Chapter Text
"You remind me of a girl I used to train a long time ago."
The woman lying in the hospital bed said that to me.
"Do I? I would say an uma musume as far removed from an ordinary one as I am is rather rare."
"No, really, you do look quite a lot like her. She had chestnut hair like yours, and beautiful red eyes that looked like they might draw you in. Do you maybe have a relative who raced a long time ago?"
"Not that I know of. As far as I am aware, none of my relatives look like me."
"I see... But you really do look so much alike..."
"What was her name? If she was well-known, perhaps I may have heard of her."
"Hmm, that's the problem. I just can't remember her name. It's like that part alone has been painted over in solid black... I remember what she looked like for the most part, and I remember that she raced, but..."
"You shouldn't force yourself to remember. The doctor told you that as well, did she not? Memory is something that comes back by chance. Though I have to say, if you are in such a state and that former trainee of yours has never once come to see you, she must be a rather coldhearted girl."
"Right!? She treated me like a guinea pig, but I still thought we were working together as a team... I made her lunch every day too... Maybe she didn't trust me that much... Compared to that, you're so kind. You come here and talk to me every day, even though I'm a total stranger to you."
"Think nothing of it. This is something like a small life work of mine. You may consider it part of a little research project."
"Research, huh... The girl I trained did that kind of thing too, I think... I can't remember much, but I think it was something about emotions..."
"You are right. For a mere resemblance between strangers, it is quite striking. To think there is another uma musume besides me carrying out that kind of research. Well, that topic can wait. Why not watch television once in a while? Taking in information is important."
With trembling hands, I picked up the remote and turned on the television.
It happened to be showing the midday news.
"Our next story. The research team at XX Research Institute has announced that they have begun animal testing on a therapeutic drug for Alzheimer's and other brain-related illnesses. If completed, the drug is expected to become a breakthrough treatment for conditions that have long been considered difficult to treat, and may even restore memories lost due to illness. Experts say..."
On the screen were several researchers in white coats, and alongside them, one uma musume also wearing a white coat.
"Huh? Isn't that you on the screen? What!? You're that famous of a researcher!?"
"It is nothing so impressive. My intellect merely happens to be slightly superior to that of ordinary people."
"Wow... what a humble brag... So you really are amazing. But is this okay? If you're doing research like that, shouldn't you not be here all day...?"
"Not at all. I come here between research sessions, so you need not worry. And as I said earlier, this is my little life work. If I do not do this, I cannot get into form."
"Huh. I guess that's how it works. But if this medicine is finished, maybe my illness will get better too..."
"It will. No, I will absolutely cure it...!"
I spoke with more force than I intended and hurried to smooth it over.
"Ah, no, my apologies... Progress has been somewhat poor lately, and I became a little emotional."
"Don't worry about it. I was just a little surprised... It must be really important research."
"Yes... Someone I know has a similar case, you see. To put it plainly, I began this research for her sake."
"I see... So she's that important to you..."
"...Yes... she is..."
"When the medicine is done, let me be the second person you give it to!"
"I do not mind, but... why second? Do you not want to be the first?"
"To be honest, I do. But give it to the person who's precious to you first. I can come after that. Oh, I know! Once that person and I both get better, let's go somewhere together! I'll bring the girl I trained too! I'm sure the two of you would get along!"
"...Yes. That does not sound bad at all."
"Then it's decided!" she said. I turned my face away so that she would not see what was about to spill from my eyes.
I am sorry. If it were your wish, I would like to grant it. But that alone I cannot do. Because—
Saying how much she looked forward to it, she gazed at the photo frame sitting on the stand beside her bed.
Inside it was...
The uma musume you say you trained is me.
It was a photograph of the two of us, taken when I won the Classic Triple Crown.