My name is Black Tiger. You can call me Black Tiger.
I am an Uma Musume.
Where should I begin?
Since I am an Uma Musume, I suppose I should start there.
Actually, I never intended to become an Uma Musume at first.
I was born into a relatively affluent family; my father was educated and reasonable, and my mother was gentle and virtuous.
My father taught me from a young age that as long as I was willing to work hard, there was no obstacle I couldn't overcome.
And I have always lived by that principle.
Good education, affluent family background, persistent willpower, sweat equity, plus my passable talent and ability, made me that classic childhood villain—the 'child from another family.'
Thanks to this, I had few friends. But it didn't matter; I still had my father's book collection.
Collecting books was one of the few hobbies my eccentric father had. From classics to popular fiction, from literary masterpieces to entertainment magazines, if he took a fancy to it, he would acquire a copy for his collection. My mother complained more than once that the house couldn't hold his collection, but he never changed his ways. I must say, the fact that my mother didn't just sell the books proves their true love. But it didn't matter, since he was busy working, all these books benefited me.
My favorite stories were the Greek myths, and among them, the tale of Icarus, the "Sun Chaser," fascinated me the most.
To burn oneself out in pursuit of something—that is truly a romantic thing, isn't it?
I digress. Back to the topic of Uma Musume.
Originally, I had no intention of becoming an Uma Musume. Given my personality, I probably would have become a literary researcher, or perhaps a librarian? That's how it was supposed to be.
Until that day, the Arima Kinen two years ago.
I remember that day. My father was kneeling on a washboard, begging Mother to let him watch the Arima Kinen.
As his only remaining hobby besides collecting books, Flash Races had always been a major focus for him. The highlight of the Arima Kinen that year was the Gray Mane Showdown. As the father of a Gray Coat Horse Girl daughter, he certainly wouldn't miss it, or so he claimed (though I thought it was completely an excuse).
Anyway, after my father's relentless pestering, Mother agreed. The condition was that I had to go with him, because she wanted to go shopping with her best friend, and I was in the way.
And so, my father and I arrived at Nakayama Racecourse.
I remember the scene that day: people crowded together, cheering for their favorite Uma Musume.
My father seemed lucky, getting us to the best spot for watching the final sprint. I remember the person next to me was a Chestnut Coat Uma Musume; she had beautiful golden hair, which is why I remember her.
But what left the deepest impression on me was that Gray Mane showdown.
At the time, I couldn't understand how incredible that race was, but I was genuinely shocked—deeply moved by that pursuit, that running that seemed to burn up everything they had.
"An Uma Musume should look exactly like that!"
That Chestnut Coat child said this, and the longing sparkling in her eyes is still fresh in my memory.
"One day, I will be like them too."
When I came back to my senses, I realized I had already said those words out loud.
After returning home, I thought carefully for a while longer, finally made up my mind, and told my father my idea—I wanted to become an Uma Musume.
I still remember how my father looked then, crying like a child and saying something about how I finally had my own aspirations.
I always had my own aspirations (I declare loudly!), I just hadn't spoken them.
After that, with my father's help, I transferred into the Tracen Central Academy and became an Uma Musume.
I was very lucky. Soon after enrolling, I met a Trainer. Her name is A Fu, a clumsy girl who is big-chested and air-headed, but surprisingly reliable when it comes to training.
I don't know why, but I always felt she was very kind.
I originally thought I would be able to debut immediately, dominate everywhere, and reach the peak of my Uma Musume life, but reality shattered my delusion.
I have talent, my Trainer said, but it was just talent.
I started a year later than others, and because I hadn't trained much, I didn't meet the standards required of an Uma Musume.
But it didn't matter, I still had time. Compared to others, what I lacked was merely the fundamentals—something that could be exchanged for monotony and sweat. For me, that was easy.
Then, I spent two years making up for the fundamentals I lacked, and finally, after actualization, I reached—no, I stood at the pinnacle of my cohort of Uma Musume.
When I proudly boasted to my Trainer, she lectured me about how there are always people stronger than you, and skies beyond the sky.
I certainly knew that principle, which is why I was comparing myself to my cohort, firmly believing that there shouldn't be anyone among my classmates who could stand alongside me, and even if there were, they certainly wouldn't debut at the same time as me.
To prove this point to that A Fu, I signed up for a selection race.
And there, I met that person.
Beautiful features, noble temperament, a good figure, and that rare Chestnut Coat tail flower.
That Uma Musume named Legend, who for some reason looked familiar.
And then, as everyone knows, I was utterly crushed.
Five lengths—an undeniable distance, an absolute gap.
She shattered my pride and complacency.
After returning, I started training again. Once you see the gap, you must recognize your weakness and strive harder. I have always done this.
Next time, I won't lose.
Then, at the Debut Race, I met her again. I greeted her, but was ignored.
To you, am I just a stranger?
For a moment, my confidence collapsed.
I intended to make her look at me differently during the race, but unfortunately.
Fifteen lengths—a despair-inducing gap.
In just two short months, she had left me behind by an unimaginable distance.
For the first time, I understood what an insurmountable chasm was.
That was not an obstacle that could be crossed just with effort and sweat. I understood this profoundly.
After that, I gave up on myself. I saw a barrier that I couldn't cross, and it made me panic.
Luckily, my Trainer noticed this. She didn't lecture me out of frustration, nor did she encourage me with heartfelt reasoning; she simply started teaching me techniques related to Aura.
Perhaps because I'm quite single-minded, or perhaps the Aura technique opened a new door for me, I quickly became engrossed and achieved decent results.
This gave me hope. Could I use this method to get closer to her?
I should try.
With this thought in mind, I asked my Trainer to sign me up for the race she was participating in.
Thus, my third confrontation with her arrived.
Whether it was fate or coincidence,
All the competitors this time were familiar faces.
Once we realized that, we wordlessly agreed to join forces.
We all knew how broken that girl is, so we chose the most practical strategy.
Surround her.
After entering the gate, I happened to be right beside her and couldn't resist muttering something odd.
She asked who I was… I don't remember what I was thinking—anger just surged to my head.
I threw out a fierce line, and the race began.
At first it went smoothly; we blocked her path and forced her to run with us.
I can't outrun you, but I can drag you down to my level—then I'd have a chance to win.
We still lost. We did pull her down, but that didn't mean she was weak at that level.
I remember, in frustration, unleashing the new aura I'd just learned, but it did nothing.
She truly was an unbridgeable chasm.
That's what I thought then; I'd basically given up.
Yet a stubborn refusal still smoldered inside me.
End like this? I won't accept it!
With a last-ditch mindset, I went to my Trainer, only to be told her next race was a G3 stakes.
Of course—she'd already reached a stage many Uma Musume never touch in their lives.
'If I want to enter, what do I need to do?'
At least, one last time!
Holding that thought, I asked.
The answer: just win—at least two races.
I entered with grim resolve, and to my surprise I won; the G3 ticket came easily.
'Guess I'm not that bad after all.'
I realized I wasn't weak—she was simply too strong.
A cowardly idea sprouted: avoid her and I could still taste victory, right?
Yet, for reasons I can't name, I entered—to face her head-on.
'It's you, Miss Black Tiger.'
This time, unexpectedly, she spoke my name.
'You actually remember me?'
The words slipped out before I could stop them.
'You introduced yourself.'
She said it as if it were obvious.
'But you're the only familiar face today.'
'You remember the others?'
'I remember every opponent's face.'
Her expression was utterly matter-of-fact.
For some reason, that lifted a weight from my heart.
'This is the third time in a row—no, counting the qualifier, the fourth. Quite the bond we have.'
She mused about so-called fate.
'Fate? Maybe.'
It was just a loser's struggle.
Then I declared to her that I would win.
At first I only wanted an excuse to end things—proof I'd tried.
But a few sentences in, I truly believed I could win.
As expected, even giving everything, I lost. Yet at the final sprint I thought I saw auroras swirling around her.
The light was so dazzling I couldn't forget it.
After the race I chased her down to ask; she brushed me off.
Her answer confirmed it hadn't been my imagination.
'By the way, racing you was fun. Let's run together again!'
That's what she said as she left… How could I call that my last race after words like that?
What I felt then I can't recall.
I remember only one thing: I want to race her again, and I will beat her—no matter the cost!
Once more I poured out my selfish wish to my Trainer, and once more she indulged me.
Two more stakes wins bought me another shot at her.
But I knew I lacked something; only by finding it could I stand beside her.
I needed special training—training mighty enough to leap that chasm.
Trainer A Fu is competent; by whatever means, she summoned a senior.
Never imagined it would be her—the Symboli of freedom, hailed as the Pegasus: Triple Crown Horse Girl, Mr. CB, Senmei.
'Why do you want special training, little one?'
Senmei asked.
'I want to beat someone—no matter what, at any cost.'
That was my answer.
Senmei laughed back—a laugh utterly unfitting for a Triple Crown Horse Girl, wild and thrilled.
Do you have the resolve to step into hell?
Then, I saw hell.
Every day I trained until I passed out, my body and mind squeezed dry.
I used to think Ultraseven's training of Leo was brutal, but Senmei Representative is on another level—terrifying.
For the first time I realized how resilient an Uma Musume can be—or rather, how resilient I can be.
Through training I saw what I lacked: talent, stamina, and that thing called the Zone.
I've said it before—I have ability. Not genius, but not terrible either.
In just two months I've improved so much I feel reborn.
But I know I'm still one step short. Without mastering the Zone, I'm not qualified to face her.
Luckily, I've now earned the right to reach for that door. All I still lack is basic stamina… ironic; in the end, that's still what holds me back.
Thankfully, Senmei passed on a secret: a way to override instinct with willpower, pushing the body past its limits for explosive power.
It can make up for my shortcomings and let me open that gate—at the cost of burning everything I am. I love the myth of Icarus, the sun-chaser; chasing something until you burn is romantic, don't you think?
So here we are—at last. How will it end? Exciting, isn't it?
I'll catch you, even if it costs me everything.
Watch—this is my resolve.
This is my proof!
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