The next day, a bustling crowd chattered excitedly in front of the notice board. Kousei was curious about what they were looking at, but she wasn't comfortable in crowds and decided to wait until they dispersed before approaching.
Just as she was about to leave, a gasp rang out: "Isn't that Kousei?!"
Every eye in the crowd turned to Kousei, their gazes fixed upon her.
"Huh? What's going on?" Kousei asked, bewildered by the sudden attention.
"Kousei! What do you think of McQueen? Answer directly!"
Eh? Kousei's eyes widened in confusion. "McQueen? Why would I have anything to do with McQueen?"
"She's strong, right?" Kousei ventured tentatively.
Though curious about the crowd's reaction, Kousei knew this wasn't the time for questions. The Umamusume quickly swarmed around her, chattering like sparrows, leaving Kousei dizzy and overwhelmed.
I've never spoken to so many people at once in my life, she thought.
Just as Kousei was struggling, an elegant greeting cut through the commotion.
"Kousei, good morning."
The voice wasn't loud, but it instantly silenced the chattering crowd. Mejiro McQueen stood before them, radiating her usual grace and the impeccable manners of an elite family.
"Let's go," McQueen said.
With a single word, McQueen whisked Kousei away, leaving her utterly bewildered. Even now, Kousei couldn't quite grasp what had just happened. Still dazed, she found herself following McQueen to the rooftop—the very place where they had first met.
"So you're actually quite shy in private," McQueen remarked. "You should have stopped them when they started clinging to you."
Was McQueen referring to the difference between Kousei's usual demeanor and her behavior on the racetrack?
"Look who's talking," Kousei retorted. "Yesterday, on the track, you told me to get out of your way, didn't you?"
McQueen's cheeks flushed crimson with embarrassment. She cleared her throat awkwardly. "My apologies. I... I simply couldn't help myself."
Watching McQueen in this uncharacteristic state, Kousei felt like she was beginning to understand her a little better.
"Do you even realize why they were all over you?" McQueen asked, her tone hinting at a deeper meaning.
"No idea," Kousei replied, shaking her head innocently. She genuinely had no clue what had sparked the commotion.
McQueen sighed in exasperation. "Don't you ever read the news?"
Puzzled, Kousei watched as McQueen produced a newspaper from who-knew-where.
"Here," McQueen said, handing it over. "Take a look."
Kousei accepted the paper and scanned the headline:
Mejiro McQueen, One Half of the Twins, Officially Confirms Debut Race, Setting Her Sights on the Classic Triple Crown Route.
When asked about the reason for adding another debut race, Mejiro McQueen replied, "Because there's a contemporary I want to compete with. This will be her third debut race."
"Huh?"
Kousei read the article again and again, the words practically screaming her name. This debut race was her debut race.
"McQueen, did you deliberately choose this debut race to compete with me?"
"Oh my? Isn't it obvious?" McQueen elegantly tossed her hair.
"McQueen, do you not want me to debut?" Kousei's eyes welled up with tears, looking utterly crestfallen.
"N-no! You idiot! What are you thinking?!" McQueen stammered, flustered and unsure how to comfort her.
"Then... what does it mean?" Kousei asked, her tear-filled eyes still holding a captivating beauty even in her distress.
"It means... from now on, we're rivals!"
"Rivals?" Kousei looked puzzled.
"You know about Tokai Teio, right?"
Kousei nodded. Everyone knew Tokai Teio.
"Teio is riding high right now. Even though we're both considered the 'Twins,' we haven't been running the same races. Yesterday, when I announced my intention to pursue the Triple Crown Classics, the reporters immediately asked if McQueen was trying to follow in Teio's footsteps. You know how that feels, don't you?"
Kousei knew exactly how McQueen felt. "You must be incredibly frustrated, right?"
"Exactly. Everyone expects me to follow in Teio's footsteps, and I hate it."
"Is there something wrong with your relationship with Teio?"
"Not at all. We're actually very close."
"Then why?"
"Because I want to win," McQueen said, her gaze sharpening as if reaffirming her own resolve. "There are two things I desire: first, to restore the Mejiro Family's glory by bringing the Tenno Sho Trophy back to Mejiro. Second, to surpass Tokai Teio herself. We once promised to run together, but I must forge my own path."
"I want people to understand that I'm not just following Teio, but challenging her. To prove it, I need to achieve results that rival hers—and for that, I need you."
"Me?" Kousei couldn't imagine how she could possibly help McQueen.
"Yes! I must achieve this on my own two feet. Will you join me in staging this grand performance for the Mejiro Family?"
This was Mejiro McQueen, the renowned performer, her eyes blazing with unwavering determination. A palpable conviction radiated from her, perhaps one of the reasons for her extraordinary strength.
Feeling the impact of McQueen's challenge, Kousei remained silent for a long moment.
"Is this... really okay?" Kousei's voice was slightly subdued.
"Hmm?"
"Just so we're clear, I have no intention of letting you win," Kousei said, lifting her head. A deep crimson light flickered in her flawless white eyes—a fierce battle spirit, born from the very core of her being.
"Of course! In fact, that's precisely why!" McQueen retorted, casting aside her refined elegance and meeting Kousei's gaze unflinchingly. Her commanding presence exuded the confidence and pride of her elite lineage.
"Come to my stage and give me the grandest performance!"
As their wills clashed, Kousei held back unspoken words:
I know how desperately you want to defeat Teio, just as desperately as I want to surpass you. Give me everything you've got, Mejiro McQueen. After all, you're standing within my ideal.
McQueen chuckled softly. "You really are exactly as I imagined."
McQueen looked genuinely happy, and Kousei was thrilled to be spending such quality time with her friend.
"McQueen is exactly as I imagined—elegant, beautiful, and strong. And her figure is...", Kousei's gaze drifted to McQueen's chest, pausing briefly before she glanced down at herself. "Mine... seems pretty average, doesn't it?"
"Did you really have to say that?!"
"McQueen! Ouch!"
Exasperated, McQueen pinched Kousei's cheek hard, venting her frustration.
Amidst their playful banter, they exchanged a smile.
"Still, I need to see how much you've grown. Win your debut race against me, and let the world know the name Kousei!"
Kousei clenched her fists, her expression resolute. "Yes! I'll prove I'm worthy of being Mejiro McQueen's greatest rival! I won't surrender this position, not even to Tokai Teio!"
Their fated encounter had set the gears of destiny in motion.
Today a small stream, tomorrow a mighty river.