In the competitor's tunnel, Kousei stood in her Personal Racing Outfit, eyes closed, lost in thought.
She didn't know how many more chances she'd have to wear this outfit. Every race was precious. Mejiro McQueen, Narita Brian, Agnes Tachyon...
Phantoms of the rivals she had once faced stood in various places, all watching her.
Kousei slowly opened her eyes, and the phantoms vanished without a trace.
The Arc de Triomphe is just ahead.
She gazed at the light at the end of the tunnel. Though she'd always talked about reaching the peak and conquering the Arc, now that the stage she'd yearned for was right before her, it felt surreal. She couldn't help but wonder if she was dreaming.
"To think the little brat who once struggled just to debut is now about to race in the Arc de Triomphe," Kousei murmured, her tone tinged with self-deprecation.
How long had she been running?
Kousei tilted her head, staring intently at the exit as if to confirm it over and over.
It's real. This isn't a dream.
Sea the Stars approached from behind and stopped beside Kousei. The stars on her Personal Racing Outfit symbolized her honors, radiating the pride unique to the King of the Arc de Triomphe. Regardless of her physical condition, at this moment, she was the unrivaled Sea the Stars, reigning supreme over the world.
"I feel like I'm dreaming too," Sea the Stars said, her gaze fixed on the dazzlingly bright yet unknown exit ahead. Joy danced in her eyes.
Returning to the racetrack that stirred her very soul, how could she possibly suppress her emotions?
Sea the Stars took the lead, then turned back to invite Kousei. "Let's go together. The World is waiting for us."
Kousei looked at the outstretched hand and smiled faintly. "Let's go. To the peak."
They passed through the blinding white light, and a wave of heat and cheers washed over them.
Ribbons danced in the air as the roaring crowd chanted their names again and again. In the VIP seats, alongside Akikawa and Kashimoto Riko, sat all the other Directors. Who would willingly miss the Arc de Triomphe?
"Kousei!"
A loud shout caught Kousei's attention. Following the voice, she saw the fishmonger uncle waving at her enthusiastically.
"Ah! Everyone!"
Kousei was overjoyed. To think everyone from the Shopping District would be here.
"Kousei! Don't feel any pressure. Win or lose, we're all cheering for you!" The fishmonger gave her a thumbs-up. More than victory, he cared about whether Kousei could find joy in the race.
"Uncle..." Just as Kousei was moved, her gaze fell upon the elderly vegetable seller, trembling as she held a small flag. "Granny?!"
Kousei was both shocked and worried. "Who brought Granny all the way out here?!"
As her anxiety mounted, a pair of hands steadied the old woman. Looking up, Kousei saw a young boy.
It's him. Though they had only met once, Kousei remembered him clearly. So he's Granny's grandson.
Yes, it was the same boy who had delivered T's message.
Looking further up, she saw not only the people from the Shopping District but also the Umamusume from Northern Academy, the members of Rukomachi... even Jade had come. All the people she had met on her journey were gathered here now.
Flags waved, cheers roared—their feelings were being transmitted to her, one by one.
Who could have orchestrated all this?
Kousei already knew the answer. Her gaze shifted to the edge of the crowd, where Rohan and Reiko stood side by side.
Of course, she thought. Who else had the money and ability to pull this off? Rohan gave a slight bow, as if hoping Kousei would like this gift.
"He's as reliable as ever," Kousei murmured in admiration.
"Go for it, Senpai! Give it your all! You absolutely have to win!" Twilight Cloud's voice was as conspicuous as ever.
"Charge, Kousei! Don't overthink it! Just sprint straight to the finish line!" Speedstar offered his "strategy."
"Are you an idiot?" Cloud retorted, her face darkening.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Neither Speedstar nor Cloud would back down. After just a few words, they started bickering. Caesar, accustomed to their squabbles, didn't intervene, simply watching with an amused smile. Just a Way said nothing, but she, too, raised a thumbs-up—her own way of cheering Kousei on.
Watching these scenes unfold, Kousei felt a surge of power.
I feel like I can do anything now, she thought, raising her right hand in response to everyone's heartfelt support.
"How nice. I can feel their heartfelt support," Sea the Stars murmured, having noticed the commotion around Kousei.
"But I'm carrying everyone's hopes on my side, too."
Both girls turned their gazes in the same direction. The "Arc de Triomphe" clique was waving small flags printed with Sea the Stars' emblem. Rigantona stood boldly at the very front, and beside her was the Director who had spoken up for Kousei at the Racing Association.
"Don't you dare run a sloppy race, Star-chan!" Rigantona shouted with a boisterous laugh, and the others quickly chimed in.
"If you start off slow, we'll tease you about it for the rest of your life~"
"Ah! I'd better record this, just in case Star-chan tries to deny it later."
Though everyone was teasing Sea the Stars, her expression showed she wasn't angry at all—in fact, she was delighted.
"What an interesting group of people," Kousei remarked.
"Tell me about it," Sea the Stars replied, raising her left hand. In response, her cheering squad erupted with even greater energy.
A sharp horn blast suddenly pierced the air, instantly capturing everyone's attention.
"First and foremost, welcome, everyone, who has traveled far and wide to Longchamp—to the very stage where we will crown the strongest middle-distance Umamusume of their era!"
A familiar voice reached Kousei's ears, and she recognized it instantly.
"It's Aoi."
Kousei glanced toward the commentator's booth. Kawauchi Aoi stood there, microphone in hand, a broad smile on his face.
He should at least be sitting down. Honestly, that man... Kousei thought with a helpless smile.
"Today—is the day the world has been waiting for! I know you've all been anticipating this moment for far too long. Here we have the reigning King of the Arc de Triomphe, aiming for a consecutive victory! And here we have the Nameless Monster, hungry to seize the title of the absolute peak! But—in truth, there is only one kind of person here today.
"Umamusume from every corner of the globe have gathered here! This is a stage worth betting everything on, a dream scenario where everyone's wishes can be fulfilled!
"Genius or mediocrity—it doesn't matter! First in popularity or dead last? None of it matters! Here, everyone is the protagonist! Hold nothing back! Fear nothing! There are no rumors, no schemes, no conspiracies here!"
"Here—there are only Umamusume!
"Come on, Umamusume! Go wild on the turf!"
ROOOOAR!!!!
"KOUSEI, YOU HAVE TO WIN!!!"
"SEA THE STARS, YOU'RE THE STRONGEST!!!"
"Hmph!"
Flames burned in Kousei's eyes as she strode toward the starting gate, already itching to race. Sea the Stars, with unspoken understanding, also walked toward her gate. No more words were needed.
Everything an Umamusume has to say will be spoken on the turf.
White or black? Victory or defeat? If you flip a coin, it could land on either heads or tails.
By the same logic, a race is what determines a winner and a loser once the gates open.
But on a grand stage like this, so many troublesome factors seem to get tangled up in it all. Hopes for who will win. Debates over who is truly the number one Umamusume.
I hear wave after wave of clamor. Because she's the fan favorite. Because she's endearing. Because someone believes she will win.
"Hey, hey, hold on a sec."
"A race where it's tough to pick a winner—that's what you call a real race, right? I've already tossed the whole idea of 'the race' out the window."
"Who will the Goddess of Victory smile upon in the end?"
"Only a little over two minutes remain."
"From now on, all that's left is a thrilling, joyful clash."
"So... let's just focus on what's right in front of us."
"The fanfare is about to sound, you know?"
Nakayama Festa crunched down on the lollipop in her mouth. The Golden Blood surged through her veins, her purple eyes slowly shifting to a brilliant gold.