"Final 200 meters! Tokai Teio bursts through the gap! Come on, Tokai Teio! Following in the footsteps of Symboli Rudolf, will we witness the legend reborn?"
Hyaa!
"Go, Tokai Teio!"
Kousei and Mejiro McQueen cheered from the stands, their hearts pounding in unison with Tokai Teio's sprint down the track. This was the grandest spectacle of the Japanese Derby, a dreamlike stage where the electric atmosphere burned through every spectator.
"Push harder!"
"Win this, Teio!"
Kousei held her breath, her gaze locked on the track.
"Come on! Come on! Come on! 150 meters! 100 meters! 50 meters! The other Umamusume are closing in! But no! The winner is Tokai Teio! A flawless three-length victory, securing the Two-Crown undefeated! A peerless genius!"
"Ah!"
The roar of the crowd shook the heavens as McQueen and Kousei embraced in exhilarated triumph!
"Teio is so strong!"
"Take the Triple Crown! Let us witness it!"
Teio! Teio! Teio!
The rhythmic chant of Teio's name reverberated through the racetrack, the deafening cheers sending shivers down every soul present.
Tokai Teio, the victor of the Japanese Derby, entered the winner's circle and, with the same unwavering resolve as Symboli Rudolf, confidently raised two fingers high.
"Two-Crown!"
Tokai Teio radiated brilliance, dazzling like the sun. The undefeated Two-Crown champion embodied unparalleled pride, and her Derby victory shone with unparalleled brilliance.
The crowd's cheers echoed through the resplendent arena as the victory anthem began, its grandeur lingering in the air. Kousei found it difficult to calm her excitement.
Symboli Rudolf felt like a distant legend, but Tokai Teio stood right before them—powerful, proud, and born to rule. Undeniably, she inspired awe and admiration.
"As expected of Tokai Teio! Winning the Derby was practically guaranteed!"
The celebration for Teio wouldn't be complete without talk of the champion.
"Exactly! It was like watching the Empress herself race. If Teio achieves the Triple Crown, wouldn't that be the ultimate royal succession?"
"Only the Kikuka Sho remains. Teio will likely focus entirely on preparations now, so we probably won't see her racing for a while."
"Oh, right! What about Mejiro McQueen?"
"Speaking of which, while we wait for Teio's return, watching McQueen might be a good way to pass the time."
Kousei's face darkened slightly, her delicate eyebrows furrowing with displeasure. An instinctive urge to step forward stirred within her.
"Kousei, it's time to go," McQueen called out. After a moment's hesitation, Kousei followed McQueen out of the racetrack.
Back in the classroom, Kousei stared absently out the window, lost in thought. The moment class ended, the quiet room erupted into chaos as the Umamusume began buzzing about Tokai Teio's undefeated Two-Crown victory.
Understandably, everyone was eagerly anticipating the Triple Crown. Kousei genuinely congratulated Teio, but having experienced such pressure herself, she knew that public expectations could sometimes backfire.
"Hey, didn't Kousei race alongside McQueen? Should we ask her who's stronger, McQueen or Teio?"
"Nah, McQueen already lost. Teio's definitely stronger."
The young girl's laughter rang particularly shrill, stirring something deep within Kousei.
"Tch!"
-
After school, Kousei changed into her training gear and headed to the track, where an Umamusume was already waiting for her.
"Good afternoon. You're right on time as always."
"Master, please guide me today as well!"
"N-no, you don't have to call me 'Master'!"
Rice Shower's soft, gentle voice and shy smile beneath the Blue Rose emblem were particularly endearing today.
As for how Kousei and Rice Shower had met, and why Kousei insisted on calling her "Master," that was a story for another time.
After witnessing Kousei's debut race, the trainer sought her out, immediately asking if she was struggling with her Gate Technique. Kousei was surprised the trainer knew about her situation, but considering his position, she readily admitted it.
The trainer's expression confirmed his suspicions. "Since you're unsure how to improve, I have someone I can recommend."
That someone was Rice Shower. The trainer confidently stated that anyone thinking of a "man-marking expert" would immediately think of this girl.
Kousei's first impression of Rice Shower was no different from her current demeanor—timid and shy, making it impossible to associate her with the term "man-marking expert."
Due to Rice Shower's shyness and Kousei's reserved nature, their initial interactions were awkward. The trainer arranged a practice race between them.
It was this race that completely changed Kousei's perspective, allowing her to understand what "man-marking expert" truly meant.
The race ended in Kousei's defeat. At the finish line, she stared blankly at her trembling arms, the lingering terror of the race still etched in her heart. For the first time in her life, she realized how terrifying the scenery on the track could be.
"This is it! This is my evolution!"
Fear mingled with excitement as Kousei forged her path forward.
She approached Rice Shower, expressing her desire to learn the art of man-marking from her. Rice Shower's face lit up with delight, and she eagerly agreed, cementing their master-apprentice relationship.
"Kousei, would you like to take a break?" Rice Shower asked, offering a water bottle after Kousei finished a lap.
"Thank you, Master, but I can keep going."
"You should still rest. Proper breaks can actually speed up your progress. Besides, your foot has only just recovered, so it's best not to overexert yourself."
Kousei realized Rice Shower was right and obediently accepted her suggestion. As they sat on the steps, Rice Shower remarked, "Kousei, you're working so hard. This training regimen would be considered grueling even for most Umamusume, yet you haven't uttered a single complaint."
"Complaining? Well, my opponent is incredibly strong. An ordinary Umamusume like me would be left far behind if I didn't work twice as hard."
"Ordinary?" Rice Shower murmured, then smiled faintly. "What does a genius look like through Kousei's eyes?"
Kousei pondered, images of Teio, McQueen, and the Speed King flashing through her mind.
"Arrogant," Kousei finally replied, offering her own definition of genius.
Whether it was Bakushin, Teio, or McQueen, every Umamusume blessed with enviable talent possessed an unshakable pride and self-assurance. Their innate arrogance radiated from their very core, making them instantly recognizable even in a crowd.
Hearing Kousei's answer, Rice Shower shook her head with a smile. "Geniuses are geniuses because they love what they do."