"The [Setsuna Exhibition], huh? It sounds very stylish."
Inside the grandly decorated, spacious Art Museum, Gold Legend looked up at the banner hung across the Central area, uttering a sound that implied she was impressed but didn't understand why.
This Art Museum is said to be the former site of a Production Research Institute belonging to a certain university. After being repurposed, it became a new Art Museum, primarily used for hosting exhibitions, displaying collections, and promoting art education. It also features shops and restaurants inside, making it very user-friendly for visitors to grab a bite if they get tired.
Gold Legend stood in front of the Art Museum's main entrance, looking at the building that exuded an aura of high society just by looking at it, and felt a little hesitant.
As for why she was in a place that completely mismatched her personality, it could only be attributed to a sudden whim.
Mainly, a couple of days ago, our Legend bought a Chinese Kung Fu game made by a foreigner. After spending several days hanging out in nightclubs, she finally arrived at the Art Museum, a place that sounded full of artistic atmosphere, and then successfully died of old age inside (in the game).
As everyone knows, although this Chestnut Horse Girl is bad at games, she loves to play. Even after persistent effort, she couldn't successfully leave the Art Museum (in the game). However, perhaps because she died so many times, facing the art and creative exhibitions inside, the girl who was driven to social isolation by the game decided to visit the place in real life.
She decided to act immediately, found an Art Exhibition with an upcoming date online, bought an expensive ticket, and came to check it out.
And so, we arrive at the current situation: the rough-mannered Gold Legend stood timidly at the entrance of the Art Museum, afraid that her vulgarity might contaminate the museum's refined air.
"...I'm already here!"
Mutating this magical mantra, Gold Legend made up her mind and stepped forward.
"Ara, you are Legend-san, right?"
A gentle and cordial whisper came from behind her.
Gold Legend turned her head to look.
Dreamy blue hair, eyes as gentle as water, and an elegance and nobility that emanated from her very core.
"Miss Ardan? What are you doing here?"
Gold Legend asked curiously.
"Ah, it's just due to personal interest; I wanted to look around. And you, Legend-san?"
Ardan's smile remained elegant and beautiful.
"...It was just a sudden whim."
I certainly can't tell her I came out to relax because I got depressed from playing a video game.
If she knew that reason, my life would be over.
Gold Legend wiped the cold sweat from her forehead, trying her best to appear dignified.
"Hehe, no need to be so nervous."
Ardan chuckled as she watched the somewhat restrained Gold Legend, and then, she seemed to think of something.
"Since we ran into each other, why don't we go together?"
"Young Miss?"
Before Gold Legend could speak, the elder following behind Ardan spoke up.
"It's alright, A-po. This young lady is trustworthy. Well then, Legend-san, as you can see, would you mind acting as my escort?"
Ardan smiled radiantly.
"Uh... it's an honor?"
Gold Legend hesitated for a moment, then reluctantly agreed.
"Ah... well then, Miss Ardan, please take care and be safe. Sir, I entrust the young lady to you."
"Yes, alright."
The old man sighed, gave a couple more instructions, and then left.
"..."
Gold Legend watched the old man leave, somewhat stunned.
"Honestly, Grandma worries too much. My body isn't as weak as it used to be."
Mejiro Ardan complained softly, but there wasn't a hint of displeasure in her words.
"Well then, let's go, Legend-san."
"Huh? Oh!"
How did things turn out this way?
Gold Legend looked bewildered.
"This 'Fleeting Moment Exhibition' has a rich variety of exhibits. Paintings, sculptures, photography, films, crafts... it pretty much covers everything."
Upon entering the hall, Ardan introduced the exhibition.
"...That's really impressive."
Gold Legend, who actually didn't know what was so impressive, could only respond mechanically.
"However, all these works have one thing in common. Do you know what it is, Legend-san?"
Ardan didn't mind Legend's perfunctory reply and asked with a smile.
"What?"
"All these works are... posthumous works."
"Eh!?"
The atmosphere suddenly became serious.
Gold Legend was speechless for a moment.
"Well then, let's go."
Ardan looked at the suddenly stiff Gold Legend, chuckled, and took her arm, beginning their trip to the art museum... "This art exhibition is very special. I pestered my father for a long time to get tickets. You know my parents spoil me a lot, but even then, my father hesitated and only agreed after I pouted. You can imagine the level and importance of this exhibition."
Perhaps because she was very excited, Mejiro Ardan showed a different side than usual, appearing a bit more lively.
"That's certainly something to look forward to."
No wonder the tickets were so expensive. But to surrender after just a bit of pouting, you're so weak, Father I've never met.
Legend thought carelessly, following behind Ardan, trying her best to be a qualified escort.
The two chatted and began to stroll around. Although it was an eye-catching combination of beauty and talent paired with lack of talent and virtue, their postures (especially a certain Chestnut Coat with a tail) made the duo look like a married couple searching for fresh, cheap, high-quality goods in a wet market.
After a few minutes, Ardan stood in front of a painting, giving a profound yet easy-to-understand critique of the artwork. An elderly, white-haired gentleman next to her nodded frequently, and the two conversed happily. Gold Legend could only stand to the side with her hands in her pockets, listening to their exchange, pretending she understood by putting on a serious, contemplative expression. When she heard key parts, she didn't forget to show a look of sudden realization, then nodded to herself and smiled lightly, as if finding it ingenious.
After a few more minutes, Ardan stood in front of another painting, explaining the techniques used in the artwork to Gold Legend, and also giving a brief explanation of how to use those techniques. It was clear that she genuinely wanted to teach Gold Legend.
As for Gold Legend, she could only force a smile.
This situation continued for over half an hour before Ardan finally came down from her excited state.
"I'm sorry for troubling you, Legend-san."
Ardan sat on a bench in the rest area, a hint of apology on her face.
"It's fine, I actually enjoyed it quite a bit."
Gold Legend handed her a bottle of mineral water, smiling as she said there was no need to worry.
Although it was a bit awkward at first, with Ardan's enthusiastic explanations, she was able to experience appreciating art. Moreover, some works truly touched Legend's heart during the process. Since that was the case, there was no need to dwell on it; she would just consider it a learning experience.
"Want something to eat? I saw a café over there just now. Since it's rare to come here, enjoying a petit bourgeois afternoon tea is also a nice pastime."
Gold Legend said, performing a less-than-standard gentleman's bow with her left hand behind her back and her right hand extended in invitation.
"Hehe, Legend-san, you're really humorous. Well, let's go."
Seeing Gold Legend's actions, Ardan covered her mouth and chuckled, then placed her hand on Legend's hand.
"Then, please lead the way."
"At your service, my lady."
Then,
"The black tea here is really good, almost as good as what our maids make at home."
Ardan took a small sip of black tea, her posture elegant, like a socialite from England.
"So expensive."
Unfortunately, Gold Legend wasn't appreciating the scene. She scanned the menu, feeling like simply eating banknotes wouldn't be much different.
"If Legend is short on cash, I can treat you."
After their previous interaction, Ardan had clearly become much friendlier.
"No, it's not that. I just feel that it truly lives up to its reputation as a place where art resides; even the coffee is much more expensive than outside."
Making a remark that was hard to categorize, Gold Legend ordered a cup of coffee and a frosted white sugar brownie.
"Ara, you like this flavor?"
Seeing the dessert Legend ordered being brought over, Ardan asked curiously.
"No, I'm just trying something new. I've never been to a place like this before. The places Oguri and I usually go aren't this high-class."
Legend cut a small piece of cake and tasted it; the flavor was excellent.
"...Speaking of which, Oguri Cap did mention you to me."
Watching Legend carefully savoring the cake with a cute expression, Ardan rested her chin on her hand and smiled.
"Eh? Ah, come to think of it, Ardan, you are indeed in the same year as Oguri."
"Last time during the Emperor of Autumn, Oguri told me about you."
"She must have been talking about food, right?"
Gold Legend didn't pay attention, continuing to enjoy the happiness the cake brought.
"...You really know her well."
"Of course, we're good friends after all."
"Is that so? I'm a little envious."
"Then, do you want some?"
Legend, who only caught the word 'envious,' thought Ardan was envious of her cake. Without thinking, she cut a piece and offered it to Ardan.
"Eh?"
Ardan's thoughts were disrupted by the sudden action.
"Don't you want it? It's really delicious."
At this moment, Gold Legend hadn't realized how ambiguous her action was.
"...Thank you."
Blushing, Ardan bit into the cake and turned her face away, hiding her shyness.
"Ah, sorry, it was just a reflex."
She was used to feeding Oguri Cap.
Seeing Ardan's flushed face, Gold Legend finally realized.
"It's okay, let's go, there are still many works we haven't seen!"
Ardan hastily got up and walked towards the exhibition area.
"Ah, oh."
Legend also snapped out of it, gulped down the remaining coffee to calm her nerves, and then followed... After the two composed themselves and toured the entire venue, they walked out.
"Legend, there's one last place left, the forest behind the art museum. I want to go there, is that okay?"
Ardan looked at Legend, slowly asking as if she had made up her mind.
"No problem, is there something there?"
"The last piece of work is displayed there... and it's my goal for this trip."
Ardan placed her hand on her chest, her voice as light as ever.
"Since I agreed to be your escort, of course I'll stay until the very end."
Gold Legend smiled, saying dutifully.
"...Thank you."
The two walked towards the forest together. It seemed no one knew there were exhibits here, as no tourists were in sight.
However, in the center of that deserted forest, there was a painting.
"...This is it, what I wanted to see."
"What is this?"
Gold Legend looked at the painting. It seemed to have endured prolonged exposure to sun and rain, as the painting was already disfigured, completely faded of color.
"It is said that its author left a dying wish that this painting should only be exhibited outdoors."
Ardan explained.
"..."
As if feeling the weight of these words, Gold Legend remained silent.
The two silently looked at the painting together for a very long time... After their Journey to the art museum ended, it was already dark.
To apologize for taking up so much time, Ardan took Legend to a seemingly expensive Western restaurant and invited her to dinner.
After being seated and ordering, Ardan looked at the restless Gold Legend and said with a smile.
"No need to be so nervous, it's just a meal."
"...I've never been to a Western restaurant before."
I feel like all the restraint in my life has been used up today.
Gold Legend thought about irrelevant things, trying to numb herself into relaxing.
"Hehe." Ardan chuckled, then said, "Aren't you going to ask me about that painting?"
"Eh? There's no need to ask about that, is there?"
If you want to talk, you will. I just need to listen carefully.
"...That's true. Well, where should I start? You know, I was born with a weak constitution, a very fragile body."
Ardan composed herself for a moment, then slowly began.
"...Mm, McQueen told me."
"Heh, you and McQueen really do have a good relationship. Ah, back to the main topic. My older sister, like me, was born with fragile legs, but she miraculously recovered. So, I also held a glimmer of hope."
"However, unfortunately, the miracle didn't happen a second time."
Mejiro Ardan said, her expression sorrowful.
"..."
Every time this happened, Gold Legend would hate her own clumsiness with words, only able to listen quietly.
"However, even so, I persisted and became an Uma Musume. Even though my parents always objected, even though the attending physician asserted that my body couldn't possibly race, otherwise I might never be free from injuries."
Mejiro Ardan raised her head, gazing at Gold Legend, an extraordinary resolve hidden in her eyes.
"Perhaps, in the Mejiro Family, in the brilliant long river of Uma Musume history, I will be buried in the blink of an eye, fleeting and then forgotten, eventually disappearing. But even so, at least, at this moment, I can stake everything for the fleeting brilliance that blooms!"
"..."
Gold Legend was unable to move, shocked by the resolve displayed by the girl before her.
"Whether it's short or slim. Even if it's just to leave a tiny glimmer, I want to leave my trace of having lived in this 'moment'."
Mejiro Ardan continued to speak, then became disheartened.
"However, it seems I've failed. Even with all my strength, I can't achieve fame and success like my sister. Even burning myself out, I can't achieve the victory I've longed for. Perhaps, like that painting, I'm destined to be forgotten."
Mejiro Ardan couldn't suppress the emotions in her heart, her voice tinged with sadness.
"...That painting must have been very beautiful once."
"...!"
"You have already succeeded, Mejiro Ardan. Even though you missed it several times, even though you narrowly missed victory, haven't you already completed the continuation of the miracle? You have already blossomed with incredibly beautiful brilliance. You are destined to be remembered in history."
Gold Legend stood up excitedly, grasping Mejiro Ardan's hand.
"Gold Legend..."
"So, don't say you failed. You, in this 'moment', are undoubtedly shining like light."
Gold Legend's sincere words made Mejiro Ardan's eyes widen.
"...Thank you. Perhaps that's what I wanted to hear. And Gold Legend, you're too excited. Everyone is looking at us."
"Eh! Sorry, sorry!"
Gold Legend came back to her senses, feeling the piercing gazes around her, and apologized awkwardly.
"...Hehe, well then, let's start our dinner."
Looking at the awkwardly apologizing Gold Legend, Mejiro Ardan laughed again. This time, her smile was radiant and beautiful.
"Speaking of that painting, I also know an anecdote. A long time ago, the artist of that painting had a companion who supported him throughout his life. It is said that the painting was created by the artist with his last strength and given to that companion."
"Oh, that's quite romantic, Mejiro Ardan. Do you have one too?"
"Unfortunately, I haven't found such a person in the past."
"That's a pity."
"However, it might be different in the future."
"Eh?"
"Before that, let's apologize to Mejiro McQueen. Oh, and Oguri Cap too."
Mejiro Ardan looked at the bewildered Gold Legend, and once again her radiant smile bloomed.
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