Chapter Text
Chapter 1 - Tryouts
Morning dew coated the outside windows, shining amongst the morning rays. Curtains fluttered, light peeking through and highlighting the boxes piled up in every corner of the dorm. A valuable letter slid from the desk sitting near.
“Welcome to Tracen Academy!” It read, the Umamusume it belonged to clutching it in her hands. The pristine paper had already crinkled where her thumb was resting. “The first race and event you will be participating in will be the tryouts.” The wardrobe doors swung open, revealing the various new uniforms she had gotten the day before. “This will be an event for you to show your abilities, personality and most importantly—find a trainer.”
Sizzles and crackles sounded through the room as she curled her bay locks. Adjusting her glasses, her eyes darted across the paper every chance she could get. “The trainers here at Tracen are very talented and high-class, so make sure to talk to them after your stunning race!” The uma’s fingers etched across the table, her long, pristine nails gliding towards the drawer. She clutched her makeup purse and peered into the mirror studiously. “We hope to see you there at 10 AM at the latest.”
With the last sprays of her signature perfume, she folded up the letter and gently placed it on her bedside table. The plush toys that sat on her bed watched as she carefully fitted her newly made shoes and headed out the door.
“Thank you for attending Tracen, Magic Milo. Yayoi Akikawa, Director of Tracen Academy”
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Tracen’s Racetrack snaked as far as the eye could see, various Umas and trainers sprinkled around the area.
Magic Milo’s blood was pumping—although she couldn’t tell if it was from excitement or nerves.
Cameras sounded and flashes blinded, young Umamusume were being held to microphones and reporters in the distance.
Milo’s throat tightened as she hesitated to join the crowd, although it seemed the crowd focused on one Umamusume in particular.
“M-Maruzensky! How fast are you going to be running today?” Reporters seemed drawn to her more than the others. Milo stood and watched as the charismatic Uma replied to the reporter’s questions.
“What kind of silly question is that? Of course I’m gonna go full throttle all the way~”
A confident inflection radiated from the chestnut-colored Uma. The morning breeze flew through the uma, Maruzensky's curls, her tail whipping in the wind. Milo giggled.
Other Umamusume caught Milo's attention as she swung her arms down to her feet. She snarled.
“Competition seems pretty good today…” she muttered between stretches. “I better work hard to show my potential!”
Seeing the other Umamusume’s furrowed brows and focused stares did nothing but ignite a flame inside her. She wanted to give it her all and show everyone what she has to offer.
It was her first time running somewhere as prestigious as this, especially since it wasn’t just for fun.
Milo usually only ran for fun, running against the animals in her parents' paddock so seeing everyone else's determined twinkles intimidated her slightly.
Especially when Maruzensky, the most promising Umamusume, was expected to win by a margin.
Expectations weighed the air.
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Deep breaths.
The commentator's booming voice echoed across the track. Umamusume started lining up in their positions, each one raring to run.
Magic Milo's thoughts were too muddled to think about what the commentator was saying, only making out her name and position amongst the crowd’s chattering.
The commentary stopped. Her heart shuddered. The few seconds of silence before the gates were set to open crushed her, knees feeling like they were going to collapse under the pressure.
Thump.
The gates opened, no seconds to spare.
Milo’s steps hastened and the sound of the others rattled through her bones.
Conserving energy, she paced herself towards the front with her view only obstructed by a few heads. The sound of the wind passing by soothed her and blanketed the heat.
Every inhale, every step, every exhale—it was all calculated.
Pushing one foot in front of the other, Milo looked ahead to scan her opponents, and there she was.
Maruzensky.
Maruzensky hurtled forward, a good two lengths in front of second.
Dirt flew from their cleats. Milo pushed her heels down into the turf, staring through the back of Maruzensky’s head. Deafening breaths were all they could hear.
Neither of them knew how many metres they had run, nor did they care. Energetic cheers and laughs came from ahead, nestled amongst the wind.
Maruzensky’s form seemed relaxed with her arms carelessly swinging forward and back, edging further and further away from Magic Milo.
A grin snuck onto Milo’s face. She had never had this much fun racing before, even though she always thought the pressure would crush her.
Yet the sight of Maruzensky, the most promising Umamusume, so unserious and fun made Milo feel…
Determined.
The combination of the wind on her face, the rivals and the race ignited her spirit. A spirit she didn’t know could grow any further.
“Thank you, Maruzensky.”
“It’s the final stretch! Maruzensky is still leading the pack with confidence!”
Milo dug her heels into the turf, slicing through the air. She straightened her form, arched her back and hauled her legs forward.
She had saved her energy for this moment.
“Maruzensky and Magic Milo! They’re both so fast, but Maruzensky’s widening the gap!”
Maruzensky kept stepping faster and faster.
And so did Milo.
Pushing as hard as she could, Magic Milo accelerated further.
A dull ache formed in Milo’s knee, but her determination took priority.
Milo’s body felt weak. Her joints felt loose, as if rubber bands were all that held her kneecaps.
“The gap between 2nd and 3rd is 4 lengths long, but Maruzensky won’t give up just yet! 200m left, and Maruzensky is still in the lead!”
Their breathing loudened, the only thing in sight being the finish line ahead.
Milo’s elastic-like legs hastened. Flushing a bright red, her shoulders swung forward but neither of them wavered.
Maruzensky was like a motorbike; smooth and elegantly running down the track, not a grimace in sight.
Both of their sharp inhales heightened.
“I’m so close, Maruzensky is right there! I can almost win!”
Milo’s breaths turned hoarse, her knees scratchy.
In the moment, she didn’t care that she was pushing her body to her absolute limit;
She wanted to see what she could do.
Engines roared from Maruzensky, her form confident as ever.
Unsteady legs didn’t stop either of them from pushing to the finish line, their throats dry and speed leveling out.
“Maruzensky! It’s Maruzensky, with Magic Milo in second!”
Milo’s body quivered. Her body gave way as the turf cushioned her fall.
All she could move were her eyes, tracking the clouds above.
The sun’s rays illuminated her swollen joints, itching and aching after the distraction of running had finished.
The sound of cheers and commentators became nothing but a slight hum; Milo rolled over in the grass, clutching her knees. The backsides of her joints felt a slight dulling strain, the redness reflecting that.
Other Umamusume waving to the crowds and catching their breath were all Milo could make out in the corner of her eye, feeling each step beneath.
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The sun setting cast orange hues across the academy, Milo dangling her legs down the rooftop. A small box of rice and curry sat on her lap as she downed a tablet of Ibuprofen to ease her still-aching joints.
The chopsticks in her hand rattled along with her body, struggling to hold them up to her mouth. Taking a bite, her jaw clicked and her teeth rattled.
Even just one race is too much for her body—but she didn’t want to recognise it. It would go away eventually, she could still run.
Echoing steps sounded on the rooftop, a familiar face appearing up top.
Upon her noticing that Milo was there, her face turned flush and her demeanor panicked.
“Ah! I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt!” Gusts of wind flew through Maruzensky’s tail—it was long and curly, seemingly unusual for a typical Umamusume. Her hair was a defining feature of her, recognisable as just a silhouette illuminated from the sunset behind.
“Oh, It’s okay! I was just eating by myself, feel free to sit here!” Milo chirped back, trying their best to conceal the shakiness that was slipping out.
Maruzensky—the one who bet Milo. The one who went on a run after winning the race.
The sound of her melodic voice seemed intimidating yet calming; being reminded how much of a beast she was on the track.
Maruzensky sat down near Milo and placed down her portion of food. It seems like they both had the same idea of getting out of the busy crowds.
“C-Congratulations on winning the race! I’m sure one of the top trainers scouted you already.” Milo looked down at her food, intimidated at the sheer idea of eye contact.
A slight tinge of melancholy twinkled in Maruzensky’s eyes, looking away after noticing Milo did the same.
“To be real, none of them are my…” Maruzensky’s voice trailed off.
“Vibe. They don’t have the same groove as me… y’know?”
Milo held a hand up to her mouth, stifling a giggle. “I haven’t heard anyone say ‘groove’ in years!”
Maruzensky retaliated with a playful pout that transformed to a tinge of sadness.
“Yeah. They’re all so hung up about winning, being the best… but, I guess that’s not what I want.”
Milo shifted her gaze towards the Umamusume, their ears rustling in the slight breeze.
“The thing I like most about running, it’s the experience. The feeling. I just love the wind, the sun…” Maruzensky’s half-wiped glittery eyeshadow reflected in the moonlight.
“I just like to run.”
A shy smile cracked on Milo’s face, slightly shifting closer to Maruzensky.
“I get what you mean.” Upon hearing those words, Maruzensky’s eyebrows lifted.
“I run because I can. Because I love the thrill, getting my blood pumping. Who cares if I lose? As long as I feel I did my best I feel as if I’ve won already.”
Comfortable silence filled with nothing but rustling filled the air, the two Umamusume staring at each other, processing their words.
Maruzensky grabbed Milo’s warm hand and placed it on her thigh, holding her hand on top.
“Thank you, Magic Milo. I felt as if no one else had the same reason as me.” Her warm, radiant smile shone through; the same smile that captivated the track.
The two carried on sharing the moonlight, eating food in the serene stillness of the light.
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