On the other side of things—Curren Chan finished explaining everything to Garden Gale—Admire Vega's desperate training plan included—though she concealed the deeper reasons behind Vega's sudden decision.
Gazing unconsciously at the morning sky, Curren Chan sighed deeply, conflicted.
"Ah, so that's what happened…" Garden Gale stroked her chin thoughtfully, unknowingly mimicking the Emperor's iconic gesture.
In short, Admire Vega had lost too much and spiraled into despair.
When someone sets a rigid standard of victory and then falls short, everything around them can swiftly transform into hostility. It feels like the whole world is conspiring against you, crushing your spirit.
But honestly...
Didn't every Umamusume standing on that track desperately crave victory? Everyone had their reasons to win; nobody wanted to lose.
Even Garden Gale herself once thought, I absolutely cannot lose, haunted by fear of disappointment and self-isolation. She understood Admire Vega's feelings all too well—not that anyone could ever truly feel another's exact pain, but there were endless variations on the same bitter theme.
Hearing all this, Garden Gale abruptly stood. Without even finishing breakfast, she headed straight for the door.
"Wait, where are you going?" Curren Chan asked, bewildered. A moment later, she mistakenly concluded Gale had given up, her expression dimming with disappointment.
But Garden Gale turned back with a reassuring smile. "Just follow me."
Trust me—I have a plan.
...
Thirty minutes later.
Admire Vega finished packing the essentials, slinging the heavy bag over her shoulder. She left her quiet dormitory, shutting the door gently behind her, plunging the empty room into silence once more.
In the short month before the Japan Derby, she would hone her body and spirit until her edge was razor-sharp—sharp enough to seize victory.
To achieve that she'd drafted a brutal plan.
One month was far too short to bridge the immense gap between herself and the top racers. So instead, she would target her mental breaking point—push through the invisible wall of her own limitations.
Once she broke that barrier...
All obstacles—pain, exhaustion, fear—would become meaningless.
Admire Vega was prepared for extreme measures. No more gentle jogs on flat tracks with steady oxygen intake, no slow exploration of limits. To drastically improve in a short time meant ruthlessly pushing herself to extremes, running through the harshest conditions imaginable.
The world knew of an infamous challenge called the Ozaki Eight—humanity's fiercest trials, faced in nature's harshest environments. An impossible feat for most, yet some transcended their limits, emerging reborn. Admire Vega didn't intend to replicate it precisely—such endeavors sought existential meaning, not mere speed—but she borrowed its spirit, anchoring her resolve to a freezing, snow-capped mountain.
Like Rocky scaling frozen heights before facing Drago.
But make no mistake, this was incredibly dangerous.
Curren Chan had turned pale at first glance, declaring the plan suicidal. Running at altitude risked oxygen deprivation and exhaustion. Without proper trails, increased body heat and sweat could lead to deadly hypothermia in the frigid surroundings. One mistake—just one small misstep—could cost Admire Vega her life.
Suicidal.
No other word could adequately describe it.
But Admire Vega had already decided; she wasn't seeking anyone's permission, merely informing them. Her argument with Curren Chan had erupted from exactly that stubbornness and mutual misunderstanding.
Steadying her breath, Admire Vega forced herself not to dwell on the quarrel. She marched purposefully out the school gates, ready to challenge the mountain, ready to evolve.
"Hey."
But the moment she stepped beyond the gate, a familiar voice halted her. Leaning casually against the wall, Garden Gale straightened with a calm smile. "Admire Vega."
"Hmm?" Admire Vega acknowledged quietly, masking confusion—what was this about?
Noticing Curren Chan beside Gale, she immediately understood.
"You're heading out to train, huh?" Garden Gale asked casually, as if stating the obvious. "Think carefully before you answer—are you sure you want to go through with this?"
"Yes."
Admire Vega's response was instantaneous, decisive, without the slightest hesitation.
Her determination was painfully clear.
Seeing such firm resolve, Garden Gale didn't attempt persuasion. Instead, she extended a fist toward her rival, offering encouragement:
"Then I'll be waiting for you at the Japan Derby."
"Just make sure you don't die up there. Come back stronger in a month, fierce and ready—and I promise, I'll race you with everything I've got."
Those words made Admire Vega's eyes widen slightly.
Isn't that a bit…dramatic? It sounds exactly like something Opera O would say…
Before Admire Vega could respond, Garden Gale repeated firmly, sincerity shining from her eyes, "I'll wait for you. One month. Train hard—and come back safely."
Admire Vega suddenly understood Garden Gale's intention.
She reached out solemnly, gently bumping Garden Gale's fist with her own. "I will."
Curren Chan anxiously interjected, concern written plainly across her face: "But—"
"Curren-san, let Vega-san go," Garden Gale gently interrupted. "You can't cage certain birds—they have to fly free. Everyone must find their own path."
The reason Gale didn't stop her was because she knew Admire Vega could not be stopped. Everyone had their journey to complete, their own inner battles to fight. Garden Gale understood this perfectly, having been through it herself.
Letting her go was the only choice.
"I have just one question, though," Admire Vega said as she withdrew her fist. "How did you know exactly when I'd leave?"
Garden Gale's lips curled into a mischievous smile, recalling a similar moment when Air Shakur had caught her at the gate. She raised one finger playfully to her lips:
"Secret."
...
Admire Vega departed for the mountain to train.
Meanwhile, Narita Top Road wouldn't let one defeat drag her down either. Symbolizing stubborn determination itself, she had doubled her training intensity and, somewhat unexpectedly, become quite close with T.M. Opera O. Ignoring Opera O's occasional dramatic outbursts, she found herself appreciating a strong sparring partner.
Only 28 days remained until the Japan Derby.
Time was short—especially for the winners of the Satsuki Sho.
Whenever you walk ahead of others, the shadow of time follows relentlessly. If you falter, it might overtake you; if you rush forward, you risk forever chasing your own shadow.
---
T/N: okay wait GG is not as close to Admire Vega as Curren is so no Ayabe and uhhh i think Garden Gale is just gonna refer to people as -san
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