Garden Gale finally escaped from the deadly pursuit of Narita Top Road and the other Umamusume. (Actually, they were just chasing after her to congratulate her!)
It was absolutely deadly pursuit.
Socially anxious people don't like this kind of scenario.
Being chased down with congratulations, cameras flashing non-stop… worst of all, becoming the center of attention at the party. The spotlight burned her, offering none of the joy of fame, only overwhelming discomfort. She had no idea how to respond.
It's so unbearably awkward.
She'd just muddled through vaguely... and now, she had fled to a quiet place where nobody could find her.
I'm alive again…
Garden Gale thought, breathing a sigh of relief.
What should I do now, though? She pondered, patting her head. A huge emptiness suddenly enveloped her—a sense of vacancy after achieving her goal… an emptiness that brought with it confusion about what to do next.
And it felt like she'd forgotten something, too. She couldn't recall exactly what.
Forget it.
It's best not to think too hard.
Casually putting her hands into her pockets, Garden Gale prepared to leave this place—the racecourse, the crowds—and return to Tracen Academy, back to her small, quiet space. She intended to fully enjoy her newfound peace. Besides, if she stayed here any longer… she might get cornered again, maybe even interviewed—and interviews were absolutely out of the question!
Just thinking about it made her want to run away.
She was absolutely hopeless!
Garden Gale quickly picked up her pace, preparing to slip away quietly.
But before she could even take two steps—
Garden Gale noticed someone walking directly towards her. Someone so prominent that other Umamusume along the way stepped aside respectfully. Even Tokai Teio was trailing behind this figure—a handsome Umamusume in a Tracen Academy uniform.
Her dark hair highlighted with a striking white streak, eyes shining violet with undeniable authority...
The Seven-Time G1 Champion, the Emperor, Symboli Rudolf!!!
But Garden Gale had no idea who she was.
Seeing the Emperor approach, she just blinked blankly. Realizing that Rudolf was indeed heading straight for her, Garden Gale focused her attention entirely on the newcomer, utterly oblivious to the cameras that once again turned in her direction.
"Hello."
Symboli Rudolf greeted her, extending a hand in friendly invitation for a handshake.
Even though Garden Gale was utterly unwilling—even visibly deflating—she reluctantly shook hands with the Emperor and replied quietly, "…Hello."
Wait.
Who are you again?
And what do you want?! Stop torturing me already… Although she vaguely guessed this was probably some famous Umamusume.
Garden Gale had no idea how powerful Rudolf really was, and thus showed absolutely no respect. Or rather, after being interrupted like this, she simply didn't want to show respect. She just wanted to get this interaction over with as quickly as possible to avoid any more interviews or being cornered—she desperately wanted to run, run away fast.
Seeing Garden Gale standing before her without even a hint of fear—
Symboli Rudolf found this girl increasingly interesting. The Emperor herself treated everyone equally and respectfully, but her immense power, charisma, and reputation inevitably made others treat her with a distant reverence, something that secretly troubled her.
The Emperor didn't like this… even though she bore the title Emperor.
And so, seeing Garden Gale not intimidated in the slightest—
Symboli Rudolf couldn't help but feel a surge of admiration.
And a thought crossed her mind:
Could Garden Gale qualify to tread that path towards the Triple Crown? No, perhaps it should be called a conquest—the ultimate honor for all Umamusume. Rudolf opened her mouth slightly, tempted to directly invite Garden Gale to participate in the preliminary races leading up to the Satsuki Sho.
Yet, after some thought—
She didn't say it.
Instead, Rudolf simply complimented her. "You truly are impressive. Your name is Garden Gale, right? Tokai Teio has mentioned you before. From now on, I'll remember your name clearly. Keep up the good work. Moreover… having the talent to even copy Teio's running style—well, I wonder if…"
She didn't finish her sentence.
What she'd meant to say was: Can you even copy my running style?
Probably not.
After all, her Emperor's running style dominated everything under heaven.
But Garden Gale's only thought was: Did this person approach me just to spout meaningless stuff like this? Aaaaah! Let me go already!—completely unaware she was talking to her future "father-in-law."
She was too exhausted even to complain inwardly.
"That's right!" Tokai Teio piped up behind Rudolf. "I didn't even notice when you learned my running style, GG-san!"
Garden Gale's heart tightened.
Oh no.
Is she here to confront me about stealing her running style? So that was what she'd forgotten! How would Tokai Teio feel, seeing her running style being stolen? She'd be angry, right? I treated you like a sister, a friend, a brother—and yet you secretly copied my style...
Ugh…
I don't want to face Teio right now.
I definitely don't want to fight with Teio or ruin our friendship…
"As expected of GG-san! You're really amazing!" Tokai Teio continued, oblivious to her fears.
The smallest possible weather shift from cloudy to sunny occurred on Garden Gale's face.
She broke into a brilliant smile.
Meanwhile, Symboli Rudolf, having delivered her cliché compliments, decided to observe Garden Gale a bit longer before deciding whether to help guide her towards the Triple Crown. For now, she simply smiled kindly and spoke meaningless, friendly words: "Mm, go take a good rest. You still have the Winner's Live to do later, so rest a while."
"…Winner's Live?"
Garden Gale's face was full of confusion.
Her expression suggested she genuinely had no idea what this thing was.
Absolutely zero clue.
None whatsoever.
She didn't even know what a Winner's Live was.
"You know, a LIVE! Winner's Live!" Tokai Teio explained, also appearing puzzled. "What's wrong? An Umamusume is both a professional athlete and an idol, you know! You have to do a Winner's Live to celebrate your victory and give something back to your fans!"
LIVE!?
Now Garden Gale finally understood.
No way.
No… there's no way they're asking me to perform a LIVE, right!?
Her mind went completely blank... desperately hoping this was some misunderstanding, because going up on stage and performing a LIVE—
I'd rather die first!!!
Absolutely, absolutely, absolutely dame!
Dame dame dame dame dame dame dame dame dame dame dame dame dame dame dame dame dame dame dame dame!!!
She couldn't even register what Symboli Rudolf and Tokai Teio were saying after that.
She could only weakly whisper a single word:
"…Dame."
Garden Gale's face was now utterly pale.
Today's smallest, localized shift from sunny back to cloudy occurred once again on Garden Gale's face.
---
T/N: LMAOOOOO okay this confirms that she has no umamusume knowledge muahauhuaha
okay uhhh power stones were at 491 but im giving u guys a break and giving 5 bonuis yep erjoics
bonus chaps
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300 stones -> 3 chapters
and so on
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