On a particular day. A girl with long black hair. Wearing thick rimmed black glasses, hiding a pair of dull brown eyes behind them. A pair of black headphones around hung the collar of the black hoodie she was wearing. And her hand was playing nervously with the strap of a black duffle bag slung over her shoulder.
"Another day, another debut to see, hope at least one of the Uma can catch my attention. I wonder if I could join the Tracen Academy. See if I can train the Uma well enough." She held her trainer license in her hand. Flipping it over a few times before putting it in her bag. She sighed, straightening her posture like that of someone raised by the military, and walked into the stadium with hope in her heart.
"Good thing I got the front row, if I didn't I might have to wait for another debut."
She said as she entered the main entrance of the Stadium. Walking up a flight of stairs to the main seating area, her boots clacking softly against the concrete. After arriving, she then leaned onto the railing and looked at all the Umamusume that are stretching and warming up for the race.
She was pretty sure this won't be the place to finally find a trainee but she saw a very interesting brown haired Umamusume that is looking up into the sky with a hopeful smile and a big number 4 plastered on the back of her clothes, while the commentators announced about the race and details
"Everyone looks very generic except her, she looks very confident. I might have stumbled upon an uma with a bright future ahead if she wins" she thought. Her lips curled up into a small smile of anticipation.
The Uma's finished their warm up exercises and positioned themselves inside their assigned brackets. Still doing a few stretches and jogging in place, hyping themselves up.
The commentators from the booth spoke. Their voices ringing out in the half full stadium
"Ohayo everyone! Looks like we have a full cast of 12 Uma's running today. This is going to be an exciting race!" A male commentator said, his somewhat deep voice hyping up the race
"That's right Aki-san! And considering this is a 2 kilometer race, oh boi. It's going to be a long one! I always wonder how they can run that far and fast." Another commentator said, the voice of a female, a bit younger and higher pitched.
"Oh Aizui-chan. They're Uma's. That should be obvious enough" The Commentator. Aki replied.
Both of the Commentators' voices fade slowly. As the black haired girl kept eyeing the brown haired Uma.
"The track is 2000 meters long so don't disappoint me now. Show me your potential"
The black haired girl said. Her gloved hand tightening it's grip on the railing.
After every Uma got in position for the race the commentators gave a clear starting signal
"In 3! 2! 1! GO!" Both Commentators counted down in unison. Giving a dramatic flourish.
The buzzer sounded. And the gates opened, the Uma's launched in a fast burst of speed, some are struggling to get into their preferred positions, falling behind a bit. while some are running up front and pulling ahead of the group
"And off to a great start! It's a big scramble out there folks. The Uma's are really kicking up some dirt!" Aki the male commentator said,
"Hai Aki-san. It looks like number 6 Candy Dash is pulling ahead! Look! She just passed the previous lead!" Aizui said. Grabbing the mic and bringing it close to her.
"Look at that! Number 4 just passed the second place! Candy Dash better look out!" Aizui said. Her hand pointing animatedly at the lead racers.
The brown haired Uma was keeping a steady pace behind the front runner. Just a few meters behind
"A pace chaser?" the black haired girl whispered to herself. Putting her gloved hand on her chin, "Not something new but a solid style nonetheless" the girl said a wry smile on her lips, her eyes flicking around to observe every racer
The race continues. All of the Uma's pushing hard for the win. Thirteen hundred meters. Twelve…
"1000 meters left! And the number 6 candy dash is still in the lead!" Aizuri shouted, slamming her hand on the table and standing up slightly on her chair
"Huh? 1000 meters already? Damn that's fast" The black haired girl continued to assess the Uma she's Observing "she still holds her position and is not faltering, Mmm, good. So she's good at medium distance not bad" she let out a "heh" leaning back, resting her chin on her palm
Number 4's POV
"Come on. Come on! COME OOOOOOON!!! I HAKU WILL WIN!"
Haku, Hakugetsu thought. Taking a deep breath mid sprint.
"HAAAAAAAAH!!!"
She yelled. Pushing herself to run as fast as she can, with each step she made, a deep gouge on the dirt appeared
Then, as she ran, she saw the 700 meter sign on the edge of her peripheral vision. Her eyes dilated slightly and her ears wiggled a bit.
"there it is. I just need to hold out a bit longer"
…
"600 meters! And number 6 candy dash is still in the lead- wait! Number 4 Hakugetsu pulls ahead! Now they're neck and neck! But how long can this clash last before 1 of them leave the other behind in their dust?!" The Aizuri shouted over the speakers. In the commentator booth she was livid, her fist pounding on the table with each exciting announcement. Which made Aki subtly shuffle away.
"Come on, don't fail me now" the trainer said, her eyes narrowing slightly leaning forwards on the railing.
"500! They're close!" The only commentator. Aizuri shouted. Taking the spotlight.
Meanwhile on the track. Candy Dash tilted her head to look at Haku. "Tch. She's fast." She muttered to herself. "But I'm faster"
Candy Dash leaned forwards further. And in a burst of speed she rocketed ahead. Her shoes leave deep gouges into the earth. Her strides long and fast
"Nani? Oh no you don't! Haaaaaaaa!" Hakugetsu. In a burst of her own speed. Also rocketed forwards. Catching up to Candy Dash
"What's this!? Both Candy Dash and Hakugetsu are going in full sprint! All of the other racers are MILES behind them! Come on. 400 hundred meters left! Let's see who wins!" Aizuri shouted. Standing up and putting her foot on the table. Full on shouting into the microphone into her hand
"IKEEEE!" (Go in Japanese) The mysterious trainer and the crowd cheered as the racers went closer and closer to the finish line
"Candy! Haku! Candy! Haku! They're just right beside each other! Come on. 200! 150!" Aizuri said. Stomping her foot on the desk in suspense and barely contained glee, and you can almost see literal flames in her pupils.
As they closed the finish line. They spared each other a quick competitive glance. Their eyes narrowing in determination, a flame lit up in their eyes. And both of them redoubled their efforts in running.
"100! 50 METERS! NANDATO!?" Aizuri shouted, as Hakugetsu rocketed forwards. Using every ounce of strength she had to hop ahead at the last second. Gaining the lead.
Everyone in the crowd held their breath as the final few meters were crossed. As if time was slowing down.
Candy Dash reached out her arm towards Hakugetsu's back. And then… They crossed the finish line.
"AND NUMBER 4 CROSSES THE LINE!!! WOOHOO!" Aizuri the female commentator shouted, ecstatic. Hopping down the table and grabbing the collar of Aki's cheap suit and shaking him. "did you see that Aki! That was one incredible race! The best one I've ever seen!"
"I didn't know the new hire was so energetic," Aki thought. As he let himself be shaken by her
Meanwhile though. Hakugetsu slowed down to a jog. Happily waving her hands at the cheering crowd with a big smile.
"Heh. Quite the specimen indeed" the mysterious trainer said. Turning back and heading to the exit
5 minutes later~~~
After all the celebration rituals and the sportsmanship handshakes. Hakugetsu stepped out of the exit of the stadium. A hop on each step. She's Cleary very happy with her win.
As she walked down the path she heard something from the nearby tree
"Pspspspspsp" The mysterious trainer. Hiding behind said tree. Did the pspspsp to get her attention.
"Uhh can I… help you?" Hakugetsu asked innocently. Tilting her head to the side. One of her ears is standing up.
The Mysterious Trainer then stepped forwards and walked towards Haku while speaking.
"That was an incredible run if i do say so myself, but let's get to the point shall we?" The girl reached down to her hoodie pocket to grab her trainer license and show it to Hakugetsu "I'm hibiki chiyo, and I want to become your trainer from now on, is that ok?"
Hakugetsu went silent for a few seconds. Her ears are straightening. She then nodded "I suppose. . .I didn't expect to find a trainer this fast myself hehe~" She chuckled shyly, looking away with a little embarrassed blush on her cheek. "w-well I'll leave the rest to you chiyo-san!"
Hibiki smiles brightly "thank you! Well, do you want to perform at the winners concert? I can wait until you finish so we can discuss our training plan later" she said while putting the license back into her hoodie pocket.
Hakugetsu nodded, "yeah I want to, after all it's also a step to become a great Umamusume!" Hakugetsu cheered. "Oops. I have to go. Looks like it's about to start!"
Moments later. Haku was now waving goodbye to Hibiki. And then running off to the winner's concert.
As Hakugetsu left hibiki couldn't contain her excitement anymore "score! Now I only need a training routine, I should ask my mom" she then typed the numbers on her phone while her eyes sparkled with excitement the phone beeped, she put it in between her ear and shoulder while her hands searched through her duffel bag. And retrieving a small notepad and pencil.
The phone then beeped. Signaling that they picked up. "Ah hello mom."
some muttering can be heard from the phone "Yeah I found my trainee, she looks like she has lots of potential"
More muttering can be heard questioning the scheduling. "yeah I need a simple training schedule for her before I start pushing it, can you help me?"
As muttering can be heard,this time is more exciting. "Thanks mom, I have my notes and pencil ready. Tell me."
Hibiki's hands began moving. Quickly writing down words with military precision and with the speed of a writer getting rushed. "Uh huh. Got it noted down. Love you too Mom. Muah~" she gave a kiss over the phone with a smile.
Some time later
After the concert had ended, Hakugetsu walked backstage and entered the dressing room. Then slowly she unbuttoned the top of her stage outfit and stepped out of her skirt. She was left in her underwear. She then put on her casual clothes. A white shirt and jeans. She then picked up her backpack full of her belongings and walked of the room
And. When she opened the doors to the exit. Hibiki was waiting for her "chiyo-san!" Haku said. Already jogging excitedly towards her.
"That was a nice performance," Hibiki said. Gesturing Haku to follow. Hakugetsu followed her. Walking towards the expansive parking lot. "Well, let's go to my parents' place, even if it isn't anything like those fancy training facilities. My place is still quite big." She said as she found her vehicle. It was a White Ford F-150 and unlocked it using the buttons on the keys.
"Wow! So how big is it?" Hakugetsu asked. Tilting her head in a cute gesture of curiosity.
"That's a secret~" Hibiki said, getting into the driver's seat. "get in" she said and closed the door.
Hakugetsu then went around the front to the door and opened it. Haku then sat on the passenger seat and closed the door. "oooh~ the inside is so big"
"American cars. Especially trucks that have a lot of space." Hibiki said as she turned the keys. The V8 diesel engine roared to life. Hibiki then shifted the gears to reverse on the manual transmission. Putting a bit of gas and reversing.
"Well, let's give it our best, for your bright future." Hibiki said. Still looking over her shoulder as she reversed
"Yeah! I'll try my best!" Haku cheered and buckled up her seatbelt. Though said seatbelt can't contain her as she literally vibrated from happiness. Then. Hibiki drove them out of the parking lot and into the tight streets of Japan.
"Well, do you plan to join the tracen academy? Or are you in any academy at all?" Hibiki asked. Stopping at an intersection and down shifting gears.
"I do and no, I was thinking I should debut first then join. I know it's a very VERY unusual case, but I already made the debut so no reason to dwell on it" Hakugetsu answered and looked out of the window. Watching the pedestrians pass.
"Well let's deal with that later. Let's introduce you to my parents first, then we can deal with the academy stuff." Hibiki said. Pressing on the gas once more and turning the steering wheel.
"Yeah we can wait for that later, let's go meet your parents chiyo-san!" Haku cheered. Excited to start her career with this new trainer
To be continue
All characters that I added and another one that'll be appearing later