To put it simply:
Garden Gale absolutely hated the idea of teaming up with a trainer.
—No, "hate" wasn't exactly the right word...
More accurately, it was pure social anxiety. Imagine it: someone constantly at your side, guiding your every meal, your every workout, helping you grow stronger, someone you have to see day in, day out. Responding to even the smallest expectation was torture enough—how could she possibly cope with having someone this close, someone pinning all their hopes and dreams on her?
It was just...too overwhelming.
Besides, Garden Gale knew her own twisted personality well enough: she'd never be able to partner smoothly with a trainer anyway.
She had to say no!
Air Shakur really was a headache. First, she challenged her to a race, and now she was dragging a trainer into the picture? Seriously, couldn't this girl just stay still for five seconds?
"I'd like to team up with you," the trainer—Kashiro Sakura—said without any hesitation.
Of course. There it was.
Exactly as Gale feared, a straightforward offer of partnership. Suppressing the discomfort in her chest, she forced herself to shake her head. "Sorry...I'm not looking to partner with anyone right now."
Actually, scratch "right now"—she meant forever.
Forever alone sounded perfect. If she didn't form expectations, she wouldn't have to disappoint anyone. No matter how much this trainer believed in her, what if one day she failed? And what if the trainer herself turned out to be incompetent and dragged her down instead? Too many things could go wrong.
"Why?" Sakura asked, briefly startled. She sounded harsher than she intended, quickly softening her voice and adding earnestly, "You're planning to run in the Wakagoma Stakes, right? After that, you'll be a contender for the Classic Triple Crown. I believe in you, and I know—I just know—that with my training, you can seize the Satsuki Sho, the Derby, even the Kikuka Sho. You can stand on top, above Opera O, above Admire Vega... No, forget them—even above Air Groove, Biwa Hayahide, and even the legendary Triple Crown champion Narita Brian! I genuinely believe you're capable of surpassing them all!"
"So please," Sakura pleaded softly, "trust me and team up with me."
Garden Gale just fell silent.
Faced with Sakura's hopeful, earnest gaze, all she could do was shrink further into herself. Why does everyone insist on making life so difficult?
She once again felt the yawning chasm between herself and others, the sheer impossibility of mutual understanding.
She'd thought meeting Teio and Curren Chan had begun to change her, at least a bit. But then came the incident with Curren Chan, and now Sakura's earnest plea felt like another unbearable burden. The old, suffocating anxiety clawed up her spine, chilling her to the bone, drowning out any attempt at bravado.
The arrogance, the venomous words—her pathetic masks—all failed her.
Garden Gale knew deep down how utterly disgusting her fake bravado was. Why was it that every time she became anxious, she'd spit out words that hurt others and herself?
Stepping slowly backward, Gale bowed her head deeply.
"I'm sorry."
Then, without another word, she pivoted sharply and bolted, a burst of speed so powerful it stunned the two left behind.
"Hey! You—!" Air Shakur yelled instinctively, but by the time she found her voice, Garden Gale was already dozens of meters away.
One look at Gale's fleeing figure was enough to convince Shakur there was no point in chasing. Honestly, wasn't she even faster now than during her debut race?
It wasn't just a feeling.
After some quick mental math, Air Shakur realized with certainty:
Garden Gale had grown even faster. And she wasn't even imitating Tokai Teio's running style right now.
Interesting.
Next to her, Kashiro Sakura's shocked expression gradually gave way to excitement, her eyes sparkling brighter than ever. Just that one glimpse was enough for Sakura to confirm it: This girl absolutely had what it took to become a Triple Crown Umamusume. She could easily surpass every rival she'd just mentioned. Sakura's earlier doubts vanished instantly.
"Earth to Sakura." Air Shakur smacked her lightly on the back of the head, breaking her trance. "Thanks a lot, genius. You really have zero social awareness."
Despite her shark-like grin and rough-around-the-edges attitude, Air Shakur was sensitive to the moods of those around her. She might have a sharp tongue, but she genuinely cared.
"Ow!" Sakura whined, clutching her head and glaring indignantly at Shakur. "Go easy next time, will you?!"
Air Shakur just whistled innocently.
"Let's head back," she said after a brief silence. After another moment, she continued, her voice gentler than usual. "And stop pressuring Garden Gale. It's obvious she doesn't want a trainer. Letting her run free might be for the best."
Sakura hesitated. "But..."
"No buts," Air Shakur interrupted firmly, holding up a finger.
The words hung in the air. There was nothing else to say.
Garden Gale was simply that kind of Umamusume—if she wanted to handle things alone, so be it. Forcing a change would only break something fragile inside her.
Finally, Sakura sighed. "Alright."
She sounded disappointed, but she understood.
As the two headed home together in silence, Sakura suddenly paused. "Wait—why exactly is she training on our track anyway? Isn't that a bit of an issue? What happens when we're trying to keep our team skills hidden?"
Air Shakur's expression turned sheepish.
"Hey—why, exactly?" Sakura pressed. "I was only gone for a few days! What's going on?"
Seeing no way out, Air Shakur confessed quietly, "I might've... lent out our track. Now they get to train here whenever they want."
"Huh!?"
...
After parting ways with her troublesome trainer, Air Shakur passed by Ritto Dormitory. She stopped for a moment and looked up at one particular window, lost in thought.