"Isn't that obvious?"
Hearing Duramente's question, Kitasan Black's eyes instantly blazed with fervent Fighting Spirit. She straightened her back, and her tone suddenly became as firm as when she sprinted on the track:
"I've been preparing for the Tenno Sho Autumn for a long time. A-Zhen, Agnes Tachyon, and the others have all put in so much effort, and training has been going very smoothly.
"The championship in this race..."
As she spoke, she unconsciously clenched her fists.
"I'm definitely taking it!"
After saying that, Kitasan Black's thoughts drifted away of their own accord.
She recalled why she had first stepped onto the track, remembered all those days and nights she had spent running in the Shining Series.
Thinking about it carefully, it seemed as though nothing had changed about the Shining Series in her heart, yet it also seemed as though so much had changed.
What had not changed was that pure love.
Every time she set foot on the verdant track, the familiar feel of the turf beneath her feet and the cheers of the crowd in her ears would instantly ignite that uncontrollable urge to run within her.
Just like when she first competed, as long as she saw the track ahead, all she wanted was to charge forward without regard for anything else.
There was also the exhilaration of facing Strong Enemies. That tension and anticipation of meeting a worthy opponent made the blood in her veins boil.
No matter who her opponent was, no matter how difficult the race, she would give it her all and fight with every last ounce of strength for victory. That determination had never changed.
What had changed was her reason for running.
Before, perhaps she had run more to enjoy the freedom of the wind brushing past her ears,