Garden Gale slowly turned around.
Her face looked like someone had just died.
She stared blankly at T.M. Opera O—who utterly ignored her, posing confidently with her rival in tow, hands planted dramatically on her hips, soaking in the spotlight without the slightest hint of embarrassment. Instead, she basked in the camera flashes, striking one absurdly flashy pose after another.
Frankly speaking…
It was peak meme remix material.
Garden Gale quietly took a step back, intending to slip away while everyone was distracted by T.M. Opera O's outrageous antics.
And also to pretend they were complete strangers.
Because holy crap, the social awkwardness was off the charts! Who could just walk into a crowd and confidently spout such cringeworthy lines? Her toes were curling so hard they could grip a floor mat. If she admitted knowing this girl, who knew what everyone would think of her?
However—T.M. Opera O, being a back-to-back major graded winner and having placed second in the Satsuki Sho only behind the "Black Flash" Garden Gale herself, had plenty of genuine fans. The cheers rose louder.
"I can feel it—your love for the Overlord!"
T.M. Opera O again swept her hair aside, licked her lips theatrically, and flashed another dazzling smile—her signature three-hit combo.
Standing proudly, she exuded an aura of mythical heroism, reminiscent of a statue idolized in ancient Greece. Somehow, absurdly, it suited her perfectly.
"T.M. Opera O—I'm your biggest fan! Please, autograph, photo, and a kiss!!"
Another fan shouted passionately from the crowd.
T.M. Opera O had officially become the star attraction.
The world revolved around her.
Garden Gale quietly backed up another step. Far from feeling jealous, she looked genuinely grateful that the spotlight had shifted away. She pulled up her hoodie, attempting to disguise herself as an ordinary passerby.
Wait, autograph and photo, sure, but what was that last request? A kiss? Seriously?!
Shocked, she stared dumbfounded.
T.M. Opera O calmly raised a hand—not to refuse, but to maintain control. "No rush, one at a time, everyone."
Garden Gale backed up again. She was nearly free from the crowd when—
T.M. Opera O suddenly called out to her, eyes blazing with excitement.
"Garden Gale!" she declared, beaming brilliantly. "Why don't we just hold an autograph event right here? Bwahahaha! Let us share the grandeur of my epic opera with the entire world! Those who fail to appreciate our strength and beauty are truly unfortunate! So let us enlighten them! An enlightenment campaign!"
"Come, everyone, witness my races—no, our magnificence!"
Garden Gale's vision darkened.
Can you not drag me into this?! Talk about yourself! Why involve me?!
Her internal screaming had hit full groundhog-panic mode.
With that one declaration, Garden Gale's briefly diminished presence shot right back into center stage.
What the hell was this "enlightenment campaign," anyway? Was this some kind of divine revelation?
Seriously—!
She was utterly lost for words, no clue how to react or even what expression to wear. Her brain was overloaded with confusion, pure bewilderment clouding every thought.
Then—T.M. Opera O swiftly stepped forward, pulling Garden Gale firmly through the crowd.
Don't misunderstand—she wasn't rescuing her. Instead, T.M. Opera O led her to a nearby bench, sat down confidently, and lifted her chin with supreme confidence. "Come, everyone! Enjoy the beauty of the Overlord and the Flash! Autographs and photos are welcome! The End-of-the-Century Overlord's grand opera begins right now!"
Garden Gale's entire world faded to black.
Forced to perform, she didn't even know what face to make. Her brain had fully shut down—but the fans were ecstatic.
—They were loving this.
Just like that, a spontaneous autograph session unfolded outside the gates of Tracen Academy.
Or rather, directly opposite the gates.
Fans lined up enthusiastically, approaching one after another. Under the Overlord's booming laughter, she flamboyantly signed her artistic stage name, then passed the items to Garden Gale. Photos were snapped and posted on social media, drawing even more curious onlookers.
Some even came specifically for Garden Gale, hoping to secure an autograph from the famous "Black Flash."
But Garden Gale herself… was completely losing her mind.
She could never have imagined things spiraling so dramatically out of control.
It had all started with just one high-school girl recognizing her!
She'd already been thoroughly drained after three hours of dancing earlier—and now this endless conveyor belt of autographs. Meanwhile, T.M. Opera O grew more unstoppable by the second, thriving on fan energy like some supernatural creature that fed on human enthusiasm.
Their experiences couldn't have been more opposite.
Why the hell did Umamusume have to include idol duties?
Her social anxiety was going critical. Was there no hero to rescue a suffering introvert?
...
Tracen Academy.
Inside the Student Council President's office, Symboli Rudolf finished up her paperwork and began idly browsing her phone.
Suddenly, a push notification popped up on her screen:
[Impromptu Autograph Session by the Satsuki Sho Champion and Runner-up!]
She blinked once, stunned.
Satsuki Sho champion—that would mean Garden Gale? Holding an autograph session? Her, of all people? Rudolf couldn't picture it—someone with that personality willingly hosting a fan event?
Curiosity thoroughly piqued, Rudolf moved to tap the link—
Another notification immediately followed:
[New Satsuki Sho Champion Faints During Autograph Session! Shocking Reason Revealed…]
Rudolf stared at her phone screen in silent contemplation.
...
Ultimately, Garden Gale couldn't hold on.
She lost her desperate battle against T.M. Opera O, the world's number-one social butterfly.
And now...
T.M. Opera O frantically shook Garden Gale's limp body, panic-stricken. "Hey! What's wrong, my destined rival? Don't you dare die on me! Stand up, quick!"
She was genuinely distressed, utterly oblivious to the fact that she'd caused this in the first place.
In the end—
It was Air Shakur, who'd spotted the trending posts and knew Garden's personality inside-out, who hurried over and heroically rescued Garden Gale from T.M. Opera O's clutches, extracting her safely from this ordeal.
Garden Gale swore one thing above all else.
She would definitely—
Absolutely—
Take REVENGE.
She would defeat T.M. Opera O mercilessly at the Japan Derby!!!
---
T/N: see this is why AIR SHAKUR IS BEST GIRL not best card but best girl
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