"Peak of horses, defying the world, with Legend, there is heaven!"
This was the scene Mejiro McQueen saw as soon as she opened the training room door.
Gold Legend had one foot on the table and one on a chair, one finger pointing to the sky and the other to the ground, looking utterly arrogant. Gold Ship frowned beside her, while the other three little ones watched.
I opened the door and saw my wife acting crazy, what should I do? Waiting online, it's urgent.
"No good, Little Aunt. You don't have that aura."
Gold Ship clamored.
"Then what should I do? I don't understand what you mean by 'aura'."
Gold Legend jumped back to the ground, then casually sat on a chair, looking like an old man lounging.
"...What happened?"
McQueen, unable to accept the current situation, strategically moved to Teio's side and inquired.
"I don't know, I just got here too."
Teio also looked confused, but judging by her ears and tail, it was obvious she was enjoying herself and eager to try.
"Big Sister came over today and immediately started asking if there was any way to boost her mood, preferably to an elevated state."
Vodka, who had been idling nearby, leaned over to explain.
"Then Golshi immediately said that relying on fighting spirit was enough, and those two started acting like this."
Daiwa Scarlet, who also leaned in, added.
"?" x2 McQueen and Teio tilted their heads in incomprehension.
"Then, Little Aunt, can you think of any memorable actions or lines?"
Gold Ship was saying absurd things with a straight face, making it unclear whether she was intentionally stirring trouble or being sincere.
"Hmm..." Gold Legend jumped up.
"How about this? In the name of the Moon, I will punish you!" The signature move of Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon.
"Oh, nice Little Aunt, but it's not exciting without a sailor suit." Gold Ship pulled out a camera from somewhere and said while taking pictures.
"Then, behold, my transformation!"
"Cool! Do another one!"
"You can also become light!"
..."They've completely forgotten their original purpose, haven't they?"
McQueen stared blankly at the two members of the Gold Family who had gone wild.
"That move is pretty good! Legend, how about you teach me?"
"That's really cool, Big Sister."
"Sister Legend, teach me too."
The trio, including Teio, ignored the complaining McQueen and joined them.
"..."
I often feel out of place because I'm not chuunibyou enough!
McQueen, who was also very curious, was conflicted due to the honor of her family.
After playing around for a while, the topic returned to normal.
"So, I want to find my state and let myself feel some passion."
Because Rudolf's words were still echoing in her ears, Gold Legend did not explain the domain and her current situation in detail, only generally telling them what she was lacking.
"So, do you guys have any ideas?"
Gold Legend looked at them hopefully.
"...Even if you say that, we can't help you. It's not easy to suddenly generate heightened emotions or anything," Teio said, spreading her hands helplessly.
"Excellent Uma Musume naturally enter a state of excitement during a race. Legend, have you tried that?" McQueen suggested.
"Ah, no, I haven't. These past few days, I tried running alongside seniors, but it had no effect. Besides, I haven't entered the state you described during training races, McQueen."
That's right. Since being released from jail, Gold Legend had tried various so-called elevated emotions to open the door to her domain, including running alongside others, the Debt Method (taught by Dog Bro), and even self-hypnosis. Unfortunately, while these emotions affected her state somewhat, the actual effect was not as substantial as the method Oguri Cap taught her; they were merely better than nothing.
"So what exactly does 'finding that key' mean? Die, riddle-speaker!"
Gold Legend, having selectively ignored the first half of her id's sentence, gave up on herself.
"Key?"
"No, it's nothing." Gold Legend waved her hand and changed the subject. "Speaking of which, McQueen, you came quite late today. Is something going on?"
"...Isn't the Derby coming up soon? I went to see Ryan."
"Ah, speaking of which, how was your debut race, McQueen?"
Seeing McQueen's somewhat complicated expression, the thoughtful Teio immediately changed the topic.
"That goes without saying! I am the representative of the Mejiro Family!"
McQueen said with a look of pride.
"Huh? McQueen, you debuted?"
Why didn't I know?
Gold Legend looked utterly bewildered.
"I was hoping Legend would come cheer me on, but I only saw Gold Ship."
McQueen looked at Gold Legend with a resentful gaze.
"..." Gold Legend tried to use her eyes to get Gold Ship to explain.
"Oh, I sense someone calling in the universe! Who is calling the fleet!"
Gold Ship immediately bolted out of the training room.
"Ahem, back to the Derby. McQueen, are you going to watch? How about we all go together? It's a good chance to see the world."
Survival instinct attempted to save Legend's fate.
"Huh? Can we? Won't that delay training?" McQueen was pleasantly surprised.
"Don't worry, the Trainer will agree."
"You can get the Trainer to agree?" Teio grasped the key point. She was very invested in the classic three crowns and had originally planned to ask the Trainer for leave that day. Hearing Gold Legend's suggestion, she hesitated slightly.
"I will make the Trainer agree."
Gold Legend said confidently... After training, Gold Legend spoke with the Trainer privately. The two had a frank discussion, and eventually, the Trainer agreed to the vacation under Gold Legend's friendly persuasion.
"Damn it! How can I face the people of Jiangdong!"
The Trainer said indignantly after the discussion.
"Alright, alright. I'll cover your next two drinking parties."
Gold Legend, feeling a bit embarrassed, offered compensation.
"How can a great man accept such charity! Wouldn't that be like being kept! Especially by a minor!"
"...Just tell me if you want it or not?"
"Where should the bill be sent?"
"Just give it to me."
"Deal!"
Just like that, a timeline where no one got hurt was achieved... "Is this the Derby? It's really bustling."
May 27th, Tokyo, Japanese Derby.
Gold Legend brought all the members of Spica to the Tokyo Racecourse.
"Hmph, of course. Even among the classic three crowns, the Derby is the most eye-catching."
Teio, who understood the Triple Crown best, introduced this proudly.
"Only the luckiest horse can win the Derby."
The Japanese Derby is the race with the most entries; in the earliest days, there were even 30 Uma Musume participating. The number of entries gradually decreased later. To win among the vast crowd of Uma Musume, a certain amount of luck is required.
"Still, there are so many people at this Derby."
"It seems to be because Senior Oguri Cap has become a national idol, attracting many people who don't usually pay attention to Uma Musume."
The honor student Daiwa Scarlet had clearly done her homework and explained to everyone.
"When I participate in the Derby in the future, there will definitely be this many people—no, even more!"
Teio's competitive spirit was ignited.
"Alright, let's disperse here. It's free activity time now."
Clapping her hands, Gold Legend gave the instruction as the leader.
"I'm going to grab the best spot first!"