Chapter 28: The Ultimate Battle

"The undefeated genius, the undisputed champion, the reigning queen of popularity! Tokai Teio!"

"Teio! Teio! Teio!"

Confetti rained down as tens of thousands roared in unison. The blue-and-white Umamusume strode confidently to the center of the arena, head held high.

Hey!

With a flourish of her wrist, her cape billowed in the wind as she raised three fingers.

"Roar!"

The crowd erupted again. Tokai Teio remained silent, yet the mere sight of her three fingers and confident smile sent the audience into another frenzy.

"What an overwhelming roar... This is Tokai Teio," McQueen murmured, feeling the crowd's fervor strike her heart with unprecedented force.

"Go, Teio! Charge! Charge! Charge!"

McQueen impatiently arched an eyebrow. While the arena's cheers were deafening, they paled in comparison to the thunderous enthusiasm of the Umamusume beside her.

"Teio! You have to win the Triple Crown!"

Kousei was practically vibrating with excitement, her usual composure completely shattered. No one would have guessed she was so deeply affected by the Kikuka Sho. Her behavior was bizarre, teetering between elation and despair.

"Get a grip!" McQueen snapped, delivering a swift headbutt that sent Kousei reeling, stars dancing before her eyes.

"So this is the Mejiro experience?" Kousei quipped, still swaying slightly from the commotion.

In a daze, Kousei thought she spotted familiar faces and her eyes lit up. "Rice! Bakushin! Over here!"

Rice Shower and the others, who had finally made their way to the front row, perked up at Kousei's call and rushed over, their faces beaming with delight.

Kousei noticed a pink-haired Umamusume nearby, dressed in Teio's support gear and waving a light stick with fervent enthusiasm. "Teio! You're the best!"

Kousei stroked her chin thoughtfully. "Should I get myself one of those too?"

A sudden wave of regret washed over her. McQueen had been right—she should have dressed up for the occasion.

"Look! It's the Emperor!" Someone's startled shout drew everyone's attention to the special entrance.

Symboli Rudolf, the Emperor, strode in with her Student Council members. Her majestic presence radiated authority, effortlessly commanding respect and deterring approach.

Behind her to the left was the dignified Empress, while to the right loomed the impatient Monster.

"No way! All three of them are actually here!"

The arrival of the trio plunged the already agitated crowd into utter chaos. People chattered excitedly, their astonishment dwarfed by their exhilaration.

Whether it was her own excitement or the infectious energy of the crowd, Kousei felt her heart pounding wildly, her blood boiling as she stared fixedly at Symboli Rudolf.

She had seen Symboli Rudolf countless times before, but always through the veil of a screen. This was the first time she had experienced the full weight of the "Emperor" up close—not just as the Student Council President, but as Symboli Rudolf, the "Emperor" herself.

The word "Absolute" detonated in her mind, branding itself deep within her consciousness.

"I really want to win just once," Kousei and McQueen blurted out simultaneously without thinking. Startled, they both immediately clapped their hands over their mouths, oblivious to the other's slip-up, lost in their own thoughts.

Kousei was incredulous. How could she have said such a thing? It felt... instinctive.

Worse, the more she tried to deny the feeling, the stronger it grew, intensifying into a desperate, insatiable hunger.

Kousei's breathing grew heavy and labored as she recalled Riko's words.

"So I really am... an Umamusume!"

With trembling hands, Kousei covered half her face, her gaze fixed on Symboli Rudolf. Her exposed eye burned crimson.

Sensing a flicker of displeasure, Rudolf instinctively turned to find its source. Her gaze swept over the restless crowd, but the fleeting unease vanished without a trace in the sea of faces.

The commotion naturally drew Tokai Teio's attention. She followed the disturbance to its origin and found the embodiment of her dream standing there.

Teio said nothing, merely offering a faint smile before turning toward the waiting area. A chestnut-maned Umamusume caught her eye.

The moment Teio's gaze landed on her, the chestnut-haired girl swiftly sensed it. She turned, and their eyes met.

It was none other than Leo Durban, the Derby runner-up.

From the moment Leo Durban saw Teio, she radiated palpable hostility. Though she remained silent, her gaze was piercing and confrontational.

Teio, while unaware of the situation, had anticipated such reactions. After all, at this very moment, animosity emanated not only from Leo Durban but from every direction.

At this moment, Teio was a lamb ripe for the slaughter, and countless challengers were eager to defeat her and claim glory for themselves.

This was as it should be. The victor would seize everything from the vanquished to adorn their triumph.

But there could only be one winner.

Teio glided past Leo Durban, meeting the gazes of the crowd with unwavering confidence and composure as she approached the gate.

A genius issuing a challenge to ravenous contenders.

"If you want it, stake your claim to the title of the strongest here at the Kikuka Sho and come take it!"