Shortly after Kashimoto Riko's Thorough Management Education Program was implemented, Tracen Academy delivered a series of bombshell announcements.
As a core figure of Sirius, Tokai Teio declared her decision to join the Student Council.
This announcement sent shockwaves through the academy.
The leader who had once stood against Kashimoto Riko's policies was now switching sides to join the Student Council. While everyone knew Tokai Teio would eventually join the council, no one expected it to happen now—the timing couldn't have been worse.
Hot on the heels of this announcement, Mejiro McQueen succeeded Grandmother Mejiro as the head of the Mejiro Family. The world remained unaware of Grandmother Mejiro's situation, and McQueen now represented the family, much like Rudolf before her.
Many had hoped to see Kousei and McQueen renew their rivalry during the Classic Year, but McQueen avoided competing against Kousei, entering only two races: the Takarazuka Kinen and the Spring Tenno Sho, the latter symbolizing Mejiro Glory.
After finishing her training, Kousei saw these announcements on the bulletin board and froze in shock. Though she was unaware of the turmoil within the Mejiro Family, she couldn't shake a growing sense of unease.
News of the two prodigies spread rapidly, dominating conversations in every corner of Tracen Academy. Even the constraints of the Management Education Program couldn't contain their restless spirits.
When Kousei saw McQueen again, McQueen acted as if nothing had changed.
Her demeanor was elegant, her manner warm and approachable.
To onlookers, McQueen was still the same McQueen. But Kousei knew that McQueen had transcended not only physically but also spiritually, leaving behind the mortal realm. Having entered her prime far earlier than anyone in generations, McQueen had become a true goddess.
Amidst the flowing crowd, they exchanged glances across several figures.
Kousei fidgeted, wanting to speak but stopping herself. In the end, she said nothing. After several minutes of silent gazing, McQueen offered Kousei a faint smile. Kousei blinked in surprise, but when she looked again, McQueen had vanished.
So that's how it is?
Kousei couldn't fathom McQueen's state of mind upon assuming her new role, but she saw an unwavering determination to win burning in her eyes.
The weight on her shoulders felt heavier now, yet McQueen remained herself.
Even without a word spoken, the gloom between her brows slowly dispersed like morning mist.
Kousei didn't linger. She turned and walked away.
This parting marked the divergence of two entirely different paths.
"I'll never yield!"
"I'll never give up!"
Our intertwined destinies... someday, I will find my way into your heart.
This sudden turn of events naturally caught the attention of the other party. From the moment he received the news, the Family Head fell into a prolonged silence. He locked himself in his study for days, and when he finally emerged, he seemed to have aged considerably.
"Family Head," the concerned clan members murmured.
Raising a hand to silence their concern, the Family Head asked, "Where is Bakushin?"
"She should be at the Training Track."
"Tracen?"
"No, at the Sakura Clan's own track."
The weary Family Head then braced himself and stepped outside.
"Bakushin! Bakushin!"
At the Sakura Clan's Training Track, Bakushin was training as vigorously as ever. The Family Head didn't call out to her, simply observing her silently.
"Family Head! Listen to me! I've already dominated the Sprint Championship! According to my Trainer, if I keep this momentum, I'll be able to enter the Arima Kinen soon!"
Bakushin was the first to notice him. The Sakura Family Head affectionately stroked her head.
"As expected, 'Bakushin' solves everything. Ride this momentum and win the Arima Kinen!"
Bakushin seemed brimming with confidence. The Family Head hesitated slightly, then sighed softly and smiled. "Is that so? Truly remarkable, conquering the Sprint Championship. But... wouldn't you want to enter more sprint races first?"
"No way!" Bakushin snorted, turning her head away. "I'm running in the Arima Kinen!"
"Is that so? But the Long-Distance Championship is much longer than the Arima Kinen. If Bakushin were to win the Long-Distance Championship, wouldn't that be even more impressive if she were the Class Rep?"
"If she were the Class Rep!" Bakushin completely tuned out the Sakura Family Head's earlier words, her ears selectively picking out only what she wanted to hear.
"Hmph! Leave it to me! As everyone's beloved Class Rep!" Bakushin struck a pose. "Bakushin! Bakushin!"
She bolted off like a shot, immediately crashing into a tree.
The Sakura Family Head wore a complex expression. After a long internal struggle, he dialed a number.
"T, about that matter... my child will withdraw."
"Why?"
"She's... well... 'great wisdom that looks like folly'."
Silence hung heavy on the other end of the line.
"Taka no Ko-chan~ Kousei wants to become an idol! Please let her join the group~"
"Gomen ne~ To become an idol, you have to be a Front-Runner Horse!"
Ah!
Kousei jolted awake from bed. After being expelled from Tracen, she had been forced to join an idol group, only to be rejected for not being a Front-Runner Horse, leaving her no choice but to resort to begging.
How could Kousei be having such a dream?
"Kousei, are you awake?"
Just a Way seemed to have woken up long ago and was sitting at the head of Kousei's bed.
"Way, what are you doing here?"
Just a Way flashed a cryptic smile. "It would be so much better if you never woke up."
"Huh?!" Kousei was instantly flustered by her words.
As Kousei's roommate, Just a Way knew about Kousei's habit of watching late-night anime. In the dorm, only Kousei, tucked away in her unnoticed corner, could get away with hiding a TV.
Normally, Kousei would have been doing morning drills, but she skipped them due to oversleeping. According to the training schedule Kashimoto Riko had given her, today was supposed to be a rest day. But Kousei didn't want to rest. Yet, going to the training track would risk getting caught by the patrols.
After racking her brains, Kousei finally came up with a good place to go.
"This is the 'good place' you were talking about?" Just a Way asked, eyeing the dilapidated school building before them.
"Exactly! It's spacious enough, right?"
Kousei led Just a Way to the old training room where T used to train, a place no one ever visited near the dilapidated classroom building.
"How did you even find this place?" Just a Way asked, puzzled.
"It was the training room of T's former assigned Umamusume. I came here with him once when he retrieved his Trainer badge."
"I see... So what about me? Why did you ask me to come?"
If Kousei wanted to train, Just a Way figured she could at most prepare carrot juice for her.
"My race is coming up soon, and McQueen has become even stronger than before. I need to push myself harder. But training alone, I can't even imagine myself defeating McQueen."
"So?"
Kousei stared intently at Just a Way, a sly smile playing on her lips. "So I need a training partner. I need someone to run alongside me. But in this environment, I can't rely on anyone else. To win against McQueen, please lend me your strength, Way!"
"Huh?! McQueen?! Me?!"