Raindrops dripped onto the windowsill.
Tapping lightly against the window, mournful and melodious.
The sky always brings a sense of sadness, as if the sound of the rain is weeping for you.
The cafe played soothing music, accompanied by warm lights, presenting an atmosphere completely opposite to the cold scenery outside the window.
Gold Legend sat by the window, staring blankly outside.
"Please, drink up. Don't be polite." A cup of coffee was placed in front of Legend.
Turning her head, she saw Manhattan Cafe sitting opposite her, raising her cup to take a small sip.
"It's so late, why are you here, Manhattan Cafe Sister?"
Aren't you only on the morning shift?
Gold Legend asked, puzzled.
"I heard the sound of the rain and felt that you would come, so I came early."
"...This cup of coffee seems a bit different from usual."
"This was brewed to my taste."
"Hmm..." Legend pushed the coffee cup toward Manhattan Cafe, but it was pushed back. After repeating this two or three times, Legend gave up.
Manhattan Cafe didn't speak; she was waiting for Legend to open up.
"I visited a few... um, classmates today."
"Those retired students?"
"...You knew?"
"I guessed. After all, the Satsuki Sho gets quite a lot of attention."
And I know what kind of person you are.
Manhattan Cafe took another calm sip of coffee.
"It's not your fault; everyone thinks so."
"Maybe, but ultimately, it's because of me." Legend lowered her head.
"Do you want to compensate them?"
"I visited them today," Legend whispered. "I had prepared myself for complaints and retaliation."
"And then?"
"They were pleasantly surprised and welcomed me happily, every single one of them." Legend smiled, a bitter smile. "They welcomed my arrival, praised my strength, happily chatted with me about the Satsuki Sho, and then wished for me to keep winning."
"Although there were some complaints and sadness, there was none directed at me."
Legend turned her head back to look out the window.
"Even though it was because of me that they retired from this stage."
"I could feel their love for the race in their words. They trained hard, and they meticulously designed their dances for the Winner's Stage, but just like that, it was cut short."
Because of me.
"No Uma Musume would give up the dream of running so easily, but reality doesn't always grant everyone their wishes." Manhattan Cafe picked up her spoon and stirred her coffee. "Uma Musume shine so brightly precisely because they are one in ten thousand. Only in this way are they qualified to become someone else's dream."
"'Leading the pack, leaving all others in the dark,' is it?" For the first time, Gold Legend realized how heavy those eight words were.
"But isn't it too cruel for them?" Legend felt a bit lost.
"Having a dream is precisely the reason why life becomes cruel." Manhattan Cafe drank the rest of her coffee in one gulp. "However, our world is also so splendid precisely because of dreams."
"...Are you comforting me?"
"Who knows?"
"Heh, dreams, huh." Legend's tone became very complex.
Horses running hard with their dreams, losing to a gifted individual without any dreams—perhaps this is the unfairness of reality.
Perhaps this is also the reason why Legend feels guilty.
If it weren't for me...
"Although I don't know what you are thinking, I think you should give up that inexplicable arrogance."
"?"
"What they need is not your inexplicable pity. They are the ones who made up their minds to chase you, even if it might lead to their retirement."
"..."
"Don't look down on them. Didn't you go see them? Their determination, their feelings—they have always been there. These are not things you can ignore."
Legend looked at the coffee in front of her; the surface reflected her face.
She suddenly recalled the words those few retired Uma Musume said when they said goodbye.
Although the content wasn't the same, the meaning they expressed was surprisingly consistent.
"Please continue walking toward your own dream."
She also remembered what that acknowledged white rival had said.
"Since you have won, then carry the losers' unwillingness and expectations, and keep winning."
"...That's true." Legend smiled, feeling a bit relieved. "It seems I have another reason not to lose."
She picked up the coffee and took a sip.
"So bitter..."
"I think the current you can finally appreciate this taste. How does it feel?"
"...It's quite good," Legend offered her assessment.
"As long as you like it," Manhattan Cafe chuckled. "It's cleared up."
Legend turned her head to look out the window.
The rain had stopped sometime earlier, and the air carried a crisp, cool scent.
The sky seemed to be in a much better mood, having changed into a sapphire blue dress, adorned with a few snowy white clouds that looked like little rabbits decorating its hem, making it look less lonely.
"It's cleared up."
Legend sighed softly as she watched the swaying clouds, slowly walking down the road home.
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