The Osaka Cup could be considered a fluke, but the Takarazuka Memorial was a decisive defeat. No one had expected the gap between them to be so stark. A Triple Crown winner had never lost to a Tiara winner before.
T's worst fears had come to pass. Public opinion turned vicious, and the internet exploded with scathing criticism of Contrail, with many demanding her immediate retirement.
She went from being the "Heaven-Sent Prodigy with a Bright Future" to the "Weakest Undefeated Triple Crown Winner in History." The mockery and ridicule were relentless. Even her heroic defense of the Central Circuit in the Japan Cup was now dismissed as a reckless stunt by an arrogant upstart.
So, what does it truly mean to be a young prodigy?
More than the public backlash, T was worried about Contrail herself. Her condition since the Takarazuka Memorial had been deeply abnormal. She couldn't focus during training.
The moment training ended, she would lock herself in her room. Almond Eye tried to talk to her several times, only to be met with a closed door.
T had assumed Contrail would bounce back on her own, given her usual high spirits. But when she even refused to meet with Kousei, he realized the girl might truly be trapped in a crisis.
Gradually, Contrail's training time dwindled. Eventually, she began skipping training altogether, spending her days locked away in her room.
It wasn't unheard of for athletes to skip training. Umamusume like Gold Ship and Sweep Tosho often missed sessions for various reasons.
But they were known for their rebellious streaks, so no one worried. When a model student like Contrail skipped class, however, it was cause for alarm. Making matters worse, she refused to see anyone, not even her roommate, Almond Eye.
Those who cared for her worried deeply, but life isn't a game. If Contrail wouldn't take the first step, there was nothing anyone could do.
Meanwhile, Tracen Academy continued to operate as usual. The colossal institution wouldn't change course just because one Triple Crown winner had fallen into despair. Her decline meant more opportunities for others. Ambitious newcomers seized the chance to make their mark.
Under the "Thorough Management Education Program," a steady stream of "Elites" was being produced. The cold, calculating machine known as the Central Circuit was mass-producing champions, making Tracen even more ruthless than before.
What will the Central Circuit's next move be?
"Kousei!"
Kousei jolted awake, unsure how long she had been asleep. Black Bullet held up her fingers. "How many?"
"Three."
"Okay, you're fine. No brain damage."
Kousei's asthma had been improving lately, and her rehabilitation training was back on schedule. Black Bullet, with nothing better to do, had decided to stay by her side.
Kousei genuinely needed someone to look after her, so she didn't refuse. Lately, she had become easily fatigued—whether from her poor health or her constant worry over Contrail, it was hard to say.
She often drifted into deep sleep. Black Bullet knew, of course, that Kousei was worried about Contrail. But what could she say? As someone who had been through it herself, she understood the pain of being lifted high only to be dashed to the ground. Few in this world had a perfect career like McQueen.
Stories are full of twists and turns; life rarely grants a perfect ending.
All they could do was trust Contrail—or ensure their own plan was foolproof.
At this thought, Black Bullet placed a hand firmly on Kousei's shoulder. Kousei looked up, surprised, but the sincerity in Black Bullet's eyes instantly calmed her.
"Don't worry too much," Black Bullet said. "We'll be relying on you later. You need to take care of yourself first. Otherwise, all our efforts will be for nothing."
While I'm worrying about Contrail, others are worrying about me. Kousei felt a pang of shame. At such a critical time, she shouldn't be adding to anyone else's burdens.
"I believe in Contrail," Black Bullet continued. "She respects you so much. She watched you become the King of the Arc de Triomphe, step by step. She should know that Kousei would never give up.
"To become a legend, you can never give up."
Black Bullet's words were mainly meant to comfort Kousei; after all, to her, Kousei was far more important. They were contemporaries who had once competed fiercely on the racetrack.
When Kousei had been trapped in the Emotional Test Center, it was Black Bullet's timely return that had allowed her to escape. Though their bond wasn't as obvious as Kousei's with McQueen, the friendship between them was incredibly deep.
Fortunately, it wasn't all bad news. Little Witch and Just a Way's special training was progressing remarkably well. No one knew what method Just a Way had used, but Sweep Tosho was now training obediently.
Not only that, Sweep Tosho had improved so rapidly that she could now hold her own against Jade, with a 40-60 win ratio. The expression on Jade's face at the time was said to have been priceless—a shame Kousei missed it.
Sweep Tosho told everyone she met that she had started learning magic. When pressed, Little Witch refused to answer, while Just a Way remained mysterious, only saying, "Just wait and see."
This truly piqued everyone's interest. What incredible technique could Just a Way, an Umamusume who hadn't even debuted yet, possibly possess?
After all, the pressure for the next race was immense. Kashimoto Riko's charges, Little Cocon and Bitter Glasse, were both set to run. The moment their participation was confirmed, everyone broke into a cold sweat for Sweep Tosho. This Autumn Tenno Sho would be Kashimoto Riko's first true move.
No one believed Kashimoto Riko would go easy on Sweep Tosho just because Sweep was her charge. After all, the Acting Director was rational to an almost inhuman degree.
Through her educational policies and recent actions, Kashimoto Riko's image was firmly established in the public consciousness. People were certain she would use this opportunity to make Sweep Tosho pay for her defiance. In that sense, the Autumn Tenno Sho could be considered an internal conflict.
However, a later announcement elevated the Autumn Tenno Sho to an even higher level: a heavyweight competitor had also entered the race.
Symboli Kris S
The news sent shockwaves even through veteran racers like Kousei and McQueen. After years of absence, the Symboli name would once again grace the turf.
Memories flooded back in an instant: the figures of Rudolf and Sirius racing across the track felt like yesterday. No one had ever imagined they would see "Symboli" on the track again. This auspicious sign had suddenly appeared, catching everyone off guard.
Some suspected that Symboli Kris might be an imposter. Emperor herself personally intervened to confirm that this was indeed the genuine "Fourth Symboli."
Rudolf's personal guarantee left no room for doubt, and Kousei had secretly confirmed the truth with Sirius, receiving the same affirmative answer.
"I never expected you to appear at this moment, Symboli Kris," Sirius said, her emotions conflicted. She wasn't sure how to react to Kris's sudden reappearance.
Though her resentment toward Rudolf had faded considerably, they had never truly reconciled. Moreover, Kris had sought out Rudolf first upon her return, rather than Sirius herself, leaving Sirius feeling somewhat uneasy.
Fortunately, there was no pressing need for them to communicate, and the awkwardness was only temporary.
The crucial point was that Kris's emergence shattered the existing balance. The once confident Resistance members now hesitated upon receiving the news.
Though the Symboli Family was in decline, its lingering prestige remained formidable. Rudolf and Sirius were both Umamusume who had left indelible marks on Central, while Kris possessed a frosty demeanor, regal bearing, and an air of imperial authority.
A mere glimpse of her from afar instilled fear akin to facing a tiger. Could Sweep Tosho's revolution truly seize victory at the Autumn Tenno Sho against such formidable opponents?