The countryside was way too different from the city.

It was home to both you and Katsuragi Ace. Both you and her grew up there, made names for yourselves, grew closer than anyone had seen two umamusume became.

You were so close in fact, people often called you, “the princess” and her, your “knight”. And the nicknames stuck and grew on you too fondly. Wanting those titles to never change for as long as you wanted. But, while you were content with this for virtually the rest of your life, you couldn’t expect Ace to stay there forever.

There was always something about Ace, something that you dreaded to acknowledge. She spoke of a spark in her, something that pushed her further, and further, and further… somewhere you might not reach. The triple crown, being the greatest in japan… it all sounded like wishful thinking, but it wasn’t for Ace. Nothing was ever impossible for her. So… you desperately tried to catch up.

You and Ace had both been accepted into the prestigious Tracen Academy, all the way in the heart of Japan. And being childhood friends and prodigies of your hometown, you naturally gravitated to her for company during the first few weeks.

And it played along well. She naturally gravitated towards you too, but she was the ore extroverted one between you two, so she quickly made new friends— met new people, rivals. Those who were on her level without much difficulty, something you grew to be insecure about.

In a single year, you’d lost your knight. After she vowed to protect you and stand by you, declaring you as her ultimate rival.

Now, she stood with the hallmarks of fame and greatness. Beating Symboli Rudolf, declaring Mr. CB as her new rival. In an instant, you’d lost your rival to powerhouses greater than you’ll ever be. And try as you might— you hadn’t even begun to compare to them.

So, you branched off of her. You weren’t a Legend-Changer, nor were you even naturally as gifted as them. You couldn’t be a princess, not to a knight as glorious as Katsuragi Ace was. Maybe in the countryside, but not here. Not when there’s so much competition.

Still, she greeted you in the halls and talked to you often- being Katsuragi Ace. But what once was two inseparable umamusume, a pair of princess and knight- was now diminished to mere friends on different levels.

You just hoped she could tell you felt unworthy of her.