"You mean McQueen isn't coming?"
"That's right. For some reason, only Mejiro Ryan is participating in the Takarazuka Memorial."
Hearing this from the Trainer, Kousei froze in place.
"McQueen isn't coming..." she murmured unconsciously, her shock plain to see.
"Even though McQueen isn't coming, Agnes Tachyon and Mejiro Ryan are still top-tier powerhouses. This is a Classic Grade G1 race; I don't need to tell you how formidable the competition will be. If you enter in this state, you won't just lose—you'll be disrespecting your opponents.
No matter the circumstances, you must always give your all on the track. Every opponent carries someone's dreams onto the field. Half-heartedness is unacceptable! I don't remember teaching you to be this kind of Umamusume!"
Trainer's voice was stern, slightly louder than usual. His reprimand snapped Kousei out of her daze. She averted her gaze and sighed softly.
"I'm sorry, Trainer. I don't know why, but whenever McQueen is involved, I can't seem to stay calm."
Trainer saw through Kousei's confusion. After all, she was still just an ordinary young girl going through adolescence. The only difference between her and "us" was that she ran a little faster.
Her wavering was so transparent.
"Did you enjoy running in the Osaka Cup?"
"Hmm?" Kousei thought for a moment. "Yes, I've never felt so happy. The Osaka Cup ignited an unprecedented passion within me. It's strange—I've been competing in the Twinkle Series for a year now, but it wasn't until the Osaka Cup that I truly felt its allure."
"That's good to hear. You love running, don't you? Then just enjoy the Twinkle Series to the fullest. McQueen has her own path to follow, and you have yours. As long as you keep moving forward, one day you'll find McQueen ahead of you."
The gloom in Kousei's heart vanished completely, and she realized she'd been overthinking things.
"You're right! I should just enjoy the Twinkle Series! Now's not the time to mope about McQueen's absence. I still have races with Tachyon, and I've been looking forward to competing against the other Mejiro girls!"
Kousei seemed to regain her usual spirit, and T smiled reassuringly.
"Mejiro Ryan! That dashing powerhouse! And Tachyon's speed, surpassing even the speed of light! This is going to be thrilling!"
Rallying herself at the last minute, fueled by her fierce competitive spirit, Kousei temporarily forgot about McQueen.
"Looks like you're in peak condition."
Peak competitive form has always been Kousei's greatest strength. Her ability to perform at full capacity at any given moment is exceptionally rare among Umamusume.
"I'm heading out!"
"Go get 'em!"
Only after Kousei left did T finally relax.
"It seems I still have a long way to go as a father. Fortunately, Kousei is quite simple-minded."
Playing the stern father isn't as easy as it looks.
"Both Kousei and I need to keep growing."
Kousei changed into her Personal Racing Outfit, her head held high as her powerful footsteps echoed through the athlete's passage.
"You're finally here? I've been waiting for you," Tachyon greeted her with a smile.
"Tachyon actually waited for me? Looks like I have quite the reputation," Kousei teased.
Tachyon brushed off the joke with a laugh and pointed to an Umamusume in the distance. "See her? That's Mejiro Ryan, a strong contender for the Takarazuka Memorial."
Kousei followed Tachyon's gaze. Ryan seemed to be muttering to herself.
"Come on, Ryan! You can do this!"
Kousei studied Ryan from afar. Compared to their first meeting, Ryan had grown even more muscular. Just looking at her refined physique inspired awe.
"Are all members of the Mejiro Family like this?"
Ryan's formidable physique posed a significant threat on the track, her exceptional strength and explosive power making her a force to be reckoned with in the final leg.
"It seems you and Ryan will have a rather intense clash," Tachyon observed.
Having advanced to the Classic Grade, Kousei was about to face her first Power-type opponent. Having witnessed Eishin Flash's speed, it was now time to experience the Mejiro Family's raw power.
"Of course! I never planned to back down. Taking her down head-on—now that's what I call cool!"
Kousei's fighting spirit and physical condition were at their peak, her mind and body brimming with exhilaration.
How will the Mejiro power that once crushed me head-on fare now?
"Let's go!"
The pair headed toward the inspection gate. After taking only a few steps, Kousei felt her foot grow strangely light. Looking down, she realized her horseshoe had come loose.
"Come loose?"
Kousei distinctly remembered checking her horseshoes meticulously before the race. As an Umamusume's primary weapon, she always ensured they were flawless before proceeding.
Why now?
Without dwelling on it, Kousei alerted the staff to the loose horseshoe and bent down to remove her shoe.
"Please, let me take care of it," a staff member offered.
"Thank you."
After handing her shoes to the staff, Kousei waited nearby. As she watched the staff member meticulously customize her horseshoes, a strange feeling stirred within her.
For some reason, the staff member seemed oddly familiar.
Kousei shook her head, banishing the thought from her mind. She had been tormented by such ideas for months now. After all, they were staff members, and since Kashimoto Riko's policies had been implemented, they saw each other practically every day. Familiarity was only natural.
Clearing her mind of these distractions, Kousei's hand brushed against the protective charm Fukukitaru had given her. A sudden wave of coolness washed through her, instantly calming her spirits.
"All done. The horseshoes are nailed on. Wishing you the best of luck."
"Thank you."
This staff member's friendly demeanor stood in stark contrast to the others. As staunch supporters of Kashimoto Riko's management philosophy, they saw Kousei as a volatile time bomb they had to handle with extreme caution.
After putting on her shoes, Kousei tested them with a few steps and found no issues. She nodded to the staff member who had helped her and turned toward the inspection gate.
The staff member's gaze suddenly shifted behind her. Months earlier, Kousei had felt the same look in Tachyon's medical room.
As Kousei stepped out of the tunnel, a blast of hot air surged toward her, crashing over her like a wave.
Ahhhh!
A thunderous roar of cheers erupted.
"Ryan! Show them what you've got! Show them how strong an Umamusume you are!"
"I can't believe I'm seeing Tachyon compete in the Twinkle Series again! Let us witness that otherworldly speed one more time!"
Summer Festival, Takarazuka Memorial.
The crowd's fervor intensified the summer heat, their overwhelming enthusiasm feeling like they were pulling the season itself into their arms.
"This is the Takarazuka Memorial!"