Since the all-out conflict erupted, Tracen Academy had spontaneously split into two factions.
Thanks to the bet between Leo's faction and Kashimoto Riko, the Umamusume who longed for freedom had won a brief respite. They were now permitted to interact and socialize during specific time slots.
No longer forced to hide in the shadows, they could now gather openly. Many wept with joy at this simple privilege. Perhaps some things are only truly cherished after they are lost.
Things like these ordinary, peaceful moments.
"One minute and twelve seconds. So much for the 'Heavenly Horse,'" Kousei remarked, glancing at the stopwatch and teasing McQueen.
McQueen shot her a resentful look. "You've got some nerve. Why don't you try it yourself?"
"No thanks. Takuya-san told me to rest more."
McQueen rolled her eyes and ignored her. Kousei reset the stopwatch and watched McQueen set off again. Although McQueen's surgery had been a complete success, it would take time for her to regain her former condition. Kousei's primary role, besides timing her, was to prevent McQueen from pushing herself too hard.
While McQueen could run, she was still prone to injury. Trainer's advice was simply for her to jog lightly, just to maintain the habit of her stride.
Before long, McQueen finished her rehabilitation for the day.
Kousei glanced at her watch. There was still some time to kill before their next appointment, so she took the opportunity to invite McQueen out.
"Want to go for a walk?"
"A date?"
"Sure, why not."
"What do you mean, 'sure, why not'? If you're inviting me, at least sound more sincere."
"Alright, alright," Kousei said, putting on a theatrical air. "My esteemed Miss Mejiro McQueen, I sincerely extend this invitation to you, hoping you will grant me the honor of spending this afternoon together."
"Is that it?" McQueen was clearly unimpressed.
"Come on, McQueen. You know you won't refuse me."
"So you already knew what I was thinking," McQueen said, her tone shifting as a smile graced her lips. "But you're right. I won't refuse you."
After all, they hadn't seen each other in a long time, and their interactions felt almost unfamiliar. For them, this was a reunion second only to their very first meeting.
Kousei didn't actually have a plan; it was just a spur-of-the-moment idea. The two wandered aimlessly until they found themselves back at the same bench from all those years ago. The juice cart parked nearby was identical to the one they remembered.
As they approached, the vendor immediately recognized them.
"Kousei, long time no see! Are the races tough? Is it just you and McQueen today? Where's Teio?"
Perhaps due to her long, grueling hours, the vendor seemed completely unaware of Kousei's current situation. In her eyes, Kousei and her friends were simply regular customers.
"Yeah, everyone's so strong these days, so it's definitely tougher than before," Kousei replied, playing along.
"The usual?" the vendor asked.
"Yes, the usual."
The vendor grinned and got to work.
"I can't believe she still remembers us," McQueen remarked, touched.
"I know. She must serve so many customers every day. And we haven't been here in ages."
Kousei had spent more time abroad than at Tracen Academy, and McQueen had been too busy since becoming Clan Head to visit. As for Teio, she had completely vanished from public view.
"Here you go!"
"Thank you."
Kousei took the bag and noticed an extra cup of honey water inside. Before she could ask, the vendor said cheerfully, "That's for Teio. She used to come by every single day. I haven't seen her at all lately, and I keep worrying she might be in some kind of trouble."
"So, please give this to Teio for me."
Kousei and McQueen exchanged a look. Words formed on their lips but remained unspoken. After seeing them off with a smile, the vendor returned to her work.
"See? Not everyone in Central hates you," McQueen said, sipping her carrot juice while studying Kousei's reaction.
"Maybe. I stopped caring about that a long time ago," Kousei replied, feigning indifference.
"Really? Is that the truth, or are you just putting on a brave face?"
"What do you think?" Kousei countered with a smile.
McQueen pouted. She hated being asked questions.
"I don't know what you're planning," she said, "but you didn't bring all those people back just for a tour."
"If it were just a tour, I wouldn't have brought Morgan."
"You and Morgan don't get along, so why bring her to Central?"
"I don't understand her, but Caesar does. I trust Caesar, not Morgan."
"Caesar, huh? You two seem really close now."
There was a hint of jealousy in McQueen's tone.
"My friends from Northern Academy helped me a lot. They've earned my trust."
"Who would have thought? The first time you two met, you were enemies, while we were friends."
Who could have predicted any of this back then?
Suddenly, McQueen stopped, her attention captured by something. Kousei followed her gaze, puzzled, and saw a photo studio.
"Hey, want to take a picture together?" McQueen asked excitedly.
"A picture?" Kousei hesitated.
To be honest, she'd never even taken photo booth stickers before. The pictures of her on the racetrack were all candid shots, and it was only thanks to the photographers' skill that they turned out well. Kousei had never properly posed for a photo, except for her Tracen Academy admission picture—a single photo she'd used for everything ever since.
"Alright."
If it was with McQueen, Kousei didn't mind.
"Let's go."
McQueen took Kousei's hand and led her into the studio. The shopkeeper's eyes lit up instantly, and she rushed over.
"Excuse me, are you Miss McQueen?"
"I am."
"Ah—!"
Kousei had heard the name Mejiro McQueen even when she was abroad, let alone here in Central, where McQueen had already become a Legendary Umamusume, rivaling the Emperor in fame.
"Would you like to take a photo? It's on the house!" the shopkeeper offered enthusiastically.
"We'd love to, but there's no need for it to be free."
"Right away!"
The shopkeeper paid no attention to Kousei, her focus entirely on McQueen. Kousei wasn't bothered; in fact, seeing McQueen so popular made her feel a little proud.
"Are there any outfits we can try on?"
"Yes, yes, of course! I'm just not sure if they'll be to your liking."
The Mejiro family was renowned far and wide in Central, and McQueen was a true Young Lady.
"That's fine."
It was only then that the shopkeeper finally noticed Kousei. Huh? This girl looks familiar...
Sensing the shopkeeper's scrutinizing gaze, Kousei asked kindly, "Is something wrong?"
"Nothing!" The shopkeeper laughed awkwardly, embarrassed at being caught staring. "It's just... you look really familiar, young lady."
"Me?" Kousei's interest was piqued. "Well, I suppose you could call me a 'celebrity' of sorts."
"Oh! I knew it! I really thought you looked familiar, but I just couldn't place you. Are you an Umamusume racer too? Do you run in the URA?"
Kousei glanced at McQueen. "I used to. Back then, I ran alongside McQueen."
Hearing this, the shopkeeper's expression immediately turned to pity.
"You were in McQueen's generation? That's such a shame. McQueen almost never lost."
Kousei's smile held a hint of teasing. "Well, she is 'The Strongest,' after all."
"Exactly, exactly!" The shopkeeper nodded enthusiastically, hands clasped in admiration. "Even among the Mejiro, she's the strongest! The White Lightning that splits the sky, the Strongest Heavenly Horse Girl. So elegant, yet so powerful... How can such a perfect being exist in this world?"
It was clear the shopkeeper was a huge fan of McQueen. Her endless praise made McQueen, standing beside her, feel a little embarrassed.
"But don't you lose heart either," the shopkeeper said, turning to comfort Kousei. "If you keep working hard, you'll win a championship one day."
"Oh, I do have one championship."
McQueen had seven crowns, while Kousei had only one. The shopkeeper silently resolved to comfort Kousei thoroughly and show her the kindness of the world.
"That's perfectly fine! One crown is already outstanding. So many Umamusume spend their entire careers without winning a single G1. You're already exceptional."
"Well, it wasn't a G1."
"Oh? Then what championship was it?"
"The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe."
"..."