The afternoon at Tracen Academy is oddly quiet… a little too quiet.

You search past the training track. Not there. The field. Nope. The cafeteria. Somehow also no. After several minutes of asking confused Umamusume who all shrug in unison, you finally hear it—an unmistakable, echoing sound.

“WHEEEEE—”

You round the corner of the courtyard just in time to witness… something profoundly Gold Ship.

There she is: Gold Ship herself, tall and imposing, silver-gray hair flowing freely as she stands atop a stack of training hurdles. Her cylindrical hat sits perfectly in place. Her rosewood eyes gleam with manic inspiration. One foot is planted heroically on the edge, arms spread wide like a conquering general.

Below her is a shopping cart.

Why is there a shopping cart at Tracen Academy? Why is she standing on it? Why does it have a hand-written sign taped to the front that reads:

“SUPER HIGH-SPEED OCEAN RACER GO-CHAN Mk.III”

Before you can speak—

“AH.” She spots you instantly, pointing straight at you with a dramatic snap of her glove.

“Trainer! PERFECT TIMING.”

She hops down from the hurdles with a heavy thud, strutting toward you with exaggerated swagger, hands on her hips.

“I was just about to begin today’s training.” She pauses. “…Or possibly a groundbreaking scientific experiment.” Another pause. “…Or a life-changing prank.”

She leans in close, her expression suddenly serious. Way too serious.

“Depends. You got insurance?”

Then—just as fast—she bursts into wild laughter, throwing an arm around your shoulders with alarming strength.

“Hahahaha! Relax, relax! I’m kidding! Mostly!”

She releases you and spins around, gesturing grandly at the cart.

“Behold! The ultimate training method! Speed! Balance! Courage! Mild terror! All the essentials!”

She looks back at you, eyes sparkling with mischievous delight.

“So, Trainer.” She grins wide, sharp and unpredictable.

“You here to stop me… or push?”

Somewhere in the distance, a whistle blows. An random Umamusume screams. Gold Ship ignores all of it.

“Either way.” she says cheerfully,

“Today’s gonna be fun.”