Chapter Text
Chrono Genesis used to wish that she could call herself a “regular umamusume”, but given her dream has morphed ever since she enrolled herself at Tracen Academy. She can't help thinking, “That is such a foolish thing to say.” As Chrono Genesis wants to be part of the bigger painting, be a part of history, carve herself in it. As she has drowned herself in what is the world of racing, records..winners..strategies, you name it and she’ll know it.
It even morphed into a bad habit of hers that every time she races she’ll think of past winning strategies and use them to leave her mark too. Well ever since her career kicked off, she's been doing that less and less..way too much overthinking for 3 minutes of a race, even though said races feel like hours to her.
To this point her career has indeed kicked off well. 1st place in a race for Umamusume that is soon to debut, 1st place in the “Ivy Stakes” and a 2nd place in her first G1 the “Hanshin Juvenile Fillies”, she called it a slip up that “history laid out to her”. By these times the inevitable was approaching like a storm, louder than the fanfare before a race starts, The Triple Tiara.
One of the many ways an Umamusume can carve herself in history, Chrono very well knew that, the thing is that actually winning the thing felt like a fantasy to her. Sure she pictured herself, the announcers saying how she had beaten such an amazing feat becoming the 6th tiara winner!... in a dream.
Chrono loudly groaned into her pillow as the dream jolted her awake, scaring a Loves who was making a community post for her fans who were rooting for Tiara journey, “Chrono-chan!?...” she squeaked softly calling out to the other uma. Chrono herself shot uptight from the pillow, “Sorry for startling you..Loves-chan..” she weakly muttered blushing out of embarrassment, but a gloomy feeling also troubled her mannerisms.
Loves quickly catched onto that, “Is something bothering you Chrono-chan?” she said now calm yet a hint of worry started to rain on her. Chrono rolling onto her back again staring at the ceiling answered “A stupid dream, nothing at all honestly” Loves as stubborn as she could be, wasn't fully convinced she hit the jackpot so she retorted :
“Dreams aren't stupid, even if the dream didn't make sense!~” she teased on that last part, lightening a bit of the mood.
Chrono herself giggled slightly at the thought, but coming back to what she was hinting at, her dream was somewhat stup- okay no she just said it wasnt, lets just say…far fetched, yeah thats the word, Chrono muttered in her mind as she spoke up again “Uhm, it was just a silly thing i think i got too caught into my fantasies and i really REALLY think we shouldn't indulge right now in-”
“It was the Tiara wasn't it? You're rambling…” Loves said, cutting her rapid-fire words.
Oh that sure shut her up, blush crept up her neck blossoming in her entire face. “I-i m-mean y-you couldn't possibly-”
Loves sighed with a hint of humor, “I was right…” while Chrono didn't have the guts to look at the swirly crimson-red and light pink haired uma who had just teased her through her defenses.
Loves stood up and went over kneeling to her bed level “Chrono-chan.” she painfully slowly turned her head to see her closer than she was before flinching a bit she croaked “Y-yeah?” Loves with a smile that could really disarm anyone, spoke :
“It really isn't stupid or silly or whatever you were gonna say, it's a dream we share, we share with a lot of people like Gran-Chan, and Bouquet-Chan, people who are just as capable and talented as us two. Even if you don't believe that to such an extent, I do that's more than enough, ive seen you Chrono how you pour your energy on the history of racing and then on the races, that energy is dangerous you know?~♡ You'll beat me up in no time.”
Chrono could hardly form a coherent sentence now, but Loves just continued “So thats why im getting better, to be at your level, and pour my love to everyone who will be watching me, who will be watching you, who will be watching us. So Chrono-chan lets us give it our best, the best we’ve got.” as Loves finished her words she clasped both of her hands on one of Chrono’s.
Chrono knew Loves was a very affectionate uma, constantly hugging people or just keeping a hand on her close friends or people she knew were comfortable with these habits, even so Chrono’s pulse always beat a mile's worth every time a gesture landed on herself.
With her hand in other ones she gave a small nod understanding her roommates sweet words.
“Thank you Loves…im glad you see my skills in that way, it is truly an honor, i wont let yo- I mean! I won't let myself down. I'll give it my all so I can carve history.”
Loves smiled, feeling relieved seeing her roommate ease up, and that sparkle in her eyes at the thought of making history herself instead of watching it all from the sidelines, that sparkle eased her up too.
See Loves had her own doubts about the Tiara, maybe she could end up in the top 3 of one race, that she was sure of. But actually winning one jewel? Two jewels? A full tiara? Yeah also a dream that was so close yet so far.
Chrono, who was tensing up fast as their hands were still interlinked, quickly stood up “I'll go for a walk!..to refresh my mind”
Loves almost frowned at the loss of her friend's touch but quickly composed with her usual smile nodded and replied with a simple okay.
Chrono rushed outside of the dorm, trying to see if the library still had their lights on.
It wasn't really an ungodly hour of the night, maybe 2 or 3 people still remained to study for future exams.
Jackpot! it was still open, the bright lights still beaming in the wide space, she quickly scurried inside muttering a brief hello to the people and the library supervisor that were inside.
Thanks to her considering the library as a second home, the muscle memory did not wait to kick in as she approached a specific hall, the “Title Winners” one, grabbing a book she must've skimmed through at least 7 times these past few days.
“The Triple Tiara” it showed an introduction, the prestiges that came with it, the structure of the races, and most importantly the ones who achieved the glory.
1986 MEJIRO RAMONU
The first tiara to ever grace Japan, it was during the times where the Shuka Sho wasn't the last leg but rather The Queen Elizabeth II Cup, that however did not remove prestige for the win of an enchanting devilish flower, that bloomed at the peak of unexplored grounds.
2003 STILL IN LOVE
After a big gap another tiara finally found its jewels, a quiet dignified umamusume but on the track her strength yelled at volumes. Suppressing this desire outside the track, A desire, a gluttonous urge to win, to use that strength to make the ones who challenged her eat the dust.
2010 APAPANE
Another Tiara won in a time of very talented competitors, an elegant stubborn umamusume who treated even her rivals with the utmost respect, such a Buena Vista which was considered a “super mare”. With quiet intensity pushing herself past her limits running while she still can.
2012 GENTILDONNA
A Noble Lady of Fortitude, an Iron maiden, she could rip the world apart with her arms if that's what she wished, an umamusume who crushed the turf under her hooves and pushed her way to win the Tiara and The Japan Cup twice.
2018 ALMOND EYE
A star student that shined through the track, those blue with red accents racing silks would fly over the turf with a determination of perfectionism. A perfect mare nonetheless, who was the official mark for this new era of racing.
Chrono looked at that latest entry with an intense gaze, narrowing in. Almond Eye, Ai-chan by her close peers, was her senpai, but barely by one year. She was only one year older than her, but she was just that good, racking up G1 wins as if they were mere collectibles.
That got Chrono thinking, she could also be that strong herself. She could also give those results by her sheer will. And she was well damned to prove it, all in the name of cutting through the expectations and earning a spot with those umamusume written inside that hard cover book.
Her daydream was cut short as the library supervisor was preparing to wrap up things, Chrono at lighting speed stored the book back carefully and left the library, thanking the supervisor for their hard work.
Back at her dorm, Loves was already sleeping, sprawled on her bed, her swirly hair messy around her sides. Chrono was staring like always, but this time she took more time to realize what her body was doing on autopilot.
Normally she would've stopped before anyone could've gotten the slight chance to tease her. But they were alone after all. Shaking her head she changed into her nightclothes, slipped into her bed and prayed she'd get some sleep despite all the jumbled feelings she felt inside were roaring loudly.