I am a newly joined coach at TJC Academy. I still can't believe I've become part of this Academy as a trainer.
Because this Academy is considered Türkiye's best Umamusume Academy. Maybe the Japanese, French, or Americans aren't as good, but you can't underestimate the TJC Academy.
TJC Academy has been training umamusume for a little over 70 years. The building's design was inspired by the famous Tracen Academy, so in terms of design it resembles the Tracen Academy.
Actually, Umamusume teams haven't been formed yet. Also, there aren't enough coaches for every umamusume. So some of our students have to train themselves.
These are the disadvantages of not being the best at umamusume.
That's why new coaches like me select the students who joined this year.
The problem is I've always been indecisive when it comes to making selections and the other coaches had already made theirs.
Only five Umamusume were left. I checked the backgrounds of the umamusume on the papers in front of me, and there didn't seem to be any remarkable history.
"Alright girls. I want you to organize a race among yourselves to decide. A short race. So don't run more than 1000 meters."
I asked for a short race because I didn't want them to injure themselves.
Fortunately, the grassy area behind the Academy building was large, and the remaining Umamusume were already warming up to prove themselves.
Except for one.
She wore plain white clothes and was wearing blue jeans. But what stood out the most was the red hooded cape she wore.
Because of the hooded cape, her face and hair weren't very visible, but I could see a cute face.
In addition, there was a red eye and a white streak across her hair in front.
I had said she had a cute face, but her gaze wasn't very cute.
"What are you looking at? I don't need a trai… M-m-m-m-my back!"
It didn't take long for me to understand why. She hid a noticeable hump due to the hooded cape she wore. She tried to appear tough to hide this physical issue.
She thought she was concealing it, but even a rookie trainer like me could notice. The other coaches certainly noticed as well.
For some reason this situation looked very cute to me.
"What's your name?"
Of course I knew her name, and I asked this question to communicate. She kept giving me sour looks as she answered my question.
"Grand Ekinoks. I will win the Gazi Race one day."
That was a quite ambitious statement. It didn't refer to any average race. The race she referred to is the country's biggest race, and you only have one chance to participate.
But could she do it given the problem on her back?
"Then run against the others."
She did as I said and joined the group among the other umamusume. "At least she has a compliant side." I thought.
I watched Grand Ekinoks race along with the others. It was only an 800-meter race, and I wondered what Grand Ekinoks would do as she fell behind.
She accelerated in the last 200 meters. Seeing such a surge made my heart flutter.
Even with that last surge, she finished second. After watching her insult herself by holding her back, I made my decision. I extended my hand to Grand Ekinoks.
From today, I would be her trainer. Only time would tell whether her dreams would come true.