Twenty minutes later, Seiun Sky found herself backstage, fidgeting with the hem of her performance outfit.
Her heart was racing. Not from the race, that had been exhilarating. This was a completely different kind of terror.
"I-I can do this. I practiced. Sort of." She took a shaky breath. "It's just dancing. I won a G2 race. Dancing can't be harder than that, right?"
Her hands wouldn't stop trembling.
"You're on in two minutes, Seiun Sky!" A staff member called out cheerfully.
"O-oh! Right! Two minutes!" Her voice came out higher than intended.
The staff member left. Seiun Sky's tail drooped slightly behind her.
Next to her, Sakura Eiko O was doing some last-minute stretches, looking completely at ease. "Still nervous, Seiun?"
"I'm not nervous! I'm just... mentally preparing."
"Uh-huh." Eiko smiled warmly. "You know, you don't have to be perfect. The crowd already loves you from the race. Just enjoy yourself out there."
"Easy for you to say..." Seiun Sky muttered, but she appreciated the reassurance.
Seiun Sky closed her eyes, trying to remember the practice sessions from the BNW group. The way they demonstrated the moves was slowly so she could follow along.
And their reassuring words: "You don't need to be flashy. Just be yourself, and the crowd will love it."
And then their warning as experienced uma musume: "Whatever you do, don't freeze up. Even if you mess up the choreography, keep moving. That's the most important part."
"No freezing. Got it. I can do that." Seiun Sky whispered to herself.
The opening notes of the music drifted through the wall.
Seiun Sky stood up, took a deep breath, and walked toward the stage entrance alongside Eiko.
Here goes nothing.
The moment they stepped into the lights, the crowd roared.
The Osaka Hai victory stage was properly equipped, spotlights from every angle, cherry blossom petals falling from above, and the elegant backdrop with both Tracen Academy and Osaka Hai logos. The stands were packed, the atmosphere charged with excitement from a thrilling G2 finish.
The familiar melody of "Uma Pyoi Densetsu" filled the stadium, that cheerful tune that somehow everyone knew.
Seiun Sky's body moved in rhythm.
She started okay, hitting the first few beats. Then she turned a bit too early, stumbled slightly on a step, but kept going. Not perfect, not even close, but she was moving.
Beside her, Sakura Eiko O danced with natural grace, subtly covering for Seiun's awkward moments with her own smooth movements.
The crowd didn't seem to mind. They were clapping along enthusiastically to the beat.
"Uma pyoi! Uma pyoi!"
The signature jump was approaching.
'Oh no. This is it. Don't mess this up, don't mess this up—'
Seiun Sky jumped, maybe a second too late, landed a bit off-balance, but threw her arms out with that genuine, slightly goofy smile that was just like her.
The crowd actually seemed to love it, their cheers growing even louder.
From the VIP viewing area, Maruzensky chuckled softly, her elegant demeanor amused. "She has her own charm, doesn't she? Not polished, but authentic."
Rudolf Symbol observed with her usual composed expression, though a small smile tugged at her lips. "Her lively behaviour is her strength. The crowd responds to that."
Air Groove crossed her arms, nodding approvingly. "She's not overthinking it. That's good. Too many uma musume get stiff on stage."
King Halo laughed, clearly entertained. "Oh ho ho! She's all over the place, but somehow it works! Much better than freezing as a statue would be like her first time!"
Silence Suzuka clapped gently, her expression soft and warm. "She looks happy. That genuine joy... It's beautiful."
Sakura Laurel watched with a thoughtful expression. "She's improved since the last time. Still rough around the edges, but there's progress."
Mayano Top Gun grinned brightly, bouncing slightly on her feet. "Ah! She's so cute up there! Look at her go! You can do it, Sei-chan!"
Hayato stood slightly apart, arms crossed but with a proud smile. "That's my girl!"
The performance continued, Seiun Sky occasionally half a beat behind, sometimes going the wrong direction, before Eiko subtly guided her back on track, but her genuine enthusiasm radiated through every imperfect movement.
When the final pose came, Seiun Sky struck it with Eiko, both breathing hard, and the Osaka Hai crowd responded with roaring applause and cheers.
She straightened up, face flushed from exertion and embarrassment, and gave the camera an awkward little wave.
'I... actually did it?'
The applause continued, even intensifying as the crowd showed their appreciation. She and Eiko waved together before heading off stage. Her legs felt like jelly, but in a good way.
Staff members congratulated her as she passed through the corridor. "Great job out there!" "You were wonderful!" She nodded and smiled awkwardly at each one, still processing everything.
By the time she reached the backstage area, Sakura Eiko O patted her shoulder gently. "See? Told you it'd be fine. You were great, Seiun."
"I messed up like... so many times though..."
"And the crowd loved every second of it. That's what matters." Eiko's smile was genuine and reassuring.
Seiun Sky collapsed onto a bench, her whole body suddenly feeling the weight of exhaustion.
"That was..." She stared at the ceiling, breathing heavily. "Way more nerve-wracking than the actual race."
She sounded completely sincere.
Her phone buzzed. Seiun Sky pulled it out with shaky hands, still catching her breath.
Text from Hayato: "You didn't freeze. I'm proud of you. Great race, great performance."
A small, warm smile crept onto her face.
Another buzz.
King Halo: "That was adorably chaotic! But hey, you pulled it off! Congrats on the G2 win, oh ho ho!"
Suzuka's message appeared next, gentle as always: "You looked wonderful out there, Seiun-san. Your smile was radiant."
Mayano Top Gun: "Aaaah, that was SO fun to watch!! You were awesome out there, Sei-chan!"
Sakura Laurel: "I didn't know you could stiff like that lol!"
Seiun Sky leaned back against the wall, scrolling through the messages, a tired but genuine smile spreading across her face.
Sakura Eiko O sat down beside her, pulling out her own water bottle. "Not so bad, right? Your first G2 winning stage."
"Yeah..." Seiun Sky nodded slowly, the reality sinking in. "I think... I could get used to this. Maybe."
Before Seiun Sky could respond to her sms, her phone buzzed again. This time it was Maruzensky.
"Good work today, Seiun Sky. Meet us at the hotel lobby in thirty minutes. I'm treating everyone to dinner."
Seiun Sky blinked at the message, then looked up at Eiko with wide eyes. "Maruzensky-san is treating us to dinner? At a hotel?"
Sakura Eiko grinned, standing up and offering her hand. "Well, you did just win a G2. Come on, we shouldn't keep them waiting."
Outside, they could still hear the lingering cheers of the Osaka Hai crowd, celebrating not just a winner, but also the other uma musume too.
By the time they arrived at the luxury hotel Maruzensky had chosen, the rest of the group was already gathering in the elegant lobby. The chandeliers sparkled overhead, and Seiun Sky couldn't help but feel a little out of place, but surrounded by friends who'd come to celebrate with her, that feeling didn't last long.
They made their way to the restaurant, and as the feast began, laughter and stories filled the private dining room. Seiun Sky sat among them, still processing everything that had happened today, the race, the stage, and now this.
"Maybe I couldn't get used to this kind of luxury life...."
----
Hope you enjoy....The reason I chose Sakura Eiko O is that there were no other opponents in Osaka Hai G2 on Wikipedia, but then I found someone who had won a G2 at 2000m(HOCHI HAI YAYOI SHO G2), so I just brought her in to Osaka Hai G2 as an experienced uma musume.
Illustration on the other side...