Inside the infirmary, Fumino Nase, who had been lying on a bed after being brought by Meisho Doto and T.M. Opera O for a while now, felt that her headache had eased considerably now.
However, though the pain had indeed waned, some lingering thoughts still firmly stuck in Fumino Nase's mind.
But, just trying to resurface these thoughts caused Fumino Nase to have another headache, thus, she quickly closed her eyes and chose to fall asleep.
Yet, when she finally fell asleep, Fumino Nase started to dream about something...
"Huh...? What is this place...?"
In a dazed state, Fumino Nase started to look around her.
Although a lot of details were blurry, with some things even looking downright nonsensical, Fumino Nase recognized that she was currently at a racecourse.
And, after taking a look at the iconic large screen that was surrounded by the track, Fumino Nase quickly realized that this was most likely the Tokyo Racecourse.
But why was she here? Was this reality? Was this a dream? Did she really dream about a racecourse?
At that moment, before Fumino Nase could even react, a sudden jolt beneath her brought Fumino Nase back to her senses, her surroundings quickly turning into a blur.
Instinctively looking down at the source of this movement, Fumino Nase was instead left utterly bewildered.
Just... just what was this creature she was riding?
Fumino Nase could only describe this never-before-seen creature as something akin to a much leaner and smaller cow.
She also noted that it ran very fast, probably no slower than an Uma Musume.
But before Fumino Nase could regain her bearings after so many bizarre occurrences, a loud voice immediately put her on alert.
"We're almost at the 1000-meter mark!! Silence Suzuka is not slowing down at all!! Can he set a new record?!!"
'Silence Suzuka?!'
Startled, Fumino Nase swiftly inspected the unknown creature beneath her again.
This time, noticing its attire, which had a near identical colouring scheme to Silence Suzuka's Winning Outfit, as well as having identical ear coverings, Fumino Nase immediately realized something.
'Could it be... that this thing is Silence Suzuka, or something that is supposed to represent Silence Suzuka? But why am I dreaming about her like this? Why did the commentator refer to her as a 'him'??Why am I riding her??'
Regardless of her endless questions, Fumino Nase understood that it wouldn't change the fact that she was currently riding this creature that bore the name 'Silence Suzuka.'
Regaining focus, Fumino Nase looked straight ahead, noticing that the view in front of them was unobstructed; undoubtedly, they must be holding a significant advantage right now.
Not only that, this situation of having a leash... uncannily reminded her of Ikezoe's unique training method.
Deciding to give it a shot, Fumino Nase tried her best to mimic the actions of Wada and Ikezoe when they were riding their Uma Musume, instinctively guiding 'Silence Suzuka' forward.
Then, they passed the 1000-meter mark.
"And the 1000 meter range has been passed! 57.4 seconds! Silence Suzuka is still leading the pack with no signs of stopping! The length between him and the rest of the pack is widening! It's widening!"
'57.4 seconds...! And with this big of a gap... it's settled!'
Despite the series of confusing events she had just gone through, when Fumino Nase heard the commentator, her professionalism as a Trainer shone through, and she even felt a sense of ecstasy!
'As expected of Silence Suzuka with her signature Runaway running style, managing to achieve such a time at 1000 meters in spite of this clearly being a 2000 meter track.'
'Even if the others manage to catch up later, she would surely be able to win!'
'Just keep this up, Silence Suzuka, you can definitely do—'
Crack.
'—it...?'
Just then, when Fumino Nase heard that crisp sound amidst the rushing wind, accompanied by a sudden tilt in her center of gravity, a sudden feeling of dread overtook her body as her mind went blank.
Though Silence Suzuka immediately regained balance, he started to slow to a halt.
'Just now... that was...'
Having seen and even learned about this scene before her, Fumino Nase subconsciously understood what had happened, regardless of how hard she tried to deny it.
"W- wait! Silence Suzuka! What's wrong! Wait!"
"Oh?! Silence Suzuka has begun to slow down at the fourth corner! Did an accident happen to him?!"
Slowly galloping to the edge of the track, Silence Suzuka's body suddenly jerked as Fumino Nase found herself being thrown off him.
But, it was at that instant that Fumino Nase saw Silence Suzuka's slightly raised leg, confirming her greatest fear.
A fracture.
Using all her strength, Fumino Nase tried to grab Silence Suzuka as fast as she could, but by then it was already too late, as he continued galloping on.
"Don't run, Suzuka— don't run anymore!"
"It's over! Suzuka, please stop!!"
However, despite Fumino Nase's desperate cries, Silence Suzuka continued galloping on, stubbornly desiring to finish the race, even if it cost him his life.
As Silence Suzuka's figure grew further and further away and Fumino Nase's surrending grew surerer and surerer, the last thing Fumino Nase saw when she connected eyes with Silence Suzuka was what seemed to be... tears.
...
"AH!!!"
As if struck by lightning, Fumino Nase abruptly awoke startled from her dream as she let out a shout.
Having gone through this nightmare-like experience, Fumino Nase was covered in cold sweat, with the white bed sheets she slept on stained with it as well.
Yet, Fumino Nase currently had no mind to worry about these things.
"That dream just now... it was too real... it was like it actually happened..."
"Silence Suzuka... just what's going on with you? Why..."
Wiping the sweat that wet her forehead, Fumino Nase instinctively took out her phone, only to realize that she had only slept for less than ten minutes.
Nevertheless, the dream she had just now continuously replayed in her mind, refusing to fade away like her usual dreams.
Click.
"Huh?"
Turning toward the sound of a door opening, Fumino Nase's eyes laid on Wada, who had just entered the room.
Recovering from her stupefied state, Fumino Nase quickly regained her usual composure as her tone restored to its former dignified voice.
"—Wada, how did it go?"
"Unfortunately, it didn't go smoothly... Nase, I need your help."
Seeing Fumino Nase sweating all over, Wada offered her his unused handkerchief as he sat down by her bed.
"I know this might sound like nonsense... but Nase, you have to believe me."
"Silence Suzuka must absolutely avoid stepping onto the tracks of the Autumn Tenno Sho. It's too dangerous for her."
"She could potentially suffer a fracture if she does; her career as an Uma Musume might end right then!"
"So, again, though this might sound like nonsense... I believe that the person who can save Silence Suzuka... is you, Nase."
"...Me?"
If this was any other day, Fumino Nase would have probably dismissed Wada's premonition, although she would still have helped him with whatever he might request.
However, the strange dream she just had showed Fumino Nase the scene of 'Silence Suzuka' fracturing her leg at the Tokyo Racecourse, the exact racecourse the Tenno Sho (Autumn) was held at.
Taking into account the timing of it all, Fumino Nase did not believe that this was just a mere coincidence.
Could it be... that this is a warning given by the Three Goddesses?! And that Wada had a similar dream before her?
Then... what Wada said... Was she truly the one who could help Silence Suzuka escape this tragic fate?
Fumino Nase didn't know, but everything she saw in that dream world filled with strange beasts seemed to line up with what Wada said.
This might just be a false alarm, with her and Wada possibly having inhaled some hallucinogenics from Tachyon's lab, turning the both of them cuckoo.
But, if there was even a slight chance it could be a possibility... then Fumino Nase would personally snuff it out herself if she needed to.
"...What do you want me to do?"
Opening her eyes with a sense of determination, Wada looked delighted at Fumino Nase's response.
"—Alright, first off, since the Autumn Tenno Sho is in October, T.M. Opera O and I will likely still be in Paris, meaning the both of us will be unable to interfere."
"What I hope you can do is to not leave Japan during this period, and look after Meisho Doto."
"As for Silence Suzuka and the Tenno Sho... I have trust that you'll be successful."
After all, if even this reflected version of Yutaka Take couldn't save Silence Suzuka, then perhaps only a Miracle from the Three Goddesses could change her ending.
Fate and karma are inscrutable things, yet, had he not succeeded in altering the destinies of T.M. Opera O and Meisho Doto?
If it was certain that Silence Suzuka would meet a bad end, then Wada was willing to put his faith in the uncertainties instead.
Even... if this might awaken some unfavourable memories in Fumino Nase, which might irreparably destroy their relationship.
Facing Wada's solemn trust, Fumino Nase stared at him for a long time before finally nodding faintly.
"I will save her... I promise."
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Annnottheeerr ssseeettt uuuupppp cchhhaaapppttteeerrrrr~~~~~
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If you spot any errors, feel free to comment about it and I will fix it as soon as I can.