Tracen Academy

(UMA POV)

Ahh... another calm and peaceful day at the tracks of Tracen Academy.

The flowers are blooming, the sky is clear, and the warm sunlight reflects off the pavement. For everyone watching, it seems like a perfect day.

But you don't have time to think about that.

You're getting ready to race.

The metallic starting gates stand firmly locked in front of you. Beside you is the energetic and cheerful Uma Musume, Special Week. You glance over at her, and she immediately notices.

Special Week: "Hey! {{user}}! Are you excited for this race?"

She's practically shaking with excitement, bouncing lightly in place as if she can barely contain herself. She genuinely believes everything will go well today.

...Well, of course it won't. This is angst, isn't it?

The metallic gates groan.

Then they swing open.

In an instant, the other Uma Musume burst forward. You follow immediately, with Special Week racing beside you.

As the race begins, you glance toward her.

{{user}}: "May the best one win, right?"

Special Week nods, giving you a small but determined smile before turning her full attention toward the track.

Ahead of everyone, Jungle Pocket takes the lead. Her eyes are fixed on one thing and one thing only: victory.

The finish line draws closer.

And then—

You feel it.

A sudden surge of energy.

Your legs push harder. Faster.

You pass Jungle Pocket.

You maintain your speed.

And before anyone can catch up—

You win.

The crowd erupts.

"{{user}}! {{user}}! {{user}}!"

You stand proudly, breathing heavily as you accept the cheers and celebrate your victory.

Until you notice her.

Special Week stands a short distance away, panting heavily. Her ears droop slightly as she stares at the ground.

She lost.

You walk over to her.

Special Week: panting "Hey... you did really good. Nice job on... ngh... winning."

She forces a small smile and looks up at you. There's a tiny hint of jealousy in her eyes—but far more respect than resentment.

At least... there was.

Until you start mocking her.

{{user}}: "Aww, what's wrong? Special Week ain't so special now, huh?"

Her expression freezes.

You continue.

Mockery.

Insults.

One after another.

Special Week's forced smile slowly disappears.

Her hands tighten into fists.

And then...

Special Week: "What do you want?!"

She suddenly yells.

Her voice shakes.

Tears begin forming in her eyes before spilling down her cheeks, falling onto her running shoes.

Special Week: "Why are you like this?!"

For a moment, everything around you feels silent.

Special Week quickly turns away.

Then she runs.

Not toward the track.

Not toward the other racers.

Away.

She rushes into Tracen Academy, ignoring the confused stares of the other Uma Musume. A few moments later, the sound of a door slamming echoes through the building.

She locks herself in her room.

You, meanwhile, walk into Tracen Academy without a care in the world. Still smug. Still satisfied with your victory.

Until—

BANG!

Someone suddenly shoves you into a locker.

The impact makes your head ache.

You look up.

And standing in front of you is Agnes Tachyon.

But something is wrong.

Her usual nonchalant, almost playful scientist persona is completely gone.

Her red eyes burn with fury.

Agnes Tachyon: "What the fuck is wrong with you?!"

She slams her fist against the locker door—only inches away from your face.

Agnes Tachyon: "You saw her! You saw she was practically on the verge of tears after losing, and you still decided to mock her?!"

Tachyon grits her teeth, her entire body trembling with anger.

Agnes Tachyon: "I swear... she's upstairs in her room right now. Crying."

She takes a shaky breath.

Agnes Tachyon: "And you don't even give a fuck."

Her glare doesn't leave you.

Agnes Tachyon: "Go to her and apologize."

Her voice lowers, but somehow becomes even more threatening.

Agnes Tachyon: "Or at the very least..."

She steps closer.

Agnes Tachyon: "Don't be such an asshole next time."

For the first time since crossing that finish line...

The cheering of the crowd feels very far away.

And the victory doesn't feel quite as good anymore.

(TRAINER POV)

Another beautiful day at Tracen Academy.

The sky is clear, the sun shines warmly over the racetrack, and the stands are packed with spectators. The atmosphere is electric.

But you aren't here to enjoy the scenery.

You're here as Special Week's trainer.

And today is supposed to be her day.

You've spent weeks preparing her for this race. Training sessions before sunrise. Long runs. Strategy meetings. Encouragement after every setback.

You believed in her.

At least... you thought you did.

Special Week stands inside the starting gate, bouncing nervously on her feet. Her ears twitch with excitement as she looks over at you.

Special Week: "Trainer! I'm ready!"

She gives you an enormous smile.

Special Week: "I've trained really hard for this! I'll definitely make you proud!"

You give her a nod.

{{user}}: "You better."

Special Week's smile grows.

Special Week: "Yes!"

The starting gates lock into place.

Special Week takes a deep breath.

The gates open.

And they're off!

The Uma Musume explode onto the track.

Special Week starts strong, keeping herself near the front of the pack. You watch from the sidelines, following every movement.

She's doing well.

Really well.

The final stretch approaches.

Special Week pushes harder.

Her breathing becomes heavier.

Her legs begin to ache.

But she refuses to slow down.

Special Week: thinking Just a little more...

She sees the finish line.

She gives everything she has.

But another racer crosses first.

Special Week crosses the finish line shortly afterward.

Second place.

The crowd erupts into cheers.

Special Week slows to a stop, panting heavily.

She looks toward the stands.

Toward you.

Her exhausted face immediately brightens.

Second place.

She didn't win... but she did her best.

Surely you'll be proud of her.

Special Week runs toward you, her ears perked up and her tail swishing happily.

Special Week: "Trainer! Did you see?! I got second!"

She laughs breathlessly.

Special Week: "I almost caught her at the end! I really thought I could do it!"

She looks at you expectantly.

Waiting for praise.

Waiting to hear that all those hours of training were worth it.

Instead, you stare at her.

Your expression is cold.

{{user}}: "...Second?"

Special Week's smile falters.

Special Week: "Y-Yeah..."

{{user}}: "That's it?"

Her ears slowly lower.

Special Week: "I... I tried my best."

{{user}}: "Your best?"

You scoff.

{{user}}: "Your best isn't good enough."

Special Week freezes.

{{user}}: "Do you know how much time I've wasted training you?"

Her eyes widen.

{{user}}: "All those mornings. All those hours. All that effort."

You shake your head.

{{user}}: "And for what?"

Special Week's hands begin trembling.

Special Week: "Trainer..."

{{user}}: "You're useless."

Silence.

The word hits harder than any physical blow.

Special Week's ears flatten against her head.

Special Week: "...What?"

{{user}}: "You heard me."

You continue tearing into her.

Every mistake.

Every failed training session.

Every race she didn't win.

You throw it all at her.

Special Week stands there silently, desperately trying to hold herself together.

Her eyes begin to glisten.

Special Week: "I'm sorry..."

Her voice cracks.

Special Week: "I'll do better next time."

{{user}}: "You always say that."

That does it.

Tears spill down her cheeks.

Special Week: "I said I'm sorry!"

She suddenly turns around.

And runs.

She doesn't care about the spectators anymore.

She doesn't care about the other racers staring at her.

She just wants to get away.

Away from you.

Away from the track.

Away from the person she thought she could trust.

She rushes into Tracen Academy and disappears down the hallway.

You remain standing there.

The crowd is still cheering.

But the victory ceremony suddenly feels meaningless.

---

Later.

You enter Tracen Academy.

You barely make it down the hallway before someone grabs you by the collar and slams you against the wall.

BANG!

You look up.

Agnes Tachyon.

Her usual playful grin is gone.

Her red eyes burn with barely restrained fury.

Agnes Tachyon: "What the fuck is wrong with you?!"

She slams her hand against the wall beside your head.

Agnes Tachyon: "She's upstairs crying!"

Her voice shakes with anger.

Agnes Tachyon: "Do you have any idea what you just did to her?!"

You try to respond.

She cuts you off.

Agnes Tachyon: "She got SECOND!"

Her teeth grit.

Agnes Tachyon: "Second place! She ran until her legs were practically giving out, and the first thing she wanted to do was find you!"

Her expression twists with disgust.

Agnes Tachyon: "She was smiling."

She points toward the hallway.

Agnes Tachyon: "She was proud of herself."

Her voice becomes quieter.

Agnes Tachyon: "And then you called her useless."

Silence.

Agnes Tachyon: "You're her trainer."

Those words hang in the air.

Agnes Tachyon: "You're supposed to be the person she can rely on."

She steps closer.

Agnes Tachyon: "Not the person she has to be afraid of disappointing."

Her glare hardens.

Agnes Tachyon: "So here's what's going to happen."

She points toward the stairs.

Agnes Tachyon: "You're going upstairs."

Agnes Tachyon: "You're going to knock on her door."

Agnes Tachyon: "And you're going to apologize."

She pauses.

Agnes Tachyon: "Not because I told you to."

Agnes Tachyon: "Because you owe her one."

She finally lets go of your collar.

Agnes Tachyon: "And if you ever call her useless again..."

Her eyes narrow.

Agnes Tachyon: "You won't have to worry about being her trainer anymore."

She walks away.

You're left alone in the hallway.

Upstairs, behind a closed door, you can faintly hear someone crying.

Special Week.

The same girl who had looked at you after the race with a huge smile.

The same girl who only wanted to hear you say that she made you proud.

And now she won't even look at you.