"Yo~!"
Garden Gale's gaze snapped toward the voice beside her.
T.M. Opera O adjusted the purple crown on her head, eyeing Garden Gale approvingly. "That outfit's not half-bad~ Though, compared to the strongest, most beautiful Overlord—that is, myself—it's still got some catching up to do!"
Hearing this, Garden Gale rubbed her temples.
At the same time, she wiped away the oversized beads of sweat that had formed there.
She glanced at T.M. Opera O, and despite her own minimalist tastes, couldn't help but gape at the other girl's extravagant attire. No joke: standing next to T.M. Opera O, Garden Gale looked like a broke American who'd stumbled onto Fifth Avenue and collided headfirst with high fashion, immediately feeling a deep sense of inadequacy.
T.M. Opera O's Racing Outfit epitomized lavishness.
From the violet crown atop her head to the gold embroidery shimmering at her hem—these alone proved how much its wearer adored extravagance. Yet, this was merely the beginning.
T.M. Opera O wore a resplendent skirt.
Behind her fluttered a cape dyed in cosmic purple, while her right hand sparkled with a turquoise ring, and her chest glowed brilliantly with a blood-red ruby…
Garden Gale's brows twitched at the sheer absurdity.
Who in their right mind would race in something this outrageously over-the-top?
She glanced back at herself—aside from the single blue rose emblazoned across her chest, everything else was solid black. Her earlier analogy felt more accurate than ever: truly like a penniless American caught in a head-on collision with high art.
Moreover far more troubling was the fact that she had once again run into T.M. Opera O.
From the training field, to the academy gates, even down to the pre-race hallway—was her fate somehow intertwined with this overbearing diva?
Forget it.
Deciding not to dwell, Garden Gale merely nodded curtly in acknowledgment.
Then she continued walking forward, expression neutral.
T.M. Opera O noticed Gale ignoring her but wasn't deterred in the slightest, muttering cheerfully to herself as they proceeded. This self-proclaimed Overlord apparently lacked any concept of embarrassment, displaying the epitome of "social butterfly" energy all the way to the exit.
...
Outside was the entrance to the track.
Several Umamusume were already gathered, including Admire Vega, similarly clad in her Racing Outfit.
But Garden Gale immediately sensed something was wrong.
The top favorite seemed… off. Admire Vega's complexion was pale, her entire demeanor wilted. Garden Gale's sharp instincts picked up on it immediately.
She withdrew her gaze.
Refocusing, Garden Gale stared at the turf of Nakayama Racecourse as droplets of rain gently tapped her nose and slid away.
Once again, a race in drizzle.
It felt much like the turf on her debut race day, both set under gentle rainfall.
…No.
The downpour was still coming.
Clouds churned thickly overhead, strong air currents gathering, the sky gloomy and brooding—on the brink of an outright storm. It seemed poised to burst into tears any moment now, likely mid-race, adding yet another layer of drama.
A wild, reckless Runaway under a torrential downpour at the Satsuki Sho—was this how the script was meant to go?
Garden Gale chuckled softly at the thought, shaking her head. She'd never planned to follow through with that anyway. She would stick to Tokai Teio's running style—the one she trusted most, the one she'd relied on longest, and the one with which she felt most confident, most secure.
But—is that really true?
She didn't linger on the question.
Instead, she watched Narita Top Road step out from the entryway, determination blazing from every line of her face.
This Umamusume had always symbolized an unyielding spirit, embodying an absolute refusal to lose.
Seeing Garden Gale ignoring her, T.M. Opera O quickly turned toward Admire Vega, laughing loudly with hands on her hips: "Ha ha ha ha! Pay close attention, everyone! Welcome to Chapter One of The Legend of the End-of-the-Century Overlord!"
Admire Vega shot T.M. Opera O a look reserved for complete idiots.
Then—in total silence—ignored her completely.
Truthfully, Vega really wasn't feeling well. Her body wasn't cooperating, and she'd already lost a noticeable amount of weight. Her chances of winning had significantly diminished.
Narita Top Road strode forward, addressing T.M. Opera O bluntly: "You're not going to win this, Opera O. Your so-called legend ends here. And as for you, Admire Vega—"
"Hm?" T.M. Opera O raised a finger, wagging it playfully. "No, no, no… I'll definitely be the winner here," she declared with unwavering confidence.
Tension crackled sharply in the air.
Nearby racers turned their heads, clearly amused. Ah, was it already time for the classic pre-race trash talk?
Admire Vega turned away, attempting to escape the two—but T.M. Opera O wouldn't let up. "Hey, don't leave yet, Vega-san! Isn't some friendly pre-race banter nice? After all, I'm winning anyway."
She paused slightly, voice softening. "No insult intended, but if things get tough out there, maybe don't push yourself too hard?"
Admire Vega stopped cold, replying softly but firmly: "I'll endure—and I won't lose."
And with that—
She walked briskly toward her assigned starting gate.
T.M. Opera O sighed dramatically, turning helplessly toward Narita Top Road—who pointedly looked away.
Just then, the signal to load into the gates rang out clearly. Garden Gale, who'd been silently observing, hesitated no longer, heading toward her own starting gate. Her position was neither great nor terrible—just somewhere in the middle.
The announcer's introductions flowed on, signaling the imminent start of the Satsuki Sho.
...
Outside, Symboli Rudolf turned toward the girl beside her. "Keep your eyes open, C.B. The Umamusume in the black hoodie—that's the one I mentioned, the girl with the mimicry skill. Believe me, she's going to leave you speechless."
The Umamusume at her side wore a denim jacket and a rebellious grin.
Mr. C.B. stared toward the track, lips curving in a wild smile.
"I'll admit, I'm curious. This girl they keep calling my second coming—does she really have what it takes to challenge me? Rudolf, do you think this race will satisfy me, or just disappoint?"
"It will," Symboli Rudolf answered without hesitation. "You'll definitely be satisfied."
After their last meeting, the two had agreed to watch this Satsuki Sho together. After all, talk was cheap compared to seeing the real thing.
It was the perfect chance to witness this girl's performance on the G1 stage firsthand.
...
Also present at the venue was the entirety of Team LOCK, along with Curren Chan and Tokai Teio. Supporting T.M. Opera O was a young Umamusume named Meisho Doto, and countless spectators filled every seat. Flashbulbs burst across the stands, creating a brilliant galaxy of light that threatened to swallow the entire racecourse.
The Satsuki Sho.
Was about to begin.
---
bonus chaps
100 stones -> 1 chapter
200 stones -> 2 chapters
300 stones -> 3 chapters
and so on
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