✦ SYLVIA ✦

Sitting in a dimly lit office, an Umamusume tapped away at the keys of her computer. Two blue light screens projected documents of paperwork, the scent of foul chemicals burning at her nostrils. The sensitivity of her skin heightened because of the air vapours in the office as her ears twitched at the slightest sound by outsiders, calmed by the hum of her computer’s engine. She was hunched over her desk reading the same sentence over and over again, taking brief glances at the time in the bottom corner of her screen.

Upon hearing the sound of the door, her ears stood up straight. She didn’t move, still reading at the document in front of her, but paid close attention to the sound of the footsteps approaching. When they reached the doorway, the footsteps stopped. “You really need to get out of that slouching habit…” The feminine voice broke the once peaceful silence—although, her voice was more soothing than any engine’s fan. The footsteps started again as they moved inside the room and directly behind the horse girl.

The woman pushed at the other’s head, pulling her hair back (much to her dismay) as she leaned down to kiss her forehead. The horse girl moaned as she attempted to pull away. However, she was unable to deny that enjoyment of the affection as her tail betrayed her.

The woman leaned against the chair, resting her head on top of the brunette patch of hair in front of her, wrapping her arms around the uma’s neck—as best as she could, at least. She looked down at the uma’s lap. Her brows furrowed as she saw how the horse had her legs propped up, her thighs most likely pushing into her stomach. “I’m sure the baby would like some extra space to grow…~” In a song-like tone, the woman hinted for her partner to put her legs down and sit normally. She watched as the legs did in fact drop to the ground. “Thank you, Tachyon. I’ll go put dinner on.” With another kiss to the brunette’s cheek, the woman walked out of the room.

It had been a few years since the retirement of Agnes Tachyon. Should you have told her back when she first started Tracen Academy that she’d retire much earlier than the others, get married to the woman who helped with her entire career, and eventually find herself nine-months pregnant, she’d think you were lying. But it did end up happening. A while after her retirement, she found herself standing in an altar with a slightly uncomfortable white lace bridal gown. A while after that, she was sitting on the bathroom floor as she stared at a test in her hands; staring at the two lines that told her somebody’s future was living inside of her, and her experiment confirmed to be a success.

Tachyon leaned back on her chair, taking a glance at her wedding portrait of her and what was her trainer. Despite her eyes usually being lidded from sleep deprivation, they were instead filled with warmth as she recalled her wedding day. She never knew doing a simple walk in a straight line would be so difficult… Tachyon remembers gripping her father’s arm tightly to prevent herself from falling over in her flats—both from nerves and the fragility of her legs (she refused to use the cane on her wedding day).

Tachyon got up from her chair, finally finished reviewing the paperwork, limping to the kitchen where her trainer—now wife—was making dinner. (Name) still worked at Tracen Academy, still training the careers of Umamusume, and still teaching everything she can about how to be the damn best racer they could be. Only nowadays, rather than living in the staff dormitory a block away from the student dormitory, she had her own home close to the school. It wasn’t like she slept in the dorms to begin with, like Tachyon, choosing to sleep in the laboratory so she could get one-on-one time with her girlfriend (and force her to sleep as well).

Tachyon turned the corner, the surrounding aroma turning from chemicals of her office to the freshly cooked meat in the kitchen. She walked up to (Name) before wrapping her arms around her waist from behind her. The human woman lifted her arms as she looked down at the brunette Umamusume, causing the latter to up at what was being made. Her face suddenly started practically glowing at the sight. “What is it that you’re making?”

“Donburi. It’s almost finished.”

Tachyon hummed. With a hefty groan in her throat, she let go, stretching her poor posture straight. “This thing is killing my back…”

“That “thing” is our daughter. It could also be all of those years finally catching up to you.”

“Well, our daughter is going to kill me before my own experiments do…” Tachyon limped out of the kitchen, avoiding putting pressure on her left leg as (Name) followed her shortly after with two bowls of rice.

“Wouldn’t it count as an experiment that killed you…?”

“Are you calling her an experiment?!” Tachyon clutched her swollen belly. Looking down at her stomach, she mumbled under breath, “don’t worry, mama loves you more than your papa…” She limped out of the kitchen to sit down at the table.

Her wife scoffed. Narrowing her eyes in joking disbelief as she picked up the bowls of donburi, she walked towards the dining room to set dinner down. “For your information, she only exists because I allowed you to go crazy on my DNA—.”

The scientist uma promptly shushed her lover. “What if she hears your inappropriate words? How irresponsible…” Tachyon sat down in a chair, tying her hair back with a hairtie. Her hair did in fact get longer than it was when she was attending Tracen, finding no reason to cut it so short anymore. She still took care of her hair, cutting it when she felt it was ready to be cut, but it was past her shoulders by now. Her own bowl of donburi was placed in front of, causing her to immediately dig in without a moment to spare—forgetting to say her thanks.

With a soft chuckle, her wife sat in front of her. The table was relatively small and only large enough to fit the both of them, but it was how Tachyon preferred it. Pressing her hands together, (Name) spoke under her breath, “thank you for our meal…” When she looked up, she saw that Tachyon had stopped eating, her eyes wide like a deer in headlights.

Tachyon immediately went back to eating with a small hum in agreement. (Name) was long used to this behaviour, not exactly offended by it either. The horse girl had always been a bit of an odd one. The retired athlete hummed again to indicate she was going to speak again, only to simply say, “I’m not all too sure what type of meals I’d be having had I not met you.”

“Cursed ones.”

“Perhaps so.” Tachyon went back to her dinner, a faint smile on her lips with every bite. “Have I mentioned how I tried eating puréed food again and couldn’t?” (Name) looked up with a cocked eyebrow. “Yes, when you were on business for a weekend, I tried eating puréed again and found that I couldn’t—it made me quite sick. Pokke had to make all of my meals in your stead.”

With food in her mouth, (Name) gave a sound of acknowledgement as she swallowed it down. “Is that so?”

“To think I was drinking such atrocities on a regular basis before!”

They enjoyed their meal with casual conversation, the domestic atmosphere putting their stressful work lives at ease. Neither needed to care about paperwork or look too far into the future—just talk about their day (even if Tachyon’s consisted of sitting in a chair for several hours). The only future they needed to worry about was the one still developing inside of the retired horse girl.

✦✧✦✧ 

“Charging nearly 500 yen for fat cream milk is absurd…” Tachyon was walking down the street by herself, a bag of items she had bought in one hand and her cane for support in the other. Her wife was at work, most likely dealing with Jungle Pocket’s more than annoying behaviour, so that left the retired horse girl at home by herself for the day (as per usual). However, upon mentioning that she needed to pick something up at the store, (Name) had furiously written down a list for her, saying that she should “at least get other things while out.”

Asking a pregnant woman to do such a task is obscene! Although, she did ask (Name) to stop treating her as if she was broken, disliking the reminders of her Satsuki Sho injury and body’s chronic condition…

Tachyon’s red gaze looked at the list, her brows furrowing at the next item she needed as well as the note beside it: “* Sugar (SOMEONE had all of the sugar again)”. Pursing her lips, she held back an embarrassed smirk, aware of who her wife was referring to. A sigh escaped her lips as she continued her walk through the shopping district. Before Tracen, Tachyon had everything delivered—everything, from meals to electrical equipment, all of it. She didn’t see the need to do these small walks, finding them pointless, and she had the money for delivery too. However, the first time she walked through the district, she realised just how beneficial it was. She could smell the difference in qualities, and the fresher the food, the more nutrients she got.

Eventually coming across the small store she knew her wife preferred for sugar and flour, she stepped inside, glancing down at the list again. Tachyon scanned the aisles as she looked for her preferred sugar cubes. Eventually finding her preferred brand, she came across her next problem: deciding between the bag sizes. While a smaller bag was cheaper and would give more if she were to buy two of them, it’d be more expensive than to buy one large bag. Tachyon picked both the large bag and smaller bag, weighing them with her own hands—one of the many skills she obtained during her days of experimenting. However, knowing what she was like, it may be more beneficial to buy extra… Perhaps two large bags…?

From the corner of her eye, Agnes Tachyon saw a brief flash of yellow and green every time she shifted her sight. They were familiar shades. They were Pokke’s colours. She looked over to see a stand of merchandise manufactured for Tracen Academy racers, both new and old racers. Some of the horse girls she didn’t recognise, while others had familiarity as they were her own peers. What the Agnes horse didn’t know was that her merchandise was still being manufactured post her retirement. She knew she was a fan favourite in the academy, her hiatus after the Satsuki Sho race proving how many people loved her, but it had been years since her official retirement.

Without paying too much attention to the bags anymore, she chose to just take one large bag and one small bag. Tachyon put them in her own personal bag she had brought with her, making her way towards the merchandise stand. She couldn’t lie about how much she missed her athlete days. When her baby is born and develops a sense of consciousness, there’s a chance her merchandise would have long since stopped being made. Her baby would never know just how great her mother really was—.

Ah.

So this is what being a parent would be like.

Agnes Tachyon wondered if Scarlet’s mother had these same thoughts.

Her baby would never know what she was like on the turf—her undefeated streaks, beaten by very few horse girls, her discoveries, her racing records… How, for just a brief moment, Tachyon felt like she became the hypothetical tachyon; she ran faster than light itself.

Agnes Tachyon placed the bags of sugar on the counter, the cashier commenting about how she must have a sweet tooth. She recognised the cashier to be a new hire as she then followed her sugar purchase with several stuffed toys of herself. “Wow, you must really like Agnes Tachyon—,” the cashier had started before looking up, coming face-to-face with Tachyon herself. They cut themselves off, nervously laughing at the fact she was buying merchandise of herself. “Will…that be all, miss…?” The brunette horse girl nodded, pulling out her purse to hand over the cash for her purchases (buying an extra bag in the process to carry the merchandise).

By the time she made it home, she put all of her groceries into the kitchen. Tachyon was aware that her wife would be home early that day, so she limped over to the room that had prepared for when their child was born, the bag with all of the stuffed toys inside with her. The retired athlete put the stuffed toys into the baby cot, propping them up neatly.

As much as she didn’t wish to admit it, a part of her was excited for when she eventually gets to hold her child in her arms. Afraid, yes, but excited.

She hadn’t heard the door open, only turning around at the sound of a throat being cleared. Leaning against the doorway was her ex-trainer. At the sight of the other woman, she smiled. “And…what is all of this, Tachy…?”

“Well, I figured I’d preserve my legacy as a race horse and have a way to tell stories to our daughter about how I had broken many records during my time as an athlete.” Tachyon picked up one of the larger stuffed toys, a grin clear as day on her face. She seemed quite proud of herself. “What better way to hold on to the memories than to buy into consumerism and get as much of my merchandise before it’s no longer being made!”

“Tachyon.”

The usual mad grin dropped, Tachyon’s arms going limp with the toy. “I didn’t wish for our daughter to not know of our feats when she’s born.” The room went quiet. Tachyon had her moments, especially after the Satsuki Sho. (Name) still remembers the depressive episode her trainee fell into after her injury. The brunette horse perked up, her happier tone returning, “and besides! This is the perfect opportunity to study what type of psychological effect this could have on an infant—!”

(Name) had cut her off by approaching her and wrapping her arms around Tachyon’s figure. Holding her wife in a comforting hug, she reminded the retired athlete, “you know I have all of your races on video, right? It was my job as your trainer. And we still have your trophies stored on a shelf.” She pulled back, looking Tachyon in the eye. “You don’t have to worry so much. I have always been here to support you, ever since you knocked me unconscious in the Tracen Academy halls.”

“Ah, yes, I remember when I did that…” Agnes Tachyon reminisces on when she first met her now wife. “No matter, I still wish to do this.”

“Very well…” With a sigh, (Name) took the stuffed Tachyon plushie and put it back in the crib. She put her hand on the Phantom Triple Crown’s back, softly pushing her out the doorway. “You go sit down. I’ve already boiled the kettle so I’ll make you a cup of your tea and we can talk about our day over some afternoon cake.”

“Thank you.”

✦✧✦✧ 

“I know I volunteered to help as a teacher-aid, but the new generation of athletes are really getting on my nerves…” A rosey-brunette horse girl complained to her three friends that she’s had since her career days. The winter air was colder than most days, few people walking around the streets so that they could stay inside with loved ones. ”It’s like dealing with an entire classroom of Pokke! I can deal with one Pokke, but a classroom?”

One of the other women sitting at the table cocked an eyebrow. Placing her drink on the table, she leaned back, narrowing her eyes at her friend. “Y’know I’m sitting right here, don’t ya’, Dantsu?”

“Hush, Pokke.”

A finger was pressed against the brute’s lips and caused her to lean back at the action. A soft chuckle from across the table had the two focus back at the reunion, seeing the expecting horse girl and her long term friend still having their attention on the group. “Don’t you laugh at us, Tachyon!”

The aforementioned woman covered her mouth, stifling any further giggles. “Right, apologies.”

“Ah! That’s right!” Dantsu leaned over the table. “So, Tachyon, I have to ask—.”

“Nine months.” The other three young women looked at the researcher with their eyes wide, caught off guard by her abrupt answer. Tachyon, having taken a sip from her sweet fruit smoothie, leaned back into her chair. “I’ve done my observations and it’s the same question every time for pregnant women. The answer is nine months. Unless you’re one of those people, then I’m currently 37 weeks.”

Jungle Pocket scoffed. “I’m still surprised you let your trainer knock you up…”

“It’s more the other way around; I asked her to, I’m surprised she obliged.”

The ebony-haired horse girl stared into her cup of black coffee, looking into her reflection. Deep in thought, she stated her own opinion on motherhood, “I’ve been so caught up with helping Red Desire’s trainer and settling into my café job that I don’t think I’m ready for children yet…”

“Speak for yourself, Café! I’ve been around kids my whole life, so if I ever had one of my own, I don't think I’d mind all too much.” With a dreamy sigh escaping her lips, Dantsu held her mug of hot chocolate close to her chest—a cheap attempt at staying warm.

The Derby uma stifled a heavy laugh in her throat. “Yeah, sure. I personally have no interest in kids. Those filthy, snot-nosed brats already have too much of their kind on this planet. Gonna happily stay single and if I find love, it’ll be me, my lover, maybe a guinea pig or a dog.”

“And that’s why you’re going to be her babysitter, Pokke!”

“Exactly—.” Pokke cut herself off at the realisation of Tachyon’s words. “Woah, woah, woah! I didn’t agree to that shit.”

“Why not? If you’re not having kids of your own, you’ll be available all of the time.”

“Yeah, YOU’RE available all of the time! What do you do other than sit in that lab of yours at home every day, huh?”

“Working? Some of us have jobs, Pokke…”

“I have a job! I still have my athlete career! The three of you might have retired, but I’m still going strong!”

Before Pokke could continue on with her rant, Dantsu turned to look at her fellow brunette Umamusume. A smile graced her face as she propped her elbows on to the table, leaning into her hands. “So you already know the gender?”

Tachyon leaned back into the chair, the urge to stretch her back from how uncomfortable it was becoming increasingly apparent. Resting her hands on her stomach, a prideful smile found itself on her medium complexion. “Yes, she’ll even be an Umamusume such as myself.”

The other three stared at her in fascination. While they would never admit to such things, they were happy for her. Agnes Tachyon during their early career days seemed like the last person to have children, yet here she was being the first of the four to start a family. No matter how many times she explains it’s an experiment of motherhood, being her closest friends, Pocket, Dantsu and Café knew the truth—she was genuinely happy for this outcome in her life.

Dantsu continued her questioning, “have you prepared for when it’s her time to come out then?”

“Oh yes, I’ve been long prepared since before her conception! Why would I not be prepared for something as important as child birth?”

Jungle Pocket furrowed her eyebrows, needing further explanation on her rival’s response. “Wait, so this has been something you’ve been planning for a while?”

“Since Scarlet won first place at the Shuka Sho, yes.”

Café choked on her drink while Pocket sat in disbelief. Counting the years in her head, Dantsu’s gaze looked to the sky. As if hitting her in an instant, the rosey-brunette’s eyes widened. She almost slammed her palms against the table in complete shock as she yelled the number of years Tachyon had been planning. “There is no way you’ve been planning that long!”

The scientist grinned, “I have, however. More specifically, when I met Scarlet’s parents.”

The ebony-haired Umamusume expression fell darker than it already was. “Yes, so I’ve heard from Desire… Vodka, quote, “went insane over the sight of Scarlet’s parents.” Something about how Scarlet’s mother looks identical to you…  Creepy…”

“Oh, hush, don’t act like you don’t have your own doppelganger.” Without naming said figure, it was quite easy to tell who Tachyon was talking about.

After Daiwa Scarlet’s Shuka Sho gold, Agnes Tachyon focused on her studies in regards to Umamusume and human relationships as part of her psychological studies; umas are only capable of being female, biologically. Umamusume take up over 20% of the world’s population, and a large number of them surprisingly seem to be attracted to those of the same gender—Tachyon included, of course. Despite Umamusume having longer pregnancies, the number of Umamusume had yet to show signs of decrease.

It fascinated her just how the population stayed afloat despite having to rely on the average human male, especially when so many Umamusume happen to be attracted to women or simply don’t have desire for children. Unlike homosapien pregnancies, if an Umamusume were to fall pregnant with twins, it could be life threatening to both the mother and kids. So how was the population of horse girls staying afloat…

Whether she had to study these sorts of psychological and biological effects or not didn’t matter to her. The findings were simply fascinating.

Dantsu looked at Tachyon with eagerness in her eyes. “So… Have you thought of a name?”

The brunette hummed. “Not yet. I’m sure it’ll come to me when she’s ready to come out. That and whatever life she’s destined to live out.” Looking down at her empty cup, Tachyon let out an airy laugh. “Besides, you’ll simply have to wait until she’s actually in my arms before I tell you anything.”

“Awh…”

Eventually, the four of them had to split up, Jungle Pocket offering to walk Agnes Tachyon home. She was late in her pregnancy now, so suffering a tumble would be pretty bad for both the retired athlete and her baby. The bay horse girl looked over at the brunette, their steps slow for the latter to keep up. “Y’know…” Red eyes looked over at Pocket. “Nah, nevermind, it was corny.”

Tachyon scoffed, “do speak. I’m quite curious now.”

“I was just thinkin’ about how you seem happier, that’s all.”

“You make that sound as if I’ve become a traditional wife.”

Jungle Pocket’s jaw fell open. “What?! No way!! We all know you still make (Name) do nearly everything around the house, lazy piece of... Last time you cooked, we had to air out the kitchen for a week…” Pocket remembered back to when she had to cook for Tachyon the weekend her trainer went out on a business trip. “I mean… I’unno… You were so distant before you and your trainer started dating. I guess I’m still processing the fact that the same crazy fast, cold, kinda mentally ill Tachyon that beat me in the Hopeful Stakes and Satsuki Sho is now having a family…”

“I didn’t think of myself as distant. I quite remember my peers avoiding me.”

“Yeah, because whenever we got close, you were weirdly cryptic about everything. You were…distant.” There was a moment of silence. “All I’m saying is that you look happier—less distant, more honest.”

Tachyon thought about Pocket's words for a moment before smiling,

“I do feel happier.”

RICE SHOWER: Rice was already a very anxious girl. Just by talking to her would have her shaking in her heels, mouth run dry, the urge to run away spike. Imagine her surprise when she found out that Tracen celebrates Halloween.

She's an easily frightened girl, and Halloween is a tradition for the undead that people typically treat as a testing ceremony for "who can be the scariest." She doesn't hate it by any means but it's not a great combination for her... However, the two of you agreed to have matching costumes that year. Rice held you this promise under the condition that she can't be frightening—something cuter would suit her tastes, like a bat. Sure, vampires could be scary, but they're still related to bats...in a way. She even chose the clothing of her choice which fit her own tastes: a frilly skirt with a beige blouse and other jewel accessories, which you had to match with. It wasn't that difficult, thankfully. She'll be the cutest, "scariest" vampire Tracen has ever seen!

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➽ Rice did a twirl in the mirror, seeing the reflection of you in the background. "Oh, maybe this...won't be so bad." She looked over at your matching outfit. "We're both cute, hehe..." She picked up a small accessory that matched her own pumpkin bow on her hip, approaching you with it to tie around your neck. "I feel a lot better knowing I won't be alone in this..." You gave her a smile. You pulled at your sleeves in an attempt to smoothen out your outfit, complimenting her own dress. Her racing silks were gorgeous, having been designed after a wedding gown, and her casual dress was adorable too, but Rice suited the style of a vampire. Her cheeks flushed in embarrassment, her words coming out in quiet stutters, "oh, it's just...thank you..." She pulled you along and out of the changing room, excited to spend the night with you and her friends.

────୨ৎ────

SUPER CREEK: Creek enjoyed Halloween for different reasons. More specifically to do with children and her overflowing maternal affection. All holidays are her favourite holidays thanks to the joy of the kids at her parents' daycare.

This year, however, she'd be celebrating with you and Tamamo Cross. The three of you had agreed to be a matching trio of mummies. Inari One and Oguri Cap were also supposed to join but were unfortunately pulled away to do other activities around the school for the time being before the other two could join, leaving Tamamo, Creek and yourself to do the mummy costumes together. Creek did want to spend the holiday with the kids of her family's daycare again that year but spending it with others was just as good. She figured mummy costumes would fit you three perfectly, more so herself than you and Tamamo due to the name. However, a mummy costume was also very easy to obtain. She did give herself a frilly skirt to give the outfit some spice but was still a simple yet adorable costume for the three of you.

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➽ "Tadaa!!" Super Creek slid open the curtain, revealing her costume to you and you only on the other side. Noticing her short, southern rival was missing, she cocked her head in confusion, "eh? Where did Tamamo Cross go?" You were too busy staring at her outfit, seeing how revealing it was in bosom. It was a very cute costume, yes, and it suit her very much, but you weren't expecting that much cleavage. You informed her that Tamamo had already put her costume on before running out to scare Oguri before anyone else could get the ashen beast uma to flinch. Creek's ears fell, realising their trio has turned into a temporary duo. "Oh well, guess I'll just coddle you instead then... Come to mama!" She flexed her fingers out towards you in a repeated motion. Indulging in her maternal instincts, you got up and pressed your body against hers for a hug, feeling her arms wrap around you and hold you close. Suppose one could say that Super Creek was a mummy long before the costume...

────୨ৎ────

ZENNO ROB ROY: Zenno Rob Roy was another of the many quiet umamusume at Tracen Academy, being less shy and more awkward. Being Rice Shower's roommate, the two bonded over many things—such as their fear of the supernatural. She enjoys Halloween a lot, her love for fictional stories being overpowering, however, she was also frightened just as easily as her dark brunette-haired roommate...

Her love for fantasy novels overtook that fear, allowing her to participate in the tradition in her own wizard costume. You didn't wish for Rob Roy to feel alienated in her own outfit while also wanting her to stand out, given mages were her thing, so you went for the classic matching partner of a wizard's cat familiar. While cats were typically a witch's familiar, it still warmed the bookworm's heart at your consideration. She did make sure to take a photo for her mother so that her family knew she was having fun. The best part of Halloween for her though is that she got to act as a wizard without shame. Many guests at Tracen indulged her in hers and the fellow wizard, Sweep Tosho's "magical spells," acting out whatever they may cast on them. Children (and Sweep) especially loved her costume. The shades of orange in her laces and bows stood out against her blue eyes, and the bow in her hair designed to look like a piece of candy was genius. Halloween truly was the one day a year where everyone will indulge in her fantasies.

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➽ Zenno Rob Roy tugged at the bottom of her shorts awkwardly. She couldn't bear to look you in the eyes over her costume, her hand reaching up to adjust her frames. "Sorry I took so long. I was trying to make sure I looked okay." Rob Roy pulled at the hat on her head. "The hat isn't too big, is it?" You assured her that she was worried over nothing. Letting out a sigh of relief, she looked at your costumes. Your matching cat costume made her feel special. She was like a mage heroine in her favourite novel... "Wow! You look great!" She laughed, pride filling her chest as she kicked at her feet. "Sweepy is going to be jealous when she learns I have a familiar and she doesn't, haha..." Pulling out a matching orange ribbon to the one on her chest, she asked you to turn around. At the base of your tail, she tied it into a bow for you, mumbling how about how you both now truly match. Grabbing your hand, she pulled you outside quickly, hoping to enjoy the night of fantasies before it ends.

────୨ৎ────

TAMAMO CROSS: Tamamo Cross doesn't particularly care too much about Halloween. She was a lot older now to indulge in such games, but she was specifically asked by Fuji Kiseki to be one of those in charge of the event at Tracen that year... Perhaps she can be childish for a little bit.

She was hesitant at first, eventually agreeing to have matching costumes with you, Creek, Inari and Oguri. "Mummies" were the theme for her, something she wasn't upset over—classic choice but good. Oguri Cap got to dress as the ever so famous Indiana Jones, referencing a scene from one of the movies where he was attacked by mummies. Unlike Super Creek, Tamamo Cross wasn't comfortable wearing more revealing bandage costumes, ensuring she covered herself up well. She accessorised you both with roses and thorns so that it the costume had colour, applying makeup in a way that truly makes her look dead. She managed to make several people flinch with her costume, still upset she's yet to startle Oguri. Her shorter stature allowed for her to go unnoticed by most eyes, jumping out at nowhere, and you were her perfect victim. Despite always being with you, you still managed to get startled by her presence.

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➽ "Heheh..." Tama chuckled. She gave herself heavy eyebags in the mirror, grinning at you behind her. "So? What do ya' think?" She mimicked an undead creature, groaning like a zombie despite the mummy costume. Snapping back to her usual self, she leaned into your face, "I did good, yeah?" She went on to explain how Fuji set up a scenario for the group to act out in. She looked down at your own outfit, reaching out to grab at the bandages. She tightened the bandage around your waist. "Suck that stomach in! We gotta make ya' look as dead as possible!" Tamamo then poked her thumbs into your eyes. "Hold still!" She rubbed at them, ensuring it wasn't too hard on the pressure, before pulling back to get a good look. "There." Your eyes, now red, really added to the effect that you weren't supposed to be alive. You mentioned that you could have worn contacts which would have been much safer, prompting her to shrug. "Oh well, now we got realism." She apologised later after the event was over.

────୨ৎ────

MIHONO BOURBON: Mihono Bourbon hadn't celebrated Halloween before. She focused too much on her training for the Classic Triple Crown to have time to have "fun." However, now that she was a student at Tracen, she was capable of participating in events she never got to celebrate before.

Bourbon went the simple approach of a classic ghost. She was capable of wearing her normal school uniform underneath and you didn't have to waste too much time putting the costume on. Bourbon did make the costume herself. She went all out for the both of you. She cut out all sorts of fabrics and sewed them together, adding chain accessories so that you both weren't just ordinary ghosts. She wanted to impress you, in a way. Whether this was your first time celebrating also doesn't matter to her, she wanted to make a good impression on her own first time. She was a little awkward with putting it on, needing assistance from her good friend, Rice Shower, but she managed in the end. Her monotone voice and stiff demeanor added to the costume, many people believing the distant figure in the halls really was a ghost.

.

➽ Bourbon tugged at the cloth around her head. She adjusted the small hat on her head, pulling at the chains to make sure she didn't choke herself out. She gave a confident nod in the mirror before turning to look at you and striking a "ghoulish" pose. You gave a clap at her outfit, finding her first time dressing up a good attempt. She'll most likely give more effort next year, but for a first time dressing up, it was a wonderful attempt. "I went for the easy yet recognisable costume of a ghost. I'm glad it is up to your standards." You nodded, complimenting her embroidery on your own costume. "I thank you for your praise." She puffed out her chest with pride, knowing you're wearing something she had made herself. She wanted to make something for Rice, but Rice Shower already had her costume prepared. You were aware the two had agreed to dress up together the following year, but knowing them, they may try and drag you to do a trio costume. Not that you would mind...

A woman sat at a public restaurant table, her laptop open in front of her as she clicked at the keys. Her animal ears on top of her head flicked with each sound created, the chatter of those around her was silent, tail curled behind out of passerbyers’ way. Her red gaze pierced the screen with many long and difficult words and mathematical equations filling the document. The Umamusume flicked back and forth between tabs, her attention solely on her work.

That was until someone audibly awed in astonishment from behind her; “wow, that seems…really difficult.” She turned her head around, almost as if she was an owl. Her long hair brushed against her shoulders. Behind her was a man in a button down and apron, as well as a tray of what she immediately knew was her lunch—a bowl of salad with a cup of sweetened carrot juice. “Oh, I’m sorry—, I…” He placed the tray down. “Here’s your meal, ma’am.” The man bowed apologetically.

The woman’s lips curled, amused by his pathetic behaviour. “It’s fine, it’s just a simple mathematical theorem that I have to review. If it’s not correct, it’s not a theorem, it would be a conjecture. If it’s a conjecture, then it would have to be reviewed and redone until it’s a theorem. All sorts of disasters can happen if a conjecture is published as a theorem.” The man stood in silence, his brows furrowed in both amazement and confusion. He did not understand a single word coming from this woman’s mouth.

He snapped out his daze, shaking the static thoughts from his head. “So you’re a mathematician then, I take it?”

“What gave you that idea, Einstein?” The Uma sarcastically asked him, causing him to laugh.

“Dumb question, I know…” The man bowed yet again, apologizing for his behaviour, walking off back to do his work. The horse lady’s smile only grew larger, curling her lips as she attempted to hide it, eventually choosing to sip her drink. Flicking her brown tied-back hair behind her, she hunched over into the palm of her hand, reading the document for a fourth time.

She was there for another hour. The waiter walked past her table several times taking orders. Every time, he’d look down at her work, seeing her notes and tabs pile up, and yet she didn’t look the slightest bit stressed. On the other hand, with the Umamusume, she’d glance up at him. Her round cheeks would go from their pale tone—matching the rest of her skin—to a light red whenever the two locked eyed. Him as well.

At the end of her lunch, she packed her laptop and books away, right as he was approaching the table. She gave him a nod as he took her dishes back inside, leaving the two to have finally crossed paths and their stories intertwined.

She visited the next day. Same time, same meal, same laptop before her.

He had work again. Same time, same job, same Umamusume sitting at the same table.

It didn’t take long for his coworkers to catch on to his interest in her. He wasn’t sure if she liked the restaurant or if she was there with a specific purpose, if it was close to somewhere she was going next. Everything about her was a mystery to him, but knew one thing, and that was that she sure loved math…

Through passing comments, the two got to learn about each other some more. They exchanged names, discovering bits and pieces of their personal life, until the man finally broke out the real question…

“Uhm…” The math fanatic looked up from her laptop, seeing the man’s flustered face. “Do you think we could…” He trailed off, placing her usual meal on the table. Her salad was given to her along with a biscuit he claimed was “on the house,” but she was aware he had paid for it himself; aware it was his way of flirting.

The brunette horse lady’s ears flicked in anticipation, awaiting his question. “Yes?”

“Do you think we could exchange numbers…?”

The woman’s lips shifted again, an all too familiar smile on her face—one he had long since gotten used to seeing. He had seen her in papers in regards to her past achievements from her younger days, but never with a smile like that. A booming, gruff voice suddenly yelled his name from the kitchen, “get back to work!”

“Ah! Sorry!!” The man called back. He bowed to the Umamusume, shuffling backwards to retreat to the kitchen, bumping into another chair on the way. The lady chuckled, going back to her important work in silence. The waiter went back to his own thing, avoiding her gaze out of embarrassment. Only when he looked back over at her table an hour later, when he finally had a moment without running all over the place, did he realize that she was gone.

His coworker noticed his sadness. “Cheer up. She’s been here almost every day at this point. She’ll be back.”

“I know… I just asked something stupid again, that’s all…”

“When do you not ask something stupid?”

With a heavy sigh, the waiter trotted over to the table where the woman once sat. He had to admit, she was beautiful. He’d be lying if he said he didn’t have a thing for her. He picked up her dishes before taking notice of a note underneath the salad bowl she had eaten from. It was only a small thing, easily overlooked, but what caught his attention was the scribbles of numbers written on it. Judging from the specific series of numbers they were, they were far from a math equation—they were her phone number.

The waiter’s heart rate increased, his eyes practically glowing at the chance, only to be brought back to reality at the sound of his name from his boss’ voice again, “Daiwa!!!”

“Sorry sir!! Coming right away!!” He tucked the number into his pocket, practically running back to the kitchen with a skip in his step.

✦✧✦✧ 

Several years later…

A teen girl, her hair tied back into two long twintails. Her face was confident—brows furrowed, back straight, and steps even.

“Our final racer has finally stepped on to the turf, Oka Sho’s winner and second favourite Umamusume—Daiwa Scarlet!!” Cheers erupted from the stands as the girl walked across the turf to the other racers. Her blue racing costume was ironed out, and her breathing was steady. Her silk stood out with piercing red eyes and moved to look at her rivals before turning to the stands of people

Looking through the crowd, she saw her parents waving at her. With a smile, Scarlet waved back (considering her mother’s appearance was a rare sight), continuing her walk towards the other racers… “Scarlet!” That was until someone called out to her. Looking back, standing at the front, was her as two school peers and her trainer. Her trainer motioned for her to get closer, having something to say to her, so Scarlet did just that. “Do you remember the strategy?”

Her warm orange-red hair bobbed as she nodded with a hum. “Don’t take first straight away. Wait in the second group then start moving forward. Once in first,—.”

“—push forward with all you have, yes, correct.” Her trainer sighed, guilt deep within her eyes. “I’m sorry I couldn’t make you a Triple Tiara Umamusume…”

“It’s okay, Trainer.” Scarlet softly smiled to ease her trainer’s remorse. “The most we can do now is get the second tiara. Besides, I learnt breathing techniques from Tachyon-san, so I should be fine.”

Hearing her name mentioned, the brunette horse girl next to the trainer hummed in confirmation. Reaching her arm out—or more like her sleeve, Tachyon pet Scarlet’s head. “You’re a monster of a horse girl, Scarlet. You’ll do more than fine.” Retracting her hand back, folding her arms so that she could lean on the fence designed to keep the crowd off the track. Tachyon’s tail was tucked between her legs, her sensitivity at a peak thanks to the number of people around her. “Are you sure you don’t want my latest concoction to help you? It should help with your spatial awareness and improve the hamstring’s performance.”

Scarlet shook her head. “I’ll be fine. I won’t mind testing it after I take first place though.”

The trainer turned to look at the science-obsessed Umamusume, a scowl watches on her face as she looked at her in disappointment. “Yes, I don’t want Scarlet collapsing from a failed liver let alone disqualified for having cheated.”

Tachyon laughed aloud, “oh, (Name), you worry too much!”

“Daiwa Scarlet.” A deep, feminine voice spoke to her from next to Tachyon. Another Umamusume, her hair the perfect shade of wine, and an eyepatch decorating her face. Like Tachyon, she stood with her arms folded. Unlike Tachyon, she stood with pride and a smirk forever on her lips. “Just because you didn’t win the Japanese Oaks doesn’t mean you lost either; you just simply couldn’t run the race, the flu having attempted to take another victim. It was truly unfortunate. Prove to the audience that you are still deserving of the Triple Tiara title!”

Rare words of encouragement from her rival’s mentor, Scarlet’s eyes gleamed in pride, feeling confidence surge through her body. “Right!” She looked back at her trainer and her own mentor. “Gimlet’s right. I’ll have to prove to everyone that I’m still a Triple Tiara at heart!” She clutched a hand to her chest. “Vodka won the Derby… So I’ll do my best and become a Double Tiara, at the very least!” With her heart pounding against her chest, Scarlet turned to walk to the gates. “Well, wish me luck, papa, mama!!”

The three blinked in confusion for a moment at her final words.

Scarlet, realizing what she had said, stopped in her tracks, turning around awkwardly. She bowed with an apologetic tone in her voice—something she inherited from her father. “Sorry, I mean... Trainer, Tachyon-san.” She fixed her words, running off to the gates with a deeply red face, blushing from embarrassment of her mistake.

Vodka stood a very small distance away, hearing Scarlet’s mistaken words. “Papa? Mama? What was that about?”

“Mind your own beeswax!! I’m gonna kick your butt and make you cry for forgiveness!!” Scarlet stomped off towards the other races, leaving the dark-haired horse girl baffled. Vodka’s face screamed that she was offended, newfound determination for the race in her heart.

Meanwhile, Gimlet had the same question. She looked over at the trainer and Tachyon, her eye(s) clearly just as confused as Vodka. “Did she call you both mama and papa…?”

“Yes, it’s a cute thing she’s been doing since she met us.” Tachyon chuckled.

“Okay, but why?”

“No clue,” Tachyon responded before turning to look at the “God of Destruction”. “Why? Are you upset that your little Vodka doesn’t call you mama, too?”

“Hah! I would never be upset!” The two glared at each other, their mentee’s rivalry relationship having passed on to the two of them. Before Scarlet and Vodka, Tachyon and Gimlet were acquaintances. They’d see each other in the halls, give one another a nod in acknowledgement, but they never exchanged more than that. When Vodka and Scarlet’s rivalry got more intense, the two started boasting about their student’s achievements—finding reasons to talk about their girls.

(Name) gasped. “They’re starting!” The two looked over at the gates, all of the racers in their starting positions.

The stadium went quiet, before the gates suddenly swung open, all of the horse girls running past at extreme speeds.

The brunette Umamusume mumbled in prayer, her red gaze fixed on her student’s position on the turf. “Three months…” Gimlet looked over at Tachyon from the corner of her eye, thankful the researcher was standing to her left. “She’s been training to run this exact track for three months… She said she refuses to lose the final tiara.”

“What, just like how you lost the final two crowns?”

“And yet I still get called a Triple Crown.” Gimlet squinted, trying to piece together Tachyon’s words. “I didn’t need to win the Derby like you did, and yet I still get called a Triple Crown. I must ask, Gimlet…” She turned, her red eyes wide as she stared directly into Gimlet’s, piercing her soul and shattering what remaining composure she had. “Do they call you a Triple Crown or just a Derby horse?”

Gimlet’s breath shuddered.

Tachyon looked back at the track as they reached halfway, all of the mares still running and Scarlet keeping a good position in fourth place. “She’ll be a Triple Tiara in everyone’s hearts if she can win this—consider it a hunch.”

✦✧✦✧ 

“Daiwa Scarlet wins!! She makes a perfect comeback, winning the Shuka Sho Tiara by a head!!”

The crowd erupted into cheer, celebrating Scarlet’s Double Tiara, while Tachyon looked over at Gimlet with a smirk on her face.

Meanwhile, Scarlet’s father had jumped out of his seat, yelling about how happy he was at the top of his lungs, causing Scarlet to look over at him in an instant. Her gaze shifted to her mother, seeing her own soft applauds as her head was pinned to her skull—Scarlet aware this was due to the noise and not because she was actually upset. While she never became a Triple Tiara, Scarlet knew for a brief moment that she had solidified herself in horse girl racing history, just like her mother and teacher.

“Daiwa Scarlet has yet to get a placing lower than second! She truly has become a one-of-a-kind Umamusume!!”

She’s made her mama proud.

Eventually, all of those that watched the race filed out of the stadium. Given the race was mid-afternoon, the audience had left to get their own meals—whether it be afternoon snacks or early dinner meals. The girls who ran the race, still wearing their racing costumes, waved off everyone, hearing their promises to return. That night, Daiwa Scarlet would stand in front of everyone on the centre stage. The girl’s heart practically started beating faster in excitement.

“Scarlet!!” The teen girl looked up, hearing a masculine voice to her side. The moment she looked up, she was enveloped in a large hug.

“Ouwah!! Papa, don’t choke me!!” 

“Sorry…” That usual pathetically apologetic voice escaped his lips. A soft laugh was heard from behind him, prompting him to turn around and Scarlet’s mother to come into view.

She walked up to Scarlet slowly before wrapping her own arms around her—gently, unlike her father—as she whispered in her ear, “I’m so proud of you…” Tears filled Scarlet’s sharp red eyes, hearing words she so desperately wanted to earn. The woman’s pale hand brushed at her twintails, affectionate words falling from her mouth as she continued praising her daughter. The honor student couldn’t help but flap her tail.

Heeled steps approached the family of three, that annoying voice of Scarlet’s nightmares (given they actually room together) interrupting the sweet moment, “oi, Scarlet, Tachyon, have you seen—...” Vodka cut herself off at the sight of Scarlet’s parents, her brows furrowed as she processed the two figures before her. She apologized quickly, letting out a dry laugh. “You look…very similar to someone else that Scarlet and I know. Again, apologies…” She grabbed Daiwa Scarlet’s shoulder, spinning her around and whispering in her ear. “There is no way that is your mother…”

“I know…”

Daiwa Scarlet’s mother was somehow a splitting image of Agnes Tachyon.

Everything about them was identical; the lazy red eyes, the brown hair with darker tipped ears, and somehow their fashion sense and mannerisms, too. It was as if Vodka had travelled to the future and she was looking at what Tachyon would become—a domesticated slightly more sane mother. Or maybe she’s living in the woman’s past… “I’m so sorry for my rude behaviour, Mrs. Daiwa…”

The older Umamusume placed her hands on her hips, laughing at her daughter’s rival’s behaviour. “Oh, please, Mrs. Daiwa makes me sound elderly. Calling me Bouquet surely sounds a lot better.”

“R…right…”

Bouquet hummed in thought, her eyes looking around the crowds. “Say, Scarlet dear, where is your trainer? I wish to see the woman I’ve entrusted my dearest daughter to, given we haven’t met yet.” Vodka and Scarlet looked at each other, genuine dread in their expressions. If Bouquet were to meet (Name), she’d surely meet Agnes Tachyon, and if those two crossed paths… It would be some trippy “the day after tomorrow’s yesterday” type of moment.

“Scarlet!!” Speak of the devil and thou shall appear. An all too familiar voice called out from behind Daiwa Scarlet, the girl hesitating to turn around. Slender arms wrapped and oversized fabric were suddenly hooked around her neck as Tachyon hugged her from behind. “You did absolutely wonderful out there! You actually had me awestruck—you really didn’t need my latest mixture!”

The brunette Umamusume went quiet, looking up from Scarlet’s shoulder as she came face-to-face with another horse girl. The two stared at each other in silence, allowing the trainer to catch up, Tanino Gimlet trailing behind. “Oya? Pray tell, who is this, Scarlet?” Bouquet held genuine curiosity in her voice, as if blind to the young lady before her. Those around them stared at the two women, their eyes shifting back and forth between them.

Scarlet’s father and her trainer, seeing the resemblance, looked on at their respective romantic partners in pure horror. Both had the same thought process as they stared at the two geniuses:

‘There’s a second Bouquet…’ ‘There’s a second Tachyon…’

However, Tanino Gimlet and Vodka stared at Mr. Daiwa and (Name). Like mentor and mentee, they too had the same thought process; only it was not about Bouquet and Tachyon. Vodka turned to look at Gimlet, never having been this confused in her life. “It’s like she’s looking into a freaky mirror that reflects an alternate world of her…”

“A world where she’s a man…”

Vodka looked over at her rival, seeing Scarlet’s orange-red ears tilted in shame. “Did you manifest Tachyon and your trainer? No wonder you call them your parents—they quite literally are just your parents.”

Tachyon stared deeply into Bouquet’s eyes before finally realizing who she was. She threw her hands (sleeves) into the air, excitement gleaming in her eyes. “I know who you are!” ‘You do…?’ The same two words, same question echoed in the other five’s minds. “I use your mathematical theorems when building my electrical equipment! I’ve even seen your pictures in Tracen’s Hall of Fame—you are one crazy runner. Your stories are printed on the school’s walls.”

Bouquet laughed, having been recognized after all of these years. “And you’re that Phantom Triple Crown girl! Despite running one classic race, they call you as such because the two girls who did win the Derby and Kikuka Sho didn’t stand a chance against you. What are the chances of running into you?”

“Well, factoring in the fact I don’t really watch races in person, even then, it’s for specific girls, and I hear from Scarlet you’re normally too busy to make it to her races personally, I’d guess about a 5.7% chance, give or take.”

“Hm, you must not get out much if the number is that low.”

“It would have been lower, but I also factored in the reasoning behind that Scarlet and I share the same trainer at the end of the day. So—.”

“—we would have met at some point, but it was only a small chance we met today.”

“Precisely!”

Bouquet hummed, understanding the logical explanation for the probability number. The two really were identical in every way… If it weren’t for the fact Bouquet is the slightest bit taller and her hair much longer, ending just at her waist while Tachyon’s was cut quite short, the two could have been easily mistaken for identical twins—or worse, clones.

Tachyon covered her mouth, a mischievous grin curling her lips. “I was wondering who raised a unit of an Umamusume. Your Daiwa Scarlet is truly an incredible young girl.”

“Tachyon-san!!” Scarlet huffed, embarrassed by her tutor’s words.

The Tachyon replica (or is Tachyon a Bouquet replica…) laughed at the newfound information on her daughter. “And I was wondering how she managed to stay on top of her classes. You turned her into a wonderful student yourself.”

“Mama!!”

Trainer and Scarlet’s father turned to look at each other, nodding in acknowledgement at their presence. Their partners continued their weird riddle-speaking conversation, the two humans standing to the side, unsure what to do. (Name) broke the silence with a cough. “This is…very awkward.”

“Tell me about it… It’s like looking at a younger version of my wife…”

“Really? To me, it’s like looking at my girlfriend’s future…”

An odd silence enveloped the air around them. Scarlet’s father looked at her trainer, “so I assume that you’re the one training her.”

“Oh, yes! I’m (Name), sir—Mr. Daiwa.” Motioning over to her own brown-haired horse girl, letting out a heavy sigh. “As your wife has already realized, this is Agnes Tachyon. She assists in training Daiwa Scarlet as she’s currently on a racing hiatus.”

While the two pairs conversed with their respective “alternate selves,” Vodka looked over at Scarlet yet again. Her dark brows were furrowed, still feeling as if she had managed to find herself on a completely different planet. “Is this why you call Tachyon and (Name) “mama and papa”? ‘Cause they quite literally—,” she flicked a hand over at their seniors and married couple, repeating her words from before, “—look like your parents.”

Scarlet looked down at the ground in shame. Slowly nodding in confirmation, she responded, “it doesn’t help that Tachyon-san and Trainer are dating, too…” She breathed in sharply. “The amount of times I’ve walked in on Trainer smothering Tachyon-san with affection… It genuinely feels like walking in on your parents, and this doesn’t help.”

Looking over at her daughter’s friends (or more like rival-friend and her other senior), Bouquet sighed, relief filling her tone. “I’m so glad Scarlet has found herself a good group to be around… She’s always struggled with making friends her age and not one of the teachers…” By now, Daiwa Scarlet’s face was flushed in a deep red, her mother continuously spouting about her childhood. “She’s always been more attached to the adults, and I just get so worried that she went and did it again with only making friends with her teachers.”

“Well, it’s more like she’s mainly friends with the senior students…” Vodka grumbled, her sight shifting to her flustered rival in the corner of her eyes.

“A step in the right direction, nonetheless.”

Mr. Daiwa nodded in agreement at his wife’s words about their daughter. “We know we can’t attend all of her races, but we can only hope our support from afar is enough.”

“You’re like a doormat, dear.”

“Oh…”

Bouquet looked over at her husband, a grin on her face. “Well, I suppose we should head off now. Don’t worry, Scarlet sweetie, we’ll be back for your winning live performance tonight.” The uma giggled, grabbing on to the man’s arm as he blushed in embarrassment. Bouquet looked up at her daughter’s trainer, smiling softly. “It was also a pleasure to meet you too, and thank you for looking after our dear Scarlet. She can be a bit of a temperamental girl when she wants to.”

“Mama!!!”

Trainer waved her hand, showing a crooked smile of her own. “It’s fine, Mrs. Bouquet, your daughter has been no trouble at all.”

Scarlet’s mother sighed in relief again, “that’s good. She gets her personality from her grandparents… Well now, it was nice to see you all!” The woman leaned over, kissing her daughter on her forehead as a farewell before turning around. Pulling her husband along with her extreme strength (something she had developed during her time as an athlete), Scarlet’s parents left the scene. They watched and heard as the man’s complaints over her sheer strength fade into the distance, the two walking away together with their arms locked.

Everyone waved them off, albeit some more awkwardly than others. Gimlet stood oddly still and quiet the entire time before finally breaking her own silence, “I’m not crazy, right?” Tachyon turned to look at the wine-red horse girl. “She looked like you. That’s not even one of my exaggerations; she looked identical to you.”

Tachyon blinked. Her red gaze was firmly on the supposed “God” Umamusume. “Well of course she did, I’m not that blind. I found that out years ago.”

Gimlet looked over at the trainer. “And he looked like a male version of you!”

(Name)’s eyes widened at the accusation. “He did?!”

“Yes, it was quite amusing, but I thought you had realized.” The brunette senior Umamusume looked over at girlfriend, pursing her lips in thought. “Although, that now explains why Scarlet mistakenly calls us her parents.” Wrapping her arms around her student’s shoulders, Tachyon engulfed the junior into a large hug. Her messy tail wagged around, a positive feeling coursing through her veins. “Ah, Scarlet! You can continue calling me “mama” all you want!”

“No way!!”

Vodka pointed at Tachyon in complete disbelief. “Why do you seem so casual about this!?”

Tachyon let go of Scarlet, humming in though. She had her arms folded, tapping her feet on the ground. “One in 135 people.” The group looked over at her, every one of them having their brows furrowed at whatever nonsense she started going on about now. “Every one in 135 or so have a “doppelganger,” or something of the like. Even if someone looks identical to you, there’s bound to be one or two attributes in their physiological features that allows you to determine the difference, but they tend to be something small—unnoticeable to the naked eye.”

Nothing was said.

“While Scarlet’s mother and I look identical, she has several features that I do not, such as her physiological DNA allowing her to grow taller, as well as her curvier physique and rhytides—otherwise known wrinkles caused by aging. Although, her thicker body is most likely due to her pregnancy with Scarlet…” Tachyon rambled on about Bouquet before shaking her head. “It appears I have also found myself quite peckish.” Grabbing on to (Name)’s arm, she pulled her girlfriend along with the human trainer being unable to fight back. “Come, Guinea Pig! I must consume my nutrients!”

Tanino Gimlet, Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka watched as the two faded into the crowd, their figures and behaviour being exactly like what Scarlet’s parents did. A super-genius athlete Umamusume with brown hair and red eyes as well as her extremely supportive yet extremely pathetic romantic partner… What were the chances…

✦✧✦✧ 

Several days had gone by since meeting Scarlet’s parents for the first time, leaving to the scene now where Trainer, Tachyon, and said Double Tiara Uma (or as many still refer to her as a Triple Tiara) in Tachyon’s personal laboratory.

One of the few times where Tachyon wasn’t doing any odd experiments. She was seated on the couch—Café’s couch—tutoring Scarlet for an upcoming exam she had. The two were deep in discussion about one of the questions while (Name) sat at the desk where the brunette senior would normally be sitting, typing away at her laptop. She chimed in occasionally, having majored in biology herself when she was back in school when she was studying to become a trainer, but kept to her trainer duties mainly.

Scarlet tapped her pen on her notebook’s page, thoughts deep in her head as she attempted to figure out the answer. “What is the most important muscle for running…” She hummed, her ears twitching and falling the more she thought. Tachyon was sitting with her legs crossed, sipping her tea as a small slice of cake let off a delicious, sweet aroma. “Uhm… It’s a…trick question?” Scarlet answered despite how unsure she was.

Tachyon nodded in confirmation. “Your body requires five muscles for running, not one, and those muscles are?”

“Hamstring, calf muscles, core muscles, glutes, and…quadriceps…?” Scarlet dragged out the final word, still unsure of her answer.

Tachyon nodded again in confirmation. “Even if one of them had their performance off, your running will change entirely and your form will feel wrongly different. Your body requires those five muscles to run at its best.” Scarlet wrote down Tachyon’s words with eagerness, making sure it was simplified to understand in future.

Tachyon looked over at a glass case, the shelves filled with trophies from the few trainees (Name) looked after, with the new addition of Daiwa Scarlet’s Shuka Sho win. Her gaze moved to another trophy that sat on its lonesome—her own Satsuki Sho win. Unlike Scarlet, Tachyon never got to make that comeback, her hiatus having lasted well over a year now. Trainees only ever have one chance to run the Derby, and she missed hers, that stupid Jungle Pocket rival of hers running and taking home the trophy instead.

Scarlet slammed her pen down, interrupting Tachyon’s less than positive thoughts, an exhausted sigh falling from her lips. “I’m so tired… But, it will all be worth it. I’ll top the exam board yet again!” Scarlet sat up, taking the handle of her own cup of tea between her fingers. She took a sip, tasting the sweet liquid fall into her mouth. “I’ll be running the Queen Elizabeth II Cup next, right, Trainer?”

The woman spun on the chair abruptly, as if shocked by the sudden question. “Ah! Yes. I already have the next month’s regiment planned—, unless, of course, you just wish to relax. You did just have a race…”

The copper-haired Umamusume sat in silence, pondering over the decision, before coming to a conclusion. “I think…I might spend some time with my family.”

“Oh?” Tachyon looked over at her student. “Pray tell, why do you wish to spend time with them?”

“Well… Mama is always busy at work, so she’s rarely home. She already said she will be going overseas again in two weeks, so I think I’ll spend those two weeks with her as much as I can.”

The trainer felt her heart melt at the sincerity of Scarlet’s words. She’s heard her go on rambles—very similar to Tachyon’s—when it came to all her mother achieved. She was a genius Umamusume who had several large titles slip between her fingers. Despite never winning the triple crown, a triple tiara, or even the Derby, she was still known for her high speeds. Stories now all too familiar as it came full circle… “You’re a sweet girl, Scarlet.” It was no wonder she looked up to Tachyon.

The sound of the school bell echoed throughout the school, causing Scarlet to panic. She chugged the last of her tea before quickly packing her things. “Thank you again for tutoring me! I’ll be back after school, okay, mama—!” Scarlet was half way out the door before she stopped in her steps. “Ah, sorry… Tachyon-san, Trainer…” Scarlet walked out of the room in a more stiff manner, embarrassed by her words as she mumbled to herself “that’s not mama, that’s Tachyon-san” continuously down the hall.

Once she was out of earshot, (Name) turned to look at said brunette Umamusume. “Skipping class again?” All Tachyon did was hum, taking a bite out of the cake set in front of her. With a playful singing tone, (Name) replied to the confirmation, “okay, I just don’t want your grades dropping.” Normally a joke that Tachyon would bite back with her own snide remark was now met with silence. The trainer didn’t think too much, telling herself that perhaps the phantom horse girl wanted some quiet.

It would have been understandable given Scarlet’s eccentric personality, and while Tachyon’s thoughts were on her junior, they were for different reasons. She thought long and hard about her. Tachyon wasn’t all familiar with supposedly “loving” parents given hers chose to do a hands-off approach of raising her—supporting her from afar, never getting too close. Like Scarlet’s mother, they were legends in the racing world, but unlike Scarlet’s, they were oddly distant.

Despite her clearly introverted demeanor, Bouquet did seem to love Daiwa Scarlet with her entire heart. It made her feel…weird, in a way.

The imagery in her head suddenly changed, going from thoughts about Scarlet and her mother to Tachyon’s own future. She wasn’t one to care for what would happen, mainly caring for the now. What good is there to worry about what could happen when she could just go through with it. Yet seeing those flashes of possibilities; imagery of a could be; a future that might happen…

Tachyon groaned, stretching her neck after having been hunched for so long, the thoughts coming to an end before it paused on one in particular.

Tachyon had thought she was imagining Bouquet, given their similar appearances, but something inside of her told her that she wasn’t. A silhouette of a brown-haired Umamusume holding a clothed bundle in her arms, a small hand grasping onto the woman’s finger… Something inside Tachyon suddenly felt lighter yet her breath was caught at the back of her throat. It was as if this thought was both right and wrong, something she wanted despite its impracticality—perhaps the opposite, being something that made sense despite it being unwanted.

It caused Agnes Tachyon to start mumbling nonsense to herself, her thoughts running wild with equations and chemical theories. “If I take a sample of my guinea pig’s DNA and alter it just a bit, keeping her overall physiological features yet allowing it to behave as if it was of XY chromosome DNA, then maybe…” She hummed, her eyes occasionally looking at (Name). “No, there’s no guarantee it’d be like Scarlet… But there is the possibility…”

Tachyon’s gaze shifted to her ankle. Despite having long since healed, the bandage remained tight, a constant reminder of the Satsuki Sho outcome.

The silence had become uncomfortable to Tachyon’s girlfriend by now, prompting her to turn the chair around. “Tachyon, are you okay?” She followed her line of sight, eventually falling to look at her ankle as well. “Is it hurting again?

“No, I’m just thinking.”

Excusing the thoughts, Tachyon took another bite out of the cake on the plate, only to look up at her trainer yet again. Despite her hiatus, (Name) never left her side, continuing to support whatever nonsense she had in store. Like a doormat, the trainer allowed the researcher to go wild on her body, taking various samples from saliva to blood, testing various liquified abominations she had created in that very lab.

What an odd trainer she was.

She really was an awful lot like Scarlet’s father—judging from the few stories Scarlet shared about him, someone easily pushed around. Suddenly, the thoughts were back, only more intense this time.

“Guinea Pig, it appears I desire a child similar to little Scarlet now.”

“WHAT?!”

No amount of science can explain this feeling.

No experiment will have a logical explanation to the bubbly and warm thoughts.

No logic in attraction…

Well, according to science, when you experience romantic attraction in another person, several hormonal chemicals enter the brain—one of these chemicals being dopamine. The dopamine then gives off a similar effect to alcohol or cocaine, allowing the feeling to then be perceived as something positive. Other chemicals that are unleashed into the brain are oxytocin and vasopressin—hormones often associated with attachment and long term affection.

While Science allows us to explain and understand how we feel romantic attraction, they never explain why. Nobody really knows why, in all honesty. We just do, and then the majority of the Earth’s population are monogamous, choosing to only have one partner at a time. A lot of animals simply fall in love because that is nature, and yet despite the extensive research, not a single scientist can logically explain why we do.

Even then, many animals mate for life, having several dozen or hundred mates, while others like swans have one. When that one dies, they choose to…also die, as their “true love” has now passed. Even science within animals is unexplainable.

Many say it’s survival, a way to reproduce, but then what happens to those who can’t? Same sex relationships are slowly becoming more common, and yet they still fall in love despite scientists saying it’s for survival and reproducing. So why do they fall in love if they can’t reproduce?

Questions that she had no care for at first, but they did fester at the back of Agnes Tachyon’s mind. She never gave them much thought. They were something that would reappear every few months while showering or walking the streets, her eyes on a happy couple holding hands. If she’s lucky enough, several weeks later, she’ll come across one of them again with someone else’s arm around their hip.

She's seen couples argue and break up, peers cry over broken hearts, and neighbors be hurt by those they thought they could trust. Yet they still throw around that simple four letter word—“love.” To be loved is to be hurt, or does it hurt to love?

Should you have asked Tachyon for her opinion around one, maybe two years ago, she would have told you were just as mad as her.

If you were to ask her now, however? She’d say it was one of the best things to happen to her.

✦✧✦✧ 

For the second year in a row, Tachyon had been asked to be a guest at that year’s Fan Festival to thank her fans for their support. At the beginning of her career, she had no care for them, slowly coming to enjoy their cheers at every race. As of now, compared to all of their cries of encouragement, they had turned to chatters of excitement. Every person around her had a smile on their face, and she could tell just by the tones of their voices.

She didn’t have to look at them to know that.

Her shoulder was leaning against one of the stall’s support beams and her figure out sight. A blue screen illuminated the shadowed corner of the bright festival, a text bubble appearing on it with a message for her.

Guinea Pig: > ive already made sure to tell cafe to keep an eye on u > dont want u to somehow lure 1 of ur fans into drinking smth weird > thats my job lol (11:24am) Guinea Pig: > this trainer/staff meeting is so boring 😓 > i wish i was at the fan fest with u now > or helping u with some weird experiment (01:03pm)

The brunette’s smile grew, her eyes lidded as a rare and soft expression was plastered on her face. While it wasn’t uncommon for her trainer to see this expression, should anyone else see her like this, they’d think an alien was trapped in her body. If a certain overly prideful “baguette” (as Tachyon called her) were to see her like this, she’d think the world was going to explode.

Pulling her other hand from her oversized sleeve, she went to message her trainer back.

You: < You’re the one that said it was important. Are you saying you’d skip an important business meeting for me? < I feel honoured! (01:07pm)

Upon hitting the send button, Tachyon shifted her position so that she was fully leaning back against the support beam. Her red eyes moved to analyze everyone that passed her—something she had long gotten used to and had become a habit over the years. Someone walking with a small limp, a child’s swollen eyes as a teddy was clutched between their grip, teenage girls cupping their hands to hide their mouths as they whispered something to a friend.

Tachyon noticed it all.

Her gaze moved to stare at two people that passed by her. Their hands were clasped together, blush dusting both of their cheeks and smiles on their faces—clearly here on a date of sorts. Her stare was on the two longer than other guests as an aching feeling suddenly hit her chest.

She bit the inside of her cheek, exhaling heavily as the weight of realization hit her. Her heart slowly and subtly began to race without the need for a turf track beneath her, head hazy with thoughts that echoed, silencing the crowds. They weren’t unwanted thoughts, thankfully. They were weirdly comforting to Tachyon as they acted as messages in a bottle.

A small sound effect to notify her that she got a reply knocked her away from deafening silence. Looking back at her phone, Tachyon’s eyes lidded again, the sun hitting for a brief moment in that shadowed corner, causing her eyes to sparkle.

Guinea Pig: > ill try and get back to tracen as fast as possible after this meeting (01:10pm)

When Tachyon went to reply to said text message, someone called out to her, shifting her attention to the voice behind her. It was deep, gruff, yet still held a feminine tone, giving her a hint on who it may be. Looking to her side, Tachyon’s suspicions were proven correct at the sight of that hazelnut-haired “rival” of hers. “Oya? Well, if it isn’t Puggle Bucket.”

The ex-delinquent stared at her rival, unimpressed by the very obvious insult. Her eyes twitched, holding back the urge to correct the insult, nonetheless. “Prez Rudolf said she finally decided who she wants for the Q&A session, and since we—,” she held up one of her hands, quoting the student council president’s words in a mocking tone; “ “are the latest craze,” she wants us up there to answer questions this year. Well… Us and Fuji-san, Manhattan Café, and Dantsu.”

Tachyon said nothing, choosing to instead look a little too deeply into Pocket’s eyes.

Jungle Pocket, who was starting to feel a little uncomfortable by the stare, cleared her throat to ease the tension. “Well…it was supposed to be Opera O instead of Fuji-san, but she had to tap out because her trainer is apparently in hospital thanks to a stumble yesterday. So…” Tachyon’s unbearable stare held longer. “Since Fuji-san is finally planning to get back on the track soon, they said she can go up instead.”

The brunette stayed quiet, like she always did. If she had nothing interesting to say, she’d stay quiet, choosing to instead give this dead-eyed stare. Pocket hated this stare. It made her feel stupid. She watched Tachyon stand up straight, sending a quick message to someone—whom she assumed and knew was her “guinea pig”—before stuffing her phone back into the hidden inner breast-pocket of her racing lab coat.

Walking past her, Tachyon muttered a quick “very well” before moving on. Jungle Pocket scowled, pissed off by the smallest of disrespect thrown at her. Despite everything she had done—everything had proven, was it enough to Tachyon? She had decided that Pocket would be her “Plan B,” but there was no need for that now that she had returned to the racing scene.

Pocket had to jog to catch up to Tachyon, closing the gap of several dozen steps, just to hit the latter on the back of her head softly. Pocket stood to Tachyon’s right, looking at the mad scientist from the corner of her eye and seeing the annoyed expression on her face. There was silence between them. Despite their ongoing rivalry (and Pocket’s mild obsession for beating Tachyon), the two were still capable of having mutual quiet moments together. “So…”

Tachyon looked up, hearing the deep feminine voice of her friendly rival.

“Your trainer couldn’t make it?”

“No. She had a meeting prepared with the academy’s board; saying this particular meeting she couldn’t miss as they wanted to discuss my future.”

“Ah, right… Your legs…” The past couple months—the past three years had been hell for Pocket. More internal than external. The thoughts of knowing Tachyon is far superior to her, and after her supposed “temporary suspension” on races—something she had planned to be a full-blown retirement, the thoughts only got worse. She knew Agnes Tachyon was stronger, and yet it was so hard to believe that she’d not only never beat her, but that Tachyon’s body was falling apart.

One misstep on the track could be fatal. Life threateningly fatal.

Tachyon looked to her side, smiling and waving at any fans that walked past her. “You’re still Plan B, I hope you know that.”

“Yeah, well… Let’s hope that never happens, alright?” Pocket snapped, not exactly raising her voice but enough tone to tell the brunette that she wasn’t exactly thrilled with that idea. “I said I wanted to crush you, not replace you.”

Tachyon was quiet. These past couple months, ever since Pocket’s win at the Japan Cup against T.M. Opera O, she’s been looking more into the sciences and psychology around emotions. Different feelings have different internal chemical reactions, and despite all the decades of research about them, they’re still almost unexplainable. The feeling of happiness can be written akin to a computer code—a series of numbers on a spread sheet, and yet before you would be a person.

Different feelings release different hormonal chemicals, and these chemicals then trigger different reactions. The urge to push forward despite hardships, the ability to never give up despite losses, and always aiming for the best regardless of the harsh conditions are reactions caused by feelings, which were caused by a wide array of hormones.

Watching Pocket run and feeling nothing but jealousy or looking into the crowd and feeling nothing but pride. Tachyon never would have thought that emotions would help in performance abilities. “Yes, well, you better keep that promise.” Tachyon leaned over, bumping shoulders with Pocket before speeding up her pace to get to where the panel was being held with Pocket’s annoyed cries from behind.

✦✧✦✧ 

A different brunette Umamusume’s ears flicked upon hearing the approaching footsteps, her white and pink belts hitting her legs as she spun sharply to look behind her. “Ah! Pokke! You actually managed to find Tachyon?!” The former mentioned girl hummed in confirmation, her golden hair bouncing with each step she took. Tachyon’s eyes were lidded as she attempted to block out the sun that was now shining in her face. “Where was she?”

“In a dark corner on her phone, like I knew she would be.”

The shortest of the group—a gloomy looking Umamusume—looked over at her peer and deadpanned. “What were you hiding in a dark corner for…?”

With her usual grin, Tachyon looked over at the young lady and said, “messaging our trainer, of course. You’re not doing a very good job at the task she gave you.”

“The task to keep an eye on you? The moment I turn my back, you’re gone, so there’s no point.” Café scoffed, pulling at the sleeves of her coat. Café turned to look up at the tallest in the group, saying her name to get her attention. When she looked down at Manhattan Café, the ebony-haired Umamusume asked, “when did they even add a Q&A panel? I don’t remember that being a Japanese tradition.”

Lifting her gloved hand up, the woman—Fuji Kiseki—pondered for a moment. “I think it was Taiki who suggested it a few years back. She said it was an American tradition, and while I doubt that’s true, it does help with cutting down on interviews.”

Pokke groaned, relieved at the idea of being able to relax. “You can say that again, Fuji-san… I’m so tired of having to organize interviews to answer the same questions over and over again…”

“Our trainer is the one who organizes them.”

“Doing the interviews is harder.” Pocket turned to look at her brunette rival, seeing how Tachyon had pulled out a notebook and pen from ultimately thin air. Her eyes widened, confused on where she pulled that from considering her costume has no pockets, not including the inner breast pockets, but she didn’t even see a rectangular silhouette on her chest. Leaning over, she only saw scribbles of letters and numbers—only what she could assume were equations and chemical elements.

The writing suddenly stopped, and looking at the corner of her, Pokke realized that Tachyon was looking straight at her. Flinching back, she immediately looked away and acted as if she wasn’t caught being nosey.

A tall and commanding appearance woman got off of the stage, having finished preparing it. Her tail followed her in perfect order, only adding to strict demeanor despite her being relatively laid back when some time had been spent with her. “Okay, we should be all prepared to start going up.”

Fuji smiled, acknowledging her classmate with a simple “Rudolf,” placing her hand on her hip. “I knew you were the one to help set it up, but managing on stage?” Fuji’s tone held a laugh, holding a joking tone—a voice you’d have with close friends.

“Couldn’t help myself. The great Fuji Kiseki—Illusory Triple Crown—is getting back on the turf, and this panel will finalize it. I wanted to see how you were holding up.”

Fuji chuckled dryly. “Nervous.”

Tachyon’s ears twitched at the word, her hand already in front of her as she shuffled closer to Fuji. Her lips were stretched in a mischievous smile, hinting that she was up to no good. “Can I measure your heart rate, Fuji?” Café sighed, grabbing at Tachyon’s labcoat and pulling her back before she got too close.

The student council president let out a strained chuckle herself, only at Tachyon’s behaviour. Someone else from behind them called out, confirming the fact they were reading to go up. “Right. We do have a specific seating plan, if that’s okay with you five.” Rudolf looked at the group, neither seeing nor hearing any protests. “Good. Dantsu, we want you to be on the end here by the stairs. Next to you will be Fuji, then Pocket, Tachyon, and Café on the other end.”

While four of them agreed, Jungle Pocket pointed at Tachyon, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion and (like always) annoyance. “Wait, why do I have to sit next to her? She’s gonna do some freaky shit next to me, I can feel it.”

“According to the public, she’s your biggest rival. We would have had Dantsu next to Café on the end table, but considering this would be her first major interview, I figured she’d want to sit next to someone with stage confidence.” Rudolf motioned towards Fuji Kiseki while looking over at Dantsu Flame, seeing the latter’s smile only grow and her shoulders relax. “We then wanted to keep those with the same trainers together, so you’d be on Fuji’s other side, with Tachyon and Café together. The majority of your rivalry is with Tachyon, so…it made logical sense to have you two sit together?”

The aforementioned brunette turned to look at her brute friend. “Perfectly logical, and besides, I wouldn’t dare touch you during an interview. Unless you want me to…” Tachyon teased Pokke, amused by her mildly disturbed reaction. Her grin only got larger when she saw Pokke shuffle away from her and close to Fuji.

Pocket scowled, the corner of her lips twitching in frustration. “You don’t joke about shit like that! Besides, I don't want people getting the wrong idea.”

“What idea?”

“Y—... You know.”

“Oh, I do know, but I want you to say it.”

“Okay, that’s enough!,” Rudolf had cut them off before it could turn into a back-n-forth debate about the implications. “You’re going up now, so go!” The brunette student council shoved them all along and towards the stairs on the side of the stage.

Café, being on the opposite end, went first up the stairs to get away from the group, Fuji following after. When Tachyon approached the steps, Pocket went to kick at her feet jokingly, only to turn her head and act innocent when the mentioned brunette turned around and caught her in the act.

When on the stage, Tachyon looked at the crowd that had formed, recognizing a few faces—Pokke’s friends, other Tracen academy students, the same reporters that bugged the school every day. To them, Tachyon was a mystery. This genius with potential to beat the strongest of the Umamusume world suddenly announced temporary retirement—a permanent retirement in disguise—after hiding her own health issues.

Tachyon knew they wondered if she even enjoyed running. She knew they wondered why she even decided to get this far in the first place. But would anyone believe her if she said she did enjoy it? She doesn’t seem like the type; she seemed like she lacked the drive, her interest being deep within the pages of research books and encyclopedias. She wanted to learn more about them—the feelings that push someone to do better.

Her trainer was mad for recruiting her.

(Name) was insane.

Thinking it was for the best, the brunette hid her health complications from her too, only coming clean about them in the second year of her career, shortly after her first race against Jungle Pocket. Even so, (Name) never looked down on her. Her trainer said that she’ll be there every step of the way, altering training regiments to account for her health. Should Tachyon’s legs shatter, (Name) would be there to catch her fall.

She said that she’ll never give up on a genius.

Tachyon had to cut off her thoughts about her trainer, writing down her heart rate into her notebook. She internally acknowledged that it was faster than normal, unable to conclude if it was because of the panel or her mind wandering off with her trainer. Odd, two different emotions causing similar physical reactions. It only further complicates her research…

The panel was a bore.

They asked the same questions the average interviewer would ask. “What race are you looking forward to,” “what goals are you hoping to achieve,” “how do you feel about your rivals.” Same old questions Tachyon had answered several hundred times—both to herself and to interviewers. No question sparked her interest.

Fuji had already quickly noticed Tachyon’s disinterest and silence, the brunette having already started to kick at Fuji’s teammate’s feet under the panel table. Despite how much on-track feud the two have, she knew they were each other’s closest friend, and because of that, she knew Pokke had begun to kick at her back. The table shook just slightly, prompting the older woman to lightly slam her hand on the table in front of Pokke, just enough to startle her.

Said Umamusume cleared her throat, putting on her best stage voice—a skill that had been passed down through her family for generations. “Since this isn’t the average press conference, you’re all free to ask slightly more…personal questions, if you have any. We wish to use this moment to connect with you as our fans, so please, even if it’s a silly question about our favourite meal, go ahead and ask it.” Fuji’s eyes shifted to the side to look at Tachyon, seeing the scientist trainee sitting up straighter than she was before (but still slightly hunched).

Suddenly, a wave of more personal questions came through. People were asking about their after-school routines, their favourite stores to shop at—Tachyon eventually answering with “online,” their favourite school subjects, if they’re close with other racers. Slightly more interesting questions, but still boring to a degree. That is until a little girl who was no older than seven raised her hand. She had cute little horse ears on the top of her head, and her mother—very clearly also an Umamusume—had a firm grip on her small body, keeping her sitting on her hip.

When she was given the chance to ask her question, her eyes lit up wider than they already are, stuttering out in babbles, “uhm, when I grow up, I’m gonna run on the track just like you. Erhm… But, I, uh, also know that you get special trainers to help you. Are you close with yours— your trainers, or does it stay profe-s-enal.”

The magician racer opened her mouth to answer, given she had been racing for a while longer than the others, only to be stopped by the blaring noise of someone grabbing a microphone. Turning to her left, she saw Tachyon had grabbed the shared microphone between her and Café, leaning forward to speak into it. “Finally! A good question!” Her ebony-haired teammate pinched the bridge of her nose. “I always wondered why the press never asks about a racer’s trainer…”

Jungle Pocket looked at the brunette from the corner of her eye, Fuji and Dantsu making no efforts to hide the confused stares as Tachyon suddenly started rambling.

“Had you asked that question three years ago, I would have said they were pointless. Now, however, I’d say they’re one of the most important factors in your career.” The young woman pulled her arm through her sleeve, revealing her pale hand that would normally be hidden behind the fabric. Crossing her fingers together, she smirked as she put her words together, “my trainer and I are quite close, if I do say so myself. The press likes to imagine her as some sort of servant of mine that I forced into these situations, but it’s quite the opposite case.”

Pokke looked over at Café, seeing her friend shake her head.

“Back when I was first scouted, I was originally planning to transfer to another school, but alas, she forced me to be her trainee, and I couldn’t say no because I thought she was completely insane.” Waving her hand around, Tachyon laughed as she recalled the past. “No other trainer interested me, and just because a trainer had a few awards under their name for their work didn’t mean they were going to train me the way I wish to be trained, so I figured I’d give the madwoman a shot. I was her first trainee ever, so I got to mold her into the perfect trainer, and that I did—.”

A pale hand covered Tachyon’s mouth, her attention shifting to her left where her coffee-addicted peer sat. “You’re rambling. Shut up.” The audience filled with their fans laughed at the rare sight. Tachyon was known for being aloof—not really caring about others and how they see her, yet here she was, finally breaking her usual silence at events like these, just to talk about her trainer. “But yes, our trainer is quite friendly, and closer with Agnes Tachyon than she is with me.”

Café grabbed the microphone, moving it away from Tachyon. Shuffling her seat further to the side, the widened the small gap between them.

Clearing her through, Café continued, “I asked to be scouted after Agnes Tachyon debuted, later learning that our trainer happens to have a degree in medical sciences... Considering Tachyon and I’s physical conditions being far weaker than most, I was skeptical, but she proved to be the better option. I’m…glad that she’s my trainer…” Seeing Tachyon reach for the microphone again, Café pulled the plug on the device, watching the brunette’s dark-tipped ears droop.

Jungle Pocket continued staring at her friend, her ears silencing out whatever words her idol had started saying. She had seen Tachyon go on long talks such as that when it comes to an experiment of sorts, but a person? What made Tachyon Agnes Tachyon was that she didn’t care for personal relationships let alone entirely understand them. She was blunt, logical, and realistic. She didn’t care about things she deemed useless to her research, and that included getting close with others. Back before their rivalry, the only other girls Tachyon really spoke to were Café, that underclassman of theirs, Daiwa Scarlet, and her roommate, Digital.

She heard rumours that back when Tachyon first got scouted by her trainer, Tachyon started opening up more. She didn’t see it, remembering the harsh words her rival said that day; reminiscing the straight-forward and weird behaviour. But the more she thought about it…

Feeling a hand grip her shoulder, Pocket turned to be greeted with her mentor standing behind her. Fuji’s eyebrows were furrowed with clear concern on her face. “Are you okay? You’ve been sitting there in silence for a while. The question panel has already ended.” Pocket’s eyes widened as she turned to her side, the brunette that was once sitting there and on her mind now gone, only seeing her other rival, Café. “Tachyon left the second it ended. Did you need to speak with her?”

“N…no, I was just…thinking, I suppose.” Jungle Pocket’s pale yellow gaze shifted to the seat next to her where Tachyon sat, seeing the notebook of research left behind. Picking it up, she began flipping through the pages, mumbling to herself, “that idiot left her stuff behind.” Hearing Pokke’s grumbles, Fuji leaned over to see what was written. A series of numbers and equations littered each page, chemical elements in each question. The more Pocket read the notebook, the more her brain started to hurt, feeling the exhaustion built up throughout the day finally start to hit her.

At the top of pages were words that she immediately recognized as different emotions. Sadness, jealousy, lust, happiness; eventually turning to a page that was simply listed as “love (romantic).” Different names of other trainees were listed along with their romantic partners or those they had romantic feelings for. Although, you’d have to be blind if you believed that Phoenix girl, Grass Wonder, didn’t like her classmate, Special Week, in some way… What shocked Pocket, however, is the list of “symptoms” of romantic attraction.

Accelerated heart rate, perspiration (excretion of sweat), possible limerence, general longing for another.

“Hah? Since when did that dork care about any of this?” Fuji hummed at Pocket’s words, only turning her head away upon feeling her phone vibrate in her pocket. “I mean, I knew she was studying the physiological effects of psychology, or whatever, but this? It seems a little…” Pocket shook her head, the charms on her ear rattling against one another. Harshly standing up and closing the book shut, she grabbed her belongings. “I’m gonna run this back to her—.”

“Not so fast.” Her mentor cut her off. ““Will be out tonight. Be back tomorrow morning.” Tachyon left the academy already it seems.”

“What?!” Pocket grabbed Fuji’s phone, reading through the message several times, and even scrolling through the chat history. “She didn’t say where she’d be at the very least?!” Groaning in frustration, Pocket threw Fuji’s phone back into her hand. The ebony-haired Umamusume caught her phone before it could hit the ground, watching her mentee walk away. Jungle Pocket grumbled about Tachyon often, so they didn’t think too much about it, but Fuji was capable of realizing that this time was different.

Dantsu Flame looked between Pokke and her dorm leader, confusion covering her features. “Since when did Tachyon go out anywhere? Isn’t she the type to complain about leaving academy grounds?”

Fuji shrugged while murmuring in reply, “no clue, but she’s been doing it every weekend now.” Fuji walked off behind Pokke to ensure she didn't do anything irrational, causing Dantsu to look over at Café. Without the need for words, Café knew what the overlooked rosy-brunette was trying to ask, shaking her head at Tachyon’s confusing behaviour.

✦✧✦✧ 

The following day, Jungle Pocket picked at her food in front of her. Classes had gone by, and as per usual, Tachyon had skipped all of them. Whenever she ran to the brunette’s next class, she’d sit and wait to return the book, only to be greeted with her classmates—typically Bakushin O—informing her that Tachyon was a no-show again. Another thought that rested on her mind were the text messages she had received from her punk friends that night.

A bunch of her old gang pals went bar hopping all night to celebrate for Fuji Kiseki, and apparently at one of these bars, they had encountered none other than Agnes Tachyon and her trainer. The two were supposedly too immersed in conversation to realize members of L/ROARS had entered the bar. When the two left, one of her friends recalled Tachyon “hugging her trainer’s arm close.” Knowing her pals though, they were probably shit-faced drunk and started hallucinating.

“Quit playing with your food.” A slightly harsh yet familiar tone interrupted Pocket’s thoughts, her gaze drifting to see the aforementioned senior and mentor of hers. Fuji had sat down next to her, her own tray with rice and salad in front of her. “You’ll never beat Tachyon if you don’t eat.” At the mention of her rival’s name, the hazelnut-haired woman groaned in frustration. Fuji, who was mid-bite, looked over at Pokke in both shock and confusion by her outburst. “I’m assuming she’s what was on your mind.”

“Nobody has seen her all day, and the only people who have seen her were friends of mine last night when they were bar hopping.”

Dantsu Flame and Manhattan Café sat at the same table in time to hear Pokke’s words. The brunette cocked an eyebrow at her classmate’s words. “Bar hopping? Didn’t take Tachyon for an alcoholic type…”

“She’s not. I said my friends were bar hopping, and they apparently saw Tachyon in one of the places they went to; they said she was too busy talking with her trainer to notice them.” Café ears perked up at the mention of her teammate and trainer together from Pocket. Dantsu, still confused, looked over at Café, noticing her alerted expression. “Anyways, you’ve been sitting with us more often, haven’t you, Café?”

“Y…Yes…”

“Why is that? Tachyon finally kicked you out of the laboratory?” Pocket laughed at her own terrible joke. Upon looking up, she saw Fuji’s stern gaze, causing her to clear her throat and straighten her back.

Café, having not reacted to the joke, looked down at her reflection in her mug of pitch black coffee. “Sort of… I don’t wish to get roped into whatever weird things she does at lunch, so I started eating here… And besides,” she looked up, a small smile clear on her face, “you guys are…also my friends now…”

“Awh, you’re welcome to eat with us any time, Café. You and your…friend that we can’t see.” Dantsu said, a friendly blush dusting her cheeks.

Pocket slammed her chopsticks down into her tray at the realization of Café’s words. “So, what you’re saying is that she’s in her lab right now?”

Café sweatdropped. “Well, yes, but I wouldn’t—,” before she could finish, Pocket had already abandoned the table, book in hand, and bolted down the corridors. “—go there now…” With her arm reached out to grab Pokke, Café sighed, looking back down at her meal. “She can find out the hard way…”

Tosen Jordan, who Pokke had bumped into on her way out, turned to look at the table with concern. When Fuji noticed her expression, she waved it off, telling Jordan to just ignore it.

Jungle Pocket, on the other hand, was already deep into the semi-abandoned corner of the academy. Boxes became more of a common sight than students, cobwebs in corners, and classrooms had chairs on tables. She knew Tachyon cared about her research, and despite knowing she had the memory of a printer (in the sense she memorizes everything unusually fast), she figured she’d want her notebook. Turning the final corner, Pocket saw the laboratory door slightly ajar, the small light from the window inside shining through.

Throwing open the door with zero care for the horrors inside, Pocket exclaimed, “Tachy! You left your notebook—,” only to cut herself short at the sight.

The brunette she had spent the past few hours chasing down around the school was seated…in her trainer’s lap. Tachyon had her back to her research table, legs straddling her trainer’s thighs, and lips puckered. On her face were faint red stains, very clearly lipstick despite how faded they were given her trainer had lightly applied a shade of red lipstick that day, and both of their eyes were wide from what she could only assume was an interrupted moment.

Pocket, realizing the scene she entered, slowly closed the door.

On the other side, Tachyon turned to look back at her trainer, a grin on her face. “Well, that saves me the trouble of telling her about us.”

“Tachyon!”

“What? I haven’t told her yet.” (Name) deadpanned at the brunette horse girl in her lap. “She never asked, so I never said anything. Am I obligated to tell her that we’re seeing each other in a more romantic sense?” Wrapping her arms around (Name)’s neck, Tachyon sighed. The Umamusume leaned into her shoulder, her usual smirk on her face. “Now… Where were we up to in this experiment?”

Her trainer picked Tachyon up, sitting her in the chair, grumbling about how “the moment was ruined” before going to turn the kettle on to make them both tea. Tachyon sat still, completely baffled by her trainer’s behaviour, before shifting her position.

Her baggy sleeves completely covered her hands as she hummed to herself, deep in thought. “How peculiar. So upon being interrupted, the desire to continue with the romantic intimacy is lost.”

“Yes.”

“Hm. I never thought that would be an issue…”

“Well, I am your first girlfriend, Tachyon.” (Name) poured the boiling water into a mug, walking back over to the woman she had been training for several years now.

Tachyon lifted her arms up, grabbing one of the mugs handed to her. “Romantic interest in general, actually. I never thought of anyone else romantically until you.” She opened one of her drawers, revealing it to be filled with sugar, and started filling her cup with the diabetes blocks. She took a sip of her sweet tea, flinching at how hot the water was. “Furthermore, my endurance and breath control has improved greatly without the need for real physical training.”

(Name) had toddled back over to the makeshift kitchen corner, opening the small fridge to pull out a bento box. When she walked back to Tachyon, she placed the box on the table in front of her. “You tell me that, but didn’t you already have high breath control?”

“Yes, but as my trainer, you should know these things. It’s only gotten even better.”

“You should be focusing on training leg strength.” Tachyon’s ears fell, remembering her body’s physical condition. Quickly turning around, the trainer had a guilty expression—one that Tachyon could not see but hear in her tone. “Ah! Tachyon, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have…”

Waving her arm (or more like her sleeve), Agnes Tachyon brushed it off. “It’s fine. You are right, however, and I should trust the words of a medical professional. I suppose I’ve tried to ignore it for the longest time, which only makes it worse in the long run.” (Name) shifted side to side in her stance, still feeling bad about what she had said. Tachyon, on the other hand, seemed completely unphased, already stuffing her face with the lunch that had been prepared for her. “On another note, your dietary culinary skills have also improved.”

“‘Cause if it doesn’t taste good, you complain.” 

“Well you did start making me meals so I’d enjoy eating.”

“Better than puréed garbage…” 

Sounds of stumbles and rummaging from outside the door cut the couple’s conversation short. A loud and gruff voice was begging the second person that had approached to keep the door closed, asking for them to “wait just a moment.” Both of their gazes turned to look at the sliding door, watching as it opened to reveal a disheveled Jungle Pocket and a clean Symboli Rudolf. The former of the two was flushed in a bright red while the latter walked in casually—as if nothing was wrong.

Rudolf, stopping in her steps, turned behind her. “Did you need something from them, Jungle Pocket?”

“Uhm…” Pokke’s fingers twitched, unsure of how to answer. Just a second ago, the two inside were sucking each other’s faces, and now they’re sitting there as if nothing was going on! Did Rudolf not see the marks? They’re very clearly there… “You… Uh—, you left your notebook yesterday. At the panel. I’ll just…” Pocket took the smallest step inside, turning to the coffee table on Café’s corner of the room, throwing it flat on the surface. “I’ll just leave it there… See you around!” Before anyone could exchange further words with her, the Umamusume had run out faster than she had ever gone at any race.

Agnes Tachyon hummed, confused at her rival’s outburst, while her trainer sweatdropped at the cause. The brunette horse girl looked at the student council president, her famous smile evident on her face. “President Rudolf! What a sight to have you enter my humble abode. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“I’m here to discuss the staff meeting from yesterday with your trainer, given I couldn’t make it. I’d assume she already discussed it with you also?”

“Indeed she has.”

“Wonderful, I’ll simply talk with the both of you then.”

Back to Jungle Pocket, again, who was running down the halls, again…

Running into the cafeteria, Pocket bumped into a familiar dark haired brunette gyaru and her blonde classmate. “Pokke!” Jordan huffed. “I told you to watch where you’re going!”

“Sorry, Tosen Jordan, I just—, excuse me.” Pocket mumbled, not noticing the exchanged glances between City and Jordan as they shuffled closer to the New Era table to overhear the conversation. Pokke slammed her hands on the wooden surface, sweat dripping down her face, the sound and vibration startling the other three seated. “Who was gonna tell me Tachyon and her trainer are DATING?!”

At her loud voice, the entire cafeteria rang silent. Heads turned to look at the group in shock, dumbfounded by the information that they couldn’t tell if what was said was fact or a lie. Jordan and City, having now appeared behind Pocket, had their arms folded in skepticism. “Tachyon? Like… Sciencey-geeky stuff Agnes Tachyon? Is dating her trainer?” Jordan’s eyebrow rose, her ears twitching in curiosity. “Pokke, you have a tendency to overreact sometimes, but this is a whole new low.”

“I’m not lying! I saw it with my own two eyes!”

Fuji sighed at her mentee’s behaviour. “Pokke, listen to Jordan…”

“But I’m not lying!” Lifting her hands, she attempted to reenact the scene, only to shiver at how weird that would be. It was to attempt to puppet her rival-best friend’s romantic intimacy with her trainer with her hands, or, well, girlfriend, at this point. “The two were like…sucking faces! Café! Back me up here—!” She spun to where the ebony-haired horse was originally sitting, finding the chair empty of the shadow girl. 

Wanting to avoid the commotion (and judging they were finished thanks to Pocket’s words), Café had retreated back to the laboratory that she so badly wanted to avoid, walking away from the table.

Dantsu nervously chuckled, watching everything go down quietly before breaking her silence. “I believe you, Pocket.”

“Really!?”

Her short brown hair bobbed as she nodded. “Tachyon has always been confusing and…well, mysterious, so maybe she is exploring the romantic scene now. We are all grown women after all.”

A familiar blonde came into view, appearing behind the rosy-brunette horse. “I agree with Dantsu.” Looking over her shoulder, Dantsu saw Jungle Pocket’s roommate and one of the class representatives, Narita Top Road, along with Admire Vega trailing behind her. “I haven’t really gotten to know Agnes Tachyon, but despite her “logic is everything” personality, she also seems very…”

“Emotional?” The mentioned brunette finished for Top Road.

“Yes, thank you, Ayabe. She tends to care for others from the sidelines, from what I’ve noticed.” Ayabe stepped past Top Road, heading towards the counter to return her tray. A white-haired Umamusume was nose deep in her phone, glancing up occasionally to watch Ayabe’s approach. “Ah! Ayabe! Aren’t you in Tachyon and Café’s team?”

The brunette’s steps halted. “Yes. What of it?”

“Perhaps you know something?”

The silence was loud—far too loud, and far too awkward. Her pink eyes narrowed at her own rival’s attempt to learn something that had nothing to do with her. The trainee sighed, choosing her words carefully as she merely responded, “no comment.” Ayabe walked away, her white-haired influencer roommate in tow. By now, whispers had completely filled the cafeteria, all of the trainees discussing their own opinions on the situation.

Thus started the new famous rumour around Tracen Academy, as well as Pocket’s efforts to prove that she wasn’t lying… Agnes Tachyon was in a romantic relationship with her trainer.

✦✧✦✧ 

“Aha!” Jungle Pocket had made a break for the practice turf on academy grounds, her mentor and Dantsu quickly following behind. Doing her afternoon stretches was an eccentric junior (along with her peer from another team), her purple eyes glinting with determination. Looking up, she saw her senior—who had defeated the “unbeatable” T.M. Opera O—running towards her, tripping over her skirt in the process. “Tsuyoshi!!”

The young girl panicked. While her idol was Symboli Rudolf, you’d have to be extremely strong to defeat THE T.M. Opera O, and Jungle Pocket was one of the few who managed to do so. “Ah! Jungle Pocket!” Her usual eccentric grin returned, her tone having lost its nervousness, “are you here to train with Teio and I? We could use some advice from someone like you!”

“Ah…” Pocket slowed her steps, now standing directly in front of the over-the-top junior of hers. “Well… Not really…” She shook her head, recalling the true reason for approaching Rudolf’s student. “You’re in the same team as Tachyon, right?”

“Yep! She’s really strong. Do you need secret tips on how to beat her?”

“Not what I’m here for—.”

“Oh thank goodness, because that’d be unfair on her part—.”

“Stop cutting me off!!” The young girl was silenced, staring down at her senior due to being unfortunately taller. Pocket caught her breath, calming down her temper as Fuji and Dantsu finally caught up. “It’s about Tachyon and your trainer. Is it true, or am I actually going crazy?”

“What’s true?”

“The dating thing!”

The girl’s mouth opened in realization, making an audible sound in the process. She stood in silence for just a brief moment, eyes looking towards the sky in thought, all while her friend behind her sat up from her forward bend. Tsuyoshi shook her head, “I don’t think I ever bothered to ask.” She watched as Pocket gripped her hair in frustration, her tail standing on end as she groaned at the response. “I mean… They are pretty close, but I focused more on my training than on someone else’s private life. That seems rude.”

Teio coughed, making her presence known. “What’s this about Agnes Tachyon and her trainer?”

The illusory racer answered before Pocket, “Pokke is convinced they’re in a romantic relationship. Nothing major, just Pokke being Pokke.”

“And I’m saying that I know what I saw!!”

Tokai Teio tapped the tip of her foot on the grass, deep in thought. Her blue gaze shifted to her training companion as she attempted to come up with a solution. “I know Scarlet gets tutoring with Tachyon during free periods every week. If I run into her, which I will at some point as we’re on the same team, I can ask her if she knows anything and get back to you?”

“Really?!” Pocket’s voice shattered the air, causing Teio to step back in shock and the other three watching to twitch their ears, uncomfortable by the pitch. If they paid attention, they could have sworn they heard Pocket’s voice crack just from the quick change in tone. “Thank you, Teio!! You’re a real life-saver!!” Pocket’s ears twitched at familiar voices from a distance, turning to look behind her as a famous trio came into her view. Before anyone realized, she had run off yet again, chasing after them.

Fuji bowed, apologizing for her behaviour, before quickly following after her. Dantsu, on the other hand, stayed behind to hear Teio’s following words; “what am I saving? Her social life?” The rose-brunette awkwardly smiled, watching her rowdy rival make yet another scene in the distance.

Jungle Pocket quickly made for the exact coordinates, yelling at the top of her lungs, “Taishin!!” The smaller senior flinched at how loud she was, slowly turning with dread etched on her expression. Her rivals, classmates and friends—Biwa Hayahide and Winning Ticket—followed and turned around to see the horse girl sprint towards them. “You’reonateamwithTachyon,soiswhatIsawtrueandthey’reactuallydating!?”

“Slow down!! I didn’t understand a word you just said.” The girl grumbled at Pocket’s fast question. Narita Taishin, born late and considered both smaller and far weaker than the average Umamusume her age, had found herself on the same team as Agnes Tachyon the same year she started at Tracen Academy. She kept to herself majority of the time, but when it came to the insane researcher, she made sure to avoid her like the plague.

Still keeping her loud tone but speaking (or more like yelling) at a slower pace, Pocket fixed her question, “is Agnes Tachyon dating her trainer?!”

“Tachyon is dating her trainer!?” In an equally loud tone, Tickezo exclaimed, all while Taishin’s face turned bright red.

The taller one of the famous trio hummed at the assumption. “Well isn’t that an accusation…”

“What if it’s true?!”

“It sounds like a baseless rumour.”

Taishin’s face twitched, annoyed by the discussion of her own team and Pokke’s question. It was none of her own business, but despite the tough exterior, Taishin had a heart of gold. She cared for her teammates like anyone else, despite how much she avoided them. “Why the hell would I know?! Tachyon’s business isn’t my own!”

The hazelnut horse girl groaned, her ears and tail dropping in disappointment. “That's what Tsuyoshi said…”

“Well maybe take her advice!” The short brunette Umamusume stomped off, her originally good mood now ruined by the absurd question from Jungle Pocket. The remaining two seniors of the BNW Trio turned back to look at Pokke apologetically before following after Taishin. Winning Ticket, unlike Hayahide, was waving back at Pokke and asking to keep her updated, wanting to hear if the supposed “baseless rumour” is true after all.

All while blissfully unaware that Jungle Pocket was the one who unknowingly started the “baseless rumour.”

✦✧✦✧ 

The following day, Tachyon was doing her usual walk to the abandoned end of the school. Her pristine white labcoat might as well have been a new tail given how it followed behind her in an orderly fashion, almost mimicking her current mood. The brunette woman had her usual lazy grin as she trotted off back to her corner of science and quiet—a corner where nobody will interrupt her. 

Nobody except a certain himejoshi Umamusume who has made her life hell the day she found out about her relationship with her trainer. Every morning, her roommate follows her outside of the dorm building and into the academy, hoping to capture another “exclusive Tachyon x (Name)” photo. Tachyon still remembers the day she found out that the other Agnes—Agnes Digital—came to learn of her romantic relationship with (Name).

She remembers walking into their shared room, hoping to get a nap during the day while everyone was in class after she had been awake for almost four consecutive nights. Upon entering, she quickly locked on to find an oddly labelled photo album on Digital’s side of the room. Digital wasn’t new to making scrap books of other trainees, worshipping them like they hung the moon, remembering Opera O’s words about how “if there’s one person that loves her more than herself, it’s Digital, and it’s scary.”

Tachyon didn’t show it much, but she still cared for her peers in a way.

The brunette was aware where Digital kept her collection of photobooks, storing them like prized treasures that she’ll pass down generation after generation, so she decided to put the book away for her. Contrary to popular belief, despite how much of a mess her laboratory can get, Tachyon preferred her dorm room tidy and mess-free. However, upon grabbing the album, she realized what was written on it.

“Moments of Agnes Tachyon (my roommate omg) and her trainer! <3”

This caught Tachyon’s attention. How she regrets opening that album…

Which brings her back to now, a few months after the ordeal, where said pink-haired Umamusume was still following her back to her lab. She could hear the deranged chuckling from behind her, her dark-tipped ears twitching as she waited for when Digital would pounce. Tachyon could tell the otaku was attempting to match her steps in perfect synchronization—as if it was an attempt to hide her presence that was already so clear by her voice.

With a sleep deprived sigh, Tachyon turned on her heels, “Digital, I know you’re there.”

It suddenly went quiet before she could hear a voice reply in all of its stupidity, “no I’m not…!”

“You are. You gave yourself away.” The girl whined, stepping out from behind the corner, her camera so clearly in hand. “My, my. If you so badly wished to learn more, you could just ask. My relationship with my dear guinea pig is no secret.”

“It’s not?!” Those blue-purple eyes practically shunned at the mere thought of getting to ask private questions. The girl’s mind ran wild, thinking of all of the possible questions she could ask. She could already see the future; Tachyon and her trainer getting married, being incredibly famous physiology researchers, and that’s when people would start asking “what was their relationship like in the beginning,” and only Digital would know the answer. Digital would be the one to have their entire pre-marital relationship documented. Digital would hold all knowledge—!

“So, did you need something?” Tachyon’s voice cut her deranged thoughts off. Despite how insane the all-rounder Umamusume would get for her peers and their relationships, she still knew boundaries. In the presence of the Phantom Triple Crown, she must stay calm.

Unfortunately, her pale hands only turned whiter as she gripped her camera harder. “Uhm… Well… I was hoping to get a new photo of…you and your trainer… That’s all…”

Tachyon figured as much, turning to walk away. Agnes Digital yelped, shocked by the former’s cold demeanor before Tachyon’s hypnotising voice cut through the atmosphere, “you can follow if you so desire. Try not to make it so distracting—your uncontrollable giggles give me a headache.”

“Thank you, Miss Agnes Tachyon! You’re so kind!”

Tachyon should have known this would start another rising issue—Agnes Digital proclaiming herself as their relationship’s biggest fan (something she didn’t even know was possible).

✦✧✦✧ 

It had been two months—almost three months since the supposed “rumour” began, and Summer Camp was right around the corner.

Shortly before classes started, Pocket was doing her usual march through the halls. She still hasn’t heard from that Tokai Teio junior of hers, let alone Daiwa Scarlet, and the rumour was only getting worse. Tracen Academy has split down the middle: those who believed the rumour and those who didn’t. Pokke didn’t mean for it to get out of hand this badly, but surely now at this point, the rumour would have gotten to Agnes Tachyon, and she wouldn’t have confirmed it as true. Pocket knows what she saw that day.

Tachyon is the strangest case of a completely see-through mysterious person. She’s like one-sided glass—unable to be looked through on one side, but when you get on her other, she’s as clear as the ocean on an early summer morning. Pocket knows what she saw, and tied with the notebook, it’s clear Tachyon is exploring romantic intimacy now.

Dantsu, given she was classmates with Pocket, followed after her, along with Jordan and City. Fuji was off in a morning student meeting with the other dorm leader, class representatives, and student council, and Café was most likely in the cafeteria serving her special brew of coffee. Jungle Pocket had one mission: to prove she wasn’t insane.

“Pokke,” her classmate, that she frequently looked out for, grabbed her attention. “Don’t you think this is going a little too far?” Jordan’s brows were furrowed in concern, her fingers tempted to pick her nails to ease her nerves. “It’s been two months, let it go.”

“No, because this entire school thinks I’m crazy, and I’m not letting them think that unless it’s about the truth. If I’m crazy, I want it to be because I spent two months attempting to prove what I saw was real.”

Jordan looked over at her blonde model friend, her eyes pleading for help. Gold City let out an exhausted sigh. Familiar insane giggles echoed throughout the halls. Turning to look at where it was coming from, the four of them watched as the otaku Umamusume made a sprint down the hall, a camera clutched in her hands. City clicked her fingers, “you can ask Digital! She’s Tachyon’s roommate, and Tachyon would always go on about how Digital can see things most don’t. She’s bound to know something.”

“No, I’m not talking to that freak.”

“Okay, wow, that’s rude.”

“What?” Pokke went to shove her hands in her pockets before remembering that she was wearing her school uniform—something that does not have pockets on the skirts. “I’m sorry, no offense, but she’s kind of deranged. Even Opera O agrees she’s scary.”

Dantsu stomped her foot, “she’s nice if you just spoke to her.”

“Yeah,” Pocket carried out the vowel, before finishing it off, “no.” Her earrings chimed together, her ears flicking to the voices behind as she spun and saw a familiar grey horse that had transferred from outside of the city. She was exiting a classroom, stacks of books in hand, and her tech-geek roommate following with a hand held device buzzing from who-knows-what. Pocket ran up to her, yelling to grab her attention, “Acute! Wonder Acute!!”

“Oh?” Pocket’s short tied back hair bobbed with each step as she approached Acute. “Well, good mornin’ to ya’ too, Pokke.”

“Ah—! Yes, good morning! I’m gonna cut to the chase—do you know anything about Tachyon and your trainer’s relationship?” The ever so slightly taller Umamusume blinked at her peer’s question. “You know… Since you’re on the same team…?”

Acute blinked at the question yet again, only much slower this time. Her thick eyelashes could be seen to bat against her cheeks given the slow speed. “Yeah, I know what ya’ mean, just you’re not the first one to ask this week.” With a roll of her hand, Pocket asked her to continue without the need for actually speaking. “I never…bothered to ask them.” Pocket groaned at Acute’s response, having heard that exact phrase over and over at this point by all of Tachyon’s teammates. That was until Acute turned to her own roommate, “Transcend, do ya’ know somethin’?”

The third Umamusume, who was standing there silently, adjusted her glasses. “Beats me. Tachyon doesn’t have social media, and Miss (Name)’s public page is so professional that it’s jarring.” Acute hummed, having a mild understanding of what Transcend meant, while Pocket let out another frustrated groan. Quickly, Transcend looked down at her phone, pulling up a familiar influencer’s page. “However, Curren went to a little bakery in a quiet side of Tokyo last week, and if you zoom in on her selfie, you can see the two in the crowd.”

Pokke leaned over, a familiar brunette standing next to her trainer in the distance of Curren’s social media selfie.

“Who knows what they were doing. Which brings me to another post; Daiwa Scarlet was celebrating her Osaka High win in late March, right before the Fan Festival in early April. Look in the background and you can see Tachyon and her trainer sitting in the stands.” By this point, Pocket had grabbed the phone, eager to learn more. “I didn’t think much of it until the rumour started going around. Paired with Digital’s recent obsession with boss-employee yuri doujinshi…” Transcend pulled up another social media account. Pocket immediately recognized pink and blue pastels, the posts filled with new self-published girls’ love stories Agnes Digital had bought.

Acute hummed in agreement at Transcend’s words. “I haven’t asked, but mainly ‘cause I’ve always assumed they were datin’. If I was wrong, I didn’t wanna seem weird, y’know?”

“No, thank you! You two have given me more than enough information!” Pocket gave a pathetic bow before running in the direction of the junior classes.

Acute and Transcend stood in baffled silence, watching as Dantsu, City, and Jordan made their own bolts to catch up to the rough horse. “Well, that was somethin’.”

“Yeah, but honestly… Agnes Tachyon in a romantic relationship is a scoop. Dating her trainer? Scandal.” Transcend laughed, walking off with her phone in hand, tapping at the keyboard. Wonder Acute sighed at her roommate’s love for gossip, still unable to see the appeal.

Jungle Pocket found herself standing in front of one of the junior classrooms, throwing open the sliding door, causing everyone to flinch at the noise. Without an ounce of care within her this time, she ran up to a princely looking Umamusume. The girl sat, immersed in conversation with a friend of hers, only to be brought back to the classroom at the sound of palms coming into contact with a table. Pocket stood in silence for a moment, attempting to catch her breath. Dantsu, City and Jordan managed to catch up, apologizing for the commotion caused by their classmate.

“Uhm… Are you okay…?” The blue-haired Umamusume reached down to pull out her water bottle, only to be stopped by Pocket’s hand lifting up.

There was still a moment where Pocket huffed, before finally speaking, “Kei! You’re in Tachyon’s team!”

K.S.Miracle was a new addition to the roster of trainees—having spent the majority of her life in the confines of a hospital bed. White walls and medicinal scents were all she’s ever known. She feared nobody would be able to care for her the way she wanted; that all of the trainers would look down on her, or worse. K.S.Miracle didn’t want pity. She wanted to carry hopes and dreams. By pure luck did she come across a trainer that didn’t baby her, that didn’t see her as weak, but was still willing to give her extra medical care.

Miracle’s deep blue eyes, once curved in comfort, now wide in complete shock. “Yes…?”

“Great! Do you know—!?”

“You’re not the first girl to ask me this, you know…”

Pocket stood still, completely dumbfounded by the response. She knew her words had made their rounds in Tracen, but to think they'd made their way to several members of Tachyon’s teammates. The atmosphere was thick. Pocket bit her lip, awaiting her junior’s words.

Kei looked up at Pokke from her chair, sighing, “I don’t know…” Her blue brows furrowed, and her ears, covered by yellow cloth, laid flat against her head. “I deeply respect my trainer, so I found it rude to butt into her personal life like that.”

Pocket groaned, starting to find herself pissed off by the same responses. Dantsu approached her rival, patting her shoulder in an attempt to calm her down. “There there, Pokke. Maybe it’s time to give it up.”

“No!” Pocket brushed Dantsu’s hand off. “Do you maybe just…have an opinion? Solely based on what you’ve seen?”

K.S.Miracle deadpanned, starting to find herself increasingly more annoyed by the second. Still, Kei gave her the benefit of the doubt; this was Agnes Tachyon after all. Hoping to get rid of her senior, she sighed, choosing to give her answer, “yes, they might be…” Emphasizing her words, Kei turned back to her friend. “I don’t know much since I only started last year… Sorry…” 

“Don’t sweat it. I’m sorry for approaching you like this. You can go back to what you were doing—.” City had grabbed Pocket’s collar, dragging her out like a ragdoll.

✦✧✦✧ 

Summer vacation.

The week had passed quickly yet as slow as a snail at the same time. A week since Gold City’s intense scolding—a scolding so long that Jungle Pocket lost track of it. Each dorm was going to different beaches, and then the different year levels after that too. That year, it was decided the seniors of Ritto Dormitory would be going to Hebara Beach. The ride will take approximately two hours, maybe a little longer if there’s traffic.

Pocket still remembers looking outside of the bus window, seeing Daiwa Scarlet waving her hands in an attempt to say something. Perhaps Jordan and City were right—she should just let go of it. She has the summer beach breeze to help relax her now. The sight of her peers messing around in the water, the sound of Fuji conversing with the student council members, Tachyon wearing Miss (Name)’s beach kaftan—.

Pocket’s eyes widened at the sight.

Agnes Tachyon…was wearing her trainer’s beach kaftan.

Jungle Pocket had watched as (Name) stepped on the sand wearing that kaftan. Now her rival was wearing it.

The young woman stood up, only to feel her arm to be grabbed by a much slimmer hand. Turning around, she saw Fuji had returned. “Leave them be. You’ve been nuts about this for the past three months now.”

“But she’s—!”

“Jungle Pocket.” It was a tone Fuji rarely used. The elder woman was known for being charming and sweet, her mere voice capable of putting those in a daze. Very rarely did she call her mentee by her full name, too. “That’s enough. We’re here to enjoy ourselves, get some extra training in if we must. Miss (Name) could have easily stayed at home, but she decided to help supervise as a member of staff with a medical degree.”

Pokke looked down at the sand. She felt Fuji tug on her arm, pulling her away from the two she so desperately wanted to find out more of. Turning around, she saw Tachyon’s trainer take a sip from her drink before handing it to Tachyon. She watched as Tachyon wrapped her lips around the same straw (Name) was once drinking from. Pokke knew she wasn’t crazy. 

She knows what she saw that day.

She’ll prove it before summer vacation ends.

That’s what she told herself, but before she knew it, the ebony-haired magician was tying up her yukata for the summer festival.

Just like another horse girl and her own dark haired friend…

“You don’t normally go to the festivals…” Café helped Tachyon into her blue floral outfit. “You say they’re a waste of time…”

The brunette let out a poor attempt at a laugh, her eyes lidded from how tired she was. Like always, she had spent the past two months up every night. Given the new atmosphere, she studied her physical change and adaptability to the beach’s weather, the grains of sand still between her toes (no matter how hard she tried to get them out), and the water did a number on her still slow healing—in a good way. Ocean water is known for soothing the skin. “Yes, well, this is the first time I’ll be experiencing the festival in a different light.”

Café hummed, already imagining the shenanigans her trainer and teammate will get up to that night. “You’ve never been one to care about your appearance, however…”

“(Name) says I look nice when I try.”

“She’s not wrong…” Tachyon slowly turned around, hearing Café rummaging around in a small bag she had brought. When she looked down, she saw Café handing her a tube of what she’d assume to be some sort of lip applicant. With a surprising lack of reluctance, she grabbed on to it, twisting the cap open so she could put it on. “Everyone has already started heading towards the festival…”

“Mhm.” The researcher evened it out before handing the tube back to Café. With slow steps, she walked towards the door of the room estate they were staying in. “Means we can take our time.”

Café followed shortly after, her own black yukata tightly fitting her body in such perfect form that you’d never guess how sickly she was. Despite how much she refused to say, she was most definitely Tachyon’s friend. The two were isolated in their first year of Tracen—part of the older group of new trainees at the time. To their peers, they were their seniors, yet to their seniors, they were their juniors. Paired with the fact both had more than off-putting personalities, they only really had each other. “What’s it like…?”

Tachyon turned her head to look at Café.

“Dating our trainer, I mean…”

Tachyon looked back to the space in front of her, thinking about her words. She couldn’t say in a scientific sense—there was no real logical reason for her feelings. She simply just felt that way, and yet, it felt—... “It’s nice.” Yellow eyes widened at Tachyon’s response. “She’s nothing like “another half to my whole” that so many of the younger ones speak of. She’s there to support me. She doesn’t complete me, but rather… She’s helped me realize I’ve always been whole.”

Café stayed silent, unable to comprehend the emotional weight on Tachyon’s words.

“Although, that sounds rather silly, no?”

Café had her soft smile on her face as she replied back, “you’ve changed a lot.”

“Oh? And pray tell, how have I changed?”

“You used to be weird… And confusing…” Café looked at the star-filled sky. “It was like you spoke in riddles… You spoke in these weird scientific and literal phrases that made zero sense. It even took me several months to learn half of what you were talking about.”

“Yes, well, we can blame that on the overly simplified ways of speech when it comes to scientific theorems and chemicals.” Turning the corner, the two trainees saw their trainer waiting for them. She had her own yukata on as she waved off a dressed-up Admire Vega in the distance. When the older woman turned around, she felt her breath get stuck in her throat. As if it was instinct, she twisted the straps of the bag she was carrying in attempt to calm her beating heart.

Manhattan Café bid the two farewell before walking past them, off to do her own thing (or as she’d say, with her “friend”). Agnes Tachyon is very rarely nervous. She had been nervous a total of two other times before: when she broke her ankle and when she got back on the track the first time. Was she nervous now? Maybe a little.

Tachyon lifted her arms, revealing the yukata at full length as she smiled, “well?”

Her trainer blinked, snapping out of her daze and her flustered expression still clear. “I was right—you look better when you give effort.”

“Yes, yes, I am aware.” The brunette fanned her face with her uchiwa (bamboo fan), grabbing onto her trainer’s right arm to support her left ankle. The fracture was two, maybe three years ago by now, yet that lingering feeling still stayed. Chronic pain syndrome. Tachyon didn’t factor in the possibility of still suffering from the pain years after her fracture, the paranoia of hurting herself again still settling in after all of this time. Her trainer often reassured she was okay, giving comforting words that she wasn’t aware she needed. “I’ve never worn complicated outfits such as this, so Café had to help me put it on.”

(Name) began guiding Tachyon towards the matsuri. “Blue is surprisingly your colour. Although, muted tones suit you more.”

Tachyon looked over at her trainer from the corner of her eye. “Oh?”

Tachyon’s girlfriend was quiet for a moment, humming to herself at her own opinion. “Oh, and purple. You really suit the purple sweater you bought yourself. Even if it is too big.”

“What can I say, it’s a good sweater.”

“You suit a lot of colours, now that I think about it. The pale yellow of your racing costume compliments your hair, while the light blue yukata you’re wearing now compliments your dark red eyes.”

“You can be quiet now, dear guinea pig.”

“Agnes Tachyon effect. I ramble about things that mean nothing.”

“I don’t ramble like that.”

“Yes, you do.”

“Name one time.”

“When we went to the aquarium and you went on about the historical significance of the type of glass they used.”

“Touché.”

Despite it having been only a few months since the two started dating, they basically had small bickering arguments like an old married couple. They bicker about useless things, like Tachyon’s love for sweets despite her sticky behaviour to keep to her diet—although, she’d also argue the same for a lot of other trainees at Tracen. Tachyon would often complain about (Name) being akin to a doormat, despite very clearly finding humour in it, prompting the other to bite with how Tachyon doesn’t sleep and complains during the day about being tired. All in all, a healthy “we have small arguments, but it’s us joking around” relationship.

When the two finally arrived at the festival, through both of their yukata fabrics, (Name) could feel Tachyon’s grip tighten. She knew the woman wasn’t one for large crowds, seeing her ears threaten to pin to her skull. However, when the uma shuffled closer to her trainer, her grip loosened, finding comfort in her touch. The two weaved through the crowd before Tachyon’s red gaze locked on to a specific stall. “You know what I’ve always wanted to try?” Her trainer looked down. “Candied apples!”

“Candied apples?”

Using her sleeve, Tachyon gestured to the ringo ame stall ahead. Her trainer pulled the uma along, unaware that golden eyes were following their figures. Jungle Pocket, tied in her own dark yukata, watched as the two women walked together throughout the festival, before letting out a scoff. She didn’t wish to think about them. For months, they’re all she thought about. Everyone thought she was nuts—as crazy as Tachyon, even! 

The brunette trainee stood to the side as she watched her girlfriend get their apples. When the order was placed, Tachyon got to watch as the apples were stabbed and candied. The process was fascinating. Simple, yet oddly fascinating. She could see why so many sweets stores in the United States have windows to watch them make the sugary delights now. Even then, she could feel her tail swishing side to side in anticipation.

Eventually, she was handed her candied fuji apple, her eyes gleaming with excitement of the sweet treat. Although, if anybody else looked at her, they’d think she was plotting murder. “It might still be a bit hot,” (Name) spoke in a soft tone.

Tachyon bit into the syrup covered fruit, her taste buds taking in each flavour. “The heat actually gives it an extra layer of sweetness. The syrup is hardened, allowing it to crunch with the apple, and yet it’s soft enough to chew through.”

The two continued walking through the festival, eyeing all of the stalls while Tachyon continued to munch on her candy apple. (Name) looked over at one of the stalls, recognizing the strings tied and jumbled to nonsense. A scam of a game promising a big grand prize, yet nobody is actually sure if one of those strings is tied to it. 

The horse girl followed her gaze, laughing to herself. “Another game of chance, eh?”

“I was just thinking how I’m not sure if anybody has actually won one of those grand prizes.”

“Doubtful. It’s promising a new console, so unless the grand prize is just a ticket that says “grand prize,” nobody will actually win it. Lifting the box with a weak string like that would be nigh impossible, regardless of the mechanical science behind a pulley-system.” Tachyon looked down at her stick, seeing that she had already finished her candy apple. She tilted her head upwards, taking notice of the fact her trainer had taken a measly three small bites. “(Name).” The trainer looked down. “Are you going to finish that?”

With a sigh, (Name) handed Tachyon her unfinished candy apple, watching as her trainee bit into it with eagerness. However, just as quickly as she bit into it, Tachyon pulled back. “It’s sour—granny smith apples are like that.” She laughed at the uma’s disappointment for another fuji apple. “It’s not that bad.”

“I suppose not…”

(Name) tugged on Tachyon’s arm, pulling her to another stall. The stall happened to be a game of shooting the target. The human trainer looked at all of the prizes in excitement, her eyes gleaming at all of the toys (that were most definitely supposed to be for kids). “Man, I haven’t played shateki since I was a kid! I do remember being really bad at it though…” The woman pulled out her purse, paying for her pellets as she attempted a shot.

Tachyon watched in curiosity as the trainer leaned down, her gaze focused on a specific target. However, when the woman shot, it missed. She huffed, loading up another pellet, before leaning down again. Tachyon’s curious grin widened as her trainer shot yet another miss. Tachyon handed back the half eaten candied granny smith to her trainer before asking, “can I have a try?”

“Okay… I only have one shot left…”

Tachyon took hold of the toy gun first before grabbing the final pellet. “First off, weigh the bullet. Assess the target as specific hits will guarantee it to fall while others, just because it hits, it won’t fall. Once that’s determined, you’ll have to take into account the angle the gun will be set at. Just because the eye-line on the gun is lined up with the target doesn’t mean the bullet will actually hit the target. If the target is up high, you tend to have to aim the slightest bit higher…” She sat still for a moment before pulling the trigger, hitting one of the smallest targets set up. “Just like that.”

Tachyon’s trainer clapped, amused by knowledge of shots. “That was impressive.”

“It’s just basic gravitational physics. What goes up must always come back down. You have to factor in the weight of what’s going up and then their angle of trajectory.”

The stall owner handed (Name) her prize. It was a little yellow stuffed bear the size of her hand. Attached to its head was a keychain, allowing her to hook it to the bag she brought with them. Tachyon grabbed hold of her arm again, the both of them walking away from the stall as they waved the owner farewell, their new companion joining them.

They walked around in silence quietly, Tachyon finally finishing her candy apple and throwing the other stick in one of the bins provided for guests to throw away their garbage. “Tachyon.” Those red eyes of hers looked up, having now become a comfort to her trainer. Her trainer knew the horse girl well enough that the crowd was getting to her now. It wasn’t that she was a fan of people per se, but that the large crowd of people would have started hurting Tachyon’s head at this point. Everyone at Tracen was aware of how sensitive her ears were. “Why don’t we find a spot for the firework show now?”

“But I’m still hungry.”

“Yes, but I heard from Fuji she’s planned a late-night feast for everyone after the festival fireworks, so you’ll eat more then.” Despite her reluctance, she followed through with her trainer’s idea. “I heard of a good spot a bit from here anyways.”

The trainer and uma walked off and away from the crowd, unaware a certain pink-haired trainee was following behind, her camera in hand…

Jungle Pocket carried a stuffed animal she won from a shooting game, leaning against the stone wall next to her mentor and friends. Dantsu and Café were engaged in deep conversation, which allowed said mentor to look over at the derby horse girl. “You okay still?” Pocket hummed in response. Despite the lack of words, it told Fuji everything. “Still thinking about it, huh?”

“I haven’t thought of that idiot this intensely since…” Silence. They knew what she was referencing. Tachyon’s retirement destroyed Pocket. “Why didn’t that idiot tell me—again.”

“Perhaps she didn’t want to say anything. Maybe she didn’t feel the need to.” Jungle Pocket’s hair brushed against her shoulders as she turned to look at Fuji—something that rarely happened due to always having it tied up. “Nobody is obligated to tell you anything. Say you are telling the truth—.” Before Pocket could say anything, Fuji lifted her hand, telling to stay quiet for a moment. “Say you are telling the truth, if you started seeing someone, would your first action be to tell everyone?”

Jungle Pocket thought for a moment. She looked down at her feet, coming up with her answer, “no…”

“Exactly. You’d want to cherish your time together, especially since most people spend those first few weeks really seeing if they might be the one. A lot of relationships…end faster than you’d think.” Pokke thought about the other’s words. She really thought about it, thinking about all of the different girlfriends her brother had over the years. He’d constantly tell people about them. His first thought after bagging another chick would be to rub it in her face, and it pissed her off. Pissed her off even more because by the end of the month, his “new girlfriend” would be gone and replaced with another.

A constant cycle of loveless relationships. Those girls deserved someone real.

Pokke was quiet for a brief moment again. “Yeah, I suppose you’re right… I’m used to everyone telling me so quickly that when Tachy didn’t say anything, I guess I got…upset.” A group of four girls walked past them, prompting Pocket to look up from the ground at their voices. “Ah, Ayabe.” Admire Vega stopped her tracks. She turned to look at the uma that had beaten her own rival—Opera O, boredom filling her eyes. “Where are your trainer and Tachyon? Haven’t really seen them in a while.”

Fuji sighed. Clearly her words went in one ear and out the other. The brunette star horse replied in a very detached tone, “they arrived at the festival late like me.”

“Yeah, I know that.”

“I heard Trainer say she knew a special spot to see the fireworks closely somewhere without a crowd and took Tachyon with her. That’s all I know.”

Jungle Pocket let out an audible sound of shock, shoving her stuffed toy into Fuji’s arms before running off. “Don’t worry, Fuji-san!! I’ll prove that I’m telling the truth!!”

“P-Pokke!” The ebony-haired trainee sighed at her mentee’s behaviour. “Once she’s set her sights on something, she really won’t give up, huh…?” Dantsu laughed at Fuji’s annoyance, all while Café did her usual sighs, not amused by any of her friends’ behaviours.

Tachyon’s trainer had set her stuff down, pulling out a blanket and laying it flat on the grass. Tachyon hummed as she was impressed at how prepared the woman was. She must have searched somewhere online for isolated spots in advance. Tachyon took off her footwear before stepping on to the picnic blanket, taking her seat before her trainer. “Finally… My feet were starting to get sore…”

After sitting down next to her girlfriend, (Name) pulled out a modern flask, pulling the lid off and filling it with a scent all too familiar to the uma. She handed Tachyon the warm beverage. Tachyon took a sip, instantly recognizing the overly sweet taste of her own tea. Without even realizing it, Tachyon’s tail had curled behind her trainer, hooking on to her body as she leaned on her shoulder.

If they paid close enough attention, they’d hear demonic giggles from behind them…

The two didn’t need to speak all too much, enjoying each other’s presence quietly. However, Tachyon had a thought pop into her head. “I never thought this weird process of life would bring me here.” Her trainer looked down at her. “When they first told me about my legs’ physical condition, I chased after knowledge in an attempt to hide my own fragility. When they told me that if I refused to debut, I’d have to find another school that allowed my pursuit of science. I thought of it as another obstacle.”

(Name) said nothing. 

“When I met you, it was just another obstacle.” Her trainer was tempted to roll her eyes, but held back as she figured there was more to her trainee’s words. “I was conversing with Café on this topic before the festival. I suppose what I'm trying to say is…thank you.”

(Name) leaned down after a small thought of hesitation, kissing Tachyon’s now pink cheek in reply. She didn’t need to speak. She heard everything she needed and responded with everything she needed. The two leaned on each other as the fireworks began lighting up the sky. Tachyon had seen them before, don’t get her wrong. They were a common occurrence, especially if you had won major races in the racing world.

She’d be standing on stage with a sea of lights in front of her and booming ones above her.

Yet the festival ones were more special. She saw that now.

Tachyon didn’t need to take a note on the physiological effects of psychology this time. She knew that she’d have to enjoy the moment. She didn’t wish for it to last longer, just that it remains special. She wasn’t one for emotional moments, but she’d let it slide just this once. In the midst of the deafening fireworks, Tachyon opened her mouth again, speaking over the noise.

What she had said had been the first time she had said those words in the ten months of dating her trainer, (Name)’s face turned into one of flushed shock, snapping her head to the side to look at Tachyon. Very slowly, with subtle blush dusting her cheeks, her eyes began filling with tears. She blinked in an attempt to get rid of them before replying back with the exact same words. She cared for this logic obsessed Umamusume more than anything. From the second she saw Tachyon and heard of her situation, she wanted to help. Their meeting was destiny—something completely illogical to science.

She now knew Tachyon felt the same way with a simple sentence.

“It appears I have fallen deeply in love with you, my dearest guinea pig.”

✦✧✦✧ 

When they got back to the place the Ritto seniors were staying in, many of the trainees collapsed from exhaustion.

The tables were filled with food—all of the trainees watching as a familiar white-haired beast of an uma filled her plate to the roof and stuffed her face. Jungle Pocket sat with her head flat on the wood, upset at the fact she missed the fireworks in her attempt to find Tachyon and her trainer. Spoiler, she did not find them. However, said brunette trainee was to her right now, speaking with Café as the shadow-like uma cracked the scientist’s crab. Lazy-ass Tachyon.

One of the other seniors had thrown open the shoji, shouting about how the staff gave the seniors over 20 to drink alcohol that night, as long as it was done safely. Pocket didn’t care. Many of the girls had since taken off their yukata, now wearing their sleepwear, and too immersed in their own discussions to care anymore about their clothes. Again, Pocket didn’t care. She just wanted to sleep the night away and get rid of her annoyance setting in.

A plate was put in front of her, causing her to look up and see Fuji Kiseki. “You didn’t get anything.”

Pocket locked her hands together, leaning on them while mumbling, “barely hungry at this point.” Dantsu sat on her left side, rubbing her shoulder in her usual attempt to comfort her. 

“Oya?” Tachyon chuckled, covering her mouth with her sleeve. “What’s gotten you in a mood now, Pokke?”

Fuji cracked a smile, telling Tachyon to not worry about it, before turning back to her student. “It’s okay, Pokke, we can go see the New Year fireworks together if you want.”

“Thanks…” The senior with the alcohol stood behind the New Era group, prompting the derby uma to hold out her hand. The senior handed Pocket a canned drink containing low-alcohol. She snapped the tab before quickly taking a sip.

Tachyon looked up at the senior with the box of beverages. “What type is it?” The group, minus Café, looked over at the brunette out of curiosity.

The senior student looked at the box. “Horoyoi, so it’s only 3% alcohol.”

Agnes Tachyon made an audible sound before asking for one herself. Pocket looked down at her own drink before grumbling to herself, “you didn’t tell me that you drank either…”

Before Fuji could say anything Tachyon had already manufactured a response, “I don’t do it often, but I do drink low-alcoholic drinks occasionally.” The main reason why so many people—including Pokke herself—didn’t believe Pocket’s punk girl friends was because they assumed Tachyon didn’t drink at all. “Is that so shocking? I’m a grown woman, I can “have fun,” as you all say. I can be “hip”.”

Dantsu cringed at Tachyon’s words. “Oh, don’t say hip, it makes you sound like Maruzensky…”

“Yes, I quite disliked it myself, and I’m the one who said it.” The two laughed over their senior and her odd way of speaking. Agnes Tachyon being social was a rare sight, but had slowly become more common as time went on.

Jungle Pocket took a deep breath in before turning to look at Tachyon, finally caving after months of torment. “Is there anything else you’re hiding, Tachyon?”

Fuji looked over with wide eyes. “Pokke.”

The brunette Umamusume went quiet, thinking over the question in her own confusion. She wasn’t aware of if she was hiding anything, unless her rival was talking about… “My experiment? The one about physiology and psychology?”

“Close, but no.”

“Jungle Pocket.” Pocket looked over at her mentor with a dead expression. “I told you to quit it.”

Tachyon leaned into the palm of hand, her usual smirk of amusement clear as day on her face. “No no, it’s fine, Fuji. If Baguette so badly wishes to ask, then she can ask away.” Pokke didn’t say anything, opting to glare at Tachyon instead. She thought the researcher was doing her usual mindfuckery, which Tachyon was, to a degree. It was her favourite activity; she loves to ask useless questions that she already knew the answer to to mess with Pokke. However, in this case, a small part of her truly didn’t know what she was implying.

Completely done with her juniors’ little staring contest, Fuji told Tachyon about the little “rumour.” “Pokke is just convinced you’re dating your trainer, that’s all. Nothing more, nothing less.” Pokke looked down at her plate, her forehead resting on her hands.

Tachyon’s eyebrows furrowed as she looked back and forth between her rival and her dorm leader. She was completely baffled. “It’s not a secret that I am, you could have just asked.” The dining room went quiet, all heads turned towards the brunette as the hazelnut-haired horse hit her elbows on the table as she sat up, an annoyed look all over her expression—the only ones to continue eating being Manhattan Café, Admire Vega, Agnes Digital, and student council (oddly enough).

In all of the silence, Tachyon cracked open her own can of alcohol, taking a sip before humming at the taste. It was sweet—something she quite enjoyed. Pocket looked over at the supposed shadow horse girl. “Café, did you know about this?”

The aforementioned uma looked up from her late dinner, her own face very clearly being able to be seen thanks to the headband pulling her hair back. “Yes, why do you think I don’t go to the laboratory at lunch anymore…? I tried to warn you…” Pokke curled her lips inwards, looking back towards her teacher with a face that simply screamed “I told you so.”

Fuji looked back at Tachyon in complete astonishment. “What—, I just… How long has this been going on for?”

Tachyon set her can back down, smiling as if this was common knowledge, “ten and a half months. We had our six month anniversary on the same day as the fan festival.” Fuji was completely gobsmacked by the response, only causing Tachyon to be further confused. “Where do you think I go every weekend?”

“I don’t know—, I thought you would visit your family?”

“Oh, no, I’m not all close with my family. Trainer lives just outside of the city, so when she goes home on Friday, I simply go with her as she used to have an unused room that I turned into a personal laboratory 2.0. I essentially have a whole second wardrobe at her place.” Every Ritto senior student who didn’t believe Pocket was staring at Tachyon in pure astonishment. The rumour was entirely true. Pocket wasn’t lying. “I just didn’t see the need to openly tell everyone something that’s considered personal life.”

A rusty-red-haired Umamusume—easily recognizable to be Transcend by her large frames—leaned back on her chair, her knees hitting the table stopping her from falling. “Yeah, but dating your trainer? Talk about a scandal.”

“It’s not a scandal of sorts as we don’t talk about it online, as well as the fact that the entire student council and Director Akikawa were already aware of it. We asked permission prior to making it official.”

Suddenly all eyes turned to Air Groove as she was still filling her own plate with food she wanted to eat. The emperess looked around, having already long been used to the sight of eyes on her given her position as student council vice president. Biwa Hayahide, on the other hand, turned to her sister, mumbling a question as to not be heard by the silence, “you knew…?” Narita Brian shrugged before nodding in affirmation.

Agnes Tachyon took another swing of the horoyoi before motioning her hand—can of alcohol still in her hand—over to Agnes Digital. “Digital knew as well.”

Jungle Pocket’s blonde friend and classmate stood up, pointing over at said Pokke as she yelled, “I told you we should have asked Digital!! “That girl’s deranged,” that girl knew!!!” Gold City mocked Pokke’s words from two months ago.

“Although, Daiwa Scarlet was the one I told first about my feelings before I even asked my trainer out.”

Pokke immediately remembers back when her junior was flailing her hands around, yelling incoherent words as the Ritto seniors drove off to their summer camp—she was trying to confirm it for Pokke. The rose-brunette trainee that sat on Pokke’s other side leaned forward to get a better look at Tachyon. “You asked Miss (Name) out? You initiated the first move?”

Red eyes blinked in utter confusion. “I initiate all of the “first moves”.”

Pokke stood up, making sure she grabbed her drink. Stepping out and away from the table, she tucked her chair back in, looking over at Fuji with a nod. “I’m going to go scream at the ocean now before I make this an even bigger scene, and hopefully get drunk if I chug this fast enough.” The ex-gang leader left the room in complete silence, her quiet behaviour being all unsettling due to her being known as rash and loud. Everyone’s eyes followed her figure, right up until she slid the shoji door closed.

When the door shut, they were all back on Phantom Triple Crown. She was back to munching on her late-night dinner. With a shrug, Tachyon let out a stifle of a chuckle. “Nobody asked, so I never said anything.”

✦✧✦✧ 

Tachyon blinked back to reality, finding herself sitting on the sofa with a pen and notebook in hand. Her legs were crossed, her hair was the slightest bit longer, figure more relaxed in a way. To her left, propped next to the couch, was a cane. She looked back down at her notes, seeing her peers’ names all listed in alphabetical order. Tachyon hummed, going back to writing Jungle Pocket’s name, before looking up at the other chair next to the couch.

(Name).

The Umamusume felt her heart accelerate at the sight, the human woman writing her own list in a different notebook, continuously looking back at a set of numbers. On the coffee table before them were several papers laid out like spreadsheets. Tachyon thought for a moment before breaking the comfortable silence, “remember back in Tracen when Jungle Bucket tried to tell everyone we were dating but nobody believed her for several months, and I didn’t find out that nobody believed her until the matsuri?”

“Yep, you laughed about it the entire next day when retelling the story.”

“It’s a good story. She really did have a hangover the next day, so we had to look after her.”

“You claim it’s your personal favourite life story.”

Tachyon hummed, turning her head to look at a wall filled with trophies. Some were trophies of her athleticism, while others—most of them—were not. Photos of her achievements and discoveries were immortalized both in history and in the home. Below them were more photos. The photos were more personal. Some were photos she had asked Digital to give her of her and (Name), while others were of her hanging out with her friends. Of course, a photo of her tutoring Daiwa Scarlet sat with them, too.

Framed in a specially decorated frame was a photo Digital had taken of the summer festival, their silhouettes illuminated by the firework show. Next to the frame was the little stuffed bear keychain Tachyon had won for (Name) at that game, its colour still yellow thanks to (Name) taking extra care of it—she washed it weekly with soap that wouldn’t drain its colour.

Another photo, framed in all of its glory, sitting on the wall amongst the framed achievements, was the New Era group’s retirement party photo. 

“A lot has changed.” Tachyon reminisced about the past.

“You get nostalgic? I’m still learning new things about you…” (Name) chuckled, joking with the retired horse girl.

“I suppose Café was right when she said I changed after I met you.” Tachyon looked down at her notebook. Her fingers brushed against each other as she was reminded of something else on her. Looking down at her hand, she was reminded of the silver band that complimented her slender fingers. Again, she felt her heart accelerate and her eyes become lidded as she recalled the fond memory—the dinner they shared at candlelight that will forever be looked at fondly in her own memory. With a deep sigh, Tachyon looked back at her notebook, again, thinking about what else she should write.

Agnes Tachyon’s physiological illness only got worse due to her career, causing her to switch careers early. Due to all she had achieved, she had earned more than enough recognition and reason by Akikawa and Rudolf to remain a student of Tracen, thankfully. On the down-side, Tachyon now had to walk with a limp for the rest of her life, her legs being beyond repair.

She had achieved all she had to in the athlete world. She achieved Plan A, and Pocket achieved her dream of eventually beating Tachyon in a race. What was said would be completed. She felt fulfilled. Everyone had gotten older and went on to work different jobs, but they were still happy.

“Have you ever thought about experimental wedding food like that valentine's gift I gave you that looked like chocolate but was actually curry?”

“I’m not sending our guests into cardiac arrest, dear.”

“Oh, okay.”