A new year...
A new racing season.
Winter had finally loosened its grip over Japan.
The bitter cold mornings were becoming less frequent.
The heavy gray skies that had blanketed the country for months slowly gave way to clearer afternoons.
The snow that once covered rooftops and mountainsides melted away little by little, feeding rivers that flowed toward the sea.
Soon...
Spring arrived.
Cherry blossom trees all across Japan began blooming once again.
Parks filled with families.
Tourists gathered beneath rows of sakura trees.
The crisp scent of spring replaced the sharp bite of winter.
Life...
Moved forward.
Just as it always had.
And so did Tracen Academy.
The academy grounds, once quiet during the winter break, had once again come alive.
Students filled the hallways.
Laughter echoed through the campus.
Training tracks once again became home to the rhythmic pounding of running shoes against the dirt.
The gymnasium reopened to packed schedules.
Coaches resumed evaluating new students.
Veteran Umamusume returned to preparing for another year.
Another chance.
Another dream.
Another title.
A new season also meant one thing.
The beginning...
Of another chapter in Japanese racing history.
Over the winter break...
Several announcements had already been made by different Umamusume regarding their racing schedules.
Some announced they would target the Spring Tenno Sho.
Others declared ambitions for the Japanese Derby.
Several newcomers revealed plans to make their Grade One debuts.
Sports magazines quickly filled their front pages with predictions.
Television programs discussed favorites.
Radio hosts debated championship contenders.
Racing journalists worked overtime.
Yet...
Among all those headlines...
One story towered above everything else.
Every newspaper.
Every magazine.
Every television station.
Every racing website.
Every discussion forum.
All carried the same headline.
KING HALO TO CHALLENGE THE TRIPLE TIARA
History awaited.
Ever since the Umamusume Racing Association officially removed the restriction preventing runners from attempting both the Classic Triple Crown and the Triple Tiara...
Many had tried.
Triple Crown winners.
Triple Tiara winners.
Even legendary names that still echoed throughout racing history.
One after another...
They stepped forward.
One after another...
They failed.
Some never reached the second race.
Others withdrew after the first.
Several suffered injuries.
Many more simply...
Couldn't continue.
The physical training wasn't what defeated them.
Nor was the competition.
It was something far less visible.
Mental fatigue.
The constant pressure.
The endless expectations.
The strain of maintaining peak performance across two complete championship campaigns.
Every race became heavier than the last.
Every victory demanded more.
Every defeat lingered longer.
Eventually...
Their minds gave out before their bodies ever could.
The dream...
Always ended the same way.
Until now.
Because this time...
There was one crucial difference.
King Halo wasn't simply charging toward history.
She had spent the past year studying why others had failed.
Watching recordings.
Reading training journals.
Listening to retired champions.
Asking questions.
Analyzing every campaign that had come before hers.
She had found one common weakness.
Not the body.
The mind.
And unlike those before her...
She believed she had found a way to overcome it.
Not by training harder.
Not by running more.
But by knowing when to stop.
When to recover.
When to completely separate herself from racing before returning stronger than before.
It was a philosophy she had quietly developed during her year away from competition.
One she intended to trust with everything she had.
Whether it would work...
Only time could answer.
Late afternoon.
Tracen Academy.
The academy buzzed with its usual energy.
Some classrooms still held afternoon lectures.
Teachers continued writing notes across blackboards.
Students hurried between buildings carrying books beneath their arms.
Elsewhere...
Several clubs had already begun their daily activities.
The cafeteria remained lively.
The library was nearly full.
The campus paths bustled with conversation.
Curiously...
One place remained unusually quiet.
The outdoor training track.
Only a handful of runners continued practicing.
Most had already completed their scheduled workouts earlier in the day.
The cool spring breeze drifted across the empty lanes.
Cherry blossom petals occasionally floated across the track before being carried away again.
It was peaceful.
Almost too peaceful.
Standing near the starting blocks...
King Halo quietly stretched her legs.
She wore a simple black training jacket over her racing attire.
A stopwatch rested loosely around her neck.
Nearby...
Several officials from the Umamusume Racing Association adjusted cameras and timing equipment.
An exhibition run didn't carry official records.
No rankings.
No prize money.
No championship points.
Its purpose was much simpler.
To demonstrate ability.
To attract attention.
And today...
King Halo intended to attract exactly one thing.
A trainer.
Although...
She technically no longer needed one.
Ever since announcing her Triple Tiara campaign after the Arima Kinen...
Her dormitory mailbox had become flooded.
Letters.
Business cards.
Training proposals.
Invitations.
Professional trainers from across Japan had approached her.
Some had impressive résumés.
Others carried decades of experience.
Several had even trained Grade One champions.
Every one of them offered the same promise.
"I'll help you make history."
King listened.
She thanked each one politely.
Then...
She declined.
Every single one.
Until...
One particular trainer walked through Tracen Academy's gates.
Fumino Nase.
Unlike the others...
She never tried to impress King with trophies.
She never boasted about previous achievements.
She never claimed she could guarantee victory.
Instead...
She simply asked one question.
"Why do you want to challenge the Triple Tiara?"
King remembered smiling at that.
For nearly two hours...
The two sat together beneath a sakura tree on campus.
They didn't discuss race strategies.
They didn't discuss split times.
They didn't discuss winning.
They simply talked.
About expectations.
Pressure.
Failure.
Success.
Responsibility.
Dreams.
By the time the conversation ended...
King already had her answer.
She stood and extended her hand.
"I'd like you to become my trainer."
Fumino had blinked in surprise.
"...Are you sure?"
King nodded without hesitation.
"I am."
That simple handshake...
Marked the beginning of one of the most ambitious trainer-runner partnerships Tracen Academy had ever seen.
Fumino Nase wasn't an unfamiliar name within the racing community.
She had spent the past several seasons working alongside one remarkable Umamusume.
Super Creek.
The gentle, dependable runner had decided not to compete during the current racing season.
Instead...
She planned to focus on mentoring younger students while allowing her body a well-earned year of rest.
After discussing it together...
Super Creek herself encouraged Fumino to accept another athlete.
"You shouldn't spend the whole year waiting for me," she had said with a warm smile.
"If someone needs you..."
"...go help them."
Fumino initially hesitated.
But eventually...
She agreed.
Then...
King Halo appeared.
And everything changed.
Ironically...
King wasn't the only one chasing history.
Fumino carried her own burden.
One she had quietly lived with for years.
Her surname.
Nase.
Throughout Japanese racing circles...
People immediately recognized it.
Not because of her.
But because of her father.
Hidehito Nase.
One of the country's most respected veteran trainers.
Every introduction seemed to end the same way.
"Oh... you're Hidehito Nase's daughter."
Never...
"You're Fumino Nase."
Her accomplishments were constantly measured against someone else's legacy.
It was a comparison she had grown tired of hearing.
She didn't dislike her father.
Far from it.
She respected him deeply.
But...
She wanted something that belonged to her.
Her own victories.
Her own legacy.
Her own name.
When King Halo extended that handshake beneath the cherry blossoms...
Fumino quietly realized something.
This wasn't just King's challenge.
It was hers as well.
If King Halo was attempting to become the first Umamusume in history to conquer both the Triple Crown and the Triple Tiara...
Then Fumino Nase intended to become far more than just...
Hidehito Nase's daughter.
She intended to become a trainer whose name would one day stand proudly on its own.
The afternoon training session continued beneath the warm spring sun.
A gentle breeze drifted across Tracen Academy's practice grounds, carrying with it the occasional cherry blossom petal.
The medium-distance practice track was unusually quiet.
Only one runner occupied the oval.
King Halo.
Her strides remained smooth and consistent.
Not explosive.
Not overly aggressive.
Just controlled.
Measured.
Every footfall landed almost identically to the last.
Her breathing was calm.
In through the nose.
Out through the mouth.
Again.
And again.
She wasn't chasing lap records today.
She wasn't trying to impress anyone.
This session had one objective.
Adaptation.
She had already proven herself over sprint distances.
She had conquered the Classic Triple Crown through relentless work.
Now...
She was rebuilding herself from the ground up.
One lap at a time.
Standing just inside the infield...
Trainer Fumino Nase watched quietly.
A tablet rested against her left forearm while a digital stopwatch hung around her neck.
Her eyes rarely left King.
Occasionally she'd glance down.
Tap a few notes onto the screen.
Heart rate.
Split times.
Cadence.
Recovery interval.
Wind direction.
Stride consistency.
Everything was being recorded.
King completed another lap.
Fumino looked at the display.
"Two seconds faster."
She quietly murmured to herself.
"...Without increasing heart rate."
She made another note.
"Aerobic adaptation progressing as expected."
King rounded the final corner once more.
Her posture remained upright.
Shoulders relaxed.
Arms swinging naturally.
Even after several laps...
There was no visible tension.
Fumino smiled faintly.
"Good..."
"...don't force it."
She knew King's personality well enough already.
If left unsupervised...
King would gladly train herself into exhaustion.
Her greatest strength...
Was also one of her biggest weaknesses.
She never believed she had done enough.
Up in the grandstands...
Four familiar figures watched the session unfold.
Super Creek.
Symboli Rudolf.
Mr. C.B.
Gentildonna.
The four leaned comfortably against the metal railings overlooking the track.
From there...
They had a perfect view of King's training.
Gentildonna followed King with her eyes as another lap passed.
She quietly shook her head.
"...I still can't believe she's really doing this."
Her voice carried equal parts admiration...
...and disbelief.
Mr. C.B. nodded.
"...Neither can I."
She rested both elbows atop the railing.
"If someone told me two years ago..."
"...that King Halo would willingly retrain herself for middle-distance racing..."
She laughed softly.
"...I'd have called them crazy."
The others smiled.
C.B. then turned toward Super Creek.
"What surprises me even more..."
"...is you."
Creek blinked.
"Hm?"
"You agreed to let your trainer work with King."
Super Creek smiled gently.
There wasn't the slightest hint of regret.
"I don't have any plans to race this season."
She shrugged lightly.
"So..."
"It would've been a waste to keep Fumino-sensei waiting around all year because of me."
She looked back toward King.
"I'd much rather see her helping someone chase their dream."
She smiled warmly.
"And King certainly has one."
C.B. slowly nodded.
Looking back toward the track.
"Fumino-san did incredible work with you."
"I have a feeling..."
"...she's going to accomplish something even greater with King."
Super Creek chuckled.
"The funny thing is..."
"...those two actually have something in common."
That caught everyone's attention.
Gentildonna turned first.
"So they do?"
Creek nodded.
"Fumino-sensei..."
She looked toward the trainer standing near the infield.
"...has spent most of her career trying to escape her father's shadow."
"People rarely introduce her as..."
"'Trainer Fumino Nase.'"
She sighed softly.
"They usually say..."
"'Hidehito Nase's daughter.'"
Mr. C.B.'s expression softened.
"...Ah..."
She quietly looked away for a moment.
"...I know what that's like."
She didn't elaborate.
She didn't have to.
Creek continued.
"And King..."
"...has spent years trying to prove she isn't simply..."
"...lucky."
Gentildonna folded her arms.
"When you put it that way..."
"...they're both chasing the same thing."
"Recognition."
Creek smiled.
"Exactly."
After another lap...
Mr. C.B. looked back toward Super Creek.
"So..."
She smiled playfully.
"If Fumino-san ever decided to start her own racing team..."
"...you'd have no objections?"
Creek immediately shook her head.
"None at all."
She laughed.
"Actually..."
"I think it'd work surprisingly well."
The others looked toward her again.
"King is phenomenal in sprint races."
She raised one finger.
"Her acceleration."
Another finger.
"Her explosive finishes."
Another.
"Her race awareness."
She nodded confidently.
"She's incredibly dangerous over short distances."
Creek placed both hands together.
"If Fumino-sensei built a team..."
"I'd happily cover the middle and long-distance races."
She giggled.
Covering her mouth politely.
"And King..."
"...could dominate the sprint and mile divisions."
Mr. C.B. blinked.
She exchanged glances with Gentildonna.
The two silently thought about it.
Then...
C.B. smiled.
"...That's actually not a bad idea."
Gentildonna nodded.
"Not bad at all."
"One trainer."
"Two completely different specialists."
"That would make for an incredibly flexible stable."
Creek laughed.
"Exactly."
The conversation slowly died down.
Everyone's attention returned to the track.
King completed yet another lap.
Still maintaining the same rhythm.
Still showing remarkable discipline.
Mr. C.B. rested both forearms across the railing.
She slowly inhaled.
Then let out a long breath.
"...She's really doing all of this..."
"...just to prove to her mother..."
"...that none of her victories were luck."
Silence followed.
Symboli Rudolf finally spoke.
Firmly.
Without hesitation.
"None of King's victories..."
"...were ever luck."
Everyone looked toward her.
Rudolf's eyes never left the track.
They followed King as she entered another corner.
"Luck doesn't win championships."
"It certainly doesn't win the Triple Crown."
Her expression softened.
"I watched her."
"I watched every season."
Her voice became quieter.
"But I also watched every setback."
She folded her arms.
"People only remember champions."
"They rarely remember..."
"...how many times they failed first."
She smiled faintly.
"King's second season..."
"...was by far the hardest year of her career."
She remembered it vividly.
"Race after race..."
"Grade One after Grade One..."
"No victories."
"No breakthrough."
"Only disappointment."
Reporters had questioned her.
Fans had begun doubting her.
Some even wondered whether she'd ever become a champion at all.
Rudolf looked toward King once more.
"But..."
"The following year..."
A proud smile appeared.
"...she became undefeated."
She paused.
"As if she had transformed into an entirely different runner."
Mr. C.B. nodded.
"I remember."
Rudolf continued.
"And by her fourth year..."
"...she even conquered the Arima Kinen."
She quietly scoffed.
"There was nothing fortunate about it."
"Every victory..."
"...was earned."
Mr. C.B. remained thoughtful.
After several seconds...
She glanced sideways.
"...Hey..."
"Gentil."
Gentildonna looked over.
"Hm?"
C.B. hesitated.
She looked away.
"...Have you ever..."
She searched for the right words.
"...considered attempting the Triple Crown?"
Gentildonna blinked.
Her eyes widened ever so slightly.
Then...
She slowly shook her head.
"...No."
"Not once."
She looked back toward King.
"I'm already satisfied with my Triple Tiara."
She smiled.
"I accomplished the dream I chased."
Her smile slowly faded.
"But..."
She folded her arms.
"The Double..."
"...isn't simply another championship."
"It's another life."
She watched King walking another cooldown lap.
"You willingly push your mind..."
"...to its absolute limit."
Her voice became quieter.
"I've seen what that pressure does."
"The expectations."
"The headlines."
"The comparisons."
"The constant fear of making a single mistake."
She slowly exhaled.
"...I'm content leaving that dream..."
"...to someone brave enough to chase it."
Rudolf nodded in agreement.
"Physically..."
She looked toward everyone.
"...winning both crowns is absolutely possible."
"There's no rule saying the body can't endure it."
She raised one finger.
"The real battle..."
"...begins after the first crown."
She lowered her hand.
"Suddenly..."
"The public expects perfection."
"Every race becomes national news."
"Every training session is scrutinized."
"Every mistake is criticized."
Her expression grew serious.
"And that's when the mind begins to crack."
Silence settled over the grandstand.
The only sounds came from King's rhythmic footsteps below.
Mr. C.B.'s cheerful demeanor faded.
"...The runners who attempted it before..."
She swallowed.
"...are they alright now?"
Rudolf nodded almost immediately.
"They are."
A reassuring smile crossed her face.
"They recovered."
"Some retired."
"Some became trainers."
"Others simply chose quieter lives."
She looked toward King once more.
"But every single one of them..."
"...told me the same thing."
Gentildonna looked over.
"What was it?"
Rudolf smiled sadly.
"'The body wasn't what gave out.'"
She watched King finish another lap before finally slowing to a walk.
"...It was the heart."
The four fell silent.
Watching King Halo begin her cooldown around the track.
None of them spoke again.
Because each of them understood...
The greatest race awaiting King Halo this year...
Wouldn't be against the other runners.
It would be against herself.
Back down on the practice track...
King Halo finally crossed the painted timing line before gradually slowing her pace.
One step.
Then another.
The rhythm of her breathing echoed through the otherwise quiet training grounds.
"Hah..."
A deep inhale.
"Haa..."
A slow exhale.
She placed both hands on her hips, keeping herself upright as she walked another few meters to cool herself down.
Despite the visible fatigue...
Her posture remained disciplined.
No slouching.
No collapsing onto the grass.
Just steady breathing.
The spring breeze rolled across the track, carrying away some of the warmth that had built up during the session.
King wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead with the sleeve of her tracksuit before walking toward the infield.
Waiting there...
Trainer Fumino Nase.
The trainer glanced down at the tablet resting against her forearm.
Graphs.
Split times.
Heart rate.
Stride consistency.
Everything had already been compiled.
She tapped through several pages before finally stopping.
A faint smile appeared.
She pressed her lips together and gave a satisfied nod.
Only then did she look up.
"Consistent as ever, King."
King was still catching her breath.
"H...How..."
She inhaled deeply.
"...are..."
Another breath.
"...my lap times?"
Fumino looked back at the screen.
She compared the split times one last time.
"The slowest lap was only four-tenths slower than your fastest."
She scrolled further.
"But that's actually misleading."
King blinked.
Fumino rotated the tablet slightly so King could see the graph.
"The majority of your laps..."
She pointed toward a cluster of nearly overlapping lines.
"...are separated by only three to eight thousandths of a second."
King's tired eyes widened slightly.
"...That close?"
Fumino nodded.
"Extremely close."
She smiled.
"That's exactly what I wanted."
She turned the tablet back toward herself.
"A consistent runner is a predictable runner."
"And a predictable runner can execute a race plan."
She powered off the tablet with a press of the side button before slipping the stylus into its holder.
"Today's session was excellent."
King stood a little straighter.
Fumino continued.
"You managed your pace beautifully."
"There wasn't a single lap where you became impatient."
She folded her arms.
"And that's important."
She walked a few slow steps around King as she explained.
"The biggest adjustment you'll be making this season isn't your speed."
"It's your race management."
King listened carefully.
"You've spent years racing like a sprinter."
"Explosive starts."
"Immediate positioning."
"Short bursts."
She raised one finger.
"The Triple Tiara won't reward that."
She raised a second.
"You'll need patience."
A third.
"You'll need restraint."
"And most importantly..."
She smiled.
"...you'll need confidence that you don't have to lead the race immediately."
King nodded slowly.
"I understand."
Fumino looked toward the practice track.
"You'll be running as a late pacer."
"Stay with the main pack."
"Protect your stamina."
"Observe."
"And when the field begins to tire..."
She looked directly at King.
"That's when you strike."
King quietly repeated the words to herself.
"...Late pace..."
Fumino nodded.
"Exactly."
She looked back at her schedule.
"Tomorrow changes things."
"No more endurance work."
King blinked.
"We're switching to speed."
She smiled.
"I want a full-pace session."
"No holding back."
"No pacing drills."
"I want to see the fastest lap you can produce."
King's competitive side immediately surfaced.
A confident smile appeared.
"Understood."
"I'll set a good time."
Fumino laughed softly.
"I don't doubt that."
She gave a polite bow.
"Excellent work today."
"I'll see you tomorrow."
King returned the bow.
"Thank you, Fumino-sensei."
The trainer turned toward the concrete underpass leading back toward the academy buildings.
She had only taken several steps before stopping.
"...Oh."
King looked up.
Fumino looked over her shoulder.
"And one more thing."
She pointed at King.
"Sleep."
King blinked.
"I don't want you turning into a night owl."
King laughed.
"I'll try."
Fumino narrowed her eyes playfully.
"No."
She smiled.
"You will."
The trainer disappeared into the underpass.
King could only chuckle.
"...Yes, Sensei."
The silence returned.
King slowly turned toward the grandstand.
Four familiar faces were still watching.
Symboli Rudolf.
Mr. C.B.
Gentildonna.
Super Creek.
King raised both arms dramatically.
Then let them fall against the sides of her red-and-white tracksuit with an exaggerated thump.
"...Really?"
She laughed.
"Were you all planning to watch me the whole afternoon?"
Mr. C.B. immediately covered her mouth to suppress a laugh.
"So we're not allowed to watch another Umamusume train now?"
King rolled her eyes.
"That's not what I meant."
Gentildonna smirked.
"I'll admit..."
"...watching you run circles for an hour was surprisingly entertaining."
King sighed dramatically.
"I suddenly regret training in public."
Super Creek giggled.
"You did great."
King smiled.
"Thanks."
Rudolf nodded proudly.
"Your pacing was much better."
"You weren't fighting yourself."
"You were running with yourself."
King blinked.
"...That's an interesting way to put it."
Rudolf smiled.
"It means you've started trusting your own rhythm."
King remained silent for a moment.
"...I hope so."
She looked toward the wooden bench beside the retaining wall.
A white towel rested neatly atop it.
Walking over...
She picked it up and draped it around her neck before wiping the sweat from her forehead and ears.
The cool fabric felt refreshing after the long session.
Without another word...
She started walking toward the underpass leading back to the dormitories.
The towel rested across her shoulders.
The afternoon sun cast a long shadow behind her.
Eventually...
She disappeared beneath the concrete tunnel.
The four remained at the grandstand.
Mr. C.B. leaned farther over the railing.
"...Any idea what she's planning tonight?"
Gentildonna let out a dry laugh.
She folded her arms.
"I know exactly what she's planning."
Super Creek smiled knowingly.
"She's going to do the one thing..."
"...that always clears her head."
Rudolf nodded.
"...The Wangan."
Silence.
Then...
Mr. C.B. slowly looked toward Gentildonna.
A grin spread across her face.
"...You're thinking what I'm thinking."
Gentildonna returned the grin immediately.
"I know exactly what you're thinking."
Rudolf chuckled.
"Oh?"
She crossed her arms.
"And here I thought you two were trying to keep secrets from your Student Council President."
C.B. laughed.
"No secrets."
Gentildonna nodded.
"We're just making sure she doesn't overdo it."
Rudolf's smile softened.
She already understood.
King wasn't heading to the Shuto Expressway to race.
She was heading there...
To breathe.
To think.
To let the endless ribbon of highway wash away the pressure sitting inside her mind.
Rudolf looked at the pair.
"Alright."
She pointed toward the academy exit.
"You two spread yourselves around the Shuto."
She smiled knowingly.
"You both know exactly what to do if you spot King."
C.B. nodded confidently.
"We'll keep our distance."
Gentildonna finished the sentence.
"But close enough if she needs us."
"Good."
Rudolf nodded.
"That's all I ask."
"Don't interrupt her."
"Just make sure she gets home safely."
The two exchanged one last glance.
Then...
"Right!"
They answered together.
Without another word, both turned and hurried down the grandstand steps.
Their footsteps echoed briefly before fading away.
Mr. C.B. was heading toward Tracen's parking area.
From there...
It was only a fifteen-minute drive through the streets of Fuchū to her home, where her navy blue Porsche Singer DLS waited.
Gentildonna headed for the student parking lot as well, preparing to retrieve her own car before entering the evening traffic flowing toward Tokyo.
The grandstand slowly emptied.
Only Rudolf and Super Creek remained.
Neither spoke.
They simply looked toward the academy campus in the distance.
The sun had begun its slow descent.
Golden light reflected across the large glass windows of Tracen Academy's buildings, making the entire campus glow with warm amber colors.
Long shadows stretched across the empty practice tracks.
Students continued walking between buildings as another school day came to a close.
Rudolf quietly watched the sunset.
"...Spring has only just begun."
Super Creek nodded beside her.
"It has."
Rudolf's eyes remained fixed on the horizon.
"But King's hardest season..."
A small, confident smile formed.
"...is only just beginning."
Time flies by.
The afternoon slowly surrendered to evening.
The brilliant blue sky faded into deep shades of orange, crimson, and violet as the sun gradually disappeared beyond the horizon.
Streetlights flickered on one after another.
Apartment windows glowed warmly.
Office buildings began emptying as workers made their way home.
The daytime traffic slowly thinned.
The constant noise of the city softened.
For most people...
Night meant rest.
Dinner.
Family.
A quiet evening at home.
But for another group...
Night was only just beginning.
For street racers...
The darkness signaled the opening of their world.
Cooler temperatures.
Longer stretches of empty roads.
Minimal traffic.
And miles upon miles of expressway illuminated only by sodium lamps and the glow of taillights.
The Shuto Expressway.
The place where countless machines awakened after sunset.
Inside the Ritto Dormitory...
King Halo stood in front of the full-length mirror beside her desk.
She tugged lightly on the leather belt threaded through her dark jeans.
The polished metal buckle clicked securely into place.
She straightened the hem of her white button-down polo shirt before smoothing out the sleeves.
Simple.
Comfortable.
Exactly how she preferred dressing whenever she wasn't wearing her school uniform.
She gave herself one final glance.
"...Good enough."
Turning toward her desk...
Her eyes landed on two familiar key fobs resting neatly beside one another.
On the left...
A Porsche crest.
The keys to her cobalt blue metallic Gemballa Mirage GT.
On the right...
A worn Nissan key.
Her R32 GT-R.
She looked at both for several seconds.
Normally...
The Skyline would've been her choice.
Small.
Agile.
Simple.
But tonight...
She wanted something different.
Her fingers reached toward the left.
She picked up the Mirage GT's keys.
The metal jingled softly in her hand.
A tiny smile appeared.
"...Been a while."
Behind her...
Haru Urara looked up from the novel resting on her lap.
King slipped the keys into her pocket before turning toward her roommate.
"I'll be gone for a while."
She walked toward the door.
"Don't wait for me for dinner."
Urara smiled brightly.
"Okay, King-san!"
She gave a little wave.
"Stay safe out there!"
King nodded.
"I always do."
Urara giggled.
"...Most of the time."
King sighed dramatically.
"I choose to ignore that comment."
Both laughed.
King reached for the handle.
Twisting it...
She stepped out into the hallway before quietly pulling the door shut behind her.
The dormitory corridor was peaceful.
Soft conversations drifted through closed bedroom doors.
Some roommates chatted about classes.
Others discussed upcoming races.
Some laughed over television shows playing quietly in the background.
King walked past them all.
Hands resting inside her pockets.
Her footsteps echoed gently against the polished wooden floor.
She pulled her phone from her pocket.
Unlocked it.
And opened the calendar.
Her eyes immediately landed on the highlighted date.
Japanese Oaks.
Two weeks away.
The first jewel of the Triple Tiara.
King stared at it.
"...Already."
She quietly sighed.
The excitement she'd felt earlier...
Was slowly being replaced by pressure.
Expectations.
Responsibility.
Doubt.
Without another word...
She locked the screen.
Slipped the phone back into her pocket.
And continued downstairs.
The dormitory entrance slid closed behind her.
Cool spring air greeted her immediately.
The evening carried just enough chill to remain refreshing without becoming uncomfortable.
Ahead...
The student parking lot rested beneath rows of illuminated lamps.
Unlike the daytime...
It was almost completely silent.
Rows upon rows of parked cars waited peacefully beneath the lights.
No engines.
No conversations.
No movement.
Only silent machines.
Waiting.
King smiled.
"...Beautiful."
She walked between the parking spaces.
Eventually stopping beside her Mirage GT.
The cobalt blue metallic paint reflected the overhead lamps almost like liquid glass.
The wide rear fenders cast deep shadows across the pavement.
Even standing still...
The car looked fast.
She pressed the unlock button.
Beep.
The mirrors unfolded.
The indicators flashed once.
King reached for the aluminum door handle.
Pulling it open.
The long door swung outward smoothly.
She lowered herself carefully into the driver's seat.
The familiar scent of leather...
Alcantara...
And warm engine oil lingering from previous drives welcomed her back.
She pulled the door shut.
Thud.
The outside world disappeared.
The cabin became quiet.
Private.
Comfortable.
She adjusted herself slightly deeper into the bucket seat before pulling it a notch closer to the pedals.
One click.
Perfect.
Her hands rested naturally on the steering wheel.
She took one slow breath.
Then another.
The tension she'd carried all afternoon had already begun fading.
Her left hand reached toward the ignition.
She inserted the key.
Twisting it gently to the accessory position.
The dashboard illuminated.
Warning lights blinked awake.
Behind her...
The electric fuel pump hummed softly.
Hmmm...
Fuel pressure built through the lines.
Three seconds later...
Silence.
King pulled the seatbelt across her chest.
Click.
Secure.
She rested her hand back on the key.
One smooth motion.
Twist.
The starter motor engaged.
Whrrr...
Half a second later—
WHUMPH!
The naturally aspirated 5.7-liter M80/01 V10 erupted into life.
The entire chassis vibrated briefly.
The idle settled around twelve hundred RPM while the cold-start enrichment did its work.
Behind the seats...
The V10 produced a rich mechanical growl unique to the Carrera GT-derived engine beneath the Mirage GT's redesigned bodywork.
King smiled.
"...Still sounds wonderful."
She let the engine idle.
Giving the oil time to circulate before moving.
While waiting...
She unlocked her phone once more.
Opening the navigation app.
Her finger drifted across Tokyo.
No destination in particular.
She simply searched for somewhere she'd enjoy.
A familiar name appeared.
Teppen Onnadojo.
Located in Shibuya.
She remembered eating there months ago.
Excellent grilled dishes.
Warm atmosphere.
Comfort food.
Exactly what tonight called for.
Her eyes shifted slightly lower.
Across the street...
Orchard Road Parking.
Perfect.
She smiled.
"Good food..."
"...and afterwards..."
She looked toward the windshield.
"...the Shuto."
She closed the phone.
Setting it gently on the passenger seat.
Left foot.
Clutch pedal fully depressed.
Her right hand wrapped around the polished shift knob.
Left.
Forward.
First gear.
She slowly released the parking brake.
The Mirage GT eased forward almost silently.
King intentionally kept the revs low.
Barely above idle.
The last thing she wanted...
Was waking half the dormitory.
The car rolled smoothly toward the parking lot exit.
She stopped.
Looked left.
Looked right.
No traffic.
She eased onto the public road.
The residential streets of Fuchū were peaceful.
Traffic was sparse.
Only a handful of cars passed in the opposite direction.
Convenience stores glowed beneath fluorescent lights.
Cyclists quietly rode home.
The occasional pedestrian crossed intersections carrying grocery bags.
King drove calmly.
No unnecessary acceleration.
No dramatic exhaust notes.
Just a relaxed cruise.
As she approached the expressway entrance...
The familiar green overhead signs appeared.
Shuto Expressway.
She smiled without realizing it.
The barrier opened.
The Mirage GT climbed the on-ramp.
Second gear.
Three thousand RPM.
Third.
The V10's voice deepened.
The city lights spread endlessly ahead.
Tokyo.
At night.
Always breathtaking.
What should have been nothing more than a straightforward forty-minute drive into central Tokyo...
Became something else entirely.
This wasn't about reaching dinner.
Not really.
The restaurant was simply an excuse.
The real destination...
Was the drive itself.
The endless rhythm of the expressway.
The long sweeping curves of the Inner C1 Loop.
The glowing skyline reflected across polished bodywork.
The tunnels.
The echoes.
The silence between gear changes.
This...
Was King's way of recovering.
Not sleeping.
Not sitting quietly.
Not shutting herself inside her room.
She healed by driving.
Every kilometer slowly washed away another layer of stress.
Every tunnel carried away another anxious thought.
Every lap around the Shuto left her mind just a little lighter than before.
Tonight...
She would cruise through the Inner Circular Route.
Then drift toward the Bayshore Route.
Eventually crossing the Rainbow Bridge beneath Tokyo's glittering skyline before heading into Shibuya for dinner.
No rivals.
No stopwatch.
No finish line.
Just...
King Halo.
Her Mirage GT.
And the endless ribbon of expressway stretching into the Tokyo night.
Across the Rainbow Bridge...
Tokyo had transformed.
The towering skyline shimmered beneath the night sky.
Office buildings reflected thousands of tiny lights across Tokyo Bay while the illuminated suspension cables of the Rainbow Bridge glowed brilliantly against the darkness.
Traffic was light.
Perfect conditions for a peaceful cruise.
Or...
For those who loved driving...
The perfect conditions to enjoy the Shuto Expressway.
Near the closed Shibaura Parking Area, between the entrance and exit ramps...
Two cars sat quietly on the shoulder beyond the maintenance barriers.
One...
Mr. C.B.'s newest acquisition.
A Kimera EVO37, its compact bodywork blending classic Lancia Rally 037 styling with modern carbon fiber construction.
Beside it...
Gentildonna's own car idled quietly, headlights illuminating the reflective barriers ahead.
The parking area itself had been closed for maintenance.
Plastic barriers blocked the entrance.
Orange warning lamps blinked rhythmically.
The place was deserted.
Only the distant sound of passing traffic disturbed the silence.
Mr. C.B. leaned casually against the concrete retaining wall.
Hands tucked into her jacket pockets.
Watching the steady stream of headlights race across the bridge.
Gentildonna stood beside her.
She sighed.
"You know..."
She glanced toward the barriers.
"You're lucky the parking area is closed tonight."
Mr. C.B. raised an eyebrow.
"...Remind me again why you're here?"
Gentildonna slowly turned toward her.
One eyebrow twitched.
"...Did you forget already?"
C.B. blinked innocently.
"...Maybe."
Gentildonna sighed.
"We're here because Rudolf asked us to keep an eye on King."
She folded her arms.
"Not race her."
"Not challenge her."
"Just make sure she gets home safely."
Mr. C.B. nodded thoughtfully.
"Ah."
A pause.
"...Right."
Gentildonna stared at her.
"...You actually forgot."
C.B. laughed nervously.
"...For about ten seconds."
Gentildonna rubbed her forehead.
"I should be the one asking questions."
She pointed toward the closed parking area.
"Why exactly are we standing between the entrance and exit ramps instead of parking inside?"
Mr. C.B. pointed behind her.
"Because..."
"...it's closed?"
"And why is it closed?"
C.B. looked again.
The blinking maintenance lights.
The barriers.
The construction cones.
"...Maintenance?"
Gentildonna slowly nodded.
"...Congratulations."
"You finally reached the answer."
Mr. C.B. couldn't help laughing.
"I walked right into that one."
The conversation drifted elsewhere.
Gentildonna's eyes wandered toward C.B.'s newest car.
She slowly walked around it.
Admiring every curve.
Every vent.
Every exposed weave of carbon fiber.
She whistled quietly.
"I still can't believe you bought another car."
Mr. C.B. proudly smiled.
"I have a weakness."
"For restomods."
Gentildonna crouched slightly beside the front wheel.
"The Kimera EVO37..."
She gently nodded.
"Quite the choice."
Mr. C.B. crossed her arms proudly.
"I've always loved Group B."
She looked toward her car.
"But I also wanted something modern enough that I wouldn't be terrified of actually driving it."
Gentildonna chuckled.
"So..."
"...how much did this weakness cost?"
Mr. C.B. answered almost immediately.
"Somewhere between four hundred and five hundred thousand US dollars."
Gentildonna blinked.
She looked back at the car.
Then at C.B.
"...Honestly?"
She shrugged.
"I expected worse."
C.B. laughed.
"So did my accountant."
Both laughed.
Then...
Their laughter stopped.
A sound.
Far away.
Faint.
Almost swallowed by the wind.
A naturally aspirated V10.
Both pairs of ears immediately stood upright.
Gentildonna turned first.
"...There."
Mr. C.B. looked toward the long sweeping bend leading onto the Rainbow Bridge.
The sound rapidly grew louder.
The mechanical howl echoed off the concrete barriers surrounding the expressway.
C.B.'s smile slowly appeared.
"...She's coming."
Seconds later...
A pair of brilliant headlights emerged from the corner.
The cobalt blue silhouette followed immediately afterward.
King Halo's Gemballa Mirage GT exited the sweeping bend with incredible stability.
The wide rear tires remained planted firmly against the asphalt.
The V10 sang beautifully as the tachometer climbed.
Seven thousand.
Eight thousand.
The exhaust note transformed into an almost Formula One-like scream.
The Mirage GT blasted past the pair.
WHOOOOOOOOOOOAAAMM!!
The air pressure alone tugged at their coats.
Their hair fluttered violently.
The V10's note bounced repeatedly between the bridge's barriers before disappearing into the Tokyo night.
Both instinctively followed the car with their eyes.
Their heads turning almost in perfect synchronization.
Until the Mirage GT became nothing more than distant taillights.
Silence.
Mr. C.B. blinked.
"...Whoa..."
Gentildonna blinked once.
Twice.
Then immediately snapped back to reality.
She shoved C.B.'s shoulder.
Hard enough to make her stumble.
"What are you standing there for?!"
She pointed down the road.
"Let's go!"
Mr. C.B. shook herself.
"...R-Right!"
Both sprinted toward their cars.
Mr. C.B., in typical fashion...
Didn't even bother walking around hers.
She planted one foot onto the front bumper.
Another atop the front fender.
Then slid cleanly across the carbon fiber hood before landing beside the driver's door.
Gentildonna laughed despite herself.
"...You're impossible."
C.B. grinned.
"It saves two seconds."
She yanked the lightweight door open.
Dropped into the driver's bucket seat.
SLAM!
Door shut.
Her hands moved almost automatically.
Left shoulder strap.
Right shoulder strap.
Lap belts.
Center buckle.
Click.
Secure.
Handbrake released.
Clutch pedal fully depressed.
First gear engaged.
Her right foot buried the accelerator.
The supercharged and turbocharged inline-four roared furiously.
Boost climbed almost instantly.
The rev needle swept upward.
Five thousand.
Six.
Seven.
The engine bounced violently against the limiter.
BRAP-BRAP-BRAP-BRAP!
Without hesitation—
She dumped the clutch.
The Kimera lurched violently forward.
Its rear tires erupted into wheelspin.
Smoke briefly poured from behind the car.
The rear stepped sideways.
Mr. C.B. immediately countersteered.
Tiny corrections.
Quick hands.
The steering wheel danced between her palms until the tires finally hooked up.
The car launched down the entrance ramp.
Behind her...
Gentildonna accelerated far more smoothly.
Her right foot pressed progressively deeper onto the accelerator.
The rear tires chirped once.
Only once.
Then found grip.
Her car surged forward with impressive composure.
"No need to be dramatic..."
She muttered.
"...Show-off."
She shifted into second.
Then third.
The engine climbed effortlessly toward its powerband.
Soon...
Both cars merged onto the main expressway.
Almost immediately...
Another familiar machine appeared.
A flash of deep green.
Then—
A Ferrari F40 shot past both of them in the fast lane.
Its twin-turbocharged V8 screamed through titanium exhausts.
Just as the driver grabbed the next gear—
BANG!
Twin blue-orange flames burst from the exhaust pipes.
The F40 continued accelerating without hesitation.
Mr. C.B.'s eyes widened.
She couldn't help smiling.
"...Knew it."
She grabbed fourth gear.
"Rudolf..."
The green Ferrari continued pulling ahead.
Mr. C.B. laughed as she accelerated after it.
"Hey!"
She shifted again.
"Wait up!"
Ahead...
Three familiar taillights now occupied the expressway.
King Halo.
Symboli Rudolf.
And now...
Mr. C.B. and Gentildonna.
None of them were racing.
There was no finish line.
No winner.
No loser.
Just four friends...
Sharing another peaceful night beneath the endless lights of the Shuto Expressway.
Inside the Gemballa Mirage GT, however...
King Halo remained silent.
There was no rush.
No urge to chase anyone.
No need to prove anything.
Tonight...
She simply wanted to drive.
The cabin was dimly lit, illuminated only by the soft amber glow of the gauges and the occasional passing streetlights sweeping across the dashboard.
Outside...
Tokyo shimmered beneath the spring night.
Tower windows reflected against the bay.
Neon signs painted streaks of blue, red, and white across the Mirage GT's windshield as she cruised along the Shuto Expressway.
The naturally aspirated V10 sat comfortably around three thousand RPM.
Not screaming.
Not straining.
Just...
Humming.
A deep mechanical song echoed softly through the titanium exhaust.
King rested one hand lightly on the steering wheel.
The other briefly reached toward the center touchscreen.
A gentle tap.
The navigation map expanded across the display.
She zoomed in with two fingers.
Scrolling through nearby restaurants.
"..."
Her finger slowed.
Then stopped.
Teppen Onnadojo.
She smiled faintly.
"That'll do."
She selected it.
The navigation recalculated.
Fifteen minutes.
She nodded to herself.
"Good food..."
"And a peaceful drive."
Without any sudden movement, she flicked the indicator.
Tick...
Tick...
Tick...
The left signal blinked rhythmically.
She checked her mirrors.
Clear.
The Mirage GT smoothly drifted into the left lane.
No drama.
No aggressive steering.
Just a calm, perfectly judged lane change.
Then...
Her rear-view mirror suddenly filled with two glowing circles.
Pop-up headlights.
A familiar pair.
King sighed before she even saw the car itself.
"...Kaichou."
Behind her...
Symboli Rudolf's symboli-green Ferrari F40 settled neatly behind the Porsche.
A moment later—
Flash.
High beams.
Once.
Twice.
King's eyebrows slowly drooped.
"...Seriously?"
She reached toward the passenger seat.
Picked up her phone.
Unlocked it.
Selected Rudolf's contact.
Pressed Call.
Ring...
Ring...
The line connected.
A calm voice answered almost immediately.
"King?"
King let out another sigh.
"You people are not ruining my midnight cruise."
Silence.
"..."
On the other end...
Rudolf blinked.
"You..."
"...aren't here racing?"
King almost laughed.
"Why the hell would I?"
"I've been training all afternoon."
"I just wanted to enjoy the scenery."
She glanced through the windshield as Tokyo Bay glimmered beneath the expressway.
"Sometimes it's nice just..."
"...driving."
Her grip relaxed slightly on the steering wheel.
"I'm heading to eat dinner."
"If you all want to come..."
"Then simply follow."
Before Rudolf could answer—
A blur exploded past on the outside lane.
WAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!
A high-revving twincharged four-cylinder screamed by.
Immediately followed by the howl of a V10.
King's eyes closed.
"..."
"There they go."
The silver Kimera EVO37 shot ahead.
Behind it—
Gentildonna's Lexus LFA.
C.B immediately stamped the brakes.
CHIRP!
The front tires protested.
Heel.
Toe.
Throttle blip.
BRAAAP!
Fifth.
Fourth.
Third.
The Kimera rotated neatly toward the Hamazakibashi Junction before disappearing westbound.
Gentildonna followed only moments later.
King watched both taillights disappear.
Then sighed.
"..."
"And tell those two..."
"...to calm the hell down."
"They're ruining the night cruise."
On Rudolf's end...
"...Uh..."
"...yeah."
"Sure."
King ended the call.
Inside the Ferrari F40...
Rudolf stared forward for a few seconds.
Then slowly shook her head.
"...Those two."
She pressed another contact.
Group Call.
C.B.
Gentildonna.
Both connected.
Meanwhile...
Inside the Kimera EVO37...
C.B's phone buzzed violently across the passenger seat.
She glanced sideways.
"Kaichou?"
She eased off the throttle.
The turbochargers quietly exhaled pressure.
Speed steadily dropped.
She answered.
"Kaichou?"
Rudolf sighed loudly enough for both drivers to hear.
"You two."
"Stand down."
C.B blinked.
"...Huh?"
"King isn't racing."
"She's simply having a midnight cruise."
"And she's going to dinner."
Gentildonna's voice immediately came through the speakers.
"Better tell that to C.B."
"She practically launched herself like a rally start back there."
C.B's eye twitched.
"Hey!"
"You literally accelerated too!"
Gentildonna smirked.
"I accelerated."
"You burned rubber."
"I heard your tires from two lanes away."
C.B puffed her cheeks.
"Kaichou literally said—"
"'Give chase.'"
Rudolf pinched the bridge of her nose.
"...I did."
"...But I assumed you'd use common sense."
"..."
Silence.
Gentildonna immediately burst into laughter.
Even Rudolf chuckled.
C.B groaned dramatically.
"So now it's my fault?"
"It usually is."
Gentildonna answered instantly.
"...Rude."
Rudolf smiled.
"Both of you."
"Ease off."
"Wait for us."
"Tonight isn't about racing."
"It's about accompanying a friend."
The joking immediately stopped.
Gentildonna nodded to herself.
"...Understood."
"So are we."
Both drivers smoothly moved across to the slow lane.
Their speeds dropped.
Traffic flowed past them.
A family minivan.
A delivery truck.
Several ordinary commuters returning home.
Gentildonna watched her side mirror.
"...There."
Far behind...
Two familiar headlights appeared.
The rounded lamps of the Mirage GT.
Behind it—
The unmistakable pop-up headlights of Rudolf's Ferrari F40.
The two cars approached steadily.
No excessive speed.
No weaving.
Just...
Cruising.
King overtook them first.
Rudolf followed.
C.B smiled sheepishly.
"Guess..."
"...we really misunderstood."
Gentildonna laughed softly.
"I think we're simply too used to chasing people."
C.B grinned.
"Fair point."
She gently pressed the accelerator.
No wheelspin.
No dramatic launch.
Just smooth throttle.
The Kimera settled behind Rudolf.
Gentildonna followed suit.
Four legendary machines now cruised together beneath Tokyo's lights.
The convoy crossed illuminated overpasses.
Passed beneath towering buildings.
The Rainbow Bridge glowed behind them.
Tokyo Tower shined in the distance.
For several minutes...
Nobody spoke.
Nobody accelerated.
Nobody challenged anyone.
The city itself became the entertainment.
Fifteen peaceful minutes later...
The four cars exited the Shuto Expressway.
One after another.
Indicator.
Brake.
Turn.
They entered a nearby parking structure beside the restaurant.
The Mirage GT parked first.
Followed by Rudolf's Ferrari F40.
Then the Lexus LFA.
Finally...
C.B carefully backed the Kimera EVO37 into the remaining space.
Engines shut down one by one.
The V10 faded.
The flat-plane V8 fell silent.
The Yamaha-built V10 stopped singing.
Finally...
The twincharged four-cylinder clicked softly as it cooled.
Metal ticked quietly beneath each engine bay.
Spring air drifted through the parking area.
King climbed out first.
She stretched both arms above her head.
"...Now..."
"That's more like it."
Rudolf walked beside her.
"So."
"No racing tonight after all."
King smiled.
"I race enough during training."
"My evenings are different."
"They remind me..."
"...why I enjoy driving."
Gentildonna looked around the peaceful street before smiling.
"I suppose..."
"...we all needed a slower night."
C.B rubbed the back of her head awkwardly.
"I may have gotten a little excited."
King raised an eyebrow.
"'A little?'"
Everyone laughed.
Even C.B.
Together...
The four Umamusume walked toward the warmly lit entrance of Teppen Onnadojo.
The restaurant's soft lantern lights glowed against the sidewalk.
Warm conversations drifted outside each time the entrance door opened.
The aroma of grilled meat, charcoal, garlic, and freshly cooked rice filled the cool evening air.
Inside...
Soft jazz mixed with quiet conversations.
Businessmen finished late dinners.
Couples enjoyed peaceful meals.
The atmosphere was relaxed.
Comfortable.
Exactly what King Halo had been searching for after a long day of training.
Outside...
Tokyo continued to move.
Cars flowed endlessly along distant expressways.
Neon reflected across rain-polished pavement.
The city never truly slept.
And neither...
Did the legends who called it home.
The four Umamusume soon settled into one of the corner tables near the restaurant's window.
Warm wooden interiors, soft yellow lighting, and the aroma of grilled food gave the restaurant a welcoming atmosphere.
Outside...
The city continued to glow beneath the spring night.
Cars passed every so often, their headlights briefly washing across the glass before disappearing into the streets of Shibuya.
A waitress approached with a smile.
"Welcome. May I take your orders?"
Menus opened.
After a few minutes of discussion, everyone had decided.
King Halo ordered a grilled beef set meal with rice, miso soup, and iced tea.
Rudolf chose grilled salmon, tamagoyaki, and a cup of freshly brewed coffee.
Gentildonna ordered karaage, rice, and a large bowl of udon.
C.B...
"...I'll have the largest pork cutlet set you've got."
The waitress blinked.
"...With extra rice."
She wrote everything down before bowing politely.
"I'll have those prepared right away."
As she walked away...
King rested an elbow on the table before shaking her head with an amused smile.
"I still can't believe the three of you actually thought I was out there racing whoever happened to be on the expressway."
C.B shrugged, raising both hands innocently.
"I mean..."
"It was a reasonable assumption."
King raised an eyebrow.
"Reasonable?"
C.B nodded.
"You've been training hard."
"You usually clear your head by driving."
"You were on the Shuto."
She pointed toward King.
"Put all three together."
"I'd assume you're about to race someone."
King let out a quiet laugh before shaking her head.
"Normally?"
"...Perhaps."
"But with the Japanese Oaks only a couple of weeks away?"
She folded her hands together on the table.
"I'd much rather come back from a relaxing night drive."
"...than come back with my hands shaking after another two-hundred-and-fifty kilometer-per-hour sprint."
Rudolf nodded approvingly.
"A wise decision."
King smiled.
"The Tiara comes first."
"My pride can wait."
Gentildonna couldn't help smiling.
She jerked a thumb toward C.B.
"You should've seen her."
"Burning rubber like she was a police interceptor chasing down an escaped criminal."
C.B's eye twitched.
Very...
Slowly...
She turned toward Gentildonna.
"You would've done exactly the same thing if Kaichou called you."
Gentildonna immediately shook her head.
"No."
"I accelerated."
"I didn't leave half my rear tires on the asphalt."
King burst into laughter.
Even Rudolf covered her mouth to hide a smile.
C.B folded her arms.
"I was..."
She paused dramatically.
"...breaking in the tires."
Silence.
King blinked.
Gentildonna blinked.
Rudolf stared for several seconds.
Then...
"...That's your excuse?"
C.B nodded confidently.
"Absolutely."
"They're performance tires."
"They needed..."
She searched for the right words.
"...an enthusiastic heat cycle."
Gentildonna leaned back in her chair.
"I've heard some terrible excuses before."
"...That one is definitely entering the Top Five."
King laughed even harder, waving both hands through the air.
"You two..."
"Just relax."
"Everything turned out fine."
C.B finally smiled.
"...Fair enough."
Right on cue...
Their meals arrived.
The waitress carefully placed each dish onto the table.
Steam rose from freshly cooked rice.
The sizzling plate of grilled beef crackled softly.
The aroma of garlic, butter, soy sauce, and charcoal immediately filled the air.
"Enjoy your meal."
The four bowed slightly.
"Thank you."
Then...
"Itadakimasu."
For the next several minutes...
Conversation almost disappeared.
Only the sounds of chopsticks, bowls, and quiet satisfaction remained.
Gentildonna happily worked through her karaage.
C.B looked as though she'd forgotten everyone else existed while tackling her enormous pork cutlet.
King quietly enjoyed her meal, occasionally looking out the window toward the city lights.
Rudolf, as always...
Maintained perfect table manners.
Nearly forty minutes later...
Most of the food had disappeared.
Only empty bowls and half-finished drinks remained.
King leaned comfortably against the backrest.
She folded her arms.
For a while...
She simply enjoyed the silence.
C.B and Gentildonna were still finishing the last few bites of their meals.
Rudolf had already moved on to a fresh cup of coffee.
She slowly stirred it before taking another sip.
King finally broke the silence.
"...Say."
She looked toward Rudolf.
"How's Sirius doing in America?"
Rudolf placed her cup onto its saucer.
"Quite well."
"Her flight training is progressing faster than expected."
King nodded.
"I figured she'd adapt quickly."
Rudolf smiled.
"She's already completed several simulator sessions."
"And she's now regularly flying with an instructor."
"From what she's told me..."
"...she's enjoying every minute of it."
C.B rested both elbows on the table.
"I still can't believe she actually bought a Beechcraft Starship."
Gentildonna laughed.
"Same."
"When Sirius told me she'd be leaving Japan for a few months..."
"I genuinely thought she was making a comeback to racing."
Rudolf shook her head.
"No."
"If Sirius says she's training..."
"She almost always means flight training."
King smiled.
"That certainly sounds like Sirius."
Gentildonna suddenly remembered something.
"Oh."
"Speaking of purchases..."
She reached into her coat pocket.
"Did any of you see what Nakayama Festa bought during her trip to Finland last year?"
King blinked.
Rudolf slowly shook her head.
"So she actually bought something?"
C.B looked equally confused.
"No idea."
Gentildonna unlocked her phone.
She opened her messages.
Scrolled.
Then stopped.
"There."
She rotated the phone toward everyone else.
"A picture Sirius sent me."
The three leaned closer.
On the screen...
Sat an aging, boxy European sedan.
Its faded paint had clearly seen better days.
The steel wheels looked original.
There were tiny spots of surface rust near the wheel arches.
It looked...
Well loved.
But equally neglected.
C.B squinted.
"...What..."
"...the hell is that?"
Gentildonna smiled.
"Sirius said—"
She looked back at the message before reading aloud.
"'Festa somehow bought a European shitbox and wants to ship it back to Japan.'"
King couldn't help laughing.
"What is it?"
Gentildonna zoomed in slightly.
"A Ford..."
"...Taunus, apparently."
Rudolf blinked.
"...Of all things."
King leaned back in disbelief.
"The gambler..."
"...has gambled."
"...on questionable reliability."
C.B continued staring at the photo.
Then...
Her eyes widened.
She slowly raised a finger.
"...Wait."
She looked at Gentildonna.
"...Did she buy that because of that Finnish game where you're constantly fixing a broken car?"
Gentildonna shrugged.
"I honestly have no idea."
"You'll have to ask Festa."
King chuckled.
"I wouldn't even be surprised if that's the reason."
Rudolf smiled into her coffee.
"Knowing Nakayama Festa..."
"...it's entirely possible."
The entire table laughed.
The image of Festa enthusiastically restoring an old European sedan in her garage was somehow...
Completely believable.
The conversation drifted naturally afterward.
They spoke about upcoming races.
Training schedules.
New car parts.
Road trips they hoped to take after the racing season.
Even the occasional rumor circulating through Tracen Academy.
Time slipped by unnoticed.
Outside...
The streets gradually emptied.
Restaurants began closing.
Late-night commuters replaced the evening crowds.
The neon lights reflected across damp pavement, painting the roads with streaks of color.
Eventually...
Rudolf glanced at the clock mounted above the counter.
"...It's nearly midnight."
Everyone looked up.
Sure enough...
11:48 PM.
King stood first, stretching both arms above her head.
"I suppose..."
"...we should call it a night."
C.B let out a satisfied sigh.
"That was honestly one of the nicest dinners we've had in a while."
Gentildonna nodded in agreement.
"And probably the slowest drive we've ever shared."
King smiled.
"Sometimes..."
She looked through the restaurant window toward the quiet streets of Tokyo.
"...not every night has to end at full throttle."
Rudolf rose from her seat.
"And perhaps..."
"...that's exactly what all of us needed."
The bill was settled.
Coats were buttoned.
The four stepped back outside into the cool spring air.
Their cars waited quietly beneath the streetlights.
No engines roared to life immediately.
No one challenged another to a run.
Instead...
They simply stood together for a brief moment, enjoying the peaceful silence of the city before climbing back into their respective machines.
Tomorrow...
Training would begin again.
The Japanese Oaks drew closer with every passing day.
And for King Halo...
Every quiet night like this was another reminder of exactly what she was fighting for.
But that day.
The afternoon sun hung gently above Tracen Academy.
Cherry blossom petals drifted lazily across the campus grounds, carried by a cool spring breeze that rustled through the trees surrounding the training facilities.
The practice track was alive once again.
Several trainers observed their athletes.
Some Umamusume practiced starts.
Others worked on stamina drills.
Farther away, support staff prepared stopwatches and timing equipment for the afternoon sessions.
Near the entrance to the medium-distance practice course...
Trainer Fumino Nase stood quietly with a tablet tucked beneath her arm.
She glanced down at her phone.
11 minutes past the agreed meeting time.
She sighed.
"...King..."
She looked around the track again.
"Where are you..."
Another minute passed.
Then—
The faint sound of hurried footsteps echoed beneath the underpass leading to the track.
Footsteps.
Growing louder.
A familiar voice called out between breaths.
"Trainer!!"
"Sorry to keep you waiting!"
King Halo emerged from the tunnel, lightly jogging toward her trainer while carrying a small sports bag over one shoulder.
Her breathing wasn't labored...
Just rushed.
Fumino slowly closed her eyes.
Then pinched the bridge of her nose.
"...King."
King immediately slowed to a stop.
She bowed apologetically.
"I'm sorry..."
Fumino looked at the time again before returning her gaze.
"You are ten minutes late."
"What happened?"
King inhaled deeply before answering.
"I..."
She rubbed the back of her neck.
"I accidentally fell asleep after class."
Fumino simply stared.
"..."
"..."
Then—
Facepalm.
"Ugh..."
"King."
Her hand slowly slid down her face.
"I specifically told you yesterday..."
"Go to bed early."
King nodded repeatedly.
"I know..."
"I know..."
"I just had a few errands to finish last night..."
She awkwardly smiled.
"...They took longer than expected."
Fumino sighed.
"I assume..."
"...those 'errands' involved your car."
King blinked.
"..."
"...Maybe."
Fumino narrowed her eyes.
"You went on another midnight cruise."
King scratched her cheek.
"...Yes."
"You also came back close to midnight."
King looked away.
"...Maybe."
"You also probably stopped somewhere to eat."
King quietly raised a finger.
"...There may have been dinner involved."
Fumino sighed even harder.
"I swear..."
She looked toward the sky.
"You're impossible."
King chuckled sheepishly.
"Sorry..."
The trainer shook her head before softening.
"...Did you at least sleep afterwards?"
King nodded.
"I managed to."
"I also took another nap before coming here."
Fumino studied her carefully.
No dark circles.
No sluggish posture.
No heavy breathing.
No signs of fatigue.
Her shoulders were relaxed.
Her expression was bright.
Even her tail swayed naturally behind her.
She looked...
Surprisingly refreshed.
"..."
"...Are you alright to train today?"
King immediately nodded.
"I am."
She planted both feet firmly on the ground.
Straightened her posture.
Adjusted the sleeves of her training jacket.
Then—
With all the elegance expected of King Halo—
She laughed proudly.
"Ho ho ho!"
She placed one hand against her chest.
Her chin lifted confidently.
"Of course I am ready for anything!"
"A first-rate Umamusume such as myself shall never back down from any challenge!"
Her confident laugh echoed around the practice grounds.
Several nearby students turned toward her before smiling.
One whispered,
"That's definitely King Halo."
Another laughed.
"She's back to normal."
Fumino couldn't help smiling.
"...There she is."
"The confident King Halo."
King smiled proudly.
"I apologize for being late."
"It won't happen again."
Fumino nodded.
"I'll hold you to that."
She opened her tablet.
Today's schedule appeared.
"Same plan as yesterday."
"But today..."
She looked directly at King.
"I want race pace."
"No conserving."
"No holding back."
"I want to see what you've learned."
King's eyes sharpened.
"...Understood."
Fumino continued.
"The Japanese Oaks aren't that far away."
"Your stamina has improved."
"Your pace judgment has improved."
"But now..."
"I need to know where your limit currently is."
King smiled.
"...Then I'll show you."
Fumino stepped aside.
"Track's yours."
King adjusted the zipper on her tracksuit.
She stretched both arms overhead.
Rolled her shoulders.
Bent forward.
Touched the ground.
Rotated both ankles.
Loosened her knees.
One final breath.
Then she walked toward the starting line.
Far above...
Inside the grandstand overlooking the practice course...
Three familiar faces quietly watched.
Symboli Rudolf.
Mr. C.B.
Gentildonna.
The three leaned comfortably against the rail overlooking the oval.
C.B watched King walk toward the starting position.
She blinked.
"...It's almost scary."
Gentildonna glanced at her.
"What is?"
C.B folded her arms.
"How normal she looks."
Rudolf smiled knowingly.
"That's because she is."
C.B looked toward Rudolf.
"I thought she'd be stressed."
"She's attempting something no Umamusume has ever completed."
"Yet..."
"She almost looks..."
She searched for the word.
"...Relaxed."
Rudolf chuckled softly.
"Late-night drives."
Gentildonna smiled.
"They're surprisingly effective."
She rested both elbows against the railing.
"There are no reporters."
"No expectations."
"No trainers yelling lap times."
"No race strategy."
She looked toward the horizon.
"Just..."
"The road."
"The city."
"The engine."
"And yourself."
A gentle breeze swept across the grandstand.
Cherry blossom petals drifted between them.
C.B smiled.
"...Sounds peaceful."
"It is."
Rudolf folded her arms.
"When I was younger..."
"I used to do the exact same thing."
C.B blinked.
"You?"
Rudolf nodded.
"Many years ago."
"When expectations became overwhelming..."
"I'd simply drive."
"No destination."
"No reason."
"Just..."
"...Drive."
Gentildonna laughed quietly.
"So that's where King learned it from."
Rudolf smiled.
"I never taught her."
"She figured it out herself."
She looked toward King again.
"Sometimes..."
"The best way to clear your head..."
"...is to stop thinking."
Down below...
King slowly settled into her starting stance.
Her breathing slowed.
Her ears twitched once.
Then became perfectly still.
Every distraction disappeared.
Only the track remained.
Fumino lifted her whistle.
She glanced once more toward King.
A small smile formed.
"She's different now."
"Still determined..."
"Still chasing the impossible..."
"But she's finally carrying herself without that weight on her shoulders."
"Good."
"That's exactly what she'll need."
The whistle rang sharply across the practice grounds.
King launched forward.
Powerfully.
Smoothly.
Her stride immediately settled into rhythm.
Not forced.
Not desperate.
Controlled.
Measured.
Confident.
Above the track...
Rudolf smiled proudly.
"...She's ready."
Gentildonna crossed her arms.
"I think so too."
C.B watched King disappear into the first corner.
A grin slowly spread across her face.
"...This year's racing season..."
"...is going to be something special."
Far ahead...
King Halo disappeared around the bend.
The afternoon sun bathed the practice track in warm golden light.
Cherry blossoms continued to dance through the air.
The new season had only just begun.
The road toward the impossible was long.
The races ahead would test her body.
Her resolve.
Her heart.
But this time...
King Halo would not carry the burden alone.
She had a trainer who believed in her.
Friends who would stand beside her.
A rival waiting at every finish line.
And every night...
When the pressure became too heavy...
The lights of Tokyo...
And the endless ribbon of the Shuto Expressway...
Would always be waiting.
Waiting for another quiet midnight drive beneath the city lights.
A place where engines sang instead of crowds.
Where thoughts became clear.
Where tomorrow never felt quite so frightening.
And somewhere beyond the next corner...
Beyond the first race...
Beyond the Japanese Oaks...
Awaited history itself.
The challenge no Umamusume had ever conquered.
The Second Crown.
The Triple Tiara.
King Halo tightened her fists as she rounded the far corner.
A quiet smile appeared on her face.
"Just wait..."
She whispered to herself.
"I'll reach it."
The wind carried her words across the empty practice track.
And the new racing season truly began.