The bus rolled to a smooth stop in front of Tracen Academy.
The gates stood tall and intimidating, polished stone and iron catching the afternoon light. Beyond them stretched wide paths and immaculate grounds, buildings that carried history in their walls. Even from the outside, the academy carried weight—an atmosphere shaped by generations of ambition, victories, and dreams that had burned bright… or broken entirely.
The doors hissed open.
They stepped down one by one.
Namawa followed close behind, eyes sparkling as she took it all in. "So this is Tracen…! It's way bigger than I imagined!"
Persian straightened unconsciously the moment her feet hit the ground, posture crisp as her gaze swept over the grounds. Saiya stayed close to Lunar, subtly matching her pace, while Anonym clung lightly to Lunar's other sleeve, peeking out from behind her with open, unfiltered curiosity.
Oguri stepped off near the back, paused, and sniffed the air.
"…Smells good."
Tamamo shot her a look. "That's just yer stomach talkin' again."
Rudolf and Air Groove naturally moved toward the front as the group gathered—leaders by habit, even without titles.
Right on cue, measured footsteps approached.
"Ah—Symboli Rudolf."
A woman in sharp, striking green attire stopped before them, a clipboard tucked neatly to her side. Her smile was professional and flawless, warmth polished to perfection. The name Tazuna Hayakawa was clearly visible on the tag pinned to her chest.
"Welcome to Tracen Academy," she said with a polite bow. Her eyes flicked briefly to Air Groove, then over the unfamiliar faces behind them. "May I ask—do you have a prior engagement scheduled for today's visit?"
Rudolf returned the smile, calm and unhurried. "No," she answered simply. "We don't."
The air changed.
Tazuna's smile didn't fade.
It sharpened.
A pressure rolled out from her—quiet, invisible, but unmistakable. The infamous green demon surfaced, polite warmth giving way to something far more intimidating beneath it.
"…I see," Tazuna said pleasantly.
Even Oguri stiffened a little.
Tamamo leaned back. "Yep. There it is."
Namawa swallowed. Persian's ears flicked. Saiya felt her shoulders tense before she could stop herself.
Black Caviar stepped forward then, stopping beside Rudolf. Her movements were slow, deliberate—non-confrontational.
"If this is an issue," she said evenly, voice calm as she took off her mask, "it's fine for us to leave. We won't intrude."
Rudolf turned toward her at once, brows knitting. "That won't be necessary."
Before she could say more, Tazuna's gaze shifted.
And landed on Black Caviar.
Her eyes widened.
The green aura vanished instantly.
"…Excuse me," Tazuna said, posture straightening. She inclined her head—not deeply, but with clear respect. "Black Caviar, the active representative of the RA." Her tone held recognition, not familiarity. "I didn't expect someone of your standing to be here today."
Black Caviar returned the gesture with a small nod. "I'm only in Japan to watch the Kikuka Sho tomorrow. Today is just an outing." She glanced back over her shoulder. "With my family."
Tazuna followed the motion.
Her eyes moved carefully from face to face—Autumn Sun. Written Tycoon. I Am Invincible. More Than Ready. Oguri Cap. Tamamo Cross. Then the cluster of fillies gathered close together—
Her gaze stopped.
Locked.
On Lunar.
Tazuna's breath caught.
Her clipboard dipped in her grasp, fingers tightening reflexively.
"…Guiar?" she whispered.
The name hung in the air.
And everything went very, very still.
Lunar froze, fingers tightening in the fabric of her skirt.
"Guiar?" Black Caviar repeated quietly.
Lunar looked up at her, then back at Tazuna, uncertainty flickering across her face. "Um, that's… my momma's name."
Black Caviar's gaze returned to Tazuna, steady and controlled—but edged now with something deeper. "You knew Guair?
For the first time since they'd arrived, Tazuna looked… shaken.
Rudolf noticed it immediately.
It was subtle—anyone else might have missed it. The way Tazuna's shoulders stiffened, the way her breath came just a fraction too shallow. But Rudolf had known her for years.
This is the first time, Rudolf thought, eyes narrowing slightly, I've ever seen her like this.
The Green Demon of Tracen. The woman who had made even her—even when she'd been the highest authority in the academy—pause and choose her words carefully.
Tazuna straightened slowly, as if reminding herself where she was. She drew in a measured breath, fingers tightening around her clipboard before she lowered it to her side.
"I probably didn't know her as well as you do," she said at last, voice careful. "Or for as long."
Her gaze softened as she spoke, the sharp professionalism melting into something more human.
"My hometown is in Hokkaido. The Okayama district," Tazuna continued. "Many years ago, I returned there for a short while… for personal reasons." She gave a small, rueful smile. "That's when I met her."
Lunar listened, heart pounding, the world narrowing to Tazuna's voice.
"She was pregnant," Tazuna said. "Working at a small seafood restaurant near my place. As a waitress." A quiet laugh escaped her, thin and fragile with memory. "She was… honestly terrible at carrying plates. Always wobbling, always convinced she was about to drop something."
Black Caviar's lips twitched despite herself. "I can picture that," she murmured. "She was never good with her hands, in contrast to how good she was with her legs..."
Tazuna shook her head softly. "She apologized constantly. Even when nothing went wrong. And yet—she always smiled. Like she thought smiling might make things easier for everyone else."
Black Caviar's breath hitched—just barely. Her hand curled at her side, knuckles whitening beneath her glove.
"…Did she ever talk about where she came from?" Black Caviar asked quietly. "About her past?"
Tazuna shook her head. "No. Not really." She hesitated, then added, "Any time the topic drifted that way, she'd gently steer it somewhere else. I could tell she didn't want to talk about it." A small, respectful smile. "So I didn't pry."
Black Caviar exhaled. "That sounds like her."
"We talked a lot," Tazuna continued. "She'd sit with me after her shifts, still smelling faintly of salt and broth. We ate together—simple meals, nothing fancy." Her eyes unfocused slightly. "She told me stories. About racing. About the sea. About the child she was carrying."
Her voice lowered, growing more intimate, as if she were afraid to let the words carry too far.
"She said she didn't need her child to be the strongest," Tazuna said. "Just… strong enough to stand back up. And kind enough to reach out to others."
Lunar's chest tightened, breath catching as the words settled deep inside her.
"She was always worried," Tazuna went on quietly. "About the future. About whether she'd be enough, enough for her child." A faint smile touched her lips. "I always told her she already was."
For a moment, that smile lingered.
Then it faded.
"Then one day," Tazuna continued, more slowly now, "she was gone. She didn't come to work. The next day, or the one after that." Her fingers tightened again. "No message. No explanation. She just… disappeared."
Her gaze lowered.
"I've wondered about her ever since."
Tazuna looked at Lunar again—really looked this time.
The shape of her face.
The colour of her hair.
The way she stood—polite, guarded, gentle in a world that demanded strength.
It was all there. Painfully familiar.
"…You look just like her," Tazuna whispered. "Except for your eyes."
Lunar swallowed, throat tight.
"…Are you truly Guiar's child?" Tazuna asked quietly.
Black Caviar answered before Lunar could, her voice steady—but heavy, weighted with truth.
"Yes."
Tazuna's shoulders tensed, as if bracing herself. "Then…" Her voice faltered, just slightly. "Where is Guiar now?"
Silence stretched.
Black Caviar exhaled slowly. "She passed away. Recently." Her hand moved, resting on Lunar's shoulder. "Before she did, she asked me to take care of her daughter."
Tazuna closed her eyes, taking in the weight of those words.
For a moment, she didn't speak. When she opened them again, there was moisture there—but her posture remained composed, professionalism holding grief just barely in check.
"…I see," she said softly.
Then she moved.
Tazuna stepped forward, lowered herself to a crouch in front of Lunar, and opened her arms without hesitation.
Lunar stiffened in surprise—then, slowly, leaned in.
Tazuna hugged her gently, carefully, like she was afraid of holding too tight.
"A child like you," Tazuna murmured, voice trembling despite herself, "shouldn't have to carry this much so early in life."
Lunar's fingers curled into the back of Tazuna's jacket.
"I'm okay," Lunar said softly. "Aunt Nel… everyone's been taking care of me, I hope I can return their kindness back one day."
Tazuna pulled back just enough to look at her, a fragile smile breaking through the ache. "You sound just like her," she said quietly. "Still worrying about others, even now."
She rose to her feet, then turned back to Lunar and extended a hand—palm open, steady, inviting.
"Come on," she said gently. "Let's not keep standing out here."
Lunar hesitated only a second before placing her hand in Tazuna's. Her grip was warm—steady.
Tazuna looked over her shoulder at the group. "If it's alright with you all, I can take you to the Student Council office. We can speak with Deep Impact about arranging a short tour of the academy."
Black Caviar inclined her head. "We would appreciate that. Thank you."
Tazuna smiled, sincere. "Of course."
As they began walking, Symboli Rudolf leaned closer to Air Groove, voice low enough that only she could hear.
"Even the president of the JRA gets a bit of resistance without a prior engagement," Rudolf murmured, amused. "Seeing Tazuna wave us through like this… it's quite the sight."
Air Groove's gaze followed ahead, where Tazuna was already speaking softly to Lunar, guiding her along the path.
"Whoever Guiar Light really was," Air Groove replied quietly, "she clearly left a deep impression. Even in a short time."
Rudolf nodded once, thoughtful.
"Indeed."
The track rang with the steady rhythm of hooves as Uma Musume ran laps in disciplined lines. Near the starting gates, a small group practiced explosive starts, trainers calling out corrections between sharp claps.
Under the shade of tall trees, others sat with notebooks spread across their laps, ears flicking as they studied—only to break into laughter when someone said something foolish. From the direction of the dorms came echoes of voices, casual and loud, the sound of people who lived here.
Tazuna walked at an easy pace, naturally drawing the younger ones in. Saiya and Namawa stuck close to Lunar's sides, Persian matching her steps neatly, while Anonym hovered just behind them.
"That building there's one of the main lecture halls," Tazuna said brightly, pointing ahead with her clipboard. "Nutrition classes, race theory, that sort of thing. And over there—" she gestured to a massive structure farther off, "—the indoor training facility. Oh, careful now, don't wander off."
Namawa's head swiveled everywhere at once. "There's so many people! Everyone looks so cool—oh! Oh! Did you see that older sister just now?!"
Persian adjusted her posture, trying not to stare too obviously. "It's… impressive."
Then—
"Whoa!"
Saiya stopped short.
Namawa nearly ran into her. "H-Hey—what—"
Her words died instantly.
"S-She's pulling those?!" Namawa blurted.
Anonym's eyes widened, her grip tightening on Lunar's sleeve. "That's… insane."
Lunar stared, breath catching in her chest.
Out on the track, a red-coated figure thundered past—dragging two massive tires behind her, chains rattling with every powerful stride. The ground seemed to tremble faintly beneath her strides. Her expression was fierce, unwavering, each step deliberate and overwhelming in its force.
Tazuna followed their line of sight and smiled knowingly. "That's Gentildonna," she said. "The strongest—and most dominant—mare of this generation."
The red figure surged forward again, muscles coiling, tires scraping loudly against the track.
"She's preparing for her Triple Tiara campaign," Tazuna added, pride clear in her voice.
Several of the adults nodded in quiet agreement, eyes still on the track as Gentildonna thundered past once more.
"A physical monster indeed," Written Tycoon said calmly, adjusting her glasses. "I've heard some people go so far as to compare her to Oferve. Had Gentildonna raced the same races, she might've given the Golden Tyrant a genuine fight for the crown."
Autumn Sun hummed thoughtfully. "Strength alone doesn't earn that kind of comparison," she said. "It's presence, too. The way she commands the space around her is admirable." A small smile curved her lips. "She's earned her reputation."
Symboli Rudolf folded her arms, gaze sharp with experience rather than nostalgia. "If she stays healthy," she said, measured but confident, "there's a real chance she could surpass even my number of G1 victories." Her eyes gleamed faintly. "That kind of consistency paired with such dominance is… rare."
Air Groove nodded once, eyes never leaving the red figure on the track. "As a fellow mare," she said quietly, "I look forward to watching her path. Not just her wins—but how she carries them."
Nearby, Tamamo let out a loud laugh, hands planting firmly on her hips. "Ha! That's just ridiculous," she said, ears flicking. "Pullin' tires like they're toys. Ain't that overkill?"
She glanced sideways. "Right, Oguri?"
No answer.
Tamamo blinked.
"…Oguri?"
She turned.
Oguri Cap was gone.
There was a half-second of silence.
Tamamo's eye twitched.
"…That damn idiot—!"
She spun on her heel and bolted down the path, kicking up dust as she took off at full speed.
"I TOLD YA NOT TA WANDER OFF!" she shouted, voice echoing across the academy grounds. "YA BEE-LINED FOR THE CAFETERIA, DIDN'T YA?!"
Her tails flared behind her as she disappeared around a corner.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Then Tazuna watched the empty path, blinked once—and laughed softly.
"…Well," she said with fond amusement, "that's Tracen for you."
With that, Tazuna turned and continued down the path, guiding them deeper into the academy. The noise of the training grounds gradually faded, replaced by quieter corridors and polished floors that echoed faintly beneath their steps. At the end of one such hall, Tazuna stopped.
Tall double doors stood before them, dark wood framed with clean brass. A polished plate at eye level caught the light, engraved clearly.
Student Council Office
She knocked twice—firm, practiced.
"Enter," came a calm voice from inside.
Tazuna pushed the doors open and stepped aside, allowing the group to follow.
The first thing that greeted them was paper.
Stacks of documents rose like small towers across a long central desk—some neatly aligned, others only barely restrained from toppling over. Folders, reports, schedules, and handwritten notes filled nearly every available surface, evidence of an administration that never truly slept.
At the center of it all sat Deep Impact.
She was poised and unmoving, posture straight as an arrow, pen gliding across the page with quiet precision. Long brown hair flowed freely down her back, reaching nearly to her knees.Her violet eyes moved steadily from document to document—focused, sharp.
There was weight to her presence. Not just authority—but history.
One of only two undefeated Triple Crown winners. The other stood just a few steps in front of her.
For a brief moment, Symboli Rudolf felt something tug at her chest.
…I remember this seat, she thought. Even after all these years, standing on the other side of it still feels strange.
To the side of the room, seated at a smaller table layered with her own organized chaos, was Heart's Cry, the vice president. Her green eyes lifted immediately, sharp and observant, taking in the entire group in a single glance. Dark hair framed her face neatly, and though her expression was composed, there was a familiar intensity there—the unmistakable presence of Deep Impact's eternal rival, now standing at her side rather than chasing her shadow.
Near the shelves lining the far wall, Zenno Rob Roy worked quietly, carefully sorting documents with meticulous care. Her glasses glinted as she adjusted a stack until it aligned perfectly, fingers precise and unhurried. She paused only briefly to glance over her shoulder, curiosity flickering behind her lenses before she returned to her task.
And then—off to the far side of the room—
"Hey hey~!"
Maruzensky lounged casually against the couch, one leg crossed over the other, an arm draped over the top like she owned the place. She looked utterly unbothered by the towering stacks of paperwork and the tense, diligent atmosphere that defined the room. Her smile was easy, playful, and unmistakably Maruzensky-esque.
Right beside her, very clearly also not part of the student council, Tokai Teio was leaning back in a chair with all four legs tilted just a little too far off the ground. A pen spun lazily between her fingers as she hummed to herself.
Between them, on a small side table, sat a half-finished game of Jenga—several blocks already missing, the tower leaning dangerously to one side.
They were absolutely just hanging out.
The moment Deep Impact lifted her gaze and saw who had entered, the atmosphere shifted.
She stood at once, chair scraping softly against the floor.
"—Senior Rudolf."
Her voice was clear, respectful, and carried without effort.
Then her eyes moved.
Just slightly.
And sharpened.
Black Caviar stepped fully into view.
For an instant, the air itself seemed to tighten—two peaks of different nations, different eras, standing within the same room. The Wonder From Down Under, and The Hero, now face to face.
Heart's Cry straightened immediately, hand leaving her paperwork.
Zenno Rob Roy froze mid-adjustment, eyes widening.
Even Maruzensky lifted herself properly off the couch, expression bright but attentive.
"…Oh!," Tokai Teio muttered, sitting up at last.
Rudolf smiled faintly, the expression warm with familiarity. "It's been a while, Impact."
Deep Impact inclined her head deeply—then turned to Black Caviar with equal gravity. "Black Caviar. I didn't expect…" She paused, choosing her words carefully. "It is an honor."
Black Caviar returned the gesture, calm and composed. "The honor is mine."
Maruzensky let out a low whistle, hands resting on her hips. "My, my. The room just got real serious, huh?"
"Hey there, Prez~!" Tokai Teio called out brightly, lifting a hand in an enthusiastic wave like nothing at all was out of the ordinary.
Rudolf sighed, but there was no real bite to it. "I told you to stop calling me that, Teio. I resigned a long time ago."
Teio's grin only widened. "Eh? You'll always be my Prez." She leaned forward, elbows on her knees. "When I was president, I still called you that, didn't I?"
Rudolf turned her head slightly as she adjusted her gloves, trying—and failing—to hide her smile. "You were incorrigible then," she said, fondness slipping through. "I see nothing has changed."
Teio snickered. "See? Just like old times."
Rudolf finally looked back at her, expression softening in a way reserved only for a few. She reached out and lightly tapped Teio's forehead with two fingers. "You're still impossible," she said, almost affectionately.
Teio laughed, rubbing the spot. "Heh. Missed you too."
Deep Impact broke the sweet scene first.
She stepped around her desk, posture straight, expression composed once more. Heart's Cry followed a half step behind her, eyes already scanning the group with quiet intensity.
"May I ask," Deep Impact said evenly, "what brings such distinguished guests to Tracen today?"
Tazuna stepped forward, her smile practiced and warm, slipping neatly into the space between formality and familiarity. "I'm here to request temporary visitor registration," she explained. "Black Caviar and her family are visiting Japan for the Kikuka Sho tomorrow. Today is simply an outing." She gestured lightly toward Rudolf. "Rudolf kindly invited them to Tracen as part of it."
Deep Impact didn't hesitate.
"Approved."
"I see no downside in allowing this," she continued, violet eyes turning briefly toward Black Caviar before shifting to the younger faces in the group. The fillies stood a little straighter under her gaze. "If anything, it is an honor." A faint smile touched her lips. "Perhaps one of these young uma musume will be inspired by what they see here… and decide to walk these halls themselves one day."
Several of the children exchanged wide-eyed looks.
There was a brief pause.
And then—
FWAP!
A thick stack of paperwork appeared seemingly out of thin air and slapped down directly into Deep Impact's line of sight.
"Since you don't see the downside," Heart's Cry said sweetly, her smile not reaching her sharp green eyes, "allow me to help you get a better look at it."
Deep Impact closed her eyes.
"…I forgot," she muttered, shoulders sagging just a fraction as reality came crashing back in. "I forgot I need to go through all of this to approve sudden visitors…"
Heart's Cry didn't miss a beat. She seized Deep Impact by the sleeve and began hauling her back toward the desk with alarming efficiency. "Visitor waivers. Security clearance. Route permissions. Liability acknowledgments. Emergency procedures." She glanced down at the papers. "You can sigh after you sign."
Deep Impact allowed herself to be guided, resistance minimal. "Just… give me the pen."
As she was unceremoniously returned to her seat, Heart's Cry turned back to the group and offered a polite—if brisk—bow before sitting down herself.
"Please enjoy your tour," she said crisply. "And try not to break anything."
Black Caviar let out a soft huff of amusement. "No promises," she replied dryly. "But I'll be sure to cover any damages."
That seemed to be the final seal.
The heavy doors of the Student Council room closed behind them with a muted thud, shutting away the towers of paperwork and the quiet intensity within.
Tazuna released a small, satisfied breath, the tension she'd been carrying easing from her shoulders. "Alright then," she said, cheer returning fully to her voice. "You're officially registered as visitors."
"That means you're free to visit most areas on campus," she continued, tapping her clipboard once for emphasis, "as long as you're accompanied by a guide."
She paused, her expression turning apologetic as she glanced back toward the direction of the front gates. "Unfortunately, I'll need to return to my post. Duty calls, I'm afraid."
Turning back, she inclined her head toward Rudolf and Air Groove. "I'll be leaving the guiding to you two."
Rudolf nodded smoothly. "Of course. Leave it to us."
Air Groove adjusted her hair and gave a firm nod of her own. "We'll take full responsibility."
Before departing, Tazuna stepped closer to Lunar. She knelt just enough to be at eye level and reached out, resting a gentle hand atop the girl's head.
"Take care of yourself, alright?" she said softly.
Lunar looked up, surprised, then nodded. "Yes, Miss Tazuna."
For a moment, Tazuna simply looked at her, expression warm and fleetingly wistful. Then she rose to her feet.
"Well then." she said, straightening her green coat.
"Enjoy Tracen."