"I think I need an explanation."
Why is McQueen in the hospital again? Huh? Did I just say 'again'?
Gold Legend, who had rushed to the hospital after receiving the call, had a sour look on her face as she watched the Trainer trying to laugh it off.
"Well, ahaha, that is, uh."
The Trainer dodged the question, not answering Legend's inquiry.
Gold Legend clenched her fists, deciding whether to use her execution technique in three seconds, depending on the situation.
"Let me explain."
Ryan, who had come out of the ward, interrupted Gold Legend's charge.
Tsk, you just saved your life.
Gold Legend lowered her hand.
"So, what exactly happened?"
"Well, simply put, McQueen lost."
Lost what? A race?
Do you have to go to the hospital if you lose a race? What kind of dark game is this?
Gold Legend didn't know where to begin complaining.
...Could you explain a little more clearly?
"Ah, sorry. Simply put, McQueen fell because she lost a race, so she was sent for medical attention just in case."
Ryan said awkwardly.
"I see. But McQueen lost? I remember there weren't any notable opponents in this race, right?"
Mejiro McQueen crashed in such a race?
"The outcome of a temporary victory or defeat isn't important. The current problem is the Kikuka Sho."
Ryan sighed.
...Could you please explain it all at once?
You're making me look dumb.
"Let me explain," the Trainer interjected. "McQueen isn't planning to participate in the Kikuka Sho? So I originally arranged the G2 Kyoto Newspaper Cup in October for her. With McQueen's current results, as long as she finishes within the top 5, she can successfully run in the Kikuka Sho, but..."
"McQueen refused?"
Gold Legend raised an eyebrow. She knew that with McQueen's pride, she wouldn't accept such a race arrangement that almost presupposed failure.
"Yes, she refused and chose two other races."
The Trainer said helplessly.
"Those two races were also participated in by McQueen's older sister, Mejiro Dulen."
Ryan added from the side.
"Well, although these two races could also get McQueen into the Kikuka Sho, but..."
"She has to be first, right?"
"Yes."
After all, these two races can't compare to the Newspaper Cup.
"So, you called me over for what?"
"Ah, I want you to comfort McQueen."
Ryan said with a bitter smile.
"McQueen isn't a fragile Uma Musume, you know."
Gold Legend said, a little annoyed. If McQueen could get discouraged by this extent, she wouldn't have seen her legendary story in her previous life.
"If it were just a simple matter of being inferior in skill, we wouldn't bother you."
Ryan's smile grew even more bitter.
"I agreed to McQueen's choice because McQueen truly could win these two races. But she lost the second one."
It wasn't because of a strong enemy or because of inferior skill.
"She lost because of her own mistake."
This was the most disheartening thing: a victory that was within her grasp was ruined by a small mistake of her own.
"Moreover, McQueen values promises very much."
She and I agreed to compete in the Kikuka Sho.
"However, this failure has caused McQueen to be just a little short on popularity to run in the Kikuka Sho."
Breaking the promise must be the main reason McQueen is so dispirited.
Ryan recalled McQueen's dejected look in the ward and couldn't help but say with a pained heart.
"At a time like this, Classmate Ryan and I can't comfort or persuade her well, so we can only ask you."
After all, you have a good relationship with her.
...That's indeed quite serious.
After such a combo, any mentally normal person would be in a bad state.
"But shouldn't they call Teio?"
She's the one with the best relationship with McQueen, right?
Gold Legend was clueless.
"Well, don't mind the details. The mission to rescue the princess is entrusted to you, Oba-chan!"
Gold Ship suddenly appeared, pushing Gold Legend towards McQueen's ward.
"Eh! Golshi, you..."
Where did you come from?
Before she could finish, Gold Ship opened the ward door, shoved Legend inside, then closed the door, even adding a "Go for it" along the way.
...
Gold Legend was at a loss for words.
"Ryan? Sorry, I said I wanted to be alone for a while. I want to be quiet."
I'm not Ryan.
Gold Legend looked up to see McQueen sitting on the hospital bed, hugging her knees and burying her head.
It seemed the blow was indeed quite significant.
Gold Legend thought for a moment and decided to start with a joke.
"Who is Jingjing?"
"Eh?"
Hearing a voice that shouldn't be there, McQueen looked up, her beautiful face faintly shimmering with tears.
"Legend-san! Why are you here!?"
McQueen said in surprise, then suddenly reacted, quickly wiping her face with her sleeve, adopting her usual elegant posture.
...It's okay to cry.
Gold Legend said gently. She swore that even counting her previous life, she had never been this gentle.
"What are you talking about, Legend-san? I am an Uma Musume of the Mejiro Family, I would never... I would never... cry."
McQueen tried to act as if nothing was wrong, but looking at Legend's gentle smile, for some reason, her tears began to flow like a broken dam.
"There, there, it's alright now. I'm here."
Gold Legend stepped forward, gently pulled McQueen into her embrace, and softly stroked McQueen's hair with one hand.
"Waaah, waaaah!"
Feeling Legend's warmth, McQueen finally burst into tears... The crying lasted for a while, then gradually subsided.
...Sorry, Legend-san, I got your clothes wet.
Breaking free from Gold Legend's embrace, McQueen sniffled and blushed slightly, looking at the wet patch on Legend's chest.
"It's okay. To see McQueen like this, the sacrifice of this outfit is worth it."
Legend said jokingly. As for how much of it was serious, that remained unknown.
"Geez, don't tease me, really."
McQueen's face grew even redder.
"Yes, yes, yes."
Legend smiled beautifully, her tone doting.
...
The scene was quiet for a while. McQueen silently organized her thoughts, and Legend waited patiently.
...I broke my promise because of a small mistake.
McQueen said, her head bowed in disappointment.
Legend didn't speak, listening quietly.
"I could have won. The finish line was in sight. If nothing had gone wrong, I would have been the victor."
But I made a mistake and was overtaken just before the finish line.
McQueen's tone was full of unwillingness.
A small mistake, and she lost a victory that was within her grasp, and also lost the chance to fulfill her promise.
...It's okay. A temporary victory or defeat doesn't decide anything.
As long as it's a race, these things always happen.
Legend couldn't think of a way to comfort her for a moment, so she could only speak dryly.
"Heh, Legend-san, your comforting methods are unexpectedly clumsy."
McQueen looked at Legend, who was racking her brain to comfort her, and laughed.
Gold Legend awkwardly scratched her face.
"I know, a temporary victory or defeat doesn't decide anything. I'm just a little frustrated."
Frustrated with her own mistake.
"And, I broke my promise. The promise with Ryan, I can't fulfill it."
McQueen said dejectedly.
Her race schedule with Ryan almost only intersected at the Kikuka Sho. If she missed this chance, she didn't know when they would be able to race together again.
"The promise, it can't be fulfilled."
McQueen's head dropped even lower, and her voice became hoarse.
"…It's fine, it's fine, McQueen, you're only a little bit away from being able to enter the Kikuka Sho. If there aren't enough people, then you can compete! Look, isn't Super Creek Senior an example of that?"
Gold Legend thought McQueen was crying again and said in a hurry.
"...I know Legend-san, you're trying to comfort me, but that's the final stop of the Triple Crown."
How could there not be enough people?
"And what happened with Super Creek Senior, that was already a miracle."
How could a miracle happen a second time?
When Super Creek participated in the Kikuka Sho, she was ranked 19th among the 36 Uma Musume registered at the time (the Kikuka Sho has a maximum of 18 participants). She would have missed the Kikuka Sho because of this, but she and her Trainer persevered and moved one of the Uma Musume, who voluntarily withdrew from the Kikuka Sho, allowing Super Creek to compete smoothly. Super Creek did not disappoint, winning the Kikuka Sho championship despite being surrounded by strong opponents. This incident is still talked about to this day.
"…Don't give up, McQueen." Legend grabbed McQueen's hand. "Beyond determination, you can see hope. A miracle might not happen a second time, but if you give up, there truly will be no hope."
"But the Kikuka Sho is already so close, I don't have time…"
"No problem, trust me!"
Gold Legend remembered that Mejiro McQueen in her previous life did participate in the Kikuka Sho and even won the championship.
"It will definitely be fine. Wait, and have hope."
Gold Legend looked directly into McQueen's eyes and said slowly and firmly.
"Legend-san…"
"The phone's ringing, Legend, answer it quickly!"
The sudden ringtone interrupted McQueen's words, and both of them snapped back to reality.
"Sorry, McQueen, I didn't mean to."
Legend quickly let go of McQueen's hand and said somewhat awkwardly.
"…It's fine."
McQueen lowered her head and held the hand that Legend had held with her other hand, her tone inexplicable.
"Hello, President, what's up?"
Legend answered the phone and asked curiously.
It's rare to receive two calls in a row today.
Gold Legend, who rarely received calls on weekdays, thought inadvertently.
"Is that Legend-san? You should be next to Classmate Mejiro McQueen right now."
Rudolf's voice was mixed with various emotions, very complex. At least Gold Legend couldn't tell what was in it.
"Mm, yes."
Legend glanced at McQueen and nodded.
"Then please hand the phone to her, there's something I need to inform her about."
"...Okay."
Legend handed the phone to McQueen and gestured.
"?"
McQueen looked at the phone, then at Legend, then pointed at herself.
Gold Legend nodded.
"Hello, this is Mejiro McQueen."
McQueen took the phone and said.
Gold Legend watched curiously.
"Eh?"
McQueen suddenly looked up in surprise.
"No problem! Okay! Okay!"
McQueen replied excitedly, then the call ended.
McQueen stared blankly at the phone in her hand.
"What's wrong?"
Legend asked curiously.
"The President said that one Uma Musume participating in the Kikuka Sho withdrew from the race, and she asked if I could participate."
McQueen said blankly.
"…"
This is too dramatic.
"Legend-san, I, it seems, won't have to break my promise."
"…That's wonderful."
Gold Legend suppressed the urge to complain and offered sincere congratulations.
McQueen suddenly pounced over and hugged Legend tightly.
"That's wonderful, thank you, Legend-san, thank you."
McQueen spoke incoherently.
"…"
Legend didn't speak, gently hugging McQueen back.
"See, miracles do exist."
Legend whispered.
McQueen didn't respond.
Gold Legend looked down and realized McQueen had fallen asleep without her noticing.
Indeed, today was a day of great ups and downs, great sorrow and great joy.
"Good night, McQueen."
Gold Legend thought, gently placing McQueen back on the bed, tucking her in, and then quietly left the ward.
Outside the door, a Trainer and two Uma Musume were quietly waiting for the result. They saw Gold Legend walk out and cast questioning glances.
Gold Legend gave a thumbs up.
The three of them breathed a sigh of relief.
"In any case, let McQueen rest."
Gold Legend said, leading everyone away.
Tonight, too, is a quiet and peaceful night.
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