Racing Outfits.
These outfits worn by Umamusume for G1 races symbolize individuality—unique and irreplaceable. Beyond mere fashion, they're emblems of honor, carefully tailored to represent each competitor. Without question, each bespoke costume becomes one of the most significant treasures in an Umamusume's racing career.
...
It had been half a day since Garden Gale stepped out of Fine Motion's tailor shop.
Yet, even now, she was still struggling to process what had happened.
That whole incident was just too absurdly surreal.
Rich girl. Sugar mama. I'm starving…
She had always known Fine Motion came from extraordinary wealth, but when the girl apologized for leaving abruptly due to a call from home, Garden Gale had casually asked about her background. Hearing the answer almost made her jaw hit the floor.
Seriously? She's actually Irish royalty?!
This was getting so ridiculous, it almost felt unreal.
As for what Racing Outfit Garden Gale had ultimately chosen...
She'd keep that a secret for now. Suffice to say, after spending a long time discussing options with the tailor, she'd finally settled on something satisfying.
The final reassurance was that the costume used special materials blessed by the Three Goddesses, ensuring it wouldn't affect her running performance. At least that was one less worry—but of course, she also had to ask about the Three Goddesses themselves.
Fine Motion had been utterly shocked, genuinely wondering how Garden Gale had even managed to get into Tracen Academy without knowing something so basic.
She really seemed like a kid straight from the countryside.
Fine Motion wasn't entirely sure what to think.
Maybe this is just how geniuses roll.
...
Garden Gale, pleased with her outfit selection, walked back to the academy with a slight, contented smile on her lips. But just as she arrived at the school entrance, ready to resume training, she spotted a certain Umamusume again.
That intensely self-absorbed, incredibly chuuni Umamusume—
T.M. Opera O.
Garden Gale's smile instantly vanished.
She carefully took a step backward, then cautiously spun around to leave, praying the other girl hadn't seen her.
She simply couldn't handle Opera O's ridiculous personality!
"Hm?" T.M. Opera O had keen eyes. Noticing Garden Gale immediately, she called out theatrically, "Is that my destined rival? Wait! Are you fleeing from the dazzling stage of the great Opera O? Ah, understandable—few can bear the brilliance of the sun itself!"
…Oh my god.
No swearing allowed.
God… bless America.
Garden Gale pretended she hadn't heard anything, quickly tugging her hoodie collar up over her chin and mouth, then hurriedly sprinted away. She had a gut feeling that getting caught by this girl would only bring unbearable pain—because Opera O was just too arrogant and way too talkative!
How in the world did someone even develop a personality like that?
She was even worse than Tokai Teio!
"Yes, flee like the wind!" Opera O laughed dramatically, hands on her hips. "Bwahahaha! Truly, none can match my greatness! Even my destined rival dares not meet my eyes that shine brighter than the sun itself!"
Everyone nearby stopped to stare at her.
Their expressions twisted awkwardly, as if they wanted to say something but had no clue how to phrase it, eventually settling on quietly moving away with embarrassed disgust.
Garden Gale froze in horror.
In her previous life on film sets, she'd been the one acting ridiculously chuuni, proudly declaring herself unrivaled under heaven.
She never expected that there was someone stronger...
So, this was how people felt watching her act out her social anxiety disguised as delusional arrogance?
Forget it.
Ignore her.
Her scalp was already tingling like crazy. If she let Opera O continue, she'd cringe so hard she'd claw out a three-bedroom apartment with her toes. Thank goodness no one knew Opera O was talking about her, or else she'd manage to dig out thirty houses by now. Just stay away from me! How could someone this arrogantly narcissistic ever measure up to Narita Top Road or Admire Vega?
Subconsciously, she believed the truly strong were reserved—leading her to underestimate Opera O, dismissing the story of the sixth favorite outright.
"Um…"
Suddenly, another Umamusume with blonde hair emerged nearby, timidly waving Garden Gale over. Judging by her features, Garden Gale instantly recognized this former rival:
Narita Top Road.
…This has to be some kind of sick joke.
All these top contenders for the Satsuki Sho just kept popping up around Opera O.
Garden Gale wore a strained expression. Why was it that every time she faced social trouble, everything turned into a chaotic stew—everyone and their mothers wanted a cameo appearance?
"Opera O."
Narita Top Road spoke up quietly. "Aren't I supposed to be your opponent? How did it suddenly become Garden-san?"
"Heh." Opera O laughed disdainfully, channeling the arrogant CEO from some ancient romance novel. Her expression was unbearably smug, practically killing Garden Gale from cringe. "From the moment I first laid eyes upon Garden Gale, I recognized her as my fated rival."
"And yet… she's chosen to run away? Such cowardice! Truly, no one can compare to Opera O."
She combed her fingers dramatically through her bangs, exuding a tragic, peerless loneliness.
Garden Gale finally snapped.
Even social anxiety had its limits! If pushed any further, she'd transform into a wild social boar, charging down anyone who annoyed her. Rationality stepped down from the high ground, replaced fully by her socially anxious alter ego.
The virus was taking over.
Garden Gale stopped mid-step, slowly turned around with an expression utterly devoid of emotion.
Narita Top Road recognized that look immediately.
She recalled vividly the day she'd challenged Garden Gale. Initially intending to mediate, Narita Top Road quietly clamped her mouth shut and stepped aside.
A good show was about to begin.
"Are you serious?" Garden Gale asked coolly.
Opera O arched an eyebrow. "Serious about what? Ah, my rival, I applaud your courage to finally stop fleeing!"
An awkward silence hung briefly between them.
Then, Garden Gale spoke gently, her voice chillingly calm: "Not only will I never run away, but at the Satsuki Sho—I'll crush you fair and square. Isn't that what you've been begging for, a destined rival? But first, are you even sure you can beat Admire Vega and Narita Top Road?"
Garden tilted her head innocently, feigning genuine confusion.
"If you can't defeat them, you won't even get the chance to challenge me."
Opera O paused for a second, taken aback.
Then, wild laughter erupted from her lips. "Interesting! Truly interesting! I can finally sense your seriousness! Very well—I shall prove myself! Watch closely as I claim victory with unmatched grace, a performance worthy of a grand opera!"
The grand Opera… was about to begin!
"No, no, no—"
Garden Gale simply waved a hand lightly, smiling sweetly.
"I alone reign supreme beneath the heavens."
Standing to the side, Narita Top Road suddenly felt utterly invisible.
If memory served, wasn't she ranked second in popularity? And Admire Vega was first.
Yet somehow, the sixth favorite and the twelfth favorite… had stolen the spotlight.
Narita sighed quietly to herself.
What on earth was even happening?
---
T/N: HOW COULD I FORGET THIS FUCKING BIRDS PHOTO