With the Gyaru Group energizing the party, even the usually reserved Mejiros let loose and had a blast.
However, Jade stood alone in a corner, her face set in a grim line as she silently watched. Her quiet demeanor was out of place at the party, and being alone in a foreign land filled her heart with a touch of melancholy.
The only person she could really talk to at Central was Kousei, and Jade knew Kousei was currently with McQueen. So, she didn't bother asking Kousei to keep her company.
After all, she had been the one to propose coming to Central alone to Rohan, volunteering to take on the heavy responsibility of collaborating with the Mejiro Family.
Although Rohan had been hesitant, how could he refuse when Jade had volunteered so eagerly?
But due to her upbringing, Jade was even worse at socializing than Kousei. She had wanted to use this opportunity to get to know the Mejiros, but she couldn't bring herself to speak, only able to stare from a distance.
"Is something troubling you?"
Lost in her heavy thoughts, Jade hadn't noticed Ardan approaching her.
"No," Jade denied, unwilling to admit her predicament.
Ardan could see Jade was putting on a brave face. Instead of calling her out, she sat beside her and asked gently, "Do you like parties?"
Jade shook her head, then seemed to recall something. "I've never been to a party before."
"Then what do you usually do in the Eastern Lands?"
"Play video games... and now, I train."
Ardan chuckled. "Your life is more varied than Kousei's, then."
"Is it?"
"I heard from McQueen that Kousei does almost nothing all day besides eat, sleep, and train."
Jade thought back to Kousei's days in the Eastern Lands and realized it was true.
"But Kousei enjoys running, so she never tires of it. Do you like running, Jade?"
Do I like running? Jade asked herself the same question. After a moment of thought, she answered seriously, "Yes. I like competing. I love the feeling of running on the track with Kousei.
"I had no companions in the Eastern Lands."
She was born noble, unique, and special. Her status was enough to make anyone who wanted to get close to her keep a respectful distance. She was the most revered Dragon of the Eastern Lands, and also the loneliest Umamusume.
"I see," Ardan nodded to herself. In some ways, she and Jade were very much alike.
"Aren't you going to the party, Ardan?"
Ardan looked surprised. "How did you know my name is Ardan?"
"I heard them calling you that."
A smile touched Ardan's lips. "Unlike my sisters, my body is very frail, so I'm not suited for lively places."
Jade seemed to only half-understand. "Are you injured?"
"It's less an injury and more... fate."
"Fate?"
"The Goddesses gave me a heart that yearns to run and a birth into the Mejiro family. Yet, fate played a cruel trick: my legs are as fragile as glass, my body more delicate than a flower.
"While my sisters were stepping onto the Twinkle Series stage, I couldn't even pass the physical exam."
Ardan spoke with perfect calm, as if recounting someone else's story.
"I, too, am someone who desires what I cannot have."
Jade felt a stir of emotion, though she couldn't pinpoint what she was feeling. She only knew that Ardan was special.
"By the way, have you ever played this?" Ardan took out a game board.
"Chess?"
"It's called Shogi. Are you familiar with it?"
"No."
Ardan's smile was radiant. "In that case, why don't I teach you?"
"Sure! But just so you know, I'm very good at games."
An inexplicable bond formed between Ardan and Jade. Every encounter between the Mejiros was destined by fate.
Time slipped by unnoticed as the party slowly wound down, and the Mejiros returned to their manor. Daitaku Helios, still brimming with energy, wanted to start an after-party.
Tosen Jordan's suggestion to go for karaoke was met with unanimous approval. The group chatted and laughed all the way, and Palmer almost forgot she was about to compete in the Takarazuka Memorial.
"Palmer? The one from the Mejiro family?"
In such a sensitive time, certain words naturally caught their attention. A pair of office workers, smoking on their break, were discussing Umamusume.
At the mention of Palmer, the group couldn't help but stop and prick up their ears.
"Yeah, the Takarazuka Memorial is coming up. She's one of the main contenders, right? Are you planning to go watch?"
"Maybe, but... can you really call her a Mejiro?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"Look, compared to her other two contemporaries, she's just too ordinary. McQueen is in a league of her own, and while Ryan had a slump after her debut, she still had her moments of brilliance. In terms of performance and honors, she may not be on McQueen's level, but she at least lives up to the Mejiro name.
"Palmer? Her performance has been a disaster. She even ran in an Exhibition Race. She's abandoned the Mejiro mission and is unworthy of its glory."
The man's critique was ruthless, leaving Palmer no face. Even someone as thick-skinned as Daitaku Helios could sense the tension and cautiously glanced at Palmer.
The subject of their conversation, however, showed no reaction, merely listening in silence.
"Do you have to be so harsh? But it's true, Palmer's performance hasn't been good. With such poor results, it's hard to believe she's a member of the Mejiro family.
"If only she were just an ordinary Umamusume, at least people would be less critical of her."
"The Resistance? Hmph," the man sneered. "Central is in chaos because of them. Things have gotten this bad, and they're still acting so recklessly."
"That's not entirely fair. You can't blame all of Central's failures on one person or team. Ultimately, they're just athletes. Shouldn't the main responsibility lie with the Committee and the Director?"
"Ever since the Thorough Management Education Program was implemented, accidents have been happening one after another. Can we really go on like this?"
The growing number of incidents had begun to make people doubt whether the Committee and Kashimoto Riko's management was truly correct.
"What are you talking about? Isn't the Thorough Management Education Program meant to protect the competitors? Management is essential for achieving results. Are you just going to ignore all the accomplishments the Acting Director has delivered?"
"Yes, I admit it. The Acting Director has indeed produced many excellent competitors. But how many of them have left a lasting impression?
"Or rather, when will we ever see another competitor like McQueen or Teio again?"
The man instinctively started to retort, his mouth opening slightly before closing again.
"I thought we were moving forward, but in reality, we've just been running in place. This way of completely shirking responsibility... it reminds me of back then..."
"Back then..."
They fell silent, an unspoken understanding passing between them.
"Kousei is back now. Whose side do you think she's on?"
"Definitely not Central's."
"I never thought a Central athlete could actually win the Arc de Triomphe."
He smiled bitterly, helplessly.
"If only she were still a Central athlete."
The evening breeze rustled. He finished his last cigarette. Time to get back to work.
Palmer smiled faintly. "Let's go."
The other three were left unsure what to do. Tosen Jordan hurried forward and awkwardly comforted Palmer, "Don't mind them, Palmer!"
"Mind them? I'm not bothered. I just think..."
"Just think?"
"I just think Kousei is truly amazing."
"Ah..."
"And..."
"And?"
"And... bring on the Takarazuka Memorial."