November.
Late Autumn.
One of the coldest Novembers Japan had seen in years.
The cold air drifted through the city streets and mountain roads alike, slipping between buildings and rustling through rows of trees that had already begun surrendering their leaves. Sidewalks were painted in shades of orange, red, and gold. Dry leaves rolled along the pavement every time a breeze passed through.
The mornings had become colder.
The nights even more.
Breath turned visible in the air.
Hands stayed tucked inside pockets.
Scarves and jackets had become common sights.
But even with the unusually cold weather, Japan never stopped moving.
Trains continued running across their routes.
Cars continued flowing through crowded roads.
Shops opened.
Businesses worked.
People moved.
Life simply continued.
And so did Tracen Academy.
The Umamusume of Tracen Academy continued moving forward.
Studying.
Learning.
Training.
Running.
Nothing truly changed.
Not for them.
Not for long.
The school day had already ended.
Yet the campus itself was still alive.
Students continued moving throughout the academy grounds.
Some remained at the training tracks, shoes pounding against the running lanes as coaches called out lap times and split records.
Others stayed inside classrooms, chairs turned toward one another as groups of friends talked and laughed while afternoon sunlight streamed through windows.
Some made their way toward the gym facilities.
Others simply wandered around the campus lobby.
And many had chosen the warmest place available during a cold afternoon.
The cafeteria.
The cafeteria was buzzing with students.
Conversations overlapped one another from every direction.
Plates clinked.
Chairs shifted against floors.
Small groups laughed at tables.
The smell of fresh food mixed with warm drinks and pastries spread throughout the room.
Near the middle section of the cafeteria—
Kitasan Black and Tokai Teio sat together at one of the tables.
Steam rose from their meals.
Kitasan had both hands around her sandwich for warmth while Teio lazily leaned back in her seat with a fork in hand.
Kitasan smiled.
"Can't believe it's been three months since you got that podium, Teio!"
Teio swallowed the food in her mouth before setting the fork down onto her plate.
She blinked.
Then nodded.
"Can't believe it either!"
She laughed once, leaning against the backrest.
"It feels like it happened yesterday!"
Kitasan nodded while taking another bite from her sandwich.
After swallowing, her eyes immediately brightened.
"And King-san was awesome too!"
She suddenly lifted both hands up.
Her arms mimicked holding a steering wheel.
She leaned slightly left.
Then right.
"Those hairpins!"
She turned the imaginary wheel harder.
"She was literally three-wheeling it!"
Teio immediately smirked.
"Ah, that."
She could practically picture it again.
King Halo's green R32 diving into the corners.
Suspension compressed.
Body leaning.
One rear wheel barely touching the ground.
Kitasan continued enthusiastically.
"And you on that last crest?!"
She raised both hands.
"You were literally airborne!"
Teio chuckled awkwardly and rubbed the back of her head.
"Well..."
She looked away slightly.
"It was either all in or I'm off the podium."
She shrugged.
"I lost quite a bit of time at Sector Three, so I had to make it up at the final sector with speed."
Kitasan nodded at first.
Then her expression slowly softened.
The excitement in her eyes faded a little.
She turned her head toward one of the cafeteria windows.
Outside, leaves drifted slowly across the courtyard.
Students walked by wearing jackets and scarves.
"...How is Maruzen-san doing now?"
Teio blinked.
Then nodded.
"Maruzen-san is doing fine now, Kita."
Kitasan's eyes widened immediately.
She nearly leaned over the table.
"R-Really?!"
Teio rested an elbow against the chair.
"Yep."
She looked away for a moment.
"Though all she really said was..."
Her expression turned slightly helpless.
"'The engine was on its way out either way.'"
Kitasan looked down.
Left.
Right.
Then back at Teio.
"...Then why was Maruzen-san so angry during the event?"
Teio leaned forward.
Resting both arms on the table.
"Because think about it."
Tap.
One finger touched the table.
"It's an event."
Tap.
"It's broadcasted."
Tap.
"And the engine blows during a run with people watching from all over the world."
She leaned back afterward.
"So of course it's embarrassing."
She crossed her arms behind her head.
"Not to mention Maruzen herself was undefeated when she actively raced for the Racing Association."
Kitasan slowly nodded.
"Ah..."
"I see..."
The thought suddenly made much more sense.
Because it wasn't really about the engine itself.
Not entirely.
It was pride.
The atmosphere became quiet for a moment.
Only the surrounding cafeteria noise remained.
Then both girls stood up from their seats.
They picked up their trays and began walking toward a nearby return station.
Not too far away—
King Halo stood up from her own table.
She adjusted her coat slightly.
"I'll head out. I have to run some errands."
Across from her, Kawakami Princess looked up.
"Okay King! I'll see you later!"
"Just bring my tray back if you can."
Kawakami immediately gave a thumbs-up.
"Leave it to me!"
King silently nodded.
Then walked away.
Meanwhile—
Teio and Kitasan finished returning their trays.
The pair stepped out of the cafeteria.
Down the stairs.
Across the lobby.
Then outside the academy building.
Cold air immediately greeted them.
A gust of wind swept through the grounds.
Leaves rolled across the pavement.
Kitasan instinctively pulled her arms closer.
"Brr..."
Teio laughed.
"Told you to bring something warmer."
The two continued walking toward the dormitories.
Cold air brushed past them as they followed the paved pathway leading away from the main academy building.
Leaves rolled along the ground with each passing gust of wind.
Some scraped lightly against the pavement.
Others drifted down from nearly bare trees overhead.
Around them, students continued moving through the campus grounds.
Some headed toward evening training.
Some walked toward dormitories.
Others simply wandered around with friends, enjoying the remaining daylight before sunset arrived.
The sky itself had already begun shifting.
Bright blue slowly giving way to softer shades of orange.
Kitasan walked beside Teio with both hands tucked behind her back.
She looked around briefly.
Then toward Teio.
Then forward.
Then back toward Teio again.
"...Hey, Teio-san."
Teio glanced sideways.
"Hm?"
Kitasan rubbed the back of her neck.
"I've got to ask one more thing."
Teio blinked once before silently nodding.
Kitasan looked up slightly as she thought.
Then spoke.
"What's with King-san's attitude at times?"
Teio raised an eyebrow.
"...Eh?"
Kitasan immediately waved both hands frantically.
"I-It isn't a bad thing!"
Her arms lowered again.
"I was just wondering what was with some of the stuff she says."
She tilted her head.
"Like..."
"'First-rate.'"
Another blink.
"And sometimes she's kind of..."
She looked up as if searching for the right words.
"...high and mighty?"
She looked back at Teio.
"And on my first day here years ago, didn't she have an entire entourage introducing her to everyone?"
Teio stared at her for a second.
Then suddenly chuckled.
She shook her head.
"That's King Halo-san for you."
Kitasan tilted her head.
Teio folded her hands behind her head while continuing to walk.
"King-san acts all high and mighty because that's just part of who she is."
She smiled slightly.
"She's got an unbreakable spirit."
A brief pause.
Then Teio smirked.
"Frankly..."
She pointed upward.
"King-like."
She immediately laughed.
"No pun intended."
Kitasan stared blankly for a second.
Then slowly sighed.
"...That was definitely intended."
Teio grinned.
"Maybe a little."
Kitasan shook her head helplessly.
Teio continued.
"But honestly..."
"She does have really good taste."
Kitasan blinked.
"Huh?"
"In clothes."
Teio gestured with one hand.
"Have you seen some of the outfits she puts together?"
"King-san actually has a really good eye for that kind of stuff."
Kitasan thought about it.
Then slowly nodded.
"...Now that I think about it..."
"Yeah..."
She looked upward.
"She does dress really well..."
Then her expression shifted slightly.
Something else had come to mind.
"But..."
She looked at Teio.
"I did hear from Haru-san that her mom is quite the..."
She hesitated.
"...well..."
"A character."
Teio's smile faded.
She sighed.
"...I knew you'd bring that up."
Kitasan immediately straightened.
"S-Sorry—"
"No, no."
Teio waved dismissively.
"It's fine."
The sound of leaves sliding along pavement passed between them.
For a few seconds they simply walked.
Then Teio spoke again.
"King-san's mom, Goodbye Halo..."
"...was a former student here at Tracen Academy."
Kitasan blinked.
Teio kept her eyes forward.
"And she won seven Grade One races."
Kitasan's eyes widened.
"Seven?!"
Then she paused.
"...Wait."
She tilted her head.
"So that's less than King Halo?"
Teio nodded.
"Yep."
"And don't forget—"
"King-san's also a Triple Crown recipient."
Kitasan's eyes widened further.
Even after all this time, hearing King's achievements stacked together like that still sounded ridiculous.
Teio's expression softened slightly.
"But..."
She looked downward.
"From what I remember..."
"...King's mom never really approved of her being here."
Kitasan immediately looked over.
"...Didn't approve?"
Teio nodded slowly.
"At least from what I gathered from Kaichou."
She looked at Kitasan.
"King's mom wanted her to pursue something outside of racing."
Kitasan listened silently.
Teio's expression grew slightly more serious.
"And from what I heard..."
"...she'd even go as far as putting King's achievements down."
Kitasan's eyes widened.
Teio continued quietly.
"Race after race."
"Win after win."
"Things like..."
She looked away.
"'Just luck.'"
"'You happened to win.'"
"'Anyone could've done that.'"
Silence.
Kitasan's face slowly twisted.
Her eyes narrowed.
"Eugh..."
"...Really?"
Teio silently nodded.
The wind blew once more.
And for a moment—
Neither of them said anything.
Because suddenly—
King Halo's loud confidence...
Her pride...
Her constant need to prove herself...
Made a lot more sense.
The two continued walking in silence for a little while.
Kitasan stared ahead while her thoughts wandered.
The image of King Halo—the proud posture, the confident voice, the way she always held her head high—felt a little different now.
Before, she'd always assumed it was simply confidence.
Maybe even arrogance.
But hearing that...
Maybe it wasn't that simple.
Maybe being loud and proud wasn't just a personality trait.
Maybe it was something she had to become.
Maybe if someone kept telling you that your victories were luck...
You eventually reached a point where you simply refused to let anyone say it anymore.
The sound of leaves crunching beneath their shoes pulled Kitasan back.
The pair had reached the Ritto Dormitory grounds.
The evening sunlight had shifted lower now, bathing the area in warm orange light that contrasted against the cold air.
Students continued coming and going from the dormitory entrance.
Some carried bags.
Some headed toward evening practice.
Others simply walked with friends.
Beside the dormitory sat the parking area.
Cars rested quietly beneath rows of trees, faint reflections of orange leaves shimmering across windows and body panels.
Teio and Kitasan walked along the side pathway.
Then both glanced left.
And stopped.
Parked nearby was Agnes Tachyon's S30Z.
Its hood sat raised.
Various tools had been spread nearby.
A small tool tray rested on the pavement.
Rags.
Sockets.
A few removed spark plugs.
And directly beside it—
Parked in front of the Z—
Sat a Bianco Avus Ferrari Testarossa.
Kitasan's eyes immediately followed it.
"...Huh."
The white body practically reflected the sunset.
Its long side strakes stretched across the doors.
Wide rear fenders.
Low stance.
Pop-up headlights folded neatly shut.
The whole thing looked straight out of an 80's poster.
"I've never seen that car before."
She tilted her head.
"I wonder whose it is."
The pair reached the crossing between the sidewalk, dormitory entrance, and parking area.
Then they spotted a familiar group.
Symboli Rudolf.
Silence Suzuka.
Agnes Tachyon.
And Maruzensky.
Teio smirked immediately.
"Oh boy."
Kitasan blinked.
"Hm?"
Teio simply pointed.
Maruzensky currently stood with one hand resting on her hip.
Her hair swayed slightly in the cold wind.
She looked between Rudolf, Suzuka and Tachyon.
"Well, fellas?"
She grinned.
"What do you all think?"
She gestured dramatically toward the Testarossa.
Rudolf placed a finger on her chin.
Her eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
Then a small smirk appeared.
"Well..."
She looked at Maruzensky.
"You certainly can't outrun the law in this thing."
A pause.
"It's practically..."
She folded her arms.
"...un-Ferrari-fiable."
Silence.
Suzuka blinked.
Tachyon's jaw dropped.
Maruzensky closed her eyes.
Her lips twitched.
Her shoulders shook once.
Then twice.
Rudolf sighed and shook her head.
"Jokes aside."
She looked back at the Testarossa.
"I think it's a perfect match alongside your Countach, Maruzen."
Maruzensky took a deep breath.
Slow inhale.
Slow exhale.
Then opened her eyes.
Landing on the Ferrari.
"I think so too!"
She smiled brightly.
"And it's the perfect practical car if I don't feel like taking the Countach!"
Tachyon blinked.
"...Practical?"
She slowly turned toward the passenger side.
"...You lack a passenger-side mirror."
Suzuka nodded.
"And the early mechanical Bosch KE-Jetronic fuel injection system."
She crossed her arms.
"And the lack of power steering."
"The controls are pretty stiff."
She looked at Maruzensky.
"I wouldn't really call the Testarossa a better daily driver than your Countach."
Then—
Teio and Kitasan arrived.
"You got a Testarossa?!"
Rudolf, Suzuka and Tachyon turned.
Rudolf smiled.
"Glad for you to join us, Teio and Kita."
Maruzensky immediately winked.
"That's right!"
She spread both arms dramatically.
"The newest addition to my fleet!"
Kitasan's eyes practically sparkled.
"The true definition of the 80's!"
Teio walked beside Rudolf while Kitasan moved beside Tachyon.
Teio looked over the Ferrari.
Even parked, the car somehow had presence.
Low.
Wide.
Exotic.
Pure 1980's excess.
"Even though I think this really suits you, Maruzen-san..."
Maruzensky nodded.
Teio continued.
"I still associate you more with the Countach."
She looked at Maruzensky.
"You've been driving it since before I even got here."
Maruzensky laughed.
"I understand!"
She crossed her arms and looked back toward the Testarossa.
"But I think it'll take some time for people to get used to seeing this around!"
Rudolf nodded.
"Back on topic though..."
She looked at the Ferrari again.
"This still isn't exactly as daily-friendly as your Countach."
Maruzensky suddenly raised one finger.
And wagged it.
"I'm not done yet."
Everyone blinked.
She pointed dramatically toward the car.
"Because this one is fresh from Italy!"
Tachyon stared.
Flat expression.
Jaw hanging slightly.
"...What difference does that make if you could have bought one here in Japan?"
Maruzensky smirked.
Then crossed her arms proudly.
"Because this..."
She paused dramatically.
"...is a restomodded version by Officine Fioravanti!"
Rudolf's eyes widened.
Immediately.
She walked toward the passenger side and leaned down slightly to peek inside.
"...That changes things."
Maruzensky nodded rapidly.
"Exactly!"
She raised a finger.
"Modern suspension!"
Another finger.
"Multi-stage traction control!"
Another.
"Modern ABS!"
Another.
"In-house developed electronic fuel injection with a modern ECU!"
Another.
"Power steering!"
She spread both arms.
"You name it!"
Then one final finger raised.
"And now it makes five hundred ten horsepower with the redline increased to nine thousand!"
Rudolf pressed her lips together.
"...Not bad."
Tachyon slowly wiped sweat from her forehead.
Then looked down at her own hands.
Grease.
Dirt.
Oil smudges.
She stared at them.
Then stared at Maruzensky.
Then back at her hands.
"...Well."
She turned around.
"Back to changing plugs."
She walked toward the S30Z.
Suzuka chuckled.
"You didn't even bother changing out of your school uniform?"
Tachyon shrugged while reaching for her spark plug socket and wrench.
"What?"
She leaned into the engine bay.
"I want to make my runs already."
She tightened the socket onto an extension.
"School uniform or not!"
Click.
The ratchet turned.
And somewhere nearby—
Maruzensky quietly grinned.
Because she knew exactly what would happen next.
Tachyon was going to ask for the keys.
Teio chuckled to herself.
She could already see it happening.
First came denial.
Then curiosity.
Then the "purely for research purposes" excuse.
Then somehow Tachyon would mysteriously end up behind the wheel.
Teio looked toward Maruzensky.
"Actually, I have to ask, Maruzen-san."
Maruzensky blinked.
"Hm?"
Teio folded her arms.
"What exactly went wrong?"
She tilted her head slightly.
"Why did the engine blow in your Countach?"
The atmosphere became quieter.
Even Tachyon slowed slightly.
Rudolf walked back over beside Teio.
Suzuka looked toward Maruzensky.
Maruzensky sighed.
Then blinked.
"Well..."
She rubbed the back of her head.
"Apparently according to my tuner, the engine had been pre-igniting."
Suzuka's eyes widened slightly.
"So ignition timing?"
Maruzensky shook her head.
"That's only the start."
Everyone blinked.
She continued.
"But the main reason was a piston ring land failure."
Teio blinked.
Then her eyes widened.
"...No wonder."
She crossed her arms.
"I saw blue smoke when you launched off the line."
Maruzensky nodded.
"That's right."
She leaned against the Testarossa.
"Apparently that piston ring had already been broken for some time."
"And with the amount of boost I was running..."
She raised a finger.
"And the pre-ignition..."
Another finger.
"Those two together caused engine temperatures to spike."
She made a small explosion motion with her hands.
"And then..."
"Head gasket failure."
"Then the pistons cracked."
A pause.
"...Then split."
Kitasan visibly gritted her teeth.
"Ouch..."
Maruzensky nodded.
But she wasn't done.
"Not to mention..."
She raised another finger.
"The old fuel system somehow continued surviving until then."
She blinked.
"I'm honestly amazed."
"Because it wasn't supplying enough fuel for the boost level the engine was running."
Suzuka's eyes widened slightly.
Maruzensky continued.
"So the left bank of the V12 started running lean."
"...then detonation happened."
Rudolf crossed her arms.
"So..."
She looked toward Maruzensky.
"The combination of pre-ignition, piston ring failure, and fuel delivery problems killed the engine."
Maruzensky pointed at her.
"Exactly."
Rudolf nodded slowly.
"That engine practically fought to its last breath."
Kitasan raised a finger.
"So what's next for your Countach?"
Maruzensky suddenly laughed.
A small one.
Then another.
"Well..."
She crossed her arms.
"I'm never getting rid of it."
Her eyes shifted upward toward the dormitory windows.
"And just like Chiyono-chan said..."
Her expression softened.
"'A dead engine isn't the end of a car.'"
She looked back toward Kitasan.
"I'm currently building Version Two of my Countach."
Kitasan tilted her head.
"...Version Two?"
Suzuka folded one hand over the other.
"What are you planning?"
Maruzensky placed a hand on her hip.
Then winked.
"I'm glad you asked."
She took a step back dramatically.
"First—"
She raised a finger.
"I'm basing the suspension build around the Walter Wolf Countach."
Teio immediately thrust both hands forward.
"WHOA WHOA WHOA!"
Her eyes widened.
"Walter Wolf?!"
Maruzensky nodded proudly.
"That's right!"
"So rear suspension gets converted into a rear parallel-link setup."
She continued counting.
"Strengthened components."
"Eight-piston AP Racing brakes."
"Seven-to-one steering ratio."
"And more."
Suzuka chuckled.
"Very eighties Formula One."
Maruzensky winked.
"That's the Walter Wolf special build for you!"
Rudolf nodded.
"And the engine?"
Maruzensky exhaled slowly.
Then blinked.
"Thankfully..."
"The original block survived."
Everyone looked at her.
"Cylinder three and cylinder one are ugly."
She made a face.
"And piston two..."
She paused.
"...is barely recognizable anymore."
Tachyon visibly winced.
"The pistons are gone."
"Bearings are cooked."
"But thankfully..."
"The block itself didn't crack."
Teio let out a breath.
Maruzensky continued.
"But the whole engine is getting rebuilt to Lamborghini specifications."
Teio's jaw dropped slightly.
"...You're still turbocharging it?"
Maruzensky nodded.
"But with changes."
Teio stared.
"I thought you'd go with the original turbo Countach route."
Maruzensky shook her head.
Smirking.
"Not this time."
"The entire engine will be built for boost."
She raised a finger.
"Forged pistons."
Another.
"Forged rods."
Another.
"Upgraded head studs."
"Heavier-duty gaskets."
Another.
"The six Weber downdrafts get converted into blow-through carburetors with proper sealing and modifications."
Another.
"Fuel system gets upgraded."
"High-volume electric pumps."
"Rising-rate fuel pressure regulators."
"And finally..."
She spread her hands.
"The drivetrain gets reinforced too."
"Custom multi-plate clutch."
"Reinforced gearbox internals."
"Heavy-duty halfshafts."
She crossed her arms.
"But externally?"
She smiled.
"It stays exactly the same."
Kitasan raised both fists.
"That sounds exciting, Maruzen!"
She leaned forward.
"Has the build already started?!"
Maruzensky nodded rapidly.
"Last week!"
She smiled brightly.
"Hopefully next year I'll have it back in my loving arms."
Tachyon suddenly reappeared.
Half her body was still inside the S30Z engine bay.
She removed another spark plug.
"But please maintain your car this time."
She glanced back.
"You are practically a mechanic despite refusing to admit it."
Maruzensky scoffed dramatically.
"Oh please."
She looked toward Tachyon.
"At least the engine blew because it's old."
She pointed toward herself.
"Imagine this."
"Since the eighties..."
"High-RPM runs."
"Bouncing off the limiter."
"Boost."
"More boost."
"And never opened up."
She spread her hands.
"The fact it survived over one hundred fifty thousand kilometers is a miracle."
A pause.
"Actually..."
She raised a finger.
"The fact it survived over two hundred thousand is."
Teio's jaw slowly dropped.
"...Wait."
"What is your Countach's mileage?"
Maruzensky tapped her chin.
"Uh..."
She rubbed the back of her head.
"Two hundred and eighty thousand?"
A pause.
"...Ish."
Silence.
Teio blinked.
Then blinked again.
"...I actually thought less than two hundred thousand..."
Maruzensky laughed awkwardly.
"When my Countach got featured on Harrison Gunnhildr's channel last year..."
She smiled.
"A lot of people praised it surviving that long."
"Especially considering it's one of only two twin-turbo Countachs."
She crossed her arms.
"Some people started calling me..."
She smirked.
"...the Anti-Collector."
Rudolf smirked.
"And the purists?"
Maruzensky's smile widened.
"Oh they hated it."
She raised both hands dramatically.
"'Such a tragedy!'"
"'Ruining a rare Countach!'"
"'Destroying history!'"
"And some people claimed the odometer was fake."
"Others claimed I'd secretly gone through multiple engines."
She placed a hand on her chest.
"Unfortunately for them..."
"As the first and only owner of the fabulous Countach Twin Turbo..."
She smiled proudly.
"I kept records."
"Every fifty thousand kilometers I took photos."
Then she suddenly placed both hands on her hips dramatically.
Raised her head.
And spoke in the most sarcastic voice imaginable.
"Ah yes."
"AI photos."
"Clearly I used AI decades ago."
"Yes."
"I invented time travel too."
Suzuka covered her mouth.
Teio laughed.
Even Rudolf looked away slightly.
Trying not to smile.
Maruzensky looked toward her Testarossa.
"...Give me a break..."
Teio nodded.
"People will always be like that."
"Doubting everything these days."
Kitasan nodded.
"That's right!"
Teio then gave a slight bow.
"Well, we'll head back."
"We'll talk again later."
Maruzensky nodded.
"Right!"
"See you soon!"
Rudolf nodded.
"Take care, Teio."
Suzuka bowed politely.
"Take care, Teio and Kita."
The two nodded.
Then turned around and walked toward the dormitory entrance.
Leaves rolled past their feet.
The evening sky continued growing darker.
Behind them—
Tachyon quietly stared at the Testarossa.
Then at Maruzensky.
Then back at the Testarossa.
Her eyes narrowed.
"...Purely for scientific research..."
Maruzensky immediately looked over.
"No."
Tachyon stared.
"...I didn't even ask yet."
Time flies by...
Day slowly turned to night.
The last orange light of sunset disappeared beyond the horizon.
The cold became sharper.
The winds stronger.
Campus activity gradually slowed as evening settled over Tracen Academy.
Classrooms emptied.
Training tracks grew quieter.
Lights switched off one after another.
Windows across the dormitories glowed softly against the dark sky.
Inside Kitasan Black and Satono Diamond's dorm room—
Silence.
Comfortable silence.
The room itself was warm compared to the freezing air outside.
A heater quietly hummed in the corner.
The curtains had already been drawn shut, leaving only the room lights illuminating the interior.
Kitasan sat on the side of her bed.
Phone in hand.
One leg lightly bounced as she scrolled through various things absentmindedly.
Videos.
Photos.
Messages.
Occasional car posts.
Meanwhile—
Satono Diamond sat comfortably on her own bed.
Legs crossed.
A book resting in her hands.
She slowly turned a page.
Then another.
Then another.
For a few moments only the sound of pages turning and soft tapping on Kitasan's phone could be heard.
Satono quietly glanced up.
Then toward Kitasan.
Then back down.
Then up again.
"...Hey, Kita."
Kitasan looked up from her phone.
"Hm?"
Satono closed her book slightly.
"...Did you get your driver's license recently?"
Kitasan blinked.
Then nodded.
"Yeah."
"A couple months ago."
Satono slowly closed the book completely.
Then carefully set it beside her.
She slid her legs off the bed and onto the cold floor.
"...Have you driven anything since getting it?"
Kitasan nodded again.
"I drove Urara-san's Miata a couple weeks ago."
Her face brightened slightly.
"It was fun."
She smiled.
"It's a really nice little car."
She looked upward.
"It feels light."
"Everything feels direct."
"And shifting gears was way easier than I thought."
Satono nodded silently.
Then lowered her head slightly.
Thinking.
After a few seconds—
She looked back up.
"...Have you ever thought about getting your own car, Kita?"
Kitasan blinked.
"...My own car?"
She looked down at her phone.
Then nodded slowly.
"I have..."
A pause.
"...But it's hard."
She scratched her cheek.
"I want something modern..."
She raised a finger.
"And fast..."
Another finger.
"But also something I could drive every day."
She looked upward.
"And something that doesn't make my wallet cry."
Satono smiled softly.
That sounded exactly like Kitasan.
Then—
Knock.
Knock.
The two looked toward the door.
Kitasan blinked.
"Huh?"
She pushed herself off the bed.
"Stay here, Satono."
"I'll get it."
Satono nodded.
She pulled her legs back onto the bed and opened her book again.
Kitasan walked toward the door.
Twisting the handle.
Then pulling it open.
Standing outside—
Was Fuji Kiseki.
Ritto Dormitory leader.
Advisor.
And someone who normally didn't knock on doors this late unless something needed attention.
Kitasan's eyes widened slightly.
"Fuji-san?"
Fuji let out a small sigh.
"Ah... Kitasan."
She adjusted her posture.
"I need your help."
Kitasan blinked.
Then leaned slightly against the doorway.
"What's going on, Fuji-san?"
Fuji looked left.
Then right.
Then back toward Kitasan.
"I need you to accompany Haru Urara to check on King Halo."
Kitasan straightened immediately.
"King-san?"
Her eyes widened.
"Did something happen?!"
Fuji shook her head.
"No."
"Not exactly."
She crossed her arms.
"But we suspect she may have broken down near Kasumidai Observation Deck."
Kitasan blinked.
"...Broken down?"
Fuji nodded.
"I mostly want you accompanying Urara as a precaution."
"For safety."
Kitasan looked at her for a moment.
Then tilted her head.
"...Is it also because it's already past curfew?"
Fuji nodded.
"That too."
Kitasan thought for a moment.
Then nodded.
"Sure."
"I'll just put my shoes on."
Fuji slightly bowed.
"I appreciate your help, Kitasan."
"I'll leave you and Urara to it."
Then she turned around.
Walking back down the hallway.
Her footsteps gradually faded.
Kitasan closed the door behind her.
Satono looked up from her book.
"Any problems with Fuji-san?"
Kitasan sighed and sat back down.
She grabbed her high-cut canvas shoes from beside the bed.
"I need to accompany Urara-san."
She slid one foot in.
Then the other.
Satono raised an eyebrow.
"...Why?"
Kitasan tightened one lace.
Then the other.
"It's past curfew."
"And King-san still isn't back."
She looked up.
"Fuji-san thinks her car may have broken down."
Satono's lips parted slightly.
"A-Ah..."
She nodded.
Kitasan stood up.
"I'll probably be back in an hour or something."
Then she paused.
Actually thought about it.
"...Maybe not before two in the morning."
Satono blinked.
"...That's a huge difference."
Kitasan laughed awkwardly.
"Hehe..."
Satono shook her head.
Then smiled.
"Stay safe, Kita."
Kitasan nodded.
"I will."
Moments later—
She walked out.
Down the hallway.
Down the stairs.
Past the dorm lobby.
Then outside.
Cold air immediately hit her face.
"Brr..."
She rubbed her hands together.
The parking lot ahead sat mostly silent.
Dark.
Still.
Rows of parked cars sat beneath dim overhead lights.
Only one thing disturbed the quiet atmosphere.
The soft rhythmic hum of an engine idling.
Brrr...
Brrr...
Brrr...
Kitasan looked right.
Then spotted it.
Haru Urara's red NA Miata.
Its pop-up headlights were raised.
Like a pair of eyes staring through the darkness.
The small roadster sat patiently beneath the lights.
Exhaust vapor drifted from behind the car into the cold night air.
Kitasan smiled.
She walked toward the driver's side.
Reached for the metal door handle.
Pulled it open.
Then leaned inside.
"Urara-san?"
Urara looked over immediately.
"Kitasan!"
Her face lit up.
"I'm glad Fuji asked you to come!"
She gestured excitedly toward the passenger seat.
"Hop in!"
"Let's go get King-san!"
Kitasan smiled.
Then climbed inside.
The Tillet B5 bucket seat wrapped around her immediately.
She pulled the door shut.
Thunk.
Then reached for the harnesses.
Click.
Click.
Click.
Click.
The four-point harness tightened against her shoulders.
Urara pressed the clutch pedal.
Her hand moved to the shifter.
Clack.
First gear.
The little Miata rolled forward.
Then slowly pulled away from the dormitory.
Leaving Tracen behind.
And heading toward Kasumidai Observation Deck.
Toward King Halo.
The trip itself wasn't particularly long.
Roughly thirty-five minutes.
Normally there would still be some traffic around this hour.
But midnight was approaching.
And with the cold late-November weather settling over the city—
The roads felt almost abandoned.
National Route 20 stretched ahead quietly beneath the night sky.
Street lamps illuminated sections of asphalt in long repeating patterns.
Orange light.
Darkness.
Orange light.
Darkness.
The expressway felt strangely empty.
Occasionally another car passed by.
A truck.
A sedan.
A taxi.
Then silence again.
The roads were quiet.
And so was inside the car.
The faint hum of Haru Urara's JASMA exhaust gently reverberated throughout the cabin.
Brrrr...
Brrrr...
Brrrr...
The little roadster cruised steadily through the night.
The engine sat comfortably in its powerband.
No strain.
No effort.
Just smooth mechanical rhythm.
Kitasan leaned against the window slightly.
Watching street lamps pass one by one.
Light.
Dark.
Light.
Dark.
Buildings drifted past.
Signs blurred.
Occasional headlights swept across the interior.
Then disappeared behind them.
After a while—
Kitasan sighed softly.
"...Hey, Urara-san?"
Urara blinked.
"Yes, Kita?"
Kitasan glanced toward her.
"Since you're King-san's roommate..."
She looked back out the windshield.
"...what is she like outside campus?"
She tilted her head slightly.
"Or inside the dorm?"
Urara glanced toward Kitasan.
Then back toward the road.
For a moment she smiled.
Then laughed quietly.
"King-san is probably one of the best roommates I could ever have."
Kitasan blinked.
Urara continued smiling.
"She's almost like my mom."
Kitasan's eyes widened.
"...Really?"
Urara nodded rapidly.
"Yep!"
"King-san helps me when I'm running late."
She raised a finger.
"She helps me pick casual clothes."
Another finger.
"She reminds me of things I forget."
Another.
"And sometimes she even wakes me up."
Kitasan stared.
Urara laughed again.
"Putting it simply..."
She smiled warmly.
"She's like my second mom."
Kitasan fully turned toward her.
"On the same level as your real mom, Urara-san?"
Urara nodded enthusiastically.
"That's right!"
"Very close!"
She slightly raised one hand off the wheel.
"Very, very close!"
Then her smile faded slightly.
Just a little.
"The only sad part..."
"...is that King-san never really got that herself."
Kitasan blinked.
Urara's hand returned to the steering wheel.
Her grip tightened slightly.
"Her mom..."
A pause.
"...is quite a character."
The atmosphere inside the Miata became quieter.
The engine continued humming softly beneath them.
"Sometimes..."
Urara looked ahead.
"It almost feels like she looks down on King-san."
Kitasan frowned slightly.
Urara lowered her voice.
"Like she sees her as..."
She hesitated.
"...an unsuccessful Umamusume."
Silence.
Kitasan blinked slowly.
Then looked toward Urara.
"...So that's why..."
She scratched her cheek awkwardly.
"...and pardon my French..."
"...you called King's mom the B-word?"
Urara immediately stiffened.
"W-Wha—"
Her face reddened.
"Y-Yeah..."
She looked away.
Embarrassed.
"I was really angry..."
Kitasan stared.
Then laughed quietly.
Urara pouted.
"Don't laugh..."
Then—
Ahead—
A semi-truck occupied the lane in front of them.
Urara glanced at her mirrors.
Clear.
Her foot pressed the clutch.
Click.
Fourth gear.
The engine note rose slightly.
Brrrrrrrr...
She lightly pressed the accelerator.
The little Miata smoothly merged into the faster lane.
The truck gradually drifted backward.
Its headlights sliding across their mirrors.
Once they cleared it—
Clutch in.
Click.
Fifth gear.
Clutch out.
Back onto the throttle.
The engine settled down again.
Brrrr...
Brrrr...
Urara spoke again.
"King-san already supports herself financially."
Kitasan blinked.
"Huh?"
Urara nodded.
"Ever since her Triple Crown season."
Kitasan tilted her head.
"What do you mean?"
Urara glanced over briefly.
"She pays for things herself."
"Her Tracen tuition."
"Personal expenses."
"And other things too."
Kitasan's eyes widened.
"...Seriously?"
Urara nodded.
"The winnings."
"The bonuses."
"And becoming a Triple Crown recipient came with an even bigger reward."
Kitasan stared ahead.
"...Whoa..."
Urara nodded.
"Exactly."
"...Whoa."
Kitasan slowly sank into her seat.
Still processing it.
"But..."
She looked downward.
"What I don't understand is..."
She frowned slightly.
"Why not let your daughter follow your footsteps?"
She looked toward Urara.
"Goodbye Halo-san is an Umamusume."
"A former Tracen student too."
"I mean..."
She paused.
"I get wanting something different for your daughter..."
"But that's what King-san wants."
"...Following her mom."
Urara slowly nodded.
"I know."
She sighed quietly.
"I'm confused too."
The little Miata continued down the expressway.
"But whatever happens between King-san and her mom..."
Urara looked ahead.
"...that's between them."
She shrugged slightly.
"I don't really get involved."
A pause.
"Unless King-san wants to talk about it."
Kitasan slowly nodded.
Then looked back out the window.
And the drive continued.
Time passed.
The city lights gradually became fewer.
Buildings became smaller.
Roads quieter.
Eventually—
Kasumidai Observation Deck.
Or rather—
The parking area below it.
Because the cable cars had already stopped operating for the night.
Urara gently guided the Miata into the lot.
The tires rolled slowly across the pavement.
Then—
Clutch in.
Neutral.
Handbrake.
The car came to a stop.
Brrrr...
Brrrr...
Urara looked left.
Then blinked.
Parked beneath one of the lamps—
Sat a familiar car.
Cobalt Blue Metallic.
Wide body.
Aggressive stance.
The unmistakable shape of King Halo's Gemballa Mirage GT.
Urara blinked.
"...Well."
"No doubt about it."
"King-san's car is here."
Kitasan nodded.
"But it doesn't look broken down."
She leaned forward slightly.
Then looked up toward the mountain path.
"...Maybe she's already at the observation deck?"
Urara nodded.
"...Maybe."
She looked toward the cable station.
Dark.
Closed.
"...Looks like we'll have to walk."
She twisted the key.
The engine shut down.
Silence.
She pulled the key out.
Both girls unbuckled their harnesses.
Click.
Click.
The doors opened.
Then shut almost simultaneously.
Thunk.
Thunk.
Cold night air immediately greeted them.
Their breath became visible.
Then together—
The two began climbing the stairs.
Toward the observation deck.
Toward King Halo.
The night sky above them was clear.
Not a single cloud drifted overhead.
A full moon hung high above the mountains, casting pale silver light across the landscape below. Distant city lights stretched far beyond the horizon like stars scattered across the earth itself.
The winds had calmed.
No harsh cold gusts.
No rustling trees.
Just quiet air.
And peace.
The kind of peace only late nights could bring.
Ten minutes had passed.
The stairs had been easier than expected.
Though Kitasan had begun feeling the cold in her hands by now.
Their breaths formed faint white clouds in front of them as they continued upward.
Step.
Step.
Step.
Eventually—
The observation area came into view.
A small open space.
Several benches and chairs sat facing the overlook wall.
The city below spread out endlessly beneath the mountain.
Orange lights.
Moving headlights.
Tiny buildings in the distance.
The entire city looked almost unreal from up here.
Urara slowed.
Then lightly bumped Kitasan's shoulder.
Kitasan blinked.
"Hm?"
Urara quietly pointed ahead.
Kitasan looked.
Standing near the overlook wall—
Leaning forward slightly—
Was King Halo.
Moonlight reflected against her hair.
The cold breeze gently moved a few strands.
She stood quietly looking out at the city below.
For a moment—
She didn't even move.
Then she sighed.
"...The night is peaceful."
She looked over her shoulder.
And smiled faintly.
"...Isn't it, Kitasan and Urara-chan?"
A small chuckle escaped her.
"Your arrival isn't surprising."
She closed her eyes.
"I knew Fuji-san would send someone."
Her eyes moved toward Kitasan.
Then she nodded.
"Thank you for accompanying Urara-chan, Kita."
Kitasan nodded back.
Then raised an eyebrow.
"...Why are you here, King-san?"
King looked back toward the city.
Silence.
For a few seconds only distant sounds from below could be heard.
Cars.
Wind.
Life moving somewhere far away.
Then she sighed.
She turned around and leaned against the wall.
"Just taking in the scenery."
Another sigh.
"...And clearing my mind."
Urara's expression softened slightly.
"...Did you get into another argument with your mom, King?"
King silently nodded.
No smile.
No usual confidence.
Nothing.
"...She still thinks my race wins are luck."
Her arms slowly crossed.
Her eyes lowered slightly.
"I didn't even bring racing up."
Her voice carried frustration.
"I called to check on her."
Her eyebrows narrowed.
"I just wanted to see how she was doing."
Her expression darkened.
Then—
"Ugh!"
She looked away sharply.
"And somehow she was the one who brought up races."
"The wins."
"The losses."
"The things I did wrong."
Her fists slowly tightened.
Kitasan and Urara stayed silent.
King suddenly raised both hands into the air.
Her head tilted upward.
And finally—
Everything she'd been holding back burst out.
"I CALLED JUST TO BE PULLED DOWN UPON?!"
Her voice echoed throughout the mountain.
Across the overlook.
Across the trees.
Into the night itself.
Silence followed.
King lowered her arms.
Her shoulders dropped.
And she sighed again.
This time weaker.
The anger remained.
But underneath it—
Exhaustion.
Urara and Kitasan slowly approached.
Kitasan climbed up and sat on the overlook wall beside her.
Then gently placed a hand on King's shoulder.
"She'll come around eventually..."
Kitasan smiled weakly.
"...Right?"
King's eyes narrowed.
No response.
For a few moments—
She simply stared ahead.
Then—
"There is only one way."
Kitasan blinked.
King slowly looked upward.
Moonlight reflected in her eyes.
"There is only one way that'll make her acknowledge me."
Her eyebrows lowered.
Not sadness.
Not frustration.
Anger.
Determination.
The same determination Kitasan had seen in races.
The same look drivers had moments before launching toward a finish line.
"And it will test my physical ability."
Urara looked at Kitasan.
Kitasan looked back at Urara.
Both of them immediately understood.
No.
No way.
King continued.
"If the Classic Triple Crown wasn't enough..."
She pushed herself away from the wall.
Then stood upright.
The wind gently moved her hair.
She looked toward the moon overhead.
And raised her head proudly.
"Then next year..."
Her eyes sharpened.
"I shall set out for the Tiara."
Silence.
Kitasan's eyes widened.
Urara's jaw dropped slightly.
Because they knew exactly what that meant.
The Triple Tiara.
An achievement so difficult that merely competing wasn't enough.
You had to dominate.
You had to survive pressure.
You had to prove yourself repeatedly.
And King—
Already a Triple Crown recipient—
Was talking about challenging another mountain entirely.
Not for fame.
Not for glory.
Not for records.
But because she wanted one person—
Just one—
To finally acknowledge her.
The wind quietly swept through the observation deck.
King stood there beneath the moonlight.
Eyes forward.
Determined.
Below them—
Far away—
Headlights moved through the sleeping city.
And somewhere within those endless lights—
Waited another year.
Another challenge.
And perhaps—
The beginning of something much larger.