Chapter Text
KER-THUNK
The clock I brought from America slid into the kitchen trashcan with ease. What was supposed to be a reminder of home was haunting my waking world. Even without that constant ticking, that constant trot, I could feel it in the air still.
The rhythmic trot of an-
"<Tally… come on. New job in a new country. It's probably just a stress dream.>" I let out a ragged sounding sigh, and slumped against my kitchen counter. It had felt so real; the sights, sounds, smells, and the pain. I haven't had a dream so vivid since I was a kid. That didn't matter, though! It just didn't matter. A dream is a dream! As they say, memory is reconstructive! What actually matters is one thing and one thing only. I had a trainee now. That is absolutely one hundred percent what my priority should be, not some wish that I gave up on half a lifetime ago.
…hoping for something impossible is unrealistic…
In the meantime, it's the start of a new day! New adventures await! So, if I want to do something productive, let's begin the morning routine already.
The sound of rushing water fills me with instant satisfaction. The shower was running nice and warm finally, and while I gazed into my mirror, I took stock of anything that needed taken care of. Thankfully, everything was in order today, my wavy black hair didn't need any special care, my tired looking green eyes were still gems, and I was still tall. Well, nothing could be done about that. Who didn't enjoy a taller woman anyways? Weakness I say~
"Alright. Time to get to business," I mumbled into the piece of toast in my mouth. I would need to get all the paperwork that related to Confusion from Madam Hayakawa as soon as possible. One should never start assuming an umamusume's condition and training schedule without that. However, today we could possibly do some trial runs to see what exactly I was working with. I closed my eyes and silently chewed by breakfast. In my mind I tried my best to recall the chase I had with Confusion when she stole my bag. That moment where she pivoted like it was nothing, only to start running backwards was simply incredible. Can a girl so adept at being an acrobat really have such terrible running aptitude? Unfortunately, it could be possible. Before that could turn into running backwards, I, a human, kept up with her. That is a severe lack of speed, and it wasn't just because she wanted to only lead me away. I saw those trophies, Confusion was obviously a smart girl. She knew if I lost something, I'd be running to Tazuna for help.
"<So, without a doubt— >," I felt my face twist into a pitying cringe. "< —her stride is absolutely terrible.>" I could see her stride being pieced together in my memory to recreate the image. The idea was nigh paradoxical! I saw Confusion doing perfect pirouettes and leaping onto chairs. She had shown me trophies of competitions that required various amounts of hand eye coordination, yet her grasp on putting one foot in front of the other was as good as a cat walking on two legs. "Oh Confusion-Chan. I have my work cut out for me. Buuuut, I wouldn't ask for anyone else to be my first Trainee." I smiled and put down my notebook. This is what my life calling is, and I can feel it deep in my own bones. If I just keep focusing on what I was made for then all will be well! I devour the rest of my toast and get dressed in my trainer clothes for the day. I like to make sure anything I wear during my job is able to be run in, therefore, today I am equipped with a green tracksuit with a more professional looking white cardigan.
Phone, wallet, keys, backpack with my training supplies, and lastly my treasures secured in said bag.
Everything was ready!
"Look out Tracen Academy! Tally Thall is returning to your sacred turf!"
"Ah Tally-san! I am so happy to see you again so early in the morning." I was greeted at the gate once again by Hayakawa dressed in the much brighter green outfit from yesterday. Come to think of it, every single photo of her I saw was in the very same outfit…
"Tazuna-san! A wonderful good morning to you as well. I say a day is best started bright and early!" I stopped my jog to catch my breath. "It seems, you're as dedicated to the morning hours as I. I'm happy to make a morning talk with you apart of my new Tracen Academy routine."
"You're bursting with energy again. How delightful to see. I hope little Confusion-chan wasn't too much while guiding you around yesterday?" Tazuna's eyes flicker up to my head before coming back to rest on my face again. I'm used to the motion when others see me with and without my treasures on.
"She is certainly energetic. And passionate." I think back to all the talents she has; those many trophies under her belt. "A brilliant girl with a lot of heart. That's what's most important." I gently bump a fist to my chest and smile. "Confusion-chan is going to be a fantastic racer, I just know it…"
***
"Confusion-chan."
"Brr?"
"So, I have to tell you."
"Bii?"
"You are wonderful."
"Bii."
"Adorable even."
"Teehee."
"Have you quite possibly-"
"Mrr?"
"Watched how you run before?"
"Mmm. Ner."
"Ok. That makes sense. I'll get with Tazuna-san to see if the school has any proper recording equipment for training purposes." I pat Confusion on the head, which elicits that small purring noise I'm getting accustomed to. After meeting up with my new trainee I wanted most of all to observe her running first hand. We didn't have enough Umamusume to try doing aptitude running, though, something like that could wait until I was properly Confusion's trainer. "Confusion-chan, let's go one more time before the mock races begin. Then, you can sit with me while I observe! How's that sound?" I gave my soon-to-be trainee a smug looking thumbs up which she returned in kind like a mirror image.
"Brrrrr!" I had Confusion set up at the starting line we set and I took a position outside the track itself.
"Alright. Just as we did before. Three seconds." I took a deep breath and took my own running stance. My mind focused itself into complete silence, like a still lake. This is what I love, this is what I adore. I could feel my breath leave my mouth in a steady cloud of early morning steam. Then… I push. With all the might I can muster my body fires off like a rocket. When I feel my legs strike at the earth below my heart simply soars. I'm running! The wind fights against me, whipping my hair around like a flag in a storm. I can feel the fake tail fighting along side me as I become completely fulfilled in one perfect moment. Then, I hear the sounds of cleats hitting turf next to me, and my mind switches to training mode. Even running with all their might, a human can not keep up with an Umamusume, so allowing for three seconds to reach a top speed sprint I can feel the world slow down and for a precious few seconds I can observe nearly any stride. I turn my head as Confusion easily catches up to me. In this moment in time before being overtaken I watch her stride carefully. Each step is taken with an abundance of inefficiency; her back is too straight, the size of her steps are inconsistent, she practically tries to jump forward instead of following the step through, and lastly her eyes are closed. Despite the howl of determination she emits trying to push her body to run, my poor trainee is just powering a misaligned blender of a run. However, she still easily overtakes me in less than two seconds. Confusion speeds off far from where I can easily observe her, giving me the signal to slow down and stop. My mind immediately comes back to me as I start catch my breath. Like a broken record I go over what I had seen trying to analyze the data collected.
"I wonder if it would be useful to have her watching how I run first?" No. It wouldn't give her everything she needed for an Umamusume to run. She needed to see someone her own speed and weight distribution running. The mock races today would be a good example for her.
"<I had guessed I would… discover you out here again.>" The distinct sound of my home language quickly snapped me out of my own head. I was surprised by the sudden visit but ultimately a smile adorned my face as I was greeted by the firm and resolute Kris S.
"<Kris! I didn't expect to see you again so soon!>" My delight nearly feels palpable in the air. "<What brings you out here this fine morning?>"
"<My schedule for today is blank… Rest is mandatory.>" She produced that same clipboard from yesterday to show me again. I gave it a good once over, and found she was correct. Today, she had no training on the docket.
"<Rest is extremely important. And so is how you spend that rest as well.>" I said trying to sound sagely.
"Eesst." The voice of Confusion said now suddenly right next to me. She was panting lightly trying to cool down.
"Ah! Confusion-chan. Hold on just a sec." I pulled my backpack off myself and opened it. After a bit of shuffling around I produced a bottle of water for her. She took it gratefully and started sipping at it. "Kris-san. This is Confusion-chan, my soon to be star trainee!" I put my hand on top of my trainees head and she mumbled 'feeedaaaaa' into the bottle she was sipping at while raising a fist to the sky.
"I see… So, her thievery was a ploy to recruit you as a trainer." Kris analyzed flawlessly.
"That it was! Though, we aren't officially paired up yet. Still, I wanted to get a handle on where we were training wise."
"Your dedication is quite admirable Tally-san." Kris complimented. Her face remained that neutral expression I was getting used to.
"Well of course! I am Tally Thall, after all! Dedication is the name of the game when it comes to training, so we must be kindred spirits in that way Kris-san, with how dedicated to your own schedule you are. If you were the one who came up with that regimen, you might have a great future as a Trainer yourself. that is if you aren't a Dream Series Champion by then!" I gave a hearty laugh to my new friend Kris S and tried to give the biggest smile I could manage. The stoic umamusume just remained silent after my spiel. If a tumbleweed were to roll past us both I wouldn't have even blinked. I just stayed as still as plank of wood, hoping Kris would say anything to free me from my own social prison sentence. Finally, after a slow five seconds of pondering Kris closed her eyes and nodded.
"Yes. I agree our dedication is quite… similar." She stated firmly. "As for my future. I have but one <Mission>, Tally-san." Kris S brought her hand up with her palm up to the sky. Her other hand gently clasped onto her wrist and her expression grew even more serious than I'd even seen her. The air around us grew dense as tension and some otherworldly force gathered into Kris's palm. I had to blink a few times to clear my eyes as I nearly swore there was some purple glow emanating from Kris's hand. My fake jolly smile had dropped at this point, but in my heart I could feel something I could only describe as adoration.
"In this country, Japan… to become an Umamusume that could cause a revolution." Kris closed his fist and all the tension in the air, the power that Kris exuded, fell away into a flash of heated wind. It was only then that I realized that all the sounds of Tracen had fallen away during Kris's speech. "That is my mission."
"That's…" I was at a loss for words. I, me, Tally Thall, 'Loudmouth Extraordinaire.' I flicked my eyes over to Confusion who was just staring at me curiously. Had she not felt that strange power? Or was she used to something so incredible that it didn't phase her? Either way, I had to just swallow this feeling and keep my head on straight. "That's one hell of a mission Kris-san. Honestly, after you just declaring it, I feel like you could do it."
"<The Mission will be complete.>" Kris stated as if the future itself had already been set in stone. She was just that incredible then, that's the long and short of it. I had no idea this Umamusume had this power inside her from when we spoke yesterday.
"Er, Kris-san. If you are just resting for the day, then perhaps you would like to watch the mock races with Confusion-chan and I?"
"Briiihaa?" Confusion said looking between Kris S and I. I wasn't exactly sure what the little trainee was trying to say though. Kris on the other hand nodded at me with softer looking expression than before.
"That would be nice, Tally-san… I accept your offer."
I sat down on the hillside with Kris and Confusion on each side of me respectively. Funnily enough it almost felt like I had two trainees now. Yet, I kinda doubt someone like Kris would ever accept being trained by me. Her schedule was so finely crafted she didn't need anyone to tell her what to do.
Back to the present Tally, you have race to watch and a trainee to inspire!
The mock race was about to begin. The racers were all piling into the starting gates now, and my notebook was in hand ready to record some data. You never know when a new trainee is going to stand out to you after all.
"Is there anyone who interests you Kris-san?" I ask quietly as the crowd of Trainers and students that have gathered around the track go quiet.
"Mmm… there are many promising talents in this… generation. It is difficult to… keep an eye on just one."
"Is that so? If they have you so interested then I'm sure we're about to have a very busy few years ahead of us." I nudged Confusion who was staring up at the sky. She clocked back to reality like soldier snapping to attention which made me chuckle. "Keep an eye on how everyone runs Confusion-chan. This could really be something special."
"Pshhhh…" Confusion grumbled at me like I just told her to eat her vegetables.
"How's this. You tell me after the race who your favorite was and how they ran. Do that and I'll go people watching with you tomorrow."
"Biiiidiiii!?"
"Yes for real. Now shape up it's about to begin." My eyes fly back over to the starting gates where the crowd of trainers and Umamusume have gone deathly silent. Everyone is prepared to take in every second of what was about to happen. Kris was right, just the energy of this race felt wildly unique.
BANG
The starting gate practically blew open and the racers blurred forward with such speed and ferocity I felt my body tense up. These didn't seem like students, they were all beasts! This couldn't be a generation all on their own could it?
"As I suspected… They are unbelievably strong."
"No kidding, look at those two in the front." I pointed out the two runners that were neck and neck. One had these insane looking eyes that sent small shivers down my spine. The other looked as if she was going to personally tear into any racer that attempted to pass her. This couldn't be a mock race, these girls were treating it like it was their last!
Then… what is she about to do?
My eyes flickered to the Umamusume in third, obviously pace chasing the two who decided this mock race was their destiny. She was giving it her all as well, the same kind of strain and power behind her that the other two were giving. However, something in the back of my mind began to itch as I watched her.
"Something has your attention… Tally-san.." I didn't even have the focus to spare to answer Kris right then. What was she doing back there? Third place…
"Wuuuhh…" Confusion must be feeling the pressure as well. A part of my mind that remembered I existed hoped that this would be good motivation for her. The rest of me had been completely been absorbed. Sure, following the unstoppable beasts in front was exciting, but I couldn't look away from third place. She was stuck. No runner could match her, yet it didn't seem enough to do anything against the once in a lifetime talents that were ahead. Yet, she kept on running. She ran with all her might… it seemed. The world slowed for a moment as I gave all my focus to third place. She was running with incredible force, yet her face was not strained like the aberrations. She wasn't frustrated she was losing; her face carried no shame, no sadness, and no drive. Her fake straining held one single emotion that was painted over each step she took while running.
Acceptance.
She accepted her lot in this race with no drive to try to win. It was as if the very notion that she could win had been long forgotten and accepted. My teeth grit against each other just watching it.
"How… How could she just…" I felt anger flood into my other hand and it squeezed the only thing that it could, and I heard something snap.
[****]
I new it wasn't possible from the start. Those two were simply prodigies. When I crossed the finish of this mock race I finally felt my tense apprehension loosen its grip on my heart. Yes. Now that I'm calming down I can tell I obviously had no chance. That's ok. I can let Pocket and Tachyon have this spotlight. Everyone is just simply incredible, and I… am not.
"Oiii Dantsuu!" Pocket called out to me. That snapped me out of my own thoughts to realize I had a few trainers speaking to me!
"Oh h-hello! Yes, I did do my best thank you." Their words form into a constant blur that I had built up a resistance to at this point.
"You did well, I bet you could be even better!"
"You just need to push your training a bit father."
"I bet with a little more effort you could be unstoppable!"
These trainers weren't here for me. These were just the scraps that didn't think they could land Pocket, let alone Tachyon. None of them were here for Dantsu Flame, the queen of almost had it…
"Why did you accept it?" Huh? My ears perk up and flip over to whoever said that sound just before my head did the same. There standing a bit to the side of the main group of tolerances was a tall umamusume staring at me with anger. No, she looked disappointed. As she stared at me the voices of the drones that wanted my second best went silent. She raised her hand and pointed right at me, and it was stained by black splotches of some still dripping liquid. "Tell me now. Why did you accept it?" She accused me again. The tolerances began whispering among themselves now.
"Who is that?"
"An umamusume trainer?"
"She has to be, she looks like she's in the Dream Series."
"What? N-No that's…" I tried to refute her, but in my heart I knew she was right. "I didn't."
I did. How could I not? I closed my eyes and my ears folded back a bit.
"You had. You accepted third place in this mock race." The white eared Umamusume began walking closer in my direction and I found myself stunned. Behind her was a junior student and The Actual Symboli Kris S. Was this person important? or had some kind of scary huge reputation I wasn't aware of? "I want to know your name."
"I-it's Dantsu Flame."
"Dantsu Flame." The Umamusume trainer overshadowed the tolerances in their entirety, all of them going silent to watch this scene play out. My heart was beating so loud; never had a situation like this ever happen to someone like me. The Umamusume Trainer snapped their fingers and raised a hand up into the sky. "Dantsu-san. I, Tally Thall—" the hand raised to the heavens quickly came back down and pointed right at me. "— demand to be your trainer. With me, you can achieve true freedom on the racetrack!"
[****]
"Tally-san."
"Yes, Kris-san?"
"I… have been thinking."
"That's good."
"And I have a small… note for you. This regarding your… scouting method."
"Ah, worry not. Kris-san I am always on the lookout for feedback and criticism. You know, those are the lifeblood of progress. Without assenters, one could fall into a trap of groupthink. Please, elaborate for me the folly's of my methods!"
"That… was rather an intense way to scout a trainee."
"Uwaahh I know!" My head fell forward onto the cafeteria table, my demeanor one of total shame and embarrassment. My face hadn't stopped glowing red since we got back inside, and not even this uma-portioned parfait I was splitting with Confusion was quelling the heat.
"Aaahhh neeee." Confusion whispered into my ear.
"Yea. I know. Here you can have the rest Confusion-chan." I scooted the rest of the sweet treat over to my trainer who squealed happily. I had my fill of it for sure.
After I made that declaration to become Dantsu Flame's trainer, she bowed the entire upper half of her body, nearly folding herself up like laundry, before running away at a blinding speed. As she left I heard her shouting for me to accept her apology. It was pretty much the opposite reaction from what I was expecting. Back in the states that kind of boldness got attention, but I suppose results were a different matter entirely. The other trainers out there had burst into laughter after Dantsu Flame booked it, so did a few of the mock racers that got caught up in the energy. It was a total failure on every front, and a terrible first impression to all of my new coworkers.
"Tally-san. I must ask for you to… enlighten me to something. Your behavior during the ordeal was surprising." Kris, who I was grateful for following Confusion and I during the emergency retreat, stared at me with complete seriousness. Her eyes were full of that intensity that I had noted the other day.
"You want to know why I got so heated then?" I asked as I leaned my head onto my arm,
"<Confirmed.>" Kris gave me a firm nod, and I felt myself give an embarrassed grin back.
"It's the way she ran. Dantsu Flame ran like a champion, a total monster that deserved the spotlight." With my free hand I imitated the arc of a rainbow. "She has it Kris-san. I know it. But the problem is, she'll never get there." My mind began switching to that of a proper Umamusume Trainer. Calculations danced inside my head like a disjointed waltz, and I teetered on becoming a whole different person entirely. Then, something else came forth, something deep in the pits of my soul that I never wanted to unseal. Yet, there was only one way to describe why I felt so adamant. "I could see it. I've spent years of my life watching Umamusume, Kris-san. I know when someone has, accepted the loss." Now I was sitting up again, staring down at the table getting lost in the memory of that race again. "Everyone of those runners were monsters. I hadn't see anything like it in my life, but Dantsu-san." I took a breath the steel myself for the next part. "I know those eyes. The eyes of someone who thinks they're satisfied by something that's just… good enough."
The amount of pain that leaked from those words soured the very air around all of us at the table. Even Confusion, who was content with eating a sweet treat, paused as I spoke aloud the vapors of the real toxin inside my own heart. It was only the vapors of some dark pit inside that I've ignored for quite some time, until Dantsu Flame showed me that it was still there festering inside me. The vapors of undeniable truth, and unbearable sorrow. This was not something I'd ever want to burden anyone with. It would be madness to hand another person an unsolvable puzzle, unless you were planning to cause them endless amounts of pain and-
"It must hurt." Kris S stated softly. My spiraling was merciful cut short and I emerged from the depths of my mind once more.
That was a close one. I nearly lost myself there, in front of Kris and Confusion for that matter. Calm yourself Tally, only one thing to do when you fall on your ass like this.
"<Confirmed.>" I said in the same cadence as Kris. She seem to light up at that slightly. "It does hurt. Which is why—" I stood up from my seat and firmly placed both of my hands on my hips. "—I will not be giving up for even a solitarily moment!"
"Brrgarrrgle!!!" Confusion cheered with far too much parfait still in her mouth. There is no time for despair here, not when I’m only just getting started here in my new life.
"That's right! I, Tally Thall, will make sure she is my trainee no matter what!"
"Oh, and who would that be Tally-san?" A gentle voice says behind me. It's a familiar voice, but somehow tainted with the energy of a demonic entity. Some kind of spiritual pressure presses down on my soul, making sure escape is impossible. I slowly turned my head around to see a familiar green cap, and underneath said cap was Tazuna, smiling so patiently and gently at me.
"<Madam- > I-I mean, Tazuna-san. To what do I owe the pleasure of your visage this afternoon?" Were my legs always this shaky after a run? No, even if I could hold off my words from being in complete fear my body couldn't handle whatever this incredible power was. "I must say, green is your color to command."
"I have been commanding it for quite some time, Tally-san. Now, would you care to explain why I'm getting reports of an 'Umamusume Trainer' that engaged in a confrontation with a student?"
It took a bit of explaining to quell the mighty secretary's wrath, but I managed it. Apparently, the rumor going around was that it was a foreign Umamusume Trainer who confronted Dantsu, one that very much matched my description. Thankfully, I wasn't an Umamusume, so all I had to do to go incognito for a little bit was to put away my treasures. After that, as Kris put it, the mission was a go. Our mission? Recruit Dantsu Flame as a trainee!
"Agent Confusion. We have a delicate situation on our hands here. Over." I radioed on a novelty secretariat walkie talkie.
"Aahh. Maaaaah. Verver." I heard from the crackly speaker. Good, she understood perfectly.
"Whenever you have eyes on the target radio in Agent. You're the best of the best so I expect results. Over." From the bush I was hidden in I had a perfect view of what Kris had dubbed, 'The Screaming Stump.' If someone with frustrated aspirations were to go anywhere, it was here. Confusion was set up in a tree near the amphitheater, and Kris… said she had a meeting with the student council she had to attend so she left us for now.
"Feedaaa… oniii, verver." The crackle of the walkie ceased and I was immersed in the biggest stakeout of my entire life. I have everything I might need; my bag, notebook, extra pen cause I snapped mine, flask of iced southern sweet tea for energy, and these green orbs built for observation! I kept my eyes completely peeled for even the slightest chance Danstu Flame may come this way.
Many students and trainers traverse this sacred ground as I watch carefully for Dantsu Flame. In the meantime, I witnessed a lot of students come to scream their woes into the mighty stump. Even a few trainers came by to let it all out. It was a bit fascinating to watch, though, a part of me started to wonder if such a coping mechanism was actually healthy. As I observed an upperclassman vent about coming in second during their last race I happened to let out an involuntary yawn.
Time for some of that tea.
I would need to check on Confusion as well. At this point she may have been in that tree for a bit too long. I idly think to myself if there may be different places were Dantsu frequents as I take a sip of that delicious holy beverage of southern styled sweeten tea.
I am then assaulted by the taste of pure red carrot and cherry energy blast. Immediately I do a spit take, the bush I was hiding behind misted by an electrolyte count that could power a cellphone for two days.
"GAWH WHAT THE HELL WHO SWAPPED OUT MY DRINK!?"
"GAWH WHAT THE HECK WHO SWAPPED OUT MY DRINK!?"
My back stiffens and I hear a tail do the same next to me. Slowly my eyes turn to my right, and another pair of eyes turn to the left to stare at me. I see an Umamusume in the academy uniform with extremely pink hair topped with a frankly adorable looking large bow. Her ears are folded onto her head and I'm sure her look of horror is only rivaled by my own. Then I start to see some resemblance between us; both of us have notebooks, a bag, novelty pens, and she was holding my flask of tea.
"Um… I think we might have had a small mix up." I whisper, holding out her can of super red carrot energy.
"Right. Yes. That's crazy huh?" She holds out my tea and we both swap them peacefully. At the same time we both sip at our own drinks, leaving soft satisfied looks on our faces.
"So—" I start to say as I close my flask of southern goodness. Looking over I see that this Umamusume I'm with is suddenly looking at me with apprehension. Oh goddesses this was awkward—
"Wait! w-w-w-w-www—wwhere are your ears!?" She says, doing a full flip to her knees from a sitting position. She scoots towards me babbling out words like 'oshi' and 'Simp.' "A-a—a-aa-a- an Oshi without her ears is l-l-like an angel with no wings!!! What happened to you my glorious oshi!?"
"WOAH woah! Hold on I don't have— Wait are you talking about— Did you see me at the mock race today?" I glance over to my bag for a moment and give a nervous smile.
"Of course I did! It is m-my solemn duty to witness every oishi's progress out in the field! All Umamusume deserve to be loved and I am the one true fan of every single one! That means you too!" As if a sudden divine realization struck her mind in that moment the overly excited Umamusume suddenly lets out a yelp and backs away from me like I was a giant spider. "Oh please please forgive this simps transgressions dearest Oshi! I should not even be talking with you, this is such a violation of the code! UWAHH BUT! Your ears and tail aauugh— axaxsxadxssad!" I can just barely wrap my head around what she's saying, and it's the first time in my life I felt semi-old…
"Hey hey woah lets just… calm down and let me explain. I'm sorry but, I'm not actually an Umamusume."
"B-b-b-but your gorgeous ears! A-a-and that uber mega cutesy tail…" My strange new stakeout buddy's ears droop in contemplation; I can truly see her questioning her own reality. Meanwhile, I'm kinda fighting a massive blush threatening to appear on my face. She called my treasures c-cute and g-gorgeous… No no I can't let this situation get out of control.
"I apologize for the mixup miss but, it might be better to just let me show you." Calmly, I reached into my bag and relinquished my treasures from its depths. The look on my new acquaintance's face was one of complete perplexity.
"I don't. Why would. You're not. But you were so. And I saw. Oshi senses. I. What!?"
"I'm sorry to disappoint <miss,> but I use these as affirmation gear while I do my Trainer Job. Though, lately I've been wearing them more than I usually do." Despite saying I need to wear them less the ears end up on my head anyways; nearly immediately a sense of comfort permeates my soul. "So, uh yea. Sorry about the mix up."
"A m-m-m-mix up? A mix… up? You're not. And I? And those aren't. You're not a precious Oshi Umamusume Trainer of legend… that came here to bless us normies with your wisdom of th-the ancients?"
"Wisdom of the— I am NOT that old!" I snapped rather suddenly. Then, when my new slightly rude acquaintance flinched back, I took stock of myself and cleared my throat. "Ahem, that's a rather rude statement stranger."
The expectation of social etiquette is enough to snap my stakeout buddy out of her reality questioning stupor. She shakes her head around and bows her head.
"I-I get it now! It must be that I was mistaken! My senses must be off since I didn't light expensive enough incense at my shrine this morning. Yea that's it!" She looked like a madwoman trying to make sense of a broken world. "You're not a precious Oshi no no! You're… an umazingly dedicated cosplayer! A fellow simp like me!" With that final revelation from her, she finally began to stabilize. Her crazed look faded into one of pure excitement. "I never thought I'd find someone else so dedicated to the life of Umamusume she'd want to dress like them too!!"
Her words were not incorrect, yet I still found them to sting somewhere deep inside of myself.
"Ehe, yea let's go with that then. Might a fellow uh, simp, catch your name?" I held out my hand to the young umamusume and smiled through the awful twinge in my stomach. "I am Trainer Tally Thall. Currently, I'm keeping an eye out for a certain trainee I wish to scout."
"Kskckdksk you mean Dantsu Flame! I remember the whole thing! I wrote about it on my blog already! O-oh geez sorry!" The pink haired stranger clasped my hand with two of hers. My bones do a little jig in my hand to avoid cracking entirely. "This humble servant of all Umamusume is named Agnes Digital! We are now sisters in arms in the battle to love all Umamusume!"
And now I've been recruited into a war.
"It's nice to meet you Digital-san. B-but if you remember I am not an Umamusume so pleeeaase don't break my hand…"
"GAWAAHHH! Imsofreakingsorrytrainertheearstheyjustlooksomuchlikearealoshi!!!" She frees my crying bones at last and I just try to laugh softly through this new and completely non-metaphorical pain.
"It's alright. I'll take that as a compliment." I wave my hand to shake off the pins and needles forming before I look back to Digital. "So, if I may ask, why are you out here in the bushes then? Keeping an eye out for anyone in particular?"
"Me? Oh no no no! I'm here to observe any Oshi who screams into the stump! I could never give my adoration to a single umamusume, my love is for all of them!" Digital spreads her arms out wide to emphasize the broadness of her fandom.
"Hm… I see." Then Are you a first year as well Digital-san? Same as Dantsu san right? Like I said I'm wanting to recruit her as a Trainee and if you know her I could use your help!" I clapped my hands together in prayer as I asked this professional fan for her divine favor. Agnes Digital gasps and almost starts crying, her eyes becoming teary little marbles.
"Ohmygoddesses you need my help? An osh- I-I mean fellow simp, ehe." Agnes Digital flips from overjoyed to have a fellow comrade in Uma loving arms, then immediately, she gets struck with overwhelming doubt. "I… oh no, would this be a possible code violation if I were to help a fellow simp get close to a precious oshi? But she radiates so much Oshi energy I can barely tell the difference—Ohhh what to do what to dooooo…"
Time for my final ultra trump card!
"Please! I-If you help me then… I'll ask Confusion for her autograph and give it to you!"
All the worry and conflict vanishes in the blink of an eye and Agnes Digital stands with a new roaring fire in her spirit.
"YOU HAVE A DEAL!"
"And you're one hundred and ten percent sure this is where she is?" I whispered to Agnes Digital.
"Nope! I'm actually two hundred and twenty percent sure! My Oshi radar is never wrong, erm, until today at least…" A creeping doubt was rising on my new friend here, so I put my hand on her shoulder encouragingly.
"Hey don't sweat it. You're not the first one, Digital-san, and you certainly won't be the last."
"It's not quite like that. Frankly, Tally-san, I just have such a hard time getting a read on you. It's just so hard to ignore how well those ears suit you. And your tail is just so kasdkawddlklakd!!!" Agnes Digital kept ranting but I couldn't hear her beyond the subtle ringing that was starting to develop in my ears from her compliments. In a flash I covered her mouth to calm myself down, and I swore that I must have steam rising out of my real ears at this point.
"D-Digi-san I— I'm going to go in now. I'd appreciate it if you had my back just in case. As a fellow Simp?" I gave the pink haired Uma a thumbs up which she silently returned, and with a complimentary nod as well. I uncover her mouth and take a deep breath before reaching for the door handle.
"W-w-w-wait!" Digital hissed at me. "Y-y-you're just going in there? Without knocking???"
"Indeed! Tally Thall does thing with Boldness and Freedom at her core!" I pound my chest for emphasis, and regret it soon after.
"But don't you even know what room this is?"
"It matters not! I will go forth with passion as my sails and pure freedom as my wind!"
"T-tally-san WAIT-"
I didn't listen to her final protest as I swung the door wide open, revealing my self in my affirmation treasures in full.
"Dantsu Flame! I, Tally Thall, declare on this hallowed day, upon the sacred turf and dirt of this prestigious academy, that you will become my trainee! Ride the winds of true freedom with me and I promise we will achieve your dreams with passion in our hearts and freedom in our souls!"
A deep silence follows my declaration, until it is pierce by the sound of several sighs and weary groans.
"Hm… Tally-san. I did not expect you to find us here today. <Mission. Complete.>" A familiar voice says. She sounds unamused and highly serious.
[****]
A lone umamusume sits in a tree overlooking the Tracen academy amphitheater. She lets out a small sigh, but for the first time in a long while, it comes not from boredom, but peace. Her usual pace was sitting back and watching people, however, these last two days, she had been way more active than usual.
She usually didn't go to any kind of running practice, or take interest in random people she just met. This umamusume was not sure why her parents wanted her so badly to attend this school, until yesterday. She met someone so interesting yesterday, and she was so excited to see what that person would drag her along to do the next day.
The tree sitting umamusume only liked to observe others from afar, but this new person, her soon to be trainer, was too fun to ignore. The Trainer was loud, energetic, and inspiring. Plus, Trainer was sometimes an umamusume, just like she was.
That was her favorite part, watching Trainer put on her 'treasures.' So far, even in just these two days, she could tell how much happier her trainer looked with the treasures on. So, why did her Trainer not just keep them on all the time? Why not let everyone think she's an Umamusume? It didn't feel like a lie, especially when she watched Trainer run.
Trainer was just so interesting, that's why she liked her so much, why she went so out of her way to make sure that person would be her trainer. Her new trainer was everything she wanted to be like. So, the young umamusume will train under Trainer to find out the secret to Freedom. She didn't quite understand what it meant just yet, but she was sure to find out someday.
"Feedaa." she whispers quietly, keeping her eyes peeled for the Mission Objective. After all, that one had been her favorite in the race today.