"Listen, Sweep Tosho, don't get nervous! Stay calm, you absolutely must stay calm! Ah! Is your body okay? Have you checked your horseshoes? Did you drink enough water today?! Did you eat a good breakfast?!"
Sweep Tosho wore a look of utter disdain as Just a Way frantically urged her to stay calm, while herself was so anxious that she was rambling incoherently and trembling like a leaf, making Sweep Tosho shake along with her.
"She's so nervous, you'd think Way herself was running the race," Black Bullet muttered, shaking her head with pursed lips.
Leo remained unfazed, her natural detachment making her accustomed to Just a Way's dramatic reactions over the past few days.
Kousei, on the other hand, was simply curious. Just a Way's excessive concern for Sweep Tosho was unlike anything she had ever witnessed. Outside of matters involving the Ash-Gray Umamusume, Just a Way rarely invested so much emotion. Most of the time, she maintained an aloof, almost amused expression, maintaining an air of detached indifference.
"Alright, Way. It's time for Sweep Tosho to go out there," Kousei said, placing a hand on Just a Way's shoulder.
Sigh... Just a Way knew all too well that Tokyo's racing elite had gathered today for the Tenno Sho. Even without stars like Symboli Kris and Cocon competing, the race would be fiercely contested, with countless Umamusume vying for the prestigious title.
The two Tenno Sho races had always been the domain of those who pursued ultimate glory, drawing competitors from the Veteran Horse Front. Just a Way studied the lineup: apart from Sweep Tosho, every other contender was a champion from the Triple Crown Route.
Sweep Tosho, the sole Tiara winner, was already surrounded by rivals. The mere thought of the industry's perception of Tiara winners twisted Just a Way's face in pain, her stomach cramping again.
"Way? Are you okay?" Little Witch noticed Just a Way's discomfort and asked with concern.
"I'm fine," Just a Way forced a smile. "Let's get ready for the gate. No tantrums this time."
"Okay," Sweep Tosho replied obediently, without arguing, and quietly left.
Just a Way swayed unsteadily, nearly falling. Kousei quickly steadied her, her voice laced with exasperation. "What's wrong with you? You can barely stand on your own two feet!"
Just a Way awkwardly admitted, "Actually, I haven't eaten anything since last night. I'm just too nervous. Every time I try to eat, I feel like throwing up."
"Way, that's not right," Leo scolded her, a rare rebuke from her.
"Even Leo can't stand it anymore, Way needs to reflect on this," Black Bullet said sternly.
"Yes... I'm reflecting on it," Just a Way couldn't argue.
Kousei smirked. "Compared to Sweep Tosho, you're the one who seems more like a child."
Just a Way looked surprised. Black Bullet quickly chimed in, "Stable mindset, eats breakfast properly, doesn't throw tantrums, and doesn't make people worry. Compared to Way, the Little Witch definitely seems more like an adult."
Just a Way chuckled wryly. "Could I actually be making Sweep Tosho worry about me?"
"Not quite. You haven't reached that level of significance in her heart yet," Black Bullet replied, each word like a sharp, polished gem. Just a Way felt a faint ache in her chest.
"Even Way can feel heartache."
The group burst into laughter, livening up the atmosphere.
"Let her walk her own path. She's not a child anymore."
Just a Way gazed at Kousei, her turbulent emotions still struggling. Sensing her turmoil, Kousei leaned in closer, pressing their bodies together.
"Trust her, just like you trust me."
Just a Way was stunned for a moment, then smiled knowingly. "Alright."
Meanwhile, Sweep Tosho stood on the Tokyo Racetrack's grassy field, remarkably calm despite the surging waves of noise around her. Even among G1 races, the Autumn Tenno Sho held immense prestige.
Today, the Tokyo Racetrack had broken its attendance record. The public's anticipation was palpable, fueled by headlines like "Kashimoto Riko's Representative" and "Fourth Symboli." Adding to the fervor, the Central Committee, the Emperor, and the Acting Director—the three power brokers of Tracen—were all present. This convergence of factors guaranteed that the winner of the Autumn Tenno Sho would earn unparalleled honor for generations to come.
"I never imagined I'd witness such a grand spectacle today! When McQueen ran her second Spring Tenno Sho, even the Central Committee didn't bother to attend. Yet here they are, every single member present. After all these years of watching races, this is a first!"
"Exactly! Usually, the most we get is the Acting Director. With the Emperor's presence on top of that, it's already considered the highest honor. Today, we're witnessing history in the making!"
"Who do you think will win in the end? Who will be crowned at the Autumn Tenno Sho?"
"Although this year's lineup is formidable, featuring all the top-ranked competitors from Central, the championship is undoubtedly Symboli Kris's to lose."
"Why? Aren't Cocon and Bitter Glasse formidable opponents? They won the Seishun Cup last time!"
"Cocon and Bitter Glasse are undoubtedly powerful, but! That woman is the Symboli! What kind of figure is the Emperor? As her family, Symboli Kris is destined for victory!"
The other person wanted to argue but couldn't find a counterpoint. The Emperor's influence was deeply ingrained; even the mere title Symboli unconsciously commanded respect.
The people of Central harbored an almost obsessive fascination with the Emperor, the first Hall of Fame-Class competitor in Central history to be described as great.
Even among Hall of Fame-Class competitors, there were tiers of prestige.
"What's Sweep Tosho doing? Is she sulking again?"
During preparations, Cocon and Bitter Glasse's attention remained fixed on Sweep Tosho. The Little Witch's motionless posture made Cocon uneasy.
"I doubt it," Bitter Glasse reassured her. "Cocon, you shouldn't always treat Sweep Tosho like a child."
"What?! I never did!" Cocon protested frantically, her face flushed with frustration. Bitter Glasse's dismissive nod only fueled her anger.
"Look! It's the Witch! She's throwing another tantrum, just as expected!"
Whenever Sweep Tosho appeared, she naturally drew all attention. Throughout her career, her reputation had been marred by countless scandals and misdeeds. Her refusal to enter the Gate was a recurring spectacle, so most people watched her primarily to see what trouble she'd cause next.
"Someone like her trying to rebel? Acting Chairman Kashimoto must be too soft on those who defy her. Could she really be letting sentimentality cloud her judgment?" The cutting remark came from the same Central Committee member who had grilled Kashimoto Riko during the earlier meeting. He seized the Witch's behavior as an excuse to ridicule her mercilessly.
Waves of mocking laughter rippled through the stands, every jeer audible to Kashimoto Riko. Yet she maintained an unflappable composure. Like everyone else, she watched Sweep Tosho—this "scandal-ridden Witch"—her gaze fixed on the Tiara, the sole tiara on the field.
Here stood Symboli Kris, bearing auspicious omens: the petite, round-eyed Cocon, the bittersweet Bitter Glasse, and the steadfast pillar of the Triple Crown Route. Yet no one saw their potential, no one appreciated their worth.
No one had ever expected a Witch to triumph. Their mocking voices echoed in her ears, a constant reminder that those who dared to defy convention were destined to endure such scorn.
Everything was as it should be—
The Triple Crown is superior to the Tiara.
To march to your own beat is to err.
What was right for our ancestors must be right for us! Change is heresy!
Rules, rules, and more rules—an unchanging, stagnant world.
A sudden trumpet blast sliced through the mockery. Yet the tide of history cannot be stemmed; change is inevitable.
Standing at the crossroads of history, the Witch awakened from her eternal slumber.