Chapter Text
“You did what?!”
“I mean, good evening to you too?” Avery huffed, sitting back against his seat in Kashimoto’s trainer office. It was a spartan affair, Avery thought. All that furnished the office was a desk, a couch, and a table for all of her trainees to sit around. A whiteboard hung against the wall furthest from the door, detailing the strategy Kashimoto had drawn out for Little Cocon for an upcoming race.
In terms of personality, it left a lot to be desired.
The first chance he got after leaving Team Rigil’s training session, Avery sought to tell Kashimoto the news about his and Urara’s partnership.
Evidently, she had feelings about the whole ordeal.
“I had plans written up for you to take over as a temporary trainer for one of my Trainees, get you settled in on an Umamusume not set to debut for another month or so. And yet here you are promising Haru Urara that you will train her to become scouted?!” Kashimoto bellowed, standing from behind her desk and slamming her hands down upon its surface. “What in the goddesses name is wrong with you?!”
“You tell me. What’s wrong with me, huh? What is the big problem with wanting to help Haru? First Toujou telling me this is a bad idea, now you.” Avery glanced aside at the several team portraits upon the walls, each of them holding group photos of the members who had come and gone throughout the years. “Look at the dozens of Umamusume you’ve trained. Are you telling me that not a single one of these girls wasn’t up to snuff at the start of her career?”
“There’s not being up to snuff, and then there’s being terribly out of her league.” Kashimoto countered. “Her record at this Academy is abysmal compared to that of her peers. In all of her youth division races I don’t believe she’s placed higher than 5th in a field of six runners.”
“And what, that denies her the right to a Trainer that could try and help her improve? Just what is she supposed to do then?”
When a recruit fell behind to the standards of the rest of the platoon, they weren’t barred from receiving training or conditioning. They were focused on four or five times as much as any of their brothers in arms until they were just as capable as the rest of them.
The deep breath Kashimoto took spoke of years of patience slowly being whittled away by the actions of those around her. She slowly sank back into her office chair with closed eyes, her blazer draped over the back of the chair.
“Avery. This isn’t the time to march yourself forward into a righteous crusade. If you are to succeed in your career as a Trainer, then you need to think about your long term goals.”
A deep echoing memory sounded off in Avery’s mind, head throbbing in pain as words sounded in his psyche.
“I’m not here to offer you the promise of a career that will bring you medals for Gallantry Beyond Measure. I’m here to offer you the chance to make the world even the slightest bit better.”
The slightest bit better. That’s what Director Akikawa promised him all those years ago. He was never in it for the accolades or the advancement of his career. Everything he had done since he accepted that offer was for that singular purpose.
Making the world the slightest bit better.
“Thanks for the advice Riko, I’ll get to thinking real hard about all that while I start getting a training regimen organized for tomorrow.” Avery said, standing from his seat and making his way towards the door.
“I am only thinking about giving you the help that you asked for! Don’t be a fool!”
The indignant cry was muffled as the office door swung closed behind Avery, who found himself angrily marching away from the administration building and towards the campus library with his head racked with questions.
The standards and benchmarks necessary to even imagine attending Tracen Academy were the highest of all of the Umamusume Academies across the globe. To enroll meant that you were without a shadow of a doubt one of the best of the best, and could stand one above all else in pure potential.
There were countless stories of the dreams of Umamusume being crushed by the weight of reality. Aspirant students rejected for their lack of skill. Rejected for their lack of results. Rejected for their lack of aptitude. Missing one of the three could be overlooked, granted the other two were extraordinarily good. Missing two of the three was nearly impossible to overcome. When you were competing for a spot amongst thousands of others, being subpar would see you sinking beneath everyone else.
But missing all three? That was a death sentence for an Umamusume’s racing career, let alone the dream of attending one of the most prestigious Academy’s in Japan. And yet somehow, Haru Urara stood amongst her peers as their equal.
“That can’t be for nothing…” Avery grunted to himself, his leg stump aching painfully with each step he took across campus. If she was at Tracen, then she deserved the same help every other student was entitled to, career track record be damned.
It wasn’t until Avery was halfway to the Library that another lance of pain shot through his right leg, a muscle spasm almost causing him to lose his balance and forcing him to lean against a wall of the Main Academy Building. He’d been standing and running more in the past week than he had for the past few years.
“Fuck, I gotta sit down for a sec…” There was a collapsible wheelchair in his new dorm. He was damned if he was going to use it though.
The sights and sounds of a school day winding down filled the air around Avery as he sat down against the wall and caught his breath, listening carefully to the bustle of students heading back to their dorms after a day of study and training. It was laughter, exasperation, and satisfaction all rolled into one.
The relative peace was cut through by the sounds of a swinging door and a conversation in progress, Avery’s ears immediately dialing onto the professional yet courteous tone Tazuna took with the students.
“I’m afraid I don’t quite understand your concern Ms. Halo. You’re concerned that Ms. Urara has been scouted?”
“That’s not it Ms. Tazuna, and she hasn’t been scouted either.” King Halo’s sharp voice cut off. “What I’m saying is that the new Trainer admitted that he has never trained anyone before. I’m simply worried if someone like that, someone with no experience, is the right kind of person to help train someone like Urara.”
From where Avery was sitting he couldn’t see either of the people speaking, out of view but most definitely not out of earshot. He kept his mouth shut and listened carefully.
“I believe that even rookie trainers need to start somewhere. If he hasn’t scouted her outright, then there is no long term commitment and they will be able to part ways with no issue.” Tazuna said. “Besides, I believe having someone like Avery assisting Haru Urara with her training is a wonderful thing.”
There was a pause in the conversation, before King Halo’s curiosity cut through it.
“What’s he like? He looked like he was only moments away from running through a brick wall headfirst at the practice courses.”
Avery had felt like it too, he hadn’t felt his blood get that hot in over a decade. All he could remember at that point was the cheerful smile of an Umamusume who had placed dead last in a race, and still walked around to congratulate and encourage everyone else who didn’t come in first. Writing off or discarding someone like that had gotten him so heated he had trouble thinking straight.
“Trainer Avery may not be experienced in the traditional sense, but he has worked with the URA for several years and has the full trust of Director Akikawa, Ms. Halo. And if things with Ms. Urara’s training get difficult, believe me. I know him to be a very, very determined person. He won’t quit on someone like her.”
So he had someone in his corner. Thank the goddesses for that. Avery let his head fall against the wall with a hollow thunk against concrete, letting out a breath he didn’t realize he had been holding.
“I see… Well, even if you vouch for him I’ll still have to insist on joining her for her first training session! I need to know for certain that he won’t be feeding her some nonsense training and wasting her time!” Halo proclaimed, bowing to Tazuna with a small smile. “Thank you for listening Ms. Tazuna!”
“Of course King Halo, have a pleasant evening.”
The sounds of cleats pounding against pavement let Avery know that King Halo had taken her leave, giving him the signal that it was time to get up and make himself known.
“My my, Mr. Avery. You certainly have caused quite a splash in your first week here, haven’t you?”
Avery paused as he pushed himself against the wall to stand, eyes wide as he heard the sound of footsteps heading right towards him. From around the corner of the Academy entrance, Tazuna’s head peaked out and stared at him with a knowing smile.
“How in the actual hell did you know I was here?” Avery questioned.
“You’res not nearly as quiet as you think you are. I could hear you sighing from all the way over there.” Tazuna explained. “I had received a report from Ms. Toujou that it looked like you intended to scout Haru Urara earlier today, and King Halo seems to have confirmed it as well. I’m curious about your reasoning for your course of action.”
Tazuna didn’t look like she was searching for an in to scrutinize his actions, only looking to gain a deeper understanding of him and his way of thinking. She had given him a vote of confidence. Avery decided to repay the favor.
“The way that Toujou dismissed Urara outright, like she wasn’t worth taking a second look at, it didn’t sit right with me. Like, at all.” Avery sighed, looking out at the students still making their way towards their dorms. “Everyone here deserves a chance. At least that's the way I see it.”
“So… you’re helping Urara to simply prove Ms. Toujou wrong.”
Avery’s reply snapped out louder than he intended. “No! No, that is not what I’m trying to do.” He caught himself before the same anger from earlier came back out. “I just… I couldn’t stand by and let someone fall behind like that. All I want to do is help give her the shot she deserves.”
The look in Tazuna’s eyes betrayed the happiness she felt at his answer. “Good. I would be very disappointed if I learned this was some personal vendetta at being told no.”
“I knew enough shitheads in the Corps that were looking for personal glory above all else ma’am. That’s not the kind of person I aspire to be.” Avery sighed, pointing a finger up at the direction he knew the Library to be. “First training session I’m having with Urara is tomorrow at 6. Was looking to pick up some training guides before then.”
“And you know what to look for, right?” Tazuna questioned, a sly smile on her face. “It wouldn’t do well for the Rookie trainer to be caught ill-prepared for his first Trainee, would it?”
Avery scoffed at her playful doubt, waving his hook hand in front of her face with a smile. “You know, you’re a lot sharper when you’ve gotten a full eight hours of sleep. Remind me to be careful around you.”
“And pray tell, how do you know how much sleep I’ve gotten?”
Avery split his hook hand open and pointed them at his eyes. “You’re not the only one who’s perceptive ma’am.”
The more things changed, the more they stayed the same to King Halo. She never expected to become so doting to Haru Urara. Making sure that she got her coursework done, having to brush her hair in the mornings, and bringing an extra track suit for her training were all common everyday occurrences for the first-rate Umamusume.
And the strangest part of it all to King was none of it was a burden or a chore in her eyes. She didn’t resent Urara for her missteps, or hate the fact that she had to do anything for her in the first place.
She… enjoyed the feeling it gave her?
That was the only way she could describe the feeling in her chest as she angrily roused Haru awake from her deep slumber. Even after being granted this opportunity, she was still the same sleepyhead as always.
“Haru! It’s time to get up, you’re meeting Trainer Avery in half an hour!” King howled, grabbing the blankets atop of her dorm mate and ripping them away.
The dancing spirals in Haru’s eyes spoke of the wonderful dreams she was missing out on as she tried to will herself awake, stretching and yawning in bed before trying to reach for covers that were no longer there.
“Ahhh King… you’re so nice for waking me up…” Haru groaned with a silly smile on her face, still trying to grab for a blanket.
“If you had set your alarm like I asked you to, I wouldn't need to be the one to wake you. Now get up, we need to be at the track soon!”
King did the things that she expected to. She helped Haru brush her hair, clean her ears, brush her tail, and got her tracksuit ready. Things that never got done for her back at home. The thought was shoved aside to remain in the present.
“Alright Haru. This is what you wanted, correct? To get a trainer's attention to get scouted for the Twinkle Series?”
“Yep! I’m so excited that Trainer Avery wants to help me. I’m gonna show him what I can do!” Haru affirmed, pumping her fist into the air.
King could only smile at her relentless optimism. Still, she had a job to do as her friend. “Then you need to pay close attention to what he tells you and try your hardest. I’ll be there with you, so don’t be afraid to really give it your all, alright?”
King didn’t have time to dodge the soul crushing hug that came her way, with Urara wrapping her around the shoulders and squeezing as tight as she could, bringing her cheek against King’s.
“You’re the best King!”
“Ack! H-Haru?! Release me at once!”
There were no words shared between the two after they left their dorms to make their way to the training courses, Haru Urara being uncharacteristically quiet as she focused in on trying her best. It was the first time in a long time that she understood just how important something was going to be, the Junior Tryouts being the only way she was going to be able to get into the Twinkle Series.
Only as they arrived at their usual warmup spot to begin their stretches did Haru speak up.
“I don’t remember the last time I’ve felt like this, like there’s butterflies in my belly.” Haru whined, holding her stomach uncomfortably as the minutes ticked down to the training session.
“You’ll be alright Haru, that means you know what’s at stake. It means that you know you have to try your best.” King reassured, reaching out a hand to hold Haru steady as she stretched out on one leg. “Ms. Tazuna says Director Akikawa trusts Trainer Avery. That means we should too.”
“Okay. I can do this. I can try my best!”
A new voice cut through the morning silence. “That’s exactly what I’ll be asking from you Haru.”
The pair of Umamusume jumped in shock at the intrusion, ears flattened and tails spiking outwards. Trainer Avery appeared behind them on the turf like a phantom in the morning fog.
“Good morning ladies.” He greeted, using his hook hand to tip the bill of his baseball cap.
“Where in the heavens did you come from?!” King cried out, holding Haru’s arm like a lifeline.
“I saw the both of you arrive from the grandstands. I’ve been warming up since 5.” He pointed out, showing the very obvious trail of dew he had cut through to walk up to them through the turf. “Remember girls. Early is on time, and on time is late.”
“Huh? What does that mean?” Haru hummed, the parable flying right over her head.
“N-never mind that. You showed up on time, is all I’m trying to say.” Avery amended. “King. You’re here too. Are you observing or do you intend to run with Haru?”
“Just here to observe and support sir. I didn’t want Haru to feel the pressure of not having a friend nearby to encourage her.” King explained, giving Haru’s arm a gentle squeeze before stepping away to stand beside Avery. “You’ll do great Haru.”
Haru’s wide smile shone like the sun through the morning mist. “Thank you King!”
With that, the training session officially began. A switch flipped within Avery as he stepped forward and allowed the bass in his voice to raise.
“Stand up straight, and look at me!”
The gruff boom of Avery’s voice had both Haru and King suddenly stand ram rod straight, arms at their sides at the command.
“My name is Kyle Avery, and I am your Trainer! My mission is to train you to become a Twinkle Series Runner! A Twinkle Series Runner is characterized as one who possesses the highest athletic virtues! She obeys orders! Respects her rivals! And strives constantly to be the best in everything she does!”
The speech was direct, a booming growl underlying every single word that Avery barked out as he slowly paced before Haru who stood as still as a board.
King watched the display in abject horror as she debated stepping in and stopping whatever the hell Avery thought he was doing, only stopping as she caught a glimpse at Haru’s eyes.
It was safe to say that Haru had always existed with her head in the clouds so to speak. King had always known her as a very emotionally aware Umamusume, able to tell when someone was mad or upset and trying her hardest to cheer them up. But when it came down to discipline or drive…
Haru never gave up, no matter how many bumps in the road she came across. She dusted every loss off like it was nothing, standing tall after each one and moving forward to get right back into those starting gates to try again.
And here she stood, the look in her eye showing that although uncomfortable and frightened, Haru Urara wasn’t going to back down from this challenge.
“Discipline and spirit are the hallmarks of a Twinkle Series Runner! You can become a Twinkle Series Runner if you develop discipline and spirit! I will give every effort to train you! Even after you have given up on yourself!”
The words flowed through Avery like an unstoppable faucet, the startled and unsure look upon Haru Urara’s face mirroring exactly what he felt as a scrawny seventeen year old sitting on the deck of his squad bay listening to the same words all those years ago in Recruit Training. He remembered the thoughts running through his head as he listened to his Senior Drill Instructor scream in his face, all of a sudden thinking that joining the Marine Corps could have been a terrible idea.
And for the first week it had been, the Drill Instructors moving to kill and condition every bit of weakness out of every recruit they were tasked with training. But as things got easier and as the recruits became more sure of themselves and their abilities, it all became rewarding.
But Avery didn’t have a few weeks to get Haru ready. He had days. Time was of the essence.
“I have told you what I as your Trainer will do! From you I will demand the following. You will give 100% of yourself, at all times! Obey all orders quickly, willingly, and without question! Be completely honest in everything you do! A Twinkle Series Runner never lies, or cheats. You must work hard to strengthen your body! Be proud of yourself, and the uniform you wear! Above all that, never quit, or give up! Do I make myself clear?!”
“Y-Yes Sir! Mr. Avery sir!” Haru stammered out, eyes wide as Avery moved to stand directly in front of her.
“Good! Now at my command, you will run, not walk, to the 100 meter marker of the turf track and ready yourself for your warmup laps!” He shouted, pointing with his hook hand in the direction he expected her to go. “On my whistle, you will begin your warmup laps! You will jog, and not sprint! You are waking up your muscles, not driving them to exhaustion! Now move, recruit!”
Haru did exactly as she was told, no room for second thoughts in her mind as she did what was ordered. Avery brought out his whistle from a jacket pocket and brought it to his lips, watching carefully as Haru got into her ready stance at the starting line.
“Ready! Set!” The final word was cut off by the harsh trill of a whistle, Haru taking off in a jog and beginning her run around the track.
King Halo could only stand to the side in an uncomfortable silence at the display, a conflict in her chest of just how sternly Avery was conducting his first Training Session with Haru. Still, she understood that this wasn’t her trainer or training session. She was an observer who was here to make sure Haru would be confident and comfortable in her instruction.
“Sorry if that startled you, Ms. Halo. I should’ve warned you about all that.” Avery apologized, taking a step back to stand next to her as his eyes stayed locked onto Urara’s run. She maintained a decent form, arms steady at her sides and very little bounce to her stride. “I wanted both you and Urara to understand that I’m not taking any of this lightly. I’m at Tracen with a job to do, bringing out the very best in every single Umamusume I can. And thankfully, I have some experience in understanding what that can take.”
Avery pulled a small bronze colored medallion from his pocket, the circular piece of metal emblazoned with the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor of the United States Marine Corps. He handed it to King Halo who took the medallion wordlessly, staring down at the insignia in quiet recognition.
“I’m not going to be like this forever, all hard-ass and screaming. I’m setting a tone, earning her respect as her Trainer despite the temporary nature of it all. Do you think it was too much?” Avery asked, turning to look down at King Halo who took the question with a slight flinch.
“I thought… it might be.” King admitted, dragging a thumb over the raised indentations of the emblem. “I’m sure neither of us were expecting that kind of tone. But it was fair. You laid out what she can expect from you, and you from her in return.”
“You’re more than welcome to join us whenever we train. I can see the way she looks at you, don’t underestimate what the care of a close friend is worth. She appreciates you being here.” Avery noted, eyes returning to Haru’s run.
King Halo could only watch as Avery pulled a stopwatch from his jacket pocket and looped the string around his neck, stepping forward to more carefully observe Haru’s steady jog. She had to admit, she was frightened of the man. He was large and broad in a way that lent to being easily intimidating, alongside that bellowing scream he was able to pull out of seemingly nowhere. His missing arm only lent him an air of mystery of just what he had gone through, but the medallion in her hand spoke of the untold stories he must have had.
She was scared of him. And yet, she trusted him to do right by Haru. Maybe this was exactly what Haru needed.
King Halo could only wait and see.