"Thank you so much for your guidance. I've realized I truly want to become someone like Kousei-senpai and Tanino-senpai."
"Aim to be like us, but don't walk our path. Vodka is Vodka."
"Vodka will take that to heart."
After hanging up, Vodka's voice sounded noticeably lighter. She should be fine now, Kousei thought, feeling a sense of relief.
"Being a senpai... it's a heavy responsibility," Kousei murmured with a slight smile, letting out a cheerful whistle.
When Kousei returned to the house, she noticed something was off about Reiko and the others. They were so engrossed in the television that they didn't even hear her open the door.
Curious, Kousei glanced at the screen. It was packed with people, clearly a press conference. As she focused, she recognized the figure at the center: Morgan, the woman who had greeted them at the airport.
With her hands in her pockets and sunglasses perched on her nose, Morgan exuded an air of arrogance. Even without seeing her eyes, the perpetual smirk on her lips betrayed her pride.
Morgan was already famous, and the "assassin" title always made for a sensational story. Reporters swarmed her, desperate for material, and she seemed to revel in the attention. The world's adoration fed her insatiable ego.
"Settle down~ Settle down now~ Let Miss Morgan speak~" Morgan silenced the clamoring crowd.
"Miss Morgan! Is your sudden arrival in NAU truly because of Kousei's recent declaration?" Despite her command, the reporters couldn't contain themselves, circling her like vultures over carrion, refusing to back down.
Morgan's smile widened. This was precisely why she loved press conferences. These people were always hunting for a headline, and inciting them was one of her few pleasures.
"Of course~ Why else would Miss Morgan grace this place with her presence~" Since they wanted a story, Morgan would give them everything they craved.
"Then, Miss Morgan, do you also believe Kousei is an Umamusume capable of competing on the world stage?" Morgan's response fueled their excitement even further.
If Morgan personally acknowledged Kousei's strength, the "Cinderella's rise" narrative would make for an excellent article.
"Unfortunately~ Miss Morgan does not believe Kousei is worthy of the world stage," Morgan declared, crushing their hopes without mercy.
The reporters were momentarily stunned. Having confirmed the first point, they had assumed Morgan wouldn't deny Kousei's strength.
Kousei, however, wasn't surprised in the slightest. Though they had only met once, she already knew just how vile Morgan was to the core. Hearing a kind word from Morgan's lips would be like seeing a ghost.
While Kousei had a good idea of what game Morgan was playing, she decided to watch it unfold anyway.
"In Miss Morgan's view, Kousei is merely a bit lucky—unworthy of the title 'Monster.' My sudden arrival isn't out of fear, but simply to knock her down a peg."
A murmur swept through the room. Morgan's statement had clearly escalated the situation to a new level.
"Using the media to build hype for herself... a clever idea. Unfortunately, her skills are lacking. Miss Morgan can only express her regret~"
It's about time, Morgan thought.
"Miss Morgan, do you have any message for Kousei?" a reporter shouted.
"Oh, yes. Of course," Morgan replied with a malicious grin, staring directly into the camera. "It's a shame, but I'll have to ask her to try again next year~"
The provocation was unmistakable. By deliberately mirroring Kousei's own tactics, Morgan intended to crush her completely. Her arrogant pronouncements had ignited the rivalry before the race even began, and the media vultures eagerly devoured the sensational story she had served them.
By the end of the interview, Morgan had achieved her goal.
"Her personality is truly vile," Aoi remarked.
"Of course. She is the 'Witch,' after all," Just a Way quipped.
"So, are you going?" Reiko asked, turning to Kousei.
Kousei toyed with the card in her hand and smiled faintly. "It's hard to refuse such a... warm invitation. Naturally, I'll go."
Since Morgan wanted a private meeting, Kousei would grant her one. Besides, Morgan was unlike any opponent she had faced so far; perhaps she could learn something from her.
As for Morgan's public statements, Kousei wasn't worried. With Aoi handling things, such petty tricks wouldn't stir up any real trouble.
"The next race is crucial," Reiko warned before Kousei left. "Don't let anything she says get to you."
"I know."
Kousei waved dismissively and walked away without looking back. Under the cover of night, she followed the address to Morgan's residence. Two desserts sat on the table; Morgan seemed unsurprised by her arrival.
"Late-night snack?" Morgan asked, toweling her damp hair.
"No, thank you. I'm not used to eating at night," Kousei declined.
"Is that so?" Morgan casually sat down. "I heard from Caesar that McQueen quite enjoys late-night sweets. I thought you'd be the same."
"McQueen... I can't argue with that."
"You know Caesar?" Kousei asked, following the thread of the conversation.
"More than just know her."
Morgan revealed the emblem on her chest. Kousei recognized it instantly—Caesar wore the same one. It seemed Morgan and Caesar belonged to the same Gate.
Reiko had once mentioned that among the Four Northern Elites, only Caesar hadn't joined due to expulsion. Though Reiko knew Caesar had her own agenda, she had treated her as an ally because the Northern Academy had no one else to rely on, and Director Akikawa had already reached an agreement with Caesar.
Caesar had indeed been acting in the Northern Academy's interests. Did Morgan's sudden appearance represent some of Caesar's intentions?
"Isn't Caesar with Twilight Cloud and the others right now?"
"Twilight Cloud? Ah—those people. Yes, they're together." Morgan naturally wouldn't reveal Caesar's true whereabouts. She only needed the fact that Caesar was her comrade to unsettle Kousei.
Kousei didn't press the matter. Everyone had their secrets, herself included. Prying further would be pointless.
"So, why did you bring me here?" With the small talk over, Kousei asked directly.
"I invited you to my home because I want to be friends, of course."
Kousei's eyes glinted with scorn; she clearly didn't believe a word of it.
"I have many friends, and I hope to befriend everyone I meet. But you... you're the only one I despise from the bottom of my heart."
"Why? Because I badmouthed you at the press conference?"
Kousei couldn't put it into words. Morgan's personality wasn't particularly malicious—Kousei could even tolerate someone like Twilight Cloud—but Morgan was the one person she couldn't accept.
From the moment they first met, Kousei had felt a prickling unease, like thorns against her back. The feeling had only intensified over time. Befriending Morgan would be like inviting a wolf into her home.
If she had to describe it in a single word, Kousei could only think of one: Betrayal.