The sky was dark.
The stage, dim.
The curtains had fallen upon the world. After the golden twilight faded, after blazing clouds extinguished themselves, after the revelry ceased—only darkness remained, a cold solitude reminiscent of the moon's far side.
The crowd huddled closely below the stage, craning their necks, eyes fixed upward, waiting anxiously for the lights to come alive.
Waiting for the Winner's Live to begin.
Among them were many Umamusume who had come specifically to watch—like Symboli Rudolf.
She should've been more excited than anyone else here. After all, Garden Gale was personally trained by the Emperor herself, and today was the very first Winner's Live of her official career.
As long as she didn't run away…
But if she did…
Well.
That would be another matter entirely.
For now, though, even Rudolf found herself holding her breath, waiting for the thrilling moment to arrive.
...
Garden Gale stood backstage, just behind the curtain.
Much like in classical theater, actors would wait silently backstage, emotions wound tight, and then—when the red curtain rose—they'd step forward, masterfully capturing the audience's heart, setting every soul ablaze.
But right now, the one about to explode from nerves was none other than Garden Gale herself.
Her heart pounded so violently it felt ready to burst from her chest; her fingertips trembled uncontrollably. It wasn't just a feeling—it was happening for real.
She had no idea how she looked in this outfit, no idea how the crowd would react when she stepped onto the stage.
Everything was uncertain.
Her anxiety swallowed her whole.
She took deep breaths, but the problem wasn't something that mere calm could resolve. It ran deeper, rooted in her lack of confidence.
Next to her—T.M. Opera O was carefully adjusting her jewels, making sure she'd appear at her absolute best—and then dazzle the crowd! Charm every audience member into submission! By her sheer charisma alone, transform them into devoted followers of the End-of-the-Century Overlord!
Ah.
What a beautiful story that would be…
Just imagining it filled her with bliss.
There was simply no resisting her infinite allure.
Yet, as T.M. Opera O indulged herself in narcissistic fantasies, her gaze caught Garden Gale's reflection in the mirror—and the unusual expression on the girl's face startled even the Overlord.
?
A puzzled question mark rose slowly in her mind.
But T.M. Opera O quietly put away the mirror, then stood tall with hands confidently on her hips, facing Garden Gale.
"Bwa↗ha↘ha↗ha↘ha↗ha↘ha↗ha↘!!"
Garden Gale, already a bundle of nerves, flinched in shock at the sudden laughter. Like a frightened deer, she stood frozen, timid eyes darting everywhere but T.M. Opera O's face, afraid to speak.
The contrast was astonishing…
How could this shy girl possibly be the same one who exuded such absolute confidence on the racetrack?
Was this… gap moe?
I'm sold!
"Garden—I must admit," T.M. Opera O declared dramatically, as if no one else existed, "Your beauty surpasses even mine. However! How could the End-of-the-Century Overlord be intimidated by mere flames? Like a fairy-tale prince, she'll master the fire, slay the dragon, and achieve a glorious Happily Ever After!"
Whatever she said after that…
Garden Gale didn't catch a word of it.
Because her attention had fully locked onto the first half of T.M. Opera O's statement.
My beauty surpasses Opera O-san's?
Real or fake?!
She opened her mouth, desperate to confirm those words, desperate to regain her confidence—
But just then, the curtains rose.
Lights illuminated the stage, signaling that it was time. There was no moment left to ask questions.
Swallowing her doubts, suppressing the lingering uncertainty, Garden Gale stepped into the darkness, toward the center of the stage. Spotlights scanned theatrically, deliberately avoiding her to heighten the crowd's anticipation—empty beams sweeping dramatically across the stage until—
The moment Garden Gale reached center stage.
A single light…
Fell upon her.
Illuminating a girl dressed in purest white!!!
...
Just moments ago, the crowd had been restless, anxiously waiting for the Umamusume to appear, eagerly speculating whether she'd perform something like the Bear Dance, their excitement from her legendary victory still burning strong.
Therefore, everyone had been expecting a blazing-hot performance.
A triumphant song celebrating victory, perhaps embodying the fierce image of a monster bursting onto the scene—crushing dreams, devouring all hope. A dark overlord ready to conquer the Kikuka Sho, eventually ascending as an undisputed hero.
Her fierce performance on the track would have suited that perfectly.
That's what everyone assumed.
But when the lights actually came on…
A delicate girl stood there, graceful, ethereal in a long white dress, utterly shattering all their expectations.
A gentle radiance embraced her, shadows and highlights intertwining softly like an ink-wash painting. The stage fell into tranquil silence, accentuating the pure elegance of the girl. Her milky skin harmonized flawlessly with the pristine fabric, and her faint blush conveyed a shy sweetness reminiscent of the girl-next-door, or perhaps one's long-cherished first love.
A girl in the bloom of youth, delicate and innocent.
If there was anything unusual, perhaps it was the lace gloves—like a pristine flowerbud touched with a faint, alluring mystery.
Wait, no.
Not an alluring mystery, exactly—just a distinctive charm.
The real distinction…
Was how utterly different she appeared from her usual self. Even veteran fans—even Symboli Rudolf herself—stood stunned, speechless.
Huh?
Who's this?
Garden Gale? Did she always look this stunning? Could this girl, radiating purity like a flawless lily, really be the same confident figure she remembered from the track? Never mind her skills—just on beauty alone, she effortlessly topped countless Umamusume, ascending to the apex of beauty itself!
In the hierarchy of human relationships, infants reign supreme.
Utterly helpless, completely dependent—and yet, this vulnerability grants them absolute power.
Garden Gale, with her fragile confidence...
Her extreme vulnerability...
Radiated an irresistible charm that made you long to protect her!
The first note rang clearly across the stage.
A piano's gentle touch opened the melody. Originally powerful and stirring, this arrangement of "Winning The Soul" had been softened by piano accompaniment, creating the sensation of a heartfelt story told gently, step by step.
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