Duramente, far away in Europe, said in a message that it was such a pity she had not been able to return to Japan in time. However, she would watch the livestream and cheer her on. She also said she would be watching with Adayar and passed along Adayar's blessings.
Even senpai like Gold Ship had sent a message. Its contents were unusually serious, and to her surprise, she said she was watching the livestream together with Supernatural Steed.
There were also messages of blessing from her family, every word brimming with concern and encouragement.
As she read through the messages one by one, Kitasan Black's smile grew brighter, while her focus deepened and her aura became more solemn. When the announcement for the Introduction Segment echoed through the room, she checked her Victory Outfit and horseshoes once more before leaving the Preparation Room.
As she walked through the underground passage toward the exit, she paused there for a moment. Looking at the greenery to one side, she could not help but recall—
There had been several races where senpai had met her here.
The time she met Special Week-senpai had been quite funny; she had almost mistaken her for some strange Horse Girl.
The time she met Deep Impact-senpai and the others, she had been rather nervous. She only relaxed a little after realizing they had come to cheer her on.
Her meeting with Teio-senpai had naturally been the most special.
Back then, she had thought that her idol since childhood would say something special. In the end, though, it had merely been a simple cheer of encouragement. No—perhaps she could not call it simple.
Judging from that little race afterward, Teio-senpai had probably already hoped she would surpass her back then, hadn't she?
Thinking that, Kitasan Black unconsciously