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"SEIUN SKY FINISHES FIRST! SEIUN SKY FINISHES FIRST AND TAKES HOME THE ARIMA KINEN!"
The stadiums PA system roared throughout the entire stadium, announcing Seiun Skies no less than absolutely spectacular victory. The beating of hooves against the grassy track slowly faded and was quickly replaced by the loud cheers of a little over 8 thousand people. All 8 thousand voices were cheering for her.
After completely stopping from her exhausting run, she had a quick moment of self reflection as the excited cheers faded into nothingess...
Her friends. Her family. Her dear Trainer.
All of them were there to witness her glorious victory. They were there when time were tough. Times when she doubted her abilities.
"Come on Seiun-chan! I- no, we believe in you!"
"Even if you somehow fail...youre still our daughter. Just as you would be if you won."
"This is it Seiun. I still look back and smile just at the thought of what incredible racer became of you...no matter how lazy you are."
They were there...they are there...and will continue being there for the rest of her career. It was a beautiful thought, one that unexpectedly brought the usualy unserious, unphased girl to tears.
"Breathe in, breathe out, come on..." she kept telling herself, yet nothing worked. Her bottled up emotions burst out of her like squeezed lemon droplets and she starts crying. Pure, stainless tears drop down from her blue-as-water eyes and it seemed like absolutely nothing could stop them. The onslaught of emotions certainly didnt exactly improve when her friends that ran with her came to congratulate her.
It was just a little too much. The praises, her friends faces, the distant cheers...
El Condor Pasa, Grass Wonder, King Halo, Special Week and traces of Seiuns own self confidence quickly caught up to her after they crossed the finish line one after another. First came her rival...the one, the only, King Halo.
"Close call...but rest assured victory lies in my hands for the forseeable future." King Halo stated somewhat (?) coldy, not wanting to look too happy while congratulating her rival at winning. Eventualy though, she cracks, and a small smile graces her lips. "Congratulations."
Another fammiliar voice pops up from behind King.
"Seiun-chan!! Oh my Godesses you were AMAZING!"
Next came Special Week, the bright and cheery girl usualy always having nice or supportive to say. "Ahem- i mean UMAZING! Seriously, congratulations!! Aaaaah-!"
And out of nothing but excitement, Spe-chan tackles Seiun into a tight, admiring hug, her grip vice like. Seiun still remembers Special Week as the akwardly, overly nice newcomer to Tracen Academy. Out of that kind spirit emerged a genuine threat to anyone else racing with her, her acceleration almost inhuman. Her hug continued and in came another friend...Grass Wonder. The soft spoken one.
"Seiun-chan...you have my deepest respect. You were truly incredible today and...i dont doubt your future will be anything less than spectacular. Wherever you and your...interesting trainer go, i pray it all goes your way. Congratulations." Grass Wonder said softly, her gaze one showing of great respect.
And shortly after her own speech, she noticed a small finger tapping at Special Weeks shoulder as she kept holding Seiun. Spe-chan immidiately got out the way for...
Drum roll please.
🥁🥁🥁
El Condor Pasa. The Uma with the personality hotter than of a hot sauce you can get from a shady back alley...with enough capsaicin to kill an elephant, maybe two.
"Seiun Sky, amigo!" El exlaimed loudly, taking Seiuns hand in a strong handshake. "Today, the ground trembled beneath your feet as you ran with such fiercity, you made the Great El Condor Pasa shiver! Your hidden passion was what pushed you to your absolute limit and THAT is something someone like me can admire! Just incredible, absolutely incredible! Congratulations!"
And with that, El's speech was over as King Halo started herding everyone to go to the 3-step podium for the final picture.
Walking there...Seiun thought of everything that happened so far. From saying goodbye to her family and boarding the train to Tokyo, to todays magnificent victory over one of Japan's most notorious races.
Her mind didnt stop reminiscing as she stood on the podium on the first place, holding her large golden trophy. The constant flashing of lights didnt exactly bother her as she put on her signature relaxed smile. However, her mind was somewhere completely different, her body now itching to leave the podium to go and find a certain someone she wishes to thank. Someone so very special.
That said someone is obviously none other than her trainer. Sometimes a genius, usualy clueless, her trainer was someone she didnt exactly mind training under. Like...really didnt mind. It was almost like she liked it, however you would not get that outta her in a million years.
After the final photos were finaly taken, she handed over the trophy to eventualy be taken for real after everything was done. Now, her mission? Find her Trainer. She didnt see them by the raillings (which dissapointed her) so she could only guess where you were.
The stadium was large. But after a bit of wandering around the area by the changing rooms, she heard the unmistakable voice of her trainer, speaking over the phone in their mother tongue, fortunately quite loudly. She was immidiately reeled in, her legs taking her over to your position automaticaly and used their voice as guidance.
Eventualy, she got around the corner of the hallway they were in and started evesdropping, trying to catch a few words she understood she learned after spending 3 years with them.
"Oui, maman… Je suis contente que tu l’aies vue. Seiun… elle était tout simplement incroyable, sans même avoir l’air de faire d’effort ! Sans le moindre effort ! Ne pas essayer, c’est quelque chose que personne à Arima Kinen ne peut se permettre!"
Oh man, her trainers voice was just what she wanted to hear right now. The person who basicaly abandoned their education in Japan to focus on and support her. Wait no- enough of that.
She had an idea. She slooowly started to inch towards them, making but the slightest noise as they continued talking.
"Oui oui, j'espère vraiment que tu la rencontreras un jour-"
And after getting close enough, she seized the opportunity and snatched the phone straight from their hand and immidiately hanged up. She quickly put her hands on her hips in a cocky manner.
"Im sorry what-" her Trainer stammered, turning around to discover the culprit.
"Tsk tsk...Trainer Trainer, calling your mother instead of watching me, your precious trainee, win her big race? Oh im heartbroken," she stated, her words having no actual bite behind them. Something that sounded more like fondness.
"Oh my god Seiun i-im so sorry i gave you that idea...! I promise ive seen everything, i just had to go cause my mom was calling right after you crossed the line," they explained.
"Its...okay, dummy. I was just sort of hopi- i mean expecting you to jump over the railing and congratulate me. But something came up, and thats okay. Youre here now."
"That...i am. I am here."
After that, a comfortable silence fell upon them, the air somewhat tense. Tense with...unspoken words. After a while she spoke.
"So? Come on, cogratulate me," she demanded, her voice now flat like it was something to check off. Her trainer then took a deep breath, something that caught Seiun off guard.
"Would you like a simple congratulations or...the small monologue i prepared in front of a mirror?" they questioned, their voice rather shy and uncertain, hoping Seiun wouldnt find that idea too cringe.
And she didnt. She actualy prepared the very same thing just in a "Thank you for everything" way. They now found themselves in an akward stalemate. Trainer hoping she wouldnt get second hand embarressament and Seiun hoping they wouldnt take too much of her talking points. Though after a while, putting on a brave face, Seiun Sky gave them the green light.
"Well, alright champ. Shoot," she prompted, gesturing a wave forward with one hand. She felt herself get a littly shy as her Trainer took a deep breath and began.
"I apologize in advance for i might repeat myself but..." they started, accent slipping a little, "...first ill congratulate you on todays victory. If you told my younger self three years ago that they would end up with a trainee such as yourself i wouldnt believe them at all. Though it seems you have proven me wrong once more. Seriously, congratulations on the Arima Kinen."
Seiun cant help but feel a little bashful at that. Sure, Trainer was cringe as hell most of the time, but right now it felt quite sincere.
"...and i suppose i also have to thank you for the opportunities i now have. The partial earnings i got from your victories gave me a comfortable life and i can afford things and i trips i never even thought about."
Trainer paused as they thought of their next words. Seiun felt herself get even more and shy and bashful, but takes a step closer and puts her hands behind her back in spite of that.
"And...in a way, in you, i found more or of a good friend than a trainee, considering the ratio of hangouts and training sessions is around one to two. Whether its fishing, shopping or actual training sessions, i like spending time with you. And the fact i met your parents; i think that solidifies us as good friends, no?"
Seiun laughed a little under her breath, finding your words akward as much as they are sincere. She felt a little warm sensation on her face as she thought of a good response.
"Ehehehe...you just say the dorkiest things, man. But i suppose ill take the compliments."
...
"I had a good time with you too. Good thing we still have plenty of time before i retire."
"...retire? Were not retiring until we win everything there is to win. Remember, Jeremy Wades 'River Monsters' only ended cause he caught everything there was to catch."
"And...if i dont want to run all that?"
"Well...im just saying that in the case you would, i would support you every step of the way."
"...oh my gaaawd," Seiun thought to herself, trying to resist the smile thats desperately trying to put itself on her face. Though, she could only hold back for you so long before she looked back at them, eyes shining with admiration.
"Goddamn idiot..." she murmured, taking another step closer, "come here."
And with a surge of confidence, Seiun completely leans into her Trainer, putting her arms around them and resting her chin on their shoulder and lets out a long, shuddering sigh.
"Thank you...seriously. For everything," she murmured.
Trainer stood there for a solid 17 seconds before eventualy hugging her back, their grip not nearly as strong as hers.
The following silence was comfortable, save for literaly all the sounds coming from outside their hallway. It didnt bother Seiun though, for her world shrinked to the confines of that small hallway they were holding each other in. Her mind went reminiscing again, however this time, all the memories included her Trainer in some way. From their first day until...well, now.
The good, the bad, the ugly, and the terribly akward.
She wouldnt trade it for the world though.
After a while, her Trainer pulled away and so did she. Seiun was a tad dissapointed the embrace ended so early but whatever, right?
"Heh, now that thats over..." she spoke up again, putting her hands on her hips, "i'll just get dressed, pick up my trophy and were off home, yeah?"
"Haha, yeah....would you like me escort you back to Tracen?"
"...nah, actualy. Ill stay at your house for a few hours. The curfew at my dormitory is 2 AM, so ill leave before that."
"I see...well in that case, what do you plan on doing at my place. What do WE plan doing?"
"Whatever we usualy do, dummy. Also, i want to watch River Monsters...i need to copy a few of those fishing moves. And i expect you to make me food."
"Oh come on, youre a completely capable cook."
"Well, screw you, youre making me something like it or not. I just won the Arima Kinen, and youre denying me some basic food service? How rude..."
"Alright alright...youre getting fish fillet but with the driest baked potatoes known to man."
"Oh? Well alright trainer, but dont you think ill forget about this. Might just come back and bite you when you least expect it~"
"Ugh...whatever, just go change," they ordered, grabbing her by the shoulder and pushing her gently in the direction of the changing room door. Seiun felt a little shiver go through her at the touch. The strong grip contradicting the light push did something to her.
No matter, she then did what she promised - got dressed and took her trophy that was now in a protected box.
The bus ride back to your house was pretty much uneventful, save for the few fans that recognized her in public and asked for a photo/autograph. Her Trainer lived quite far away, so the bus ride took quite the long while. In typical Seiun fashion, she fell asleep on their shoulder, getting just tiniest bit of drool on their jacket while clutching the box with the trophy inside. In all honestly, it was a cute sight.
Upon finaly getting to your apartment, Seiun Sky waltzed right in like she owned the place, dropping her duffelbag and box right down by the floor.
"Aaah...home sweet Trainers home~" she said, plopping down on the couch and laying down, crossing her legs, "so what, just gonna stand there? Ya either go make me the food or come sit with me."
Her Trainer rolls their eyes, setting down their own things and putting their shoes away.
"So youre telling me i have an option?" they questioned, walking over to the front of the couch.
"Actualy...forget about it, come here."
"Forget about what? Your hunger?"
"Mhh...yeah, come on," she replied, getting up into a cross legged sitting position, "dont feel so hungry anymore."
"Deal," Trainer responded, before plopping down on the couch a safe distance from her. Seiun was quick to close that gap, however, coilling her arms around their left arm and leaning her head on their shoulder. A little closeness never hurt anyone, did it?.
"Alright, now...where did we left of? Hmm...oh yeah, i know," she yawned out, before removing one arm from them and reaching for the remote. Once the remote was in hand, she quickly tapped away to find their pirated Netflix to continue watching her little fishing show.
And so, you watched, the silence only occasionaly broken up by Seiuns commentary, whether on the fishing techniques or the grotesque fish shown on screen.
Her Trainer was content, to say the least. This was...quite nice actualy. No bickering, no snarky remarks, just their trainee leaning on them and watching a show that fundementaly didnt interest them, but one they knew she liked. In that case, they were happy to let her indulge.
The show went on, and so did the night. Eventualy, Seiun fell asleep on them for the second time that day. No problem though, they had trouble being up as well anyway. And so, they turned off the TV, picked up the now sleeping girl and carried her to the guest room. They gently laid her down and draped a blanket over her, getting up and leaving but stopping at the door way. Looking at their trainee's sleeping face, a surge of pride swelled through their chest. The Arima Kinen...all those hours of training and scolding for being lazy paid off. Despite what felt like an impossible task at the beggining, they managed to help her become a champion, and that mattered for than anything.
Several years passed from that evening.
Seiuns Skies career flourished, managing to win a whopping a Triple Crown to end everything off. And sure, as always has been, there have been great races and there have terrible races.
But thats just life isnt it?
Though, with the support of her Trainer, friends and family, she pushed through. Pushed past every challenge, past every obstacle until she eventualy retired and became a household name in Japan. Seiun now lived a rather quiet, sheltered life running a small sea food restaurant by the beaches of Yokosuka, just south of Tokyo. The money she made off of racing gave her restaurant a headstart, the quality of the food (and herself) attracting quite many customers and tourists.
Right now, she was at one of the many beaches of Yokosuka, finaly having the time to teach her Trainer how to catch fish. Really just cause she wanted free labour to catch fish for her restaurant but dont tell anyone i told you.
"Now...watch carefully. Once your arms get into that angle, you have to quickly flick your wrist, like this," she instructed, vaguely performing the gesture as described. Her trainer then replicated the actions, albeit not as smoothly.
"That was...eh, satisfactory. Now, grab your rod and we'll do it together, m'kay?"
Her Trainer did as told, grabbing their rod and getting into position, the sand crunching audibly beneath them. Seiun Sky followed suit, taking the time to flex her much more expensive rod.
The rods were soon flicked into the water, the coloured baits making a light splash. It was a mystery what was going to bite the bait — but just like their future, they were prepared for it.