In the classroom after school, Gold Legend, Nakayama Festa, Gold Ship, and Orfevre were idly waiting.
In Japan, if you belong to a family, you will always receive some preferential treatment, more or less.
Just like this classroom, which was specifically reserved for Uma Musume families.
However, having said that, this classroom was actually more often used only when the Uma Musume held gatherings.
On this day, Dream Journey, for the first time in a while, contacted the members of the Gold Family, planning to hold a family meeting.
She even specifically reserved this classroom, which was basically just for show.
"Oba-chan, what are you looking at?" Perhaps bored, Gold Ship asked Legend.
"Here, this." Gold Legend handed the book in her hand to Gold Ship.
"Let me see, 'Vocal Music, From Beginner to Grave'? Oba-chan, why are you reading this?" Gold Ship was puzzled.
"After accepting my true self, I can finally face the world with composure." Gold Legend said something incomprehensible.
Orfevre and Nakayama Festa glanced sideways.
?
"Just when I could finally enjoy the world with peace of mind, I discovered something terrible," Legend said solemnly.
"What?" Infected by Legend's atmosphere, Gold Ship also made a JoJo Face.
"This world... has no Jay Chou."
"Huh?"
"Not only that, but going further back, there's not even The Beatles or Queen!"
"What are you talking about!" Nakayama Festa raised an eyebrow.
"See? They have no idea what these things mean!" Legend's tone was full of disappointment.
"Give up, Oba-chan. Those aren't things we should know about in this Worldline," Gold Ship said calmly.
?
"So, Oba-chan, why are you looking at these?" Gold Ship changed the subject.
"That goes without saying! Of course, it's to become a Plagiarizing Author!" Legend finished, then rolled her eyes and rephrased, "I mean, to bring hope and blessing to this ignorant world!"
"Good, very spirited!" Gold Ship clapped. "So why are you reading an introductory music book?"
"...Because I realized that to achieve my ambition, I at least need to know the basics of music."
Otherwise, I can't even transcribe the sheet music.
So how do those people manage to plagiarize immediately after transmigrating?
Legend reluctantly shifted her attention back to the book in her hands.
"Well, good luck then." Gold Ship lost interest.
"Although I don't quite understand what Sister Legend means, are you planning to become a musician or singer after retirement?" Orfevre, conversely, was interested.
"Isn't it too early to talk about retirement?"
We haven't even debuted yet.
Nakayama Festa retorted.
"But yeah, that's true. Festa, what do you want to do in the future?" Gold Ship suddenly asked.
"What else can we be besides Uma Musume?" Festa said, narrowing her eyes.
"There must be something, right? Something besides being an Uma Musume, or something you want to do after retiring," Gold Ship said carelessly, clasping her hands behind her head.
"...A gambler?" Nakayama Festa hesitated for a moment before spitting out an answer.
"That doesn't count as a profession, does it?" Orfevre complained helplessly.
"Why deny it so quickly, you jerk!" Festa clicked her tongue. "If you can make a living through gambling, then it counts as a legitimate profession."
"...I think those two words shouldn't have appeared in this topic in the first place," Legend interjected.
"You guys are so annoying, so demanding!" Festa scratched her head. "Alright, how about a civil servant?"
"That's certainly stable," Gold Ship said, looking surprised. "But it's hard to imagine you as a civil servant."
"...Do you think I'm not suited to be a civil servant?" Festa rolled up her sleeves, intending to decide whether to use a Wrestling Skill on Gold Ship based on her answer.
"Don't misunderstand. I'm not targeting you. I'm saying that none of us here, including me, are suited for it," Gold Ship declared arrogantly.
Nakayama Festa immediately went up and applied a Cobra Twist.
"What about you, Orfevre?"
Ignoring Gold Ship's pleas and continuing to apply pressure, Festa asked Orfevre.
"Me? Hmm~ A bride? Just kidding... What are those expressions?" Orfevre hadn't finished speaking when she saw the others looking completely stunned (Deep Impact expression).
"A bride... I absolutely cannot imagine Orfevre in a wedding dress." Festa's voice trembled from the sheer shock.
"Hahaha, speaking of which, Orfevre, didn't you say when you were little that you wanted to kidnap a Trainer to be your husband, just like my mom?" Gold Ship seized the moment when Festa wasn't paying attention and escaped the hold.
"Don't just bring up embarrassing history that I don't even remember!"
Then she was subdued by Orfevre.
"Ahem, it's fine, Orfevre, please continue." Gold Legend stepped in to mediate.
"Then... how about a driver? A captain or a pilot would work too. They seem very wise."
Orfevre squinted her eyes cutely.
"Then I definitely won't ride in your vehicle," Gold Ship said with difficulty from beneath her. "I have a feeling you'd just let loose and perform all sorts of chaotic maneuvers."
"...That sounds kind of thrilling?" Festa seemed intrigued.
"I would not!" Orfevre retorted.
"You definitely would!" Gold Ship stated again.
"I wouldn't do that!" Orfevre looked hopefully at Legend and Festa.
"..."
The two looked away.
"..." Orfevre's eyes died.
"See? Everyone thinks so... Ow ow ow!"
The smug Gold Ship was executed by Orfevre.
Getting up and tossing Gold Ship's corpse (mistakenly) aside, Orfevre slumped onto a chair dejectedly.
"What about you, Golshi? What dream does the destroyer of others' dreams have?" Festa squatted down and poked Gold Ship's corpse.
"Ah, that." Gold Ship climbed up. "To tell you the truth, Little Gold Ship here wants to be an astronaut."
"...That's certainly you," Gold Legend commented.
"Didn't you say last week that you wanted to take a ship somewhere far away?" Festa asked.
"A spaceship is also a ship! Don't worry about the details." Gold Ship waved her hand. "I dream of becoming a great astronaut who leads humanity toward the Sea of Stars one day."
Light seemed to appear around her.
"I don't know why, but I feel like Golshi could actually do it," Festa muttered, half-closing her eyes.
"Come on, even if she did, so what? The human soul, bound by gravity, will inevitably be overcome by the desire to return to the embrace of Mother Earth decades later."
And chances are, they'll bring back some not-so-friendly local specialties.
Legend complained while flipping through her book.
"...What about you, Oba-chan?" Festa turned and asked Legend.
"Me? I want to be a hero." Her tone was calm and confident.
"Huh?"
"Preferably the kind that can transform. I don't care if it's a warrior of light or a Kamen Rider," Legend thought for a moment, then added, "Pretty Cure is fine too."
So you want to be an actress?
"Wouldn't that be difficult?" Orfevre said.
"It's fine. I can bring capital into the production if I get the chance."
With a "bang," the door opened.
"You're so loud! I could hear you from the stairwell!" A black Uma Musume stood at the doorway, her tone unfriendly.
"...Oh, Sister Journey, why are you here?"
Shouldn't this be a video call?
"I'm a Tracen student too, so is it strange for me to be here?" Dream Journey raised an eyebrow.
"Are things settled back home?" Legend asked.
"Speaking of which, I should thank you. The reforms you pulled off for your last birthday had real lasting power, giving me the chance to pull those idle old geezers back to work."
I finally have a reduced workload.
Just thinking about those old bastards working with long faces made Dream Journey feel refreshed; she could eat three more bowls of rice.
"You're welcome." Just don't drag me into the work.
"Oh right, Festa, remember to check the progress. You promised me," Journey told Festa.
"...Fine." Festa's face immediately fell.
"Oh my, Festa, you're actually being so obedient? What did you do?" Gold Ship was very interested.
"Oh, she agreed to be my secretary as a condition for not becoming the next representative of the Gold Family," Journey explained.
"Oh dear, oh dear, Festa, that's a huge sacrifice," Gold Ship gloated.
"...Hmph." Festa looked at Gold Ship with a scornful and mocking smile.
"However, we still need a representative. So, thanks to Festa's recommendation, congratulations, Gold Ship! Following the family council vote, you have become the new representative of the Gold Family. Effective immediately!"
"Gah!" Gold Ship's smile froze.
"Congratulations!" Nakayama Festa led the applause.
"Congratulations!" Orfevre also kicked her while she was down.
"Congratulations," Gold Legend said, expressing 'better you than me.'
"Festa!!!" Gold Ship, shedding tears of blood, wanted to ruthlessly attack her good sister.
"Alright, Golshi, I know you're happy, but you don't need to be so excited."
She was suppressed by Dream Journey.
"So, are we still having the meeting today?" Orfevre asked Journey.
"No need. That was all. I just called you all here to tell you I'm back," Dream Journey said with a smile. "Oh, and congratulations on winning the Derby, Legend."
"The same to you."
Journey smiled and said, "Speaking of which, what were you guys just talking about?"
"Well, perfect timing. Big Sister, what is your dream for the future?" Festa asked, seizing the opportunity.
"Huh? Why so sudden?"
"Nothing."
"Dreams for the future, huh... Honestly, I haven't thought much about it," Dream Journey scratched her head. "After all, family matters are exhausting enough, and you guys constantly make big news that adds to my workload."
The quartet guiltily looked away.
"But I do have one goal: to retire without injury!"
"That is truly a wonderful goal," Legend commented.
"Health is more important than anything," Orfevre said with a smile.
"Of course! Maybe I'll even meet someone to spend my life with then! I look forward to it."
"That's going to be tough."
"Since everything's settled, let's go! Hey, how about we go out for a meal to celebrate Sister Journey's return? My treat."
"Legend, your taste... makes me feel a little uneasy."
"One word: are you coming?" Legend asked calmly.
"Yes!" Journey's expression was determined and heroic.
"Let's go!" Legend and Journey immediately set off.
"Wait for me, count me in." Nakayama Festa chased after them.
"Me too!" Orfevre also followed.
"...Holy crap, are you guys seriously not treating me like a person? Wait up!" Gold Ship, who had been playing dead, quickly got up and chased after them when she realized no one was paying attention to her.
"Oh right, Sister Journey, welcome back."
"Welcome."
"Oh, I'm back!"
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