A/N: Writing Races are hard dude... Races takes long to write. But that isn't the reason why this is delayed. Mostly because I was busy back on Tuesday. Went somewhere and I was tired as heck so yeah...
____________________
There, standing beneath the falling sakura petals with an expression I couldn't quite read, was Symboli Rudolf.
Luna.
Overlapping the mischievous girl in my memory to the graceful and proud woman in front of me, it's really incomprehensible even though I already know it will happen.
The childish roundness that used to define her face had sharpened into elegant features. Her posture was straight - regal, if I do say so my self. The boyish green clothes were gone, replaced by a new Tracen Academy uniform.
"Luna," I said again, more certain this time.
She took a step forward, her movements measured and graceful. Nothing like the girl who used to crash into me at full speed.
"It's been a while, Minami nee-sama." Her voice was pleasant, authoritative. A far cry from the high-pitched energy I remembered. "Three years, if I'm not mistaken."
"Yeah," I sighed. "Three years."
A comfortable silence insued before getting broken by Luna.
She smiled, a small genuine smile.
"Welcome back."
I smiled when I heard that. Even though she has grown up, there are still traces of the girl I use to tease back in Childhood. For me seeing this made me sigh in relief. I don't really want to see the bright child back in the day turn into a cold blooded Umamusume like in the Cinderella Gray Anime.
(A/N: I didn't really watch the CinGray. I'm just larping it, but I did my fair share of research and I read like 20+ chapters 2 years ago.)
"Thanks. It's... good to be back."
She glanced at the watch on her wrist. "I have class soon, but if you have time, we could walk together? Catch up?"
"I'd like that."
She nodded and gestured down the hallway. "This way."
We walked side by side, the morning sunlight streaming through the windows and painting everything in warm gold. Sakura petals occasionally drifted past the glass, carried by the wind.
"How was your stay in America?" Luna asked, her tone polite and slightly upbeat.
I scratched the back of my head. "Stressful, if I'm being honest."
"Stressful?"
"During the height of Seattle Slew's popularity - the Triple Crown mostly, - the press wouldn't leave us alone. Cameras following us everywhere. Reporters camping outside the training grounds. Questioning every move or interrupting the training me and my dad painstakingly constructed."
Luna's eyes widened slightly before letting out a short sigh. "That's mass media for you."
(A/N: There was an incident where Princess Diana got into a car accident and instead of helping, the paparazzi began to take pictures and watched her die. I guess it's not to far fetched to assume this is what'll happen.)
"Yeah." I sighed in return. "And my dad didn't help. Complete deadbeat when it came to dealing with the media. Just pawned all the interviews off on me and disappeared to "buy some milk" or some bullcrap like that."
Hearing that, Luna let out a soft, graceful chuckle.
"Hearing a lot of the stories about your father from both you and your mom... I can tell he is a funny guy."
"He's is sometimes alright."
We turned a corner, passing a group of younger Umamusume who whispered excitedly when they saw me. I ignored them.
"But the real pressure," I continued, "was the undefeated title."
Luna glanced at me, clearly curious.
"Don't get me wrong - having an undefeated record is glorious for your legacy. But the pressure that comes with it?" I shook my head. "Uh uh." And wagged my finger.
"For an apprentice trainer like me, it was too much already. Now imagine an Umamusume going through that."
"I can imagine. Especially being very emotional creatures, I can piece together just how stressful it is for both you and your charge."
"Yeah," I looked outside the window. "There were nights during the Triple Crown campaign where Kare-- I mean, Seattle Slew - didn't sleep at all. Just stayed up, staring at the ceiling."
Luna's expression softened, concern replacing the polite interest.
"That must have been difficult. For both of you."
"It was." I paused. "After the Triple Crown, things got better. After proving herself by winning the undefeated crown, the sensationalism gradually simmered down. But it never went away completely. Every time there are a race she joins, some random sports analyst will always make some weird prediction on how Seattle Slew will lose."
"But she didn't right? That just proves how both of you are exceptional."
I smiled at her compliment and looked forward.
We walked in comfortable silence for a moment.
"Your tenure in America sounds impressive, Minami nee-sama," Luna said finally. "Not many trainers can say they trained an undefeated Triple Crown winner. As a apprentice trainer at that"
I smiled. "Indeed, but It wasn't just me. Dad helped a lot. And Karen herself - she's the one who did the actual running. I or sometimes we point her in the right direction."
"Still." Luna's voice carrying a sound of certainty. "Those things you accomplished are remarkable, and you did it in America who has one of the most hellish triple crown routes in the world."
I smiled.
"Thanks, Luna."
Another pregant silence, and then she suddenly stopped walking.
We were standing outside a classroom now - 1-A, according to the sign on the door.
(A/N: Symboli Rudolf training to be a hero smh)
"We've arrived," she said.
I blinked, suddenly realizing how much time had passed. "Oh. Right."
"It was good talking to you, Minami nee-sama. I -"
"Wait!" Maybe she still remembered?. "Before you go - do you have a trainer yet?"
Luna tilted her head cutely.
Then, slowly, a small smile curved her lips.
She covered her mouth with one hand in an elegant gesture and let out a soft chuckle.
"I don't."
Relief flooded through me.
"Thank the Goddesses. I was worried you'd already--"
"But," she interrupted gently.
"I have an appointment with Tojo Hana-san. She's an experienced trainer here at Tracen. I agreed to participate in a trial race with her newly established team - Team Rigil."
Oh right. I remember, without my interference, she would have joined Team Rigil. I supposed I haven't read my green notebook since forever, I guess I need to skim through them to shake my memory.
"A trial race?" I questioned.
"Yes. To see if I'm a good fit for the team." Luna's expression was apologetic. "I already agreed to go, so I can't just cancel now. That would be rude."
I nodded internally. You can't just commit to something then pull out along the way.
Luna seemed to sense my disappointment because her expression brightened slightly.
"However," she said thoughtfully, "there's no rule saying I have to join Team Rigil after the trial."
I looked at her.
"What if you came to watch the trial race?" She continued. "Afterwards, I could tell Hana-san that I've already found a trainer. Then I could introduce you."
"You'd do that?"
"Of course." Her smile widened - but just a small smile "You promised, didn't you? That when you became a trainer, we'd work together."
I sighed internally. 'Its good that she remembers.'
"Yeah. I did."
"Then it's settled." She opened the classroom door. "The trial is this afternoon at 2 PM. Track Three. Don't be late, Minami nee-sama."
And with that, she disappeared inside.
I smiled slightly before walking away.
After three years, Luna and I were finally going to work together. A promise from three years is finally happening.
I mean, remembering that promise isn't weird right? There are even Guys who have girls who did something good to them and then he'll remember it for the rest of his life.
I shaked my head of thoughts.
Focus!
____________________
2:00 PM - Track Three
The afternoon sun is streaming down on the track turning the turf quite hard. The turf condition is Good. And long story short, it's the most suitable track to run.
I sat under a tree at the edge of the facility, scrolling through my phone while waiting for the trial to start.
A whistle blew, drawing my attention.
On the track, two figures stood at the starting line.
Maruzensky, elegant and composed while trying to act youtful.
And Luna, or Symboli Rudolf, her expression focused and determined.
____________________
(3rd Person POV)
Tojo Hana stood off to the side, stopwatch in hand. She was a stern-looking woman in her 20s, she has sharp eyes that is covered with her red rimmed glasses. Her hair well kept in a ponytail.
"This will be a 1600-meter trial!" Hana called out. "Standard pace. Show me what you can do, Rudolf!"
Rudolf nodded.
Maruzensky smiled. "Don't hold back, Rudolf. I won't go easy on you just because you're a freshman."
"I wouldn't want you to, senpai."
The whistle blew again.
And they were off.
Maruzensky took the lead immediately, her stride long and powerful. Luna settled in behind her, matching pace.
Minami looked at both of them and activated his system to find how far behind in stats is Rudolf.
[ANALYZING...]
[MARUZENSKY - SPEED: 1332, STAMINA: 1011, POWER: 1076, GUTS: 1291, WIT: 1319]
[Skills: Escape Artist, Front Runner Corners ◯, Front Runner Savvy ◯, Groundwork, Playtime's Over!, Mile Corners ◯, Professor of Curvature, Changing Gears, Taking the Lead, Concentration, Triple 7s, Staggering Lead, Groundwork, Playtime's Over!, Mile Maven, Taking the Lead, Unrestrained, Red Shift/LP1211-M]
[Unique Skill: A Kiss of Courage Lv. 4]
[SYMBOLI RUDOLF - SPEED: 467, STAMINA: 512, POWER: 451, GUTS: 488, WIT: 503]
[Skills: Concentration, Corner Corner Adept O, Swinging Maestro, Uma Stan, 777, Homestretch Haste, Pace Chaser Corners O, Race Planner, All-Seeing Eyes, Dazzling Disorientation.]
[Unique Skill: Behold, Thine Emperor's Divine Might Lv. 1]
'She's outmatched in every metric.'
[YEAH, BUT LOOK AT HER FORM...]
Minami focused on Luna.
Her running style was different from what Minami expected. Not aggressive like Karen's controlled chaos. She's more composed and analytical. She knows that this battle is unwinnable, so she stalks Maruzensky from behind and trying to apply pressure to her to make her make mistakes.
In gaming terms, she'll try to repeatedly hit her with debuffs hoping that it would work and would stack up to make her win.
A normal Umamusume would have definitely made a mistake if put on that much pressure.
Very impressive if you ask me. But the problem is, Maruzenky isn't exactly a normal Umamusume...
A red aura swirled on Luna.
[All Seeing Eyes, Dazzling Disorientation activated!]
Maruzensky visibly slowed down, and her smiling face frowned slightly before returning once again to the smiling face she has a couple of seconds ago.
They hit the 800-meter mark.
"That's very impressive Rudolf, but you aren't winning against me!" Maruzensky smiled and a golden aura swirled.
[Red Shift/LP1211-M Activated!]
Not just that.
[Playtime's Over!, Mile Corners ◯, Professor of Curvature, Changing Gears Activated!]
Then the golden aura visibly brightened and became rainbow.
[A Kiss of Courage Lv. 4 Activated!]
Maruzensky's lead then grew to 7 lengths.
But Luna wasn't panicking. Her expression remained focused.
[All Seeing Eyes, Dazzling Disorientation activated!]
My eyes widened before nodding.
Indeed, here you can use your skill again, though it requires much more energy than your first use, like 2x more energy. Of course, Umamusumes aren't aware of these skills, but you can teach them how to use them, and they can consciously use them.
And seeing Luna using these skills 2x now is clearly saying that she's gambling it all now.
'For the final stretch.'
[EXACTLY.]
Maruzensky's crazy acceleration faltered when these skills activated, but her speed is still fast. Fast infact that her cruising speed is more faster than Rudolf. She is currently 10 lengths away now.
And they are approaching the final corner.
And Luna then made her move.
[Behold, Thine Emperor's Divine Might Lv. 1 Activated]
And on the corner, Luna activated another skill.
[Corner Corner Adept O, Swinging Maestro, Pace Chaser Corner O, Uma Stan. Activated!]
The golden and Rainbow Air than surrounded her just moments ago intensified and she accelerated!
In the final stretch, she then activated her last skill.
[Homestretch Haste Activated!]
This is where she makes her final stand.
Looking at the determined junior behind her, Maruzensky smiled.
She hasn't activated the rest of her skills since the first one, and the 2 debuffs are weighing down on her.
Seeing such talented junior made her kinda proud. But still! Even though she is holding back, She still has pride as an Umamusume to retain, so she directly accelerated, though not at her full capacity.
[Unrestrained Activated!]
BOOM!
Maruzensky's boots dug deep into the ground due to the sheer power her kick was.
Afterwards, Maruzensky arrived at the finish line. Rudolf following after a second later.
Clack!
"Stop!"
Maruzensky: 1:32.89.
Rudolf: 1:34.18.
Luna was breathing hard, even though she gave it her all, she still lost.
She knew it was impossible but still, losing by a second? She frowned after thinking about the number.
But still, the good news is that she made Maruzensky get serious, though only for a split second.
Maruzensky walked over and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Well done, Rudolf. You pushed me harder than I expected."
"Thank you, senpai." Luna gave her most polite smile.
Hana approached, her expression unreadable.
"Rudolf. That was impressive for a freshman. You have potential." She paused. "I'd be happy to have you on Team Rigil."
Rudolf still smiled. Having Maruzensky as a senior in this team would surely be beneficial for her growth, but she trusts Minami too. She still vaguely remembers their promises to each other. Even though it is unfair to Hana who trained Maruzensky she knows that Minami will do his best and not half heart it. Besides, he also trained Seattle Slew - the first undefeated Triple Crown in America, which is definitely harder than Japan. And she has ambitions as well. She wants to be the first undefeated triple crown in Japan. And what better way to win it than to be with a trainer who directly trained a triple crown winner? Minami has experience in Triple Crown (though not seniority) and plus, she can win the triple crown with the person she cares about, it is like hitting two birds in one stone!
"Actually, Hana-san... about that."
Hana's eyebrow rose.
"I appreciate the opportunity, but I've already found a trainer I'd like to work with."
An awkward silence followed.
Hana's expression went through several stages - surprise, confusion, then something that looked suspiciously like disappointment.
"I see," she said carefully. "May I ask who?"
"Of course." Luna turned toward where I was sitting. "Minami nee-sama! Could you come here, please?"
Minami stood up, pocketing my phone, and made my way over. (Nonchalantly ofc).
Every eye on the track turned to Minami.
Hana's gaze was particularly intense - sharp and assessing, trying to scrutinized the person who just poached her potential recruit.
"This is Minami Laurent," Luna said. "He's the trainer I want to work with."
Hana studied Minami for a long moment.
Then, quietly, almost to herself: "Did I just get NTR'ed?"
[UHH...]
'I'll pretend I didn't hear that.'
She shook her head, as if clearing the thought, and extended her hand.
"Laurent-san. I've heard of you. Seattle Slew's co-trainer, correct?"
"That's right." I shook her hand. Her grip was firm.
"You're young for a trainer of your caliber."
"Thank you, but I'm still inexperienced in other regards."
She held my gaze for another moment, then sighed as if defeated.
"Well, I can't argue with Rudolf's choice. If she trusts you, then you must be worth it." She released my hand. "Take care of her, Laurent-san. She's got potential."
"I will."
Maruzensky, who'd been watching the exchange with obvious amusement looked at the pair. Rudolf is hugging Minami's left arm. Meanwhile Minami himself is unconcerned about that fact.
Yes, Umamusumes and their trainer are supposed to be close to be successful, but isn't this too early and aren't they a bit too close?
"Ara ara~ How interesting. Rudolf-chan, what exactly is your relationship with Laurent-san?" Maruzensky asked, trying to probe for info. And surprisingly, answered without hesitation. "Childhood friends."
"Childhood friends," Maruzensky repeated, her smile widening. "How lovely."
Minami cleared my throat. "We made a promise when we were younger. That when I became a trainer, we'd work together. I'm just keeping that promise."
Maruzensky's eyes practically sparkled with mischief.
She turned to Hana and gave her a look—pointed, meaningful, with a clear message: Don't refuse.
Hana caught the look and sighed again.
"I guess it is destiny huh... But oh well, this is more easier to stomach than Rudolf having to choose a trainer in such a short amount of time." Hana muttered.
She again looked at the pair which is very close. So close that one can mistake them of a couple if they saw this. Hana looking at them got only reminded that she is approaching 30 and she still doesn't have a boyfriend.
"Alright, alright. I get it." She said in an annoyed tone. "Rudolf, I'll support your decision wholeheartedly. Just... cherish this bond you have with Laurent-san. Trainer-charge relationships built on trust like yours are rare."
Luna bowed - a perfect, graceful bow. "Thank you, Hana-san. I won't forget your kindness."
Hana waved her off. "Go on. Get out of here before I change my mind."
Luna straightened and turned to me. "Shall we go, Minami nee-sama?"
"Yeah. Let's."
We'd barely taken ten steps when Hana's voice stopped me.
"Laurent-san."
Minami turned his head.
She was smiled.
"Take care of Rudolf. Really take care of her."
Minami met her gaze squarely. "Of course. She's my childhood friend."
Hana's smile wavered and the nerves in her temple bulge. "...Good answer..."
Then she walked away, Maruzensky following with one last amused glance in our direction.
Minami watched them go, feeling a pang of guilt.
He basically poached the Umamusume Hana had her eye on. That couldn't feel good.
But then Minami remembered the stories from the internet on how Rudolf's owners had mishandled Rudolf's overseas expedition.
Of course Minami won't let that happen, not only as Rudolf's friend but also as a trainer.
Minami turned back to Luna.
She was waiting patiently, her expression calm, and a towel is draped in her shoulder while drinking a bottle of water.
"Ready?" Minami asked.
"Yes."
____________________
They walked together toward the Student Council building, where Luna needed to file some paperwork for the transfer.
They scribbled and signed some papers and then...
"Congrats, you two are now partners." Ten Point said. She is currently the acting president right now since both Mr. CB and Tosho Boy are currently away on an adventure which is basically everyday.
"Thank you Ten Point-san." Minami answered.
"Well, I hope you two are good to each other. Remember, communication is the key. This is especially important to trainers like you, Laurent-san, if you don't communicate with your trainer clearly, it will lead to misunderstandings and will lead to both of your relationship deteriorating. If it isn't bad enough, it will also affect the races of your charge so---..." Ten Point continued to ramble about how to have a successful partnership between an Umamusume and a Trainer. It went on for 30 minutes.
"And that's all. I hope you two both understand." Ten Point said, both Rudolf and Minami nodded solemnly.
"Great!" Both Ten Point and Minami shook hands.
And with that, Rudolf is officially Minami's charge.
____________________
A/N: Anyways, here are Seattle Slew's stats as promised.
Seattle Slew -
SPEED: 1891
STAMINA: 1687
POWER: 1699
GUTS: 1785
WIT: 1456
Unique Skill: The Jet Black War Dance Lv. 5:
When Seattle Slew is leading by 2 lenghts or more by the second to the middle part of the race, she will directly activate this skill.
Seattle Slew activating this skill will run on the race track using her ultra flexible legs, as if almost dancing. This skill will not stop till she finishes the race. She can also forcefully activate this skill, though it will require half her energy reserves available.
(Basically Sky High Teio Steps on Steroids)