On the evening of the Tenno Sho (Spring) race day, a grand performance was held at Kyoto Racecourse, just as expected.
When Gold Ship appeared at the center of the stage, the long-awaited audience waved their support sticks in unison, doing their best to match the rhythm of "Next Frontier."
Like "Winning the Soul," this song was performed only for three specific races: the Tenno Sho (Spring), the Autumn Tenno Sho, and the Arima Kinen.
Kitasan Black sang alongside the seniors on stage until the very end. Her eyes sparkled with longing, and amid the roaring excitement of the crowd, she couldn't help but shout out.
"Tenno Sho (Spring)... Alright! This time next year, I'll be the one singing this song here too!"
The surrounding Uma Musume looked surprised at first, then burst into laughter.
"Already thinking about the Tenno Sho (Spring)..."
Sitting in the seat behind her, Vodka smiled and gently ruffled Kitasan Black's hair.
"That's a good ambition, but don't forget—you still have the Japanese Derby coming up first."
Kitasan Black nodded repeatedly, understanding the caution in her senpai's words.
"Of course! I'll train seriously as soon as we get back to Tracen Academy.
But before the Tenno Sho (Spring), didn't you say to have big goals, like Almond Eye? That's why I said it.
And..."
She scratched her cheek, a little embarrassed.
"Tokai Teio has never won a Tenno Sho trophy, right?
If I can win it... I guess that would mean I've slightly surpassed my senpai, wouldn't it?
Do you think Tokai Teio would find that too presumptuous of me?"
"Tokai Teio would love for you to think that way."
Before Vodka could reply, Daiwa Scarlet, also seated behind Kitasan Black, laughed.
"Though she should probably tell you herself, she's been trying to figure out how to say it.
'I hope Kita-chan can become an Uma Musume who surpasses me and all the previous seniors.'
She's said that a few times during casual chats.
She also mentioned that if it's you, Kita-chan, it's possible."
"I... have that possibility? Tokai Teio actually said something like that..."
Kitasan Black muttered unconsciously, her hand instinctively reaching to her side.
It was no secret that Tokai Teio was her idol—everyone who knew her had heard it more than once. It was also no secret that this idol senpai valued her highly. Kitasan Black had received guidance from her even before entering Tracen Academy and continued to get help from her now. But the idea of surpassing such a brilliant senpai... she'd heard others say similar things before, yet she wasn't entirely sure if Tokai Teio had ever said it herself.
Just having performed the exclusive Tenno Sho (Spring) song on stage and talking about "slightly surpassing a senpai"—on reflection, it must have been influenced by the lively atmosphere. Now, thinking more calmly, it felt a bit off. As Vodka-senpai said, the Japanese Derby hadn't even happened yet. She should focus on that first before worrying about anything else.
Feeling a bit troubled, Kitasan Black shook her head.
She wasn't good at overthinking complicated things. If she couldn't figure it out, she'd simply set it aside and not let it bother her. That was how she handled things.
So whenever such moments came, she consciously pushed them out of her mind.
But just as she shook her head and tried to refocus on the stage, a small hand gently grasped hers.
"...Almond Eye?" She turned instinctively, surprised.
"Senpai... must be very nervous?"
Almond Eye, sitting beside her and holding her hand, nodded with a blink.
"I can probably understand a little..."
"Understand...?"
Kitasan Black froze for a moment before realizing Almond Eye was referring to her earlier conversation with the seniors. At the same time, she noticed she'd unconsciously grabbed Almond Eye's clothes earlier—probably what caused this junior to misunderstand.
Without explaining, Kitasan Black naturally squeezed Almond Eye's small hand in return and smiled.
"Then, Almond Eye, tell me—what do you understand?"
"Because... my family has said from early on that they hope I'll become an excellent Uma Musume."
Almond Eye squeezed Kitasan Black's hand a little tighter and pursed her lips.
"Even an Uma Musume who surpasses her seniors.
A lot of my thoughts are different from my family's, but becoming a strong Uma Musume... that's something I want too.
So even though I haven't debuted yet, I think about what the future might hold.
I think about what it would feel like to win a race, or to lose one.
Senpai... you must have been thinking about something like that just now, right?"
Kitasan Black was momentarily speechless.
She knew Almond Eye had a lot on her mind. During their weekday phone calls and messages, Kitasan Black—who usually led casual chats—mostly listened or read what the other girl had to say. From that, it was clear this junior had a strong desire to express herself, even if she didn't show it much around unfamiliar people. Her competitive spirit and ambition were excellent; Kitasan Black had to admit she was a bit inferior in that regard as her senpai.
The problem was, in this situation, saying something like "Actually, I wasn't really thinking about anything just now" felt impossible.
So what should she say...?
As she hesitated awkwardly, Kitasan Black suddenly noticed Yasui Makoto standing up on the other side.
Not just Yasui Makoto—Orfevre in the back row had also risen. The two exchanged a brief glance before both walked out of the audience area.
After a moment of surprise, Kitasan Black quickly realized they were probably heading off to discuss the upcoming training race.
But what she didn't expect was that Cheval Grand, in the same row, stood up as well.
This friend she'd grown close to recently pressed down on her hat and turned to leave the audience area, bending slightly at the waist.
When their eyes met, a fleeting look of embarrassment crossed Cheval Grand's face. Her mouth twitched for a second, then she quickened her pace as if trying to escape.
"W-wait a minute... Almond Eye, wait here a moment too. I'll talk to you later."
Kitasan Black said to Almond Eye in a low voice, still surprised. Then, with a string of "Sorry, excuse me," she hurried after Cheval Grand out of the audience area.
The surroundings gradually quieted. She'd meant to ask if Cheval Grand was heading to the restroom, but soon realized the other girl seemed to be leaving the performance venue entirely.
She couldn't help but call out, quickening her steps to catch up.
"Cheval-chan, where... are you going?"
At the sound of her name, Cheval Grand froze in place. She pinched the brim of her hat, her mouth twitching.
"Ugh... Can't you just pretend you didn't see me...?"
"...Huh? Cheval-chan, what did you say?" Kitasan Black had been so focused on catching up that she hadn't heard clearly.
"N-nothing! I... I mean..."
Cheval Grand adjusted her hat awkwardly, averting her gaze. She tiptoed slightly, grinding her feet against the ground as her tail wagged restlessly behind her.
"These past two days... have been a lot of fun, but I have to go back.
Um... my sisters happen to be here too. I mean... I'm going to see them."