The smell of mothballs and fresh laundry filled my room as I stared at the open suitcase on my bed.
It was funny. For years, I had complained about how small this room was Now, looking at the bare patches on the walls where my posters used to be, it feels... lonely.
"You're going to forget your toothbrush. I just know it."
I looked up. Mom was leaning against the doorframe. She was dressed up in a nice blouse, ready to walk me to the station.
"I packed three, Mom. Just in case," I said, tucking a folded tracksuit into the corner of the bag.
"And your charms? The ones from the shrine?"
"In the side pocket."
Beside my suitcase lay the most important item: a pair of professional racing shoes, still in their box.
I ran my fingers over the sleek, lightweight material. I knew Dad had pulled extra shifts working around the town to get this.
"Are you scared?" Mom asked suddenly.
"A little," I admitted
Mom walked over and sat beside me. She didn't offer a hollow platitude. She didn't say, 'You'll be the best.' Instead, she looked at the mirror on my vanity, where our reflections sat side-by-side.
"I guess I'm scared too" She said.
I blinked, shifting my gaze from the mirror to her. "You?"
"I'm scared because I know how much you're like me," she said.
She reached out, her hand calloused but warm, and rested it over mine on the edge of the suitcase.
"The world of racing is beautiful, but it's a world that consumes people. I just want you to be happy"
I turned my hand over and squeezed hers back. "I'll be okay, Mom, I promise"
A heavy thud came from the hallway.
"Ready to go?" Dad stuck his head into the room.
He was wearing his "best" jacket.
"The train won't wait for the future star of the tracks, you know!"
"I'm ready," I said, standing up.
.
.
.
The walk to the local station was quiet. Dad insisted on carrying my heavy duffel bag even though he knows I'm way stronger than him.
When we reached the platform, the small, two-car local train was already pulling in with a screech of brakes that echoed off the hills.
"Alright," Dad said, setting the bag down. He adjusted his jacket, which was a little tight around the shoulders. He looked at me, then at the train, then back at me.
"This is it. Don't forget to eat properly. No skipping meals because you're 'too busy' training, you hear me?"
"I hear you, Dad."
Mom stepped forward. She didn't say anything at first; she just reached out and straightened my collar. "You've grown so much"
And then, she pulled something from her pocket. I stared at the small object resting in her palm. It was a single earring. A small, polished silver horseshoe with a tiny, deep-red gem embedded in the center and a yellow ribbon around it.
"Mom... this... is your earring," I recognized it from her old photo.
"It's seen better days, and the shine has faded a bit,". She took my hand and pressed the cool metal into my palm. "But it has never seen a defeat it couldn't learn from. I want you to have it."
"But... I thought it was your most precious treasure."
"It was," she said, looking at me with a gaze that felt like she was seeing both her daughter and the girl she used to be. "But you're the one chasing your dream now. Wear it, and when you feeling lost, remember that you aren't alone. You're carrying us with you."
I stared at the earring again. To be given this, is an honor.
I clenched it with my hand. "Thank you. I will take care of it"
Then I turn towards that. By the look on his face, he has something to say.
"Dad... "
"... I don't have much to say, but..."
He takes off his hat and put a hand on my shoulder.
"I want you to believe in your dream, and yourself. Trust me, you'll get there. Now, the road will be long and the path might be hard to see, but... You'll get there..."
"... So please live your life, chase the dream, do what puts a spark in your heart and be happy. Keep running. It's gonna be good"
He gave me a solid headpat before he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, crinkled paper bag. It smelled faintly of roasted chestnuts and the local bakery.
"For the ride," he muttered, shoving it into my hand. "It's a long way to the city. Don't go getting hungry before you even see the skyscrapers."
I looked from the earring in my left hand to the bag of treats in my right. The legacy of a runner and the warmth of home.
"I won't," I said. "I'll... I'll text. Or call. I promise."
"You'd better," He then pulled me into a hug which my mother also joined.
"Now get on that train," he muttered, quickly turning away to wipe his face with a handkerchief. "Before I decide to kidnap you and take you back home"
"Then, I'm going now! "
I hauled my suitcase and the heavy duffel bag inside. The carriage was nearly empty, smelling of old seat cushions and morning mist. I found a window seat and pressed my hand against the glass.
As the doors slid shut, the seal of the cabin muffled the outside world.
I watched through the glass as they stood together on the platform
As the train jolted and began to move, Dad started waving his hat frantically as Mom started waving.
...
'I'm gonna miss them so much.'
I sat down, and took out the earring she gives me.
Even if looks a bit worn, it's still a beautiful piece of jewelry.
I smiled, and carefully clipped it onto my right ear
I leaned my head against the window, watching the familiar scenery blur.
"Next stop... Tokyo," I whispered to my reflection.
.
.
.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we will soon be arriving at Fuchu Station. Please ensure you have all your personal belongings with you. The doors on the left side will open..."
I looked out the window.
Tokyo.
Nothing much had changed here. To finally come back to where I live in my previous life is... hard to explain.
As the train glided to a halt and the door slided open, I hauled my suitcase and the heavy duffel bag out onto the platform.
The heat hit me first, not just the temperature, but the friction of thousands of people moving at once.
I almost forgot how crowded Tokyo can be.
It was overwhelming.
People in suits, students in different uniforms, and tourists all blurred into a fast-moving current. I had to plant my feet firmly just to keep from being swept away by the crowd.
"Keep it together," I muttered, adjusting the strap of my heavy duffel bag. "You've been here before. Well... sort of."
I followed the signs towards the exit and soon enough I finally and officially set foot on Tokyo, once again.
"Finally..."
I took a deep inhale...
COUGH COUGH COUGH
"Uggh... city air..." Tokyo's breeze wasn't the clean, cold wind of the countryside.
I take my phone to see the map to the academy. Oh, by the way, this phone is new. Dad insist I should have it, there's no way I can refuse. It's nothing fancy, but it's sufficient for everyday activities.
"...Tracen Academy should be this way."
.
.
.
"I'm here," I whispered.
Japan Umamusume Training Center Academy a.k.a. Tracen Academy!
Even from outside, I was immediately overwhelmed by the sight of many umamusumes in their uniforms. I've never seen this many before, so this is where they all gathered.
I adjusted the strap of my bag and took a deep breath.
My current objective is to find my dorm. Thankfully they informed me which dorm I will occupy.
Ritto Dorm.
Well, the dorms are located on the other side of the road right in front of the academy so I just need to cross the road.
.
.
.
The Ritto Dorm.
The lobby was surprisingly bright and smelled faintly of floor wax and tea. This place sure is fancy for a dormitory. I wonder where did they get all the money for these facilities? The government? Investor? Umamusume race is a sport, so... maybe Red Bull have some shares?
"Excuse me?" I said, hoping someone would hear me.
"Aha! A new student!" I was immediately greeted by a girl with short black hair and she had a clipboard tucked under her arm.
"Welcome to Tracen Academy! You must be..." she glanced down at her clipboard, then back up at me with a sparkle in her eyes, "... Astonishing, right?"
I stiffened for a second. "Y-Yeah. That's me."
"Perfect!" she said, "I'm Fuji Kiseki, leader of Ritto Dorm. It's one of the livelier ones, I think you'll fit right in"
She scan her clipboard "Let's see, room number 208 on second floor. I'll walk you there and explain the rules on the way."
.
.
.
As we reached the second floor, she stopped in front of a room.
"Here we are," she said, gesturing proudly. "Your new home."
I stared at the door. It says '208' so this is the right room.
Fuji tilted her head and smiled. "Excited? Nervous? Both?"
"...Both," I admitted.
With that, she handed me the key.
"If you ever need help, just call me and I will come to rescue you, wink" She said as she holds my hand. I just noticed it now.
"H-huh?" I stammered, pulling my hand back slightly.
Fuji just laughed, "I didn't expect your reaction, really. Most people don't fall for it, except... yeah... it's rude to talk about other people. Sorry, it must be awkward"
"....."
"Actually, I should probably give you the full breakdown, which means for the time being, you've got this little palace all to yourself," She explained
"So... The room is all mine?"
"Only until there's someone moving in."
Having the room all for myself is doesn't sound that bad. I think I'll do fine.
"Living alone can be lonely. If you get too bored, come down to the lounge"
"I understand, thank you."
"Then I'll leave you to unpack." And with that, Fuji waved me off and headed down the hall.
I took a deep breath and gripped the key.
"...Okay. My new life starts here."
I slid the key into the lock and turned it.
Click.
I opened the door and looks inside.
The silence was the first thing that greeted me. The room was surprisingly spacious for one person, though clearly designed for two. Two desks, two closets, and two beds, one on the left, one on the right.
"I guess this is it" I dragged my suitcase inside and let the door swing shut by itself.
Since I'm the first and only one here. I can choose which bed is mine, and I choose the left one.
I set my bag down on the empty bed and took a moment to breathe.
"...Guess I'll just unpack later." I muttered, flopping down onto the mattress. It was softer than I expected, and for a moment I just lay there, staring at the ceiling.
I let out a long sigh.
"Tracen Academy, huh," I murmured. "I actually made it"
I closed my eyes for a second.
...
Astonishing.
That is my name here. It's sure is an unorthodox name. Not just me, every umamusumes has a unique name.
Some are cool.
Some are normal.
And some are weird or just completely... Sorry, but, dumb.
It was based on my experience with the few umamusume kids in my hometown.
From what my mother told me. Us, umamusume inherits otherworldly name, which explains the unorthodox naming.
Otherworldly... Well, I'm an otherworlder. So, maybe I hold the key of unfolding the mystery of umamusume?
...
SIGH
What am I even thinking. Maybe a little nap would be nice. I'm pretty tired even though it's not like I've done anything heavy.
And so I shut my eyes off.
.
.
.
Wake... Up...