Air Shakur and Fine Motion returned to the training track.
The first thing they saw was Garden Gale inside the grounds.
"Oh?" Fine Motion felt a bit surprised seeing that prodigy again, but she said nothing—nor did she have the right to. She quickly averted her gaze. After all, theoretically, ever since Air Shakur had lost to Tokai Teio, Garden Gale could freely use Team LOCK's training grounds.
A bet's a bet.
That was all there was to it.
But Air Shakur beside her stared fixedly at the girl.
Her attention was entirely captured by Garden Gale's training…
Watching, watching as the other girl's running style gradually morphed into Tokai Teio's, seeing her training just like Teio-san, dancing gracefully. She was so absorbed that she forgot herself completely, forgot everything else—watching as Garden Gale slowly grew stronger. Air Shakur's brows tightened more and more deeply.
She was utterly stunned by the sight before her!
"This monster... evolved again!" Air Shakur gasped in astonishment.
She knew better than anyone what Garden Gale had been like three days ago—and what she was now, three days later. This growth was explosive! As expected of one of the two prodigies in the Junior Division! Air Shakur felt she'd repeated those words too often, yet no matter how many times she said it, it wasn't an exaggeration. Every praise-filled word in existence could apply to Garden Gale.
She was just that incredible.
Never had she seen an Umamusume quite like this…
"Evolved again?" Fine Motion caught the detail and tilted her head slightly.
Again?
Why again?
Air Shakur nodded slightly and began to explain. "Let me tell you from the start—but first, Fine, look closely at Garden Gale's running posture, her control over her center of gravity, the fine details... All of it."
"Then recall my race against Tokai Teio from a few days ago, every single detail of Teio-san's running."
"Can you still remember clearly?"
As soon as she finished speaking Fine Motion instantly responded, "Of course, I remember it vividly."
Air Shakur hadn't even had a chance to explain what she saw during Garden Gale's training session when Fine Motion had already realized something.
The memory of that figure, and the image in front of her eyes, slowly overlapped, becoming nearly identical. Apart from extremely subtle details, Garden Gale was already infinitely close to Tokai Teio. She knew her, understood her, and thus had become her.
"Huh!? Why...why is Garden Gale-san's running form so similar to Teio-san's?"
Even though she asked Fine Motion had already guessed the reason.
Air Shakur watched her astonished friend, recalling her own reaction from last time, and chuckled, "Her copy skill is terrifying… She captures every single detail. Sometimes, I even wonder—last time, when Garden Gale-san was watching us train, was she secretly learning our styles too? Damn, this is wild!"
Never before had an Umamusume possessed such an ability.
Many ran incredibly fast, so fast they left afterimages, crowned champions of their generations.
But someone like Garden Gale was practically unheard of. No one knew how far she could climb—would she rise to the throne, or fade into the masses? That was just a matter of time; eventually, everyone would see.
But after realizing this Fine Motion frowned.
Her initial optimism and gentle expectation gradually turned into doubt… She no longer felt as optimistic about Garden Gale, no longer looked favorably on this prodigy from the Junior Division. She bluntly stated, "Actually, I think Garden Gale-san isn't as strong as I initially believed."
"Why?" Air Shakur was startled.
She'd expected her friend to heap praises instead.
Fine Motion, who had always supported Garden Gale, shook her head seriously and replied, "Copying... is only copying. Perhaps she's too even, without any unique skills of her own. So she's copying other people's styles, imitating other people's skills? That's probably the case. But having no unique skills of your own—will absolutely never work."
Air Shakur had to admit Fine Motion had a point.
However she still supported Garden Gale. In the end, the path Garden walked was somewhat similar to her own, and Air Shakur had absolute, blind confidence in her path. On this point, they held different views.
"Then do you think she can beat Narita Top Road? She seems pretty strong too—Admire Vega even lost to her before." Air Shakur asked again, turning towards the girl from Ireland. "What do you think?"
Fine Motion considered carefully, "I'll give you an answer tonight—I need to think seriously about it."
No one understood Narita Top Road's determination to win better than this girl from the grassy plains of Ireland.
For now, she set her doubts aside.
"Why don't we just directly ask her if she's confident about beating Narita Top Road?" Air Shakur suggested.
Without waiting, she took Fine Motion's hand and walked directly toward Garden Gale.
...
Garden Gale watched Air Shakur and Fine Motion approaching from afar.
She'd noticed them the moment they'd arrived, but this time she hadn't stopped training. Since Air Shakur already knew her secret, hiding things was pointless. She'd rather seize every second to grow stronger, maximizing her chances of winning.
All of this training was done while forcibly enduring her body's rejection and discomfort.
It built up until she nearly couldn't endure it anymore, almost about to vomit—
Garden Gale quickly halted her training. Exhaling deeply, she felt her heart and lungs pounding, her legs burning painfully… but the positive feedback of becoming stronger surfaced clearly.
I guess I still can't fully ignore people watching me... But this was already great progress—training seriously under someone's gaze even for a while was impressive.
Oh, by the way…
Maybe she should find a chance to cling and flirt with Air Shakur and Fine Motion too? To gain some Senior Division skills—their skills would probably differ from Teio's. Everyone had their own strengths, right?
Garden Gale completely forgot she'd just texted Tokai Teio about ten minutes earlier.
[CherryInGarden]:I miss you so much, Teio-san.
Throwing out a straightforward fastball without the slightest restraint.
She was just acting like this to become stronger, nothing more! Garden Gale had indeed clung to and flirted fiercely with Tokai Teio once, and she'd grown tremendously stronger from it! But even so, that wouldn't be enough to beat Narita Top Road!
Narita Top Road was still pretty strong.
She had to do more! She had to get even stronger!
Only then could things be considered healthy.
After sending her message, Tokai Teio didn't respond right away—probably busy.
So, Garden Gale reconsidered, shifting targets for now. Making up her mind, she took one step forward but immediately stopped in place. Goosebumps erupted all over her skin—she'd almost forgotten she was socially anxious! A primal fear resurfaced instantly. How was she supposed to initiate close contact? Especially with these two Umamusume who looked incredibly difficult to get along with…
Especially Air Shakur.
She looked so fierce!
Those shark-like teeth looked like they could bite right through someone. Just seeing them was overwhelming!
Only Fine Motion seemed gentler… But even she was with Air Shakur! If she said or did anything wrong, she'd have to endure the pressure from both of them! Two times the scary!
Could she really clingy-flirt with them?
Forget it… I'll just stick with my sweet Teio. Teio is the cutest, has the best personality, and never gets angry…
As she monologued the two of them started heading straight towards her.
Don't come over heeeeere! What do you two want now? Are you playing mafia or something?!
But again—the objective world doesn't care about human willpower.
Air Shakur approached directly, radiating intense pressure just like last time, but as she got closer, she unexpectedly broke into a friendly grin, waving casually, "Hello~."
"Ah." Garden Gale opened her mouth nervously, "Hah… ha… hello…"
She was so tense she could barely form words.
Fortunately, the other two didn't notice her condition—or if they did, they'd assume it was just from training fatigue. Air Shakur stepped even closer, casually draping her arm around Garden Gale's shoulder like a best buddy.
…Uwaaah?!
What are you doing?! Why are you pulling me into your arms? Just what are you trying to do?!
Are you playing Mr. Steal Your Girl now? Or are you cosplaying a domineering CEO?!
Feeling Air Shakur's breath tickle her face, Garden Gale's mind went utterly blank—as if her brain had been surgically removed. Not a single coherent thought remained.
She just stared blankly.
"Don't be nervous, relax~," Air Shakur chuckled carelessly, completely oblivious, "I don't mean anything bad. I usually act fierce toward others, but somehow, whenever I'm with you, Garden Gale-san, I feel this mysterious sense of closeness. Do you feel it too?"
"No, not at all actually…" Garden Gale timidly replied.
She was terrified that the next second Air Shakur would transform into a giant shark and devour her whole.
Then Fine Motion would hold her down so she couldn't escape! This is murder! Somebody save meee! I'm gonna die of embarrassment! How can anyone casually touch someone else without the slightest bit of nervousness?!
Garden Gale's discomfort peaked, practically ready to marmot-scream at any moment.
"Hey, I wanted to ask you something," Air Shakur continued, swaying her head slightly, speaking in a total delinquent-style tone.
She really did look like a textbook delinquent.
But just as she opened her mouth to speak, Air Shakur suddenly felt the arm she'd casually draped over Garden Gale's shoulder being gently lifted up, slowly but firmly pushed away—as though someone didn't approve of this clingy closeness.
At first, Air Shakur thought Garden Gale herself had finally hit her limit…
But as she glanced sideways, she immediately understood.
Standing there, wearing a bright smile, was an Umamusume with a neatly tied high ponytail.
"What exactly are you two doing?"
EXTREME JEALOUSY MAX!!!
A single glance at those pure, gemlike ocean-blue eyes revealed her identity instantly—it was Tokai Teio.
Who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
"We're not doing anything~" Air Shakur, who'd lost to Tokai Teio once already, could only quietly retract her arm… and honestly answered, "Actually, Fine and I made a bet. I think Garden Gale-san can beat Narita Top Road, but Fine disagrees, so we were planning to ask Garden Gale-san if she's confident. That's all there is to it."
"You could've just asked normally. Was there really a need to get all touchy about it?" Tokai Teio shot back sharply.
…Air Shakur fell silent immediately.
With no one clinging to her anymore, Garden Gale's mind gradually returned to normal. She inhaled deeply, fresh air filling her lungs, consciousness quickly restored. And in the next instant, she cried out joyfully:
"Teio-san? Why did you come?"
Tokai Teio tilted her head slightly, "Aren't you the one who wanted—wait, didn't you call me over yourself? Hmm? GG-san~?"
Fine Motion glanced meaningfully at the two who seemed lost in their own little world, then turned to Air Shakur beside her and winked playfully.
And thus, once again, the four of them returned to the same mixed-up pot of messy feelings.
---
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