Back on that vast, crowded track, a figure remained dashing.
Faster and harder.
Even more aggressively than before.
And the track blurred beneath her feet.
Every runner training on the field was left behind.
One after another was skipped past by her.
None kept up, including the pink-haired Umamusume desperately trying to follow her.
Haru Urara.
Despite being thoroughly outpaced, she stubbornly continued chasing after King.
Refusing to stop and give up.
Only when King finally reached the finish line did she come to a halt.
There, her body bent forward.
Hands pressed against her knees, and heavy breaths skipped her lips.
Her chest rose and fell rapidly as if her lungs were about to burst.
Yet the exhaustion wasn't what bothered her; it was her thoughts.
The memory of her grand defeat.
How she was 'humiliated' by El and Grass.
"Damn it..."
King muttered under her breath with her fists slowly tightened.
And then—
A familiar voice repeated inside her mind; it was from the day after the trial race.
"You're not enough."
Her mother's words.
One that was simple yet sharp enough to cut straight through her heart.
King gritted her teeth, and her fists clenched even harder.
Meanwhile, from the sidelines, Yuiji noticed her condition, and his worries immediately spread across his face.
"King..." he muttered before he began making his way toward her.
But before he could cross the fence—
Another voice arrived first.
"King...!"
Both King and Yuiji turned.
There she was, Urara, barely standing.
"You're... you're way too... fast... King!"
She staggered forward.
Then promptly collapsed onto the turf.
"I'm tired..." She groaned dramatically.
After a few seconds of lying there...
She finally pushed herself upright, sitting cross-legged on the ground, smiling.
"But!" Urara declared proudly.
"It was incredible training, wasn't it, King?"
"It was so much fun!"
Somehow, King visibly flinched while Urara continued.
"And exciting!"
"I couldn't even catch up to you!"
She laughed.
"If only we could—"
But, suddenly—
"Shut up, Urara!" The words blurted out.
And instantly, Urara froze while Yuiji stopped midstep.
"Would you just shut up already?!"
Meanwhile, Urara blinked, tilting her head in confusion.
"King...?"
"Stop with that stupid nonsense of yours!"
Her fists began to shake at her sides.
"How is it fun?"
"How is racing ever fun..."
She lowered her head.
"...if all you do is lose?"
"So stop fooling yourself with your incompetence and those ridiculous remarks about it being fun!"
King then snapped toward Urara.
"The only way a race can ever be satisfying..."
She clenched her fists.
"...is when we win!"
"When we stand at the top!"
"Not because of some tiny rush of adrenaline!"
"Not because we happened to enjoy running around a track!"
"So don't you ever call it..."
King's jaw tightened.
"Call it..."
Her eyes trembled.
"...FUN!"
There, the field fell silent.
Even the nearby runners had begun glancing over. Curiosity took over them.
Meanwhile, Urara simply sat there, staring at her.
"But..."
Her voice came out much quieter than before.
"But it really was... fun..."
"Shut up!"
King's response came instantly, making Urara flinch.
"Because of you..."
"Because of...!"
Suddenly—
More memories surfaced.
One after another.
Her mother's voice.
Her mother's gaze.
The disappointment she always feared.
"You were pitted against weaker opponents."
"Your victory was already decided."
"You weren't challenged."
And then—
Urara.
The pink-haired girl was stumbling through the trial race.
The girl everyone laughed at.
The girl who always finished behind.
The girl her mother had singled out.
"Especially that pink little girl..."
King's fists trembled.
How many times had she replayed those words?
How many times had she wondered whether her victory had meant nothing?
Whether she had only looked strong because she stood beside someone weaker?
Whether she had never truly proven herself at all?
Whether she was—
Not enough.
Her breathing became heavier, and her thoughts spiraled.
At that, King continued.
"Because of you..."
Her voice trembled.
"...I'll never be enough."
"BECAUSE OF YOU, I'VE BEEN FALLING BEHIND ALL THIS TIME!"
"I've spent countless hours looking after you!"
"Hours that could've been spent on something actually worthwhile!"
"Hours that could've been spent on work that would've meant more for my career!"
"And you... Urara!"
"You're a parasite!"
"You dragged me down with your incompetence!"
"You made me go against my better judgment!"
"You are the reason..."
She then pointed directly at Urara aggressively and accusingly.
"I..."
"I..."
Her eyes lowered.
Then finally—
"I... lost!"
With that, a heavy silence followed.
The kind that settled over everyone nearby.
And King remained standing there, breathing heavily.
While Urara remained motionless, staring at her.
Not knowing what was going on.
Until—
"So get out of here," King added bitterly.
"Stop bothering me with that nonsense of yours."
Her gaze turned away.
"And leave me alone."
For the first time that day... Urara said nothing.
No cheerful reply, no confused question, no smile.
No nothing.
Only a silent push that she made herself back onto her feet.
Her head remained lowered.
Then she turned around.
And ran away.
Away from the field.
Away from King.
Away from everyone.
Meanwhile, Yuiji saw it happen.
And as Urara rushed past him, he instinctively reached out.
"Wait—!"
But before he could do anything, a voice immediately stopped him.
"Leave her be, Yuiji."
"Ignore her."
She then slowly turned toward the starting line.
"And let's continue training," and walked forward.
Ready for another run.
Meanwhile, Yuiji remained rooted to his spot.
Still staring at King and back at the fading Urara.
Still struggling to process what had just happened.
"King..."
He muttered quietly under his breath.
"What's gotten into you...?"
Yet despite the concern.
Despite knowing something was clearly wrong.
Yuiji didn't argue.
He didn't correct her, and he simply...
...lowered his gaze.
And followed her instructions.
"...Yes," he replied to King.
The training resumed.
Or rather—
The punishment she disguised as training resumed.
As if she could somehow outrun the bitterness lodged inside her chest.
...
...
...
A few hours later...
The sun had begun its descent, and the sky glowed in orange.
King Halo was now beyond exhausted.
Her body had long surpassed its limits.
Her legs trembled, and her breathing was ragged.
Sweat soaked through her training clothes.
Yet she still stepped toward the starting line.
"Another..."
She muttered.
"King, enough!"
Yuiji finally protested.
"You've already reached your limit!"
"Limit?"
King laughed bitterly.
"Don't be ridiculous."
"But—!"
"Shut up, Yuiji!"
"I'm not at my limit!"
She staggered slightly.
Yet forced herself upright.
"Don't you dare belittle me!"
"I can still..."
"Still..."
"Still...!"
Then—
The world spun, and the track blurred.
A ringing noise began to play within her ears as her vision became hazy.
And before she knew it—
Her knees gave out.
*Thud*
King dropped onto all fours.
Her breath came out in desperate gasps.
"Wha..."
Her eyes widened.
"What's happening..."
She looked down at her shaking hands.
"...to me...?"
Upon seeing that, Yuiji panicked, "King!" and was about to go after her.
But, before he could—
"You should listen to your trainer, King."
A new voice entered the conversation.
"Who—?!" King and Yuiji immediately turned.
There, lying lazily atop the fence, was a familiar figure.
One arm dangled over the side, and the other supported her head.
That unmistakably sluggish aura was none other...
Seiun Sky.
And judging by the expression on her face—
She had been watching for quite a while.
"As I said, you should've listened to your trainer," she lazily continued.
Yuiji immediately blinked.
"What the—"
He looked genuinely startled since he hadn't even noticed she was there.
Meanwhile, Seiun just yawned, continuing casually.
"Resting is just as important as training."
"If you don't want to end your career early with a nasty injury, that is."
"Like hell you'd know, you lazy bone!"
King instantly fired back.
"Well..."
Seiun stretched her arms.
"Actually, I probably know better than you."
She casually shifted positions and sat upright atop the fence.
"At least I understand moderation."
"A much healthier training regimen, if you ask me."
She shrugged.
"Unlike someone who's still bitter over a friendly race."
King's eye twitched.
"What did you say?!"
"Oh."
Seiun smirked.
"It seems I hit the target."
"Shut up! Don't act as if you know me!"
"And don't you dare compare yourself to me!"
"At least I train harder than you ever do!"
"And because of that, you don't even have the right to stand on the same ground as me!"
"Is that so?"
Seiun tilted her head, still smirking, completely unfazed.
"But that's not what I heard from your opinion of Urara."
Immediately, King froze.
The words caught her off guard.
"W-What...?" she stuttered.
"From what I've seen," Seiun continued casually, "she trains just as hard as you."
She paused.
"Actually..."
Her gaze drifted toward the track.
"Probably harder than both of us combined."
With that, King lowered her head.
Her fists tightened.
"What..."
"What did she tell you...?"
"Hmm..."
Seiun pretended to think.
Tapping her chin.
"Actually?"
She smiled lazily.
"Not much."
"She said she'd try harder next time."
"So that one day, she wouldn't be such a burden to you."
"I don't know exactly what you told her, but..."
She shrugged.
"She wasn't as cheerful as she usually is."
"And I guess... You probably said something harsh to her."
"I mean... she normally would be training with you right now," Seiun added.
"What I say is none of your concern!" King quickly retorted while looking away.
"Well... Maybe." Seiun casually added while hopping down from the fence and landing lightly on the ground.
"But it still hurt a little seeing Urara like that."
"She's normally so loud."
"So energetic."
"So happy."
"But today she wasn't."
Then she stretched.
"Anyhow, I think I'll leave you be for now, King."
She yawned.
"It's getting late."
"And I don't want to mess up my sleep schedule because of this."
She waved at King as she said her goodbyes.
"Farewell. See you another day, King!"
"Bye-bye."
With that, Seiun turned and began walking away.
"Wait...!"
The word escaped King's lips before she could stop herself.
But before she could say anything else, she bit back the rest.
Her gaze dropped once more.
Meanwhile, Seiun simply kept walking without a care, leaving them behind...
...
...
...
Only after Seiun left did Yuiji finally approach.
"I think she was right," he began as he stopped beside her.
"You should rest, King."
"And clear your head."
"At this rate, you're only going to hurt yourself."
"But—!"
King immediately tried to protest, but before she could—
"Please," Yuiji interrupted.
"Just this once."
"Give yourself a chance to breathe."
"Give yourself a chance to rest... okay?"
"Besides..." Yuiji glanced toward the darkening sky.
"It's getting late."
"You should go get some rest, and then we can continue tomorrow."
"Like your friend said—"
But before Yuiji continued, King corrected.
"She's not my friend!"
And Yuiji froze, taken aback slightly.
"Oh..."
He awkwardly scratched his cheek.
"Right..."
Then he quickly corrected himself.
"I-I mean like-like your acquaintance mentioned..."
"Sometimes resting is just as important as training."
"Your body needs time to recover and time to adapt."
"You can't just keep pushing it endlessly."
"It'll crumble before it can catch up."
His gaze lowered slightly.
"So... Please..."
"At least do it for me."
"Just rest."
"You've worked hard enough for today."
With that, for several moments, King had said nothing.
Until—
"F...Fine," she reluctantly agreed and began to walk away.
But, before Yuiji could say anything else, King simply walked past him.
Heading toward her belongings.
Almost as if she wanted to leave before anyone could continue the conversation.
"King..."
Yuiji called softly, but she didn't stop.
And was already packing her things in silence.
Then slung her bag over her shoulder.
Only after everything was ready did she pause, turning slightly.
Just enough for Yuiji to see her profile.
"See you tomorrow, Trainer."
And without waiting for a reply—
She left.
Slowly carrying herself farther away from the track.
Leaving Yuiji standing there alone.
Watching her disappear into the distance, concern remained written across his face.
Only when she was completely gone did he finally sigh.
"Who would've thought..." He muttered.
"...that a friendly race could hurt her that much."
He then turned to his belongings and started to pack up too.
Thinking back to Grass and El.
Thinking back to King's expression after losing.
Then he sighed again.
"I think..."
He adjusted his bag onto his shoulder.
"...I need to be more careful about who she races next time."
With that, Yuiji quietly walked away from the track with his belongings, and once again, the training ground gradually emptied.
And before long—
The day came to an end.
...
...
...
Back at the dorm, King eventually returned.
Without saying a word to anyone, she headed straight for the bath.
The warm water washed away the sweat from her body.
But not the bitterness remaining in her heart.
And by the time she finished showering and made her way back toward her room, the sky outside had already darkened.
The corridor was quiet with only the faint lights illuminating the path ahead.
As King walked down it—
She spotted someone, Fuji Kiseki.
Standing in the hallway.
The moment their eyes met, Fuji offered her a faint smile.
Then simply waved as she said,
"It's okay to feel bitter after a loss, King."
King stopped as Fuji continued.
"But you should know one thing."
"Sometimes a loss is also a beginning."
"But projecting that frustration onto something..."
Her smile softened.
"...or someone..."
"...is never the right move."
"What...?"
King frowned.
But Fuji simply chuckled.
"Just keep that in mind, my pony."
"P-Pony?!"
King immediately recoiled at the nickname.
Meanwhile, Fuji continued as though nothing had happened.
"It'll serve you well once your racing career truly begins."
She then turned away.
"No one is truly undefeatable."
"Eventually, everyone encounters someone."
"Or something," she added as she took a glimpse at her foot.
"That stands in their way."
"And when that time comes..."
She returned upright.
"You'll need friends far more than foes."
A brief pause followed.
Then she smiled.
"Goodnight, King."
And with that—
Fuji walked away, leaving King standing there alone.
Completely stumped.
"What was..."
She muttered.
"...that supposed to mean?"
After lingering there for a few moments, King finally resumed walking.
Eventually, she arrived at her room.
Opened the door and stepped inside.
The room was dark and quiet.
And there—
Already asleep—
Was the pink-haired menace herself.
Urara.
She was hugging her pillow tightly and lightly snored.
Completely oblivious to the turmoil she had caused today.
At that sight, King simply sighed.
Then casually walked over to her closet and store her bathing supplies away.
But before she could prepare for bed—
She noticed something.
Something was sitting on her desk.
Immediately, her expression twisted.
"Damn that Urara..."
King muttered.
"How many times do I have to tell her not to put her things on my—"
She stopped.
"...desk."
She choked as she realized.
On top of the desk sat a small box.
A box containing carrot cake.
And beneath it was a folded piece of paper.
Waiting.
As if it had been deliberately left there for her.
There, King carefully pulled the paper out from beneath the box and unfolded it.
Began reading in no time.
As King's eyes moved across the page, her expression slowly softened.
The early irritation, bitterness, and anger.
For a moment, all of it seemed to quiet down.
Once she finished reading, she lowered the paper.
Then turned toward the sleeping Urara.
"You dummy..." She muttered.
She sighed again as she shook her head slightly before returning to her desk.
Carefully placing the paper back underneath the box of carrot cake, tucking it neatly beneath it.
Then she made her way toward her bed.
Ready to finally end the day.
And she drifted into sleep the moment she did.
...
...
...
Some time later...
King suddenly felt hot, uncomfortably hot.
As though something heavy was pressing down on her.
She groaned and struggled slightly.
Then finally opened her eyes.
And immediately discovered the source of it.
A pink gremlin had latched directly onto her.
Sleeping soundly on top of her bed.
On top of her.
King stared blankly.
Then groaned.
"Not again..."
She rubbed her forehead.
"How many times do I have to tell her to sleep in her own bed...?"
Meanwhile, Urara only responded by snuggling deeper into her.
Completely unconscious.
At this point, it wasn't even surprising anymore.
"Well..."
She looked at the sleeping girl and sighed.
"Too bad I've gotten used to it."
Carefully, she raised a hand.
And gently stroked Urara's hair.
The pink strands shifted beneath her fingers.
There, King quietly murmured,
"I'm sorry, Urara..."
Her eyes lowered.
"For what I said earlier."
"I was..."
King yawned.
"...not in my right mind."
Her eyelids grew heavier before she knew.
And the exhaustion from the day was finally catching up.
Before she could persist for long,
"Good night..."
"...Urara," she murmured.
And with that—
King slowly drifted back to sleep.
And the room once again returned to silence...
...
...
...
Meanwhile...
The note remained tucked beneath the carrot cake.
Its handwriting was messy and filled with spelling mistakes and awkward grammar.
Unmistakably Urara's.
But the meaning was there, simple enough to understand:
I'm sorry, King, for being such a burden for you... But I promise I will try harder to keep up next time!
I know I'm not the brightest at race, but I swear I'm pushing myself harder so I can be!
Here's a carrot cake as an apology!
But I might have taken a bite from it...
But it was to test if it was good, and it really is!
Sorry...! :)