"Kid, are you okay?" one of the nurses asked, crouching in front of the young girl as the others tended to the back of her head.
"Mm…?"
It was the only sound that escaped Diamente's lips before a flood of memories—ones that did not belong to this world—rushed into her mind.
Memories of a life once lived. A life of an overworked but accomplished doctor in a bustling hospital.
Her only solace from that exhausting routine was horse racing—watching, studying, and celebrating every stride and victory as if they were her own.
Now, however, that same mind seemed trapped in a body that wasn't hers.
A faint twitch at the top of her head made her flinch. The sensation felt strange, almost alive.
When she raised her hand to check, her fingertips brushed against something soft—foreign—and twitching.
Ears…? Horse ears?
Before she could process it further, the nurse in front of her repeated her question with visible concern.
"Are you alright, Diamente-san? Please answer me."
Her tone carried a hint of stress, a mixture of worry and professionalism.
"So… my name here is Diamente…" The girl muttered softly under her breath, quiet enough for others not to hear her. "I really got transmigrated, huh…"
"I-I'm doing alright," she answered weakly, then added, "May I ask… what happened before this?"
The nurse exhaled in relief before explaining the situation. According to her, Diamente had slipped on the last step of the main staircase after leaving the Student Council Room. A group of students nearby had quickly carried her to the infirmary for treatment.
"I see…" Diamente murmured as her gaze shifted toward the nurse again—only now realizing that she too had a pair of horse ears, twitching gently with every movement.
Before she could dwell on the thought, hurried footsteps echoed from the hallway outside. The door to the infirmary burst open a second later.
"Ah, President Teio! You're here!" one of the nurses exclaimed.
Standing in the doorway was a brown-haired girl with a bright, commanding presence. Her twin tails bounced as she leaned forward in worry. "Is Diamente-chan here?! Is she alright?!"
"Teio, your manners," a calm, lavender-haired girl beside her chided.
Teio straightened herself with a faint cough, forcing composure back into her posture.
"Hahaha, thank you, McQueen." Teio looked at the lavender-haired umamusume that has an air of nobility.
When Teio's eyes landed on the girl sitting up on the infirmary bed, her expression softened.
"How is Diamente, Head Nurse? She seems to be in good hands now, yes?" Teio asked, her tone returning to that of a capable student leader.
"Yes, Kaichou. There are no signs of head trauma or serious concussion," the nurse replied. "But I'd advise informing her family about what happened and letting her rest from school for a few days for observation."
"A few days off…?" Diamente whispered, the words half to herself.
Teio nodded, still watching her carefully. "I'll contact your guardian, Kai—I mean Rudolf-senpai, to pick you up later. I'm approving your school leave immediately until you've recovered. Got it, Diamente-chan?"
"Y-Yes, Teio-senpai…"
There wasn't much she could say in return.
For now, Diamente could only go along with the situation—until she could understand what truly happened to her.
======== 🐎Legend Changer🐎 ========
The gentle breeze outside the infirmary carried the scent of freshly trimmed hedges and the faint hum of activity from Central Tracen Academy's courtyard. After McQueen excused herself to process Diamente's school leave, Teio and Diamente sat quietly on a nearby bench by the main path.
The usually lively Teio had opted for silence, glancing at the younger girl beside her.
Diamente's expression was distant, thoughtful—her eyes fixed on the horizon as if trying to piece together something far beyond her reach.
"Diamente-chan," Teio finally spoke, "are you feeling dizzy? Nauseous, maybe?"
The girl shook her head gently. "No… I'm fine. Just… a bit lost."
The answer left Teio blinking in surprise. The Diamente she knew was always cheerful, full of energy—a girl who could light up the student council room just by walking in.
Seeing her like this felt strangely nostalgic, reminding Teio of herself in her own uncertain younger years, back when she still stood in the shadow of her idol, Rudolf-senpai.
"Lost, huh…" Teio repeated softly. "That's not something I expected to hear from you."
Diamente gave a faint smile, her voice carrying a hint of melancholy. "I just… feel thankful, I guess. Maybe the Three Goddesses gave me a second chance to live again."
Teio blinked again—momentarily stunned by the weight of those words. It was almost philosophical, coming from the adopted child of her own mentor. Rudolf-senpai really raised someone interesting…
Before she could respond, hurried footsteps echoed once more.
"Diamente!"
Both of them turned just as a tall bespectacled woman with an aura of grace and command rushed toward them—Symboli Rudolf herself. Her usually calm face was clouded with worry as she reached the bench.
"I just got a call from McQueen about your accident!" Rudolf said, kneeling slightly to check Diamente's face. "Are you hurt anywhere else? I can call the family doctor immediately—"
"Rudolf-kaichou, please calm down," Teio interjected gently but firmly. "Diamente's been checked by them already and they said that there's no sign of head trauma so let's not panic her more than she already is."
Rudolf exhaled, realizing the younger girl was right. "You're correct… Forgive me. I just—"
"It's alright, Rudolf-nee," Diamente interrupted softly. "You don't have to worry too much. The doctor at Central Tracen already cleared me of any serious injuries. But… if it eases everyone's mind, I'll still let the family doctor check me, just in case."
Both Teio and Rudolf blinked at her calm, measured tone—far more mature than they'd expected from the usually energetic Diamente.
Then, slowly, the two exchanged a knowing smile, relief washing over them both.
"…That's good to hear," Rudolf finally said, her voice gentler now.
In that brief moment of peace, however, Diamente's heart was anything but calm.
Inside, the weight of realization struck her harder than the fall ever did.
Standing before her were two towering figures of history—the Emperor, Symboli Rudolf, and the Prince, Tokai Teio. Names that defined Japanese racing glory. Legends she once admired from the other side of a television screen.
And now, she was one of them. Not as a spectator like she used to—but as some sort of an adopted daughter or sister of the Emperor herself.
The very thought made her chest tighten.
This… is really happening, isn't it?