Chapter 25: The Monster in the Video

Kousei was impatient, eager to use the treasure her father had given her. With her training plans now irrelevant, she decided to try the video instead.

Her father had provided three tapes, labeled "Part 1," "Part 2," and "Part 3."

After fiddling with the VCR for a while, Kousei finally got the tape to play by gently tapping the television.

Honestly, she thought, with so many convenient cameras available, why did Father insist on using these old tapes? This outdated method resulted in a slightly blurry image.

After a meaningless stretch of gray static, the figure of an Umamusume gradually materialized. Recognizing her mother, Kousei focused intently.

Suddenly, the image distorted, as if the Umamusume in the video possessed boundless magic. In the next instant, Kousei's consciousness was sucked into the screen.

When she awoke, she was face-to-face with her mother.

"So, this is Mother's true form," Kousei murmured.

The mother before her looked slightly younger, her fiery red hair blazing like living flames. Unlike the gentle mother Kousei knew, this Umamusume radiated untamed arrogance, her defiant posture as prickly as a thorn bush.

The space on her chest number plate where her name should have been seemed to have been erased. Kousei suddenly realized her parents had never told her their names, always referring to each other as "Mom" and "Dad."

With this realization, Kousei developed an almost obsessive desire to know her mother's name.

Across from her, her mother smirked, as if she had anticipated this all along.

"Want to know my name? Catch me, and I'll tell you."

The scene shifted, and Kousei found herself on the racetrack. Looking ahead, she saw her mother already leading the pack. Recalling her mother's words, Kousei immediately gave chase.

The crowd roared with cheers, but Kousei couldn't hear them shouting any names—as if the world had erased all memory of her mother's name.

They must be chanting her name, Kousei thought.

Her mother raced across the track, her fiery red hair blazing like a blooming flower. Many had praised Kousei's own running style, but she knew she couldn't compare to her mother in her prime. In this monochrome world, her mother stood out as the sole source of vibrant color.

If I have to outrun her to learn her name, then I'll win!

Even against her own mother, Kousei wouldn't hold back.

Having made up her mind, she resolved to give it her all.

Kousei's eyes blazed crimson, her deep red aura boiling.

"Mark!"

The Evil Ghost lunged from the crimson mist, its claws outstretched. But Mother calmly turned, and a pillar of fire erupted, engulfing the ghost and searing its features beyond recognition. A searing pain shot through Kousei's radiant head.

"This is...!"

A mournful cry escaped her lips, dissolving into the raging flames.

Kousei's brilliant vision blurred. In a daze, she heard the thunderous crack of something tearing through the air. A sudden chill ran down her neck—she had been beheaded!

Her heart stopped abruptly, plunging the world into silence.

Kousei's radiant soul detached from her body, hovering in mid-air. From this vantage point, she watched the Crimson Demon God sever her head.

An instant stretched into an eternity.

Her heart pounded wildly, her steps faltered, and she struggled to breathe. Mother's impassive gaze burned into Kousei's memory—that overwhelming pressure, that fierce, demonic presence.

Kousei laughed, exhilarated!

"I thought I was different from Mother, but it turns out we're exactly the same!"

This frantic heartbeat wasn't fear; it was proof of how close she had come to her mother's level.

The oppressive aura reminded Kousei of Symboli Rudolf, the scene at the school gate forever etched in her mind.

"If I want to wield mental power, I need to reach at least this level."

Her legs felt like lead, her lungs burned, and even clear thought seemed a luxury. Being entangled with a Demon God was more torturous than she could have imagined.

"Is this the passing mark?" Kousei's lips curled into a fierce grin, her eyes blazing with determination. "Watch closely, Mother!"

No one had ever overtaken Kousei before; she had always been the one to stop others. And now, she was stronger than ever.

"I haven't been standing still all this time!"

This level of pressure was nothing compared to what McQueen had put her through.

The Red Comet surged forward once more, her thunderous strides closing the gap. The flames summoned by the Crimson Demon God danced wildly in the raging wind, a chaotic ballet of red and blood.

The endless track stretched into the horizon, seemingly without end. Mother remained a step ahead, the scorching heat of the flames trailing behind her making it hard to breathe.

"Mother always said she lacked talent, so why does she shine so brightly?"

Confidence was a byproduct of passion. Mother must have loved running deeply to perform like this.

"Are you calling to me, Mother? What do you want me to find here?"

As the endless race wore her down, Kousei faltered. Mother glanced back one last time before disappearing into the distant horizon.

Kousei stopped, enveloped in pitch-black darkness, utterly alone.

"So what am I missing?"

After agonizing over the question, Kousei could only conclude: "Just one step... I'm just one step behind."

A dazzling, almost bewitched monologue echoed in the darkness, Kousei's roan coat shimmering like a constellation.

Kousei awoke from her consciousness world to find the room bathed in the lingering glow of sunset. Time had slipped away unnoticed.

The video played on loop, her mother's image unchanging. Kousei stared at the screen. Though it was a recording of her mother's race, the other geniuses of her generation shone even brighter, stealing all attention away.

Yet Kousei knew someone else had been watching her mother—her father, who had filmed it all.

"The key is right here with me, but where exactly is the Gate?"

Lost in thought, Kousei remained still as the door slowly creaked open.

"I heard you've been up here all day?"

It was McQueen.

"Just got lost in thought," Kousei replied. "How's Teio's leg doing?"

"We've found a solution. Miss Mizunoe will accompany Teio back to Tracen to oversee her treatment. She should be able to resume training soon."

Miss Mizunoe... she's a girl.

"That's wonderful! It would be such a shame if Teio missed out on an undefeated Triple Crown."

McQueen smiled faintly, leaning against the door. "The race hasn't even started yet. How can you be so sure Teio will achieve it?"

"Do you really think Teio could lose?"

They exchanged knowing smiles. The answer was clear: no. Teio was the strongest, the most invincible. They would be witnesses to this new legend in the making.

Kousei suddenly turned to look out the window. "Hey, McQueen."

"Hmm?"

"When we reach the Classic Grade, let's challenge Teio too."

McQueen knew exactly what Kousei meant, but still asked with a smile, "What's wrong? Isn't having me as your rival enough?"

Mejiro McQueen, as a rival, was the perfect choice.

"I want to challenge even stronger opponents. I can feel my path lies among them."

Mejiro McQueen smiled warmly, following Kousei's gaze out the window. "Wherever you go, I'll be right there with you."

The cottage bathed in the sunset glow felt just like the rooftop where they first met.