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Ya Girl hummed happily as she grabbed herself a can of Dr Uma, and a big bag of carrot chips to munch on. Sashaying her way around the dorm room, she slipped on her headphones and tapped away at the keyboard. “Aaaannnnd ‘ere we…. Go!”
With a click, the gentle beat of lofi jazz played from the livestream she had opened. Slouching back into her chair, kicking her feet up onto the desk as she waited.
A stylised starting gate sat on the screen, fantasy elements played along the bars and around the numbers before each gate. A figure is seen lounging in the central gate, number Seven.
A hearty beep and the gates were flung open as a pastel haired figure bolted right at the screen!
A flash of white and a fantastical race course sat in the background as a pastel haired uma popped up from the bottom of the screen! The avatar gave a big wave to the screen as they seemed to settle in with a spin and a laugh.
“Greetings from the starting gates ya’ll! It's Donut Steel, your in her prime, racing goddess! We’ve got a loaded stream up ahead with a tonne of racing news of last week's races and several upcoming ones too! First up though, I wanna just give some thanks to a few folk for supplying several important clips for today’s show and information about some of the bigger events of the recent weeks.”
Donut Steel. The semi-popular umamusume based vtuber, who had made an entire name for themselves by reviewing races and talking about upcoming racers. She had even guest starred on some local commentary teams as well. Her infectious love and respect for umamusume was well known and documented.
Ya Girl snorted, chewing at some chips as she watched as Donut Steel bounced around the screen. Various names popped up as she spent the next while thanking the various folks who supplied videos and relevant information. Her energy always impressed Ya Girl, seeing her bounce around as she spoke.
However, here came her favourite part. The predictions!
“Now. We had a veeerrrrry exciting races over the last month didn’t we? Like, holy shit! That derby run! Ahhhh!” The avatar was jittering about in excitement. “Vodka! Our coolest tiara gal took a crown for herself! Stole it out from the crown runners like the beast she is! Just zoomed from the back and snagged it out from everyone else. I was so wrong on that prediction, but hey, I’m glad to be wrong! Vodka, the Queen of the Crowns!”
Ya Girl snorted softly, making a small mockery with her mouth as she watched. Huffing faintly for a moment, before smiling. Damn that Vodka, it was pretty cool though.
“And, get this! She’s already announced her next race will be the Shuka Sho! The third leg of the Tiaras! Like, what?! That’s insane! She gets silver in the Oka Sho, claims the crown in the Derby, and flips back into the Tiaras like nothing happened! Guh!”
Donut Steel seemed to take a breath, her hand shaking about. “But, but, in speaking on the Shuka Sho. Miss Daiwa Scarlet, the number one uma is making a return from sickness and coming for it herself! Those two are rated to be the absolute top contenders for the race, so I’m expecting a huge duel between them for the Tiara. A lot of folk are rating Vodka for the win, but I think just basing it on her Derby win alone can be quite foolish. We have a strong Tiara showing this year, and Daiwa has a history of beating Vodka when it comes to G1s as well.”
Ya Girl smirked, this here was the reason why she was semi-popular. Donut Steel was an objective reviewer and decent with her predictions when looking at the races. It showed just how much she cared about the sport and the racers themselves. That said, this didn’t stop her often going into tangents when her chat asked her questions too. Her streams often ended up much longer than expected just because of this.
“So, I personally think if Daiwa can run the full length well, she’ll get that win. However, we haven’t seen her run such a length since her debut. So, in convincing myself of this. I do think Vodka will take the Shuka Sho and deny Daiwa her second tiara, and add one in for herself.”
Slipping her headphones off, she looked over to her roommate and grinned. “Hey Sweepy… wanna do some fun magic tonight?”
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Tsuya closed the stream off with a sigh, standing up for a moment to stretch herself out after all that silly dancing around she had done. Yet, as she looked at her monitors, she couldn’t help but smile as she watched the avatar of Donut Steel mimic her actions.
It was a sweet dream, but not one for her sadly. “At least… I can get part way, yeah?” Whispering to herself as she rubbed at her aching chest. “Fucking… E…. ow. Why can’t you just give me what I waaannnnttt….?!” Stomping the floor for a moment, before hissing softly as the ache travelled right up her leg. “Owowowowowow….”
“Fuck, just… food. Drink. Lets get some food.” Muttering as she disappeared from her room for a few minutes, before coming back with a full mug and a cup of raman noodles. A little End of Line, a tron inspired uma, sat on the edge of the cup to keep the lid down.
“And now… to catch up on the race backlog, and notes to take!” Settling into work, a notepad sat open a screen, and a race started on the other one. The commentators chatted away in her ears as she watched the footage. Smiling faintly as she ate and drank.
Hours later, her eyes began to slowly droop. Tiredness washed over her body as she slumped forward on her desk. Snoring softly as the sound of umas running echoed in her ears.
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Tsuya jolted up, blinking as the brightness of everything burnt itself into her eyes for a moment. Groaning, a hand came up to rub at her eyes before trying again, looking around with a squint.
It took only a moment before her eyes opened properly as she noticed the cartoony starting gates she stood in. Hands reaching out to touch them, she could feel a strange warmth to the steel. “My… intro screen?” Recognising it finally. “What is going on here? This… this has to be a dream. Just some… stupid… dream.”
Something wrong prickled at the back of her neck, she didn’t belong in the starting gates.
Useless. Little. Him.
Shivering, her hands snapped back around herself. Her breath shuddered. This was a place for those special girls, those who had actual passion after all. Where they could fulfil their dreams. Those special, special dreams.
Not those who hide behind some silly, useless model.
Give. Up. Boy.
Her head shook, trying to shake that thought loose from where it latched onto her mind. Tsuya was folding in on herself, curling into a ball on the grass as it died beneath her feet. Holding back tears, scrunching up her eyes as hard as she could.
Stupid. Failure. Freak.
She could feel it, something cold touching her back. The sensation leeching her heat, sapping her will even as a beep echoed faintly from nearby. The…
Cold…. Welcomed…
…him…
“Come on! Yah can't just not run hun!”
Tsuya screamed for a moment as a hand reached in and pulled her out, throwing her onto the turf. “Run! Run or they'll get yah!” Hands pushed at her back, forcing her forward and into a jog.
Looking over her shoulder, her eyes widened as she spotted Ya Girl. The top heavy uma was shoving her along, keeping her ahead of the oozing wall that swallowed those beloved starting gates of hers.
“Go lass. Go! Keep running, I've got your back hun!”
A glob of black lept out at them, Tsuya stumbled as Ya Girl whirled suddenly. Shattering the glob of whatever it was. She whistled, her hand came up as if she was seeing how far it went. “Foooore!” Cackling loudly. “Now run gal! Run! Earn yer fucking tits!”
Tsuya turned, fleeing down the turf. Her sneakers slipped on the decaying grass. Panic gripped at her soul, her teeth grit tightly as she wanted to sob. It was only just then that she realised something.
Ya Girl had been swinging a nine iron golf club.
The sound of swinging clubs and meaty thwacks echoed from behind her as she just ran. Leaning into the corner, feeling the turf coming to life beneath her feet.
“Fucking, too many balls! Ack! This an't no drivin’ range! Ah need to speak to your fucking manager! Give me your holes so I can be- Oh! Fuck off me tits! Mine!”
Despite what was happening behind her, Tsuya was sobbing as she ran. Fear had clawed at her mind, confusion tore at her senses. Her sneakers skidded along the grass, making her stumble often as she leant into the corner.
Strange that the grass was no longer dying beneath her feet as she ran.
Why was she running though? What was the point? It's just easier to give up.
“Tah live of course! That's the point, and tah get giant honker stonker titties too!”
It was Ya Girl again, holding a lazy pace beside Tsuya. A reminder of just how human she was. Oh, she should just fuck off.
“Nuh ah, an't fucking off anywhere till this here curse is gone.” Ya Girl's grin was infuriating to look at. “And the best way for you to do that is to run, and run proper. Not like what you're doing, all the bleh… normal running. Yah need tah ruuuuun.”
Tsuya blinked, sweat dripping over her eyes as she stared at Ya Girl. Seeing that hand glide along through the air, watching it stretch out to the horizon.
Why did she understand what that meant? She was running wasn't she? Then what did that mean?
“Simple! Yah listening too high!” Ya Girl tapped at her own head. “Listen lower.” A clenched fist rapped lightly at Tsuya's chest. “And dig in deeper!”
Tsuya yelped as that fist opened up and smacked her arse, propelling her forward. Leaning in just a little deeper, her eyes widened as she felt her feet gain purchase. Glancing down to see racing cleats, proper boots, digging into the turf. It really felt like her feet dug in deeper as a laugh bubbled freely from her lips..
The slick, fresh glass no longer making her stumble.
She felt like she could run.
Feet dug into the turf, legs coiled tightly before pushing off. Joy leapt within her heart. She was running! Properly running, her laughter was soft and choking. She couldn’t believe it.
“Whoops! Watch out hunny luv!”
Something streaked ahead of her towards a patch of black ooze that looked like it was reaching up greedily. A pink cloud bellowed outwards, rainbows being thrown up into the air as she ran through it. One hand waving it away.
“W-What the hell is going on?!” Tsuya stared at Ya Girl, who seemed to be skating along beside her on that grass. The boxum uma twirling around and laughing, even as she smiled right at her.
“Simple! Yer growing girliepop!” Winking at Tsuya, before pointing downwards and giggling.
Glancing down, Tsuya yelped loudly as she stumbled. Tits! Those were fucking tits! When did they appear?! Getting back up, she felt a doubt creeping into her once more.
This… had to be a dream. What else could it be?
He wasn’t worth a miracle after all…
“Hyyaaaah!”
An explosion behind Tsuya threw her into the air, her eyes widened as the doubt was thrown loose in that moment. Her feet hit the ground and she was running again. Her fists clenched, eyes narrowing as she saw the finish line ahead of her.
Who cared if this was just a dream? It was a dream where she got to live her miracle! She’d take that miracle and escape with it!
“Haha! Good on yah girlie! Keep believing, keep running! I’m chasing yah!”
Ya Girl’s voice rang loudly behind her as she pulled into that final straight, soon enough appearing beside her even as the green grass was slowly getting swarmed by that black ooze she had seen earlier. The globs threw themselves through the air at them both.
Ya Girl was laughing, keeping pace beside Tsuya and grinning widely at her. The both of them ducking and weaving the darkness that tried to enclose her. “Hun, give me your name!”
“Tsu-”
“Nah, nah! Yer fuckin’ name girly! Gimme yer name!”
A glob slammed into Tsuya’s chest, forcing her to stumble in the moment of her distraction. The rhythm of her run disturbed and dying. Looking up, her fingers scrabbing at the grass, trying to keep her balance.
There, she could see it. A star descending towards the finish line. It was so bright as she stared. Her mouth was dry. “D-Donut.. Donut Steel.”
“Louder girlie! Louder!”
Teeth gritted, she fell to her hands for a second even as her cleats dug into that turf, tearing it up until she felt the dirt beneath it. “Donut!” Fingers dug into the turf, she pulled upwards, ripping the ground asunder with a roar. “STEEL!”
The ooze was thrown back as her path of Dirt was revealed before her as her legs flexed and she sprinted. Maw open, her scream of effort was not one to be denied as she raced the star that descended from the sky.
A metre from the finish, Donut Steel leapt forward. Fingers extending out as that star raced down to the ground, teeth clenched in tightly. Eyes locked onto her target, it felt like everything had slowed down to a crawl.
Boy…
No! Girl!
Useless…
No! Talented!
Hated…
No! Loved!
The world stilled as her finger touched the star. Its light flared brightly for a moment, a laugh bubbling free of her lips as she closed her eyes in peace for once in her life as she crossed that finish line.
Donut Steel hit the dirt hard, tumbling for a moment with a smile still plastered across her lips. She could feel it rubbing against her skin. Her smile blossomed brightly, eyes lazily closed as she breathed in deep, smelling the race course around her.
It never smelt so warm before, or welcoming.
“Well, an't ye a happy gallie. Feeling all better around yah?” Ya Girl bent at the waist, staring down at Donut Steel's grinning face.
“Yeah, yeah, I do dare say I am. For once.”
“Well, that's good. See yah tomorrow then!”
Steel's eyelids began to droop, her vision went fuzzy as she lay there. Head flopping to the side in a doze. “Wah…?”
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Tsuya gasped as she awoke, groaning as she looked up at the computer screen before her. Blinking at it for a moment. “Huh, guess I did turn it off last night. That's good.”
Rubbing at her eyes, she couldn't help the yawn as it clawed from her throat. Huh, ears felt tingly, maybe a few flicks would make that go away
A smile crawled along their lips. “Ah, that does feel better, though what time is it?”
A quick peek at her phone revealed it was still morning, a bit more of a stare made her groan as she realised she was running a little late for breakfast. “Shit…” With a quick text sent, she put her phone down and finally stood up.
“Oh… my head must be funny, everything looks smaller.” Blinking, she gave herself a full shake out. Man it felt good to have her tail straighten out after a wonky night's sleep.
Dingdong
“Eugh, doorbell, this early?” Grumbling to herself, she took a moment to debate answering it. “It could be that upgrade I ordered. Eugh.”
A quick pat check reassured her she was wearing a shirt and pants before walking to the front door. Opening it with a yawn, Tsuya jumped as she heard a phone camera click.
“Hey, what the fuuuu… uuucccck?” She stared at a grinning Ya Girl, the boxum uma silently turning her phone around to show the picture to Tsuya. “Oi, the fuck are you doing?”
No response, just the phone getting waggled at her. Sighing, she took the hint and snatched the phone to look closer. Staring. Staring a little more, her eyes widened.
A trembling hand reached behind her to feel a tail that pushed out over the top of her shorts. “Oh, that's why they feel so low…”
The same hand went up to feel the ears on top of her head, feeling them twitch away from her own touch.
Donut Steel stood there, breathing measured and meticulous, she pulled a strand of hair before her face. Staring at the pastel colours for a moment before quietly handing the phone back to Ya Girl. “Thank you.”
—-----
Ya Girl snickered, darting forward to catch Donut Steel as she went completely limp. Her eyes had rolled onto the back of her head in a faint.
Catching her, she carried the taller girl into the house. A quick look about located a couch to dump her on. A gentle pat to the face began to rouse them.
Ya Girl couldn't help the feral grin on her lips as she looked at the newly born uma beneath her. Watching her stir, seeing those eyes focus on her face.
“Wake up Steel, we've got a stream to burn! And by burn, I mean collab!”