Mom.
The city is amazing indeed!
Although there are always various problems after arriving.
But here I met beautiful people I had never seen in the countryside.
Right now, my heart is still thumping...!
"Moshi moshi? Miss Special Week?"
Oh no, is this kid stupid?
Gold Legend looked at Special Week, who seemed to be spacing out, and thought with some annoyance.
"Ah! I'm here!"
Special Week, snapping back to reality, quickly replied.
"The race is about to start."
Gold Legend reminded her.
"Huh? Is it starting already?"
Before Special Week could speak, the unconscious Trainer nearby sprang up with a perfect backflip.
"...Are you really human?"
A normal person would be out for two hours after that hit just now.
Gold Legend looked at the Trainer, who was already full of life and vigor, and couldn't help but ask the question that had puzzled her for a long time.
"Don't underestimate humans. This is the victory of technology."
The Trainer took out another lollipop, but before he could put it in his mouth, Gold Legend snatched it away.
Watching Gold Legend, with her devastatingly beautiful face, strike the pose of a thug, the Trainer sighed helplessly.
"By the way, is this your first time watching a race live?"
The Trainer turned his gaze to Special Week, who had fallen into a daze again.
"Ah, yes! It's my first time watching. Is something wrong?"
Special Week jumped slightly, assumed a defensive posture, and moved closer to Gold Legend.
"...You don't need to be so wary."
That hurts.
The Trainer showed a heartbroken expression.
"Mom told me there are many perverts in the city, so I need to be careful."
Judging by her look, she had mistaken the Trainer for a criminal.
"Mhm mhm. Your mother is absolutely right."
Gold Legend, who was sucking on the lollipop nearby, nodded.
"...Did you run away from the countryside because you wanted to participate in races? Is that it?"
The Trainer ignored the malicious slander against him and asked Special Week with a hint of curiosity.
"I promised my mom back home that I would become the number one Uma Musume in Japan." Special Week showed a gentle smile when talking about her mother, then suddenly realized, "Wait, how did you know I'm from the countryside?"
"Probably because you exude the aura of a country bumpkin girl from head to toe."
And your clothes are quite... something.
Gold Legend said indifferently, sucking on the lollipop.
"But it doesn't matter. I quite like you."
"Eh! Like me, you say..."
Special Week's face instantly turned red.
"Hmm, number one in Japan, huh." The Trainer's tone was somewhat complex as he turned to look at the track.
"Hey, Special Week? I'll just call you that. In your eyes, what does the number one Uma Musume in Japan look like?" Gold Legend rested her hand on the railing, gazing at Silence Suzuka on the track, and asked casually.
"Hmm? That?" Special Week didn't immediately know how to answer.
"Oh, it's starting," the Trainer suddenly said.
On the track, the starting gates opened, and the competitors burst out.
"The competitors have made a beautiful start! Silence Suzuka takes the lead!"
The commentator's voice came in right on time.
"So fast." Special Week exclaimed, watching Silence Suzuka's figure on the track.
"Impeccable running form," the Trainer commented. "As expected of someone I taught!"
Gold Legend remained silent.
The race quickly entered the latter half.
The leading Silence Suzuka accelerated once more, leaving all others in the dust, and passed in front of the stands.
Her brilliant orange long hair streamed behind her due to the high speed. Her cold and beautiful face didn't frown from physical exertion or show joy from the impending victory; her calm eyes were fixed straight ahead.
Special Week looked at Silence Suzuka passing in front of her, falling into an indescribable emotional state.
"The winner, Silence Suzuka! She claimed victory with a massive lead!"
The commentator's voice arrived belatedly, and the entire venue erupted in loud cheers and celebration.
"Silence Suzuka... there's actually such an amazing competitor."
Special Week sounded captivated, a hint of yearning hidden in her voice of praise.
"Uma Musume who can ignite the audience's passion and bring them their dreams, like her, can be counted on one hand."
The Trainer's voice came from behind and below Special Week.
"But, if I had these legs—"
"Yah!"
That must be the second time.
Gold Legend watched calmly as Special Week sent the Trainer flying three meters away with a back kick.
"You really are a pervert! Gold-san, let's go!"
After speaking, she pulled the calm-faced Gold Legend away.
"Don't rush, don't you want to see it? That stage that only victorious Uma Musume can step onto."
Gold Legend said with a slightly mischievous attitude.
Special Week tilted her head and thought.
"Winner's Stage?"
...Time moved to evening.
In front of the stands, a stage rose, and people picked up various colored light sticks.
At the center of the stage was Silence Suzuka.
As the music began, the live performance started.
The audience below the stage was highly enthusiastic.
"Oh, Suzuka on the stage has a unique charm."
Gold Legend waved her light stick, curiously watching Suzuka, who was different from her usual self, dancing on stage.
"Ah, how dazzling Suzuka is, bathed in the spotlight."
Special Week's voice carried envy.
"Yep, gotta say, absolutely!"
Gold Legend agreed.
Special Week looked at Gold Legend beside her, then at Silence Suzuka on the stage, feeling that today was an unprecedentedly good day.
Mom, I will never forget what happened today!
She couldn't help but start recalling everything that had happened today.
Suddenly, she felt like she had forgotten something important.
"?...!"
Special Week performed a sudden shift in expression and turned to run.
"I forgot to report in!!!"
Her voice, accompanied by a sob, faded into the distance.
"...She finally remembered."
Gold Legend said, half speechless and half amused.
"What a truly cute Uma Musume! I can smell a wonderful scent coming from her. I'm really looking forward to her future! Hehehe!"
A somewhat peculiar voice sounded from behind Gold Legend, accompanied by a slightly lewd laugh.
"She is indeed someone to look forward to..." Gold Legend suddenly reacted. "Who are you?"
"Ah, okay! Is something wrong? Did I speak too loudly? As an apology, let me teach you an Uma Musume-chan phrase!"
The person in front of her spoke without prompting.
"..." That voice and tone sound very familiar.
Gold Legend carefully looked at the person in front of her.
The first thing she saw was a bouncing large red bow, followed by long pink hair tied into small pigtails on either side of her ears.
There was a strange blush on the beautiful face. Gold Legend looked at her eyes, which were glowing.
"Miss Digital?"
"Eh! Ah! You know me?" The girl in front of her showed an exaggerated expression.
"I follow your Twitter," Gold Legend said truthfully. "It's quite interesting."
"! I never thought my Digital's Twitter would be followed by such a beautiful Uma Musume!" The girl covered her heart, looking excited. "I suddenly feel like this life was worth living!"
"I said, you haven't introduced yourself yet."
"Ah, excuse me! I am Agnes Digital!"
"Hello, Miss Agnes Digital, I am Gold Legend." Gold Legend extended her hand to Agnes Digital.
"..."
"?"
"Are you... asking to shake hands with me?" Agnes Digital pointed to herself.
"...Why are you asking such an obvious question?" Gold Legend was puzzled.
"Oh Goddess, praise be to you!" Agnes Digital first clasped her hands in prayer, then adopted an expression of resolve.
Trembling, she extended her hand and gently grasped the hand Legend had offered, then froze completely.
"..."
Another moment of silence passed.
"Um? Are you done shaking hands?" Gold Legend asked cautiously.
"Oh, oh!" Agnes Digital quickly withdrew her hand. "Thank you! I've decided! I'm never washing this hand again!"
"There's really no need for that." Gold Legend retorted.
"Ah! I am complete! My life is without regret!" Agnes Digital turned and spread her arms, tears of excitement streaming down her face. The spotlight on the stage shone upon her, creating a masterpiece.
"..." Gold Legend was momentarily speechless.
A cheering audience member suddenly squeezed through, bumping into the entranced Agnes Digital.
"Ah!"
Agnes Digital didn't have time to dodge and tilted backward.
Gold Legend, quick as a flash, caught her and held her in her arms.
"Are you alright?"
"It's rea..."
"Rea?"
"It's reached!"
Agnes Digital closed her eyes peacefully.
"..."
Gold Legend fell silent.
---------------------------------
I hope you enjoy this fanfiction! If you're having fun and want to read 30 chapters in advance, feel free to check out my Patreon: patreon.com/TLScarlet
Your support means a lot so if you like the story, don't forget to drop a Power Stone.