[Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Tokyo Racecourse! Today is the much-anticipated debut for several new Umamusume! Among the entrants are several newcomers making their long-awaited debuts. The distance is 1600 meters on turf, a true test of balance between speed and power!]
WOOOOOOOOAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!
The crowd's cheer exploded. Though it's probably not at the level of graded races.
At last, two months has passed and the long-awaited debut race is here.
[Yes, anticipation is high today. Everyone's wondering which of these debutantes will shine brightest on the big stage!]
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-Inside the changing room-
"So, how do you feel, Astonishing?"
"...Nervous," she admitted, exhaling sharply. "But... not the bad kind. More like, my body just wants to get out there already."
He nodded. "That's normal. The important thing is, you've already prepared"
Outside, the announcer's voice rose again, calling the debutantes toward the paddock.
"...Alright," She whispered. "Let's do this."
Takeda gave a nod. "Good. Now go make them remember your name."
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CLAK CLAK CLAK CLAK
Her footsteps is the only thing she can hear as she walk through the tunnel. The roar of the crowd outside was muffled here.
Just as she was about to step out into the roar of the crowd, a tall, elegant figure called.
"Steady there, little star."
Astonishing nearly tripped over her own feet, her ears pinning back in surprise. "F-Fuji-senpai?!"
Fuji Kiseki stood there, leaning casually against the wall.
"I... I didn't think you'd be here," Astonishing admitted.
"Well, let's just say... I took a liking to you, even though I know I couldn't say this since I need to be fair to everyone. You kind of remind me of a certain someone too" Fuji explained.
"That someone... is they a great runner?"
"One of the best, a stubborn soul she is" She reached out and gave Astonishing's a quick, encouraging pat. "Now, don't keep the audience waiting. I'll be watching from the stand"
Astonishing watched Fuji Kiseki walk away toward the tunnel.
She took a deep breath, and continue walking towards the exit of the tunnel, with a smile on her face.
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As she stepped out of the tunnel, the world exploded. The Tokyo Racecourse was a sea of green and sunlight, the air vibrating with the chatter of thousands of fans. Even for a Newcomer's Debut, the atmosphere was electric.
[Here they are! The debutantes for today's 1600meters turf challenge! Keep your eyes on them, ladies and gentlemen, these are the names you'll be hearing for years to come!]
As she walked towards where the rest of the competitors stood, she caught a glimpse of a familiar face, Dora was leaning over the railing, waving a handmade banner.
"Go get them, Aston!"
Astonishing couldn't help but let out a small, embarrassed huff of a laugh. She also caught sight of Takeda standing near the rail, waving to get her attention. She too replied with a subtle wave. It wasn't until a moment later that Fuji popped herself out of the crowd and leaned on the guardrail.
[And now, ladies and gentlemen, the runners take their places! Look at the focus on their faces, nerves, determination, and dreams all riding on this one race. For these Umamusume, today is the beginning of everything!]
One by one, all the umamusume stepped into the gates, and the roar subdued.
[All umamusumes has entered the gates]
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CLANG!
The gates flew open.
[And they're off! A clean start from all runners!]
The front pack surged immediately. One umamusume took the initiative and darted ahead to seize the lead, with two others chasing close.
[Quickest from the gate is Number 2, Silver Arrow! As expected, she storms straight to the front! Right behind her is Number 4, Crimson Dancer, pressing hard on the inside!]
The two of them battled neck-to-neck for the lead.
[Just off their heels, Number 1, Sunny Bell, takes a comfortable stalking position on the rail! Number 3, Wind Chime, hovers on the outside, keeping close! Behind them, we see Number 5, Kongo Cruise, and finally, Number 6, Astonishing, holding steady at the rear for now!]
'The pace is fast...' Even though she had never raced in Tokyo racecourse, she had watched plenty videos of races held here.
The pace is faster than she expected.
Not to mention there were only six runners including herself. While the minimum participants required were five, six is still too little. While it becomes easier to maneuver, it could be harder to maintain the pace since there are less runner to be used as a reference.
Imagine if between those six runner, one is front runner, while the other five are late surger. With no point of reference, in this case is the pace chasers, they are forced to run further forward. Becoming the pace chasers themselves.
Now, back to the race.
[600 meters into the race, and the lead pack shows no signs of slowing down! Number 2, Silver Arrow, and Number 4, Crimson Dancer, are still locked in a furious duel! Behind them is Sunny Bell followed by Wind Chime. Fifth is Kongo Cruise, and Astonishing still in last place! What is she planning?]
Tokyo's 1600 meters... She knew this course, at least from study. It begins with a five hundred fifty meters straight then comes the first and second corners of the course, before closing it with another straight.
The runners would usually start their spurt around 400-300 meters into the finish line. Though there are some with exceptional power able to start their spurt at only 200 meters left.
The front runners will keep pushing until they reach this mark, right as the runners behind started their spurt. By this time, they would be tired after trying to catch up with the pace. So, they will try to save their already depleted energy for the final straight.
[They're entering the first corner! Silver Arrow is still holding a half-length lead, but the exertion is starting to show! The pace is absolutely scorching]
The turn was long and sweeping. Astonishing shifted her weight, feeling the centrifugal force trying to pull her wide. She dug her toes into the grass, finding a surprising amount of grip.
The training, it was a success.
Astonishing glued herself as close as possible to the umamusume in front of her. Making use of her low running posture to get into the slipstream.
Of course she can't get too close or she could get her face kicked.
Suddenly, the track began to curve again. The long, sweeping turn toward the straight.
This is it.
She begin her spurt.
It wasn't a gradual increase. It was an explosion.
Her shoes bit into the turf with a ferocious, tearing up clumps of grass as she shifted her weight and lunged into the outside lane.
[What's this? Number 6, Astonishing is launching her move! She's swinging wide to the outside! She's charging past Kongo Cruise, Wind Chime and now aiming for Sunny Bell!!]
"Damn it... already?!" Sunny Bell hissed as Astonishing catched up.
[She's past Sunny Bell! Astonishing is coming like a whirlwind! But the leaders are still way ahead! Can she close the gap?]
Silver Arrow and Crimson Dancer were still locked in their desperate duel.
"Not... yet..." Crimson Dancer wheezed, her pace finally beginning to falter under the pressure of the scorching pace they had set.
[Silver Arrow still leads, Crimson Dancer is faltering!, and now Astpnishing has stormed into second!]
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-Meanwhile, with Silver Arrow-
'...No way. She still has stamina after all that?!' She gritted my teeth, her lungs already begging for air. She went hard from the start, too hard, maybe, but that was the point. Force them to chase, burn them out before the last corner and finish first.
But Astonishing? She wasn't burned out. She wasn't even wavering.
'This... this isn't how it's supposed to go!'
[Silver Arrow is still clinging to the lead, but Astonishing is flying up on the outside! She's closing fast as they enter the last 200m before the finish line!]
"Not yet..." Her voice was ragged, "I won't let you!"
She leaned forward, desperate, throwing every last ounce into her legs.
But Astonishing's presence swallowed everything.
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[Here comes Astonishing! She's exploding down the outside! Silver Arrow is fighting with everything she has left, but Astonishing is flying, look at that acceleration!]
[She's done it! Astonishing pulls ahead! Silver Arrow is fighting desperately, but she's falling back! Astonishing is unstoppable! Can she maintain the lead?!]
Astonishing push forward one last time, unleashing the remainder of her speed. The distance stretched to two lengths.
[And it's over! Number 6, Astonishing storms across the line first in spectacular fashion! What a breathtaking debut performance! Silver Arrow finishes second, with Crimson Dancer taking third after a hard-fought run!]
The stands erupted into chaos, cheers, applause, whistles, the kind of noise only born when the crowd witnessed something unforgettable. Even if this is just a debut race, they are thrilled.
Astonishing slowed to a walk, the adrenaline beginning to recede and leaving her muscles trembling.
"Hah... hah... I... I did it. I won"
[What a clinical finish! Number 6, Astonishing, lived up to her name today! After stalking the pace from the back, she unleashed a devastating late spurt that left the front-runners standing still! Silver Arrow fought valiantly, but the power differential in the final furlong was undeniable!]
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"Hahh... Hahh... So hot... "
Astonishing is trying her best not to stumble on her way back to the room. If you look carefully, you can see steam coming off her.
Not to mention she's all sweaty.
"How... Far... is it...? Augh--" She lost balance and about to fall.
But luckily, someone finally arrived to save her.
"Hey, are you okay? Stay still for a moment"
A firm hand caught her shoulder, steadying her as she swayed. It was Takeda.
He held out a drink and a chilled towel.
"Drink this," he commanded. "Your heat is radiating everywhere"
She snatched the bottle from his hand and take a massive gulp.
"Small sips," Takeda reminded her as he draped the chilled towel over the back of her neck. The shock of the cold sent a shiver through her overheated frame.
She leaned into his support, her head hanging low as the steam continued to rise from her damp clothes.
When they finally arrived at their prep room, Astonishing regained her composure.
"Ugh... Finally... " She planted her face into the table.
Takeda sits on another chair across her. "Do you feel any pain anywhere? "
"Huh?" She lifted her head slightly. "Well, if you were talking about my legs, they are fine, just... ran out of gas"
"I see... If your legs still hurt after this, tell me immediately. Anyway, great work out there. You were incredible"
He stretches his hand, heading towards her head. But he stopped midway and retract his hand.
Unfortunately for him, Astonishing caught the movement out of the corner of her eye, but she decided not to call it out.
Astonishing stood up. "Now, let's get ready for the live performance"
Being a racing umamusume isn't just about running, they are also an idol, an umadol!
"Live performance?.... Ah."
"What?"
"I forgot, I haven't taught you how to perform a live! We didn't even practice the choreography! What are we gonna do now? I can't just send you to the stage!"
He looked like he was about to faint. This is a rare opportunity to see him not in his usual self.
"Trainer, it's fine. " She tried to assure him "My mom already taught me."
"...What?"
"She made me practice at home. Said it'd be embarrassing to get caught unprepared." She sighed. "Guess she was right."
"Thank, God... Alright, just... do what she taught you"
"I will try, I don't really like dancing and singing though... especially in that dress..."
I can't blame her. Sorry about that, Aston.
"Good luck out there, Astonishing"
She stopped midway, "You know, Trainer? I know my name is short but, I really don't mind if you call me by my nickname. At least when it's just the two of us--"
"--I think it would be good for the future. I know being professional is your job, but you can drop the act sometimes, yeah? I'll take my leave now"
Takeda sat in the silence of the prep room for a moment after the door clicked shut.
He sighed. "Maybe she's right"
No matter how hard you try to deny it. It is important for trainer and their trainee(s) to get along with each other.
A stronger relation could bring many positive things. More effective training, good mood, and performance.
Just... make sure you don't cross pass the gauge limit.
A/N: You don't want to get umapyoi'ed
The roar of the crowd hadn't faded. If anything, it only shifted, from thundering cheers on the turf to an eager buzz as the lights around Tokyo shifted.
[And now, ladies and gentlemen, you know what comes next! The debutantes have run their race, and now it's time for them to shine again! Please welcome today's performers, our winning live!]
The crowd's anticipation surged into a wave of cheers. Penlights lit up the stands in every color imaginable.
The giant monitor flickered, switching from race footage to bright colors and animated motifs.
Song: Make Debut!
The light dimmed, and the crowds grew silent. After a few seconds of darkness, a giant screen turned on, and the lights were focused on the stage. More precisely, the center spot, a.k.a. Astonishing.
Hibike fanfaare...
Her voice carried surprisingly well.
Todoke gooru made...
She even dance very well! Of course, it's not like she like to do it.
'Please be over soon!'
She just hoped the camera doesn't highlight her too much. But the cameramen thinks otherwise.
Kagayaku mirai o kimi to mitai kara...
In the front row, Dora was practically losing her mind, after waving her lightstick too much, she lost her sanity and collapse onto the floor.
She's not alone, as another umamusume with pink hair and big red ribbon also collapsed beside her.
I believe...
Yume no saki made...
A/N: Tbh, I don't really like narrating the concert, and I don't think I'm good at it.
The crowd is back, roaring with intense energy as the light dimmed again. But seriously, was the crowd really this large? They aren't that much during the race, did they come only for the concert?
At last, the concert goes smoothly. Some mistakes here and there but that was just because she don't really like the idea of dancing and singing. Whose idea was it to perform an idol concert after races anyway?
At least it's over.