Kousei had her sights set on the Osaka Cup as her first race of the new year. During the preparation period, she seemed unusually restless, often displaying agitation on the training track.
Trainer T believed that Kousei's personality was ill-suited for prolonged rest. As she matured, her competitive spirit grew increasingly fierce. This shift in mindset also allowed her to execute her signature running style with even greater ease.
This change—being able to perform better in races—had both advantages and drawbacks. The downside was that her daily training began to suffer from lapses in focus. Initially, Kousei's training sessions proceeded normally, but as the intensity gradually increased, she began to show signs of resistance.
Resistance to training isn't uncommon among Umamusume; many dislike it by nature. However, most of these cases stem from inherent aversion—in other words, they've shown disinterest from the very beginning. Kousei's situation was somewhat unique, as her aversion developed gradually. Typically, such gradual aversion arises from external pressures. For instance, athletes who have consistently performed well might experience a setback in a particular event or encounter an unexpected crisis, leading to psychological stress. As a result, they may consciously suppress their abilities and develop a deep-seated aversion to competition.
For an Umamusume, this psychological state was exceptionally difficult to manage.
After thorough medical examinations, Kousei's physical condition showed no abnormalities. This confirmed that the issue was psychological. As Kousei's Trainer, T quickly identified the root cause: insufficient training volume.
Kashimoto Riko's training plan was impeccable, but she had overlooked one critical factor: the Umamusume's psychology.
The daily regimen maintained Kousei's physical condition at a delicate equilibrium. Kashimoto Riko was careful not to disrupt this balance, believing that moderation was paramount for effective training.
But Kousei remained unsatisfied.
"I can push myself further," she insisted.
Her fierce competitive spirit craved greater release, refusing to settle even when she had reached her peak performance. Kashimoto Riko strictly forbade autonomous training and disallowed any deviations from the prescribed schedule. Over time, the accumulated frustration weighed heavily on Kousei, eventually causing her to reject training altogether.
Kousei's aversion to training—if you had told anyone this before, they wouldn't have believed you. After all, even if Kousei couldn't debut, she had always trained tirelessly, day after day, never once voluntarily suggesting she give up.
Now, Kousei merely showed some resistance, still participating in training sessions but with minimal effectiveness.
Following Kashimoto Riko's strategy, T devised a countermeasure.
Abandoning their previous approach, they broke convention by having Kousei participate in numerous races. The satisfaction she couldn't find in training, she would seek in competition.
In short, they would make her a seasoned warrior.
The Osaka Cup, scheduled early in the year, was no exception, though it had been part of their initial plan. As expected, after submitting the entry form, Kousei's demeanor stabilized considerably, and she no longer frequently showed signs of anxiety.
After Kousei announced her participation, other athletes' race plans were gradually revealed. Mejiro and Teio both opted out of the Osaka Cup, making the New Year's first major race feel oddly unfamiliar to viewers accustomed to generational rivalries.
Kousei had been riding high lately. Despite her questionable reputation, audiences still held high expectations for her. After winning the notoriously difficult Japan Cup and then defeating Narita Brian, she had shattered the entrenched belief that talent alone determined everything. Though they were reluctant to admit it, her rivals had no choice but to acknowledge her growing strength.
Naturally, anticipation began to build for another showdown between Kousei and McQueen. As Umamusume who debuted in the same year, Kousei had been chasing McQueen's shadow since their Debut Race, spending their entire rookie year together.
The Twinkle Series was a brutal competition, with only one victor.
Could Kousei finally triumph against an opponent she had never defeated before?
The thought sparked endless speculation.
Even so, Kousei's chances of victory remained slim. There was no doubt she had grown stronger since her rookie year. But the opponent she sought to challenge, Mejiro McQueen, had also become even more formidable.
If not for the leg injuries McQueen sustained during the Seishun Cup, many believed she would have emerged victorious even against the Empress herself.
A peerless genius who could invoke divine miracles—a prodigy whose like had never been seen before, and whose equal might never be seen again.
According to McQueen, entering her "Divine Form" rendered the injuries to her legs almost insignificant. Air Groove's victory was undeniable, yet the audience refused to accept it.
One prominent commentator, after witnessing this scene, remarked, "With each passing year, Mejiro's strength grows more formidable. McQueen has now surpassed my ability to even evaluate her."
In an instant, McQueen's reputation soared, eclipsing even the other half of the Twins.
After all, it had been a long time since Tokai Teio's last race. Yet whenever people discussed who among the new generation of prodigies could defeat Mejiro McQueen, Tokai Teio's name still surfaced.
In Central, the title of Triple Crown Winner carried immense hope and dreams, especially the promise of Legacy.
Every era has its own story: as some fade into the background, others rise to take their place. No one can stop the turning of the page, nor can anyone stop the Umamusume.
Classic Year: an unprecedented challenge, super-talented contenders battling across eras.
The unstoppable tide of progress will push the physical capabilities of the "Generations" to their peak. Who will be the protagonist of the next chapter?