Only One Year Left—I'll Become a Legendary Uma Musume!

Yet, after gradually regaining some strength, Twilight Song soon got back on her feet and allowed herself to be guided out of the room by Mejiro Ardan.

Everyone in Mejiro Manor had quietly accepted this—after all, it was perfectly natural that gentle Ardan-nee would easily soften Ruka's guarded heart.

Besides, today was not a day for arguments.

Indeed, after finishing the King George VI Stakes, Twilight Song and Mejiro Ramonu hadn't returned to New York but had flown directly from the UK to Japan.

The reason was simple: Including the upcoming races, Twilight Song only had three more major competitions left—the St. Leger Stakes in September, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in October, and finally, the Kikuka Sho in November.

Considering scheduling and taking better care of her health, returning to Mejiro Manor in Japan seemed most appropriate.

It was still only July 22nd, after all—September was a long way off.

This was precisely why they happened to be at Mejiro Manor on this special day…

The two sisters went downstairs together, stepping into a beautifully decorated main hall, which now had a festive, youthful atmosphere.

How to describe it?

There were countless balloons, sweets everywhere, and even a very tempted-looking McQueen—though she hadn't actually snuck any bites yet, had she?

Twilight Song saw the entire Mejiro family gathered in the hall.

Even Old Mejiro had come out to make an appearance. Mejiro McQueen, notorious for her sweet tooth, was sitting unusually well-behaved in her seat. And even Mejiro Bright and Mejiro Palmer, rarely seen around, had arrived.

What was going on here? Why was everyone gathered like this…?

Twilight Song even noticed among the pile of gifts one labeled clearly with Symboli Rudolf's name.

Was it someone's birthday?

But hadn't everyone's birthdays already passed?!

Mejiro Manor always held birthday celebrations for every member of the family. Twilight Song had attended several herself, and the problem was exactly that: she'd already attended all of them!

She'd celebrated every family member's birthday already—even the latest of them had taken place in the first half of the year.

So whose birthday was being celebrated today on such a grand scale?

Twilight Song stood utterly baffled, frozen in place. Ramonu, evidently anticipating this reaction, was about to stand and offer some explanation—but Old Mejiro gently grabbed her wrist and shook his head.

Let the little one figure it out herself. After all, whose birthday at Mejiro Manor hasn't come yet? So difficult to guess.

Ardan clearly shared the same thought. Quietly, she stepped around the confused Twilight Song and took her own seat at the table.

But compared to the adults' silent consensus, the young filly McQueen in the corner was much more restless.

As the heavy silence dragged on and the evening clock finally chimed, McQueen cautiously raised a hand.

"Um… Ruka-nee, is it okay if I start eating some snacks now?"

As expected of you!

Though unsure of the situation or why McQueen had asked specifically for her permission, Twilight Song naturally wouldn't refuse her little sister's request. She nodded, then pulled up a chair, sitting under the watchful eyes of the entire Mejiro family.

McQueen, however, was no longer watching, happily nibbling away at a small cookie.

But then… why was everyone else staring at her so intently?

Twilight Song had thought McQueen's sudden interruption would divert everyone's attention, but evidently, that wasn't the case.

She was still the center of attention.

No way… did Ardan-nee betray me? She wouldn't! We're closest accomplices!

Twilight Song glanced anxiously at Ardan, who simply smiled gently and subtly pointed back at Twilight Song herself.

Something to do with me? But what—

Finally, Ramonu, unable to watch this confusion any longer, stood up with a sigh and gently poked Twilight Song's forehead.

"Still haven't figured it out? Among everyone here, whose birthday hasn't passed yet?"

Honestly, this child… she could be so slow sometimes.

Whose birthday hadn't passed? Hmm…

Mine?

Eh?!

Twilight Song's eyes widened in shock, quickly noticing the affirmation in everyone's gazes.

So… it was mine?!

She shot to her feet in surprise but was promptly pressed gently back into her seat by Ramonu's firm hand.

"Be calm, and don't make such silly mistakes again."

As the eldest sister, Ramonu felt exasperated. She finally realized something clearly:

Her "little sister" was definitely a bit scatterbrained—perhaps even slow to realize one crucial thing.

The only difference between their names was the prefix. If Ruka wanted, she could easily become Mejiro Ruka, couldn't she?

No one would object.

Because they were already family.

"I… um, I…"

Twilight Song finally understood why McQueen had asked for her permission.

Because she, Twilight Song, was today's star.

"Alright, enough of that. Happy Birthday, Ruka."

The gifts beside her had piled into a small mountain, and though she didn't need to measure the weight of everyone's heartfelt intentions, Twilight Song still felt overwhelmed.

How many years had passed since anyone had wished her a happy birthday?

A long, long time. It had truly been far too long.

In her previous life, living alone in that rented apartment, the concept of birthdays had long slipped from her mind. As time passed, she'd completely forgotten that she even had a birthday to celebrate.

But now…

Tears suddenly welled up uncontrollably in Twilight Song's eyes.

Because here was a group of people who remembered the day she came into this world, and who'd carefully planned a surprise just for her.

They smiled and said to her:

"Happy birthday, Ruka."

Perhaps this was what a family truly meant. For the first time, Twilight Song wept openly before everyone, tears falling uncontrollably despite her desperate attempts to keep them in check.

And what happened next?

Mejiro Ramonu, in a rare moment, gently embraced her, softly comforting the crying filly.

"It's alright, Ruka. We're your family too. Don't worry—there'll be many more birthdays like this one."

Reassuring her little sister was part of the eldest sister's duty.

Ramonu's rare gentleness left Twilight Song momentarily at a loss, but the filly quickly pulled herself together.

Crying like this in front of everyone… it's so embarrassing! Even McQueen has stopped eating her snacks!

But… what should she say now?

Twilight Song desperately tried to recall how the previous birthday stars had reacted during their celebrations, awkwardly beginning her speech.

Seeing this clumsy attempt, Ramonu couldn't help but smile softly.

This awkwardness was just a first-time thing, after all.

By next year's birthday, she'd surely handle it confidently. And at that time…

They'd truly be inseparable family members, all living happily together in Mejiro Manor.

Of this, Ramonu was utterly certain.