Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“ She's out there somewhere. I can feel it. The one to become the ultimate Umamusume. And my spirit won't rest until she has been found. But one does not simply just search for the ultimate Uma. No, one trains her to be the uncontested champion! One who can excel in every task given! She'll be the Umamusume! Just you watch! One day it will become a reality! ”

Honestly, I thought that my old man had always talked nonsense. Each interview he would just say stuff like this. Well, I suppose he had an impressive resume to keep this up. It had all started with Agnes Lady who was commonly placed always around the Top 3. Though he had his breakthrough with Agnes World and continued the momentum alongside his granddaughter Agnes Flight. Her sister Tachyon wasn't really too interested in being trained by her grandfather though, even declining his offer on the spot. ‘ We share a similar goal but our methods differ drastically. I fear that you will get in the way of my research, gramps. We would just hold each other back.’ But she had always been a curious one, so whatever. Not even Dad held it against her. In fact he had just laughed it off and said: ‘ As stubborn as your mother, aren't you? ’

Actually, it is honestly a surprise that he had not taken up the task training his daughter (and my waaay older sis), Agnes Flora. Then again, Sis had a tendency to overdo whatever she touches and maybe that worried the old man. 

In any case, as weird as he sounded sometimes I… Kind of let his passion overcome me. When still a kid I came along and saw with my own eyes how he trained each Uma in his care. How he would encourage them yet also push them to their limits and beyond. Even new and coming Umas had sought out his feedback.. Apparently even Symboli Rudolf had a deep respect for the old man. He had his goal clearly set. His passion was addicting. And maybe that's exactly why I decided to follow in his footsteps of becoming a trainer… Especially since his recent passing. The ultimate Umamusume… He never fulfilled his dream in the end, did he? No matter, I already had made up my mind to continue and do it for him! Even if I don't know what his words even mean. They sound like a bunch of nonsense after all… 

I’m still green. Honestly? I don't know what I’m doing. Nor what I’m even going to do. I applied as a rookie trainer, someone who will be educated hands on, guided by a more experienced trainer. That’s the plan at least. Watching my late father as a kid only did so much. Surely I picked up some things though! It’s just that the director said that there are criteria to meet if I want to be a trainer of my own. Me being related to one of the top trainers in the country (if not the world) doesn’t really cut it. Or so the director told me.

“ Your bloodline may be burning with passion for the Umamusume! But you must first go through the hardships of mastering to train them! Therefore you will learn from your peers! Watch closely how they train their Umamusume and lead them to victory! Understood!? ” The ever so youthful and enthusiastic director of Tracen, Akikawa, told me upon arrival. Apparently there's some type of exam and evaluation I gotta go through first before I can start being a trainer myself. She even waved her fan in front of me and almost hit my face with it… Hah…

In any case, I hoped that would have been the end of it. But the trainer had to overlook my growth… He looked like a slob, always dressed messily while acting so shameless, laid back even. Even made it obvious upon the first meeting too. “So… Your name’s Luka. A big shot, ain't ya?” He had mumbled as he had looked at a piece of paper, small lollipop in his mouth and moving as he talked. “Now I’m supposed to look after some kid too. The director’s givin’ me more work but no raise in my salary. Whatever, I’ll show you the robes. Leave it to me!” 

Yet all I saw this guy do so far was either getting kicked around by the Uma on his team or feel up the legs of random Uma without a care in the world. He sure knows how to make himself look like a creep. Team Spica… This is gonna be hell, isn't it? At least the Umas pick up his slack. Yeah, they’re all serious about racing so it's not that bad! … All but one. 

I call her ‘The Shipwreck’. Mainly because I see her doing anything but training since I got here. Either she is playing shogi on the race track of the school, fiddling around with a rubix cube when sitting on the bench or smashing something with her bare hands. If she runs it's usually for reasons I don't know, like just running in circles while screaming nonsense like ‘a demon decided to overtake my spirit’ or something. That or she sees a butterfly and just has to follow it around. She does so while humming too… Maybe if circumstances were different it could be cute but that's obviously not the case. Though she looks the opposite of a gremlin whenever she does chase after those little creatures – Always beaming with a smile and humming. Oh if she wasn't a pain in the ass…

In any case, she's literally just doing anything but training. When asking the trainer he just said that “ This is normal for Gold Ship ”. Oh yeah, that's her name by the way, Gold Ship. “ Don't worry about her. She has her own pace. ”

‘Her own pace’ he said but I couldn't help it. No way that it was just that. Seeing her do nothing training related had become infuriating, so much so that one day I had walked up to her on the race track during training, looking down as she had another match of shogi with herself pretty much, moving the pieces across the board. All while in her track suit. If she didn't plan on running she didn't even have to bother to get dressed for the occasion. That Uma… Oh, and she kept playing, not seeming to notice me nor the shadow I cast over her. Not even the constant coughing I was making or any other sound. She was either absorbed in her game or— 

“Ah no! We’re under attack! Under attack I say!” She suddenly screamed out of nowhere, making me reel backwards and actually land on the grass with my behind, arms backwards. All while I see her move her hand up and slam a shogi piece (I think) onto the board, apparently with enough power to nearly crack it. But just nearly. Only then she laughed as her eyelids twitched and she had a rather wide and somewhat sinister grin on her face. “But we won't be defeated! Not today! We keep sailing the seven seas!” And then she just had to laugh in an extra obnoxious volume… She looks like a freak to be honest.

But she stopped shortly after, suddenly looking up, our gazes meeting. She shifted back to a more neutral expression before  suddenly having that usual smile, beaming but there was clearly malicious intent behind it. “Oh, Trainer Assistant!” Ugh, hearing that always stung a little… “Whassup?”

Deep breath… I need to stay calm. Stay focused Luka… “You finally noticed? Took you long enough. If you don't mind could you–”

“Wanna play too? ‘course you wanna!”

“What? No!” I don't even know how to play shogi to begin with! “I came here to–” 

Yet before I could even finish Gold Ship already shoved the board more towards me, in a somewhat fast speed may I add, and stopped right in front of me. Just when I was about to get up too. “You seem to love hanging around me, the super lovely Golshi!” She even continued talking, making my skin nearly crawl. “Lucky you. I got some time to spare!” That smug grin on her face only added to any way I felt right now. “C’mere! My troops will crush yours!”

“But I–”

“Make your move! Or else…”

“Hah, five, one match.” I sighed, defeated. She did it again, distracting from the topic at hand.

Gold Ship is so weird, to the point she becomes difficult. Even now I got caught up in her games and… Well, I wasn't just losing my mind but I lost the match as well. Very obvious. But Gold Ship would always scream for ‘One more round’, only to start anew and await my turn once started. She didn't ask me to do it, she expected me to do it  And so I wasn't left with anything else but playing Shogi, with Gold Ship. I’m stuck here for a good while and any thoughts about training were forgotten rather quickly. Again…

Curse Gold Ship and always finding a way to change topics in an instant. She's a pain in the ass. Especially with her yelling… “One more time, one more time! Go go Trainer Assistant! Let's conquer the world together! Our troops will be unstoppable!  Woohoo!”

This Uma makes no damn sense! 

Chapter Text

“Where did this idiot run to now!?”

Honestly, I was surprised that I was still able to stand. My legs were all wobbly, shaking in place. I could just barely feel them. They felt as if they were close to breaking, or rather the bones falling apart within. I wanted to collapse so bad but knew that the time wasn't anywhere close to appropriate. After all, I had to find a certain someone and fast! Before the Trainer of Team Spica returned, wherever the hell that guy went!

What happened? Let me tell you what happened! 

So I was just heading to the race track in the early afternoon. That's when training for the Umas usually starts. And there I was already greeted with the following sight – Special Week and Silent Suzuka moving their feet, having dashes right past me on the race track. “Sorry Trainer Assistant!” I even heard Spe shouting over. They were literally running as if one with the wind, fast for a human but normal for an Uma. And Teio followed shortly after, except she was almost a blurr… What's up with that speed!?

Oh right, there were also Scarlet and Vodka, running even faster, so fast that one could see the dust cloud forming behind them. Not just that but they were squeezing against another while running through the dirt, growling and screaming. They were in their own world, even as they ran right past me and left a cloud of dust in my way. I coughed for a moment before finally getting onto the patch of grass in the middle. 

The first thing I saw was Mejiro McQueen who seemed to scold her lungs out. Her mouth didn't close and she kept looking down on the grass. And right there was another Uma, rolling around the grass in circles at an enormous speed. And that was none other than Gold Ship. Of course it was. She would be at the scene of the crime and be the perpetrator nonetheless. I sighed right away and knew that I had to get closer. It was inevitable.

“Please get up! You have to train like everyone else!” McQueen would try to get through the shipwreck but no results. It was like talking to a wall after all. In fact the other Uma only let out sounds out of her mouth, like ‘swoosh’ or ‘woosh’ to the annoyance of McQueen. “Are you even listening to me!?” Only to get more ‘swoosh’s out of Gold Ship’s mouth.

It didn't take long to open my mouth. “What's going on?” I sighed as I put a hand on the back of my head, already fed up. And I only saw what was going on. But it's the shipwreck of an Uma we’re talking about here. 

I caught the attention of the standing Uma at least, seeing the frustration building up in her eyes. And… Well, who could blame her? I’d lose my mind too… “Ah, Trainer Assistant! Perfect timing!” She began. “I must ask you for your assistance, if you don't mind.”

“It's my job or somethin’...” I almost uttered, another reminder… That Trainer still didn't give me anything to do honestly so I was mostly just an observer. Or an errand boy sometimes too… Ugh… 

“I know we should trouble our trainer with such a workload but he is out handling some errands, therefore–”

“Calm down. I’m not complain’, am I?” I had to shut McQueen up somehow. I just said that it's my job too, didn't I? “Shoot.

She nodded shortly after, then finally filled me in on the situation. “Please have a word with Gold Ship! She won't listen to a word I say! She hasn't even started her training yet!”

“Ya don't say…” What else is new? “But sure. I’ll get her to quit it and–” As I took a step forward to get closer I stopped when hearing something bonk against my leg. I looked down immediately, only to spot the culprit in question suddenly coming to a halt. She flinched in place for a moment as she groaned in pain a little, or so I thought at least, and immediately started kneeling down. 

“Ey, Gold Ship, are you–” I was concerned at that moment, obviously, yet that passed when I fell over. Because she lifted herself up pretty much when I was in range, bonking against my chin and making me fall over, right onto the patch of grass. And it hurt like hell! 

Meanwhile she stood up and looked down at me, eyeing me with an oddly serious gaze. Well, seriously for Gold Ship standards. Nonsense would leave her mouth anyways. “The demon! He's come to slay me, hasn't he!?” She shouted out of nowhere, loud enough to make my ears shake a little. “But I, Holy Knight Golshi, won't let him eat me today! Holy Knight Goshi, moving out!” And before I or McQueen could protest we both (probably) saw her running off, away from the school’s track with quite the speed. One of the rare times I saw her run in the first place.

I could only stare dumbfounded and blink as I sat back up. As for McQueen, well… “Oh why you– Wait up! I will drag you back myself if–”

“No, I will. You go back to training.” Those words left me before I even knew it. What I would say was probably the stupidest thing yet but something made me say it. Maybe I just want to prove that I can keep these Umas in check. Even someone like Gold Ship! I have to be able to as a future trainer! This also means retrieving a troublemaker on my own. “You can't mess up your schedule.”

“But–”

“No buts. Get back to it, I’ll catch her.”

“You seem to insist… Very well. I leave her to you then.”

And that's where I started running myself… The chase began right then and there. And I had to see it through until the end! No matter what!

Big words though, admittedly. Why? Well… Because… Gold Ship is too fast! Way too fast! I mean what gave my mind the idea that I could keep up with an Uma of all things? Sure, whatever, fine, fair. But even then this was just cruel, very cruel. Because in between I spotted her stopping, doing whatever. One time she was just sitting there, meditating. Another time she was just sipping on some drink from a can, carrot juice I think, yet then saying something like “ That’s hittin’ the spot! ” As if she was some old guy who drank up some type of alcohol of his own or something. Only to then crush the can with her bare hands and throw it in a random direction, hitting my head in the process and making me nearly tumble over. Only to then spot her a while later at the gym, stacking cards at random before screaming as the card tower fell apart. 

And before I could even get close to her she ran away. Every. Single. Time. she just ran off as soon as I was even within range. At first I thought of it as bad luck but the more this happened the more I knew that this just had to be on purpose. Just when I ran after her she would just speed up and then vanish. One time I had gotten close but before knowing it she had jumped up for a moment somehow, moving her legs up and kicking me, sending me backwards and onto the ground as she just ran off. That’s when I pretty much lost sight of her because as I arrived on the campus outside I just looked around and got more than frustrated. That was also where I screamed: “Where did this idiot run to now!?” All while being out of breath and my bones so very close to breaking. Curse this Uma… 

I just really wanted to collapse right then and there but I knew that I had to hold out until I caught her. But how long would that take? At this rate until it was dark outside and the sun would probably set soon. I already knew that if I kept this up I would never catch that damn Gold Ship on time! Just what game was she playing here!? Urgh, it's driving me insane. I’m not fast enough nor do I have the right amount of endurance to push through. In fact when it comes to physical exhaustion I have always been the most unathletic person in the room, even in comparison to other people. So I especially suck against Umas! If I wanted just a slim chance of catching her I would need to run where she would head next. 

But how do you think in Gold Ship–ese or whatever? Especially when she says weird stuff like ‘ The Golshi volcano is about to erupt! ’ or ‘ Nyohoho~ Golgol looks tiny from down here. ’ And there was also ‘ The secret Yakisoba ingredient has to be around here! AAAAAAH! WHERE IS IT!? WHERE WHERE WHERE!? ’ All while she was digging through the mud on the race track mind you! I don't get her at all! 

Long story short, I’m screwed regardless. Maybe I should just head back and ask McQueen if she could help me– 

“Oh? Now if it isn't little Luka–Chan. Come here to help Auntie with one of her experiments again? What a good kid you are~” As soon as my ears registered that voice I couldn't help but feel my bones freezing. Now I definitely wanted to die. One of the few presences which could make me stay silent in fear. ‘If I don't move maybe she will go away’ – Except that's not how this works. I knew that I had to turn if I valued my life.

So I took a slow turn behind me, my head probably pale in fear. And then I came to face her with her wide ass smirk, one which only screamed ‘bad news’. Yet she quickly turned it into a seemingly innocent smile. She wore the uniform like anyone else but I knew what she was capable of. She was family after all… Unfortunately. “T… Ta… Tachyon…” I let out weakly. That on top of Gold Ship… My luck was just damn awful right now!

“Hahaha! Did you miss Auntie that much? There, there. Good boy good boy~” She dared to point out while stepping closer, lifting up her hand and petting me on the head. 

Blood rushed through my face alone and I swear that I just felt steam coming from my head. And all I could do was growl. “Quit it! I ain't a kid anymore!” I even barked, almost. “Also quit that auntie crap! You're big sis’s kid!”

“Bwahaha! You're still as amusing as ever Luka–Chan~”

“Don't call me that! Also quit petting me already!” I then swatted her hand away as quickly as I could.  “Yeesh, I got my hand ful already. I don't need you to butt in too.”

Yet even as I did Tachyon remained ever so calm, the grin on her face never fading. “You’re busy? With wha– Ooh, I remember now! Mom told me that you started here as a trainer assistant.” She suddenly pointed out, nodding. Of course Sis would mention that… Eagerly too probably. “A shame. I could really need a guinea pig right about now. Hah… What do I do? If Luka–Chan isn't free either…”

And before I knew it Tachyon had that melchanconic, pleading expression on her face, one she knew when to use and certainly had practiced using. Younger me fell for it all the time… Oh the liquids she made me drink.  One time my legs turned green and another my arms were glowing all purple. And then I got a headache once and a few times I got bedridden from her stupid experiments! But I learned by now! She wouldn't get me this time! “Yes, yes. Sorry. Now if you excuse me–”

“Say Luka–Chan, if I help you you could be done sooner. And if you're done sooner you could return the favor and help me instead!” Oh no, she's bargaining now! Damnit!

“No thanks, I got this.” I lied but I had to! If I wanted her off my back I seriously had to! ‘I can catch Gold Ship on my–” Yet just as I was about to turn around and wave Tachyon off I felt her grabbing one if my arms all of a sudden.

“Wait! Did you say Gold Ship!?” She even screamed as her grasp tightened, my arm itself going limb yet also feeling the excruciating pain. “You're in the team training Gold Ship!? Do I understand that right!?”

“Ow! What's gotten into you!? Also let go! My arm might fall off!”

“Only if you promise to stay for a moment longer!”

“I promise!” My voice was shoving itself out by that point. “Just… Let go! Please!” 

For a moment I really believed that this would be it for my arm. However, at the very last second Tachyon would finally give it a rest and let go. Though she surely left some bruises on my arm, even though I was wearing a jacket over that. Because I rolled down the sleeve and saw my wrist, all blue while the outline of her hand and fingers were there too. Ugh… Yet I kept that to myself as she was talking. “Well, well, you see Luka–Chan, Gold Ship is one of a kind.”

I rolled my eyes before looking at her again. “You don't have to tell me that.”

“Oh, so you saw her race before?”My niece asked, which got my full attention. I must have looked at her in shock, like some massive idiot or having seen a ghost. Maybe even with dead eyes. She had shaken her head moments later, in disapproval. “You didn't.”

“If she feels like moving it's usually rolling around in the grass.” I pointed out with no hesitation. 

Tachyon seemed to look at me bewildered now, her red eyes wider than usual. “Rolling around the grass?”

“Yeah. Usually she's just playing shogi or smash some fruits. Or she strolls around to find some treasure or whatever. Heck, sometimes she just doesn't feel like showing up to training at all.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah. Went to the trainer ‘bout it but he just said to leave Gold Ship be. He doesn't care, does he? That lazy–”

“Pff… Bwahaha!” Tachyon suddenly bursted out laughing. “I heard some stories but she sounds like quite the character!”

“Of course you’d find that funny…”

“Certainly! She sounds more interesting than I fathomed! Is it a secret training ritual? How curious…”

A what now? Tachyon made no sense… “What part of that would be training?”

“Oh Luka–Chan, you poor fool…  Little Golshi is one of the best racers at Tracen Academy.”

“Ah, I–” Yet halfway through that sentence the words were processed. And the moment they did I was just standing there. Several images of the Uma in question went through my head, of her chasing that butterfly the other day… Well, and then several more. Like her tilting her head to the side and hanging her tongue out. Another was her with her nostrils all wide and her lower teeth pushed upwards, eyes half open. And then there was the one where she had her mouth wide open alongside her eyes, screaming loudly as her ears stood up straight. All faces she made no problem, with no shame. That Uma? One of the best racers at Tracen Academy!? “Come again?”

“Oh, you heard me.” Tachyon responded in a cheeky tone, fitting with her expression. 

“You're joking."

“Am I ever Luka–Chan?”

“Want me to lie or–”

“You said that you had to catch Gold Ship, right?” She interrupted with no hesitation whatsoever, even walking right past me, then turning around. “I’ll do it. But in return you allow me to observe her training and next race from close up.”

I looked at my niece more baffled. First this joke of a bombshell, now this. What was this nonsense? “Why would you want that?”

“Any chance to collect more data to get closer to discovering the mystery of Umas and our limits!”

“And observing Gold Ship helps how?”

“Oh, if you want to taste the sample of the latest medicine I made–”

“Observe Gold Ship as much as you like.” Anything but Tachyon's weird liquids.

“Good, it's a deal. Now sit down, I’ll be right back~”

She had easy time to talk. Doesn't even know how much of a pain Gold Ship is. Her? One of Tracen’s best racers? That's just a cheap joke. But… Tachyon doesn't show interest in just anyone. I should know, given that I grew up with her around. Sure, she's my niece but I’m way younger than her. Honestly, her reminding me how I ran after her all the time as a kid when my parents were busy is an embarrassing memory. She would hold this against me for as long as any of us lived, wouldn’t she?

I was told to sit down and given how exhausted I was I took her up on the offer, having decided to rest on a nearby bench. My legs could just barely hold themselves, trembling and twisting even as I sat down. And in the end all I could do was wait it out. I didn’t even tell Tachyon what Gold Ship might be up to but I doubt that she would need it. After all, an Uma should be able to keep up with another Uma, right? No need to worry, at all. Yeah, no need to–

“Ey! Let me go!” I heard a sudden familiar scream. My head lifted itself away from the clouds and into the direction it was coming from. I could already hear the frustration in that voice. It was none other than Gold Ship. Internally I sighed in relief, she was caught it seemed. So that was taken care of. Tachyon kept her word at least. Well, gotta keep mine but honestly? It ain’t even that big of a deal. However, the moment my gaze saw what was going on I just wanted to faint on the spot.

I saw Tachyon approaching, still smiling and humming. And she was carrying Gold Ship… Though not in the way I  envisioned she would. Or any way really. I expected her to drag the other Uma maybe by the sleeve or something, maybe even a dog leash if all else failed. But… A giant fishing net on a stick was not one of those methods. All while Gold Ship was sitting inside said net, trying to bite through it with her own teeth but failing. She wasn’t exactly amused and who would blame her? Even worse when Tachyon started speaking as she waved over to me.

“Ah, Luka–Chan! I caught the bug you asked for!” She yelled over with enthusiasm, even smiling brightly once more. “One Gold Ship coming right up~”

“Ey! I’m not some mere bug! At least say you caught a gorgeous King Beetle! The kingliest of all beetles worldwide!” Gold Ship would protest as she continued to bite the net. That… Wasn’t seriously the problem, was it? 

“Maybe next time~”

I was speechless to say the least. But… Somehow Tachyon got the job done. How she did it was left to my imagination as not even she would tell me how the chase went. She took a good while but I didn’t even know how long. And… I wasn’t in the mood to ask any further. She caught Gold Ship and that was that.

As weird as the methods are, Agnes Tachyon surely never disappoints. And this was one of those moments… Though I’m still questioning her judgment in regards to Gold Ship. 

Hah, no. I don’t have the energy to think about that. I’ll leave it be for now. Maybe she’ll get bored of her future observations or something. As long as she wouldn’t go overboard I could care less about any of her claims! 

Although, now I had to explain the frequent visitor to the trainer. Eh, I’ll cross that bridge when I get there.

Chapter Text

“Uhu… I see… What a peculiar way but they do say that training your mind should be as important as training your body…”

I didn't know how to react to Tachyon's statement in any way. She was mumbling to herself while scribbling on a clipboard, probably some paper she had prepared yet again for this occasion. Her gaze shifted between the paper and the pool, witnessing whatever Gold Ship was doing. Actually, the better question would be… What was she doing? 

I stared as I saw her at the side of the pool, floating in it while staring at a board on the side, the usual shogi board. Yet she sighed, ears down as she moved one piece back and forth on it, somewhere between the spaces. And she pouted, not moving an inch nor her body besides that one piece on the board. All while she was floating inside the water somehow. “Tch, so borin’.” She even commented with a click of her tongue. Honestly? She wasn't really doing anything.

A contrast to what was going on in the background, Scarlet and Vodka swimming back and forth in the pool and shouting at each other, how they will best the other and the usual of Scarlet's ‘ I am number one! ’ shouts. I think you call this swimming style front crawl? Y’know, the one where you move your hands in circles in turns, move your head to each side and paddle with your legs underwater. Or something like that.

… I don't have a single clue. Swimming ain't my strong suit anyways so who cares really? As long as it's not me inside that water I got nothing to fear nor to lose.

My gaze drifted to my niece, seeing her taking notes ever so eagerly. The pencil just kept noting things, the nods in between. She was really into this… And all she did was watching Gold Ship in the water in front of a shogi board, doing nothing really. It only made me roll my eyes. How is that so interesting?

Then again, apparently this was fine. The trainer said so himself when I was the one who had to make arrangements for Tachyon. “ Sure, she can watch. Just make sure to look after her, ‘kay? Can’t have our girl get too distracted. ” I wanted to groan at that but I was the one who had asked and thus it was probably fair that Tachyon would be under my supervision. Even then though the guy just seemed way too relaxed about this. Not even worried that there might be some spying going on. … Then again, the training takes place in public so it’s not as if this was a massive secret to begin with. Maybe I’m overthinking it…

In any case, as I was just about to try sneaking away the brunette Uma grabbed me by the wrist, her  grasp as strongly painful as always. She had put the pencil onto the clipboard and held it with the other hand now. “Luka–Chan, I’ll need you for the next test.” She suddenly said too, resulting in a hard swallow from my end.

My gaze wandered over to her, though her face as hard to read as ever. It was the usual grin she had, the one making her look a little too crazed. “T… Test? What are you talking about?” I scoffed, trying to keep up a calm front yet knowing her—

“Didn’t you notice? My, my. You’re as hopeless as you always were~”

“Notice what? Just take your notes and—”

“She’s looking.” Apparently that was enough to get me out of the clouds. In one swoop my head moved itself to the side, spotting the sudden glare I was exposed to. And it was none other than Gold Ship, still within the pool, staring at me. Though it seemed awfully sharp for one reason or another, her gaze all narrowed and pupils moved, as if trying to scan me. It was as if she was looking beneath my skin, analyzing every bone in my body, every organ within. That’s how see through I felt at that moment. And it had come out of nowhere too, making this even scarier. No, it wasn’t scary per se. But it wasn’t still a pleasant feeling. Her gaze seemed tense, very tense in fact. If standing next to Tachyon wasn’t off putting enough this only made it worse. Much, much worse… 

“S… So? What do you want me to–” Yet my sentence would never see its conclusion. Before knowing it I was shoved right ahead, forced to take a step or two forward. No, more than that. Tachyon was shoving me like some statue for a little bit, closer to the pool. “Wha– Ey! The hell!? Quit it! Now! I said—”

“Go get ‘em Luka–Chan. I’ll be counting on you~” I only heard her say before giving me one final, heavy shove, forcing me to run over yet needing to be careful to not trip right then and there. I managed to catch myself shortly before the water actually, standing on my toes for a second or two.

I saw my own reflection in the water. How I grew paler the closer I got to the water. Not just that but my heart was racing like crazy. Not because of anyone honestly, it was because of the small waves . My eyes followed them, seeing just how they went up and down with each movement. Just the sight made me all dizzy. I couldn’t keep my thoughts straight, let alone make them go anywhere. It was all a jumbled mess for a moment and I felt a headache approaching. In fact I started feeling my legs less and I could barely hear a thing. That was until a loud scream going: “Trainer Assistant!”

That brought me back to reality or something like that, making me regain my balance. My eyes wandered away from the waves and to the one in the water close by, Gold Ship herself. And she was looking at me, still with that piercing through gaze though also… Bored? Yeah, bored. No other way to put it. Somehow it unsettled me though, enough to ask: “Y… Yeah?”

“Is the water that interesting?”

“Not really interesting but—” I was about to respond yet then was hit with the harsh reality again. This was Gold Ship, not a normal Uma (or even person).

“You got a cutie right in front of you and you choose to look at the water!?” Yeah, of course she’d say that. Unprompted, making no sense whatsoever in this situation. Seriously, she’s just saying what she feels like saying, isn’t she? I should have learned my lesson weeks ago.

“Hah, nevermind, You wouldn’t get it.” I shook my head.

“Whatever.” And a mood shift, her sounding way more relaxed now, carefree even. “Good timing. Help me fight against the mortal enemy known as boredom! Right now!”

“If you’re so bored, go swim already.” I scoffed back at her yet that was met with a pout. An infuriating adorable one. Ugh, having one side of her cheeks puff up and her ears down, not to mention the narrowed eyes again. If she wasn’t a menace then maybe– Wait, am I seriously having those thoughts again? Ugh, I gotta stop this… 

“Boooring~” Gold Ship even added, leaning her head now against the edge of the pool, hitting the ground with one side of her head next to the shogi board. “There’re not even sharks to fight here!”

“Why would you–”

“Or a giant kraken.” She continued, not allowing me to finish. “Racing against the waves with a sword in hand. Going swoosh swoosh, diving to avoid the fatal attacks… And in the end jumping out of the water to cut it in half, then go splash again!”

“That’d help your training how?”

“It’s about the thrill of battle. Conquering the evils of the water and becoming the Umahero of the seven seas.” She then looked up at me specifically, as if curious. “Wanna be the training dummy?”

“ABSOLUTELY NOT!” I noticed how I screamed this out loud,through the halls, voice even scratching my throat. But before I could get embarrassed I hear the screaming voices of Scarlet and Vodka once more, probably and hopefully covering up my own scream. I didn’t need anyone to hear that to be completely honest.

Gold Ship had heard though and all it earned me was another pout as she tilted her head, now her chin hitting the ground as both of her cheeks were all puffy. “But I’m bored! Do something about it!” And now she’s about to throw a tantrum like a kid. What’s wrong with her?

“Again, you can go trai–”

“I don’t wanna!”

“Tough luck then.”

“Go join me then!” 

“How am I–” Yet then in one go I noticed something tugging onto my trousers. It was wet, making me shiver in one go and look down… Only to see this Uma’s hand tugging onto my leg in some way and… Trying to pull me closer to the pool!? Hold on, wait a moment! “Wait wait wait! Don’t you dare! Gold Ship, don’t you–”

“And splash we go!”

“Ah! Wait wait wait!” The start of the last thing my ears actively recognized, or one of the last things. A sudden scream from Tachyon who I had completely forgotten about in the midst of this conversation. She was probably watching and taking notes while seeing it all unfold. Yet even she seemed concerned. Well, she was one of the very few people who knew if not the only one at that very moment. “Luka–Chan can’t–”

Yet then it happened, a sudden splash. Before even hitting the water I had closed my eyes, not wanting to even see what lied beneath. Ok, it was a pool so probably not much, yet the thought of being anywhere near water… No thanks! Especially when I couldn’t hear a word for a moment, the pressure on my ears making everything turn extra muffled. A gap in memory. I couldn’t tell a single thing happening, everything being more of a blurr. I even held my breath, knowing that I had to under water. My body all numb, unable to respond. For a second I thought that this was it… 

The next thing I registered was something cold though, making me tremble on the spot. I shivered before even daring to open my eyes. I saw some light from above, though still dazed for a split second. I actually believed it… Was this purgatory? Or any other form of afterlife in some way? I was almost fairly certain… Until two voices woke me up from that trance.

“Trainer Assistant! Oi, wake up! Waaake up~”

“Your pulse is still there so you’re still with us at least. Thank goodness…”

I was a bit groggy and the next thing I saw was… Well, the blurr returned to normal and I spotted Tachyon and Gold Ship right above me, both just eyeing me right then and there. “What… happened?” I asked them, my brain unable to process stuff still. Truth to be told I couldn’t even tell you what they looked like at this very moment. My head was hurting like crazy, bonk after bonk inside of it taking place.

“Ahaha, sorry sorry. I didn’t know that you couldn’t swim.” The next thing I heard from Gold Ship’s mouth yet her voice was more echoing in my ears than anything. Though it slowly hit me… Right, Gold Ship dragged me into the water… Just the thought made me want to go all numb again.

“That’s a bit of an understatement.” I hear from Tachyon’s mouth. Thanks to who had I gotten into this situation in the first place!? “But no matter, actions need to be taken post haste.” Whenever she says that I can’t help but fear for my life…

“Huh? Like what?”

“Medicine of course. You’re in luck Luka–Chan. There’s something special I mixed. You wouldn’t mind, would—”

“Just… Take me to the infirmary or something…” I interrupted, though my voice was coming out weakly after coughing out some more water. Did I swallow some of that? Damn it… 

“You don’t understand! If you want to be quickly on your feet again–”

“Infirmary.” How did I even gather the energy to argue with Tachyon of all people? Maybe it’s because I really didn’t want to have any of her weird mixtures near my throat right now or something. Though my head was still all foggy. Everything just passed by so fast.

“Hah… Fine.” I heard her eventually agree, though audible disappointment. Bullet dodge. “Let’s go tell the trainer.”

I heard a jump up, probably Gold Ship. And then her loud voice went right through my ears yet again. “One trainer, coming right up! Just ya wait!” And then loud footsteps running. I would comment on it but I was a little too weak to care right now… 

Long story short, I was out of commission for the rest of the week. All because Gold Ship just had to try get me into these dreaded waters. And even after having been able to pick up some assistant duties again, or whatever they are called, I wasn’t feeling it for another week or two. My head was spinning and I was sneezing and coughing like crazy. Yet I refused to take up the offer to rest. I could handle it, a small cold shouldn’t hold me back like that. Of course Tachyon tried to shove her medicine down my throat a few times but I managed to somehow avoid that.

All because of some freak accident… Having Gold Ship and Tachyon at the same place should have only screamed trouble and it really did. Though I didn’t even have the energy to be mad at it. It was an accident, whatever. I live so I’m not going to dwell on it. She apologized too when in the infirmary and looked at least a little remorseful.

Just a reminder that Gold Ship can be more forceful than thought. And yet she was just lazing around yet again. I still don’t get what the deal is, why she is ‘One of the best’, according to Tachyon. This Uma is going to fail her maiden race so hard, I can already see it coming.

Speaking of Gold Ship’s maiden race though… Before I knew it this one would be approaching soon. And all she did until then was slack off…

Hah, this is going to end up in a disaster. I don’t have a good feeling about this…

Chapter Text

“ Alright! Here we go! I’ll go zoom and then wroom and then I stop to honk the horn before going beyond the speed limit! Haha, I’ll race ‘em good!”

Sometimes I wonder if Gold Ship even knows what she is. She made it sound as if she was a racing car, not an Uma… Though she also sounded awfully enthusiastic about this. She had certainly quite a bit of energy to spare on the way to the race course. She was constantly wobbling around in the car, bopping from one side to the other. I was the unfortunate one who had to sit next to her so I constantly felt her hitting me in some way, mostly with her head of course. That or she stomped on one of my feet as she imitated fast running, moving her feet too much. And she could kick, let's just say that.

“ Hey, hey, hey. Calm down. I’d like to keep my car in one piece. ” The trainer sighed as he was busy driving to the destination. I had been instructed to come to the school building very early in the morning, a short trip to Hokkaido. As I’m part of Team Spica I’m bound to this too. Of course when I had explained it to Tachyon she was in complaint mode, even wondering if I could sneak her in. I told her to zip it though and if she wanted to see it so badly she should have bought a ticket of her own. Then a snarky remark that television exists before leaving her little laboratory at school. I couldn't resist, that's all. I can't drag her everywhere anyways. Also one less headache on such a day would be appreciated. Then again, it wasn't my big day. It was this Uma’s, the local shipwreck.

Day in and out I saw her do anything but training. She slacked, simple as that. There's no other way around it. So expectations weren't that high if there were any at all. Eh, can't say I really expected anything but knowing Gold Ship she’d somehow still disappoint. Maybe she'd just stand in the gate or try to kick it open. Something like that. Would turn out to be quite the clown at least.

I wasn't exactly tense or anticipated anything, having even leaned a bit over the fence like a sack, arms dangling over it. I stayed up for a little too long and felt tired but I could sleep through it, couldn't I? Not like anything would happen to begin– 

“Trainer Assistant! Please stand up straight!” The voice of the renowned Mejiro McQueen wasn't the only thing making me stand up straight but also the slight shove of her elbow against one of my ribs. It was at least enough to startle me on the spot. I looked to the side and saw her narrowed gaze right up at me, clear disapproval. “Your posture is off! Not to mention that you seem to be close to falling asleep!”

I yawned. “Does it matter?” I asked her, rubbing the back of my neck. Ugh, I’m starting to feel a little sore… Staying up and playing some game wasn't my best decision…

“Of course it matters! You're also a representative of Team Spica!” McQueen continued, seeming to be almost appalled by my current behavior… For some reason. “Your behavior right now will reflect badly upon the team!”

“Don't think people care about–”

“I don't want to hear your excuses!” She interrupted me however, getting onto her toes to come face to face with me. I nearly reeled backwards here, mainly because it seemed like a very sudden action. “Besides, haven't you been tasked to keep a close eye on today's race!?”

She just had to remind me… That trainer guy had pulled me to the side shortly before he intended to pay Gold Ship a visit after all. Literally actually, grabbing me by the shoulder with one arm before beginning with: “ Ok bud. You ever saw an Uma race? ”

Initially I had been confused by this sudden approach, let alone being asked and called out like that. Because it seemed like a very pointless question. “ Yeah. I went to races with my Dad before. ”

“ When you were a little chump? ”

“ Uh… Yeah? ”

“ I see… ” He then had slapped my back several times, making me involuntarily cough. All while he was looking at me with some massive grin. “ A’right, keep an eye out on today’s race then. I’m sure that you can learn somethin’. ”

“ Learn? I… Hit the books for that. ”

“ The books huh? … That’s boring. You learn more from an actual race boy. ” One last slap against my back before the trainer had removed himself, then waving as he had turned around, one hand in his pockets. “ Alirght, I’ll go check on our star today. You keep your eyes peeled boy! ”

As that memory had washed over me for a second I nodded at McQueen who was only eyeing me with an even sharper gaze. “Then please, pay attention. Especially when the race starts at any moment.” She added before grabbing my head and turning it around forcefully. Her fingers may be slim and she looks delicate overall, not to mention that she was smaller than me, yet she sure had some power in her arms as well. I literally heard my neck cracking here. I really shouldn’t be surprised with Umas at this point. 

“Ow ow ow! Ok ok! I will I will!” I agreed, though honestly mostly because I hoped for McQueen to let go. And she did yet I still heard that huff. All while I adjusted myself and my neck. Though it didn’t feel as stiff anymore. Huh… She’s a miracle worker, isn’t she? Even if this was unintentional. Yet I quickly got back to the matter at hand. “Is it really necessary though? We all know how Gold Ship will do.”

“It would be rude to not watch our teammate race, wouldn’t it? As troublesome as she can be, she’s still a member.”

“I suppose… But not like I’d miss out.” What was there going to be observation worthy anyways? I didn’t get it, at all.

“You really need to work on that attitude of yours Trainer Assistant.” And now I feel as if she was sending me a judgmental glare. One which was cold and could make even more shudders in place. 

“Er… Sorry…” Being called out like that wasn’t a great feeling. And maybe I was saying things out of left field. But what else was I supposed to say? Gold Ship wasn’t really dedicated. Everyone knows that even the most talented people don’t get far if they don’t dedicate time to their craft. Umas racing included. If she didn’t even train properly for once, how was she even going to win? She was fast, ok, but any Uma is faster than a human. That ain’t impressive. Races include more than speed. Stamina, strength and the necessary mental training to come up with strategies on the spot. Sitting around and playing shogi all day or smashing watermelons wasn’t getting her anywhere. How could anyone have faith in someone like that? Expectations have to be very low here… Why is she even at Tracen to begin with? She needs discipline to train… Nothing adds up. It’s all just a mere headscratch. Gold Ship will lose, no doubt about it.

I took a look at the race track too, at the grass patch in front. It had been maintained yet it looked a little run over. Maybe no surprise with all those races taking place and such. The inside especially looked like a mess though and awful to navigate. 1800 meters of this… I  started to question if Gold Ship would actually be alright here? No way, especially if the other racers were going to try.

Speaking of the other racers, I saw them already entering, walking out to get ready. They were either stretching, warming up or looking through the audience. And they all looked ever so determined, not losing focus. Their auras were screaming ‘I will win this!’ The complete opposite of the slacker I had gotten to know the past few weeks. Yeah, this is gonna end badly…

“Anyways Trainer Assistant, do not avert your gaze from the track.” McQueen reminded me.

“Yeah, yeah. Message received.” Just as I uttered that out loud I noticed a familiar girl with long, grey–ish hair joining the pack. Her outfit for the race was a short, red sleeveless dress with two golden stripes left and right alongside six golden buttons. A white collar with a red bow in front of it, two red sweatbands with a white stripe in the middle on each arm with white, long gloves as well as long, white stockings with brown boots to boot. Not just that but a bag on the side with brown straps and. And around her right thigh there was some type of golden anchor put into place with a brown strap tied around it. That was Gold Ship, I could see it from her face, and she looked… Well, a little different. She almost came off as a completely different person, all serious and such as she walked over to the gates… That was until she would look over to the side suddenly, as if looking at me with some type of smirk. Actually, it was almost mocking yet also so overly confident. Or maybe I imagined it? 

In any case, it was then replaced with the usual wide grin and she shouted over while waving with both of her hands. “Yahoo! The tank’s been filled with oil!” I could only question what she meant. Honestly, it made me roll my eyes. As carefree as ever… “Now watch ok!? And if I win I want a super big bowl of ramen! No, make it a big plate of yakisoba! No, both!” And she started screaming now. The usual honestly…  

I was just waiting for it to pass to see her enter the gate with the other Umas. I didn’t even question anymore where that trainer went and it wasn’t any of my business. McQueen was probably still next to me yet I didn’t pay much attention to her as well if I’m completely honest. Mainly because I wanted this to be over with, nothing else. I was just playing the waiting game right now.

I listened to the announcer though their voice also went into one ear and out the other. They were announcing the racers, one of them being of course ‘Number 5 – Gold Ship’. And she stuck out like a sore thumb, looking ever so relaxed compared to the other Umas who were looking at the competition with ever so fierce gazes. Honestly, all Gold Ship did was crack a few jokes or something. She was certainly laughing which didn’t amuse any of the other Umas around her. Heck, not even the ones in the other rows. I could only shake my head at that. This wasn’t a game, this was a race! Seriously… 

There was some other stuff I could barely make out, about each of the contestants yet I don’t remember their names. Honestly, I’m terrible with those. Couldn’t remember one in passing for the life of me unless constantly hearing it. Playing the waiting game, I’d rather twiddle with my thumb but McQueen would probably kill me if I did. Literally or metaphorically? I wasn’t so sure anymore… Probably both. I probably made it awkward too by staying awfully silent, not saying a word. And I didn’t pay attention to much else until hearing one thing.

“And the race has started!” The announcer said loud and clearly, being able to be heard throughout the entire stadium. “Satono Gold and Cosmo Yucca have taken the lead early on!” The pack of Umas in front was uncanny, them working their legs as quickly as possible while keeping themselves at the outer part of the track. Their legs moved fast, faster than any human could manage. It was almost admirable, even if one could see it so many times.

And yet when looking at the back of the pack further and further one could see… Wait a minute. Where was Gold Ship? I was looking around in disbelief for a few moments, scanning the track. First my eyes wandered back to the gates, just in case. But… She wasn’t there. She had started running. One would think that of course she did yet I swore that she had been in the back at the beginning. 

For some reason I was searching for Gold Ship frantically, trying to figure out where she had gone. I… Blinked. And I completely missed her. Somehow that was confusing me a little. Or did I imagine— “Gold Ship seems to slowly close in yet stays in the middle of the pack! She’s holding her position!” 

Middle of the pack? My eyes wander a little and— There! The grey hair floating in the wind as she kept moving her legs, a steady position. And when I saw her… Well, my jaw dropped. Not because she wasn’t in a position I did not expect her to be in but… Her attitude. It was completely different, almost as if someone had impersonated her or switched her out last minute.

Her gaze was focused on the front, skimming around her surroundings. Any Uma behind her would be thrown off, though not in a way where it was all too risky or one could easily fall. Gold Ship kept a steady pace, even if she was a little behind. But she was also close enough. It wasn’t a position she could impossibly escape from. She was eyeing her front ever so carefully yet never faltering all the same. And she didn’t lose focus for even a moment. H… How? The ever so slacking Gold Ship, now keeping all steady and focused. She wasn’t very fast right now yet one could tell that she seemed to save her energy. For what? I couldn’t tell right away. But I knew that she was not going to use it up just yet. But… Fine, of course she had probably gone over something with the trainer. She was doing way better than imagined, I would congratulate her for that. But her next move… That’s where my jaw dropped in all honesty. Because I had not expected her to go for this halfway through the race.

There seemed to be an opening, mainly at the inner part of the race track. Her eyes shot right over there from what I was able to see. And suddenly she turned her attention to this open spot, the unoccupied patch of grass, the one which looked like a mere hell to run in. And before knowing it she took a sharp turn into this part of the patch and suddenly shoved her legs forward. And before knowing it she started to increase in speed, though in moderation. Yet it was visible, how she intended to run past her competition one by one. And it wasn’t just me who had noticed this sudden turn of events. “And there is Gold Ship, starting to break through from behind! It’s as if she has teleported herself to the front!”

One by one, with each meter she seemed to only go faster. And not just that she was passing the other Umas with ease. Each of them turned their head, perhaps also in shock? It wasn’t exactly clear and I wasn’t paying much attention to that anyways. All I saw was Gold Ship running with a big smirk on her face, a surprisingly cocky one. She zoomed past anyone and not even giving them a second glance. 

As she got closer to the top three racers at that point she moved out from the inside of the race track. One had even tried to block her, perhaps noticing what she had been built towards. And Gold Ship had taken note too, deciding to maneuver herself away from the spot. And of course she would also zoom past the temporary third place without any consideration whatsoever. Her speed had increased massively, making her look like a laughing stock at the beginning of the race. Her legs carried her. 

Satono Gold was next. This Uma had been outrun by the one called Cosmo Yucca from the looks of it. She seemed too occupied with the front however to even notice Gold Ship approaching. And once she did it was already too late, the silver haired Uma had already passed that one. And she wasn’t stopping, setting her sights on Cosmo Yucca next. 

This one had most likely taken note, trying to throw Gold Ship off by maneuvering a little, from one side to the other. A desperate attempt to throw off the current second place. And yet one could see the smirk on Gold Ship’s face only growing wider, ever so self assured. What looked like a chuckle for a moment before a maneuver a little to the side and then her legs were almost invisible. They appeared like a blur as she got closer to Cosmo Yucca.

“Cosmo Yucca and Gold Ship are neck and neck! They’re approaching the finish line!” The announcer yelled, as if trying to hold their own breath. I myself noticed how my own breath hitched at the sight. I could hardly breath just… Overwhelmed. So many questions ran through my head. Was this… Really Gold Ship? Not some doppelganger? Or a twin maybe? No, this was… The actual Gold Ship. A minute ago she had been cracking jokes and probably was annoying the competition. But now she was almost a different Uma. She was carrying herself with ease, something I had never seen of her before. She was relaxed yet at the same time she wasn’t backing down either. And she had quickly moved up to the front, now approaching a rivaling Uma like a torpedo. One could even hear her scream for a moment, the usual Gold Ship scream yet it had more bite in it than usual.

And before knowing it Gold Ship was neck and neck with Cosmo Yucca, so close to the finishing line. Each step from both Umas became faster, so fast that it made my head spin. Maybe it was just the shock, how Gold Ship was just… Running. It was amazing honestly. It almost looked as if the two were now next to each other which I never thought had even been possible. My legs went weak just looking at it. I was fully awake before knowing it.

So… This is…

“And they reached the goal!” The announcer yelled. Just before I knew it, it was over. All over. My heart was racing at that moment. The two Umas crossed the finishing line, neck in neck. Yet one had crossed it sooner than the other, even if just by one step. Such a minimal difference… I didn’t want to believe it nor suspect it. This was… Close… And yet my heart pounded in anticipation. No matter the result this was… Impressive. Nothing but impressive. This was Gold Ship…

My gaze went up to the results, the giant board showing the trainees. And… There she was, on top… Number 5… 1:51.2. Only a fraction ahead of Cosmo Yucca… 

But victory was hers. It was all hers. Gold Ship won. And she did so while giving a show, a heart pounding race, considering her attitude from earlier. I feel exhausted and I wasn’t even the one racing!

“ Oh Luka–Chan, you poor fool…  Little Golshi is one of the best racers at Tracen Academy. ” – That was what Tachyon had told me. Those were her words. And I just wanted to laugh at her. But… With this…

Maybe she was right. I was the fool. Nothing but a fool. An idiot. Because if today showed me anything then it’s the following…

Gold Ship is nothing but oozing with potential. Pulling this off without training… 

Maybe she’s the Ultimate Uma the world has been waiting for!

“Uhm… Trainer Assitant? Are you ok?” But then the wake up call. My gaze shifted, to the side, back to McQueen who had now been eyeing me with somewhat of a concerned expression. Wait, had she been calling out? I had noticed her tugging onto the sleeve of my jacket after all. “You’ve been staring into space for some time now.”

“Ah– Yeah, I’m fine. Sorry.” I responded quickly. “Got caught up in things.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah. Don’t worry, I’m long over my fever.”

“If you say so.” She nodded in response though my gaze shifted pretty quickly, looking back at Gold Ship who was busy waving up to the crowd with a massive grin on her face. A victorious one yet the ever so carefree one I have been used to.

I never thought that I would say this but… In a way she’s kind of amazing. And before I knew it, I was completely in awe…

‘ Dad… That’s her. It’s the Umamusume you’ve been talking about all this time. I found her! ’ Yeah, from that day I sort of knew… There’s just something about her. And it’s obvious that I can’t stop now… I have to pave the way no matter what.

I will make sure that Gold Ship will become the Uma of all! Just you watch! … Even though it’s probably easier said than done.

Chapter Text

I will never forget Tachyon’s face. How she looked at me all startled when I dared invade her premises. And by premises I mean that laboratory downstairs at Tracen Academy. All filled with her funny gadgets and suspicious colored liquids brewing. Not to mention her sitting on that laptop yet I had paid none of that any mind. Especially not when I had asked her for something.

“ My notes on Gold Ship? ” She had asked, her eyes having had this rare, bewildered stare and ears twitching in a rather curious manner. “ I have them here of course. But why– ”

“ Please hand them to me! ” I knew how my voice sounded, ever so pleading. I had even bowed forward and clapped both of my hands together. 

I could feel her gaze, the confusion perhaps settling in more and more. And yet the laugh… The sudden laugh saying it all. But I didn't care. I was a desperate bastard right now. It was a matter of life and death to me! “ Hahaha! If you insist. But if you want them you have to– ”

“ I’ll do it! ”

“ Huh!? ”

“ Whatever it is, I’ll do it! ”

That was simply how determined I was. It meant going through concoction after concoction, glowing in all sorts of colors while also going through the motions, all types of pains going through my body, down to even the tiniest bone. Sweating, dizziness, throwing up – All of it at once, crashing my body. But I was too stubborn to stop now. I only had one thing in mind, one thing I apparently was ready to die for. No, who am I kidding? I was definitely ready to die for it. Some notes on a paper to most, certainly, yet to me these were just the ticket to Gold Ship’s potential! Any price to pay would be worth it!

A day of dreaded testing yet Tachyon had given me her findings and ahe was very thorough with her research papers. Then again, when wasn't she? Any research was valuable to her, especially when it came to an Uma’s potential. Though even then, the data she got on Gold Ship was crazy…

Each day Tachyon apparently had recorded the other Uma’s running times to calculate an average, times I myself didn't even know about. And they were on all sorts of lengths. 1000 meter, 1400 meter, 1800 and even beyond! Notes on the weight training (apparently) and swimming times. But it didn't stop there because apparently other factors were taken into consideration – Height, weight, three sizes, the outfit even… It was all on there, alongside some formulas I barely understood (if I ever understood them honestly). The next page was just notes and photos (and doodles) related to how Gold Ship ran. Her posture alongside arm movement as well as leg movement and how synchronized it all was. Raw data which blew me away regardless. It was fast, barely any flaws which made it all rather bizarre. My head spun seeing it and yet thanks to the Maiden Race I believe it. I believe every single number and note on this sheet. ‘Numbers don't lie’. Yeah, they don't. They really don't. 

All while I took it upon myself to run the live footage back, over and over. I may as well have taken every step of Gold Ship’s and analyzed it. Quick thinking on her part, taking a path no one dared to take. That in itself took a lot of endurance and energy conserving, especially given that she had sped up drastically in the last few hundred meters, dashing right past the competition yet not tumbling them either. And then just barely crossing the finish line in first, only a step ahead. Yet it was as exciting as it had been live. But I wasn't rewatching it to have my heart pound like crazy, no. I was watching it to analyze Gold Ship’s running maneuvers. I got too invested in them but only could get so much invested all the same.

Scribbling my own notes I made sure to cover as much as I could. She seemed to have everything down so training was just an extra refinement and strengthening her in any way possible, not to mention making her go faster. A schedule tailor made for Gold Ship! That was the plan and I sat on it pretty much an entire weekend. Efficiency is key! Filling the slots and not letting even a minute get wasted. She should prepare for greater things! She can pull it off! I just know it!  Get her beyond her limits!

And yet when I presented her the brand new training schedule… Well, I was hopeful when she had read through it the moment I approached her on the running track. But before I knew it she took the paper into both of her hands and ripped it into pieces. First in two halves before quickly making work of it and having very tiny paper pieces fall onto the ground. All while she was looking at me, expression was unreadable. It seemed neutral.

Yet I was anything but neutral. The moment the Uma had decided to rip my schedule apart like that my mouth opened. I wanted to reach for the two halves but it was too late, resulting in my hand twitching as my fingers were trembling. It was almost as if I just saw my life flash right in front of me. Especially since it seemed so cold, enough to have a shiver run down my spine. I froze up, blood in my veins at a standstill. At most I was twitching in place. Words wanted to come out but they couldn't, making this even more painful.

And how did she respond to my distress? Once she started moving… A shrug. Nothing but a shrug, then a sigh and at last a head shake. “This’s so boring.” Her tone is the equivalent of childish complaint, making me want to nearly collapse right then and there. It stung. It really did. Hours of progressing, analyzing and comparing to create what I considered the perfect schedule for an Uma like Gold Ship… Torn to pieces before being insulted. Y’know Trainer Assistant, it's nothing but runnin’ and swimmin’ and draggin’ ‘round heavy objects.” She then suddenly put her hands on her hips, leaning forward as she looked at me with narrowed eyes. “Where’s the fun in that, huh?”

I looked back at her, a little irritated when hearing that of all things. But deep breath… Besides, partially I think that it was also my hurt pride talking here if anything. Maybe that's why I was a little more furious than usual. Who wouldn't be hurt when having days of work suddenly thrown into the trash like this!? No, this was worse. If she had discarded this inside the trash it wouldn't get to me as much. But she tore it to shreds, right in my sight! No, keep calm… Just keep calm! “It's training. What did you expect?”

“We’re not going to survive the zombie apocalypse with this!” And now it's back to nonsense. “Where’s the weapon training? Where’s the part where we go to a shooting range? Where's the experience gain!?”

All I could do was blink at her, dumbfounded once more. “You won't need that in a race.” Seriously, she's robbing me of my last bit of tolerance for her behavior sometimes. A pain in the ass, through and through. I could kick her to the curb… Then again, I would probably get kicked instead. No way I stand a chance against an Uma. Still, it felt rather insulting, to say the least. I can't tell why she's saying this but if she's making fun of my custom tailored training plan then– 

“There's no fire in this Trainer Assistant!” My words? They fell on deaf ears… Unsurprisingly. Why am I still trying to understand Gold Ship anyways? It's pointless. “No excitement! No thrill! No surprises! In short: It's enough to have this Golshi all boreshi!”

Was that what this was about? Seriously? I didn’t know how to feel about that and in hindsight I still don’t. Though she said that with some pout, a pout she either didn’t know was at least somewhat adorable or knew it and used it deliberately. Then again, I want to punch myself to even think about that in those types of situations. It felt inappropriate, so inappropriate. And by that I mean that it felt so poorly timed that it would make anyone bash their head in. Was this really how it would end? Me enduring Tachyon’s weird drinks and potions for nothing? “It’s not supposed to be–”

“Alright, let me show you what that really is!” Gold Ship however talked right over me, interrupting without a second thought before morphing her expression back into a grin, standing up straight with her chest nearly puffed up. “I’ll be your teacher today! Call me Golshi–Sensei!”

“T… Teacher!? No tha–”

“Let’s go let’s go!” I wasn’t even given a chance, my protests literally falling on deaf ears. Before knowing it I wasn’t just grabbed by her, oh no. I was lifted up in the air, as if sitting in the palm of her hands with my legs up, a position which would make someone believe that she was about to throw me. I was able to see the training race track from a higher position and it was… Well… Uhm… Not the most interesting view. But it felt a little wider in comparison to when I was just standing. 

Yet it wasn’t on my mind as much as when I came to notice that I was lifted into the air like this I internally panicked. No, not internally, I  was screaming from the top of my lungs. “Idiot! What are you doing!?”

“Golshi–Sensei’s special lesson starting!”

“Put me down! I said put me down! Ey, don’t you—” Yet before I knew it she started to run, dashing as if there was no tomorrow. And given her speed she was fast… So fast that I would probably throw up before I know it, especially once down. After all, I got dizzy pretty much the first few meters, not registering where she was even headed.

Last thing I remember before leaving the school grounds was spotting that trainer. In the short second I gave him a silent plea, asking to be saved. But what do you think that guy did? Yeah, first just looking before grinning and giving me a thumbs up, as if it wasn't of his concern. “Be back before curfew starts!” I heard him shout over and then the voice literally just vanished. You got to be shitting me…

This wasn’t how I envisioned this to go, especially the training part!

Chapter Text

“And one and two and three and four and five and– Agh! Not again! Damn it! The monster has devoured yet another one of the pebbles! Ugh, one more time! And hop!”

I was watching Gold Ship right next to me as she was fooling around… As she always was of course. And what was this Uma up to this time? Oh, nothing really… Except making sure that the pebbles she was throwing at the lake were skipping around. Honestly, I never understood the technique, how people could pull it off. Whenever I threw one it sank right into the water without hesitation. It was honestly hopeless. Like how do you pull something like that off? Something which seemed impossible! So in a way I was a little impressed that she knew how to pull that off too. Yet that didn’t mean that I was going to watch this with amazement! Especially after I had been carried here against my will!

It had taken a little while for me to come to my senses or something like that. Nothing too crazy just… Well, how do I put this? I still felt dizzy from all the running Gold Ship had put me through. And I hadn’t even been the one who had been running all the way here. It was Gold Ship. Yet her speed was more than a little too fast for me so I wasn't even slightly prepared for that! Oh this Uma be damned… She always knew how to get under my skin, intentionally or unintentionally… Probably intentionally. 

Regardless, I was forced to observe her at this current point in time. How she picked up pebbles at random, observing them closely before settling on a flat, round one. She even nodded at it before going from kneeling to standing. She then seemed to twist her arm a little and swing it to the side, flicking her wrist quickly and as soon as the flat rock hit the water it was skipping away. One skip after the other, very quickly. During this time the Uma’s eyes shone brightly, seeming to  watch this with anticipation. Her ears were still and that smile was ever so wide… 

Yet all of that dropped in an instant, when that rock decided that it was drowning time. It sank to the ground and Gold Ship looked rather down. She even mumbled something half heartedly, under her breath, frustrated. All before she suddenly was kneeling down again, her eyes scanning the amount of rocks in her sight. “The monster ate it again!” She complained.

I shook my head yet decided to not speak up just yet. In fact I just couldn't wrap my head around it. Around this. This? What did I even mean by this? Ah, who cares! It's everything I don't understand! Everything about this situation as well as about this damned  Uma sometimes! Especially the nonsense coming out of her mouth like right now! Or how she rather wasted her time here than spending her time training! How could she even–

Yet as soon as I wanted to voice that thought, even if it was just me talking against a brick wall in my mind, I heard her screaming loudly. Her hands were gripping the sides of her head and she faced the sky. “Again! Curse you Monster Of The Lake! How many rocks must you devour to be satisfied!?”

I sighed as I dropped my head in defeat. There’s no saving this Uma, is there? And to be completely honest? It was frustrating to know that. That maiden race was nothing but amazing, showing just what potential lay within her. Barely a win but still a win, especially with how little I saw her prepare for it. And then returning without even a sweat. She was great. Yeah, great… But…

“Hey Gold Ship.” I began as I rose my head. I heard a quick ‘Hrm?’ escaping from her mouth as she eyed me all curiously, ears seeming to twitch for a moment. If I wasn’t so exhausted I would maybe feel a little uneasy whenever she looked at me like this. Then again, it was just her wondering probably so I didn’t know what the big deal was either. Maybe because it was this Uma of all Umas. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure. What’s up Trainer Assistant?” No hesitation yet her tone was making her still hard to predict. Deep breath Luka, you got this… Sorta.

“Y’know, that Maiden Race was pretty amazing. You did good.” I began, deciding to just ease into the topic. Yet as I wanted to continue I was interrupted pretty much right away, without hesitation. She just had to barge in.

“Haha, really? Thanks thanks. Golshi doesn’t accept fan mail currently though, sorry~” She laughed while rubbing the back of her head with that usual smirk of hers. I don’t know how to react whenever she makes that face. It was insufferable on one hand but on the other it was… Kinda… Sorta… Well, it was part of her charm I gue– Ah no! Focus, damn it! Fo–cus!

“Yeah. yeah. Got it.” I waved her off quickly, sighing. I then put that hand on one of my hips as I continued speaking, trying to keep my voice serious and sharp. I had to make it more than obvious that I wasn’t going to accept any type of fooling around right now nor that this was my concern at this point. And she had to know that too. “What  I mean is that you did good. Good. However, is ‘good’ really enough for someone like you?”

I didn’t hear a word nor a protest. Yet out of nowhere Gold Ship’s expression became hard to read. Her smirk vanished in an instant, only leaving behind a rather… Neutral expression. Yeah, neutral. No frown, no sharp glare. No laugh, no smug smile. It was nothing. At least nothing that I could make sense of. She wasn’t looking spiteful nor overly confident. Her face while neutral was also… Nothing. At that time I didn’t think much of it however. In fact I took it as a chance to just continue with my monologue.

“I mean, sure, good is fine and all. But think about it for a second. You could go beyond that!” I continued, trying to sound as convincing as possible. At least I have her attention now so I cannot waste it any longer! “From good to better to eventually becoming the best! Wouldn’t that be amazing!?” I felt as if I was not taking a breather. My throat became a little more dry with each word. I was nearly screaming my lungs out here. But I had to try. If by any chance I could convince her that way then maybe not all hope is lost. I had to try. Yeah, one more push. Surely! This will be it! This should be it! “You could always be on top! I’m sure of that! So if you just—”

An interruption, a sudden laugh .The signature Gold Ship laugh as she put a hand on one of my shoulders out of nowhere, petting it with a rather… Powerful swing. Or two. Or three. Or even four. No, I lost count at that point. All I knew was that it hurt. Each swing hurt more than the last. I could barely hold my groans of pain back. She’s got… Quite the powerful slaps, I’ll give her that. Then again, what did I expect from an Uma honestly?

“We don’t need practice to catch the Monster Of The Lake.” She then brought up all of a sudden, making me freeze on the spot… Literally. I was frozen in shock from one moment to the next, mouth a little agape as I heard that. Wh… What the!? “We can catch it right now if we try hard enough!”

“Th… That’s not—”

Yet she wouldn’t let me finish. Instead she suddenly kneeled down again, only to lift herself onto her feet once more, taking one of my hands with an open palm and handing me a pebble. An ice cold pebble, nearly making my hand flinch. “All you gotta do is lure it out with these babies!” She then added ever so proudly.

All I could do though was look at her, confused… No, completely lost. Dumbfounded. Bewildered. Speechless. “E… Excuse me?”

“C’mon, give it a try, Trainer Assistant!” Gold Ship said, turning away while wearing her usual smile on her face. That one which was ever so carefree and almost brought me over the edge without even trying. “Let’s see who can catch the scary monster first!”

“There isn’t a monster in the—”

“Oh, and dinner will be on you, ‘kay? I know that I’ll be starving after this!”

Hold on what!? “I didn’t even agree to—”

“Aaaand hop!” Yet she wasn’t even listening anymore, only throwing that rock into the lake and watching it skip ever so eagerly yet frowning with drooping ears when spotting it sink yet again. “Ah damn it! This thing’s pretty hungry too, isn’t it!?”

In the end I just dropped my head in defeat yet again. This was useless… As always. Maybe I should have seen that coming. Of course I tried opening my mouth yet again a few times but it was as if Gold Ship was more occupied with this nonexistent lake monster if anything. So, as much as I didn’t want to, I had to give up for the day. She wasn’t going to register a word I would be saying. So instead I just threw the pebble before sitting down, only to watch it drown right in the spot where I threw it to and not skipping for even a millimeter. As usual… 

“Woha! You really suck at that!” Gold Ship just had to comment on that, didn’t she? Ugh…

“Yeah, I know.”

“You’re not going to be a great monster hunter with that attitude.”

“Just— Whatever. Go have your fun.” Not like it mattered anyways.

“Hmm… Ok, if you say so!” 

And with that she just kept on skipping rocks over and over until the sun started to set. Eventually she got bored of it and dragged me to some ramen place… My treat of course. But not like I cared at this point. I was thinking too much… I have to convince her to train somehow. 

In the end I decided to just do the obvious and come up with a different training plan. Maybe that’s the problem. Yeah, what else would it be! 

No matter what I will make sure that Gold Ship gets her training somehow! All so she can become an Uma who would be remembered for generations to come! Just you watch!

This battle isn’t over yet!