"I really can't believe I managed to beat Kousei-senpai." On the train, Contrail was still savoring her recent victory. She had crossed the finish line two lengths ahead.
Seeing Contrail lost in her reverie, Kousei didn't want to disturb her. After quietly taking her medicine, she closed her eyes to rest.
The Shopping District wasn't far, yet it was completely different from Central. Contrail pressed her face against the window, gazing curiously outside.
"Kousei-senpai, what kind of place is the Shopping District?" Contrail suddenly asked.
"Hmm... a bit of a noisy place, I suppose."
"Noisy?" It was the first time Contrail had heard someone describe her hometown that way.
"By the way, have McQueen-senpai and Teio-senpai been to the Shopping District too?" Contrail's spirits lifted as the conversation turned to Kousei's past.
Kousei had impulsively decided to take the trip and had planned to rest after taking her medicine. But since Contrail had asked, she felt she should answer.
"Of course. After our debut races, we all knew we'd be competing in the Twinkle Series. So, during the break before our official races began, I took McQueen to the Shopping District for some fun. That's where we ran into Teio."
"I can understand McQueen-senpai being there, but why would Teio-senpai be in the Shopping District?"
"McQueen and I debuted late. By then, Teio was already the 'Two-Crown King' and was about to face the Kikuka Sho. But right after the Derby, she developed a leg problem. She came to the Shopping District to find a doctor, hoping to make it in time for the Kikuka Sho."
"A fracture? But didn't everyone say Teio Senpai was focusing on intensive training?"
"Although we were all grouped in the same generation, Teio was far ahead of us back then. She was seen as the Emperor's successor, and in terms of popularity, she was in a league of her own.
"An official announcement would only have been made if it became certain she couldn't run in the Kikuka Sho. Fortunately, Teio recovered in time and won it."
"I know! That was the race against Leo-senpai! It was incredible! Teio Senpai truly is a prodigy!"
Teio was indeed exceptional. People used to see her as the Emperor's shadow, but eventually, everyone realized: Teio was Teio, surpassing Rudolf in every way.
If not for the events that followed, which led Teio to withdraw from the spotlight, the position of Commander-in-Chief would have been hers without question.
Even before Contrail became Commander-in-Chief, Kousei had believed there was no better candidate than Teio. It was just that the Central Committee's move had caught them completely off guard.
"Teio Senpai is indeed excellent, but the one I like and respect the most is still Kousei-senpai! Let me think... what was Kousei-senpai doing back then?" Contrail had already prepared her praise for Kousei, but the more she recalled, the more her confidence wavered.
Sensing something was amiss, Contrail stole a glance at Kousei out of the corner of her eye. She saw Kousei staring at her with keen interest, as if eagerly waiting for her to continue.
"Haha..." Contrail tried to laugh off the awkwardness.
What was Kousei doing back then? At that time, Kousei hadn't even secured her maiden win. Her rookie year had been anything but smooth.
"It's been so long now. Looking back, McQueen really thrashed me back then," Kousei said, speaking openly about her rookie year without a hint of evasion. It was clear she no longer dwelled on those crushing defeats.
Contrail was deeply moved. The Kousei of today was a world apart from her past self—a living legend, a monumental figure who had carved her name into history.
Contrail had assumed someone of her stature would be fiercely protective of their image, especially since the first half of Kousei's career was far from glorious.
More often than not, she had played the supporting role to Mejiro McQueen's protagonist. To the Central masses, her actions were considered unforgivable.
The Ominous Festival, trespassing at the Tenno Sho, defecting from Central.
The vast majority of people disliked her, even verbally abusing her. Yet, it was precisely this person who would smile so brilliantly when talking about her younger days.
Why? Contrail wondered. Why does Senpai smile so happily? Could those times really have been that wonderful? Why can she be so unfazed by failure? Is it because my own spirit is too small?
Contrail had always yearned to become a legend, and so she forbade herself from failing. She stubbornly believed that only by winning continuously could one achieve legendary status.
But as she began to observe this legend's journey, she realized everything was different from what she had imagined.
Contrail had been present for every major event that shaped Kousei. She respected and admired Kousei, aspiring to become a great figure just like her.
Contrail had thought she understood Kousei well, but now she realized she knew very little. After her loss to Almond Eye, Contrail felt her thoughts spiraling even more.
How can I not win? Kousei-senpai and the others only became legends after winning the Super Grand Prix. A legend must win!
Contrail's self-motivation felt more like self-hypnosis, a desperate attempt to make herself believe it.
Just then, the train arrived at their stop—
Just a few steps after getting off the train, they were in the shopping district. Contrail looked around, her eyes wide with curiosity.
"Isn't that Kousei? I heard you were back in Central—was wondering when you'd come back!" From a long way off, the Fishmonger Uncle spotted Kousei and shouted at the top of his lungs, immediately drawing everyone's attention.
"Kousei! You're back! Why don't you come over to my place? The little ones have been begging to see you."
"Kousei, have you lost weight? Is the food abroad no good? Here, take this, eat more!"
"Kousei! You've become such a big shot! Let's close up shop for the day and go for a good drink in Kasuga Town!"
A bewildered customer protested, "Hey! Boss, you haven't even cooked my noodles yet?!"
"Should we throw a festival? I've got plenty of meat ready!"
"Then our family will contribute the vegetables! I'll have Xiao Wu deliver them when she gets back."
"Is there still time to build a stage?"
"It's not about whether we can, but whether we want to!"
The crowd surged around them. Contrail finally managed to break free, patting her chest, still shaken. "She's... incredibly popular, isn't she?"
The people of the shopping district surrounded Kousei, laughing and chatting. Standing alone on the outskirts, Contrail felt isolated.
It's amazing, she thought. Becoming a legend makes you this beloved.
Photo frames with Kousei's pictures were everywhere in the shopping district. But the Kousei in the photos wasn't the Legend she was now, nor even the Umamusume racer she had been.
The Kousei in the frames was a young girl, wearing a dance dress and attracting customers among the shops.
After a while, the neighbors dispersed to make their preparations. Feeling bad for making Contrail wait so long, Kousei bought her a cotton candy. Contrail seemed delighted—apparently, she had a sweet tooth.
They made their way to Kasuga Town, where Kousei knocked on a door. As they waited, Contrail grew increasingly nervous.
Am I about to meet Kousei-senpai's mother? What kind of person will she be?
"Just a moment~" a gentle female voice called from inside. Contrail's tension reached its peak.
The door opened, and Contrail froze.
She's... so beautiful.