"Blossom-san! Is it true that you had to return to the ICU!?"
"Blossom-san, do you have any words regarding Secretariat's statement about–"
"Are you truly withdrawing from the–"
"Blossom-san-!"
I stared at the sea of reporters standing in front of me, clearly more than eager to approach and swarm around me. Yet they were unable to; their approach was stopped by the dozen of armed soldiers who stood around me like an unbreakable wall, more than willing to physically push away those who came too close.
And behind those reporters was a massive crowd of civilians, easily numbering in the hundreds. All of them were crowding around in such large groups that they were blocking the roads heading towards the hospital entrance that I'd just come out from. And beyond them, I could see another row of armed soldiers, standing guard as if the hospital was some sort of high-security prison instead.
…Man, what was even going on anymore?
I sighed softly as I recalled what Kitahara had explained. Only two weeks had gone by since I fell into that mini-coma, but apparently that was more than enough for the entire country to go up in flames.
For one, Director Akikawa deployed her PMC to guard the hospital. I mean-, I was flattered that the Director went out of her way to do this, but this was beyond excessive. Using her PMC to defend Tracen Academy made some sense at least, but using her PMC to guard the Tokyo Hospital was just–, hah.
Anyway, there was also the fact that Secretariat publicly declared me as her protege a week back. Partly just to get it out of the way, and partly because there wasn't long before the New Years. And while Secretariat was mainly an American umamusume, her status as the Big Red wasn't one that could be ignored, and having me declared as the third Big Red had rocketed my fame to the moon.
And lastly, Director Akikawa apparently thought this was the perfect moment to unveil her plans regarding the Dream Series—a number of races specifically dedicated to umamusume who had retired. She specifically stated that it was a shame that an umamusume became unable to run simply because their careers were 'over'. Which didn't sound too bad, until people realized that umamusume like the Emperor would now potentially return to the track, and suddenly everyone went crazy.
Right now, I wanted nothing more than to hold my head and stuff myself into the washing machine. Because this was not what I was expecting to see when I woke up.
But here I was, standing in front of a crowd that reached into the hundreds, protected by armed soldiers like I was the president or something. And because I was a complete idiot, I told everyone that I would head out on my own to settle things, since I was the one who technically began this all.
I wanted to go back to the past and bash myself in the head.
I took a deep breath to calm my nerves, and slotting back my 'Hero' persona into place, I gazed upon the crowd and narrowed my eyes. "Silence."
My voice was neither loud nor overpowering, and yet it echoed over all the noise. A chill fell across the crowd, and many people couldn't help but gulp as they found their eyes unwillingly turned my way. And that pressure only grew as they stared into my eyes that'd unknowingly turned bright gold.
I let my gaze roam across the now-quiet crowd for a few moments, mostly to see if anyone else was willing to speak up.
No one did, thankfully. Though I didn't realize that many of them were either scared or mesmerized by the hypnotic glow my eyes had taken as I spoke.
"I do mind answering your questions. After all, it is I who unceremoniously disappeared over the past two weeks." I began, letting my expression soften slightly. "However, my hearing remains tender after my long stay at the hospital. Please keep your voices down."
And as if to ensure that my words were being heard, the soldiers who stood around me glared at the crowd, threateningly shaking their firearms. The reporters who stood at the very front of the crowd gulped, feeling both ashamed and terrified out of their minds.
Seeing as the crowd had finally turned quiet, I smiled faintly. "Now, who wishes to speak first?" The reporters stared at one another, no one quite willing to be the first. A minute went by in complete silence, and my smile turned somewhat awkward as I glanced around.
Thankfully, before I had to ask again, the first reporter stepped forward.
"Ah-, first, I apologize for this sudden interview, Blossom-san." The young man said, nervously adjusting his glasses. "But, um, is Secretariat the main reason you-, I mean, Team Kitahara decided to continue running in America next year?"
I hummed, pretending to think over the question for a few seconds. "Not quite." I eventually said. "It's more apt to say that Secretariat's choice to make me her protege had simply accelerated my plans. Even before our first trip to America, I had always expressed a desire to journey overseas. My meeting with Secretariat had been mostly by chance."
"I-, I see." The young man nodded as he fervently scribbled on his notebook. "Thank you, Blossom-san."
I nodded, letting my gaze roam over the crowd. "Next."
Another period of silence followed before a casually-dressed woman stepped forward. "If I may ask, are your recent physical changes caused by your True Blooming or some other reason?" She asked, before she quickly added when she noticed a few of the armed soldiers glaring at her. "B-But you don't have to answer if you do not feel comfortable."
I chuckled. "No, no. That is a valid question." This time, my confusion was genuine as I hummed. "In truth, no one knows. It cannot be a sign of my True Blooming, considering my body has apparently only recently begun its True Blooming." The woman looked shocked at my answer, and I shrugged. "Trust me, I am as surprised as you are."
"I-I see…" The woman looked down at her notes for a moment, before she bowed. "Thank you for your answer, Blossom-san." She said, before she hastily retreated back into the crowd.
I smiled wryly. "Next."
Thankfully, the next reporter stepped forward relatively quickly. "Do you have any thoughts regarding the Dream Series that has been announced?"
"Truthfully? I have little to say." I said, frowning slightly. "I have only recently heard about this, and so I likely know as much as everyone else regarding what this entails." I then smiled. "However, if I am to be granted the chance to race against the legends who had inspired me to race, then I would be its staunchest supporter."
The reporter hummed. "Thank you, Blossom-san." He said, before he stepped back into the crowd.
I nodded. "Next."
The impromptu interview really got going after that. Once the initial fear and awe had mostly faded away, the reporter stepped forward and eagerly asked their questions. The reporters asked a wide range of questions—some rather banal, and others pointed and specifically asking about my career going forward. I answered them all to the best of my abilities.
Then, after dozens of different questions, that one inevitable query finally appeared;
"Blossom-san, is it true that you'll be withdrawing from the [Arima Kinen]?" A man with graying hair asked, his eyes hidden behind his sunglasses.
I was quiet for a moment, before I smiled. "I will neither confirm nor deny." I said instead, my smile turning a little mischievous. "I understand how much my fans wish for me to run in the [Arima Kinen]. And trust me, I wish for the same." I shook my head. "Alas, the future is not solely up to my own hands. I must return to Tracen and confirm my condition. If I am capable, then perhaps I will indeed run in the [Arima Kinen] as I first planned to."
"So there's a chance?" He asked, sounding hopeful.
The gold of my eyes burnt like the sun as I smiled.
"Perhaps."