Eclipse first, the rest nowhere.
Leading the charge, leaving all others in the dust.
As an 18-year-old boy with zero experience and not even a college education, Asama Kazuomi left his hometown and came to Tokyo in search of work. By chance, he ended up entering the Central Treason Academy and became a trainee trainer.
And here—this is the stage where Uma Musumes chase their dreams. As a newcomer, he now stood behind these girls in the role of a teacher.
What awaited them on their stage? What lay in their future?
Running faster, farther than anyone else.
At the end of that track, in a world far wider than their island, what could one see on the distant horizon ahead?
A youthful tale of love and struggle, shared between a boy and a girl who met, and the companions who ran alongside them.
The brilliant, interwoven colors of azure and pure white—
that is the color of dreams.
This is the story of a newly minted trainee trainer and the Ume Musumes who strive together with him, trusting and relying on one another as they step by step march toward the pinnacle, becoming legends.
PS: A novel easily understood even if you haven't played the game.
The dawn light slowly bled across the horizon. The melodious sound of a ship's whistle rang out as seagulls soared freely overhead.
A man on the ship called out loudly toward the pier. The salty, damp sea breeze carried a faint tinge of melancholy as it brushed against his lips.
On a small island in the Seto Inland Sea, 18-year-old Asama Kazuomi, carrying a pile of luggage, was bidding his final farewell to a mother and daughter.
"Big Brother…"
A young girl with soft, fluffy black hair tugged lightly at Kazuomi's sleeve, her face full of reluctant longing. Her cherry-colored eyes clung to him desperately. And atop her head were a pair of horse ears—unlike those of ordinary people.
She was what people called a Uma Musume, though she was currently just over twelve years old.
"…Be good, okay? Big Brother is going to Tokyo to study and work now."
Kazuomi gently crouched down and stroked the girl's smooth black hair. Looking at the stepsister who shared no blood with him, he offered a faint, gentle smile.
"If I become a trainer in the future, then once you grow up and become a Uma Musume, we'll be able to see each other all the time."
Hearing this promise, a smile finally bloomed on the girl's face.
"It's a promise! I'll definitely come find you, Big Brother!"
"Mm. It's a promise."
More than a plan—it was a blessing.
As a top student at his prefecture's high school, with national mock test scores nearing a deviation value above sixty, Kazuomi still had to make a choice.
When it came to his future path, he gave up attending a public university due to the high tuition fees.
Instead, he sought opportunities in Tokyo, all so he could leave financial room for his stepsister—six years his junior—to attend a proper horse racing training academy.
High training fees, qualification exams—if he could help secure those for her, then that was enough.
Of course, he had long discussed this decision with his stepmother.
"Ms. Ayako, thank you for taking care of me all this time."
Like the young girl, this beautiful, elegant woman was also a Uma Musume—and Kazuomi's stepmother.
Ever since his father's accidental passing, it was thanks to this woman that the two children grew up safely. And so, toward this mother who was not related to him by blood, Kazuomi held a deep sense of gratitude.
To lessen her burden, it was Kazuomi himself who proposed giving up higher education. That way, perhaps with his added efforts, the two of them could give his sister the chance to enroll in the Central Horse Racing Academy.
Naturally, Ms. Ayako felt very guilty about this decision.
Looking at the grown young man before her, she knew that saying anything more would be useless. With a worried, apologetic expression, she could only nod and say:
"Have a safe journey… Kazuomi. If you run into any trouble out there, you must tell us at home…"
"Mm… I understand."
At daybreak, as the ship's whistle sounded across the harbor, on a small island in the Seto Inland Sea, a boy named Asama Kazuomi thus embarked on his journey to Tokyo to study and work.
.
However… reality was far from that simple.
Even if he had long prepared himself mentally—
When he truly faced it—
"Then, let me ask you a question first…"
In the interview room, seven or eight people sat arranged at a long table across from him. The oppressive atmosphere made him feel like a criminal under interrogation, their gazes bearing down on him heavily.
The invisible pressure kept Kazuomi utterly on edge; his palms were already slick with sweat.
The lead middle-aged interviewer held the form Kazuomi had just filled out, scrutinizing him as though examining some curious specimen. Narrowing his eyes, he spoke with an unreadable expression:
"Why… are you dressed like this for the interview?"
Kazuomi was, in fact, wearing a restaurant uniform. Printed in large letters across his chest was Yoshinoya. The outfit looked exactly like that of a delivery worker…
"Um… well… I was just delivering a takeout order here when I happened to see your company's job posting… So I filled out the form on the spot to join the interview…"
It was a spur-of-the-moment decision. But now that he was actually sitting here, Kazuomi realized just how foolish he'd been.
Who comes to an interview dressed like this!!!
He really wanted to slap himself…
The atmosphere froze even more painfully after his explanation.
The interviewers exchanged looks full of exasperation and disbelief. A few didn't even bother glancing at his hastily scribbled résumé, instead propping their chins in their hands as they sighed.
Seeing their reactions, Kazuomi's heart clenched.
"You… are only eighteen right now, correct? You're still a student, aren't you?"
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Raw: 我和赛马娘的青春奋斗物语一定没有问题