Chapter Text
"Akikawa, am I hearing this correctly?"
Unfortunately for a very burnt-out, busy Symboli Rudolf, there was not just one pompous child she had to deal with on a near-daily basis.
With her permanent, uncanny smile, Director Akikawa was constantly in her ear, reminding her to think about the greater consequences of her decisions for the URA, and the wider academy.
And to think the triple crown feels like it was just yesterday. Is this truly what has become of the turfs Emperor?
"Indeed you are! Tazuna similarly felt it was a good way of not only increasing the publicity of our beloved Umamusume but also raising funds! The URA seeks to record a bigger surplus this year, and what better way is there to make money in this day and age?"
Was it that she agreed, or did you just wear her down, you roach?
"So let me get this straight. A 3-day streaming camp, which starts in a week, with zero prior notification for the Umamusume involved. Honestly, do you expect me to think the URA is willing to fund something this… frivolous?"
Akikawa flipped her fan, exposing a large, comical dollar sign. Normally, the comedic genius would have Rudolf rolling (one of the few reasons she enjoyed time with Akikawa), but in that moment it was far harder to acknowledge the (objective) hilarity of the bit.
"Ah, my dear Rudolf! You don't have to imagine! This event will be fully sponsored and overseen by the URA! We've already notified several of the Umamusume who have agreed to fill the roles asked of them; all we require now are the competitors! And, besides."
She moved closer to the table, her paltry height allowing her beady eyes to look just over the fine leather upholstery.
"What better place to announce the newest winner of the URA's Hall of Fame award?"
Rudolf leaned in closer.
"Alright then. But I still have some conditions."
"Ask away, my red-nosed reindeer!"
Again, Rudolf was forced to tragically neglect another generation-defining hysterical bit.
"Number one. Seventy-five per cent of the earnings should be donated to Mejiro McQueen's new foundation. I refuse to allow them to become a mere cash cow for the URA."
Akikawa faltered.
"Sixty percent!"
"Seventy-five."
"Sixty-five percent."
"Eighty."
"I accept your original proposition!"
She smiled.
"And number two."
Symboli Rudolf drew herself to her full height, almost a full half metre above the director.
"Nothing will happen to them without my direct jurisdiction. My second condition is that I will be participating alongside them."
Akikawa closed her fan.
"I-I, well, this is more so meant to be about promoting the current generation, dear Rudolf! What are we going to do if the grand winner is Symboli Rudolf, the Student President of Tracen herself?"
Rudolf glared.
"Eighty fi-"
"Accepted!"
—
Tokai Teio was bored. She had many hobbies, yet somehow each and every one of them was currently off limits.
The arcade? It was currently closed for fumigation. Apparently a certain white-haired Umamusume was spotted releasing a sack full of hundreds of tarantulas onto the premises.
She had no idea how they weren't in prison yet and even less idea how she had remained friends with someone who was so easy to identify in any and all situations involving 'harmless' pranks for so long.
Rudolf was busy, and Teio thought she might genuinely fire lasers out of her eyes if she interrupted her in the middle of a meeting again.
She'd already gotten her daily workout in at the gym and got bullied by Mejiro Ryan for ego-lifting whenever she came with McQueen, and she'd already had something to eat and her favourite drink from the honeyade stand. It didn't taste the same without McQueen.
She paced around her room, aimlessly walking in circles.
Heh, kinda like Suzuka. It's great to have her weirdness back in Spica.
Her notebook?
Well, exams were over, so there was no point studying. She wasn't like McQueen, who stuck to a strict revision schedule even in the holidays; quite frankly, she thought the likes of McQueen and Scarlet were psychotic.
Although not everybody possessed her, in McQueen's words, borderline cheating hyperthymesiac recall. It wasn't her fault she could study for all her tests the day before and get near-perfect marks!
And the McQueen in question was currently busy with snooze-fest financial matters regarding her new charity.
But, wait a second, aha!
What was it those URA advertisements loved saying?
Umamusume are born to run!
She got up to her feet. Oh, running! What else could never fail her, no matter the situation?
Suddenly, her phone went off with an unexpected notification. She read through it quickly.
"Oh, come on!"
—
"This concludes today's meeting. I thank all my generous guarantors who have chosen to support me in my ongoing journey to the future."
At her table, various individuals sat with varying levels of focus.
Among them sat TM Opera O, an individual who McQueen truthfully found rather unpleasant. But she did possess, in Teio's words, near-unparalleled bands.
The Mejiro Foundation for Injured and Ill Umamusume was something she and Teio had discussed once in their many discussions about their future. With the help of her family, friends and boundless work ethic, it was all coming together very well.
She smiled to herself. She couldn't wait to see Teio after so long apart.
I mean, it's almost been a full half day! It's astonishing I even survived so long without a single glimpse of her adorable face, really.
"Oh, my radiant queen? Your overlord would like to have a final parting statement!"
Please, goddesses, no.
McQueen seemed to have developed a very sudden case of tinnitus, as she rapidly walked out of her room alongside the various donors.
The tap on her shoulder sent a chill down her spine.
"Ah, finally! You are truly a difficult character to compel, Mejiro McQueen!"
She forced a delicate smile onto her face as the pompous Overlord of Centuries End laughed in that goosebump-conjuring fashion of hers.
"Yes, well, it has been a rather long day, Opera. Perhaps this discussion could wait for our next meeting?"
"I'm afraid not, my dear damsel! See, the fates have knelt to my glory at last, and they have a message to send! The call of destiny awaits in your mobile device, Mejiro McQueen!"
So, otherwise, check my phone in Operanese. And I'M the difficult character? Utterly preposterous.
The phone in question had a message from her trainer, which she had evidently missed from having her phone in Do not Disturb.
She determinedly hid her home screen from Opera, checking the message. Her face hardened.
Plans had changed, it seemed.
—
"…And you know what he said after that? "Oh no, my Glorious Deity of Golden Warfare! Please, may I have my legs back?'"
Vodka and the various other Umamusume surrounding Gold Ship let out an uproarious guffaw, some even going as far as to slam the table. (Aston Machan's head was seemingly filled entirely with fluff as she stared blankly into the distance. She was weird like that.)
Scarlet huffed. The dorm leader was for sure going to get them in trouble for making that much noise.
What's even so funny about what she said? It's clearly all a lie! There's no way Gold Ship has access to THAT many Surface to Air Missiles, and even less way that someone could play the flute while surviving that level of blood loss.
"Hey, Gold Ship! You gotta hook me up with whoever is dealing you this stuff at a cheap price! Maybe if I throw a flashbang at Scarlet, she'll stop acting like someone's stuck a stick up her—"
"YOU SHUT IT, VODKA!"
As tensions instantly flared, Gold Ship's phone lit up with a notification. Picking the phone up upside down, she read the message.
"Alright, break it up, you two! There are bigger fish to fry and government weather machines to shoot down!"
She picked up a still squabbling Vodka and Scarlet before jumping directly out of the second-floor window. The other Umamusume present refused to comment.
"Gold Ship is just a flawless narrative device sometimes, huh, reader?"
Aston Machan, again, spoke to nobody. She was weird like that.
—
Silence Suzuka sat down at a nearby park chair. She smiled as Special Week's familiar face came into view from further down their path.
Returning to Japan had probably been the best choice she'd made in a long time. Seeing Spe every single day again, as well as surprising the rest of Spica with her abrupt arrival, had been completely worth it.
And having an adorable new girlfriend made it a lot easier to handle the newfound change.
As she sat down to watch the nearby trees sway in the wind behind Spe, her phone lit up. She pulled her phone from her pocket, quickly reading through the message.
Trainer_Okino_Tracen_Official: I don't know what's up, but Akikawa has shown up to Spica Headquarters. You guys all need to head over here right now.
"Oh, Spe-chan!"
The Spe in question came bounding over, a smile on her now red face, presumably from running. (Or, as Suzuka liked to think, being near her wonderful girlfriend.)
She held up her phone.
"Duty calls."
—
Teio was alone, in uncomfortable silence with Akikawa and Trainer. She wordlessly mouthed to the latter, hoping to get his attention.
Why is she here? Is it Gold Ship's fault?
He mouthed back.
I'm not really sure. Either way, she thinks it's important enough to have you all here at once.
"It is absolutely important enough to warrant all of your attention, young Tokai Teio!"
Well, it had better have been to get her over here on a rest day.
Wait, had she just called her young?
Suddenly, the door swung wide open, revealing a very frustrated Mejiro McQueen. She was on the phone and, by the looks of her flailing limbs, was not exactly happy with the person on the other end.
"Well, how much money could she possibly own in comparison to the full might of the Mejiro Family? Does my mental health occur to you as anything more than an occupational hazard, Palmer?"
Teio's eyes instantly lit up. Her tail wagged like it was powered by a jet engine as she blitzed across the room.
"MAKWEEEN!!!"
"Yes, well, I hardly – TEIO, STOP! I'M ON THE PHONE! I'M ON THE PHONE!"
Teio leapt straight into her arms as McQueen pulled off a commendable performance of hanging up the call, putting her phone in her pocket, and holding out her arms all in the span of Teio crossing five metres.
Teio, now being carried several feet off the ground, giggled to herself.
"Makween, how did today's meeting go? Did it go good? Did they like the name WE chose? Did you mention me? Did you, McQueen?"
A more than slightly exasperated McQueen couldn't help but melt in Teio's presence.
"Yes, Teio. I have to say it did go quite well. We've secured several reliable guarantors who will support us."
"Heehee! Hey, I know what that word means! Praise me NOW!"
She pat Teio on the head before planting a kiss in between her ears, to Teio's flustered giggles.
"You're so smart, Teio! Great job."
Trainer cleared his throat.
"A-ah, Trainer! We didn't see you there, ha ha…"
He was well aware of the two by now. As their trainer, McQueen had felt he had the right of knowing about their newfound status.
Immediately after, he had placed an 'untargeted' blanket ban on all PDA within the Spica building.
Buzzkill.
Teio shook her head mentally before climbing off of McQueen.
"Well, in any case, I do hope we're here for a good reason. I have responsibilities too, Trainer. A Mejiro is never fully free."
Except for your favourite brown-haired Umamusume in the whole wide world, right, McQueen?
"Yeah, yeah. I'll tell you as soon as the rest of Spica arrives."
As if to punctuate his statement, a small black canister landed in the centre of the room.
Instinctively, McQueen ducked.
The canister in question burst into red smoke as everyone in the room, barring Akikawa entered a sudden coughing fit.
"Behold, Spica citizens! An entrance befitting the sunderer of over TWELVE BILLION YEN HERSELF!"
After a clatter of metal, Gold Ship appeared along with Scarlet and Vodka, covered in grey powder in her arms. Clearly they weren't faring much better than everyone else in the room.
In fact, I'd wager they're doing a good bit worse. Scarlet's hair is all messed up. She's going to lose her mind.
"H-how did you even... ack... get in here? The entrances are all locked!"
"Ah, my dear Mackie, the answer lies in the future of Umamusume movement! Teleportation, along with just a scooch of astral projection!"
"So that metal vent cover on the floor, the screwdriver in your hands, Vodka and Scarlet covered in dust and the hole in the roof are just a symptom of your teleportation spell?"
"Well, of course! The essence of a magician is redirection, you blind fool!"
McQueen's hands screwed up by her sides, clearly ready to utter another cutting retort, before Teio placed a hand on her shoulder and shook her head.
Some battles are better left unfought.
"Alright, well, we're just missing two more. Hopefully, those two don't have any unpleasant surprises in store for us.'
Trainer sighed, his head in his hands. He was going to have an aneurysm doing the paperwork to get this room cleaned out. In fact, who knew what Gold Ship had put in that grenade? They'd probably need hazmat suits.
"I believe that would be referring to us."
Silence Suzuka and Special Week walked into the room with interlinked elbows.
Trainer Okino just knew something had changed between the two in America, but the problem was that they were always this physical. It was hard to pin them with a violation of his rules when he had no proper way of distinguishing romantic from platonic.
Seizing her moment, Director Akikawa stood up on the couch, ushering the room to quiet down.
"Perfection! Listen up, dear Team Spica! Word of your public success has reached URA ears! In the interest of public relations, we have a request to make of you; should you all be so kind as to hear us out!"
She unveiled a fan with a large dollar sign on the front, which Gold Ship seemed to find hysterical. She cackled to herself, effortlessly dodging Scarlet's attempts to grab her by the head.
Seriously, what kind of absolute moron would find that funny?
Teio shook her head. The humour of some people, really.
"Wait. Before you happen to ask us, I must let you know that the next week will be supremely difficult for me. My new charity is in a very sensitive state currently, and it requires overseers."
"Ah, well, that's just the thing! Under negotiations with the URA, we believe you will be very happy with the outcome for your charity, Miss Mejiro McQueen! Additionally, Mejiro Ardan and Mejiro Ramonu have agreed to shoulder your responsibilities in the time that you are gone! Worry not!"
McQueen looked unconvinced. Akikawa did not care.
"You individual gems of the next generation have been chosen to participate in the biggest charity event held by the URA in years! In fact, in honour of your new foundation, the event shall be referred to as the Dream Makers charity stream, with a generous donation of seventy-five per cent of all revenue!"
And there it was. The name that Teio and McQueen had decided. It was considerably less drab than the Mejiro Foundation for Injured and Ill Umamusume, and it held a lot of significance for the two. After all, injury and illness were more significant for Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen than for many others at Tracen.
She scoffed. There was no way Teio was going to let a soulless corporate foundation like the URA bastardise the name that the two had painstakingly chos-
Aaaand, she's loving it. Look at her tail go. You'd think I just handed her a jumbo-sized honeyade.
"What would we be made to do at this event, exactly?"
Daiwa Scarlet spoke up, asking the question the rest had been too overwhelmed to ask. Gold Ship's head sat in the crook of her elbow, rapidly losing oxygen.
Akikawa flourished her fan, the dollar sign somehow changing to text reading "Fun!"
"That's just it! Team Spica, you will compete in duos to face each other in various challenges and games in an open, fan-influenced stream which we have so kindly decided to sponsor at the URA!"
Suzuka raised her hand.
"And, would we happen to have an… incentive… to win?"
"You're more transactional than you seem, Silence Suzuka! Worry not. The winning duo will receive five hundred thousand yen in prize money!"
The room suddenly tensed. Every single individual, barring McQueen and Special Week, seemed far more inclined to accept at this point.
"Well, it sounds fun for sure, but guys, do you really want to fight each other on TV over this? Who knows what they're gonna make us do over there? The URA is ruthless!"
McQueen nodded. Special Week had rightfully pointed out a potential flaw in Akikawa's persuasion.
"You shall also receive a coupon allowing you to dine at any restaurant under URA jurisdiction for free. Permanently."
Special Week's eyes suddenly narrowed, as did McQueen's.
Teio and Suzuka both fought not to laugh.
"Well, I'm not exactly a mathematician, but have you thought about that fact that THIS idiot..."
Vodka gestured at Gold Ship.
"… Makes seven? That isn't exactly divisible by two."
"Indeed it isn't, Vodka."
A voice that Teio could have recognised through earplugs resounded through the room as her back straightened immediately.
"Which is why I have so graciously decided to partner with her for this event."
Rudolf entered the Spica building, fashionably late. Though, she'd clearly been listening with her ear to the door to gauge when was the most interesting time to enter the room.
"Oh, no, Prez. This isn't worth it, I promise you."
"Why not, Teio? It will be fun! A triple crown Umamusume fears not a fellow jokester!"
Gold Ship grinned. Oh, she was for SURE in for it now.
"Yeah, Teio! Your Prez and I are going to have a SUPER fun time together. I bet we'll be just two peas in a pod by the end of this!"
Akikawa cleared her throat again, silencing the room.
"And one last thing. An incredibly rare, prestigious honour is planned to be bestowed upon one Umamusume in this room!"
Her fan changed again, now reading 'GLORY!'.
"The URA Hall of Fame! A title acclaimed worldwide, marking an exemplary Umamusume! Currently only held by the likes of Symboli Rudolf at Tracen, the URA feels that the next winner is long overdue!"
She spread her arms as wide as they would go. (So roughly the diameter of a watermelon, Teio estimated.)
"On this grand stage, one of you shall be granted the privilege of having your name engraved in Umamusume history! Additionally, the winner will be allowed to perform an exclusive Winning Live with any other Umamusume of their choice!
The air felt tense. The URA hall of fame? That wasn't something people mentioned every day. It was an honour only granted to Umamusume who had defined whole eras with their accomplishments.
Teio wasn't sure what to make of it.
Who in this room could it even go to?
Gold Ship with her six G1s?
Vodka with her seven?
Scarlet for consistently keeping up with and exceeding Vodka?
Special Week for beating Monteju?
Suzuka for dominating American soil?
McQueen for her long-distance reign?
Me, even? For the Arima Kinen?
"And, with that, dear Spica, we await your response! Raise your hand in agreement!"
Every single person in the room held their hand up.
With the sole exception of Tokai Teio. McQueen looked concerned.
"Teio, what's the problem? I feel this could be a great bonding opportunity for us!"
"I don't know, guys. It sounds fun, but this is an insane amount of money just for some games. Not to mention, the coupon. Don't you think this could cause rifts between us?"
McQueen's expression softened.
"Teio. I… understand your worries. But we at Team Spica are a family. I know I consider them as such, alongside the Mejiros, and I know that you do too."
McQueen grabbed her hand, pressing it against her own chest.
"We've been through far too much together to let something like this break us apart. Really, it'd just be a fun vacation activity!"
Teio looked around the room, the various Spica members smiling and nodding. Even Gold Ship seemed moved by what McQueen had said. Though, her expression could have just as easily been due to asphyxiation.
And, heck. When in doubt, always trust McQueen.
"Alright, McQueen. Thank you."
She raised her hand.
"Exemplary! You will be given 3 days to prepare. Clothes shall be provided for you while recording, but you will be sent a list of basic supplies to bring along with you. We at the URA welcome you to the future!"
—
They all walked back to the dorms together.
As they all chattered and bantered, Teio couldn't help but think how great it was that Spica was finally all back together again.
She looked at McQueen, who was still holding her hand beside her. As she did, McQueen smiled, squeezing her hand, before leaning over to give her a quick peck on her cheek.
When life was this good, who even cared about a stupid award?
…
Ok, maybe she cared a little.
"Hey, Prez?"
"What is it, Teio?"
She let go of McQueen's hand, who went to talk with Suzuka.
"What was it like receiving that award? Did you feel… different at all? Like you deserved to receive it, or did you think it should've gone to someone else?"
Rudolf thought to herself for a second.
"Well, obviously on the outside I was perfectly collected. But in secret, Sirius was starting bets to see how long I could go for on stage without collapsing."
She propped up her chin with her thumb and index finger, almost like she was pointing a finger gun to the side.
"Thankfully, you don't get seven G1 wins without some media training! It's nothing Team Spica can't handle. Sirius had to pay up a very large sum too."
Rudolf had really missed the point of her question.
—
"Scarlet, what do you think of what Akikawa said?"
Vodka and Scarlet had cut ahead of the pack. Surprisingly enough, Vodka was actually quite conscious of the amount of sleep she got, making her a good pair with Scarlet. (At least in that particular regard.)
"Well, I'm not sure. Honestly, I don't think anybody else here makes sense to win that award more than you. Seven G1 wins – you really can't argue with those kinds of numbers."
To be truthful, Vodka still thought Scarlet was the better racer. But the URA also valued statistics, and she did have the most G1s in Spica.
Though, if Scarlet hadn't got injured, I'd be willing to bet that number would be different.
"Yeah, of course you'd kneel to me. Have some confidence, Little Miss Perfect. What if Vodka's famed rival is receiving that award after all?"
"I try to say one nice thing, and that's what it gets me? Jump out of a window, Vodka."
"Been there, done that!"
—
Suzuka and Spe walked together quietly.
"Soooo, Suzuka…"
"Yes, Spe-chan?"
She stopped walking.
"Do you think that little ol' meee could have a chance at that URA Hall of Fame?"
She clasped her hands together by her cheek, Suzuka giggling behind her hand at how much she looked like a toddler trying to beg for a piece of candy.
"Well, Spe-chan, I think that by popularity alone, you fit the metric. When we throw in your racing accomplishments, it's entirely possible."
Suzuka looked down slightly.
"I know that it won't be me. I'm far too socially inept to garner a proper fanbase."
"Aww, Suzuka! Don't put yourself down! Winning a G1 in America is a big deal! Hardly any Japanese Umamusume can claim that about themselves!"
McQueen piped up beside them.
"Well, I personally have absolute confidence in Teio to win. Her endless sociability and pleasant personality are well known to the general public at this point, and her run at the Arima Kinen is stuff of legend."
Suzuka's eyes narrowed.
"Of course, it was a very notable victory. But I must say, defeating a L'Arc winner and maintaining a record against the Golden Generation is incredibly notable too, is it not?"
"Yes, of course. I mean, Teio accomplished the same number of G1 victories with three fractures across her career and ended what would have otherwise been a seven-win streak from Biwa Hiyahide after a year off the turf, but of course, Spe is a formidable racer. No denials there."
McQueen stared daggers at Suzuka. She stared right back, a very rare instance of conflict between the two. Special Week was unsure whether to grab popcorn or break the two apart. A sudden tap on her shoulder broke the spell.
"Psst. Hey, Spe! You want to talk over there? Looks like our other halves are in a bit of a spat."
Teio pulled her to the side as the two formerly most collected individuals in Spica began to slowly raise their voices.
"Hey there, Teio! Um, I never told you, but congratulations on tying the knot! Suzuka told me."
"Congratulations yourself. Seems like you figured out what was right in front of you."
"Hey, are you really talking to me about being oblivious right now?"
The two laughed, watching Scarlet and Vodka physically restrain McQueen and Suzuka.
"Well. If there's anybody here who deserves that award here, it's you, Spe."
"Really? Teio, your Arima Kinen was the most amazing victory I've ever seen! Give yourself some credit!"
"Race records aren't the only thing that dictate this award. You're loved by literally every single person at Tracen! Even I have some people who find me annoying, and I'm awesome! I can't think of a single person who'd have anything bad to say to you."
Spe awkwardly laughed as Teio continued talking, unaware of the circumstances by which Suzuka had returned to Japan.
"Well, anyway. May the best Umamusume win, Teio!"
She stuck out her hand, which Teio shook firmly. Spe saw Gold Ship getting thrown into a wall out of the corner of her eye.
"We should probably break them up now."
"Yeah, good idea."
—
"Are you sure about your choice, Director Akikawa?"
"Absolutely, one hundred per cent, completely certain! We at the URA have come to a consensus, and we believe asking for your feedback, as the previous winner, is the best course of action! Speak, Symboli Rudolf!"
Rudolf remained silent. As the school president, she refused to allow any biases to enter official URA decision-making.
"Well, based on overall quantifiable success in racing, Vodka is our best choice. In terms of widespread public appeal, Special Week comes to mind. And that Suzuka girl has broken multiple overseas records, putting her up with the likes of El Condor Pasa."
"No, no! I'm asking for YOUR opinion, not as the class president but as the Umamusume, Symboli Rudolf!"
Well, how was she meant to answer that? Of course, a certain wide-eyed honey-loving Umamusume came to mind. In her mind, nobody deserved that award more than her.
But the URA wasn't always compelled by emotional arguments. When you looked at the statistics, the number of fractures they weathered or the mental hardships they endured weren't going to be what sealed the deal.
And if she were to tell the truth, she wasn't sure if Teio was ready.
"I have no thoughts, Director Akikawa. You may allocate the award as you see fit."
"Well, our decision has yet to be made. We just wanted your input, and it appears you have none! Fascinating!"
"Yes. I wish you luck."
As Akikawa left the room, Rudolf sighed and looked out of her window. Her responsibilities were numerous and difficult. And people still considered Rudolf quite hard-headed, despite her joking nature at heart.
In fact, an outside observer seeing Rudolf staring wistfully out the window would likely think she was pondering something quite profound.
But in reality, she just couldn't wait to compete against her favourite underclassman.