"That so."
Nodding, Satono Diamond's gaze swept quickly over the people beside her before she smiled and nodded.
"Then we sisters will head into the starting gates first."
"—Mm-hm, all right. We'll be over soon too."
After that brief exchange, the Satono Sisters naturally headed toward the starting gates.
Just as they were about to reach them, Satono Diamond suddenly stopped and looked at Satono Crown.
"Elder sister—"
As if they shared the same thought, Satono Crown stopped as well and turned toward her.
"Diamond, I—"
Speaking at the same time made both sisters pause. A moment later, Satono Crown gave a wry smile and shook her head helplessly.
"As expected, even though I told you I'd put all my energy into the race, when I see Little Kita, I—"
She did not continue. Yet in her silence, Satono Diamond understood what her elder sister meant.
The uproar stirred during the introductions by T.M. Opera O and Kitasan Black—or rather, by their "showdown"—
The report published earlier in Flash magazine, titled "Confidence That Breaks Curses," and the victories that had come again and again before that. At some point, the name Kitasan Black had grown ever more resounding, becoming a much anticipated presence like a dazzling star.
Perhaps because they were a year apart, Satono Diamond could not imagine how her elder sister felt when facing the childhood sweetheart she had grown up with.
But putting herself in her shoes, she felt that she probably would not be able to help caring about Kitasan Black either.
Yet after the Simulation Kikuka Sho at the start of training camp, she had gradually come to understand that merely caring about such things was useless.
Besides, even if she had to face that current friend and future formidable rival, she first had to