"Ha, hoo, haa..."
On the training ground, a figure was running.
She slowly decelerated and stopped.
"As expected, it's still not enough."
Tiny beads of sweat covered her forehead, and Tokai Teio sighed.
Lying down on the grass, Tokai Teio let the sweat quietly stream down her body.
A few scattered stars hung in the sky; the sun had disappeared, with only the lingering afterglow of the sunset telling of the passage of time.
"Is it this late already?" Teio murmured softly.
The scene of that Japanese Derby seemed to reappear before her eyes.
The track was in the worst possible condition, with heavy rain turning the course into mud.
She was surrounded and targeted by other competitors.
But Legend, without getting a speck of mud on her, cut through the pack and surged to the front.
The turf kicked up, water droplets flying through the air.
Everything was so impressive.
As she passed by, what Teio saw in her eyes was a pair of clear, amethyst-like eyes.
No one could catch her, no one could restrain her, free... It wasn't until the Commentator announced her victory that Tokai Teio snapped back to reality.
Among those who were dirty and muddy because of the track, only she was special.
Her demeanor was like a young boy wiping mud from his face with the back of his hand.
She gently curved her lips, a fleeting smile.
Raising her hand to the audience, to the universe.
Unconsciously, Tokai Teio had become captivated.
"Mmm! This won't do! I won't be able to catch Legend at this rate!"
Pushing herself up, Tokai Teio cheered herself on.
"Are you calling me, Teio?"
"Wah!"
The sudden voice from behind startled Teio, causing her to fall back down.
"Ah... white."
It seemed she had seen something she shouldn't have.
"What are you doing?"
The girl whose skirt had been peeked under showed no panic, merely lowered her head and asked calmly.
"Uh, good evening, Legend."
Teio, unable to explain, turned her face away and changed the subject.
"Good evening. Still at the training ground this late, you're really diligent, aren't you? Is it your day off today, by the way?"
Gold Legend walked over to Teio. Without caring how expensive her clothes were, she sat down on the spot.
"Well, Maruzensky Senior once said that powerful Uma Musume need talent, effort, and luck."
Tokai Teio tried to sit up again, but her already protesting muscles refused Teio's command. Helplessly, Teio could only continue lying down.
"Hmph, then do you think you have those?"
Gold Legend asked with a complex tone, as if she had thought of something.
"Of course! My talent and hard work aren't fake!" Teio said proudly, lying on the grass. "And as for luck, being able to meet everyone at Spica, how can that be considered bad?"
"That's true..." Legend gazed into the distance, her voice somehow ethereal.
"Speaking of which, Legend, why are you here?"
Teio asked curiously.
"Ah, actually, Senior Chiaki dragged me on a spontaneous trip two days ago. I just got back from Hokkaido." Legend showed a look of unpleasant memory.
"Eh?" Tokai Teio didn't understand.
"Well, anyway, that's how it is. But Teio, even for effort, your current workout volume is excessive, isn't it?"
Legend glanced at Teio and made her judgment.
"Don't underestimate Teio-sama! It's just some extra training!"
Teio immediately puffed up like a fugu fish, feeling indignant.
"Really?"
Legend poked Teio's thigh.
"Ouch!"
The fugu deflated.
"You know, adding extra training without your Trainer's arrangements isn't good for your body."
Legend placed her hand on Teio's leg and began to massage her.
"Ow, ow, ow, ow! Huh? It doesn't seem to hurt that much?" Teio blinked. "What? Legend, you can give massages too?"
"I am a physician, with a license, for what it's worth."
"That doesn't really connect," Teio pouted.
"So, why are you working so hard?"
Legend indicated that Teio still hadn't answered her question.
"Because, I feel like I can't catch up..."
"Hmm?"
"Legend, you've already achieved an undefeated Double Crown," Teio looked back at the sky. "You're just one step away from an undefeated Triple Crown..."
That was my dream.
"…"
"I've always dreamed of becoming an Uma Musume like the President. An undefeated Triple Crown, that's my dream." Teio's voice carried an inexplicable emotion. "But now, Legend, you're already ahead of me."
"If it's about that, it doesn't matter much, does it? You'll be able to compete next year anyway." Legend continued to massage Teio. "That alone isn't a reason for you to abuse yourself like this, you know."
"It's not abuse, is it? I'm not a masochist," Teio grumbled.
"Oh really?" Legend applied a little more force.
"Ow, ow, ow, ow!"
"Tsk tsk."
"...Alright, alright, I get it. I'll be careful next time."
"You think there'll be a next time?" She applied force again.
"Ow, ow, ow, ow! I'm sorry, I was wrong!"
Teio apologized sincerely.
Silence fell for a moment.
"...Actually, I'm just scared." Teio raised her hand to cover her eyes.
"Scared?"
"Yeah, when you, Legend, crossed the finish line of the Derby, I was suddenly very thankful—thankful that I wasn't competing with you, and thankful that I only debuted the following year."
I was afraid of competing against you.
"But, this is not right," Teio murmured, as if speaking to Legend, and as if speaking to herself, "An Uma Musume shouldn't be like this, and Tokai Teio definitely shouldn't be like this."
So, I am very angry.
"...Is that so."
"Sorry for disappointing you, Legend."
"Not disappointed at all, just a bit surprised," Legend said with a smile.
"Surprised?"
"So that proud and competitive Tokai Teio has a side like this, too."
"...Even I get angry, you know."
Teio pouted in dissatisfaction.
"Sorry, sorry. But, Lady Teio won't just stop here, right?" Legend looked at Teio gently.
"...That goes without saying! I'm going to become an undefeated Triple Crown Horse Girl!"
"That's the spirit," Legend nodded. "Only by facing your fears can you become a true champion."
"However..." her tone shifted, "before that, you need to properly apologize to the Trainer."
"Eh? No way... Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch! I get it, I'll go apologize!"
"That's better... No need to rush. The path ahead is always there, and I'll be waiting for you there."
"Really?" Teio asked cautiously.
"Yeah."
"...I understand." Teio looked up, staring straight into Legend's eyes.
Those eyes, clear as amethysts, were looking back at her.
"I'll catch up to you. Until then, make sure you keep your eyes on me."
"Sure, I'll be waiting for you."
I have to work even harder now, Teio thought.
"Alright, it's about time. Let's go, we should head back." Legend stood up, brushed off her clothes, and held out her hand to Teio.
"..." Teio just stared.
"What's wrong?"
"Um, Legend, can you do me one more favor?"
"?"
"I can't move at all right now."
Teio gave an awkward, yet polite, smile.
"...Fine, I really can't do anything with you."
"Hehe."
Come to think of it, with this development, is what comes next that thing Maya always talks about—a princess carry? Teio thought aimlessly.
Then Legend hoisted Teio up over her shoulder.
"...This is completely different from what I imagined."
"If you thought I was going to do a princess carry, I have to say, that's really tiring," Legend retorted.
"Eh! How could you!"
Just like that, the two Uma Musume returned to the dorms, bickering all the way.
By the way, in the end, Teio's wish for a princess carry was fulfilled.
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