[THE JAPAN DERBY HAS CONCLUDED.]
[CHAMPION]: GARDEN GALE
[RUNNER-UP]: T.M. OPERA O
[THIRD PLACE]: ADMIRE VEGA
...
"So…"
"Do I really have to wear this?"
Garden Gale's face was red—absurdly so.
Facing the staff member directly, she held up a slender black dress, delicate straps and all. Just from the design alone, it was clear it would expose her milk-white neckline, shoulders, and even… plunge a bit too low.
For an underage filly, isn't this a bit too daring?
She sank deep into thought.
The staff member offered an apologetic smile. "You can change it, of course. Anything in this wardrobe is yours to pick."
Just glancing at that wardrobe made Garden Gale's heart start beating retreat drums—loudly.
She should've bolted earlier.
Responsibility? Bonds? All of that was nonsense.
Her face drained of color.
She was a national-level expert at chickening out—and she absolutely wouldn't wear something like this. She might as well jump off a building first! Death before dishonor!!!
Low necklines and alluring gaps were off the table.
Garden Gale wanted to wrap herself tight from head to toe.
Don't even ask if her brain had short-circuited.
She exhaled deeply.
Calming herself, she forced herself to look through the clothes again.
Nearby, T.M. Opera O leaned in teasingly, nudging her shoulder. "Why not wear something glamorous, like me? Confidence is everything! See how dazzlingly beautiful the opera of the century is?"
Garden Gale shot her a sideways glance.
She said nothing.
Looking at T.M. Opera O's jewel-encrusted outfit, Gale's expression turned thoroughly blank, radiating a single thought:
Are you kidding me?
If she wore something that flashy… she'd rather just die. Opera O's outfit was far too extravagant, way too much!
Admire Vega stood quietly nearby. Having placed third, she naturally qualified for the Winner's Live as well.
Expressionless.
Waiting to go on stage.
Quiet as the dead. Blank-faced as the dead.
Almost as if she wasn't there at all.
Garden Gale rummaged through the wardrobe repeatedly. The collection had no shortage of styles—from boldly modern to historical classics. Rococo dresses from classical Europe, traditional Chinese hanfu, even kimono and yukata—anything, provided you could hold your own in it.
But Garden Gale didn't consider herself attractive. Her face wasn't pretty, and she had no aura at all—just hunched over like a village girl, permanently slouching.
Wearing these would just feel like a monkey in a fancy gown...
In the end, she settled on a simple little white dress.
Layers of delicate lace cascading down like blooming petals. The dress covered nearly everything except her ankles, complemented by matching white gloves, elegant yet modestly reserved.
After endless hesitation she finally entered the changing room to put it on.
Her heart nearly burst from her chest.
Will it look awful on me?
These thoughts flooded her mind.
Truthfully, Garden Gale had never dressed up before. Forget pretty clothes—her chronic self-doubt left her hiding daily in oversized hoodies, sulking gloomily alone. Her closet was filled only with black hoodies, red hoodies, gray hoodies—always dark, always inconspicuous.
And now…
It was her first time wearing something like this delicate white dress.
Her anxious heart threatened to leap from her throat.
She tentatively glanced into the mirror.
And… the instant she saw herself, she immediately thought, Just average, I guess. Nothing special.
But avoiding the Winner's Live was impossible now.
The only option was to stay calm.
Deep breaths, deep breaths.
Repeated cycles of deep breathing.
This anxiety dwarfed anything she'd felt at the Japan Derby—running brought confidence; relentless training forged self-assurance. But right now, all she had was fear and anxiety.
Come on, GG.
She silently encouraged herself.
Then she pushed open the door and stepped out, determined as if marching onto a battlefield rather than the Winner's Live stage.
T.M. Opera O had been killing time, twirling her hair absently, waiting for the call—when she heard the door click open, her gaze shifted instinctively.
She saw a timid fawn stepping gently into view.
Those nervous eyes were fragile as a kitten's, hesitant and shy, yet her graceful curves traced elegant arcs like a deer ready to bound away. Silky hair cascaded freely, framing her in pure, ethereal innocence.
And her face...
Truly a masterpiece carved by heaven itself.
To be honest… Garden Gale's self-consciousness was completely unfounded.
She possessed a beauty no oversized hoodie could ever hide, now fully revealed. More potent than mere good looks was her unique, innate aura—the rarest charm of all, far superior to conventional beauty.
Ambience was the finest form of allure.
At this moment—Garden Gale embodied the perfect vision of a moonlit beauty.
Though she herself had no idea.
T.M. Opera O stared in utter astonishment.
This girl, when properly dressed… might actually outshine even herself? Why is she so breathtaking?! No, no, no—Opera O, how could you doubt yourself! You're still the greatest!
She instantly regretted her earlier teasing.
T.M. Opera O forced herself to look away sharply.
She couldn't afford to let her confidence crumble.
Seeing T.M. Opera O abruptly avert her gaze, Garden Gale felt her spirits plummet. So… she really wasn't good enough to hold anyone's attention, was she? Of course not. If she were beautiful, why would Opera O look away so quickly?
Her fragile confidence took another critical hit.
She almost shed tiny pearls of sadness right then.
She quietly moved to one side, face downcast, sinking into silence.
Yet even Admire Vega couldn't resist stealing glances at the delicate white flower nearby.
She couldn't help but take a second look.
---
T/N: OHOHOHO GG IN A DRESS?? SHAKUR EAT UR HEART OUT!!!
also why does the author love being like heh little do they know soon )spoilers)
LIKE BRO anyway you guys dont see that most of the time since i remove it...
T/N2: HI IM BACK HAPPY 2 YEAR ANNIVERSAY ONLY UHHH 7 DAYS? 8 DAYS LATE!!!
ahh WEBSITE IS UP BTW!! ^_^
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