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It's been two years since Daiwa Scarlet retired, making umamusume history by being the first racer to remain undefeated throughout her entire career. Onlookers chocked it up to beginners' luck early in her career, but as she drew closer to retirement, people treated the races she announced she would be racing in as if they had already been won. Not a terrible assumption to make, and they were right every time, but the other umamusume had a… different… outlook on those announcements. Those that didn't get scared and quit the race would get blinded by the potential glory of being the one to finally dethrone the legendary Daiwa Scarlet, and lose the race for looking at their opponent instead of the finish line.
Her trainer, of course, had lots of eyes on him. He was the one who decided and announced which races she would be participating in, after all. But even away from the public eye, Scarlet and her trainer shared a… complicated bond. They were both very fond of each other, but the relationship stayed strictly professional during her career, leading to a lot of nights after retirement spent wallowing in regret from Scarlet, though she'd never admit to that.
Back to the present, Tracen Academy is holding its bi-annual reunion party, where all the graduated and/or retired umamusume can gather and celebrate their accomplishments late into the night, reminiscing with their friends about days gone by. Scarlet of course came in nice yet modest clothes, preferring to save her boasting for her words rather than her outfit, her signature racewear still at her home. Her loose white shirt accentuating her admittedly large breasts, and her deep blue, almost girdle-like skirt retaining the air of importance surrounding her. Scarlet and her trainer had already met up, and had just sat down at a table to catch up.
“Scarlet! It’s been so long, I missed you! How have you been getting by these past two years without racing?” Trainer asks enthusiastically, his infectious smile bringing back Scarlet’s memories of that face after her countless wins, no matter the importance or number of races.
“There’s still plenty to do for the number one umamusume! The life of a retired racer is still full of things to keep me busy. Vodka calls me out for speeches at Tracen welcoming ceremonies every year so far, she loves flaunting her celebrity connections to the new students now that she’s working at the Academy.” She says, her red eyes shining with admiration for her former rival and best friend.
“So Trainer, what’s been up with you? I hope you haven’t gotten into too much trouble while I’m not there to rein you in!”
Scarlet says as she rests her elbows on the table, leaning towards him with a sparkle in her eye, unable to contain her sweet smile at being able to see him again.
“You don’t have to worry about me, Scarlet. I’ve been working a nice job ever since you retired, actually. Being the trainer of the number one umamusume apparently doesn't pay the bills, though it definitely helps quite a bit, not to mention the renown from the title making it much easier to get hired.”
Trainer explains vividly, moving his hands as he describes the new office job he got hired at. Scarlet always loved his expressiveness, her gaze following his hands as her attentive ears twitching as she listened to his stories, his sweet smile eliciting the familiar feeling of butterflies in her stomach from being in his presence.
“Well of course it doesn't! Being number one doesn't mean anything if you only do it once! You have to prove you can be consistent, prove you have what it takes to be remembered for more than simply existing, don't you remember that?”
She says excitedly, her voice booming through the whole room, making every other guest look over at their table in shock.
“Scarlet, you don't have to be that loud, we're not the only ones here…”
He says as a blush of embarrassment spreads across his face, not used to having so many eyes on him after all this time. Scarlet notices his blush and looks around, finally noticing all the stares on her. She slinks back down into her seat as her face burns bright red, sharing the embarrassing moment.
In a sudden, bold move that even she doesn't fully understand, Scarlet stands up, her face still bright red, and reaches down to grab her trainers hand, dragging him out of the crowd and into the open night air, the quiet atmosphere of the academy courtyard bringing back memories of their own as the Scarlet sits down on a small bench, Trainer sitting down next to her.
“Scarlet…” Trainer says, a hint of disappointment in his voice as he looks into her eyes.
“Sure, I wasn't super comfortable with that situation, but I don't think it was ‘storm out of the room in a hurry’ embarrassing…” he says, the warmth of her hand lingering in his mind as they share the close proximity of the small bench.
“W-Well… I…” her voice trails off, her face burning even brighter than before as she realizes what she just did, her heart racing as she remembers the feeling of holding his hand.
“I just… didn't like all those eyes being on you…the only eyes on you should be mi-”
Her voice freezes as she realizes what she was about to say, her stammering voice picking up once again.
“I-I mean… all those eyes should have been on me! I'm number one after all, right? Even if most of them were on me, it should be all of them!”
She says quickly, coming up with a quick excuse for why she did that.
“Ugh… let's just go, Trainer. All the awards are already over anyways, there's no real reason to stay here.” She says as she stands up from the bench, walking down the familiar path towards the front gate of the school, before turning around to face the dumbfounded Trainer, putting her hand on her hip in her signature sassy pose.
“What's the hold up, Trainer? Aren't you going to be a gentleman and walk the lady of the hour home? You remember my address, right?”
Her expectant voice snaps the trainer out of his thoughts, the familiar sight of Scarlet looking at him like that bringing back too many memories to count on 50 hands.
“Yeah yeah, I remember the address from two years ago. ‘If you need anything from me ever, or maybe need to praise me a little more, here's my address.', right?”
He mocks with a slight chuckle as he stands up from the bench and follows after her, Scarlet's cheeks flushing red slightly as she remembers what she said two years ago.
“I really said that? And you remembered? AND you didn't even show up once to praise me? I thought I was supposed to be your number one?” She says with a teasing laugh, enjoying their walk through the suburban streets as their hands gently brush against each other.
“Believe me Scarlet, I know better than anyone that you're number one.” He says light-heartedly, the words that should mean a lot to her instead making her frown slightly as she looks away from him, trying to hide her expression as they keep walking, but her drooped ears give away her emotions.
“Did I say something to make her upset…? She knows she’s number one… Is it that…?” He thinks to himself once he notices her ears, thinking hard about what she means to him.
The rest of the walk is quiet, the occasional buzz of conversation sparking between the two until they eventually go back to enjoying the cool night air. Once at Scarlet's house, her trainer walks her up to the door, she opens the door and stands in the doorway as he speaks.
“Well, it was fun being able to see you again, Scarlet. I really hope it doesn't take two years for us to see each other again.” He says with a smile before turning around to walk down the steps, but he suddenly feels a tug on his suit sleeve. Looking back to investigate, he sees that Scarlet is still standing in the doorway, looking away as she holds onto him, trying to hide her tears as her lips quiver uncontrollably, her ears still drooped down as she speaks in the quietest, weakest voice he's ever heard from her.
“T-Trainer… don't make me say it… if you leave now, I…” she says, her entire body trembling in a mix of sadness from him leaving, and fear of rejection for this bold act.
“Scarlet… you always have had trouble being honest… I should have known better, as your trainer.” He says, before stepping back up the stairs and wrapping his arms around her waist, holding her close as he rests his head on top of hers, her tears streaming down her face and onto his shirt as she sinks into his warm embrace.
“I'm sorry for making you wait this long, Scarlet. I'm a lousy trainer, aren't I?” He says before bringing his face closer to Scarlet’s, her face lifting up to meet his as they share a gentle, tender kiss in the doorway, his hands coming up to wipe the tears from her face as they make out, her hands resting on his chest as she melts into the kiss.
“Trainer… Trainer… you're not lousy at all… you're the best, kindest, most amazing man I've ever met… please, come inside… I never want to leave your side again…” she says between kisses, gently pulling his shirt into the house as she keeps kissing him.
“I’ll never leave your side again, Scarlet. You’re my number one, I love you.” He manages to get out between Scarlet’s possessive kisses, his words only making her passionate attack on his lips even fiercer.
“Trainer… You don’t know how long I’ve wanted to hear those words…!” She says quietly as she breaks the kiss, her hands curling into fists as she hold his shirt tight, her knuckles turning white from the sheer force of her grip, her tears flowing out once again as she collapses into him, wanting to be as close to him as physically possible in this moment of vulnerability she wouldn’t show to anyone but him.
“Trainer… Trainer… I've dreamed of this moment for so long… Please, show me how devoted you are to me, one last time…” She says quietly as she pulls him towards her bedroom, her tail swishing back and forth with anticipation.
The next morning, Scarlet wakes up as usual. While she brushes her teeth, her mind wanders to the events of the previous day, remembering the reunion party, and how much fun she had talking to all her friends and rivals again. Suddenly, she's overcome with the feeling of forgetting something, wracking her brain to remember what it is, she gives up as she finishes brushing.
“Well, I'm sure it'll come to me eventually. I'll probably remember once I have something to eat, can't stay sharp on an empty stomach, after all!” She exclaims to no one in particular as she enters the kitchen to make breakfast for herself as usual.
“That's a good saying, Scarlet, who taught you that one?” Trainer asks as he finishes preparing breakfast, walking over to the table to serve up their plates.
“Oh, it was actually my trainer who-” she answers without any hesitation, before realizing what's happening, remembering the night before and the developments she had with her trainer.
“Trainer!” She yells, running around the table and hugging him tightly, resting against him as he finishes setting down the plates.
“Woah! That was close, Scarlet. I could have dropped the plates if you were any faster!” He says before wrapping his arms around her in return, holding her close.
She scoffs in his arms as she meets his gaze.
“Well, sorry I've gotten rusty over the past two years, Trainer. Now you're stuck with me no matter what!” she says as she releases him from the embrace.
“I've been stuck with you ever since I first met you, Scarlet. I wouldn't have it any other way.” He says, looking deep into her eyes with a caring smile.
“You always know exactly what to say, Trainer…” she says with an exaggerated sigh, her beaming smile radiating pure happiness as she speaks up.
“But that's just one of the reasons why I love you, Trainer.”