"You must be Contrail, right? My husband often mentions you."
"Um... uh! My name is Contrail!"
At the dinner table, Contrail grew tense under Mother's friendly greeting.
"Such a shy child. That's not quite what my husband described."
Faced with Kousei's mother's kindness, Contrail had no idea how to respond. She shot a desperate glance at Kousei, pleading for help, but Kousei was so engrossed in her meal that she completely missed the signal.
It's over! Contrail wanted to cry but had no tears left.
"Kousei, you have such a good appetite. That sets my mind at ease," Mother said, naturally noticing Contrail's gaze and following it to Kousei, who was devouring her food. The sight reminded her of Kousei's childhood.
Resting her chin on her hand, Mother spoke gently, "Slow down. You can have as much as you want."
Contrail watched from the side, then scooped up a spoonful of the food and took a bite.
It's so simple, yet so warm.
The flavor wasn't particularly special, but after just one bite, a comforting warmth spread through her body.
"When Kousei was little, she used to run up and down this street all the time. Nothing—not wind, not rain—could keep her indoors. She'd often come home late, soaked to the bone. I worried she'd catch a cold, so I started experimenting with dishes to warm her up. Over time, that became the signature style of Kasuga Town's cuisine."
Hearing Kousei's mother's story, Contrail nodded in understanding. "So Kousei-senpai grew up eating these kinds of meals."
As if recalling something, Mother chuckled. "I remember one time during a typhoon, Kousei didn't come home. Her father and I were frantic, about to go out and search for her, when she finally stumbled back, covered in mud."
"A typhoon? Senpai, that was way too reckless!" Contrail stared at Kousei in disbelief.
Kousei just shrugged. "It was fine. It wasn't strong enough to be called a disaster. Besides, I'm an Umamusume."
"Heh..." Contrail was speechless.
"Mother gave me a rare scolding, and Father made me balance textbooks on my head as punishment."
So Kousei didn't get away with it after all. The thought made Contrail feel much better.
"Speaking of which, who is Kousei-senpai's father? I haven't seen him around, but it sounds like he knows a lot about me."
Mother glanced at Kousei, her expression a mix of confusion and surprise at Contrail's question.
"Ah... Come to think of it, only McQueen and Teio know about this at Central," Kousei realized belatedly.
"Know about what?" Contrail's curiosity was instantly piqued. A secret only McQueen-senpai and Teio-senpai know? How mysterious could it be?
Kousei hesitated for a moment before deciding to tell her. "My father... is actually Mr. T."
"Mr. T?!" The shock was so great that Contrail shot up from her chair without thinking.
Realizing her outburst, she quickly clapped a hand over her mouth and sat back down, apologizing profusely. "I'm so sorry, Senpai! I lost my composure."
Kousei hadn't expected such an extreme reaction. Contrail seemed to wrestle with the information for a moment before blurting out, "But... how can Mr. T be Kousei-senpai's father?"
"Why couldn't he be?" Kousei asked, genuinely puzzled.
"I can't believe I never knew... The father of the person I respect most has been right beside me all this time? No wonder Mr. T wouldn't give me Kousei-senpai's training regimen. So that's why!"
"My training regimen?" Kousei knew her own situation best. She was well aware that her training was far from what a normal athlete could handle.
After all, Kousei was the masterpiece of two "Abuse Masters"—a fusion of the Chiin Style and the Toyama Theory. While general training might be fine, pursuing a specialized path would be nearly impossible. Both her training and races subjected her body to extreme pressure, and her current condition was the clearest proof of that.
"Keep this a secret, okay, Contrail?"
"Yes!"
Contrail agreed instantly, her mind already racing. Right now, only McQueen-senpai and Teio-senpai know this secret. The fact that Kousei-senpai told me... it must mean she really values me!
Contrail felt a new weight settle on her shoulders, but it only strengthened her resolve.
A commotion stirred outside. Mother glanced at Kousei, who immediately understood.
"Contrail, would you like to see my room?"
"Kousei-senpai's room?! Yes! But... I haven't finished eating yet."
"That's fine. You can bring it to my room."
"Huh? Wouldn't that be rude?"
"Mother! Can I take Contrail to my room so she can eat there?"
"Of course, dear~"
Before Contrail could say another word, Kousei grabbed her hand and pulled her upstairs.
A short while later, the commotion downstairs grew louder. The shopkeepers from the neighborhood had closed their stores and rushed over. Contrail suddenly remembered the scene from when she first arrived.
So that's why Senpai wanted me to come upstairs... She was worried I'd feel awkward.
Contrail had figured it out, and Kousei admitted it openly. "Everyone in the Shopping District watched me grow up. When they focus on me, they naturally overlook everything else. I thought you might feel uncomfortable during this celebration, so please wait for me here until it's over."
Kousei had noticed Contrail standing alone on the edge of the crowd. This was, after all, her street. Even though the neighbors meant no harm, their actions could sometimes unintentionally hurt others.
"I wasn't thinking that at all! Really!" Kousei remained calm, but Contrail was the one who grew flustered.
"Haha! As expected of the Commander-in-Chief, you're so magnanimous."
Kousei gently patted Contrail's head. "Let's go."
Halfway down the stairs, Kousei turned back.
"Oh, right. This is for you."
Contrail stared at the object Kousei handed her. "A videotape?"
"That's right. My father once gave me three videotapes. I gave the first one to McQueen, left the second one in the North, and now I'm giving the third one to you."
Contrail accepted it, stunned. "Isn't this something Mr. T gave you, Kousei-senpai? Is it really okay for you to give it to me?"
"It's fine. I don't need it anymore, anyway."
Contrail looked at the videotape in her hands. Kousei's words unconsciously shrouded it in mystery.
"What's on the tape?" Contrail asked.
"To be honest, I don't know either."
"You don't know, Senpai?" Contrail found that hard to believe.
"I really don't. I never watched the third tape."
"Why?" Contrail couldn't understand. Since Kousei had watched the first and second tapes, why hadn't she watched the third?
"It's just a feeling. Even though I don't know what's on it, I feel like I don't need it anymore. Contrail, if the day comes when you feel the time is right... go ahead and watch it."
Perhaps Kousei truly meant something more. Contrail couldn't shake the feeling that there was a hidden meaning in her gaze. Downstairs, the atmosphere was lively and bustling, but up here, it was exceptionally quiet.
Under the moonlight, Contrail examined the videotape in her hands, pondering Kousei's intentions. In the distance, bright lights illuminated the stage as it was gradually assembled.
"What does it take to become a legend?"