The last of the applause faded into scattered conversations as the sky slowly shifted colors above them. Gold melted into amber, amber deepened into rose, and the first hints of violet stretched quietly across the horizon. The streetlights flickered on one by one, soft halos forming against the coming dusk.
Principal Sato glanced upward and gave a small hum.
"Alright, everyone," he called out, his voice carrying easily across the field despite the growing chatter. "Good work today, you've all done splendidly."
The students instinctively quieted just enough to hear him.
"It's getting late. Return to your dorms, get cleaned up, and head to the cafeteria. I heard that today's dinner is special. It was something about Tempura...."
A wave of relieved cheers rose immediately.
"Tempura?!l! Hey get out the way–"
"Finally, food!"
"I'm starving—!"
Laughter followed as the crowd began to disperse in clusters, conversations reigniting mid-sentence as they headed toward the dormitory. The field that had felt electric minutes ago now softened into the comfortable buzz of a day well spent.
Some of the students paused on their way out to approach the group. A few bowed respectfully while others waved shyly before jogging off to catch up with their friends.
Among them, the girl named Reve hurried forward with her notebook already flipped open, eyes shining with nervous determination. She stopped in front of Written Tycoon and bowed quickly. "Um— excuse me! Could I please have your autograph?"
Written Tycoon regarded her softly, the faintest smile touching her lips. Without fuss, she retrieved a pen from her pocket, took the notebook with precise hands, and signed her name in elegant strokes before returning it.
"Continue working hard," she said simply.
Reve's face lit up like a lantern. "Yes, ma'am!" She clutched the notebook to her chest and scampered off.
Elsewhere, a small crowd had gathered around Black Caviar. Students hovered with wide eyes and animated voices, unable to contain their excitement.
"Can we take a picture with you?!"
Black Caviar responded with composed warmth, offering small nods, a few soft laughs, and the occasional gracious comment. She neither indulged the awe nor dismissed it, accepting their admiration the way someone who is used to it would—gracefully, without any ego.
Even Sodashi found herself briefly surrounded. A few classmates looked at her with renewed respect rather than intimidation now, whispering excitedly about her performance and how she could have totally won. Sodashi maintained her poise, offering polite nods and brief words of acknowledgment, though the sharp edge she carried earlier had dulled.
Nearby, Mitono stood in front of Lunar with watery eyes.
"I'm going to miss you already…" she sniffed dramatically, before suddenly lunging forward and wrapping Lunar in a tight hug.
A very tight hug.
Lunar stiffened as she was abruptly sandwiched against something overwhelmingly soft.
Her face disappeared entirely. For a split second, her mind blanked.
Why does this feel… familiar? There was a strange sense of déjà vu as her thoughts scrambled.
They feel even bigger than Maruzensky's… Her arms flailed weakly at her sides.
"I—I can't breathe—" she managed to squeak, her voice muffled beyond recognition, but the unaware Mitono only squeezed tighter. "Don't forget this onee-san, okay—?!"
June sighed heavily as she approached from behind, clearly having predicted this outcome as she grabbed Mitono by the back of her collar and lifted her away with the ease of someone removing a clingy cat from a curtain.
Mitono dangled midair, still reaching dramatically toward Lunar. "Doooon't forget this onee-saaaan—!" she wailed as she was steadily dragged backward.
Lunar stumbled backward, finally free, gulping in fresh air as her vision cleared. "I won't— I won't—!" she coughed between breaths, waving weakly.
Soon, only a handful of figures remained on the field as the last of the students filtered out toward the dormitories, their voices fading into the evening air. Principal Sato stood near the grandstand speaking quietly with Tazuna, while More Than Ready, Written Tycoon, and Autumn Sun lingered nearby in a small conversation. Off to the side, a short distance away from them all, stood Sodashi.
Earlier, she had told herself she was simply waiting for the others and that she would leave in a moment once the crowd thinned out, yet that moment had long since passed and her feet had not moved. No matter how she tried to convince herself otherwise, her gaze kept drifting back to the small group gathered not too far away—Persian, Invi, Lunar, Anonym, Saiya, and Namawa clustered together in animated discussion.
Or rather, Invi was animated enough for all of them.
"I did not lose to her!" Invi barked, her face still faintly red from earlier. "It was all tactical positioning!"
Namawa grinned in a way that practically invited retaliation. "Uh-huh. Tactical positioning right behind Persian at the line~"
"I was exhausted!!"
"That's exactly what the loser would say!"
"I will sprint you into the dirt—!"
Invi lunged without warning and began aggressively ruffling Namawa's hair, earning a high-pitched shriek of protest as Saiya and Lunar burst into laughter while Persian stepped forward as if to mediate but ended up laughing too hard to maintain any authority. Anonym merely smirked, though a soft laugh escaped out of her.
The sound carried easily in the open space. It was noisy, chaotic, unstructured in a way that would normally irritate someone like Sodashi.
And yet, It was oddly warm.
Sodashi watched them quietly, telling herself she was observing out of idle curiosity, but her eyes kept settling on one person in particular. "…Hmph."
"That's quite the intense look."
Sodashi nearly jumped out of her skin. She turned swiftly, only to find Black Caviar standing beside her with an amused expression.
"So," Black Caviar continued lightly, following Sodashi's line of sight toward the group, "which one of my daughters do you want?"
Sodashi's brain stopped functioning.
"Two is the limit, by the way."
Color flooded her face so quickly it rivaled the remnants of sunset still clinging to the horizon. "T-That's not—! I wasn't—! I don't—!" she stammered, shaking her head so fast her white hair swayed with the motion. "It's not like that!"
Black Caviar laughed and lifted a hand in easy reassurance. "I know. I'm only teasing."
Sodashi exhaled sharply, mortified beyond recovery, and turned her face away in an attempt to cool her burning cheeks.
A small silence settled between them after that. In the distance, Invi's voice rose again in protest at something Namawa had said, followed by another wave of laughter.
Sodashi's fingers brushed lightly against her sleeve as she fidgeted almost imperceptibly, her posture dignified yet betraying the faint uncertainty beneath. She looked like someone standing at the edge of a starting line without the signal to run, clearly wanting to move but unsure how to begin.
Black Caviar noticed this and a softer smile replaced her teasing one.
"You know," she said quietly, "a long-lasting bond can begin with something as simple as one 'hello.'"
Sodashi glanced at her in question.
"And the same goes for bonds that never happen," Black Caviar continued. "They can disappear just as easily."
"So take the chance while you have it," she advised gently, the evening breeze sweeping across the field and stirring strands of dark hair around her shoulders. "Because we don't always know when—or if—we'll get that chance again."
For just a fraction of a second, her smile faltered.
The sounds of laughter and distant conversation seemed to blur at the edges, and the field before her dimmed—not because the sun had sunk lower, but because her thoughts had slipped somewhere else entirely.
In her mind, a familiar silver-haired figure stood a short distance away on an empty stretch of track, illuminated by a soft, warming light. A beautiful smile gracing her already perfect face.
There had been time then. Or at least, that was what she had believed.
The figure turned her back and began to walk away, one step becoming two, two becoming a run, the silver hair shrinking smaller and smaller against a widening expanse of lonely track until distance swallowed her whole.
The present rushed back in.
Black Caviar's gaze softened as she looked at Sodashi, who remained rooted in place, hesitating on the edge of something she did not yet understand.
The chance was right there, still within reach. It had not run away yet.
Sodashi remained where she stood for a few seconds longer, her expression unreadable as the cool mask had slipped back into place, porcelain smooth and perfectly composed, but beneath it something unsettled flickered in her eyes. TThen, as if reaching a quiet conclusion with herself, she drew in a slow breath, and when she exhaled her face turned ice-cold with resolve as she began walking toward the group.
The laughter ahead of her was still in full swing, Invi halfway through threatening Namawa with exaggerated violence for the third time, when Saiya suddenly stiffened mid-chuckle.
"…Wait," Saiya murmured, her eyes narrowing slightly.
Her gaze shifted past the others, and what she saw was not just Sodashi's approaching figure but something layered over it—an aura faintly tinted pink, edged with a warm, candle-like flame that flickered rather than burned. It was not sharp like anger nor bright like triumph; it wavered, unsteady and fragile.
"Um, guys? Someone is coming," Saiya said quietly.
The others turned almost in unison, and there she was.
Standing right in front of them now with an expression perfectly blank and cool enough to freeze the air around her. To most, she looked as untouchable as ever, but Saiya's eyes could see through it.
Beneath the icy calm was unmistakable nervousness, coiled tight and restless, and beneath that something softer still—something only just beginning to spark, small and unsteady but very much alive.
The group waited.
The silence stretched a little longer than comfortable, though Sodashi neither fidgeted nor looked away. She held their gazes evenly, her breathing steady, her stance unshaken.
Then she lifted her hand and extended her palm toward Invi.
"You," she said coolly, her voice calm and commanding despite the faint tension hidden beneath it. "Give me your phone."
Silence dropped like a curtain.
"…What?" Invi blinked, completely thrown off. "What are you even saying? Why would I give you my phone—"
Before she could finish, Namawa—who had been holding onto her phone since before the race—placed it directly into Sodashi's open hand without hesitation.
Invi's head snapped toward her in disbelief. "WHY would you give it to her, you damn brat?!"
Namawa only shrugged with exaggerated innocence. "You said to hold it. You didn't say I couldn't hand it over—"
Sodashi, meanwhile, had already turned her attention to the device. Her fingers moved smoothly as she unlocked it, scrolled briefly, then began typing with swift, efficient taps. The glow of the screen reflected faintly in her blue eyes.
Invi stared in open horror. "Hey—! Don't just go through my stuff—!"
Persian and Anonym shared a look with each other as they observed in silence, clearly intrigued by the unfolding boldness of the act, while Lunar leaned slightly to see what was happening.
After a few more taps, Sodashi angled the phone slightly, pressed one final button, and the screen dimmed.
She stepped forward just as Invi prepared to lunge at Namawa in retaliation, but before the movement could fully form, Sodashi caught Invi's right hand mid-motion. The unexpected contact froze her instantly, surprise flashing across her face.
Without speaking, Sodashi placed the phone back into Invi's palm, her fingers brushing against hers for the briefest second, a fleeting warmth that contrasted sharply with her otherwise cool demeanor.
Then, before anyone could gather the words to question her—Sodashi turned smoothly on her heel and walked away. She did not glance back nor did she offer no explanation.
From a distance, Black Caviar observed the entire exchange in quiet amusement, missing nothing as a faint, amused smile tugged at her lips. "Well," she murmured to herself, warmth coloring her voice, "that is certainly one way to do it."
Back with the group, Invi remained standing exactly where Sodashi had left her, her right hand still half-raised as though her body had not yet caught up with what had just occurred. The others leaned in gradually as she lowered her gaze to the phone now resting in her palm, and one by one their eyes followed.
Umagram was open, and not just open but displaying a profile page.
The layout was almost painfully empty, with no posted pictures and no story highlights to decorate the space, but what truly completed the desolate page was the profile photo. It was a selfie of Sodashi herself, her white hair neatly arranged and her posture rigid even within the frame, a small smile resting on her lips that did not quite reach her eyes, leaving behind an unmistakable air of awkwardness made worse by a slightly unfortunate camera angle that suggested she had taken it after several failed attempts.
Beneath the profile picture, where a blue "Follow" button should have been, it now read: Following.
Then, as if the universe had decided to add emphasis, a notification banner slid down from the top of the screen.
@_Sosodashi has followed you back.
All heads turned in perfect synchronization toward Invi.
She was still staring at the phone, her expression caught somewhere between disbelief and system failure.
"…She took your phone," Namawa said slowly, sounding like a narrator piecing together evidence in a nature documentary.
"…Opened her own profile," Saiya added, her eyes glinting with restrained amusement.
"…Followed herself from your account," Persian continued calmly.
"…And followed you back," Lunar finished, blinking up at Invi with open fascination.
Invi's face began to change color gradually, spreading from the tips of her ears across her cheeks until her entire face looked like it might combust at any second.
The silence stretched just long enough to become dangerous.
Then Anonym nodded once, completely serious. "Ah," she said thoughtfully. "She likes you."
The explosion was immediate.
"SHUT UP!!!!!!!" Invi screamed, her voice echoing across the nearly empty field as she clutched her phone defensively against her chest.
Namawa doubled over laughing, Saiya covered her mouth to hide her grin, Lunar tried very hard to look neutral and failed spectacularly, and even Persian's composure cracked just enough for the faintest smile to escape.
"It's not like that!" Invi protested, pointing accusingly at all of them while her face remained dangerously red. "She just— that was— this is a rivalry! Can't you all see that?! How cold she looked earlier?!?!?! This is just so that she can challenge me!"
"Mhm, sure," Saiya hummed in agreement that was anything but convincing.
"Whatever you say, big sis," Namawa added cheerfully.
Invi glanced back down at the screen despite herself, her eyes lingering just a second too long on the small confirmation that they were now mutually following each other.
"…Unbelievable," she muttered, though the fire in her tone had softened into something less defensive and more flustered.
Far down the pathway, Sodashi continued walking without turning around, her expression as per usual to anyone who might pass by. However, if one looked closely enough, they might notice that her steps were just slightly lighter than before.
From where she stood, Black Caviar allowed herself one last glance at the lively group before slipping her phone from her pocket and checking the time. The screen glowed softly in the deepening dusk.
6:57 PM.
The sky had fully surrendered to the dusk now, she lifted her gaze and spotted Principal Sato still engaged in deep conversation with Tazuna near the grandstand, their discussion appearing far from casual.
Black Caviar made her way toward them at an unhurried pace and offered a polite incline of her head once she reached their side. "We will be leaving soon," she said gently. "My apologies if the two of you still have much to discuss."
Both of them immediately shook their heads.
"Not at all," Tazuna replied with a warm smile.
Principal Sato chuckled softly, stroking his beard as his eyes creased in good humor. "The amount we have managed to discuss today could last me until my demise."
Tazuna's expression immediately soured, her brows knitting together as she glanced at him sharply. "Sato-san… don't say that."
He only laughed it off, waving a hand as if brushing aside the mild scolding. "Ah, ah, forgive me. A poor choice of words."
The lightness lingered for only a moment before his attention returned to Black Caviar, his tone shifting into something more thoughtful.
"Have you thought," he began carefully, "about that child's future? Where she wants to race?"
Black Caviar did not need clarification. She understood immediately who he was referring to.
She shook her head slightly. "I have not decided on anything yet," she admitted. "To be honest, I do not know what Lunar herself wishes beyond the obvious."
Principal Sato and Tazuna exchanged a brief look, one that carried a trace of uncertainty beneath their composed expressions. It was not in doubt of Lunar's ability—far from it—but rather the weight of what such potential inevitably attracted, and chased.
Before the conversation could deepen further, the sound of approaching footsteps and familiar voices drifted in from behind Black Caviar. The group had gathered themselves and were now heading over, clearly ready to depart.
And, almost as if summoned by the topic itself, Lunar appeared right at Black Caviar's side, completely unaware that she had just become the center of discussion.
She looked up in question. "Are we leaving already?"
Principal Sato regarded her for a moment, then stepped slightly forward. "Lunar," he said gently, "would you mind answering something?"
She blinked but nodded without hesitation. "Okay."
He studied her face. "Do you want to become a racing Uma Musume?"
Lunar did not pause to think. She nodded immediately, her yellow eyes shining with certainty. "Of course. That's my dream."
A faint smile touched Principal Sato's lips. "I see," he said quietly. "I think that is exactly what you should do as well."
Lunar tilted her head slightly at that.
"But," he continued, his gaze steady, "where do you want to compete?"
He allowed the question to settle fully before clarifying.
"In Australia?" he asked. "Or Japan?"
One by one every gaze shifted toward Lunar as though the entire field had narrowed down to a single point. Saiya, in particular, leaned forward slightly, her eyes bright with curiosity as she watched Lunar's face to get even a tiny bit of answer from it.
Lunar did not answer immediately. For once, she looked completely uncertain.
Her brows drew together as she stared at the ground in thought, clearly turning the question over in her mind with seriousness.
More Than Ready tilted her head and glanced at Principal Sato. "Um, Sorry to ask, but why the sudden question?" she asked, her tone calm but probing.
Principal Sato stroked his neatly trimmed beard at the question. "I simply wish to hear Lunar's thoughts," he replied honestly. "Any dream without direction can easily be swayed by the expectations of others."
Black Caviar gave a slow nod at that, understanding exactly what he meant. She lowered her gaze to Lunar, her expression soft but steady. "Think about it thoroughly," she said gently. "But do not hide what you truly want."
There was no hesitation in her voice when she added, "No matter what you choose, I will support you."
Her eyes held Lunar's firmly. "Even if you choose to live in Japan and compete here."
That sentence settled heavily over the group, especially the children.
The idea of Lunar living far away, in another country, without them—it created a subtle tension that none of them voiced but all of them felt. The laughter from earlier seemed very distant now, replaced by a quiet restlessness that tightened the air between them.
Lunar finally lifted her head.
She looked at Principal Sato. Then at Black Caviar. Then at the others.
And with a completely shameless, utterly oblivious expression, she asked: "Do I have to choose between Australia and Japan?"
Everyone blinked in shock.
Principal Sato was the first to recover, though even he looked caught off guard. "No," he admitted slowly. "But… are you thinking of racing in both countries, Lunar-chan?"
Lunar immediately shook her head. "No," she said brightly. "I want to race in many other countries!"
The shock deepened.
She clasped her hands behind the back of her head as if announcing something completely obvious. "Momma always told me to explore the world and run everywhere I want! And if I want to become the greatest Uma Musume ever, then of course I have to compete everywhere in the world and beat everyone!"
Her eyes sparkled with conviction, pure and unfiltered.
"How else can I call myself the best if I don't do that?" she continued earnestly. "That's what I want!"
Silence followed the declaration. Not the tense kind from before, but the stunned kind that comes when someone says something so audacious it forces everyone else to recalibrate their expectations.
And then—
A warm, sincere chuckle broke through the quiet.
Black Caviar laughed softly, the sound rich and full of something almost nostalgic as she lifted a hand to her forehead.
"Of course," she said between the remnants of her laughter. "Of course you would say something so selfish and dreamlike."
Her eyes softened as she looked at Lunar. "You are her daughter after all."
Principal Sato let out a soft breath, the faintest hint of a weak smile touching his lips as he absorbed Lunar's declaration. "Well," he said gently, folding his hands behind his back once more, "that settles that."
He studied her for another moment before continuing, curiosity still present in his eyes. "Then where do you plan on debuting first, Lunar-chan?"
Lunar did not hesitate to reply. "Australia!" she answered brightly. "On the same track where Momma debuted, the one Aunt Nel told me."
Autumn Sun, who had been listening quietly from the side, lifted her brows slightly. "…Canterbury Park?"
Lunar nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! That one!"
The certainty in her voice carried no doubt, only excitement at the thought of standing where her mother once had, of feeling the same ground beneath her feet at the start of her own journey.
"And after that," Lunar continued without pause, "I want to enroll here and race under the Northern Academy banner too! Just like I promised!"
There was no wavering in her tone when she said it.
Principal Sato felt a quiet warmth bloom in his chest at her words, he stepped forward and gently patted Lunar on the head, his touch careful and fond.
"In that case," he said with a soft chuckle, "this old man will need to keep himself healthy so that I can see that day with my own eyes."
While this was going on, Written Tycoon approached from the side and gave Black Caviar a subtle signal that the van was ready.
Black Caviar nodded once in understanding and turned back to Principal Sato. "It seems it is time for us to leave," she said politely, offering a small bow. "Thank you for everything today."
The others followed her lead, bowing respectfully in turn.
Principal Sato immediately bowed back. "No," he replied sincerely. "It is I who must thank you. Today was a valuable experience for my students, and I am grateful you allowed them to test themselves. And… thank you for taking such good care of Lunar."
He looked down at the girl once more and gave her hair one final soft ruffle before gently guiding her toward Tazuna, who took Lunar's hand and stepped closer to the group.
As they began to move away, Tazuna glanced back over her shoulder and silently mouthed, "See you again, Trainer."
Principal Sato acknowledged it with the slightest nod.
The group slowly walked toward the academy gate. One by one, they passed through the open entrance, silhouettes framed briefly by the soft glow of the streetlights beyond.
Principal Sato remained where he stood, hands folded behind his back, quietly watching them go.
Just as the last of them stepped outside, Lunar suddenly paused beyond the gate. She turned around, cupping her hands around her mouth as she leaned forward slightly.
"Goodbye, Sato Oji-san!!!" she shouted brightly, her voice echoing across the field.
Principal Sato blinked in surprise before a wide, unrestrained smile spread across his face, and though he did not raise his voice, he lifted a hand in farewell, standing there until they were no longer in sight.
"See you, Lunar."