*Ding-dong, ding-dong…* The bell signaling the end of class chimed through the hallways.
Students packed up their supplies and headed toward the cafeteria in groups of two or three.
Special Week, who had just stepped out of her classroom in high spirits ready to grab lunch, was intercepted by “The Empress,” Air Groove.
“Special Week, the Student Council President wants to see you in the Student Council Room,” the dashing Empress said, resting her hands firmly on her hips.
“Ehh?!” Filled with nervous apprehension, Special Week cautiously knocked on the door of the Student Council Room.
Hearing a polite invitation from inside, she opened the door and stepped in.
“Hello!
I’m Special Week!
Please take good care of me!” Special Week bowed deeply to the figure standing before her, looking anxious yet excited.
“Please, take a seat,” the Emperor said.
Standing by the window overlooking the training grounds, she turned around with a warm, stately smile.
Sunlight streamed through the large floor-to-ceiling window behind her, bathing her dark brown hair in a golden glow.
This majestic image burned itself deeply into Special Week’s memory.
Standing before her was a legend among legendary Umamusume—the undefeated Triple Crown champion known as “The Emperor,” Symboli Rudolf!
Her commanding aura was truly extraordinary it felt as though no matter where she went, she naturally commanded the awe and attention of everyone in the room.
It was completely different from Suzuka-senpai’s quiet, serene aura.
After taking her seat, Special Week looked at Symboli Rudolf sitting across from her with crossed arms, feeling her heart pound with nervousness.
A living legend of the Umamusume world was sitting right in front of her!
This was something she had never even dared to dream of back in Hokkaido.
Who amongst them hadn’t grown up watching the Emperor’s races?
Who *wasn’t* a fan of the Emperor?
“I am the Student Council President, Symboli Rudolf,” sensing Special Week’s nervousness, Symboli Rudolf spoke first to break the ice.
“Our academy implements the finest educational principles among training institutions nationwide.
Through mutual refinement alongside elegant and graceful Umamusume, we forge ourselves with the unyielding determination to break our very bones…” Symboli Rudolf began her usual introductory speech.
It had to be said—as Student Council President, Symboli Rudolf was exceptionally fond of using elaborate idioms.
Most people sprinkled idioms into their sentences, but she constructed entire speeches out of them!
‘I don’t understand a single word of this…’ Intelligence training failed!
Spe-chan’s Intelligence -5!
By the way, even though Special Week couldn’t even score 40 points on written exams in the official 4-panel manga, her secondary stat growth bonus in the game is actually +20% Wit/Intelligence.
You could say all her brainpower is hyper-focused on racing!
*(laughs)* “Special Week-kun, can you hear me?” Symboli Rudolf asked, noticing that Special Week’s mind had drifted off into space.
She certainly wasn’t angry almost every transfer student reacted the exact same way to her grand speeches—much like a certain “grey monster” of the past.
“Y-Yes!
I’m listening!” Special Week snapped back to reality and answered at the top of her lungs.
“Well, no matter…” Symboli Rudolf turned her head toward a framed motto hanging on the wall.
“Special Sunday, do you know what that quote means?” Special Week turned her gaze to where Symboli Rudolf was looking and tried to read: “Ecli…
Eh?
I can’t read it…” “*’Eclipse first, the rest nowhere…’* It is a story.” “A story?” Special Week asked curiously.
“Yes.
A story from the history of Umamusume,” Symboli Rudolf smiled gently.
Looking at Symboli Rudolf, Special Week noticed a faint glint of deep admiration in the legendary Umamusume’s eyes.
“Eclipse—meaning solar eclipse—was an Umamusume born in England.
Because she was born during an actual solar eclipse, her parents gave her that name.” “Her racing career spanned 18 races, and she won all 18 of them.
Her overwhelming strength made her completely unbeatable, until eventually, no other Umamusume was willing to enter any race against her.” “She had to run the entire course all by herself.
That solo running continued for an entire year…” “In the end, she was forced to retire.
Throughout her quiet, undefeated career, no rival ever emerged who was capable of challenging her.” “She left behind only a single famous quote—one carved into the heart of every Umamusume in England: *’Eclipse first, the rest nowhere!’*” “Eclipse first…
and the rest nowhere…?” Special Week’s eyes widened, the words echoing over and over in her mind.
It felt as if her consciousness had suddenly transcended time and traveled back to that distant era.
A lone figure running across the track, accompanied only by the distant cheers of the crowd.
Invincible…
yet utterly lonely…
That legendary Umamusume from the past seemed to sense something and turned her head toward Special Week.
Even though Special Week couldn’t see her face clearly, those eyes seemed to gaze straight into her soul.
Time seemed to stand still in that instant, and Special Week felt a heartbreaking wave of loneliness radiating from those eyes.
‘It must have been…
so lonely…’ Tears welled up in Special Week’s eyes, streaming down uncontrollably.
Forced to run on the track all alone for a whole year, and ultimately forced to retire early…
Was there anything more cruel for a runner than that?
If only she had possessed a worthy rival who could match her step for step…
wouldn’t she have been spared that tragic loneliness?
No one could answer that question.
“Special Sunday?
Special Sunday, what’s wrong?
Why are you crying?” Symboli Rudolf’s voice pulled Special Week back to reality.
Special Week snapped out of her trance, realizing her eyes were overflowing with tears.
“No…
I’m sorry…
I just…
felt so sad,” Special Week stammered, wiping her tears away with her sleeve.
“To be so powerful, cool, and invincible, yet forced to run all alone on the track without any rivals, and then forced to retire…
it’s just too tragic!” “I love running, and I want to win championships too!” “But I think racing is only truly fun when you’re running alongside everyone else!” “Winning the championship while competing against all kinds of amazing Umamusume—that’s what makes racing exciting!” “The promise I made to my mothers back home was to become the Number One Umamusume in Japan!” “And along the way, I know I’ll meet all kinds of incredible Umamusume and witness so many breathtaking races!” “I might even meet Umamusume as powerful as you, President, or Suzuka-senpai!” “I’m going to keep getting stronger, surpass them all, and become the true Number One Umamusume in Japan!” “And I will fulfill my promise to my mothers!” Special Week’s words were passionate, resolute, and majestic.
*(Whenever I write about the Emperor, I always end up using such grand phrasing, haha.)* Hearing Special Week’s heartfelt outburst, Symboli Rudolf let out a soft chuckle.
Then, her gaze sharpened.
Her overwhelming aura unleashed completely—like a true Emperor presiding over her domain—as she declared: “Special Sunday, find your rivals.” “Only by having rivals can you push yourself to become truly strong.” “I am right here.
I have always been here.” “I will wait for you to grow.
I will wait for you to become a rival worthy of standing against me.” “So…
you must become stronger!” Special Week froze, completely overwhelmed by Symboli Rudolf’s unleashed aura.
Standing before the solemn Emperor, even the usually optimistic Special Week felt an immense, crushing pressure.
The word “Yes” stuck in her throat, unable to break free.
Truly, the majesty of the Emperor was not to be taken lightly!
“My apologies.
I got a bit too carried away.
Every time I tell the story of that Umamusume, I end up like this.
I frightened you, didn’t I?” Symboli Rudolf smiled apologetically, and her intimidating aura vanished in an instant.
Special Week’s tense body suddenly relaxed, and she slumped back into the sofa, taking deep, greedy gulps of fresh air.
‘This is President Symboli Rudolf…
This is The Emperor.’ She hadn’t even been able to utter a single “Yes” in her presence.
Special Week bit her lip.
She swore to herself that this would never happen a second time.
Next time, she would stand tall before the President and issue her challenge directly!
To become the Number One Umamusume in Japan!
“Teio, stop hiding.
I have an assignment for you: take Special Week on a tour of the campus facilities.” “Roger that!” A figure popped out from behind the sofa where the Emperor had been sitting.
Her appearance shared a 70% resemblance to the Emperor, but her facial features were far more refined and youthful.
If the Emperor was a combination of majesty and grace, then Tokai Teio was a blend of beauty and vibrant energy.
“Special Week, this is Tokai Teio,” Symboli Rudolf introduced.
“H-Hello!” Special Week greeted her with extreme politeness.
“Teio, as I said, show her around,” the Emperor smiled.
“Alright~ It’s rare for the Student Council President to ask me for a favor!
Transfer student, let’s go!” Tokai Teio skipped out of the Student Council Room with light, springy steps.
“Ah, coming!” Special Week hurriedly stood up, bowed deeply to Symboli Rudolf, and rushed out to follow her.
The Emperor smiled faintly, turning her head back toward the framed quote on the wall, her eyes shining with hopeful anticipation.
‘Special Week…