-OP, Nojogiku Stakes, Hanshin 1800m Turf-
[No. 2, Major Major has overtaken the lead! No. 3, Icarus dropped down to second place, looks like she ran out of steam! It's only 400 meters into finish line, can Major Major stays in the lead?
[It's not over yet, coming from the outside is No. 12, Astonishing! She's in fourth place already?! She's taking third now! Second! She's right on Major Major's tail!]
[They are neck to neck! Can she pulls away? Yes, she can!]
"This race is mine!" Astonishing gritted her teeth as she took the lead.
[She's clear! Astonishing pulls away!]
[And Astonishing crosses the line! She wins the Nojigiku Stakes by three lengths! Unbelievable! From the rear to the front, she navigated that field like a veteran!]
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-G3, Kyoto Junior Stakes, Kyoto 2000m Turf-
[And they are rounding the last corner. No. 11, Damon Ray and No. 1, You're Fangio is fighting for first place! Behind them, No. 7, Villeneuve is closing in!]
[Here they come to the straight! You're Fangio has overtaken Damon Ray! Villeneuve too has overtaken her! No. 1 is now gives all of her energy to catch up with the leader, can she do it? But wait!--]
[No. 8, Astonishing has overtaken Damon Ray and climbed to third! But Kyoto's straight is short, can she catch up? ]
[Villeneuve! Villeneuve slowed down! She can't keep her pace! It's a free spot for Astonishing, only 200m left, she's one length from the lead!]
[Two-third, half a length, a quarter length! She catches up, she catches up! Absolutely fantastic! ]
[You're Fangio fights back, refusing to yield an inch! It's a dead heat! No. 1 or No. 8? Who has it?! ]
"It's No. 8, Astonishing! She won by a quarter of a length!]
Astonishing didn't have the energy to throw a victory pose. Running for 2000m almost drained all her stamina. She slowed to a walk before complete stopping, gasping for air.
She turned her head slightly.
You're Fangio was pulling up beside her, the other filly's ears pinned back in visible frustration. For a brief second, their eyes met, Astonishing dipped her head in a nod of respect. No words were needed. She had earned her place here.
Astonishing looks up to the sky, it was cloudy but she can see a little bit of sunlight piercing through the clouds.
'Almost there' she thought.
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ZIP
World's End Opening, or just End, turned off the TV. She has been watching the recording for three times now, and she's ready for the fourth.
"Interesting! Interesting! Just how much power do you have, Astonishing? You really surprised me, you know? I can't wait for our race in the Hopeful Stakes! "
But before she can replay, her trainer walks in.
"End, let's talk about your race wear"
Her trainer is a tall man, maybe about 200cm, maybe more. His name is Tadashi Kouchi, the trainer for Team Megrez.
A/N: He's from Cinderella Gray, Dicta Striker's trainer but he got no team so I created one for him.
"Trainer! You're here!" She cheerfully greeted her trainer. "Yes! Yes! Let us discuss the matter of my outfit!"
"Do you already have your own design, or do you want to use the available design options?" He hands her a paper which contains various designs for her G1 racewear.
Every umamusume race wear is unique. It's a symbol of their determination, dream, and many believes it carried half of their soul.
"Oh, Trainer! There's no need for that! I already have my own design." She hands him a drawing of her racewear. "Of course, it's not like those designs were bad at all. We should appreciate their effort! I'm sure these designs will find its use on other's!"
Tadashi took the drawing and inspects it. He tried to adjust his glasses, making sure he's not seeing it wrong, but it's no use, to him, it's more like a scribble of a kindergartner.
"Ah, well... I'm not really good at drawing. But I'm sure you get the idea!"
The outfit is defined by a primary base of pristine white, yellow and brilliant, polished gold. The gold plating on the chest and accents provides a mirror-like finish that catches the light
The bodice is crafted in the style of a formal military tunic, featuring a structured high-collar and double-breasted gold button detailing.
This design integrates sleek, articulated golden plating along the shoulders, arms, legs, and part of her shoes.
A/N: More like armor plate.
The skirt features a multi-layered cut. The front is colored white and the from the side to the back is layered in yellow.
And lastly, a white cape with patterns painted in gold.
A/N: Of course not real gold, at least not all of it. I tried to mix some of the already available racewear in the series and this is the result. I'm not sure how good it is since I'm having a hard time visualizing it.
"Hmm... "
"What do you think, Trainer? Doesn't it suits me?"
"All these platings are unnecessary" He commented.
"W-what?" That of course shocked her. "You don't understand, Trainer! This racewear is not just to comply with the entry rule, but also for a show!"
She pulled a white sheet out of nowhere and wrapped it around her neck. "I want a racewear that shines when hit by sunlight so everyone can see it! I want to be the center of all, Trainer! I'm sure you want that too, right? Right?! "
"Oi, lower your voice! People are complaining!" Barged in the door was another chestnut umamusume wearing a yellow hoodie.
"Dicta-senpai, you're just jealous because your own racewear isn't as magnificent as mine would be." If there's one thing End likes other than trying to make herself look dazzling, it's rage baiting.
"What?!" She fell for the bites. "Don't get full of yourself. If you keep acting like that, one day it's going to be your downfall"
"Then, I shall display my absolute best before that time arrives! Watch me as I become the ruler of this generation, Senpai! Perhaps you can learn a thing of two from me. Haaa! Haa! Haa! Haaa!"
Dicta looked unimpressed, though the twitch in her eye suggested she was holding back a retort.
"Well then, I entrust you with the proposal, Trainer. Now, if you allow me, I have a class to attend" End strode out of the office, still wearing her cape (sheet).
Dicta Striker watched her go, a low, frustrated growl vibrating in her throat. She stayed for a moment, waiting until her footsteps faded before turning her gaze to Tadashi.
"I don't understand, why did you decided to recruit her, Trainer...! There are a lot of candidates to choose" She complained.
"You don't like her?" He asked.
"She's so annoying! I can't get day off without her boasting right next to my ears. I can't stand that! Urrghh!" She groaned. "It has always been better when it's just the two of us."
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.....
Clearly, the last part wasn't intentional, right?
"F-forget it! I had my own class to attend, just do what she wants" She turned away and slammed the door as she step outside.
.....
"Maybe I should recruit another umamusume who she can get along with her" He simply said.
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"So, what do you think?" In Team Schedar's office, Trainer Takeda and Astonishing are also discussing how her G1 racewear should look like.
"Are you serious?! There's no way I'm wearing that! No! Heck no!" Astonishing stared at the design draft Takeda had laid out on the desk with utter disbelief.
It's because the racewear design featured an overwhelming amount of frills, and oversized ribbons. Not to mention the design is so 'open', she's literally going to show her belly, bare thighs and armpits to thousands of people.
"But--"
"Nooo!" Astonishing slammed her palms onto the desk.
Takeda sighed as he watches her acting like a child in tantrum, and pulled the sketch back. "Alright, alright. These were just proposals from the design department, you don't need to pick it if you don't want to"
He pulled a fresh, blank sheet of paper "If the department's 'fan-service' templates aren't to your liking, then let's start from a blank slate. What do you have in mind?"
"Hmm..." She leaned on the chair, trying to imagine the design. Then, she remembers the clothes 'Astonishing' wore in her dream. It looks pretty much like a racewear isn't it?
A/N: Look chapter 4.
"I know!" she snatched the paper from his hand and start scribbling. Drawing the exact same wear from what she remembers and wrote notes of what color should be used for every piece of the clothing.
"Here it is" She hands it over.
"Hmm..." Takeda adjusted his glasses, meticulously examining the drawing. Astonishing is pretty good at drawing. "Yeah, this should work"
"Good." Astonishing said, seemingly satisfied. "Then, I'll take my leave. I still have a class to attend"
"Alright, take a good rest, we still have training tomorrow"
She gave a quick bow, and turned towards the exit.
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Takeda sighed. He doesn't expect to feel overwhelmed. This is the first time Astonishing ever yelled at him. Not to mention seeing her having a tantrum like a certain yada yada creature.
"Ah well, she's still a kid after all"
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The late afternoon sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, and classes had finally wrapped up. Leaving the students with some free time before the curfew.
Astonishing was walking toward the cafeteria, at this hour, they usually serves some light snack before dinner so she wanted to try some.
When a voice called her from behind.
"Aston! Hey, Aston-chan!"
Before she could turn, a blur of motion slammed into her side or rather, an arm draped over her shoulders. It was Dora.
"Dora," Astonishing adjusted her footing. "What's with the hype?"
"Hehe~," She shows her phone screen, displaying a list, an entry list for a race. "I'm in the list for Hanshin Juvenile Fillies!"
"Hanshin Juvenile Fillies?" Astonishing blinked, "That's a G1 race held in early December, right? Which mean... It's only a few days from now"
"That's right! How about you? Wait, wait! Let me guess... Umm... The Hopeful Stakes isn't it?"
Astonishing nodded. "That's right"
"Excellent, excellent! Then, then!" Her grip on Astonishing's shoulder become stronger as she shakes her body in her excitement. "Watch my race would you? I watched your debut race, remember? Since you couldn't watch mine, this is a good opportunity to return the favor, right?"
"Fair enough," Astonishing replied, "I'll ask my trainer if I can watch your race, but I'm sure he'll allow it"
"I trust you on that, but if he refuses then... " Dora smiled slyly. "Perhaps a little teasing would work~"
Astonishing's body suddenly become tense when she heard that, "Alright, hold it right there." She finally free from Dora's arm.
"I wouldn't do that nor I want to, you hear me?"
"Oh, wouldn't you?" Dora leaned in, her eyes glinting with pure, unadulterated mischief.
"That's enough. If you keep teasing me like that, I will rethink about coming to your race" Astonishing turned away towards her actual destination, which is the cafeteria, and leaves Dora behind.
"A-ah! Hey, wait! I'm just joking, don't leave me!" Dora frantically trying to catch up with her.
She's still going for the snacks.
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Astonishing's race record (so far):
- OP Nojigiku Stakes: 1st
- G3 Kyoto Junior Stakes: 1st