The first thing I saw when I opened my eyes was the ceiling of my clubroom, now dark and cold, illuminated only by the moonlight that streamed through the windows. I blinked as I slowly sat up, causing the blanket that was laid over me to slip and fall onto the floor.
I stared at the blanket for a moment before I smiled. Someone must've laid it over me when they saw me sleeping here.
I swung my legs over and carefully stood up. For a moment I worried that the exhaustion I experienced during that strange dream would carry over into reality, but thankfully that didn't happen. My legs remained steady as I took a step forward, and I only felt the slight discomfort due to sleeping on the couch.
Which was good. None of the pain I felt had carried over that dream. Would've been awfully inconvenient if it did—I would've probably needed to withdraw from the [Japanese Oaks] if that happened.
Though that was the case, I hesitated to call it a dream for one reason.
My System appeared, and I narrowed my eyes as I saw the new Skill that appeared. It was a Unique Skill that only I could ever learn—the {Starlit Crown}. The name felt a little too majestic for my tastes, but hey, it wasn't as I was the one naming them.
It was undeniably powerful. A significant boost to both Speed and Power anytime I encountered a great challenge was a benefit in any situation, though the increased Stamina cost would be something I needed to watch out for. It probably meant that this was a Skill to be used during the final moments of a race; the last edge to tip the scales, so to say.
Wait, why are most of my Skills related to the final straight? I'm a Frontrunner, aren't I?
…Ah, whatever.
I stretched my arms as I glanced out the window. It was late at night now, though the tracks outside the building weren't quite empty yet. There were still a few umamusume training despite the time, and there were even some trainers who remained awake, having joined their trainees for a late-night training session.
I hummed. I didn't see Oguri or Belno down there, though that didn't mean they were asleep. They could just be training somewhere else.
Except the pool, probably. Oguri absolutely hated swimming, and nothing Musaka had done had changed that.
Since I had nothing else to do, I decided to go out and tour the academy for a bit. After folding the blanket that'd fallen onto the floor, I left the clubroom and began walking around. I didn't have any specific destination in mind—I just let my legs take me to whatever destination they wanted to.
And it was interesting, I guess. Tracen Central Academy didn't encourage training late into the night, but that didn't mean they didn't provide those that did. After all, umamusume were eccentric in their own ways, and students that preferred training late at night wasn't all that uncommon.
The cafeteria was still open despite it being sparsely filled. Many indoor gyms still had their lights on. The general staff of the academy still walked around, both to aid anyone that needed help and stop any troublemakers.
And so it was only inevitable that I'd eventually run into someone I knew.
Though I certainly wasn't expecting to meet Symboli Rudolf of all people when I was getting a can of cola from a vending machine.
"Blossom Star?"
I playfully grinned as I gave her a finger salute. "Hey there, pres. Surprised to see you here of all places."
She smiled slightly. "Even I require a late-night drink here and there."
"True that." I reached down and took the can of cola I'd bought. I stepped back with a playful flourish, and Rudolf huffed as she stepped forward to make her own purchase.
She cracked open the cold can of coffee she bought. "Is that even any good?" I asked with a disgusted frown, remembering the little I sip I took when Kitahara offered me some. And though it wasn't the worst thing I've ever tasted, the 'coffee' was essentially a bucket of sugar with only a hint of bitterness.
"No." Rudolf admitted with a wry smile. "But it keeps me awake."
"Ah, that's a good reason, alright."
We fell into a small silence. Neither of us really knew what to say. After all, we were mostly acquaintances, and our previous meetings had always been tense in one way or another.
I wouldn't call it uncomfortable though. Just quiet.
The same could not be said for Symboli Rudolf. Though I didn't notice, her eyes kept glancing towards me. It was clear that she had something she wanted to say. And after a few moments of idly drinking from her can of coffee, she eventually spoke up. "May I ask something, Blossom Star?"
I raised an eyebrow, before I nodded. "Go ahead. Also, you can just call me Star."
She nodded as well. "The [Japanese Oaks] is less than two weeks away." She began, humming slightly. "Do you feel prepared?"
I shrugged casually. "No amount of training will ever make me feel prepared." I said as I finished the rest of my soda. "There's no telling what everyone else is doing. Maybe they're doing some super-secret monk training or something." I winked. "Can't let myself fall behind, right?"
Her lips twitched at my odd analogy, but she nodded. "Words to live by." She took a small sip of her coffee. "And is there a participant you are wary of?"
"Sakura Chiyono O." I easily said. "Belno might've beaten her the last time they raced together, but that was a while ago." I smiled slightly. "She's definitely a lot stronger now."
Rudolf subtly watched me as I spoke. Something about me had changed; she was sure of that. There was a pressure that hung around me—a pulsing heat that pulled people's eyes, but also threatened to burn those that dared to step too close.
It was a feeling she'd felt from Oguri Cap from the first moment she laid her eyes on her. And more recently, she'd felt a similar weight whenever she caught a glimpse of Belno Light in the midst of her training.
Her eyes narrowed slightly. It was truly difficult to think that all of them were still in their Classic years. Such weight was rare, and usually exclusive only to seniors who'd raced for far longer than they have. For all three members of Team Kitahara to bear this ephemeral weight,
She closed her eyes.
The Demon King of Kasamatsu was truly fortunate to find his three generals.
"Ah, I've also heard rumors about your promise with Oguri Cap." She said, shifting her thoughts away. "You wish to run against her in the [Japan Cup]?"
"Or the [Arima Kinen]." I added. "We're still not really sure which we'll actually participate in, but we're open to either." I shrugged. "It'll just depend on what happens in the future."
"I see." Rudolf hummed.
How bold. Though she didn't dislike her confidence. Rather, considering both my and Oguri's strengths, it was only natural that we would aim for such prestigious races.
But more than that,
Her eyes darkened slightly as her thoughts turned towards the [Japan Cup]. It was one of the few URA races that allowed foreign umamusume to participate, and so it never failed to attract a massive audience. It would've been the perfect stage to display the strength of Japanese umamusume.
If only.
The only thing it did was highlight the difference between them and the rest of the world. It'd been years since the [Japan Cup] was claimed by Japan. The foreign umamusume who participated were simply too strong, and many Japanese umamusume who participated found themselves disheartened by the gap.
Could this be the chance for that to change?
She didn't know.
"It will be difficult." She said instead. "Your opponents will be seniors who have raced far longer than you have." She glanced at me. "Are you prepared?"
I shrugged playfully. "Who knows?"
She frowned slightly. "Then-"
"But, why not?" I asked in return, my smile sharpening. "Aim for the stars, and if we fail, at least we'll land on the moon." I narrowed my eyes. "Our careers are far too short. If we let something like fear stop us from taking chances, then it'll be a regret that'll haunt us for the rest of our lives."
"Is that so?"
"Yep, yep." I let my expression soften into something more playful. "And besides, Oguri has a big appetite. Gotta go big or go home, y'know?"
Rudolf huffed a small laugh. "That is indeed true."
I hummed as I threw my empty can into the nearby trash bin. "Well, I guess I should go now." I grinned at her. "Unless the president wants to spend more time with little ol' me~?"
Rudolf smiled wryly. That playful tone reminded her of some not-so-fond memories she had of Sirius Symboli. "I'm afraid I have more work I must attend to." She said, slightly apologetic.
I winced. "Oof. Guess the work's never done, huh?" I reached out and gave her an encouraging pat on the shoulder. "Keep it up, pres. Just don't work too long, okay? Overworking ain't good for your health."
She nodded. "I will keep that in mind."
I smiled, before I gave a playful wink. "Well, in that case, ciao~"
Rudolf smiled slightly as she watched me go, before she placed her hand on her shoulder. It was the first time someone had so brazenly touched her like so.
…The feeling wasn't unpleasant.