Imanami and the others once again returned to their team's building as they always do, but unlike usual, Wada and Ikezoe were smart enough to give Imanami some private space.
They knew very well that Imanami wanted to say some words to his two Uma Musume.
Though this crisis was resolved by the actions of the Mejiro Family and the Gold Family, more trouble would follow.
There was a complete zero chance that Shadai would simply take this loss lying down, with Ikezoe and Wada both cautioning their Uma Musume to prepare for what was to come. After all, it was incredibly likely that they will have to face off against Shadai on the racecourse in the near future.
And Imanami, of course, also had other things he needed to tell his Uma Musume.
Click.
Imanami opened his door, and as soon as he did, he was immediately embraced by a very enthusiastic figure. Soon, Imanami heard Tokai Teio's exceptionally cheerful voice:
"Trainer~ Trainer~! It's all over now! McQueen and Gold Ship have already handled everything! We don't have to be separated from you anymore, Trainer~"
"I know! Why don't we celebrate today! How about a party?"
"Teio... you're making Trainer uncomfortable."
McQueen, who was watching Teio clinging to Imanami like a spoiled child, also spoke with a hint of helplessness.
For a moment, she couldn't help but feel that the idea to tell Tokai Teio about this earlier, calling it a surprise gift for Imanami, might have been a mistake.
Tokai Teio... simply couldn't keep secrets, and she was very clingy, eager to share her joy with everyone, even though, strictly speaking, she hadn't been involved in anything from beginning to end.
"However, as Teio said, Trainer, this matter has been resolved jointly by our Mejiro Family and Gold Ship's Gold Family. But... why don't you seem happy, Trainer?"
"Sigh... McQueen, Gold Ship, I warned you not to get involved in this matter, and especially not to drag your families into it..."
Imanami also sighed deeply upon hearing this. If the Shadai in this world was similar to the Shadai back in his world, then he knew all too well what kind of people those from Shadai were.
But precisely because he knew, he had a headache. He would rather have himself be cast into an inescapable abyss in his career than see these children's future be hindered, or worse, cut short due to matters like this.
Those big suits from Shadai didn't understand; they didn't comprehend what these Uma Musume meant to them, nor did they care.
But for Imanami, for Ikezoe, and for Wada, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for them to start over anew. Wada cherished it, Ikezoe cherished it, and Imanami naturally felt the same way.
This miraculous encounter in this wondrous world was something they had longed for, and they didn't want to see past mistakes be repeated again, especially so when these mistakes were experienced by their little children.
But now, that dream is being put in danger, and not only that, but the families behind these two children had also been dragged into it. (T/N: You could even say... The Dream Ending?)
"You little rascals... this matter isn't worth doing all this for. You should've just let us handle it, let us bear the burden. You didn't need to do this..."
"—No, Imanami-san, you're wrong."
McQueen's eyes narrowed slightly upon hearing this, and she immediately stepped forward to speak to Imanami:
"Trainer, I am indeed still very immature and I certainly still don't understand many things, but I know that there are some things I cherish, and things I cannot part with."
"This team... is what I cannot part with the most. For you, for everyone, if I can't stand up and do something at this moment, then what else is worth doing?"
McQueen had thought about this a lot before making her decision. She considered how to help her Trainer escape this crisis, and how to help the entire Team get through it, while minimizing losses.
However, McQueen had never for a moment wondered if it was all worth it.
"Maybe it's because the others consider you the backbone of the team, and since I'm also the Uma Musume who has spent the longest time with you... I've just started to get used to thinking about everyone in the team, just like you, instead of just thinking about myself."
"And now, I truly consider myself a part of this team. I also want to stand up for the team when we face a real test, just like Trainer."
"At least, since I have the ability to help, I want to also do something for you, Trainer..."
McQueen said a lot in one breath. She usually would've never revealed such thoughts so loudly to others; after all, making statements like considering herself the "backbone" of the team was indeed somewhat embarrassing to say among a team filled with strong and helpful members.
McQueen never believed that she had the strongest presence in the team. Whether it was T.M. Opera O, Meisho Doto, Orfevre, or even the lazy and mysterious Gold Ship, they were all her rivals and could also be said to be her equals.
Yet, none of them would dare to call themselves the strongest of the team, let alone McQueen.
But still, she stood out as the glue of the team, because, as she said, she wanted to maintain this team like Imanami, to do something as a part of the Team.
But despite already having thought this through, she still felt a bit shy. It seems like she had become... a little too emotional there.
"I'm sorry, Trainer, I lost my composure..."
"...No, McQueen, I'm very glad you said that."
However, Imanami, after a rare long silence, finally showed a long-lost smile and nodded—ever since Shadai sent that letter, it had always been hanging over his head, causing him to be constantly busy.
And looking at Imanami's familiar, long-lost smile, McQueen's lips also uncontrollably curved upwards, her mood instantly changing from gloomy to bright and sunny.
"...Let's go train, Trainer."
"Okay, Teio, McQueen, go wait for me at the track. I need to organize some documents before I come over."
Soon, it was as if nothing had happened, as if they hadn't just survived through a major crisis. Everything was just... so calm and natural.
Neither McQueen nor Imanami needed to say much. They knew very well that the current peace was hard-won.
Tokai Teio also did not break the atmosphere, but she also sensed the change in atmosphere, and a cheerful smile reappeared on her face. Her favorite team was finally back!
"McQueen, let's race! This time, whoever loses isn't allowed to eat sweets for a week!"
"Sure, but I'll never lose, Teio."
McQueen and Teio both ran out of the room, heading towards the training grounds. At this moment, beside Imanami, Gold Ship also smiled as usual, saying to Imanami:
"Alright, old man, is there anything you need me to do?"
"...Just the usual."
Imanami also looked up at Gold Ship at this time, watching her act as if she had done nothing, neither boasting about her achievements nor overtly seeking praise, as if she had simply done an ordinary chore, and he smiled faintly.
Compared to McQueen's emotional outburst, Gold Ship seemed much more at ease. She had taken off the dress she wore during discussions with the Mejiro Family, returning to her usual lazy state, and once again put on the beauty-suppressor hat.
This transformation surprised even McQueen. One who didn't know might think Gold Ship had some kind of personality disorder, being able to switch back and forth between being chaotically insane and elegant.
"Thanks, Gold Ship. Everyone's smiles today were protected by you and McQueen."
"Just as always, old man."
Gold Ship also smiled upon hearing this, her tail wagging happily behind her; clearly, she still appreciated Imanami's praise.
"You can ask me for anything, old man. I, Golshi-sama, am omnipotent! As long as it's your wish, old man, I'll easily make it come true for you~"
"All right, all right, I'll spare you the act; I really can't get used to it."
I still prefer to be a bit more free and easy in front of you, old man.
Gold Ship kept this sentence in her heart and didn't say much. Only when facing the people she needed to be wary against would Gold Ship reveal her disguise.
But only when beside the most trustworthy people would she live so freely and unrestrainedly.
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GOAT Ship
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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.