The mock race is finally here. It's an event for Uma Musume without trainers to catch the eye of one. Trainers like me are everywhere, scoping out the talent. The races are split into four categories—short distance, mile, middle distance, and long distance—with three races each. No dirt races this time, though—too few entrants.
I split from Kiryuin to find a spot with a good view. It's easier to track the Uma Musume's movements from here. Getting too close means missing other runners or messing up my timing. Most of the Uma Musume who approached me are in the middle or long-distance races. Not that I know many—just six or seven so far.
"Here we go—the first short-distance race… start!"
Gotta focus on the race.
The short-distance races had a lot of standouts, but the one who blew me away was Sakura Bakushin O in the third race, taking first. Her style was pace-setting, but she's got the chops to lead from the start and dominate.
Maruzensky, second in the first race, wasn't bad either. Her running suggests she could handle up to middle distances. The pace was brutal, which cost her, but she had a relaxed vibe—like an all-rounder with room to grow.
Taiki Shuttle, first in the first race, has serious potential. Probably not a step behind Sakura Bakushin O. If Sakura's a short-distance specialist, Taiki's built for short to mile races. Top-tier talent, no question.
Then there's Biko Pegasus, first in the second race. Solid run, but what was she fighting out there? Karenchan, who took second, matched her with equal promise. Man, tough call…
"Well, well, someone's got a serious face," a voice teases. "You're getting wrinkles, you know~"
"Yup, you, Trainer-san♪" she chirps. "Don't overthink it, okay~?"
Who's this Uma Musume? Her outfit screams racer, but I don't know her name.
"I'm a rookie," I say. "Gotta focus, or I'll miss my shot and fall behind."
"Oh my! A newbie, huh?" she says. "Nice to meet you~ I'm Super Creek. Looking forward to getting to know you~"
Something about her—her voice, her vibe—feels like pure maternal energy. Like a kindergarten teacher. Maybe she's an Uma Musume caretaker?
"I'm Hachiman Hikigaya," I say. "Nice to meet you."
"Got it~" Super Creek says. "And no need for formalities with me, okay? Honestly, I don't think any Uma Musume here needs them. We're students, and you trainers are older, after all~"
"Alright, no formalities," I say. "You're racing, right? Long-distance, if I remember."
"Yup~ Gotta show the trainers my best~" she says, patting my head.
"Why are you petting me?" I ask.
"Oh, sorry~ Just a habit," she says. "Don't mind it~"
"Creek! What're ya doin' here?!" a voice yells.
"Been lookin' everywhere for you!" another adds.
"That's my line! Your sense of direction's a nightmare, Oguri!" the first snaps.
"Oh my, Tama-chan and Oguri-chan," Super Creek says. "Sorry~ I was chatting with this trainer. Meet Tamamo Cross—she's the gray-haired one with the Kansai dialect, Tama-chan. And this is Oguri Cap—Oguri-chan."
"Tamamo Cross and Oguri Cap, huh? I'm Hachiman Hikigaya, rookie trainer. Nice to meet you," I say.
"Don't call me Tama-chan, Creek!" Tamamo snaps. "And… Creek, you already staked a claim? This guy doesn't look that impressive. Maybe pass?"
"Hey, Tama-chan!" Super Creek scolds. "Don't say that to someone you just met!"
"Just kiddin'!" Tamamo says.
"Like watching a kid get scolded by her mom… with an older sister looking on," I mutter.
"Right, right, I messed up, so Mom's mad—wait, who's a kid?!" Tamamo yells. "And Oguri's the sister?!"
"Feels like a comedy routine," I say. "Anyway, you three should start warming up. Oguri's mile, Tamamo's middle distance, Super Creek's long distance, right? Get moving, or you'll start cold."
"You're right," Oguri says, her stomach growling loudly. "Creek, Tama, let's warm up."
"Dude, you hungry?" I ask.
"Oguri's stomach growlin' is just her thing," Tamamo says. "Don't sweat it."
That's some loud growling. How starving is she? And it's a daily thing? That's kinda intense.
"Here," I say, tossing her a candy. "If it helps, suck on this. Spit it out or chew it before the race."
"Whoa!" Oguri says. "Thanks! Tama, Creek, this trainer's a good guy!"
"To you, anyone with food's a good guy," Tamamo quips.
"Let's go, you two~" Super Creek says. "Trainer Hikigaya, keep an eye on us~"
Three totally different personalities, but they vibe well together.
The short-distance races are done, and we're taking a breather before the mile races at 1600m. For the record, mile races cover 1401m to 1800m. Here's the breakdown:
Technically, 1401m kicks off the mile range, but who's splitting hairs over a meter? Still, I can't help but think Taiki Shuttle and Maruzensky got shortchanged. Those two could've shone in longer races.
In the short-distance field, Taiki Shuttle and Maruzensky stood out. Taiki's good up to 1600m, Maruzensky maybe middle distance. That's my take, anyway.
"Hey, Trainer Hikigaya, how's it going?" Rudolf calls out.
"Rudolf, Air Groove," I say. "Doing alright. Central Tressen Academy lives up to the hype—some seriously talented Uma Musume here."
"Of course," Air Groove says. "Even without trainers, we don't slack. Faculty make our menus, and we follow them."
"Nice," I say. "By the way, who's the girl on your left? I'm Hachiman Hikigaya. Mind sharing your name?"
"...You're the trainer Aneki was talking about," she says.
"I'm Narita Brian," she says. "My sister's Biwa Hayahide."
"No way, you're Hayahide's sister?" I say. "Don't look much alike, though."
"One word too many," Brian mutters.
"She's got solid trainer potential, Brian," Air Groove says. "You'd probably agree it's hard to ignore."
Brian stays silent, staring.
"Potential's irrelevant," I say. "Trainers are just polishers, sharpening an Uma Musume's skills."
"You observe closely, though," Rudolf says. "Not many trainers can jot down this much from just the short-distance races. Knowing's one thing; acting on it's another."
Air Groove and Brian lean in, eyeing my clipboard. It's just standard stuff, right? Sure, chasing first place is normal, but you've gotta see the bigger picture. Otherwise, what's the point of being here?
Also, back up a bit. You're way too close, even if you're curious.
"For a short course, that's a lot of info," Rudolf says. "The longer the race, the more you'll have. Trainer Hikigaya, mind if I see your notes after the mock races? I'm curious how I look through your eyes."
"If I can, I'll check too," Air Groove adds. "Your observation skills are decent. I might spot my weaknesses."
"Show me too," Brian says.
Why are they so into this? They weren't swarming other trainers. Why me?
"Fine, after the races," I say. "But I'm watching every Uma Musume, not zeroing in on one. I can't show you everything."
"Hmph, obviously," Air Groove says. "That's what makes a trainer."
Yeah, sure, but why do you sound so smug?
"Thanks," Rudolf says. "We'll head off now. I'm looking forward to what you write."
Why do I keep signing up for weird stuff?
"Man, Hikigaya, that's wild," a male trainer says. "Getting approached by the Emperor, the Empress, and the Monster?"
"Eh, I met Rudolf and Air Groove before," I say. "Brian's new, though."
"Still, that's huge," he says. "Those three are top-tier at Tressen Academy. Rudolf's not just top—she's in a league of her own."
"You'll see their runs today," he says. "Gonna observe closely. Catch ya later."
I knew they had an aura, but top-tier? Air Groove's middle distance, Rudolf and Brian are long distance.
"Hey, Trainer Hikigaya," Biwa Hayahide says. "Been a while since lunch."
"Yo, Hayahide," I say. "Just met your sister."
"Brian? Hope she didn't rub you the wrong way," she says. "She's got a personality. Everything okay?"
"Nah, she's fine," I say. "What's up?"
"Just saw a familiar face and wanted to say hi," she says. "No big deal."
"Cool… oh, crap," I say.
"It's fine," she says, then spots my notes. "You wrote this?"
"Yeah, racecourse-specific training menus," I say. "Tressen's track is too flat to get a real feel. So I made menus for different courses, distances, and running styles."
Hayahide stares intently.
"…You want it?" I ask.
"What?! Really?" she says.
"You're staring like you're starving for it," I say. "Take it. I've got copies."
"…Do you have menus for other racecourses?" she asks.
"Still working on them, but Central's done," I say. "Took a while… wait, what's with that look? Don't tell me you want those too? I only have Tokyo's on me."
"Then after the mock races, can I see them?" she asks.
Rudolf's group already asked, but it won't take long, so whatever.
"Alright, after the races," I say. "Might need a bit of time, that okay?"
"Of course!" Hayahide says. "Thanks, Trainer Hikigaya!"
She walks off, tail wagging, practically glowing. That exciting, huh? I'll never get it.