At the hospital, Fujiwara Chiya sat stiffly in a chair, his nerves wound tighter than a bowstring.
He had both hands pressed against his stomach.
Pain pulsed from deep inside.
But it wasn't his pain.
Or, more accurately, it wasn't pain from this body.
Fujiwara Shirayuki was Chiya's wife.
She was also Fujiwara Chiya himself.
And right now, Shirayuki was lying in the delivery room. Her fair face was slick with sweat, and the slender waist she used to have had swollen by more than five full sizes. Every now and then, tiny bumps could be seen shifting beneath her skin.
Outside the room, more than a dozen Uma Musume crowded around Chiya, trying to comfort him.
"It's all right, Guinea Pig-kun. It'll be over soon."
Agnes Tachyon's dark-red eyes, for once, shimmered with gentle light. Even her voice was shockingly soft.
"The child is finally being born? I—I'm not mentally prepared for this at all…" Mejiro Dober pressed a hand to her chest. Somehow, she looked even more nervous than Chiya.
"Onii-sama, does it hurt a lot?" Rice Shower looked up at the sweating man with worry written all over her face.
"My dear husband must be suffering terribly. This is the troublesome part of having two bodies, isn't it? If Yuki-chan is in pain, Husband-sama feels it too…"
Grass Wonder touched her cheek, quietly blaming herself as a wife for being unable to take even a little of her husband's pain.
Yes.
Two years after their marriage, Shirayuki had successfully become pregnant.
Now, she had reached her due date.
At this very moment, the entire Fujiwara family had gathered at the hospital. Mejiro Dober had arranged for the best doctors to help Shirayuki deliver safely. But even with the finest doctors in the country present, Dober still couldn't stop worrying. The moment she arrived at the hospital, she had started pacing back and forth, asking Chiya about Shirayuki's condition again and again.
Unfortunately, the waves of pain in his belly left Chiya with no energy to answer properly.
All he could do was force his face into something vaguely resembling a smile and tell everyone he was fine.
Agnes Tachyon took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"Well, this is kinda nice in its own way," Gold Ship said, hands folded behind her head. "Y'know what they say, married couples share joy and suffering alike. Trainer's getting an early taste of what we'll go through later."
Her mouth ran as casually as ever, but her expression wasn't nearly as carefree as usual.
Even Gold Ship couldn't really mess around in this kind of situation. At most, she threw out the occasional line to ease the tension.
Beside her, Orfevre stood with her arms crossed and her eyes closed, saying nothing.
Her foot, however, was tapping so fast it was starting to blur.
Seiun Sky had taken almost the exact same pose. She leaned against a chair, eyebrows twisting and relaxing over and over while her lips moved in tiny, restless murmurs.
"Is there no way to ease Trainer's pain?" Treve stood in front of Chiya and hugged his head gently, her face aching with sympathy as she looked toward Agnes Tachyon.
"There is, technically…"
Before Agnes Tachyon could finish, several more people came running over with rapid footsteps.
Hayakawa Tazuna strode in at full speed, her long hair loose and her hat nowhere to be seen. Her brown ears swayed with the motion. Beside her, Akikawa Yayoi hurried after her so quickly she was practically running.
"Sorry, the doctors asked us to handle some paperwork, so we're a little late. How is Shirayuki?"
Tazuna couldn't even wait until she reached them before asking.
"The doctors are getting ready. They said it'll start any moment now," Seiun Sky replied, opening her eyes.
"Declaration! Everyone, please remain calm!"
Akikawa Yayoi snapped her fan open with a sharp fwip, then came to Chiya's side.
"It's all right, Chiya. Your onee-san is here."
She took Chiya's hand.
"Yayo… Nee…"
Chiya gasped for breath.
To be honest, he was in so much pain he could barely speak anymore. The sensation coming from Shirayuki's side was growing stronger and stronger. Chiya had once pushed himself so hard in training that he strained muscles all over his body, but compared to this tearing agony from deep inside, that was basically a light drizzle.
"Human pain is often ranked on a ten-level scale, and childbirth sits at level ten—the limit of what the human body can endure."
Agnes Tachyon frowned. Then she pulled something like incense from her pocket.
"Smell this, Guinea Pig-kun. It should make things easier."
The scent of lavender drifted into his nose.
Looking at the strangely familiar shape, Chiya let out a strangled little sound.
"Tachyon… haven't I seen this thing somewhere before?"
"I did show it to you once. This is an improved version. Breathe it in for a while. You'll feel better soon."
A sweet scent filled his lungs.
Slowly, Chiya's vision blurred.
A few minutes later, the image in his mind flickered once.
Then everything went dark.
Only Shirayuki's side remained visible.
"Tachyon, what did you just do?!" everyone shouted at once as Chiya fainted.
"Guinea Pig-kun and Shirayuki share sensations. However, Shirayuki is the one giving birth, not Guinea Pig-kun. His side is nothing more than interference. It's better to put him to sleep first so both sides aren't suffering at the same time. If Shirayuki begins delivery and Guinea Pig-kun starts screaming from pain out here, it will definitely draw the attention of the medical staff. Letting him sleep in advance reduces the chance of accidents."
"B-But that method is way too rough! How can you just knock him out?!"
"Exactly! Trainer is at the most important moment right now! What if something goes wrong?!"
Faced with everyone's scolding, Agnes Tachyon didn't answer.
She simply held Chiya's hand.
"Don't worry. I know what I'm doing. Guinea Pig-kun can now focus entirely on Shirayuki's side. Rice Shower, comb Guinea Pig-kun's hair for him. Even while asleep, his body can still feel things. That should reduce his burden."
"Y-Yes!"
Rice Shower lifted Chiya's head onto her lap and gently combed through his hair, just like she always did.
At the same time, several doctors entered the delivery room.
Everyone stared at the tightly shut door and swallowed at almost the exact same time.
About ten minutes later, Chiya's body suddenly began to tremble, as if he were enduring violent pain.
From behind the thick, soundproof door, Shirayuki's cries could faintly be heard.
It was almost impossible to imagine that the gentle Empress could let out such agonized screams.
Everyone clasped their hands together and prayed to the Three Goddesses.
Ring! Ring! Ring!
Suddenly, the three tags in Chiya's pocket began to vibrate.
Red, yellow, and blue light flashed rapidly across them. Soon, the three nameplates turned into white light and vanished.
At almost the same moment, the delivery room door opened.
A doctor stepped out.
"Who here is Miss Fujiwara's family?"
"Me!"
Everyone answered in unison.
"...Congratulations. Both mother and child are safe."
The instant they heard those words, everyone rushed toward the room.
Rice Shower stood up and looked between the room and the sleeping Chiya.
In the end, she lowered her head.
"Sorry, Onii-sama! Rice Shower is going to see her baby first! Rice Shower will come back for Onii-sama later!"
After leaving Chiya slumped on the bench, Rice Shower hurried after the others into the room.
At the bedside, everyone saw a tiny newborn lying on Shirayuki.
She had white hair just like Shirayuki, beautiful blue eyes, adorable ears, and a tiny little tail.
The freshly born baby cried loudly, her tiny hand grasping Shirayuki's long hair.
"Hey… everyone."
A tired smile appeared on Shirayuki's face.
"Sorry for making you all worry."
"Yuki-chan… Yuki-chan's baby… Yuki-chan's baby is born!"
Grass Wonder covered her face, crying from sheer emotion.
"Let me see! Where is my child?! This little one is adorable! As expected of my child! You too shall become an Uma Musume whose name resounds across the world!"
"Let Rice Shower hold the baby!"
"Good baby, it's Mama~"
Tazuna leaned over the bed and carefully reached out to touch the baby.
The little one gently wrapped her hand around Tazuna's finger.
"This child is too cute!"
Tazuna clutched her chest.
Her motherly instincts had completely overflowed. She looked ready to pull open her collar and start nursing on the spot.
After all, she had milk now too.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on the tiny baby.
"Excuse me, family members. We still need to perform some checks on the baby, so please give us some space."
The doctor tried to usher the crowd of Uma Musume away from the bed.
She had never expected one childbirth to draw this many people.
After picking up the baby, the doctor prepared to draw blood for testing.
Meanwhile, everyone began discussing the baby.
"Speaking of which, what should her name be?"
"If she is my child, then naturally, her name must carry a spirit that towers above heaven and earth!" Orfevre lifted her chin.
"Rice Shower hopes the baby gets a cute name."
"Ahaha… Look at how happy she was lying on Shirayuki. She must love sleeping. How about Fujiwara Sky?" Seiun Sky suggested with a lazy grin.
"That's way too casual. What if this little one turns out super energetic in the future?" Tazuna immediately objected.
"She looks very healthy. My experimental material is finally here. Next comes raising her up strong and healthy. I truly wonder what sort of data she'll bring me in the future."
Agnes Tachyon pinched her chin, already sinking into fantasies of future research.
"Come to think of it, my mentor told me to bring the baby back to Paris after she's born. I want Mother and the others to see my little treasure too."
Treve's tail flicked excitedly as she spoke.
"You guys keep chatting. I'm gonna check on the little one!"
Gold Ship ran over to the baby.
Just then, the doctor drawing the baby's blood blurted out, "This little one… she's so strong!"
"What happened?"
"She bent the needle!"
"What?"
Gold Ship's eyes widened.
The hard needle had been crushed in the newborn baby's little fist like it was nothing more than a piece of thread.
"I've delivered plenty of Uma Musume before, but I've never seen one bend a needle right after being born!" the doctor said in shock.
That wasn't easy even for an adult!
"This little one was definitely blessed by the Three Goddesses… Goddesses above, please, absolutely let her become an Uma Musume."
"Of course she will. Our whole family is Uma Musume, so naturally, the child is too."
Gold Ship smiled.
Her gaze softened as she gently held the baby's hand.
"Right, little one?"
"Ya~ hee~"
"She is absolutely an angel!"
"Sorry, I'm late!"
A voice cut through the room as Kitasan Black rushed inside.
"There was a truck broken down on the road, so I helped pull it over! Then there was an old lady whose walking stick broke, so I helped take her home! Then I found a lost child and brought her to the police station! I'm sorry, all kinds of things held me up! Also, why is Chiba lying in the hallway? Where's the baby?"
The moment Kitasan Black saw the little baby surrounded by everyone, she instantly tossed Chiya aside in her priorities.
"Let me see! Ah, little one! I'm your Kitasan Mama!"
"Kita-chan, wait for me!"
After Kitasan Black entered, Satono Diamond arrived too, panting for breath.
She froze for a second at the sight of the crowded room. Then her eyes landed on the baby, lit up, and she squeezed her way over.
"Please treat my body a little more kindly, all of you. Also, let me hold the baby too."
Shirayuki lay on the bed and couldn't help speaking up at her noisy family.
"Celebration! Tracen must hold a one-month festival to commemorate the birth of my little brother's child!"
"You people…"
Shirayuki's lips curved upward.
Right now, she felt helpless.
And happy.
"What a lively family."
A voice sounded beside her ear.
Shirayuki turned her head and saw one of the nurses who had helped deliver her child remove her mask.
Beneath it was brown skin and emerald-green eyes.
Those clear eyes reflected Shirayuki's face.
"Y-You are…!"
"How does it feel to be a mother, Shirayuki?"
The other party gently interrupted her.
The girl who had once been an Uma Musume, and had now become a mother, answered quietly.
"Yes. It feels… strange. I never thought this day would come. It's like a dream. But… it isn't a dream. I became a mother. I want to give that child all the love I have."
"Hehe~"
The nurse laughed.
"Uma Musume run with everything they have to become stronger, then give birth to even stronger descendants. That is their inheritance. Perhaps one day, they will leave the racetrack behind. But their spirit will be passed down through the generations."
The brown-skinned nurse looked at Shirayuki.
"That is the meaning behind the existence of Uma Musume. Though, you understood that long ago, didn't you?"
"I understood it. But… when I experience it myself, it still feels strange. Sometimes I wonder if it's really all right for me to be this happy."
"Shirayuki."
Those emerald eyes looked straight at her.
"Enjoy your life as an Uma Musume. The Three Goddesses will bless you forever."
"Yes… Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Goddess-sama."
The "nurse" vanished before Shirayuki's eyes.
No one else noticed her.
"Shirayuki!"
A voice pulled Shirayuki's attention back.
When she looked up, she found everyone staring at her.
"As the child's father, tell us what name this child should have."
"Father? Aren't I the mother?"
"What are you talking about? You're the father. We're the mothers."
Orfevre's statement immediately earned everyone's agreement.
Shirayuki reached out and hugged the baby who looked like she had been molded straight from the same clay as her.
The little one was so adorable that Shirayuki felt like her heart might melt.
"Let me think… How about Hoshitsuki? Stars surrounding the moon. This child was born surrounded by everyone."
"Hoshitsuki? Fujiwara Hoshitsuki?"
"I feel like Husband's naming sense is kind of average."
"What? It's obviously a good name. It's decided. Her name is Hoshitsuki."
Shirayuki held the baby in her arms and kissed her tiny cheek.
"Little one, you're definitely going to become an incredible Uma Musume. Mama will be proud of you."
Ten Years Later
"B-B-B-Big lead! A huge lead has appeared in the rookie mock race! The winner is Fujiwara Hoshitsuki!"
A little white foal stood at the finish line, waving excitedly toward the stands.
Her beautiful blue eyes turned, and she spotted two figures sitting together in the audience, one black and one white.
She giggled and flashed them a V sign.
"You smug little Hoshitsuki. What are you showing off to Dad for?"
Suddenly, someone kicked her in the butt.
A little foal with silver hair and pink eyes made a face at her.
"There you go again! All you ever do is bully Hoshitsuki!"
A golden-haired little foal popped out from the side, arms crossed, shouting with her chin held high.
"Come at me instead if you've got the guts!"
"No way. Orfevre Mama is scary! Picking on the weak and avoiding the strong is my specialty!"
"Ahaha… There they go again. Can't anyone let me sleep in peace? It's already noisy enough at home."
A little green-haired foal lying on the grass spoke in a slow, lazy voice.
"Next, please welcome our second group!"
In the middle of the crowd stood a small, timid little foal.
After seeing her mother waving to her from the stands, she quietly encouraged herself.
She remembered the method her mother had taught her.
The way to cheer herself on was—
"Come on, come on! Fight on~~"
The girl raised her hand.
"Fight on!"
From far away, she heard Hoshitsuki-onee-sama's voice.
The girl smiled.
All right.
She had to race her hardest.
She had to catch up to Onee-sama!
In the stands, one black figure and one white figure leaned against each other as they watched the children on the racetrack.
The same gentle smile appeared on both their faces.
Their story had already reached its final page.
Now, these children would write a new legend.
The legend known as the "Empress."