Another peaceful morning.
The dawn air was crisp and fresh, carrying the faint scent of grass.
The sky still hung gray, devoid of gentle light, the atmosphere cool.
On the training ground, Gold Legend finished her warm-up and drew a deep breath.
Ever since regaining memories of her past life, she had started jogging at dawn; now it was habit. Wind, rain, or anything short of a storm—unless the weather was impossible—Gold Legend would run every morning.
Last night's light shower had left the grass beaded with dew; the slightly muddy turf made running tricky.
Still, Gold Legend didn't mind such ground.
Usually she left campus, following the riverside path between Tracen and the dorms—scenery she knew by heart.
Today, perhaps because of the rain-kissed turf, the field promised extra joy, so she stayed.
Maybe I'm more spontaneous than I thought?
After warming up, Gold Legend mused absently and began to run.
Unlike training, she set no targets for this jog—she simply ran. She loved the freedom; it was why even a lazybones like her kept the habit.
She ran until the sun climbed higher.
Glancing at her watch, she realized class was near.
She ambled back to the dorm, washed up, changed into uniform, and set off.
Passing the small park by the gate, she greeted the drinks-stall owner.
'Morning, Manager—same as usual.'
'Good morning, Classmate Legend. Today's order: four Honey specials—one thin and light, one thick double-strength, two regular.'
The manager happily produced the prepared drinks.
'Thanks.'
Gold Legend paid quickly and, bags in hand, headed for school.
'Good morning, Classmate Gold Legend.'
The green-clad secretary smiled at the gate.
'Morning, Miss Hayakawa—today's share.'
Gold Legend handed her a regular Honey drink.
'Oh dear, Classmate Legend, you needn't.'
'Think of it as a bribe—if I slip up again, I'll count on you.'
Gold Legend shrugged.
'You really are…'
Miss Hayakawa sighed with a smile. Ever since she'd noticed the girl's hoarse voice one morning, Gold Legend had brought her a drink each day.
Such a thoughtful child.
'You can call me sister, you know.'
Miss Hayakawa teased.
'Huh? But you're old enough to—'
A sudden pressure swept over her; Gold Legend shivered.
'What did you just say?'
'I meant it would be my honor… Sister Hayakawa.'
'Good girl. Off you go.'
Feeling the aura fade, Gold Legend wiped cold sweat and hurried inside.
In the classroom, classmates sat in small clusters.
'Ah, Legend, finally!'
Teio's unmistakable voice caught her ear.
'Morning, Teio. Morning, McQueen.'
Gold Legend smiled, handing the waiting Horse Girls their drinks.
'Here—Honey specials.'
'Hehe, Honey, my Honey—oh, morning, Legend!'
Tokai Teio cheerfully took her honey special drink, had a sip, then greeted Gold Legend.
"Good morning, Classmate Legend... oh, it's this again?"
McQueen took the drink, a complicated look crossing her face.
"What's with that face, McQueen? honey special drink is the best beverage on Earth—your expression is practically blasphemy!"
Teio caught McQueen's look and protested.
"Well, even I get tired of it every single day..."
"If you want a different flavor just say so; I'll switch it for you tomorrow."
Gold Legend nodded understandingly; she got McQueen's point. After all, this wasn't plain water, and she didn't mind sparing a thought for McQueen's weight—too much of this stuff really did pile on the pounds.
"Still, it's the thought from Classmate Legend..."
If I refused, wouldn't that be special treatment compared with Teio?
Thinking that, McQueen steeled herself and drank.
"Darn it, it's delicious."
McQueen grumbled inwardly.
"Hehe, classic McQueen—tsun-tsun on the outside, honest on the inside."
Teio giggled at the sight.
"That's not a word used to describe the Mejiro Family. Take it back now and I'll forgive you, Teio."
McQueen's face darkened instantly.
"So peaceful..."
Sipping her own special drink, Gold Legend watched the two scrap with a smile, feeling content.
After dutifully finishing the morning classes, it was lunchtime.
Tracen's cafeteria served a free buffet—balanced, varied, and all-you-can-eat. Oguri Cap called it heaven on earth.
Gold Legend agreed.
But she wouldn't eat like Oguri; too much would hurt her race record. A racer eats to eighty percent full!
Not that she seemed to gain weight anyway.
With the upper-years away at training camp, Gold Legend found no entertainment at lunch and simply ate properly.
After lunch came a short break; usually Gold Legend napped, but today she wasn't sleepy and headed to the library instead.
Tracen Academy's library occupied an entire floor; Uma Musume with academic or literary interests treated it as their hangout.
Some, of course, just studied—like Mejiro McQueen in the corner.
"Working hard, McQueen."
Gold Legend plopped down opposite her with a light novel and greeted her lazily.
"As an Uma Musume of the Mejiro Family, I need grades to match. Still, it's rare to see you here."
McQueen looked up, surprised.
"Stuck on anything?"
Gold Legend craned to peek at McQueen's book.
Tracen prized both sports and studies, but competition came first; the Cultural courses wasn't easy, yet it stayed within Gold Legend's reach—
—except advanced math and Japanese history.
"Perfect, teach me this one."
McQueen didn't stand on ceremony and asked straight out.
They spent a fairly fun break together, then walked side by side to the training room.
"It's gotta be cool!"
"No, cute!"
The moment the door opened, Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka were at it again.
"What's up?"
After physically silencing the instigating Gold Ship, Gold Legend asked as usual.
"We're debating what an Uma Musume needs most."
"Coolness, obviously—right, Big Sister?"
"Wrong, cute is what counts! What do you say, Sister Legend?"
The two girls pressed in.
"...Which side do you think I'm on?"
Knowing better than to intrude on a lover's spat, Gold Legend answered with a question.
"..."
"Someone who's both cool and cute like Big Sister (Sister Legend) works?"
Gold Legend said nothing, but her twitching smile showed she enjoyed the compliment.
"All right, Trainer's waiting on the field—move out!"
Ever reliable when it came to training, Teio hustled them.
They hit the track and began the daily routine.
Afterward Gold Legend stayed behind, bantering with the Trainer while they tidied the gear.
After tidying up, Gold Legend walked toward the school gate.
There were no Selection Races to watch today, so she should go out and pass the time.
Arriving once again at the familiar Shopping Street, Gold Legend ordered a snack from the boss she had befriended.
"Has Nature not come?"
Gold Legend chatted with the boss while eating.
"Xiao Su seems very busy lately. It appears to be because of the Selection Races and Trainer matters, so she hasn't come by much."
The boss showed a slightly lonely expression.
"That's truly a pity."
Gold Legend shrugged, changed the subject, and continued chatting casually with the boss.
After eating and drinking to her heart's content, Gold Legend began her daily nighttime stroll.
An idea popped into her mind, and Gold Legend decided to go to the arcade tonight to play games.
Getting utterly crushed and having a mental breakdown at the arcade was another matter entirely.
After finishing her game, Gold Legend leisurely walked back toward Tracen.
On the way back, she saw the Police Station brightly lit. Were they working overtime?
Gold Legend thought for a moment, turned back to the Convenience Store, bought some things, and went to offer condolences.
Perhaps because she came every few days, no one stopped her. On the contrary, the Police Officers and the Female Police Officers happily welcomed Gold Legend and even invited her to join them for a late-night snack.
Afterward, Gold Legend, whose schedule was thrown off by the unexpected feeding session, returned to the dormitory and was fiercely reprimanded by Amazon, who had to oversee the Ritto Dormitory because she lost to Fuji Kiseki and couldn't attend the training camp.
Gold Legend, utterly exhausted from the scolding, returned to her dorm room and finished writing her diary while trying to hold her 'broken' body together.
Then she dove headfirst into her quilt, falling into an eternal sleep (not).
Today was another interesting and fulfilling day.