A corner of Tracen.
This was a classroom that Tracen Academy had specifically prepared for the various Uma Musume families; nominally, it was a conference room.
In a sense, this was a product of compromise by Tracen Academy.
Mejiro McQueen sat at the head of the table, looking expressionlessly at the Mejiro Family Uma Musume seated on either side.
The dutiful maids brought black tea and desserts to the table and then left.
The scene fell into silence for a moment.
Subsequently, Mejiro McQueen stood up. Her face was illuminated by the bright light of the lamps, appearing solemn and grave, which highlighted her expressionless face with an extraordinary sense of sanctity.
All the Uma Musume gathered their gazes on her in unison.
She said melancholically to the proud Uma Musume of the Mejiro Family: "I will tell you the truth: one of you has betrayed me."
Upon hearing this, the Uma Musume present revealed expressions of shock, dullness, indifference, or nervousness.
Dober leaned back in surprise, her right hand quietly grasping the amulet in her pocket.
Perhaps because of her nervousness, Dober accidentally knocked over the black tea on the table.
Ryan whispered in shock to Palmer, who was beside her and seemed to have suddenly realized something.
Bright stared blankly at the chandelier on the ceiling.
Ardan took a calm sip of black tea.
All kinds of reactions, each unique.
There was a mysterious sense of artistry to it.
Ignoring everyone's reactions, McQueen turned her head and cast her gaze on Palmer at the far left.
Palmer looked left and right, pointed at herself, and said: "McQueen, you know me; I have absolutely no interest in these things."
Mejiro Palmer hadn't been having a good time lately.
The glory of the Mejiro Family had placed a burden on this free-spirited Uma Musume's shoulders that she shouldn't have had to bear, and her current results indeed couldn't match the weight of those two words.
Perhaps to escape the influence of the name "Mejiro," she resolutely left the Mejiro Family's villa, moved out, and even signed up for steeplechase, which was ignored by Uma Musume practitioners.
From all these actions, it wasn't hard to see her current predicament.
McQueen nodded and turned her gaze to Ryan.
Ryan scratched her head and smiled with a mix of handsomeness and silliness: "McQueen, you know me; I, uh, I already have Fujin..."
After saying this, Ryan smiled shyly.
"...Wow, Ryan, you're actually blushing?"
Palmer teased in surprise.
"What, is that not allowed? You'll be just like me sooner or later!"
Ryan pushed away Palmer's face that was leaning in, with a look of disgust, and replied shyly.
"I can't imagine that at all, that kind of scene."
Palmer brushed her hair and said freely.
"Hmph, then I'll wait and see."
Ryan huffed twice and turned her face away.
"...Tsk."
McQueen clicked her tongue as she watched Ryan, who was radiating a pink aura.
The sacred atmosphere was completely ruined.
Subsequently, she shifted her gaze to Dober, who was trying hard to remedy the spilled black tea, her face full of nervousness and apology.
"Dober, what about you?"
Seeing that Dober didn't pick up the conversation, McQueen asked.
"...Eh?"
Only then did Dober notice everyone's gazes.
Then she sat up straight nervously, without saying a word.
McQueen raised an eyebrow.
"Um, Big Sister McQueen, you know me; I really can't handle this..."
Before she could finish, Ardan suddenly spoke up, interrupting Dober's words.
"Dober, you need to think clearly before you say certain things."
Mmm...
Dober stopped speaking, stunned, looking blankly at Ardan who was calmly drinking tea across from her.
Ardan smiled slightly, a smile that was elegant and perfect. Even though it was a completely different smile, Dober felt it was extremely similar to that of a certain blonde Uma Musume.
Dober lowered her head, staring blankly at the amulet in her hand, the gift given to her by that golden figure.
An amulet that brings love luck.
"Dober?"
McQueen seemed to sense something wrong and frowned.
Ryan and Palmer also cast their gazes onto Dober.
Taking a deep breath, Dober stood up and looked directly at McQueen without backing down.
"McQueen, I've made up my mind."
"What?"
"McQueen, you haven't confessed to Gold Legend, have you?"
"What!"
McQueen was angry.
Seeing McQueen with her ears pinned back, Dober did not retreat.
Clutching the amulet in her hand, she seemed to gain courage.
"Since you haven't confessed to Legend-san, then you two are just ordinary friends." Dober looked straight into McQueen's eyes, her posture dignified and noble. "I have decided. I will pursue Gold Legend."
Wow...
Palmer and Ryan looked at the declaring Dober in surprise, their hearts filled with an indescribable emotion.
Is this still the timid, shy Dober?
Ardan showed a gratified smile, and Bright also appeared gently.
"You..."
McQueen was speechless, not knowing if she was angry or gratified, perhaps both.
"In short, that's it. Sorry, McQueen."
After saying this, Dober bowed and turned to walk out of the conference room.
The conference room fell into silence again.
"...Dober has grown up."
Bright spoke slowly.
"...Yeah."
McQueen sat back in her chair, dejected, her tone and expression were so complex.
"Sure enough, Legend-san is very interesting~"
Bright said slowly, her tone a bit strange.
"McQueen, did you really not confess to Legend-san? It's been so long."
Bright asked leisurely.
Ugh!
McQueen, having been critically hit, put on a mask of pain.
Bright continued: "In other words, Legend-san hasn't been marked by anyone yet, right?"
"Hey, Bright, it's rare for you to say..."
Ryan keenly sensed something.
"Since that's the case, I'll join in too." Bright said with a grin, "After all, there are very few people willing to keep me company to pass the time."
"Huh?!"
Bright, so you too!
McQueen, who heard the unexpected statement, raised her head, various expressions intertwined on her face, very comical.
"That's not right, Bright."
Ardan put down her teacup elegantly and spoke slowly.
"Legend has already been marked by me."
At this moment, Ardan was like a strategist who wins battles from a thousand miles away, destroying the enemy while chatting and laughing.
"Guh!"
Ardan, you...?!
McQueen instantly seemed to have her defense broken and comboed, her outstretched hand trembling uncontrollably.
"Hmm? What kind of mark did you put on her?"
Bright asked, still wearing that leisurely smile.
Ardan didn't speak, smiling as she extended her index finger and pressed it against her own lips.
"Wuaah!"
Although she was mentally prepared, McQueen still felt as if her bones had been removed, sitting dejectedly in the main seat, lacking the posture and momentum that a representative of the Mejiro Family should have.
Ryan and Palmer looked at each other, not knowing what expression to make, so they synchronously showed an expression of "this is also fine."
"...Today, my hands tremble; today, my heart aches."
McQueen sat in the head seat, her face blank.
"Why did it turn out like this? I had planned to confess to Legend-san after winning the Tenno Sho... Why do you give me such pain, Heaven? What did I do wrong? What exactly did I do wrong?"
"McQueen..."
Ryan stood up, wanting to step forward to comfort McQueen.
Then she was held back by Palmer.
Palmer shook her head at Ryan and pointed at McQueen.
Then Ryan saw McQueen stand up again.
"Even if Legend-san has already been marked by you, Ardan, I haven't lost yet."
McQueen walked to Ardan and leaned down to look directly into Ardan's eyes.
"If you have already turned Legend-san into your possession, then I will snatch her back from you! This competition is not over yet!"
This is my determination, Ardan.
"At that time, don't cry, Ardan..."
McQueen straightened her back again, restoring her usual elegant and noble posture.
"This is what a representative of the Mejiro Family should look like. This is what Mejiro McQueen should look like."
Ardan looked at the rejuvenated McQueen, narrowed her eyes, and showed a gratified smile.
Then, she stood up to face McQueen, her eyes slightly opened, and her smile became dangerous.
"However, I want to make it clear: Legend-san is mine, no one can take her away!"
What the soft voice spoke was a sharp declaration.
The spirit was magnificent, the momentum powerful and unparalleled.
The Uma Musume of the Mejiro Family knew for the first time that this sister who had always been gentle as water also had such a strong side.
But even so, Mejiro McQueen did not retreat.
"I will win."
She looked directly into Ardan's eyes and declared.
"I will do my best too~"
Bright stood on the side, smiling.
Palmer and Ryan looked at each other again and continued to smile.
This is also fine.
"The wind is quite noisy today..."
Ryan sighed listlessly.
"But this wind is whispering..."
Palmer subconsciously followed up.
Ah, the atmosphere became awkward.
Why did you answer!
Ryan looked at Palmer with annoyance.
It was subconscious!!
Palmer responded with her eyes.
What to do now?!
I don't know!
With a bang, the door of the conference room opened.
Dober, who had returned, pointed outside the window in a panic.
"Big trouble! Legend-san is racing with other Uma Musume!"
"Eh!" x5.
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