"Bestiiie~!!" "Oh, Fine. How's it going? Enjoying yourself?" "Yup, I'm having a blast!! Everyone here is so super friendly, totally different from parties back in Ireland!!" "Well, pretty much everyone here is just a regular person. There aren't any royals floating around like you. Besides, royalty in Japan is... well, we have the Imperial Family, but that's a different story."
Since it's a special party, I invited Fine along. If she starts comparing this to the kind of high-society galas actual royalty attends, we're going to have a problem, but as long as she's having a good time, the URA staff can breathe a sigh of relief. Not that I'm gonna tell them—in fact, I didn't even bother informing them that Fine was coming in the first place.
"Is it really okay for me to be here, though?" "I said it's fine, so it's fine." "As expected of the Tyrant!!" "Though I did tell them I was bringing a plus-one."
(Who in their right mind would guess that 'plus-one' is Irish royalty...?!)
While Rampage casually deals massive internal damage to the stomach linings of every URA staff member attending the party, a certain Umamusume looks at her in utter awe, covering her mouth in excitement.
"Th-Th-The... The Autocratic Tyrant... Holy crap... It's the real deal... I'm so glad I came... This reception party is insane..." "Hey, hey, Bestie! I think that girl wants to talk to you!" "Hm? Well, guess I'll take her request then."
Looking at the visibly hyped-up Umamusume, Flora briefly crosses my mind, though this girl doesn't carry that same distinct aura. If anything, she feels like a genuine fan... Thinking back, I realize my instincts for picking up on these things were forged by dealing with Flora.
"Having fun?" "Whoa, gasp!? Ah... I mean, yes! I'm... having a great time, ma'am...!"
She has slightly upturned eyes, but her features are sharp and handsome. Her racing outfit has a colorful, DJ-like vibe, complete with a pair of headphones resting around her neck that reinforces the look.
"Um, so... is there any chance I could get an autograph...? Ah, damn it, shit, why did I just ask that out of nowhere... Ugh, I built up all that courage to come over here, what am I doing—" "I don't mind. That much is fine." "Wait, seriously!?" "Of course. Fan service is my motto, after all." "Ooooh... That's the legendary line from IV...! Ah, I watch your streams all the time!! That recent Master Duel stream was the absolute best!!"
It turns out she's a fan of my livestreams, completely buzzing with excitement. As I sign a piece of autograph paper for her, I ask for her name.
"Ah, right... It's Stella Gloria. Just call me Stella... Ah... Sorry, Rampage-san... I... I get really shy around people, so... this is the only way I know how to talk... I'm sorry..." "Don't sweat the tone. I've got plenty of Umamusume who treat me with way less respect—hell, some of them straight-up attack me." "Attack you!? To the world-renowned Tyrant...? That's less reckless and more just straight-up insane..." "Right~?"
I chuckle and hand back the signed board, made out specifically to her name with Rampage's signature attached. She clutches it tightly to her chest with a beaming smile, marveling at how much value this single piece of paper holds. Fine gives her a cheerful grin and says, "That's awesome!" To which Stella replies, "Yeah, thanks to you..."—and then finally registers who Rampage brought along.
"...Wait, why do you have a kid with you, Rampage-san?" "Oh, this is my guest. Fine Motion." "Fine Motion... Wait, as in the Irish royalty from the streams...? I AM SO SORRY!!"
Having successfully passed a knowledge check, Stella's face pales as if she just failed a SAN check, executing a flawless backstep before dropping straight into a formal bow on the floor. Trembling at the thought of how casually she just spoke to royalty, Fine maintains her bright smile and speaks up.
"You don't need to worry about that! I'm just here as my bestie's bestie. Right now I'm just plain old Fine Motion, so 'Fine' is okay!" "E-Eh, but..." "(Smiles brightly)" "...Got it. Sorry about that, Fine."
Though she was a bundle of nerves at first, Stella warms up to Fine in no time. Watching her interact with Fine, she seems surprisingly natural at handling kids. Scratching her head, Stella explains:
"Ah... I've got a relative about Her Highness's age... though they aren't nearly as well-behaved as Her Highness..." "Hmph, I see. Well, that's just how kids are. Long as they're healthy and full of energy, that's what counts." "Well... yeah, guess that's true..." "Hey, Bestie!! Can I walk around the party with Stella!?" "EH?! EHHHH?!"
Having taken a liking to Stella, Fine suddenly announces she wants to tour the venue with her. Never expecting this turn of events, Stella lets out a deeply distressed squeak.
"Sure. Don't cause too much trouble for Stellan, alright?" "Stellan!?" "Yay~! Stellan, let's go!!" "Wait, Fine!? Fine-san!? Lady Fine!! Ah~ please wait, Lady Fine, this is troubling, Lady Fine!! Ah~ please, I'm begging you, wait up, Princess Fineeeeee!!?"
Combining the explosive energy of a child with the physical power of an Umamusume, Stella finds herself dragged around the party venue by Fine. While sending a brief prayer for her peace of mind, I also quietly apologize in my heart for giving her a nickname that—if not for a certain debuff involving bizarre fantasies—would normally belong to an absolute top-tier character.
Right on cue, the next visitor arrives.
"Miss Rampage... Today, dreaming of this moment, I have honed my skills in England...!! Ever since that day four years ago, when I saw you at the Japan Cup...!!"
Her Japanese is a bit broken, but I can feel her earnest effort to convey her feelings. She's a blonde, wolf-cut Umamusume with a fierce, handsome face distinguished by a massive scar stretching across the bridge of her nose down to her left cheek. Her outfit closely mirrors my own—a black suit, identical save for her light-blue dress shirt and navy tie.
"Four years ago... Ah, you mean the World Record Japan Cup?" "Precisely...!!"
Though her eyes sparkle with admiration, a ferocious competitive drive burns deep within them. It really reminds me that this is the kind of fire an Umamusume ought to have in her eyes.
"Looks like Japanese is a bit tough to speak right now. English is totally fine if you prefer." "Th-Thank you, I shall speak in English then..."
Her name is Silverio. An Umamusume from the UK, though she was originally born in Hokkaido, holding dual citizenship in both Britain and Japan. Seeing my Japan Cup during my Classic year was what inspired her to pursue racing in the first place, which explains the passionate speech from a moment ago.
"I came all this way just to run with you...!! If I can run against you, I would happily give up my British citizenship!" "Hey, don't you dare say that to the officials over there. You'll start a diplomatic incident." "I already told them. They said I was crazy enough to actually do it, so they granted me permission." "...Well, guess she's still better than that battleship Umamusume...?"
Does the Finals and the Legend Race just naturally attract Umamusume with ridiculously intense personalities...?
(Stella Gloria provided by My Sweet Xanadium; Silverio provided by Shiranui Shinya. Thank you very much!)
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