She had been asked to do a press conference many times now. And with Doto's recent appearance on a talk show, Opera thought it would be a fitting time to finally fulfill that request. Of course she was fearful on how it could go, but she could not back down now. She already agreed to do it, so she will follow through.
She takes a deep breath, steeling her nerves and steps out from backstage. She quickly makes her way over to the table where the press was gathered. She glances towards the cameras and seats herself, putting on her usual confident smile.
"Hello everyone! I, TM Opera O, have arrived! Let us begin now!"
Just as expected, the flash of cameras come quickly. The reporters were quick to clamor over one another to try and get their question across. But with how many of them were talking at once, their words were unclear.
Opera raises her hand to silence them. "One at a time please. The overlord will answer your questions."
She is relieved when silence follows. Then one of the reporters raises his hand. She nods and motions for him to continue.
"Mrs. Opera O, what are your thoughts on the recent announcment of Meisho doto's return to racing after her foul play at the Meguro Kenin?" The reporter asks, pen ready to write down what is said.
"Ah… I had expected a question concerning Doto to come up... I did not think it would be this quickly..."
Opera gave it some thought before she speaks. "It is not a surprise to me. I had always had a feeling that she would eventually return to racing despite what had occurred. I do recall she had some fans who rallied to try and bring her back to racing. I do not condone the actions she had taken during the Meguro Kinen, but…"
Then she sucks in a breath and the next words fall out. "I would not say it is not fair for her to be allowed to return to racing."
The reporter nods, seemingly satisfied with that response before a reporter with brown hair raises her hand. Once Opera gives an indication to continue, the reporter speaks. "Mrs. Opera O. Are the things Meisho Doto said true? Was your relationship with her truly meaningless to you?"
Another thing she should have expected to hear. Such a question was bound to come up at some point.
Opera continues on calmly, refusing to let them see how it affected her to hear these words. "Her claims are unfounded. I had never once thought the relationship we had was meaningless. She had been an important rival of mine and someone I believe was truly a strong umamusume. She is someone I would love to race against once more."
She pauses as she thinks over her next words carefully. "While I understand she wants to return to racing, I believe she should take some time to rest before she does. With her recent disappearance, it seems she has neglected her own well being. I do not think it would be wise for her to race until her health is better."
There is a look of confliction crosses the brunette reporter's face. But she is not given time to question further before the first reporter butts in again. "Mrs. Opera O. In Tracen Academy the student council president is in a high position of power. As student council president, what are your thoughts on the schools current safety? According to insider information the safety inspection after the Meguro Kinen went terribly, and the number of anonymous stalkers of students has grown rampant alongside the growing list of missing students."
Her ears twitch as she thinks over her answer. "Currently, there are still some things we will need to go over to ensure the safety of every student of Tracen Academy. The directors and Tazuna-san are working on making sure more safety protocols are implemented. We are aware of the issue with the… stalkers and there are some actions being taken to make sure they are unable to bring harm to students."
Yes, it was true she was now the student council president, but there was only so much she was able to do. Opera takes a deep breath and prays the answer was satisfactory. "I am aware that things such as this may take some time to change, but I hope that it will work out in the end. I want everyone to be safe and I hope for the missing students to return safely."
She was aware some had returned already, but she did not know if it was something she could comment on. Not everything was public knowledge yet after all.
Another reporter raises their hand and she snaps out of her thoughts, nodding for them to continue. The reporter speaks quickly, not wasting time. "Mrs. Opera O, what do you think of Meisho Doto's claim that you are not friends? We had all thought that you both had been close before. Why has this changed?"
Opera hesitates for a moment when she hears the words. She wanted to refuse to answer it, but she ultimately decides that refusing to answer the question would not work. The media would only keep pushing until she answers it.
"It is true that we are not friends anymore at this point, but we had been friends at one point. Things had changed the moment I had told her I would be dating Fuji… That was something Doto had been against and upset over because she had feelings for me and had wished to for us to be more than just friends. But that was not something I could give her." She picks her words carefully.
The reporter nods and jots down some notes as another reporter speaks up now. "How is your relationship with Fuji Kiseki? Do you regret your decision to choose her over Meisho Doto?"
That was a question Opera knew the answer to already. A smile crosses her face as she speaks. "I am quite happy with Fuji. She has been looking out for me, and I look out for her. I do not regret my decision to be with her and do not think I ever will. This is the life I have chosen for myself because it is the life that I desire."
She was quite fond of her life with Fuji and thinking about it made her feel happy. But her momentary joy is shattered as the next reporter speaks.
"IF you knew what was to come, would you have still made your decision to abandon Meisho Doto?" The reporter presses, looking her in the eyes.
"Of course people would see it that way… why wouldn't they?" Her ears fall flat for a moment before sticking back up. She could not show weakness in front of them.
"Yes… I still would have chosen to be with Fuji, but I had not abandoned Doto. I still wished to be friends with her. I am aware that the public may not see it as such, but I never abandoned her. I do still want to be her friend. It is regretful things have come to this… but I would not change the choice I made." Opera keeps her words firm, refusing to let herself falter. Not here, not now.
"So you admit to not caring for Meisho Doto's feelings in this matter?" Another reporter presses now.
"That isn't what I said..." Her ears fall flat once more. "Of course my words would be misinterpreted… Why would they be so quick to assume that?"
"I did not say that." Opera says quietly before speaking louder. "I had not said that. While I know my decision has hurt Doto, I would not change the choice I made. I wish something could have been done to make her feel better, but… that is something in the past now. I can only hope she is able to move forward from this and heal."
She can see the scowl on that reporters face, and she knows they want to keep pushing. But she doesn't want them to. She did not want to answer more of their questions.
"How do you plan on forward now that Meisho Doto has declared you are no longer needed for her racing career?" Another reporter pushes in before more words can be spoken.
A sense of relief washes over Opera now, and her ears quickly perk back up. She takes a deep breath and speaks firmly. "I will continue as I am. If we cross paths on the track, then we shall race. I think it is good for her to be able to find her own path forward."
"Opera O, how will you rise and surpass these challenges set before you?" A rather familiar seeming person asks. Where did she know this woman from?
Opera hums a comforting tune to herself as she gives the question some thought, giving herself some time to calm down. "Of course I will keep pushing forward. The path of the overlord is a perilous one, but it is the path I have chosen for myself. Regardless of the challenges thrown my way, I will keep going and shine brightly through the shadows that wish to drown me. I will not allow this to hold me back and I will overcome it, for I am the overlord. I will not be held down, and I do hope my rivals will be able to give me a challenge. For without them, there would be no overlord."
She watches as the person steps away with a. "Well said."
The overlord had wanted to thank the woman for her question, but is quickly bombarded with another question from a desperate reporter. "How can we be so sure that the things you say about your relationship with Meisho Doto is true? She had said you used her to reach the fame you have now. Are you really expecting us to take your word when you say you haven't?"
And she feels her mood sour. She knew there would be some doubts, there always had been. But Opera could not allow it to show that things were getting under her skin, so she remains as professional as she could. "I cannot make you believe the things I say. I can only hope that there will be people who believe me. I assure you that I have never used Doto or anyone to achieve fame, that would be unbecoming of me to do. If there are people who believe that, then I hope I am able to change their mind. As the overlord, I only wish for my rivals to be able to race at their best. That would be fulfilling to see."
There are some murmurs among the people gather before another person asks, "Is there anyone you're interested in racing against in the future?"
Opera taps her chin as she thinks. "Hmm… I have been paying attention to the upcoming umamusume about to enter the stage of racing, and I have been amazed by their skills. If it were ever possible, I would love to race against them all!"
She hoped there would be more questions like this. It was rather pleasing to be able to speak about things that did not involve Doto for this, but Opera understood why people would ask her so much.
An eager person speaks up. "Opera, what's your favorite kind of beetle?"
Opera tilts her head in response. "I do not know beetles. Do you mean the musicians?"
The person sighs. "No. The cute bugs! There is one on that camera!"
She glances over then back to the person. "Oh. I still do not know them…"
"Aw..." The person seemed disapointed now.
"Rumors are spreading that despite being married to Fuji Kiseki, you have also been seeing the racer, Jungle Pocket. Any comment?" Someone else calls out.
Had word on that gone by that quickly? That was not something Opera had expected. She smiles, her tail flicks around with some barely contained joy. "I am aware of the rumors that have gone around, and Fuji is aware as well. We do both have an open relationship after all with everyone in Team Rigil, so this is not something she is against."
"TEAM RIGIL IS A POLYCULE?" The person shouts.
"Ah. Was that not already known? I had thought it was…." Opera mutters. This was a mistake on her part then. She could only pray this would not negatively impact her loved ones.
She isn't given long to linger on the thought before another reporter speaks up. "Do you have any future race plans? In your prime you won the Autumn Triple Crown, will you be trying those races again?"
Races. She did plan on returning to racing, so she answers to the best of her ability. "Perhaps I will in due time. But for now, I will participate in a few local skirmishes with my fellow students. It is always fun to run with other umamusume and see how strong they are!"
Was that enough for them? She hoped that it would be.
"Could you elaborate on your reasoning for not taking part in the twinkle series races?" Another reporter asks.
"I have already partaken in many of the twinkle series races. It would not do if I do not allow the upcoming umamusume to have their time in the spotlight." Opera answers truthfully. She truly wanted to see how strong the next generation of umamusume would be.
What new things would they bring? That was something she would wonder until she could see them all race.
"Would you rather have 1 dollar or 2 dollar?!" Someone shouts out.
"Um... 2... dollars?" Opera could not understand why this was being asked, but it did not hurt to answer it.
While she questioned it, another reporter raises their hand. "Meisho Doto said she would 'Rightfully claim the title of overlord', do you plan on defending your title?"
"Of course I do! The title of overlord is my own, it is the one I am destined for. I do not plan on giving it up to anyone. If she wishes to claim it from me, she will have to defeat me." Opera smiles proud, holding a hand over her heart. There was no way she would lose her rightful title to anyone else. She could not allow it.
But her smile drops when the next person speaks, and she was unable to stop it from happening. Why was she so powerless?
"Mrs. Opera O, I cannot help but comment on this." A young woman begins. "I hope you are aware that many of your fans are also fans of Meisho Doto."
Yes, that was something Opera already knew. She received countless letters from fans who had expressed such sentiments. She bites her tongue as she waits for the young woman to continue.
"Many of them had believed that the two of you would have an unbreakable bound and ultimately end up together because your faiths are entwined together." The young woman says. "There has been a fan club that has been rallying behind the two of you possibly getting together. But now, many are disappointed and devastated with this new development. If you could do things differently, would you have gotten with Doto?"
All of this. All of this was something Opera had already known. She cannot help but frown as she listens to this particular person speaking. It wasn't like she was unaware of the fans that had shipped her with Doto, she simply chose not to acknowledge them. Acknowledgment would have only fed into their delusions that things would change to fit what they saw fit. That was something she could not have happen.
"I would like to reiterate what I have already said before, I would not change what has happened. I am quite content with the life and relationship I have now." Opera makes sure to emphasize her words. She did not want to be misunderstood any further.
Opera thinks of what she has now, and what she once had. What she wanted was obvious to her. "I treasure the time I am able to spend with my loved ones and do not wish to lose that."
She was afraid she would lose some of it. Opera knew Taiki had been friends with Doto, but it seemed that bond was now severed. Doto had said it herself, she did not consider Taiki a friend now. Opera could only think that she herself was the one to blame for that happening. It was because of her Taiki had lost such a dear friend. This would be a guilt she would hold close to her heart for a long time.
Opera takes a deep breath, picking her words delicately. "I only regret losing the friendship I had with Doto. Yes, it is true that the relationship we had is tarnished now, but… we cannot say for sure things would be better if I had chosen her. I am content with my current loving relations, and I will not throw that away."
She glances to the side, checking the time. Enough time seems to have passed now. It was time to put an end to this before her nerves overrode her calm. "I will answer one last question before I depart."
Silence fell over everyone gathered and Opera holds her breath. Then she sees one person hesitantly raise their hand. She gives them a quick nod and motions for them to continue.
"Um... The crabs? What's uh... going on there?" The person asks hesitantly.
Opera feels the tension leave her body and she releases her breath. She was grateful for a change in subject such as this one. "I do not know what is going on with them. They had simply… shown up suddenly. But they do not seem to be too dangerous for the most part. It does seem like everyone is having their own reactions to it all. Brian-san decided they would make for a few good meals, so we have some crab dishes to eat now."
"I think I would like to enjoy some of that now." She stands from her seat and gives a quick but polite bow. "Thank you for your time. I shall be departing now."
With those final words, she briskly leaves the studio even as some reporters shout after her with more questions. She doesn't hear what they are saying and focuses on leaving and returning to her loved ones. Opera could only hope she could find the time to relax once more when she returned to their company.
*it roared, maybe it sounded more like a screech... now that godzilla rip off releases bad smell from its flowers i think you might want hold your breath and run away*
turnnoffyourmind
prguitarman
gummygunk
