Maruzensky had already left the track, but the giant display screen was still replaying her previous race.
Kazuo and Hayakawa-san seemed to still be immersed in the previous race, unable to extricate themselves.
"That was truly amazing... Maruzensky."
Kazuo expressed such emotion; anyone who had seen the race just now would not be able to forget that fiery red figure.
This impression would be deeply etched in everyone's minds.
Mentioning Maruzensky would bring to mind a powerful supercar at full throttle.
"Yes..."
Hayakawa-san also sighed and nodded, but then suddenly realized something. She covered her mouth and let out a soft "Ah."
Kazuo thought something was wrong and quickly asked, "Hayakawa-san, is something the matter?"
Who would have thought Hayakawa-san seemed a little shy, saying, "I'm so sorry... I'm only just realizing it now, but I let Asama-kun see a very ungraceful side of me just now..."
"Uh..."
Kazuo looked as if he hadn't quite understood.
An ungraceful appearance... "This is also my first time inviting someone to watch a race with me. I got too excited while watching the race just now, just like I used to... Did I scare you?"
At her reminder, Kazuo remembered Hayakawa-san's wild and excited demeanor during the race earlier, a look completely opposite to her usual self... "Ah, are you saying you get emotional when watching races?"
Hayakawa-san lowered her head, her cheeks slightly flushed, and said, "You saw it, didn't you? I'm sorry you saw me lose my composure... It's quite embarrassing. Actually, once I start watching a race, especially when they're about to cross the finish line on the fourth turn, I get incredibly excited and stimulated... That's why I always watch races alone..."
Hayakawa looked very embarrassed. Hayakawa, whom the academy staff regarded as a goddess, was now acting shy and bashful. This allowed Kazuo to see a very different side of her.
Kazuo shook his head and laughed, "No, Hayakawa, you're being too sensitive. I don't think there's any problem. After all, competitive sports naturally make people excited and stir their emotions."
"Really?"
Hayakawa's face showed both surprise and delight. After receiving Kazuo's affirmation, she finally seemed to relieve a burden, patting her chest and letting out a long sigh.
"So Asama-kun thinks so too? After all, that's the critical moment that determines victory or defeat! So many things can be decided in that instant. Just thinking about that scene makes one tremble slightly and get incredibly excited! I really can't refuse that feeling of exhilaration…"
This really hit Kazuo's heart. He always sought a feeling that made his heart pound whenever he watched a game, that unconscious thrill of discovering something, which was so captivating.
Strictly speaking, these two really had similar interests. Kazuo also nodded sincerely in response, "Yes, I understand, I understand that feeling of yours."
Hearing this, Hayakawa covered her mouth in surprise and leaned back, "Really!???"
Only after she finished speaking did she realize they were still in a public place. Seeing the gazes of the audience who hadn't left yet focus on her, her cheeks flushed again. She quickly lowered her eyes and shook her head, saying,
"Uh… no, no… I lost my composure unconsciously again…"
Although she said that, her expression was one of wanting to speak but holding back.
Kazuo also found this side of Hayakawa novel. Honestly, her somewhat flustered and clumsy demeanor always gave people a sense of a charming contrast.
However, the broadcast sound at this moment interrupted the pleasant atmosphere.
"Next, please make your way to the performance area, the exhibition hall. The Champion LIVE concert is about to begin—"
"Next, please make your way to the performance area, the exhibition hall. The Champion LIVE concert is about to begin—"
Hearing this, Kazuo suddenly realized, "Oh right, there's a live concert after the race!"
At the mention of this topic, Hayakawa immediately returned to her normal state, saying,
"That's right, at Tokyo Racecourse, the exhibition hall is the giant open-air hall on the left. That's where concerts are specifically held for the winning athletes."
"Can we go watch?"
Hayakawa covered her mouth and chuckled, "Of course? Actually, the designated seats we bought include concert tickets. Speaking of which, could it be that Asama-kun is watching a LIVE concert for the first time?"
"Huh?"
Kazuo was startled at first, then remembered that not long ago, Kiryuuin had bossed him around all day on the Satsuki Sho day, causing him to miss Symboli Rudolf's LIVE concert broadcast.
He had originally told Xiao Hai Wan in their previous conversation that he planned to watch the replay later, but due to circumstances, he hadn't had time to watch it.
Let alone a live concert like this… "Uh… does the light music club performance at the school festival count?"
The answer Kazuo finally managed to squeeze out after a long thought made Hayakawa smile knowingly.
"Hehe… in fact, Uma Musume athletes are also idols who convey hope and dreams. Especially at the academy, there are specialized dance classes, physical training classes, and vocal training. The victory concert after a race is completely comparable in scale to a small concert for a thousand people."
"Maruzensky is also very outstanding in this regard!"
When Hayakawa said this, Kazuo couldn't help but imagine Maruzensky dancing.
But as he thought about it, the scene involuntarily shifted to Xiao Hai Wan, Daijin, Rice Shower, and Fine Motion singing and dancing on a stage under the spotlight of thousands.
So Shining and dazzling—
Sprinkling dreams with sweat, paving hope with starlight.
This is Uma Musume, both an athlete and an idol.
.
When Hayakawa said she would go to the counter first to get the cheering sticks.
Kazuo, waiting for her, planned to quickly check his phone, but unexpectedly, he was bumped by someone.
"Ah, I'm sorry! Feiying Zi was just thinking about something!"
A lively voice came, but Kazuo felt as if he had heard this voice somewhere before.
It sounded familiar, but he couldn't pinpoint why… And when Kazuo turned his head, he saw a cute Uma Musume with pigtails looking at him apologetically.
But before Kazuo could speak, the girl spoke first like a machine gun, "Although I'm very sorry, Feiying Zi has an urgent matter right now, so I can only compensate you with this, I hope you'll accept it!"
She said 'hope,' but her hand had already reached out and directly placed something in Kazuo's hand.
It was a disc-shaped object, like some kind of metal badge.
"Goodbye!"
After speaking, the girl vanished in a flash, leaving Kazuo alone, staring blankly at the object in his hand… This is… a badge?
It had words like "Feiying Zi Fan Club" written on it… Although it felt like a cheap, custom-made badge, like those for a hundred yen, it was still the other person's kind intention…?
However, despite that, Kazuo always felt as if he had seen her somewhere before… When Hayakawa returned with the distributed cheering bags, she only saw Kazuo standing there alone, holding the badge, muttering to himself.
"Fei… ying Zi?"