The farce ended with Garden Gale and T.M. Opera O trading heated declarations of war.
Narita Top Road couldn't believe it. These two were seriously overlooking her? Wasn't she supposed to be the second favorite, the one poised for revenge? She'd won the Kisaragi Sho,beaten Admire Vega, and then took the Yayoi Sho as well! She wasn't the same Narita Top Road anymore—she'd been completely reborn.
Despite initially trying to mediate, Narita Top Road also felt her competitive fire begin to burn hotter than ever. Quietly, she vowed to herself:
This time, I absolutely won't lose to Garden Gale.
...
T.M. Opera O had certainly added plenty of drama outside the track leading up to the Satsuki Sho.
Yet—from start to finish, Garden Gale couldn't help but underestimate her. After all, T.M. Opera O was only the sixth favorite, meaning five others were rated even stronger. Thinking about that gave Garden a brief surge of arrogance.
No, no, no!
She slapped her cheeks sharply again.
She needed to focus on training. She had to respect her opponents. Competing with this sort of complacency was unacceptable.
Never underestimate them.
Anyone competing in a G1 race had to be extraordinary. Besides, Opera O had won major races before—she was a serious contender worthy of respect.
Having recalibrated her mindset, Garden Gale headed toward the training grounds. The setting sun painted the landscape in gentle, golden hues, filling the air with the fresh scent of damp grass from the recent rain.
However…
I still have my secret weapon.
She couldn't help but smile faintly at that thought.
Right on cue, the Selas System interface materialized beside her, its faint blue glow mingling with the fading gold of twilight.
[Mission]: Versatility
[Time Limit]: N/A
[Objective]: Learn and assimilate the running styles of three different Umamusume. (2/3)
[Reward]: Character Color Change Card x1
No explanation needed for the [Character Color Change Card].
But there was something worth mentioning: when [Versatility] had first triggered, it had been a short-term mission with only a one-month deadline. In that month, Garden Gale had urgently gotten close to Curren Chan and Air Shakur, learning their running styles, which led directly into the Wakagoma Stakes storyline.
After that, [Versatility] had transformed into a long-term mission.
There was no longer a time limit of just one month.
Hence—Garden Gale had intentionally saved her final friendship opportunity.
It wasn't fear holding her back, just practicality. She hadn't needed another [Character Color Change Card] to win before. But now, with the Satsuki Sho just around the corner…
When facing such challenges, responsibility demanded boldness!
With renewed determination, she lifted her gaze toward the opposite side of the Team LOCK training ground.
There stood an Umamusume she'd never seen before. Even from afar, the girl's reddish-orange hair shone brilliantly in the dying sunlight as she concentrated entirely on her training, oblivious to Garden Gale's distant observation.
—Disciplined.
—Dedicated.
Those were Garden Gale's immediate impressions.
She hesitated briefly.
She wanted to approach, to introduce herself, but as soon as she took the first step, she felt her legs trembling uncontrollably—her social anxiety about meeting someone new flaring up again.
No.
You can't do this!
Garden Gale, it's time to grow up! You can't stay frozen forever like a socially anxious child. You can't explode every time you feel uncomfortable. There's nothing scary here—just move forward!
One step at a time.
Step forward, toward the future.
She slapped her thigh so fiercely it shook. With eyes blazing resolutely, Garden Gale forced herself to approach the unfamiliar Umamusume. She was determined to make friends, to build a new bond, to unlock new skills.
As she neared the other girl finally noticed her, tilting her head slightly with a curious expression.
Murmuring softly to herself, "Did we get a new recruit? But… if not, why is she training at Team LOCK's facility?"
Her reddish-orange hair drifted gently downward, framing a warm, polite smile as she quickly regained her composure.
When Garden Gale was close enough, the Umamusume reached out her hand first, offering a friendly greeting. "Hello."
"Hello~" Garden Gale responded cheerfully, shaking hands firmly. Her face lit up with a sunny smile—This isn't so hard after all, she mused inwardly.
Releasing Garden's hand, the other Umamusume introduced herself formally: "My name is Silence Suzuka, from Team LOCK."
Silence Suzuka.
A name Garden Gale had never heard before.
She searched briefly through her memories but drew a blank.
Not overly concerned, she replied simply, "Garden Gale."
No reaction to the word "LOCK"?
Silence Suzuka gently bit her lip in confusion. Was Garden Gale really a member of Team LOCK? Wait, no… She vaguely remembered their trainer mentioning the name before. That's right—while Suzuka had been racing overseas, Kanzaki Sakura had brought it up. It seemed like Garden Gale had officially joined the team since then.
Realizing Garden Gale was a teammate after all, Suzuka's reserved demeanor quickly thawed into a gentle, welcoming smile.
"I've heard your name before!"
Eh?
Now it was Garden Gale's turn to look surprised.
Am I really that famous already? Feeling slightly embarrassed, she rubbed the tip of her nose awkwardly. Deep down, she knew her reputation at school had always far exceeded her actual achievements.
But she quickly brushed the embarrassment aside.
"So then…" she drawled cautiously, "Could we maybe get to know each other? Be friends or something?"
"Of course."
Receiving that definitive yes instantly eased her anxious heart.
Well, would you look at that.
Socializing really isn't that hard after all! Garden Gale silently congratulated herself.
In truth, she'd simply managed to exploit a perfect misunderstanding.
If Suzuka had known Garden wasn't formally a Team LOCK member, she probably would've been far less enthusiastic.
This Umamusume lived only for the joy of racing.
Her eyes never wavered from the track, her discipline bordering on frightening obsession.
...
Seven days remained until the Satsuki Sho.
Admire Vega sought revenge. Narita Top Road burned with determination. T.M. Opera O was convinced she'd conquer everyone.
The gears of fate had begun turning.
---
T/N: HAAAAAAAH? NO TEAM SPICA??? O M GOSHHHHH