One day until race day...
The skies above Kyoto were beautiful.
Clear.
Bright.
And almost completely free of clouds.
The sun hung high above the ancient city, bathing the streets, rooftops, temples, and surrounding mountains in warm autumn light.
The summer heat was long gone.
The coolness of late autumn had not yet fully arrived.
Instead, Kyoto found itself caught somewhere comfortably in between.
The temperature was just right.
There was a slight amount of humidity lingering in the air, enough to keep the atmosphere from becoming too dry, while the gentle breeze helped bring the temperature down just enough to make being outside comfortable.
It was one of those rare autumn days where everything seemed to align perfectly.
The weather.
The temperature.
The sky.
The atmosphere.
And perhaps most importantly...
The timing.
Because tomorrow was the Shuka Sho.
And Kyoto knew it.
The streets were busy.
Far busier than they normally would have been.
Tourists filled the sidewalks.
Families walked through the city.
Restaurants and cafés were packed.
Hotels were operating at full capacity.
Trains arrived and departed with crowds spilling onto the platforms.
Taxis moved constantly through the streets.
Buses were filled with passengers.
Even the roads leading toward Kyoto Racecourse were noticeably more congested than usual.
And everywhere people went...
They talked about one thing.
And one thing only.
The Shuka Sho.
Tomorrow's race.
The final leg of the Triple Tiara.
The race that could very well become...
History in the making.
It was no longer simply a major G1 race.
It had become an event.
A national spectacle.
People had traveled from all over Japan just to be in Kyoto for the weekend.
Some had come from Tokyo.
Others from Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Sapporo, Sendai, Hiroshima, and countless other cities.
Some had even traveled from overseas.
Hotels had been booked weeks in advance.
Restaurants were struggling to keep up with demand.
Train tickets had been purchased months ahead of time.
And around Kyoto, posters and advertisements featuring the runners had appeared throughout the city.
But one name appeared more frequently than any other.
King Halo.
The reigning star of the Triple Tiara.
The Umamusume who had already conquered the first two legs.
The Umamusume standing only one race away from completing the entire crown.
The Umamusume who had spent months carrying the weight of expectations on her shoulders.
And tomorrow...
Everyone wanted to see whether she could finish it.
The Shuka Sho was completely sold out.
Not almost sold out.
Not nearly sold out.
Completely.
Every ticket.
Every seat.
Every available viewing area.
Gone.
The race had reached maximum attendance.
Full capacity.
For the first time in the history of the Umamusume Racing Association, a race had completely sold out while simultaneously reaching the absolute maximum capacity permitted by the racecourse.
The scale of the event was unprecedented.
Even the URA had been forced to increase staffing and security around the racecourse and surrounding transportation routes.
Additional screens had been installed throughout the venue.
Extra temporary facilities had been set up.
The surrounding streets had been prepared for enormous crowds.
And yet, despite all the preparations...
The anticipation continued to grow.
People wanted to see history.
They wanted to witness the final chapter of King's Triple Tiara campaign.
They wanted to know whether she could become the first Umamusume to achieve the Double Slam.
And they wanted to be able to say:
I was there.
I saw it happen.
I watched King Halo make history.
The city seemed to be holding its breath.
But away from the massive crowds...
A quieter scene was unfolding.
Approximately thirty-five minutes north of the racecourse sat one of Kyoto's more luxurious hotels.
The The Mitsui Kyoto.
A high-end luxury hotel located near the heart of Kyoto, surrounded by some of the city's most famous historical landmarks.
Directly across from the hotel stood Nijo Castle.
One of the seventeen Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.
The contrast was striking.
On one side stood a modern luxury hotel filled with guests from across Japan.
On the other stood centuries of Japanese history.
Ancient stone walls.
Traditional architecture.
Carefully maintained gardens.
And structures that had survived generations of change.
It was almost fitting.
Because tomorrow, another piece of history might be written just a short distance away.
And among the guests staying at the hotel were some very familiar faces.
King Halo.
Symboli Rudolf.
Gentildonna.
Orfevre.
Mr. C.B.
Forever Young.
Maruzensky.
And Sakura Chiyono O.
Along with them was King's trainer.
Fumino Nase.
The group had arrived in Kyoto after their long drive from Tokyo and had settled into the hotel for the night.
Their cars were safely parked.
Their luggage had been brought inside.
Their rooms had been prepared.
And for the first time since leaving Tokyo...
There was nowhere they needed to rush.
No highway to merge onto.
No mountain road to navigate.
No fuel stop to worry about.
No kilometers left to cover.
Just Kyoto.
And tomorrow's race.
For King Halo, however, the meaning of that final day was much heavier.
She had spent the entire journey west trying not to think too much about it.
She had laughed with her friends.
She had listened to conversations about cars.
She had allowed Fumino to drive her R32.
She had enjoyed the open road.
She had even allowed herself to forget about the race for a little while.
But now they were here.
Kyoto.
The destination.
The Shuka Sho was no longer somewhere in the future.
It was tomorrow.
One sleep away.
One morning away.
One starting gate away.
King stood somewhere inside the hotel, looking out toward the city beyond the windows.
The afternoon sunlight reflected across Kyoto's buildings.
People moved through the streets below.
Cars traveled along the roads.
And somewhere beyond all of it sat Kyoto Racecourse.
Waiting.
King slowly exhaled.
Tomorrow would decide everything.
Or perhaps...
Nothing.
She still hadn't made up her mind about what came after.
The Dream Trophy League.
The Twinkle Series.
Her career.
Her future.
Her relationship with her mother.
All of it remained unresolved.
But there was one thing she knew.
Tomorrow...
She would race.
And she would give everything she had.
Because regardless of what came after the finish line...
She still had one final race to run.
And the entire country was waiting to see her run it.
But despite being booked at the hotel...
They were not there at all.
They had all left.
Not checked out.
Not packed their belongings and departed.
They had simply left the hotel for a few hours.
Their destination was the Kyoto URA Race Course.
The final racecourse of King's Triple Tiara campaign.
The racecourse where, tomorrow, tens of thousands of spectators would gather to watch the Shuka Sho.
But today, the grandstands were relatively quiet.
The massive crowds had not arrived yet.
The gates were not filled with spectators.
The track itself was mostly empty.
And that was exactly why Fumino had chosen to bring King there.
King Halo was running.
Two thousand meters.
A full lap around the course.
A final familiarization run before race day.
But she wasn't alone.
Jogging alongside her were the others who had been staying at the same hotel.
Symboli Rudolf.
Mr. C.B.
Gentildonna.
Orfevre.
Forever Young.
And Maruzensky.
Six Umamusume in total.
Well...
Almost six.
Sakura Chiyono O had remained behind with Fumino.
She had volunteered to help Fumino with the data collection and timing while the others accompanied King around the course.
The group moved together at a comfortable pace.
King was in the middle.
Three Umamusume to either side of her.
A six-wide formation moving around the track.
Their pace wasn't fast.
It wasn't meant to be.
This wasn't a race.
It wasn't training to exhaustion.
It was simply a final opportunity to get King's legs moving on the actual surface she would be racing on tomorrow.
King's breathing remained controlled.
In.
Out.
In.
Out.
Her arms swung naturally at her sides.
Her ears remained upright.
Her tail moved gently behind her with every stride.
The autumn air felt comfortable against her skin.
There was a slight breeze crossing the course.
The grass beneath their feet gave a soft, springy response with every step.
King glanced from one side to the other.
She couldn't help but smile.
"You... didn't have to join me, you all."
Rudolf chuckled.
"Best you have someone to accompany you."
C.B. nodded enthusiastically.
"That's right!"
She picked up her pace for half a second before settling back down.
"The more we are, the better it is!"
King sighed.
"And it does make it trickier for my trainer to get some data!"
Maruzensky waved a hand through the air.
"Not a big deal!"
She smiled.
"At least there's data on how you act in the middle of the pack."
King blinked.
"Middle of the pack?"
Orfevre scoffed.
"In the middle of five friends, Maruzen."
She looked ahead.
"Running with friends and running against rivals are two different things."
Gentildonna chuckled as she maintained her pace.
"Technically..."
She looked around at everyone.
"Our rivals are technically our classmates."
She shrugged.
"And we study in the same institution, you know."
C.B. nodded.
"She's got a point."
King glanced toward Gentildonna.
Then back ahead.
"Well..."
She took a deeper breath.
"You guys are running in your casual clothes."
Her eyes traveled across the group.
"While I'm in my tracksuit."
Maruzensky looked down at herself.
"So?"
King continued.
"You guys are getting your clothes all dirty!"
C.B. looked down at her clothes.
"Huh."
She hadn't even noticed.
King shook her head.
"I can already see it."
The group continued around the course.
Their shoes kicked up tiny pieces of grass and loose dirt.
The track had retained some moisture from earlier conditions, meaning small patches of mud clung to their footwear.
King noticed it immediately.
She glanced down at her own tracksuit.
Then at everyone else.
She sighed.
"You're all going to head back to the hotel covered in bits of dirt, grass, and probably a little mud."
Rudolf looked down at her legs.
"That's not so bad."
King gave her a look.
"It will be when you get it all over the hotel floor."
Rudolf paused.
"...Fair point."
King's eyes then shifted toward Maruzensky.
She stared for a moment.
Then down at Maruzensky's footwear.
White slingback heels.
King's expression became completely deadpan.
She looked back up.
"And you, Maruzensky."
Maruzensky blinked.
King pointed down.
"You chose to wear your white pair of slingback heels..."
She shook her head.
"...and ran in them like they're part of your G1 race outfit!"
Maruzensky looked down at her shoes.
They were absolutely filthy.
Grass stains covered the bottoms.
Dirt had collected along the sides.
One heel even had a tiny smear of mud.
Maruzensky shrugged.
"Not a biggie!"
She smiled brightly.
"I can wipe them down with wet wipes!"
C.B. immediately laughed.
"You forgot wet wipes existed, King?"
King shook her head.
"It's not like I forgot them!"
She pouted and crossed her arms as she jogged.
"It's just that you all took a bath, then came out here to jog with me."
She gestured toward everyone's clothes.
"And now you're all going to head back to the hotel and take another shower to clean the dirt residue off your bodies!"
Gentildonna raised both her shoulders and arms as if genuinely confused.
"Nothing wrong with taking a second bath."
She looked left toward Rudolf and Orfevre.
"Right?"
Then she looked right toward Maruzensky and C.B.
"Right?"
Rudolf nodded.
Orfevre nodded.
Maruzensky nodded.
C.B. nodded.
King stared at them.
All four had agreed.
King sighed.
Then face-palmed.
"You guys can be quite a handful at times."
Rudolf slowly pointed at herself.
King immediately nodded.
"Including you and your puns, Rudolf."
Rudolf's ears drooped.
"M-my puns are that bad?"
King shook her head.
"Not bad in a sense."
She paused.
"But..."
Her hand moved to her chin.
"How do you put this?"
She thought for a moment.
Her hand dropped back down.
"Corny."
Rudolf's ears lowered further.
"At times, a bit unoriginal."
King continued.
"Cheesy."
Rudolf crossed her arms and raised one finger to her chin.
"So I need to invent more original puns, then."
C.B. immediately laughed.
"Air Groove is gonna have a field day with your puns, Kaichou!"
Rudolf groaned.
"Don't remind me."
King laughed.
"She's probably already preparing a lecture."
Gentildonna smiled.
"Probably a very long one."
Orfevre nodded.
"With examples."
Rudolf's expression became horrified.
"Please stop."
The group laughed.
For a moment, everything felt easy.
Normal.
There was no pressure.
No reporters.
No cameras.
No enormous crowd.
No talk of records.
No talk of history.
Just six friends jogging around a racecourse together.
Then—
Footsteps approached from behind.
King's ears twitched.
She turned her head.
She immediately spotted two familiar figures walking toward them.
Fumino Nase.
And Sakura Chiyono O.
Fumino had her tablet in hand.
Chiyono walked beside her.
The two had clearly been monitoring the run from the side of the course.
Fumino looked down at her tablet.
She tapped the screen a few times.
Then nodded.
King slowed to a walk as she approached.
Fumino smiled.
"Great results today, King."
She held up the tablet slightly.
"We got the data we needed."
She looked through the information.
"Everything is just as I expected from our training back at Tracen."
King nodded.
"Nice."
She placed her hands on her hips.
"Any problems?"
"None."
Fumino shook her head.
"Your pacing was consistent."
She looked at the readings.
"Your breathing stayed controlled, your stride remained stable, and there was no sign of fatigue."
Chiyono smiled.
"You looked really comfortable out there, King."
King grinned.
"Of course I did."
C.B. laughed.
"There's the King Halo we know."
King proudly brushed a hand through her hair.
"Can't have my final preparation looking anything less than perfect."
Fumino lowered her tablet.
"If you're heading back to the hotel in preparation for your lunch with your mother, I'll stay behind."
King's expression changed slightly.
Fumino continued.
"I want to study the course a little more."
She looked back toward the track.
"And come up with your running strategy for tomorrow."
King nodded.
"Right, Fumino-sensei."
Fumino looked toward Chiyono.
"Could you help me with the track data?"
Chiyono nodded.
"Of course."
King then looked back at her friends.
She gave them a polite bow.
"I'll be heading out."
She straightened.
"I've got plans with my mother for lunch."
Rudolf nodded.
"Okay, King."
Maruzensky winked.
She raised a thumb.
"Stay safe out there, you hear?"
King smiled.
"I will."
C.B. waved.
"Don't let your mom stress you out!"
King paused.
Then gave a small smile.
"I'll try."
Orfevre nodded.
"Good luck."
Gentildonna smiled.
"We'll see you back at the hotel."
Forever Young raised a hand.
"Don't keep us waiting!"
King nodded.
"Will do."
She turned away.
And walked toward the facilities.
For a brief moment, she glanced back.
Her friends were still standing there.
Fumino had already returned her attention to the tablet.
Chiyono was speaking quietly beside her.
Rudolf, C.B., Gentildonna, Orfevre, and Forever Young were still watching King leave.
King smiled.
Then continued walking.
She entered the changing room.
The door closed behind her.
A few minutes later, she emerged wearing her casual clothes.
A button-down short-sleeve collared shirt.
Jeans.
And all-white sneakers.
Her tracksuit was folded neatly and placed into her duffle bag.
She slung the bag over her shoulder.
Then headed toward the parking area.
The racecourse parking lot was much quieter than it would be tomorrow.
A handful of vehicles were scattered around.
Some belonged to staff.
Others belonged to trainers.
A few belonged to visiting teams.
King walked toward her R32.
The Kyoseki Group A green Skyline stood exactly where she had left it.
The sunlight reflected off the hood.
The car looked almost intimidating sitting there by itself.
King smiled.
"Back to the hotel."
She walked around to the rear.
Her duffle bag was still in her hand.
She inserted the key into the trunk lock.
The key turned.
Click.
The trunk latch released.
King lifted the trunk lid.
Inside was the familiar, functional space.
She gently placed the duffle bag inside.
She made sure it was positioned securely.
Then lowered the trunk lid.
Thunk.
She gave it a final push to make sure it latched properly.
Then removed the key.
King walked around toward the driver's side.
She unlocked the door.
Pulled the handle.
The right-hand driver's door opened.
The familiar interior greeted her.
The Nardi deep-corn steering wheel.
The Bride bucket seat.
The Kyoseki green Takata harness.
The half rollcage behind her.
Everything was exactly where it belonged.
King climbed inside.
She lowered herself into the bucket seat.
Then pulled the door shut.
Thud.
The sound echoed slightly through the cabin.
King reached for the racing harness.
She pulled the straps into position.
Then latched the main buckle between her legs.
Click.
She gave the harness a quick tug.
Secure.
King took a deep breath.
For a second, she simply sat there.
Hands resting on the steering wheel.
Eyes looking forward.
Tomorrow.
She knew what was coming.
She knew what was at stake.
She knew that her mother was waiting for her in Kyoto.
And she knew that she had made a decision to meet her face-to-face.
King closed her eyes for a moment.
Then opened them.
"One thing at a time."
She reached toward the ignition.
Inserted the key.
Twisted it.
The starter motor engaged.
The RB26DETT turned over.
Then—
VRRROOOOM.
The engine fired into life.
The familiar six-cylinder sound filled the cabin.
The tachometer settled into a warm idle.
The exhaust produced a deep, steady hum.
King smiled.
"That's better."
She released the handbrake.
Pressed the clutch pedal.
Selected first gear.
Checked her mirrors.
Then eased the clutch upward while gently feeding in throttle.
The R32 began moving.
King guided it out of the parking spot.
She turned toward the exit.
The GT-R rolled through the racecourse grounds before joining the road.
Back north.
Back toward the hotel.
A little over thirty minutes away.
Fortunately, the traffic was light.
The highway was mostly free of cars, trucks, and buses.
The R32 settled comfortably into the flow of traffic.
King shifted from third to fourth.
Her left foot came off the clutch.
Her right hand returned to the steering wheel.
She watched the road ahead.
The city gradually passed around her.
Kyoto was busy.
But for the moment, the road felt almost peaceful.
King rested one hand lightly against the steering wheel.
Tomorrow was the race.
Today was something else.
Today...
She had a lunch appointment with her mother.
And whatever happened during that conversation...
King knew she couldn't avoid it forever.
The road continued north.
The R32 carried her toward the hotel.
The Skyline continued smoothly through the streets of Kyoto, its RB26DETT humming beneath the hood as King guided the car through the afternoon traffic.
After the morning's training at the Kyoto Racecourse, the drive back to the hotel felt almost peaceful.
There was no pressure on the accelerator.
No need to push the engine.
No reason to rush.
King simply cruised.
Her right hand rested naturally on the steering wheel while her left occasionally moved to the gear lever whenever traffic conditions required a change in gear. The R32's five-speed manual transmission shifted with the familiar mechanical feel she had grown accustomed to over the years.
The road ahead remained relatively clear.
The weather was still pleasant, the autumn sunlight reflecting softly from the surrounding buildings.
King occasionally glanced at the navigation screen.
The hotel was getting closer.
She exhaled through her nose.
She had originally planned to go straight back after the morning's training session.
Instead, she had spent more time than expected with everyone at the racecourse.
Rudolf.
C.B.
Gentildonna.
Orfevre.
Forever Young.
Maruzensky.
And, of course, Fumino and Chiyono O.
Everyone had given her something to think about.
Especially regarding tomorrow.
The Shuka Sho.
The final race of the Triple Tiara.
The final race of what could become one of the greatest seasons of her career.
Or perhaps—
The final race of her Twinkle Series career altogether.
King's fingers tightened slightly around the steering wheel.
She immediately relaxed them.
"No."
She shook her head faintly.
"Not now."
She didn't need to think about that right now.
Her mother was waiting.
That was the immediate problem.
Lunch.
A conversation.
An attempt at reconciliation.
That was what mattered.
Tomorrow could wait.
At least for a few more hours.
The Mitsui Kyoto eventually came into view.
King slowed the R32 as she approached the hotel entrance, allowing the car to roll smoothly toward the designated parking area.
A hotel employee standing nearby recognized the Skyline and stepped forward to direct her toward the reserved spaces.
King lowered the window slightly.
The employee gave her a polite bow and gestured toward the designated parking area.
King returned the gesture with a small nod.
"Thank you."
She guided the R32 into the reserved parking section.
The area had been arranged specifically for the Umamusume staying at the hotel.
Several spaces had been reserved for the group.
The other six who had chosen to stay behind would have their own designated spaces as well, allowing the vehicles to remain safely parked while their owners stayed inside the hotel.
King carefully positioned the R32 inside her assigned slot.
She straightened the steering wheel.
Checked her mirrors.
Then made one final correction.
The Skyline settled neatly between the lines.
King pressed the clutch pedal down with her left foot.
Her right hand moved to the gear lever.
Neutral.
She released the clutch.
Then reached toward the ignition.
The key turned.
The RB26DETT responded with one final mechanical hum before settling down.
The engine shut off.
Silence followed.
King remained seated for a few seconds.
The sudden quiet inside the cabin was almost noticeable after the steady sound of the engine.
She looked ahead through the windshield.
Tomorrow.
She could almost picture the Kyoto Racecourse already.
The track.
The stands.
The starting gate.
The crowd.
The cameras.
Her rivals.
Her friends.
Her mother.
King took a slow breath.
Then she shook those thoughts away.
"One thing at a time."
She reached down and released the main buckle of her four-point racing harness.
Click.
The belts loosened.
King slipped the shoulder straps from around herself and carefully moved them aside before climbing out of the driver's seat.
She opened the right-hand driver's door.
The door swung outward.
King stepped onto the pavement and straightened herself.
She closed the door firmly.
Thunk.
For a moment, she stood beside the R32.
The Skyline looked almost out of place among the luxury surroundings.
The hotel itself was elegant and sophisticated.
The R32 was anything but.
Its Group A-inspired appearance, aggressive stance, racing wheels, and functional modifications gave it the unmistakable character of a machine built for speed rather than comfort.
King glanced at it.
A faint smile appeared on her face.
"Stay here."
The car, naturally, offered no response.
King walked toward the rear.
She stopped at the trunk.
Her hand reached underneath the trunk lid.
Click.
The latch released.
She lifted the trunk and retrieved her duffle bag.
It wasn't particularly heavy, but after the morning's training, King still felt the weight against her shoulder.
She swung the bag into a comfortable position.
Then lowered the trunk.
Thunk.
She checked that it had latched properly.
Satisfied, she turned toward the hotel.
The automatic doors opened as she approached.
King stepped inside.
Immediately, the atmosphere changed.
The cool, conditioned air of the hotel greeted her.
After spending time outside in the mild autumn weather, the temperature difference was noticeable.
King took a slow breath through her nose.
The cool air entered her nostrils.
She held it for a moment.
Then slowly exhaled.
"Ah..."
She felt some of the tension in her shoulders disappear.
The lobby was calm compared with the busy streets outside.
Elegant furnishings filled the spacious interior.
Guests moved quietly through the area.
Hotel staff walked between the reception desk and various corridors, maintaining the quiet, professional atmosphere expected from a luxury hotel.
King adjusted the strap of her duffle bag.
She glanced around.
It was difficult to believe that tomorrow this city would be completely consumed by the Shuka Sho.
Only a short distance away, thousands upon thousands of people were already preparing for the race.
And yet here—
Everything felt peaceful.
Almost detached from the chaos surrounding the event.
King started walking toward the elevators.
She had only taken a few steps when—
"King!"
King stopped.
Her ears immediately perked up.
She turned her head toward the main lobby seating area.
Someone was sitting among the chairs.
A familiar Umamusume stood up.
Long, elegant hair.
A graceful posture.
A refined appearance.
And a familiar pair of horse ears.
King's expression immediately brightened.
"Ardan!"
Mejiro Ardan smiled.
King walked toward her.
Ardan picked up the bag she had placed beside her chair before stepping forward as well.
The two met in the middle of the lobby.
"Ardan! Hey!"
Without hesitation, the two exchanged a warm hug.
King wrapped her arms around Ardan.
Ardan returned the embrace.
For a few seconds, neither of them said anything.
It was simply nice to see a familiar face.
Eventually, they separated.
King smiled.
"How's it been, Ardan?"
Ardan gave a small nod.
"It's been good so far."
Her expression softened.
Then she looked directly at King.
"But how are you specifically, King?"
King paused.
The question was simple.
But she understood exactly what Ardan meant.
Not how was the hotel.
Not how was the trip.
Not how was training.
How was she?
After everything that had happened.
After her mother's words.
After the Japanese Oaks.
After everything concerning the Triple Tiara.
After all the uncertainty surrounding what would happen after tomorrow.
King smiled.
"Better than ever, Ardan."
She said it confidently.
Not arrogantly.
Not as a way of hiding something.
At least, that was what she wanted it to be.
Ardan studied her for a moment.
Then she chuckled politely, raising one hand to cover her mouth.
"That's great to hear."
King nodded.
"It really is."
She reached over and gave Ardan a light pat on the shoulder.
"Say, where are you staying at the moment?"
King glanced toward the entrance.
"You found a hotel somewhere?"
Ardan nodded.
"Me, Teio, Kitasan, Palmer, McQueen, and Ramonu-san got a hotel just to the east of the city."
King tilted her head.
"Where?"
"Nagoya."
King blinked.
"Nagoya?"
Ardan nodded.
"Specifically, the Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel."
King's eyes widened slightly.
"Nice."
She gave a small laugh.
"That's quite a distance."
Ardan smiled.
"Not that far."
She adjusted the strap of her bag.
"Just a nice hour and forty-four-minute drive from here."
King chuckled.
"An hour and forty-four minutes?"
"Give or take."
Ardan shrugged.
"Depends on traffic."
King nodded thoughtfully.
"Fair enough."
Then she remembered something.
"And how's the mileage and fuel consumption in your Alpina?"
Ardan's expression became slightly thoughtful.
She shrugged.
"It's alright."
King smiled.
"Just alright?"
Ardan gave a small nod.
"She's an old luxury sedan with a large engine. I don't exactly expect her to sip fuel."
King laughed quietly.
"True."
Ardan continued.
"But she's quiet."
She paused.
"Comfortable."
Another pause.
"And relaxing to drive."
King nodded approvingly.
"Good to hear."
She could easily imagine Ardan behind the wheel of the large Alpina B12 750iL.
The long-wheelbase sedan was almost the complete opposite of King's R32.
Where the Skyline was compact, aggressive, mechanical, and focused, Ardan's Alpina was large, refined, and designed to cover long distances with effortless comfort.
"Still enjoying the B12, then?"
Ardan smiled.
"Very much."
"I thought so."
King grinned.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
The two simply stood together in the middle of the lobby.
Then King glanced toward the elevators.
She remembered why she had come back.
"Oh."
King shifted her duffle bag slightly.
"Anyways, I gotta go get a shower."
Ardan nodded.
"I thought you were already showered."
"I was."
King sighed.
"But after this morning's run around the course, I probably need another one."
Ardan laughed softly.
"Fair enough."
King then added,
"I've got to meet up with my mother soon."
Ardan's expression changed slightly.
Not dramatically.
Just enough for King to notice.
"Your mother?"
King nodded.
"Yeah."
She didn't elaborate.
She didn't need to.
Ardan already knew enough about the situation.
The tension between King and Goodbye Halo wasn't exactly a secret.
Especially after everything that had happened recently.
Ardan gave her a reassuring smile.
"Alright, King."
She bowed politely.
"Catch up to you tomorrow."
King returned the bow.
"Will do, Ardan."
The two smiled at each other.
Then Ardan picked up her bag.
She turned toward the hotel's entrance and began walking.
King watched her leave.
The automatic doors opened.
Ardan stepped outside.
A moment later, the doors closed behind her.
King remained where she was for another few seconds.
Then she quietly smiled.
"Nagoya..."
She shook her head.
"An hour and forty-four minutes."
A small laugh escaped her.
"That's not too bad."
Then she turned toward the interior of the hotel.
She continued toward the first hallway.
The lobby gradually disappeared behind her as she entered the quieter section of the building.
Her footsteps echoed faintly against the floor.
King carried her duffle bag over one shoulder as she walked.
She eventually reached the stairs.
Instead of waiting for an elevator, she decided to take them.
One floor.
Then another.
Her steps remained steady.
By the time she reached the third floor, she could already feel the tiredness from the morning beginning to settle into her legs.
Not exhaustion.
Just the pleasant fatigue that came after proper training.
She walked down the third-floor hallway.
The carpet muffled her footsteps.
The hallway was quiet.
Soft lighting illuminated the walls.
King continued until she finally reached her room.
She stopped outside the door.
The duffle bag slid slightly down her shoulder.
She adjusted it.
Then reached into her pocket and pulled out her key card.
King positioned the card against the scanner built into the door handle.
Beep.
A small green indicator illuminated.
She pushed the handle downward.
The lock disengaged.
King pushed the door open.
Cool, clean air greeted her.
Her room was exactly as she had left it.
The curtains were still open.
Natural daylight poured through the windows, illuminating the elegant interior.
The one-bedroom layout was spacious enough to feel comfortable without being excessive.
Everything was clean.
Everything was organized.
Everything was quiet.
King stepped inside.
She placed her duffle bag on top of the clothing cabinet.
"Finally."
She stretched her arms slightly.
Her shoulders cracked softly.
"Home for the moment."
She looked down at her shoes.
King didn't bother bending over.
Instead, she used the rear edge of one shoe against the heel of the other.
She slid one foot free.
Then repeated the motion with the other.
Her shoes were left neatly beside the entrance.
King walked further into the room in her socks.
She glanced around.
Then slowly walked toward the window.
The view immediately caught her attention.
The hotel's central garden stretched out below.
A small lake reflected the afternoon light.
Trees surrounded portions of the garden, their leaves gently moving in the breeze.
Green grass filled the open spaces.
A stone path wound its way through the garden, creating a quiet walking route among the greenery.
And near the center—
The Garden Bar.
King stared at it for several seconds.
The sight softened her expression.
After the noise of the city.
After the racecourse.
After the crowds.
After the countless conversations about tomorrow.
The garden seemed almost impossibly peaceful.
King rested one hand lightly against the window.
"Such a beautiful hotel."
She smiled.
She looked across the garden again.
"Gotta thank the officials and Kaichou for these accommodations."
She shook her head slightly.
"They really went all out."
King remained at the window for another moment.
She could see people moving below.
Hotel guests.
Staff.
The occasional figure walking along the garden path.
It was almost surreal.
Tomorrow, the city would be overflowing with people because of her race.
And right now, she was standing in a quiet hotel room, looking at a garden.
King slowly exhaled.
Her ears lowered slightly.
Tomorrow.
She knew what she had to do.
Race.
Run.
Give everything.
That was all.
Everything after that could wait.
Her mother could wait until lunch.
Her future could wait until after the race.
The Dream Trophy League could wait.
Retirement could wait.
Regrets could wait.
For now, she simply needed to be King Halo.
The Umamusume who had made it this far.
The Umamusume standing one day away from completing the Triple Tiara.
King finally stepped away from the window.
She walked toward the bed.
A clean towel had been placed neatly on top.
She picked it up.
The soft fabric rested against her hand.
King looked toward the bathroom.
Then she smiled faintly.
"Second shower of the day."
She walked toward the bathroom.
Her hand reached for the door.
She opened it.
Warm, clean air greeted her from inside.
King stepped through.
She placed the towel within easy reach.
Then began preparing for her bath.
The room slowly filled with the quiet sounds of running water.
King stood there for a moment, letting the peaceful atmosphere settle over her.
Her ears twitched at the sound.
She closed her eyes.
For the first time since leaving the racecourse, there was nothing she needed to say.
Nothing she needed to prove.
Nothing she needed to decide.
Just a shower.
A little time alone.
And then—
Lunch with her mother.
King opened her eyes.
Tomorrow would come soon enough.
But for the next few minutes, she could simply breathe.
And so, with the Shuka Sho waiting only one day away, King Halo began her second bath of the day.
Meanwhile—
Back at the Kyoto Race Course.
The atmosphere around the track had become noticeably quieter.
The morning training session had already ended, and most of the Umamusume who had participated had either returned to their accommodations or gathered around the designated observation areas.
But the track itself remained open.
The 2,000-meter course stretched around them.
Fumino Nase slowly walked along it.
She didn't say a word.
Her hands were relaxed at her sides as she carefully observed the surface beneath her feet.
She wasn't simply taking a casual walk.
Every few steps, Fumino looked down.
Then ahead.
Then toward the inside rail.
Then toward the outer section of the track.
She examined the turns.
The straights.
The transitions between them.
The surface.
The elevation changes.
Even the subtle differences in how the dirt and grass felt beneath her shoes.
Behind her, several Umamusume followed.
Rudolf.
C.B.
Gentildonna.
Orfevre.
Forever Young.
Maruzensky.
Chiyono O.
They had watched King complete her training earlier.
Now they were watching Fumino work.
Chiyono O walked beside Maruzensky for a while, glancing between the trainer and the course.
Eventually, curiosity got the better of her.
She leaned slightly toward Maruzensky.
"Is it weird that King's trainer is walking the course?"
Maruzensky blinked.
She looked toward Fumino.
Then back at Chiyono.
Chiyono continued.
"I mean... she's not an Umamusume."
Maruzensky narrowed her eyes slightly.
Fumino was certainly doing something.
That much was obvious.
But exactly what?
Maruzensky didn't have an answer.
She shook her head.
"I honestly don't have an idea either."
Orfevre's ear twitched.
She had been listening.
"Has something to do with running strategy, I suppose."
Fumino heard that.
She turned her head slightly.
Then nodded.
"That's the whole point."
Everyone's attention shifted toward her.
Fumino continued walking.
They had reached the approach toward the third turn.
She slowed slightly.
Her eyes followed the curve of the course.
"The reason why I walk the course myself is to try and imagine myself in King's shoes."
C.B. tilted her head.
"What?"
She looked at Fumino with a confused expression.
"Running as a late surger?"
A few of the Umamusume immediately laughed.
Fumino's mouth opened slightly.
She raised one finger.
"N-No!"
A chuckle escaped her before she could finish.
Her raised finger slowly lowered.
"I'm not saying I'm going to run the race."
That only made C.B. grin.
Fumino sighed.
"The reason I'm doing this is to use the data I've collected and try to imagine how I would want to run the race if I were in King's position."
The joking atmosphere gradually faded.
Everyone began listening more carefully.
Fumino gestured toward the course.
"Take a late surger, for example."
She began walking again.
"You have to strategize when to attack."
Her eyes followed the racing line ahead.
"You can't simply wait until the last possible moment and hope everything works out."
"You need to understand where you are in the pack, how far ahead the other runners are, how much energy they're using, and how much you have left."
She pointed toward the approaching turn.
"You have to decide when to gain a position."
"And sometimes that's one position."
She raised another finger.
"Sometimes two."
"And sometimes you might have an opportunity to move up several places at once."
Fumino's expression became increasingly focused.
"But every time you move forward, you're spending energy."
"That's the important part."
She tapped her chest lightly.
"You're constantly balancing aggression against conservation."
"You need enough stamina to move up."
"But you also need enough left in the tank for the final stages of the race."
The group remained silent.
Fumino continued.
"At the same time, you're thinking about how and when to conserve your strength and stamina."
"You can't burn everything too early."
"You can't stay completely passive, either."
She looked toward the final corner.
"All the while, you're trying to move up places and get yourself into a better position before the final corner."
She stopped.
Everyone stopped with her.
Fumino pointed farther down the course.
"Then..."
Her voice became quieter.
"Once you're at the final corner."
She raised her hand.
"That's when you strike."
She clenched her fist.
"And unleash everything you've got."
The words hung in the air.
Fumino wasn't speaking dramatically.
She was explaining it as a trainer.
A strategist.
Someone trying to understand the race from the perspective of the athlete.
She looked back at everyone.
"And that's the same thing when you're running as an end closer, a pace chaser, or a front runner."
She shrugged.
"The strategy changes."
"The timing changes."
"The amount of energy you can spend changes."
"But you're always managing the same basic problem."
"How do I get from the starting gate to the finish line as fast as possible without spending everything before I get there?"
C.B. nodded slowly.
"That's a pretty good way of putting it."
Fumino nodded.
"And that's why I walk the course."
She looked down at the ground.
"I need to understand what King is going to feel."
"Not just what the data says."
"The numbers tell me how she's performing."
"The course tells me what she's going to have to deal with."
She stepped forward again.
"Because a race isn't just a series of numbers."
She looked toward the rail.
"It's position."
"It's timing."
"It's traffic."
"It's footing."
"It's fatigue."
"It's reaction."
"And sometimes..."
Fumino smiled faintly.
"It's instinct."
Forever Young nodded.
"Right."
Fumino glanced toward her.
"Exactly."
She continued walking.
"And it doesn't just apply to turf."
Her eyes moved toward the surrounding racecourse.
"It applies to dirt as well."
Everyone looked toward her.
"As a dirt runner, you're not just strategizing around stamina management."
"You also have to strategize around when you increase your strength to pull ahead."
Fumino made a small motion with her hand, mimicking acceleration.
"Dirt is loose."
"You don't have the same kind of grip you get on turf."
"Every stride can cost you a little bit of footing."
She looked toward the surface.
"And that becomes even riskier if you're running toward the back."
Forever Young nodded.
"Because of the kickback."
"Exactly."
Fumino pointed toward the front of the group.
"You have traffic."
"You have runners ahead of you."
"You have dirt being thrown backward."
"You have to find a way through."
"And while you're doing all of that, you're trying to keep your balance and maintain your pace."
She paused.
"And then there's the dirt itself."
"You don't want it getting into your eyes."
Rudolf blinked.
She looked toward Forever Young.
"Is that why you wear glasses?"
Gentildonna raised one finger.
"Specifically maroon-tinted glasses?"
Forever Young laughed.
"Yes and no!"
She reached up and carefully removed her gold-rimmed, rimless glasses.
She held them between two fingers so everyone could see them.
"Yes, they protect my eyes from the dirt."
She rotated them slightly, allowing the light to reflect across the lenses.
"But the maroon tint is actually a special film."
She held the glasses up toward the sunlight.
"It serves two purposes."
Everyone looked closer.
"First, it acts like sunglasses when it's exposed to sunlight."
She tilted the lenses.
"And second, it provides UV protection for the eyes."
Chiyono O raised a finger.
"So..."
She thought about it.
"Your glasses have a light maroon tint when they're not exposed to light..."
She gestured toward the lenses.
"...and then they turn into a much stronger maroon tint when exposed to sunlight?"
Forever Young's expression immediately brightened.
She winked.
Then snapped her fingers.
"Bingo!"
Chiyono blinked.
"Oh."
She stared at the glasses.
"So they're basically changing with the light?"
"Exactly."
Forever Young smiled.
"Pretty useful when you're going between shaded areas and direct sunlight."
Maruzensky nodded appreciatively.
"That's actually quite clever."
"Right?"
Forever Young slipped the glasses back onto her face.
"They're especially useful during long races."
C.B. smiled.
"Practical and stylish."
"That's the idea."
Forever Young adjusted the bridge of her glasses.
Then Chiyono O raised her hand again.
She looked at Forever Young's glasses.
Then at Forever Young.
Then back at the glasses.
Her expression slowly became curious.
Forever Young immediately noticed.
"No."
Chiyono paused.
"I haven't even said anything."
"I know that look."
Chiyono lowered her hand slightly.
Forever Young shook her head.
"No. These are not reading glasses."
She pointed at the lenses.
"They're corrective."
Chiyono's hand slowly fell beside her.
"Oh."
A beat of silence followed.
Then C.B. quietly chuckled.
Gentildonna covered her mouth.
Even Rudolf's expression softened into a small smile.
Maruzensky shook her head.
Forever Young crossed her arms.
"What?"
Chiyono looked away.
"Nothing."
"You were thinking it."
"I was curious!"
"You were absolutely thinking it."
Chiyono sighed.
"Okay, maybe a little."
Fumino couldn't help but laugh.
The sound echoed lightly across the quiet course.
Even the tension that had surrounded the conversation about tomorrow's race eased for a moment.
Fumino looked around at them.
Then back toward the track.
Despite the jokes, despite the laughter, she knew exactly why she was here.
Tomorrow was the Shuka Sho.
Tomorrow, King Halo would stand at the starting gate with the Triple Tiara within reach.
And Fumino wasn't going to leave a single detail to chance.
She looked down the long stretch of Kyoto Racecourse.
Every turn mattered.
Every meter mattered.
Every decision mattered.
And somewhere inside all those numbers, measurements, observations, and strategies was the one thing Fumino was trying hardest to understand.
King Halo herself.
Not just her speed.
Not just her stamina.
Not just her position.
But the way she would run when the gate opened.
The way she would react when the pressure came.
The way she would respond when the final corner approached.
And, ultimately—
How much she would have left when the moment came to unleash everything.
Eventually, as time went on, the afternoon gradually slipped away.
Back at the hotel, King had finished her second bath of the day.
The warm water had done its job.
Her muscles felt relaxed, the lingering fatigue from the morning's 2,000-meter course run finally easing away. For a while, she had simply stood beneath the water and allowed herself to forget about tomorrow.
But now she was dressed.
Properly dressed.
King stood in front of the full-length mirror inside her room, examining herself from head to toe.
She had changed into a black non-collared shirt, a brown skirt, and black heels.
She adjusted the hem of her skirt.
Then smoothed the front of her shirt.
Her ears twitched as she turned slightly to one side.
Everything looked fine.
More than fine.
She looked elegant.
King stared at her reflection for another few seconds.
Then, seemingly satisfied, she suddenly struck a pose.
One hand went to her hip.
Her chin lifted slightly.
A confident smile appeared on her face.
"First rate as ever, King."
She gave herself an approving nod.
Of course she was.
She was King Halo.
She had standards to maintain.
She turned away from the mirror.
Then—
Bzzzt.
King stopped.
Her phone vibrated on the desk.
She glanced toward it.
The vibration continued.
Bzzzt.
King walked over to the table and picked up the phone.
She looked at the screen.
Her expression immediately changed.
It was her mother.
Goodbye Halo.
King stared at the name for a moment.
There was a tiny hesitation.
Then she swiped across the screen to answer.
"Mother?"
Her mother's voice came through.
"Hey, King. Hope you're well."
King relaxed slightly.
Her mother continued.
"Just letting you know that I'm waiting by the Kyoto Gyoen National Garden. By the Hamaguri Gomon Gate."
King nodded even though her mother couldn't see her.
"Alright, Mother."
She picked up her wallet from the desk.
"I'll see you soon."
"See you soon, King."
The call ended.
King lowered the phone.
She stared at the screen.
Then blinked.
"...Ah, shit."
She slowly looked toward the desk.
Her eyes settled on the R32's key.
It was sitting there.
The same key with the black carbon-fiber base and the red "REMOVE BEFORE FLIGHT" tag that Sirius had given her.
King picked it up.
She looked at it.
Then toward the window.
Then back at the key.
"I should have asked Yanko if I could have borrowed her car..."
She sighed.
Of course.
Her mother was waiting in the middle of Kyoto.
And King had driven her R32 to the hotel.
There was no reason to go through the hassle of asking someone else for a car now.
She already had her own.
The only problem was—
Her mother hated loud cars.
Very much so.
King looked down at the R32 key again.
Then toward the parking area below.
"...Well."
She sighed.
"There's nothing I can do now."
Except perhaps one thing.
King's eyes narrowed slightly.
She had an idea.
She picked up her wallet and keys.
Then walked toward the room door.
She switched off the lights.
The room immediately became dimmer, illuminated only by the natural light coming through the curtains.
King stepped outside.
She closed the door behind her.
Click.
The lock engaged.
She walked down the third-floor hallway.
Her heels made soft, rhythmic sounds against the floor.
Click.
Click.
Click.
She eventually reached the stairs and descended toward the main lobby.
The quiet atmosphere of the hotel remained unchanged.
King passed through the lobby and headed toward the parking area.
As soon as she stepped outside, the cooler afternoon air greeted her again.
She walked toward the reserved parking spaces.
There it was.
Her R32.
The dark green Skyline sat exactly where she had left it.
King approached the driver's door.
She reached toward the handle.
Then stopped.
Her eyes shifted toward the rear of the car.
She stared at the exhaust.
A thought came to mind.
"...Might as well install that muffler silencer for once."
King walked around to the rear of the Skyline.
She stopped at the trunk.
The key went into the lock.
Click.
She lifted the trunk lid.
Inside were the few things she had left in the car.
King looked toward the left side of the trunk.
Then spotted it.
A plastic bag.
She reached inside and picked it up.
The bag contained the Tomei exhaust silencer.
King pulled it out.
She examined the contents.
The silencer itself.
The nut.
The bolt.
And the small spanner.
She nodded.
"Perfect."
She crouched down beside the rear muffler.
Her skirt made the movement slightly more awkward than it would have been in casual clothes, but King managed without much trouble.
She positioned herself behind the car.
The exhaust tip was directly in front of her.
King took the silencer in both hands.
She carefully aligned it with the muffler opening.
Then slowly inserted it.
The fit was snug.
She pushed it in until the mounting hole lined up properly.
"Come on..."
She adjusted it slightly.
There.
The hole was aligned.
King picked up the bolt.
She inserted it through the mounting hole from above.
Then reached underneath the muffler tip.
Her fingers found the threaded end.
She picked up the nut.
With both hands, she carefully threaded it onto the bolt.
At first, she turned it slowly.
One rotation.
Then another.
Then another.
The nut began to tighten.
King continued turning it by hand until it became too tight to turn comfortably.
"That's enough by hand."
She picked up the small spanner.
She positioned it around the nut.
Then turned it clockwise.
Click.
She repositioned the spanner.
Turned again.
Click.
Again.
Click.
King continued until the silencer was firmly secured.
She gave it a small test with her fingers.
It didn't move.
Satisfied, King nodded.
"Good."
She stood back up.
The Tomei silencer was now securely mounted inside the exhaust tip.
King looked at it.
It wasn't particularly complicated.
Just a simple insert designed to reduce the exhaust noise.
But for what she needed today, it was perfect.
She picked up the plastic bag and placed the unused packaging and tools back inside.
Then gently put the bag into the trunk.
She made sure nothing was loose.
Then reached up.
Thunk.
The trunk closed.
King gave it a final glance.
Then walked toward the driver's door.
She pulled the handle.
The right-hand driver's door opened.
King turned slightly and slid into the Bride bucket seat.
The familiar shape of the seat immediately held her in place.
She settled herself.
Then pulled the door closed.
Thunk.
The outside world became slightly quieter.
King reached behind her shoulders.
She grabbed the shoulder straps of the four-point harness and pulled them forward.
The belts came across her chest.
She brought them together over the main buckle.
Click.
King tugged on both shoulder straps.
Secure.
She placed her hands on the steering wheel.
Then looked at the dashboard.
The key went into the ignition.
She turned it.
The starter motor engaged.
Rrrr-rrr-rrr—
The RB26DETT fired almost immediately.
The engine came to life.
The Skyline's six-cylinder twin-turbo engine settled into its familiar idle.
But something was different.
King listened.
She waited.
The exhaust note was significantly quieter.
The deep, aggressive tone that normally announced the R32's presence had been reduced to a much more subdued sound.
King raised an eyebrow.
"Oh."
She blipped the throttle very slightly.
The tachometer rose.
The engine responded.
But the exhaust remained considerably quieter.
King smiled.
"That'll do."
She knew exactly why.
Her mother.
Goodbye Halo had never been particularly fond of loud cars.
In fact, "hated" was probably a better description.
King could already imagine her mother's reaction if the R32 had arrived with its normal exhaust volume.
King sighed.
"At least this should keep her happy."
She checked the mirrors.
The road behind her was clear.
She released the parking brake.
Pressed the clutch pedal down.
Selected first gear.
Then slowly began releasing the clutch while applying a small amount of throttle.
The R32 rolled forward smoothly.
King guided it out of the reserved parking space.
She checked both sides before entering the access road.
Then merged onto the main road.
The RB26 remained quiet.
Almost suspiciously quiet.
King glanced toward the rearview mirror.
"Much better."
She continued toward Kyoto Gyoen National Garden.
It wouldn't take long.
The road beside the garden eventually appeared.
King kept her speed low.
She stayed in the left lane, maintaining a calm pace.
There was no reason to hurry.
She wasn't racing.
She wasn't heading to the circuit.
She was simply going to pick up her mother.
After several minutes, King spotted the distinctive gate ahead.
Hamaguri Gomon Gate.
And beside the road—
There she was.
Goodbye Halo.
King immediately recognized her.
Her mother was standing near the roadside, waiting patiently.
King activated the left turn signal.
Click.
Click.
She slowed the R32.
The Skyline moved toward the side of the road.
King checked her mirror.
Then gently pulled over.
The R32 came to a smooth stop.
King shifted into neutral and applied the parking brake.
Before she could say anything, her mother walked toward the car.
Goodbye Halo approached the passenger side.
She opened the door.
"King-chan. Hey there."
She leaned down slightly.
Then slid into the passenger seat.
The Bride bucket seat immediately surrounded her.
Goodbye Halo looked around the interior.
King watched her from the driver's side.
Her mother adjusted herself until she was comfortable.
Then reached over her shoulder.
Unlike King's racing harness, Goodbye Halo used the regular three-point seatbelt.
She pulled it across her body.
Click.
The belt locked into place.
King looked forward.
She let out a slow breath.
Glad I installed the regular seatbelt two days ago.
She glanced toward her mother.
"Nice to see you too, Mom."
Goodbye Halo nodded.
"Likewise, King."
King released the parking brake.
She pressed the clutch pedal.
Selected first gear.
Then gently pulled away from the curb.
She signaled before merging back into traffic.
The R32 smoothly accelerated.
The subdued exhaust note remained in the background.
Goodbye Halo didn't complain.
That alone was already a victory.
The two continued down the road.
South.
The afternoon traffic was moderate.
King maintained a comfortable pace.
Her left hand rested near the gear lever while her right remained on the steering wheel.
Every so often, she shifted gears.
The R32 responded smoothly each time.
Inside the cabin, the atmosphere was relatively quiet.
Almost too quiet.
King glanced sideways.
Her mother was looking out the window.
King cleared her throat.
"So..."
No response.
King tried again.
"How are things, Mom?"
Goodbye Halo turned her head.
"Everything's alright so far."
She looked ahead again.
"Nothing much."
Then she glanced toward King.
"You, King?"
King blinked.
She hadn't expected the question.
Her hands remained on the wheel.
She looked ahead.
Then slightly away.
"Fairly busy the last couple of days."
Goodbye Halo nodded.
"So I heard."
She adjusted her seating position slightly, settling more comfortably into the passenger seat.
The silence returned.
King's ears twitched.
She could feel the tension.
Not hostile.
Not yet.
But there was history between them.
A lot of it.
King kept her eyes on the road.
Then her mother looked around the interior.
She examined the dashboard.
The steering wheel.
The bucket seat.
The harness.
Then she looked at King.
"Your car, King?"
King blinked.
Her mind immediately began working.
Tell the truth?
Or lie about it?
She glanced briefly toward her mother.
Then back at the road.
"A friend lent it to me."
She paused.
"My car is back in Tokyo. It's being serviced."
Goodbye Halo raised her head slightly.
"Ah."
She looked at the R32 again.
"I see."
Then she gave a small chuckle.
"Pretty weird seeing you in this car."
King's eyebrow twitched.
Her mother continued.
"Doesn't quite suit you."
King's eye twitched again.
She looked away.
Doesn't quite... suit me?
Her fingers tightened slightly around the steering wheel.
This car is what identifies me on the road, Mother!
She resisted the urge to say it aloud.
The traffic light ahead turned red.
King gently applied the brakes.
The R32 slowed smoothly.
She pressed the clutch as the engine speed dropped, then shifted into neutral.
The Skyline stopped at the intersection.
King stared forward.
Her mother stared out the passenger window.
Neither said anything.
The light changed.
Green.
King released the clutch after selecting first gear and gently applied the accelerator.
The R32 pulled forward.
They continued toward the next intersection.
King followed the road west.
The afternoon sun illuminated the streets of Kyoto.
Traffic continued around them.
Pedestrians crossed at designated crossings.
Buses moved steadily through the city.
And inside the R32, the mother and daughter continued their journey together.
Neither of them knew exactly how the conversation would unfold.
Neither knew what would be said over lunch.
But for now, they were simply sharing the same car.
The same road.
The same destination.
Eventually, the road ahead opened toward a larger commercial district.
King recognized it.
She followed the signs.
The destination was becoming increasingly obvious.
AEON MALL Kyoto Gojo.
Soon, the large shopping complex came into view.
King followed the entrance markings and turned into the close roofed parking area.
She slowed the R32 further, searching for an appropriate space.
After finding one, she guided the Skyline in.
She straightened the steering wheel.
Pressed the clutch.
Shifted into neutral.
Applied the parking brake.
Then switched off the ignition.
The RB26DETT fell silent.
The cabin became quiet again.
King removed her hand from the key.
She glanced at her mother.
Goodbye Halo looked toward the mall.
"Here we are."
King nodded.
"Yeah."
They opened their respective doors.
King stepped out first.
She closed the driver's door and waited.
Her mother stepped out of the passenger side.
King locked the R32.
Click.
She slipped the keys into her pocket.
Then looked toward the entrance.
"Ready?"
Goodbye Halo nodded.
"Let's go."
Together, they walked toward the mall.
Neither of them said much.
But they were together.
And for King, that was at least a beginning.
They soon entered AEON MALL Kyoto Gojo and made their way inside.
The mall was busy, but not overwhelmingly crowded.
After finding a suitable restaurant, the two settled into a table.
King sat across from her mother.
She placed her hands neatly on the table.
Goodbye Halo did the same.
For a few moments, neither spoke.
The sounds of the restaurant surrounded them.
Quiet conversations.
Cutlery against plates.
The occasional laugh from another table.
The soft movement of staff passing by.
King looked at her mother.
Her mother looked back.
Tomorrow was the Shuka Sho.
But today—
This lunch mattered.
Back at the hotel...
The afternoon continued to move forward.
While King and her mother had made their way toward AEON MALL Kyoto Gojo, the rest of the group had already returned to The Mitsui Kyoto.
Rudolf.
Maruzensky.
Chiyono O.
Mr. C.B.
Forever Young.
Gentildonna.
Orfevre.
And King's trainer, Fumino Nase.
They had all returned from the Kyoto Racecourse after spending a considerable amount of time studying the course.
The training had left dirt and grass on some of their clothes, especially after their impromptu group run with King.
So, naturally, the first thing everyone did after returning to the hotel was freshen up.
Showers.
Changing clothes.
Fixing their hair.
Cleaning their shoes.
Making themselves presentable again.
After all, they were staying at one of Kyoto's most luxurious hotels.
They couldn't exactly walk into the restaurant looking like they had just finished rolling around on the racecourse.
Eventually, one by one, they emerged from their rooms.
And this time, they were dressed properly.
Something...
Well...
Fancy.
Rudolf wore an elegant outfit that suited her composed and authoritative demeanor.
Maruzensky, naturally, looked effortlessly glamorous.
Chiyono O had gone through considerably more effort than she wanted to admit.
C.B. looked comfortable despite being dressed more formally than usual.
Forever Young looked refined without appearing to try too hard.
Gentildonna carried herself with her usual confidence.
Orfevre looked as though she had been waiting her entire life for the opportunity to sit at an expensive restaurant.
And Fumino Nase looked somewhat relieved to finally be out of her training clothes.
Together, they made their way downstairs.
The hotel's restaurant was already beginning to fill.
Soft lighting illuminated the dining area.
Tables were arranged neatly throughout the room, each one set with polished silverware, glasses, folded napkins, and carefully arranged plates.
The atmosphere was quiet.
Elegant.
Professional.
The kind of place where people naturally lowered their voices.
The group was led to their table.
Everyone took their seats.
Chiyono O slowly looked around.
She stared at the table.
Then at the surrounding decorations.
Then at the other patrons.
Then at the staff.
Then back at her table.
Her expression became increasingly nervous.
She leaned toward Maruzensky.
Very slowly.
And whispered.
"This place is too fancy for me, Maruzen."
Maruzensky glanced toward her.
Then smiled.
"Just relax."
Chiyono's ears twitched.
Maruzensky continued.
"Just be yourself."
Chiyono blinked.
"Be myself?"
Maruzensky nodded.
"Your fancy self."
Chiyono stared at her.
"I have not done my research in being fancy."
Maruzensky sighed.
She placed one hand against her cheek.
"Just behave, then."
Chiyono nodded slowly.
"Right."
She sat up straight.
Very straight.
Almost unnaturally straight.
Maruzensky glanced at her.
"Not like you're attending a royal ceremony."
Chiyono immediately relaxed.
"Sorry."
"Just act normally."
"Okay."
The two fell silent.
Across the table, C.B. was looking over the menu.
Gentildonna had already decided what she wanted.
Orfevre appeared to have chosen something that sounded particularly expensive.
Rudolf was quietly studying the menu.
Forever Young was looking over the selection with a calm expression.
Fumino simply looked relieved that nobody was talking about racing strategy for the moment.
Eventually, the food began arriving.
One dish after another.
Plates were carefully placed on the table.
The presentation was immaculate.
The portions were refined.
Everything looked almost too perfect to touch.
Chiyono stared at her plate.
She swallowed.
"This looks expensive."
Maruzensky whispered.
"Don't think about the price."
Chiyono slowly picked up her utensils.
"Right."
She took her first bite.
Her eyes widened.
She looked down at the food.
Then back toward Maruzensky.
"...Okay."
Maruzensky smiled.
"Good?"
Chiyono nodded.
"Very good."
The others began eating as well.
For several minutes, the table was relatively peaceful.
No arguments.
No strategy discussions.
No talk about the Shuka Sho.
Just food.
Then C.B. took another bite.
She chewed slowly.
Then looked across the table.
Her eyes settled on Forever Young.
"I've never had this kind of fancy food, Yanko."
Forever Young stopped eating.
Her face hardened.
Not angry.
Just genuinely incredulous.
She slowly put down her utensils.
"You?"
C.B. blinked.
Forever Young leaned slightly forward.
"Mr. C.B."
She gestured toward her.
"You, who live in a nice modern two-story house in Fuchu..."
C.B. tilted her head.
Forever Young continued.
"And own a handful of restomodded cars."
She began counting them off on her fingers.
"A Lanzante TAG Turbo..."
One finger.
"A Kimera EVO37..."
Two.
"And a Singer DLS."
Three.
She looked directly at C.B.
"You've never had fancy food like this?"
C.B. nodded casually.
"What's wrong with that?"
Forever Young stared at her.
C.B. shrugged.
"I cook my own food in my own house."
She picked up her fork again.
"I cook something simple."
She paused.
"And at times..."
She raised her chin.
"...with a cookbook, thank you."
Forever Young stared at her.
C.B. took another bite.
She seemed completely satisfied with her answer.
Orfevre, meanwhile, had been quietly eating.
Her eyes remained closed.
Her eyebrows tightened slightly.
Her left ear twitched.
"Tch..."
She swallowed.
"What a commoner."
C.B.'s fork stopped halfway toward her mouth.
Her eyes slowly shifted toward Orfevre.
A beat of silence.
"Commoner?!"
C.B. gently slammed her hand against the table.
Clack!
Several nearby patrons turned their heads.
Fumino immediately looked up.
Chiyono froze.
Maruzensky's ears twitched.
Gentildonna sighed.
Rudolf's eyes narrowed.
Orfevre merely opened one eye.
C.B. pointed across the table.
"You just called me a commoner?!"
Orfevre raised her chin.
"I did."
C.B. looked genuinely offended.
"I'm sitting here eating a perfectly respectable meal!"
Orfevre shrugged.
"And yet you cook with a cookbook."
C.B.'s eyebrow twitched.
"That's called following instructions!"
Gentildonna raised one hand.
"Relax, C.B."
She glanced toward Orfevre.
"It's just Orfevre's Golden Tyrant side coming out slightly."
Orfevre crossed her arms.
"Only slightly."
C.B. stared at her.
"That's supposed to make me feel better?!"
Gentildonna smiled.
"Yes."
"It doesn't!"
Rudolf finally spoke.
Her eye twitched.
"You three."
Everyone became quiet.
Rudolf slowly looked from C.B. to Orfevre, then toward Gentildonna.
"Mind your attitude."
C.B. immediately sat back.
Orfevre looked away.
Gentildonna lowered her hand.
"Yes, Kaichou."
Rudolf sighed.
The restaurant slowly returned to its normal atmosphere.
A few nearby patrons went back to their meals.
Fumino rubbed her forehead.
"How did this turn into an argument?"
Forever Young sighed.
"We should have just eaten fast food if you all are going to act like this."
C.B.'s eyes fell flat.
She slowly turned toward Forever Young.
"Have you ever eaten in a fancy restaurant, Yanko?"
Forever Young immediately nodded.
"Yes."
She took another bite.
"And I've been into plenty."
C.B. stared.
Forever Young raised one finger.
"United Kingdom."
Another.
"Monaco."
Another.
"America."
Another.
"Dubai."
Another.
"Saudi Arabia."
She lowered her hand.
"Need me to go any more?"
C.B. blinked.
"Uh..."
Forever Young raised an eyebrow.
"No?"
C.B. slowly shook her head.
"No."
Forever Young nodded.
"Good."
She went back to eating.
C.B. stared at her for another second.
Then slowly turned back toward her own plate.
"Well..."
She picked up her fork.
"I've still got my own kitchen."
Forever Young smiled.
"Of course you do."
C.B. took another bite.
"And I make good food."
"I'm sure you do."
"Very good food."
"I believe you."
C.B. narrowed her eyes.
"You don't sound convinced."
"I am."
"You're not."
Forever Young sighed.
"I am, C.B."
C.B. stared at her.
Then finally smiled.
"Good."
She continued eating.
Chiyono O quietly leaned toward Maruzensky again.
"Is this normal?"
Maruzensky whispered back.
"Unfortunately."
Chiyono looked around the table.
Rudolf was eating calmly.
Gentildonna was enjoying her meal.
Orfevre was still carrying herself like royalty.
C.B. was quietly defending her cooking abilities.
Forever Young was trying to keep the peace.
Fumino was watching all of them with the exhausted expression of someone who had somehow become responsible for this entire group.
Chiyono slowly nodded.
"I see."
Maruzensky smiled.
"Welcome to our group."
Chiyono quietly laughed.
The meal continued.
Despite the arguments, the atmosphere gradually settled.
The conversation moved between small subjects.
Cars.
Travel.
The racecourse.
The hotel.
Their upcoming schedules.
Every now and then, someone mentioned tomorrow's race.
But nobody lingered on it for too long.
There was a reason.
Everyone at the table knew what tomorrow meant.
The Shuka Sho.
The final leg of the Triple Tiara.
King Halo's opportunity to complete the Twin Crown.
And potentially become the first Umamusume to achieve the Double Slam.
The pressure surrounding her was enormous.
But for the moment, King wasn't here.
She was with her mother.
Having lunch.
Talking.
Trying to repair something that had been damaged for years.
The group understood that.
So they allowed the subject to fade.
For now.
Fumino took a sip of water and glanced toward the empty seat where King would normally have been sitting.
She wondered how the lunch was going.
She hoped it was going well.
She hoped King wasn't being pushed too hard.
And, most importantly, she hoped the conversation with her mother wouldn't leave King emotionally exhausted before the most important race of her season.
Fumino looked down at her plate.
Tomorrow was already close enough to touch.
But tonight—
There was still time.
Time to eat.
Time to rest.
Time to think.
And, perhaps most importantly—
Time for King Halo to decide what she truly wanted.