"Back then, Chiin was the best in the industry. Dad and his trainer were a famous duo. The Chiin Family's training methods were strict, but they were far from what you'd call 'abuse'—until the day Morgan appeared.
"She defeated Dad with an arrogant attitude and overwhelming power, leaving him seven lengths behind. Amidst Morgan's taunts, he lost not only the race but his pride as well.
"After that, Dad and his trainer began training like madmen, descending into obsession. Their relentless regimen was tantamount to suicide; a string stretched too taut will inevitably snap. And then, the accident happened, just as expected.
"You know the rest."
Reiko explained the story concisely. Kousei knew the Chiin Family had fallen from grace due to an Umamusume accident, but she never imagined this was the underlying cause.
"I was there for that race," Kousei murmured. "Even now, the memory haunts me. Morgan was unlike any Umamusume I'd ever faced—a truly 'World-class' rival."
Reiko never expected her fears to materialize so quickly. Worse still, it had to be Morgan.
In stark contrast to Reiko's anxiety, Kousei remained remarkably calm. "Isn't this perfect? Let's avenge your father."
"You have no idea how strong she is," Reiko retorted, clearly disagreeing. "If you'd seen her race, you'd never say something like that."
"You're the one who doesn't understand, Reiko," Kousei said, looking directly into her eyes. "If I were afraid of stronger opponents, I would have given up long ago.
"We made a promise, didn't we? We're going to reach the peak of the world together and prove that your father's ideals weren't wrong."
"That's right," Aoi chimed in. "For Kousei to achieve her dream, facing Morgan is inevitable. In fact, this is ideal. Kousei is the type who always chooses the hardest path anyway."
"Way doesn't mind," Just a Way added, expressing her own thoughts. "Way believes Kousei won't lose, no matter who she's up against."
"You're worrying too much, young lady," Dr. Takuya said reassuringly. "This girl has won countless 'impossible' races throughout her career."
Reiko seemed to calm down, feeling apologetic for her wavering composure.
"You're right. Winning impossible races... that's our style."
"Oh, right," Reiko suddenly remembered something and handed her phone to Kousei. "Take this. An old friend seems to want a word with you."
Kousei looked at the phone, slightly confused. Before she could think much, a call came in.
"Hello?"
"Yo! Kousei—"
The familiar tone and characteristic cheerfulness instantly told Kousei who was on the other end. Joy lit up her face.
"Tachyon!"
The voice on the line belonged to none other than Agnes Tachyon.
"Sigh~"
"What's wrong?"
Tachyon's sigh made Kousei a little nervous.
"I know, you've made a name for yourself at the NAU, you're racing well, living the good life. You have a Trainer and fans to protect you. You don't need me, your friend. You don't respect me. You won't even call me Tachyon-senpai."
Kousei could almost picture Tachyon on the other end of the line, deliberately putting on a pitiful act as she complained. Ever since they first met, Tachyon had been strangely fixated on getting Kousei to call her "Senpai."
"I'm just glad to hear you're doing well," Kousei replied, completely missing Tachyon's point.
"Forget it. Talking to a blockhead is no fun," Tachyon snapped back, instantly reverting to her normal self.
They chatted idly for a while.
"Tachyon, how's your leg?" Kousei finally asked, voicing her greatest concern. After the Takarazuka Incident, Kousei had been confined to the Emotional Test Center, and it had been a long time since they last saw each other.
"My leg... I guess there's no hope for it."
Hearing the definitive answer, a wave of sorrow washed over Kousei. To finally return to the stage only to be forced into retirement like this... Overwhelmed with guilt, Kousei had to apologize.
"I'm sorry. It's all my fault."
Umamusume's superhuman physical abilities could easily lead to accidents in intense competition, which was why they had to follow the rules. It was terrifying to think back on it now. At the speed they were going, if luck hadn't been on their side, the injury could have been far worse than just a sprained ankle.
"Hahaha—" Tachyon burst out laughing. "No need to apologize. I know it wasn't your fault. You just wanted to win. There's nothing wrong with that."
In truth, Kousei couldn't defend herself, but she was grateful that her friend was willing to believe her.
"Thank you."
Those two words were enough.
"Speaking of which, there's something I need your help with," Tachyon suddenly mentioned.
"If it's something I can do, just ask."
"I want to collect your physical data, just like before."
"I don't mind, but didn't you say there was no hope?" Kousei asked, slightly confused.
"There's no hope for me, that's true. But there's a kouhai I'm concerned about who seems to have a similar vulnerability."
"A kouhai?"
"You might know her, actually. Her name is Daiwa Scarlet. She can be a bit awkward, but she's very considerate. In terms of personality, she's a lot like you—always striving to be number one, a fiercely competitive kid."
Kousei immediately remembered the girl who was always with Vodka.
"Don't tell me she also...?"
"You could say we're kindred spirits in suffering. Ever since I met her, I've felt a sense of destiny. This child gives me a very special feeling, as if an invisible thread connects us. It's a bit embarrassing to admit, but Scarlet takes such good care of me in daily life, even though I'm the senpai.
"But she just says, 'This is fine. I'm happy just being with Tachyon-senpai.' She's such a special kid. So when I saw the Grim Reaper stalking her, I knew I had to do something for her."
Tachyon's tone turned unusually serious. "I can never race again. I know the agony of that, and I don't want that child to suffer the same fate."
After listening quietly, Kousei asked just one question: "Can you succeed?"
Tachyon never spoke of her own past to Kousei, but the hardships she endured were hers alone to bear. It took life-risking courage. How many others could do the same?
"My entire life has been a pursuit of minuscule miracles, a string of unfulfilled wishes. But now, I have a new goal. I will ensure Scarlet enjoys her racing career in perfect health. For that, I will sacrifice everything."
"Kousei, the path we've walked has not been meaningless.
"By breaking through from zero to infinity, possibility has been born.
"We walked those arduous roads so that our juniors wouldn't have to tread them again.
"As Umamusume, we can pursue victory for our own selfish desires. But as senpai, don't we also have a duty to do what we can for those who come after us?
"My legs can no longer reach the shores of possibility. But someone will take up my banner and advance along the path I've trodden. That ethereal destination... surely, one day, it will be reached?"
In the silent night, Kousei gazed upward, the endless night sky dyeing her eyes the color of ink.