Work Text:
Do you remember what happened?
I can’t. I don’t remember anything at all.
Well…What do you remember?
.
.
.
It was a bright morning. The sun was shining directly into my eyes, as if it were bugging me to get out of bed.
I turned to my side to avoid its blinding light, that signature orange hue shining onto the cardboard boxes of furniture I had bought yesterday, along with the apartment that "came with it". I would assemble them when I got back home. Wait. Home from what? I forgot, until I noticed the signature glint of my new ID badge, as if it were some prized artifact.
I practically jump out of bed when I realize. It was a prized artifact! Today's my first day as a trainer at Tracen Academy! I nearly trip over myself, scrambling to get dressed. The thought of a new start was so exciting that I dashed out of my apartment, almost tripping and forgetting to lock the front door.
-
I reach the Academy after a hefty walk. After meeting the green-colored lady at the front desk and attending an introductory speech lead by the director, (who was surprisingly young) I end up at the racetrack. Finding the Uma I was assigned to turned out to be a wild goose chase. Kind of primal, considering the noble setting the front gates presented. Whatever. I didn't mind.
So many questions were racing through my head. I wonder what they're like? Would they work well with me? Would we have to argue in the future? The anticipation was insane. I feel like I could pop at any moment. I was so caught up in my own thoughts that I didn't realize the Two Uma's running past me. Something about a rivalry and "I'm better than you" fading away the farther they got.
The wind BLASTED my face, almost sending the red photo of my trainee flying out of my hand. I'm once again reminded that Uma's have unbelievable speeds. Truly incredible people. I had to keep up with them. Not physically, but in training.
I finally recognize my trainee--twin tails styled into drills--sitting by herself, by some bleachers, humming a tune to herself, the lighting from the sun almost making her beam.
She meets my gaze as fast as I meet hers, so we approach each other.
“You must be my new trainer! My name is Kasane Teto, what’s yours?”
She was so quick to it, she caught me off guard.
“Y-yes! It’s very nice to meet you, my name is Titan!” I don’t know much about her so far, but I’m sure we’ll make a great team.
We hit the ground running--literally--Teto has been having absolutely stellar practices ever since we started training. She could run at a steady pace for... practically forever. I didn't know if I should compliment myself for training her so well, or her determination for seeing this through.
---
Teto comes up to me after finishing her laps. She was out of breath and exhausted, but still managed to show her determination. “Trainer Titan! When can i start racing other umas?”
I gave it a thought, exaggerating rubbing my chin and looking up with a thoughtful expression, as if I was 80 years old. She pouts at me in response.
It was too early for her, she hasn't even debuted yet, but I did agree that she needed competition.
"I'll see what I can do, you do need some competition."
Teto cheers and thanks me.
After practice, I look around for any other trainers who would be up for a friendly race.
And that’s when I spot her. Dark colored hair, I can hear her across the field.
(below is unfinished, leaving this here and posting it because I have finals and the delete date is 2 days from now)
“She’s perfect.” I say to myself. We run over and strike up a conversation.
“Hello! Great day today, isn’t it? My name is Titan and here is my trainee Kasane Teto. We just wanted to come over, introduce ourselves, and ask if you’d like to have a friendly race with us!” We ask hopefully.
“Heh. That doesn’t sound like that bad of an idea. What do you think?” She turns her head to ask her trainee who turned out to be none other than up-and-coming trainee, Ada Wong!
“Oh yeah! I’ve been dying to stretch my legs!” She exclaimed. Honestly, after seeing the trainee, I was a little nervous. She’s a very prolific trainee, but it seems Teto had no idea! She was so riled up it got me excited too. It felt as if we could take on anybody.
We lined up at the start line. And as luck would have it, both Ada and Teto were short distance sprint runners. Just 1200 meters. So short, but so long at the same time. The thought was baffling.
“READY? ON YOUR MARK! SET. GO!”
BANG
They take off. Neck and neck they’re fighting for the front. It’s such a tight race I can feel my neck tightening as I strain it watching the two race. It’s glorious seeing these two pound the track, scrambling over each other for first.
“KEEP FIGHTING! YOU’RE NEARLY THERE!” The other trainer’s voice booms across the track. It’s so strong and I can hear it reverberate in my bones. And for a split second I see Teto falter. Wong takes her chance and accelerates down the track and beat Teto. By just a head, Ada Wong wins their battle.
“YATTA! CONGRATS WONG! GOOD JOB ON THE VICTORY!” The other trainer cheers.
“Nice try, Teto. This is just the beginning, we’ll get our lick back soon.” I say as I walk over to Teto. She’s exhausted, but it seems her spirit hasn’t broken. Teto still has a grin on her face.
“pant pant. You’re right. We’ll see them again soon. I think I’ll head back early, Trainer Titan.” She makes towards her dorm with a pep in her step, even after a loss. I turn back towards Ada Wong and her trainer to congratulate them and I can hear them cheer.
“Good work, Wong! Fantastic time at 41.67 seconds! A new record!” The trainer exclaims. I walk over to her, hand outstretched.
“Good race today, it was very close! I’m glad to have met you.” I say.
“It was a great race indeed. I can’t wait to see you two again soon. You both have great potential. You said your name was Titan, right? It’s nice to meet you. My name’s Ado, and I’m sure we’ll see each other very soon.”
She shakes my hand and she leaves with Ada Wong.
“Ado and Ada, huh. Weird.” I mutter to myself as I head back to my apartment. Today’s been interesting. And I can’t wait to see what tomorrow has in store for me.