A frantic rush later...
Here they were, slouching near the crowded gate, panting heavily.
And before them, a towering Tracen Academy loomed over them.
They finally arrived.
Swiftly, her mother raised her wrist.
Stared directly at her watch.
They did it.
They arrived just in time.
8:20 AM.
Ten minutes before the exam officially starts.
Her mother then quickly knelt before Urara.
"Alright… this is it, Urara," she said gently.
"Bring home the good news, okay?"
"We'll be waiting for you here."
A brief pause.
"And even if you don't…"
She softened.
"Mom and Dad will still support you. Always."
From behind, her father also joined in through her mother's shoulder.
Giving a thumbs-up.
"Give them hell, Urara!" he added with a grin.
There, Urara's eyes lit up.
And nodded vigorously.
"Yes!"
"I promise I'll win this race!"
With that, her mother smiled.
She stood up and stepped aside, gesturing for Urara to go forward.
"Now go, Urara!"
"Enjoy your race!"
Urara then nodded once more, "Alright!"
As she dashed forward immediately, laughing.
Entering the academy with her usual bubbly energy.
Quickly blending into the crowd of candidates gathering inside.
Meanwhile...
Outside the gates—
Urara's parents remained.
Watching quietly as their daughter disappeared into the crowd with a soft grin.
Since the exam was private.
Strictly so.
Outsiders were not allowed in any means necessary—
To prevent interference, they would declare.
So—
They remained outside, exchanging looks one last time.
"Shall we go?" her mother uttered.
With the affirmation from her father.
A nod.
They decided to head elsewhere.
To wait.
Suddenly—
But just as they turned—
"I presume you two are the parents of a candidate?"
A voice stopped them.
Mid-step.
They froze a little, jerking.
"Oh—!"
And they quickly turned.
Meanwhile, an unfamiliar Umamusume was standing before them.
Smiling softly.
Expecting an answer.
But... A brief awkward silence followed.
And neither side spoke.
As Urara's parents had forgotten to respond.
Until—
"Oh—right, yes, we are," Urara's mother replied, snapping out of the trance.
"An— And I'm glad to hear that," the Umamusume smiled.
"Then please, follow me, Madam and Sir. I'll guide you to your seats," she added, bowing gracefully.
"Oh…?" Urara's mother blinked, surprised, exchanging a glance with her husband.
"But… I thought this was a closed event?" she asked.
"Well… it is," the girl replied, straightening.
"But how could we deny parents the chance to witness their daughters' fruition?
"Especially on a day as critical as such."
"A day when they would showcase their growth… their ambitions… their transformation over the years…"
"And reveal what they have truly become."
"So, the officials made an exception for parents."
She smiled warmly.
"And it was only fair."
"Oh...! I see..." Urara's mother replied, taken a little aback.
She then raised a brow slightly.
"And you are…?"
The girl placed a hand over her chest.
"Fuji Kiseki," she said, bowing once more.
"At your service."
"You can call me Fuji if you wish," she added politely.
"Then, Fuji-chan," Urara's mother said naturally with a soft smile.
"Fuji-chan…?" Fuji blinked, slightly caught off guard.
"Could you guide us to the stands?" Her mother continued casually.
For a brief moment—
Fuji stood there, stunned.
Then quickly composed herself, clearing her throat.
"O—Oh! Right! Of course! This way, please!"
With that—
She led them along.
Through the academy.
Through the crowd that gathered.
Then—
Slowly but surely.
They arrived.
Near the field.
A lush, vast field.
One that was bigger than their anticipation.
"Whoa... This place is huge!" her father gasped.
But before he could continue to drool all over—
Fuji intercepted, "Please, Madam and Sir, right this way," gesturing upward to the viewing stands.
And up they went.
Where many other parents had already gathered.
Seated.
Watching.
Waiting.
Some leaned forward with excitement.
Others sat with arms crossed—
Assessing.
Observing.
All focused on one thing—
Their daughters.
Some of their attire was glamorous, rich.
And some were as casual as theirs.
"Is it just me, or do I feel like I don't belong here…" the father said, tugging nervously at his collar.
"Relax, honey," her mother replied, closing her eyes softly as she sat. "It's common in places that promise prestige."
"You'll get used to it the longer we stay."
"I—I... guess," he fidgeted slightly.
"Now sit," she added, patting the seat beside her. "Urara's match shouldn't be far off."
"If—If… you say so," the father murmured, perching beside her.
And so they waited.
Eagerly but also patiently waited for Urara's match to begin...
...
…
Meanwhile—
On the other side—
Urara pushed through the crowd.
Weaving between candidates.
Trying to find her way through these dense crowds.
Until—
She realized something and paused.
Mid-step.
She started to look around.
Everyone—
Was wearing the same uniform.
One she had never seen before.
A white sports shirt with red rings on the sleeves and collar.
Red shorts.
Numbers pinned neatly to their abdomen.
Meanwhile, Urara was still in her casual gimmick.
Completely stood out amongst the crowd.
Blinking.
Confused.
Looking around.
"…Huh…?"
"Why is everyone the same...?" she murmured.
Unbeknownst to her, she was supposed to check in at the reception desk in the front.
A desk, where her eagerness caused her to skip past long before she arrived at her current spot.
A desk to receive the uniform.
Get her number.
Get prepared.
But now, instead, she wandered aimlessly through the crowd.
Trying to make sense out of it.
"Hmm..."
"What should I do..." she added, standing in a searching pose.
Then, she continued her steps.
Step by step—
Until—
"Hiya—!"
*Bump!*
She backed straight into someone.
And the girl fell to her knees.
Urara startled.
Then quickly turned.
"Are you alright?!"
The girl stayed kneeling for a moment—
Before slowly pushing herself up.
"I'm fine…"
She brushed off her shorts.
Dusting her knees.
Then looked at Urara.
"Watch where you're going next time, geez…"
"I'm really sorry!" Urara quickly apologized, clasping her hands together above her head as she bowed.
"Whatever…" the girl replied, flicking her hair as she turned away.
Around them—
A small crowd gathered.
Whispers spread.
"Isn't that the daughter of—"
"What is she doing here?"
"Is she in our bracket? That's bad…"
"Just look at her… she's clearly the daughter of—"
The murmurs grew louder the longer they lingered.
But the girl paid no attention to the crowd and turned.
She sighed as she was about to leave—
When—
"Wait!"
Urara called out.
And the girl stopped immediately.
Eyes shifting slightly.
"…What is it you want?" she asked coldly, a small sigh escaped through her lips.
The crowd stirred again—
"Did she just—?!"
"Who does she think she is?!"
"How can someone like her stop her?!"
"What is going on—?!"
"Are they going to fight—?!"
As always, Urara ignored everything.
Leaning forward slightly and continuing,
"Where…"
She tilted her head.
"Where did you get that outfit?"
The girl blinked.
"…What?"
"Where did you get that outfit?" Urara repeated. "Why is everyone wearing it?"
The girl frowned.
"What do you mean… everyone is wearing it?"
She gestured at her own clothes.
"This is the official outfit given to all candidates for the race."
Then—
She paused.
Her expression shifted.
"…Don't tell me…"
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"Are you a candidate for the race…?"
"Yes!" Urara answered almost instantly.
"Then, what's with the getup?" the girl added.
"Aren't you supposed to get it during the check-in?"
"Well... I don't really know... But I was told to run in a race!"
"They said it's for an Entrance Exam…" she added, rubbing her chin thoughtfully. "Not that I really get it…"
Then—
She perked up.
"But I don't mind!"
She bounced in place.
"Because I like running anyway!"
"What? That's not what I—" The girl tried to respond—
But Urara just kept going.
"Besides!"
She pumped her fists, grinning brightly.
"I get to race Mary-chan! Isn't that great?! Since we never get a chance to race together... But now we finally could!"
"Wha— who— what…?" The girl blinked, still completely thrown off.
"And so!"
Urara clasped her hands together again.
Leaning forward eagerly.
"I beg for your help!"
"Please tell me how to get that outfit you're wearing!"
"Because it looks important!"
"And I don't want to be unable to run because I cannot get that outfit!"
"I— I—" the girl stammered.
"So, please!" Urara continued, leaning closer.
"Wh— What—?"
"Please teach me!"
"Wh— Wha—"
"Please—" before Urara can ask again,
"WAIT!!!" the girl shouted.
She then took a deep breath.
Then another.
Inhale.
Exhale.
Trying to calm herself—
From the overwhelming nonsense just thrown at her.
Finally—
She raised her hand.
Pointing behind her.
Near the gate—
Partially hidden by the crowd.
"…There…" she muttered, head lowered, face still slightly flushed.
"It is over there... Are you satisfied…?"
Urara then lifted onto her toes—
Peeking over.
"Oh!"
And immediately spotted it.
"Thank you!" she beamed, bowing slightly.
The girl sighed.
"…Now… please... leave me al—"
She looked up—
And froze.
Urara was still there.
Staring at her.
Smiling.
Waiting.
"…What now?!" she snapped, frustration creeping in.
"Name is Haru Urara!" Urara introduced cheerfully.
"What's yours?"
Instead of answering—
The girl turned her head away in frustration.
"Why would I tell you?" she growled.
Then, silent.
A brief pause lingered between them.
She peaked.
Realizing that the pink little critter remained.
Still eagerly bouncing before her, expecting.
Until—
She sighed, "Fine..."
Then—
Turning back with a graceful flick—
One hand was placed over her chest.
"I…" she began,
"The daughter of a first-rate Umamusume and soon to become the next."
Her chin lifted.
"The rightful bearer of the golden crown—fit only for a true monarch. One graced with supremacy… destined for greatness."
"The master of any race. The next conqueror of the Triple Crown."
A faint, confident smile then formed.
"And when I do… You will recognize me as the most brilliant of all."
"King Halo—the first-rate Umamusume!"
With that, she gracefully struck a pose.
And the crowd fell silent in awe—
Then erupted into whispers.
"I can't believe it… It's really her—!"
"She's even more elegant than they said!"
"What bracket is she in?!"
"I want to talk to her…!"
Meanwhile—
Urara simply smiled brightly.
"It's very nice to meet you, King!"
"And I can't wait for us to race together someday!"
"…Race together?" King Halo blinked, slightly caught off guard.
But before she could respond—
Urara had already turned.
Full of energy.
"But now, I have a mission!"
"I need to get the outfit that everyone else is wearing!"
"And for that—!"
With that, Urara immediately dashed off.
"See ya, King! I hope we can meet some other day!" Her voice trailed off into the distance.
"W— Wait! Is that all?!" King called out, completely baffled.
But Urara was already gone.
"…Geez… what with that girl…" King muttered, lowering her head slightly.
She let out a small sigh.
"Whatever… who cares about her anyway," she added, brushing it off as she turned to leave.
So was the crowd dispersed.
As she walked, she pulled out her phone, scrolling through the list.
"I wonder what bracket she's in…"
Then—
Her steps stopped.
Abruptly.
Her eyes widened.
"…No… way…" she whispered.
Her gaze locked onto the screen.
"…We're in the same bracket?!" she exclaimed, realizing her name sat just above Urara's.