Hearing: Prologue

Kitasan Black neither said "thank you" nor asked, "Why are you here?"

She merely nodded vigorously at Diamond, just as they did when they met on the training track, just as they encouraged each other before every race. A bright, energetic smile full of strength blossomed across her face. "Yeah! Then watch closely."

Anjing Zhen watched it all, and the weight in his heart from the unknown pressure ahead seemed to loosen slightly at the warmth of friendship and steadfast support in that moment.

He looked at Diamond and gave a solemn nod. "Diamond classmate, thank you for your support."

Diamond returned a polite nod, but in her calm eyes was a seriousness beyond mere courtesy—the resolve to fight alongside them.

"No need to thank me, Trainer Yasui."

Her voice was calm, but her tone shifted slightly. "Because I'm standing here today, first and foremost, for Little Kita. And secondly—"

Her gaze swept over Anjing Zhen, as well as Agnes Tachyon, Daiwa Scarlet, and Almond Eye behind him, all wearing worried and puzzled expressions. Slowly and clearly, she said, "—what I'm about to say may make Trainer Yasui, or even everyone here, dislike me."

Anjing Zhen and the others froze, looking at her in confusion.

But Diamond did not look away. In those ever-calm eyes now burned the same pure heat and determination she showed on the racetrack. She spoke each word with perfect clarity. "What I want to say is, Trainer Yasui, everyone, in the upcoming race—"

"Please, give it everything you've got and win."

"If you lose—"

Her voice was not loud, yet it carried an unyielding force as it fell into the air before the association headquarters. "I'll hate you for the rest of my life."

After saying that, she did not wait for anyone's response. She