"Alright," Invi leaned forward from her seat, chin resting on the headrest in front of her. "What's this last place about?"
Lunar, who had been quietly watching the passing scenery, moved slightly. "Just keep going straight from here," she told the driver. "The school should be on the left side of the road."
Then she glanced back at Invi. "It's the town's uma musume academy."
Invi blinked. "…This town has its own academy?"
There was no mockery in her tone, just genuine surprise. The streets they'd passed were narrow, the buildings modest, the population sparse. It didn't look like the kind of place that could support something like that.
Lunar rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly. "It's not exactly the kind of academy you're imagining. It's not like Tracen or the one you attend back in Australia."
"Ehhh?" Namawa leaned over from across the aisle. "What's the difference?"
Lunar shifted in her seat, trying to explain. "The number of students is really small," she said. "Less than sixty I think. There just aren't that many uma musumes in this area, so it's harder to hold proper races or big events."
Invi's brows lifted slightly. "Less than sixty…" she repeated. "Then how does the academy even continue operating?"
Lunar's expression softened at that. "The principal—Sato-ojisan—was a former elite trainer," she explained. "Momma told me he won a lot of major races back in his day. He was really famous."
Namawa perked up immediately. "Ohhh?"
"He retired and came back to his hometown," Lunar continued. "And… he used most of his savings to open the academy. He said he didn't want the local uma musume to lose their chance just because they were born somewhere small."
"He wanted them to race, to grow healthily and reach their potential," Lunar added softly. "So even if there aren't many students, he keeps it running."
Namawa's eyes were practically sparkling now. "That's actually so cool…"
Invi nodded once, slower but just as sincere. "Yeah, that's… very respectable."
Namawa suddenly leaned forward between the seats, grinning. "If he was an elite trainer, then he must've trained some seriously strong uma musume, right? I wonder who they are!"
Her curiosity hung eagerly in the air as the van continued down the road—
—and just ahead, partially hidden behind a row of tall trees, the outline of a modest school building began to appear on the left.
"There," Lunar said suddenly, lifting her hand. "That's it."
Beyond the line of trees, a modest campus came into full view—two low buildings with pale cream walls and wide windows, a fenced dirt track stretching behind them.
Namawa leaned slightly toward the window. "…It's really small compared to other academies..."
"But," Invi murmured beside her, "…it's very well maintained."
The paint wasn't chipped. The fence stood straight. The grass was evenly trimmed. Even from the distant road, they could feel a sense of care woven into the place.
"He really did put his whole heart in it." Invi added quietly.
The van then stopped in front of the gate. As the doors slid open and they began stepping out, a sharp, rhythmic sound reached them—
thud—thud—thud—thud—
It was the sound of iron cleats striking the earth.
Namawa's ears perked instantly. "That sounds like running!"
Black Caviar was already moving. She glanced toward the second van just as the others stepped out one by one, then quietly approached the gate.
She placed a hand against it and leaned just enough to peer over.
On the dirt track inside, a dozen or so young fillies and colts were running a race. Their strides were much uneven and sloppy but determined nonetheless, their hair and tails flicking behind them.
Standing outside the track was a single elderly man.
His posture was straight despite his visible age. His arms were folded behind his back as he called out instructions—his voice solid, carrying across the field, though the exact words didn't quite reach the place where they were standing at the moment.
There was sternness in his stance, but also warmth in the way his gaze followed each and every girl that was galloping through the field.
Saiya peeked out from behind Black Caviar's waist. "What are you looking at?"
Then she saw the sight, and her soft pink eyes lit up immediately. "They're training?!" She bounced once on her heels, barely containing her excitement.
Black Caviar glanced down at her and smiled faintly. "Seems like it."
Behind them, the rest of the group gathered near the entrance just right behind, and before anyone could say more, Saiya reached back and grabbed Lunar's hand. "Let's go!"
Lunar stumbled half a step before laughing softly, allowing herself to be pulled forward through the gate.
Meanwhile, on the field, the man exhaled through his nose.
"No, no… your stride is shortening again, June," he muttered under his breath. "You're losing momentum at the third curve."
A chestnut-haired filly stumbled slightly as she bent over the same curve.
"And you too, Mikage," he added, brown eyes narrowing. "Too stiff in the shoulders, you'll lose balance if you don't trust your body enough."
Another pair thundered past him, dust raising in their wake.
His gaze followed the passing runners. "Both of you need to generate way more power on the straights…"
They crossed the chalked finish line one after another—
—and five lengths ahead of the rest, a flash of white broke through first.
Snow-white hair streamed behind her like a banner as she surged past the mark, breath still controlled and smooth despite winning by such a large margin, it seemed like she hadn't even tried to her fullest abilities yet.
"…Sodashi," the old man murmured.
The others filtered in seconds later—some bent over with hands on their knees, others biting back frustration at the gap that separated them from first place.
He folded his arms behind his back, watching quietly as Sodashi slowed to a steady jog instead of collapsing like the others.
"At this rate…" he muttered to himself, voice low and thoughtful, "only Sodashi has a realistic shot at the Hakodate Racecourse."
The race lingered in his mind—just a few days away. It was a debutante regional race, small by national standards, but monumental for a town like this.
If even one of them could secure a top three placing…
His gaze softened briefly as the wind brushed against his coat as he remained in thought.
Then—
Crunch.
There were sounds of footsteps approaching from behind him. His brows furrowed. Most of the workers had gone home because of how late it was already, the only students still present should all be on the track—so who…?
As he questioned it, he turned to find his answer and was greeted by the sight of a group of uma musume walking right from the opened gate.
Their faces were unfamiliar from afar, but his honed eyes could tell the adults had very strong physiques and refined movements. They must be veterans of the track….
But even with all that, what really caught his eye first were the two small fillies at the very front of the group
He saw the silver hair and pale yellow eyes and recognition instantly flickered across his weathered face.
"…Lunar?"
And he also recognized the other filly beside her—it was the one she had been carrying earlier today when they passed through.
Before he could think further, his gaze instinctively lifted.
And then he saw the approaching figure more clearly, the one standing directly behind the children.
She was tall, broad shouldered, a powerful physique built for explosiveness. Pure black hair frames her sharp face with blue streaks glinting faintly from within.
There were few figures in the racing world who carried that silhouette, and fewer still who commanded such presence because of it.
Many nicknames were given to immortalize her prominence. "The greatest sprinter to ever grace the racetrack." or "The Wonder from Down Under."
But in the end, what people remember her as will always be.
"…Black Caviar."
The gate creaked softly as they stepped even closer. Lunar slowed just a little once they were inside, suddenly aware of the eyes on her.
"…Sato-ojisan," she called shyly, lifting her hand in a small wave.
The elderly man's stern expression melted into something warm. He raised a hand in return as he walked toward them, taking time with his aged steps.
"Lunar, my dear." he greeted. "It's been some time."
When they were finally within speaking distance, his attention shifted upward—toward the mare standing protectively behind the two fillies.
Without hesitation, he extended his hand. "Masaru Sato," he introduced himself. "Principal of the Northern Academy."
His grip was firm despite the years behind it.
"Of all the people I imagined might become this child's guardian…" His lips curved faintly. "I never would have expected it to be Australia's pride and joy herself."
Black Caviar accepted the handshake without flourish. "All those titles don't matter here," she said calmly. "Right now, I'm simply Black Caviar—Lunar's guardian."
Her tone softened just slightly "She is my dearest friend's child. I intend to raise her with the utmost care and love I could offer."
For a moment, Masaru Sato studied her face—searching, perhaps, for arrogance, or for any sort of distance and lies.
Yet he found none. Instead, he smiled in quiet satisfaction.
"I see."
His gaze then drifted past her shoulder to the others gathered behind. It was a cluster of unfamiliar faces.
His eyes paused briefly on a composed stallion with hazel eyes and glasses.
"…Written Tycoon."
He had seen her in some interviews and many newspapers along the years.
A woman with a sharp mind and even sharper tongue, the debate she had about the eligibility of uma musume becoming trainer themselves was a treat to watch.
Written Tycoon met his gaze evenly. They exchanged a short nod—there were no words needed. Mutual acknowledgment passed between them in that small gesture.
And then his gaze traveled farther back. To the very end of the group.
Time itself suddenly seemed to fracture.
The world around him blurred—the students, the track, the entirety of the present. In their place rose the memory of a younger, more hopeful man.
A foolish trainer in his twenties. One that burns not only with but for ambition. Carrying a dream far larger than himself.
A dream of revolution. A dream to walk the same path that St. Lite had once carved into history.
The Triple Crown.
And at the center of that reckless, brilliant dream—was a girl.
The same one that is standing before him now.
The same long brunette hair. The same fine tuned features. The same form he had once watched tear across racetracks with relentless hunger.
Only that—
Those emerald eyes were different.
Back then, they burned.
Green flames that devoured everything in front of and behind them, leaving only ashes in its wake.
But now…
They were softer. Much quieter. As if that hunger had settled into something else.
Perhaps it was another dream. Perhaps it found peace.
But there was no mistaking it. The partner he had once trained. The girl he had once believed in more than himself. The uma musume he had failed…
His breath left him slowly.
"…Tokino."
Tazuna met his gaze.She smiled—small, fragile.Then she lifted a finger gently to her lips.
Don't.
Masaru Sato froze for half a breath. The name he had almost spoken dissolved on his tongue.
He swallowed it down. "…Hm."
Understanding passed between them—old, wordless, heavy with history. But he let it go.
Instead, he stepped forward and placed a warm, weathered hand atop Lunar's head, patting it gently.
"I saw you earlier," he said lightly. "Running past while carrying this little one." His eyes crinkled. "This old man was wondering what on earth that was about."
Lunar flushed pink. "Ah—well…"
She proceeded to explain everything—why she had come back, what had happened in town, the visits, the promises. She spoke earnestly, hands moving a little as she talked.
Sato listened without interruption, nodding slowly once she finished. "I see."
His attention shifted to the smaller filly at her side. "And what is your name, young lady?"
Saiya puffed up proudly. "Saiya Caviar!"
Principal Sato chuckled warmly. "What a cute name."
His gaze lifted to the others standing behind them. One by one, they introduced themselves. He listened carefully to each name, committing them to memory.
"It is a pleasure to meet you all," Masaru Sato said with a slight bow. "Welcome to our humble academy."
Black Caviar inclined her head respectfully. "The honor is ours. It's a truly charming place."
Her eyes softened slightly. "You should be proud. I can see that pride reflected in the uma musume who train here."
She subtly nudged her chin past him. Sato blinked—then turned.
Behind him, a cluster of students had gathered near the edge of the track. They were whispering loudly among themselves, ears twitching, eyes wide with curiosity.
Some were clearly trying to act composed. None were succeeding.
Sato let out a helpless sigh.
"All of you there!" he called. "Come here properly."
The murmuring intensified as they shuffled forward in a noisy cluster, steps thudding softly against the grass.
"Be quiet." Principal Sato's voice cut through the field like a whip crack.
Instantly, they all stiffened in silence.
"These are visitors," he continued firmly, hands folded behind his back once more. "They have come from outside the country. Mind your manners. Do not crowd them or make them uncomfortable. Understood?"
"Yes, sir," came the quick, unified reply.
He allowed the tension to settle for a second before adding, voice lighter now, "Though… one of them should be a familiar face to you, isn't she?"
Instantly, a grey-haired uma musume with black eyes and matching black and grey ears shot her hand up and practically bounced in place.
"Lunar-chan~!" she chimed brightly, already bouncing on her toes as she stepped forward. "It's been sooo long~! This older sister missed you!!"
Lunar immediately shrank half a step back, lifting her hand in a small, timid wave.
"H-Hi…"
A few of the older students blinked in confusion—then recognition dawned almost all at once.
"Ah—Lunar!"
"She used to come by sometimes, right?"
"Yeah with Guair-san!"
Several senior students waved back warmly. One even gave her a thumbs up from the back of the group.
The grey-haired uma musume who had called out earlier, was already half-skipping forward, arms spread wide.
"Lunar-chaaaan~ Come give your onee-san a hug—"
Thwack.
She jolted forward as a much shorter brown-haired, red-eyed uma musume smacked the back of her head with surprising precision.
"Behave, Mitono," the smaller girl said flatly.
Mitono winced, rubbing the back of her head. "S-Sorry, Reve-chan…"
Principal Sato pressed a hand to his forehead and sighed. "As I was saying—behave yourselves.."
The students snapped upright.
"These are not merely visitors," he continued firmly. "Every stallion and mare standing before you are veterans—some even legends. Each of them have won graded stakes in their respective careers."
A visible ripple went through the students.
Whispers bloomed again—hushed, but electric.
"Graded stakes…?"
"Seriously?"
"Wait—Isn't that person in the textbook?!"
Some looked awestruck. Others straightened instinctively, intimidated by the sudden weight of presence in front of them.
All except for one.
At the edge of the cluster stood a striking snow-white figure. Blue eyes. Pristine white ears flicking once in mild irritation.
Sodashi.
If anything, she looked faintly bored. Her weight rested on one leg, arms loose at her sides, gaze distant—as though this interruption had little to do with her.
Invi noticed the sight and immediately bristled. Her eyes narrowed, feeling a little offended on her mothers and aunts' behalf.
"Hey," she called out suddenly, voice cutting through the low murmurs. "You over there with the white hair."
Sodashi's gaze shifted lazily toward her.
"Would it hurt you not to look like you've got a stick up your ass?"
The words hit the field like a dropped plate.
Sodashi's previously dull, blue eyes widened in pure disbelief.
Mitono gasped audibly. Reve blinked twice in stunned silence. Several students froze mid-breath.
Even Principal Sato had a look of disbelief on his usually calm face.
Before the tension could snap further—
Pinch.
"Ack—!"
Invi flinched as I Am Invincible grabbed both her ears and twisted them with strength.
"What are you even saying, young lady?!" I Am Invincible hissed under her breath. "Go and apologize. Now!"
"I-It hurts—!" Invincible protested, wincing. "I'm just saying! She just looked like she didn't care at all—!"
"That does not justify disrespect!"
"I'm defending your honor!" Invincible tried to argue through the pain, ears still caught in her mother's merciless grip. "Isn't that what daughters are supposed to—ow, ow, OW—"
"Apologize," I Am Invincible repeated, voice dangerously calm.
Lunar and Saiya slowly turned to look at each other, sharing an awkward gaze at the sight.
Behind them, Black Caviar pressed her fingers to her temple and sighed. Before she could intervene—
A deep but very feminine voice cut cleanly through the air. "I will not tolerate this disrespect."
Every head turned.
Sodashi had stepped forward. The earlier boredom in her eyes had vanished entirely. What remained was cold anger.
She lifted a hand and pointed directly at the still-squirming Invincible.
"You."
Then she pointed at herself.
"Me."
A pause.
"Race."
The field went silent before it went into a full blown panic.
"W-Wait—"
"Here we go…."
"She's serious—"
"Once Soda-chan gets like this—"
Mitono grabbed Reve's shoulders dramatically. "Oh no oh no oh no she's angry!!"
Reve calmly removed Mitono's hands from her. "You're making it worse..."
Invincible, who had been mid-wince, froze."…Huh?"
The words finally registered as her anger flared right back up.
She twisted—still half-captured in her mother's grip. "Bring it on! You think I'm scared of you?!"
Gasps erupted from the students, but before she could continue a firm palm clamped over her mouth.
"Mmff?!"
I Am Invincible had moved with terrifying speed. Her earlier embarrassment had burned away completely. What remained was complete fury.
"I told you to apologize," she said through gritted teeth, voice low enough that only those closest could hear. "Why are you making this worse, you ungrateful brat?"
Invincible struggled beneath her hand. "Mmph—!"
More Than Ready snickered openly from the side, arms crossed. "Hey, Nel," she called in a teasing tone. "How're you planning to solve this one?"
Black Caviar looked… tired at this point.
She exhaled slowly, then turned toward Principal Sato with an apologetic tilt of her head.
He met her gaze and smirked faintly in understanding.
Without another word, he stepped forward—placing himself squarely between the restrained Invi and the icy, silent Sodashi.
His presence alone shifted the air.
"Stop."
Principal Sato's voice was no longer just warm, It carried cold authority that had been carved from decades of discipline and earned respect.
His gaze shifted to Sodashi first.
"Sodashi," he said evenly, "the least you could have done was pay attention earlier when I introduced our guests."
She clicked her tongue softly, "Tch." and turned her face away.
A few students visibly winced.
Principal Sato looked at her for a long moment—helpless exasperation flickering through his eyes.
Then he continued. "With that being said…"
A pause.
"I permit the race you proposed."
The reaction detonated across the field.
"…What?!"
"Eh?!"
"Principal?!"
Even Sodashi looked back, brows lifting slightly. She clearly hadn't expected that answer.
Principal Sato raised a hand before the noise could swell further. "But."
Silence again.
"I have conditions."
Sodashi's gaze sharpened, interest flickering through the cold surface of her eyes."…I'm listening."
"The race will consist of six participants," he stated clearly. "Divided into two teams."
He gestured toward the students gathered behind him.
"Three fillies from our academy."
Then toward Black Caviar's group.
"And three from our guests."
A ripple of murmurs passed through both sides.
Sodashi's brows rose a fraction higher.
"…Wouldn't that be too easy?" she asked coolly.
In her mind, the balance was obvious. Three academy runners—fully matured, trained daily on this very track they will race at.
Versus what?
One loud-mouthed foreign filly she hadn't even bothered remembering the name of—and two others who seemed to not have gone through maturization yet.
Invi's head snapped up at that unspoken dismissal, fire flashing in her eyes—
Only to immediately shrink back under a single, razor-sharp glare from I Am Invincible.
Principal Sato rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "You raise a fair point," he admitted calmly. "But it is unwise to underestimate your opponent—no matter who they are."
Sodashi's expression remained indifferent.
He studied her for another second, then the faintest smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"Very well," he said. "If you believe the conditions favor you too heavily…"
He lowered his hand.
"I will add one more rule."
The murmurs quieted again.
"For a team to win, only one of the three members needs to take first place."
A beat passed as the implication sinks in.
"In other words—no matter how the other placements fall, as long as the winner belongs to that team, that team wins."
The students blinked.
That… changed things.
It meant teamwork mattered—but so did having a single decisive ace. One runner who could cut through everything and claim first. Strategy would matter, positioning would matter.
But in the end—speed would decide it all.
Principal Sato looked between both sides. "Is that acceptable?"
Sodashi's blue eyes narrowed slightly as she weighed it.
Then, slowly, the corner of her lips tilted—not quite a smile, but something close to satisfaction.
"…No matter," she said coolly. "I'll win anyway."
There was no arrogance in her tone. Only certainty.
She turned away, lifting a hand in a lazy gesture toward the students behind her. "You guys decide who wants to race. I'll go stretch first."
And just like that, she walked past them—unhurried, unbothered—heading toward the track without sparing another glance. Her white hair caught the light as she stepped onto the dirt, already rolling her shoulders loose.
Invi watched her go. Then a slow, mocking smile tugged at her lips.
"Oh? Big talk," she muttered.
Suddenly she snapped her head back toward the group.
"Lunar. You're with me."
Lunar blinked. "…Me?"
She instinctively looked around—toward Black Caviar, toward Tazuna, toward the others—searching for hesitation.
There was none.
Black Caviar simply gave her a small, steady nod.
A quiet You can do this.
Lunar inhaled softly. "…Okay."
Invi's grin widened. "Good."
She looked around again. "Who else?"
Namawa's hand shot up instantly. "Big sis! Me! Me!!" She practically bounced in place. Behind her, Anonym raised her hand quietly—no words, just a calm willingness.
Invi was about to point—But Persian stepped forward.
"May I…?" she asked sincerely. There was something in her eyes, something that spoke louder than words.
Invi noticed it and she grinned. She immediately decided, pointing at Persian. "Fine then, you're in."
Namawa deflated dramatically. "Ehhh…"
But after a second, she threw her hands behind her head and huffed. "Welp. Go get 'em for me, Persi!"
Persian smiled faintly. "I will."
She moved to stand beside Lunar. The two exchanged a brief look—encouraging each other before stepping forward together to join Invi along towards the racetrack.
The team is complete.