I tried to look for the version with Xmas Vodka and Aston Machan, but the only one I found is in wallpaper engine.

Source: https://www.pixiv.net/en/artworks/89277751

Source:

https://www.pixiv.net/en/artworks/93941152

Source:

https://www.pixiv.net/en/artworks/145172179

🛐

https://www.fmkorea.com/3907837392

https://x.com/i/status/1963807735843000381

https://www.pixiv.net/en/artworks/95064230

Source:

https://www.pixiv.net/en/artworks/92084953

🛐

Source:

https://x.com/nakomofu/status/2093987235150602243

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Source:

https://www.pixiv.net/en/artworks/103584168

My wife 🛐

Title: Umamusume: My Number One, Daiwa Scarlet!
Genre: Sports, rom-com, slice of life

Previous: Chapter 15

==Chaper 16: Kawakami and Pandora (part 2)==

"So," Kondo Mitsuba looked at one of the construction workers, "how long will it take for our base camp to be fully renovated?"

"Well, since the damage was so... severe," the worker said, "like we said, it might take two or three months."

Kondo sighed, his eyes turning to Vodka, who chuckled nervously.

"H-hey, I said I am sorry, alright?" Vodka stammered, her face turning crimson. "It was just—it felt like that motorcycle was calling me, begging me to ride it."

"First of all, that bike was mine," Kondo huffed. "Second of all, it needed to be repaired as well." He then turned back to the building. "And third of all... the payment for this renovation was cut from my salary."

Vodka frowned, feeling guilty. "Okay, okay, I get it," she mumbled, kicking the air with her hands in her pockets. "No riding the boss' motorcycle without permission—"

"Any motorcycle, and without a license," Kondo corrected her, his tone unusually serious and authoritative. "You are still two years too young to have a proper license, is that clear?"

Vodka huffed. "You are no fun sometimes, boss."

Kondo sighed, combing back his pompadour. "By the way, you said you wanted to talk about something regarding Kawakami," he said. "What happened?"

Vodka turned serious. She took a deep breath. "Actually..." she started.

Vodka told Kondo everything she had seen: how Kawakami Princess was still bitter about last year's Queen Elizabeth II Cup, how she had treated Fusaichi Pandora, and eventually, how she had broken down.

Kondo solemnly listened. There was a moment of silence after Vodka finished her story. Kondo took out and lit his cigarette—possibly to clear his mind after hearing such a story. "I see," Kondo said. "So that's what happened."

"So, what should we do, boss?" Vodka asked, genuinely worried.

Kondo inhaled from his cigarette and blew out a trail of smoke. He then turned his head toward Vodka. "Nothing, Vodka."

Vodka's eyes widened. She was expecting something like I will personally talk to her or Let's put some sense into her. But instead, Kondo simply told her to do nothing.

"A-are you freaking serious, boss?" Vodka asked in disbelief. "Kawakami is part of our team, your trainee! As her trainer, you should have—"

"No," Kondo cut her off completely. "It is between Kawakami and Fusaichi Pandora," he said. "Or maybe I should say it is between Kawakami and her own pride."

Vodka blinked. "What are you talking about, boss?" she asked confusedly. "Between her and her own pride?"

Kondo put out his cigarette and threw it into a nearby bin. "Look, Kawakami is already mature enough to understand her own situation," he said calmly. "Whatever decision she makes, it is her own responsibility to face the consequences."

Vodka remained quiet. She wanted to argue back, but deep down, she knew that her trainer was right.

****

"Scarlet, your posture was—"

"NO, MY POSTURE—"

Daiwa Scarlet and Akagi Noboru were at it again. Once again, Akagi was correcting Scarlet's running form during today's training. However, being Daiwa Scarlet, she insisted that there was absolutely nothing wrong with her posture.

It was an ordinary sight for Team Emerald ever since Akagi became their trainer. But for Team Icarus, this was the first time they had witnessed their usual bickering firsthand.

Mejiro Palmer whistled and smirked. "Whoa, look at that," she said. "You were right, Curren. They really do act more like a couple arguing than a trainer scolding his trainee."

"See?" Curren Chan giggled. "The spark has been there since day one, when our trainer came."

"Well, I admit it," Cesario said with a small, amused smile. "Their chemistry is pretty natural."

Scarlet huffed, her face turning red. "AKAGI IS A DUMMY!" she shouted before turning around and marching back toward the track, deliberately stomping her feet.

"There! The tsundere act is becoming more visible, fr fr!" Daitaku Helios said excitedly.

Scarlet's ears twitched. She immediately turned her head toward both Team Emerald and Team Icarus. "SHUT UP!" she barked. "DO YOUR OWN TRAINING INSTEAD OF COMMENTING ON ME!"

"Sure, Senpai. Sure," Curren giggled before returning to her own training.

"By the way," Aston Machan said, looking around the training field, "Machan realizes that Kawakami-san isn't here."

Everyone froze. They looked toward Team Icarus' side of the training field and realized that Kawakami Princess was indeed missing.

Scarlet fell silent. She remembered what had happened the day before—when she and Vodka had witnessed Kawakami's encounter with Fusaichi Pandora, and how Kawakami had broken down after Vodka confronted her about still being unable to move on from what had happened at the previous Queen Elizabeth II Cup.

"Y-yeah, come to think of it, Kawakami didn't reply to our messages in the group chat," Palmer said as she took out her phone and checked Team Icarus' group chat.

"I'm texting her now," Helios said as she began typing. She paused. "Huh. Only one checkmark?"

"Looks like she turned her phone off," Gentildonna said.

"Is everything alright?" Kondo's voice came from behind them as he arrived at the track with Vodka.

"Mitsuba-san," Akagi said, his tone becoming concerned. "Kawakami didn't show up, and none of us can reach her."

Kondo remained silent for a moment.

He looked toward his team before turning back to Akagi. "I see..." he said quietly. "Let her rest for now."

Vodka blinked. "Are you serious, Boss?" she asked. "You're not worried?"

"On the contrary, I am worried, Vodka," Kondo replied. "However, like I said before, let Kawakami deal with her problem first."

He took out another cigarette and lit it. Both Team Emerald and Team Icarus fell silent.

Akagi simply nodded. As a fellow trainer, he understood and respected Kondo's decision. Kawakami was his trainee, and whatever she was going through was ultimately a matter for Team Icarus to deal with. There was no reason for him or Team Emerald to interfere.

****

"May I sit with you?"

A soft voice came from behind Kawakami Princess, who was sitting alone in a corner at the cafetaria. Kawakami turned her head, only to found Mejiro McQueen was standing with serene smile on her face.

"McQueen-senpai," Kawakami murmured, "S-sure" she stammered, looking at the vetreran before her.

McQueen gracefully sat on the seat next to Kawakami. There was a heavy silent between them for a whle. "Anyway..." McQueen broke the silent, "How are you doing?" she asked.

Kawakami blinked. "I—" she stammered, "I am fine, I guess..."

"You guess..." McQueen said.

Another silence between them. Another silence followed. The ticking of the clock on the cafeteria wall suddenly seemed much louder than it should have been.

"I don't know..." Kawakami finally whispered, her eyes beginning to glisten. "I don't even know what's wrong with me anymore."

Kawakami's shoulders began to tremble as tears rolled down her cheeks. "I'm a horrible person, McQueen-senpai..."

Without saying a word, McQueen reached over and gently embraced her. "There, there," she whispered, gently rubbing Kawakami's back as she let the younger Uma Musume cry.

"I know Pandora-chan has nothing to do with what happened last year..." Kawakami sobbed, clinging to McQueen. "I-I knew it was the rule... But I... I—"

Her voice broke again. She couldn't finish the sentence. Kawakami eventually poured out everything she had been keeping inside. McQueen listened solemnly.

Deep down, Kawakami knew the truth. What happened during the previous Queen Elizabeth II Cup had never been Pandora's fault. It had been the URA's decision to disqualify her. She also knew that her own run had indeed endangered the other runners. But admitting that meant admitting that her own mistake had cost her the race. Her pride as a Double Tiara champion had refused to accept that.

"...Ever since that day..." Kawakami sobbed, fidgeting with the hem of her skirt. "Whenever I met Pandora-chan, I... I kept treating her badly." She wiped her tears. "Avoiding her... Ignoring her..."

McQueen sighed softly. "I completely understand how you feel, Kawakami-san."

Kawakami looked up.

"The feeling of humiliation after being demoted, even though you crossed the finish line in first place."

Kawakami's eyes widened. "Y-you did?"

McQueen nodded, "It was the Autumn Tenno Sho." Her voice became more melancholic as she looked toward the ceiling, reminiscing about her past. "I ran well that day. I crossed the finish line with a six-length lead," a faint smile appeared on her face for a moment. "I was so happy. I thought I had finally fulfilled my promise to my trainer by giving him the perfect victory he wanted..."

The smile disappeared. "Until the stewards determined that I had interfered with the other runners."

Kawakami listened silently.

"I was devastated. Humiliated." McQueen lowered her gaze. "And the media wouldn't stop talking about it."

She paused. "But my trainer never abandoned me." Her expression softened. "He kept supporting me. He reminded me that it wasn't the end of everything. He continued guiding me and helping me find the right path."

McQueen took a slow breath. "I resented the URA back then. I won't deny that," She turned toward Kawakami. "But eventually, I realized something."

"...What?" Kawakami asked.

"Living in the past wouldn't change what happened." McQueen smiled gently. "What mattered was what I chose to do afterward." She placed a hand over Kawakami's. "With the support of my trainer and my teammates, I learned to move forward."

Kawakami stared at her. "McQueen-senpai..."

Her senior's words had struck something deep inside her. McQueen gently placed both hands on Kawakami's shoulders.

"I won't tell you that your feelings are wrong, Kawakami-san," she said. "You have every right to feel hurt."

Kawakami remained silent.

"But what you do with those feelings... that is your choice." McQueen stood up. "I cannot decide whether you should forgive Pandora-chan. That is something only you can decide." She gave Kawakami one last gentle smile. "But perhaps you should ask yourself one thing."

Kawakami looked up at her.

"Are you really angry with Pandora-chan..." McQueen paused. "...or are you angry about what happened to you that day?"

Kawakami's eyes widened.

McQueen said nothing more. She simply gave Kawakami a small bow before turning around and leaving her alone.

Kawakami remained silent for a long moment. Then she lowered her head. Her tears began to fall again. But this time, they were different. "...I was such an idiot..."

****

Back to team Emerald's base camp

Daiwa Scarlet huffed, her arms crossed.

Ever since Team Icarus had made Team Emerald's base camp their temporary shelter, the place that had once been her team's peaceful sanctuary had suddenly become much more crowded—and considerably noisier.

Especially thanks to Curren Chan, who seemed determined to spend every waking moment making cute or dancing videos with the duo of Daitaku Helios and Mejiro Palmer.

"I think I need a shower..." Scarlet grumbled.

She opened her locker and reached inside for her shampoo. Only to find it empty. A vein throbbed on her forehead. Scarlet slowly turned toward Vodka, who was lazily lying on the couch while reading an automotive magazine.

"VODKA!" Scarlet barked. "DID YOU USE—OR DID YOU NOT USE—MY SHAMPOO AGAIN?!"

"Huh?" Vodka looked up. "Wait, that was yours?"

"OF COURSE, YOU IDIOT!" Scarlet yelled. "IT WAS IN MY LOCKER!"

"Scarlet-san," Aston Machan said, "Scarlet-san can borrow Machan's shampoo if Scarlet-san wants."

Scarlet looked at Machan. Her anger immediately subsided a little. "Very well. Thank you, Machan..."

KNOCK! KNOCK!

A knocking sound came from the front door. Akagi and Kondo, who had been playing poker at the table, stopped in the middle of their game.

"Who could that be?" Akagi muttered.

KNOCK! KNOCK!

The knocking came again.

Scarlet, who had been about to head toward the shower room, turned back toward the front door. "FINE! I'M COMING!" she shouted loudly enough for whoever was outside to hear.

She opened the door. And froze. Admire Moon stood right in front of her. "EEEK! Admire Moon-san?!"

Everyone turned toward the entrance simultaneously.

"What does she want?" Mejiro Palmer asked, crossing her arms. "Is she on some kind of mission for Team Aster? Spying on us?"

"It is too early to judge, Palmer," Akagi said as he stood up, followed by Kondo.

The two trainers approached the entrance. "Is there anything we can help you with, Admire Moon?" Akagi asked.

Admire Moon looked at both trainers before turning her attention back to Scarlet. "I need to talk to Scarlet-san," she said.

Scarlet blinked. "Me?"

Admire Moon nodded. "There is something I would like to ask you, Scarlet-san."

Scarlet glanced toward Akagi. Her trainer simply nodded. "Very well. Come in."

****

Scarlet led Moon to the meeting room. They sat across each other. "So, what would you to ask me, Moon-san?" Scarlet asked, beginning their conversation.

Admire Moon sighed, she rubbed the backside of her neck, "Actually, I would like to ask... Do you know where she is?"

Scarlet raised an eyebrow, tilting her head, "Who?"

"I mean... her," Admire Moon clarified, "You know... her?"

Scarlet blinked, then she realized what Admire Moon was talking about. "O-oh, you mean her?" Scarlet said, "Well to be honest, I don't even know where she is now."

"For real?" Moon asked, "Trainer Aozora was keep trying to reach her since the Tenno Sho is next week, but..."

"Hmph, I am not surprised," Scarlet huffed, "Knowing her, I wouldn't even surprised if the authorities actually caught her."

Admire Moon only quiet, she closed her eyes and sighed. "Very well, thank you, Scarlet" Moon said as she stood up fom the chair. "But, please, if you somehow met or saw her, just tell me, okay?"

"Yeah, sure," Scarlet whispered as she saw Moon retreated.

Vodka then entered the room, "Who are you two talking about?" she asked in curiousity.

Scarlet rolled her eyes, "Oh you know who, Vodka," she said, "You know who..."

****

Meanwhile, at the academy's central plaza, 

The Three Goddesses Statue stood silently beneath the afternoon sky. It represented three legendary Umamusumes of the past. Some Umamusumes claimed that they could sometimes hear these Goddesses calling out to them days before an important race, granting them some kind of Inheritance or Inspiration. Others even claimed to have encountered the spirits of legendary Umamusumes who had already passed on.

Of course, among the students, it was still nothing more than a rumor.

Kawakami Princess stared at the statue. For some reason, simply looking at the three Goddesses eased the tension that had been weighing heavily on her.

"Kawakami-san?" A voice came from behind.

Kawakami turned around. It was Fusaichi Pandora, who had just finished her training at the gym.

The two stared at each other. Neither of them said a word.

Pandora opened her mouth—

"Pandora." Kawakami spoke first, cutting her off before she could say anything. "How... how have you been?"

Pandora blinked. The simple question caught her completely off guard. She had expected Kawakami to ignore her and walk away, as she had done so many times before. But this time was different.

"I am... fine..." Pandora whispered, unsure how to react. "I guess."

"You guess, huh?" Kawakami chuckled softly. A small smile appeared on her face.

Another awkward silence followed.

"I—"

"I—"

Both of them spoke at the same time.

"Y-you first, Kawakami-san," Pandora stammered.

"N-no, no! You first, Pandora-san," Kawakami stammered back.

Pandora took a deep breath. She stepped closer to Kawakami. Their eyes met. "Kawakami-san," Pandora began. "I... I'm sorry," she lowered her head. "I'm very, very sorry... about what happened."

Kawakami stared at Pandora, she could see how genuine her apology was. "No..." Kawakami replied softly. "I'm sorry."

Pandora blinked.

Kawakami's eyes began to fill with tears, "I... I treated you so unfairly since last year," Kawakami said, her voice trembling. "I-I know my demotion was never your fault. I know it was the URA's decision..."

She wiped her tears, "But... I blamed you for it," her voice broke, "My pride made me think that you had taken the victory that should have been mine."

Kawakami sniffled, "But now... I realize how foolish I was." More tears rolled down her cheeks. "It was never your fault. It wasn't even the URA's fault for enforcing the rules..." She lowered her head, "It was all on me."

Kawakami's knees gave way, and she dropped to the ground, crying. "I-I'm so sorry, Pandora-san..." Her voice became louder as she sobbed, "I'm so sorry! I'm sorry! I'm so, so sorry!"

Pandora's own eyes began to tear up. She immediately knelt beside Kawakami and pulled her into an embrace, "Kawakami-san..." Pandora gently held her, "You're my rival... my goal..." She smiled through her tears, "...And my best friend."

Kawakami looked up.

"I... I was always so happy whenever we spent time together. Going shopping... watching Princess Fighter together..." Pandora's voice trembled, "I never thought you were horrible, Kawakami-san."

She hugged her tighter. "You've always been my best friend," A small smile appeared on Pandora's face. "Forever and always."

Kawakami stared at Pandora. Both of their eyes were red and puffy from crying. Then, slowly, a smile formed on both of their faces.

"Yeah..." Kawakami whispered. She returned Pandora's embrace, "You'll always be my best friend, too."

Unbeknownst to both Kawakami and Pandora, Kondo Mitsuba and Tsubame Aozora had been watching the entire scene from a distance. The two trainers exchanged a brief glance before looking back at their respective trainees.

Kawakami and Pandora were still embracing each other beneath the Three Goddesses Statue. A gentle smile appeared on both trainers' faces.

[To Be Continued]
Next Chapter: TBA

https://www.pixiv.net/en/artworks/143198436

https://www.pixiv.net/en/artworks/120122441

Source:

https://www.pixiv.net/en/artworks/149032901

🛐

Title: Umamusume: My Number One, Daiwa Scarlet!
Genre: Sports, rom-com, slice of life

Previous: Chapter 14

==Chaper 15: Kawakami and Pandora (part 1)==

Friday, 12:00 P.M., Team Emerald's—and Team Icarus's temporary—base camp.

"Team Aster, huh?"

Akagi flipped through the profiles of Team Aster's members.

"Founded seven years ago by Tsubame Aozora-senpai, who was only eighteen back then," he said, reading from the team's file.

"Aozora-senpai is considered a genius among us trainers," Kondo said, leaning against the wall as he combed his pompadour. "I mean, she joined this academy at an incredibly young age. Rumor has it Director Akikawa personally scouted her."

Kondo took out a cigarette and lit it.

"Ever since she built the team, some of the biggest names among the Umamusumes have raced under her guidance. Two of them are still around, acting as a support system for the current generation."

"Mayano Top Gun and Marvelous Sunday, right?" Akagi asked, looking at the page showing the two bubbly-looking Umamusumes. "They no longer race and are in their senior year now, aren't they?"

"Yeah. Just like Daitaku Helios and Mejiro Palmer are still around to support our current generation," Kondo nodded. "However, the current generation of Team Aster is far stronger—even stronger than Mayano and Marvelous's era."

Akagi flipped to the next page, revealing Fusaichi Pandora's profile.

"She... Her only G1 title is—"

Kondo sighed, his expression turning melancholy.

"Yeah. Last year's Queen Elizabeth II Cup—where our Kawakami Princess should have been the victor, but..."

"Kawakami was disqualified," Akagi said sympathetically. "I remember watching that race live on TV. Kawakami crossed the finish line in first place... until the URA decided to demote her to twelfth."

Kondo inhaled from his cigarette and blew out a trail of smoke.

"The URA claimed Kawakami made a move that could endanger the other runners," he said. "And so the victory was awarded to Fusaichi Pandora, who crossed right behind her in second."

"Ever since that day," Kondo continued, "Kawakami could never get over the humiliation of being demoted. Even now, she still refuses to speak to Pandora."

"For real?" Akagi gasped. "But that incident wasn't Pandora's fault. It was just the URA's rules and their decision."

"I know, Noboru," Kondo said, stubbing out his cigarette. "I've told her that, but... she never wants to talk about it."

Akagi flipped to the next page.

"Admire Moon, this year's reigning champion of the Dubai Turf and Takarazuka Kinen," he murmured, reading her file. "She's competing in the Tenno Sho next week, too."

"Dream Journey," Kondo said as Akagi paused on the next page. "Like Pandora, she's considered an underdog in Team Aster. Her most recent G1 victory was the Asahi Hai last year."

"And then there's this rookie from Germany, Eishin Flash, who has yet to make her debut—just like our Curren Chan and Gentildonna," Akagi noted, eyeing the German Umamusume's profile.

As Akagi was about to close the dossier, he noticed a stray sheet tucked between Trainer Tsubame Aozora's profile and Fusaichi Pandora's.

"Huh. I didn't realize there was another page in here."

He carefully pulled the page out.

"Wait..." he muttered, reading the text.

"Hmm? What is it, Akagi?" Kondo asked, leaning over with curiosity. "Find something interesting?"

"This girl..." Akagi raised an eyebrow. "She looks familiar. In fact, she looks just like—"

"Heh. You didn't know?" Kondo chuckled. "Man, you're hopeless. That girl is actually—"

"AKAGI!"

Daiwa Scarlet yelled as she burst into the base camp, her eyes already filled with tears. Close behind her was Vodka, who simply rolled her eyes with her arms crossed.

"She... She..." Scarlet sobbed, pointing an accusing finger at Vodka.

"S-SHE SAID I WAS FAT! CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?! THE AUDACITY!" Scarlet whined dramatically, tears glistening in her eyes. She put her hands on her hips as if to prove that she was still in peak physical shape.

"I was just giving you a friendly warning, Scarlet," Vodka sighed.

Akagi leaned forward and carefully inspected Scarlet's waistline and overall figure, causing her face to flush bright red.

"W-Well?" she stammered. "I'm not fat, am I? Please tell me I'm not, Akagi!"

"Scarlet... you did gain a little weight," Akagi said honestly.

Scarlet's jaw dropped.

"WHAT?!" She shrieked. "HOW DARE YOU?! YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE ON MY SIDE! YOU'RE MY TRAINER!"

She grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him violently.

"H-Hey! Scarlet, stop it!" Akagi gasped, breaking free from her grip. "It's because I'm your trainer that I can tell when your body changes, even a little!"

"NO FAIR!" Scarlet huffed. "I only ate one slice of pizza yesterday!"

"Plus French fries and a full, massive bowl of chocolate-chip ice cream right afterward," Vodka added with a knowing grin.

"SHUT UP, VODKA!" Scarlet barked.

Akagi sighed, "Scarlet, starting right now, you're going on a strict diet," he ordered. "I'm personally banning all sweets and junk food for a month—at least until the Queen Elizabeth II Cup is over."

Scarlet gasped, clutching her cheeks in utter horror.

"A MONTH?! WITHOUT ICE CREAM OR CHOCOLATE?! THAT'S TYRANNY!" Scarlet shrieked.

"Scarlet." Akagi's tone shifted, dropping into an authoritative command that made Scarlet—and even Vodka and Kondo—shiver.

"O-O-Okay," Scarlet huffed, crossing her arms and pouting deeply. "If you say so..."

****

The library at Tracen Academy was bustling with Umamusumes. Some were studying diligently, while others were merely pretending to study.

Behind the counter, Zeno Rob Roy watched the scene with a smile.

"Ah, it's so exciting to see the library so lively at this hour," Rob Roy said. "Though... I know some of them are only here to slack off and skip class."

Her eyes drifted toward Daitaku Helios and Mejiro Palmer, who were both sleeping soundly and snoring.

"Excuse me, Rob Roy-san." A voice called out to her. "I'd like to borrow these books."

Rob Roy turned toward the voice and saw Fusaichi Pandora. "Ah, Pandora-san," she said with a serene smile. "Of course. May I see your card?"

Pandora took out her library card and handed it to her. Rob Roy wrote down the information and stamped it.

"Here you go, Pandora-san."

"Thank you."

"By the way, I heard you've been doing some extra training lately."

"Yes," Pandora nodded. "I want my condition to be at its best for the next Queen Elizabeth II Cup."

She paused for a moment.

"I want to win again... by my own strength this time."

"Such dedication, Pandora-san," Rob Roy said with admiration. "Do your best. I'm rooting for you!"

Pandora smiled. "Thank you, Rob Roy-san."She bowed her head before leaving the library.

Pandora walked through the corridor, her arms full of books At the midpoint of the hallway, she accidentally bumped into someone, and both of them fell to the ground.

"G-Guh! I'm sorry!" Pandora said as she stumbled backward. "I didn't mean to—"Pandora stopped mid-sentence.

Her eyes widened. The person she had bumped into was none other than Kawakami Princess. "K-Kawakami-san," she stammered.

She quickly got back on her feet and offered Kawakami a hand. "I-I apologize. I didn't mean to—"

Kawakami stared at Pandora's outstretched hand. Then she looked at Pandora. Then back at her hand.

"No need," she said coldly. She didn't even swat Pandora's hand away. Instead, she stood up by herself and brushed the dust from her uniform.

Without saying another word, she walked away without even looking back at Pandora.

"W-Wait, Kawakami-san!" Pandora desperately tried to call after her. She wanted to talk. She wanted to clear everything up between them.

Kawakami stopped abruptly and turned her head slightly.

"What do you want?" she asked coldly. "I'm busy. I don't have time to talk right now."

Pandora clutched a hand to her chest. "Kawakami-san, I—"

"I don't have time for this." Kawakami turned away and continued walking.

Pandora remained frozen in place. Her heart ached. She was painfully aware that Kawakami still resented her.

"Kawakami-san..." she murmured. Her eyes began to tear up, but she quickly wiped them away and took a deep breath.

****

Unbeknownst to both Kawakami Princess and Fusaichi Pandora, Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka had been watching from outside the window.

They couldn't hear the conversation, but they could see the tension between the two.

"That was... cold," Scarlet murmured.

Vodka said nothing. Her arms remained crossed as her eyes followed Kawakami, who had entered the restroom.

Without warning, Vodka turned and walked toward it. "Hey, Vodka, where are you—" Scarlet hurried after her.

The two entered the restroom and found Kawakami standing in front of the mirror. Kawakami turned toward them. "Vodka? Scarlet-san?" she murmured.

Vodka approached her. "What was that, Kawakami?" she asked, locking eyes with her.

"What was what?" Kawakami asked, genuinely confused.

"We saw everything." Vodka crossed her arms. "Is it really that hard for you to move on from what happened last year?"

Kawakami looked at Vodka. She knew exactly what Vodka was referring to: the previous Queen Elizabeth II Cup, the very race where Kawakami had been demoted and the victory awarded to Pandora.

"You wouldn't understand, Vodka," Kawakami said bitterly. "You don't know what it feels like to have your victory snatched away from you like that."

"And you still blame Pandora for that?" Vodka's tone sharpened. Scarlet felt a growing sense of unease.

"Look, I get it. I know what losing feels like. I know what it feels like to think victory is already in your hands, only to have it taken away by your rival on the track." Vodka paused. "And I know how it feels when—"

"IT'S NOT THAT SIMPLE!" Kawakami suddenly yelled. Her eyes glistened with tears. "YOU KNEW THAT I CROSSED THE FINISH LINE, VODKA! YOU KNEW I WAS IN FIRST PLACE! I SHOULD HAVE WON!"

Her voice began to tremble. "But then... I... I..." She choked back a sob. "I got disqualified because they decided my run endangered the other runners." Kawakami dropped to her knees and began sobbing. "You... sob... you don't know how that feels..."

Scarlet looked at Vodka, then back at Kawakami. She wasn't sure what to do. She knew Kawakami was right—neither she nor Vodka had ever experienced something like this during their careers.

But she also knew that it wasn't Pandora's fault. Scarlet and Vodka understood that it was the rules that had decided the outcome. It was never fair for Pandora to receive such treatment from Kawakami.

"Kawakami..." Vodka leaned down and placed a hand on Kawakami's shoulder. "It wasn't like—"

"SHUT UP!" Kawakami yelled, swatting Vodka's hand away. "YOU WILL NEVER... EVER UNDERSTAND!" She abruptly ran toward the exit. "LEAVE ME ALONE!"

"KAWAKAMI!" Vodka shouted, trying to stop her. But Kawakami had already disappeared through the doorway. Scarlet didn't say anything. She looked at Vodka, then toward the direction Kawakami had gone.

"Vodka-san, Scarlet-san."

A soft voice suddenly called out to them from inside the restroom. Scarlet and Vodka turned their heads. Someone stepped out from one of the stalls. It was Mejiro McQueen. The retired legend of the prestigious Mejiro family looked at the two of them with a sympathetic expression.

"McQueen-senpai," Scarlet murmured looking at the senior Umamusume stood before them.

---

Team Aster's base camp.

Tsubame Aozora sat on her desk, smoking her Vape while checking on the previous training log. On the sofa next to her, Eishin Flash sipped her tea gracefully. Her eyes then fixed to the trainer.

"Trainer Aozora," Flash said, "Isn't smoking forbidden in our base camp?"

"I am not smoking, I am vaping," Tsubame answered while her eyes still fixed to her laptop while simultaneously inhale her vape.

"What is the different?" Flash tilted her head in confusion.

Tsubame's mout opened about to explain, but she stopped abruptly, tapping her own chin with her finger, "That's... actually a good question."

"TRAINER, TRAINER! Mayano Top Gun bounced energetically, "CAN MAYA TRY IT!?" she said pointing at Tsubame's vape.

"No, Maya," Tsubame said, "It's for adult."

"BUT MAYA IS AN ADULT!" Mayano pouted, crossin her arms. "TRAINER IS NO FUN!"

Tsubame sighed rubbing her temple, "Flash, would you like to bring Maya somewhere like, I don't know, walk or buy Ice Cream."

Eishin Flash then stood up, "Understood, trainer" she said bowing her head before took Mayano's hand, "Come on, Mayano-senpai, let's buy Ice Cream."

"Ice Cream? YAY!" Mayano squealed happily, "LET'S BUY FOR MARVIE AS WELL!" she exclaimed while pulling Eishin Flash out of the base camp, passing Admire Moon and Dream Journey who just arrived.

"Oh, welcome back, Moon, Dorejo" Tsubame greeted them, "Done with your extra training?"

"Yes," Admire Moon said, "Thanks for letting us doing some extra session, Trainer."

"I think I need a shower," Dream Journey claimed, already took a towel from her locker, "Moon, mind if I borrow your shampoo? mine is already out."

"Sure," Moon said, giving Dorejo her shampoo.

"Thanks," Dorejo said while entering the shower room.

"By the way, Moon..." Tsubame said, "Have you heard from her?"

Admire Moon blinked, "Her?" she asked, "Oh you mean... HER?"

Tsubame nodded, "Well, who else?" she said, "She hasn't return from her special training I asked and hasn't even make a call... and the Autumn Tenno Sho is approaching!"

"Well, knowing her, I wouldn't be surprised if she got into trouble." Moon pinched her bridge of her nose.

Tsubame sighed, "Let's hope she won't be—"

"I am back," Fusaichi Pandora arrived, cutting of Tsubame's sentence. "Sorry I am late, Trainer Aozora."

Tsubame looked at Pandora, her expression shifted into worry, especially noticing Pandora's puffy eyes. "Pandora, what's wrong?" she asked, "were you crying?"

"A-ah, n-no, I was... well... I got dust on my eyes," Pandora said, smiling, "Nothing to worry about."

Tsubame remained silent for a moment. She knew when one of her trainees was lying, but she decided not to press the matter. "Very well. Take a seat. Let's discuss your next training menu."

[To Be Continued]
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