"Hey, who are you rooting for in the New Generation?"
"Me? Well, if you're asking, my favorite's gotta be Bourbon."
"Bourbon! I get it! Her flawless pacing, the perfect Cyborg... She's already won two Classic Crowns. Could I actually live to see a second Triple Crown winner in my lifetime?!"
"Right? A Triple Crown winner is always captivating. What about you?"
"My favorite's probably Vodka. Her powerful, dynamic running style just reminds me of someone..."
Suddenly, another voice cut in.
"Vodka? Isn't she a Triple Tiara contender? When it comes to Umamusume, the Triple Crown racers are stronger, right?"
"Well, that's generally true, but Vodka's just... special. I can't quite put my finger on it."
A brief silence fell.
"Still, the most exciting generation right now has to be..."
"THE VILLAINS OF THE CENTURY!!!"
ROOOOAR!!!
Streamers flew through the air amidst a deafening roar of cheers.
"She's trying to break through the middle! But she can't get through! Is this it?! No! She's accelerating! Right from the most difficult position! Can anyone stop her?! No one can!"
"Come on! Come on! Come on!"
Hah—!!!
"Come on, Hero!"
Hah!!!
"Leo! Leo! Leo!"
Here, the returning Hero showcased the leg strength that had once shattered Teio's Crown, seizing a G1 victory at Fuchu.
Her Classic Year, which should have been her time to shine, was spent in recovery. Yet the long layoff hadn't dulled her spirit. She roared back to life with three consecutive graded stakes wins, proving her triumphant return.
People adored this Umamusume. True to her title, her eyes held a righteous, unwavering intensity. In the year dominated by Tokai Teio, she mounted a powerful counterattack—a Hero whose spirit irresistibly drew everyone in.
"Look! Black Bullet!"
After her victory, Leo Durban glanced toward the edge of the paddock. The jet-black Umamusume stood there, a faint, enigmatic smile on her lips.
Once the weakest, she had claimed the Yasuda Kinen by matching the fastest track record, her flawless performance asserting the pride of the Derby King.
No one could ever underestimate her again.
Now, Leo Durban and Black Bullet were known as the [Duo], each dominating their respective domains. Furthermore, their outstanding performances in the confrontation against the [Twins] had solidified their legendary status.
A faint sense of anticipation hung in the air.
Before the starting gates, Mejiro McQueen stood alone, her eyes closed as she waited in silence.
The racetrack, usually a cacophony of noise, was utterly silent. In the shadows, Tokai Teio, her hood pulled low, leaned against a wall, her face impassive as she glanced sideways at McQueen on the track.
Out in the open, Maruzensky watched McQueen with a look of heartache. "McQueen-chan..."
CB gently patted Maruzensky's shoulder and offered a reassuring smile.
Whispers filled the air.
"Is she really all alone this time?"
After her consecutive victories in the Spring Tenno Sho, McQueen had solidified her title as the Strongest Stayer in History. With this fame came an astonishing level of support, her fan count soaring to a billion.
She had shattered the records of Symboli Rudolf and other senpai, claiming the top spot in history.
But with fame came fear and intimidation.
The fully realized Mejiro McQueen, the ash-haired elite, was at her absolute peak. At first, challengers dared to face her, but after one crushing victory after another, they gradually vanished.
The towering elite stood like mountains and the moon, indifferent to the world's laments.
Slowly, she found herself utterly alone.
Nowadays, McQueen's strength had become almost boring. Everyone felt this way.
"If only Kousei were here," someone murmured casually.
He immediately clapped a hand over his mouth in panic as those around him turned to stare in disbelief.
They weren't entirely ignorant of Kousei. However, her name was now taboo in Central. She was the Betrayer who existed only in rumors; apart from those who had witnessed her firsthand, no one truly knew of her existence.
Even so, the name remained deeply forbidden.
The onlookers' expressions varied, but eventually, the hand covering the speaker's mouth slowly lowered. Amidst soft sighs, their disbelief melted into regret.
"If only Kousei were here..."
It turned out that even a celebrated actress's performance becomes utterly dull without a rival. People's feelings were complex: on one hand, they feared the "culprit" behind the Ominous Festival; on the other, they realized her presence was indispensable. And so, after she vanished, they began to yearn for that scarlet figure.
Mejiro McQueen opened her eyes, her gaze lifting slowly to pierce through space and stare into the distance.
The grandest stage, the strongest rival, the highest honor.
The world was within reach.
-
"Have you ever believed in dreams?"
Such a strange line for an Umamusume's introduction. From the commentator's booth, a refined-looking man holding a microphone spoke:
"Neither blessed with divine talent, nor beloved by the masses. Just another face in the crowd, just another mediocrity.
She is the Villain, the Betrayer.
Striving with all her might, yet struggling for a single victory. After years of rising and falling, she has returned from the Abyss."
A trumpet blared, its call met with cheers for an unknown champion. The crisp clatter of horseshoes echoed as the hem of a dark garment emerged from the tunnel.
"Have you ever had a dream? Have you ever thought of giving up? When people mocked you, did you grit your teeth and carry on?
If you ask me for the difference between dreams and reality, my answer is this—!
Watch closely! Transcending bloodline and aptitude, she has walked step by step to the center of the world. The fan favorite! The dreamer from the provinces! The First Star of the World!
Countless tiny prayers have gathered to form a sea of starlight!
Never compromising, never surrendering—the Cinderella who shines at the far shore!
Making her grand entrance—!"
Her eyes, now revealed, sparkled like the morning star. As the Umamusume entered the track, the cheers reached a deafening crescendo.
"It's been a long time, Kousei!"
One intimate call after another echoed in her mind. Kousei smiled faintly and thought to herself, Has it been a long time? Indeed, it has.
Closing her eyes again, her thoughts drifted away.
Kousei didn't know how long she had slept, only that her consciousness was gradually returning. When she opened her eyes, the swirling black mist still lingered before them.
"Awake?"
Kousei turned toward the voice. "Mm."
"Perfect timing. The plane is about to land."
Warmth slowly crept over her skin, and the rich aroma of coffee beans instantly cleared her head.
"Drink some. You don't want to catch a chill later."
"Thank you, Caesar."
Kousei took the coffee, and Caesar Rose sat down across from her.
"Senpai~ Are you awake?!"
Before Kousei could take a sip, she heard Twilight Cloud's voice.
"Honestly, Caesar, you should have called me when Senpai woke up."
A warm body pressed against her as Twilight Cloud linked arms with Kousei.
"Stop messing around, Cloud! How is Kousei supposed to drink like that?" Caesar Rose chided gently.
"Senpai, you want coffee? You should have said so! Let me feed you~"
Twilight Cloud reached out to take the coffee cup from Kousei's hands. Though Kousei couldn't see, she instinctively shifted away.
"No, thank you. I can manage on my own."
Kousei didn't need to see; her mind automatically pictured Twilight Cloud's pouting expression.
The plane was landing. Kousei knew she had arrived. As she waited, she subconsciously reached into her pocket.
The cold touch of metal instantly brought the memory of her confrontation with McQueen flooding back.
"Thinking of McQueen? Or maybe you're homesick?" Caesar seemed to sense the turmoil hidden within Kousei.
Kousei shook her head but said nothing.
Twilight Cloud and Caesar exchanged a knowing glance and didn't press the matter further.
Once the plane came to a complete stop, Twilight Cloud helped Kousei to her feet. The moment the door opened, a blast of frigid wind struck her face. Snow swirled around her, and Kousei instinctively shrank back.
"Welcome to Northern Academy."
Before her lay a world draped in silver.
Like all Lands of Snow, this polar realm drew closer, ever closer.
Even without sight, Kousei could feel countless eyes fixed upon her.
The sound of a door opening.
"Welcome, Kousei."
The pleasant female voice was strangely familiar, though Kousei couldn't place it at the moment.
If Kousei could see, she would know that more than one person stood before her.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am the Director of Northern Academy, Akikawa Yayoi."
"Akikawa Yayoi?"
Meow~
The sound struck Kousei like a bolt of lightning. In that instant, she realized something.
"Director?!"
Before her stood none other than the Tracen Director, who had been publicly announced as away on a business trip and had been missing for a long time. It was precisely because of her disappearance that Kashimoto Riko had become the Acting Director and implemented the Thorough Management Education Program.
"Director, what are you doing here?" Kousei asked, the words tumbling out almost instinctively.
She never expected their first meeting to deliver such a massive shock.
"Hmm, good question. I know you must have many doubts. Why don't we wait until we've all introduced ourselves before I answer them one by one?"
"We?" Kousei hadn't even had time to process that when another voice spoke.
"Should I say 'long time no see,' or 'nice to meet you'?"
"You."
Kousei recognized the voice instantly.
"Yes, it's me. My name is Kawauchi Aoi."
Aoi's tone was solemn, as if he were confessing his feelings to a loved one.
Kousei remembered him. Though their first encounter had been far from friendly, the first fan letter she ever received had indeed come from Aoi.
"Long time no see, little one."
The voice was slightly aged, yet still unmistakably familiar.
"Dr. Takuya!"
Indeed, the speaker was Takuya. His daughter now served as Teio's personal physician.
"I have a few things I'd like to say," Takuya began, "but this is supposed to be an introduction, and I can't steal the spotlight from the next person."
Who could it be? Kousei wondered.
From Takuya's words, it seemed the next person was someone of great importance.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Kousei. My name is Chiin Reiko, and I will be your dedicated Trainer from now on."
A Trainer! Kousei's heart leaped in shock.
Too many questions flooded her mind, leaving her unable to process anything. If only her eyes could see, she would have stared intently at the person claiming to be her Trainer, trying to discern what kind of individual they were.
For Kousei, everything was an unknown. Why had all these people gathered here?
"Kousei, go ahead and ask," Director Akikawa prompted gently. "Ask whatever you're wondering. I will answer."
Kousei lowered her head in silence, then slowly raised it, her eyes burning with intensity. "I want to know the truth about my father."
Director Akikawa showed no surprise. Hiding her face behind an open fan, she said, "I must confess, everything was planned. We were prepared from the very beginning."
Kousei remained silent, listening intently.
"Your father came to me at the start. We were old acquaintances, and at the time, I was facing a tremendous problem.
"He suddenly appeared, smiling, and asked if I needed help.
"Though his arrival was unexpected, I trusted him as an old friend and confided in him about my troubles.
"He nodded, as if he already knew everything.
"So, without a moment's hesitation, he proposed a solution."
Director Akikawa turned to Caesar and Twilight Cloud. "This Northern Academy was the refuge your father personally chose. Caesar and the others were invited to Central Academy for the Japan Cup at his request."
"He must have made some kind of deal with you," Kousei stated.
Director Akikawa nodded, offering no denial.
So that's why. Kousei finally understood why Caesar Rose and Twilight Cloud had approached her before the race. It had all been at her father's instruction. Caesar and Twilight Cloud didn't deny it, indirectly confirming the truth.
"If not for your accident," Reiko said, "your father probably wouldn't have made up his mind so quickly. After all, the path ahead would have been far too difficult for his daughter."
Kousei's heart wavered. So Dad knew all along. He could see the truth the entire time.
"Then... why did he send me here?" Kousei couldn't understand.
"Leave the rest to me," Reiko declared.
Kousei turned her head, staring intently at her.
"Since this was a transaction, Northern Academy also benefited. We... no, I. I only asked your father for one thing."
"What?"
"To become your dedicated Trainer."
Kousei was utterly stunned. Chiin Reiko continued, "Your father understood that if you stayed at Central, you would only repeat your mother's tragedy."
"Mother...!"
"Feel this."
Reiko placed something in Kousei's hand. The instant they touched, the object materialized with startling clarity in Kousei's mind.
It was a jet-black Personal Racing Outfit, adorned with scarlet sashes draped over both shoulders. On its chest, a tiny indentation hinted that something had once been inlaid there.
But most importantly, the moment Kousei touched the outfit...
The image of her Mother flared to life in her consciousness, burning fiercely with a warm, radiant light.
"Your father's words shattered our hesitation completely."
[I may be a fake Magician, but my daughter is a genuine Cinderella.]
"I can't tell you what your father sacrificed.
"But he believes in you. He believes in his daughter. His daughter deserves a grander stage."
The clock tower chimed, its bells echoing through the distance.
"Watch us now. This is the pumpkin carriage the Magician conjured for Cinderella. Dressed in her jet-black ball gown, Cinderella will make her grand debut on the world stage."
Not a protector, but a fellow traveler.
The team, assembled for her sake, had finally brought Cinderella to the same Ball as the Elite.
Before disembarking, Kousei had so many questions she wanted to ask—questions about the things that had once tormented her, trapping her in a suffocating mist.
But a single hot tear fell onto the Personal Racing Outfit, glistening against the jet-black fabric like a star in the night sky.
"Merry Christmas."
A brand-new pair of obsidian shoes was placed before Kousei. In that hazy moment, she could almost feel her father's gentle gaze watching over her from beyond the horizon.
Her hands trembled, clutching the fabric as she broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.
Her usual stoicism crumbled before such overwhelming love. She no longer needed to know the truth; feeling this love was enough.
The Nameless Flame, equally gentle, wrapped its arms around the weeping girl from behind.
Before the dawn broke, the morning star quietly peeked out.
Isn't this nice?
There are stories like this, too—stories that begin with an overlooked character.
Stories of walking an untrodden path, transforming weakness into strength.
And today—
Walk the path where stars dance and fall, a path meant for you and you alone.