"Shouldn't we do something?"
"What can we do?"
Kousei and Sea the Stars' minds went blank. They had never encountered a situation like this before.
"That hearty laugh sounds a little familiar..." Kousei felt a strange sense of déjà vu.
Of course, it wasn't a suicide mission. A parachute deployed, and Kousei and Sea the Stars watched as the figure descended slowly. First, a pair of ears emerged, followed by a felt hat.
She landed on her feet, a lollipop stick dangling from her mouth.
"Ah!" Kousei gasped.
Sea the Stars immediately asked, "You know her?"
"No."
"No? Then what was that 'ah' for?"
"I feel like I've seen her somewhere before..." Kousei frantically searched her memories for any trace of the Umamusume before them. Suddenly, something clicked. "Aren't you the one who's always with Onee-san Sirius?!"
"Oh? So you recognize me," the Umamusume grinned, her expression radiating confidence. "Nice to meet you. I'm Central's representative, Nakayama Festa. A pleasure to make your acquaintance."
Indeed, the representative sent by Central to compete in the Arc de Triomphe was none other than Nakayama Festa.
"Nakayama Festa..." Sea the Stars searched her mind for any records of Festa's achievements. "Hmm... I've never heard of her. I know Central is in chaos right now, but this is the Arc de Triomphe. This Nakayama Festa must have some extraordinary talent."
Though she didn't recognize the name, Sea the Stars didn't underestimate her opponent.
"By the way, why did you drop from the sky?" Kousei asked, more focused on the immediate absurdity of the situation.
"Oh, that? Before I left, Sirius told me that momentum is crucial. No matter the race, if you admit defeat from the start, you're finished. But if you can pressure your opponents before the race even begins, your chances of winning increase."
"So... you decided to jump out of the sky?"
"Yep. This was the plan El Condor Pasa came up with after racking her brain. A soaring eagle! What could be more intimidating than descending from the heavens?"
"Have you ever parachuted before?"
"Nope. But isn't the unknown what makes things interesting?"
"What?!" Sea the Stars couldn't believe what she was hearing.
If Festa had actually failed, it would have put immense pressure on Sea the Stars.
"I wonder if I could do that too..." Kousei thought to herself seriously.
Sea the Stars sighed in exasperation. Are all the Umamusume from Central completely insane?
After a moment, she relaxed. Well, as long as she's okay... This unknown yet strikingly unique Super High School Level Gambler will surely leave her mark on the Arc de Triomphe.
With their guest now accounted for, the three of them headed back to the racetrack together. Along the way, Nakayama Festa and Kousei chatted extensively. Festa mentioned that she had heard stories about Kousei even back at Central and had learned a great deal from Sirius.
That was why Nakayama Festa had long wanted to meet Kousei—to see the promising junior her friend held in such high regard.
However, when Kousei asked why Festa had come to compete in the Arc de Triomphe, she awkwardly dodged the question. Sea the Stars and Kousei understood the unspoken signal and didn't press further. Before they knew it, they had arrived at Longchamp Racetrack.
"Senpai!"
The moment they stepped out of the car, a figure moving so fast it was a blur pounced on Kousei. Unable to dodge in time, Kousei was tackled to the ground as Just a Way rushed over in a panic.
"Be gentle! She's already frail!"
Compared to Twilight Cloud, Just a Way was exceptionally cautious, treating Kousei as if she were made of glass.
"It's okay, Way. I'm not that fragile."
After all, Kousei was a larger-class competitor; Twilight Cloud's weight was no problem for her. With a single motion, Kousei pushed herself up, Twilight Cloud still clinging to her neck.
"Haven't you had enough? Let go already!"
"No! What if Senpai gets lost again?"
"You're treating her like a three-year-old!"
The two bickered back and forth for a while until, under the combined pressure from Kousei and Just a Way, Twilight Cloud reluctantly released her grip.
Only then did Just a Way notice Nakayama Festa and Sea the Stars watching from the side. The moment Festa's gaze met hers, Just a Way immediately averted her eyes.
"Hmm?" Nakayama Festa was puzzled. "Why did you look away?"
Nakayama Festa had been about to introduce herself, but Just a Way gave her no opportunity.
"It's nothing. I've pulled too many all-nighters and have dark circles. I'm not fit to be seen." The excuse was so clumsy it was impossible to believe.
Just as Nakayama Festa was about to argue, Sea the Stars stepped in to smooth things over.
"Let it go, let it go. There'll be plenty of time to get to know each other. It's late today, so why don't we settle in for now?"
Since their host had spoken, Nakayama Festa had no choice but to drop the matter for the time being.
After Nakayama Festa left, Just a Way visibly relaxed.
"What was that all about, Way? I've rarely seen you react like that," Kousei asked, equally puzzled. She had held her tongue earlier because Nakayama Festa was present.
"It's nothing. I just... have a hard time dealing with those who carry the Golden Blood," Just a Way said, her eyes narrowing as if recalling an unbearable memory.
"Golden Blood?" Kousei felt like she'd been hearing one unfamiliar term after another lately. "Twilight Cloud, do you know what that is?"
Twilight Cloud shook her head and shrugged. "No idea~"
Just a Way opened her mouth, then reconsidered. "Forget it. You'll find out when the race comes. Maybe... you'll even get to see a sight different from Mejiro."
Mejiro and Gold? Is there some connection between the two?
Kousei usually set aside questions without answers, so she didn't dwell on it for long.
Still, her anticipation for the Arc de Triomphe grew a little stronger.
The following days were almost excessively leisurely. Light training, hanging out with a couple of friends, eating, drinking, and having fun—it reached the point where Kousei started to feel guilty.
How can life be this easy?
Based on past experience, Nakayama Festa, being from Central, should have been challenging her, or someone from the Racing Association should have been scheming to revoke her entry qualification.
In short, there should have been some conspiracy, some hardship, something.
But in reality...
"Hikkake Riichi! And that's a Haneman!" Nakayama Festa gloated.
Kousei stared at the tiles in shock, her eyes filled with confusion and disbelief.
"Ah~ Senpai, you're so bad at this," Twilight Cloud teased.
"Yeah, pretty bad," Just a Way agreed.
Kousei rubbed her dazed head. She had no idea what had just happened.
"Alright, with this win, your entire month's carrot allowance is mine!"
"What?! A whole month?!"
Today's result—Kousei, defeated.