Committee will be giving you direct instructions. All you need to do is follow them on the track!"
The Envoy, stripped of his usual elegance, turned and hurried away as soon as he finished speaking. Contrail was left utterly bewildered. "What in the world is happening?"
She stared at the earpiece in her hand, lost in thought, before finally putting it on.
"Let's go," Contrail said to herself.
Stepping out into the blinding sunlight, the view of Nakayama Racecourse unfolded before her. She had watched Kousei's races countless times; the scenery of the Central Racetrack should have been familiar. Yet, standing on the track herself stirred a completely different emotion within her.
Just by setting foot on this ground, a surge of heroic ambition welled up from the depths of her heart.
"Contrail!!" Almond Eye's joyful voice drew nearer as she jogged over. The moment Panthalassa and Danon saw Contrail appear, their faces lit up with unconcealed delight.
Seeing this, Contrail couldn't help but want to respond, but she suddenly remembered the many spectators in the Racetrack. Her outstretched leg froze mid-stride.
She swallowed hard, deliberately trying to ignore the murmurs from the crowd.
"She actually came. I thought she wouldn't show up."
"I don't have high hopes for her, but her courage is commendable."
"She didn't back down from facing Kousei. She's really grown, hasn't she?"
The atmosphere felt... off. Contrail discreetly observed the crowd. They seemed to be speaking well of her?
What on earth happened? Contrail couldn't understand. She had only been hiding for a short while, yet it felt like the entire world outside had changed.
"Contrail, you got a new Personal Racing Outfit!" Almond Eye exclaimed happily.
"Ah, yes. Mr. T prepared it for me."
"I think it's fantastic! It really suits you. Your old outfit always reminded me of Kousei-senpai."
That's only natural, Contrail thought. She had initially chosen to inherit Kousei's outfit precisely to gain Central's approval for Kousei. From the very beginning, she had wanted everyone to see Kousei, not herself.
As the two chatted, they suddenly felt hostile gazes upon them. A group of foreign competitors entered, exuding a terrifying aura completely different from anything they had felt before.
The crowd unconsciously parted to make way as the foreign competitors moved to the front row, their cold gazes sweeping over the entire venue.
"So they really aren't racing. It's just Kousei-senpai competing alone," Almond Eye murmured, her eyes narrowing as she watched the foreign Umamusume.
"Even Kousei-senpai alone is no easy opponent. McQueen-senpai lost to her. What are our chances, really?"
Almond Eye didn't answer. They both knew the truth. The opponent they faced was the King of the Arc de Triomphe, the Umamusume who had defeated Central's Strongest-Ever Competitor in the Spring Tenno Sho.
Even watching from the sidelines, they could feel her chilling, oppressive presence. The pressure of facing a living Legend on the track itself would be unimaginable.
They didn't dare to even consider whether they were truly a match for Kousei.
"You two are way too tense. Stop overthinking it. Just run, and that's all that matters," Panthalassa said, slapping them both hard on the back. The sharp jolt finally snapped the two Umamusume out of their worried stupor.
"Then this time, we'll be counting on you to disrupt the pace as always, Panthalassa," Contrail teased.
"Don't worry," Panthalassa declared confidently. "Even against a Legend, I'll still run my Great Escape to the very end."
"What's she doing?" Almond Eye noticed Danon repeatedly writing something on her hand and then eating the imaginary words. "She looks like she's the most nervous one here."
"Maybe... we should just leave her be for now."
"Agreed."
Suddenly, a cloud of red mist drifted past the three of them. They instantly tensed, adopting defensive stances as if facing a formidable enemy. Beside them, Danon's nervous fidgeting ceased, her body tightening as she stared intently at the competitor's tunnel.
The vast racetrack fell utterly silent, so quiet that the drop of a pin would have echoed. The mist thickened, becoming almost liquid, like a gateway to Hell itself. The crisp, rhythmic clatter of horseshoes echoed through the stillness, as if a demon were approaching with deliberate grace.
When Kousei emerged from the mist, expressions of varying shock spread across everyone's faces.
"Impossible!" Contrail couldn't accept what she was seeing.
Almond Eye's heart trembled. "Did she not recover at all?!"
Everyone had expected to see an invincible Legend. Instead, the Umamusume before them had her legs wrapped in bandages, and her eyes were so clouded they were nearly blind.
Dressed in snow-white robes, she looked ethereal and otherworldly. Yet everyone could see her fragility; it seemed a mere gust of wind could knock her over.
McQueen's heart ached with pity. Teio offered a comforting gaze—everything was understood without words.
"Can Kousei even make it through this?" Tachyon asked.
"I don't know," Sasami admitted, unable to offer any guarantees. "I gave her two injections... maybe that'll be enough."
Contrail stared at Kousei, her emotions a bitter mix. Kousei was wearing her original Personal Racing Outfit, just as she remembered from that year... the year Kousei had stood on this very spot...
"Why are you doing this, Senpai?!" Contrail couldn't comprehend any of it. The flicker of fighting spirit she had painstakingly ignited was extinguished in an instant.
Almond Eye and the others felt the same. They couldn't bring themselves to compete against a rival in such a state.
Kousei looked at the juniors before her, their fighting spirit completely gone, and shook her head inwardly. Suddenly, an immense pressure slammed into Contrail and the others.
Crimson flames ignited the sky. The fragility surrounding Kousei vanished, replaced by a tangible hostility that swept away their guilt without a trace. The grey-haired monster was baring her fangs.