The lights and crowds passed by Riku's eye as he was driven down the street. A week had passed since the Satsuki Sho, and he was as busy as ever. Reiko had raised the alarm for him after the race was over, that they had to more thoroughly check their staff for moles from the previous administration. They had found over twenty individuals they had missed, with a possibility of there being more. He could trust her thoroughness in vetting them; she hadn't let him down yet. However, it seems Masayuki Goto, who had been taken into custody after his son-in-law's stunt, was not happy to be jailed following the event. He had been fussy his entire time at the police station, and Riku would have visited earlier if not for two things. One, he had been incredibly busy in the fallout of the Satsuki Sho and attempt on his life, so he had been working overtime. Secondly, he just didn't like the man and felt no need to rush to visit and clarify what happens next for him.
"Almost there, boss." Buckshot had taken the wheel again, this time, shooting him a grin, before turning to look back at the road. Riku nodded to her before looking back out the window, a small smile on his lips. It was hard to believe he'd already been the Chairman for four months, and these two had been his bodyguards for just shy of that time. Opal has acted as close to a second personal assistant to him, and Buckshot, despite her attitude showing otherwise, has been incredibly reliable. Overall, his employment at Umamusume had grown within the company, not just in the security department. He could only imagine how it'd look years from now, perhaps during the time of the Golden Generation seen during the anime. Only time will tell.
Shortly after her statement, they had pulled up to a local police station in Tokyo. A pair of police officers stood outside the station, one Umamusume and one not. Their gaze sharpened as he was let out of the car, looking at him and his guard detail thoroughly. The male guard held up a hand and waved them over as he began a brief security check, while the Umamusume perked up and stood at attention, looking at them attentively. After a moment, he gave Riku a nod before doing the same to his two guards. The man did look a little uncertain while giving a check to Buckshot, who grinned at the man, enjoying his discomfort. He then gave them a brief nod and bow, before nodding to his fellow officer, as they both held the doors open for them.
"Thank you," Riku said aloud, giving both a smile before walking in. Many officers glanced up at them as they strode in, before returning to their work. Riku made a beeline for the receptionist located to his left, smiling at her as he strolled up. She had frozen briefly upon seeing him, or more likely the Umamusume behind him, before resuming her professional demeanor.
"M– Mr. Chairman. How can I help you?" She smiled at him, her smile the same fake and practiced one someone with years of customer service would have. A glance down revealed a nametag on her blouse: Aiko Mitsuba.
"Hello, Aiko. I'd like to visit Mr. Goto, if that is possible." Riku gave her his best smile as she looked uncertain about his request. She was rescued from having to answer by the security door on the right opening and the police chief himself stepped out. He held up a hand to stop Aiko from answering and stepped up to Riku, giving a slight blow as he did so.
"Chairman Riku? Yoichi Fukuga, Chief of Police here in Branch 3, Tokyo. You're here to see Mr. Goto?" He asked while standing at attention. When he received a nod of confirmation from Riku, he turned back towards the door. "Please follow me. I'll personally escort you." He began to stride back through the doorway, the group quickly following. A glance around revealed many officers gazing at them openly, some curious, some dismissive, as they were led to the detention center.
As they entered the detention center, Chief Yoichi took a step back after gesturing to the farthest cell in the block, waiting by the doorway. Riku strode forward, Buckshot and Opal behind him, as he looked at the cells occupied while he passed. They each had another person detained, three men and one woman, all of them looking in the direction of the last cell in the line with looks of irritation. As he got closer, the reason was pretty clear. He could vaguely hear Masayuki muttering to himself angrily as he got closer, the man repeatedly hitting the metal of his bedframe with a book, creating a loud disturbance for the others.
Riku only stared at the man as he continued to mutter angrily about betrayal and taking what was his. After five minutes of staring, he still hadn't noticed him standing there. It had only taken him a week in this high-quality Japanese jail cell to become like this? Or was it even before, when he was forced into retirement? A glimpse of the jail cell revealed it had every essential the man would really need, with only the bars on the cell and window marking it as a prison. It was more like a rich man's house arrest, if anything.
"You look like you've seen better days, Mr. Masayuki." Riku smiled as his words snapped Goto out of his funk, the man going purple with rage at the sight of him. The man was immaculately dressed as ever, but his image was ruined by the crazed look in his eyes and lack of attempts to fix himself otherwise.
"YOU! RIKU YOSHIDA!" The man grasped the bars of his cell, his teeth bared in a snarl as he looked at the man who ruined him. "HOW DARE YOU DO THIS TO ME!?" He repeatedly shook the cell bars, as if he could shake them loose to get closer to Riku.
Riku had attempted to speak to the man, but he still kept yelling at him, not letting another word get in. He sighed lightly. There was no point in trying to speak to the man while he was fired up like this. With a glance over at Buckshot, who only looked too amused at the proceedings, she stepped forward, drawing Goto's attention. The man was ready to continue his tirade before he had to stop as a shadow fell over him, his eyes trailing up at the muscular Umamusume staring down at him with a predatory grin. The man took a shaky step back and plopped onto the ground, staring uncertainly at the Uma.
Riku stepped forward, lightly tapping the bars to get the man's attention. Seeing the look of anger slowly returning to the man's face, he chose to speak to stop the man before he could begin. "Enough of that, Mr. Masuyuki. Let's speak like civilized people, yes?" Riku crossed his arms as he looked at the man, who kept glancing between him and Buckshot, a mix of uncertainty and rage. "Do you know why you're here?" Riku tilted his head, wondering if the man realized the level to which he had messed up.
The man stubbornly refused to answer, his mutterings quieting as he settled for glaring at him and refusing to acknowledge Buckshot's presence. Riku looked curiously at him for the lack of response before shaking his head and squatting down, getting to his level.
"Masayuki Goto." Riku called out, getting the man to meet his eyes. "You were given the option of a quiet retirement, after all the crimes you've committed while a member of the URA." Riku's expression was flat as he looked at a man he considered among the lowest kind of filth he had met. "Instead of taking that out you were given gracefully, you decided to have your son-in-law attempt to assassinate me." The man continued to stare at him defiantly, but he could see the anger slowly leave him as realization set in. The things he did while at the URA could see him in prison for years, but the level of escalation that the assassination attempt was?
"You see, I never forgave any of you for the sheer poison you were to the URA and their vision for Umamusume. But, I knew that it'd be more damaging to cut you out publicly, and possibly hinder the URA for years to come." Riku paced back and forth lightly, looking away from Goto as he looked towards the ceiling. "So imagine my surprise when a spineless worm like you decides to try and have me killed. The attempted murder of any individual is a serious crime, Mr. Goto. But you know, I'm unfortunately not just any individual. I'm the Chairman of the URA, a figure that stands similar to most political figures." Riku had stopped his pacing to stare down at Goto, who had gone pasty white in terror. "You've attempted to assassinate a prominent figure in the URA, making your crime go up to the level of terrorism and political assassination. Congratulations." Riku gave a slow clap as the man hurriedly stood with his head bowed.
"Please, wait! I didn't know he'd go through with it!" Goto rambled on, getting a raised eyebrow from Riku and his guards. Unseen by Goto, the police chief had wandered closer and was listening attentively. "I was upset and told him you were to blame for everything. I didn't know he'd actually try to kill you. I swear!" Riku glanced over at the chief, who was stonefaced as he continued to listen. It would seem Goto forgot that not only was the chief here, but they had audio recordings for this area as well. A shame.
Riku held up a hand to stall his continued pleadings. "I believe you, Goto," Riku said, a bold-faced lie, but one that got a faint look of hope in the man's eyes. "Sadly, I am not the one you need to convince." He held a hand out to the police chief, who stepped up, his blank stare boring into Goto. Masayuki Goto could only look in disbelief, his eyes darting back and forth between the people present. "We're done here." Riku gives a dismissive wave of his hand as he walks out, his two guards falling to step behind him. Buckshot gave a bright laugh at the series of events, while Opal could only shake her head at the spectacle that unfolded. Goto did not get a chance to recover before Riku was gone, and his hopes of freedom with him.
"That was pretty cold of you, boss." Buckshot had her arms clasped behind her head as they walked out of the building towards their car. Despite her words, she was as cheery as ever about what had happened.
He merely gave a glance at her smirk before looking forward. "Really? I thought I was being pretty nice, actually." Riku shrugged at the incredulous look leveled his way, before quietly thanking Opal for holding the door open for him. As they got seated, Buckshot turned to look back at him questioningly.
"Where to next? Are we heading home?" Her ears twitched several times as she glanced over her shoulder at him.
"To Tokyo General Hospital, we're going to meet Director Yasuyuki. Please." Riku glanced at his phone and answered, reading the messages. The man was excited about a breakthrough they had made, and wanted to show Riku at one of the higher-end hospitals in Tokyo. He could only wonder what had made the man so fired up.
SHORTLY AFTER
Their car pulled to a smooth stop at the front entrance to the hospital, Buckshot dropping them off while she went to park the car nearby. As the duo entered the hospital, they were met by a very clean environment with very few people present. Riku actually blinked in surprise, seeing no one waiting to be seen, with the two receptionists present just excitedly talking to each other as he and Opal strolled in. Once they were noticed, the receptionists waved them over, with the one speaking to them giving a bright smile, surprisingly genuine.
"Hello! How can I help you?" The receptionist, Mika, asked as she tilted her head, dark blue hair moving over her eyes. She was especially curious when noticing the Umamusume behind him, her mind trying to conjure possibilities of who or what he could be. A trainer? Some kind of celebrity?
"Hello. My name is Riku Yoshida. Could you inform Director Yasuyuki that I'm here to see him at his request?" Riku questioned as the woman's eyes blinked several times, with his name dropping the Director. Both women looked at him curiously before Mika frowned and went through with his request. The other woman, Risa, the blonde receptionist, asked him a question.
"I'm sorry. I feel like I've seen you before, sir. Do I know you?" Both were trying to figure out why his name sounded so familiar. Mika, who had just reached Director Yasuyuki, had to pull back in surprise when the Director shouted out in excitement through the phone upon hearing who was there. Before she could get another word in, the line went dead as it was hung up on the other end. The two receptionists looked confusedly at the phone before the sound of someone yelling echoed through the hallways behind them.
As the whole group turned to look towards the noise, the double doors leading further into the hospital burst open. Standing in the doorway, his arms out grandly after pushing both doors open, was Director Yasuyuki, a cheery grin on his face.
"Chairman Riku! My friend! You made it!" The man laughed brightly, not seeing how his words caused the two receptionists to turn a pale white as they looked at the man checking in. The man in question pinched his brow, seeing Yasuyuki's bubbly enthusiasm. The man strode up and clasped Riku's shoulder in greeting, ignoring the warning look Opal gave him. When she looked at Riku questioningly, he merely shook his head. The man wasn't a danger, at least he thought so, just overly cheerful.
"Director Yasuyuki." Riku shook his head with a smile at the man's antics. "I'm here at your request. What did you need me to see?" Riku raised an eyebrow as the man was practically shaking in excitement. A glance past the man revealed the receptionists looking like they had struck gold on the gossip train, with more nurses poking their heads down the hallway at them.
"Aha! Right this way! I have someone I'd like you to meet, please!" Yasuyuki stepped back and rubbed his hands together as he gestured for them to follow, marching along without their confirmation. A glance back revealed Buckshot entering the building, looking at him questioningly, only to receive a shake of his head. Riku waved his hand and did his best to follow Yasuyuki, who was power walking ahead without checking to make sure he was following. They strolled past many nurses and doctors; some of the nurses even appeared to be recording them or taking pictures as they moved by. Nothing really to be done about it; he didn't really have the right to tell them not to record or anything.
They caught up to Yasuyuki just outside of a room, the man holding up a hand to forestall them, before entering briefly. Riku and his two guards could only wait outside the room curiously, briefly glancing at the many eyes around them before quietly waiting. Thankfully, the wait wasn't more than two minutes, as Yasuyuki stepped back out, his smile still in place.
"Please come in! Miss Vega is excited to meet you and to show you her twins!" Yasuyuki gestured behind him to the open door, where a brown haired Uma with a blue decoration on her left ear sat waiting for them. A pair of babies were held in her arms, not newborns, but still very young, with brown uma ears sticking out. A routine check-up?
As they stepped into the room, Riku briefly froze as recognition finally hit him while looking at the young mother. The woman had leveled a grateful smile at him, her children's faces angled his way. Vega? Vega… No freaking way. As Riku was realizing just WHO he was looking at, the mother spoke.
"Mr. Yoshida? Mr. Yasuyuki told me you were a big part of the reason I can hold my daughters today. Thank you." The woman made a slight attempt to bow while holding her children, smiling sheepishly. "Please, meet my little miracles. Admire Vega and Sunday Vega." Riku could only slowly walk forward and look shakily at the two children, both sleeping as he gazed down at them.
"Holy shit…" Riku thought to himself as he gazed upon the two. This… this was big. Twins were unheard of in Umamusume. Carrying over from horses, twins were generally a complicated process for Umamusume, due to their bodies not being suited to carrying twins. With horses, one of the children would be aborted for the sake of the baby and mother, as grim as it was. Admire Vega's story in Umamusume is synonymous with the survivor's guilt of surviving when her sister did not. A small smile appeared on Riku's face as he continued to look at the babies, realizing just what had been accomplished by his people. Admire Vega's story had changed, hopefully for the better.
"Admire Vega… and Sunday Vega, you said?" Riku looked questioningly at the two children, as the mother could not look prouder looking at her children.
"Mm!" The woman nodded excitedly, nodding her head to the bundle held in her right arm, then her left. "Admire Vega, after my trainer and team. Sunday Vega, after a dear friend of mine, I haven't seen her in some time." Vega's eyes misted over at the second statement, looking wistfully at her daughter.
Riku nodded at her words, his mind churning. A confirmation of what he thought, Sunday Vega is likely named after the fabled Sunday Silence, an American winner and arguably the greatest breeding stud Japan had ever seen. He put a finger to his lip in thought; he'd have to do some investigating into Sunday Silence, as many of the notable Umamusume were sired by him. In particular, he remembered speculation on him/her being Manhattan Cafe's imaginary friend.
"They're beautiful." Riku smiles at the mother, leaning forward to look at the children as their ears twitched. "Thank you for letting me meet them. I look forward to seeing them grow into amazing Umamusume." He declared, getting a smile from Vega in response. He glanced at the children once more before shaking his head to look at Yasuyuki. "Was this what you called me for, Director?" Riku questioned idly, as Opal took a step forward to look at the children and talk to Vega. They spoke quietly as he stepped back to speak to his colleague.
"One of the things, yes!" The man excitedly nodded, glancing over fondly at the interaction between Umamusume before gesturing to the door. "Please, I have many more things I'd love to show you today!"
As Opal and Vega finished speaking, he opened the door and gestured for them to follow. Riku smiled at the mother one last time before making to follow, only to stop when he saw Opal following him. "Buckshot?" Riku questioned, noticing the tall Uma staring at Vega and her children. She glanced at him briefly before turning back and meeting Vega's eyes as the mother smiled knowingly at the American Uma. She held Sunday Vega towards the tall Uma, as Buckshot glanced back between him and Vega, uncertainly.
Riku could only chuckle as it clicked for him. How cute, and unexpected from his brash bodyguard. "Go ahead, we'll meet up later." After giving his blessing, Buckshot seemed to teleport forward, holding the now awake Sunday Vega and cooing at her. After closing the door behind himself, Riku saw Opal taking a few pictures on her phone briefly before following after him. When he glanced back at her, she was acting all prim and proper again, as if she hadn't been photographing her coworker/friend. When he raised an eyebrow at her in question, she refused to answer.
Giving up on understanding how the Australian Uma thinks, he continued to follow Yasuyuki, preparing for a long day ahead as the man seemed intent on having them tour everything in the hospital that could be tied to the URA's advancements.
SCENE BREAK
"Haaaah," Riku sighed loudly in his now-empty office, having finally returned after hours of being shown EVERYWHERE in the hospital. Literally, everywhere. Yasuyuki even showed them that they had completely replaced the plumbing in the restrooms, improving their efficiency and cleanliness. Not something he needed to see, but the man was too excited to care.
Placing his hands on his face as he leaned back, Riku ruminated on how busy a day it had been. Fate had been changed; Admire Vega's story was forever different now, and Sunday Vega's was sure to be interesting. He had dealt with one of his unruly former colleagues and likely would have to deal with more soon. The police chief planned on prosecuting Goto and was asking around about the other colleagues who had retired, having heard the whole conversation between him and Goto. The man would likely investigate Riku himself, knowing something was up at the URA, but would likely find nothing, hopefully. Riku began to question if he had done any criminal activities himself as his paranoia flared up.
Before those thoughts could bother him any further, Riku glanced down after accidentally moving some files on his desk forward. He smiled as he looked at the files and the profile images displayed in the top left. They were a pair of debut Umamusume records placed in front of him, both undefeated at this point. Both were familiar faces, as he had run into them at Maruzensky's winning live. Katsuragi Ace and Mr. CB. Perhaps he would have to visit Tracen, see what Akikawa thought of these future stars.
CHAPTER END