Archive of Our Own

The Shuka Sho. Turf 2000m Kyoto racecourse.

Air Groove walked down the dark tunnel, taking steady controlled breaths. It has been a few months since she took a tiara at the Oaks, her first G1 win of her career. Now was time for her second. The Oaks had been a hard fought victory, but her training of the summer would serve her well. Her racewear felt light on her skin, her boots strapped on tight. She felt ready to win. She turned the corner to walk up the slope and out to the track.

A blinding white light beamed right in front of her, followed by a series of smaller, just as powerful flashes. She didn't have time to react, staring wide into the light as it struck her. She recoiled, the burning sensation shooting pain into the back of her skull. She stumbled back, her ears only now picking up that she was being bombarded with questions. Reporters? That's what they sounded like, but she couldn't hear them all that well through the pain. They must have been looking to see how the Oaks Uma Musume was feeling before the race. But were they allowed here? Air Groove was too overstimulated to even begin to think straight, the sounds and even more flashes of light throwing her off. She felt a hand on her shoulder and flinched away from it. But the flashes stopped, light no longer battering her eyelids as the murmur of noise ceased at once.

“She has a race to run. If you wanted an interview that should have been taken care of far in advance. Leave here, now” Nothing short of curt. Air Groove knew that voice, but as she opened her eyes again pain blared in, even the soft glow of the natural light into the tunnel felt like a ray of fire blocking her vision. “President…?”

It was hard to make out her face, but Symboli Rudolf was in fact standing next to her, her arm around her shoulder. She stood with a deep scold as the reporters and the cameras fled from her. She finally turned back to the Empress with a soft smile that immediately vanished as she looked into Air Groove's squinting and unfocused eyes. “Air Groove? Are you alright?”

Even blinking hurt, she shifted out of the president's hold, pressing her fingers into her forehead. She felt dizzy, like the entire world was tilting over and she was struggling to stay upright. But she had a race to run. She was just surprised, that was all. She had been caught unaware and would recover in a moment. “I'm fine. Why are you here?” She shot back, a little too defensively. She didn't want the president to see her like this. And her chest ached a little as she saw Rudolf's ears droop ever so slightly as she snapped at her.

“I…I wanted to wish you good luck. Are you sure you're ok? You look..” The president's voice trailed off, she went to try to hold her once again, but stopped as Air Groove continued to back away from her. She couldn't let the president see her as weak. She was the Empress, she had to perform the role given to her. Especially when the Emperor was perfect in every way.

“...Rudolf. I am ok. It just startled me, alright? …Thank you, both for helping get rid of them, and for wishing me luck. I'll see you after the race” Air Groove straightened up, intent to put on a strong face for the president. She walked past her, trying to ignore the look of worry on the stallion's face. She walked up the slope at a slant, having to redirect her path when she strayed too close to the wall. The cheers erupted from the stands of Kyoto racecourse as she finally stepped out onto the turf, the last racer to enter the field. It was cloudy overhead, firm ground underfoot. Even with the clouds, everything felt too bright. Like the sun was harshly bearing down on her. It made Air Groove's eyes twitch. She was sensitive to bright lights at the best of times, but the ambush had scrambled her senses in a way she hadn't experienced before. She tried to stretch, prepare for the upcoming race, but her body felt tense and ached when she went through her pre race motions. The commentator box said she looked stiff, and questioned if the favourite was up for the test today. Rudolf stood in the VIP area, knuckles white against the barrier. She was glad the Empress couldn't hear their words, but she was far more worried about her health.

Air Groove didn't feel good. Her eyes were still stinging, touching and rubbing them only made her feel worse. She couldn't shake off the dizziness, nor the lethargy that was setting in on her. The racers were called to enter the gates, and again Air Groove lagged behind, entering next to last. She needed to loosen up, to relax and get ready to run. She had seen runners before shake themselves, literally, to get warm for a race. Why not try that? She shook her arms, her neck and torso, attracting looks from the other Umas. She then lifted a leg and shook it out. She accidentally slammed her thigh into the bottom of the gate in front of her, shooting pain up her leg. She hissed, settling it down. Putting weight on it immediately after was a bad idea, it hurt. She was panicking now, first her head now her leg? The gates opened, and it took her a moment longer than usual to realise and exit. She late started, and had to accelerate fast to catch up to the pack, spending the first part of the race fighting to get into a pace chasing position. Her leg drummed pain through her entire run, and she spent the entire race looking down at it. She had no time to catch her breath, having spent a lot of her stamina to catch up after her late start. In the final turn she saw her fellow racers ramp up, the pace chasers threatening the leader, the late surgers bursting down the outside and the closers already in the middle of their spurt. She had nothing left to give, and couldn't accelerate in the final straight. She watched racer after racer pass her, almost a dozen ahead of her when she finally crossed the line. Her run slowed immediately, and then she dropped to her knees to clutch her leg, and hold her head upright. She felt like she was about to get sick, a pounding sensation in her head that wouldn't quit.

Air Groove never late started, she had passed her gate test in her junior year with a perfect score. Rudolf saw her jumping around in the gate before the off, she had never done that before either. Watching her run, Rudolf immediately had an ambulance prepped for when the race finished, she could see Air Groove was in pain. It drove up from the inside ring of the track, Rudolf sitting inside it as it pulled up beside Air Groove. She had abandoned watching the race from the stands, she couldn't bear to witness the Empress hurt and do nothing. She jumped out of the ambulance and ducked underneath the white barrier, crouching down in front of the mare. “Air Groove…take it easy” She held out her hand, two medics got out of the back with a stretcher between them. She didn't want Air Groove putting weight on her leg, and with how she was with her head just before she didn't want her to lose her balance and fall.

“President-” Air Groove couldn't look at her, humiliated by her lackluster display. She had mentioned she was running in the Shuka Sho a while ago, and Rudolf had nodded along, saying she would go support her. That was what Air Groove was fishing for when she told her, but she kept it cool. She wanted to win in front of her, to impress her. That the faith she put into the Empress was not misplaced. And now she was cowering in the dirt before her. She stood up quickly, too quickly. She felt the sensation of falling before her leg had even buckled under her weight. She didn't feel herself crash into Symboli Rudolf until she was already caught in her arms. Her head made her thoughts swim, her senses numb apart from the warmth coming from the Emperor. “It's ok…I have you…I'm going to lay you down here, alright?” Rudolf held the Empress, and gently put her onto her back, onto the stretcher the medics placed beside her. She stood up, allowing the men to fully put her onto it before they raised it. The nearest hospital wasn't far off course, injuries were common in racing and there was always an ambulance on standby to take the racer to the hospital. Rudolf rose and followed the EMTs into the back of the ambulance, where they assessed her condition as they drove off.

Her leg was not fractured, thank the Goddesses. It was a minor injury, slightly aggravated from how fresh it was and how she ran on it immediately having suffered it. They wrapped her leg and gave Air Groove pain medication for it. But Rudolf, in all her kindness and diligence, mentioned the interaction with the cameras, and how she looked pained and twitchy afterwards. Air Groove claimed she always had a sensitivity to light, and that she was just caught unaware. But they sent her for an eye test just in case. They came back saying that while no permanent damage had been done, she was likely experiencing eye strain, and that disorientation, fatigue and headaches were common side effects of being exposed to strong flashing lights. She was prescribed eye drops and then discharged from hospital with a crutch for her leg. “You didn't have to stay with me, you know” Air Groove glanced at the Emperor as they walked to the station.

“I didn't, but I chose to” Rudolf smiled back, she had stayed with Air Groove the whole time, only stepping away to phone Brian to bring Air Groove's things from her dressing room to the hospital, which she did so with a grouch. “I know you weren't prescribed one, but I could get the academy to lend you a wheelchair if you preferred it over a-”

“President. I'm fine, you heard the doctor. These are minor injuries.” She sighed, it was embarrassing, to have the president's attention so focused on her while she was being tended to. She was now carrying her bag as well. There was a small part of her that did enjoy the stallion fawning over her, but another part that worried it was because she saw her as someone in need of looking after, of protection. She didn't want to be another thing for the president to worry about, to hesitate on relying on her when she needed help. Rudolf was already poor at delegating her workload, and she had two vice presidents to help her! She worked too hard, she cared too much, and Air Groove didn't want to take up too much of her time with something as silly as a headache and a sore leg.

“I know…but how it happened is now bothering me. I don't know if there even is a rule about no reporters in the tunnel. That area is generally off limits, but clearly anyone can walk in. That's why I was there. I suppose with how it's usually only Umas heading down to support their friends it's not really monitored. And the flashing of the cameras is really bothering me as well. They half blinded you.”

“It wasn't half blind, they just startled me”

“It was enough to affect you, who's a model of stability while running.”

“I have an issue with bright lights anyway. President, please don't make this a big deal.” Air Groove sat down on the train, with Rudolf standing over her. Was this her way of protecting her again? She wished the Emperor would sit down, just so she could be seated next to her. She still had a mild migraine, and would have liked to have rested her head on the Emperor's shoulders, if only for a moment.

“Lots of people dislike strong lights…Racers shouldn’t have to worry about being ambushed by a bunch of reporters with cameras while walking from their dressing room to the track” Air Groove could see the gears turning in Rudolf's head as she dismissed her concerns, it seemed like she wasn't going to quit.

“Anyway, we have taken up too much time sorting this out. Didn't you say that today we have to prep those vendor application forms for the fan fest? We should hurry back and get to work on those before it's late” Air Groove glanced at her phone, flicking through her reminders that she had written down.

“Don't worry about that. You need to get rest. I'll handle it, it shouldn't take that long” Rudolf had planned for herself to do those alone even before the race, knowing that Air Groove would be tired afterwards. The fact she was injured just added to her wishes for Air Groove to take it easy for the rest of the day.

“I saw I was fine” Air Groove snapped back, folding her arms.

Rudolf's eyes hardened into a stare at her, before she sighed and brushed it off, glancing away down the empty train car “You need to rest. That's the most important thing right now. I'll walk you back to your dorm. Understand?”

The president came off quite cold, Air Groove had pushed her too far. She stared off into the distance as she stood over the vice president. Air Groove’s ears drooped softly, if she continued to argue she'd just cause Rudolf more stress. “I can walk myself back.”

“Fine…”

The rest of the journey back was silence. Rudolf offered Air Groove her bag back as they separated. Air Groove walked back to her dorm room, hopped into bed, and let sleep take her as the sun went down. Rudolf went back to her office, got the application forms for the fan fest vendors ready to be sent out, and it was late before she finally got out of her office and into her bed.

—

Air Groove knew it, Rudolf had not let the incident at the Shuka Sho go. She was looking at a proposal on Rudolf's desk, for the URA executive committee and its chairperson to look at. An official proposal to ban the use of flash photography at races. The proposal went into detail on how flash photography can startle racers, and how that can be dangerous and cause injury both before and during the race. It was very in depth, with sources discussing the effect flash photography can have on athletes, human and Uma alike. It went into the physiological differences in Uma Musumes that caused many of them to have a problem with certain stimulation. It even had photos of racers through the past few years being started by flashing lights. Tails shot upright, ears pointed and expressions clearly showing how the lights affected them. Many were racers Air Groove didn't recognise, many were not even in racewear. To her horror there was a picture of Air Groove too. Rudolf must have tracked down one of the reporters and strong-armed them into giving her the photo. She looked pained, her hand swiping in front of her to block the lights from her face. Had she done that? Air Groove didn't remember.

It had been a few weeks, and she was still using the crutch. Not out of any remaining pain but just to be safe. She was due to return soon to get the go ahead to return to running. It was almost the end of her classic year, and she had decided her next race would be the Osaka Hai. Her first G1 race of her senior year would be her comeback race from injury as well. She had lots of time to get back into her training, and she wanted to make sure that she started her senior year not at all how she ended her classic. She wanted to forget the Shuka Sho ever happened. And now Symboli Rudolf wanted to plaster the photo of her all over official documentation to ban flash photography. She was almost glad that Rudolf entered her office at that very moment. She was just itching to get at her. “What is this?” She waved the paper at the Emperor.

Rudolf paused, she was not even fully through the door when Air Groove greeted her. Well, greeted isn't the right word. She closed the door behind her and walked up to the desk “I'm meeting with the chairwoman of URA in the coming week. I want to put forward a new rule for all central and regional racecourses before next year.”

“Banning flash photography.”

“I looked into it, and I think there's cause for it to be brought up at the very least. Who knows how many racers have been caught off guard and ran poorly as a result.”

“You're being ridiculous, president” Air Groove was scolding. “We're almost at the end of term, and you're wasting your time with nonsense. I told you to let it go.” She slapped the paper down on the desk.

“I don't consider the safety of the student body to be nonsense, vice president. We have a duty of care towards the students, and so does the URA.”

“Do you not understand how embarrassing this is for me?!” Air Groove lowered her voice to a hiss, surprising Rudolf “It was bad enough the papers talking about it. But now you're trying to drag this whole mess back into the spotlight? If anyone catches wind of you looking to bring this in, the only thing people are going to think of is me banging my leg off the gate like an idiot! Can't you just let this go? They probably will say no anyway, there's no point”

The tabloids had not been kind since the Shuka Sho. Her dominant win at the Oaks left her as the favourite, where she then crashed out into a tenth place finish and was carried off the turf in an ambulance. Everyone wanted to know what had happened. The media replayed her clanging around in the gate over and over again, especially after she was seen with bandages on her leg and a crutch. The Empress injured herself before the race like a complete amateur. It had been mortifying and only fueled the burning sensation in her chest as she tried to recover. Never had a tenth place finisher received so many requests for interviews. She avoided town like the plague, staying on campus and throwing herself into her student council duties. The last thing she wanted was a photo of her pulled up in front of the URA to represent idiot racers who can't handle a little flash.

“I…” Rudolf was taken away by her usually stoic faced vice president getting so worked up. She thought she was doing something good. To protect her and the rest of the students, nationwide even. “I don't want it happening again. To you or anyone. As you said, if they say no it's not a big deal. But I feel like there's merit in discussion”

She doesn't want it to happen again. Air Groove saw what she was really saying there. Rudolf knew she wanted to run in the Osaka Hai next march. She thought it might happen again. Because Air Groove can't handle herself. Because she's weak. Her throat felt itchy. “If they say no, everyone will know that means it was my own stupid mistake that lost me the Shuka Sho. Is that what you want?”

“Why do you keep blaming yourself for that, Air Groove?” Rudolf couldn't help it, with the vice president agitated, it was difficult to keep her own cool as well. The carefully constructed farce that was her calm and collected nature was splintering in the face of the empress. “They hurt you. Even if you hadn't hurt your leg they half blinded you, when you were walking out of the tunnel you couldn't stay straight. How do you think that made me feel? If I had been there a second earlier, it wouldn't have happened.” If Rudolf was there, Air Groove wouldn't have been pulled out of her train of thought, and the Emperor could have immediately told the group of reporters to leave before they had a chance to bombard her with lights and questions.

Air Groove's face twisted into a scold. There it was again. Symboli Rudolf didn't trust her to look after herself. She was looking down on her, as someone who needed to be coddled and saved. She had noticed it before. Rudolf hovered around her, asking if she was ok and if the council workload was too much. She asked her how her training went, if she wanted to skip meetings after a big race. Even recently with her injury she had avoided giving the empress work, and so she had to ask for, demand she delegate her something even as she recovered. Brian was given a bigger work load, and Air Groove sniped some of her tasks when she was dragging her feet or playing truant. Why couldn't she just trust her? Why did she have to second guess Air Groove's own ability to look after herself? She didn't mind it most of the time, getting special attention from Symboli Rudolf made her all warm and messy inside. She didn't want to unpack what that meant at this particular time… But when she was actually struggling, and the president noticed, she felt like she was failing her. That she was looking weak and pathetic in front of the stallion. She didn't want that, she couldn't bear for Rudolf to see her as anything but an equal. “I don't want your pity, president.” She spat the words out.

“It's not pity!” Rudolf's eyebrows fuzzled into a frown. “Why can't you see that I'm just trying to look out for you? For others! I don't want what happened to you to happen to anyone else. Who knows who else has suffered the same thing you did, but because they weren't the favourite or a famous racer, never got to share their story?”

“I don't want you to look after me. I'm not a child, and I'm certainly not your responsibility! I can do that on my own.”

“I'm not doubting that, it's just-”

“You are!” Air Groove was shouting now. “Why can't you just trust me? That maybe I'm fine on my own!, and that I don't need you breathing down my neck?!”

Rudolf took a deep breath, she would not yell at the mare. But Air Groove’s rejection of her was tearing her heart in two. Of course she trusted Air Groove, she trusted her like she did no one else. When Rudolf was running in the twinkle series, she was frequently overworking herself, training too hard, and trying to push through injury. Air Groove had been there for it all, she was the only person she could lean on. She never had to worry about pretending to be a monolith of perfection in front of her, she could be herself. She didn't have to be the star of the URA. She wasn't Symboli Rudolf, The Emperor, with her. She was just Rudolf. Why did she not understand she was just trying to repay her for her own kindness and help? That she just wanted Air Groove to be safe, and unharmed. That she could never see her as anything but perfect. She just wanted to be at the Empress's side, and support her in any way she could. “....Fine” She finally spoke, watching Air Groove pant softly as she came down from her anger “If that's what you want, I'll step back from you. I'm…sorry I made you feel like that.” She crossed her arms, not out of anger or stubbornness, just to protect herself. Protect her soft underbelly of emotions, the weak spot in her armour that was her vice president. “I'm still going through with the proposal, not out of responsibility for you but for the betterment of the sport.”

Air Groove had done it now. She saw Rudolf's ears droop, and now she looked genuinely hurt. She had gone too far. Her stomach dropped, unable to think of something, anything to say that would fix this right now “...alright…I'm sorry” She mumbled out a half assed apology, and swerved around the Emperor to make a run for the door. She opened it, glancing back at the president who hadn't moved. She… she wished she had tried to stop her from leaving, as she closed the door behind her.

—

What an idiot she was. Why had she shouted? Why did she have such a strop in front of Rudolf over something so small? Air Groove lay on her bed, face down on the pillow. This was around the time she used to do her eye drops, but she had used those up and was off them already. Her leg felt fine, she got the all clear to return to training. But now, she didn't tell Rudolf about the news. She didn't even tell her she was going. She would have, before. Rudolf would have invited herself along, and then she'd walk her back to her dorm. They'd discuss how to ease herself back into training, and everything would have been fine. But none of that happened. The president was avoiding her, they only spoke in meetings and she was assigned tasks away from the council office. Narita Brian, the other vice president who was abrasive, rude and as thick socially as a brick wall, had even caught onto the tense atmosphere that had been plaguing the student council.

“What's your and prez’s problem, Groovy.” Brian stapled the poster onto the board outside of the science classroom. Air Groove held the stack of them in her arms.

“What? Nothing” She disguised her shock and snapped back.

“Don't lie. You two are always so damn cozy with each other. It makes me sick. Now the prez looks like she wants to run away any time you enter a room. Can't blame her” She took off in a hurry, snatching another poster to prepare to put it up on another board. The end of year fan fast was coming up after all.

“You only say that because I'm actually making you put up these posters. You'd rather them sit in a computer file and never be printed and spread out huh” Air Groove was dodging the question. It did hurt to see the president run scared, her expression somber when she looked away from her. She wanted her back, of course. She wanted to be close to her once again. But that would mean caving to her, to accept the weakness Rudolf saw in her. She couldn't do it, she had to be her equal.

“I didn't say that. It's just everyone knows the fan fest is coming up” She shrugged as she walked quickly along, making Air Groove shuffle faster to keep up. The posters were heavy in her arms.

“Whatever” She set the papers down on a desk underneath the next board, outside the first year classrooms on the ground floor. She checked her phone “Drat…Dober wants something. Are you good with finishing these on your own?”

“What? So I have to carry the posters, put them down at each board, pick one up and staple it? Then do it all over again?” Brian sounded pissed off, but she was describing a minimal task. Air Groove had only helped because it was the only way to make sure she would do it.

Air Groove glanced around, and opened the door into the classroom. A couple of students mingling after class. She found one she recognised “Sakura Bakushin O? Could you give us a hand?”

As soon as she said her name, the Uma basically dived out the classroom door, and sprung up to them in a salute “Yes, of course Vice Presidents Air Groove and Narita Brian! How can this world class class representative assist you in your duties?!” Goddesses she was loud…

“Thank you… class representative. I need you to take these posters and carry them for Brian. She'll be running around all of campus with them and I didn't want to leave her on her own. Can you do that for me?”

“I can of course! Come now, Narita Brian! We shall cover the entire academy within minutes! It will do us well for our long distance training! Make way, fellow classmates! Your humble class representative is on her way!” Bakushin jumped onto the pile of posters, heaving them into her arms, and sprinted off down the hallway. Air Groove held out her hand to stop her, but Narita Brian’s hunger was written all over her face. She had something to catch, to hunt. She was off before Air Groove could shout at her for running in the halls. Sighing, she replied to the text and began to head for the academy’s training course.

Mejiro Dober had still yet to run in the scrimmages that let the trainers assess their skills. She was even further from debuting. A nervous girl, but one with much talent. Air Groove had taken her under her wing when she first arrived at Tracen Academy, and she was waiting for her in her training gear when Air Groove arrived. “Vice President….thank you for taking time out of your busy day to meet with me”

“It's no worry at all. You're about to start your junior year soon. I understand you wanted to talk about the scrimmages coming up?”

“Yes…I mentioned my…situation before. I'm just worried it'll affect my chances of getting scouted among other things…”

Air Groove nodded, bringing her hand to her chin. Dober didn't do well with men. Socially, when she is around them, she's very tense, awkward and Air Groove would go as far as to say she feared them. She was a sheltered girl after all, but given half of the training staff were men, she'd obviously be restricted to only being able to be trained by women. She didn't want Dober in a relationship where she feared her own trainer. Sure, slowly introducing men into her life, such as teachers and the siblings of her friends, was helping her, but Air Groove suspected she wasn't ready for such a deep commitment to a relationship with one in the way a trainee and a trainee had. “I see…does the idea of men coming up to attempt to scout you scare you?”

Dober froze a little, she was clearly embarrassed by this fact. It wasn't normal, but it couldn't be helped. “Dober, it's ok. Look…when I'm putting out the introduction forms to the trainers, I'll put out a memo saying that you'll only accept female trainers. Better yet actually, I'll just send yours to female trainers and not bother with the men” She'd have to set up an entirely different email chain, but she would do that if that would help Dober out.

“You don't have to do that” She squeaked, appalled by the idea. Drat, this wasn't going to be easy “I..I don't know…I'll figure it out. It might be fine..” There was a sense of shame, clearly. She lived at the Mejiro estate, and men had not been common visitors. Her father was absent, and she was raised by maids and other Umas. It made sense she was apprehensive about the other gender.

She didn't sound so sure, but Air Groove had complete faith in her. “There’s nothing to be ashamed of. I understand your issues, it would be unfair to you if you had to go through with something you weren't comfortable with. You have special circumstances but that's not a slight on you. You'll do great, I'm sure you won't have any issues getting scouted. And remember, I promised to you I'd race you when you got into the twinkle series. So have a great junior year, run the classics like I did, and we will meet at some point, hopefully the Arima Kenin if we both get voted in. How about I send your information to just the female trainers, and when you do your scrimmages I'll be there to help you when trainers approach to scout you? I'll handle the men, thank them for their interest but I won't pass along their forms to you. I'll let you talk to the women. How does that sound?”

“I don't want to take up so much of your time, vice president. I can handle myself…I promise”

“I know you can, I'm not helping you because I don't think you're capable. I just want you to have the best chance possible to get a great trainer.”

“Thank you… I'm sorry you have to put up with me like this…I'll get stronger soon I swear. I know I have to stop being weak, but I'll work harder” She stiffened, so eager to impress. It was cute.

“Nonsense, you're not weak. We all need a little bit of help sometimes, so please accept mine. Even Symboli Rudolf needed a helping hand when she was running. So let me help you like I did her”

“Really, you also helped the Emperor? Alright then…I guess. Let me know if there's anything I can do for you, too”

“Alright…I will too. You can start by debuting and meeting me on the turf one of these days.” Air Groove smiled. But something was now bothering her.

This was just like her and Rudolf, wasn't it.

It came into her head when she mentioned the Emperor in an attempt to persuade Dober into letting her help her. She knew she wasn't doing this because she thought her junior was weak, or in need of protection. She just wanted to help her, that was all. She was having issues, and needing a helping hand wasn't a bad thing. She cared for Dober, she felt a tad bit responsible for her. She always helped the juniors out, she was just getting special attention because she had problems and Air Groove wanted to help. She didn't see the girl as beneath her, they agreed to run as rivals, Dober saw her as a goal and she saw the uma as a blossoming flower who would do great things. She wanted to run with her as equals.

She had been so stupid, with Rudolf. She had helped her as well, after all. Rudolf was an idiot as well during her career, she ran herself to death almost before the Satsuki Sho. She was plagued with injuries from overwork and stress. She missed the Takarazuka Kinen over her shoulder and her opportunity to win both grand Prix disappeared. Air Groove had been there every step, she went to every doctor's appointment with her. Rudolf cried into her shoulder when she was denied the chance to run in the Takarazuka Kinen, and then again when she returned from overseas on a crutch after losing terribly in America. The Emperor was perfect to everyone else. A symbol of power and strength. She was a conqueror, the undefeated triple crown winner. But she was also Rudolf, an Uma Musume who despite everything she had seen, was perfect to Air Groove. In a completely different way, sure, but Rudolf was her world, the earth that encompassed everything they were building. She was the very foundation of Air Groove's dreams for the future. Both desired to uplift the next generation of racers, together.

Was it possible? That the amazing Emperor saw her in the same way? Did Rudolf's heart ache when she was sad? Did she fill with warmth when she saw Air Groove smile?

—

The Emperor stood proud in the briefing room. Copies of her proposal were in front of every chair, and filling those chairs was the URA executive committee. Across from her sat its chairwoman. An older Uma Musume from a long gone era, one that the president respected, but criticized in private for her desire to keep long held traditions. Symboli Rudolf had finished her presentation, all eyes shifted from her to each other, the committee members judging each other's expression. Their stone demeanors not telling Rudolf anything about what they were thinking. She was prepared for a fight, and they would have to dig their heels in if they wanted to deny her. Specifically she was looking at a middle aged man sat at the centre right. He was the executive officer of health, safety and wellbeing at the URA. If he was to disagree she would jump down his throat with a carefully constructed argument. Maybe she wouldn't have to. She already went over several counter arguments in her speech and pulled them apart in front of them.

The chairwoman cleared her throat before speaking. “You’ve clearly put a lot of work into this, President” That was not meant as praise. She thought Rudolf was showing them up. Like she was insulting them, pointing out where they had let harm come to racers. That was not the point of this proposal.

“Thank you, Chairwoman. It was brought to my attention and I thought we could have a meaningful discussion over it”

“This year's Shuka Sho” Remarked another. A man sitting to her left. She didn't recognise him, he wasn't something that came up on her radar to watch out for. “Very in depth case study there”

“It was just the most recent example. I was able to gather information about it quickly because of that”

“I feel it's more than that…perhaps, the inciting incident?” The chairwoman narrowed her eyes. The personal bias. Rudolf had been had.

“It's certainly the example that stood out to me. A G1 race, the favourite being the afflicted racer. The drop between this race and her previous.”

“Yes… Many of these other racers are not on the same level. Case study C details a dirt runner, who went as far as placing in G3s. She was caught by surprise by flash photography before a pre-op and then came 5th. She was the second favourite in that particular race.” The man read from the document he had open in front of him “In all honesty, this isn't strong evidence. Besides Case Study A, I don't feel that this is really a concern.”

“Case Study A is interesting, you've got the racers medical records here as well. Eye strain causing symptoms of disorientation, fatigue, headaches and dizziness. Symptoms were clear from before the race by Witness A. These photos clearly show signs of stress.” The chairwoman tapped the paper with the back of her palm. “Although. Are we sure Witness A isn't experiencing a personal bias here?”

A murmur broke throughout the table. In one of the photos of Air Groove, an Uma was pictured behind her. In Tracen Academy uniform. With hair of two shades of brown. Rudolf had hoped they wouldn't notice the blurry girl at the edge of the photo. “You shouldn't let your feelings get you worked up, President” She continued, closing the document “I understand you feel responsible for your vice president, and you want to strive to change this sport for the better. But let's not take unnecessary precautions because of one race.”

Rudolf smiled, she couldn't falter here. “I understand why you might come to that conclusion. I apologise if I come across as someone swayed by their personal relationships. Yes, the incident at the Shuka Sho got me thinking about this. But when I think back to my own time racing, and the experiences of my fellow racers. Something that I had taken as the norm now won't leave my mind. The worst part about winning.” She chuckled to herself “Those annoying cameras, it's something that's popcorn conversation among the best of the best. How they are annoying, how it hurts to have to stand there and take it after placing first. It irritates the eyes in a way unique to them. We whine about winning concerts, but we love to perform. We complain about the weather when it rains during practice, but we never falter in our training. But I've never heard someone happy to grin and bear it for the cameras. No one is ever happy to hear they have a photoshoot, and if they are it's in spite of the camera flash not because of it. Because no one likes flashing lights in their face. It's a distraction at best, and as I've outlined here, a danger at the worst. I hope that every racer, even ones not considered talented, won't have to deal with it anymore. Thank you for your time” She bowed to them, and walked out of the room. She walked all the way back to Tracen, into her dorm room, and collapsed onto the bed. She did her best, truly. All she could do was wait and see if they announced a rule change. Who knows how long it would take.

Rudolf felt bad, but she sort of hoped it took a long time. If only so that Air Groove would be out of the public's mind. She couldn't help it, the last proper conversation she had with the mare was strained and jumbled. She had hurt her, by trying to help. And now she felt like she didn't deserve to even look at her. Sure, she was still angry, frustrated at the empress for not being able to accept her help. But it also just hurt to be pushed away like that. Air Groove had been there for her in all her times of need. She was a saviour, a friend, a partner. Rudolf wished it was more, but never found the strength to confess. After all her wins and glory, she was still a shy and inexperienced Uma when it came to love.

And by the Goddesses did she love Air Groove. She was like the sun, she shone like gold in all her thoughts. They desired to pull up the next generation with them, they wanted to nourish young minds and help them reach their dreams. Rudolf wanted to do it together, forever. She wanted to hold the Empress in her arms and love her so tenderly, a private bond that they would only have with each other. She wanted it so badly it made her a fool, it made her worry over every small thing. It made her annoying and overbearing and now it had driven Air Groove away. She was inconsolable after that fight. She couldn't even open up to Maruzensky about it, who she told almost everything to. What should she do now? She wanted to make up with the vice president, but now she had a new fear. She was afraid to suffocate her with the same worry she's had all this time. Their relationship could never be the same, Air Groove would never let her in close the way she had before. She had gotten too greedy in that space, and now it was gone forever. She thought laying on her back would prevent the tears from falling down her face, but inside they fell sideways, and into her hair. She couldn't be strong in the face of losing her forever. She had put on a hard face since then, not meeting the Empress's pale blue eyes when possible. She avoided being alone with her, and discreetly gave her tasks that placed her out of the office, and away from her. She also gave her less work, so she could recover. But Rudolf had a sneaking suspicion that she was taking Brian's workload. Mainly because it had actually been done, correctly at that.

When the fan fest arrived, the campus turned into a party. Racers strode around in their own signature racewear, there were stalls and games and each classroom was turned into a little business. Maid and butler cafes, haunted mansions, fortune telling and more. Scrimmages were run for adoring fans, and people ran around looking for famous Umas to get all their autographs. Rudolf generally avoided this by staying in her office, required as who knew how many fires she would have to put out on event day. She had Brian at her side, because she'd sneak off if given patrol duties and generally she was hard on people who came to them in a panic over nothing, or something they could sort out themselves. She acted as a filter for real problems.

Air Groove was put out as the leader of the patrols. She was tough on trouble makers, and had a good relationship with many of the Umas chosen for this job. The two dormitory heads, a couple class representatives, and some other students who were generally diligent and competent. Air Groove always looked over the shifts, making sure everyone got breaks and time to enjoy the festivities. Well, apart from herself. She didn't need a break, she didn't want to stand around signing booklets, and she didn't particularly want to enjoy the festival at all. That was unlike her, but what else could she do? Ever since her revelation, her relationship with Rudolf had failed to improve. She did everything but straight up run away from her, and Air Groove couldn't muster the courage to corner the Emperor so she could apologise. She knew she had to. She snapped at her, shouted at her, made her out to be some control freak when she just wanted to help her. Air Groove's own insecurities had caused this, that was clear to her now. She wanted Rudolf to have faith in her, but clearly she didn't even have faith in herself if all it took for her to get scared about being worthy of the president's time was an injury and a bad result. She remembered how awful Rudolf was after her first loss, at the Japan Cup. She kept a humble grin on her face before they took the train home. Rudolf was enraged, even with a third place finish. She had underestimated Katsuragi Ace, and it had cost her the Cup, as well as the end to her eight win streak since she debuted. She grumbled and whined, shed tears and vowed she'd crush that Uma in the Arima Kenin. Rudolf put on a calm face, but Air Groove knew inside there was a raging inferno that hated losing more than anything. By the Goddesses she showed that at the Arima Kenin, steamrolling past Katsuragi Ace by over two lengths and shattering the race record at the same time.

Rudolf dealt with injury even worse. She cried like a baby. A very angry baby with hot tears and a big red face. Air Groove was supportive, but she also thought the president was quite…cute. She got so worked up and was so passionate, Air Groove felt like the other racers were lucky to have such a passionate rival who loved racing more than anything in the world. And she quietly resigned herself to this role, a trusted friend that was one step away from having something deep and personal with the president. That barrier felt like it was too much for her to overcome. She has such passionate rivalries with other girls, tense and roaring flames of passion that burned so bright on the turf. She wished that the two of their careers had intersected at least for a moment, so that Air Groove could have run on the same stage as her. She wanted to feel what it was like to race against the Emperor. But Rudolf retired, Air Groove debuted, and now their roles had flipped and she was too ashamed of not living up to the Emperor's example to take her sympathy, her comfort. Air Groove knew from the start she wasn't as talented at Rudolf. She wasn't undefeated triple tiara material. But she was a talented runner, and she wanted to win as many racers as she could. To stand side by side with Rudolf and proclaim herself the Empress to her status as Emperor.

Her feet were starting to hurt from walking around so much. She was aimlessly drifting through the event. Air Groove usually loved festivals, it was the only time she truly let herself relax and totally destress. She went to them often with her mother, and she took Christmas very seriously, decorated the dorm room she shared with Fine Motion. The Irish princess had a ramen stall near the front of the academy, she was walking past it right now. The line was fading fast with how quick she cooked, she certainly had figured out what made Japanese cuisine tick because people seemed to be loving it. A curious girl, a little too curious for her own good sometimes. She cocked her head up as Air Groove passed. “Oh my, hello again Air Groove! You've been lapping here quite often. Has the smell coaxed you back once again?”

Air Groove hadn't realised she had already walked this way. She was too stuck in her own head to realise she had kept retracing her own steps in a short loop. Something like that. “How's business?”

“Grand, she's tipping along so I should net myself a decent amount when I finish up. I'm just glad people seem to be enjoying it. Have you eaten yet?”

She hadn't, she had breakfast a few hours ago before the festival started, and had not taken a break “I'm fine, don't worry”

“Ah, go on. You'll have something. Just a small bit, I want your opinion”

“Its really not necessary-”

“Ah you will.” Fine Motion had already created a bowl of ramen out of nowhere and was pushing it into her hands “Just tell me what you think!”

Air Groove felt it all over again, that feeling of inadequacy. How stupid she was to feel this way. Fine Motion was her friend, her roommate. Why was she having such difficulty allowing people to care for her? She took a small breath, and smiled at the Uma “Alright then…I suppose I should take a break. I haven't eaten since this morning”

“See! You work too hard, Vice President. You'll be skin and bones if you don't look after yourself”

“I know, thank you. I'll come back with my full thoughts” She grabbed a pair of chopsticks and walked off holding the warm takeaway bowl. Where to eat now? If she took a seat in the public campus, she'd probably be swarmed with people looking for a photo or something, seeing that she was off duty. Air Groove kept her armband on for now, and made her way to the student council office. She opened the door to Brian laying on one of the couches, and Rudolf behind her desk. “President, Vice President” She took a seat on the opposite couch and set her bowl of ramen down on the coffee table.

“...Hello, Vice President” Rudolf looked uncomfortable in her presence, glancing up at her momentarily before ducking behind her screen once again. It made her heart ache, the guilt over shouting at the person she felt so strongly for.

Brian gruffed in her direction, she wanted to run in every scrimmage today, but she had council duties and could only find time for one. She had a hard time choosing which race would give her the best hunt. She was also now in charge of the door, so whenever someone knocked she had to go deal with it. Like right now, as three rapid knocks made her finally open her eyes. She sighed, dragged herself from the couch and marched over to the wooden double doors, flinging one open. “What do you want”

Grass Wonder stood on the other side of the door. She had a quaint smile plastered on her face, but Air Groove could tell she was incredibly vexed. And Brian's rough greeting only stiffened her smile. “Vice President. The second year class’s haunted mansion is causing some concerns among guests. Gold Ship-san has come into possession of what appears to be a chainsaw and a hockey mask. We asked the patrol officers to confiscate it from her but it's clear she's evading them. Hishi Amazon advised me to make the student council aware of the situation.”

“Goddesses sake…Ama told you to get me?” Brian sighed, and glanced back to Air Groove ”Isn't patrols your deal today”

Air Groove shook her head “I'm on break. Just chase her down and give her a stern talking to. She causes an infraction every year. President I suggest we escalate it to the staff to punish her harshly this year”

“We will find a suitable punishment for her after the fan fest, but yes I agree. Go get her Brian, before she does anymore damage.” Rudolf nodded, and looked towards the shadow beast, blooding firing in her veins as she was given a new prey to take down. Brian nodded, stepped past the threshold, and shut the door behind her. The office went quiet once again, the tapping of the laptop keys not yet resuming, and Air Groove blew gently on her ramen and broke apart her chopsticks as quietly as she could. Tea would suit this nicely, but that would mean getting up and going over to the set that was near Rudolf. She had to talk to her at some point. Perhaps this was the time. She placed the chopsticks on the edge of the bowl and stood, walking over to the tea set on the side dresser. She noted the absence of a teacup beside the President “Earl Grey, Rudolf?”

She had felt the Emperor's gaze on her as she walked to the dresser, even if it was just out of the corner of her eye. She hadn't called her her name in a while, always defaulting to their professional relationship as student council members. But now it was time to have an honest conversation. She had to apologise for how she acted, how she treated her dear friend. She watched Rudolf's eyes snap to her, hesitant. “Yes, please” Air Groove nodded and prepared the kettle, turning her back for the President for a moment. “You're taking a break from patrol?” She inquired, attempting to mask her genuine curiosity.

“Yes, Fine Motion practically pushed a bowl of ramen onto me, and I'm quite peckish so I might as well” She turned her head to look back at Rudolf, but now she wore a frown looking at her vice president. “I don't think you've ever taken a break during the fan fest before. I've never seen you rest until it's over” A blunted strike, Rudolf didn't want to argue, but it was certainly an accusation. That Air Groove let her roommate tell her to rest and care for her, but not Rudolf. Drat, she had to be careful with her words, she had already upset her.

“I…I thought a lot about what you've said…and what you've done for me. I've been rather foolish haven't I” She gave Rudolf a weak smile, the weight on her chest lifting as she saw the frown melt from the president. “I'm sorry, I shouldn't have pushed you away when you were only trying to help. I…I understand that you care, and I'm truly grateful for that” that admission had softened Rudolf's hard exterior.

Rudolf looked away, almost embarrassed “Of course I care. Look at all you've done for me? I just wanted to protect you, and I felt like I had let you down.”

“You could never let me down. I know what you were trying to do with the proposal. I was just afraid of being a burden on you”

“Did I not burden you with my problems during my career?” Rudolf laughed half heartedly “You're not a burden, Air Groove. And even if you were, I'd be honoured to be the chosen person you sought to carry it for you. I want you to feel like you can lean on me sometimes.”

“I know I can…I'll try to be more open with you. I really have been missing our closeness” That felt like flames coming out of her lips. As soon as she said it she searched Rudolf's face for a reaction. She blurted out a vulnerable, personal feeling she wasn't ready to release from her heart. Her face felt flush, something about how she said she wished to carry her burdens for her let her spill a little too much of her feelings. How embarrassing, she turned back around before she could see Rudolf straighten up in her chair, picking at her hair with embarrassment.

The days got shorter, the academy experienced a sprinkling of snow that had to be scraped from the racecourses, and the footpaths were salted to avoid accidents. It was dreadfully cold, but Air Groove would not waver from her training. She was back from injury, she had slowly worked herself back to the standard level of work to prepare her for her next race. The Osaka Hai. Turf 2000m Hashin racecourse. She had time, but it was better to have already recovered from injury and gotten back into a routine before the new year. It was the late afternoon, almost sunset and she just had one more lap to finish. A warm down to slow her heart rate and relax her tense muscles. She would go inside, stretch in the dressing room, before showering and returning to the dorms. How she had missed the track. The time away from the turf had made her cranky, frustrated. Coming back to it and being able to release herself from her thoughts for a short time was like heaven. She could just run and focus on her footwork and her future races, and only worry about exams and council work when she returned inside.

She saw the President waiting by the barrier as she finally approached the end of her lap. She was dressed warm, required for this weather. Air Groove was running in full sweats, not brave enough to bear the cold in just bloomers. She slowed to a walk as she finished, and approached “Hello Rudolf” She smiled warmly, well as warmly as she could in the freezing weather.

“Diligent as always, Air Groove” Rudolf smiled back “Especially on a day like this…aren't you cold?”

“I'll be warm soon. So it's no matter. What brings you out here? Prep for the new year?”

“Nothing like that, no. I was just wondering if you'd join me later tonight.”

“Really? For what purpose?”

“Don't tell me you've forgotten. It's Christmas Eve Air Groove…and I'd like to spend it with you” She sounded downright bashful.

“I haven't forgotten” Air Groove fauxed offense, as she had decorated the student council office with tinsel, snowglobes, and a tree with baubles and a star in the corner. She had organised an entire team to ensure the campus was richly in the festive spirit, including a large tree with lights in the front courtyard. Christmas was her favourite time of year. The fact that Christmas Eve was a day to be spent with that special someone was not lost on her as Rudolf asked for her time. “I'd love to, would you mind waiting for me to get ready?”

“Of course. I'll wait for you by the campus tree?”

“Perfect. I'll be with you shortly, I just need a shower and to get changed” Air Groove was already walking towards the changing rooms, with Rudolf at her side

“Take your time. I'll see you soon” Rudolf's hand brushed her own as she departed, sending sparks up her arm and warm tingles into her very being. Air Groove jumped into the shower, and jumped out to pull on her clothes. Something casual, but also pretty. Her navy cardigan with an overcoat so she wouldn't catch a cold. She dried her hair and met Rudolf after stopping off in her room to leave her bag and take a separate one. Rudolf seemed to have the same idea, she was also carrying a giftbag. They shared a chuckle under the lights.

“Did you need to get rid of me so you could go collect that?” Rudolf beamed at her, hiding whatever silly nerves she still had at this point.

“Or was it you who asked me here knowing I'd have to change?” Air Groove smiled back, her cheeks rosy not just from the cold.

“You didn't have to. I imagine your beauty would shine through even in a simple tracksuit” Rudolf took a step closer, and slowly held out the gift for Air Groove to take “Please, accept this”

Air Groove would have liked to be able to stay calm, but in the face of a genuine compliment from Rudolf, her tail whisked behind her. She could even feel the tips of her ears glowing red. She took the bag from the Emperor, and offered her own “Of course…and from me to you as well.” She waited until Rudolf held her gift before opening the small giftbag. She took out a packet of seeds. Sunflower seeds.

“There's a spot on campus I've had zoned for a new community garden. Flower beds, a vegetable patch, it should be quite grand, and it'll be visible from the student council office… I always thought of you as my sun. You shine like gold within my memories, and… I have a burning desire that I wish to see through with you. I've always seen you as a symbol yourself, one that inspires and uplifts others. I want to uplift you in the ways you have done for me too. This academy, we both know the purpose we wish to serve here, to watch over the new generations together. But…I also wish for something else. To stand by your side. Forever. Uh, the seeds are for a type of sunflower called the claret. They have an incredible red hue…I thought you would like them blooming here” Speaking of redness herself, Rudolf had sprouted her own flush crimson.

Air Groove was touched. From the declaration of love, to the thoughtfulness of the gift, she couldn't stop smiling, her cheeks aching with embarrassment and happiness. Her entire face felt hot. “I…I don't know what to say…thank you…so much. I…feel the same way. If I'm the sun…I suppose you are the earth. A strong foundation that allows for the dreams of others to sprout. And perhaps ... .the same earth that reaches towards the sun when they meet at the horizon.” She glanced behind Rudolf for a moment, the large Christmas tree slicing the sun's rays with its branches. The golden glow mixed with fierce oranges and reds as the sun set behind them. Rudolf turned to see what she was looking it, and chuckled softly “I'm glad you enjoy my metaphor”

“I'm just glad it wasn't a pun” She grinned back

Rudolf laughed, her light gleeful laugh that she usually saved for when she made a smart play on words. She sighed with joy, and then opened her own gift bag. She pulled out a large chess set, made of a rich dark oak. The pieces were contained in little compartments on each size of the box, finely detailed and carved from white and black marble, same with the squares on the board. “Oh my, this is… marvelous”

“It's been a while since we had a game, hasn't it, Emperor?”

“I suppose it has. Would you join me for one, my Empress?”

Osaka Hai. Turf 2000m Hashin Racecourse.

Fanfare echoed in Air Groove's ears as she stood in the gate, her own heart thumping in her chest, threatening to drown out the instruments. Her muscles coiled into position, ready to spring from the box. Silence, followed by the snap of the gates opening.

Annddd they're off! Fast exits from the gates by all, with Crimson Nova settling into first, followed closely by Angel Hair, and Dungeon Cell a length again. The favourite, Air Groove, steady in fifth. The first corner now, Angel Hair battling with Crimson for first, Air Groove pushing into fourth past Riptide. Stiletto Heels joining the front of the pack, she looks a little rushed there. Out of the first corner is Angel Hair, followed by Dungeon Cell and Crimson Nova. Air Groove and Stiletto Heels, finally Riptile. Further back is High Five, Banjo Player and Beauty Again, whose keeping an eye on the situation in front. They're exiting the long straight, into the final turn. Air Groove is pushing up, past Crimson Nova! Beauty Again has made her move! It's really ramping up now! Onto the straight! Air Groove breaks out of the pack! She's flying down the turf! Can anyone catch her!? Beauty Again follows, but she's too far behind! The Empress is alone at the final spurt! Four lengths! Almost five now! And she's across! Air Groove takes it with ease! What a powerful run! Second by five lengths is Beauty Again, followed by Crimson Nova!

Air Groove waved towards the crowd as she slowed to a jog. Catching her breath, she searched the crowd nearest to the finish and spotted her Emperor, smiling and clapping to her victory. She twirled in her signature racewear, striking a pose and then bowing towards the adoring crowd. The Empress had once again sat upon her throne on the turf. She made her way to the winners circle, graciously accepting the golden trophy, as shutter sounds snapped her photo. She looked out at the cameras, a wide smile plastered upon her face. She didn't even have to squint. Rudolf's proposal had been accepted, after all. She took questions, discussed her next race (The Takarazuka Kinen) and then retired to her dressing room to prepare for the winning concert, where Rudolf was waiting with a bouquet of flowers.

“Congratulations…I had little doubt you'd shine brighter than the others today” Rudolf handed them to her, and then kissed her gently. She held the Empress softly, careful not to squish the roses between them. Air Groove's tail shot upwards, flicking around with embarrassment “Rudolf…thank you”

“We shall celebrate tonight, I've a reservation planned at a restaurant here in Osaka. And a room booked in a five star hotel, there's no need to rush home to Tracen”

“And to think I was going to check the train times…that sounds lovely” Air Groove put the roses down, in a vase that had also been supplied. Rudolf really thought of everything.

“I'm glad. I'll see you again after the concert then?”

“Yes, just make sure to watch”

“Of course, I won't let you out of my sight up there” Rudolf let the empress slip out of her hands, to return to the spotlight, where she rightfully belonged.