Chapter Text
20 Years Ago - Classic Year, Late December
The sun had barely risen on Tokyo, and it painted the nearly clear skies more violet than blue and the scattered clouds a fiery orange. In what daylight she had, Oguri could see the faintest traces of her breath as she jogged the streets around Tracen Academy. She could've been running on the track, but this wasn't really a workout; this was just so she could think. There would be other students on the training tracks, even from the moment curfew ended on a Sunday.
Oguri didn't want to deal with anyone else. She just wanted to run with who she was running with right now. Oguri liked running with her, even if she had to slow down so she could actually keep pace. Because she loved running just as much as she did. Because she reached that impossible thing that Oguri still couldn't.
They stopped at a street crossing and jogged in place as they waited for the light to turn green. Oguri glanced up at the face of the tall girl next to her. Out of the corner of her eye, Yumiko Muramoto noticed and grinned back. The light turned green and they took back off again. They were almost done their wide circuit back to the academy; it had been a shorter run then Oguri would've liked, but she had to prep for later tonight.
Oguri slowed as they turned onto a quiet side street. She wanted to put off getting back for just a bit longer. She sat down on a bench next to a vending machine as her thoughts grew more and more chaotic. Yumiko stopped in front of the vending machine and leaned down to get a better look at its contents. Oguri clasped her hands together as she stared down at the ground.
"You want anything, Oguri?" Yumiko asked.
Oguri didn't respond. The autumn Tenno Sho. The Japan Cup. Tamamo Cross. Obey Your Master. That thing she couldn't reach.
"Earth to Oguri?"
Yumiko waved a hand in front of her despondent gaze. Oguri snapped out of her thoughts and looked up at Yumiko. She frowned down at her and drew her brows together as she saw Oguri's vacant gaze staring back. Yumiko sighed and sat down next to her.
"Hard to believe the Arima Kinen is only a week out," Yumiko said. "The press conference is tonight, yeah?"
Oguri hesitated, her eyes darting to and fro. She opened her mouth, but shut it and simply nodded. Yumiko tried to think of something to say, but words failed her. She looked away and both of them stewed in silence.
"I…how are you able to do it?" Oguri mumbled. "Why can't I…why can't I figure it out? You...Tama…Obey…"
"The Zone, right?" Yumiko answered. "That's what Roppei said it was called. I wish I could just tell you that there's just a trick to it. A switch you can flip. I don't even know why I can do it — it sounds like it should be a thing only Umamusume can do, right? I've just…I've been able to do it since I was a kid."
A bitter chuckle escaped her. "Maybe because back then, I wanted to believe in a stupid and impossible dream. That if I just ran a little faster, tried a little harder, I could reach it. But I know now that I can't, even with this thing I shouldn't be able to do.
"Even as hopeless as it feels right now, you still have something to aim for, Oguri. Even if it feels impossible, I know someone like you can reach it…but me? I reached the highest peak I could reach without even having to try and the mountain I always dreamed of really climbing…it's a sheer cliff face without a single handhold or place to grip for me to get started.
"Those below me can't reach me, and those above me are forever out of my reach. A lonely peak for me and me alone."
Yumiko felt the hot sting of her own tears as they trickled down her cheek in the cool morning air. She squeezed her eyes shut and a pained laugh escaped her throat. Yumiko pushed her glasses out of the way as she wiped her eyes with her sleeve. Once she pulled her arm away, Yumiko saw her own pain reflected back in Oguri's face. Oguri tried to reach out, but Yumiko quickly stood up and away, and forced out another laugh.
"Sorry, sorry! You're dealing with way more than I am. You're about to take on the biggest race of the year," her forced laughter continued. "You don't need to listen to me whine about some stupid dream I had when I was a kid."
"It's…it's not stupid," Oguri stammered. "Nobody thought I'd be able to run or even stand on my own back when I was a kid…but I'm here now, right?"
Oguri stood up from the bench and tried to step closer, but Yumiko backed away. She shook her head, her pain still obvious behind the forced grin she wore.
"I…I'm gonna get back over to Tracen," Yumiko muttered. "I told Aurora I'd go out for breakfast with her once I was back from our jog."
Yumiko spun away and took off running. Almost reflexively, Oguri got ready to run after her, but she hesitated. Frozen in her stance, she watched Yumiko disappear around the corner. Oguri could easily catch up to her, but in a rare moment of emotional clarity for her, she knew.
That's the problem, isn't it?
Present Day - Junior Year, Early June
"You're sure you're gonna be okay, Suzuka?" Yumiko asked.
"I'm certain, Ms. Yumiko," Suzuka giggled.
"I can always try to reschedule it for once we get back from Kansai instead."
"Ms. Yumiko, you said we need to make sure my signature racewear is ready in time," Suzuka said. "This was the soonest you could schedule for me, isn't it?"
"I knooow, but…"
A worried Yumiko frowned down at Suzuka. A small group of them had gathered out in front of the school; it was Saturday morning, and her and Special Week were leaving early for the SEGA Sammy Hai tomorrow. Unfortunately, it also coincided with the first possible appointment Yumiko was able to make with a certain racewear designer for Suzuka, which also meant she would have to be all alone for it. Yumiko's worries grew, but she abated them somewhat to herself. Well, she'll be in trusted hands at least.
"Are you sure, Suzuka?" Special Week worried. "With everything that's been going on, what if somebody bothers you or…"
"I've already arranged a private car to drive her straight over, Special Week," Tazuna assured. "And once she's in the building, she'll be completely fine. The URA takes security very seriously."
"The two of you are completely ridiculous," McQueen sighed. "You both know Suzuka can handle herself."
Yumiko opened her mouth to further express her worries, but was cut off by Fumino Nase. "Don't worry, I'll make sure these two do their scheduled training today. Truthfully, I appreciate you lending them to me; it'll be good for Dober's as well."
Dober giggled and Yumiko slouched in defeat. She looked at the two women and three teenagers that had ganged up on her and threw her hands up. "Fine, I lose. We'll get going. You got everything, right, Nase?"
"Yes, I received your emails with all the necessary info and have your photocopied notes," she replied. "You also arranged for Ryujiro Kiryuin's daughter to join us with her team, yes?"
"Yeah, I told Aoi that you were looking for a few extra bodies for training and she was happy to help," Yumiko said. "I'm disappointed I'm gonna be missing you guys meeting for the first time, but c'est la vie."
"You've been running yourself ragged worrying about Suzuka this past week, Yumiko," Tazuna soothed. "That's part of why you're going early isn't it? Try to relax and enjoy the day with Special Week."
"Yeah, that plus the surprise," Yumiko teased.
"You keep saying there's going to be a surprise," Special Week feared. "But you won't tell me what it is!"
"Because it wouldn't be a surprise anymore, ya dingus!" Yumiko scolded. "C'mon, let's go catch the Shinkansen to Osaka. See ya everybody!"
Special Week and Yumiko picked their suitcases back up and everyone said their farewells as they headed off towards the station. Fumino Nase's gaze drifted to Tazuna Hayakawa's face as the pair walked off into the distance. A perfect smile and light blush lit her face as she waved goodbye to Muramoto. Fumino smirked as their own group started to disperse.
"Ms. Nase?" Tazuna hummed and cocked her head at the woman.
Fumino looked back at Tazuna and shrugged. "Just thinking about how long I've known you, Hayakawa. In these past seventeen years, I don't believe I've ever seen you make an expression like that but it seems very frequent when you're with Muramoto."
Tazuna's face burned bright red. "Well…uhm…ah…."
"Perhaps you might want to consider just going for it?" Fumino suggested. "You have to begin that final spurt at some point."
"Well, if you'll excuse me," Tazuna blurted. "I have many things I need to do! Mmhmm! I need to report back to Director Akikawa immediately!"
Before Fumino could even think of getting another word in, Tazuna walked off very briskly. The three Umamusume who had already started heading back towards the school ahead of them all looked in bewilderment at Tazuna as she sped by at her panicked pace. McQueen sighed, shook her head, and shrugged.
"So, what's the surprise for Special Week?" Dober asked. "Did Ms. Yumiko tell you, McQueen?"
"She did," McQueen smirked. "She's introducing her to an old friend of hers and my mother."
Fumino took a sip of coffee out of the disposable cup she held as she looked out at the morning track. It was earlier than she liked to schedule weekend training for Dober, but…we only have Suzuka for a few hours today, so I don't want to waste it. She sighed and took another sip as she watched Dober and Suzuka do some relaxed warm-up stretches as they talked. They were still waiting for Team Liyu to join them, so Fumino had told them to take it easy for the time being.
"Ms. Nase."
Fumino turned her head to see McQueen had walked over to her. She nodded at her in greeting. "McQueen. Can I help you with something?"
"Nothing in particular, I just wanted to speak to you while we waited," McQueen replied. "We've only met on a few occasions so far, so we haven't really had a chance to speak just the two of us."
Fumino's eyebrow arched. An inquisitive hum escaped behind closed lips, and McQueen continued.
"You just have quite the storied career and I used to hear a great deal about it when I was younger," McQueen clarified. "Especially so from Auntie Creek—"
A stifled chuckle barely escaped from Fumino. McQueen cocked her head, and Fumino shook her head. "I apologize. It's just odd hearing Creek referred to as such."
"Ha. I suppose it would be," McQueen chuckled. "I've called her such since I was a child, that it's hard to imagine calling her anything else.
"I've always had a great deal of admiration for her and her skill as a stayer when she ran in the Twinkle Series, and much of that was thanks to your guidance," she continued. "I would re-watch her winning run at the Kikuka Sho often. It's a race I hope to run myself next year against Ryan."
"You're not trying for the Triple Tiara?" Fumino hummed. "I thought you might follow in your mother's footsteps and I'd see you going against Dober next year."
"I don't have my mother's distance flexibility, unfortunately," McQueen sighed. "Long distance is where I shine and what I've tried to train for my whole life with Yumiko's help."
She turned her eyes away from Fumino and looked up at the sky and off into the blue expanse. "I'm trying to follow after and surpass my grandmother instead. I'm aiming to win the spring Tenno Sho in my senior year, and then I plan to take on the autumn Tenno Sho, the Japan Cup, and the Arima Kinen."
Fumino smirked. "The fabled Autumn Triple Crown, hrm? That's quite the lofty goal. People think Rudolf might be the first to finally achieve it this year."
"Of course. If I'm to be the next head of the Mejiro family," McQueen smirked back. "I'll need the accolades to match. It wouldn't be befitting of my station otherwise."
Before either could continue their conversation, a clumsy pink blur appeared in both their peripheries. A tiny, pink-haired Umamusume sprinted onto the field. She nearly tripped before she caught herself as she stopped by Suzuka and Dober. A massive grin across her face, she waved both her arms wide. "Hi Suzuka!"
Haru Urara. One win, two losses. Fumino had researched Team Liyu once the joint-training had been arranged. Her red-eyed gaze drifted to look in the direction Haru had came from and spotted the rest as they approached, the other two Umamusume talking to the small and girlish woman that served as their trainer.
Tokai Teio. Two wins, one loss. That one loss was against the girl who just so happened to be standing next to Fumino right now. She looked over at McQueen, only to notice her gaze transfixed on Teio. She puffed up her cheeks and glared daggers at her, and Teio did the same. It lasted for an uncomfortably long moment until McQueen huffed and melodramatically turned away as she left to join the others out on the track. Tokai Teio scoffed and dashed off ahead of her own companions, rushing past Fumino to catch up to McQueen. The two argued and taunted one another as they walked side-by-side.
Fumino raised an eyebrow and frowned. Did Muramoto fail to tell me that there's something going on between those two?
"Hello…You're Ms. Nase…right?"
Fumino turned her gaze back to meet the soft pink eyes of the creamy-haired Umamusume who had quietly approached her. Happy Meek. Three wins, across both dirt and turf, and in three different distance categories. She was the one that impressed Fumino the most, as unassuming as the girl looked. Meek seemed to lack any kind of specialty, but she also didn't seem to lack in anything. A true jack of all trades. If anyone on Team Liyu screamed 'Kiryuin-family trainee', it was her.
"Yes, I'm Fumino Nase," Fumino greeted her with a smile and held out a hand. "Happy Meek, correct? It's good to meet you."
"It's really nice to meet you too…" Meek smiled and softly grasped her hand. "I've only talked to Dober a little bit…since we're both friends with Suzuka…but she's always made you sound really nice."
Fumino's smile warmed just a little bit. "I see. Well, I look forward to overseeing your training today."
Meek nodded and turned away. She walked towards the field to join everyone else and waved to Dober and Suzuka, the two of them smiling and waving back at her. Fumino kept her eyes on them for a bit longer until she heard the small and shuffled steps slowly approach her. She turned to look at the woman approaching her, her fingers tightly wrapped around a tablet she pressed against her chest. Her purple eyes glanced around, trying to meet Fumino's own, but always failing just short of doing so. She felt small, but she was about the same height as Fumino — maybe even an inch taller?
Aoi Kiryuin. Granddaughter of Oshiro Kiryuin and daughter of Ryujiro Kiryuin. Her great aunt also held a rather prominent position in the URA proper. Fumino knew the Kiryuins well; what trainer didn't? They were an absolutely legendary family and their trainees just as much. Symboli Rudolf, Tokino Minoru, Maruzensky…and those were just some of the most notable on a list filled with notable racers.
Personally? Fumino had never gotten a chance to meet Oshiro; she had just started as a trainer at Tracen Academy when he had taken on Tokino Minoru in what would also unfortunately be the last year of his life. She had met Ryujiro —the man was infamously avoidant— but there was a brief period over a decade ago where both their trainees were best friends and that led to them meeting by chance more often than not. It's hard to believe sometimes that Winning Ticket was his trainee. The contrast between her and Rudolf is…
It felt as sharp as the contrast between Ryujiro and the nervous-wreck of his daughter that currently stood in front of Fumino. Ryujiro was dark, imposing, and mysterious. Aoi felt…meek, girlish, and anxious. Fumino frowned and cocked her head.
"Aoi Kiryuin?"
Aoi nearly jolted out of her skin. Her eyes shot open as wide as saucers and she finally met Fumino's own gaze. "H-h-hello! Y-y-yes, I'm…I'm Aoi Kiryuin! I…I'm looking f-f-f-forward to working with you today, Ms. Fumino Nase!"
She bowed deeply to Fumino as she broke into a cold sweat. Fumino's frown —and confusion— only deepened as the young woman was overly formal and polite. Is she scared of me for some reason? Fumino worried.
"Did you ever find out anything about Manhattan Cafe?" Yumiko asked. "Just remembered I never asked you how your investigation went."
Special Week jolted at the question. They had arrived in Osaka about a half-hour ago and immediately transferred from Shin-Osaka Station onto a southbound train on Osaka Metro's Midosuji Line. Special Week still wasn't sure why they weren't heading to Takarazuka yet, but it wasn't like they were that far away from it. She was so busy thinking about all that, the question had caught her off-guard.
She looked away from the speeding tunnel outside the window and back to Yumiko. Special Week shook her head. "Um, no. I didn't have any luck. Sorry."
I had to be hallucinating or something. Probably because of whatever was in that thing Tachyon gave me, Special Week tried to reason with herself. It just doesn't make any sense. Why would she look so much like Ms. Yumiko?
"Ah well, it's okay. That's how it goes sometimes," Yumiko sighed and shrugged. "Hopefully what planning we did with what we do know will work out."
Their train slowed to a stop and Yumiko motioned for them to get off. Special Week glanced around as they did to get her bearings; they were at a 'Namba Station' now. She only just got used to making her way around a little bit of Tokyo (mostly Fuchu) that trying to figure out Osaka was melting her brain. Special Week made sure to stay as close to Ms. Yumiko as she could.
Well, at least I shouldn't lose her, she thought as she looked up at Ms. Yumiko, standing leagues above anyone else around her.
They left their luggage in a set of coin lockers and walked through the Osaka underground. Special Week looked around at the crowds and the stores, and then back up at Yumiko. "Where are we going anyway, Ms. Yumiko?"
"Special Week. Special Week," Yumiko let out a ragged sigh. "I told you: it's a surprise. We're literally almost there, so hold on for a few more minutes.
"…but I guess I can give you a hint since we're so close," she glanced down and smiled. "We're meeting up with an old friend of mine. Trust me, you'll like 'em."
Special Week cocked her head and opened her mouth to ask more, but snapped it shut. An old friend of Ms. Yumiko? I wonder who they are…
They turned and headed up a set of stairs. The warmth of the afternoon sun greeted Special Week as they exited, and she took in a deep breath to take in the summer air now that they were back outside…but that wasn't the only thing that greeted her nostrils. The wafting scents of countless delicious food flooded her senses. Grilled, fried, baked…pastries, fish, chicken, ramen, rice…Special Week couldn't parse it all. Her mouth watered and her eyes glimmered — she had arrived to her personal nirvana. Special Week looked at the glitzy neon sign that arched above the street that was the source of it all. Yumiko read it aloud, motioning towards it with a flourish.
"Special Week, welcome to Sotenbori," Yumiko declared. "Osaka's entertainment district and —in my humble opinion— home to the best street food in all of Japan."
Yumiko muttered under her breath. "This might be the only place in miles we could possibly feed the both of you together too."
"It's…it's beautiful," Special Week openly wept tears of joy.
"Don't get too ahead of yourself," Yumiko snickered. "We still gotta go meet up with that friend I was telling you about. It can get pretty crowded around here, so stay close to me, okay?"
They headed in, switching from the asphalt and sidewalks of the main roads to the patterned brickwork of the Sotenbori streets made for mostly pedestrian traffic. They navigated through the crowds, Special Week "ooh"ing and "aah"ing in awe at the sights as they made their way, looking at the numerous ridiculous giant depictions of sea life that decorated the fronts of restaurants, and the massive billboards. Yumiko snickered at her. Thought she might've been a little bit more used to this after three months in Tokyo, but she still really hasn't gotten out that much from around Tracen Academy, huh?
Yumiko kept her focus ahead; she'd been in Sotenbori before, but it wasn't exactly a common visit for her. She knew her way well enough to get to Iwao Bridge at least. It was fairly busy as a tourist spot since it looked over the Sotenbori canal, the many famous billboards that decorated its boardwalk, and also had a unique design with its circular plaza in its middle. It was also central, so it sort of just made the most sense as a meeting spot.
Yumiko's eyes scanned the crowd, looking for hair with an ashen hue in all of it. It took her a moment, but she spotted it…but not belonging to the Umamusume she had been expecting. It was one she was familiar with, but only a little bit. She had barely changed in all these years — still short as hell and still keeping her hair long. She leaned back against the bridge's railing in its circular middle, looking down at her phone through narrowed eyes as she furrowed her brow.
Curiosity got the best of Yumiko and she approached. She looked down at the short Umamusume with a frown. "Tamamo?"
Tamamo Cross jolted and looked away from her phone as she craned her head nearly straight up to meet Yumiko's eyes. She grinned. "Hey Muramoto. Been a minute, huh?"
"Goddesses, way more than a minute," Yumiko sighed. "What are you doing here?"
"I live in Osaka, dumbass," Tamamo scoffed. "…also Oguri invited me. She told me she was meetin' you and that trainee of yours today and asked if I wanted to come along. I'm offended ya didn't invite me yourself."
"Tamamo, I don't even have your contact info," Yumiko said. "We've only ever been like…friendly acquaintances at most? You were about to graduate from Tracen Academy and retire from racing altogether when me and Oguri started being friends, then you went on your extended sabbatical the year after that. We've only ever met like a handful of times over all these years because of that."
Tamamo flinched away. She frowned and her shoulders slumped as her ears and tail drooped. Yumiko's mouth twitched. I just made her feel like she's completely unwelcome, didn't I? She cleared her throat.
"BUT…it is good to see you, Tamamo," she clarified. "It's a nice surprise."
Tamamo instantly perked back up. She cleared her own throat as she tried to hide it, but a smirk crossed her face regardless. "Well, it's good to see ya too."
Yumiko grinned, but then glanced around and frowned. "So…uh…where's Oguri?"
Tamamo tensed back up. She faced down, pinched the bridge of her nose, and let out a long, exasperated sigh.
"I lost her."
"You…lost her?"
"Yes, I lost her, okay!?" Tamamo screeched. "She was with me one second and then she was gone the next!"
She grumbled and paced in place. "I think she probably caught a whiff of something and followed her stomach. I tried lookin' for her myself and texting and calling her, but she's not answering. She's probably too distracted with whatever damn thing she's gorgin' herself on.
"I knew she planned to meet up with ya here, so I figured I'd just wait here until ya showed up and we could have three sets of eyes searchin' for her. Though, I guess Special Week isn't here? You leave her behind someplace while you were gettin' Oguri or something?"
Yumiko froze. "Huh? No, she's right behin-"
She turned around, expecting to see a socially anxious Special Week. Yumiko figured she had just clammed up once she saw Tamamo Cross, or when they had unceremoniously revealed that Oguri was the old friend. Instead, all that greeted Yumiko was the complete lack of Special Week.
Her head whipped side-to-side, Yumiko hoping she would catch sight of something, but there was nothing. Yumiko slumped over, buried her face into her hands and sighed. She dragged her fingers down across her face as she turned back to Tamamo. Tamamo pursed her lips before she sighed.
"She's as bad as Oguri, isn't she?" she asked.
"She's as bad as Oguri," Yumiko repeated. "C'mon, let's get looking. If we're lucky, they're at the same—"
A pained grunt cried out before a man slid across the ground and came to a stop at their feet. His clock had been thoroughly cleaned and he was completely out cold. Tamamo and Yumiko both glanced down at him and then back up at where he had come from to see a massive man with a buzz cut, his fist still outstretched; along with a goateed man sporting an eyepatch and a snakeskin jacket, his leg still out from the swift kick he had delivered. The two pairs exchanged the briefest of glances, but it didn't last long. Dozens more men pushed their way through the crowd and charged the two men.
A giant street brawl broke out, and the crowd on the bridge backed off as it did, forming a ring around the fight, everyone watching in horror or awe, crying or cheering. Tamamo and Yumiko, having retreated to the front of the ring of spectators, both watched wide-eyed.
"Tamamo," Yumiko began.
"Yeah?"
"They're fighting like twenty guys, right?"
"Yep."
"And they're winning?"
"Mm-hm."
"Okay, I'll admit it," Yumiko blurted. "This is actually sick as hell."
"It's rad," Tamamo agreed and nodded sagely.
They both watched wordlessly as the brawl continued, the two strange men effortlessly fighting the horde of thugs. Yumiko crossed her arms and shut her eyes tight before she breathed out slowly. "…We need to go find Spe and Oguri though."
Tamamo groaned. "Okay, but…the big guy just grabbed one guy and used him to bludgeon another!"
"We gotta go, Tamamo," Yumiko repeated.
Tamamo clenched her fists and eyes. She gritted her teeth before she threw her hands up. "Fine! Fine! You're right!"
The two whirled away and started to squeeze past the crowd of spectators. A wicked laughter echoed out from the fight and Tamamo's head snapped back to look.
"Muramoto! The eyepatch guy just started breakdancing!"
"Tamamo."
Tamamo groaned and tugged at her hair. Fighting against every cell in her body, she turned away from the fight again and followed after Yumiko, despite all the insane sounds and wild cheers that made her desperate to keep watching.
Fumino raised a whistle to her lips and blew. Their collected trainees slowed down on the track and turned to look at her as she shouted out. "We're about to wrap up, girls! Start your cooldown routines!"
The girls kept at their slow pace, all of them lightly jogging to finish their current lap. Fumino's red eyes followed them. Today's track training had gone well; a decently-sized group made for much easier execution of track practice and exercises. While Fumino could plan out Dober's diet, regimen, and teach her theory all day long, nothing could compare to real-world experience.
Fumino sighed. I wonder if I should seek out a second trainee so we could have a more readily available partner for her? The thought caught her off-guard; ever since she had gotten tenure and became a 'fixture' among Tracen's training staff, she had almost exclusively focused on a single trainee. Usually lone wolf types; those who did their best work alone or fulfilled their social needs in other ways. Girls who were…well, like herself.
Gimlet, Vodka, Taishin…she stifled a fond chuckle as she thought of Taishin in particular — she always reminded Fumino of herself the most. Especially when she first introduced her to Super Creek.
Dober gave her that impression at first, but it was apparent now that she was just socially awkward…which Fumino was also, not that she would ever admit that. Once Dober was comfortable around someone, she thrived, and it always had a noticeable effect when they did joint training and just on her mood in general.
She kept her eyes on the girls as she walked her way back up the side of the track herself. She spoke to Muramoto fairly often, so Fumino knew what to expect from Suzuka and McQueen. Team Liyu was almost as she expected; Happy Meek and Tokai Teio were both impressive but…Haru Urara was an enigma to her. From what she had seen of her records, Fumino expected poor performance all around, but she seemed…oddly strong? It was almost as if Haru was clumsy because of how powerful her legs were compared to her small frame. It was paradoxical.
McQueen's eyes drifted to Teio next to her as they jogged side-by-side. It was only ever so slightly, but she looked more worn out than she should've. McQueen frowned and drew her eyebrows together.
"Teio, are you…all right?" McQueen worried. "You seem a bit more tired out than you should be."
Teio's eyes darted to McQueen and she huffed. "What? I'm fine. Why would you care anyway?"
McQueen scoffed and rolled her eyes. "I just don't want you coming up with some kind of excuse when I beat you in the Nippon TV Open later this month."
McQueen sharply turned her gaze away from Teio. Why am I letting myself be concerned for her of all people? Absolutely ridiculous.
Dober peeked back at them out of the corner of her eye and had to force herself to look away. She looked to Meek and Suzuka next to her.
"Um…are McQueen and Teio always like this?" Dober whispered.
Meek nodded and Suzuka answered. "Yes? Why?"
"Oh, no reason!" Dober panicked.
—stop brainstorming a manga about your cousin and Teio stop brainstorming a manga about your cousin and Teio stop brainstorming a manga about your cousin and Teio—
"Kiryuin."
Aoi Kiryuin nearly jumped straight into the air as Fumino said her name. They had gone to separate ends of the track while doing the current set of exercises to cast a wider net and keep an eye on things. Fumino made her way back over to her, and despite first impressions, she was clearly an excellent (if inexperienced) trainer. Muramoto only ever spoke highly of her too — she was good with her own girls and understood Suzuka and McQueen. Kiryuin even picked up on Dober's habits and style fairly quickly to address them during training.
But why is she so scared of me? Fumino puzzled. I know many of the younger trainers at the school feel somewhat intimidated by me, but never to this degree.
"M-M-M-Ms. Nase!" Kiryuin stammered, hiding partially behind her tablet. "Is…is everything alright?"
"Yes, we're just wrapping up, remember?" Fumino sighed. "It's almost time for Suzuka to leave, and if I know Tazuna Hayakawa, she'll be here on the dot to retrieve her."
"Y-y-yes, of course, you're right!" Kiryuin blurted. "We…we should go and debrief with the girls."
They made their way over to where the girls would be finishing their lap, getting there at almost the same time. Their cooldowns continued with stretches and other light workouts, and water was drunk as they rested. They had mostly gone over things during other breaks, but it was a good time to review. Fumino went over her own notes with Dober, along with Suzuka and McQueen as she compared to Muramoto's own.
"You're doing well with adjusting your timing for your final spurt, Dober. You're still fantastic with miles, but I know you've been wanting to get more experience at medium distance for the Oaks and Shuka Sho next year," she said. " It might be a good idea for us to sign you up for an open in Kyoto of a similar distance to the Shuka Sho so you can get proper course experience. I definitely believe you're ready for it."
"Thank you, Ms. Nase," Dober bowed. "I'd quite like that."
"Suzuka…" Fumino flipped through the pages she held and sighed. "…I have a hard time following Muramoto's notes for you. The two of you are an eccentric pair, but I can see how much you excel regardless. I do hope you found today's training helpful for what you have coming though."
"I did, Ms. Nase," Suzuka smiled.
"In vast contrast, her notes for you are detailed and clear, McQueen. Your stamina and pacing are on a steady upwards curve. I could even tell as much from our brief session today," Fumino continued. "You very much remind me of Aurora; I studied her thoroughly back when she and Creek went against each other in their senior year…" she hummed. "…Honestly, I even see a bit of Creek in there too. Muramoto was close to both of them, so it only makes sense she would draw from both for you."
"That's most flattering to hear, Ms. Nase," McQueen said. "Thank you."
The girls started to collect their things and head off to the locker room together. McQueen bowed farewell to Fumino before she left. "Until next time, Ms. Nase."
Fumino waved to them, though stopped as Happy Meek hung back and approached her. She bowed her head. "Thank you very much…for helping with our training today, Ms Nase. I hope…we can all train together again."
"I'm sure the opportunity will present itself, Meek," Fumino smiled. "Enjoy the rest of your Saturday."
Meek smiled back and nodded, walking quickly to catch up with Dober and Suzuka. She looked to their only trainee left: Haru Urara. Kiryuin was still talking to her about something before she sent her on her way.
"Haru, there's an old race I'd like for you to do your best to study, okay?" Kiryuin spoke softly. "It's… well, it's a turf race from thirty years ago. I'll send it to you and give you the exact details over LANE, okay?"
"Okay, Ms. Kiryuin!" Haru beamed. "The last one you told me to watch was really neat! King told me it was a really pre…press…presto…"
Haru continued to be tongue-tied as she tried to say 'prestigious' to no avail. Kiryuin smiled and shook her head. "It's okay, Haru, I know what you mean. Get going and enjoy the rest of your day off, okay?"
Haru beamed back at her and nodded. She spun around and took off after the others, leaving just Fumino and Kiryuin. Fumino cleared her throat and Kiryuin —once again— leaped like a startled mouse. She trembled in place as she slowly turned to meet Fumino's gaze.
"I…I…I hope I was able to be of sufficient help, Ms. Nase!" Kiryuin blurted and bowed deeply. "I'll just…um…I'll collect my things and—"
"Kiryuin."
A high-pitched squeak escaped from her as Fumino's cold glare focused in on her. Fumino crossed her arms and leaned back ever so slightly.
"I'm going for lunch at a cafe close to the school," Fumino stated. "And you'll be joining me."
Kiryuin stood rigid as the words reached her. Her mouth opened ever so slightly as she stared back, unblinking. "…Huh?"
Fumino narrowed her eyes and her gaze turned even sterner. Kiryuin flinched and simply nodded in agreement. Fumino wasn't exactly keen on just forcing her, but she wanted to know why Kiryuin was so afraid of her in the first place. A meal seemed the best way to get her to open up.
"You're leaving for your appointment soon…right?" Meek asked.
Suzuka nodded at Meek as she closed her locker. Dober peeked over from the one next to her as she finished changing. "Have you been thinking about what you want for your signature racewear, Suzuka?"
"A little bit…it's harder than I thought," Suzuka murmured. "I think…I want it to be green and white? But I have a hard time imagining an actual outfit."
"I'm sure whoever you'll be discussing it with will help you through the process," Dober said. "The designers at the URA are all very talented from what I've heard and seen. Once you talk to them, I'm certain they'll lock in on something that will appeal to you. I'm really excited to see it once you get it, Suzuka. I'm sure you'll look fantastic."
The girls filed out of the locker room and Suzuka spotted Tazuna approaching. She raised a hand in greeting, and Suzuka waved goodbye to everyone else as she walked over to join Tazuna. She stepped in line with her as they walked down the hall side-by-side. Tazuna glanced down at her as they went.
"Have you been having a good Saturday, Suzuka?" she asked.
"I…I liked training with everyone," Suzuka replied. "With everything going on, it's been hard to just…run. It was nice getting to train and talk with everyone for a bit."
Tazuna looked down at her feet and frowned. "If it ever gets to be too much, I'm sure Yumiko wouldn't dissuade you if you wanted to pull out. To be facing the Takarazuka Kinen as a junior, it…it has to be a lot."
Suzuka glanced over at Tazuna again. It was barely perceptible, but Suzuka noticed the slightest twinges and flinches in her body language. Ms. Hayakawa held herself together despite it all, but there was something there — a deep and personal worry that Suzuka couldn't decipher. Regardless, she shook her head.
"I…I want to do this," Suzuka declared. "It's scary…but I'm sure of it. I want to run in it more than anything."
Tazuna turned her head to her and gently smiled at her with a nod. It wasn't much longer until they exited and walked the paved path to the academy's back parking lot. A black sedan waited, its engine idling as Tazuna walked Suzuka over to it. She opened the backdoor for her.
"The driver has been directed to wait for you while you're inside, so you'll be able to leave the instant you're finished," Tazuna explained. "If there's any problems, please feel free to call me and I'll make sure it's taken care of, okay?"
"Okay. Thank you, Ms. Hayakawa," Suzuka nodded. She got into the backseat of the car and fastened her seatbelt. Tazuna smiled and nodded back at her.
"Make sure she arrives safely," Tazuna called out to the driver. They looked in the rear-view and responded with a firm nod. With that, Tazuna closed the door and stepped back as the car drove off. She watched it until it was out of view, upon which her shoulders relaxed and Tazuna let her uptight posture falter just a bit.
I hope she'll be alright, Tazuna sighed.
Once Special Week caught a whiff of something that practically called out to her stomach, all reason was left behind. She followed after it without even thinking about the fact she had stopped following Ms. Yumiko, dragged along as if she was a cartoon character that had just smelled a fresh pie on a window sill. Special Week couldn't quite decipher what it was that had called out to her so thoroughly…it was traces of ramen, perhaps made with an extremely carrot-rich broth? Whatever it was called to her like nothing else she had smelled in this place yet.
As she drew closer, Special Week finally found its source: an outdoor ramen restaurant with seating around a centralized counter. A goofy dragon statue coiled around a sign up top that read 'Kinryu Ramen' and Special Week laid her eyes on what she had smelled. A waitress carried an absurdly large bowl of ramen filled with roasted carrots and slices of pork, and a broth so rich that Special Week could swear she could taste it from the smell alone.
As the waitress carried it (with no small amount of effort) to a table just around the corner and out of sight, a banner decorating the front of the restaurant with what looked like the same ramen caught Special Week's eye. She scanned it to read what it said.
The Limited Time Uma-Possible Extra Large Ramen Challenge! Finish the entire bowl and get your order free!
Free!? Special Week's eyes shined and she clasped her hands in front of her. She truly had arrived to her personal nirvana. The waitress —working out a kink in her back— came back around and Special Week waved her down.
"Need somethin', hun?" she asked
"Um, I was wondering…can I get that?" Special Week answered with her own question and pointed at the banner.
The waitress shot a glance at the banner and raised an eyebrow. "Another one?" She turned back to Special Week. "Now, look, I shouldn't be telling you this, dear, but—" she leaned in and whispered "—whole thing is sorta just a rip-off to overcharge anyone who thinks they're tough. It's way too much, even for an Umamusume."
"Oh, it's okay," Special Week exclaimed. "I'm really hungry so I'm sure I can eat it all!"
The waitress shook her head and sighed. "Whatever you say. Go and take a seat and we'll get it to ya shortly."
She pointed out one of the cleared tables and Special Week scurried over, quickly kneeling down on the raised tatami mat and eagerly awaited. She looked around, watching the crowds of people outside, the staff working away behind the central counter with murmurs of reaching her ears, and at the other patrons. She knew someone else had ordered the same as she had, but Special Week hadn't caught sight of them. They must've been just as hungry as she was.
"Seconds, please."
A calm voice called out from the opposite side where Spe sat. A wave of bewilderment passed through the staff as they all glanced over. They kept working away though, preparing another batch, and soon enough, a pair of the extra large bowls were each delivered to both sides of the restaurant. Special Week's mouth watered and her stomach grumbled with the ferocity of a savage beast. And like that savage beast, Special Week dug in and began to tear through the absurdly large serving.
She tore through the pork, slurped down the noodles, chomped apart the sliced carrots, and lifted the bowl to drink all the broth. It was as amazing as she imagined. Special Week pushed up off the table and leaned towards the counter. "Can I get another please!?"
"Thirds."
The simultaneous requests came and the bewilderment only grew. At both tables, a massive stack of bowls started to form as Special Week and the other mystery patron ate one serving after the next, neither of their voracious appetites being satiated. People stopped to watch, perhaps in awe or fear, as both continued and showed no signs of slowing down.
Another pair of bowls finished and the stacks growing high enough to be potentially precarious, the cook staff lay in shambles. As both Special Week and the other starving beast were about to call out again, a manager appeared, their eyes aflame with fury. They leaned over the counter and looked over at both of them. "BOTH OF YOU! OUT! NOW!"
They exited from behind the counter and circled around to Special Week. She could feel their murderous intent and she quickly peeled herself off the ground. In a panic, she made her escape, the manager on her heels. On the other side, an older Umamusume was flushed out as well by another set of staff members. Both pushed out the front, the manager glared at them. They pinched the bridge of their nose and let out a ragged sigh.
"You…you ate literally all our ramen," they bemoaned. "We're supposed to be open twenty-four hours a day. I…how? How did you even…Just…Just leave. We need to close until we get another batch in."
With a groan, the manager turned around and back towards the counter, starting to lower the shutters around the counter and close shop with the rest of the staff. Special Week frowned.
"I was still hungry though," she sniffled.
"Me too," the mystery woman whimpered, rubbing her stomach.
The two finally looked at one another. Special Week's eyes traveled up as she examined the slightly taller and older Umamusume next to her. She was in a stylish monochromatic tracksuit, its left breast embossed with the logo of 'Sports Sports Lights'. She wore her long ashen hair in a ponytail and a headband with five connected yellow diamonds placed in front of her bangs. Her light blue eyes looked back and met Special Week's purple eyes.
Special Week stared back at her, frozen in place as the pieces slowly started to connect in her mind. Her eyes widened and her pupils dilated as she recognized who it was. She was older than Special Week had seen her in videos or pictures, but she was still unmistakable, even into her late thirties. Special Week's mouth fell open and her throat croaked as she tried to form words.
"You're…you're…you're…" Special Week stammered. "YOU'RE OGURI CAP!!!"
Oguri Cap. The Oguri Cap. The Ashen Beast, the Gray Monster, the Legend herself. The runner who —in the past few months— had become Special Week's personal hero. Why is she here!? How is she here!? Why am I meeting her like this!? HOW!? Special Week tensed up and trembled as she stared at Oguri Cap in front of her.
Oguri Cap cocked her head. "Yeah, that's me… You're Special Week, right?"
"Yes, I'm Special Week!" Special Week chirped back as if it was just a regular question from a regular person. Then, like the shattering of glass, her brain caught up to her and her contorted expression snapped back into place. "W-w-w-w-w-w-wait, you…you…you know who I am?"
"I've watched your races," Oguri smiled and nodded. "You're really good."
In that moment, something broke in Special Week. The world around her started to spin, her vision grew blurry, and her breathing hastened. She felt like she was about to fall over. Oguri…Oguri Cap's watched my races?…Oguri Cap thinks…I'm good? Special Week screamed and everything went black.
"Tamamo, that was definitely Spe! C'mon!"
Yumiko and Tamamo weaved past the crowds as they sprinted in the direction the scream had come from. With the surge of adrenaline, it took only a matter of moments to get over to Kinryu Ramen and find…a passed-out Special Week, her eyes still swirling and caught by Oguri before she hit the ground.
Oguri glanced down at her with a frown, but her eyes darted back up as she saw her friends. She beamed. "Tama! Yumiko!"
Suzuka stared out the large window wall, gazing at the horizon of skyscrapers and other buildings outside and at the distant streets down below that from so high up resembled toys and models. She had arrived at her destination a bit ago: a very tall skyscraper with floors and floors dedicated to various offices and companies. The URA had a large segment of floors just for themselves, whatever it was used for.
She had been promptly escorted when she had arrived and taken up to a waiting room. The trip had been uneventful and gone exactly as Ms. Hayakawa intended it to. All that Suzuka had left to do now was wait. She clasped her hands together on her lap and turned her gaze up to the sky, a perfect blue in the summer weather. Suzuka absentmindedly kicked her legs back and forth in small motions; she wished she could run fast enough to soar through the skies, to feel what it was like to run with nothing in her way into an endless expanse.
"Silence Suzuka?"
A woman's voice brought Suzuka out of her reverie. She looked away from the window and to where it had come from. She saw an older Umamusume approaching her, one that looked oddly familiar, yet not, at the same time. She wore a black skirt with black tights and a white blouse with a teal undershirt, her purple hair was long and poofy, and her ears were quite long. She looked at Suzuka with her lavender-eyed gaze and cocked her head, those long ears flicking in tandem.
"Is something the matter?"
Suzuka hadn't realized she was gawking until she pointed it out. Suzuka shook her head. "No, I'm sorry. You just…you look like a friend of mine."
"Mejiro McQueen?" the woman asked knowingly.
Suzuka raised an eyebrow as she frowned but nodded.
"Well, I'd certainly hope so," the woman chuckled. "She is my daughter, after all."
She gently held a hand out to Suzuka and beamed. "Mejiro Aurora. It's so nice to finally meet you, Suzuka."
