Rhythm

It was just as secluded there, yet bathed in the afternoon sun.

Basking in the sunlight, T.M. Opera O leaned casually against the railing.

Fashionable sunglasses covered most of her face, while her casual attire could not conceal the dazzling aura she had been born with.

With her arms folded, she gazed coolly toward the track, as though she were merely a Superstar passing by and stopping to watch the race.

"Yo."

She did not turn around, yet her voice traveled clearly across more than ten meters and slipped into A Tian's ears. "Still clinging to that old habit, huh? Hiding away in corners where even the sunlight is stingy. Can't you be like me and occasionally stand somewhere in the spotlight and bright with sunlight, and properly watch a race?"

"—Your spot does get plenty of sunlight."

The helplessness on A Tian's face deepened, though so did his smile. "But I'm not like you. I wasn't born to stand at the center of the stage."

"Hmph." T.M. Opera O gave an inscrutable snort through her nose, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

A brief silence followed.

"Didn't you say you were still in Europe coordinating your performance schedule?" A Tian asked, looking toward the Starting Gate as though casually bringing it up. "How did you find time to come back? And without telling me beforehand, too."

"What?"

T.M. Opera O finally tilted her head, her displeased gaze shooting sharply over the rim of her sunglasses. "Are you complaining about me?"

"How could I?" A Tian immediately denied it, the helplessness in his tone nearly overflowing.

"Hmph."

T.M. Opera O seemed satisfied. She gave a light laugh, elegantly nudged her sunglasses up with one finger, and turned back toward the track. "The Osaka Hai was just elevated to G1. Such an important