Chapter Text
Her steps were muted as she accelerated weaving between runners. The racers she passed didn't sense her presence, and before long she shimmered up to the front runner, easily keeping pace with the umamusume beside her. The girl unfortunately looked like she was on the verge of gassing out, but NY Opera OVA could spare no sympathy. It was time.
The next time her cleat hit the turf, the force behind it tripled. OVA exploded forward, and 1st, 2nd and 3rd place all startled. It felt almost like she was skipping across the ground, she moved so fast. She sprinted beyond the rest of her competitors. In a blink, the finish came into view. Faster, even Faster. Faster than her thoughts, Faster than anything. The pure elation in her chest urged her onward.
The Finish Line. She let her furnace cool, decelerating. Her hearing was dominated by her thunderous heart. She looked at the crowd, saw their cheers. She breathed in deeply. She Arrived.
After five seconds of eternity, her competition crossed the finish.
Etsuko Otonashi rolled her eyes as the herd of rookie reporters before her balked. The intense stare of the Umamusume at the speaker's podium was flummoxing to the others, apparently. She could see why one might call the girl intimidating: her piercing yellow eyes, taciturn expression and erratically styled short black hair were somewhat offputting. Of course, this was all undercut by the girl having just headlined Make Debut. The veteran reporter could only shrug and raise her hand, happy to be the first to get a question in.
"Yes, you there, Madame Reporter." Hmmm… If she'd said that with any degree of emotion, Etsuko might be inclined to call it cute. In spite of the complete monotone, she still found the polite address slightly charming.
"Thank you, NY Opera OVA-san, I'm Etsuko Otonashi with Twinkle Monthly, and congratulations on winning your debut race. After such a stellar performance, we're wondering what your plans are going forward. Is there a particular prize you've got your eye on?"
The girl's eyes widened, her yellow irises on full display, and her nostrils widened ever so slightly. Etsuko noted her tail appeared to start swinging with increased energy.
"My plans? An excellent line of questioning. I do indeed have a plan, spanning across the entirety of my upcoming career. I intend to put on a grand show, for all of Japan. A play in five acts. Consider today a prelude, a taste of what lies in store. Yes, for the next two years, I, NY Opera OVA, will grace the Twinkle Series with my divine presence."
The girl used very ostentatious language, but delivered it all with almost no feeling. Still, it was clear her claims were serious.
"Thank you again, OVA-san." NY Opera offered a nod in acknowledgement, and turned her head to the others, gesturing for a young man who'd finally gathered his resolve in the front to speak.
"O-Opera-san, do you have anything to say in regards to the rumors that TM Opera O-san paid off Tracen to circumvent the enrollment process for you?"
Etsuko's next breath was sucked in through her teeth, taken aback as she was by the severe breach of etiquette occurring.
"You would have me speak on TM Opera O-sensei? I see."
Sensei? That was interesting. Unbidden, Etsuko's journalistic curiosity rose in spite of the impolite line of questioning. OVA's arm came up slowly to point at the offending reporter.
"Know this, knave! TM Opera-Sensei is my mentor and a woman I respect more than anyone!" The volume of her voice increased, yet the neutral tone continued. "Opera-sensei saw fit to teach my novitiate self the most important aspects of racing. The absolute strength of her character is unassailable. A woman such as her would never allow her name to be used to commit the villainy you suggest."
The side of the podium where OVA's other hand gripped it gradually began denting under her grasp as she continued. "Make no mistake, all who are here to witness this. What I say next, I mean with no exaggeration: I would sooner die than bring dishonor to the name of Opera." She shuddered, her eyes fluttering closed, then turned slightly to address the whole crowd once more. "That will be all for questions. I look forward to your attendance at my future triumphs. Good day to you, my adoring fans." She bowed dramatically, flourishing her arms and stepping back with one leg theatrically, then used the stance to spin around fluidly and walk smoothly to the dressing rooms.
The chuckle Etsuko let out held a moderate degree of satisfaction at seeing a newbie get put in his place for such a faux pas, but her focus lay elsewhere. The writing was on the wall. Whoever NY Opera OVA was, she was the one to watch.
Manhattan Cafe met her just outside the gates, walking with her in silence as they approached Tazuna, who appeared to be awaiting OVA's arrival back on campus. Her smile widened as the two approached.
"Congratulations on a splendid debut, NY Opera-san, your showing was quite admirable. You have the full support of Tracen behind your efforts." OVA's face stained crimson at the praise. The bow she gave Tazuna was entirely modest, a sharp contrast to her interview.
"Thank you for the kind words, Hayakawa-san. Truly one such as I is honored to be numbered among the students of this prestigious institution. I hope the rest of your day is free from burdens, madam secretary." Tazuna nodded with a bemused smile, and the two umas made their way past the gates. Once they were alone again, Cafe spoke.
"Good work today…Tachyon wants you at the lab… She wants to do… A full work up."
"Yes, I thought she would, let us be off then, Master of Spirits," OVA acquiesced.
Cafe hummed, adding, "Opera-san is there as well… She wishes to speak." OVA's ears and tail, both already perked since Cafe retrieved her, now stood at full attention and wagged vigorously, respectively. They appeared like blades of obsidian emerging from her head and back.
"Both my Progenitors and the creator of my very essence. Truly the Goddess' blessing of my unworthy self is generous on this day." Cafe tilted her head at the statement.
"Wax poetic later… I would prefer to confront the headache… Of Opera-san and Tachyon… In the same room… Before sunset."
"Ah, yes, apologies Cafe-dono, let us make haste." With that final toneless exchange, they sped up to a jog silently. As they approached the classroom Tachyon and Cafe called home, the sound of Opera's singing could be heard well before the door was in site. They arrived at the entrance, and Opera's song cut off when she spotted OVA as she approached the duo.
"Your performance today was simply magnificent, my soulful Squire!" Opera's hands gripped OVA's shoulders with fervor, "And your declaration, the reveal of your coming show, why I was nearly moved to tears just hearing it!" OVA blushed and looked away, flustered.
"Opera-san, we discussed this. Talk to my guinea pig while I examine her, time is of the essence." Tachyon didn't bother greeting OVA, removing Opera's hands and dragging the now overwhelmed debut winner to a chair. "You performed beyond expectations guinea pig, but how are you feeling now- and forgo flowery language, complications at this stage could impact your long term outcomes." She said this while beginning to place sensors on OVA.
Given that she was this focused, OVA knew Tachyon was likely masking some emotion. "Yes, Tachyon-sama. I felt good during and after my race, and there was no pain beyond the normal burn from exerting myself." Tachyon shoved her face right up to OVA. She maintained eye contact, brow furrowed, then pulled back just as quickly. She began yanking off OVA's shoes, and now off-balance, OVA flailed her arms. Cafe steadied her, helping her sit back up.
"Slow down Tachyon… Use your words… We want to help you…" Cafe knelt next to Tachyon by OVA's legs. She brushed a lock of the scientist's hair behind her, and turned her head to make the erratic uma pause. If the way Tachyon blinked several times and swallowed was any indication, it was effective.
"Right… You are correct, dear Cafe." She cleared her throat and looked up at OVA. Tachyon resumed footwear removal, now at a more sedate pace. "I am going to examine your legs manually guinea pig. I want to check your muscle tone and make certain your tendons and joints are functioning optimally. Feel free to converse with Opera-san and Cafe."
As ever, OVA's next words came out flat, but her eyes communicated her true feelings, "Thank you, Tachyon-sama. I am very grateful to be in some of the most capable hands at Tracen." She turned to Opera- and Cafe, who'd moved to join the Centurial Overlord on the couch. "Opera-sensei, Cafe-dono, I am overjoyed to know you were pleased by my efforts on today's stage. The gifts you each gave to me are truly awe-inspiring."
Opera let out a booming laugh.
"Do not be so hasty there, dear Squire. For what use is a chisel in the hands of she who knows not how to sculpt?" She stood from her seat, hands on her hips. "An apt metaphor, I think, considering your use of the overwhelming, glorious presence commanded by both you and I was an artful display." She laughed again at her own joke, and OVA couldn't help but let out a monotonous giggle. Cafe bobbed her head, her calm demeanor in contrast to Opera's ebullience.
"Yes… I was unsure… How being hidden in a sprint would… Work out… You used it well." Tachyon, apparently satisfied with OVA's legs, popped up to interject.
"I concur, guinea pig. Saving energy by letting the others battle for the front in the first 200 meters, masking your presence until you even with first place was skillfull. Combine that with how you unleashed the full weight of the Opera legacy as you pulled ahead, and admittedly, I was fixated by your running."
The three most important people in OVA's life praising her brought tears to her eyes. She couldn't stop them from flowing, overwhelmed by the wave of emotion. Taking a steadying breath, she bared her heart.
"Today when I ran it was like nothing I'd ever felt. The joy was even greater than when I woke to find you had succeeded in granting me this form, Tachyon-sama. I swear to you three, with the gifts each of you have given me, I will put on a fantastic show, so stupendous you cannot help but be proud to call me your successor."
Opera pulled OVA up from the exam chair and tugged her towards the door.
“Come along then, Squire, and we will put into motion all that is required to keep the spotlight shined firmly on you!”
And with a wave back towards Cafe and Tachyon, who watched as they departed, off they went.