For a few seconds after the finish, everything felt unreal.
Invincible Caviar stood just past the line, hands braced on her knees, breath coming hard and uneven. Sweat slid down her jaw and dripped into the grass below as her chest rose and fell, each inhale sharper than the last. She stared at the ground, unfocused.
She didn't look angry. She looked… empty.
Slowly, she straightened, shoulders lifting with a long breath. Her eyes flicked once toward the finish—toward Lunar—then slid away just as quickly. Her jaw tightened as she swallowed, whatever thought had surfaced pushed firmly back down.
Behind her, chaos rushed back in.
"HEY—!"
Namawa nearly tackled Lunar from the side.
She jumped, arms slinging around Lunar's shoulders, her weight leaning fully into her as both of them stumbled half a step. Namawa was laughing and panting at the same time, breathless and buzzing like she might take off again if someone didn't hold her down.
"That was SO COOL!" Namawa blurted, tail flicking wildly. "You beat her! You actually beat big sis Invi! How are you even that fast?!"
Lunar barely managed to steady herself before Namawa leaned closer, eyes bright despite the exhaustion etched into her face.
"And—and at the end," Namawa continued, voice dropping into something awed, "when you passed her right before the finish—I swear I heard something. Like… ringing? Like a melody." She gestured vaguely with one hand. "It felt like you were running to music or something!"
Lunar blinked. "I—" She opened her mouth, then hesitated. "I don't… I don't really know."
The truth felt slippery the moment she tried to grab it. How did you explain something you hadn't thought through—something your body had just done?
Before Namawa could press her further, Anonym entered Lunar's view.
She approached at an easy pace, expression calm, posture loose despite the sweat clinging to her forehead. For someone who had just lost third place by a neck, she looked… content. Not pleased, exactly—but settled, like the race had answered a question she'd been carrying.
Persian Caviar passed behind her at a slower walk, still composed, still precise even in exhaustion, but with an edge of something. She gave Lunar a brief nod—acknowledgment, clean and simple—before moving on.
Anonym stopped in front of Lunar.
"…Congratulations," she said. Then she lifted her arms slightly, as if she meant to pull Lunar into an embrace—or maybe she hadn't fully decided yet.
"LUNAR—!"
But she never got the chance as Saiya came barreling in from behind, arms wrapping tight around Lunar's waist as she hugged her with reckless enthusiasm for someone in her condition, nearly lifting her off the ground.
"You did it! You did it!" Saiya laughed, breathless and bright, pressing her cheek against Lunar's back. "I knew you would—I knew it!"
Lunar froze for half a second—then relaxed, hands hovering awkwardly before settling over Saiya's arms.
Behind them, a sharp voice cut in immediately.
"Saiya!" Black Caviar snapped. "I told you not to run like that— How many times do I have to—!"
"I'm fine mom!" Saiya shot back without turning around, squeezing Lunar once more for emphasis. "Look! She won! I told you all!"
Black Caviar pinched the bridge of her nose, already halfway into a lecture, though the edge of it dulled when her gaze returned to Lunar—standing there, flushed, breathing hard, still glowing faintly with something that hadn't entirely faded yet.
…Later, she decided. I'll scold her properly later.
Down the track, I Am Invincible reached her eldest daughter.
Invincible Caviar had slowed to a stop a short distance from the line, hands braced on her knees, chest heaving. Her expression was tight—not angry, not bitter, just heavy. The kind of look that came from knowing exactly how hard you'd pushed… and still coming up short.
I Am Invincible didn't say anything at first.
She simply stepped beside her and placed a hand on Invincible's back, firm and warm, grounding. After a moment, she gave a small squeeze.
"You ran well," she said quietly. No qualifiers. No excuses. "You did everything you could."
Invincible let out a breath that shook more than she'd intended. "…I went all out," she admitted, voice low. "And I still couldn't beat Lunar."
"I know," her mother replied at once. There was no disappointment in her voice—only certainty. "But what matters most, is that you did."
Invincible straightened slowly, eyes still on the track ahead and somewhere beyond, but at least some of the weight eased from her shoulders.
Not far away, Autumn Sun stopped beside Anonym.
Anonym had finished fourth—barely got edged out at the line—and yet she didn't look too upset about it.. Her gaze lingered on Lunar's back as if replaying something only she could see.
Autumn didn't interrupt that.
She only lifted a hand and gave Anonym a gentle pat on the head—brief, quiet, wordless.
Anonym glanced up.
Autumn smiled faintly. "Next time," she said.
Anonym's lips curved, just a little. "…Yeah."
A few steps away, Persian stood very still.
Her posture was perfect, as always, but her hands were clenched tight at her sides, knuckles pale. She stared down at the grass beneath her shoes, shoulders drawn in just enough to betray the storm she was holding back.
Written Tycoon approached without haste. She stopped in front of her daughter and waited.
Persian tried to speak first.
"I—" Her voice caught. She swallowed hard, teeth pressing together as her composure finally cracked. "..I'm sorry mommy," she said, the words tumbling out too fast now. "I didn't follow the calculations properly. I should've held the inside line better at the end. If I'd done that, I would've— I wouldn't have made your prediction wrong. I failed you—"
Tears slipped free despite her best effort, streaking down her cheeks. Written Tycoon moved instantly at the sight.
She crouched forward and pulled Persian into a firm embrace, one arm secure around her shoulders, the other cradling the back of her head.
"No," she said at once, voice low and certain. "You didn't."
Persian froze, breath hitching.
"You didn't fail me," Written Tycoon repeated. "You exceeded my expectations."
Persian drew back just enough to look up at her, eyes wide and glassy, confusion breaking through the guilt. "…But I didn't win," she whispered. "You said I would."
Written Tycoon met her gaze steadily. "I lied," she said simply.
Persian blinked.
"I wanted you to believe in yourself," Written Tycoon continued, thumb brushing away a tear without hesitation. "Because belief is not something calculations can supply. It has to come from you. And today, I saw you run not just to fulfill a fixed outcome—but to challenge it."
Her expression softened, pride unmistakable now. "That is growth," she said. "And you showed it."
Persian's breath hitched again—but this time, it wasn't from shame.
She nodded slowly, leaning forward until her forehead rested against her mother's shoulder, fingers tightening briefly in her coat as she held on.
Then More's voice cut in from behind Black Caviar, loud and unapologetic. "So," she said, grinning as she leaned in just enough to be heard by everyone nearby, "looks like you won the bet. What do we owe you, your majesty?"
The teasing lilt drew attention immediately. One by one, heads turned their way.
Black Caviar paused mid-step. She brought a hand to her chin, expression settling into exaggerated contemplation, eyes drifting skyward as if weighing something truly profound. The track grew a little quieter, anticipation creeping in.
"…Hmm," Black Caviar hummed at last.
Then she looked back at them.
"How about we all go on a trip to Japan together?"
There was a half-second of silence.
Then—
"WHAT?!"
"Japan?!"
"Like—Japan Japan?!"
"You're kidding."
"You're not serious, are you?"
Both Persian and Saiya's eyes lit up instantly, practically sparkling. Namawa gasped, hands flying to her mouth like she'd just been told she'd won the lottery. Even Invi and Anonym looked momentarily thrown, surprise cutting through their usual composure. While Lunar… Japan. She'd lived there once, before everything.
More blinked—then burst out laughing. "That's it?" she said. "A whole international trip? Wow. You're generous."
"You agreed to the terms," Black Caviar replied mildly, a faint smile curving her lips. "I'm simply honoring them."
Autumn Sun chuckled, folding her arms. "I have to admit," she said, amused, "that's one way to spend a wager. At least it's memorable."
Black Caviar glanced at her. "Bonding opportunities," she added evenly. "And a change of scenery never hurts."
Autumn smiled. "Can't argue with that."
And just like that, the decision was made.
_________
The hum of engines filled the cabin.
High above the clouds, a private jet cut smoothly through the sky, sunlight spilling through the windows in soft bands. The mood inside was… mixed.
Namawa had taken an aisle seat and was vibrating with energy, her leg bouncing as she rattled on to Saiya about everything she wanted to see, eat, and do in Japan—most of which somehow involved racing, food, or racing-themed food. Saiya listened with an easy smile, chiming in now and then, though her attention kept drifting to Lunar beside her.
Lunar sat by the window, forehead resting lightly against the glass, watching the clouds slide past below. She looked calm, but alert, eyes tracking the view as if turning something over in her mind..
Anonym sat a few rows back, headphones on but no music playing, eyes closed, posture relaxed. Persian sat upright beside her, already reading through something on her tablet—though she paused often, glancing out the window as if committing endless sky to memory.
And then there was More Than Ready.
She was not having a good time.
She lay stiffly in her seat, arms crossed tight, eyes squeezed shut, trying very hard to pretend she was anywhere else. Her usual grin was nowhere to be found. "…I hate heights," she muttered weakly. "Why didn't anyone remind me I hate heights…"
Autumn Sun, seated right to her, glanced over with mild amusement. "You've been on planes before."
"Yeah," More replied without opening her eyes, "and I hated it every single time." She yanked the blanket higher and turned her face firmly away from the window, clearly determined to sleep through the entire flight out of sheer stubbornness.
Seated opposite them, I Am Invincible watched the exchange with barely contained amusement, a quiet snicker escaping her as she shook her head. "I'm starting to think this is Nelly's punishment for you," she said fondly.
Beside her, Invincible Caviar was already asleep, head tilted slightly toward the window, breathing slow and even—utterly peaceful despite More's visible suffering just a few feet away. I Am Invincible glanced at her eldest daughter, then back at More, her smile widening just a touch.
Toward the front of the cabin, Written Tycoon finished her call and slipped her phone away. She didn't look over right away. Instead, she let the quiet stretch before turning her head toward the seat across the aisle.
"…So," she said at last, voice calm and even, "what's the real reason?"
Black Caviar didn't pretend not to understand.
Black Caviar didn't bother feigning ignorance. She let out a small sigh, one corner of her mouth lifting in mild defeat. "I was wondering how long it'd take you to ask."
Written Tycoon gave her a flat look. "This doesn't feel like something you'd do purely on a whim," she said. "Even if you dress it up as bonding."
Black Caviar's gaze drifted past her, toward the younger girls scattered through the cabin—Namawa still animated despite the flight, Saiya leaning in close, Lunar quiet by the window, Anonym and Persian each in their own small worlds. For a moment, she simply watched them.
"It is for bonding," she said. "Partly." Then she looked back at Written Tycoon. "But you're right. That's not all."
She leaned back in her seat.
"The timing lined up," she continued. "The opportunity was there. And… I wanted them to see it."
Written Tycoon's brows lifted slightly. "See what?"
Black Caviar's expression softened, just enough to change the weight of her words.
"The Kikuka-shō," she said. "The final leg of the Japanese Triple Crown."
Written Tycoon paused. Understanding clicked into place. "…Ah."
Black Caviar nodded. "Stay Gold's daughter. Orfevre. She's one race away." A faint smile tugged at her lips. "One win away from achieving something Japan's been waiting for since Deep Impact."
Written Tycoon leaned back, gaze drifting as she turned that over in her mind. The cabin hummed softly around them.
"You want them to witness history," she said at last.
"And pressure," Black Caviar replied evenly. "And legacy. And what it looks like when talent, obsession, and belief all collide towards the finish line."
Her eyes flicked once more toward Lunar by the window. "I want them to understand," she added quietly, "what it really means to run at the top."
Written Tycoon studied her for a moment, then allowed a small smile to form. "…You really can't hide anything from me, that's part of your charm."
Black Caviar huffed under her breath, equal parts resigned and amused. "No," She agreed gently. "I never could."
Outside, the clouds rolled endlessly beneath the plane. And somewhere far ahead, Japan waited.
___________________
The descent was smooth. Wheels kissed the runway, and the steady hum of the engines faded into motion and procedure. By the time the cabin doors opened, the group was already being guided forward.
They disembarked beneath a wide, open sky. Bodyguards moved first, efficient and alert, while staff followed with luggage in practiced silence. The girls clustered together instinctively as they were ushered through the terminal corridors, the quiet order of private arrival dissolving the closer they came to the main doors.
Then the doors slid open—
—and the sound crashed in all at once.
Cameras snapped in rapid bursts, flashes strobing like distant lightning. Voices overlapped, sharp and urgent, most of them Japanese, names and questions thrown forward faster than they could be answered. The air itself felt brighter, charged with attention.
"Black Caviar!"
"Is this your first visit to Japan?"
"Are any of your children planning to race here?!"
The bodyguards widened their formation smoothly, creating a moving boundary as Black Caviar stepped forward, composed as ever. Even in a country accustomed to legends, her presence bent the space around her. Reporters leaned in, microphones stretching just far enough to test limits without crossing them.
Saiya flinched at the sudden wall of noise, shoulders tensing. Lunar stayed close at her side, eyes wide but steady, absorbing everything without quite knowing where to settle her gaze. Namawa—usually the loudest presence in any room—went silent, staring in open disbelief at the sea of people and lights, excitement and overwhelm colliding so hard she forgot to speak.
Anonym, a few steps back, clicked her tongue softly, irritation plain on her face as flashes went off too close for comfort. Persian, by contrast, remained composed, posture straight, expression calm—as if this was exactly what she had expected from the moment they landed.
Then—
The crowd shifted.
Voices fell away. Cameras slowed. A path opened through the press with surprising ease, as though the air itself had decided to make room.
She approached unhurriedly.
Her presence alone parted the space ahead of her.
Tall, with immaculate posture, she walked as if every step had already been measured and approved. Long dark-brown hair fell neatly down her back, marked unmistakably by a single white streak—clean, iconic. She wore a tailored military-style coat in deep green, trimmed with gold and red accents that traced sharp, elegant lines along the fabric. It was regal without excess, authority distilled into form. White gloves covered her hands.
Two figures followed a respectful distance behind her: one tall and strikingly alluring, light brown hair flowing freely, confidence radiating with every step. The other is smaller, energetic even in stillness, dark brown hair tied into a sidetail with the same familiar white streak.
But it was the woman in front who held the space.
She stopped before Black Caviar and extended a gloved hand, calm and deliberate. Her eyes were sharp—eyes that had watched eras rise and fall.
"Welcome to Japan," she said, her voice level and resonant. "It is an honor to receive the Wonder from Down Under… and her family."
The cameras went wild.
Black Caviar paused—then smiled faintly, genuine and respectful. She took the offered hand, the handshake brief but firm, an exchange between equals.
"The honor's mine," she replied.
"Symboli Rudolf."
Rudolf inclined her head in acknowledgment, then turned her gaze to the others. She offered a measured nod to Written Tycoon, to Autumn Sun, to I Am Invincible, to More Than Ready—each greeted with the recognition of an equal, a fellow veteran Uma Musume to another.
Then Rudolf's attention shifted.
And something changed.
Her eyes settled on the younger ones gathered together, and the air around her seemed to soften—not losing its weight, but reshaping into something warmer.
Lunar felt it most clearly.
The weight of Rudolf's attention pressed down on her—and beneath it, something unmistakably warm.
Rudolf's expression eased. The authority didn't disappear; it simply gentled, like a blade sheathed rather than lowered.
"Welcome," she said again, her voice quieter now, almost fond. "You've all come a long way."
Her eyes lingered on each of them in turn, curiosity and pride mingling freely. "Japan is glad to receive such bright and hopeful young Uma Musumes," she continued. "I look forward to seeing how far you will run in the future."
Namawa's restraint shattered instantly. "Y-YES!" she blurted, beaming so hard it bordered on painful. "I mean—thank you! I'll run super far! Like—really far!"
Saiya stood frozen beside Lunar, eyes shining, breath caught halfway in her chest. Rudolf's presence felt overwhelming in a way that made her chest buzz. Without thinking, she reached out and grabbed the sleeve of I Am Invincible's jacket.
"She's—she's really her," Saiya whispered, awestruck.
I Am Invincible laughed softly, hand coming up to pat Saiya's head. "Yeah it is," she said, unable to hide her own excitement. "That's Symboli Rudolf. The Emperor of Japan."
Anonym simply nodded back at Rudolf, composed—but there was a glint in her eyes, something like awe she didn't bother hiding while Persian inclined her head respectfully.
As for Luna, she bowed a little too deeply. She straightened quickly, cheeks warming, but her thoughts had already drifted elsewhere.
Undefeated.
Triple Crown.
The first in Japanese history.
Her mother's voice echoed faintly in her memory, one of the stories late at night—of a ruler on the track, of a presence so absolute it redefined what was possible.
Symboli Rudolf.
Rudolf turned back to Black Caviar and the others, then gestured lightly toward the exit beyond the terminal.
"Please," she said. "Follow us. We would be honored to guide you all to your residence."