The road stretched long and quiet beneath the amber hues of dawn. The first light of morning brushed against the rooftops of Tracen Academy, painting its grand gates gold. Akira followed beside Symboli Rudolf, her steps small and hesitant. Her oversized coat dragged against the ground, still faintly damp from the morning dew, and every now and then she stumbled, catching herself before falling behind.
She had never seen anything like this place before. The academy grounds stretched wide and open—rolling green fields, stone paths lined with flowerbeds, and distant voices echoing faintly in the crisp air. Uma Musume were already up and running, their laughter carried on the breeze, their hair flowing like ribbons as they practiced along the tracks.
Akira's gaze darted between them—bright, confident, healthy. Their movements were full of life, of energy. Something in her chest ached at the sight.
Symboli Rudolf slowed her pace, glancing down at the girl beside her. The president's usual commanding presence softened slightly, her expression unreadable but her tone warm.
"Welcome to Tracen," she said simply.
Akira blinked, eyes wide. "…T-Tracen?" she echoed, voice small and breathy.
Rudolf nodded once. "Yes. This is where Uma Musume come to grow stronger—to find their path. You don't need to be afraid."
Akira looked down at her worn shoes, the dirt still clinging to the edges. The sheer size of the gates made her feel smaller than ever, like she didn't belong. "I… don't think I should be here," she whispered, clutching her coat tighter. "I'm… I'm not like them."
Symboli Rudolf stopped just before the academy entrance, the faint sound of other Uma Musume chatting in the distance. She turned toward Akira, meeting her eyes firmly but gently. "No one is born ready to run," she said. "You take one step… and then another. That's all any of us did."
Akira's lips parted slightly, unsure how to respond. Her stomach still felt empty, her body still weak, but there was something about the way Symboli spoke—something that carried belief strong enough for both of them.
As they entered the main courtyard, heads began to turn. A few students whispered quietly to each other, glancing at the small, fragile-looking girl walking beside their president. Akira shrank back, pressing closer to Rudolf's side.
Symboli didn't seem to notice the stares—or perhaps she simply ignored them. Her stride remained confident. "You'll stay in the guest quarters for now," she explained. "We'll get you cleaned up, and you can eat properly."
"Eat…" Akira mumbled, almost dreamlike. Her stomach fluttered with a mixture of anticipation and fear. It had been so long since she'd eaten something that wasn't scavenged or stolen.
Akira blinked, feeling that faint tingle in her mind again. A small translucent window flickered to life in the corner of her vision.
[Quest Update: "Shelter Secured."]
Progress toward "Recover Health": +2%
Condition: Severely Malnourished – Ongoing effects: Weak stamina, slowed recovery, susceptibility to illness.
Recommended: Warmth, hygiene, and steady nourishment for gradual recovery.
The faint blue glow shimmered for a moment before vanishing again, leaving her staring at the air where it had been. Her body still ached, her chest still felt hollow, and her steps dragged faintly against the gravel.
Symboli Rudolf glanced down, noticing the way Akira's gaze had gone distant again. The girl was swaying slightly as she walked, her legs trembling from exhaustion. Without a word, Rudolf slowed her pace to match, ensuring Akira wouldn't fall behind.
"Careful," she said gently. "You've walked enough for today. Once you've eaten and rested, we'll see how you feel."
Akira nodded faintly, clutching her coat tighter. The mention of food made her heart skip, real food, not something half-rotten or pulled from a bin. She could almost feel the ache in her stomach intensify with the thought.
"…I'll try," she whispered, voice soft and hoarse.
Symboli Rudolf gave a faint smile. "That's all I ask."
The academy gates loomed closer now, bathed in the orange of morning light. The breeze carried the distant scent of warm bread from the cafeteria, and Akira's empty stomach twisted painfully.
Even so, she forced her steps forward. She was still cold, still filthy, still weak.
But for the first time in this life… she was walking toward something.
The dormitory was warm—almost too warm for someone who'd grown used to cold pavement and thin air. The moment they stepped inside, Akira's shoulders loosened just slightly. The faint scent of soap, polished wood, and clean laundry filled her nose, and she froze by the doorway, unsure if she should even step onto the spotless floor.
Symboli Rudolf turned to her with that same calm composure, setting a folded towel and some borrowed clothes on the nearby dresser. "This room's unoccupied," she explained softly. "You can stay here until we figure something out. There's a shower to the left, take your time. I'll be right outside if you need anything."
Akira nodded faintly. "…Thank you," she murmured, her voice barely audible. She hesitated for a long second before disappearing into the bathroom, clutching the towel like a lifeline.
The faint sound of water running filled the quiet dorm.
When Akira stepped out some time later, wrapped in the soft towel and wearing a borrowed shirt much too big for her, she paused by the mirror. Droplets clung to her hair, messy and dull, but cleaner than she could remember. Her skin was pale beneath the bruises and faint scars. For the first time, she could see the shape of her face without a mask of dirt.
Then, a faint chime rang in her mind.
[Condition Update: "Clean" – Debuff Reduced Illness Risk applied.]
Health Recovery: +1%
Before she could even feel relief, another message appeared, words that carried a strangely warm tone:
[Warning: Your body is still extremely fragile. Overexertion will lead to injury. Please take care, Akira.]
Akira blinked. The system's tone wasn't cold or mechanical, it was almost… kind. Like someone whispering a warning out of concern rather than the cold and indifferent tone that she had grown used to.
"Thank you." she murmured softly.
Outside the door, Symboli Rudolf waited patiently. When she saw Akira emerge, she gave a faint nod of approval. The young Uma looked cleaner, though still terribly thin, her limbs bony, her eyes tired. But there was a quiet light in her now, the kind that hadn't been there before.
Symboli's voice softened. "Feeling a little better?"
Akira hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah… a little."
"Good," Rudolf replied, the corner of her mouth lifting. "Let's get you something warm to eat. Then we'll talk about what comes next."
The cafeteria was bright, filled with chatter and the clatter of trays, but for Akira, it was overwhelming in the best way possible. The scent of freshly baked bread, hot soup, and warm rice hit her like a wave the moment she stepped inside.
Her stomach growled so loudly she flinched, glancing up at Symboli Rudolf, who gave a small, amused smile and gestured toward the counter.
"Go on," Rudolf said softly. "Pick whatever you like. You've earned a real meal."
Akira nodded hesitantly, clutching the tray in trembling hands. Her eyes darted between steaming bowls of stew, perfectly golden bread rolls, and slices of fruit so fresh they glistened under the lights. She could barely believe any of this was for her.
When they sat down at a small table near the window, Akira could hardly wait. She pressed her palms together clumsily in thanks, whispered a quiet "…thank you," and then
She started devouring the food.
Each bite hit her with flavors she hadn't tasted in years. The soft bread, warm stew, even the plain rice, it was heaven. She ate like the food might vanish at any moment, scooping and swallowing too fast for her body to keep up.
Symboli Rudolf blinked, momentarily startled, then gently reached forward. "Hey slow down. You'll-"
Too late. Akira's eyes widened as she coughed mid-bite, choking slightly on a mouthful of stew. She thumped her chest and gasped, tears springing to her eyes.
Rudolf immediately pushed her cup of water forward. "Easy… small bites. Breathe."
Akira took the cup, gulping down the water, coughing again before finally managing to breathe properly. Her face was flushed red, a mix of embarrassment and relief.
"…S-sorry…" she croaked, voice small.
Symboli's tone softened. "You don't need to apologize. Just… slow down next time, alright?"
Akira nodded quickly, cheeks still pink. "It's just…" she looked down at her food, clutching the spoon tightly. "It's so good. I didn't want to stop."
Rudolf's expression softened even further. "I understand. Eat as much as you like. Just pace yourself."
Akira nodded again, taking smaller bites this time, savoring every flavor instead of racing through them.
As she ate, a faint chime echoed in her mind once again
[Nutritional intake detected.]
[Note: Repeated consumption of proper nutrients will gradually increase health recovery.]
"…Repeated consumption…" she murmured under her breath, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Guess that means… I'll be coming back here a lot."
Symboli Rudolf heard her whisper and smiled faintly. "I certainly hope so."
Akira continued to eat quietly after that, taking slow, deliberate bites. The warmth spread through her chest with every spoonful, not just from the food, but from the sense of safety that came with it.
Akira slowed her pace after the coughing fit, taking careful, tiny bites this time. Each spoonful of stew was warm and rich, the bread soft and buttery, so unlike the stale crusts and moldy scraps she used to chew through.
But after just a few minutes, a strange heaviness began to settle in her stomach. Her spoon trembled slightly as she scooped another bite, only to hesitate halfway to her mouth. Her body… so unused to real food was already protesting.
She blinked, surprised. "…Huh?"
Symboli Rudolf, who had been quietly watching, noticed the confusion in her expression. "Are you feeling alright?"
Akira glanced down at her bowl, still half-full. "I… want to eat more," she admitted softly, her voice hesitant. "It's so good… but my stomach feels… full already."
Rudolf gave a small, knowing nod. "Your body's not used to it yet," she said gently. "You've gone too long without proper meals. Eating too much now could make you sick."
Akira frowned, her ears drooping slightly. "But… I finally have real food. I don't wanna stop…"
Rudolf reached across the table, resting a gloved hand near Akira's tray, not forcing, not scolding, just a quiet gesture of care. "You'll eat again tomorrow," she promised softly. "And the day after. There's no need to rush anymore."
Akira's lips parted slightly, eyes glistening at those words, no need to rush anymore.
She looked down again, her chest tightening as the meaning sank in. For so long, every meal had been a battle. Eat fast before someone else saw. Eat whatever you could before it spoiled. Eat, because you might not get another chance.
And now… someone was telling her it was okay to stop. That she didn't have to fight for every bite.
"…Okay," she whispered, setting her spoon down reluctantly.
As she leaned back, rubbing her small stomach, the chime of the system appeared in her vision again:
[Nutritional absorption incomplete.]
[Satiation reached early due to prolonged malnutrition.]
[Note: Continued gradual intake will expand tolerance and increase overall recovery efficiency.]
Akira stared at the glowing words, her expression half tired, half amazed. The message faded away, leaving her to whisper, "So I'll… just have to keep eating little by little, huh…"
Symboli Rudolf smiled faintly. "Exactly. Step by step."
Akira nodded, resting her hands on her lap. She was still hungry, desperately so… but her body simply couldn't take more. For now, this would have to be enough.
Rudolf stood and gestured toward the door. "Come on. You need rest more than anything right now."
Akira looked up at her and nodded softly, standing on shaky legs. The warmth of the meal still lingered inside her, spreading through her chest like a small flame.
Akira's legs wobbled as she followed Symboli Rudolf out of the cafeteria, her stomach full but still faintly aching from long months of deprivation. Every step felt heavier than the last, but the warmth from the meal and the gentle presence of Rudolf at her side gave her strength she hadn't known she possessed.
They arrived at the small dorm room that would be Akira's temporary home. The bed was neatly made, the sheets soft and warm—luxurious beyond her imagination. She hesitated at the edge, unsure how to climb in without tumbling.
Rudolf knelt slightly to help her, guiding the small, fragile body gently onto the mattress. "There you go," she said softly. "Get some rest. You've earned it."
Akira nodded weakly, curling up under the blankets. Her eyes fluttered shut almost immediately, exhaustion overwhelming her, and within moments, she was asleep.
Symboli Rudolf's POV
Rudolf stood quietly in the corner of the room, watching the small figure tucked into the bed. Her sharp eyes softened as she took in the way Akira's tiny chest rose and fell with each shallow breath. The girl's frail body, so unaccustomed to warmth, seemed almost unreal in its vulnerability.
'How could anyone have let a child like this live in the streets?' Rudolf thought, jaw tightening slightly. 'And yet… here she is. Alive. Fragile, yes, but alive. And I will make sure she never has to face that world again.'
She crossed the room slowly, careful not to wake the child, and looked down at her. Symboli's mind turned over the question that had been lingering since she first saw her: what should she be called?
Names carried meaning. They weren't just labels, they were promises, identities, futures. This child had none. No past name, no one to call her by, no one to claim her story.
Rudolf's lips curved faintly. 'Then I'll give her one. Something fitting… something strong, yet gentle. Something she can grow into.'
She knelt beside the bed, letting her gaze rest on the sleeping child. "From now on… you will be called Hiyori," she whispered softly, the name carrying warmth, protection, and hope all at once.
A faint chime echoed in Akira.. no, Hiyori's, mind.
[Quest Complete: "A New Name"]
Processing reward… distributing in a few hours.
System Message (gentle): "Goodnight… Hiyori."
The words wrapped around the sleeping girl like a blanket, settling in her mind without rousing her from slumber.
Symboli Rudolf smiled faintly, watching Hiyori's chest rise and fall. 'Sleep well,' she thought, voice only in her mind. 'Tomorrow… we begin for real. But for tonight… you're safe.'
She straightened, glancing once more at the small figure curled in the bed. Then, with a quiet sigh, she left the room, closing the door softly behind her. The dormitory was still, filled only with the gentle rhythm of Hiyori's breathing..