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— T-t-this can’t be happening — Doto collapsed on the flor of the bathroom as she felt tears starting to form on her eyes. She hadn’t intended for this to happen.
— Doto? — Taiki Shuttle approached the stall in which she knew her friend was — Can I come in? — having no answer she started to push the door slowly and saw Doto in the floor — It’s okay, we can talk it over, everything is going to be fine — she tried to reassure her friend.
— I m-messed up — she clutched the object in her hand.
— Shh, Doto, let’s go to your room, okay? — she helped her friend stand up and started walking with her.
— I c-can’t do this to her — she whimpered. Taiki could just hold her hand as they walked across the dorms.
As they came inside the room they bumped into Air Shakur who looked annoyed at first but immediately softened her expression once she noticed Doto’s tearful eyes. Air stood silently as she saw Taiki move Doto to her bed and sit her down just for Doto to break into numerous tears as Taiki hugged her tightly and patted her back.
— Yo, what happened? — she asked and Taiki searched for something in her pocket before throwing it in her direction. Air catched it and stared at it for a few seconds before she felt the air leave her lungs — You’re preg-?! — He was cut by the killer look Taiki sent her way and shut her mouth. She approached the other two girls in the room and sat by Doto's side as she placed a hand over her roommate’s shoulder — You’re not alone, you know? You have options, it’s not the end of the world — she grumbled shyly.
— A-air! — Doto went to hug Air and squeezed her tightly against her chest.
— Stop it! You're asphyxiating me! — Air tapped her back to signal her to stop.
— So, you want to keep the baby but you’re afraid about how Opera O will react, is that it? — Air spat and Doto nodded slowly. — Well, I wouldn’t worry too much if I were you, we are talking about the girl who goes “My sweet Doto” all the time — she sighed as she crossed her arms.
— But she has so much ahead of herself, a baby could ruin her career… — Doto lowered her head.
— It’s not like she has to stop running, you know it — Taiki smiled sadly at her — You are the one who's going to put a pause to running —
— I’m okay with that… I have noticed how I’m not at my peak anymore… I had thought about retiring soon… — Doto looked a little sad — But I thought I had a little more time to be honest, guess my retirement is coming sooner than expected — she chuckled nervously — Still, I’m not mad… but I guess I would have liked to run a little more… —
— You don’t have to stop — Air exclaimed and as the two other girls tilted their heads in confusion she explained — Well, of course you can’t race anymore, that can't be good for the baby, but you can still run! Like, run for fun! Running is fun not because of competitions or dumb prizes, we umamusume like to run just for the fuck of it! So run! — she crossed her arms.
— That’s… wow — Taiki said as she broke into a fit of laughter followed by Doto who laughed too.
— Hey! Don’t mock me! —
— We are not! — Taiki said — It’s just, it was like one of those empowering speeches you would hear in a movie.
— E-exactly, I’m not laughing at y-you — Doto raised her hands in defense — It’s just… you’re right — she had a bright smile back in her face — I don’t have to stop running… I might have to take it easy for the pregnancy but jogging will surely be fine and then after I… after I g-give birth I can run again —
— That 's right! — Taiki raised her arms energetically — You can still run, run as much as you like! —
— Yes! — she was once again full of energy — I don’t run for prizes, of course it's nice to win a race but I think I have done enough, at least I hope I have done enough to honour my name… —
— Of course you have! Takarazuka Kinen, Kinko Sho, Nikkei Sho, Sankei Sho All Comers and Chukyo Kinen — Air started pointing at each race won by Meisho Doto with her fingers — First place in those big five races! How could that not be enough? — she even sounded annoyed by Doto’s doubts as a racer.
— Y-you… remember all those? — Now Doto was blushing red as a tomato — I-I didn’t think y-you would —
— I-it’s not a big deal — Air ears dropped as she too blushed embarrassedly — You gotta study your opponents that’s all! —
— Sure that’s all~~~ — Taiki said with a sarcastic tone.
— Thank you Air — Doto gave her roommate as smile full of appreciation — And you too Taiki, thanks for being a great friend —
— Well of course! — the girl said, raising a fist — We umamusume need to stay together! Right Air? —
— Right — the girls looked to the side acting annoyed but to everyone in that room it was clear that was nothing but a hard front she puts on.
— I just have to think how I’m gonna tell Opera O… — the girl’s smile turned into an expression of worry once again —
— Uhh we can have a big party! And then at the end you show her an ecography or something like that! — Taiki liked to go big when it came to surprises — We can buy baby clothes and give them to Opera O! It’s gonna be so cute~~~~ Just imagining her reaction! — the blond was so busy imagining all these exciting scenarios that she hadn’t noticed Doto’s discomfort.
— Yeah, let’s not — Air shut Taiki off — I’m sure Doto would rather do something more simple, no big party just talking with Opera O — Air turned to look at Doto who nodded slowly.
— Jeez, you two are no fun — Taiki pouted — Fine, but I’m planning the baby shower, you can’t take that from me —
— I guess that would be nice — Doto tilted her head with uncertainty.
— For now, maybe you can go to the doctor and get one of those picture and see if you’re 100% pregnant… then we can plan together —
— Yeah, that sounds like a good plan — Doto started drying her tears with her hand.
— Of course it is, I’m the most sane person here — Air sighed.
— We can accompany you to the doctor! That way it won’t be scary! — Taiki exclaimed and looked at Air expectantly as if waiting for the girl to refuse but she simply gave another sigh.
— Yeah, we can accompany you —
— You guys! —
Doto broke into tears again, but this time they were happy tears, grateful tears… hopeful tears.
— Okey! Let's put our plan into action! — Taiki shouted before Air covered her mouth with her hands to silence her.
— Shut up, we don’t want to bring attention our way — Air chastised her.
— I don’t even know why we need a plan — Biwa Hayahide crossed her arms — To me it’s pretty clear that Opera O will take this as good news —
— Y-you really think so? — Doto asked, full of hope.
— She literally sleeps with this stupid Meisho Doto plushie, and I’m pretty sure I have seen her kissing the damn thing before… so yeah, she’s pretty much head over hills for you —
— W-what? She d-does what? — Doto blushed strongly.
— I think that information was a bit too much, Biwa — Narita Top Road said as she placed her hand on Doto’s shoulder encouragingly — What I believe Biwa was trying to do was reassure you; Opera O is pretty much in love with you —
— S-she is?! —
…
— Is she for fucking real? — Air said, sounding really tired.
— I guess she hadn't noticed — Admire Vega said as she sipped her tea.
— But you guys hold hands all the time, don’t you? — Narita asked.
— Yeah, but friends do that too… —
— You kiss too — Admire followed up.
— W-we… do that, yes… — Doto was getting redder with every word — But, I d-don’t know if it meant we are… y-you know —
— You two literally fucked in my room — Biwa spat — Don’t think I didn’t notice — she rolled her eyes.
— Biwa! Shut your big mouth — Air shouted.
— Big?! I don’t have a big head! —
— Nobody said you did, gosh — Taiki grunted as she turned to the rest of the group — Let’s go back to what has us gathered in here, okay? — Everyone agreed to Doto’s great relief.
— Doto, do you have everything? — Narita asked.
— Y-yeah, I have the e-eco and p-papers here — she grabbed a folder.
— Perfect! — Narita clasped her hands.
— Can I see? — Admire asked, eyes glowing.
— Admire? Emm… are you in the right headspace for that right now? — Narita whispered in her ear knowing that pregnancy and babies reminded Admire of her lost twin.
— I’m okay, thanks Narita — Admire smiled as she accepted the hand offered by Narita to hold.
Doto opened the folder and handed Admire the ecography.
— Wow, that’s… she’s really there — Admire smiled as she stared at the paper in her hands — She’ll be a great umamusume, I can already tell —
— How far along were you? — Biwa asked.
— About t-twelve weeks —
— So you have already hit the three month mark! That 's great! — Biwa congratulated her as Doto nodded.
— Three month mark? What’s that? — Taiki asked.
— It’s the point where miscarriage becomes more unlikely — Air explained, having had researched a lot about pregnancy after knowing the truth — It means the baby is safe and will most likely be born —
— Oh, that’s great then! Congratulations Doto! — Taiki said.
— Girls, we’re getting a little side tracked again — Narita called for their attention — Let’s just… review the plan, okay? —
— So, Doto here will go and tell Opera O she’s pregnant, that’s the plan, right? — Biwa said.
— Pretty much — Admire deadpaned — Simple plans are easier to follow anyways —
— Okay, Doto, did Opera O answer your text? — Air asked.
— Y-yeah, we’re meeting in the race tracks in about fifteen minutes —
— Do you know what you are going to tell her? — Admire asked her and Doto gasped.
— I-I haven’t thought about it… I j-just don’t know what I’m s-supposed to say… —
— It’s okay, don’t worry — Narita reassured her — I really think she will be happy —
— So happy that I might have to find another place to sleep tonight… — Biwa sighed.
— You can sleep at my room — Air responded — Pretty sure Doto’s gonna sleep over —
— W-well, if that’s settled let’s just focus on the plan — Narita did her best to move the conversation away from what Biwa and Air were implying.
— Just walk there and tell her “I’m pregnant, take responsibility” — Admire said.
— That’s… yeah, let’s not do that — Narita chuckled nervously — It’s going to be fine Doto, just let your heart do the talking, everything is going to be fine —
— Yeah! We'll be right behind you! — Taiki placed her hand on Doto's shoulder.
— Weren’t we supposed to hide behind the stands though? — Admire questioned.
— W-what? — Doto asked confusedly.
— D-don’t mind her! — Narita said as she whispered something in Admire’s ear.
— Well, hello my sweet Doto, what’s the meaning of your summoning to me in here? — Opera O approached her — May I be as bold as to hope you missed my presence?—
— O-Opera O, hi — Doto started blushing. She guesses she was just that weak to Opera O’s charm — I w-wanted to see you and t-talk to you about s-something —
— Well I’m nothing but ears, tiny as they might be — the girl chuckled.
— The t-truth is that… —
Doto was so nervous she felt like she was about to throw up, but she didn’t let her fear reign her in, no… she could do this. She was not alone, she had all her friends that would be there for her even if Opera O didn’t want to be there for her and their daughter; everything was going to be fine, she can do this.
— Remember t-that time when we-... we uh- sneaked into the projection room that day? — she couldn’t believe she was saying that outloud but she had calculated the dates and she was sure that that event was what got her pregnant.
— Oh, Doto, are you really asking me if I remember our nightly escapades? — she held a hand against his chest — I hold every memory of them close to my heart —
— Y-yeah so… we k-kind of m-made a b-baby — every word was harder to push out and at Opera O’s deadpan expression she felt as if her heart was being crushed slowly, but she pushed through, she always did, always would — I’m p-pregnant —
— Wha- — Opera O had this look of disbelief — You sure? — was the only thing she said.
— Y-yeah — she mumbled and took out the echography from the folder and handed it to the other girl who stared at it with too much attention — I w-want this baby, but i-if you d-don’t- — she was cut of by Opera O who kneeled and grabbed her hand to deposit a chate kiss on it.
— To think our love would take root like this! — she exclaimed with a huge smile and Doto could practically see sparks coming out of her — You’re giving me the best gift someone could ever imagine —
— Ehh?! O-Opera O?! — She wasn’t quite following the other, Opera O had said ‘love’ and referred to their ‘love’ and she was already feeling a little overwhelmed.
— Winning all the races in the world wouldn’t grant me a prize like this; only you could, my lovely Doto — she stayed on the ground looking up at Doto who was still processing her statements — I promise to stay as close to you as I can… I know! We should start sharing a room! That way I can help you with morning sickness and bring you snacks when you have cravings! — Opera O was practically glowing.
— Y-you are not m-mad? — Doto managed to push out the biggest question plaguing her mind.
— Mad? More like madly in love — she chuckled.
— W-what? B-but we’re not even a c-couple…- —
— Ho? Were you playing with my heart all this time, Doto? — Opera O tilted her head — Have I been wrong to assume that our love was mutual? —
— Y-you were right… — Doto looked the other side trying to hide her blush.
— Then I see no reason not to rejoice by this news — she exclaimed and let go of Doto's hand to see both her hands and grumbled — Mmm I’m not wearing any rings… Oh! I know!” She clutched the horseshoe brooch in her uniform and pulled it until she tore it off.
— O-opera O?! —
— Here — Opera O graved Doto’s hand and placed on it the brooch — I want the brooch that’s always close to my heart to be with the person whom that same heart belongs to —
— Ah? — Doto practically combusted —
— Will you grant my wish of being the closest thing to your heart too? —
— Y-yeah — she muttered before trying to cover her face with her hands, but she was stopped by Opera O grabbing them as she got up and closed the distance between their faces, planting a loving kiss on her beloved’s mouth.
— Then that settles it, we shall get married in the morning! —She raised her fist in a victory pose.
— O- Opera O?! —
— Ow, they’re so sweet — Narita clasped her hands as she saw Opera O hugging Doto tightly —
— Good thing I found a place to crash at… seems like I should avoid coming into my room for the foreseeable future — Biwa rolled her eyes but it was clear to everyone there she was just as happy as the rest of them.
— Well, at least if we share a room we won’t risk walking into them making out or worse… — Air sighed.
— I have to start planning the baby shower! It’s going to be awesome! — Taiki exclaimed, already fired up.
— I can help with the cake, a big strawberry cake is the way to go for a celebration like this — Admire smiled warmly.