At the familiar office in Central Tracen Academy, Symboli Rudolf sat at her desk, murmuring to herself as she reviewed the documents before her.
"Katsuragi Ace, Gold City, Mejiro Ramonu…"
"Quite a few promising Uma Musume have emerged these past two years."
Standing beside her, Shiragawa, who was organizing the materials, looked up and responded.
"In the past, talents like these might have remained in European training camps."
"But ever since the President successfully took charge of the Symboli family and established the Student Council, everyone has seen new hope at Tracen. That's why they're choosing to return and develop here."
At this, Shiragawa smiled softly.
"And that Sirius Symboli—she told us that if it weren't for you, she might never have stepped onto the track at all."
"After all, she disliked the old Symboli family too. It's only natural she wouldn't want to work for a family like that."
Mentioning this family member who shared her blood, Symboli Rudolf's tone carried a hint of helplessness.
Sensing Rudolf's mixed feelings about Sirius Symboli, Shiragawa didn't press further and smoothly changed the subject.
Holding the documents to her chest, she said to Rudolf, "And it's not just them. Now that we've established proper Tracen branches in various regions, we've discovered many more talents."
"I heard that recently, a remarkable new student appeared at the Kasamatsu Tracen branch."
Shiragawa touched her chin, thinking for a few seconds before adding,
"I believe… her name was Oguri Cap?"
"Oguri Cap, huh…"
Symboli Rudolf leaned back in her chair with a sigh, gazing at the familiar ceiling as she murmured to herself.
"In the past, Uma Musume from the regions never really had a chance to shine, did they?"
"While European trainers were nominally scouting for talent everywhere, the people carrying it out were only human. Compared to the countryside, they clearly preferred the convenience of big cities."
"Though the 'Divine Tool' previously opened a path between the regions and Central Tracen, in many remote areas with poor information flow, plenty still haven't heard about it."
"Who knows how many Uma Musume were buried in the past…"
Noticing Rudolf's somber mood, Shiragawa quickly spoke up to reassure her.
"But now everything is moving in a better direction, isn't it?"
"After exchanging knowledge with the racing communities in Australia, the Americas, and the Middle East, we've learned many training systems and philosophies we'd never heard of before. Through mutual exchange, our training standards are progressing toward Europe's level."
"And haven't we recently started exchanges with the Indonesian racing world too? More and more people are joining the resistance against European authority."
"One day, the power of everyone united will give every Uma Musume a chance to chase her dreams!"
Seeing Shiragawa's passionate, uplifted expression, Rudolf was taken aback for a moment before smiling wryly.
"How strange. I used to be the one comforting you, but now it's the other way around."
"That's because you've been working too hard lately, President. Exhaustion always leads to low spirits."
Shiragawa spoke softly, then seemed to remember something. Her eyes lowered, and her tone grew firm yet gentle as she murmured to herself,
"Besides… I made a vow before her to follow in her footsteps and contribute my own humble strength."
"Two years ago, I hesitated so many times…"
"I absolutely won't allow myself to fall into that hesitation again."
Hearing Shiragawa's words, Symboli Rudolf quietly clenched her fists. Her gaze toward the ceiling grew profound.
"Yes… If we let ourselves be swallowed by despair now, how could we ever honor the victory she fought to win for us?"
She pressed her lips together, her memories involuntarily returning to two years ago—to that track that gathered the world's attention.
Back then, she had been overjoyed by victory, filled with hope for the future.
Of course she could rejoice. It was a victory that changed the world. Even then, Symboli Rudolf had foreseen the present unity among all racing regions.
In such a hopeful future, their dreams would surely come true.
Yet what Rudolf never could have imagined back then was that their future would lose one Uma Musume.
One Uma Musume who was crucial to everyone.
In a way, it was that Uma Musume who had brought them all together, who had pointed the way toward their dreams.
Rudolf even felt that the title of Student Council President would have been more fitting if worn by her instead.
She was the Uma Musume who changed the world.
Simply by walking ahead with her back to everyone, she inspired in all of them a genuine desire to stand by her side and change something together.
In this turbulent era, her unshakable conviction drew many to her.
Even Rudolf, who had long resolved to rebel against her family and the European racing world, had been drawn onto the stage by the sight of that figure's retreating back.
She should have become the guiding star for everyone to follow, just like the legendary champion of the previous era, Shinzan.
Thinking of that imperfect ending, Rudolf felt a sharp ache in her chest. An indescribable sense of injustice nearly stole her breath.
But, as she had just said—
If she let her emotions drag her into the abyss now, wouldn't that only waste all her efforts?
Symboli Rudolf took several deep, heavy breaths, the rise and fall of her chest betraying her unsettled heart.
"Let's get back to work. We mustn't let Dream's efforts be in vain."
She paused, then continued, "Once we finish today's tasks, let's go see her together."
Hearing this, Shiragawa nodded firmly.
"C.B. is looking after Dream today. We'll go straight to her when we're done!"
--+--
Meanwhile, in the bustling, noisy amusement park, Mr. C.B. had just stepped out of a shop, carefully holding two ice cream cones as she made her way toward a wooden bench.
Ahead of her, a figure sat quietly on the bench—wearing sunglasses, a face mask, and a wide-brimmed sunhat.
From the ears poking up through the hat and a few strands of hair slipping out from under the brim, it was clear she was a dark-haired Uma Musume.
She was unnervingly still, like a discarded doll left in a corner, silently waiting to be picked up or to slowly decay with time.
Seeing her unchanged from when she'd left until now, Mr. C.B.'s eyes flickered with a mix of pity and sorrow.
But she didn't direct those emotions toward the doll-like silent Uma Musume.
Instead, she simply walked over, smiled softly, and said to her, "Dream, here's your ice cream."
And the Uma Musume gave no response at all.
--+--
T/N: New hi3 fic!
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T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.