Time flew by...
The race was over.
But the day was not.
The excitement that had consumed Kyoto Race Course only moments ago was slowly beginning to settle.
The enormous crowd that had filled the Main Grandstands was gradually making its way toward the exits.
Thousands of spectators moved through the walkways and staircases, still talking excitedly about what they had just witnessed.
Some were already calling friends and family.
Others were recording videos of the scoreboard.
Many were still staring at the result displayed above the track.
45 LENGTHS.
The number remained there.
A reminder of what had just happened.
King Halo.
Shuka Sho winner.
Double Slam winner.
And now, officially, a record holder.
Racecourse workers moved through the stands, collecting discarded bottles, food containers, paper, programs, flags, and other pieces of trash left behind by the enormous crowd.
Janitors worked methodically through the aisles.
Some workers carried large garbage bags over their shoulders.
Others pushed cleaning carts along the walkways.
The sound of sweeping brushes occasionally mixed with the distant chatter of spectators.
Down on the track, another group of workers had already begun their inspections.
They walked along the turf carefully, checking for divots and damaged patches caused by the race.
Others inspected the starting gates.
The railings.
The track surface.
The equipment.
Every part of the racecourse had to be checked and returned to normal.
The race itself had ended.
But the work surrounding it had not.
Several racers had already gone through the post-race procedures.
Results were being finalized.
Times were being recorded.
Officials were completing their paperwork.
Photographers were packing away equipment.
Journalists were rushing toward interviews and press areas.
The entire venue was slowly transitioning from the chaos of the race into the organized aftermath.
And somewhere inside the changing facilities...
King Halo was changing.
Outside the changing room, however, two people waited.
Fumino Nase.
And Goodbye Halo.
The atmosphere between them couldn't have been more different from the celebration happening outside.
Fumino leaned against the wall beside the changing-room entrance.
Her arms were crossed tightly across her chest.
She wasn't looking at Goodbye.
Not directly.
Her eyes were fixed somewhere farther down the corridor.
Goodbye stood several steps away.
Her hands were folded together in front of her.
Her head was slightly bowed.
Her eyes were still red.
The tears she had cried earlier had dried against her cheeks, leaving faint traces behind.
Neither woman spoke.
The silence stretched.
A minute passed.
Then another.
Footsteps occasionally echoed through the hallway as staff members moved around the building.
Somewhere beyond the walls, voices could still be heard.
But neither of them said anything.
Fumino continued staring away from Goodbye.
She was still protective of King.
After everything that had happened the previous day, she wasn't about to suddenly become friendly with her mother.
Even after the apology.
Even after seeing the two embrace.
There were still questions.
A lot of them.
Eventually, Fumino's eyes shifted slightly.
She glanced over her shoulder.
Her lips parted.
Her voice was serious.
"I have to ask..."
Goodbye slowly looked up.
Fumino turned more fully toward her.
"What went through your mind?"
Goodbye remained silent.
Fumino's expression hardened.
"Having to talk to King like you controlled her entire life?"
Goodbye sighed.
She looked down at the floor.
"Because..."
Her voice was quiet.
"I thought I knew what was best for her."
Fumino scoffed.
"Best for her?"
She tightened her arms across her chest.
"What can possibly be better for King than racing?"
Goodbye didn't answer immediately.
Fumino continued.
"Seriously."
"You had a daughter who wanted to become an Umamusume racer."
"She trained."
"She competed."
"She won."
"She kept improving."
"And she became one of the most accomplished runners in the entire academy."
Goodbye lowered her eyes.
Fumino's voice remained calm, but there was an edge underneath it.
"And yet you kept telling her that she should do something else."
Goodbye swallowed.
"I thought Business Management would have been a perfect career for her."
Fumino blinked.
"Business Management?"
Goodbye nodded slightly.
Fumino stared at her.
"What success can she find in Business Management?"
Goodbye looked up.
Fumino continued before she could answer.
"Not that she couldn't succeed in it."
"She probably could."
"King is intelligent."
"She's disciplined."
"She's ambitious."
"She could probably walk into almost any field and make something of herself."
"But that's not the point."
Fumino pointed toward the changing room.
"The point is that she didn't want that."
"She wanted to race."
"And she had an inspiration."
Fumino's eyes narrowed.
"You."
Goodbye's expression softened.
"She looked up to you."
"She wanted to follow your footsteps."
"She wanted to become an Umamusume racer because she saw you racing when she was younger."
Fumino shook her head.
"So how could you possibly deny her that dream?"
Goodbye lowered her head again.
"I thought..."
She hesitated.
"I thought she could achieve something greater in the world of business."
Fumino stared at her.
"And yet..."
She looked away.
"She proved you so damn wrong."
Goodbye didn't argue.
Because there was nothing to argue.
King had just won the Shuka Sho by forty-five lengths.
She had completed the Triple Tiara.
She had accomplished the very thing she had dreamed of since childhood.
And she had done it after years of being told that her victories were luck.
Fumino slowly exhaled.
"I understand that Umamusume like King can do things that humans can do."
"I'm not a parent."
"I don't pretend to know what it's like to raise a child."
She looked directly at Goodbye.
"But isn't part of being a parent supporting your child in whatever they dream of becoming?"
"What they want to be?"
"What makes them happy?"
Goodbye remained silent.
Fumino continued.
"Not deciding their entire future for them."
"Not forcing them into a career because you think it's safer."
"Not telling them what their dream should be."
"You can warn them."
"You can advise them."
"You can tell them about risks."
"But at some point..."
She paused.
"You have to let them choose."
Goodbye's eyes lowered.
"I know."
Fumino raised an eyebrow.
"Do you?"
Goodbye nodded slowly.
"I do now."
Fumino studied her.
Goodbye sighed.
"I thought..."
She struggled to find the words.
"That King could achieve things greater in the world of business."
Fumino shook her head.
"And yet she chose racing."
"She chose this."
"And she just proved exactly how much it means to her."
The changing-room door suddenly opened.
Both women turned.
King stepped out.
Cesario emerged behind her.
Both were carrying their respective duffle bags.
King had changed out of her racing outfit.
Her shorter hair framed her face differently now.
The long, wavy hair that had once extended down her back was gone.
The front section still rested around her shoulders, but the overall appearance was unmistakably different.
It was a new look.
A new beginning.
Cesario smiled.
"Hey."
King looked at her.
"Yeah?"
"Catch you later at the dinner reception."
King nodded.
"Will do, Cesario."
"See you later."
Cesario gave her a small wave.
Then she noticed Fumino.
She extended her hand.
"Hey, Fumino-san."
Fumino turned.
"Congratulations on your success with King."
Fumino smiled.
She accepted Cesario's hand and shook it.
"Thank you so much, Cesario. I really appreciate it."
Cesario nodded.
"Of course."
She then glanced toward Goodbye.
Their eyes met.
Cesario's expression became more reserved.
She gave Goodbye a small, polite nod.
Goodbye returned it.
Cesario turned and began walking away.
Her footsteps gradually faded down the corridor.
King watched her leave.
Then she looked at Fumino.
"Fumino-san."
Fumino turned.
"Can I ask you a favor?"
"Of course."
King adjusted her grip on her duffle bag.
"Can you ride with Kaichou back to the hotel later?"
Fumino's eyebrow rose.
"You want me to ride with Rudolf?"
King nodded.
"I think it's best if I have a conversation with my mother on the way back."
Fumino's expression immediately became serious.
"King..."
King sighed.
"Relax, Fumino-san."
She placed one hand against her chest.
"I promise nothing will happen."
Fumino looked at her for a long moment.
Then her eyes shifted toward Goodbye.
"Then she should promise something too."
Goodbye looked at Fumino.
Fumino's voice was firm.
"You won't do anything to King."
"Especially nothing verbally abusive."
Goodbye nodded silently.
Fumino stared at her.
Goodbye nodded again.
Fumino blinked.
"Well?"
Goodbye looked at her.
"I'm waiting for a word."
Goodbye took a breath.
"I promise."
Fumino's expression remained stern.
"You'd better."
She pushed herself away from the wall.
Then she started walking.
King watched her leave.
Fumino glanced back once.
King gave her a small nod.
Fumino nodded in return.
Then she disappeared down the corridor.
King sighed.
She looked at her mother.
"You see how much of a bad feeling you gave them after yesterday?"
Goodbye nodded.
"Yes."
"Did they really have to know?"
King shook her head.
"They had to."
"Whatever happens in Tracen..."
She adjusted the strap of her duffle.
"It spreads rather quickly around campus."
Goodbye gave a small, embarrassed nod.
King paused.
Then she narrowed her eyes.
"There is something else I need to ask."
Goodbye looked at her.
King pointed a finger at her.
Her arm was slightly bent.
"You saying that you watched every single race..."
She paused.
"Is that actually true?"
Goodbye blinked.
"Or are you just making that crap up to get my sympathy?"
Goodbye immediately shook her head.
"No."
Her voice was firm.
"I watched every single race."
King narrowed her eyes.
"Every single one?"
"Every single one."
King studied her mother's face.
"Okay, then."
She shifted her weight.
"Let's see."
Goodbye waited.
King raised a finger.
"What were my winning margins during the three Triple Tiara races?"
Goodbye answered without hesitation.
"Six lengths in the first."
King's eyes remained fixed on her.
"Three in the second."
Goodbye continued.
"And six in the third."
King paused.
She hadn't expected the answer to come that quickly.
Goodbye continued.
"Six lengths in the first Triple Tiara race."
"Three in the second."
"And six in the Shuka Sho."
King stared at her.
Then she nodded.
"Okay."
She raised another finger.
"Triple Tiara races one and two?"
Goodbye blinked.
"Six lengths and distance."
King's eyes widened slightly.
She had expected her mother to remember the biggest moments.
But the details?
That was different.
King stared at her.
"Okay."
She lowered her hand.
"Final question."
Goodbye waited.
"Which race did I have the closest winning margin in my career?"
Goodbye's answer came almost immediately.
"The Hopeful Stakes."
King's expression changed.
"Two years ago."
Goodbye continued.
"You were three-wide with Seiun Sky and Special Week."
She paused.
"You won by a nose."
King's eyes widened.
For a moment, she simply stared.
The answer was correct.
Not only correct.
Specific.
Goodbye remembered the race.
The runners.
The circumstances.
The margin.
King slowly lowered her gaze.
"So..."
She took a breath.
"You really did watch my races."
Goodbye nodded.
"I did."
She sniffed.
"I had to."
Her head lowered.
"I had to see your past races."
She shook her head slowly.
"I regretted not accepting your invitations when you offered them."
King blinked.
Her expression softened slightly.
She remained silent.
Goodbye looked at her daughter.
"I know that doesn't excuse what I did."
King didn't answer.
Goodbye continued.
"I know watching your races afterward doesn't make up for missing them when you wanted me there."
She looked down.
"I know that."
King listened.
Goodbye's voice became quieter.
"I regret..."
She stopped.
Then forced herself to continue.
"Every."
She swallowed.
"Single."
"Thing."
King's eyes remained on her.
"I regret pulling you down."
"I regret every mean thing I said."
"I regret telling you that your victories were luck."
"I regret telling you that the next race would humble you."
"I regret making you feel like you weren't good enough."
She closed her eyes.
"And I regret making you think you had to prove yourself to me."
King's expression softened.
Goodbye continued.
"I thought..."
King raised an eyebrow.
"That what?"
Goodbye sighed.
"That Business Management would suit you."
King exhaled sharply.
"And that's the thing, Mother."
Goodbye looked up.
King's voice was calm.
"Business Management can be a side thing for me."
"I've got no problem with Business Management."
She shifted the duffle bag on her shoulder.
"And that's something I can pursue after I decide to move on from Tracen Academy."
"But until then..."
She looked directly into her mother's eyes.
"I wanted you to support me."
"I wanted you to be happy for me."
"I wanted you to be happy that your only daughter was following your footsteps when you were young."
King tilted her head.
"Doesn't that make you happy?"
Goodbye nodded.
"Of course it made me happy."
King sighed.
"Then how about it?"
Goodbye remained silent.
King waited.
Seconds passed.
Goodbye didn't answer.
King's eyes lowered.
"That's what I thought..."
She sighed.
"Parents are supposed to support their children."
"Not decide every single thing they're going to become."
"They're supposed to support their children's dreams."
"The things they want to achieve when they grow up."
King looked at her mother.
"And I remember you back then."
"You were happy that I was following your footsteps."
She tilted her head again.
"What changed?"
Goodbye's expression became distant.
She sighed.
"I don't know."
King remained silent.
Goodbye looked toward the floor.
"I guess..."
She hesitated.
"Seeing Umamusume getting injured."
"Especially leg injuries."
"That's what changed me."
King exhaled.
"And that's the issue too, Mother."
Goodbye looked at her.
"Injuries are common."
"Yes."
King gestured toward the racecourse beyond the hallway.
"But they're not automatically the end of everything."
"Most injuries in racing are things like sprains, strains, bruises, or fractures."
"They can be treated."
"They can take weeks."
"Sometimes months."
"Sometimes longer."
"But recovery is part of sports."
She paused.
"That's just part of Umamusume racing."
King lowered her hand.
"Of course you should know that."
She gave her mother a pointed look.
"Considering you were a Tracen Academy student yourself."
Goodbye nodded slowly.
"I know."
King sighed.
"Exactly."
She looked at her mother.
"You were there."
"You know what it's like."
"You know what it feels like to stand at a starting gate."
"You know what it's like to train until your legs hurt."
"You know what it's like to lose."
"And you know what it's like to win."
Goodbye looked down.
King stepped closer.
She placed a hand gently on her mother's shoulder.
"So..."
Her voice softened.
"Come on."
Goodbye looked at her.
"Let's head back to the hotel."
King smiled faintly.
"We have a dinner reception to prepare for."
Goodbye nodded.
"Alright."
The two began walking together toward the exit of the changing hall.
For several steps, neither spoke.
Their footsteps echoed against the floor.
King walked beside her mother.
Not ahead.
Not behind.
Beside her.
It wasn't perfect.
Not yet.
There were still years of hurt between them.
Words that couldn't simply be erased.
Memories that wouldn't disappear overnight.
There would probably be difficult conversations ahead.
There might still be disagreements.
There might still be moments when King's mother worried about her racing.
And King would probably still get angry when her mother became overprotective.
But something had changed.
The door at the end of the corridor came closer.
Beyond it waited the rest of the racecourse.
The dinner reception.
Her friends.
Her trainer.
The press.
The cameras.
The congratulations.
The beginning of her transition away from the Twinkle Series.
And, beyond all of that, a new chapter.
King reached the door.
She pushed it open.
Cool air entered the hallway.
The sounds of the racecourse became clearer again.
Goodbye stepped beside her.
King looked outside.
The sun was already beginning to shift lower in the sky.
The long shadows of the racecourse buildings stretched across the pavement.
The day was slowly moving toward evening.
King stood there for a moment.
Then she smiled.
"Quite a day, huh?"
Goodbye smiled faintly.
"Yes."
King nodded.
"Forty-five lengths."
Goodbye laughed softly.
"Forty-five."
King's smile widened.
"Not bad."
"Not bad?"
Goodbye shook her head.
"You're unbelievable."
King gave her familiar confident grin.
"First-rate."
Goodbye laughed.
"First-rate."
Together, they walked out.
Behind them, Kyoto Race Course continued returning to normal.
The workers continued cleaning.
The officials continued their work.
The spectators continued leaving.
The track slowly became quiet again.
But for King Halo...
This wasn't an ending.
Not really.
She had crossed the finish line.
She had completed her Triple Tiara.
She had won the Double Slam.
She had set a record that would be remembered long after this day was over.
She had closed the book on her Twinkle Series career.
And she had finally repaired the first broken piece of something far more personal than any trophy.
Her relationship with her mother.
It wasn't fixed completely.
Perhaps it would take time.
Perhaps it would take years.
But for the first time, both of them were willing to try.
King looked toward the road beyond the racecourse.
The city waited.
The hotel waited.
The dinner reception waited.
Her friends waited.
And tomorrow...
A new life would begin.
No longer simply as King Halo, the Twinkle Series racer.
But as King Halo, the Umamusume who had already made history.
And somewhere beyond the bright lights of Kyoto Race Course, there were new roads waiting for her.
New races.
New challenges.
New cars.
New friendships.
New memories.
A different league.
A different chapter.
A different road.
King smiled.
Then she continued walking beside her mother toward the waiting world.
The Shuka Sho was over.
Her Twinkle Series career was over.
The old chapter was closed.
But the King Halo story...
Was only beginning its next chapter.
Outside at the Parking Area.
The atmosphere around the Kyoto Race Course had changed dramatically.
Only a short while ago, the entire venue had been consumed by the roar of tens of thousands of spectators celebrating one of the most extraordinary performances they had ever witnessed.
King Halo had won the Shuka Sho.
Not merely won it.
She had annihilated the field.
Forty-five lengths.
The number was still being repeated by spectators, journalists, staff members, and Umamusume alike. Some were still trying to comprehend what they had just witnessed, while others were already discussing the implications of King's victory.
The Triple Tiara was complete.
The Double Slam had been achieved.
And King's final Twinkle Series race had become one of the most talked-about races in URA history.
Outside the Main Grandstand, however, the crowd of Umamusume who had remained behind was beginning to settle.
Several had gathered around the parking area, standing beside their cars or leaning against the barriers while discussing the race.
Some were still dressed in their racing outfits.
Others had already changed into casual clothing.
A few had phones in their hands, scrolling through social media posts, race statistics, and the rapidly appearing headlines.
Everyone had something to say.
Especially about King.
Agnes Tachyon was the first to speak.
She stood beside Manhattan Cafe, one hand resting beneath her chin as she stared toward the racecourse.
Her eyes were bright with curiosity.
"I must admit..."
She paused.
"Its quite interesting how King ran."
Cafe glanced sideways at her.
Tachyon continued.
"I'd have to research further about her stamina management."
Cafe immediately chuckled.
"You are kidding, right?"
Tachyon shrugged her shoulders.
"Kind of."
Cafe shook her head.
"Of course."
Tachyon's expression became slightly more serious.
"Although I am genuinely curious."
"She was supposed to run as a pace chaser."
Cafe nodded.
"And instead she immediately took the lead."
"Precisely."
Tachyon tapped her chin.
"She didn't merely take the lead, either. She maintained an absurdly aggressive pace while simultaneously widening the gap."
She looked back toward the course.
"Yet she didn't display the usual signs of premature exhaustion."
"Her breathing remained controlled."
"Her stride remained consistent."
"And when she reached the final straight..."
Tachyon's eyes narrowed.
"She accelerated again."
Cafe smiled.
"Forty-five lengths worth of again."
Tachyon nodded.
"Exactly."
Cafe laughed quietly.
"You really are going to study this, aren't you?"
"Absolutely."
Cafe sighed.
"I knew it."
Nearby, Mejiro McQueen had been listening to the conversation.
She turned her attention toward Gentildonna.
"You said King's mother was here, right?"
Gentildonna nodded.
"Yes."
McQueen looked around.
"Where did she stay?"
Gentildonna shrugged.
"Beats me."
She gestured toward Orfevre.
"All that me and Orfevre did was shoo her away."
Orfevre folded her arms.
"We made our position quite clear."
McQueen blinked.
"And you didn't ask where she was going afterward?"
Gentildonna shook her head.
"No."
Rudolf, who had been standing nearby, blinked.
"Without informing her of your reasoning why, right?"
Gentildonna nodded.
"Yes."
Rudolf nodded slowly.
"Good."
Several heads turned toward her.
Rudolf looked around at the gathered Umamusume.
Then she crossed her arms.
"Because I eventually told her."
The conversations around them gradually quieted.
Rudolf continued.
"And I specifically said that if she wants to remain a part of the Tracen community..."
Her expression became firm.
"...she will have to apologize to all of us."
The surrounding Umamusume exchanged glances.
Whispers immediately began moving through the group.
"To everyone?"
"She has to apologize to all of us?"
"After everything that happened?"
"That seems fair."
"She definitely owes King an apology."
"More than one apology, probably."
Rudolf waited patiently until the murmuring began to settle.
Then Narita Top Road stepped forward slightly.
She looked at Rudolf with a curious expression.
"But how?"
Rudolf turned her head.
For a moment, she looked behind her toward the walls of the Main Grandstand.
Then she looked back at Top Road.
"If I had to guess what King might think..."
She paused.
"The Dinner Reception."
A few ears immediately perked up.
Top Road blinked.
"The reception?"
Rudolf nodded.
"Yes."
She raised one hand before anyone could interrupt.
"Now, before you all start yelling at me or King on why..."
Her raised hand slowly lowered.
"...it's because it might be her only shot at apologizing to us."
That quieted the group.
Rudolf continued.
"Think about it."
"King is leaving the Twinkle Series today."
"She's moving toward the Dream Trophy League."
"And everyone who matters to her is likely to be there tonight."
She glanced around.
"Her friends."
"Her rivals."
"Her trainers."
"Her fellow classmates."
"And all of you."
Rudolf's voice became slightly softer.
"If Goodbye Halo truly intends to make amends, then that dinner reception will probably be the first place where everyone can be together without the pressure of a race surrounding them."
Tap Dance City crossed her arms.
"Her apology better be the best and most sincere apology of her life."
Several Umamusume nodded.
Sounds of Earth gave a firm nod.
"Agreed."
Sirius Symboli crossed her arms.
"She has a lot of ground to make up."
Opera O placed one hand against her hip before looking toward Meisho Doto.
"What are your thoughts, Doto?"
Doto blinked.
She had been quietly listening to everything.
She slowly inserted her hands into her skirt pockets.
For several seconds, she said nothing.
Then she finally spoke.
"I-I'm usually the calm one..."
She lowered her gaze.
"But..."
She took a small breath.
"I'm also very fed up with her too..."
Matikanetannhäuser's eyes widened.
"That's surprising coming from you, Doto."
Doto gave a nervous little smile.
"I know."
She looked toward the ground.
"But after everything King went through..."
Her fingers tightened inside her pockets.
"I don't think I'm the only one who feels that way."
Opera O nodded.
"Indeed."
Doto looked around at everyone.
"I'm not saying we should attack her."
"I'm not saying we should insult her."
"But..."
She hesitated.
"I do think she needs to understand just how much damage her words caused."
Rudolf nodded.
"Exactly."
She looked over the gathered Umamusume.
"Look."
Her tone was calm, but authoritative.
"I get all of us are angry at Goodbye Halo."
There were several immediate nods.
"But we should at least hear her out for her apology."
Rudolf paused.
"Just this once."
Sirius Symboli crossed her arms tighter.
"Better be damned worth it, Rudolf."
Rudolf immediately raised both hands.
"Look, look."
She moved them forward and back, attempting to calm the group.
"That's exactly what I'm saying."
The chatter began to spike again.
Several Umamusume began talking at once.
"She'd better mean it."
"King shouldn't have to listen to another excuse."
"She needs to own up to what she did."
"At least she showed up today."
"That's not enough."
"Of course it isn't."
Rudolf sighed.
Her arms dropped to her sides.
Then she raised her voice.
"Listen, everyone!"
The chatter stopped.
Almost immediately.
Rudolf waited a second before nodding.
"Thank you."
She looked around at the other Umamusume.
"Look."
She spoke slowly now.
"At the end of the day..."
"She will apologize."
She paused.
"And at the end of the day..."
"Your choice of forgiving her or not..."
She looked directly at the group.
"...is still up to you all."
Silence.
Rudolf continued.
"I'm not going to force anyone to forgive her."
"Neither will King."
"If someone believes her apology is sincere, then they can accept it."
"If someone isn't ready to forgive her..."
Rudolf shrugged slightly.
"That's their choice too."
She looked around once more.
"Got it?"
The other Umamusume looked at one another.
Then one by one, they nodded.
"Sure."
"Of course."
"Affirmative, Kaichou."
"Copy that."
"Aye, copy, Kaichou!"
Rudolf nodded.
"Alright."
She clasped both hands together.
Then her expression brightened slightly.
"Right!"
She looked around at everyone.
"Thank you all for coming and supporting King on her final race, everyone!"
A few of the Umamusume smiled.
Others raised their hands.
Some simply nodded.
Rudolf continued.
"You've all been here since this morning."
"Some of you traveled a long way just to watch her race."
"So for now..."
She gestured toward the surrounding streets.
"Head back to your hotels."
"Or just roam around Kyoto."
"Enjoy the rest of the afternoon."
There were several murmurs of agreement.
Rudolf then lifted one finger.
"But don't forget tonight."
"The reception for the dinner banquet..."
She paused for emphasis.
"...will be at the Funatsuru Kyoto Kamogawa Resort."
A few Umamusume immediately began discussing it.
"The Funatsuru?"
"That's the place?"
"I've heard it's beautiful."
"Apparently it's right along the Kamogawa."
Rudolf nodded.
"That's right."
She smiled.
"And remember..."
She looked across the group.
"King has had one hell of a day."
"Let's make sure tonight is about celebrating what she accomplished."
Her voice softened.
"Not about creating another fight."
The group became quieter.
Everyone understood what she meant.
Tonight was not another battlefield.
It was supposed to be a celebration.
King had just finished her final Twinkle Series race.
She had completed the Triple Tiara.
She had won the Double Slam.
She had broken records.
She had made history.
And after everything she had endured, she deserved to have one evening where she could simply celebrate with the people who had stood beside her.
Rudolf then straightened her posture.
"Oh."
She raised another finger.
"And one more thing."
Everyone looked toward her.
Rudolf smiled.
"Remember to dress well, everyone!"
A few Umamusume laughed.
Chiyono O looked down at herself.
"Wait..."
She looked at her clothes.
"How fancy are we talking?"
Maruzensky immediately smiled.
"Very fancy."
Chiyono's expression fell.
"Oh no."
C.B. laughed.
"What's wrong?"
"I didn't prepare for this!"
Maruzensky placed a hand on Chiyono's shoulder.
"Don't worry."
"We'll find something."
Chiyono stared at her.
"Maruzen..."
"Yes?"
"I don't even know what 'something' means when you say it like that."
Maruzensky laughed.
Nearby, Doto smiled quietly at the exchange.
Even Sirius allowed herself a small smile.
The tension that had hung over the group since the previous night had not disappeared completely.
There was still anger.
There was still uncertainty.
And there were still questions about what Goodbye Halo would say when she finally stood before everyone.
But for the moment, nobody shouted.
Nobody threatened anyone.
Nobody tried to force forgiveness.
They simply stood together beneath the afternoon sky of Kyoto, talking about the race, about King, about the upcoming dinner, and about everything that had happened.
The race was over.
The arguments of yesterday were beginning to settle.
And tonight...
Everyone would gather once again.
Not at the track.
Not at the starting gate.
But around a dinner table.
And for the first time since everything had begun...
Goodbye Halo would have to face all of them.
Eventually, they parted ways.
Not everyone had somewhere specific to be.
Some wanted to return to their hotels and rest after the long day. Others wanted to explore Kyoto while they still had the opportunity. A few had already begun making plans for dinner, while others were discussing where they could change clothes before the evening reception.
The large group that had gathered around the parking area slowly became smaller.
Cars began leaving one by one.
Engines started.
Doors closed.
Keys turned.
Conversations continued across the parking lot as the Umamusume said their goodbyes.
Some headed back toward their hotels within Kyoto.
Others were preparing to travel farther, including some staying across the prefectural border in Shiga.
A few simply wanted to spend the afternoon wandering through the city before returning to prepare for the dinner banquet.
But one group remained together.
Rudolf's group.
The usual group was still there.
Maruzensky.
Chiyono O.
C.B.
Gentildonna.
Orfevre.
Forever Young.
But now they had been joined by several others.
Haru Urara.
Narita Top Road.
Mejiro Ardan.
Fuji Kiseki.
Tokai Teio.
Kitasan Black.
Silence Suzuka.
Special Week.
Gold City.
Vodka.
And Daiwa Scarlet.
It was considerably larger than the group that had originally gathered that morning.
The atmosphere was different now.
There was still excitement from King's victory.
There was still disbelief over the forty-five-length margin.
There was still the lingering subject of Goodbye Halo.
But nobody was shouting anymore.
For the first time in hours, everyone seemed to have enough distance from the events of the previous night to think clearly.
Rudolf looked toward Ardan.
A small smile appeared on her face.
She stepped forward and bowed slightly.
"I'm glad you, Teio and Kitasan arrived just in time for the race."
Ardan straightened.
"It was fortunate timing, Kaichou."
Rudolf nodded.
"How you did it will be something that will be remembered."
Teio immediately raised her hand.
She practically bounced in place.
"She drove at one hundred and eighty, Kaichou!"
Rudolf's eyes widened.
She slowly turned her head toward Ardan.
The expression on her face changed from appreciation to disbelief.
"You went over the limit?"
Ardan gave a small, polite chuckle.
She lifted one hand toward her mouth, covering it delicately with the tips of her fingers.
"I had to keep my word about arriving before the race began, Kaichou."
She lowered her hand.
"Of course, I had to break some rules to get there on time."
Rudolf stared at her for a moment.
Then she raised an eyebrow.
"I see."
Ardan smiled.
She looked toward Kitasan and Teio.
"Isn't that right, Kita-chan and Teio-chan?"
Teio immediately nodded.
"Yes!"
Kitasan nodded as well.
"Absolutely!"
Rudolf sighed.
"Ardan..."
Ardan smiled innocently.
"I did arrive before the race."
"You did."
"And they got to watch King race."
"They did."
"So..."
Ardan gave another polite smile.
"I believe the objective was accomplished."
Rudolf rubbed her forehead.
"That is technically true."
Teio laughed.
"See?"
Kitasan smiled.
"Totally worth it!"
Rudolf looked at both of them.
"I am not encouraging speeding."
Teio and Kitasan immediately straightened.
"Yes, Kaichou."
"Understood."
Ardan simply smiled.
The conversation gradually shifted.
Gold City was leaning against her GT40.
The black-and-white-and-gold machine sat behind her, its 427 engine quiet after the drive to the racecourse.
Gold City had her eyes closed.
Her arms were crossed.
She released a long sigh.
"I don't get why parents should have to be so controlling of their children at times..."
She slowly raised her head.
Her eyes opened.
She looked at the group.
"My mother was very supportive of what I wanted to be."
She paused.
"Even when I changed my career path."
Special Week tilted her head slightly.
"You changed careers, City-san?"
Gold City nodded.
"Originally, I was a model."
Special Week's head immediately straightened.
"A fashion model?"
Gold City nodded.
"Yes."
She glanced toward the distance.
The streets of Kyoto stretched beyond the parking area, with pedestrians moving along sidewalks and vehicles passing through intersections.
"After a while..."
Her expression softened.
"I thought to myself..."
She looked down briefly.
"...that running had always been something I'd desired."
She raised her eyes again.
"And when I told my parents that I wanted to change my career path..."
A small smile appeared.
"They were in it one hundred percent."
Fuji Kiseki adjusted her posture.
One hand slipped into her pants pocket.
"And they accepted it without hesitation?"
Gold City nodded.
"Absolutely."
She paused.
"In fact, my mother was surprised."
"She didn't expect me to suddenly say I wanted to become a racer."
A faint smile crossed her face.
"But she was supportive."
She looked toward the others.
"She's an Umamusume runner herself. Or, at least, she used to be."
Narita Top Road blinked.
Her left ear flicked downward before returning upright.
"In Tracen Academy?"
Gold City shook her head.
"No."
She adjusted her posture against the GT40.
"Not Tracen."
"But another running academy."
She looked thoughtful.
"It's been gone for a long time now."
Special Week placed a hand against her chin.
"So..."
She paused.
Then looked at Gold City.
"You are..."
Her voice became slightly hesitant.
"Still angry at King's mom?"
Gold City scoffed.
"Of course I'm still angry at her."
Her eyes narrowed.
"Do you have any idea how many times she could have praised King?"
Special Week didn't answer.
Gold City continued.
"How many times she could have told her that she was proud of her?"
She pushed herself slightly away from the GT40.
"She had weeks."
"Months."
"Years."
She spread her hands slightly.
"Years to praise King."
"But instead..."
Her hands lowered.
"She's pulled her down."
A pause.
"Every."
"Single."
"Time."
The words came out one after another.
The group grew quieter.
Gold City continued.
"Does she have any idea what kind of damage that can do to someone's morale?"
She looked from one face to another.
"Or someone's mental state?"
She shook her head.
"No."
"I doubt she even thought about that."
Her expression became more serious.
"Or the things she said."
"Words don't just disappear after someone says them."
"They stay."
"They get remembered."
"They can sit inside someone's head for years."
Her hands fell to her sides.
"And eventually..."
She looked toward the ground.
"...they can become too much."
The group remained silent.
Gold City swallowed.
"Has King's mom even thought..."
She raised her head.
"...that if King was less mentally stable..."
She paused.
"...she could have killed herself?"
Several ears lowered.
Gold City's voice became quieter.
"Or yet..."
She looked toward the road.
"She could have died driving across prefectures last night?"
Nobody answered.
The question hung in the air.
C.B. slowly looked toward Gentildonna.
Gentildonna looked toward Orfevre.
Orfevre's expression became unusually serious.
Rudolf looked toward Forever Young.
Forever Young's smile had disappeared.
Suzuka looked toward Special Week.
Special Week lowered her eyes.
Maruzensky looked toward Chiyono O.
Chiyono's expression tightened.
Ardan and Fuji exchanged a glance.
Teio looked at Kitasan.
Kitasan looked back at her.
Vodka and Daiwa Scarlet both stood silently.
Even Urara wasn't smiling anymore.
Gold City noticed their reactions.
Her lips thinned.
"I should have thought so..."
She sighed.
"King is so damn lucky nothing bad happened that night."
She looked away.
Her voice was quieter now.
"And her mom should be lucky that her negativity didn't do any more damage to King."
Nobody immediately responded.
Because they all understood what Gold City was getting at.
They had spent the entire morning angry.
Some had wanted to confront Goodbye Halo.
Some had wanted to yell at her.
Some had even crossed the line and talked about physically hurting her.
But Gold City's words brought the situation into a different light.
The argument had not ended with King getting physically injured.
It had not ended with a crash.
It had not ended with an emergency call.
It had ended with King sitting alone in a bar, drinking a single sip of beer, crying, and eventually being found by her friends.
That alone had been enough to frighten them.
And nobody knew what might have happened if Rudolf and Forever Young hadn't gone looking for her.
Nobody knew what could have happened if King had stayed out longer.
Nobody knew what could have happened if she had continued driving without anyone finding her.
The thought made the parking area feel strangely quiet.
Maruzensky slowly uncrossed her arms.
"Gold City..."
Gold City looked toward her.
Maruzensky didn't immediately speak.
She seemed to be choosing her words carefully.
"You're right."
Chiyono glanced at her.
Maruzensky continued.
"I was furious."
"I still am."
"But..."
She looked down.
"I shouldn't have threatened her."
Chiyono's expression softened slightly.
"That's what I was trying to tell you earlier."
Maruzensky nodded.
"I know."
She looked toward the Main Grandstand.
"King's mother hurt her."
"There's no denying that."
"But hurting her back isn't going to fix what happened."
Rudolf nodded.
"Exactly."
Gold City looked toward Rudolf.
Rudolf continued.
"That is why tonight matters."
Everyone looked toward her.
"Not because Goodbye Halo deserves a free pass."
"And not because anyone here is obligated to forgive her."
"But because she has finally recognized that she caused serious harm."
Rudolf paused.
"Now she has to prove that recognition means something."
C.B. nodded.
"Actions."
Rudolf nodded.
"Exactly."
Gentildonna crossed her arms.
"If she truly means what she said..."
"Then we'll know."
Orfevre nodded.
"And if she doesn't?"
Rudolf looked at her.
"Then you make your own decision."
Orfevre considered that.
Then nodded.
"Fair."
Forever Young, who had been quiet for several minutes, finally spoke.
"I think King already made her decision."
Everyone looked at her.
Forever Young gave a small smile.
"She forgave her."
She looked toward the direction King had gone earlier.
"At least enough to walk away with her."
Teio nodded.
"Yeah."
Kitasan smiled faintly.
"That's King."
She paused.
"She's stubborn."
Teio laughed.
"Extremely."
Kitasan smiled.
"But..."
Her expression softened.
"She's also kind."
Rudolf nodded.
"She is."
The group fell silent again.
For a moment, the only sounds were distant engines and the occasional footsteps of spectators leaving the racecourse.
Then Urara looked toward the others.
"So..."
She raised a finger.
"Does this mean we can eat now?"
Everyone stared at her.
Urara blinked.
"What?"
C.B. burst out laughing.
"Urara!"
"What?"
"You really know how to kill a serious moment."
Urara smiled.
"I'm hungry."
Maruzensky laughed.
"That's our Urara."
Even Gold City smiled faintly.
The tension finally loosened.
Not completely.
There was still much to discuss.
There was still an apology waiting tonight.
And there were still many wounds that would not disappear simply because Goodbye Halo said she was sorry.
But at least the group had reached an understanding.
They would listen.
They would decide for themselves whether they could forgive her.
And above everything else...
They would support King.
Because whatever happened at the dinner reception, one thing was certain.
King Halo had earned this day.
She had earned the celebration.
She had earned the right to decide what came next.
But further back...
Away from the larger group gathered around the parking area, King and her mother had stopped for a moment.
The noise of the racecourse was still present in the distance.
Cars were leaving the parking areas.
Spectators were making their way toward the exits.
Staff members continued working around the Main Grandstand.
But here, away from everyone else, the atmosphere was much quieter.
King slowly turned toward her mother.
Goodbye Halo stood a few steps away.
Her hands were together in front of her, her posture noticeably smaller than it had been earlier in the day.
King looked at her for several seconds.
Then she spoke.
"You see, Mother?"
Goodbye Halo lowered her head.
There was no immediate response.
King's crimson eyes remained fixed on her.
"Have you ever thought about what could have happened to me?"
Goodbye Halo's ears lowered.
She shook her head slowly.
"No, King..."
Her voice was quiet.
"I... I didn't."
King nodded slowly.
Not angrily.
Not sarcastically.
Just acknowledging the answer.
"Now you understand why everyone is angry at you."
Goodbye Halo looked down.
King continued.
"And now you will understand that you are lucky this didn't go out to the media."
Her mother's eyes lifted slightly.
King's expression remained serious.
"Or the press."
She paused.
"Just think about the damage it could have done to your reputation."
"And your business."
Goodbye Halo swallowed.
King wasn't threatening her.
She wasn't trying to frighten her.
She was simply making her understand the consequences that could have followed if the events of the previous night had become public.
"And you're also lucky they don't know about your business."
King tilted her head slightly.
"Aside from Fumino-san."
Goodbye Halo looked at her daughter.
"You know?"
King nodded.
"I can hear your conversation with Fumino-san from across the room."
Goodbye Halo blinked.
King folded her arms.
"Even Cesario and the others heard about it."
She paused.
"Cesario is compassionate."
"She has chosen to forgive you after what happened."
Goodbye Halo's eyes widened slightly.
"Cesario..."
King nodded.
"Yes."
She raised one finger.
"But you still have dozens more people to try and earn forgiveness from."
Her finger slowly lowered.
"Which I still think is very unlikely."
Goodbye Halo sighed.
She knew King wasn't exaggerating.
There were a lot of people who were angry with her.
Rudolf.
Maruzensky.
Chiyono.
Gentildonna.
Orfevre.
C.B.
Forever Young.
And many more.
People who had watched King struggle.
People who had seen her crying.
People who had gone looking for her.
People who had spent the entire night worrying about whether she was safe.
People who had seen what King's mother had said and done to her.
King took a small step closer.
She leaned forward slightly.
Then she looked directly into Goodbye Halo's eyes.
Her crimson eyes met her mother's.
"That means..."
She paused.
Goodbye Halo waited.
"Your apology must be one of the best apologies of your life."
Goodbye Halo's expression became solemn.
King straightened.
So did Goodbye Halo.
King continued.
"So think about your apology wisely."
She held her mother's gaze.
"Think about how it will flow."
"Think about what you're going to say."
"And think about how it will end."
Her expression softened only slightly.
"Because if you walk into that room and give them some half-hearted apology..."
King shook her head.
"...nobody in that room will forgive you."
Goodbye Halo blinked.
She understood.
This wasn't about giving her a speech to memorize.
It wasn't about finding the perfect words.
It was about finally taking responsibility.
King turned her head toward the Main Grandstand.
"Stay here for a while."
"Think about your apology while you can."
Goodbye Halo remained silent.
King looked back at her.
"I'll talk with the others."
She paused.
"I'll make sure they'll listen to you."
Goodbye Halo's eyes widened slightly.
"King..."
King gave her a small nod.
"But what happens after that..."
She shrugged.
"That's up to them."
Goodbye Halo slowly nodded.
"I understand."
King turned around.
Her white flats clicked softly against the asphalt as she began walking toward the others.
Click.
Click.
Click.
She didn't look back.
But after taking several steps, she stopped.
Her ears shifted slightly.
She glanced over her shoulder.
"Come to us when you're ready."
Goodbye Halo looked at her daughter.
King's expression was serious.
But there was no hatred in it anymore.
Only caution.
And perhaps the smallest trace of hope.
Goodbye Halo nodded.
"I will."
King gave one final nod.
Then she continued walking.
Her footsteps gradually faded into the sounds of the parking area.
Goodbye Halo remained where she was.
Alone.
She turned in the opposite direction.
Her arms slowly crossed over her chest.
Her head lowered.
For several seconds, she said nothing.
She simply stood there.
Thinking.
The apology.
What she would say.
How she would explain herself.
How she could possibly apologize for years of words and actions that had hurt her daughter.
She knew there was no single sentence that could erase everything.
No perfect explanation.
No excuse.
No way to rewind time.
She had already seen what her actions had done.
She had watched King's races.
She had watched her daughter run.
She had seen the determination in her stride.
She had seen the victories.
The defeats.
The exhaustion.
The joy.
The frustration.
And now she had finally understood something she should have realized years ago.
King had never needed her to control her future.
She had only ever wanted her mother to believe in her.
Goodbye Halo closed her eyes.
Her fingers tightened around her arms.
"...What do I say?"
The question disappeared into the quiet air.
She opened her eyes again.
And remained there.
Thinking.
Thinking about every word.
Every mistake.
Every time she had dismissed King.
Every time she had called a victory luck.
Every time she had tried to push her daughter toward a life she never asked for.
And most importantly...
What she could say tonight that would finally prove she understood.
The dinner reception was still hours away.
For the first time, Goodbye Halo was grateful for that.
She needed every minute she could get.
So she stayed where she was.
Quiet.
Arms crossed.
Head slightly lowered.
Thinking about her apology.
And hoping that when the time finally came...
She would have the courage to say it.
As Goodbye Halo leaned against her GT40, she remained deep in thought.
Her arms were folded across her chest.
Her head was slightly lowered.
The sounds of the racecourse continued around her, but she barely noticed them anymore.
Her thoughts were entirely focused on what she would say.
What she could say.
What she needed to say.
Then, faintly...
Click.
Click.
Click.
The sound of flats clicking against asphalt reached her ears.
Goodbye Halo slowly looked over her shoulder.
Her expression immediately softened.
She smiled.
Then she pushed herself away from the GT40 and straightened her posture.
King was approaching.
Her newly shortened hair moved lightly with every step.
Her white flats clicked against the pavement as she walked.
Goodbye Halo smiled wider.
"There is our Double Slam Champion!"
King stopped.
A grin appeared on her face.
The other Umamusume immediately turned toward her.
Then the parking area erupted.
Clapping.
Cheering.
Whistles.
Laughter.
Several Umamusume raised their hands.
King laughed and raised one fist high into the air.
"Thank you, everyone! Thank you!"
The cheers grew louder.
Haru Urara immediately became one of the first to react.
"King-san!!!"
Urara took off running.
King's eyes widened.
"Urara-chan!"
She spread her arms open just in time.
Urara practically launched herself at her.
King caught her around the torso, absorbing the impact as Urara's legs kicked backward slightly.
"Urara-chan!"
Urara looked up at King with sparkling eyes.
"King! You did it! You did it!"
King laughed once.
"I did, Urara-chan."
Urara continued staring at her.
Then her eyes suddenly widened even further.
"Whoaaa!"
King blinked.
"What?"
"King!"
Urara pointed at her head.
"Y-Your hair!"
King instinctively reached toward the back of her head.
She had almost forgotten about it.
Forever Young nodded.
"I noticed that too during the race."
Rudolf raised a thumb.
"I noticed it too."
She shrugged.
"Didn't bother saying anything."
Then Rudolf smiled.
"But..."
"It actually suits you."
King nodded.
She rubbed the back of her head where her former long hair had once fallen down her back.
"Heh..."
"Thanks."
She gave a small laugh.
"Figures I need a hair change after this entire situation."
Urara smiled.
"I like it!"
"Thank you."
King finally set Urara back down.
The other Umamusume began moving closer.
Some gave her firm pats on the back.
Others congratulated her.
A few simply smiled.
King walked toward the middle of the group.
She closed her eyes and smiled as another firm pat landed against her shoulder.
"Congratulations!"
"You were incredible!"
"Forty-five lengths!"
"That's insane!"
"Double Slam Champion!"
King laughed.
"Okay, okay!"
She raised both hands slightly.
"Everyone, settle down."
The group slowly quieted.
King looked around.
There they were.
Her friends.
Her rivals.
Her classmates.
The people who had stood beside her.
The people who had watched her race.
The people who had worried about her.
The people who had driven across prefectures just to make sure she was there for her final race.
Rudolf.
C.B.
Orfevre.
Gentildonna.
Forever Young.
Maruzensky.
Chiyono O.
Urara.
Top Road.
Ardan.
Teio.
Kitasan.
Suzuka.
Special Week.
Gold City.
Vodka.
Daiwa Scarlet.
And many others.
King slowly bowed.
She placed one hand against her chest.
"Thank you, everyone, for your support."
She raised her head.
"As this is my last race..."
Her voice softened.
"I want to say thank you to everyone that I've raced."
"And everyone that I've had the chance to race with."
She looked toward the sky.
The afternoon sunlight reflected softly against the windows of the Main Grandstand.
"My Twinkle Series days are over..."
She paused.
Then looked back down toward the others.
"But the Dream Trophy League..."
A small smile appeared.
"It's just the start of something new."
"And something fresh."
The Umamusume began clapping again.
Louder this time.
King smiled.
Then C.B. raised her fist.
"Free cheers for King Halo!"
Several others immediately raised their fists.
"Hip hip!"
"Hooray!"
King laughed.
"Hip hip!"
"Hooray!"
Again.
"Hip hip!"
"Hooray!"
The cheering echoed around the parking area.
King laughed.
"Thanks, guys!"
She looked around.
Her eyes moved across the group.
Then they stopped.
Over Gold City's shoulder.
King's expression changed.
Her mother was walking toward them.
Slowly.
Goodbye Halo approached with her hands at her sides.
She had spent the last several minutes thinking about what she needed to say.
Now she was finally ready to do it.
King's smile gradually disappeared.
Her expression became serious.
"Everyone..."
The laughter and chatter immediately began to fade.
The Umamusume looked toward King.
Then followed her gaze.
Goodbye Halo was approaching.
King stepped away from the center of the group.
"I think someone here wants to say something."
She moved aside.
Goodbye Halo slowly walked into the open space.
Then she stopped.
She turned to face everyone.
The atmosphere changed instantly.
The warmth of King's celebration disappeared.
C.B.'s expression hardened.
Special Week looked disappointed.
Orfevre and Gentildonna's expressions became cold.
Even Suzuka, normally one of the calmest among them, looked angry.
Haru Urara folded her arms, her expression clearly displeased.
Rudolf stood completely still.
Her expression was serious.
She stared directly at Goodbye Halo.
Waiting.
Goodbye Halo looked around.
She could see it.
The anger.
The disappointment.
The distrust.
And the fact that some of them were still not ready to forgive her.
She slowly exhaled.
Then bowed deeply.
She remained there.
Five seconds.
Six.
Seven.
Eight.
Nine.
Ten.
Only after ten full seconds did she slowly straighten herself.
"Hi..."
Her voice was quiet.
"Everyone..."
She swallowed.
"I..."
She took a breath.
"I would like to deeply apologize for my behavior."
"And my actions."
Her eyes briefly moved toward King.
"To my daughter, King Halo."
King remained silent.
Goodbye Halo continued.
"I would also like to apologize to everyone who had to worry about King's condition last night."
"When she ran off after our argument at the parking lot of the mall..."
Her voice trembled slightly.
"I know everyone is angry."
She glanced toward Gentildonna.
Then toward C.B.
"And even some..."
She swallowed.
"...disgusted with every fiber of their being."
Gentildonna's expression remained firm.
Goodbye Halo continued.
"I know that my actions and my attitude toward King were unacceptable."
"And what happened last night is no exception."
She lowered her head.
"I understand how worried everyone was when King never came back to the hotel she was staying at after our lunch."
She looked toward the group again.
"To you..."
"The friends of my daughter."
"The people who care about her."
"The people who went looking for her."
Her eyes began to tear up.
"I..."
Her voice cracked.
"I deeply apologize for my actions and attitude toward King."
She bowed again.
Another ten seconds.
Nobody interrupted.
When she finally straightened, tears were already running down her cheeks.
"Whether you accept my apology..."
"Or not..."
She took a shaky breath.
"I will use this second chance with my daughter..."
"...to change myself."
"For the better."
She turned toward King.
Her voice became softer.
"For my daughter's..."
She paused.
"Well-being."
Then she looked back at everyone.
"At the end of the day..."
"Whether I will still remain part of the Tracen community..."
She swallowed.
"The decision will be up to you."
"The friends of King."
She sniffed hard.
But the tears continued.
A soft sob escaped her.
"I..."
"I may not be able to change the past."
She looked toward King's friends.
"But I can still make it up for the future."
Goodbye Halo covered her mouth.
She turned her face away as she struggled to compose herself.
King watched her silently.
Then she sighed.
She lowered her head and shook it slightly.
After a few seconds, King looked toward the others.
"You all have the final say."
She gestured toward her mother.
"And I'll respect your decision on whether you accept her apology or not."
Silence.
Maruzensky looked toward Chiyono.
Maruzensky gave a small shrug.
Chiyono shrugged back.
Then Orfevre stepped forward.
She crossed her arms.
"As much as I want to easily forgive..."
She shook her head.
"I will have to say no."
Goodbye Halo's ears lowered.
Gentildonna sighed.
"I'd have to say no for now."
She looked directly at Goodbye.
"Unless I see change."
"Then my decision might change."
King nodded silently.
Special Week looked toward King.
"I'm willing to give her a chance, King-chan."
Suzuka blinked.
She thought for a moment.
Then slowly nodded.
"People deserve second chances."
She looked toward Goodbye Halo, who was wiping her face.
"And so does your mother, King."
Special Week nodded.
Teio pressed one corner of her lips into a thin line.
"I don't know..."
She looked toward Rudolf.
"What do you think, Kaichou?"
Rudolf blinked.
Then glanced at Teio.
"I think this choice is your call, Teio."
Teio looked toward Kitasan Black.
Kitasan looked toward King.
Then back toward Teio.
"I accept her apology, King-san."
King silently nodded.
Teio sighed.
Then looked toward King.
"I'll make my decision during the dinner celebration, King."
King nodded again.
Mejiro Ardan stepped forward.
She placed one hand against her chest.
"I accept her apology."
She glanced toward King.
Then toward Goodbye Halo.
Narita Top Road followed.
"Apology accepted, King."
Chiyono O then stepped forward.
She walked toward Goodbye Halo.
Goodbye sniffed and looked slightly downward as Chiyono approached.
Chiyono stopped a short distance away.
"Promise me one thing, Miss Halo."
Goodbye blinked.
"O-Of course."
Chiyono lowered her head slightly.
Then crossed her arms.
"Promise me that you will never..."
Her eyes narrowed.
"Ever..."
She raised her head.
"...speak ill of King."
"Berate her."
"Pull her down."
"Or try to control King..."
"Like you did previously."
Goodbye remained silent.
Chiyono continued.
"And for the better..."
"Change for the future of you."
She glanced toward King.
"And your daughter."
Then she looked directly back at Goodbye.
"Promise me that."
Goodbye Halo slowly lowered herself.
She kneeled until she was closer to Chiyono's height.
She placed one hand against her chest.
"I..."
She took a breath.
"Goodbye Halo..."
Her eyes were still wet.
"I swear."
"And I promise."
Chiyono studied her expression.
For several seconds, she said nothing.
Then her lips pressed into a small smile.
"Then I humbly accept your apology, Miss Halo."
Goodbye nodded slowly.
"Thank you."
Chiyono turned around.
She walked back toward the group.
Goodbye slowly stood again.
Forever Young nodded.
She inserted her hands into her jacket pockets.
"If you promise that to Chiyono..."
She paused.
"All you have to do is keep your word."
She nodded once.
"So I accept."
"Under Chiyono O's condition."
Vodka and Daiwa Scarlet nodded.
"I'm with Chiyono O on this one."
Scarlet nodded.
"Just keep your word."
"And we might get along just fine."
Urara nodded.
"I'm with Chiyono O too."
Gold City remained with her arms crossed.
She shook her head slightly.
"I'll need some time to think."
Rudolf nodded.
"I will accept under Chiyono's conditions as well."
C.B. nodded.
"I'll need time to think, just like City."
She then glanced toward Maruzensky.
"It's up to you now, Maruzen."
Maruzensky inserted her hands into the pockets of her red jacket.
She lowered her head.
For several seconds, she remained completely silent.
Then she looked up.
Her eyes met Goodbye Halo's.
"I have one more condition."
Goodbye Halo nodded.
"Of course, Miss Maruzen."
Maruzensky walked toward her.
She stopped only a short distance away.
Her eyes met Goodbye's.
"And that is..."
"That you return to your old self."
Goodbye blinked.
Maruzensky continued.
"Back when you were still a Tracen student."
Goodbye's expression changed.
"I heard you were quite the inspiration to younger students, Miss Halo."
Maruzensky's voice was calmer now.
"I'd like you to have that same positivity."
"That same warmth."
"And that same glow in your eyes..."
"...like you did years ago."
She took one step backward.
"Accept that condition..."
She nodded.
"...then I'll accept your apology."
Goodbye placed one hand over her chest.
"I accept your conditions, Miss Maruzensky."
Maruzensky nodded.
"Very well, then."
She turned around.
Her eyes found King.
"Then I accept her apology."
Goodbye Halo bowed once again.
"Thank you."
She looked around at everyone.
"Thank you all for giving me a second chance."
She wiped her cheek.
"And to those who didn't accept..."
Her voice remained steady despite the tears.
"I promise I'll show you change."
"Even if you don't trust me."
The group looked at one another.
Then back at Goodbye.
Only some nodded.
Others remained silent.
And that was enough.
There was no expectation that everyone had to forgive her immediately.
No demand that they forget.
No demand that they suddenly trust her.
For Goodbye Halo, this was only the beginning.
King stepped toward her mother.
She looked back at the group.
"I'll see you all at the dinner reception!"
Some nodded.
Others waved.
C.B. raised her hand.
"See you tonight, King."
"See you."
Urara waved enthusiastically.
"Bye-bye, King-san!"
King smiled.
"Bye, Urara-chan."
Rudolf gave her a small nod.
King returned it.
Then she turned toward her mother.
Goodbye Halo looked at her daughter.
King gave her a small smile.
"Come on, Mom."
Goodbye nodded.
"Alright."
Together, they began walking away from the group.
Their footsteps echoed softly across the asphalt.
King's white flats clicked against the ground.
Goodbye's footsteps followed beside her.
Behind them, the other Umamusume remained gathered together.
Some had accepted the apology.
Some had not.
Some were still undecided.
But everyone understood one thing.
Goodbye Halo had been given another chance.
Now it was up to her to prove that she deserved it.
King and her mother continued toward the parking area.
Ahead of them sat King's R32 GT-R.
The same car that had carried King away from the mall the night before.
The same car that had brought her to the racecourse that morning.
And soon, it would carry both mother and daughter toward the next part of their lives.
The group watched as the two walked away from them.
King and Goodbye Halo slowly made their way across the parking area, their figures gradually getting farther from the group.
Nobody spoke for several seconds.
The atmosphere had become strangely quiet.
The celebration from earlier had faded into a much more thoughtful silence.
Orfevre's left ear twitched.
She continued staring after Goodbye Halo.
Then she spoke.
"You seriously thought she was sincere?"
Gentildonna raised an eyebrow.
"Like you'd know how to read emotions, Orfevre?"
Orfevre scoffed.
"I don't want to be close to that peasant."
Gentildonna sighed.
"Of course you don't."
She glanced toward the direction King and her mother had gone.
"But I'll give her a chance to prove to me that she's changed for the better."
Orfevre looked at her.
"You actually trust her?"
"No."
Gentildonna answered immediately.
"I said I'll give her a chance."
She folded her arms.
"Those are two different things."
Orfevre thought about that.
Then she gave a small nod.
"Fair."
Rudolf stood nearby.
She looked toward the sky.
The afternoon sun was still high above Kyoto, though the light had begun to soften slightly.
The racecourse was slowly returning to normal.
The massive crowd that had filled the grandstands was gradually dispersing.
The banners were still hanging.
The track was still there.
But the spectacle itself was over.
Rudolf blinked.
"The dinner reception later might be the turning point, then, Gentil."
Gentildonna nodded.
"It could be."
Teio stepped closer.
She reached up and gently tapped Rudolf's shoulder.
Rudolf looked down.
"Teio?"
Teio blinked.
She looked toward the distance.
King and Goodbye were now much farther away.
Then Teio turned back toward Rudolf.
"You think Halo is sincere with her apology?"
Rudolf remained silent.
She looked toward the distance again.
For several seconds, she didn't answer.
Her expression was thoughtful.
Then her lips slowly parted.
"I..."
She hesitated.
"Well..."
She took a breath.
"I think so."
She extended one hand forward, palm facing upward.
"But..."
Her hand slowly lowered back to her side.
"I mean..."
Rudolf looked toward the ground for a moment.
"It looked like she barely got any sleep."
Teio nodded.
Rudolf continued.
"Like she's been crying all night."
Her voice became quieter.
"She looked exhausted."
Narita Top Road nodded.
She placed both hands into her shorts pockets.
"She's a broken woman."
Everyone looked toward her.
Top Road continued.
"Someone who finally understood her mistakes."
C.B. sighed.
She rubbed her forehead.
"I hope she understood her mistakes."
She paused.
"I mean..."
C.B. shook her head.
"She should, right?"
She looked toward Forever Young.
"She quite literally yelled at her mother."
C.B. gestured vaguely toward the direction of the parking lot.
"Is that what it really takes for someone to finally realize their own mistake?"
"One of your own children having to yell and shout at you?"
Forever Young sighed.
Her shoulders drooped slightly.
"Sometimes..."
She looked toward the distance.
"It's usually like that."
C.B. lowered her hand.
Forever Young continued.
"Parents can be very controlling of their child's life."
"They think they're protecting them."
"They think they're making the right decisions."
"They think they know what's best."
She paused.
"Until one day..."
Her expression became more solemn.
"They wonder why their child despises them."
"Why they hate them."
"Why they barely talk to them."
"Or why they show very little respect toward them later in life."
The group remained silent.
Forever Young's eyes stayed fixed on the road.
"But King?"
She sighed.
"King has been keeping that pain inside her for so long."
She folded her arms.
"She kept smiling."
"She kept racing."
"She kept winning."
"She kept acting like everything was fine."
Her voice softened.
"Even when it wasn't."
She looked down.
"Every time her mother dismissed her."
"Every time she compared her to someone else."
"Every time she called one of King's victories luck."
"Every time she tried to push King toward a future that wasn't hers..."
Forever Young shook her head.
"King swallowed it."
"She kept it inside."
"Because that's what King does."
C.B. nodded slowly.
Forever Young continued.
"She acts confident."
"She acts like she's above everything."
"She calls herself first-rate."
A small smile briefly appeared on her face.
"But underneath all of that..."
She placed a hand against her chest.
"She just wanted her mother to tell her she was proud."
The smile disappeared.
"That's it."
"That's all she wanted."
Teio lowered her ears.
Kitasan looked down.
Special Week quietly nodded.
Forever Young sighed.
"But eventually..."
She looked toward the direction King had disappeared.
"That wall finally crumbled yesterday."
Nobody interrupted.
"And when it did..."
Forever Young shook her head.
"Everything came out."
C.B. slowly lowered her hand from her forehead.
"So that's why she was so determined during the race."
Forever Young nodded.
"Maybe."
Rudolf looked toward her.
"Not just because of her mother."
Forever Young nodded.
"Exactly."
She looked toward the others.
"King told me something in the car last night."
Everyone's attention shifted toward her.
"She said she finally realized she couldn't force her mother to understand her."
"She couldn't force her mother to attend her races."
"She couldn't force her mother to be proud of her."
Forever Young paused.
"And she decided she would run for herself."
Rudolf smiled faintly.
"Which she did."
Forever Young nodded.
"Forty-five lengths."
Teio let out a quiet whistle.
"Still can't believe that."
Kitasan smiled.
"Neither can I."
Tachyon's absence was noticeable for a moment.
C.B. laughed quietly.
"Tachyon would've already started calculating how she did it."
Gentildonna smirked.
"She probably already is."
Maruzensky chuckled.
"Definitely."
The group fell silent again.
But this time, it wasn't an uncomfortable silence.
It was reflective.
They were all thinking about King.
About her race.
About what she had endured.
And about the strange path that had brought them all to this moment.
Rudolf finally spoke.
"Whatever happens tonight..."
She looked toward everyone.
"Let's remember that."
"The apology is important."
"But King is the reason we're having this celebration in the first place."
She smiled.
"Tonight should still be about her."
Everyone nodded.
Forever Young smiled.
"Absolutely."
Teio raised her fist.
"To King."
Kitasan raised hers too.
"To King."
C.B. laughed and raised her hand.
"To the Double Slam Champion."
Gentildonna nodded.
"To King Halo."
Orfevre folded her arms.
She paused.
Then reluctantly raised one fist.
"To King."
Everyone laughed.
Even Orfevre smirked slightly.
The group slowly began moving toward their cars.
The afternoon was still young.
They had several hours before the dinner reception.
And somewhere ahead of them, King Halo was already preparing for the next part of her life.
The Twinkle Series was over.
The Dream Trophy League was waiting.