Morning.
Her slender brows drew together ever so slightly.
The purple-haired girl slowly opened her eyes, and the first thing she saw was the familiar, reassuring figure of her trainer.
A deep sense of comfort spread throughout her body. Reluctance to leave his embrace welled up within her, and she instinctively nuzzled against him.
Even that tiny movement was enough to wake the person beside her.
"McQueen? Are you awake?"
"Mmm..."
McQueen let out an indistinct, endearing murmur and nestled even deeper into his arms.
Kuroha did not rush her. Instead, he thoughtfully adjusted his position so that the girl in his embrace could rest more comfortably.
McQueen had collapsed the moment she returned to the hotel yesterday.
At Chasing Light, she had practically been granted unlimited freedom for the time being, no matter what she wanted to do.
Still, McQueen was hardly the spoiled or unreasonable type.
After lingering in her trainer's arms for another half hour, she finally got up.
Once they had dressed, the two of them left the room together.
The instant she stepped through the door, however, McQueen froze.
Beside the second-floor railing, two Umamusume were leaning against the banister and staring vacantly into space.
"Good morning, Godolphin-sama. And... Darley-sama."
McQueen paused noticeably when she saw Darley.
Wasn't Darley-sama supposed to have remained in the Far East with Byerley-sama?
Why was she here?
However, the moment McQueen recalled the transcendent status of the Three Goddesses, she quickly let the matter go.
There was no need to pry into the affairs of gods.
"McQueen-chan~ It's been so long! You were absolutely amazing in yesterday's race!"
The red goddess raised her thumb without holding back any praise.
"N-No, it wasn't anything that impressive..."
Being praised by one of the goddesses she revered left McQueen scratching her head in embarrassment.
"Good morning, McQueen-chan!"
Godolphin greeted her with a cheerful smile as well.
Perhaps it was only McQueen's imagination, but Godolphin seemed unusually energetic today. Even her skin possessed an almost unbelievable radiance.
"All right, let's go have breakfast first."
Kuroha stepped in with a smile.
The three girls nodded and followed him downstairs.
McQueen, who was walking in front, never noticed the brief exchange of looks between the two goddesses behind her.
Unlike the radiant Godolphin, Darley still looked somewhat dazed.
As her flowing red hair swayed behind her, she recalled last night's extraordinary entertainment. Her body trembled faintly, and she let out an aggrieved sigh.
She had only intended to sneak over and watch. Who could have guessed that Godolphin would catch her on the spot and pull her into the late-night festivities?
The experience had certainly been wonderful, but her feelings remained decidedly complicated.
She secretly pressed a hand to her soft stomach and complained inwardly.
"I should've known better than to join in. Spending another day inside my bubble would've been much more relaxing."
"Instead, I got dragged into everything the very same night."
Godolphin, at least, had already gained some experience while inhabiting her divine avatar.
Now that her true body had taken part, she had adapted quickly enough to conceal everything the next morning.
Darley, however, had been completely unprepared. The entire experience had left her dizzy, overwhelmed, and utterly drained.
In the end, Kuroha had needed to carry her all the way back to France.
Darley's eyes grew misty at the thought.
"Hmm?"
Sensing her gaze, Godolphin turned with an innocent smile and narrowed eyes.
"What's wrong, Darley?"
"...Nothing."
Faced with her friend's secretly mischievous expression, Darley could only fall silent.
...
Breakfast had already been prepared at the estate.
After Kuroha and the others had eaten and rested in the main hall for a while, sounds gradually began coming from the second floor.
Fujimasa March and Sakura Chiyono O were the first to come downstairs.
Immediately afterward, an exhausted-looking Super Creek emerged with heavy bags beneath her eyes.
Fumino greeted everyone downstairs before turning in confusion toward her trainee, who could not stop yawning.
"How did you get this tired? Did you not sleep well last night?"
Creek fell silent.
She had been forced to listen to sounds through the wall for another entire night. How could she possibly have slept well?
Why did her room always have to be placed next to Kuroha's?!
Her cheeks warmed at the memory. Even thinking about those sounds was almost unbearable.
Outwardly, however, Creek maintained her usual gentle demeanor and shook her head.
"I'm fine, Trainer. I might still be adjusting to the climate. It was only a little insomnia, so there's nothing to worry about."
"All right."
Fumino nodded without giving it much thought.
Before long, the rest of Chasing Light's Umamusume arrived one after another.
Soon, Rudolf and the others had gathered in the villa's main hall as well.
If anyone from Central had happened to pass by at that moment, they undoubtedly would have screamed in astonishment.
Nearly twenty legendary Umamusume from Central were scattered throughout the hall.
Some sat while others stood, but the powerful auras they unconsciously wove together were enough to make the heart of anyone approaching them tremble.
Kuroha first offered his sincere thanks to Rudolf and the other legendary Umamusume for traveling such a long distance to support McQueen. He then asked about their upcoming plans.
"Chasing Light will probably leave for Central within the next few days."
"Luna, are you planning to stay in Europe a little longer, or will you come back with us?"
Rudolf gave him an exasperated look.
"When would I possibly have time to vacation in Europe? Once McQueen returns home, her focus will obviously be the Kyoto Shimbun Hai this fall, won't it?"
Kuroha smiled and nodded.
"Then I'm going to be worked to death..." Rudolf sighed helplessly.
The nation's strongest active Umamusume had embarked upon a European expedition and secured six consecutive international G1 victories, including the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
Now she would return home in triumph and participate in her final Twinkle Series race at the end of the year.
For both Central's racing world and the major media outlets, this was a historic event that would define the entire year.
Even without all the miscellaneous responsibilities, the overwhelming number of procedures and promotional events alone would be enough to keep Rudolf, the Student Council President, so busy that her feet never touched the ground.
"I really wish the Student Council had a few more people willing to do some work..."
Despite all her inward complaining, a heartfelt smile appeared on Rudolf's face.
She turned toward McQueen, her voice filled with admiration.
"Besides, you made history this time, McQueen. We might as well travel back with the main group and join in the celebration. Perhaps some of your good fortune will rub off on us."
The other legendary Umamusume nodded in agreement.
They had made the trip specifically to stand behind McQueen and cheer her on. Now that she had achieved a resounding victory, returning to Central together was naturally the most convenient option.
"Hmm... In that case, let's do this."
After thinking briefly, Kuroha finalized their itinerary.
"Everyone can spend the next two days resting freely in France. If you want to visit town, go sightseeing, or buy souvenirs, feel free to travel together."
"The morning after tomorrow, we'll take a chartered flight and return home on schedule."
No one objected.
Once the details had been settled, the Umamusume dispersed throughout the villa, and the entire place immediately became lively.
Some of the girls gathered together to chat, while others headed outside in groups to enjoy themselves.
McQueen, in particular, found herself surrounded by her seniors, who fussed over her from every direction. Only after considerable effort did she finally escape amid a chorus of laughter and leave the villa with the others.
Watching the warm scene as hosts and guests enjoyed themselves together, Kuroha smiled and shook his head.
He walked upstairs alone and made his way to the rooftop.
Resting both hands on the railing, he quietly enjoyed the breeze for a while.
Then...
Whoosh!
His figure underwent a strange, illusory distortion, almost as though several frames of reality had abruptly gone missing.
The scenery around him changed in an instant.
From a peaceful estate in France, he crossed directly into another estate that seemed even more tranquil.
Gilltown Stud, Ireland.
(End of Chapter)
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