Chapter 441: 553

Several days later.

Chasing Light Training Grounds.

A taxi slowly pulled to a stop.

The doors opened, and two graceful figures stepped out before making their way to the main entrance.

"What do you think, Brave-nee? You've never seen Chasing Light's new headquarters before, have you?"

Suave Dancer spread her arms and took a deep breath, as though she intended to suck all the air from the training grounds into her lungs.

Dancing Brave calmly gazed inside.

"Hmm... They certainly spared no expense."

This facility was only meant to provide training and accommodations for a single team, yet Kuroha had still been willing to pour an enormous amount of money into such a costly and thankless project.

Trainer Kuroha truly was full of surprises.

Then again, most of Chasing Light's Umamusume were his wives. From that perspective, an investment of this scale made some sense.

As a legendary European Umamusume, however, Dancing Brave possessed considerably more experience and composure than Suave. After a brief moment of admiration, she turned back to her companion.

"Suave, do you seriously intend to stay here until the Arima Kinen is over?"

"Of course!"

The tanned girl bobbed her head enthusiastically.

"Besides, didn't you say it yourself, Brave-nee? The association hasn't scheduled any other races for me. I'd only be sitting around with nothing to do during this period anyway."

"You're free, so why not rest properly for a few days? Why must you come loitering around Chasing Light's training grounds?"

Dancing Brave was beginning to get a headache.

Could she not show even a little restraint as a young woman?

At the very least, could she not spare a thought for the country she represented?

"This is called observing and learning at close range!"

Suave confidently raised an index finger.

"I need to carefully study how McQueen runs on her home turf, then combine that with the information I gathered from Europe. That's the only way I can defeat her at next year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe!"

Dancing Brave gave her a look that clearly said, Do you honestly expect me to believe that?

Nevertheless, she did not argue further. She merely sighed and followed Suave inside.

The two entered Chasing Light's training grounds.

Although construction was nearing completion, the facility had yet to officially open. Aside from a few Umamusume working with the construction crews, there were no other staff members present.

When the gate guard saw the two approaching, she instinctively moved to stop them.

However, the moment she recognized Suave's face, she halted, turned her head away, and pretended she had seen nothing.

The runner-up of both the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and the Japan Cup, as well as France's representative, Suave Dancer.

By now, practically everyone in this island nation of the Far East knew her name.

Moreover, Mejiro McQueen had personally brought her here not long ago. The guard would have to be out of her mind to stop someone of her stature.

After walking through the entrance, they were greeted by a small poster wall. Beside it stood a voluptuous, mature-looking beauty with brown hair, busily working on something.

"Hmm?"

When Suave and Dancing Brave entered, Maruzensky looked over. The instant she recognized them, a bright smile appeared on her face.

"Dancing Brave, Suave, have you come to visit the training grounds?"

Dancing Brave fell silent.

At this point, anyone could tell what you're really thinking, Suave.

"Yeah! Is Trainer around?"

Suave made no effort to hide her intentions, waving both hands with a cheerful smile.

Wonderful. Now you've even dropped his name and started calling him 'Trainer' directly.

Your actual trainer must be crying right now.

Dancing Brave could not help thinking about poor John, who was currently far away in France, probably waiting eagerly for Suave to return and bring glory to their country.

She shook her head.

Just then, two figures approached from nearby. Upon seeing the three of them by the entrance, they smiled and called out in greeting.

"Maruzensky-senpai! Ah, Dancing Brave-senpai and Suave are here too! It's been a while!"

One had flowing blue hair that shimmered like colored glass, paired with an elegant and gentle demeanor. The other had shoulder-length pink hair and a smile brimming with youthful energy.

Both possessed exquisite features and were beautiful young women in every sense.

"Oh! Ardan, Chiyono!"

Dancing Brave watched as Suave answered excitedly, promptly abandoned her, and jogged over to the two Chasing Light Umamusume to chat with them.

"..."

The corner of Dancing Brave's mouth twitched twice.

Suave accompanied Mejiro Ardan and Sakura Chiyono O over to the poster wall.

The two then unfurled a poster.

If Kuroha, Mejiro Ryan, or the others had been present, they would have immediately recognized it as the same poster that had been displayed outside the entrance of Tracen Academy.

[Pure White Wings Beyond the End: Mejiro McQueen, Aurora of the Heavens]

Those striking words were printed over an image of the rain-shrouded finish line at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

At its center was a soaring figure dressed in a pure-white racing uniform.

"What's this?"

Suave stared at it in surprise.

"Rudolf and the others made this poster. The original was displayed at the academy entrance."

Maruzensky explained with a smile.

"But we all thought it looked incredibly cool. Since our new home is already built and this poster wall is still empty, we discussed it and decided to print a few smaller copies to put up here!"

Sakura Chiyono O could not resist commenting from the side.

"Maruzensky-senpai, weren't you, Inari, and Orfevre the ones who suggested it? McQueen made such a huge fuss about it last night."

"McQueen is still a little thin-skinned. Give her a few nights to sleep on it, and she'll be fine."

Mejiro Ardan rested one hand against her cheek and smiled elegantly.

"When we look back on these in the future, they'll all be part of her glory."

"The fans won't find any of this embarrassing. It'll only fire them up even more."

Suave listened from the side, looking increasingly bewildered. She had no idea what kind of expression she was supposed to make.

Scratching her head, she forced out an awkward laugh.

"Is... is that so? Ahaha... McQueen really is pretty lucky."

After everyone finished putting up the poster, Mejiro Ardan turned toward Suave and Dancing Brave.

"Are you looking for Trainer? He should still be inside the training grounds with the children. Would you like to come with us?"

With... the children...

She meant Sea the Stars and the others, right?

After falling speechless for a moment, Suave nodded.

The group then turned and headed deeper into Chasing Light's training grounds.

Before leaving, however, Suave stiffly turned her head and looked back at the poster.

Her eyes rested on the photograph of Mejiro McQueen after her victory, standing beyond the finish line in an overwhelmingly dominant pose.

Suave stared for a long time.

So long, in fact, that Dancing Brave had already walked some distance ahead before realizing she was not following.

"Suave?"

"Hmm? Ah! I'm coming!"

Suave snapped back to reality and jogged forward to catch up, once again wearing her usual carefree smile.

Yet, at the moment she turned away, a flicker of uncertainty appeared in the deepest part of her eyes.

"It really is beautiful... Too bad it wasn't me..."

She murmured the words beneath her breath.

Dancing Brave did not hear her clearly.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing! I said the weather is wonderful today!"

"..."

Dancing Brave looked up at the overcast gray sky.

After a moment of silence, she shook her head and decided not to argue with her.