I was taking a nap in our clubroom when the door slammed open.
Groaning softly, I opened my eyes to see Kitahara walk in, his expression murderous. "What's wrong?" I whispered, yawning as I gently rubbed my eyes.
"More reporters." Kitahara said, spitting out the words like it was a curse. "They just won't leave us alone! Always trying to ask Belno about how she feels after her loss, knowing that she-" He fumed, before he roared out loud. "Agh…! I want to run them over so bad!"
"You can, you know?" I said, massaging my cheeks to fully wake myself.
"Oi, that's called murder. I'm not that mad."
"Musaka would call it throwing out the trash."
Kitahara shivered, his anger temporarily forgotten. "Yeah, he probably would." He agreed. And he would know, considering that old geezer actually did throw him into a nearby dumpster once a few years back.
I smirked at his pale face, before I frowned. "Anyway, you don't need to worry so hard." I ran a hand through my hair, thinking back to the newfound determination Belno gained from her most recent loss. "Belno's not that fragile. A loss or two won't hurt in the long run. And besides," I grinned, remembering that phantasmal visage that'd momentarily consumed Belno's figure during her race. "Anyone who looks down on her will be in for quite the surprise."
Kitahara stared for a moment, before he tipped his cap down with a grin. "Yeah, you're right." His grin grew sinister. "We'll knock them all away!"
I rolled my eyes. "Just keep your excitement in check, Demon King." I playfully winked. "Don't want to scare any children with your reign of terror, right?"
"Ugh-!" Kitahara winced. "That damn…" He sighed as he shook his head. "I don't look that scary, do I?"
I just smiled.
"R-Right?"
I smiled, and then laughed. "As scary as a poodle."
"Oi, come on…" I just snickered at his defeated expression. He returned a glare before he shrugged, more than used to my antics."By the way, why are you here?" He then asked, frowning slightly. "It's a little too early to sleep, isn't it?"
"It is." I agreed. "I just feel a little tired, that's all."
That part was a lie. I didn't tire easily, and I would only truly be exhausted after a challenging race, usually against Oguri.
Instead, I'd been…thinking. Just thinking. About all sorts of things.
The upcoming [Japanese Oaks], and with it, my confrontation with Sakura Chiyono O. The approaching summer season, and whether our team would actually go out for a summer camp. The promise I made with Oguri, and the ongoing debate on whether I'd take her on in the [Japan Cup] or the [Arima Kinen].
For most umamusume, the pressure it brought would probably be daunting—suffocating, even. There was a reason why not every umamusume participated in the Classic races despite Tracen Central encouraging them to. Placing so much pressure on teenagers was the recipe for trouble.
Honestly, I'm surprised Tracen Central didn't have a dedicated therapist for the umamusume to go to. I mean, we have that hollow tree stump that the students liked shouting their worries into, but that didn't really count.
As for me,
I'd lived through being an adult before my passing. A thoroughly unpleasant experience mind you, but it trained me well enough.
"Star?"
I shook my head. "Just thinkin'." I smiled slightly. "How's Oguri doing, by the way?"
Kitahara smiled as he shrugged. "You know how she is." He then glanced at the couch I was laying, and I just smiled as I sat up, giving him space to sit down. "Roppei-san's practically digging through his coffers for more study material, but Oguri just keeps soaking it all like a sponge." He smiled wryly. "Absolute monster, she is."
"Well, she is our Beast, after all." I returned, causing Kitahara to roll his eyes.
Kitahara sighed gently as he sank into the couch. He remained quiet for a while, simply taking a rest after all the troubles he'd had with the nosy reporters.
Then,
"Thank you, Star."
I blinked in surprise, before I raised an eyebrow. "Where's this coming from?"
Kitahara chuckled. "It's just…" His eyes softened, and there was a fondness in his eyes as he glanced at me. "Thank you, for keeping us all together." He said, closing his eyes. "You were the one who brought us together—our team would've never come together without you."
No. He was wrong. I know it would've. Sure, it would take Kitahara much longer to arrive in Central, but he would. Belno might not become a racer like she was now, but she would still be an indispensable part of Oguri's life.
Even without me, their lives would've been just as bright.
"How embarrassing~" I said instead. "Keep it coming."
Kitahara chuckled, before he turned to me. "No, but really." He smiled gently. "Thank you for keeping my-, no, our dream alive, Star."
…
In, and out.
Fuu.
"And thank you." I said in return, smiling fondly. "Wouldn't have done all this if you didn't decide to take us as your trainees all the way back then."
Kitahara chuckled, before he took a deep breath. "Alright, enough resting!" He cheered himself on as he stood up, his lips set with determination. He raised his fist to the air. "Time for KItahara Jo to return to the scene!"
"Yeah, yeah." I laid back down across the couch now that I had the space. "Just don't forget to do your homework, 'kay? Don't want to be late like last time."
"I know-, wait, how do you know that!?"
I smiled cheekily. "Who knows~"
Kitahara sighed, knowing I wouldn't tell him. After he quickly fixed his ruffled clothes, he bid me farewell as he left the clubroom. The previous tranquil silence returned, and my eyes drooped slightly as I leaned into the couch pillow.
I really should go and train now. Or go on a run at least. Something to get her body moving. But she didn't. She remained on the couch, staring emptily at the ceiling as she watched dust slowly float through the air. I couldn't quite find the motivation to move myself off the couch.
I guess another nap wasn't too bad. I could just go on my runs later.
.
.
.
When I next opened my eyes, it was not to see my clubroom bathed in light of the setting sun, or the complete darkness that came whenever I slept for a little too long.
Instead I found myself standing on a track that seemed impossibly wide, stretching forward beneath a sky so beautifully blue. The grass below me swayed, dancing in the gentle winds that blew past me, carrying with it the comforting scent of spring.
I looked down at myself, and saw that I was no longer wearing the Tracen Central uniform. Instead I wore my G1 outfit, soft fabrics and bronze carvings and pauldrons and all.
And then, she appeared. An umamusume with dark brown hair, sharp eyes, and a bright yellow jacket that attracted the eyes. I knew her—had seen her before.
She was the first phantom umamusume I'd seen.
Before I could ask who she was, she spoke. "Run with me, Hero." She said, eyes glimmering like sharp rubies. "Show me how far you've come."
[Mission: Trial of the Warrior
A phantom umamusume has challenged you to a race across this endless track. Show her how far you've come!
Task: Achieve victory.
Reward: {Corner Recovery ○}, 240 SP
Failure: 120 SP]
My eyes widened, but before I could even process what was happening, I suddenly found myself standing inside a gate, with the unknown umamusume standing in the gate right next to mine.
We were the only two people in this strange dreamlike world, and yet cheers began to sound from an audience I couldn't see.
I stared in confusion for a good while, before I shook my head. Whatever the case, my System had finally given me a Mission after what felt like forever, and I wanted to do my best.
So I took a deep breath, and I bent my knee slightly as I waited for the gates to open.
And then,
Bang!
The gates opened with a loud slam, and the turf below shook as I rocketed forward.