Uma Musume: Beyond Peak

"Excellent! One minute and thirty-three seconds! Two seconds faster!"

"Yes! Thank you for your guidance!"

In pursuit of greater speed, Kousei accepted Sakura Bakushin O's coaching. While matching Bakushin's velocity remained impossible, mastering her knee-drive technique had indeed boosted Kousei's speed.

She imagined that fully mastering this skill would yield a significant improvement.

"Hmm! Speed training is finished! What's next on your agenda, Kousei?"

"Endurance training, according to my plan."

"I see! Have you found a trainer yet, Kousei?"

"No, my training regimen was devised by my father. He used to be a trainer himself."

Bakushin nodded understandingly.

"The dreams our parents couldn't achieve, entrusted to their children—that's the best kind of dream passed on! How wonderful!"

"Well, it's not quite that dramatic."

By now, Bakushin was completely lost in her own world, oblivious to Kousei's words.

"Never mind. It should be fine to leave it as is. I'll just train on my own."

Teio had already achieved her small goal and was now resting. Kousei and McQueen, while not pressed for time, still needed to train diligently, as the once-in-a-lifetime stage that would define their careers was about to begin.

"Kousei! Good afternoon! Where are you headed?" a cheerful voice called out.

"Riri? I was just about to start endurance training."

"Great! Let's do it together!"

Kousei rarely received invitations like this, and she saw no reason to refuse. So, she and Rice Shower headed to the swimming pool.

According to her father's plan, Kousei's priority at this stage was to enhance her endurance and strength. The Gate Technique demanded immense stamina and power, and superior physical conditioning would allow her to better restrain her opponents.

Moreover, her rival, Mejiro McQueen, was renowned for her formidable stamina. To contain such an opponent, Kousei needed an equally robust physique; otherwise, McQueen's Thunder would crush her the moment she closed the distance.

"Let's start with a hundred laps for now."

Rice Shower knew Kousei's tenacity was remarkable, but if she could have glimpsed into her friend's mind, she might have found the training regimen bordering on inhumane.

When they arrived at the swimming pool, they were genuinely shocked.

The place was packed to the brim, with not a single lane available. The two girls stood there, stunned.

"When did the pool get so crowded?" Rice Shower wondered aloud. While there were usually several Umamusume present, she'd never seen it this full before.

"Looks like we won't be able to train today," Rice Shower said, her voice tinged with disappointment.

Suddenly, a pale, ghostly figure drifted past her.

"Huh? Kousei!" Rice Shower exclaimed.

Kousei's eyes were vacant, nearly reduced to a rough sketch, and she mumbled under her breath, "Train... train..."

Rice Shower panicked, unsure what to do.

"It seems Teio's actions have ignited everyone's competitive spirit," a familiar voice chimed in. It was McQueen, of course.

Though still in her school uniform, McQueen moved with her usual grace, her footsteps measured and elegant as she approached.

Overwhelmed by panic, Rice Shower looked imploringly at McQueen. McQueen's reassuring gaze told her to stay calm.

When it came to handling Kousei, McQueen had plenty of experience.

McQueen leaned in close to Kousei's ear. "A lane just opened up."

Kousei snapped out of her dejected mood. "Where? Which one?"

Just as I thought, that blockhead only thinks about running.

Kousei scanned the pool, but there were no available lanes. Slightly disappointed, she finally noticed McQueen. "Huh? McQueen, what are you doing here?"

McQueen twirled a strand of hair around her finger. "I just got here."

Kousei didn't press further, her voice tinged with frustration. "It's so crowded. How are we supposed to train today?"

"Why don't we take the day off? We can go out and have some fun together."

"Huh? Another day off? Didn't we just have one?"

Some people are just hopeless when it comes to romance.

"The last time we spent time together was with Teio, and that was over a month ago!" Kousei frowned. McQueen thought she was finally catching on, but Kousei was actually thinking, A month? I've only improved by two seconds in a whole month!

Rice Shower shifted her gaze between the two. "Should I... maybe leave?"

Just as Rice Shower was trying to come up with an excuse, McQueen suddenly spoke up. "Rice Shower, why don't you join us too?"

"Huh? I'm coming too?" Rice Shower's head spun.

But they clearly... Could it be that I'm overthinking things?

Rice Shower shook her head, trying to dispel the thought. McQueen, sensing Rice Shower's unease, decided it was best not to pry.

Even though I'd prefer it to be just the two of us, she'll probably enjoy it more with a group, McQueen thought.

After all, they'd had precious few opportunities for private moments since that incident.

Still, as students at Tracen Academy, they couldn't leave campus without permission. A walk around the grounds would have to suffice.

"I never imagined Teio's actions would have such a profound impact," Kousei remarked with a sigh. "Even our training sessions have changed dramatically."

"Indeed," McQueen agreed. "It's caused quite a stir within the Mejiro Family as well. Grandmother praised Teio highly when discussing it. I hear Teio's household is now swarming with reporters every day, much to her frustration."

This was an unexpected development.

"Rice Shower believes this is a good thing!" Rice Shower declared. "Bourbon even said she's aiming for the Triple Crown. I've never seen her so motivated. That's why Rice Shower has decided to debut alongside Bourbon and stay by Kousei and McQueen's side in the future too!"

Kousei and McQueen had long heard of Mihono Bourbon's reputation. She was said to be an Umamusume capable of precisely pacing every stride, blessed with exceptional speed. Yet she seemed ill-suited for long distances, stubbornly determined to compete in the Classic Races nonetheless.

Kousei and McQueen exchanged amused glances, confident that more and more Umamusume would join their ranks in the future. At that moment, McQueen didn't fully grasp the significance of Rice Shower and Bourbon's participation. Still, their shared anticipation for the Classic Grade grew stronger with each passing day, the future of racing together stretching before them.

"So, you're going to race, Riri? I wonder if I can keep up with my 'Master'?" Kousei teased Rice Shower.

As expected, Rice Shower's face flushed crimson. "I'm not her Master! I just gave some pointers!"

The teasing was all in good fun, but Kousei couldn't shake the thought: What if Rice Shower ever truly set her sights on me? How would I ever escape?

Kousei had witnessed Rice Shower's marking technique firsthand. Beneath that innocent rabbit-like exterior lay an unyielding will. She vividly recalled that moonlit night during training...

I saw the Grim Reaper under the moon.

A shiver ran down her spine as the memory surfaced, followed by a rueful chuckle. "I'm surrounded by monsters."

Whether it was Bakushin, Rice Shower, or the combined might of McQueen and Teio, any one of them would be a formidable opponent.

No wonder this is Central...

Truly a garden of monsters.