The Uma Musume standing beside Yasui Makoto had flowing golden hair and a cool, imposing presence that carried a subtle air of authority. It was Orfevre.
After deciding to watch the Tenno Sho (Spring) the last time, Yasui Makoto had casually mentioned their plans to Orfevre the next day. To his surprise, the moment she heard about it, Orfevre immediately declared she would come along.
"It's a training race coming up soon after, so I'll take this chance to learn more about Kitasan Black."
The reason sounded reasonable, but from the video call and Orfevre's near-total silence on the Shinkansen ride, Yasui Makoto couldn't shake a private suspicion.
Could she have been upset with Gold Ship and rushed over here because of that?
The more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed. He had shown concern even before returning to Japan, while the other had still been busy playing mahjong just a week before the race. Anyone would feel annoyed.
Of course, being so upset that she refused to even meet face-to-face... that kind of attitude wasn't exactly appropriate.
Lost in these thoughts, Yasui Makoto found himself muttering under his breath without realizing it.
Compared to his memories, many things in this world lined up, but they weren't exactly the same. And likely because of his own influence, some details had shifted noticeably. The Satsuki Sho, for instance—even though the win had been razor-close, the result had changed. If the outcome of the Satsuki Sho was different, would it affect other things too? And even if it didn't, if Gold Ship ended up upset because of Orfevre's awkwardness during this Tenno Sho (Spring)... would she end up causing some kind of trouble?
After a moment, Yasui Makoto stopped himself from overthinking. Even if there really had been some shift in the worldline, it wasn't something he could change. Compared to worrying about those things, it was far more important to help Kitasan Black gain valuable experience from this race.
===
They arrived in Kyoto on Friday evening. With a major G1 race coming up and the weekend approaching, the bustling yet historic city was alive with energy.
The hotel had been booked well in advance. After leaving the station, they dropped off their luggage first, then followed Orfevre—who had visited Kyoto many times before—as she led them around the city.
The floating goldfish lanterns along the Kamo River at night. Fushimi Inari-taisha shrouded in morning mist. The towering Kiyomizu-dera bathed in midday sun. The sea of green in the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove at dusk. The glowing lantern matrix of Yasaka Shrine under the moonlight...
Race promotional videos played constantly on LED screens, and every short walk brought new character illustrations of the upcoming contestants into view. Many tourists carried Tenno Sho (Spring) brochures, chatting excitedly about the Uma Musume they supported.
Caught up in the atmosphere, the Uma Musume offered prayers at shrines and temples or released lanterns to drift down the river, chanting blessings for their seniors. Yasui Makoto joined in as well. He quietly noticed that when Orfevre tossed a coin toward the ema wall, her gaze flicked sideways toward Gold Ship's promotional poster.
So she still cared after all. Why couldn't she just be honest about it...?
Amused, Yasui Makoto chose not to say anything.
As a G1 race with special prestige, the Tenno Sho (Spring) was naturally scheduled as the second-to-last event on race day—the eleventh race.
After watching the morning races and grabbing lunch at the track, everyone headed to the lounge before the main event to cheer Gold Ship on. Daiwa Scarlet, Vodka, Special Week, and others had already gathered there. Even Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen, who had mentioned being busy with various matters, managed to make time and rush over. Silence Suzuka, whom Yasui Makoto had only seen on a phone screen last time, had also returned to Japan as promised, specifically to offer her support.
With more than ten people crammed into the corner of the spacious lounge, the place suddenly felt a bit crowded. The overlapping cheers and bursts of laughter made the atmosphere lively and noisy.
Gold Ship, however, seemed completely unaffected. She responded to each thank-you with excitement, then boldly declared at the top of her lungs,
"Don't worry, everyone! Today, Gold Ship-sama is in top condition. I'll definitely show you an unforgettable and thrilling race!"
In stark contrast to the lively group, Orfevre stood a little ways off with her arms crossed, occasionally casting a cold glance in their direction. Two other Uma Musume stood beside her.
One was petite and wore chain-linked glasses. The other wore a knitted hat and was sucking on a lollipop.
The petite Uma Musume pushed her glasses up, her eyes flicking toward Orfevre.
"So... Orfevre, you have no intention of saying anything to Gold Ship?"
"She's about to go on stage. What is there to say at a time like this?"
Orfevre glanced over at Gold Ship's side, then turned to the Uma Musume with the lollipop.
"Even if there was something to say, Festa should be the one to say it, right? Weren't you having a great time playing mahjong with that guy before?"
The lollipop Uma Musume choked for a second.
"...Hey, Orfevre, are you mistaken? It was clearly me who was getting along with Senpai Tanimizu, and Gold Ship just butted in on her own. Why are you blaming me for no reason?"
"Then why didn't you make her go train?" Orfevre shot back with a sideways glance.
"Didn't I tell you? Ask Sister Dream—she'll back me up, right?"
Glaring, the Uma Musume named Festa turned to the petite one.
"Sister Dream, you be the judge. Didn't I tell that Gold Ship to go back to training like she was supposed to?"
The Uma Musume called Sister Dream looked thoroughly used to this kind of exchange. She calmly pushed up her glasses and tilted her head toward the lounge entrance.
"Since neither of you has anything to say to Gold Ship, then...
You two wouldn't happen to be unaware that Gold Ship's gate training hasn't been going smoothly lately, would you?
Don't just stand around here in a daze. Go help the old man and the big sister first."
With that, she straightened her collar and walked over toward the still-noisy Gold Ship.
The two who had been glaring at each other a moment ago both wilted the instant they heard "the old man and the big sister." Their momentum disappeared in an instant.
Exchanging a glance, they wordlessly came to an agreement and headed for the exit together, keeping a certain distance between them.
Just as they reached the doorway, their gazes both drifted back toward Dream Journey, who was now speaking with Gold Ship, and to Gold Ship herself, who had quieted down a little.
Nakayama Festa suddenly spoke up, pulling the lollipop from her mouth with a sigh of relief.
"...Don't worry. Gold Ship will listen to Sister Dream to some extent."
She paused, then added,
"Besides, even if Gold Ship's way of thinking is often different from everyone else's, at critical moments... she's still very trustworthy, isn't she?"
Orfevre stopped walking for a moment, then continued forward in silence. A low sigh escaped her lips.
"I hope she thinks the Tenno Sho (Spring) is critical enough... I mean, for a certain guy."