King Halo gazed at the crowd gathered around her.
Her right hand rested on her injured leg, her lips pressed into a thin line of lingering frustration.
If only this leg weren't compromised, she could be out there running alongside them, showing those legendary Uma Musume the true form of the King.
And then there was that title.
T.M. Opera O, the "Overlord," had once said that a true King has no need to address others as seniors.
Wasn't the "Japan's Number One" effectively the King of this generation?
As King Halo watched Barbatos chatting effortlessly with the legends, her pride forced her to admit a bitter truth: after this injury, catching up to Barbatos's stride might become an even more Herculean task.
"It's eating at you, isn't it?"
Grass Wonder's voice was a soft murmur in her ear.
"Watching everyone prepare for a mock race, getting ready to give it their all, while you're stuck on the sidelines because of your leg... seeing them run while you're barred from the track."
"It is not!"
King Halo snapped, glaring stubbornly at Grass Wonder, fiercely denying the true emotions swirling in her heart.
"I've been through it too," Grass Wonder continued gently. "And not just me—El Condor Pasa and Barbatos have both dealt with this. The feeling of being sidelined by injury is always the same. All we can do is focus on recovery so we can stand on that starting line once more."
Grass Wonder paid no mind to King Halo's denial. Having been her roommate, she knew the other girl's temperament inside out.
"When my leg was injured, Hana Toujou collected a lot of recovery methods for me. Perhaps you could find some use for them as well."
As a young lady of high standing, King Halo had access to specialized family doctors, but the prospect of supplementary methods to speed up her return was something no Uma Musume could turn down.
Besides, as the strongest team in Japan, Rigil's internal archives on injury rehabilitation were far more extensive than anything found in public records.
"Besides, watching them compete from the sidelines might give you some unexpected insights."
After all, this was a clash between the pinnacle performers of different eras—a true collision of generations.
Listening to Grass Wonder, King Halo gave a small nod and a soft "Mhm."
"Thank you," she whispered.
Uma Musume possess incredibly sharp hearing.
Although Barbatos and the others were busy with their own conversation and Grass Wonder and King Halo had lowered their voices, the proximity meant the exchange didn't go unnoticed.
Barbatos couldn't help but admire Grass Wonder's natural talent for mediation, a skill worthy of a student council officer.
Just then, T.M. Opera O stepped forward with an elegant flourish. With the air of a true gentleman, she reached out and took King Halo's hand—the one resting on her injured leg—into her own.
Her flamboyant, refined grace was enough to make even a poised socialite like King Halo blush. It also left Barbatos and the rest of the group wondering exactly what kind of stunt Opera O was about to pull.
"You are a King, and so am I. I won't let you spend tomorrow's mock race merely as a spectator," Opera O declared.
"To seize victory is a given, but even when defeat is certain, one must lose beautifully. That is my creed."
"Get a grip. King Halo's leg is actually hurt," Narita Brian coughed from the side, trying to put a damper on Opera O's "theatrics."
Barbatos couldn't help but chime in with a quip of her own.
"When you 'Lead from the Front,' everyone else is just in the shadows. If you lose, you're just a loser. What's the point of talking about beauty if you're eating dust?"
Air Groove, the "Empress" herself, let out a weary sigh, her eyes going dead.
Please, just let the world end now. She had been worried about the Student Council President's puns, only to realize that Rigil's list of "problem children" didn't start and end with Symboli Rudolf.
The dignity of Japan's strongest team, Team Rigil, felt like it was being ground into the dirt today.
"Since you asked..."
Opera O, still holding King Halo's hand, struck a magnificent, dashing pose. "During tomorrow's mock race, I shall carry King Halo across the finish line in a bridal carry!"
She looked at King Halo with utter sincerity before turning back to the group. "Even with a leg injury, never lose heart. Leave it to me! Something like that, perhaps?"
A bridal carry across the finish line?
Barbatos's eyebrows shot up. She glanced over at Seiun Sky. If... No, no, no. She didn't want the excuse of looking cool to be the result of Seiun Sky getting hurt.
But still...
"Damn it, why do I actually think that sounds a little cool!?"
"Hey, Barbatos, don't you dare go learning that nonsense from Opera O," Fuji Kiseki interjected, unable to watch the train wreck any longer.
"Even if you think it looks 'cool,' don't copy her. Under normal circumstances, if Opera O tried to finish a race while carrying someone like that, both of them would be disqualified. In international events, you'd be looking at heavy fines or even a ban."
These were basics taught in general education classes at Tracen Academy. Barbatos knew the rules, of course, but she figured rules had nothing to do with looking stylish.
Then again, trying to win a race while carrying another Uma Musume was a fool's errand.
Even if the "Emperor" herself tried it, she'd be humiliated. It was a guaranteed way to "lose beautifully" because winning would be impossible.
"As for the bridal carry... I think I'll pass," King Halo said, declining the offer.
"I will win on my own! Even if I'm not recovered yet, one day I will step into the Dream Cup with a stride worthy of the name King, and show you all exactly what I'm capable of!"
"Ohohoho!"
Opera O smiled warmly, brushing a lock of hair from her forehead.
She winked and struck a theatrical pose in response. "I look forward to it! When that time comes, as a fellow King, I shall display an even more magnificent and elegant form!"
"And I shall be the one to claim victory! For that is the path I walk!"
"Ahahaha!!"
"It seems the Dream Cup is going to be quite the spectacle! Ohohohoho!!"
"The mere thought of that race makes my heart leap with excitement! Ahahahahaha!!"
What should have been a touching, romantic moment had morphed into a pre-emptive competitive showdown, thanks to the unique logic of these two "Kings."
Barbatos wiped away a bead of sweat that wasn't actually there.
She suddenly felt the need to retract her earlier thought about the "Japan's Number One" being a King too.
At the very least, she could never lose herself in the moment with the same shameless enthusiasm as Opera O and King Halo.
The second-hand embarrassment is real...
Maruzensky and Seiun Sky, never ones to miss out on a bit of chaos, dragged a table over from across the room.
They motioned for Hana Toujou and Symboli Rudolf to sit down, effectively turning them into a panel of judges for this impromptu laughing contest.
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.