Chapter Text
"Who do you think is going to win today, Trainer?" Haru asks as she jumps up and down.
"Tazuna and I both think Maruzensky has it this year. You can let go of me, by the way." Trainer Starlit Cynthie responds to Haru.
"You already bent the railing during qualifying. You are banned from standing near them, Cynthie." Tazuna scolds.
"That was not first-rate at all of you, Trainer." King flips her hair. "We have appearances to keep, after all."
"Can you at least let go of me so we can grab some snacks before the race?" Tazuna releases Cynthie and she takes the mob of Kawakami Princess, Haru, Dream Journey. Orfevre huffs until Bijou drags her away.
"How are you and Kawakami doing, King? It is quite a big deal to have your first official trainee." Tazuna asks.
"She will become a wonderful Umamusume with time. Trainer has been quite the help forming her training plans. After helping Haru so much, Kawakami is a nice change of energy and pace."
"I never would have thought you would enjoy something like this, Xanthus?" Aoi asks her niece.
"I don't." Xanthus wears heavy ear covers and her ears are pinned back. "The noise is a lot for me, but Meek wanted to go so badly."
"Thank you, Xan." Meek pats Xan's head and she slaps away Meek's hand.
"Big sis, what are you writing down? You and Aunty Aoi are barely paying attention."
Flight stares needles onto the track. She grits her teeth as she speaks. "Nothing, sweetie. How about you and Meek go get some snacks, okay?"
Meek shrugs and takes Xan's hand, leading her away from the noise towards the food.
"You've seen all of this so far too right, Aoi?" Flight asks.
"Yes, I am taking down notes as well. Bakushin is reckless, her trainee clearly does not want to do this."
"It's put a bad taste in my mouth. Would you mind if we left after the opening ceremony? Xan and Meek will be fine here by themselves." Flight takes Aoi's hand. "Plus I would like a far better taste in my mouth." Flight whispers into Aoi's ear.
Aoi's face burns crimson as she slaps Flight's shoulder playfully. "Keep it together, honey. Yes, we can leave after the opening. I think we have more than enough information."
On the stage, Taiki Shuttle walks out flanked by three British men. One short, one tall, and one old. She taps her mic before starting.
"Well, hello everybody! What a beautiful day for a race today! Today will make history as either the day Sakura Bakushin O wins her ninth title or the day somebody is brave enough to stop her! I've been asked to prepare a few words before the race." Taiki pulls a note out from the pocket of her flannel before clearing her throat.
A hush descends over the crowd, as those who've learned what to expect from Taiki's opening speeches quiet their neighbors in anticipation.
After an appropriate silence, Taiki's voice booms out across the stadium, reverberating through the stands. "Heavenly Goddesses, we thank you tonight for all your blessings! You said in 'all things give thanks'!"
"So, we want to thank you tonight for these mighty machines that you have brought before us!"
"Thank you for the Umadges and the Umayotas!"
"Thank you for the Umords and most of all we thank you for Red Shift, partnering to give us the power that we see before us tonight!"
"Thank you for UMA performance technology and the R31 engines!"
"Thank you for Umtastic racing fuel and Wild Frontier tires that bring performance and power to the track!"
"Shiaroki, I want to thank you for my smoking hot wife tonight, Fuku!!!!"
"My two Dear Chance and Deep Summerm or as we like to call them 'the lil D's'!!!"
"Goddesses, I pray you bless the drivers and use them tonight, may they put on a performance worthy of this great track!"
"In Shiaroki's name, boogity, boogity, BOOGITY!"
The crowd erupts in roars of excitement as the four hosts wave and smile. Down on the course, the drivers get the green flag and bein their formation lap.
I start up the kart and begin weaving through the formation lap, warming the tires in the process. Maruzensky sticks closely behind me, wanting to finish her lap at the same time as me. The rest of the racers follow in line.
Pheww, okay Bakushin. Thirty laps. You've done this many times before. Release the jitters. Olive will be fine. Focus on your own race.
Even still, as I return to the finish line my head is fuzzy. Olive really slapped my hand? I drum my thumbs on the steering wheel. Green flag. Watch the lights.
Hold.
Hold.
Hold.
Hold.
NOW!!!
The final light flashes and I gun it away hard. Short straightaway into the first right hander. Come out clean out of turn two and weave through the 'S' curves. Don't look behind yourself, Bakushin. You know Maruzensky is there, keep your head level. Through turn nine now, I gun it under the straight and prepare for the hairpin. I hope Oli-
AGH!
Tires squeal at me from a hot entry. Maruzensky strikes and passes me through the inside. CHOWA! That was such a rookie mistake what is wrong with me today?
"[OH NO, AFTER A BIT OF A SPEEDY ENTRY BAKUSHIN HAS BEEN PUSHED BACK TO SECOND!]"
"YES, GO GET 'EM MARUZENSKY!!!!!!" For once, Cynthie is having to hold back Tazuna from the railing. "She is going to win for sure this year, right, Cynthie?"
"She sure does know how to drive! If she treats the kart anything like her Lambo, then she has this." Cynthie replies.
"Pff, to allow a commoner to pass her so easily. Bakushin O must be king in title only." Orfevre scoffs.
"Oh you never know, Orfevre. Things can change in a flash." Bijou responds while holding tight to Orfe.
"[MARUZENSKY AND BAKUSHIN CROSS THE LINE TOGETHER ON THE END OF THE FIFTH LAP! NANDO OLANSO AND OLIVINE ARE HOLDING CLOSE NEAR THE BACK OF THE PACK!]"
"What do you think made the trainers leave so quickly?" Meek asks her roommate.
"Probably reached the amount of Bakushin O they can handle in a single day." Xan brings her hood up and cinches it down to prevent further noise.
Meek takes a seat next to Xan. "We can go too, if you're not having fun."
Xan perks up a little and looks to Meek. "I'm trying… it is just really loud." Meek just nods to Xan and heads towards the vendor area. She returns with an industrial pair of ear plugs.
"Here, put these on." Meek passes them to Xan. She carefully inserts them and her ears perk back up.
"{Thank you, Meek}" Xan signs to Meek, a skill she picked up in middle school. Xan attended a small set of schools near her families home in the hopes of bringing her out of her shell. Meek nods to Xan and scoots closer. Xan does not protest.
COME ON BAKUSHIN, JUST A LITTLE BI- no. Keep you head level. Plenty of race left. I have to focus better, mistakes like these will cost me everything. What is wrong with me today?
Eighteen laps left, I'm back in first. Maruzensky has fallen to third. Stig is behind me. Lightning battles for fourth. Nando and Olivine are competing for last. Deep breaths. Keep it steady. My hands are shaking and things don't feel right.
"[BAKUSHIN CROSSES THE LINE COMPLETING THE THIRTEENTH LAP! STIG AND MARUZENSKY ARE CLOSE BEHIND! LOOKS LIKE THE REAR OF THE RACE IS TURNING INTO QUITE A DUEL! WILL OUR NEWCOMER OLIVINE BE ABLE TO ESCAPE LAST?]"
That's the question isn't it, Olive? Can you? Did I make the right choice bringing you today?
You can do it.
"YES, GO BAKUSHIN!!!! SHOW THEM!!!!" Kawakami Princess belts out her lungs to the track.
"Kawakami! There is no need for yelling like that. It is unbefitting of us." King Halo chides.
"BUT KING!!!! BAKUSHIN IS SO COOL WITH HER PINK GEAR!!!!" Kawakami cries out.
"Yeah, King! Let her cheer!!" Haru supports her junior.
"Fine, fine. Do your best to give first-rate cheers, then." With a sigh, King steps back and takes a seat with Cynthie.
"Quite a rambunctious trainee you have there." Cynthie jokes, throwing a piece of popcorn in her mouth.
"She is as much your trainee as mine. You could do better as a mentor in keeping her in line."
"Let her have some fun, King. It's what today is for."
"[MARUZENSKY IN A BRILLIANT MOVE GOES FROM THIRD ALL THE WAY TO FIRST AS BOTH BAKUSHIN AND STIG SKID THEIR TIRES!!!]"
Cynthie nearly throws her popcorn as she jumps up. "YES, MARUZENSKY!!!! GO GET IT!!!!"
King reaches her hand to rub between her eyes. "You're all beyond help sometimes."
AGH, BAKUSHIN! YOU HAVE TO CALM DOWN! MISTAKES LIKE THAT WILL LOSE YOU THE RACE!!
It's fine. Keep going. Feel out the track. Flow through it. I can't get my mind off of Olive. How is she doing? Was this right for me to do?
I keep pace for several more laps in third, Lightning will be making her move soon from fourth. Olivine is still in last, half a second behind Olanso according to the board. STIG WENT WIDE!
I catch the inside of the corner pushing Stig back to third. Maruzensky has made up nearly a second in front of me. Time to chase her down. I can do pace chasing, right?
With the sensory overload gone, Xan glows with excitement. She and Meek share a pile of greasy food together.
"{Who is going to win? I hope the teacher. Don't know how to sign} Olivine." Xanthus speaks the last word.
"Why do you want Olivine to win?"
"{She was nice to me at cooking club, like we have talked about.}" Xan lets out another smile as she eats some fries.
"She was very kind to you." Meek offers her hand. "Want to see better?"
Xan tilts her head and takes Meek's hand. Meek effortlessly lifts the much smaller Uma onto her shoulders. With nowhere to grab for balance, Xan accidentally get ahold of Meek's ears for stability, which flutter and flick in her hands before settling. Xan adjusts, releasing Meek's ears and patting her head.
She leans forward to puts a thumbs up in front of Meek's face. Meek responds by holding tight to Xan's ankles, keeping her in place.
"[WITH TEN LAPS TO GO, MARUZENSKY AND BAKUSHIN CONTINUE DUELING FOR FIRST!!]"
I don't know if I can win today. My brain is in a hundred places. How is Olive doing? Is she having fun? I keep making laughable mistakes, unable to focus on the race.
I exit out of Spoon Curve heading onto the backstraight and the bridge. Ahead, I can see Olive right on the tail of Olanso. Are you content to sit in the back forever?
I get closer to her as she rounds the corner towards the bridge-
Wait-
I see her hands, her eyes, her body language. This isn't the Olive who started the race.
A smile creeps across my face. You're going for it aren't you? See you at the finish line, Olive. Let's see your determination.
At the start of the race:
As I finish the formation lap, I take my spot on the grid. I'm dead last.
You can do this, Olivine. This is similar enough to the little leagues I did in college. Just... against actual pros. In a different vehicle. And a different body.
Bakushin trusts you to be here, even when you're not at your best. I can't believe I pushed her away. Shake it off. I can apologize after the race. Right now, I need to win.
As the lights go off, I follow in close to the driver ahead of me. They are driving a lot more aggressively than me. I'll need to match some of their speed as I go. I follow through the first few turns, trying to get more of a handle on this machine.
"[OH NO, AFTER A BIT OF A SPEEDY ENTRY BAKUSHIN HAS BEEN PUSHED BACK TO SECOND!]"
Slipping up, Bakushin? That's unlike you. Although I may not know as much about her as I thought. I can't believe she has been doing this for years and didn't tell me sooner. Guess she really is content to stay in the passenger seat.
You're a fuckup too, Michael.
I nearly jerk my kart off the road at the sudden hit to my head like an idiot, but I recover and keep going. Focus, Olivine. Your name is Olivine.
My moment of distraction cost me half a car length on that last turn. I wish those voices would get out of my head.
I push the gas harder through the next set of laps, unable to get closer to the driver ahead.
Just go ahead and quit, it is all you're good for.
Ugh. I grit my teeth and dash forward trying everything in my power to close the gap to the driver ahead. The vibration in my seat jitters through me, but none of it gives me the speed I need. Nothing I do is working! Why can't I catch up to her?!
"[MARUZENSKY AND BAKUSHIN CROSS THE LINE TOGETHER ON THE END OF THE FIFTH LAP! NANDO OLANSO AND OLIVINE ARE HOLDING CLOSE NEAR THE BACK OF THE PACK!]"
Last place. Damnit. Can't you do anything right, Michael?
To hell with this. I pull my steering wheel, hard, leaning into the turn so the tires grip, pulling me forward around the outside of the curve, dragging me into position to pass around the outsi-
The buzzing hum of wheel against road disappears. No bite, no pressure against my ribs as I lean into a turn that doesn't come. Just a hollow, sliding numbness through the steering wheel. The kart keeps pointing straight ahead while the road curves to the left. Then the rear starts its lazy, greasy walk toward the outside.
Lift off the throttle! Slam the breaks and yank the steering wheel into position, idiot! No. And I'm not an idiot. I've hit green track, dusty and unrubbered. But I know how to deal with this, and I don't have to panic.
Instead of slamming the breaks and jerking the steering, I straighten the steering wheel gently, trusting the power steering to do its job, then stab the throttle. It's not going to-
It catches. The steering column grabs me, like a tug on a fishing line, and I'm back in the race.
Well, I'm dead last now, that's for sure.
Heh. Did I just smile?
Twenty-five laps left.
Gassing it out of the corner I continue my pursuit. Please little kart, go a bit faster for me.
I'm playing too cautiously, I know. I'm trying my best to have fun and show up today, I just can't find the strength.
You're not strong. You're a weak excuse for a man.
I feel a tear begin to stream down my face as it evaporates in the heat. Leave me alone. It's bad enough having to fight the kart, I need my head on my side. Bakushin just keeps getting further and further away from me. This isn't the Uma I want to be.
"[BAKUSHIN CROSSES THE LINE COMPLETING THE THIRTEENTH LAP! STIG AND MARUZENSKY ARE CLOSE BEHIND! LOOKS LIKE THE REAR OF THE RACE IS TURNING INTO QUITE A DUEL! WILL OUR NEWCOMER OLIVINE BE ABLE TO ESCAPE LAST?]"
Will I? Will I escape this? I've already lost an entire week of training because of my trauma. They are still taking things from me.
That's because you don't deserve any of this, Michael. You're a waste of space and energy.
Stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it. LEAVE ME ALONE!
I can feel my entire body vibrate. Paying attention to the race is becoming difficult. My breath is coming hard. You need to calm down, Olivine. You can't panic out here. Keep it together. Focus on what is ahead.
Bakushin. She's ahead.
"[MARUZENSKY!! IN A BRILLIANT MOVE, SHEGOES FROM THIRD ALL THE WAY TO FIRST AS BOTH BAKUSHIN AND STIG SKID THEIR TIRES!!!]"
Bakushin, what is happening to you? You are some supposed champion of this and yet you're making the same kind of mistakes that I am.
You're dragging her down. Just like you do everybody.
I am not. No way.
I can't.
Keep going, Olivine. I'm almost caught back up to Olanso. Stay on their tail. Wait for an opening.
"[WITH TEN LAPS TO GO MARUZENSKY AND BAKUSHIN CONTINUE DUELING FOR FIRST!!]"
Do you need to be reminded of the scars on you? The permanent indicator of your place? All those days you went hungry. The walks in the snow. The lack of love given to you. It was all on purpose. You're worthless, Michael.
Trash.
Scum.
Unworthy.
stop
Hideous.
Terrible.
stop
Waste of space.
stop
Worthless.
I SAID STOP! STOP! STOP!
OUT OF MY HEAD!
YOU CAN'T CONTROL ME ANY LONGER! YOU HAVE NO PLACE HERE!
I open my eyes to find myself… on a porch? I sweep my eyes around the area. It's some isolated house in the middle of a flowery meadow. Okay, what's going on?
Without much else to go on, I turn to the front door and give it a few knocks.
"Hello? Anybody home?" Silence in return.
As I go to knock again the door swings open. Little creepy, but I guess I have to find out what's happening with me.
I apprehensively step inside. I am instantly enveloped in a feeling of home. Not the bad one, a good feeling. I start inspecting the area until my eyes fall on the dining room. At the center of the table was a chocolate cake with frosting and sprinkles.
"Hello?"
I nearly hit the ceiling at the sound of the voice. Tail shoots up into the sky and I yelp. At the end of the table sits a featureless figure. Almost like a glowing mannequin.
"Sorry! I didn't mean to scare you! I wasn't sure when you would finally find this place."
A thousand feelings flow through my brain. They're waiting on me? What the hell is going on??
"Uhm, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to just walk in. I found myself here. I can leave, sorry again."
"You're quite alright. Nobody is here on purpose. Come and sit. Do you want some cake?"
Cake does sound good.
I take a seat and a plate and fork materialize in front of me. A piece of cake floats to the plate. Oh Goddesses, am I dead or something? Did I crash?
"Am I dead? What is this place?"
"Far from it. I can feel your pain from so far away, Olivine. I wasn't sure when you would finally find me here."
"Who are you? I'm so confused."
"I can't answer everything today. Your time is coming to a close soon. Think of this as another home for you. I can't share much. Just, know. You're being looked after."
The figure stands up and walks towards me.
"You carry so much hurt. I'm so sorry. It won't be easy. You have to find your strength again."
"How? How can I possibly do that? It feels like I'm chained to the bottom of a lake. I can't escape them." I feel tears starting again.
"You have to find it within yourself. Here. This will help."
The figure opens their arms and beckons for me. I stand up and with caution to accept the hug.
I feel a warmth surround me I've never felt in my entire life. My knees go weak and they hold me tight. My head feels clear for the first time in a week.
"What did you do to me? What is this? Why do I feel like this?"
"I'm giving you back some of the love you missed, Olivine. Take it with you. I'll be watching. Now, you have a race to finish right?"
She releases me and waves. Blinking again, I'm back in the kart.
My head is fine. The voices gone. It feels like I'm glowing. I have a race to finish!
Time to hit it hard. I delete the gap between Olanso and I, chasing him into Degner Curve.
Above me, I see her. I'm going to catch you one day, Bakushin.
I scream out with all of my lungs and heart and emotions into the air as I see her eyes look down at me. I pass Olanso under the bridge and ace the hairpin.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, YES!!!! NOT LAST ANYMORE!!!!!" I let out the biggest of smiles as I blast down the back straight. I can feel everything. The wind, the warmth of the sun, the happiness from the crowd. Let's give them something to remember, Olivine.
"[WHAT IS THIS FOLKS! BAKUSHIN HAS RECLAIMED FIRST! THE JITTERS SURROUNDING HER MOVEMENTS HAVE VANISHED! HAS THE KING RETURNED?! OLIVINE IN THE BACK IS MOVING QUICKLY UP THE GRID AS WELL! SHE HAS SECURED SIXTH POSITION!]"
"YES, BAKUSHIN! GO GET IT!" Just a few laps left to see how far I can go!
Racing is so much fun! Faster and faster I go. YES, THEY SKID OUT! I take fifth!
The final laps tick away as I try to chase down fourth place, but I never make it.
"[SAKURA BAKUSHIN O CROSSES THE LINE IN FIRST PLACE! SHE HAS KEPT HER TITLE HERE TODAY!]"
I finish my final lap and go into the pits. Undo my harness instantly and I run to her. I see her hands are shaking from behind struggling with the harness.
I crouch and take one of her hands.
"Let me get it, Bakushin." I undo her harness and pick her up out of the kart, bringing her into a tight hug.
"Thank you, for believing in me. I needed this today."
She removes her helmet and I do the same. "I've missed your smile, Olive."
"I've missed yours. Now let us celebrate! You just won!!!" I lift her up and spin her around in a hug.
"CHOWA, OLIVE!!" She gives up and laughs away in my arms.
The awards ceremony goes great. Bakushin crowd surfs while holding onto her new trophy. I watch her while I wear a huge smile on my face. Things are going to be okay, someday. I believe it. The other drivers congratulate her and myself in a small party.
As the crowd begins to thin, I notice an absolute giant of a man sticking out with two Umamusume next to him. He has to be pushing two hundred centimeters in height and nearly all of that in width as well. A pink earring on his right ear swishes as he walks. The wall of a man approaches with the two Umamusume.
I'm a little on guard as Bakushin steps forward towards the man, no fear in her eyes. She plants her two feet staring up at him.
He scowls a little as he opens his mouth to speak. "Bakushin, Bakushin, Bakushin?" What?
Bakushin returns the look. "Bakushin, Bakushin, Bakushin." What is going on?
"Bakushin."
"Bakushin."
"BAK SHIN SHIN!!" They both yell out in unison.
The man picks her up and squeezes her into a bear hug. He drops Bakushin and she then picks him up returning the hug.
"Hello? Mind filling me in?" I ask with apprehension in my voice.
The older of the two Umamusume steps towards me as Bakushin and the man conduct some kind of secret hand shake.
"Hello dear, I am Sakura Hagoromo. This is La Traviata and my husband: Yutaka Ouja. You're Olivine, one of my daughter's new trainees?" Her voice is joyful and boisterous. Like a more refined, older Bakushin.
Oh Goddesses, I am meeting her family.
"Yes!" I stand to attention. "My name is Olivine. I am a teacher and friend of Bakushin. She has been gracious enough to take me under her wing as a trainee."
"Oh darling, we know. My little Baku has done quite a bit of talking about yo-" Bakushin appears from behind and puts her hand over her mother's mouth.
"Not the time, mom!" She releases her hand.
She ruffles Bakushin's hair in return. "Why can't I talk to your new little friend, Baku? She is as cute as you mentioned."
Bakushin pulls the other Uma over. "This is La Traviata! My little sister! But I call her Lata."
Lata rolls her eyes. "Yes, that is my name. Whatever. Hey, nice to meet you, I guess." I shake her hand as it is offered.
"So, young lady! Come over here and have a talk with dad." Mr. Ouja points directly at me and walks a few paces away. Bakushin shoves me and gives me a thumbs up. I walk a little away with him.
"Was there something you needed, Mr. Ouja?"
"Don't need to be so formal, just call me dad. That work for you?" I nod. Dad? More like future father-in- Focus, Olivine! "Perfect! Now, this is the only time so far that we have met, but my Baku really has taken a shine to you." I can feel the crimson returning to my face. "She mentioned you have been going through some hardships lately. I won't pry into your business, especially since I just met you. But here, I'd like you to have this." Dad, I can feel a few tears in my eyes, hands me a sealed card.
"In there I have a few helpful things, along with a Sakura Farms credit card. You ever need something, you use that. We have more money than we know what to do with. Take care of yourself, okay?"
"I. I? I don't know what to say? Thank you, are you sure?"
"Come here, kid" He opens up his arms and pulls me in. It is possibly the gentlest, most caring embrace I have ever felt. "It'll be okay. You ever need somewhere to get away for a bit, we have a guest house. You're always welcome if you needed some time. Just as long as you keep being such a nice girl to my Baku after all!" He lets out a big laugh and releases me. "Maybe one day you can earn one of these, too." He flicks his sakura earring.
"I think I'd like that very much, someday." I smile up at him.
"Thata girl." He pats my back a few times and walks me back to the family. Dad gives a big smile to his wife.
"It has been a long day for everybody. You two have a drive back to the beach and we have to make it to the hotel room. Let us take you both out to breakfast tomorrow, alright?" Sakura Hagoromo's voice is enchanting. So full of life and love, I haven't heard someone like her in my entire life.
"Of course, mom!! Just text me where we will meet!"
A few more hugs were exchanged before we all went our separate ways. Bakushin and I get changed, then head into the Bakumobile. I grab passenger seat since she beat me to the driver's seat. I lean myself closer to her.
"So, Ms. Bakushin O. You lied a little to me. You can really drive."
"I wouldn't say it was a lie! I just like driving fast! The speed limits and I have disagreements!" She puffs her chest as the Bakumobile fires up.
"Thank you again, for today. I needed this. I feel a lot better now. I don't know if I'll ever be past it all, but thank you for trying to hard to help me."
"Of course! What kind of trainer and friend would allow you to go without help." She smiles to me. "We have some training to get you caught up on, if you're ready for it. Your first G3 race is coming up!"
"Yes, yes it is. We should start tomorrow."
As we drive into the setting sun I feel warm. Somethings will work out. I squeeze my hand in Bakushin's. I know it will eventually.
