"My legs ache terribly, but I didn't feel a thing while running. In the end, I still couldn't catch up to Air Groove Senpai."
McQueen watched Air Groove giving an interview in the winner's area, but defeat didn't dampen her spirits in the slightest.
"Just as I thought, I still prefer courses where I can run freely."
McQueen chuckled softly and turned to leave.
This race had been a valuable learning experience, lessons she could apply in future competitions.
In the Winner's Passage, Rudolf had been waiting for a long time. She greeted Air Groove with a radiant smile.
"Congratulations on securing our first victory!"
"I was merely doing what I was supposed to do. There's no need for praise."
Rudolf sighed inwardly. Air Groove's aloofness remained as impenetrable as ever. Sensing Rudolf's unease, Air Groove added, "Still, I'm glad you came to congratulate me."
Rudolf's eyebrows twitched. "Ah? Yes, of course."
Rudolf tried to read Air Groove's expression, but she remained as inscrutable as ever.
"How's McQueen doing?"
"She's injured, but with the Mejiro Family's medical resources, it shouldn't be a problem."
Rudolf nodded. "Good. But there's something that's been bothering me."
Air Groove knew exactly what Rudolf meant. "You're talking about that completely new form she took, right?"
"Yes. Something completely different from a Domain—something unheard of."
"Perhaps that is McQueen's Domain. Are you afraid?"
"Not at all. I'm simply curious. After all, it's the first time I've encountered a 'God'."
Air Groove pondered for a moment. "Talent is both a blessing and a curse. Though we're Umamusume, we're still mortals. Haven't we seen too many prodigies meet tragic ends? McQueen still has a long way to go. Today, I only managed to defeat the McQueen of this moment. I can't let my guard down either. As her Senpai, I must shoulder my responsibilities."
"So earnest and gentle. Truly the ideal of all Umamusume."
Air Groove shot Rudolf a sideways glance. At that look, Rudolf's ears immediately perked up. "If the President has so much free time, perhaps she should keep an eye on Gold Ship. In order to sell yakisoba, Gold Ship illegally used the activity room, turning it into a smoky mess. Shouldn't our esteemed President intervene?"
Rudolf looked slightly embarrassed. "Is that so? How come I didn't know?"
"What do you think?"
The answer hung in the air, but she didn't want to say it.
"Acting Chairman Kashimoto is waiting for you. She seems to have something she wants to discuss," Rudolf finally remembered her official business.
"Understood. Tell me sooner next time," Air Groove said curtly, brushing past Rudolf and striding deeper into the corridor.
Back-to-back, Rudolf gazed toward the corridor entrance and remarked, "McQueen truly is a genius, but Teio is still stronger."
Unexpectedly, Air Groove froze in her tracks. She slowly turned around, and Rudolf wore a puzzled expression. "What's wrong?"
"McQueen. Stronger."
Those two words said it all, and Rudolf's gaze turned serious.
"No, Teio is stronger."
"McQueen!"
"Teio!"
"McQueen!"
The tension thickened, neither willing to yield. Then, in unison, they demanded, "Brian!!!"
"Tch!"
Narita Brian emerged impatiently from the shadows nearby, revealing she had been hiding there all along.
"Who's stronger, McQueen or Teio?"
Faced with their relentless questioning, Brian wore a "not my problem" expression. But these two were her colleagues, and the three of them had spent more time together than most Umamusume. Brian couldn't very well pretend not to hear them.
Ugh, these two are such a nuisance. Are they kids?
Outsiders called them "Emperor" and "Empress," but to Narita Brian, they were more childish than anyone else. They maintained a dignified facade in public, yet behind closed doors, they acted like overgrown toddlers.
They frequently bickered over the most trivial things, just as the media reported—Tokai Teio really was exactly like Rudolf.
"Come on, Brian! Tell us! Who's stronger? It has to be Teio, right?!"
"Brian! I want you to give your honest opinion. You wouldn't want to be woken up by their bickering every day while you're trying to sleep on the rooftop, would you?"
"Air Groove, that's so underhanded!"
"I'm just urging Brian to be truthful!"
Brian's head throbbed. "Stop arguing!"
Her outburst finally silenced them, but they immediately turned their expectant gazes on Brian, trapping her in a silent double-team of pressure from two elite competitors.
"I think Kousei is stronger."
"Kousei?" Both their heads tilted in unison.
"Since Kousei beat me, but Teio and McQueen didn't, doesn't that mean Kousei is stronger?"
Something felt off, but they couldn't quite put their finger on it.
"I see~," Rudolf hummed suddenly. "Air Groove, Brian. Are you two trying to start a war?"
"War? Hmph! Bring it on! Whether it's the King Who Goes Beyond the Horizon or the Monster That Goes Beyond the Heavens, I won't lose!"
The way the two glared at each other felt strangely familiar.
Narita Brian fell silent, thinking, Seriously, can't there be even two normal people in the Student Council Trio?
Meanwhile, Kashimoto Riko on the other end of the line: "?"
After careful consideration, Kashimoto Riko arrived at a shocking conclusion: Am I being stood up?
After a heated verbal exchange, their battle finally ended when Kashimoto Riko's phone call interrupted them.
Air Groove and Rudolf each claimed a victory, while Narita Brian suffered a crushing defeat.
Narita Brian: I'm just not participating in the battles. (Irritated)
"Acting Chairman, you wanted to see me?"
"Yes, you must be tired after the race. Thanks to you, we secured another victory."
"It was my duty."
Air Groove knew Kashimoto Riko wouldn't summon her so easily for mere pleasantries.
"I watched today's race. You truly live up to your title as the Empress—your performance was outstanding. However, given your ability to end the race decisively, you should have demonstrated your power as the Empress from the start, rather than pacing the race leisurely. Others might not have noticed, but I saw through it—McQueen was injured.
I believe I've made it clear before that I don't want any Umamusume at Tracen to get hurt.
Were you deliberately guiding McQueen? Have you forgotten your responsibilities as the Empress?"
"So, that's what this is about?"
Air Groove had anticipated this. With Kashimoto Riko's sharp eyes, even a fleeting moment of ferocity wouldn't escape her notice.
"Why did you do it?" Kashimoto Riko's gaze turned cold, laced with suspicion.
"Do you doubt my loyalty?"
"I need an answer."
Air Groove smiled. "Acting Chairman, let's put Brian aside for now—after all, she's a lone wolf. The President and I fully endorse your Managerialism Program. Thanks to my coordination, Maruzensky and CB have remained silent. We've helped you contain the Legendaries, making us one of your strongest allies. Just now, I secured Mejiro McQueen for you. And now you question my loyalty?"
Air Groove's words rang true. Though Kashimoto Riko hadn't expected the Student Council's support, it had indeed saved her considerable trouble, just as Air Groove claimed.
What is the Emperor thinking? Kashimoto Riko wondered inwardly.
"This is a one-time exception."
"Understood. Please allow me to take my leave."
Regardless, she remained the Chairman. Now wasn't the time to doubt the Student Council.
But she couldn't afford to let her guard down entirely. After all—
The fledgling who once symbolized the Symboli Family was now a pillar of the Umamusume world.