On the track a purple figure and a brown one were battling.
"Looks like today's Teio isn't my match."
The purple Uma Musume murmured.
"Damn it!"
The brown Uma Musume groaned in frustration, too spent for anything more.
"Victory—mine!"
The purple Uma Musume was exhausted too, but she still had something left.
They crossed the Amazon banner a nose apart and collapsed onto the grass without a care.
"Good work." x2
Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka stepped up with towels and water.
"Mm..."
Gold Legend stared at the stopwatch.
"How'd I do, Classmate Legend?"
McQueen, already breathing easy thanks to her stamina, leaned in.
"McQueen, great job—better than last time. Teio, not so hot; the distance is still rough on her, huh?"
Gold Legend filled the numbers into the chart.
The Trainers had rushed off to an emergency meeting, so he was AWOL again.
At least he'd left a training plan this time—no surprise holiday.
What was underway was a pace-work duel between McQueen and Teio, with Gold Legend standing in.
Before leaving he'd begged her to log the times so he could adjust the plan.
"Such a pain..."
Still, Gold Legend griping while working was a sight the others secretly enjoyed.
"Hmph—it's just the wrong distance! Next time I win for sure!"
Teio huffed.
"Maybe, but you've been staying up late again, haven't you?"
In work-mode Gold Legend didn't even look up.
Her Domain training had given her a side-effect: senses sharpened to superhuman levels and laser focus.
Downside—her thoughts ran in a straight line.
The clarity was amazing; ears sharp, eyes bright.
She savored the state while she worked.
"Eh?!"
"Your stride's warped, your acceleration calls are late—can't focus or won't?"
She spoke flatly; to her Domain-boosted senses Teio's flaws were glaring.
This wasn't the Teio she knew.
"Ahaha, I'll run another lap!"
Teio laughed and dashed off.
"Geez, that kid..."
McQueen chuckled helplessly. "Legend, don't you need a break? You've been logging all day."
"I'm fine—just moving a pen. Trainer's work is brutal, though; I should be nicer to him."
Gold Legend sighed and clicked the stopwatch as Teio passed.
"Like a mom, Little Aunt."
Gold Ship stopped pounding the post, grinned and sauntered over.
"Shut it. Not a mom. I'll kill you."
Gold Legend replied without looking.
"Ahaha..."
McQueen listened to the Gold-style banter and gave an awkward laugh.
"Maybe we should send Teio to work in a factory."
Watching Teio jog back after another lap, Gold Legend stared at the time with an old-man-on-the-subway face.
"If it's focus she needs, I've got a trick."
Gold Ship's eyes sparkled.
"?"
Gold Legend's ears twitched; she leaned in.
"Do this, do that."
...Seriously?"
Gold Legend raised a brow.
"Guaranteed."
Gold Ship flashed a toothy grin.
"What are you two whispering about?"
Mejiro McQueen was lost.
"Legend, how was my—WHAAA?!"
As Teio wearily asked for her split, Gold Legend cupped Teio's face and kissed her cheek.
?!?!
McQueen's ears and tail shot upright.
"Wha—eh—y-you—?!"
Teio's language module blue-screened.
"One more lap, go."
Gold Legend ordered, deadpan.
"Eh? Waaaah!"
Flustered, Teio bolted.
"Legend, you idiot—aaaaaa!"
"Worked better than expected."
Work-mode Gold Legend didn't even notice the collateral damage; she just kept logging.
"Legend, what are you doing?!"
McQueen finally squeaked, face scarlet.
"Golshi says it fires up an Uma Musume. Want to try?"
Gold Legend's tone stayed flat.
"Wha—Gold Ship, you—!"
Caught off-guard, McQueen spun to find Golshi—already long gone.
"Can't cat-ch me~!"
"Get back here!"
McQueen tore off after her.
Only the unruffled Gold Legend remained, plus two traumatized foals...
After practice Gold Legend walked home, head in her hands.
This state's side-effects are... tricky.
She rubbed her temples; it throbbed.
Then she remembered what she'd done to Teio and winced.
I need to apologize properly.
Embarrassed, she decided a honey special drink was the cure.
"Ah!"
At the café she ran straight into Tokai Teio...
So you were using a focus skill and Golshi tricked you?"
Teio, eyes still misty, puffed her cheeks and accepted the peace-offering honey special drink.
"Yeah—sorry about that."
Unable to mention the Domain, Legend blamed it on a "new skill"—technically true.
"You're forgiven... for the drink."
Tokai Teio mumbled into the cup.
"Much obliged."
Watching the sulking Teio, guilt and glee twisted into a weird delight Gold Legend found addictive.
"No, no—that way lies hell."
She shook it off.
"Hey, Legend, you always get that flavor?"
Teio eyed the honey special drink in Legend's hand.
"Huh? Oh, yeah—I like the plain taste."
"Ho~"
Tokai Teio narrowed her eyes.
Then she suddenly leaned over and took a big gulp of Gold Legend's drink.
"Woah!"
Gold Legend was startled by the sudden action.
"Cough, cough!"
Tokai Teio choked.
"Teio? Are you okay? Honestly, if you wanted a drink, you just needed to ask."
Gold Legend, having recovered, smiled helplessly and gently patted Teio's back.
"Cough, cough, this is punishment for Legend playing a prank on me!"
Teio calmed down and said, slightly blushing.
"I'm going to prank you back!"
"Alright, alright."
Gold Legend said with a cheerful smile.
"It really is better when it's stronger."
Tokai Teio looked at Gold Legend's expression, instantly deflated, and muttered to herself.
"The regular one is fine. Teio, your taste is too sweet for me."
Gold Legend replied casually.
"..."
Teio looked up at Legend, then looked at the honey special drink in her hand, thought for a moment, and held it out.
"So, do you want to try mine?"
"Huh?"
"Come on, don't be shy!"
Without giving Gold Legend a chance to react, Teio leaned in, looking at Gold Legend with sparkling eyes.
"Mmm..."
Did you think this level of beauty trap would work on me? I'm not the person I used to be. A bottom-up spoiled tactic like this is simply... impossible to refuse.
Defeated by Teio's innocent gaze, Gold Legend could only lean her lips forward and take a sip.
"..."
"How does it taste?"
Teio asked cheerfully.
"...It's still a bit too sweet."
Gold Legend turned her face away and said softly.
"Eh! No way, it's just right."
Hearing Legend's answer, Tokai Teio took another sip.
The taste was clearly perfect.
"I still think it's too sweet."
Gold Legend turned back and looked directly at Teio.
Perhaps it was because of the setting sun, but her face was slightly flushed.
A gentle breeze swept past, lifting her hair.
Thump!
At that moment, Tokai Teio suddenly felt her heart pounding rapidly; it was the first time she had felt such excitement outside of a race.
"Oh, I, I see. Ah, I suddenly remembered Maya needed me back early for something. I'll get going, bye Legend."
Teio said goodbye in a fluster, clutching the special drink and running toward the dorm.
Gold Legend watched Teio's hasty departure, somewhat confused.
But seeing Teio's adorably flustered appearance, she couldn't help but laugh.
Teio, who had run off, stopped once Legend was out of sight.
Feeling her hot cheeks, she tremblingly held the honey special drink and took a gentle sip.
"It seems like it really was too sweet."
Tokai Teio commented.