"Due to Kousei and Gold City's violation of the Thorough Management Education Program, their disregard for rules, and their reckless disregard for their own physical well-being, which posed a malicious risk to other competitors, the Central Committee has decreed their demotion as punishment. The winner of the Osaka Cup is Eishin Flash."
This official announcement from Central condemned Kousei and Gold City's actions, sparking widespread public debate.
"Kousei, wasn't she one of the Umamusume who rebelled against the Thorough Management Education Program? So she's still harboring resentment, even now?"
"This is utterly reckless! That kind of racing style lacks any beauty and shouldn't be encouraged at all. She's a ticking time bomb!"
"I understand that physical confrontation is a valid tactic for Umamusume, but I've never seen anyone rely on it so heavily. Umamusume who carry our hopes shouldn't behave like this."
The meaning behind Kousei's actions had completely slipped out of her control. The suppressed discontent from the Osaka Cup had festered, and public pressure surged violently.
In an instant, the name "Kousei" became synonymous with malice, even giving rise to absurd rumors like:
"Competing against that Umamusume will only invite misfortune."
What's even more absurd is that such ludicrous opinions became mainstream. Initially, voices supporting Kousei were strong, but they quickly faded away in the tide of public opinion.
The Subject:
"Ugh..." Kousei slumped like a dead fish.
T and Just a Way exchanged helpless glances. Kousei had been like this for a week now.
Except during mealtimes when she briefly returned to normal, she remained in this listless state. It seemed the setback had hit her hard.
After all, it was a G1 trophy—and especially precious to Kousei, given how hard she had fought to earn it.
The other culprit, Gold City, boarded the company car immediately after the race.
"Thanks, Kousei~ Looking forward to our next race!" she said lightly before slipping away.
Rumor had it that Gold City originally planned a full comeback, but her manager, concerned for her safety and public image, temporarily shifted her focus to modeling. She would return to racing when the time was right.
T and Just a Way exchanged another helpless look. This situation could only be resolved through Kousei's own internal processing.
As for the public backlash outside the Academy, it was best not to tell her about it for now.
"My second G1..." Disappointment, disappointment. How much sorrow can one heart hold?
Kousei looked up, her eyes shining with a poignant brilliance, but she had no idea where she was.
Her understanding of the Academy was essentially limited to the Ritto Dormitory, the Training Track, and the Dining Hall. Beyond those, her familiarity was limited at best.
"Hey~! Don't look so gloomy! Even if we don't know what's going on, let's just get hyped for the festival, yeah?!"
A figure suddenly darted out, startling Kousei. On closer inspection, she recognized Taiki Shuttle.
"Hey~ Kousei-chan! What are you doing here all alone?"
Kousei didn't recognize Shuttle at all, but she seemed like a very outgoing Umamusume. Kousei found her surprisingly likable.
"Lost? Ditched? Or maybe you're here to join the hype-fest?!"
"Meaning... unclear!?"
Shuttle launched into her own hype session: "Super hyped☆ Mega hyped☆ BOOM! Straight to the heavens! Race! &! High! Five! Yeah~~!"
She struck a pose, grinning brightly.
"I have absolutely no idea what she's saying," Kousei muttered, her expression indescribable.
Though she couldn't understand the words, Shuttle's radiant smile seemed to possess a magical quality, chasing away the gloom in Kousei's heart. For a moment, Kousei even forgot about her recent defeat.
"Why are you here, Shuttle?" Kousei decided to start with the simplest question.
"Ehhh~ I was waiting for a friend, but then I realized I came way too early! Hahaha! It's hilarious!"
"Ah..." Kousei didn't get the joke at all.
"My Friend is still not here? I'm so lonely I could cry~" Shuttle, who had been hyperactive just moments ago, suddenly looked utterly dejected.
"M-maybe she'll be here soon!" Kousei, who wasn't good at comforting others, forced herself to say something.
"I was just teasing you! Kousei-chan is so serious~ Did I scare you?"
"Ah..."
As expected, Shuttle wouldn't stay down for long.
"So, Kousei-chan, why the long face?" Shuttle seemed genuinely curious.
"It's about the race."
"Mhm! You lost, right? I know how that feels~ I cry too when I lose!" Shuttle looked deeply empathetic.
"No, it's about being dem... Eh!"
"I know a great place! Let's go right now!"
Shuttle grabbed Kousei's hand and started running wildly, babbling nonsense as she went.
"Wait! Full speed is forbidden in the Academy... Gurgle gurgle!" Shuttle dashed off at full speed, her radiant words vanishing in the wind.
"GOODGOOD! This is it!"
Kousei stared blankly at the tree hollow Shuttle presented to her, completely bewildered.
"Don't you know, Kousei-chin? So outdated! This, my dear, is one of Tracen's most popular facilities! Countless Umamusume come here daily to vent after losing races. It's practically a place of fate!"
Kousei swallowed hard as she gazed at the hollow. "Is it really that powerful?"
"Alright, alright, Kousei-chin, hurry up and try it!" Shuttle pushed her forward from behind.
"Okay! I got it!"
Kousei stood nervously before the hollow, glanced around cautiously, and leaned in.
Gurgle, gurgle...
Shuttle tilted her head. "I can't hear a word you're saying, Kousei-chin."
"No, no! That's not how you do it!" Shuttle declared with a serious expression. "You have to do it like this!"
Shuttle slumped forward, half-bowing her body. "Damn it! This is so painful! What the heck?! Miss is being so indifferent! I just don't understand! She thinks I'm too noisy! I'm gonna cry!"
"Absolutely! Absolutely! I'm going to cry, you hear me?!"
"And what's with that guy?! Why is he getting so close to Miss?!"
Shuttle screamed herself hoarse, her voice growing increasingly frantic, teetering on the brink of a full-blown meltdown.
"What is she even saying?! Should I stop her?" Kousei wondered, gradually giving up trying to make sense of Taiki Shuttle's increasingly frantic outbursts.
"Thank you, Kousei-chin~ Thank you for staying with me and listening to my ranting. You're such a good person," Shuttle sniffled.
"It's okay, Shuttle. Just don't be sad," Kousei replied, wiping away her tears and snot with a handkerchief.
"Kousei-chin, you're so gentle. I love it~"
"Ha ha..."
In the blink of an eye, their roles had reversed. Kousei tilted her head back 45 degrees and gazed at the sky. "Why am I even here?"
"Taiki~ I told you to wait for me, didn't I~?"
A sudden voice from behind sent a chill down both their spines.