When Symboli Rudolf arrived at the scene, what she saw was Tokai Teio, tears streaming down her face, being comforted by Mejiro McQueen, and Platinum, limping toward the spectator seats with support from Gold Ship.
It's over. It's all over. That was the only thought in Symboli Rudolf's mind.
Having just run a 3000-meter race, and now faced with this utterly shocking sight, she felt her vision go dark, nearly collapsing on the spot.
Her heart ached, and her stomach churned.
The undefeated emperor had met her end today on the turf of the racetrack. If only I could be buried in the snowy landscapes of Hokkaido.
Quick to notice and even quicker to speak, Gold Ship called out, "Don't worry, President! Platinum's legs are tough as nails—not broken, not even sprained."
"Just a bit shaken up. A good night's sleep and she'll be right as rain by tomorrow."
Hearing Gold Ship's words, Symboli Rudolf felt her vision clear, her heart stop aching, and her legs regain their strength, as if she could run another Kikuka Shō right then and there.
Gold Ship, you miracle worker!
Noticing the president's arrival, Tokai Teio burst into fresh sobs.
"Waaa—President—!"
"I'm such a fool—a total idiot—!"
Seeing Tokai Teio's tear-streaked face, what little anger Symboli Rudolf had felt melted away. She hurried over to console her.
"Don't worry, Teio. This isn't your fault. I should have communicated more clearly."
"It's perfectly natural to want to win."
"And you heard Gold Ship—Platinum is just fine."
Tokai Teio shook her head vehemently.
"That's not true at all! Don't make excuses for me, President..."
"I know exactly what was going through my mind. I didn't even want this race to prove I was better..."
"I'm a horrible person. I don't deserve to race with you—waaa—!"
What in the world is going on here? Back in my racing days, if a rival broke their leg mid-race, I considered it a friendly match if I didn't turn around and flip them off. Are today's Uma Musume just too adorable, or was I really that terrible back then?
Watching the little "pearls" of tears falling from Tokai Teio's eyes, Symboli Rudolf even began to question herself.
"—Listen to me, Teio!"
Symboli Rudolf's voice suddenly sharpened, a stern rebuke. Perhaps startled by the sudden shift in tone, Tokai Teio stopped crying, staring at her with wide, bewildered eyes.
"What do you mean, 'don't deserve'? You are Tokai Teio! Do you remember what you told me?"
"You're the one who aims to become an Undefeated Triple Crown Uma Musume! If you start doubting yourself now, over a setback like this, then you have no right to carry that name!"
As she spoke, her voice softened again, a smile touching her lips as she reached out to gently stroke Tokai Teio's head.
"But, like I said, you are Tokai Teio."
"You're that dazzling rising star, that brilliant talent. So I believe you can do it—overcome any obstacle in your path."
"If you need to cry, then cry your heart out. If you must wash this guilt away, then do it. But after the tears are dry, I want to see the same Tokai Teio as before—no, an even better one."
Symboli Rudolf extended her pinky finger, half-kneeling before Tokai Teio.
"After all, I'll still be waiting for you up ahead."
"President..."
With a trembling hand, Tokai Teio reached out and linked her own pinky with the president's.
The president was truly the president—always so cool, always there to guide her from the front.
Yes, the president was right. Mejiro McQueen was right, too.
What had come over her today? So indecisive, so consumed by petty thoughts.
Was it because the president had signed other Uma Musume? Did she think she wasn't number one in the president's heart anymore, and let herself get tangled up in foolish worries?
That's not Tokai Teio.
If she were the real Tokai Teio, she should be thinking—
Whether I'm first in the president's heart or not doesn't matter. Becoming number one in her eyes has always been my goal.
What I should really be focused on is making sure the president remains number one in my heart.
No matter what the president thinks, does that change the fact that she's the president I admire?
And so, pinky linked with pinky.
Though tear tracks still marked her cheeks, a bright, radiant smile had already returned to Tokai Teio's face.
"You said it yourself, President."
"If I ever catch up to you, don't you dare cry."
Seeing that expression back on Teio's face, Symboli Rudolf felt a weight lift from her heart. This was the Tokai Teio she knew.
Ahem.
Just then, an ill-timed cough interrupted the moment.
Platinum stood nearby, limping slightly, looking back and forth between the two with a distinctly sour expression.
Look, I get it. Tokai Teio might as well be your secret lovechild. I'm not about to compete with a little girl over that.
But you're my trainer, you know? I just took a nasty fall. Even if Gold Ship says I'm fine, couldn't you at least check on me? Say a few comforting words?
Seeing you two like this... makes me feel like I lost the race and at life itself.
How to put it... It's not jealousy, exactly. Just leaves a bit of a bitter taste.
Crap. I was so focused on Teio, I completely forgot about this side... Symboli Rudolf mentally kicked herself, a wave of dread washing over her.
"Platinum, how are you feeling?" she asked, moving closer with concern.
"I'm fine," Platinum replied icily, turning her head away.
"Platinum, is your leg really okay?" Symboli Rudolf tried again, shifting to look at her face.
"Ask Gold Ship," Platinum retorted, turning her head the other way.
"Platinum, are you hurt anywhere?" Symboli Rudolf persisted, undeterred.
"What's it to you?"
That response sent a jolt of pain straight from Symboli Rudolf's gums to her brain.
Damn it. Just finished calming down one little empress, and now I've offended another.
The smile that had only recently returned to Symboli Rudolf's face vanished completely.
She felt prickles of anxiety down her spine. Faced with these two young girls, Tokai Teio and Platinum, she felt like even having four extra arms, eight more legs, and three additional heads wouldn't be enough to handle the situation.
Teenage girls really are from another planet.
The last time Symboli Rudolf had faced a crisis of this magnitude was during that legendary encounter between Mejiro Ramonu and Tokai Natural.
That time, the two of them had stood on either side of her, smiling sweetly, each clinging to one of her arms—a picture of perfect harmony on the surface. In reality, Symboli Rudolf had felt like she was being torn in two.
Now, standing before Tokai Teio and Platinum, she felt the most terrifying memories from the depths of her soul resurface with a vengeance.
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T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 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.