After a few more trivial questions, the press conference concluded swiftly.
Once they had dealt with the reporters, Kousei's team immediately headed to the racetrack, where Racing Association staff were waiting. From a distance, they saw a crowd gathered. Upon getting closer, they realized it was entirely composed of Umamusume.
"Welcome to Longchamp, Cinderella," said the approaching Umamusume. She radiated a commanding presence, her every move exuding the aura of a legendary champion.
"Huh? It's her? What's she doing here?" Reiko clearly recognized the Umamusume, and even Twilight Cloud looked surprised.
She seems like a big shot, Kousei thought to herself.
"Do I need to introduce myself?" the Umamusume asked with a smile.
"No need. The renowned Frankel—I doubt there's anyone in the world who doesn't know you. But why are you at Longchamp?" Reiko replied.
Uh... should I admit I don't know her? Kousei wondered.
"The SA is part of the Racing Association, so isn't it normal for athletes from other leagues to be here? Besides, I'm retired now, so I have plenty of free time."
"Besides," Frankel continued, her gaze fixed on Kousei, her eyes filled with speculation, "I wanted to see for myself what kind of person could tear through the NAU."
"Senpai, you don't know her?" Twilight Cloud whispered, clearly noticing Kousei's confusion. "She's incredible~ They call her 'the most perfect masterpiece in Umamusume history.' A superstar who supposedly never lost a single race in her entire career. Few can even come close to her. Just the name 'Frankel' is enough to shatter all doubt."
Kousei knew Frankel was formidable, but she hadn't realized she was that legendary.
"Did she win the Arc de Triomphe?"
"Senpai, the Arc de Triomphe isn't the only Super Grand Prix in the world. Even without it, her greatness is undeniable."
I see, Kousei thought. The world is far vaster than I imagined.
Frankel extended her hand to Kousei. "Welcome to Longchamp, Legend."
Kousei shook her hand, bewildered. "Legend? Me?"
"Yes. In my eyes, your story is already magnificent enough. The Arc de Triomphe is just the icing on the cake. You've achieved something unprecedented. How could mere wins and losses ever fully capture your tale?"
What a strange feeling—to be called a legend by a legend etched in history. A powerful sense of validation made Kousei lower her head shyly, letting out a soft "Mm."
"Hehe~ I've held things up a bit," Frankel chuckled, "but then, I'm not the main character here."
She stepped back half a pace, moving aside. An intense, oppressive aura washed over Kousei. She shuddered, and as she looked up, she saw a sea of familiar faces.
They're the past champions of the Arc de Triomphe!
Just from their stances, she could tell they were terrifyingly strong.
Huh? Kousei frowned. Why is Rohan here too?
Rohan looked completely out of place among the Arc de Triomphe Umamusume. Seeing him chatting happily with one of them, Kousei couldn't help but feel a pang of suspicion.
"Kousei," Reiko said in a timely manner, "since the champions want to meet you, you should go. We'll head over to coordinate with the Racing Association first. The surgery isn't urgent."
"Huh? But I don't want to be separated from you, Senpai!"
Just a Way stared at Twilight Cloud in utter shock. "Can't you read the room at all?!"
"Eh? Way! What are you doing?!"
Without another word, Just a Way ignored Twilight Cloud's struggles and forcibly dragged her away.
"Way has incredible strength," Kousei murmured, slightly surprised.
"Kousei! Perfect timing! Sea the Stars has been eager to meet you!" Rohan introduced them enthusiastically. "This is Sea the Stars. She's amazing—the current King of the Arc de Triomphe."
Kousei straightened her back. "Hello!"
"Hehe~" Sea the Stars beamed. "No need to be so tense. I'm not like the other champions. Just think of me as a regular Umamusume."
Treating the reigning King of the Arc de Triomphe like a regular Umamusume—what a luxurious experience. Kousei glanced behind her and noticed a brown-skinned Umamusume staring intently at her.
Rigantona? She's the one who defeated Yurei-nee.
Kousei couldn't forget Rigantona's distinctive appearance. When their eyes met, Rigantona offered a meaningful smile.
Rigantona's presence made Kousei feel as if she had stepped back into a previous generation.
"By the way, Rohan, I never knew you had connections like this."
"Oh~ You mean Sea the Stars? She was raised by a senpai from the Eastern Lands, so naturally, we're quite close."
"Eh? But I thought the Eastern Lands were an NAU site?"
"Let me explain," Sea the Stars interjected. "While my Trainer is from the Eastern Lands, I'm not registered as an Umamusume there. So when I ran in the Arc de Triomphe, I wasn't officially representing the Eastern Lands."
Kousei's eyes widened in understanding. Now that I think about it, that's the only way it could have worked.
"Hero of The North," Sea the Stars praised, "I've been wanting to meet you before the race. Your majestic presence truly lives up to your reputation."
"So you are running in the Arc de Triomphe."
"Well, my original plan was to retire," Sea the Stars admitted, clasping her hands together.
"Retire?" Kousei was stunned.
"My body has reached its limit. My journey was supposed to end the moment I won the Arc de Triomphe. But after watching your races, I knew I had to compete against you, no matter what."
"Kousei, I love watching you race. Well, most people hope for a 'beautiful end,' but I still feel I have to run."
Hearing Sea the Stars' words, Kousei was momentarily unsure how to react.
"What's wrong? Are you worried I'll think it's an unfair victory?" Sea the Stars asked bluntly.
Kousei opened her mouth but didn't explain. A small part of her did feel that way. If an Umamusume wanted to retire, it meant her body could no longer handle high-intensity races.
The old Kousei would never have thought this way. But now, with her own time running out, she empathized deeply.
"Well, you're right," Sea the Stars said, a hint of melancholy in her voice. "Everyone knows my condition is poor. I know it too—I'm not the same as I once was.
"The Arc de Triomphe won't just have you; there will be top contenders from other leagues. The chances of defending my title are almost zero. Everyone thinks it would be a shame to end my career with a loss."
"But I'm not just saying that. Even now, I'm entering this race with the absolute intention of winning. I am the King of the Arc de Triomphe. As long as I want to run, I will run. Poor condition is no excuse. I will absolutely never run from my own heart.
"So, I have a request. At the Arc de Triomphe, please, give it your all."
Sea the Stars' gaze was sincere and intense. The pride of the King of the Arc de Triomphe would not allow her to back down from a challenge. Her dormant spirit, stirred by Kousei's presence, now raged anew.
A genuine challenge... How long had it been since Kousei had faced one? A pure, passionate duel. In that moment, Kousei remembered her days at Central.
Back then, just starting out, her eyes saw only her rivals and the race.
A faint smile touched Kousei's lips as she lowered her gaze and murmured, "I always give it my all. You don't need to worry."