A few days later…
After the rain incident, Young and Lidden were nowhere to be seen at school. Rumor had it that they both caught a cold from that day. And it wasn't a surprise given.
Urara, however, returned as usual—now with a small patch on her face once again. Except this time her tooth was missing.
Yet it did not change her usual grin and that endless energy of hers.
Then, three days remained before the big race...
The once-a-year school event. Held on Sunday.
Open not only to students—but to parents and outsiders as well. To spectate precisely.
With that bear in mind, the tension in school filled the air.
Everyone was nervous.
Some feared elimination before even reaching the main race. Given that only the top three from the qualification race would advance to the main race.
Now, the school track was crowded with determined Umamusume. Each was fighting for their own dream, wanting to shine.
And most of all—
Each wanted to challenge the school's prodigy.
Mary Jane, the already proclaimed winner of this race, despite it not having started.
Meanwhile, Mary stood apart from the noise, from the general panic.
She remained unshaken, calm, and persistent in her training routine.
As if the outcome had already been decided.
With Mary's current personal record, some said she could already compete at nationals.
But Mary disagreed.
Not yet.
She believed that she was still far from becoming the monsters that were outside her school. Outside her pond.
She knew beyond the school grounds was a different world—one filled with real expectations. Real pressure. Each promised victories, goals to become the greatest Umamusme.
But amongst all, that was one presence she feared most.
Her father.
Even so, although many assured her victory was inevitable, she trained.
And trained.
And trained...
Pushing her limits, surpassing her records.
Until her bones hurt; her legs fluttered; Her lungs burned.
She refused to stop.
Not when she knew he would be watching on Sunday.
Her performance had to be flawless. She had to be... Perfect.
***
***
***
Meanwhile—
On the other side of town, after school, near the open field by Urara's home—
Two figures ran side by side.
Urara and Rush.
Their feet tore through grass and mud.
Each stride carried wind and determination.
They wanted to win, too.
Then, they pushed through the first lap.
The second.
Then—
Before the third lap could finish—
Urara collapsed.
Again.
"Ah!" she wheezed, sprawled on the grass, completely drained like usual.
Rush hurried over, shouting, "Urara!" and helped her up, guiding her to the nearby bench where their training bags rested.
"Are you alright, Urara?" Rush asked as she settled her down.
Urara, though panting heavily like a thirsty puppy, flashed her usual grin and thumbs up.
"I'm fine!" she insisted, her tail wagging behind her.
Reassured, Rush gave a faint smile and pushed herself up with a grunt.
"Sometimes I don't even understand how you always run out of stamina first. Especially with that endless energy of yours."
"Well!" Urara kicked her feet playfully. "Urara has to save energy for important things! Especially the next episode of Uma-rider that is going to air tonight!"
Rush chuckled and sat down beside her, stretching her legs out.
"Yeah… I can't wait either," Rush said softly, gazing at the horizon alongside Urara.
"I heard it's the episode where she fights her close friend," Rush continued, lowering her voice slightly. "Somehow it was her childhood friend, the one she grew up with."
"Yeah!" Urara beamed. "And I can't wait for them to make up! For them to talk it out and become friends again!"
Rush glanced at her, "But I don't think they will—" she wanted to disagree, but she paused.
Realizing it was futile to change Urara's mind, not when she was set on one.
Rush then slowly turned her gaze back to the horizon.
"…I guess maybe I want to see that too," she uttered with a defeated smile.
A quiet silence then settled between them.
They kept their eyes on the horizon, legs swinging lightly from the bench.
After a moment, Rush finally spoke.
"Say, Urara… what do you think about us becoming rivals in the first match?"
Urara beamed as she answered almost instantly, "Whoa! That its exhilarating!" her eyes sparkling.
"Exhilarating…?" Rush blinked.
Urara nodded and turned toward her.
"Think about it! We've never really competed before. And now, for the first time that we compete, we're doing it in a big event! Isn't that exciting?!"
Rush let out a small laugh.
"Well… when you put it that way…"
"And we'll get to see how fast we really are! How loud the cheers will be!" Urara continued enthusiastically. "My mom and dad are coming too! I can't wait for them to see me run—to see their daughter become something of her own!"
Her smile widened.
"I want to make them proud. Just like I want to make you proud! And Mary-chan, Lin-chan… and even Young-chan!"
"Urara…" Rush murmured, her eyes trembling slightly.
Urara, who was often treated like someone on the sidelines, still believed she was running for someone. Maybe not for the world—but for her world.
Her parents.
Her friends.
And somehow… that was...
Inspiring.
Rush swallowed.
"Aren't you afraid of losing?" she asked quietly, eyes still on the horizon.
Urara shook her head vigorously, fists raised before her chest.
"Just because I lose this time doesn't mean I'll lose next time!"
She grinned brightly.
"Besides! I get to run in front of the people I love! That alone makes me want to keep running! And the thrill of running itself is just special, isn't it?!"
Then, her voice softened slightly.
"I've loved running since forever. And I hope I can keep doing it forever."
Rush lowered her head for a moment.
Then she smiled faintly.
"Forever... huh? You're really something else, Urara. I wish I had half your courage."
"Well, you do!" Urara shot back immediately. "You never gave up, did you? Even when we lost last time, you didn't quit racing! That means you've already got half of Urara's courage!"
Rush blinked.
Half of Urara's courage.
She let out a small laugh.
Maybe… that wasn't so bad.
Urara added proudly, patting her chest, "Even though you'll never have more courage than me!"
With that, Rush chuckled even louder and turned toward her.
"Not even when I'm going to beat you?" she teased.
"Like it's going to be that easy!" Urara returned with a wide grin.
"I see... Then I'll win this one first!" Rush suddenly kicked off from the bench and dashed onto their makeshift track.
Urara was stunned before pointing,
"Not fair, Rush-chan! That's not fair—you had a head start!" Urara yelped as she scrambled after her.
"Wait for me!" Urara hollered as she tailed behind Rush.
Soon, both of them were running again, they laughed, and they raced. They circled the field until the sky darkened completely and eventually the night claimed the horizon.
...
...
...
Meanwhile, far from their field, Mary was walking home alone.
As she reached the gate of her house, the familiar dread crept up her spine.
Like always, she paused.
She inhaled deeply. Exhaled slowly. Muttered a few comfort words under her breath.
Only then did she reach for the door.
And step inside.
As Mary stepped inside the house, as always, her father was still seated on the couch.
The television replayed the same old race footage—again and again.
"I'm home," Mary said quietly.
Her father did not reply with a welcome. Only a low grunt acknowledged her presence.
Mary intended to head upstairs immediately, to retreat to her room as usual.
But before she could take another step—
"I heard your race is on Sunday, isn't it?"
She froze.
Hesistated.
Only slowly turned her head after a moment of pause and gave a small nod.
"Yes," she replied.
"Good," her father added. "I expect good things from you, Mary. Given all the times I have sacrificed for you, magnified your future, and strengthened your results. If you were to disappoint me during that day… I will see you reformed. And I assume you know what that means."
There, with the mere word of 'reformed' struck.
Mary's fingers immediately trembled. Her body quivering, her face paled. She wanted to answer properly, but no words formed.
Only a faint sound of compliance escaped her lips after many attempts.
"Good... Now go to your room," said her father.
With that, she quickly turned, rushed up the stairs, and shut herself inside her room.
Behind the closed door, she leaned against it.
Breathing.
Trying to calm herself down.
A moment later...
Mary finally calmed and methodically placed her school bag and training kit in their proper spots.
The same place, the same routine, and the same order.
After finishing up tidying it, she prepared to take a bath.
As she opened her drawer, ready to pull out her pajamas, her hand paused.
There, tucked carefully aside, was a dress.
With a closer look, it was the one Urara had given her.
Still torn. Still not thrown away.
Mary stepped closer.
Her fingers brushed against the fabric.
Then she lifted it—slowly—and pressed it to her chest as she sank to the floor.
Curling in on herself.
Her shoulders trembled.
"Urara…" she muffled, "please... please save me… please save me by outrunning me…"
She choked as tears began to slip down silently.
"So we can hold onto your promise… the promise to become… the bestest friend…"
She tightened her grip.
"So we can continue… continue where we left off…"