A/N: Sorry for the fans of my other fanfic, I prioritized writing this rather than that. I was planning to write both on the last day of April, but my old acquaintance called me up to catch up on things. Long story short, I was drunk as fuck and the next day, my head was hurting so I didn't do much. But still, I have almost finished writing it, but it just so happens that I want to publish this chapter first before the other one.
Anyways, Ciao!
_________________
1st Person POV: Minami
The morning air at Churchill Downs was shaking, like literally.
May 7, 1977.
I stood at the sidelines, clipboard in hand, watching Karen go through her final warm-up routine. The crowd was already building - over 124,000 people would fill this place by post time. Some were sitting but others are standing - Yes, Standing. Because they don't want to miss one of the biggest stage in American horse girl racing.
"How're you feeling?" I asked as she jogged past.
She stopped, turned to face me. That same emotionless expression, but I could see the faint tremor in her hands.
"Nervous," she admitted quietly.
(A/N Fun fact: I based her personality off Oguri Cap. Hehe, sorry not sorry.)
"Good, getting Nervous is normal, what is not good though is getting controlled by that nervousness, so be strong and win this race beautifully, Karen!" I smiled at her while extending my arm trying to hit the fist bump with her.
She look directly at my hand, she then put her head in my hand as if to want to pat her?
I sighed and patted her head. I guess that works.
[BAKANAMI, HER HEART RATE IS ELEVATED. 142 BPM.] Rin's voice chimed in my head.
'Yeah, I can see that, it's common sense. Look at her shaking' But that really isn't considered shaking. It's more as if she is getting filled with fighting spirit.
[JUST MAKING SURE YOU KNOW, IDIOT.]
After I was done patting her head, I then smiled at her.
"Also," I added with a smirk, "you promised me you'd win, remember? And I don't accept broken promises."
That got a small smile out of her. Barely visible, but there.
"Mhm... I remember."
My dad approached, his usual carefree demeanor replaced by laser focus. He looked at Karen, then at me, then back at Karen.
"Bring 'em Home KAREN!!!" I take back what I said, he is NOT laser focused.
"Yes, Trainer." Karen straightened her back.
"Good. Now get in that damn gate and show them why they call you Slew."
____________________
The starting gate was a confined space of metal and tension. I watched from the rail as each Umamusume loaded in. For Umas, the starting gate is a test of nerves as much as speed. This stage determines where you as an Umamusume will place and it also plays a big part in your victory if utilized perfectly in the Umamusume's running style.
For example, if your a front runner, it is always, and ALWAYS a necessity to break first. If you break the gate late as a front runner, it's basically a death sentence.
Pace Chasers are mostly same as Front Runners, but less severe, since you have more room to maneuver as a pace chaser.
As a Late Chaser, they are mostly of secondary concern.
Meanwhile as a End Closer, it's basically non-existent. What Gate Break? Fuck it, I'll brute force my way through whether you like it or not!
Anyways, back to the race.
The field was stacked. Fifteen Umamusume. With one goal in mind.
[THE COMPETITORS, HOST...]
'I can see them, Rin.'
Iron Constitution in Gate 1 - a powerful closer known for her devastating final kick. Run Dusty Run in Gate 5 - front runner with ridiculous early speed. And Get the Axe in Gate 10 - a versatile mid-pack runner who could adapt to any pace.
Karen was in Gate 13.
The crowd's roar was like a a series of waves violently crashing on the shores (A/N: Sorry for the bad Analogy)
I glanced at my dad. He is relaxed. Seems like he believes Karen got this in the bag, but I still can't help but be anxious...
"She's got this," I said trying to calm my nerves.
"I know. I saw how much you two worked. If you two lost, I would kill myself just to have a chance to beat up those Three Goddesses bastards!" Goddamn it, even in this situation he still got guts to joke around?!
Also, what you said was Heretical Dad! Atleast realize that people are looking at you weirdly right now!
The bell rang.
CLANG!
"AND THEY'RE OFF IN THE 103RD KENTUCKY DERBY!"
Karen broke cleanly - she didn't stumble, she seems like she is in the zone.
Run Dusty Run immediately gunned for the lead, her early speed on full display. But Karen...
"Isn't she going too fast?" I breathed.
She was the first place. She is leading the 2nd placer, Run Dusty Run over 3 lengths.
[ANALYZING PACE... 22.8 SECONDS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER MILE. THAT'S FAST, BAKANAMI.]
'Too fast?'
[...YEAH. BUT IF ANYONE CAN SUSTAIN IT, IT'S HER. THOSE BRUTAL TRAINING BOTH OF YOU AND YOUR DAD SUBJECTED HER, IM EVEN MORE SURPRISED THAT SHE DIDN'T COME OUT AS A MASOCHIST AFTER BOTH OF YOU PASS HER BACK AND FORTH TO BE TORMENTED.]
'Can you not... Word it out weirdly please?'
The two of them hit the first turn, RDR (A/N: Run Dusty Run) following closely behind Karen, who never gave an inch to her. The rest of the field was already four lengths back, content to let the speed demons burn themselves out.
The half-mile marker flashed. 46.2 seconds.
Run Dusty Run was starting to fade. Just slightly - a half-step here, a quarter-length there. But Karen's stride never wavered. Perfect, and feral. That's her style of running. It's controlled chaos. Since it's hard to wire her to run according to science, and with Umamusumes like her who run based on intuition, it's even more impossible. So Martin, who hated the quote unquote "Scientific" way of running decided to destroy the plan the i made. Then he directly teach him an ingenious way of training an Umamusume.
Umamusume racing is like music. And every Umamusume has a specific Rhythm and Cadence to them. For example RDR now in this race, goes something like {Dum, Dum, Dum, Dum, Dum}. Very controlled with long and fast drum beats. A very scientific way of the front running style.
Pace Chaser are more deliberate and controlled.
The Late and End Chaser got those slow beats, a more of a {Badum, Badum, Badum.} A very restrained style.
Karen in the past, goes something like this. {DADADADADADADADADADA} a fast and successive Rhythm beat.
As a trainer, your job is like a composer. Make it harmonize, efficient and sound good.
According to dad's words. Running is like Poetry in Motion which is like music. And everybody is playing their own song. Yes, everybody samples or takes inspiration to different artist but they are playing their own beat, their own unique song. That's why the "Scientific" way of running sounds preposterous in Dad's ears. It removes the style and the beat that defines an Umamusume.
Now, Karen has a more restrained, yet feral feel to it. The beat and the style is unique, that's why it works.
"SEATTLE SLEW MAINTAINED THE LEAD!" The announcer's voice cracked with excitement.
Three-quarters. 1:10.2s
The closers started their moves. Iron Constitution swung wide, her legs churning as she began to reel in the stragglers. Get the Axe found racing room on the inside, splitting other Umas like threading a needle.
But Karen was gone. Four lengths clear from her competitor in the whole race and yet she still has energy to have more kick. It was already an overkill and yet there are still skills she hasn't activated.
[UNIQUE SKILL ACTIVATION DETECTED.]
I saw a faint rainbow glow surround her. Seems like she is activating her ultimate.
[SKILL: "THE JET BLACK WAR DANCE LV.3" - ACTIVE]
Her stride changed. She seemingly danced... Yes, Danced. She is dancing her way through the finish line. With her flexible legs, she is making the final stretch her own performance stage to let all of America - No. All of the world see!
"SIX LENGTHS! SEVEN! SEATTLE SLEW IS LEAVING ALL HER COMPETITORS IN THE DUST!"
The finish line is approaching fast.
Eight lengths. The Uma's are trying their best, and yet...
Nine.
"SEATTLE SLEW WINS THE KENTUCKY DERBY BY NINE AND THREE-QUARTER LENGTHS!"
The time flashed on the board: 2:02.2
Seattle Slew would have been the fastest after getting this time. With the sole exception of Secretariat who finished this race back in the day at 1:59.4 seconds. (A/N: Secretariat is lowk on demon time back then)
But of course, there is no need for comparison.
Karen crossed the line and gradually slowed, her chest heaving. But even from here, I could see it—that faint smile on her face. Even being with her almost all the time, I rarely see her smile. Seeing her serenely smile like this, it's almost addictive to the eye.
The winner's circle was chaos.
Cameras flashing like there is no tomorrow. Reporters shouting questions. Officials trying to organize the ceremonial draping of the garland of roses.
Karen stood in the center of it all, looking slightly dazed but handling it with her usual stoic expression. My dad was doing interviews, his voice carrying over the din as he praised her work ethic and natural talent.
I hung back, letting them have their moment.
"Minami!"
I turned. Karen had broken away from the officials, jogging toward me. She then hugged me. I panicked a bit, but isn't it normal to develop a good relationship with your charge? I mean half a charge I guess but still...
"Did I do good?" she asked quietly.
"Good?" I laughed. "That was beyond good Karen." I smiled and patted her head. And the camera crews, not missing out on the scoop directly took pictures.
My dad then went and block their views.
"Hey! There isn't going on between Karen and my son, so stop gossiping and scram!"
She looked at father and then laughed faintly.
"The next two will be harder," I warned. "Everyone's going to study that race. They'll know you can go fast early. They'll try to—"
"Minami." She looked up. "I'm not worried."
"Yeah?"
"Because you'll be there." Oof... This girl is truly too honest. My heart almost skipped a beat.
I tried to force a smile before answering "...Yeah. I will be."
[OI, BAKANAMI. STOP MAKING GIRLS FALL FOR YOU.]
'Goddamnit...'
[HMPH. IDIOT.]
Two weeks later. Preakness Stakes.
The field was smaller - only nine fillies - but they are tougher. With the bitter experience in the Kentucky Derby still fresh in their mind, this race will most certainly be harder than the last...
"They're going to press you early," I told her."Try to make you burn out like RDR."
"To be honest, the race you had at Kentucky was extremely risky, I hope you be more careful this time around..." I said while smiling. "But of course, you are the one in the track, when you feel like you need to accelerate, then do so."
"Mhm!"
The race played out exactly as predicted. Three fillies went with her in the early fractions—Cormorant, Iron Constitution, and J.O. Tobin. They pushed the pace to a blistering 45.8 for the half.
Karen shook them off near the final straight. Final margin: four and a quarter lengths.
Time: 1:54.2 for the 1900 meters.
Two down. One to go.
Three weeks later. Belmont Stakes.
The final jewel. The longest of the three at 2400 meters - a true test of stamina.
This was the race everyone pointed to. "She's a sprinter," "She won't handle the distance." And stuff
I didn't even refute that, although I do feel nervous, seeing Karen's stoic expression, I can only say that I'm relieved. But still, seeing the stats of your Umamusume is truly a God Given talent. It is assuring seeing the Umamusume you cared for getting better and better in your eyes.
[Seattle Slew]
[Speed: 1455]
[Power: 1032]
[STAMINA: 1132]
[Guts: 1389]
[Wit: 803]
[Turf: D] [Dirt: S]
[Sprint: S] [Mile: S] [Medium: A] [Long: A]
[Unique Skill: The Jet Black War Dance Lv. 3]
[Skills: Long Corners ◯, Front Runner Corners ◯, Taking the Lead, Fochs, Professor of Curvature, Final Push, Swinging Maestro....]
[Domain: None]
"You okay?" Karen asked, studying my face as I adjusted her blinkers.
"Me? I'm fine. What about you?" I know it's kinda dumb asking her about it, but I care about her being and it would be assuring hearing it from her mouth.
"I'm fine trainer. But you look more nervous than me."
"That's because I care about you." I smiled at her.
She blinked. Then smiled.
"I care about you too, Minami."
A comfortable silence washed between us two.
[...]
Oh God, is Rin sulking?
Better to assure her before she electrocuted my ass...
'Rin please, this is just our race preparation, didn't we already said it to one another a couple of times already? So please be ok?'
[System has shut down]
By the Goddess... I have such a troublesome system.
_________________
The paddock judge called for riders up - well, Umas to the gate in this world. Karen took a deep breath, nodded to me, and walked toward the track.
"Karen!"
She stopped, looked back.
"Make them remember this."
Her smile widened and she nodded.
"I will."
Bang.
The gates opened for the 109th Belmont Stakes.
Karen broke well, settling into fourth as the early pacesetter - RDR again, the glutton for punishment - established a more reasonable tempo. 48.6 for the half. A very comfortable tempo.
But I knew Karen. She wasn't comfortable sitting in fourth. She's like Oguri but more unrestrained, so after passing half, she directly accelerated.
One by one, she passed them. Picked them up and put them down. Third place. Second place...
Turning for home, she was a length behind the leader - an Uma named Sanhedrin who'd saved everything for this one race.
The crowd was on their feet.
"HERE COMES SEATTLE SLEW! STALKING SANHEDRIN]
[SKILL ACTIVATION.]
She activated Unique Skill.
She drew even with Sanhedrin at the eighth pole. Passed her at the sixteenth pole.
And then she was gone.
"SEATTLE SLEW SLASHED HER WAY TOWARDS THE FIRST PLACE! LOOK AT HER GO! ONE LENGHT! TWO LENGHTS! THREE! THE UNSTOPPABLE SLEWMANIA DOES IT AGAIN, PROVING ONCE MORE THAT SHE STOOD AT THE PINNACLE OF HER GENERATION!"
Final margin: Four lengths.
Time: 2:29.6
I watched her cross the finish line, and for a moment, everything went quiet. The roar of the crowd faded. The chaos of the race disappeared.
All I could see was Karen, glowing with that rainbow light, her stride perfect and powerful and utterly unstoppable.
She'd done it.
Undefeated. Perfect. A Triple Crown winner.
And she was only getting started.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
[CONGRATULATIONS, BAKANAMI. YOUR 'CHARGE', SEATTLE SLEW, HAS ACHIEVED THE TRIPLE CROWN!]
[REWARD: SKILL UPGRADE TOKEN x1, TRAINING EFFICIENCY +20%, BOND WITH SEATTLE SLEW: MAX]
[SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: "THE PERFECT STORM" - FIRST UNDEFEATED TRIPLE CROWN WINNER IN THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.]
(A/N: In real life, Seattle Slew was also an Undefeated Triple Crown Winner, so don't call it unrealistic. Hmph!)
[ADDITIONAL REWARD: LEGENDARY TRAINER'S INSIGHT (PASSIVE) - ABILITY TO DETECT POTENTIAL INJURIES 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE]
'Holy shit.'
[LANGUAGE, IDIOT.]
'Sorry, but by the goddess, Rin.'
[...]
After the Belmont, things became a blur.
Karen went on to race in the Ferrero Rochet Cup,
(A/N: This is one of my change, since Umamusumes are young girls racing, I changed the name of this stakes, it was originally called "Marlboro Cup" with their sponsors and shit but to keep it more appropriate I changed it to a chocolate company's name. But dw, if I mentioned this stakes, I'll let you know.) destroying older horses by three lengths. Then the Woodward Stakes - another dominant win by four lengths. Jockey Club Gold Cup, four lengths. Breeder's Cup Classic. 19 Lengths, largely considered the greatest Breeders Cup ever raced at that point in time where Karen blazingly ran "Runaway" not stopping until she saw the finish line, where she directly slowed down and looked back at the opponent. It was funny also since her slowing down and was seen as "Unsportsmanlike" and we directly paid $20,000 of fine. Then next is a G3 called Music City Stakes, where she won eight lengths.
Overall in her 3 years of career, she won 15 graded race. 8 of those are G1s.
"Minami."
I looked up from my desk. Karen stood in the doorway of the training office, an unusual hesitance in her posture.
"What's up?"
"I want to retire."
I blinked. "...What?"
I leaned back in my chair, studying her. "You're undefeated, Karen. You could go on for another race or two. Why stop now?"
She walked into the room, sat down across from me. For a long moment, she was quiet.
"Because," she finally said, "I feel like I have done everything. My body can't take anymore races. Remember Forego Stakes? The last race I joined. I won 3 lengths back there, but breaking out of the pack and earning those 3 lengths, I almost passed out." She thoughtfully answered.
Karen then smiled and looked longingly at me.
"Besides, these three years we have last met have been the most fun time in my life. It's time for the next generation to have the spotlight..." She continued.
"That's..." I struggled for words. "That's incredibly mature of you."
"My trainer taught me well." A small smile bloomed in her face.
I sighed. "If that's what you want, I support you. But you're going to break a lot of hearts."
"Mhm, but I only care about you trainer though."
She said it so quietly I almost didn't catch it.
"Karen—"
"I'll see you at tomorrow's training." She stood abruptly, heading for the door.
"Wait—"
But she was already gone.
[HOST.]
'Yeah, that was crazy.'
[I FEEL LIKE YOUR MISSING SOMETHING BIG TIME.]
'What do you mean about that?''
[HMM... I DON'T KNOW MYSELF...]
I stared at the empty doorway.
'I hope it's not something big...'
_________________
'I have to, Rin. My mom's been alone for three years. And my goal was always to train Umamusume in Japan, remember? To be there for Rudolf when she enters Tracen.'
"I am retiring, thank you for all your heartfelt support. I really meant it." She bowed down in front of the camera.
America watched as one of the Greatest Horse of this generation retired.
15 races. 15 wins. Triple Crown winner. Undefeated.
Her name carried the weight of her entire generation.
The media, after hearing her announcement gave her a standing ovation that lasted five full minutes. I stood at the back, watching her resolute eyes staring at the camera.
This was it.
After today, I'd never train her again.
After the ceremonies, after the interviews, after everything - I found her at the side of the road, playing with a small puppy.
"Hey."
She looked up. "Hey."
"Hell of a career."
"Thanks to you."
"No." I shook my head. "I was still too immature back then, if it weren't for the guidance of my father, I would have messed up sooner or later."
She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes.
"Minami... can we talk?"
"Of course."
She gestured to the bench outside. We sat, the evening air cool against my skin.
"I want to thank you," she started, her voice soft. "For everything. For training me. For believing in me. For... being my friend. Stop looking down on yourself just because you didn't ace the test, what you already did was the best in my eyes."
"Karen—"
"Please. Let me finish." She took a breath. "When I first met you, you were so kind to me. So caring and so understanding even though I'm dumb."
"That's not—"
"But still, you stick with me, even gave me massages after every hellish training you and your father gave to me."
Her hands were trembling slightly.
"I just want to tell you that these three years of my life have been the happiest I have ever been."
I tried to say something but it got stuck in my throat. I avoided those very long speech of gratitude, I just smiled at her and said.
"Thank you, Mine too. It was a pleasure training a great Umamusume such as yourself."
She smiled, and this time it reached her eyes.
"I'm glad."
We sat in comfortable silence for a while, watching the sun set over the track.
"I'm going back to Japan," I finally said. "Three weeks from now."
"For real?"
"Yeah..."
"I was talking about dad last week about the tickets," he admitted. "I mean mom has been complaining nonstop that it's so lonely that she might decide to birth another kid." I chuckled a bit.
"I'm sorry if it was too abrupt..." I look down at my lap.
"It's okay." She stood up, brushing off her skirt. "You have your own dreams to chase. Just like I had mine."
She turned to face me, and the smile on her face was radiant.
"Thank you, Minami Laurent. For making my dream come true."
Then she bowed - a deep, formal bow - and walked away.
I sat there for a long time after she left, watching the stars come out.
[SHE'S GONE...]
_________________
Three Weeks later.
Sitting in the house of my father, looking back on those days, I could hardly believe it all happened.
Karen—Seattle Slew—had gone on to become one of the greatest Umamusume of all time. After retirement, she'd become a racing commentator and one of the ambassador for the sport alongside her idol, Secretariat.
She looked happy. Confident. Complete.
As for me? The past three years in America had been transformative. Those three precious years I have spent with her just changed a lot of me...
Mom had been alone too long though. I have already notified the Japanese URA for my transfer, and they are more than willing to let a trainer with experience in the states to train in a backwater country like Japan.
"So you're really going huh," my dad said, sitting across from me at the kitchen table. We'd just finished dinner—his cooking had improved somewhat, though that wasn't saying much.
"Yeah. Tomorrow morning."
He nodded slowly, swirling the beer in his glass.
"Your mom will be happy. She misses you."
"I miss her too."
"And Rudolf?" He raised an eyebrow. "She still waiting for you?"
I thought about Luna - Symboli Rudolf. The energetic, clingy kid who'd crashed into my life all those years ago. She'd be seventeen now. Probably already at Tracen Academy, or will be joining.
"I hope so," I admitted.
"Well." My dad raised his glass. "To new beginnings. And old promises kept."
I clinked my glass against his.
"To new beginnings."
We drank in companionable silence.
Later that night, I stood in my room, packing the last of my things. The flight was at 7 AM—early enough that I'd need to leave by 5 to make it through security.
I'd already said goodbye to Karen. 3 weeks ago. I guess its really sad leaving the after spending 3 years of your life here...
I zipped up my suitcase and looked around the room one last time. I sucked the air one last time for better measures.
5:00 AM
The taxi was waiting outside.
My dad stood on the porch in his bathrobe, coffee in hand, looking every bit the divorced father I'd once accused him of being.
"You sure you got everything?"
"Yeah."
"Passport?"
"Yep."
"Wallet?"
"Alright this is weird, you getting all worried to me? The end of the world must be approaching."
"Alright, alright." He held up his hands in surrender. "Just doing my fatherly duty. I can't be a scoundrel all the time. Besides, id rather not have your mom beat me up after knowing I let you do all the house works and just slept all the time. Hngh! Just thinking 'bout it gives me goosebumps..."
I loaded my bags into the trunk, then turned to face him.
"Thanks dad. Really nice being with you in the states."
"Hey, you did the work. I just pointed you in the right direction."
"Still."
"Hup! Shut your mouth up and just accept my compliment bastard."
"Alright..."
"And Minami?"
"Yeah?"
"If you see Karen again..." He paused. "Talk to her alright? Trainers these days are avoiding their trainer after retirement smh..."
"Yeah, id rather not ignore a friend like her..."
"You better be."
"Bye, Dad."
"Bye, son."
The taxi pulled away from the curb, and I watched my father's figure shrink in the rear window until he disappeared entirely.
Meanwhile, 6:00 AM
Seattle Slew woke with a start.
Something was wrong.
She couldn't explain it - just a feeling in her chest, like something important was slipping away.
Minami.
She sat up, heart pounding. He'd told her he was leaving this morning, right?
She directly wore her shirt and jeans and began to go outside...
As she reached out for the doorknob, she stopped.
Why is she even desperate meeting Minami? They already said their goodbyes so why bother...
But that's the case, it's bothering her. She really doesn't know why.
Thinking has really been not my strong suit, but I know from the bottom of my heart that I need to chase after Minami and tell him something, I don't know what that something is, but if I don't do, I feel like I might regret it.
She then began to jog towards the airport, she looked at her watch.
"6:21am"
She then looked up.
'Its still 2.3 kilometers away.'
So she began to accelerate.
I hope he's still there...
_________________
Minami looked at the clock. 6:58am.
It's already near 7am.
Minami sighed.
Just then. His flight was called. He began to pack stand up and walk towards the boarding area.
(A/N: Sorry, I haven't really ridden a Passenger Aircraft, so this is just me larping and shit. If there are mistakes, just point it out I'll edit it.)
'Hey Rin, what time are we arriving in Japan?'
[10PM.]
'I hope mom is still awake at that point. Maybe I'll tell her in advance.'
[JUST DO IT HOST, ARE YOU DUMB?]
'Yeah wait lemme do that... Also, this song is bad. Thankfully Michael Jackson still exist in this reality.'
He then plugged his headphones on and walked silently.
_________________
Through the terminal, dodging travelers and luggage carts, she watched people come and go.
She pushed harder, her eyes scanning the surrounding. Then, she saw Minami in the boarding line with his back turned against her, and wearing a headphones.
Her eyes lit up, And she directly called out his name.
"Minami!"
She called him out.
But he didn't turn... The music must be too loud.
She ran walked faster, avoiding people.
But why is the swarm of people not dispersing? She is directly slamming into a wall of people.
But soon, she realize it. It was her fans.
Dozens of them, appearing out of nowhere with phones and cameras.
"It's Seattle Slew!", "Can I get a picture?", "Oh my god, it's really her!"
Flashes went off, blinding her.
Hands reached for her.
"Please - I need to - "
"Just one photo!"
"Can you sign this?"
She tried to push through, but there were too many. The crowd was growing, more and more people drawn by the commotion.
"Minami..." She murmured.
But he was already moving forward.
He was Already boarding.
Security finally arrived, dispersing the crowd.
When the crowd finally thined out and she watched as the last passenger of the commercial plane he boarded go inside the plane.
She sighed.
"I guess I'll tell him next time..." She smiled at herself. Then Karen directly texted him for safe travels and went to Martin's house.
_________________
Martin Laurent's House - 8:00 AM
Martin was drinking his second cup of coffee when the news came on.
"- and in breaking news, Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew was spotted at the airport this morning in she must have been meeting with someone she knew. But the undefeated triple crown was stopped on her tracks by a swarm of fans - "
"Wait... Why is that kid in the airport..."
...
"Oh shit, does she like him?"
"Hm... I was shipping them hard as a joke, maybe me shipping them made her feel like that." Martin thoughtfully said.
"Gah! Why am I even stressing at this point, I'll just watch from afar..."
JAL Flight 147
I stared out the window as the plane lifted off, watching America shrink below me, I'm currently listening to some Blues.
I sighed at myself. Three years. It really feels like a lifetime.
Farewell America. I will leave everything behind, and start anew in Japan...
_________________
A/N: Sorry Seattle Slew, but you just lost to plot. When you tell him what is on your mind, another girl will be in her heart at that point. So sorry not sorry hehe~~.