From the rehearsal hall entrance to the stage, and then dancing beneath a galaxy-like glow of colorful cheering sticks, Kitasan Black's mind kept drifting back to what had happened earlier.
Not only the "family" matter Satono Crown had mentioned but also everything she had experienced so far.
She had already won several championships.
Standing atop the highest podium, flowers, applause, cheers, shouts—
All the glory converged upon her as if the whole world was celebrating her alone.
Yet at this moment, after tasting defeat and misunderstanding, witnessing sadness and injury, and seeing the varied expressions of the many Uma Musume on the racetrack, something quietly shifted within her heart.
She recalled Satono Rasen; every time they raced, her opponent would also run with fiery determination, giving everything she had.
Yet the outcomes of races were always cruel; someone inevitably tasted the bitterness of defeat.
Just like today's St. Lite Kinen, she herself stood at the top spot, the lead position on the victory stage.
Meanwhile, Satono Rasen could only remain below the podium, now only able to stand behind her in the dance performance.
She must feel downcast, regretful. At least, Kitasan thought, her opponent probably felt this way.
Maybe more than just felt it.
Approaching the stage, Kitasan couldn't help but glance over to check Rasen's expression.
Compared to the memory in her mind, Satono Rasen no longer carried the disheartened look from the Spring Stakes, nor the deep sadness when changing Trainers.
She had become much calmer, and noticing Kitasan's gaze, she even gave a peaceful nod and greeted her quietly.
Yet deep within her memories were the faces of other Uma Musume, both today and in the past.
Some lowered their heads in silence after races, their disappointment evident.
Some lifted their spirits, ready to challenge the next race anew.
Some smiled bravely, trying to mask their inner sadness.
And of course, there were Musee Alien and Amakaze Hayate.
Even if their misunderstanding had resolved, even if they had smiled at her today, they would still face each other again in the Kikuka Sho.
The championship wasn't something she'd ever willingly yield.
And so, there would still be victories and defeats, still disappointment, sadness, and gloom.
Indeed, as President Teio and many senpais had said before, the Twinkle Series was actually very cruel.
This thought lingered in her mind as she finished her dance, taking the lead to bow before tens of thousands of cheering spectators.
Exiting the stage into the backstage area, she subconsciously scanned around, searching for the Satono sisters.
…Not here? Did they go to the stands?
Unable to find them, she paused briefly, preparing to head toward the audience area.
But out of the corner of her eye, she suddenly noticed Satono Rasen, who had also returned backstage, looking somewhat strange.
Though she seemed more composed than ever after experiencing so much, there was a slight crease in her brows, her gaze complicated and difficult to decipher.
There was disappointment there, yet it didn't feel related to the race—it felt more like a struggle with something deeper, more complex, tinged faintly with a hint of anger.
Confident in her ability to sense emotions, Kitasan hesitated briefly, then stepped toward Rasen.
"Rasen-san, forgive me for prying, but…is something troubling you? Or is it related to Crown-chan and the others…?"
Her eyes were filled with concern, her voice especially gentle, as if afraid of disturbing the girl in front of her.
Satono Rasen was slightly startled, blinking a few times as she looked at Kitasan before shaking her head gently:
"…It's nothing. Thank you for worrying about me, Kitasan-san."
"…I see." Sensing Rasen didn't wish to speak further, Kitasan hesitated for a moment:
"Alright, but if something's bothering you…you can always talk to Trainer-san, or even the senpais. That's what I do, and most things work out in the end!"
Finally, her habitual bright tone returned.
"…Mm, thank you."
Feeling Kitasan's genuine kindness, Rasen's lips curled slightly, and her voice turned more sincere.
After Kitasan smiled back with a nod and started to turn away, Rasen suddenly bit her lip, stepping forward abruptly.
"Hey—"
"Huh…?" Kitasan turned back, puzzled, eyes full of confusion.
Taking a deep breath, as though gathering every ounce of her courage, Satono Rasen slowly spoke up:
"Crown said she'd tell you herself later, but…"
She paused briefly before continuing:
"Anyway, Crown has withdrawn from the Kikuka Sho."
"This time, the one representing the Satono family to face you…is just me."
...
Early October arrived, autumn's chill deepening gently. Morning sunlight, soft as a veil, spread evenly across Tracen Academy's Kyoto branch.
Beside the small paths on campus, among the school buildings, many leaves had already turned gold. When a gentle breeze blew past, a few drifted gracefully, landing atop the traditional-style buildings of red walls and white tiles.
At the edge of the training field, Yasui Makoto stood, ever-present tablet in hand, gesturing toward the training course ahead.
"…Compared to Nakayama Racecourse, the slopes at Kyoto are your biggest concern."
"At Nakayama, the incline is entirely on the left side, the uphill somewhat steeper, but the top remains fairly flat, allowing your stamina to recover easily."
"At Kyoto, however, it's on the right side, starting right from the gate. You'll begin uphill immediately, with a long and extended downhill afterward."
"You'll have to pass through this slope twice. On the second lap, you start climbing at a third of the way through the opposite straight—it'll consume even more stamina than the first time…"
Yasui's explanations were meticulous, dissecting Kyoto Racecourse's critical terrain, cornering strategies, stamina distribution on the straights, slope handling…
His words showed the thorough consideration he'd put into this upcoming race.
As usual, Kitasan Black held her carrot-shaped ballpoint pen, scribbling notes swiftly into her notebook, but her thoughts drifted involuntarily back to two weeks prior, to the St. Lite Kinen.
Ever since she'd heard from Rasen that Satono Crown was withdrawing from the Kikuka Sho, turmoil hadn't ceased within her.
Shock, like a tidal wave, had driven her that very night to seek out her friend.
Standing before Crown, she clearly saw her friend's eyes widen at her questions.
But only an instant later, those familiar eyes flashed briefly with realization, quickly regaining their usual liveliness.
"Ah, that big-mouth Rasen… I told her I'd explain myself…"
Crown had muttered this with a mixture of embarrassment and mild frustration before smiling softly.
"That's right, I…"
As she spoke, Crown lowered her head slightly, long eyelashes casting a faint shadow beneath her eyes:
"I can't run in the Kikuka Sho anymore."
"My family…after much discussion, concluded my stamina for longer distances…isn't sufficient to meet the Kikuka Sho's requirements."
Though she'd raised her head and forced the corners of her mouth upward, trying hard to maintain a seemingly bright smile, a veil of invisible sadness covered that expression, making it painfully forced:
"But—but it's alright, Kita-chan, I…"
"You see, I've already registered for the Tenno Sho (Autumn)!"
"How's that, hmm? Impressive, isn't it?"
"Very soon, I'll be facing those incredibly strong senpais from the senior classes before you, Kita-chan!"
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