Chapter 432: 544

Rumble!

The massive passenger plane touched down smoothly on the runway at Haneda Airport.

Beyond the cabin windows, the perpetually gray and rainy skies of France had been replaced by a clear blue expanse.

At some point, Sea the Stars had fallen asleep in Kuroha's arms.

Even the girls' lively chatter had long since faded.

One by one, they sat with their eyes half-closed, drowsily awakening as the plane landed.

"We're here."

Kuroha spoke softly, then gently shook the brown-haired child in his arms.

"Star, wake up. We're home."

"Mmm..."

Sea the Stars responded sleepily and opened her bleary eyes. She rubbed them with both hands, then snuggled even deeper into Kuroha's arms, clearly having slept nowhere near enough.

Kuroha smiled helplessly and let her be.

After waking the other Umamusume, everyone took a moment to tidy their clothes and hair.

Click.

The cabin door slowly opened, allowing a rush of fresh air to sweep inside.

Everyone drew a deep breath, savoring the air they had not breathed in what felt like ages.

However, when Kuroha reached the doorway with Sea the Stars in his arms, the scene before him brought him to an abrupt stop.

The previously spacious arrival area outside the airport was completely packed with people.

A dense sea of heads extended as far as he could see, as though the entire population of Tokyo had gathered there.

The moment Kuroha stepped through the cabin door, deafening cheers erupted.

"They're here! They're finally here!"

"It's Trainer Kuroha!"

"Where's McQueen? Where is she?"

"The Emperor is here too!"

"Ahhh! It's Maruzensky-senpai! She's so cool!"

"March! Inari! Ardan! Chiyono! I love Chasing Light!"

Countless colorful banners, flags, and signs waved wildly above the crowd, creating a dazzling ocean of color.

The airport security personnel trying to maintain order were already being shoved off balance.

Uniformed police officers and even military personnel had been deployed, and only their combined efforts prevented the surging crowd from spilling onto the tarmac.

"What is going on?"

Kuroha was utterly baffled.

His gaze passed over the boiling crowd as a dreamlike light flashed through his eyes.

In the next instant, the entire situation surrounding the Far Eastern Umamusume world appeared before his sight.

Every major road leading from Haneda Airport to Central Tracen Academy was packed with people.

Even the narrower side streets had been filled to capacity.

Some held enormous banners bearing the words "The Pure-White Wings Beyond the End," while others displayed the titles of Central Tracen's legendary Umamusume.

Some carried flowers and plush toys, their eyes fixed unblinkingly on the far end of the road.

A few people had even climbed onto utility poles just to catch a distant glimpse of the returning team.

"...This is completely ridiculous."

Kuroha sighed internally.

However, after thinking about it, their enthusiasm was not entirely incomprehensible.

The returning group was simply too spectacular.

Even setting aside McQueen's unprecedented achievements during this year's European expedition, she had been accompanied by Rudolf, C.B., Tamamo, Sirius, and numerous other legends of Central Tracen.

Then there were Fujimasa March, Inari, Obey Your Master, Chiyono, Ardan, Oguri, and Chasing Light's other retired veterans, all of whom remained enormously popular.

Even rising active stars such as Teio, Bourbon, and Rice were traveling with them.

The plane was carrying almost every brilliant figure to have emerged from the Far Eastern Umamusume world over the past twenty years.

Kuroha honestly could not imagine anyone in the Far East looking through this group without finding at least one favorite.

"Whoa! There are so many people down there!"

A clear voice came from behind him.

At some point, Teio had squeezed in beside Kuroha. She stood on tiptoe with both hands resting on the doorway railing, curiously gazing down at the enormous crowd.

However, the excitement in her eyes soon faded.

She muttered dejectedly:

"...None of them came to welcome the great Teio."

She possessed absolute confidence in her future.

However, she also understood her present position.

At the moment, she was merely an active Umamusume with an undefeated Double Crown.

Compared to McQueen's dazzling achievements, her own accomplishments still seemed insignificant.

Hearing her, Kuroha freed one hand and gently ruffled Teio's hair.

"Your day will come."

Teio blinked and looked up at him.

Feeling the complete and unconditional faith of her trainer, the girl finally smiled again.

"Yeah!"

Kuroha withdrew his hand.

After hesitating briefly, he transferred Sea the Stars into Super Creek's arms, then took the lead and descended the boarding stairs.

Two welcoming parties had already been waiting below.

To the left stood a Central Tracen delegation led by Yayoi.

The pint-sized director wore her usual outfit and held her folding fan in one hand. She could not suppress the enormous smile on her face.

Beside her, Tazuna wore her familiar green cap and smiled warmly.

Several veteran trainers, including Ginjiro and Hidehito, stood nearby with eager expressions.

To the right stood a woman wearing tall leather boots.

Long, curled locks framed both sides of her face, and a pair of gold-rimmed glasses rested over her eyes. She radiated intelligence and authority, commanding respect simply by standing there.

"Triumph!"

Yayoi spoke first. She snapped open her folding fan and beamed at them.

"Welcome home, champions!"

The blonde woman then stepped forward with a smile and extended her hand toward Kuroha.

"It has been a long time, Trainer Kuroha. Welcome home from your triumphant expedition."

She was the chairwoman of the URA's executive committee.

Within the Far Eastern Umamusume world, her status was almost equal to Yayoi's.

Officially speaking, the two women could be considered counterparts representing the URA and Central Tracen.

Kuroha had previously visited the association several times while handling work-related matters and had spoken with her on each occasion.

They were hardly close, but they certainly knew one another.

"Director, Chairwoman, it's good to see you again."

Kuroha did not put on any airs. He stepped forward and shook hands with both women.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Yayoi and the URA Chairwoman stepped aside.

At the same time, a ceremonial honor guard in immaculate uniforms formed two perfect lines.

The moment Kuroha and McQueen walked side by side to the front, a stirring brass fanfare erupted.

It was a triumphant march.

Amid the resounding music, streamers and confetti showered down from above the corridor, drifting onto everyone's shoulders.

The sudden display caught McQueen by surprise.

However, she had experienced far grander spectacles than this.

She quickly straightened her back, turned toward Kuroha, and exchanged a smile with him.

Then they walked forward together.

After passing through the confetti-filled corridor and leaving the airport terminal, they found several elongated black luxury cars waiting by the roadside.

The fans were kept behind barricades, but nothing could contain the roar of their voices.

"McQueen! McQueen!"

"Strongest in the world!"

"Welcome home!"

"You're the best!"

As the car windows slowly lowered, Kuroha saw police officers stationed every few steps along both sides of the road.

Behind them stood densely packed crowds.

They held signs and banners above their heads.

Some read "Welcome Home."

Others declared, "You Are the Pride of the Far East."

Someone had even raised an enormous sign bearing several dramatic lines:

The Pure-White Wings Beyond the End: McQueen of the Celestial Aurora!

"..."

The instant McQueen spotted the sign, her cheeks visibly reddened.

She then silently shrank back into her seat.

The convoy proceeded slowly and steadily, yet the crowds lining the roads never seemed to end.

The journey from Haneda Airport to Central Tracen Academy usually took a little over an hour.

Today, it felt exceptionally long.

However, no one inside the vehicles showed the slightest impatience. Most of them leaned near the windows, smiling as they watched the scenery outside.

"This is pretty nice..."

Inari rested her cheek against the cool window and gazed at the surging sea of people outside.

"Too bad I never received anything like this back in my day."

Sitting beside her, Fujimasa March gave her a sidelong glance.

"That's what happens when you aren't strong enough."

Inari's eyebrows immediately shot upward.

"Hey! I beat both you and Obey back then!"

"I never said I was strong enough either."

March smiled, then turned her gaze toward the leading car at the front of the convoy.

Through its rear window, she seemed to see that figure once again, with an enormous gate extending above her toward the pure-white sky.

"Compared to these increasingly remarkable juniors... we really do fall far behind."

"That's right, that's right!"

A lively voice suddenly interrupted them.

"Every generation surpasses the last! Someday, I'll be even stronger than Kaichou and McQueen!"

"?"

Everyone turned toward the voice.

Teio sat with her arms folded, eyes closed, and chin raised, wearing an expression of perfect seriousness.

A moment later, however, her surroundings suddenly grew dark.

It was as though an enormous black shadow had fallen over her.

She opened her eyes and slowly looked up.

All around her, the veteran Umamusume were staring down at her with "kind" smiles that promised unimaginable violence.

Oh, it was just a sunshade.

I'm doomed...

Thump!

The car shook slightly.

A moment later, Teio's desperate cries for mercy filled the interior.

"Waaah! I'm sorry! I'll never brag again! Please stop pinching me!"

...

The convoy continued onward until it finally stopped before the gates of Central Tracen Academy.

After receiving Kuroha's permission, the accompanying URA staff arranged a brief media appearance.

Yayoi and the URA Chairwoman answered several questions from reporters.

Most were predictable questions about their thoughts on the expedition and their plans for the future.

Kuroha offered a few polite remarks as well, praising his Umamusume and thanking the association and fans for their support.

Once all those tedious formalities were finally over, they saw the reporters off.

Although the fans' enthusiasm at the scene gradually settled, the internet was another matter entirely.

The topic "Chasing Light Returns in Triumph" instantly shot to the top of the trending charts, with discussion growing at a terrifying speed.

However, that no longer had anything to do with Chasing Light.

After saying goodbye to Rudolf, Ramonu, and the other legends from Central Tracen, Kuroha brought his Umamusume home.

The moment he opened the door, a familiar warmth washed over them.

Fujimasa March, Inari, and the other Chasing Light members who had been away for more than a month rushed inside first. They threw themselves onto the sofas and released sighs of utter contentment.

"We're finally home!"

Sea the Stars gradually woke as well.

Upon realizing that Kuroha was no longer holding her, she wriggled free from Super Creek's arms despite the latter's heartbroken expression.

She stepped onto the entryway floor and curiously surveyed her unfamiliar new surroundings with wide eyes.

Urban Sea stood somewhat nervously beside Kuroha.

Seeing that, Kuroha turned toward the sisters and smiled gently. He opened his arms and spoke softly:

"Welcome to Chasing Light!"

(End of Chapter)

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