In a world settled by anthropomorphic horse girls known as Umamusume, countless racers chased glory on the track, striving to outrun one another and claim the title of the Greatest Umamusume. They fought tirelessly throughout their journeys, pouring in blood and sweat as each sought a glory that embodied their passion for racing.
Yet... among them was one who sought a different path. Rather than pursue a title shared by many, she aimed for something greater, something uniquely her own. She sought to become not the greatest Umamusume, but the Greatest version of herself...
...Haru Urara...
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...
...
As the morning light gently washed over the streets, laughter echoed as children chased one another through the roads, playing without care.
Meanwhile, adults headed to work.
Mailmen rode through the neighborhood to deliver their entrusted mail.
Trucks rolled past one after another.
And there, one humble little house remained in its familiar place.
It was still and quiet, like it usually was in the morning.
Until—
*BANG*
"Bye, Mom! Bye, Dad! I'm leaving!"
A girl with pink hair in a familiar purple uniform burst out from the house, dragging a piece of luggage behind her as she waved enthusiastically.
Then—
Before her mother could reach out to her, she could properly answer her...
"Be careful, oka—?!"
Urara had already dashed off down the street, skipping excitedly as she dragged her luggage along.
At that, her mother was stunned.
She then quickly stepped outside, watching the pink figure already disappearing into the distance. As eager as ever.
"Honestly… this girl…" her mother uttered in disbelief.
She could only slump, shaking her head slightly.
Then, another figure joined beside her.
Her father.
"Look at her go..."
"Look at her... look at how much she has already grown into..."
He sighed.
"It's going to feel lonely now, huh…" he murmured.
"And I'm going to miss hearing her voice around the house."
Her mother smiled faintly.
"…Yeah."
Quietly, the two remained there.
Watching their daughter grow smaller and smaller down the road.
Until she was almost out of sight.
Her mother's smile eased.
"Let's hope she's doing okay over there without us..." she added.
Her voice then lowered, murmuring in a way as if she was trying to reach her from afar.
"And... Urara..." she murmured.
"Remember that…"
"Remember that you'll always be welcome to come home."
"Your father and I will always wait for you here..."
"So... do not hesitate to come back when you feel... overwhelmed..."
"Just..."
"...Stay safe, okay…?"
"Stay safe, my little troublemaker..."
With that...
Haru Urara had finally begun her lonely journey toward Tracen Academy.
Making her way toward the station with the same bright grin she always carried.
"Just wait…!" Urara thought excitedly.
"Just wait, everyone!"
"I'll show you all how much I've grown!"
"How much closer am I to becoming the greatest Umamusume ever!"
Then—
Her smile softened further.
"And… Mary-chan…"
"I'm sure we'll meet again someday."
"So please… wait for me."
"Wait for me to become the best."
"Wait for me to become the version you can be proud of!"
Then, Urara stepped into the station.
Crossing the line that would decide the course of her future.
A future she still couldn't fully imagine.
A future she couldn't yet see.
A future that carried mystery and offered promises.
Meanwhile—
After wandering around briefly, she finally stopped at a place to wait and happily bounced on the spot while humming to herself.
Though deep down, she was nervous.
Just a little.
But...
She was Urara after all; those tiny fragments of nervousness could never hope to hold her back.
And before long, the train finally arrived with a loud screech.
Immediately, her ears perked.
"Whoa! It's here!"
Then, together with the crowd, she boarded the train.
After some wandering through the aisle, she found a seat and settled into it.
As usual, her legs began to kick lightly while she hummed softly, her body swaying gently to the rhythm.
Soon—
The train began moving.
And just like that—
She finally departed from her hometown, carrying Urara across prefectures.
Leaving behind the place she once called home.
The place that was filled with memories.
Filled with familiar faces.
And the place she cherished dearly.
Now—
She was heading toward the unknown.
Toward strangers.
Toward uncertainty.
Yet, like always—
Urara paid no attention to those worries.
Instead, she simply wore her usual grin.
Carefree as ever.
Free-minded as ever.
But unbeknownst to Urara—
The greatest challenge awaiting her was not Tracen Academy itself.
It was the journey toward it.
As in... Quite literally.
Because Urara barely remembered the directions she had been told...
...or shown when she last traveled, since she was barely awake throughout.
Like which station to stop at...
Which train to transfer to...
Which route was she supposed to follow...
And all that was just a blur inside her head.
Besides, her memories weren't always her strong suit.
Luckily—
People around her quickly realized where she was heading the moment they saw her.
Especially, that prestigious Tracen Academy uniform was recognizable enough on its own.
And so—
Her long journey continued with the reluctant assistance of countless strangers. Thanks to her everlasting brightness, none was minded.
First came Okayama Station.
Thankfully, the train from Kouchi ended there directly, making it impossible for Urara to miss her stop.
But once she arrived—
She nearly got lost immediately.
The station was gigantic compared to anything she had seen before.
And even worse—
Every shop along the way distracted her.
"Whoa! Look at those buns!"
"Eh?! That keychain is so cute!"
"Oh! They sell race magazines here?!"
Eventually, one station staff member noticed her wandering around in circles while wearing the Tracen uniform.
Running, in precise.
Realizing the situation instantly, he decided to step in and guide her toward the right platform.
Though throughout the entire trip...
The staff's composure was constantly tested as Urara repeatedly stopped mid-walk to stare at random storefronts, taking a long route to explore more.
It was a genuine nightmare for the staff to keep up.
To an extent, Urara even tried to 'escape' by dashing away.
Luckily, the staff managed to catch up to her when she was distracted.
And it happened more than once, forcing him to drag her physically before she missed the train entirely.
Fortunately, he managed to escort her safely onto the platform in time.
And before departing, Urara proudly handed him a handwritten signature.
Declaring with complete confidence that she would become the next greatest Umamusume and that he should support her career from now on.
Unable to resist her radiant grin, the exhausted staff member reluctantly accepted it.
Then, they waved goodbye as she departed...
...
...
...
Then came Tokyo.
Thankfully again, Tokyo Station was the terminal stop, so missing it was impossible.
But once she arrived, the real nightmare began.
Tokyo Station was even larger than Okayama.
And by default, it was infinitely more confusing.
To someone like Urara, it may as well have been a maze.
Perhaps an embellished maze, given the storefronts she could explore.
But... Once again, she got completely lost midway.
And once again...
Another poor station employee ended up helping her find the proper route.
Another exhausting battle it was.
Then, it was the road to her Academy.
And once again...
After countless guidance, directions, and rescue attempts from kind strangers...
Urara finally arrived.
And by the time she did, it was already late afternoon.
Her footsteps then stopped.
Alongside the rolling sound of her luggage wheels.
Slowly, she lifted her head upward.
Before her stood a massive building crowned by a towering bell tower.
Then she smiled brightly.
"Whoa! I'm back!"
"Alright!" She pumped.
"This is it…!"
"This is my time to shine!"
"Here comes…"
"URARA!" she declared as she threw both arms upward dramatically, bursting into the academy grounds while giggling excitedly.
And unfortunately for everyone nearby, her entrance announcement was loud enough to be heard from afar.
Startling some bystanders nearby.
Including by Symboli Rudolf herself.
From her office, Rudolf caught sight of the energetic pink Umamusume charging through the campus.
"Oh... she's here."
Though she didn't think much about the early arrival, given that orientation began the next day.
As students occasionally arrived ahead of schedule all the time, especially those traveling from distant prefectures.
Transport schedules were rarely matched with the schedule due to their long-distance travel.
Still, unbeknownst to Urara, there was something Rudolf needed to discuss with Urara personally.
Or rather...
Several conditions had recently been decided upon by the academy officials.
And so, Rudolf left her office and headed down to greet her...
...
...
...
Thanks to the mesmerizing structure surrounding the Three Goddesses' Well, Urara had fortunately become distracted enough to remain in one place instead of wandering off again.
By the time Rudolf arrived, she found Urara bouncing around the fountain area curiously.
And somehow, just seeing that endless energy again made Rudolf smile faintly.
"Hello, Urara," Rudolf greeted as she approached.
"It's been a while."
Immediately—
Urara whipped her head around so fast that Rudolf nearly recoiled.
"Whoa! It's Rudy!" Urara exclaimed.
Then her entire body spun around, too.
"Hi! How are you, Rudy?!"
"I'm doing fine, thank you," Symboli Rudolf replied with a small chuckle.
Then her expression straightened once more.
"Anyway, Urara…"
"There's something I would like to discuss with you personally."
"If you don't mind, please follow me to my office."
Urara's eyes sparkled instantly.
"Whoa! Did I already get assigned a race?! I can't wait!"
Rudolf laughed softly again.
"No, not quite."
"Though…" she added, her tone growing more serious, "let us hope your optimism remains intact after what I need to tell you."
Then she turned, already motioning for Urara to follow.
"Come along. I won't take much of your time."
"You must already be exhausted after traveling such a long distance."
The moment Rudolf mentioned it, Urara suddenly slowed her spinning.
"Whoa…"
She wobbled slightly on the spot.
"You're right… I am tired…"
Rudolf couldn't help chuckling again at her antics.
"Well then," she said, beckoning once more, "let's finish this quickly. Afterward, I'll have someone guide you to your dorm so you can rest before tomorrow's orientation."
Urara instantly straightened and gave a dramatic salute.
"Yes, madam!"
"Please… just call me Ru—"
Rudolf suddenly paused.
Realizing she had almost referred to herself as "Rudy."
A nickname Urara had somehow infected into her mind.
She quickly cleared her throat.
"I-I mean…"
"…Rudolf."
"Roger that, Rudy!" Urara replied instantly, still saluting proudly.
And with that—
She marched behind Symboli Rudolf in the most exaggerated way possible as they headed toward the council room.
Meanwhile, Rudolf walked ahead in silence.
Though throughout the walk, she could feel it.
The stares.
Not the usual fearful glances she normally received.
Not the respectful homage people carried around her presence.
No...
These were looks of pure confusion... Or perhaps disbelief.
Because behind the imposing Student Council President of Tracen Academy—
Was a pink-haired Umamusume marching dramatically like a soldier on parade.
Completely carefree.
Completely unafraid.
And somehow talking to Rudolf as though they were equals.
As though Rudolf were merely another ordinary student.
Not the overwhelming figure of authority and admiration that everyone else viewed her as.
The contrast was so absurd that nearly everyone they passed stopped to stare.
And for perhaps the first time in a long while, Rudolf found herself being looked at strangely instead of reverentially.