Chapter Text
It was Flemington's final straight as blades of wet grass flew high up into the air. There were rugged Umamusume around me, panting and wheezing heavily. The sky is grey, cloudy and stormy, crying from rain. Water flicking from the turf.
Melbourne Cup. The race that stops a nation.
‘...followed by River of Stars who battles on and Torranzino and Middle Earth right down the outside. 300m to go.’
The crowd’s cheers erupted louder as we drew closer and closer to the finishing line. I felt myself brushing against a roughened Uma dressed in red and white, before I soon disappeared from her and shot forward like a rocket.
‘Middle Earth and Half Yours is getting through! Goodie Two Shoes with Half Yours challenging at the clock tower!’
This is it! The 200m length!
I can't give up now. Both my feet sped up, feeling them zip forward passing by the brown-haired Goodie Two Shoes right next to me. Ignoring her frustrated cries for the position, I knew I had to keep it together. Now, I'm first. Sponsors hanging on the fence, the crowd screaming, the humid wet, the soggy grass, all of them disappeared as the checkered grass before me grew bigger and bigger.
100m. Now 50m. And before I knew it, I was beyond the fated white line that everyone’s eyes locked onto.
‘HALF YOURS, THE HISTORY MAKER, WON THE LEXUS MELBOURNE CUP BY THREE LENGTHS! HALF YOURS THE WINNER!’
The crowd’s cheering was deafening. Everything slowly returned back to me as I watched the millions of faces in the stadium scream and cheer at my triumph. I felt an uncontrollable smile curl my lips, and with my two shaky, tired legs, I surged forward in ecstasy, bending my legs in and slid down the grass with my knees. Tears of joy rolled down my cheeks, unlimited pride burning out of my body.
Then, everything flashed back.
Tracen Academy.
A place where dreams come to fruition.
The words echoed in my mind as the plane touched down in Japan. I hadn’t been able to sit still for the entire flight from Australia. My legs jittered, my tail flicked, and my thoughts raced faster than any sprint I’d ever run. Every cloud we passed felt like another second wasted. Beyond those doors waited answers I’d chased my whole life. Maybe here, among legends, I’d finally find my true passion… maybe even my purpose.
Umamusume zipped past me in streaks of red, their tracksuits bright as ripe tomatoes, laughter trailing behind them like wind at their heels. My pace quickened into a power walk as I followed the flow toward the academy’s main entrance, refusing to be left behind on my very first day. I felt my heart thump like a booming drum, feeling the air blow past my hair and the trees rustle softly.
I suddenly froze at the doors of the academy, hands shaking uncontrollably just by looking at them. I placed my hands and pushed them open as a blinding light shone in my vision. When my eyes adjusted, I was greeted by a vast hall alive with movement and noise. Trainers spoke in hurried tones, Umamusume clustered together in excited groups, and footsteps echoed across the polished tiled floor. To one side sat a quiet library as people sat and read like they had all the time in the world, while offices lined the walls, quiet, official, intimidating.
One certain pair managed to catch my eye, a tall girl with long white hair who seemed like a complete whacko, doing whatever next to another elegant, pink-haired girl sipping on a teacup. She hopped about without warning, swinging her arms and doing… something that defied explanation, as if the concept of embarrassment simply didn’t exist for her. The other girl seemed to just stare at the other emotionlessly almost like she was used to this behaviour– steady, almost tired even.
And I couldn’t look away.
Something told me that Tracen Academy wasn’t just where dreams were made.
It was where legends, and lunatics, were born. A smile touched my lips, as I closed my eyes in quiet victory.
Then, to my right, a reception being attended by a young woman clad in a green suit and hat. A soft, gentle aura emanated about her. You’d think she was a whole pear just by looking at her! I trotted over to her in excitement as we both exchanged the brightest smiles ever. The calm woman bowed gently to me and greeted me respectfully, something that almost took me off guard. It was something I hadn’t gotten used to ever since coming to this country.
‘Good morning. How can I help?’ she asks me. ‘My name’s Tazuna Hayakawa, apologies for not introducing myself.’
‘Ah, um… I wanted to enroll! For the Tracen Academy! I’m Half Yours!’ the words spilled out all of a sudden, unable to even control whatever I said.
The woman’s face lit up and she smiled at hearing my name, looking as if she recognised who I was.
‘You’re Half Yours? You’re the victor of the Melbourne Cup and Caulfield Cup! You wrote an online form to enroll, yes?’ asks Tazuna.
‘I did. Everything, from race records to my passport.’ I reply.
‘Yes, yes, that’s especially right. Well, you see, the director had a reread of it. She spent a while and had a firm, good look at it too. And she finally made the decision that you can enter without taking the entry exam.’
My ears shot up hearing this. What kind of prestige did I just get? No exams? There was no way this was true. My hands slammed on the desk as I made intense eye contact with the lady.
‘N-no exams?!’ I cry.
‘Yes, you don’t have to sit any. The director evaluated that your skills and racing history in Australia were more than enough to accept you under a special international athlete recommendation. You’re a very gifted racer. Though, she says that the race is required just to see what we’re dealing with in-person.’
A special international athlete recommendation… Why haven’t I been told of this?
‘Well, I have a physical form. Should you sign it, you will be formally obliged to join the Tracen Academy.’
Tazuna reached below and materialised a sheet of paper, filled with details ready to be written. My heart thumped once more, seeing this as my final step to get put into the academy.
‘Your name here, please.’ said the brightly-dressed woman. Her fingers tapped on a blank box where one’s signature would be. In a bundle of excitement, I practically scrambled to sign the form to the point my writing was almost all over the place. A wonky birthdate, tick boxes both long and short and an unreadable signature. Looking back up, I could see Tazuna with an almost amused expression before returning to her trademark, formal smile. She gracefully took the paper back and read it from start to finish before placing it back into the brown, polished desk.
‘Thank you very much, Half Yours. May you achieve great heights.’ Tazuna calmly yet reassuringly said. ‘The dormitories are that way. Room 7-R in the Ritto ward is yours.’
‘Thank you!’ I cry.
But just as I turned to go to the dormitories, I noticed something blurry fall to my feet.
My eyes directed themselves down.
A hat.
It was a bluish-purple shade with a marking in the centre, followed by a clear hole in the middle. Not torn, but intentionally made. I squatted down to pick it up, brushing a bit of dust from the brim.
‘Ah—!’
They emanated an aura just like Tazuna, not fierce or overwhelming. Just happiness. Looking up, it was a girl with light brown hair in a bob and a white streak running down one of her bangs. Golden eyes like polished gems sparkled as she leaned slightly forward, smiling at me as if we’d known each other for years. She was dressed in Tracen Academy’s signature red tracksuit, just like what everyone else was wearing. Yet on her, it shined even brighter.
‘Is this yours?’ I ask, standing up to be level with her.
‘Yes! It’s my hat!’ She cheerily answered, clasping her hand together.
I reached my hand out to give her the cap as she took it carefully, and slipped one of her ears neatly through the hole before adjusting the brim with practiced precision. A perfect fit.
‘Does it look good?’ she asks.
‘Yeah. It’s almost like it’s a part of you.’ I add.
Her eyes widened slightly, then her face beamed even brighter. Her happiness was infectious, as I could even feel her cheeriness jump onto me.
‘Hehe… that makes me happy. It helps me think clearly. And it’s important to wear it properly. My trainer always said that presentation reflects mindset.’
The way she said that word, trainer. I didn’t know why, but the way she said that word felt different. Not casual. Important.
‘You’re close to your trainer, right? I asked unintentionally.
‘Very. He taught me how to race without hesitation. To trust my instincts before my doubts.’ She tapped the brim of her hat. ‘And to always go full send. Not only in racing, but even in life.’
There was no arrogance in her voice. Just pure belief. But something flickered behind that cheery smile of hers. Not sadness, but distance.
‘He’s not here right now,’ she added quickly, almost too quickly. ‘But I’ll make sure he’s proud wherever he is.’
The noise around us felt quieter all of a sudden. I didn’t know why that statement felt heavy.
‘Ah, sorry about my hat, I was pacing and went a bit too fast. It blew right off my head and fell to you.’ the fellow Umamusume explained.
‘No worries. It’s just a little accident.’ I simply answer. ‘I drop stuff all the time, too.’
‘Well, I better get going now. Bye!’
The happy girl resumed her stride as she dashed into the grand hall’s direction once again, but before heading further, the girl turned to me once more. She stood there, studying me closely for a second.
‘You’re new, right?’ The girl asks me, not out of judgement, but curiosity.
‘Yeah.’ I nodded.
‘Then we’ll do our best together.’
It wasn’t a challenge, nor a threat. It was a promise.
With that, she spun lightly on her heel and dashed back into the grand hall, disappearing among the other racers waiting to debut. For a moment, her laughter echoed faintly through the corridor. I felt my hand grip the strap of my backpack tighter than ever.
Whoever was her trainer… he must’ve been good. Really good.
If that’s the level they reach here in Japan, I can’t afford to get left behind.
I’m Half Yours. No, I don’t mean that I’m actually half yours. I’m a young racer from Melbourne, Australia aiming for the top. I didn’t come here just to shine. I came here to burn. To go wild.
Last year, I won the Melbourne Cup. The Caulfield Cup too. The kind of victories people say should make you settle down, stay home, defend your crown. So why’d I come to Japan instead of staying in Australia, you ask?
Well, I wanted both a true challenge and to prove myself.
Everyone else in Melbourne put their all into the cups I’ve been in too. I felt that fury every time we lined up at the gates. But no matter how hard they tried, none of them could reach me. Not because they lacked effort, but because my stride had already moved beyond that stage.
To me, trophies aren’t an ending. They’re a question. Each one asks the same thing: Is this really all you are? Pride? Fame? A name etched into history? Or something deeper, something closer to enlightenment?
Japan is where the answers are. Where legends are born not just from winning, but from how far you’re willing to push yourself when no one expects you to. Tracen Academy isn’t a reward for champions, but it’s a furnace. And I walked straight into the fire.
If I’m going to discover who I truly am… I can’t do it where I’m already untouchable.
It’s morning already. I had struggled to sleep for a while ever since coming here. It’s been two days since my enrollment, yet it feels so far away for some reason. I rubbed my eyes groggily and placed my feet to the floor, looking at the sunlight from outside slightly spill into the dark room. As I gave a low, tired yawn, I walked to the curtains and slid them open, letting my body bathe in the sunlight entering the room.
The Japanese sunlight was much brighter, much warmer than the one back in Australia. As I basked in it for a while, I retreated and threw on my Tracen clothes– a t-shirt, red shorts and jacket. Putting them on, I felt as though I could run all the way from here to Osaka. The deep, burning fire within me ignited itself.
I deeply inhaled through my nostrils and slowly exhaled out of my mouth, calming my body down and collecting my thoughts together. A calm mind was what my original trainers Tony and Calvin taught me last year. In fact, having one is something you should always try to master. That way, you’d be able to conquer everything. Then, I swung out of the room almost at the speed of light.
The hallway of the dorms was already alive. Doors pushed open, laughter echoed and footsteps pounded against polished floors. It was the morning group run.
I leaned against the wall and began loosening my calves, rolling my ankles slowly. Control the body. Control the tempo. Don’t let the fire burn too early. I ran down the stairwell in tow with several other Umamusume, ready for the morning run.
Outside, the courtyard buzzed with energy. The air smelled faintly of cut grass and track rubber. A senior called out instructions, clapping her hands to gather everyone together.
‘Three laps around the outer campus, and keep a steady pace! Don’t sprint!’
Don’t sprint, eh? I almost smiled.
We started together in a cluster, shoes striking the grass in uneven rhythm. At first, I kept myself buried in the middle of the pack. Their strides were compact, efficient, almost conservative. Japanese discipline. Measured. Patient.
But my legs… they wanted more.
The warmth of the sun pressed against my back as we curved around the academy’s course. The wind quickly brushed past my ears, my hair flowing in the air like leaves from a tree. I kept my breathing controlled and restrained. In, out, in, out.
‘She’s actually keeping pace.’
‘Guess the Melbourne Cup wasn’t luck, huh?’
Luck.
My fingers twitched.
The path bent slightly to the right. Keeping to another Uma, I felt my instinct kick in, and it responded. My stride lengthened, just a little. Not a sprint. Not yet. The ground felt different here than back home. Firmer. Tighter. Perfect for frequency. I accelerated, not explosively, but decisively. One by one, I slipped past them. Each of them noticed and watched on, powerless from my speed.
‘She’s picking up!’ said one of them.
The wind roared past my body. The chatter faded away, just like that day in Melbourne. It felt strange to me, even. I crossed the first checkpoint well ahead of the pack, slowing only slightly just enough to not make it look like a statement. But it was. And I would prove to them that I’m going to reach the top.
My back slumped against the fence while I struggled to control my puffy breath from the group run. Beads of sweat fell down my brow and soaked into my undershirt, forcing me to unzip the red jacket I adorned and letting the air course through my body. The Umamusume in the group run had all dispersed and gone to their own activities, leaving me by my lonesome.
As I looked back up, I was met with a girl slowly approaching me. My heart fluttered. This girl wore a red tracksuit, and had hair as white as snow. No, grey as Cinderella? There was a yellow, square-like headband wrapped around her hair she wore proudly almost like it was a crown. But the most striking of all was her face. She had a gaze that was serious, emotionless and stern who looked like she would get things done in an instant. Each of her steps rustled in the sharp, green grass, slowly coming towards my direction.
‘Hey, do you need something?’ I ask.
‘You’re… Half Yours, right?’ the girl questioned, finally coming to a stop and within reasonable distance. ‘You enrolled the other day.’
‘Mhm. I did. What do you need?’
‘Um… This might be a bit too much to ask since you came only recently, but do you want to eat dinner with me?’
Dinner, huh? That’s actually not too bad. But why choose me?
‘Hm, I’m ok with that. Why me, though? You don’t have many friends or anything? Ah, bloody hell, I shouldn’t have asked that…’ my voice trailed away in embarrassment, realising I had blurted out words I probably shouldn’t have said. Yet, when I looked at the girl, she didn’t seem bothered by it one bit.
‘It’s not that. I actually have a lot of friends. The reason is because I’ve got something to tell you about. Or to be more realistic, what the director has to say.’ She patted her head softly with the top of her fist, almost like she was stuck in her own head.
‘The director? But, couldn’t she have talked to me directly?’
‘Director Akikawa is a busy woman. She asked me personally to tell you. And well, I thought of going out to eat again tonight. Eating out is good, but if you’re by yourself, what’s the point?’ She said. Honestly, she puts up a good point. Who would go out to eat by themselves at night? I loved going to pubs on Fridays and eating with Mum. Especially parmas!
‘Sure, ok. You’re quite right on eating with others. Tonight you wanted to head out, right?’ I said.
‘Yeah. Tonight’s good. I’ve got stuff to do, so meet me at the hall at 6pm. Oh, and by the way, my name’s Oguri Cap. I’ve been here for as long as I can remember.’
All I remembered after that was the strong, striking smell of food at the cafeteria. I had such a fuzzy memory from the running that my great hunger was the only thing that remained in my mind. There I sat, a whole plate of different delicacies laid out in front of me like a reward for a job well done. Frankfurts shaped like octopuses, rice, chicken, you name it. Picking my fork and spoon up, I quickly ate away, demolishing each and every dish before me. I couldn’t stop at all.
Finally, the plates had been cleaned without even a grain of rice left behind. I didn’t even know the food here would be so good. Sure, in Melbourne, there are tons of Japanese restaurants, but somehow, all of them fall even to a simple cafeteria meal from here. The taste of fresh, fluffy rice and the crunch of the karaage were all too much for me. Ah… I wish I could live here instead… No pressure of running every day, or anything. As I exhaled a puff of air, I sat up straight and stacked the numerous plates together, carefully getting up and returning them back to the cafeteria.
I’ve got some free time now, so what should I do? Take another walk? Or maybe hit up that library? Tracen Academy’s just way too vast for all of this stuff. I shoved my hands into the pockets of my jacket and stepped out of the cafeteria, lost in the sea of my thoughts. Eventually, I decided on a simple walk. I had seen a small garden before, plus a whole gym for us to use, so I guess those were worth scouting out.
But all of a sudden, a shrill, warrior-like cry came echoing through the corridor. My ears perked up in surprise like a radar, quickly glancing over to the left in confusion.
‘GOLD SHIP… TACKLE!’ yelled a familiar voice.
A blur of a face shooting forward with their arms shaped like an X flew towards me. And barely, I dodged the attack from the crazy lunatic that came flying like an airplane towards me. The person fell midair, an audible thud rocking the entire academy like a violent earthquake. And from their appearance, they looked strangely familiar. She wore an ornate brown cap and had long white hair like snow, plus Tracen's purple school uniform.
‘Ouch.’ said the girl.
As I took a closer look, I realised I had seen this girl earlier on my first day here in Tracen. It’s that white-haired whacko again! I traced my steps back in fear she was going to hit me again. The girl proceeded to get on her knees and slowly stand up, a firm hand wrapped around her face painfully. She adjusted the odd hat-like contraption on her head before returning her mean yet proud gaze onto me.
‘Mate, are you nuts?! What the heck’s wrong with you?’ I shriek, already going full defensive against her. My hands were raised in a combat-like stance, ready to trade blows with her if needed.
‘Haha, you’re one of the strongest Umas I’ve come across here! You knew when my attack was coming!’ the girl proudly announced.
Yeah, because you said it like a darn cartoon. Who in the right mind cries out their attack before doing it? I felt my blood boil at this mindless idiot the more I looked at her.
‘Did you not even consider that I would’ve gotten absolutely hurt at all?’
‘That’s nonsense! For I knew you could dodge my powerful strike!’ She pointed a finger at my direction pridefully almost like she was starting a rivalry with me–she wasn’t. ‘I, the great Gold Ship, challenge you to a great rumble! An Umamusume from lands across the sea is perfect material to hone skills with!’
‘Yeah, nah. I’m good. Can I go?’
‘No, no! I never take kindly to rookies. That’s why I must find one I can build strength, courage and wit into!’
‘Gold Ship! Leave her alone!’ cried a much elegant, more refined voice.
Looking in the opposite direction came rushing another girl, with hair coloured the same like a lavender flower. She looked at her companion as if she was used to all of this, clearly unbothered in the slightest.
‘Wait, you…’ I knew this person somewhere, too. Up close, she was even more grander than ever.
‘Mac? Argh, get outta here! You’re ruining the moment!’ she cries.
The lavender-haired girl sighed the kind of sigh only someone deeply, spiritually tired could produce.
‘Gold Ship, you cannot simply launch yourself at foreign transfer students like a guided missile.’
‘Guided missile?!’ Gold Ship perked up instantly. ‘That’s the coolest thing anyone’s ever called me!’
‘And I am not complimenting you.’
And yet, Gold Ship grinned proudly at her, fists akimbo on her hips. I stood there, blinking in confusion. I’m kinda regretting coming here. The lavender-haired girl turned to me and gave a small, graceful bow. Her eyes closed gracefully before she reestablished her eye contact with me.
‘My sincerest apologies. Gold Ship tends to… express herself physically. I am Mejiro McQueen. I also run here, too.’
‘Oi, that’s a great way of putting it!’ Gold Ship grinned. ‘I express myself through violence!’
‘You what?!’ I cry in fear.
‘What she means is… she gets excited when she senses strong competitors.’ added Mejiro McQueen.
Gold Ship suddenly leaned uncomfortably close to my face. Her eyes sparkled with something unhinged, like stars. But violent.
‘You smell like victory.’
I recoiled. ‘That’s just Dove shampoo.’
‘And glory!’ she added dramatically, pumping her fists in the air.
A hand fell to the top of my head. I came to this country for “a true challenge”. Something beyond the Melbourne Cup.
Not… whatever this was.
‘Listen,’ I said firmly, ‘I didn’t come all the way from Melbourne to wrestle idiots in corridors. The jet lag’s already worse enough, okay?’
‘Mel-born!’ Gold Ship repeated, mispronouncing it horrifically, to the point it would even make any Victorian cringe in embarrassment. ‘That’s the place with the giant cup, yeah? The one you won?’ My ears twitched slightly. McQueen’s eyes sharpened with recognition.
‘You’re… Half Yours, correct? The Melbourne Cup winner?’ she suddenly asked.
The corridor suddenly felt smaller. And the air felt thicker, more intense between us three. Gold Ship gasped, dramatically and unnecessarily loud. Two hands went to the sides of her head as she gazed at me in shock.
‘WAIT, THAT HALF MINE?!’ she screamed at the top of her lungs in realisation.
‘It’s Half Yours.’ I corrected flatly.
Gold Ship grabbed my shoulders before I could react, her face louder than ever.
‘THIS IS PERFECT! A CHAMPION FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD! MAC, THIS IS FATE!’
‘Please release her before she files an international complaint.’ McQueen muttered.
Gold Ship let go instantly only to start dashing in circles like she’d just chugged down twelve Red Bulls. This person was hopeless, I thought.
‘A foreign ace! Fresh legs! Different racing style! I’ve gotta test it! I’ve gotta know!’
‘Test it where? The corridor? You already lost round one.’
Right there, Gold Ship froze. She turned theatrically and averted her gaze onto my face, her grin widening. ‘Haha.’
I did not like this chuckle she scoffed out. Not one bit at all. I felt my stomach drop like it was replaced by a heavy medicine ball.
‘You’ve got spunk, I tell you, Half.’
‘And common sense.’ I shot back.
McQueen stepped between us slightly, though she didn’t seem alarmed, but instead curious.
‘Gold Ship, if you truly wish to challenge her, do so properly. The course exists for a reason.’
There, Gold Ship’s hands threw themselves to her head as she yelped high to the heavens, so loud you could see the lightbulb appear right on top of her head.
‘That’s right! Me, you on the racecourse now!’ she yelled.
‘Now?!’ I said. ‘But I only participated in the group run!’
‘Perfect!’ Gold Ship declared. ‘Fight at your weakest! That’s how legends are born!’
‘That’s how injuries are born.’ McQueen corrected.
Then, the loudmouthed lunatic leaned in again, lowering her voice down. And her smile wasn’t like her idiotic self anymore. Her face was sharp, focused even.
‘You didn’t leave home just to collect trophies from another country,’ she continued. ‘You came to see if you could beat us.’
‘You’re quite sharp for someone that likes announcing their attacks.’ I shot at her. I couldn’t help but smile at her. Proudly, reckless, challenging.
‘Hah! See, Mac? This is why I like her!’
McQueen looked between us, then sighed tiredly again, though this time there was the faintest hint of a smile tugging at her lips.
‘Very well. A light run. Nothing reckless.’ McQueen agreed.
‘YES! GOLD SHIP TACK—’
‘Do not finish that sentence.’ McQueen's hand shot forward in Gold Ship's direction, already motioning her to stop.
The white-haired girl slumped down in defeat. I could see she wanted to do it again, but I was willing to take any chances to not be hit by her at all. I soon exchanged Gold Ship’s wide, victorious grin with one of my own.
‘Fine. One run. And if I win—’
‘You won’t.’
‘If I win,’ I repeated, ‘you stop trying to kill me in the corridors.’
Gold Ship crossed her arms confidently. Her gaze was still sharp, undying.
‘And if I win?’
I smirked, my own confidence dripping out of my face.
‘Then I’ll admit Tracen’s crazier than Australia.’
‘We’ve got a deal!’ Gold Ship shouted.
I noticed McQueen squeeze the bridge of her nose with her finger and thumb looking as worried as ever.
‘Why do I feel as though I will regret supervising this?’
And suddenly, Gold Ship took off down the corridor at full speed. She bolted off like a racecar, believing she could even lose me.
‘LAST ONE TO THE TRACK BUYS LUNCH!’
‘HEY! WE DIDN’T AGREE TO THAT!’ I shouted, already sprinting after her.
At that moment, the fire within me cracked and sparked alight. A striking warmth enveloped my entire body, ready for the ensuing races that were coming.
Honestly, this must be what I was here for. Not applause, easy trophies…
But chaos. Speed. Heartbreak. Victory.
And I’d be there to run it all.
