An hour later, the Winning Live for the Arima Kinen drew to a close.
Under the enthusiastic cheers of the spectators, T.M. Opera O took center stage, with Symboli Rudolf and Air Groove as her backup dancers as they delivered their spectacular performance.
This race, while its details might not be comprehensible to many people, was a showdown that would undoubtedly leave its mark on this world.
From now on, Japan will enter a new era, and it's Uma Musume will also move towards an era of reforms.
The Emperor's end also brought the end to an era where one singular person dominated the position of 'strongest.'
Thus, the long-standing propaganda and beliefs that had been preached by Shadai had lost the last bit of credibility they had.
Symboli Rudolf's whole speech after the Arima Kinen also forced the URA to make an ultimatum: either forcefully keep up her image as the strongest, incurring massive hits to their credibility, or hand over the era to the new generation.
—A choice that was not at all difficult for the URA.
"Sigh... Symboli Rudolf lost and even declared T.M. Opera O the next Student Council President in person... Although I understand why she doesn't trust us, it's a bit much, isn't it?"
"Heh, quite a bold move from her, I'd say. From her perspective, we're actively against her. Yet, she actually still went ahead and did allllll of this. She sure has guts."
"Moreover, even if we want to change our minds now, we realistically can't. Since she has declared her resignation in public, if we don't follow her wishes, our Japanese branch will become an even bigger laughing stock to the rest of the world."
"—In fact, our influence has already plummeted, hasn't it? Fortunately, we aren't sore losers like Shadai."
"Relax, people~, everything still ended up going according to plan, right? Since it'll all be beneficial to us in the end, it's best to let nature take its course."
Currently, the Japanese branch of the URA's board of directors was holding an emergency meeting.
There were two rows of seats: one row for humans in suits and ties, and the other row exclusively for Uma Musumes.
And at the very front, a human female with glasses sat at the head of the table, smiling as she asked Yayoi Akikawa who was about four seats from her:
"The Student Council Presidents of Tracen Academy... they really do give us 'difficulties' one after another, isn't that right, Director Yayoi Akikawa?"
"Of course! These Uma Musume are the pride and joy of our Tracen Academy!"
Yayoi Akikawa smiled and fanned herself with her paper fan.
Beside her, Hayakawa Tazuna, dressed in green, sat next to her, indicating that their hierarchy in the URA's board of directors was about the same.
"The previous Student Council President gave the URA quite a bit of trouble too... but she didn't do anything too major."
"But Rudolf... not only was there the whole Oguri Cap fiasco, now, right before she abdicates her position, she intends to initiate another wave of reforms as well."
"Should I say, as expected of Tracen Academy's Student Council President, and as expected of the Emperor we personally elevated? What a truly ambitious person."
Just then, at the very front of Yayoi Akikawa's side, in the seat closest to the Chairwoman of the Japanese branch of the URA, a black-haired Uma Musume, who appeared cold but had an unexpectedly gentle expression, smiled and spoke:
"I'm starting to get fired up too! The new girls are becoming more and more outstanding."
"Hey, I reealllly reaaallllyyy want to run against the new generation in a race, just like Rudolf-senpai! I've been a good Uma Musume for soooo long now, Chairwoman, you'll approve, right?"
"...Next time. At least, T.M. Opera O doesn't need you to make an appearance yet."
The Chairwoman smiled gently at this Uma Musume's antics, subtly changing the subject.
Then, her gaze shifted to the human side, only to find several empty seats.
"—Where are the people from Shadai? Did they not receive our notification?"
"Tch, don't play so coy, Chairwoman, you 100% know that they're too busy with their own problems now. After all, Shadai spent a fortune to build up Rudolf's reputation."
The black-haired Uma Musume then mumbled to the Chairwoman with a hint of schadenfreude:
"Even I was built up by them..."
"Heh, despite you being on their side, you don't seem sad at all; in fact, you seem quite eager to see this happen."
The Chairwoman said with a mysterious smile on her face. Then, she simply intertwined her hands slightly and said blandly:
"Alright, enough idle chatter, let's get to the main topic of today's discussion. I believe everyone is aware of Shadai's rather... excessive behaviour these past few years."
"We have been turning a blind eye to their monopolization of resources alongside their exorbitant demands when dealing with them since they have been acting within their limits."
"However, in recent times, they've attempted on multiple occasions to reach their hands into the races themselves."
"Now, I am certain we would all agree on giving them a... 'small' warning this time, right? Simply as a reminder of the URA's authority."
"Therefore, a visit to Shadai is required."
The Chairwoman, saying this, looked at Yayoi Akikawa and Hayakawa Tazuna, two highly influential figures within the URA, and then smiled faintly:
"I'll leave this matter to you two, Miss Northern Taste, and Miss Tokino Minoru."
"I remember that you two have some 'additional business' with them too, right? Take this opportunity to 'deal' with them. Do not worry, no matter how far you go, the URA will back you up."
"Of course! As expected of the Chairwoman, truly insightful."
Yayoi Akikawa exclaimed with satisfaction, immediately nodding to the Chairwoman.
While Hayakawa Tazuna said nothing, her gentle smile, no matter how one looked at it, still carried a hint of dangerousness to it too.
Right then, the black-haired Uma Musume suddenly stood up and said to the Chairwoman:
"WAIITTT!!!! I want to go too! Let me go with them!"
"...Sure, I don't see why not. As a matter of fact, when those people from Shadai see that their most treasured Uma Musume has also betrayed them, they will probably become so angry they'll spit blood, won't they?"
The Chairwoman glanced at the black-haired Uma Musume, paused, and then muttered with a wry smile.
"Hehe, does me being their treasued whatever matter? Although they're the ones who trained me, I've never liked those people from Shadai."
"...Do as you like, just don't cause too much of a mess. It will be annoying to clean up."
"Then, Miss Northern Taste, Miss Tokino Minoru, and Deep Impact, go and pay a visit to Shadai on behalf of the Japanese branch of the URA, make sure to 'properly greet' them."
"(Leave it to us.) (Leave it to us!)" X 3
...As for the current affairs of the URA, it had no impact on everyone who had just finished the Winning Live.
Although Symboli Rudolf might not have realized that the URA was on her side the entire time, she no longer needed to ponder this matter excessively.
"Well, everyone, let's go back to Tracen Academy. By the way, for Christmas, do you all plan to stay in Chiba or return to Tokyo to relax?"
"We should definitely go back. Christmas Eve in Tokyo is way more lively. Although Chiba is also nice, my own bed is definitely more comfortable."
Ikezoe stretched and was the first to state his opinion. Right then, Imanami seemed to understand something and also spoke up:
"I'll go back with everyone too. It's already Christmas and I haven't had a chance to decorate properly, so I'll just play with the kids in the evening."
"Ugh... Prez, when I debut and become an Undefeated Classic Triple Crown Uma Musume in my Classic Year, you have to race against me too!"
Tokai Teio, although seemingly recovered from Symboli Rudolf's defeat, still spoke to Symboli Rudolf with a hint of displeasure:
"This time, you absolutely cannot trick me again! I'm going to challenge you, just like T.M. Opera O, defeat you, and become the strongest Uma Musume ever!"
"—Then, after you challenge me, you'll also have to challenge and defeat T.M. Opera O too, Teio."
Symboli Rudolf smiled at this, neither refusing nor directly accepting Teio's words.
But at this moment, Fumino Nase, who was beside Wada and T.M. Opera O, also proactively stepped forward and said:
"I'm going back too. I still have some work to do... And I also want to see if there are any promising new Uma Musume."
"Huh? Then, that means it's just T.M. Opera O, Meisho Doto, and me left, right?"
Wada suddenly felt something was off.
He had planned to splurge and treat everyone to a good celebration in Chiba, but one by one, they all decided that they were going back.
Thus, only the three of them were left, planning to stay in Chiba for another day.
And right at this moment, suddenly, Wada felt his left palm slightly loosen.
He then saw that Meisho Doto had also moved towards the others and said to Wada, a little nervously:
"T- Trainer, I, I'm going back too. I'm, I'm sorry."
"Huh? Meisho Doto, you..."
However, before Wada could speak, Meisho Doto walked away at fast speeds, as if escaping.
The others who had been lingering near Wada and T.M. Opera O had also scattered together with Meisho Doto and left quickly.
And so, only Wada and T.M. Opera O remained, standing there dumbfounded.
By now, T.M. Opera O and Wada both realized what these people were trying to do.
For a moment, after exchanging glances, it was Wada who first blushed and averted his gaze, while T.M. Opera O also belatedly looked away, feeling a bit flustered, looking down at her feet.
"Then, um... shall we go for a walk, T.M. Opera O?"
"...Mm."
T.M. Opera O's reply was silent, but she still agreed to Wada's suggestion.
However, her feigned indifference to hide her embarrassment looked undeniably adorable in a unique way.
...
"Are you really okay with this, Meisho Doto? You, clearly..."
On the way back, Fumino Nase cautiously asked Meisho Doto beside her.
Before she could finish her sentence, Meisho Doto's face showed a hint of a smile.
Although still a bit timid, she spoke her true feelings:
"I understand... I... can never become Trainer's number one."
"So, I've come to terms with it, Trainer Nase... I've already gotten what I wanted most from Trainer, so I'm very content now."
"...Is that so?"
Fumino Nase didn't know what to say.
Although she felt a bit sorry for what the girl was going through, in the end, she couldn't say anything, only letting out a long sigh.
"...You really are a charmer, Trainer Wada. I wonder how many girls will be heartbroken because of you. Honestly."
-----+-----
Meisho Doto: Yes?
Wada: I love T.M. Opera O.
-----+-----
If you spot any errors, feel free to comment about it and I will fix it as soon as I can.