After that Garden Gale kept chatting comfortably with Tokai Teio. They gossiped about the latest drama at Tracen Academy, talked through Teio's anxieties, and Garden Gale smoothly played the role of the reassuring big sister. She patiently guided the young Umamusume, reminding her nothing was really that serious, and that relaxing was key.
By the end, when Tokai Teio finally logged off—realizing she was running late for her morning practice—it was already past seven, despite originally planning to start at half-past six.
With a quick promise to chat again, her icon turned grey. She seemed genuinely reluctant to leave, the faint longing clear between her words.
Seeing Tokai Teio head off to practice, Garden Gale smiled contentedly, ready to sink into sleep. Today's roleplay had gone perfectly—she'd flawlessly pretended to be an outgoing, bubbly Umamusume, and even the cheerful Teio hadn't suspected a thing.
Teio had even asked if her profile bio was true—had she really visited Ireland?
She'd never even been there, of course, but bluffing her way through turned out surprisingly easy. Maybe lying isn't so hard after all?
If this kept up…maybe one day, she wouldn't even be socially anxious anymore!
Grinning at the thought, Garden Gale finally set her phone down and fell blissfully asleep.
...
Meanwhile at another corner of Tracen Academy, two destined rivals crossed paths once more, as if arranged by fate.
"Yo." Symboli Rudolf, dressed neatly in her uniform, spotted the figure approaching from afar. A smile instantly spread across her face. "Long time no see, Mr. C.B."
"Tch."
The Umamusume known as Mr. C.B. clicked her tongue, looking away dismissively—but a spark of delight flickered in her blue eyes. "Yeah, long time no see, Rudolf. Didn't expect to run into you during a casual walk right after returning."
"Anything interesting happening at Tracen lately?"
The two legendary racers fell into step side-by-side, strolling casually along the quiet pathway. If their fans caught wind of this, they'd undoubtedly swarm the place in minutes, desperate for autographs or selfies—even on this deserted backroad.
Something interesting…
A spark flashed through Symboli Rudolf's eyes.
Well, recently, there had definitely been something—or rather, someone—particularly interesting. Rudolf tried to hold back her usual serious expression, but a small laugh escaped anyway.
"What's so funny? Don't tell me the 'interesting' thing is me?" Mr. C.B. asked suspiciously.
Rudolf quickly waved a hand. "No, no, hear me out."
"I've recently come across a really fascinating kid. You'd never guess what her unique skill is, Mr. C.B."
Rudolf smiled mysteriously, deliberately building anticipation.
Mr. C.B. scratched her head. "What kind of weapon? For an Umamusume, it's usually just either a monstrous early lead or an unstoppable final spurt, right? Fundamentally, it's all speed and stamina in the end."
True enough—spoken like a Triple Crown holder and a Hall of Fame racer.
Mr. C.B. fully grasped the essence of racing: speed first, stamina second. Everything else was secondary.
"Nope, not even close." Rudolf wagged a finger playfully.
Mr. C.B. sighed impatiently. "Come on, Rudolf, you know I hate guessing games."
She shrugged helplessly.
Seeing her impatience, Rudolf finally decided to spill the beans.
"The kid I've been watching lately…has the ability to mimic other racers' running styles. Yes, you heard right—she copies others' running styles. Right now, she's already mastered two, including Tokai Teio's."
"…Mimicking running styles?" Mr. C.B. stared blankly.
Every word made sense individually, but together…?
Her confusion deepened.
Could someone really mimic running styles? Doubt crept into her heart. As she'd said earlier, every Umamusume possessed a unique strength—her own special weapon. What Garden Gale was doing was completely unprecedented.
Calling it "learning" was generous; bluntly, it was just copy-paste. Ctrl C + Ctrl V.
Still, it was intriguing enough to catch Mr. C.B.'s interest.
Then Rudolf dropped another tantalizing hint: "And there's something even more shocking—far beyond just copying running styles."
"Then hurry up and say it!" Mr. C.B. urged, getting anxious now.
She really didn't have the patience for Rudolf's teasing. She just wanted to know, right now.
Noticing her eagerness, Rudolf chuckled. "Coincidentally, this kid debuted one year before Tokai Teio. She's just as famous in her division, considered a rare genius too. In fact, people have started calling her 'the second coming of Mr. C.B.'—just like Tokai Teio is considered 'the second Emperor.' Their rivalry is already shaping up into something legendary."
Mr. C.B.
Rudolf's fated rival—the first native-born Japanese Umamusume Triple Crown champion, a legend who injected massive vitality into the sport. No, "vitality" was too weak a word. Mr. C.B. had appeared as a brilliant star in a previously impossible era, illuminating the entire world of Umamusume racing.
Four-time G1 winner.
Hall of Fame racer.
Just like Symboli Rudolf, Mr. C.B. was a once-in-a-generation myth.
Mr. C.B. briefly wondered, Why am I suddenly back again?
Yet… Rudolf's words had fully captured her interest. After hearing that someone was called her second coming, how could she not want to learn more? Not everyone got that title lightly!
"Wait a second!"
Suddenly remembering something important, Mr. C.B. asked, "You said her ability is mimicry…why mimicry, of all things?"
"It just is—why, who knows?" Rudolf shrugged casually.
Instantly, disappointment flickered across Mr. C.B.'s face.
Because after all, it was just imitation. Anyone could see that clearly. Imitation would never surpass the original. Garden Gale might manage multiple styles at ninety-nine percent effectiveness, but she'd never achieve that elusive hundred percent.
Swallowing her disappointment, Mr. C.B. finally asked the most critical question:
"So…what's her name?"
"Garden Gale."
...
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T/N: hohohoho Mr. C.B. huehuehueh