When talking about Uma Musume, bloodline is a subject you can't avoid.
Thanks to the Horse Girls' miraculous constitutions and the three goddesses' blessings, bloodline inevitably becomes part of evaluating an Uma Musume's strength.
Because Uma Musume are born at random, bloodline theory isn't mainstream, but it does underpin families built around Horse Girls.
Japan, with its conservative traditions, is a prime example.
Headed by the prestigious Mejiro Family and the Symboli, Japan has produced clans large and small of Uma Musume.
Among these clans, the Gold Family is the most unconventional.
—Excerpt from 'Survey of Japanese Uma Musume Clans'
…Why did it turn out like this?
Gazing at the hellish scene before her, Legend fell into thought.
The place was a karaoke box near Tracen; its top-notch equipment and attentive service make it a favorite entertainment spot for Uma Musume, and many practice their Winner's Stage songs and dances here.
And in this room, a little situation occurred.
The Chestnut Horse Girl, who had taken off her mask, took over the microphone, performing "Horse Girl Bouncing Legend" with a voice that didn't match her image at all. Not to mention, it sounded quite good.
Up to this point, it was still considered normal.
But the others were a bit of a mess.
A fierce-looking black Horse Girl had a brown-haired Horse Girl in a knit cap in a headlock with her right hand, while her left hand held a bottle of champagne that shouldn't have been in the hands of these underage Horse Girls, intending to pour it down the other's throat.
"Accept your loss, Little Festa, hahahaha!"
She laughed with the air of a villain.
"Stop it, this wasn't a bet at all!"
The brown-haired Horse Girl with the aura of an outlaw struggled.
Unfortunately, she did not escape.
"Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle."
She made a sound like she was drowning.
"Sigh!"
With a sigh, Legend, holding a bottle of Coca-Cola, looked at the organizer of this party.
Gold Ship, who was already dead to the world.
"She actually looks like she did when she was little when she's asleep."
Looking at Gold Ship sleeping quietly on the sofa, Miss Legend commented dryly.
How did it come to this? She fell into contemplation once again... The clock wound back to forty minutes ago, when Gold Ship dragged Miss Legend to this KTV.
Opening the door to the private room, the first thing she saw were three figures striking JoJo Poses in the dark.
Ayayayayay~
She could vaguely hear such background music.
Legend was momentarily speechless.
"Why aren't the lights on?" Gold Ship complained.
Is that the point?
"Ah, it was Big Sister Journey's idea, saying it would create a sense of surprise," the Chestnut Horse Girl with the mask said weakly.
Thanks, I only felt the shock.
"That's not important, don't you think these poses are cool?" The fierce-looking black Horse Girl interrupted.
"That's true," Miss Legend nodded.
"That's true," Gold Ship voiced the same opinion.
"So, is this Little Legend? It's been a few years, you've grown even more beautiful," the black Horse Girl said to Legend in an unexpectedly gentle tone. "Do you still remember me? I'm your Cousin Journey."
Before she could speak, the brown-haired Horse Girl next to her shared her thoughts.
"I know you wanted to leave a good impression, Sister Journey, but please don't do that, it's scaring me."
She even rubbed her arms as she spoke.
"Don't you love excitement the most?" the Chestnut Horse Girl teased.
"This is too much excitement."
"You brat!" Stay Gold lost her cool and gave her a punch.
What's going on? This atmosphere where I'm the only one who can't keep up.
Feeling out of place, Legend wiped her sweat.
"Come, come, Little Aunt, let me introduce you. This black delinquent is Big Sister Journey (Shut up!), that blonde with the mask over there is Little Orfevre—don't let her looks fool you, she's actually terrible at dealing with girls (Shut your mouth!), and this lazy one with the hat is Festa (You brat!)."
Gold Ship introduced the three in turn and was then collectively 'executed' by them.
Legend carefully observed the three unique Horse Girls, matching them with the shadows in her memory.
"Hello, long time no see?" She waved tentatively.
"Nice! It hit!" Nakayama Festa struck a pose and expression just like Jonouchi's.
"Damn it, what did you hit!"
Journey believed that as a member of the Gold Family with the Golden Spirit, they should stay away from vice, but Festa was always sensible, so she didn't say anything.
"I made a bet with Orfevre on what Little Aunt's first words would be. Obviously, I won. Accept your loss, Orfevre," Nakayama Festa said, reaching out her hand to Orfevre.
"I thought Sister Legend would give us a hug first." Orfevre weakly pulled out a lollipop and handed it to Nakayama Festa.
"Sister Legend, you have one too." She pulled out another one and handed it to Legend.
Contrary to her indifferent appearance, she's actually quite caring?
"Oh, thanks." She accepted it reflexively.
"Alright, don't just stand there, come, come, sit." Journey tossed Legend onto the sofa; it was a bit intimidating.
"You'll get used to it, Sister Journey is just like that. Although her actions are a bit rough, her heart is in the right place..." Orfevre opened Journey's Moegirlpedia page for Legend.
"I know." Legend smiled, gradually finding the feeling of being with the Gold Family again.
"I only became like this because of you guys." As if remembering those not-so-pleasant times of raising kids, Journey's tone was a bit irritable.
"Now, now, let's not mention past embarrassments. Today is to celebrate Little Aunt's enrollment in Tracen, so be happy!"
Gold Ship, who had been watching the scene, found a chance to interject.
"So here's the question: what should we play?" Orfevre asked a core question.
The social terrorists present fell into silence.
"How about a round of poker first?" Nakayama Festa pulled out a deck of cards... At first, everyone was a bit reserved, but then they naturally started having a blast.
After all, they were all birds of a feather from the Gold Family.
Orfevre threw away her mask, Nakayama Festa wore an excited expression, Stay Gold cast aside her image, and even Legend started swearing.
Then Gold Ship pulled out a bottle of champagne she had somehow obtained, and the atmosphere reached its peak... By the time Legend calmed down, the scene was already out of control.
I didn't expect Sister Journey's behavior while drinking to be so bad; no one wanted this.
Taking a sip of cola, Miss Legend tried to lower her presence.
After all, once Nakayama Festa went down, she would be next.
"This Festa is just weak."
Having taken down another small fry, Journey pointed at Miss Legend.
"Little Legend, you're next."
"Yarou! Journey!"
"Ho, so you're not running away? You're coming right towards me, Journey?"
"I can't beat the hell out of you without getting closer."
"Ho ho, then come as close as you like!"
A sudden knock on the door interrupted this peak confrontation.
"Hello, this is the police. We've received a report of minors gathering to drink and cause a disturbance. Please come with us."
Uh-oh, it's over.