Just as Kuroha narrowed his eyes in contentment, a soft voice came from beside him.
"Trainer."
Kuroha turned his head. At some point, McQueen had slipped away from the crowd and was now standing beside the couch with a glass in her hand.
"What brings you over here?"
Kuroha shifted aside to make room for her.
McQueen naturally sat down beside him, then gently leaned against him.
"There are too many people. It's exhausting trying to keep up with everyone."
She tilted her head toward Kuroha, a smile tugging at her lips.
"Besides... aren't you hiding over here too, Trainer?"
"I'm looking after a kid."
Kuroha glanced down at Sea the Stars, who was nestled in his arms.
The little girl looked up at McQueen, then lowered her head and continued munching on her cookie. She showed absolutely no intention of giving up her spot.
McQueen chuckled, unconcerned, and simply sat quietly beside them.
"So, how does it feel?"
Kuroha suddenly smiled.
"How does it feel to be the best in the world?"
McQueen considered the question for a moment, then closed her eyes and smiled softly.
"I don't really feel any different."
"Still..."
"Hmm?"
Kuroha lowered his gaze toward her.
"I'm very happy."
"That's all that matters."
Kuroha raised a hand and gently patted the girl's head.
Seeing this, Sea the Stars immediately squirmed against him in protest. Kuroha could only laugh helplessly and use both hands, patting one girl with each.
After a while, McQueen spoke again.
"Trainer."
"What is it?"
McQueen did not answer right away. Instead, she lowered her head slightly.
When Kuroha looked down, he saw a chocolate biscuit stick.
McQueen held one end between her lips. She raised her chin slightly and arched an eyebrow at him.
Kuroha froze for a moment before breaking into a smile.
He naturally understood what she meant. He simply had not expected the usually reserved McQueen to do something like this in public.
Still, they were sitting in a secluded corner where the lighting was dim. Not many people would notice them.
He leaned closer and bit down on the other end of the chocolate stick.
Their lips moved little by little.
The distance between them gradually narrowed, and McQueen's sweet breath brushed against his face.
When their lips finally met, soft and warm, Kuroha assumed that would be the end of it.
Then, in the next instant, a warm little tongue slipped directly into his mouth.
A question mark practically appeared over Kuroha's head.
Since when had McQueen become this bold?
The two of them had kissed hundreds of times by now, if not more.
However, McQueen was usually reserved and easily embarrassed. Whenever they were alone, she could be surprisingly passionate, but in public, she always maintained her composure.
Feeling the courage behind McQueen's actions, Kuroha did not reject her. He merely tilted his head slightly, allowing the kiss to deepen more naturally.
In his arms, Sea the Stars raised her little head and watched them, a peculiar glimmer passing through her eyes.
Only after quite some time did McQueen reluctantly pull away.
Her cheeks were flushed. She cleared her throat softly and tried to recover her usual elegant demeanor, though her voice was noticeably quieter than normal.
"Th-This is a reward I earned... isn't it?"
"Haha, of course. You can claim a reward like that whenever you want."
Looking at his Umamusume, who was desperately trying to remain calm but could not conceal her embarrassment, Kuroha could not stop the corners of his mouth from lifting. He reached out and gently stroked her cheek.
The purple-haired girl narrowed her eyes and enjoyed his touch for a moment before resting her head against Kuroha's shoulder.
On the other side of the hall, another group occupied a separate couch.
Suave Dancer sat cross-legged in the center with her arms folded. Aldan, Maruzensky, and Obey Your Master surrounded her.
The four girls huddled their heads together, snacking and chatting away.
"So, when exactly are you planning to officially transfer teams?"
Maruzensky tapped Suave Dancer on the forehead with one finger, her voice carrying a teasing smile.
"We've all been waiting to hear you call us senpai."
"I want to transfer too."
Suave Dancer pulled a miserable face.
"But Brave says the Association plans to hold me back for at least another two years. Something about me being France's greatest hope for the next two Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe races, so they can't simply let me go."
"As for the Arc..."
Obey Your Master tilted her head.
"You'll probably be racing Teio next year."
"Teio? That little brat?"
Suave Dancer froze, then turned to look in Teio's direction.
Teio was currently clinging to Rudolf's side, gesturing excitedly as she talked about something.
After watching for a few seconds, Suave Dancer nodded thoughtfully.
"True. That brat is freakishly strong."
"No one should be that strong during their Classic year," Maruzensky said with a bright smile.
Suave Dancer suddenly placed both hands behind her head and leaned back without a care.
"Then forget it. I've already run the Arc anyway. Losing next year might actually be a good thing."
"It might finally convince those old fossils at the Association to let me go."
As she spoke, she leaned forward and accepted the pastry Aldan offered her.
"Ah, thank you, Aldan-senpai."
Aldan was an Umamusume from Oguri's era, making her Suave Dancer's senior by age.
Under normal circumstances, however, a European Umamusume would not be expected to observe Japan's strict seniority customs.
Suave Dancer did not care about that distinction. Since she had already decided that she belonged with Chasing Light, she treated everyone who had joined the team before her as her senpai.
Obey Your Master gave her a sidelong glance and smiled.
"Seeing you like this, it seems even Brave has stopped trying to keep you under control."
Not far away, Brave was spending time with Sirius and the others.
She paid no attention whatsoever to what Suave Dancer was doing.
It seemed she had already resigned herself to the situation.
"Yeah, pretty much!"
Suave Dancer nodded with a playful grin.
Maruzensky and Aldan exchanged glances, then shook their heads with helpless smiles.
Elsewhere in the hall, the red, yellow, and blue goddesses were huddled together as well.
They seemed to be secretly discussing some mysterious matter that no one else was meant to know about.
Judging by how Godolphin Barb's face alternated between pale, flushed, and bright red, however, they were almost certainly discussing something improper.
Before long, the celebration continued late into the night.
Even then, the enthusiasm of the Umamusume showed no signs of fading.
(End of Chapter)
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