Chapter Text
“Did you hear? There’s going to be a new transfer student coming here from America!”
“America? Like Taiki Shuttle? They must be pretty good then!”
“I heard she’s an American Double Crown winner! She’s not just good, she’s amazing!”
“Someone like that is coming to Tracen!? I wonder why they decided to come here?”
During a cold evening in Ritto dormitory, murmurs floated around as several Umamusume discussed the news about the new transfer student that was said to arrive the following day. These conversations were picked up by two pairs of ears belonging to bystanders who were preoccupied with arguing with one another.
“You heard that, DumbSca? That transfer student is sounding way cooler than you right now!”
“Oh yeah!? Well, I bet that transfer student has way better taste in room decor than you!”
Vodka and Daiwa Scarlet were having their usual argument in the dorm’s living room with nobody paying attention except for a gushing pink-haired Umamusume who was sneakily drawing something on her notebook. Amidst the insults being thrown between the two roommates, another group of Umamusume were conversing in the living space.
“Wow! A Double Crown! I can’t wait to meet this new transfer student!” said Special Week as she picked up her third carton of milk.
“As a Double Crown myself, I think I should introduce myself to her as well. Break the ice with something we have in common, if you get my drift,” said Seiun Sky, lying sideways on a plush armchair.
She’d be set back upright by King Halo, who clicked her tongue in irritation. “Not with the third-rate way you present yourself, you won’t! I fear what the transfer student would think if she saw you looking like a slacker.”
The three members of the famed Golden Generation were currently relaxing with each other’s company after a whole day of training. Spe was waiting for her roommate, Silence Suzuka, to return from her evening run. King was looking after her own roommate, Haru Urara, from a distance as she talked with Mayano Top Gun and Marvelous Sunday. Sky, who belonged in Miho dormitory, wasn’t even supposed to be here. However, she was allowed to visit before light’s out so that she could annoy King.
“What do you think she’d be like? I’m planning on gifting her a carrot once she arrives! Coming all the way from America… She must be hungry!” said Spe as she dipped a chocolate chip cookie she summoned from somewhere into a mug from her fourth carton of milk.
King sighed, “Already with the food…”
Sky chuckled, “Trying to make a good impression, eh? How many do you plan to give her?”
“One. I won’t let her have any more than that,” Spe deadpanned, her pitch dropping into a monotone voice, which made her two friends sweat.
The tension deflated when Suzuka, in her tracksuit, entered the living space drenched in sweat but with a smile on her face. Spe cheerfully called out to her, “Oh, Suzuka! Welcome back!”
Hearing her voice, Suzuka faced her roommate, who was munching on a plate of carrot cake and a carton of milk yet to be opened. “It’s good to see you enjoying yourself, Spe. But I’m worried what Trainer would say if they found out you’ve been eating this late,” she said, which caused a choking noise to come from Spe.
“She’s been at it since I got here,” Sky added.
“Honestly, Spe. You must learn to control your impulses. A first-rate Umamusume such as yourself mustn’t let her performance drop due to mere cravings,” King scolded. All these comments made Special Week whine in protest as her ears drooped.
“Why don’t we take a run together in the morning to get you back in shape,” Suzuka suggested, which made Spe light up once more.
“Yes! Sure! I’d love to run with you, Suzuka!” she said as she finished her carrot cake and her final carton of milk before turning to the hallway. “Let’s go get some rest now! I need to have enough energy for tomorrow!”
Suzuka giggled before following her back to their shared room. King and Sky watched as their friend left them behind, seemingly forgetting them.
“She’s so obvious,” Sky remarked.
“Agreed,” replied King.
The argument between the pair of Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka gradually loudened and softened as they passed by the duo into the hallways, presumably to continue their argument in their own living quarters. King took a glance at a wall clock to see that light’s out was nearing.
“I’ll have to bring Urara back to our room now. You, on the other hand, need to go back to your own dormitory,” said King as she faced Sky, who now had her back on the seat of the armchair and her legs up on the backrest.
“Can’t I stay a little longer? My legs are kinda tired right now,” replied Sky, putting her hands behind her head.
“If you don’t leave soon, I’ll have to tell Flower that you’re going to let yourself be locked out of your own dormitory and sleep under a bench like a stray cat,” King threatened her. She turned to glare at Sky but found the armchair already empty.
“Well, it was nice hanging with ya. I’m gonna go back to my dorm now. Bye!” Sky spouted in a rushed manner before sprinting out of the dormitory. King sighed in exasperation as she walked towards Urara.
“It is time to prepare for bed, Urara. A first-rate Umamusume needs enough sleep, after all,” she said as she put a hand on Urara’s shoulder. Said Umamusume turned towards her with a big smile on her face.
“King! Guess what?” she started. “Maya told me that Curren told her that adults wear bunny suits for Easter! Isn’t that silly?” she rambled to her roommate. King noted to herself that she needs to tell Curren to watch what she’s saying to young, impressionable Umamusume when she finds her.
“Incredibly so. Why don’t we talk about what film we’ll watch for your training back in our room? Then, we’ll decide on a date to watch it together,” King suggested.
“Ooh! Okay! Bye bye, Maya! Marvey!” Urara bid her farewells as she went ahead of King towards their room. King followed right after.
***
Anticipation was high the following day as the arrival of the new transfer student was awaited by Tracen Academy’s student body. Special Week, Silence Suzuka, Seiun Sky, King Halo, El Condor Pasa, and Grass Wonder all gathered together, ready to greet the newcomer. Spe had a wrapped basket made of plastic with a singular carrot in her grasp. The purpose of the cover was to prevent herself from eating it.
“I can’t wait to show the new transfer student my sick wrestling moves! Being from America, she must know about Eddie Guerrero!” El remarked, her excitement evident.
“Why don’t we introduce her to the beauty of Japan before showing her the familiar? Getting her accustomed to her new environment is crucial in making sure she has a comfortable stay,” replied Grass in a calm manner.
“The turf in America is tougher than here in Japan. I hope she’ll be able to adjust so that I can run with her at her best,” Suzuka muttered out loud, catching the attention of the others.
“Obey Your Master won the Japan Cup because she was able to run easier on Japanese turf. If anything, she’d probably excel,” King pointed out, emitting a gasp from Spe.
“So that means the transfer student hasn’t truly shown her peak yet! Amazing!” she said in awe.
“Another one to worry about in the Dream Series…” Sky sighed, already thinking about how she’d need to study yet another potential threat.
Then, all chatter died around campus. Confused, the group turned towards the entrance of the academy only to join in with their fellow students in the silence that followed.
Following behind Tazuna was an Umamusume who was slouched over, her face covered by her long black hair with a visible white spot on her bangs. Her figure was thin, as her chest lacked assets and her arms and legs appeared to lack much muscle. However, that wasn’t what stood out about her limbs. They were littered with scars, some surgical and some… obviously unintentional, ranging from mostly cuts to a few burn marks.
Whether they wanted to or not, everyone that could see her couldn’t help but stare. Whatever impression they had of the transfer student prior to her arrival was shattered like glass; killed the moment her physical, living being made her presence known.
The pair would continue to walk towards the entrance of the main building, seemingly ignoring the attention they had garnered. Upon walking by the friend group, however, the mysterious transfer student stopped as she locked eyes with Special Week, who was trembling in fear.
“Are you okay?” the transfer student asked in a breathy whisper, making Spe let out a frightened squeak. Now, all six of them could see her face. Her eyes were heterochromic; her right one yellow like dandelion petals and her left one as red as cherries. The latter of which had a scar running across from near her forehead to her cheek as her other cheek and the edges of her mouth accompanied their own scars.
“U-uhm! Yeah! I-I just wanted to uhh… Give you this!” replied Spe in a panicked manner as she held out the wrapped basket towards the transfer student.
She’d slowly take it from Spe’s hands, examining the basket. Looking at it from different angles to see if there was more than just the one carrot contained in it. Now that she stood up slightly straighter, they could see that she was around the same height as Sky.
“A carrot…” she spoke again, looking back up at Spe, who froze from her line of sight. Then, she tilted her head as her lips curled upward, revealing the sight of her sharp teeth. “How nice of you. Thank you.”
Her manner of speaking was slow and soft. As if every word had an emphasis. Her voice sounded almost hoarse, like it was used extensively before and was exhausted now. It was a contrast to how she appeared.
“I see you’re already getting acquainted with your schoolmates. Why don’t you introduce yourself, Miss?” said Tazuna, who noticed the student she was escorting stopped to talk.
The transfer student glanced at Tazuna without turning her head, her eyes momentarily glaring before gazing upon the six Umamusume in front of her. She slowly bowed her head, the handle of the wrapped basket still in her hands, “It is nice to meet you all. My name is Sunday Silence. You may call me Sunday.”
As Sunday rose back up, one by one, each of the six Umamusume began introducing themselves. Spe nervously said her name followed by a graceful Grass Wonder, El who got her bravado back, Sky who was nonchalant, King who carried dignity, and finally, Suzuka who spoke calmly.
“My name is Silence Suzuka.”
“Oh?” said Sunday, her curiosity piqued, “We share a name. What a coincidence this is,” she continued, amused.
Suzuka, who noticed the similarity but chose to keep quiet about it, wasn’t expecting Sunday to acknowledge it. “I suppose we do!” she responded nervously, not knowing how to interact with such an Umamusume.
With narrowed eyes, Sunday began observing Suzuka as if she were reading a most interesting book. As if she were trying to get a sense for her entire being, her entire soul.
“I have decided,” she began. “Let’s run together sometime. I have a feeling you like running. You do, don’t you?” she continued, her tone all but certain.
Suzuka began to sweat, finding the accurate read of her character discomforting. “I-I do! Yes, let’s have a run together once you’re settled,” she reluctantly agreed, causing Spe to let out a surprised noise.
“You can come too, if you want,” Sunday added, making Spe squeak in fear again.
“Miss Sunday Silence, why don’t we continue our trip to the student council room now? You will have all the time to interact with your schoolmates once all our business has concluded.” Tazuna butted into the conversation. This earned another cold glare from Sunday, but the assistant remained unfazed. Then, Sunday turned back towards Spe and Suzuka.
“It was a pleasure meeting you two. I cannot wait until we see each other again.” She waved goodbye before following Tazuna to go to the student council room.
Once she left, all six Umamusume let out a deep breath they didn’t know they were holding.
“I couldn’t even get a word in with her…” said Sky, staring at where Sunday stood moments ago.
“She was as scary as Grass when she’s mad!” said El.
Grass heard this and gave El a threatening yet gentle smile. “Would you like to see me mad now?” she asked, making the previous two Umamusume’s faces pale in fear.
“She only paid attention to Spe and Suzuka! She didn’t even acknowledge us! What’s wrong with her?” asked King, irritated at being ignored.
“Why did you accept, Suzuka?! She’s so scary! I think she might try to hurt you!” Spe exclaimed, tears brimming her eyes.
“I felt like I couldn’t say no to her. I don’t know why. Nobody’s made me feel this scared before,” Suzuka replied, now hugging Spe.
With the arrival of Sunday Silence and her impressionable introduction, nobody knew for certain what would transpire now that she’s a student of Tracen Academy. Nobody knew why she came in the first place. However, the mysterious transfer student from America has already made it clear that she will not be background noise. The question now would be what type of noise shall she create?