Agnes Digital's story

To echo the words of a wise philosopher...

"Shame sweetens the soul, for beyond its grip lies the truest of emotions, a cathartic joy indescribable." Which means...

Simping for cute girls is a rite by which my filthy heart is purified! To respect is to know shame, and embracing that truth fills my soul with heaven's light! A hope so pure it, it...

Gasp. I-it was just a dream...

(My name is Agnes Digital. I'm just your average, ordinary Umamusume.)

(I'm currently trying to mentally filter the air I breathe. And why's that, you ask?)

(Because I couldn't possibly inhale the same air my oshis just breathed! I can't believe I'm at the Tracen Academy! And you won't believe what I'm seeing right now...)

Could you stop? Quit following me around already!

Who's following who?! I was just heading to the training course. You're the one always tagging along!

(What?! They act like they hate each other, but they totally just stopped to talk...)

(Either one of them could've just run off and ignored the other! But they didn't! And why do you think that is?)

(Because those two are definitely more than rivals...)

(Aaaaahasfdhh... The fanservice is unreal!)

(And that is what I enrolled for. To simp for my favs right on the frontlines! To experience all the highlights right here in real time, and mentally cheer for them in person!)

(I'll follow Tracen Academy forever... FOREVEEEER!!1!!1!)

Well, Trainer, I believe that's all for today. I hope it gave you a good sense of the academy.

Tracen supports a wide variety of racing styles and students. Have a look around and try to find someone you want to train. ♪

Aaagh, I can't believe Vodka! Why is she always trying to steal my place?!

I swear, I'm never losing to that jerk!

Yes... No matter how powerful your rival may seem, you're a goddess on the track and no one can say otherwise!

I'm so honored that I get to worship the ground at your feet!

Radiant! Dazzling! Absolutely divineee!

Hehhh, hweeegh, haha... hah...

You could practically sense the imaginary Vodka she was fighting. The mere thought of her rival catching up gave her the strength to power down the last three furlongs...

And that tiny satisfied smirk on her face when she crossed the goal was just, haaahjkasdk! Heaven is feeding us so good today... Am I right or am I right?!

What?

Oh, uh, s-sorry. Got a little carried away there... That Umamusume sure was something, huh? Heheh...

But you were really making sure the goddess of victory heard your prayers, shouting like that. I'm gonna have to up my simp game.

Wh-what?! Oh my gosh, wait, they're gonna run together?! After all that complaining?!

Was all that tsundere stuff just a struggle to show her true feelings?! Eeeep, are we even allowed to be watching this?! The sinfully bittersweet taste of rivals to...

Ah, r-right. G-go on ahead.

Actually, I bet this is about me being too loud, huh? To make it up to you, just pick a racer and I'll tell you all the lore I know.

Run with them? Me?

Wh-what? Are you out of your mind? You just saw how beautiful that technique was! I would just ruin the view!

I couldn't run like that even in my dreams! Not to mention it'd definitely cross the line. Got it? Not happening!

That doesn't mean I belong on the same track as them!

It'd be an affront against art, and I'm talking like "burning of Alexandria" bad! That kinda hubris is what brought down the Tower of Babel! Anyhow...

Look, it'd be like enjoying a luxurious five-star dessert and then eating a nasty old half-boiled lukewarm brussels sprout!

A simp like you should understand how wrong it'd be! Okay? I'll just see myself out, so see ya 'round, Trainer!

Pant, pant...

Whew...

Agnes Digital, that was great! You were in top form, as always. At this level, you're more than ready to take on the tryouts.

Hwah?! The tryouts? Already?

But I, uh... That's kinda... Could I have more time to think about it?

I'll, uh, I'll just scooch over to the turf course...

Ah! If you insist. Don't push yourself too hard, though!

To think that she trains this hard every single day... and then turns around and does it again on the other track. She's working twice as hard as anyone.

Fweheehee... Running on the same ground my oshis just stepped on is so magical!

If I can just follow their cleatprints, I'll be ready to follow them down any track! Mwehehe, I'll follow them to the ends of the earth...

Ah, but I've gotta be careful not to stick out. I dunno what I would've done if I accidentally agreed to enter the tryouts.

I mean, I'd never forgive myself if I made such a rookie mistake...

W-WAIT! Who just said that? You?!

Oh, you're that trainer who was simping as hard as I was. Looks like we meet again.

So how's everything going? Lady Luck rewarding your efforts?

I've been working hard to rack up good karma, y'know. Praying to my merch shrine, giving thanks for my daily doses of moe, ugly crying over idols...

B-but more importantly! You didn't, uh, happen to overhear me rambling, did you?!

Ah... I see. I see how it is.

Well, the reason I'm avoiding the tryouts is honestly pretty simple. Just imagine your Umamusume oshis for a sec.

They specialize in either turf or dirt, right? But I don't really have a specialty, and I have favs in both.

That's the hardest part... I can't pick one without abandoning the other. And I really, reeeeeally don't want that...

Well, of course! I love watching both styles! I love turf Umas and dirt Umas! I love every single Umamusume ever to run!

Huh?

Y'know, um. It ain't easy bein' a fangirl, okay?! I've got way too many favs to watch just one track type!

Duh! I thought you were as down bad as I am! I wanna watch both! I have to, but...

If I run turf, I won't be able to see dirt Umas up close! If I run dirt, I won't get to see turf Umas!

Aaaaahdk, how is that even fair?! I can't come up with a solution, so I've been turning down all the scouts and tryout invites to stall for time.

I just wanna SIMP! Whether on turf or dirt, I wanna absorb the glory of eeeeevery single Umamusume from the frontlines!

But at least you get me! You feel my pain, right?! 'Cause you love Umamusume too!

Sigh... If I had a clear specialty, it'd be so much easier to accept the inevitable...

Huh? We can't just...

...What.

WHAT?! That's the Overlord and the Umadol!

My, what fervent gazes. Are you perhaps here to see me?

I welcome you both! I'm always happy to pose for photos, answer questions, record interviews, anything for my adoring fans!

Oh, that's quite a unique question. The answer is simple, really. For you see, I simply chose the stage best suited to complement my glory!

Oh? I know you... You're Digital! Thank you for cheering me on at my last performance!

I'm so flattered to see you here at the track! ♪ You must be a really big fan!

Huh? The reason I picked dirt over turf? Hmm... Well... I promised myself that I'd be my best self and do what only I can! ☆

...

...

...As the grass follows the wind, so too does luck follows the virtuous.

...You there. What are you doing, peeking into classrooms? Trying to observe students in their natural habitat?

Ahaha! Jokes aside, circumstantial evidence suggests that you might just be the "Uma simp" trainer Digital mentioned.

Oh. Is that to say you really are the one, then? What a coincidence.

If you're looking for her, Digital left for the train station. She's probably off in town buying Umamusume merchandise.

Hmm. That trainer really has their sights set on Digital. She's run from plenty of offers, but maybe... Hehe, I'm curious what she'll do.

Hahaaah...

Those sleek, supple leggies, framed so elegantly... by a luscious green turf. ♪ Or these muscular legs, kicking up dirt with such power...

If I was gonna pick just one photocard... But that'd be dumb! Obviously two is better than one!

Aaaagh, praise the heavens above! I'm so blessed to exist in the same timeline as all these radiant racing goddesses!

That's it, I was granted this time so that I could devote it to Umas! I wasn't meant to run alongside them, and it was selfish of me to act so parasocial!

Huh, wh-who just... said that...

Uwaaagh?! F-fancy seeing you here. You didn't, uh, happen to overhear all that, did you?

Oh...

Welp, you heard what you heard.

But I need you to know I'm dead serious! I mean, just think about it! Who am I? Who?!

I'm Agnes Digital! The biggest Umamusume enjoyer of all Umamusu-kind!

Do you really think I could sacrifice my oshis?! Do you reeeally expect me to pick just turf or dirt?!

I can't, I legit just can't, okay?! It's like telling someone to play mandolin without a pick just 'cause they can go pickless on guitar as if that's even remotely the same thing!

Exactly. I'm better off watching everything on live streams than lose out 'cause I got greedy with this irl nonsense.

Sigh... I remember when I was little and saw a race on TV for the first time... It blew my mind!

The fierce determination they brought to the track. All the stories behind their motivations! The way it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows...

I saw true, pure resolve. And it seized my heart!

I thought I was so lucky to be an Umamusume myself. I thought I was born to run like them!

If the track is where Umas shine the brightest, then I wanted to be there drinking it all in and cheering them on! I wanted to contribute every way I could!

And I knew when I enrolled that depending on which races I picked, there'd be races I couldn't watch in person, but even so, I told myself making that sacrifice was proof of my own resolve.

I steeled myself and entered Tracen. But when I took my first step on campus...

"Kyaha," "Hehehe"... Everywhere I turn, there were Umamusume giggling and smiling...

My oshis were physically right there. I was looking at my oshis irl in full 3D... I could hear their breathing, their heartbeats, their footsteps, and all in surround sound!

I finally understood... I was outside, looking at real Umas without a monitor between us. And you know how I felt?

I just... I felt like my brain was gonna EXPLODE!

My illusions of resolve burst! Boom, gone! I wasn't prepared in the slightest!

The level of detail in real life is a billion times more than a screen! And then when you consider that I've got aptitude for dirt and turf...

I can't decide! I want to run them both so bad!

So I've made up my mind not to pick either. That's the most I can possibly manage as a fan!

Got it? I'll never pick a side! I'll never run one if it means losing the other!

So what's it gonna be? Can you really afford to waste time trying to convince me? Shouldn't you be off helping actual racers?!

Hahaha, looks like you can't argue with that, huh? Now, leave me alone and...

...I what?

...Were you listening to any of what I just said? I can't even make one entry-level decision.

Uhhh?

Um... You're gonna have to run whatever that was by me again...

...

WHAAAAAT?!

Did you hear the news? About Digital's tryouts!

Of course I did! I can't believe her, though. I've never heard of something like this before.

Why is she running in both the dirt and the turf tryouts?

Huh? Sorry, I don't think I heard you right. You're telling me not to pick? That I should run both?

Uh-huh... And you don't just mean junior year? You want me to run both dirt and turf for the whole series?

So... so you're saying it's okay even if I pick all sorts of races on all kinds of tracks?!

...

Wait, wait, wait, wait! That can't be possible!

That's like booking yourself a one-way trip on the Orient Express! On the Titanic! If we split our efforts in half like that, we'll just get crummy results in both!

And why's that?!

Because I work twice as...

Ah!

...I guess I have been doing my due diligence. I give praise at my merch shrine every single day and thank my idols for their blessings.

Do you really think... my love of Umas will pay off?

Have I racked up enough good karma as a fan? Enough to shine as an Umamusume myself?

Enough to run wild? On any track I want?! Even if I'll never be as good as my oshis, I'm at least good enough to make it through the series?

AND IIIIIIIIII WILL ALWAYS LOVE UUUUMAS!

A-anyways! You're right, I did put in double the effort!

But wow... me, an all-rounder...

Haaaasdhjk... It sounds so cool I'm just??? Like, an all-rounder can get away with doing literally anything, right?

Oh, absolutely! I'll follow fan etiquette to a tee! No touching or requests, just look respectfully! Hehe...

Still... I can't believe I'm being rewarded for all my loyal simping! Even a lowly fangirl like me has a place in paradise...

Squee!

All right, you've won me over! I'll be an all-rounder! I'll run turf and dirt and admire all my oshis up close!

...Whew, looks like I'm up next. Here goes nothing! If I don't make it back, tell my oshis I loved them!

(This track is a sacred place where countless Umas got their start. I absolutely can't do it shame. No...)

(A true fan would do it proud! I'll run so beautifully that the track SHINES!)

All racers are in their gates... and they're off!

(They power through the dirt, beads of sweat glistening in their wake! The sheer ferocity is just. So. Dazzling!)

And Agnes Digital pushes her way forward! What a stunning spurt!

(The turf muffles the sound of their footsteps, and I can hear them breathing heavily... Look at how they stretch their legs so elegantly... I've got to get a closer look! They're all so...)

They're so unique! I love them ALLLLL!

Whoa! Agnes Digital tears down the turf like it's nothing! Have you ever seen duality like this?!

What on earth?! How is she this good at both? That racer... She's got the makings of a legend!

Hehe, thanks a billion! I'm just grateful that I got to see all my oshis up close!

And it's all thanks to you! If I didn't have you stanning with...

Pardon, I just wanted to congratulate you on those runs! You had me baffled, running dirt and turf like it was nothing!

Hwaaagh?! Uh, um!

I'd be more than happy to manage your training plans! We can start with dirt in junior year to build strength, then shift to turf for the rest of...

Um! S-sorry, but... I can't do that.

I'm looking for something more balanced! I don't want to limit myself to just one style, so... I'm going to be an all-rounder! And, um...

I actually, uh... I already decided to accept a scout offer from this trainer here!

J-just play along! Did you see the way this creep butted into our convo?

Whew, thanks. I didn't expect to attract that much attention. Sorry for making a scene.

Ah, heheh... I just said the first thing that came to mind, sorry.

I did mean it, though! As you can probably tell, I'm not exactly the best at talking to people...

But you're as much of an Uma fan as I am, so I don't have to hold back like I do with other trainers.

Not to mention, you're the only one who's ever respected my interests, and I doubt I'll find another. So, please! Would you be my trainer?

Yessss! Oh, that's a relief. I can't wait to get started!

Oh, also. I almost forgot to ask.

Which color light stick do you want?

You're staying to watch the rest of the tryouts, right? We've gotta rack up today's karma points too! C'mon!

Nyehehe... Hehehahaheheh...

Whoops, could you hear that? I was just making some fangirl battle plans for my next day off and got a little carried away.

I've really been trying to pour extra love into my simping lately. Y'know, to make good on the whole "resolve" thing!

...I guess I have been doing my due diligence. I give praise at my merch shrine every single day and thank my idols for their blessings.

All right, you've won me over. I'll be an all-rounder! I'll run turf and dirt and admire all my oshis up close!

Lady Luck favors those who do good deeds, so I accumulate karma by supporting my favorite racers. Therefore, fangirling is an essential part of my training!

Join me? To go simping? I mean, you're welcome to come if you want.

Just, are you sure? I'm talking like hardcore simping. I completely understand that some types of events aren't for everyone, so you don't have to force yourself...

...I respect the resolve, Trainer. So I won't hold back! We're going on a full tour of my oshis' races!

Gwaaaajkahdk! It was so worth coming out to Hanshin Racecourseee! What an amazing debut!

The runner who got first place is actually the younger sister of a racer who just retired last season. Apparently, she debuted to carry on the mantleeeee!

Neither of them's letting up! The rivals are neck and neck! But the homestretch of Nakayama Racecourse is famously shoooort! Aaaaaah!

Sniffle... Sob... What a beautiful race! Their feelings for each other went beyond mere aptitudes... They weren't just neck and neck, but also heart-to-heart! I can't even...

The dirt track at Oi Racecourse is pretty long compared to most places. The extra distance allows late surgers and end closers room to shine.

Even so, she chose to tackle the race as a front runner, true to her heart. She had such a proud, satisfied grin at the end... It didn't matter that she got fourth.

Do you feel that?! The passion radiating from all those beautiful Umamusume?! Their smiles just fill my heart with so much joy!

C'mon! Let's channel this energy into merch shopping! Are you ready to hit the booths?!

Huh? Trainer, are you okay? You look completely wiped, so you hang tight and leave the spoils to me!

I can't believe I'm looking at the real Agnes Digital! I'm a huge fan! Huge!

I was blown away by your decision to run turf and dirt! What's the whole story behind that?

Huh?! Uh, well I... I um... I kinda, y'know... yeah.

Ah... T-Trainerrr!

Sigh. You saved my life back there. I'm still not used to people wanting to talk to me...

That aside, though, why are you here? You looked kinda lost.

...!

So you... You fought back your fatigue... and came all this way? Oh, Trainer...

You should've told me you were that excited to go merch shopping!

Don't worry, I totally know the feeling! How could we wait with all that glorious merchandise waiting for us?

I swear we've got the same brain. For real for real. I'm so glad you're enjoying the little simp tour I tossed together!

A fangirl's gotta be ready, always. Which is why I'm currently awake and dressed at 5:00 a.m.

Good morning, Trainer! I'm so... SO excited for today!

Of course! Anyone'd be pumped for a pilgrimage to oshi sites!

Each Umamusume has their own life story... their own unique legend. And today, we're going to follow those journeys through a series of historic locations.

Ideally, I would've wanted at least a month for the tour, but I've got my own races to run, so today's gonna be jam-packed!

So little time, so many oshis. Now, let's get this show on the road!

Here we are! Well, almost. We're here for the flower field over there. It's called the Restful Garden... by me anyways.

It's said that the flowers here have symbolic meanings, which Umamusume use to confess their true, secret feelings.

In particular, there are several stories of Umas exchanging clovers with their closest, dearest rival!

And do you know what clovers mean? "Think of me"! "Promise"! They're promising to have each other in their hearts forever and ever and everrr!

I. KNOW. RIGHT?! Their feelings run deeper than the Mariana Trench!

For our next stop, behold the Park of Sisterly Races!

Now, this story's actually about Hayahide. It's said that she used to race her little sister Brian when they were kids.

Imagine having your own sister as your rival. Just think what it'd be like running around here together... Doesn't it inspire you to run too?!

Do I ever! Following their footsteps will bring me that much closer to them in spirit, that's the best part of being a simp! Let's goooo!

...Mmm ahhhh!

O. M. G! This "Ramen of Champions" is everything!

It's so good! And, uh... it sure is champion-sized!

N-not just anyone, could conquer... this... much... uuugh...

I'm fine! Countless challengers have taken this seat, putting their life on the line to take the champion's crown. I have to know... what they felt when... they...

Urp...

We did it! That honeyade stand was the final stop on our route. What a day!

No kidding! For real, thanks for sticking it out for the whole trip! o7

Oh, also... Hehe. This was a lot of fun.

I was originally planning to go by myself, you know. But...

And that's the pilgrimage, all mapped out! Muhuhwa. ☆ I'm gonna talk Trainer's ear off when I get back. ♪

Ahaha, what do you even mean, "pilgrimage"? But sounds like you're gonna have a blast!

Whoa?! D-did you uh… hear all that? Sorry for being loud!

Aaanyways, what about your trainer, though? They're not going with you?

Wait! I-I honestly never thought of that. Me and Trainer... simping together?

Nnn? NNAAASDFSKJAHLAKLLJASDLA?!!?!

And what would you know? Going out with other people is actually really, reeeeeeally...

REEEEALLY FUN!

I'm glad to hear it! I wasn't sure if you'd even agree to come, seeing as it was such an early start on your day off.

It was so worth it though! I feel like I've just unlocked some huge secret life hack!

I legit can't believe I never thought of this. The two of us can simp together for double the fun!

To be honest, I'm still really blown away by the fact that there's someone on this planet who actually even likes the same stuff I do!

No it's not! As I'm sure you've noticed, I tend to go waaay overboard with this stuff.

Barely anyone can keep up with the otaku talk, let alone join in on it! You have no idea how rare a fellow Uma simp is!

But now whenever the feels hit hard, I get so excited to share the good news with you!

Huh? Y-you, you really mean it?!

Always?! You're sure??!? You're reeeally sure???!?!1? Because you're about to unleash the floodgates of my ota...

HOLD THAT THOOOUGHT!

Look. Over there. Is that...

Vodka and Daiwa Scarlet?! See? Over by the bridge? It seems like they're arguing over something.

Ah! Could this... could this be the birth of a new legend?!

C'mon, don't just stand there! We've gotta hurry! Go, go, go, GO!

The big blue sky, fluffy white clouds... The summer of my youth!

It's the summer camp! I'm gonna train like CRAAAZYYY! And then, and THEN...

Hey, I heard there's a festival tonight! Let's go check it out after training. It'll be so fun! ♪

Who said I'm going with you?

...Mmnmsgh, that was a lucky catch. What a perfect start to the camp.

Wait, no! I've gotta get ready for practice!

I appreciate the consideration, but nope, I'm fine! I'll go get prepped!

Whew... Hey, Trainer! I just finished all my laps up and down the bea...

Ah! Those two Umamusume over there are that pair of rivals everyone's been talking about! The two that seem like mortal enemies on screen but then they've actually got this super adorable awkward friendship budding in real life!

Fwahaha, and now they're checking out the shops together... Oh no! The little black-haired one just slipped!

But nooo! The other one catches her by the hand with cyborg-like precision! A-and neither one of them lets go! Are they gonna keep walking like that... oh my gosh! Aaa?!

Nnnnmsdlk... Hrrnnaksdlajh!

...Whew. Almost lost my composure there. I swear I felt my soul leaving my body for a second.

Anyways! C'mon, Trainer! Let's get back to practice!

Wha?! N-no, no, no, nope! I'm okay! Let's keep powering through the training! Now!

Ah! Aaaaah! I'd love to! I can't wait!

So, which stalls should we hit first? I'm cool doing whatever you...

Heeey! You've gotta try this shaved ice! They're so artsy, and they've got some crazy flavors!

Ahaha! You should see your tongue! It's super bright blue.

...Phew.

S-so like I said, where to?! What do you wanna see?

Huh? The beach? I thought you wanted to see the festival.

Me? I-I'm fine. Why do you ask?

What? I'm not avoiding anything! I just wanted to, um...

I wanted to try doing what you want! That's all.

I dunno... You always listen to me ramble, and you let me drag you all over the place.

Having you around supporting my interests has made every day so much brighter, like I'm living some kinda fangirl dream!

I don't know what I'd do without you. I don't think I could go back to simping alone!

So what I'm trying to say is... you're my partner.

My otaku partner in crime!

There are so many Umamusume out there, running every day with passion in their hearts. This is their era, the height of Umamusume racing is NOW.

Everywhere I look, I see beautiful, dazzling Umas! I could die of moe any second, but I won't back down. Love is war.

I'll be their strongest soldier. 'Cause I know that even when my heart's ready to burst, you have my back. The joy of simping is ours to share.

We're partners, through thick and thin.

But when I stopped to think about it, when have I had your back? When have I supported you? Never, I've just been getting hard carried this whole time!

And I'm not having that! I decided I'd be there to share your interests and help you chase your dreams!

So go ahead and fire away! I'll support you one hundred percent!

...What? Wait, my smile? Why would you...

Do you feel that?! The passion radiating from all those beautiful Umamusume?! Their smiles just fill my heart with so much joy!

You, you see me... the way I see my oshis?

Huh? A wallflower like me? I don't... understand. I'm struggling to wrap my head around this, but...

I-I'm glad... I'm honored.

...Why'd you have to make things all awkward?! Like, you know that feeling when you get a really heartfelt comment on a joint fic from another fanartist?

Hrrnnngh! Anyways!

...I won't hide my simping! I'll keep worshipping my oshis! And I'll do it with the biggest smile you've ever seen!

And with that settled, let's hurry and find some Umamusume to cheer on from the shadows! Got any ideas where to look?

Oooh! Nice thinking, Trainer! Umas dancing side-by-side... or getting scared and accidentally h-holding hands!

Aaasdjkh, Oh no, I'm getting excited just imagigingnsjkladarrgh! What're we doing standing around here?!

We've got simping to do, Partner! And I've got your back!