A few quiet days slipped by after Diamente's meeting with Speed Symboli and Tsuyoshi. Her brief rest at the Symboli estate passed peacefully—light meals, continuing yoga sessions, moments of study, and the occasional conversation with the mansion staff. But soon enough, the time came for her to return to Tracen Academy.
Early that morning, as Diamente was about to step outside with her school bag in hand, Rudolf approached her from the hallway, still dressed in her immaculate Emperor racing uniform.
There was a faint crease of worry on her usually composed face.
"Diamente," Rudolf called gently, "are you certain you'll be alright going back to the Academy by yourself? If you'd prefer, I can arrange for someone to take you there."
The offer was sincere and full of concern—typical of Rudolf, who had been checking on her frequently since the accident.
But Diamente didn't want her Rudolf-nee to worry any more than she already had.
"I'll be fine," Diamente replied with a small, reassuring smile. "I'll stay in the dorms for now, and… I promise I'll be careful around stairs from now on."
Rudolf's stern expression softened at the reminder of the accident. A tiny, almost motherly smile tugged at her lips before she reached out to pat Diamente gently on the head.
"Good. Then make sure you come back to the estate whenever you can," she said softly, her tone warm but carrying her usual elegance.
"We'll always have a place ready for you."
Diamente nodded earnestly. "Yes, Rudolf-nee. I will."
With their exchange complete, she stepped out of the Symboli estate and began her walk toward Tracen Academy.
By the time Diamente reached the Academy's sprawling gates, the area was already lively with students from all divisions—Elementary pupils chatting excitedly, Middle Schoolers rushing past, and even Junior and University students moving alongside their circle of friends.
The campus, as always, was full of color, energy, and youthful motion.
Standing at the entrance was a familiar figure in a green office outfit—the ever-reliable secretary, Tazuna Hayakawa, greeting incoming students with her characteristic bright smile.
Diamente adjusted her bag strap and approached.
"Good morning, Tazuna-san," she greeted politely.
"Good morning, Diamente-chan!" Tazuna replied with cheerful warmth—though her smile faltered for a moment, replaced by visible concern. "Are you feeling alright now? I heard about your fall and I've been worried…"
Diamente almost chuckled. It was well-known throughout Tracen that Tazuna panicked easily whenever an umamusume got injured—whether from training, racing, or simply from tripping over their own hooves.
"I'm okay now," Diamente reassured her. "The Symboli family doctor checked everything thoroughly and cleared me. I've already recovered enough. Thank you for worrying about me."
Tazuna let out a breath of relief, pressing a hand over her chest.
"That's good… that's really good to hear," she said with genuine affection. "I'm glad you're back to full health."
Then, realizing she was keeping the girl from entering, Tazuna quickly stepped aside with an apologetic gesture.
"Ah—sorry! I shouldn't hold you up. Your class might be starting soon, and I don't want you to be late."
Diamente gave a small nod. "Thank you, Tazuna-san. I'll head in now."
"Have a great day, Diamente-chan!"
With that, Diamente walked through the gates and joined the flow of students toward the Elementary Division buildings—ready to resume, or start again, her life at Tracen, one steady step at a time.
==== 🐎Legend Changer🐎 ====
When I slid open the classroom door, I paused without meaning to.
Everyone was here—faces I'd known because of the game, faces I'd probably gonna run alongside, celebrated with, or silently admired.
Almond Eye who is currently sitting on the typical anime protagonist's chair by the window, already flipping through her notes with that calm focus only she had. On the other side of the classroom, Daring Tact chatted animatedly with Chrono Genesis a few seats away, while Lucky Lilac stretched her arms behind her head with a lot of notes in front of her as if she didn't want to be outdone by Almond Eye.
Seeing them all gathered like this again… it felt strangely nostalgic, even though I'd only been gone a few days. Maybe it really doesn't take long for the world to feel like it's moved on without you.
Before I could even take another step inside, a voice called out to me.
"Ah, Diamente-chan! You're finally back."
I turned—and there she was.
Gray hair, a neat arrow-shaped white marking on the bangs of her hair, soft brown eyes that always looked a little sleepy but somehow attentive at the same time.
"Rei-chan, you're here…" I muttered.
She's Rey de Oro, or Rei-chan. She's a future Derby umamusume who currently didn't have an in-game counterpart.
She came up to me with a worried frown. "Are you okay? Sensei said you got a school leave 'cause of an accident."
I smiled, relieved she still felt exactly the same as before—warm, gentle, and just a little dramatic. "I'm fine now, Rei-chan.
"The family doctor already cleared me after I went home from school. I was just resting to recover properly after that."
Rei-chan let out a deep sigh, shoulders dropping. "That's good… I got so bored without you. And! I had to do the homework by myself."
She puffed her cheeks like a sulking child. "Do you know how long it took me? How much suffering? How many times have I nearly cried?"
I awkwardly chuckled. "Sorry, sorry… I'll help you again from now on, promise."
"You better. In exchange…"
"I demand/give you honey juice." The two of us said that at the same time.
We both paused. Then we looked at each other and burst into small giggles that weren't loud enough to draw attention, but enough to warm my chest.
Before the moment could stretch further though, someone approached us.
"Oh, Rei-chan~ Did ya finish your yesterday's assignment?"
Lucky Lilac—Lala-chan—appeared beside us with a curious tilt of her head. She's also our elementary class' representative.
Rei-chan puffed up proudly, placing a hand on her chest.
"Of course I did. I worked very hard."
I clapped my hands in mock amazement. "Rei-chan did? All by herself? Wow."
"Hey! Don't make it sound like a miracle!"
Lala-chan laughed softly, then finally turned toward me. "Welcome back, Diamente-chan. I heard you weren't feelin' well. I'm glad to see ya' up and walking again."
"Thank you, Lala-chan. I'm doing much better now."
"That's good. Oh—and today's last period might be physical training. If you're still not fully recovered, make sure ya' tell Sensei ahead of time, okay?"
I opened my mouth to answer—
—and the class bell rang sharply overhead.
We all froze for a moment before exchanging a look.
Lala-chan gave a small shrug. "Well, that's our cue. We'll talk later."
Rei-chan tugged lightly on my sleeve before heading to her seat. "Come on, Diamente-chan. We'll get scolded if we stand here."
"Right, right…"
I slipped into my seat as the homeroom teacher walked in, the room quickly settling into the familiar rhythm of chatter fading into silence.
A few days away—and yet somehow, it felt like I had slipped right back into place.
As if I never disappeared at all nor hadn't experienced all that life-changing event.
==== 🐎Legend Changer🐎 ====
Once the morning classes finally ended, Diamente, Rey de Oro, and Lucky Lilac made their way to the cafeteria. They found an empty table and quickly settled in, chatting animatedly as they ate.
As expected, the topic of their conversation was the recent Japan Cup—specifically, Epiphaneia's dramatic victory.
"I still can't get over it," Rey de Oro said, gesturing with her fork. "The ground was so soft, but she just kept going… How did she manage that pace?"
Lucky Lilac nodded in agreement. "Right? I would'a slipped halfway through tho. And yet she powered through like t'was nothin'."
Diamente listened fondly, warmth blooming in her chest. She vividly remembered that same race from her past life—but experiencing the aftermath here, in person, brought a whole new feeling with it.
All chatter in the cafeteria abruptly died as the giant TV overhead switched to a live broadcast. The bright red banner LIVE – Special Press Conference appeared, drawing the eyes of every single student.
Moments later, Gentildonna appeared on screen.
Elegant, composed, radiating quiet strength—she carried herself like a noble lady standing at the peak of her career. Her confident expression alone demanded the room's full attention.
Rey de Oro leaned forward. "Is Gentil-senpai… announcing her retirement already? She hinted at it after Takarazuka, didn't she?"
Lucky Lilac shook her head thoughtfully. "It could be something else. Maybe she's announcing whether she'll go to the Dream Trophy series? She never clarified that before."
But their whispers faded as Gentildonna began speaking.
Her voice was clear, steady, and commanding—echoing through the entire cafeteria.
"Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you for gathering on such short notice," Gentildonna began with a composed bow of her head. "After my run in the Takarazuka Kinen, I had previously stated that the Japan Cup would serve as my retirement race."
She paused, eyes sweeping across the room of reporters.
"However," she continued, her tone deepening with conviction, "after much reflection, discussion with my trainer, and consideration of the expectations placed upon me… I have made a decision."
The cafeteria was silent. No one even breathed.
Gentildonna straightened her posture.
"I, Gentildonna, hereby announce that my final race will not be the Japan Cup."
Whispers exploded—but the mare lifted a hand, and silence returned instantly.
"My last dance—my final waltz—shall, instead, be performed at this year's Arima Kinen."
Gasps broke across the cafeteria.
Gentildonna's eyes shone with fierce determination as she declared:
"I will pour my heart and soul into that race and I intend to win the Arima Kinen in my very last appearance on the Twinkle Series stage. So to all who have supported me until today… please look forward to my final performance."
The reporters erupted in questions as the broadcast cut to the panel, but the cafeteria was already in chaos—filled with shocked voices, cheers, and startled exclamations.
Rey de Oro sat frozen, mouth open. "S-She's really doing it…"
Lucky Lilac's eyes sparkled. "Arima Kinen… Of all places… That's so like her."
Diamente alone remained composed—not unaffected, but perhaps… more deeply moved in a different way.
She knew this moment. Even before she entered this world, she knew how Gentildonna's story went. But seeing the noble mare announce it herself—seeing the energy in the cafeteria, feeling the emotions ripple around her…
It was overwhelming in the best possible way.
Diamente smiled quietly.
This was the world she now lived in. A world of legends, dreams, and races that defined eras.
And someday… she would get her own chance to run in it.
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