Because the Classic Grade lacked a Triple Crown or Triple Tiara route, Kousei focused on the same goal as McQueen: the Spring Tenno Sho.
However, Kousei's performance in long-distance races was less than ideal. Moreover, her rival, Mejiro McQueen, had already won the Spring Tenno Sho and was aiming to become the first Umamusume in history to dominate the Classic Grade as the strongest long-distance runner of her generation.
From a rational perspective, challenging McQueen seemed like a futile endeavor—like throwing an egg against a rock.
Looking back at Kousei's races, every single one had been an uphill battle. In the world of Umamusume, we might say a competitor has a 99% chance of winning, but never 100%.
Beyond the Spring Tenno Sho, Kousei also hoped for a rematch with Teio. Their previous clash at the Spring Tenno Sho had been a showdown between the Twins, but Kousei, lacking sufficient support, hadn't participated. The regret still lingered, and this time, she longed to test her mettle against Teio.
Upon entering the Classic Grade, it was only natural to challenge her senpai. Although veterans like Rudolf had faded from the spotlight, rarely participating in the Twinkle Series, other formidable rivals remained active on the Veteran Horse Front.
The thought alone sent a thrill of excitement through her.
"Kousei, here's your race schedule. Let's proceed with this plan for the new year."
Kousei took the competition schedule from T and examined it. The schedule was light, mostly focusing on middle-distance races, her specialty, apart from the Spring Tenno Sho.
"Just these races? Isn't that too few? I want to participate in more races," Kousei said, a hint of dissatisfaction in her voice.
"This is just a tentative plan. Let's finalize the schedule after reviewing McQueen and Teio's plans. Or later, if there's a race you want to join, we can simply add you to the entry list."
"Huh? Is that even possible?"
"Normally, no. But after a certain Umamusume came along, everything changed."
"Senpai?"
"Yes, Senpai. She's quite famous. You might have seen her during summer training camp."
As they were talking, someone suddenly knocked on the door.
Kousei walked over and opened the Training Room door to find a figure standing outside, heavily masked and wrapped in layers of clothing.
"Isn't that City? What brings you here?"
"Ah? You recognized me even like this?" Gold City removed her glasses with a resigned sigh.
"It was obvious at a glance. No one else has such dazzling gold hair except you, City."
Gold City had overlooked this detail, though it was unavoidable. Her hair was simply too conspicuous to hide.
"So, City, what brings you here to see me?"
"Can't I just visit you for no reason?"
"Not exactly."
"Aren't you going to invite me in?"
"Please, come in."
Gold City smirked triumphantly and stepped into the Training Room. As the shimmering Gate closed behind her, she shed her disguise, revealing her true face.
A beauty like Gold City naturally drew attention, and even T couldn't resist the allure.
"I apologize for the sudden visit and any inconvenience," Gold City said, her demeanor perfectly poised.
"You're Kousei's friend? Don't stand on ceremony. Make yourself at home in the Training Room. But this is the first time I've seen Gold City up close—truly a once-in-a-century beauty."
"You flatter me."
As they exchanged pleasantries, Kousei grew increasingly curious. "How do you know Gold City, T? Have you been secretly buying her magazines behind Mother's back?"
This can't reach Mother's ears, or I'll be in serious trouble.
"Eh? T is Kousei's dad?" Gold City exclaimed in disbelief.
Seeing Gold City's shocked expression, Kousei immediately clapped a hand over her mouth, realizing she'd let slip something she shouldn't have.
Helpless, she could only turn to T for help.
"It's fine. If you're a friend of Kousei's, it's not really a secret."
"Are you sure it's okay?" Gold City remained skeptical. After all, she had deliberately concealed her identity to enter Tracen Academy; the fewer people who knew her secret, the better.
"It's fine. After all, Kousei's friends McQueen and Teio already know about it."
Gold City let out an "Oh" and glanced at Kousei, feigning annoyance. "So that's how it is. McQueen knew all along? And only I was kept in the dark? How cold of you~"
Gold City drew out the last syllable, making Kousei fidget uncomfortably.
"I didn't mean to hide it from you, City. We just haven't seen each other since then, have we?"
Gold City nodded. "Hmm, so you remember our last meeting after all. I'll let you off the hook this time."
Having only been teasing Kousei, she had no real reason to press the issue.
"But you, T! Stop dodging the question!" Kousei's accusatory tone carried a hint of personal frustration.
"Speaking of magazines," T said mysteriously, "I actually have one."
"Huh? You really do?!"
Just as Kousei was about to lose her temper, T calmly pulled a magazine from her bag.
The cover featured Gold and Silver, and the cover girls were none other than Gold City and Kousei themselves.
Kousei immediately recognized it as the event they had organized to raise funds for the Winner's Stage.
T waved the magazine. "My daughter's first magazine cover! How could I miss this? By the way, this photo is absolutely stunning. Who's the photographer?"
T scanned the cover for the photographer's name, only to find two large words: Agnes Digital.
"Agnes Digital? A newcomer? I've never heard of them before."
Kousei and Gold City simultaneously thought of the Umamusume who had been snapping photos of them like mad. "Seriously? Digital's photos outperformed all the professional photographers?"
"She's not a photographer—she's an Umamusume."
"An Umamusume? She's incredibly versatile. With such comprehensive skills, she must be a real jack-of-all-trades on the track too."
That wasn't exactly wrong.
"Even standing next to Gold City, my daughter doesn't look inferior at all. It's wonderful that she inherited her mother's beauty so well."
"Well, I am an Umamusume, after all. Inheriting my mother's traits is only natural."
It seemed everything was going smoothly on Kousei's end.
"So, Gold City," T said, cutting straight to the point, "you went to all the trouble of disguising yourself and coming here in person just to catch up?"
"As expected, I can't hide anything from you, Trainer. Kousei is entering her Classic Year, so I imagine you've already prepared her entry form. Could I take a quick look?"
T chuckled. "What's this? Are you scouting the competition? My daughter's quite popular, isn't she?"
"City probably just wanted to watch my races in person," Kousei explained. "After all, she hasn't debuted yet. Even if she does this year, we wouldn't be competing together."
"Is that so?" T mused casually. "I thought Gold City had already debuted, given her refined demeanor. It seems modeling is a kind of cultivation after all."
Gold City smiled noncommittally, neither confirming nor denying.
"Here," T said, handing over the entry form. "We weren't planning to release the schedule publicly, but it's not exactly a secret."
"Thank you."
Gold City accepted the entry form, scrutinized it carefully, and then returned it with both hands.
"Thank you very much."
"You're welcome."
After reviewing the race schedule, Gold City donned her disguise and prepared to leave.
"Eh? Are you leaving so soon, City?"
"Mm, because being a model is very demanding."
Kousei thought about it and realized Gold City must have very little free time, given her status.
"Goodbye, City."
"Goodbye, Kousei..."
Gold City put on her mask and left Kousei's training room.
Only after she exited the school gate did Gold City slow her pace. A woman dressed like a manager glanced at her.
"You've worked hard. No trouble, right?" the woman asked with concern.
"With this disguise and the new policies in place, even if anyone suspects, they won't approach me."
The woman finally relaxed and led Gold City to a waiting car.
"Manager-san, please register me for these races according to this schedule," Gold City said, perfectly replicating Kousei's race entry form from memory.
"Hmm, there aren't many races, but balancing this with your modeling work will be tough," the manager remarked after reviewing the schedule.
"That's fine. I can handle it. I'm no longer content playing the role of my true self as a model. Running is my true desire."
Unbeknownst to the public, Gold City's debut actually predated even Tamamo Cross's.