Despite her bold pronouncements, Kousei's training routine remained unchanged—a relentless daily grind.
Today marked a significant milestone: Kousei trailed Narita Brian by only half a length.
"Not bad, kid. You're finally making some progress."
"About time. I was getting sick of looking at you anyway."
Narita Brian grinned. "Such a bold statement! You may not be fully matured yet, but I wouldn't mind snapping your slender neck right now."
Kousei recalled Narita Brian's earlier threat to consider biting her neck once she matured.
"Next time, then. Next time, I'll definitely beat you, Narita Brian."
Their eyes locked, and they exchanged a smile. From this day forward, Narita Brian's mission with Kousei had come to an end.
Sirius watched the scene unfold, deeply moved. Though Kousei had been steadily improving, she had never truly resonated with Narita Brian. After the Tenno Sho, Kousei had even confined herself to her dorm room, despite knowing T's plan and being a key executor of it.
Yet Sirius couldn't shake the feeling that such immense pressure was far too heavy for a young athlete like Kousei.
Heaping all that responsibility onto her shoulders felt like forcing her to grow up prematurely.
Sirius wasn't sure what had triggered it, but after Kousei emerged from her room, some fundamental quality within her had changed.
She began to understand the connections between herself, her Mother, and Narita Brian, gleaning from Brian the very thing she had lacked.
Moreover, it seemed others were also helping Kousei.
Sirius glanced to her left, where Agnes Tachyon wore her characteristic enigmatic smile.
"Another one drawn to her?"
Because Sirius had been so preoccupied with T's affairs, she was the last to meet Tachyon. Though Sirius had little direct interaction with Tachyon, she could sense a unique bond between her and Kousei.
"Ah~ I'm so hungry! I want to eat a lot today," Kousei sighed, rubbing her stomach.
Sirius smiled knowingly. Kousei's appetite had been growing stronger—a good sign indicating rapid physical development. However, Sirius still harbored some concern: if Kousei started eating as much as Special Week or Oguri Cap, that would be disastrous. Their voracity was beyond mortal Umamusume's reach—a realm entirely beyond human comprehension.
Fortunately, Kousei's insatiable appetite had stabilized, still far from reaching the realms of Special Week and Oguri Cap.
Sirius let out a sigh of relief, feeling somewhat reassured.
Competing with a bulging belly would be disastrous. If necessary, Kousei should learn McQueen's dietary management techniques.
But don't be surprised by the changes later, JC.
"Is today the final experiment? I'm actually a little sad to see it end," Tachyon said, her smile unwavering as she examined the data in her hand.
"The time is ripe, for both Kousei and me. Come, let's begin our race!"
Tachyon let out her trademark eerie chuckle, a sound that never failed to unsettle those around her, causing them to instinctively shrink away.
Tomorrow was the Japan Cup, and a tense, serious atmosphere permeated Tracen Academy.
Though Kousei was the sole competitor from Tracen, everyone felt anxious on her behalf. The outside world was no different, deeming this the most anxiety-ridden Japan Cup in history. After all, Kousei's words couldn't bridge the gap in skill. Her well-prepared rivals, each a prodigy in their own right, were watching with predatory eyes.
Caesar Rose was the elite of the elite, her title as "King" no less impressive than the "Twins." Her dazzling performances were plain for all to see, making her chances in the upcoming Japan Cup seem grim.
Yet the scene inside Kousei's training room painted a completely different picture.
"Happy birthday!"
Party poppers exploded, sending colorful streamers raining down on Kousei's head. She stared blankly at the cake before her, surrounded by her friends who had gathered to celebrate her birthday.
By sheer coincidence, Kousei's birthday fell on the eve of the Japan Cup. Years ago, it was on this very day that she had asked to watch the Japan Cup, leading her to meet Rudolf.
The feeling was truly surreal. For a long time, Kousei had no friends, but now, on her birthday, she was surrounded by well-wishers—a scene she had imagined countless times in her heart.
McQueen, Teio, Rice Shower, Bakushin, Sirius, and Narita Brian were all there.
What surprised Kousei most was that Tachyon hadn't come, while Narita Brian had. Given Brian's aloof nature, she would have expected her to find such gatherings too troublesome.
"Don't look at me like that. I just heard there's plenty of meat here today."
Thankfully, Kousei didn't get sentimental too quickly.
"Alright, alright! Let's make a wish and blow out the candles first!" Teio seemed even more enthusiastic than Kousei, the birthday girl herself.
Kousei clasped her hands together and murmured a silent wish:
May we all keep running together, forever.
Slowly opening her eyes, she blew out the candles.
Everyone presented their gifts, which Kousei unwrapped one by one.
There was a Rudolf plushie, black tea, sakura mochi, and—most absurdly—a dumbbell.
Kousei knew instantly who had given her the dumbbell, but even though the gift was a bit off, she was still genuinely happy. After all, it came from her friends.
"Where's my gift?" Kousei asked T, confidently holding out her hand.
T spread his hands apologetically, and Kousei's face instantly fell.
Not getting a gift from my dad on my birthday? I might actually cry.
"Don't worry! I have a surprise for you! But you'll have to wait until tomorrow to find out what it is."
So mysterious, and I have to wait until tomorrow. Kousei decided to let herself get a little excited.
But what Kousei truly wanted most was that Japan Cup trophy.
Late at Night
In a secluded mansion, Air Shakur paced anxiously until the gate creaked open and Agnes Tachyon's voice rang out.
"Yo! Shakur-chan! Been waiting long?"
Shakur sprang up and snatched the object from Tachyon's hand.
"Cut the chatter! Give me the thing!"
Tachyon showed no irritation at Shakur's impatience. After grabbing the item, Shakur immediately began calculating feverishly. Tachyon watched silently, a smile playing on her lips. Behind Tachyon, a man with graying hair slowly emerged.
It was Minai Takuya, whom Kousei had met briefly at Kasuga House. But this time, Takuya was no longer the absentminded, hard-of-hearing old man.
Dressed in a white lab coat, his expression was serious. This was the doctor Tachyon had found to help.
"How much?" Tachyon asked, leaving the subject unstated.
"One percent," Shakur replied, equally cryptic.
Tachyon clapped her hands together and burst into wild laughter, her unrestrained joy tinged with madness.
"Ha ha ha! Perfect!"
Tachyon's claim of "the best" was difficult to discern, especially given Air Shakur's visibly strained expression.
"Even so, do you still insist on proceeding?" Shakur asked.
"Why wouldn't I? I have Dr. Takuya on my side, after all," Tachyon replied confidently.
Shakur turned her gaze to Takuya. "Are you absolutely certain?"
Takuya smiled. "Don't you trust your own calculations? Alas, I'm merely a physician; all I can do is give it my all."
Shakur fell silent. She had already thoroughly researched Minai Takuya's credentials. Even in retirement, his status as a top-tier physician warranted trust. After factoring in his expertise, her calculations had yielded that infinitesimal one percent chance.
"What if we fail?" Shakur pressed.
Tachyon's legs were exceptionally fragile, making this surgery high-risk. Failure would mean she could never run again.
Tachyon, fully aware of the stakes, maintained a light tone. "Let me see... If things go south, I'll take full responsibility, of course. But Dr. Takuya would face public condemnation, and his social standing would be severely jeopardized.
As for me... I'd probably never run again. I'd have to retire in disgrace, wouldn't I?
Let's see... After sacrificing so much, what would we gain?
A one percent chance... a pair of legs that might run again."
Shakur remained silent, knowing that once Tachyon made up her mind, nothing would change her course. She wouldn't compromise.
Shakur and Dr. Takuya, both aware of the risks and benefits, had chosen to support Tachyon. Now, it was too late for words of caution.
"Before Kousei and you came along, the impossibility of me running again was absolute.
But look, Shakur-chan!
A one percent chance! How magnificent! To turn the impossible into the possible! I'm utterly exhilarated by this!"
Tachyon grew increasingly fervent as she spoke. "I'm going to confront that damn god who dotes on me myself.
'Withdraw your divine favor, or I'll crack your skull open!'"
What talent? Compared to my running, it's utterly insignificant!"
The operating room door opened, flooding the space with a light as radiant as the gates of heaven. Agnes Tachyon stood before it, her arms outstretched, embodying a rationality-fueled fanaticism unlike anything seen before.
An Umamusume not of this world was undergoing a trial by fire in the mortal realm.
Simultaneously, Kousei's heart inexplicably quickened in her bedroom.
"I am Agnes Tachyon."
One who has sacrificed everything for the sake of running.
As midnight struck, heralding a new dawn, she finally uttered the words:
"Alright! The experiment begins!"
Yes, the Japan Cup was about to begin.