The next day, at Tracen Academy.
Am I really famous now?
Garden Gale was still mulling over this uneasy thought, when Curren Chan—busily tapping away at her phone—suddenly let out a startled cry and shoved the screen excitedly in her direction.
"Garden-chan!!"
"Huh?" Garden Gale jumped in surprise, scratching her head nervously. "What's going on?"
"Remember that time we went out together and you fainted from overtraining after being mobbed by fans? That video went online and got pretty popular!" Curren Chan's eyes sparkled as she recalled the incident cheerfully.
Garden Gale inwardly grimaced.
Overtraining? I fainted because you startled me!
Collapsed due to Curren-chan.jpg
But this was the second time Curren Chan had mentioned it. Last time was after Garden Gale had won the Wakagoma Stakes, causing Curren Chan's followers to surge—
A chill suddenly ran down Garden's spine.
Wait… don't tell me that winning the Satsuki Sho made that video popular again?
Before she could voice her fears, Curren Chan continued eagerly, "Garden-chan, you've brought me tons of new followers! People keep asking me if you have a social media account—like an Umastagram or something—since they want to follow the Satsuki Sho champion! My follower count jumped by tens of thousands overnight!"
"Garden-chan, you've really blown up this time!"
"You won the Satsuki Sho and hit a new peak."
"Your Bear Celebration Dance went viral—it's trending number one, leading a swarm of people online…"
…So, I really am famous now.
Garden Gale briefly wondered if she should start carrying a pen everywhere she went, just in case fans asked for autographs. She was practically a celebrity now.
Indeed. Definitely.
No joke this time.
But… this was mortifying! Just thinking about recent events made her vision blur. Damn it, all she did was wiggle a little! She'd only danced to avoid awkwardly standing still! Why were there so many fans and views?!
"So, do you have an Umastagram?" Curren Chan suddenly asked.
Garden Gale jolted sharply. "No!"
Her response was instant and resolute.
There was no hesitation whatsoever. Just thinking about the account named Ruined King—and that absurd profile description—was enough to make her cringe. If someone connected that embarrassing persona to her real-life image, her social life would be utterly destroyed!
"Then open one now!" Curren Chan's eyes glittered even brighter. "With this kind of popularity, you'd get tons of followers instantly! Even Curren-chan got an extra twenty or thirty thousand followers because of you! Come on, Garden, do you need help setting it up? Just open Umastagram…"
Hearing such enthusiasm, Garden Gale subtly pressed the power button, shutting off her phone's screen. She was genuinely terrified Curren Chan would open the app and discover the Ruined King account.
Quickly, she came up with an excuse.
"Forget it. Let's just head to morning practice."
She tried desperately to end the conversation there.
"As expected of Garden-chan!" Curren Chan looked at her with admiration. Truly, she idolized Garden's tireless dedication—winning the biggest race of her career and immediately resuming training, rather than partying and relaxing. Her eyes shone with earnest respect.
Perhaps…
This is exactly why Garden Gale won the Satsuki Sho.
Garden Gale felt thoroughly bewildered.
She hadn't done anything special—she'd just mentioned training! Why the intense admiration? Wait, did Curren Chan's brain fill in details again? How much more can this girl misinterpret my actions!?
...
Shortly after, Garden Gale arrived at the training track.
It was early morning, mist drifting thickly around her. The chill air filled her mind and lungs, offering unprecedented clarity.
Indeed.
Sleeping late was easy. Drinking sugary drinks was easy. Grabbing McDonald's breakfast in a drive-thru and driving off without ever leaving the car was also easy. But the only path to strength was doing difficult things over and over—relentlessly training, pushing forward. All else was pointless; only practice mattered.
Right now, the track was deserted.
She shook her head, shaking off stray thoughts, and began warming up, stretching muscles that still felt slightly sore.
Breathe.
Focus.
In fact… Selas should have finished upgrading to version 1.1 by now.
Time to see what's changed…
But before Garden Gale could open her panel, a quiet voice drifted through the fog.
"Hello."
From within the mist, someone stood and stepped forward, as though having patiently awaited her arrival. Beside this mysterious Umamusume stood Symboli Rudolf, someone Garden Gale considered a guiding figure.
Rudolf smiled warmly. "Good morning, Garden."
"Morning," Garden Gale replied cautiously, eyes flicking uncertainly toward the stranger.
It seemed… that this unfamiliar girl had specifically come looking for her?
Was there some special reason? She studied the mysterious Umamusume curiously. She wore a striking teal-green outfit—sleek and practical, with a touch of athletic flair, skipping the standard school uniform entirely. Her exposed calves were perfectly defined, hinting at impressive physical strength.
Moreover, Garden Gale instinctively sensed an aura of power radiating from the newcomer.
…She's strong.
Garden Gale's posture tensed slightly, muscles unconsciously tightening.
Even stronger than T.M. Opera O—just standing there, the stranger projected subtle pressure despite not having raced.
But… I don't recognize her at all.
"I win," Rudolf teased the teal-green Umamusume, laughing softly. "See? She really doesn't know who you are."
The teal-clad girl merely shrugged.
Then, without hesitation, she looked straight at Garden Gale and spoke directly, "Allow me to introduce myself—I'm Mr. C.B."
"Yep, the same Mr. C.B. they've been calling you the second coming of."
"Huh?" Garden Gale stared blankly.
Since when had anyone called her Mr. C.B. II?
Wait… actually, they have! Oh no! Just thinking about it sent chills down her spine. But why would the original Mr. C.B. suddenly show up like this? Garden Gale's thoughts descended into panic. She desperately wished the earth would open up and swallow her whole.
I never asked for that nickname!
Damn it!
One humiliation after another, no end in sight.
At that moment, Mr. C.B. II stared awkwardly at Mr. C.B. herself, an embarrassed smile plastered stiffly across her face.