Early Morning.
3:45 AM.
The early hours of Race Day.
Kyoto was still asleep.
And for the most part, so was the rest of Japan.
The early morning was cold.
The kind of cold that settled over the city quietly.
It wasn't an aggressive winter chill, but it was enough to make the exposed skin of their hands feel numb after standing outside for too long. Every breath they exhaled became a faint white mist that disappeared into the darkness almost immediately.
The streets were peaceful.
The roads were nearly empty.
The night was quiet.
There were no crowds yet.
No race fans filling the streets.
No reporters running from one location to another.
No television crews setting up outside the racecourse.
No excited groups of Umamusume discussing the day's races.
Not yet.
For now, Kyoto belonged to the night.
Streetlights illuminated the empty roads.
A distant traffic signal changed from red to green despite having almost no traffic to control.
Somewhere farther away, a train passed through the city, its distant rumble barely audible.
Above everything...
The stars remained visible.
Countless points of light scattered across the dark sky.
It was difficult to believe that in only a few hours, this peaceful city would be transformed.
The Kyoto Race Course would be packed.
The stands would be filled.
The paddock would be surrounded by cameras.
Thousands upon thousands of people would gather.
Millions more would watch from home.
And at the center of it all would be King Halo.
The final race of the Triple Tiara.
The Shuka Sho.
A race that could potentially place her name among the greatest Umamusume of her generation.
A race that could potentially complete the Double Slam.
A race that could potentially become one of the most important moments of her career.
But at the parking lot of The Mitsui Kyoto...
Nobody was thinking about celebrating.
Nobody was thinking about breakfast.
Nobody was thinking about getting some sleep before heading to the racecourse.
Instead...
Seven Umamusume stood around Forever Young's dark cherry red GR GT.
Symboli Rudolf.
Maruzensky.
Orfevre.
Gentildonna.
Forever Young.
Mr. C.B.
And Chiyono O.
All of them were awake.
All of them were tired.
All of them were worried.
And all of them were angry.
The parking lot was otherwise quiet.
The GR GT sat beneath the overhead lights, its dark cherry red paint reflecting the pale illumination above. The car was still warm from the drive back earlier in the night, although the engine had long since cooled down.
The R32 GT-R was parked nearby.
So was Maruzensky's Testarossa.
The cars looked almost peaceful sitting there.
Their owners were anything but.
What had happened yesterday was something that everyone believed could have been avoided.
Something that should never have reached the point that it did.
And as far as everyone standing there was concerned...
It wasn't King's fault.
It wasn't King's responsibility.
The problem had started somewhere else.
With King's mother.
Goodbye Halo.
The argument.
The years of unresolved feelings.
The dismissive comments.
The lack of recognition.
The frustration.
And eventually...
The moment when King's restraint finally broke.
C.B. walked back and forth.
Her arms were folded tightly across her chest.
She took several steps.
Turned around.
Walked back.
Turned again.
She couldn't stay still.
"I can't believe that something like this can really happen!"
Her voice carried through the otherwise empty parking lot.
Chiyono O sighed.
She crossed her arms as well.
"I understand we should care for our parents."
She looked toward the ground.
"But..."
Her ears lowered.
"King's mom has gone too far."
Forever Young sat against the front of her GR GT.
One knee was raised.
One hand was planted behind her against the front of the car, supporting her weight.
Her other hand rested loosely over her knee.
She sighed.
"From what King told me on the drive back..."
Everyone turned toward her.
Forever Young continued.
"She simply asked if her mother was going to the race later."
Gentildonna nodded.
"And?"
Forever Young looked toward her.
"And when she brought it up..."
She paused.
"King claims that her mother said she might."
Maruzensky immediately looked over.
Forever Young emphasized the next word.
"Quote on quote..."
She raised a finger.
"Might."
She shook her head.
"Go to the race."
Gentildonna's ears lowered.
"Only might?"
Forever Young nodded.
"And apparently, not because King was racing."
The expression on Gentildonna's face hardened.
Forever Young continued.
"She said she'd consider going because some of the other racers apparently piqued her interest."
Maruzensky placed both hands on her hips.
"And King?"
Forever Young shook her head.
"Halo said..."
She paused.
Then she looked down.
"And King quoted her."
Forever Young took a breath.
"'Sure. That too.'"
Silence.
Nobody spoke.
The words were simple.
Almost harmless if taken out of context.
But everyone there knew exactly why they mattered.
King had spent years trying to earn her mother's approval.
Years of training.
Years of racing.
Years of winning.
Years of waking up early.
Years of pushing herself through exhaustion.
Years of hearing that her victories were luck.
Years of hoping that one day her mother would look at her and simply say:
I'm proud of you.
And when the opportunity finally came...
Her mother had apparently responded as though King being there was an afterthought.
Forever Young lowered her head.
"And that's what made her snap."
Rudolf closed her eyes.
A slow breath escaped her.
"All those years..."
Her voice was quiet.
"All those years of pain and guilt inside her..."
She clenched her hand.
"Eventually, that wall of self-control finally collapsed."
Forever Young nodded.
"And apparently..."
She hesitated.
"She even had a ticket."
Chiyono looked at her.
"A ticket?"
"For the race."
Forever Young nodded.
"King bought it in advance."
Her voice became quieter.
"For her mother."
The atmosphere immediately became heavier.
Chiyono's expression changed.
C.B. stopped pacing.
Even Orfevre's ears lowered slightly.
King had bought a ticket.
Not for herself.
Not because she needed one.
She was racing.
She would already have access.
She bought it for her mother.
Because she wanted her there.
She wanted her mother to sit in the stands.
She wanted her mother to watch her run.
She wanted her mother to finally see her daughter on the biggest stage of the year.
And now...
"And where is it now?" Chiyono asked.
Forever Young lifted her hand.
She opened her palm.
Then quickly flicked her hand upward, as though scattering something into the air.
"Ripped into tiny pieces."
She lowered her hand.
"Spread across part of a closed parking area."
Nobody responded.
The image was painful enough to imagine.
King standing there.
Her hands shaking.
Tears running down her face.
A ticket that was supposed to represent hope.
A ticket that was supposed to bring her mother closer to her.
And then...
Torn apart.
Orfevre's eye twitched.
Her ears swept backward.
"Her mother does indeed deserve to die a thousand deaths."
Gentildonna nodded.
She glanced toward Orfevre.
"I would like to choke her."
Rudolf immediately raised one hand.
She moved it back and forth.
"You two..."
She sighed.
"Take a breather."
Orfevre looked toward her.
Rudolf lowered her hand.
"If she finds a way to spectate later..."
Her expression became stern.
"I expect both of you to keep your thoughts and anger to yourselves."
She looked at Orfevre.
Then Gentildonna.
Then everyone else.
"And I expect every single one of you to do the same."
C.B. crossed her arms.
Her eyes lowered halfway.
"No promises, Rudolf..."
Gentildonna sighed.
"I can't guarantee I can keep myself in place."
Rudolf immediately covered her face with one hand.
"Then at least do not beat her up!"
Orfevre scoffed.
She looked away.
"Fine."
Rudolf stared at her.
"That was far too easy."
Orfevre didn't answer.
Gentildonna looked toward the sky.
C.B. remained silent.
Chiyono simply shook her head.
Forever Young took another sip from the can of soda she had been holding.
The group remained there for several moments.
The tension didn't disappear.
If anything...
It became heavier.
Because beneath the anger was fear.
Fear for King.
Fear about what tomorrow—or rather, today—would bring.
The Shuka Sho wasn't an ordinary race anymore.
Not after everything that had happened.
King had been drinking earlier.
She had been emotionally devastated.
She had driven away from her mother in anger.
She had disappeared long enough for everyone to become worried sick.
And now...
There was still a race waiting for her.
A race that would begin in only a few hours.
C.B. finally stopped pacing.
She looked at Rudolf.
"Do you think she'll actually race?"
Rudolf didn't answer immediately.
She looked toward the R32.
The Kyoseki Group A green GT-R sat quietly under the lights.
King's car.
The car that had become almost synonymous with her presence on the road.
The car that had carried her through countless drives.
The car that had been with her through some of the most important moments of her life.
Rudolf stared at it.
"I don't know."
That answer surprised everyone.
Rudolf rarely admitted uncertainty.
But tonight...
There were too many variables.
Then—
Ping.
A phone notification sounded.
Everyone looked around.
Another phone pinged.
Then another.
And another.
Within seconds, nearly every phone in the group had received the same notification.
Rudolf reached into her coat pocket.
She pulled out her phone.
The screen illuminated her face.
She unlocked it.
A notification appeared.
Umatter.
Rudolf opened it.
Her eyes widened.
"An..."
She stared at the screen.
"Announcement..."
Everyone immediately pulled out their own phones.
"What?" C.B. asked.
Rudolf didn't answer.
She was still reading.
Her eyes moved slowly across the screen.
Then stopped.
Her expression changed.
Not anger.
Not fear.
Shock.
Everyone noticed.
Maruzensky stepped closer.
"Rudolf?"
Rudolf didn't respond.
Gentildonna moved closer as well.
"What is it?"
Rudolf finally looked up.
Her voice was almost a whisper.
"It's from King."
Everyone froze.
"King?" Forever Young asked.
Rudolf nodded.
"An announcement."
The others opened their Umatter applications.
And one by one...
Their expressions changed.
Chiyono's mouth fell slightly open.
C.B.'s eyebrows rose.
Gentildonna stared at her screen.
Orfevre's ears stood straight up.
Maruzensky's face became completely blank.
Forever Young stopped drinking.
She slowly lowered the can from her mouth.
It wasn't just any announcement.
It wasn't a casual post.
It wasn't a message to her fans.
It wasn't a thank-you after a race.
It was an official announcement.
An announcement that nobody expected.
An announcement from King Halo herself.
The title sat at the top of the screen.
(An Announcement...)
Forever Young swallowed.
"No..."
She scrolled down.
The announcement began.
"As I reach the final race of this year's racing season, I would like to thank everyone for their love and their support. Your enthusiasm, strength, love, and support inspired me to keep it going and keep on racing.
But with the Shuka Sho just being right around the corner, this race will also be my last race in the Twinkle Series.
Therefore, I hereby announce my retirement and my transfer to the Dream Trophy League at the end of the Shuka Sho.
As a kid, I've always found Umamusume racing as something intriguing. A sport that can make dreams into a reality and help bring Umamusume around the world together.
Yes, racing can create rivalries. And yes, we get angry at one another.
But at the end of the day, and in any form of sport, we are all friends. We are not just rivals, but we are also classmates, batchmates, and for some, even partners.
I can still remember the current Student Council President, Symboli Rudolf, racing.
She's my inspiration in becoming an Umamusume myself, and dreamed of becoming a Triple Crown recipient myself. And have done so, joining her ranks, along with my other friends, Mr. C.B., Narita Brian, and Orfevre.
And with me about to race the Shuka Sho, I may get the chance to write history and join the ranks of other friends, Gentildonna, Mejiro Ramonu, Daring Tact, and Still In Love.
I will take this final race with pride and give it everything I've got.
But until then...
There is still a race to win.
To my current and former trainers.
Thank you for making me one of the URA's first-rate Umamusume's.
And to my fellow Umamusume's.
Thank you for racing alongside me.
I loved every bit of it.
-King Halo"
Silence.
Complete silence.
Nobody said anything.
The only sound was the faint hum of the hotel ventilation system and the distant city beyond the parking lot.
Rudolf's eyes remained fixed on her phone.
She slowly scrolled back up.
Then stopped at one particular paragraph.
Her eyes narrowed.
She read it again.
Then again.
Finally...
She read it aloud.
"I can still remember the current Student Council President, Symboli Rudolf, racing."
Forever Young's jaw dropped.
She slowly turned her head toward Rudolf.
"That's not what she told me in the car."
Rudolf looked at her.
Forever Young looked back down at her phone.
"She said her mom was her inspiration."
Maruzensky blinked.
Her expression slowly changed.
"Her mother not recognizing her..."
She shook her head.
"...has pushed her to the edge to the point of altering who really inspired her."
She raised one hand.
Then placed it over her face.
"Christ..."
She slowly dragged her hand down her face.
Her arm eventually dropped to her side.
Chiyono looked at Maruzensky.
Then at the announcement.
"I guess she's finishing her story."
Nobody responded.
Chiyono continued.
"She's finally accepted the fact that tomorrow..."
She stopped.
"Or..."
She corrected herself.
"Today."
She looked toward the dark sky.
"...is eventually going to arrive."
Maruzensky shook her head.
"No."
Chiyono looked at her.
Maruzensky's expression was firm.
"I believe she's retiring because of what happened."
She pointed toward King's announcement.
"Rather than accepting what is eventually going to come."
Her voice became bitter.
"I bet her mom is finally happy."
Forever Young nodded.
Gentildonna nodded.
Orfevre nodded.
C.B. nodded.
None of them liked the idea.
None of them wanted to believe that King was ending her Twinkle Series career under circumstances like this.
Rudolf remained quiet.
She stared at the announcement.
Her eyes lowered.
Then she shook her head.
"I don't think it's that."
Gentildonna looked toward her.
"What do you mean, Rudolf?"
Rudolf looked at her.
"Remember the other Umamusume who attempted the Double Slam?"
Gentildonna nodded.
"Yes."
She waited.
"What about them?"
Rudolf continued.
"Some of them retired because of the mental distress those races caused."
She looked back at the announcement.
"The pressure."
"The expectations."
"The constant scrutiny."
"The weight of trying to accomplish something that very few have ever accomplished."
She paused.
"I think this could be the same case."
Everyone listened.
"She retired so her mental state won't become worse."
Rudolf looked toward Gentildonna again.
"And, of course..."
She hesitated.
"Her mother's wish might have influenced her."
Maruzensky immediately looked toward Rudolf.
Rudolf continued.
"But I highly doubt her mother is the sole reason for her retirement."
Maruzensky's eyes narrowed.
She turned toward her Testarossa.
Then suddenly slammed one palm onto the top of the car.
The sharp metallic thump echoed through the parking lot.
"What's there not to think, Rudolf!?"
Rudolf looked at her.
Maruzensky pointed toward the phone.
"We have to state the facts here!"
Her voice rose.
"King's mom doesn't want her to race!"
She pointed toward the hotel.
"So she berates her and pulls her down so she can finally do what she wants!"
Rudolf stood upright.
Her expression hardened.
"And what if she's changed after King snapped in front of her, Maruzensky?!"
Maruzensky stepped forward.
"It."
Another step.
"Doesn't."
Another.
"Matter."
She swung her hand behind her.
"King might have gotten drunk!"
Her voice echoed.
"King might have gotten hurt!"
She pointed toward the direction of the road.
"This race is in jeopardy because of the ungrateful, unsuccessful, evil son of a BITCH!"
Gentildonna's ears shot upward.
C.B. looked at Maruzensky.
Orfevre's eyes widened.
Rudolf stepped forward.
"And what if she apologized to King?"
Maruzensky narrowed her eyes.
"Then she should apologize to all of us for putting King into that situation!"
Her fists tightened.
"I swear to everything..."
She took another step.
"If I see her..."
Her eyes narrowed.
"The next time she wakes up will be in a hospital."
"Ugh!"
Chiyono O groaned.
She had finally had enough.
She walked directly between the two.
She pointed at Rudolf.
"Kaichou! Step back!"
Rudolf blinked.
Chiyono immediately turned.
She pointed at Maruzensky.
"Maruzensky!"
Maruzensky's eyes widened.
Her ears perked straight upward.
"Chiyono?"
Chiyono jabbed a finger toward her.
"I do not know where you are getting these allegations..."
Her voice was sharp.
"But you are crossing the FUCKING LINE!"
Gentildonna's jaw dropped.
Orfevre's eyes widened.
C.B. stared.
Even Forever Young stopped looking at her phone.
Maruzensky blinked.
Chiyono raised another finger.
"LISTEN!"
Maruzensky remained silent.
"You have to get the FACTS STRAIGHT!"
Chiyono pointed upward.
"We know she got into an argument to the point that King snapped!"
Another finger.
"We know for a fact that King was emotionally distressed during the time between leaving the mall and arriving at the bar!"
Rudolf blinked.
Her arms slowly crossed.
"King said beer is shit..."
Chiyono turned her head toward Rudolf.
She stared at her for a moment.
Then looked toward Maruzensky.
She extended her arm toward Rudolf and opened her palm.
"And that too."
Rudolf nodded.
Chiyono shook her head.
"Look."
She stepped toward Maruzensky.
"I get that you despise King's mother with every fiber of your being."
Maruzensky's eyes narrowed.
Chiyono took another step.
Then jabbed a finger against Maruzensky's chest.
The contact was hard enough to make Maruzensky shift backward slightly.
"But you have to remember something!"
Another jab.
"King's mother is also an Umamusume!"
Maruzensky's eyes widened.
"YES!"
Chiyono raised her voice.
"What she did was wrong!"
Another jab.
"YES!"
"King might have gotten hurt!"
Another jab.
"YES!"
"King might have gotten drunk!"
She placed a hand against her own chest.
"We make mistakes!"
Her voice softened slightly.
"But we know King's mom made a grave mistake!"
She pointed toward the phone in Maruzensky's hand.
"But I genuinely believe King is not retiring just because of her mother!"
Maruzensky opened her mouth.
Chiyono didn't let her speak.
"YES!"
"I agree that she owes us an apology!"
"An apology to every Umamusume who was worried sick about King!"
"You can look at her funny!"
"Hell, look at her with anger!"
"Look at her with disgust!"
She turned toward Gentildonna.
Then back toward Maruzensky.
"But to the point of actually threatening harm?!"
She raised both hands.
Then crossed two fingers into an X.
"No."
Her voice became firm.
"You two are crossing the FUCKING LINE!"
The words hung in the air.
Nobody interrupted.
Chiyono slowly lowered her arms.
Her breathing was heavier now.
She looked at Maruzensky.
Maruzensky stared back.
Neither moved.
Finally...
Maruzensky sighed.
"Chiyono..."
Her voice was much quieter.
But there was still anger behind it.
Maruzensky said nothing.
Chiyono looked away.
Then turned around.
She began walking back toward the hotel lobby.
"I am not apologizing."
She kept walking.
"Get all of your heads straight."
Her footsteps echoed against the pavement.
"For your sake..."
She reached the automatic doors.
They opened with a quiet mechanical sound.
Chiyono O stopped.
She looked over her shoulder.
Her expression had softened slightly.
"For King's sake."
Then she turned away.
The automatic doors closed behind her.
She disappeared into the brightly lit lobby.
Silence returned to the parking lot.
Chiyono O's departure left everyone standing there.
Maruzensky remained in place.
Her arms slowly fell to her sides.
Gentildonna stared at the doors.
Orfevre stared as well.
C.B. lowered her phone.
Forever Young took another sip of soda.
Rudolf remained completely still.
After several seconds...
A Knock.
From the lobby.
Everyone turned.
Chiyono O was standing just beyond the glass doors.
She looked back toward Maruzensky.
Her jaw was slightly tense.
Then she looked toward Rudolf.
"I don't like it."
She admitted it.
"I don't like any of this."
Her gaze fell toward the phone in Rudolf's hand.
"And I still believe what happened yesterday was unacceptable."
She paused.
Nobody spoke.
Chiyono O opened her eyes.
"We don't know everything."
Rudolf's expression softened.
Chiyono O continued.
"And until King tells us exactly why she made this decision..."
She looked away.
"We shouldn't pretend that we know."
It wasn't an apology.
Not yet.
But it was enough to make the tension ease slightly.
Forever Young looked toward Maruzensky.
She was still sitting against the GR GT.
She had her soda can in one hand.
She shrugged.
"Don't look at me."
Everyone looked at her.
Forever Young lowered the can.
"I got no part in this argument."
C.B. raised an eyebrow.
"You were literally here."
"Physically."
Forever Young took another sip.
"Not emotionally."
C.B. stared at her.
"You drove across prefectures to pick King up."
"That's friendship."
"You were angry about her mother."
"That's also friendship."
"You said you'd let Rudolf handle it."
"That's wisdom."
Gentildonna sighed.
"You're avoiding the subject."
Forever Young shrugged.
"Absolutely."
Orfevre looked toward the hotel doors.
"Perhaps we should focus on King."
Everyone became quiet again.
That name alone changed the atmosphere.
King.
Rudolf looked down at her phone.
The announcement was still open.
The words remained there.
Every sentence.
Every thank-you.
Every acknowledgment.
Every name.
And at the very bottom...
-King Halo
Rudolf slowly lowered the phone.
"She's really serious about this."
C.B. nodded.
"Looks like it."
Chiyono looked at the announcement again.
"But she's still racing."
Gentildonna nodded.
"That's the important part."
Rudolf looked toward the dark sky.
"Yes."
She took a slow breath.
"Whatever happens after today..."
Her eyes moved toward the road leading away from the hotel.
"Today, she still has a race to run."
Forever Young looked toward the R32 parked nearby.
"And she said it herself."
She smiled faintly.
"There is still a race to win."
Nobody answered.
But all seven of them understood.
The announcement had changed something.
Until a few minutes ago, they had been waiting for King to wake up and decide what she wanted to do.
Now...
She had already decided.
Or at least...
She believed she had.
The Shuka Sho would be her final Twinkle Series race.
After that...
Dream Trophy League.
Retirement from the main racing circuit.
A new chapter.
A new life.
A different kind of competition.
A different kind of future.
But before any of that...
There was today.
There was Kyoto Race Course.
There was the starting gate.
There were the other runners.
There was the Triple Tiara.
And there was King Halo.
The first light of dawn had not yet appeared.
Kyoto was still sleeping.
The streets were still quiet.
The stars were still above them.
But somewhere in the city...
King was awake.
And soon...
The rest of Japan would wake up too.
The race would begin.
And everyone would finally see what King Halo intended to do with the final race of her Twinkle Series career.
The Night...
Slowly turned into Day.
The darkness that had covered Kyoto began to fade.
The stars gradually disappeared behind the growing blue of the morning sky.
The first hints of sunlight began appearing over the horizon.
Streetlights that had illuminated the city throughout the night slowly became unnecessary as dawn spread across the buildings.
Kyoto was waking up.
And with it...
Race Day had finally arrived.
The day everyone had been waiting for.
The day that had been circled on calendars.
The day that had filled hotel rooms.
The day that had brought fans from all across Japan to Kyoto.
The day of the Shuka Sho.
The final race of the Triple Tiara.
And now...
Potentially...
The final race of King Halo's Twinkle Series career.
Inside King Halo's hotel room at The Mitsui Kyoto...
King was awake.
She had been awake for some time.
She sat on the edge of her bed.
Her room was quiet.
The curtains were partially open, allowing the morning light to seep through.
The soft golden glow of dawn illuminated the room.
Her luggage was already packed.
Her racing outfit was prepared.
Her shoes were ready.
Her belongings were organized.
Everything she needed for the race was waiting.
There was nothing left to prepare.
Except herself.
King looked down at her phone.
Her thumb moved across the screen.
She had been browsing Umatter.
And the moment she opened the news section...
She saw it.
A new article.
"King Halo Announces Her Retirement From Racing!"
King stared at the headline.
She scrolled down.
Another article appeared.
"Legendary Umamusume King Halo Closes Out Career After the Shuka Sho!"
She scrolled again.
Another.
"A Look Back at the Legendary Career of King Halo — One of the Greatest of All Time."
King stopped.
She stared at the screen.
There were already countless articles.
Analysis.
Career retrospectives.
Old race footage.
Interviews.
Statistics.
Photographs.
Comments from fans.
People were already talking about her career as though it had already ended.
As though the Shuka Sho had already happened.
As though the final race had already been run.
King slowly lowered the phone.
She stared ahead.
Her expression was calm.
At least...
On the surface.
"Its for the best."
The words came quietly.
She looked toward the window.
Outside, Kyoto was beginning to come alive.
Cars were moving along the streets.
People were beginning to walk around.
The city was slowly transitioning from the peaceful quiet of early morning into the busy atmosphere of Race Day.
King watched it all.
For years, racing had been everything.
Training.
School.
Competition.
Victories.
Losses.
Records.
Rivals.
Friends.
Pressure.
Expectations.
And her mother.
Especially her mother.
She had spent so long trying to prove herself.
Trying to become first-rate.
Trying to become somebody worthy of recognition.
Trying to become somebody her mother could look at and say she was proud of.
But yesterday...
That dream had shattered.
And perhaps...
It was time to stop chasing it.
King looked down at her phone again.
The announcement she had posted was still there.
She had written every word herself.
She had thought about it.
She had reread it.
She had made sure she meant every sentence.
And she did.
She was retiring.
After today...
She would leave the Twinkle Series.
She would transfer to the Dream Trophy League.
She would still race.
She would still compete.
She would still drive.
She would still have her friends.
She would still have Fumino.
She would still have a life.
It wasn't the end of everything.
Just the end of one chapter.
King placed her phone on the bed.
She took a slow breath.
Then...
Knock.
Knock.
King's ears perked.
She turned toward the door.
Another knock.
She pushed herself off the bed.
"Coming."
She walked across the room.
Her footsteps were soft against the floor.
She reached the door.
Her hand wrapped around the handle.
She pulled it down.
The latch released.
She opened the door.
Standing in front of her...
Was Fumino Nase.
King immediately recognized the expression on her face.
Fumino looked tired.
Not physically exhausted.
Emotionally tired.
She had been awake for most of the night as well.
After everything that had happened.
After King had disappeared.
After the search.
After the drive.
After the announcement.
There hadn't been much opportunity for sleep.
Fumino exhaled.
Then stepped inside.
King moved backward to give her room.
Fumino entered.
She turned around.
Then gently closed the door behind her.
The latch clicked.
For a moment...
Neither said anything.
Fumino inserted both hands into the pockets of her pants.
She looked at King.
King looked back.
"So..."
Fumino paused.
"This is it, huh?"
King nodded.
"You are retiring."
King smiled softly.
"Yes."
Fumino looked down for a moment.
Then back at her.
King continued.
"But that doesn't mean the end of our partnership, Fumino-sensei."
Fumino's eyes widened.
"Huh?"
King stepped closer.
She extended both hands.
"Give me your hands."
Fumino looked down.
King's hands were waiting for hers.
Fumino hesitated.
Then slowly removed her hands from her pockets.
She placed them in King's hands.
King gently held them.
For a moment, Fumino simply stared.
Then she looked up at King.
King's expression was surprisingly calm.
"I want you to become my full-time trainer."
Fumino's jaw dropped slightly.
"I..."
She blinked.
"I..."
She shook her head.
"I don't know, King..."
Her voice became quieter.
"What about Super Creek?"
King chuckled.
"Then create a team."
Fumino blinked.
King smiled.
"A team."
She squeezed Fumino's hands gently.
"Have me race at the distances I excel at."
"And have Creek race at the distances she excels at."
Fumino stared at her.
King continued.
"I think you having two great aces would be a good thing."
She paused.
"Well..."
She lifted her chin slightly.
"One of them being the greatest of all time."
Fumino's mouth opened.
King raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
Fumino tried to suppress a laugh.
"You really can't help yourself, can you?"
King smiled.
"I'm King Halo."
"Of course I can't."
The two stared at each other.
Then both began laughing.
The laughter wasn't loud.
It wasn't forced.
It was simply...
Warm.
For the first time that morning, Fumino's expression relaxed.
But as the laughter faded...
A tear rolled down her cheek.
She quickly wiped it away.
King noticed.
Fumino gave a small laugh.
"Sorry."
King shook her head.
"No need to apologize."
Fumino wiped her eyes again.
Then she nodded.
"Then..."
She looked directly at King.
"Yes."
King blinked.
Fumino smiled.
"I'll become your full-time trainer, King."
King's eyes widened slightly.
Then she smiled.
A genuine smile.
"Thank you."
Fumino nodded.
"You're stuck with me."
King immediately stepped forward.
She wrapped both arms around Fumino.
Fumino froze for half a second.
Then smiled.
She wrapped her arms around King as well.
The two remained like that.
Not as a trainer and racer.
Not as student and teacher.
Just two people who had somehow found each other at the right time.
Fumino's chin rested lightly against King's shoulder.
King closed her eyes.
The embrace lasted several seconds.
Eventually, they parted.
Fumino took a breath.
Then her expression became more serious.
"But..."
King looked at her.
"In real talk, though, King."
King nodded.
"Yeah?"
Fumino looked directly into her eyes.
"Run this race as a pace chaser."
King's ears perked.
"A pace chaser?"
Fumino nodded.
"You've got the strength and stamina to keep pace with the leader."
She raised one hand.
"You don't need to sit at the very back."
She raised another finger.
"And you don't need to burn yourself out trying to establish the pace yourself."
King listened carefully.
Fumino continued.
"Stay close enough to the leaders."
"Don't let them create too much distance."
"Watch their rhythm."
"Watch their breathing."
"Watch how they respond when the pace changes."
King nodded slowly.
"And conserve?"
"Exactly."
Fumino pointed toward her.
"You have the endurance to stay within striking distance without wasting everything early."
She stepped slightly closer.
"Then, when the race begins to enter its decisive phase..."
She made a small sweeping motion with her hand.
"You start moving."
King's eyes sharpened.
"Before the final corner?"
"Yes."
Fumino nodded.
"Not necessarily all at once."
She shook her head.
"You don't need to explode immediately."
"Build."
"Take one position."
"Then another."
"Keep your momentum."
"And when you reach the final stretch..."
Fumino smiled.
"Then you unleash everything."
King smiled.
"Got it, Fumino-sensei."
Fumino nodded.
"Good."
She looked toward the door.
Then suddenly opened her palm.
"Come on."
King blinked.
"What?"
"Keys."
King stared at her.
Then laughed.
"You just want to drive a manual more."
Fumino slightly rocked her head from side to side.
"Maybe."
King raised an eyebrow.
Fumino chuckled.
"I might even consider buying a manual car for myself."
King laughed.
"That can wait until we're in the car."
Fumino nodded.
"Fair."
King turned around.
She picked up her duffle bag.
The bag was already packed.
Her racing gear was inside.
Her spare clothes.
Her shoes.
Everything.
She slung it over her shoulder.
Fumino opened the door.
King walked out.
The two stepped into the third-floor hallway.
The hotel was beginning to wake up.
Staff members moved quietly through the corridors.
A few guests were already walking toward the elevators.
Race Day had begun.
They walked together toward the stairwell.
King glanced toward the elevator.
Then toward Fumino.
"Stairs?"
Fumino nodded.
"Stairs."
They began walking down.
Their footsteps echoed softly through the stairwell.
One floor.
Then another.
Eventually...
They reached the main lobby.
The atmosphere downstairs was already different.
More people were awake.
Hotel employees moved around.
Guests spoke quietly.
Some were clearly wearing racing merchandise.
A few people had King Halo posters tucked under their arms.
Others wore shirts bearing the names of different Umamusume competing in the Shuka Sho.
The race was everywhere.
Even inside the hotel.
King noticed.
She said nothing.
Fumino noticed too.
She glanced toward King.
King simply continued walking.
They exited the main lobby.
The cold morning air greeted them.
King took a breath.
The air was crisp.
The sky was brighter now.
The sun had not completely risen above the horizon yet, but daylight was already spreading across Kyoto.
They walked toward the parking area.
King's R32 GT-R waited exactly where they had left it.
The Kyoseki Group A green paint looked almost black under the early morning shadows.
The car was covered with a thin layer of moisture from the cold night.
The RAYS Nissan LMGT1 400R Nismo wheels caught the light.
The car looked ready.
Fumino walked toward the driver's side.
King continued toward the rear.
Fumino unlocked the R32.
She grabbed the right-side driver's door handle.
She pulled it open slowly.
The door swung outward.
The familiar interior appeared.
The Nardi steering wheel.
The Bride bucket seat.
The four-point harness.
The half roll cage.
The manual transmission.
The stripped rear interior.
Fumino leaned inside.
She reached down toward the lower dashboard.
Her fingers found the trunk release lever.
She pulled it.
Click.
The trunk latch released.
A moment later, the trunk popped upward.
King walked around the rear.
She lifted the trunk lid fully.
Then placed her duffle bag inside.
She positioned it carefully so that it wouldn't slide around while driving.
She checked it once.
Then gently lowered the trunk lid.
Thump.
The latch caught.
King walked around the passenger side.
She reached for the door handle.
She pulled the passenger door open slowly.
The door swung outward.
King turned around.
She lowered herself toward the bucket seat.
Rather than simply dropping into it, she sat onto the seat first.
Then she slid both legs into the footwell.
Once her feet were inside, she adjusted herself deeper into the seat.
She pulled the passenger door inward.
Click.
The door shut.
King reached for her four-point harness.
First...
The shoulder straps.
She pulled them over her shoulders.
Then...
The lap belt.
She positioned it securely across her hips.
The buckle came together.
Click.
She tugged on it.
Secure.
Then she reached for the adjusting straps.
She tightened the harness until it sat snugly against her body.
No unnecessary slack.
No looseness.
Everything was secure.
Outside, Fumino climbed into the driver's seat.
She closed the door.
The cabin became quieter.
Fumino looked down at the controls.
She adjusted her seating position.
Her hands settled onto the steering wheel.
She checked the mirrors.
Then reached for the seatbelt harness.
She pulled the straps across herself.
Shoulder harness first.
Then lap belt.
Click.
She tugged the straps.
Secure.
Fumino looked toward King.
"Ready?"
King looked back.
Her expression was calm.
Focused.
Ready.
"Ready."
Fumino nodded.
She placed her left foot onto the clutch pedal.
Pressed it fully to the floor.
Her right hand moved to the gear lever.
Neutral.
She checked once.
The lever moved freely across the gate.
Good.
Her right foot moved toward the accelerator.
She turned the ignition.
The starter motor engaged.
For a moment...
Nothing but the cranking sound filled the cabin.
Then...
The RB26DETT fired.
Rumble.
The engine came alive.
The familiar straight-six exhaust note filled the parking area.
The idle settled.
The tachometer needle stabilized.
Fumino smiled slightly.
She glanced toward King.
King smiled back.
The R32 was awake.
Fumino kept the clutch pressed.
She moved the gear lever into first.
Then released the handbrake.
She checked the mirrors.
Right.
Left.
Again.
Clear.
She slowly began releasing the clutch.
The bite point arrived.
The engine note dipped slightly.
Fumino added a small amount of throttle.
The R32 began moving.
Smoothly.
No wheelspin.
No drama.
Just a clean launch.
Fumino continued easing the clutch upward until it was fully released.
The R32 rolled away from its parking space.
King looked out through the windshield.
The hotel slowly moved behind them.
Fumino guided the car toward the exit.
She stopped briefly at the edge of the parking lot.
Checked traffic.
Then turned onto the street.
The R32 entered Kyoto's morning roads.
The city was no longer asleep.
Traffic was beginning to increase.
Delivery trucks moved through the streets.
Taxis traveled through intersections.
People walked along sidewalks.
Bicycles passed through designated lanes.
The morning commute was beginning.
Fumino kept the R32 calm.
Second gear.
A little acceleration.
Then third.
The engine note rose smoothly.
She didn't push it.
There was no reason to.
Today wasn't about driving fast.
Not yet.
Today was about racing.
King looked out the passenger window.
Kyoto passed by.
She had spent so much time here recently.
Training.
Preparing.
Fighting.
Laughing.
Crying.
And now...
She was leaving the hotel for the final race of her Twinkle Series career.
King looked down at her hands.
The harness held her securely against the bucket seat.
She could feel the subtle vibrations of the RB26DETT through the chassis.
The steering inputs from Fumino were smooth.
Every shift was deliberate.
Every movement controlled.
King took a slow breath.
Fumino glanced toward her.
"You okay?"
King nodded.
"Yeah."
A pause.
"I'm thinking."
"About the race?"
"About everything."
Fumino nodded.
She understood.
King looked forward again.
"I've spent so long thinking about what happens after racing."
She smiled faintly.
"And now..."
She looked at the road.
"I actually know."
Fumino didn't answer immediately.
Then she smiled.
"Dream Trophy League."
King nodded.
"Dream Trophy League."
A few seconds passed.
"And you're still my trainer."
Fumino smiled.
"Full-time."
King smiled back.
"Good."
The R32 approached an intersection.
The traffic light was red.
Fumino pressed the clutch.
Braked gently.
The R32 came to a smooth stop.
She shifted into neutral.
The engine idled.
King looked through the windshield.
The city stretched ahead.
The sun was beginning to rise.
Golden light reflected from the windows of nearby buildings.
Race Day had arrived.
No more preparation.
No more waiting.
No more tomorrow.
Today was today.
The light turned green.
Fumino pressed the clutch.
Selected first gear.
Released the clutch smoothly.
The R32 moved forward.
They continued through Kyoto.
Eventually, signs directing traffic toward the expressway appeared.
Fumino followed them.
The road widened.
The traffic became slightly heavier.
She remained patient.
Then the expressway entrance appeared ahead.
Fumino signaled.
Checked the mirrors.
Moved into the appropriate lane.
And guided the R32 toward the ramp.
The car climbed steadily.
Fumino shifted.
Second.
Third.
Fourth.
The engine note rose.
The city began falling behind.
The R32 merged onto the expressway.
Fumino settled into the lane.
King looked ahead.
Beyond the windshield...
The road stretched toward the Kyoto Race Course.
Toward the paddock.
Toward the starting gate.
Toward the final race.
King lowered her eyes for a moment.
Then raised them again.
Her expression changed.
The uncertainty was still there.
The pain was still there.
The questions about her mother were still there.
But something else had returned.
Something familiar.
Determination.
King tightened her hands slightly against her harness.
She wasn't going to spend today thinking about yesterday.
She wasn't going to spend today wondering whether her mother would come.
She wasn't going to spend today wondering what the newspapers would say.
She wasn't going to spend today trying to prove something to someone who might never acknowledge it.
Today...
She was going to race.
Fumino kept both hands on the steering wheel.
The R32 continued toward Kyoto Race Course.
The sun rose higher.
The morning became brighter.
And the final race of King Halo's Twinkle Series career...
Was getting closer.
The distance to Kyoto Race Course was getting shorter.
The R32 continued down the expressway, its RB26DETT humming steadily beneath the hood. The Tomei exhaust silencer kept the exhaust note subdued, turning what would normally have been a sharp, aggressive roar into a deep mechanical hum that stayed mostly within the cabin.
Morning traffic was beginning to build.
The darkness had almost completely disappeared now.
The sky ahead had changed from black to a pale blue-gray, with the first hints of sunlight beginning to appear beyond the buildings.
Kyoto was waking up.
Streetlights were still illuminated along the roads, their glow becoming less noticeable as natural light slowly took over. Convenience stores were open. Delivery trucks were beginning their morning routes. Buses moved through intersections. People were appearing on sidewalks.
Race Day had arrived.
And inside the R32...
Silence.
Fumino kept both hands on the Nardi steering wheel, maintaining a steady grip as she guided the car through the morning traffic.
Her eyes remained focused on the road ahead.
Every now and then, she checked the mirrors.
She had become noticeably more comfortable behind the wheel compared to the first time she had driven the R32.
Her clutch work was smoother.
Her gear changes were cleaner.
She no longer looked down at the shifter every time she needed to change gears.
She could feel the engagement point now.
That was something King had noticed almost immediately.
King sat in the passenger seat, secured by her four-point harness.
She looked out through the side window.
Buildings passed by.
Shops.
Apartments.
Office buildings.
Signs.
Traffic lights.
Everything seemed to be moving normally.
But to King...
Nothing felt normal.
Today was supposed to be the biggest race of her career.
The final leg of the Triple Tiara.
The Shuka Sho.
Her chance to make history.
And also...
Her final race in the Twinkle Series.
King's eyes lowered slightly.
Her fingers rested loosely against her thigh.
The announcement was already everywhere.
By now, practically everyone knew.
King Halo was retiring from the Twinkle Series after the Shuka Sho.
There would be no surprise.
No last-minute change of heart.
No dramatic announcement after the race.
She had already told the world.
She had made her decision.
At least...
That was what everyone believed.
Fumino glanced toward her.
She noticed the silence.
She had been noticing it for several minutes.
Eventually, she exhaled softly.
"King..."
King didn't immediately respond.
Fumino kept her eyes on the road.
"How are you feeling?"
King stared through the window.
For several seconds, she said nothing.
Then she sighed.
"I don't know, Fumino-san."
Fumino's eyebrows lowered slightly.
She knew exactly what King was referring to.
"If it's about your mother..."
She paused.
"...it's best for it to happen."
King's eyes twitched.
Her expression changed.
The softness disappeared.
Her voice became firm.
"She got what she deserved."
Fumino's hands tightened slightly around the steering wheel.
"King..."
King turned toward her.
"She was being an ass."
Her eyes narrowed.
"She doesn't give two shits about me."
Her hand clenched against her skirt.
"I spent years trying to make her proud."
She looked forward again.
"I won races."
"I broke records."
"I became a Triple Crown recipient."
"I kept training even when I was exhausted."
Her voice became quieter.
"And none of it was enough."
Fumino remained silent.
King swallowed.
"I never..."
She paused.
"Ever..."
Her eyes hardened.
"Want to see her again."
Her arm swung outward in frustration.
"End of story!"
The words echoed through the cabin.
Fumino glanced at King.
Then immediately returned her attention to the road.
She didn't interrupt.
She didn't tell King she was wrong.
She didn't tell her to forgive her mother.
Instead, she simply sighed.
"I understand how you feel."
King's ears moved slightly.
Fumino continued driving.
"At times..."
She paused.
"I do get angry at my father."
King turned her head.
Her ears perked up.
"Why?"
Fumino blinked.
She hadn't expected King to ask so quickly.
Still, she kept her eyes forward.
"Because of how successful my father is as a trainer."
Her expression became slightly distant.
"I got tired of being introduced as Hidehito Nase's daughter."
King listened.
Fumino continued.
"Tired of hearing his name before mine."
"Tired of people comparing me to him."
"Tired of living in my father's shadow."
Her fingers shifted slightly around the steering wheel.
"I'd walk into a room and people already had an idea of who I was."
"'That's Hidehito Nase's daughter.'"
She gave a small, humorless laugh.
"Not Fumino."
"Not a trainer in my own right."
"Just his daughter."
King's expression softened.
Fumino glanced toward her for half a second.
"But I just..."
She paused.
"...well."
"I moved on."
King continued looking at her.
Fumino looked back toward the road.
"It wasn't easy."
"But eventually, I realized that if I kept worrying about what my father had accomplished..."
She shifted into the next gear.
"...I'd never have anything of my own."
The R32 smoothly accelerated.
Fumino continued.
"So I decided to build my own career."
"Even if it took years."
"Even if people kept comparing me to him."
She shrugged slightly.
"I couldn't control what other people thought."
"But I could control what I did."
King lowered her head.
Fumino glanced at her again.
"I get that, in your case..."
She sighed.
"...it's kind of hard to move on after what happened."
King's head remained lowered.
Fumino continued.
"And I too am angry and frustrated at your mom for what happened."
King looked up.
Fumino's expression was serious.
"But at the end of the day..."
She paused.
"If your mom gets recognized as your mother..."
King blinked.
Fumino continued.
"They will eventually stop talking about her accomplishments."
"They'll talk about yours."
King's ears lowered slightly.
"And eventually..."
Fumino looked at King.
"They'll simply call her..."
She paused.
"King Halo's mother."
King stared at her.
For a moment, she didn't answer.
Then she shook her head.
"Only the people who left Tracen for the race today know."
Fumino nodded.
"Others don't know."
She understood what King meant.
The public announcement had focused on King.
The people who knew what had happened last night were the people closest to her.
Rudolf.
Maruzensky.
Orfevre.
Gentildonna.
C.B.
Chiyono O.
Forever Young.
Fumino.
They had seen the aftermath.
They had watched King disappear into that bar.
They had heard her explanation.
They had seen the state she was in when they found her.
But the rest of the racing world?
They knew almost nothing.
Fumino gave a dry chuckle.
"I guess it left a bitter taste in their mouths?"
King nodded.
"A lot of them are angry."
She looked toward the window.
"Some despise her."
"Some say she doesn't deserve to have a daughter who's successful like me."
Fumino slowly nodded.
"I see."
King remained silent.
The R32 continued along the expressway.
The morning sun was beginning to rise properly now.
Golden light slipped between buildings and reflected across the windshield.
Fumino noticed King staring at the passing scenery.
"You know..."
King looked at her.
Fumino continued.
"There's something else you should remember."
"What?"
"You said something different yesterday."
King's expression froze.
Fumino kept driving.
"In that announcement."
King looked away.
Fumino continued.
"You said Symboli Rudolf was your inspiration."
King's ears twitched.
She remembered.
The words were still fresh.
Her public statement.
Her explanation of why she became an Umamusume.
Her dream of becoming a Triple Crown recipient.
And Rudolf.
Her inspiration.
Fumino didn't sound accusatory.
She simply sounded curious.
"But yesterday, in the car..."
She paused.
"You told Forever Young that your mother was your inspiration."
King's eyes lowered.
The silence returned.
Fumino didn't press her.
She allowed several seconds to pass.
Eventually, King spoke.
"She was."
Fumino nodded.
"I thought so."
King looked down at her hands.
"When I was little..."
Her voice became quieter.
"She was everything to me."
Fumino listened.
"She was the Umamusume I wanted to become."
King smiled faintly.
"I wanted to run like her."
"I wanted to win like her."
"I wanted to stand on the same podium."
"I wanted her to look at me and say..."
King's voice trembled.
"...'That's my daughter.'"
Fumino's expression softened.
King swallowed.
"But somewhere along the way..."
She looked out the window again.
"She stopped seeing me as her daughter."
Fumino didn't say anything.
"She started seeing me as something she needed to control."
King's fingers tightened.
"And eventually..."
She breathed out.
"I stopped being someone she wanted to support."
"I became someone she wanted to change."
Fumino's jaw tightened slightly.
King continued.
"So when I wrote that Rudolf was my inspiration..."
She paused.
"It wasn't a lie."
"Kaichou was an inspiration too."
"She showed me what an Umamusume could become."
King looked down.
"But my mother..."
Her voice became barely audible.
"...was the reason I wanted to become one in the first place."
Fumino nodded slowly.
"Then maybe..."
She paused.
"...your announcement wasn't about replacing your mother."
King looked at her.
"Maybe it was about recognizing the person you became."
King's eyes widened slightly.
Fumino continued driving.
"You admired your mother when you were young."
"You admired Rudolf when you were growing up."
"And eventually..."
She smiled faintly.
"You became King Halo."
King stared at her.
Fumino's smile grew slightly.
"Those things don't have to cancel each other out."
King remained quiet.
Outside, the city continued moving.
A train passed in the distance.
Traffic increased.
The sky became brighter.
And ahead...
The signs pointing toward Kyoto Race Course began appearing.
King looked toward them.
The race was getting closer.
Fumino noticed.
She shifted into another gear.
"So..."
King looked at her.
"Whatever happens today..."
Fumino's voice became firm.
"Don't run for your mother."
King's ears lifted.
"Don't run for the newspapers."
"Don't run for the record books."
"Don't run because everyone expects you to complete the Triple Tiara."
King stared ahead.
"Run because you want to."
Fumino's eyes remained fixed on the road.
"Run because you're King Halo."
King's expression slowly changed.
The tension in her face eased.
She took a slow breath.
Fumino smiled.
"And if this really is your last Twinkle Series race..."
She glanced toward King.
"Then make it yours."
King looked at the approaching racecourse signs.
Her eyes sharpened.
A small smile appeared.
"Yeah."
She rested her hands against her thighs.
"I will."
Fumino nodded.
Then she reached down and rested her hand briefly on the manual shifter.
"Good."
She smiled.
"Because we're almost there."
The R32 continued onward.
The RB26DETT hummed beneath them.
Kyoto Race Course was getting closer with every kilometer.
And somewhere beyond those gates...
Thousands upon thousands of people were already waiting.
The final race of the Triple Tiara.
The final Twinkle Series race of King Halo's career.
The day she had announced to the world would be her last.
But King wasn't thinking about the headlines anymore.
She wasn't thinking about her mother.
She wasn't thinking about the argument.
She wasn't even thinking about retirement.
Not yet.
Right now...
There was only one thing left to do.
Race.
At the Race Course...
Rudolf, Maruzensky, Chiyono O, C.B., Gentildonna, Forever Young, and Orfevre had just arrived.
The seven had parked their cars and were now making their way toward the Main Building.
The morning air was cold.
But the Kyoto Race Course was anything but quiet.
Even this early, the grounds were already alive.
Staff members moved between buildings.
Security personnel stood at designated entrances.
Cameras and television crews were already setting up.
Spectators continued pouring through the gates, many wearing racing merchandise and carrying banners, towels, and signs bearing the names of their favorite Umamusume.
And everywhere they went...
They heard the same name.
King Halo.
Today was the Shuka Sho.
Today was the final race of the Triple Tiara.
And today was supposed to be the final Twinkle Series race of King Halo's career.
The announcement had already spread throughout Japan.
There was no hiding from it anymore.
The seven friends walked together toward the Main Building.
The tension from earlier that morning had mostly died down.
The argument between Maruzensky and Chiyono had ended.
The shouting was over.
The threats were over.
Everyone had managed to calm themselves down.
Mostly.
The anger toward King's mother, however...
That was still there.
None of them had forgotten what happened.
None of them had forgotten how King had looked when they found her.
None of them had forgotten what she had told Forever Young during the drive back.
And none of them were particularly interested in forgiving Goodbye Halo anytime soon.
But there was one problem.
The argument between Maruzensky and Chiyono had left its own scar.
And for those two...
The tension was still hanging in the air.
Chiyono continued walking.
Her fists were slightly clenched at her sides.
She stared straight ahead.
She didn't look toward Maruzensky.
Not even once.
Maruzensky noticed.
She glanced sideways at Chiyono.
Her expression softened.
She pressed her lips together.
For several moments, she said nothing.
Then...
"Chiyono..."
Chiyono immediately raised one finger without even looking at her.
"Do not talk to me, Maruzen."
Maruzensky stopped herself.
Chiyono continued walking.
"Give me some space."
Maruzensky exhaled.
She understood.
Still...
"Chiyono..."
Chiyono's ears twitched.
Maruzensky's voice became quieter.
"I..."
She hesitated.
"I'm sorry."
Chiyono's pace slowed slightly.
She finally looked up.
But she didn't turn completely toward Maruzensky.
She shook her head.
"You should have chosen your words more carefully, Maruzen."
Maruzensky lowered her eyes.
Chiyono continued.
"I understand why you're angry."
"I understand why you hate what happened."
"I understand that you were worried about King."
Her hands relaxed slightly.
"But what you said..."
She paused.
"...was too much."
Maruzensky nodded.
"I know."
Chiyono looked at her.
"I thought you were supposed to be the big-sister role model around Tracen."
Maruzensky's expression tightened.
Chiyono continued.
"Is that how you act when I'm not around?"
Maruzensky's ears lowered.
She slipped both hands into the pockets of her red short jacket.
"My feelings got the better of me, Chiyono."
She sighed.
"I was angry."
"I was scared."
"And I hated thinking about what King went through."
She looked toward the ground.
"But that doesn't excuse what I said."
Chiyono stared at her.
Maruzensky looked back.
"I shouldn't have threatened her."
"I shouldn't have talked about hurting her."
"Even if I was angry."
Chiyono's expression softened slightly.
"I expected better from you, Maruzen."
Maruzensky nodded.
"I know."
A few steps passed.
Neither spoke.
The sounds of the racecourse became louder as they approached the entrance.
Then Chiyono glanced toward Gentildonna.
Her expression immediately became serious again.
"And don't think you're off the hook either, Gentil."
Gentildonna stopped for half a second.
She looked at Chiyono.
Then nodded.
"I know."
She placed one hand against her chest.
Then she bowed.
"I apologize, Chiyono-chan."
Her voice was sincere.
"I allowed my anger to get the better of me as well."
Chiyono looked at her.
Gentildonna remained bowed.
"I should not have made a threat like that."
Chiyono sighed.
"Thank you."
Gentildonna straightened.
"I meant it."
Chiyono gave a small nod.
Then she turned forward again.
The entrance to the Main Building was getting closer.
The large glass doors reflected the morning sunlight.
People moved around them in every direction.
Yet the small group continued together.
Maruzensky walked quietly beside Chiyono.
After a few more steps, she reached over and gently placed a hand on Chiyono's shoulder.
Chiyono stopped.
She looked at Maruzensky.
"What?"
Maruzensky removed her hand.
She stood in front of Chiyono.
Then...
She placed both hands at her sides.
And bowed.
Deeply.
"I want to apologize for my behavior this morning."
Chiyono's eyes widened slightly.
Maruzensky remained bowed.
"I crossed the line."
"I let my anger speak for me."
"And I hurt you with the things I said."
She raised her head.
"I am sorry."
Chiyono stared at her.
For a moment, she said nothing.
Then she stepped forward.
Maruzensky barely had time to react before Chiyono wrapped her arms around her.
Maruzensky's eyes widened.
"Chiyono..."
Chiyono hugged her tightly.
"Just promise me one thing, Maruzen."
Maruzensky slowly returned the hug.
"Anything."
Chiyono sighed.
"Never."
She tightened her arms slightly.
"Ever."
She paused.
"Make threats of harm again."
Maruzensky closed her eyes.
"I promise."
The two remained like that for several seconds.
Then they separated.
Chiyono gave her a small smile.
Maruzensky smiled back.
The tension between them had finally begun to disappear.
Behind them...
Rudolf had watched the entire exchange.
Her eyes widened slightly.
Then she crossed her arms.
A smile slowly appeared on her face.
"Well..."
She nodded approvingly.
"Look at that."
C.B. glanced toward her.
Rudolf continued.
"There might be an end in 'friend'..."
She paused dramatically.
"...but a friendship will never end."
Silence.
C.B.'s eyes slowly drooped.
"Rudolf."
Rudolf looked toward her.
"Yes?"
C.B. stared at her.
"That was bad."
Rudolf's smile froze.
For a moment, she simply stared.
Then she covered her mouth with one fist.
"I'm aware."
Forever Young immediately burst out laughing.
"At least the tension has gone away."
C.B. shook her head.
"That doesn't make what she said any better."
Rudolf chuckled.
"I was trying to lighten the mood."
"You failed."
"I noticed."
Maruzensky laughed quietly.
Chiyono smiled.
For the first time that morning, the seven were standing together without an argument hanging over them.
But then Orfevre's ears twitched.
She looked toward the others.
"King's mom still deserves hate, though."
Gentildonna nodded immediately.
"Agreed."
Rudolf blinked.
She looked at both of them.
"No question."
Forever Young simply nodded.
"Mhm..."
C.B. sighed.
"Here we go again."
Orfevre crossed her arms.
"What?"
"You were all just apologizing for making threats."
"I did not threaten anyone."
"You said she deserves to die a thousand deaths."
Orfevre shrugged.
"That's not a threat."
C.B. stared at her.
"That is literally a threat."
Orfevre looked away.
"Hmph."
Gentildonna folded her arms.
"I will admit..."
She glanced toward the racecourse entrance.
"...I am still angry."
"So am I," Orfevre replied.
Maruzensky sighed.
"So am I."
Chiyono nodded.
"Me too."
Rudolf's expression became more serious.
"We can be angry."
Everyone looked toward her.
"But we need to remember why we're here."
She gestured toward the entrance.
"Today is King's race."
The others fell silent.
Rudolf continued.
"Whatever happens between King and her mother..."
She paused.
"...today belongs to King."
Forever Young nodded.
"Exactly."
C.B. smiled faintly.
"She deserves to have everyone watching her."
Chiyono's expression softened.
"Especially after everything she went through."
Maruzensky nodded.
"She has worked too hard for this day to be overshadowed."
Gentildonna looked toward the track.
"Then we make sure she knows that."
Orfevre smiled.
"We'll be there."
Rudolf nodded.
"All of us."
They began walking again.
This time, Chiyono and Maruzensky walked beside each other.
No hostility.
No arguing.
Just two friends who had managed to put their disagreement behind them.
The Main Building entrance was now directly ahead.
Beyond those doors waited the enormous world of the Shuka Sho.
The crowds.
The cameras.
The officials.
The trainers.
The other Umamusume.
And somewhere inside the facility...
King Halo was preparing herself for the biggest race of her life.
The seven friends walked through the doors.
The noise immediately became louder.
Announcements echoed throughout the building.
Footsteps filled the halls.
Television crews hurried from one location to another.
Fans gathered around displays and television screens.
And on nearly every screen...
There she was.
King Halo.
Her name.
Her career.
Her Triple Tiara campaign.
Her victories.
Her records.
And now...
Her retirement announcement.
Forever Young stopped for a moment and looked at one of the screens.
King's face appeared beneath a headline announcing that the Shuka Sho would be her final Twinkle Series race.
Yanko's smile faded slightly.
"She's really doing it."
C.B. looked at the screen.
"Yeah."
Maruzensky folded her arms.
"Whether we like it or not."
Chiyono nodded.
"But that's her choice."
Rudolf looked at all of them.
"And today..."
She smiled.
"We support it."
The seven continued down the corridor.
None of them knew exactly what would happen once King stepped onto the track.
None of them knew whether she would win.
None of them knew whether she would complete the Triple Tiara.
None of them knew what her future in the Dream Trophy League would look like.
And none of them knew whether the relationship between King and her mother could ever be repaired.
But one thing was certain.
King Halo would not face this day alone.
Her friends were there.
Her trainer was there.
Her classmates were there.
And somewhere ahead...
The starting gate was waiting.
The final race of the Twinkle Series career she had announced.
The Shuka Sho.
Race Day had finally begun..