"I understand what you want. You're seeking the fortune for the Takarazuka Memorial."
"As expected of Classmate Fukukitaru! I haven't even said a word, and you already know! Is this the power of divination?"
"Who doesn't know that?"
Inside the Ritto Dormitory, Matikanefukukitaru wore a smug expression, her bright eyes sparkling. To her, divination seemed like a superpower. Just a Way watched the pair with an expression that suggested she was barely restraining herself.
Must... resist... the urge to retort...
Fukukitaru wore a solemn expression, reverently caressing the crystal ball while muttering incantations under her breath.
As Fukukitaru chanted, the crystal ball erupted in a dazzling light. Kousei's eyes widened, filled with anticipation.
"Is this for real?" Just a Way had never believed in divination, but Fukukitaru's dramatic performance held a certain allure.
"The fortune for the Takarazuka Memorial is..."
"Is...!"
"Great misfortune!"
"Eh?!"
Kousei and Just a Way recoiled in shock. Their first divination attempt had yielded the worst possible result.
"Why 'Great Misfortune'? Is my luck really this bad?"
"It's all according to Great Lord Hakko's instructions," Fukukitaru said, striking a mysterious pose.
"What should I do then?!"
"You actually believe that?!" Just a Way couldn't comprehend how things had escalated this far.
"Of course! Great Lord Hakko is a god of happiness. He wouldn't ignore a child who yearns for good fortune!" Fukukitaru declared, pulling a wind chime from her satchel. "A radiant lucky charm! With this brilliant treasure, you'll surely turn misfortune into fortune at the Takarazuka Memorial! You must never, ever lose it!"
At first glance, it appeared to be a wind chime, but it was merely a decorative accessory shaped like one. Kousei treasured it like a priceless gem, carefully hanging it from her waist.
"Way! Look!" Kousei proudly showed off her wind chime to Just a Way.
"Mhm~ nice~" Just a Way smiled, not at the chime itself, but at Kousei. "The only gods I know are the Three Goddesses. I've never even heard of a god named Hakko."
Just as Just a Way was pondering this, the wind chime suddenly swayed, emitting two crisp, refreshing notes. A chill ran down her neck, followed by a refreshing coolness that seemed to cleanse her entire being.
"Way! Did you hear that?!" Kousei exclaimed, her eyes shining with excitement.
"It's all thanks to Great Lord Hakko! Let's praise Great Lord Hakko together!"
"Praise Great Lord Hakko!"
Kousei joined Fukukitaru in their strange prayer ritual, while Just a Way frowned in suspicion. "How could there be wind inside?" she wondered.
Her gaze then shifted to the wind chime hanging from Kousei's waist. "Could Great Lord Hakko truly exist?" she mused.
The moment you become aware of a deity, she already exists.
"Oh! Let's show McQueen!" Kousei stopped abruptly after taking only a few steps.
After inheriting the title of Family Head, McQueen had moved out of Ritto Dormitory, making the Mejiro Family's mansion her new home. This meant their dormitory bonding time was now a thing of the past.
Truth be told, Kousei's anxiety had been growing as the Takarazuka Memorial approached. In previous races, she had only felt excitement. But this time, an inexplicable unease gnawed at her heart. When she asked her seniors about it, most dismissed it as a normal phenomenon.
It's perfectly normal to feel anxious about a race; every Umamusume experiences it. In fact, Kousei should have gone through this long ago.
"I'm genuinely surprised," someone remarked. "I always thought the Japan Cup would be your most stressful race. I never imagined it would be the Takarazuka Memorial."
At the time, Kousei was in a precarious situation. Everyone believed it was a miracle that she had won the Japan Cup under such immense pressure. Yet, to Kousei herself, the pressure of the Japan Cup seemed insignificant.
In reality, once Kousei realized that Trainer T had been orchestrating everything, external pressures began to affect her far less.
This time, Kousei's anxiety stemmed more from unease, though she couldn't quite articulate it. The Central medical team diagnosed her with pre-race anxiety as well, but neither medication nor walks relieved her symptoms.
After receiving Great Lord Hakko's blessing, Kousei did feel significantly lighter. Her anxiety stopped intensifying. Whether this was due to divine intervention remained unclear, but the idea of treating mental issues through mystical means had a certain logic to it.
"Remember! You absolutely, positively cannot lose your lucky charm!" Fukukitaru solemnly warned, only leaving after receiving Kousei's radiant assurance.
As night fell, Kousei and Just a Way lay in bed, unable to sleep.
"Can't sleep? Has Great Lord Hakko's blessing failed to ease your anxiety?" Just a Way asked.
"Since when did you start calling Hakko 'Great Lord' too, Way?" Kousei replied.
"If a deity could help you regain your composure, I wouldn't hesitate to offer my devotion."
"How opportunistic! What if Great Lord Hakko hears you?" Kousei teased.
"Great Lord Hakko, the bringer of happiness, wouldn't trouble a devout believer."
Just a Way's silver tongue glided effortlessly. Kousei flipped over and stared blankly at the ceiling.
"Is this a stage everyone goes through? Way, what do you think I'm anxious about? Is it because I haven't seen McQueen in so long?"
"That should be excitement, not anxiety. Generally, unless you're hiding something from her, fearing seeing McQueen would imply you're hiding something. Are you afraid to face McQueen?"
Kousei thought carefully for a moment, then shook her head. "No, I'm actually looking forward to seeing McQueen."
There was no reason why meeting McQueen would be awkward.
"Then that settles it! Don't overthink things. Just focus on the race when you're competing."
Kousei thought it over again and realized Just a Way was right.
"Easy for you to say, Way. You've never even participated in a race before."
Just a Way, who was trying to comfort Kousei, was still an Umamusume who hadn't debuted yet.
"Whether you've debuted or not doesn't matter, Kousei~"
"You're so strange, Way. I've never met an Umamusume who doesn't want to compete in the Twinkle Series. If it weren't for you, I'd think it was some kind of curse on us Umamusume!"
Kousei's casual jest brought an uncharacteristic silence from Just a Way.
"Life isn't just about the Twinkle Series. Watching everyone else strive for their dreams makes me happy too."
Before Kousei could react, Just a Way quickly added, "Even Umamusume have different aspirations, you know? Still, I believe running is the greatest joy."
"Kousei should just pursue her own happiness. Passion is more important than anything else."
A sliver of moonlight streamed through the half-open window. The two girls leaned sideways, watching the moonlight slowly creep across the floor without a word. The moonlight finally reached the edge of the bed, illuminating half of Just a Way's face.
"Saying you're happy just watching from the sidelines sounds like some kind of compromise."
The moonlight shifted, passing over Kousei from above. Just a Way couldn't see Kousei's eyes.
After a long silence,
"I am happy."