AN: Today's been a little busy, so unfortunately there'll only be one chapter today. But since I managed to squeeze in a little time, I decided to put down some extra details I have regarding this story as we're heading towards the final few chapters.
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About the different {Souls};
I've mentioned how Star (and previously Eclipse) has the {Soul of Bravery}, while Oguri and Secretariat have the {Soul of Strength}, and Kincsem (and potentially Belno?) has the {Soul of Wisdom}. But there is a reason why they're the ones who fit.
What defines Star as a character is her unwillingness to back down once she gets going, seen in the way she was willing to tear down the URA when she realized that Obey genuinely wanted to race in Japan. She's already faced Death twice before, and it's this reason that made her a fit for {Bravery}.
Secretariat and Oguri's cases are simple; both were born with extraordinary strength, even if it took some time for it to appear. Oguri in particular fit this well, since she was a freak of nature whose strength hasn't been replicated.
Kincsem's case is more on vibes. Her name literally translates to something along the lines of: "The Treasured One". And though she could easily fit into {Strength} because of her achievements, I just can't help but picture her as this more noble type. Belno's inclusion in {Wisdom} should be obvious.
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Special Week;
If this story gets a sequel, then the Main Protagonists would definitely be Silence Suzuka and Taiki Shuttle (since they're the two umamusume who've been most impacted by Star), while Special Week fills in a role similar to Oguri.
But if I do get around to writing her, I'd probably change her backstory a little bit. It'll still be mostly the same, and her personality will be too, but the framing around it would have some added depth.
I can't put the name, but I remember seeing this comic about Special Week's name. How the days her mother had before her passing was the most Special Week of her life, hence the name. And honoring her wish, Spe's adoptive mother decided to name Special Week after those words.
And knowing this, Special Week's desire to win becomes even more intense, so much so that she'll transition from the usual idol-uma to the red-dressed General of Japan alt that exists in the JP server.
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Tokai Teio;
Would she still face her often-memed Triple Fractures in a theoretical sequel of this story?
Yes. Maybe it'll be even worse.
Not just because it's good drama, but because overcoming it would be the perfect embodiment of her (future) {Soul of Bravery}. Tokai Teio is not invincible, and she doesn't need to be. It is her grit and bravery to continue stepping into the arena that makes her so beloved by everyone.
Also, Teio Domain will totally be related to the Pheonix. It fits her Alt, and also because of the whole revival thing.
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The Three forms of Domains;
I only have a rough draft of it, but I generally classify Domains into three different types:
The first is Emission. This is the kind of Domain that creates a mystical effect that doesn't directly affect the physical world. Stuff like Obey's nebulae or Dicta's railgun. Sure, the increase in power could create some sort of effect (like Maruzensky's trail of fire), but the Domain itself doesn't do anything. It's similar to how they used to be before everything began changing.
The second is Summoning. This kind of Domain can affect the world, and does so through the summoning of some sort of being. Tamamo summons Susanoo, Belno summons Zhuge Liang's army, and Inari summons a fox youkai (not sure who, but maybe Tamamo-no-mae?). This Domain allows them to embody the strength of their predecessors. Teio's future Domain falls into this group.
The last is Transformation. This is the type Oguri and Star's Domains fall into. It's characterized by the transformation of both reality and themselves. It's the strongest form of Domain, capable of altering the world itself, and thus the rarest. Special Week's future Domain falls into this group.
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About Secretariat's Domain;
I've never fully named it, and only a small snippet of it was shown when she forcefully broke into the Goddesses' domain, but I do have a barebones idea as to what it could be.
Its name would be {Titanomachia}, or in other words, the advent of Titans and the rise of Gods. It's a Transformation type Domain, and using it, she can temporarily elevate herself into the Goddess of Strength. In doing so, she completely weakens everyone from the sheer weight of her presence, and the sky will turn dark as the sun seemingly shatters in half.
It's completely overkill, but she's the Big Red. She deserves something just as bold, I think.
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The future;
It isn't concrete, but since everyone ages normally in this world, here's a few possible future careers some of the characters could have. It's not complete; it's mostly just a few I've thought of while I wrote this story.
Blossom Star: Legendary athlete, Superstar, and therapist (whenever she returns to Tracen Central)
Oguri Cap: Legendary athlete, food blogger, and critically-acclaimed chef
Belno Light: Researcher (about Domains), Trainer, and teacher
Tamamo Cross: Comedian (straight man), frequent traveler (with Obey?), personal Trainer of Stay Gold
Obey Your Master: Secretary of Director Akikawa, who occasionally moonlights as a Trainer
Super Creek: Kindergarten teacher, housewife and mother, and occasionally helps Nase Fumino with her work
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So, what's left?
There'll be a few chapters leading up to the new year, the last week of Team Kitahara's stay in Japan, and finally them leaving for America.
There'll also probably be the last IF:Cinderella Gray chapter. Mostly just to wrap one last bow on that little IF story.
And lastly there'll be an Epilogue chapter that details Silence Suzuka's entrance into Tracen Central with hopes of following in Star's footsteps.
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Well, that all aside, I'll leave my final thoughts on this story for a later date; maybe after the Epilogue? But regardless, it's been a pleasure writing this story for you all. Only a little left now.