After everyone had left, an awkward atmosphere began to take over the space.
At this moment, T.M. Opera O and Wada were walking somewhat aimlessly through the streets of Chiba, unsure of what to do.
Although the Arima Kinen had just concluded, people still had schools to go to or work to do, which meant most people were still unaware of the news.
Even with rapid dissemination through people, phones, and the internet, it still required time.
Thus, T.M. Opera O was fortunate enough to wander Chiba relatively undisturbed— of course, this required her to wear a face mask as a slight disguise since she was still a Classic Triple Crown Uma Musume.
Naturally, Wada also needed to adopt a similar disguise, as his face was quite recognizable.
After quickly changing into casual clothes, a seemingly ordinary young man, coupled with a seemingly unremarkable chestnut-haired Uma Musume, appeared on the streets of Chiba.
"I'm sorry, T.M. Opera O. I had planned to celebrate together properly, but now… it seems like things are getting a bit too awkward."
No, rather than saying that things were getting awkward, it was more accurate to say that things were developing in a strange direction.
Wada felt a headache quickly approaching, and T.M. Opera O's silent response made him unsure of how to proceed.
Fortunately, after a few more moments of awkwardness, T.M. Opera O seemed to have snapped out of it.
She quickly returned to normal, shedding her previous emotions.
"It's fine, Ryuji. I don't really care about celebrations and all that anyways. Rather, us being together like this now makes me happier than any celebration."
T.M. Opera O smiled.
Although her expression was hidden by her mask, her raised eyebrows still revealed her emotions, with her tail also joyfully wagging behind her as well.
Left completely alone together, and right after her victory... T.M. Opera O was not made of wood.
She naturally knew that Meisho Doto and the others had given them some alone time in hopes that something might happen between her and Ryuji…
'B- b- bu- but… this is far too indecent…!'
As T.M. Opera O thought of this, even her ears began to redden, drooping slightly in embarrassment.
'No, no, snap out of it, T.M. Opera O! You MUST remain composed!'
'You aren't some shameless Uma Musume. Besides, Ryuji is your most loyal subject, your most trusted partner! How can you corrupt your pure relationship because of a few hormones?!'
'What's more, doing such things in public is way too wrong! Just spend a normal day with Ryuji... Yes, that's right! I definitely can!'
T.M. Opera O constantly repeated this in her mind as if trying to hypnotize herself in order to break herself free from this embarrassing, but also somewhat tantalizing atmosphere.
She was worried that her emotions, still warm from the Arima Kinen, would directly lead to her being unable to control herself.
But now, T.M. Opera O was relieved, because as long as they maintained the current situation until tomorrow, everything would return to normal!
"Hohoho! Come, come! A lucky draw event this Christmas! Get your Christmas gifts from Santa Claus!"
"The third prize is a large Oguri Cap plushie, the second prize is a hair dryer, the first prize is a UmaRoomba vacuum, and there's an even bigger secret grand prize waiting for you! Come and test your luck!"
"Oh, a lucky draw. It looks quite interesting."
Wada and T.M. Opera O were quickly drawn to the sound coming from the shopping street: a hand-cranked spinning wheel on a table, with prizes listed starting from a "consolation prize," quickly caught their attention.
Gathered there was a queue of people, each of them filled with the intention to win big, testing their luck.
Unfortunately for them, most only received a pack of tissues as a consolation prize and left disappointed.
"A hair dryer… that sounds really nice. I remember Admire Vega seemed to have mentioned that she wanted a hair dryer."
T.M. Opera O recalled Admire Vega, one of the 'three musketeers.'
Although Admire Vega couldn't participate in the Arima Kinen due to health reasons, with her professional career potentially ending here, T.M. Opera O has never forgotten their numerous clashes during the Classic Triple Crowns, and how she gave her all in the Kikuka Sho, paving a path for T.M. Opera O and Narita Top Road.
After everything, T.M. Opera O and Admire Vega's relationship had completely repaired and they even became good friends! So it was no wonder she knew about such things.
"I heard that Admire Vega is about to go on vacation abroad with her Trainer to relax… I wonder if she would want to take this hair dryer."
"Then let's try our luck."
Hearing T.M. Opera O say this, Wada naturally nodded and said,
"If we're lucky enough to win the second prize, we can give it to Admire Vega. She'll surely be very happy."
"Alright, let's go! This Overlord is in her luckiest moment right now!"
T.M. Opera O and Wada then walked forward with high spirits.
Although T.M. Opera O was somewhat curious about what the big super secret special prize was, she didn't think much of it at the moment.
After all, a glance at the spinning wheel showed at least 60 options, and the special prize probably only occupied one slot.
'There's no way we would be that lucky.'
With this thought, T.M. Opera O followed Wada to queue up.
After a bit of waiting time, they were already in front of the spinning wheel.
"Yosh! Let's see what my luck is like today!"
Wada rolled up his sleeves, intending to spin the wheel, but just then, T.M. Opera O suddenly lunged forward, snatching the handle from Wada's hand.
"Wait— Ryuji, let me do it!"
For an unknown reason, she suddenly felt an ominous presence coming from the special prize, alongside a premonition that Wada would get that special prize on his spin.
Therefore, T.M. Opera O resolutely chose to do it herself.
After all, this was all based on luck anyways, if they get a pack of tissues, she could always blame it on luck.
"Alright— let me see, second prize! Hair dryer!"
T.M. Opera O gripped the handle and immediately exerted force.
As a Uma Musume, she easily made the wheel spin until it looked blurred with just a little effort.
Soon, the spinning wheel gradually slowed down, passing through option after option.
And as the pointer on the spinning wheel began to draw closer and closer to a small, very conspicuous red box, T.M. Opera O's pupils widened continuously, as if she were trying to control the spinning wheel with her mind.
'There's no way there could be such a coincidence, right?! Did the Three Goddesses curse me or something?!'
"—Congratulations! Our shopping street's first special prize winner issssss, this young Uma Musume! Congratulations on winning our lucky draw event's special prize!"
The staff member, dressed in a Christmas outfit, congratulated T.M. Opera O with a cheerful expression.
Perhaps because T.M. Opera O was wearing a mask, they didn't notice T.M. Opera O's slightly twitching expression, and still happily brought over the gift to her.
"Please accept this, it's the special prize gift."
"Hahaha… It seems the Overlord's luck is truly boundless. It was only obvious I'd get it..."
T.M. Opera O gave a rare, awkward laugh, then timidly accepted the small, handkerchief-wrapped gift from the staff member, feeling that the item inside was quite light.
"Um, if I may ask, what's inside?"
Wada, standing beside her, leaned his head in and couldn't help but ask.
"Congratulations to you both, this is our shopping street's grand prize— a 100% off hot spring voucher for couples."
The staff member showed a meaningful smile and said to Wada and the stunned T.M. Opera O:
"With this voucher, you can experience the luxurious service of a renowned hot spring resort in Chiba for one day, completely free of charge."
"Ah, and now that I'm looking closely, are you a couple? How lucky~"
T.M. Opera O: "…"
'—THREE GODDESSES! I'LL NEVER FORGET THIS!'
T.M. Opera O wailed fruitlessly in her heart about this prank from the Three Goddesses.
She felt that her good luck in the Arima Kinen was now currently being repaid in the form of bad luck!
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Just had a random shower thought:
If the Three Goddesses consider every Uma Musume as their daughters, doesn't that mean that horse yuri is incest? Think about it.
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If you spot any errors, feel free to comment about it and I will fix it as soon as I can.