Hark Back, Run Forward

Here I stand. Here we shine. Across eons, at fate's end, myriad threads entwined as one.

Hark, hark! Flames, guests, Goddesses!

Tonight, hark and bear witness.

As we carry the Heartfire hence, and bear it thither.

Oh my gosh, did you hear? At this year's Fleetfoot Festival, they're gonna do the Heartfire Ceremony for the first time in forever!

The Heartfire Ceremony? You mean the event where they, like, write the wishes of retired runners on sole slates and chuck them in a bonfire?

Well, if you believe the rumors, apparently they're gonna choose Tracen students to be the Heartfire Bearers who carry out the ceremony.

For real? Isn't it supposed to be, like, super good luck to be a Bearer? I'd kill for that. I'm gonna need all the luck I can get for my next race!

Gratitude! I thank you all for assembling here in spite of your busy schedules!

It's not every day you get called up by the director herself. And for some reason, I'm seein' a whole lotta familiar faces here...

Welp, that means we don't gotta waste time on introductions. So wazzup? What can we do ya for?

Attention! As you may already know, this year's Fleetfoot Festival will, for the first time in years, feature the Heartfire Ceremony!

A chance to honor the hopes and dreams of our forerunners before the Three Goddesses. A ritual of, by, and for Umamusume, is that right?

Correct! The Entwinement and the Procession, these two rites together make up this most dynamic, mystical, and time-honored of ceremonies!

This time, the Heartfire Bearers in charge of the ceremony will be none other than...

Tamamo Cross! Oguri Cap!

Inari One! Mejiro Ardan! Yaeno Muteki! You five have been chosen! Congratulations!

I don't believe it! You would trust us with such momentous responsibility?

It is an honor. So the rumors that the Bearers would be chosen from among the student body were true, then.

Furthermore, you five will soon attend an intensive training camp to prepare for the ceremony!

Encouragement! As you will be representing Tracen Academy, and, dare I say, every Umamusume running today, it is my sincere wish that you spare NO effort!

Hmm, I'm pretty sure the Heartfire Ceremony happens on top of a mountain, so ya think we oughta pick up some bug spray or somethin'?

In that case, let's grab the stuff we use at summer camp. ...Hey Oguri, whazza matter? Havin' a starin' contest with the snacks?

Well, I was just wondering how much food we need to bring.

Dis a field trip to you?! Geez...

That aside, I'm surprised all us chums managed to get picked. Don't they decide it through some kinda divination? We win the lottery or what?

I'm glad we're all together. I don't know what exactly a Heartfire Bearer does, but I got chosen for it, so I'll be the best Bearer I can be.

And as long as I'm with you guys, I have a feeling things'll work out somehow. So us all being chosen together makes me feel reassured, and glad.

Ahaha! There's our Honest Oguri! Handpicked for a big role and still got that goofy look on your face!

Never gonna change, are ya... Well, it is reassurin', I'll agree with you on that.

They say it's good luck, so I was half hopin' I'd get to be a Bearer anyways. And now that we're doin' it, we gotta be the best there ever was!

This boot camp, though... I hope the food there is good.

Dis a vacation to you?!

What did your grandmother have to say?

"Perform your duty well," was the gist of it, apparently. Her words have hardened my resolve.

Hehe, that may be so, but it seems to me they've also lightened your mood. At least, that's what your prancing tail would suggest.

That... Well, it is... embarrassing to admit, but as much as I am honored to receive this role, and look forward to this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity...

As an Umamusume, and as a disciple of the Kongo Yaegaki school, what I look forward to most of all is the chance to make my grandparents proud.

...But that aside, I could say much the same about you. It appears to me you're feeling rather giddy.

Heh. You're quite right, I feel equal parts honored and excited. For our training camp with the others, that is.

It'll be a wonderful time, followed by a Heartfire Ceremony for the history books, our hard work will make it happen.

Yes, certainly.

Whoa! Lookit, that's a full-fledged ryokan! You're tellin' me we get to stay here for our boot camp? Don't mind if I do!

I believe the actual site of the Heartfire Ceremony is close by as well, so it'll be the perfect place to focus on practice.

...Oguri, I know you're chowin' down in your head, but you gotta have some self-control.

H-how'd you know I was going for seconds?

Your eyes were all sparkly! Wait, whaddaya mean seconds?!

Haha! Business as usual, love to see it! Now, by the look of this place, I'd say we're in for top-notch baths.

Hehe. I can already tell this will be quite different to our usual summer camp, my heart's already sounding its excitement.

Students of Tracen Academy, you must be weary from the road, allow me to extend to you a warm welcome.

I am president of the Heartfire Ceremony Preservation Society, you may call me Mukai. I will be instructing you during your time here, and I look forward to getting started.

Nice to meet you!

Energetic responses, bright faces, that motivation is just what I wanted to see.

Now, I know you've just arrived, but once you drop off your bags in your rooms, we'll head to the Ring, where the Heartfire Ceremony is held.

Today, you'll have a look around the ritual grounds, and afterwards, I'll brief you on what you can expect from this training camp going forward.

Ooh, so this is the Ring, eh? Ya got the sky all around ya... Standin' here, I feel like I'm ready for anythin'.

Plus, the air itself feels tranquil, almost. As if we're completely cut off from the mundane world below.

The Heartfire Ceremony has been held in this sanctuary since time immemorial. The sensations you describe may be due to lingering echoes of past rituals.

Okay, now that you've had a look, I will explain how you'll be spending your time here at camp, so please listen carefully.

Beginning today, you will be practicing the two rituals which make up the Heartfire Ceremony: the Rite of Entwinement, and the Rite of Procession.

The goal is for each of you to be capable of carrying out all parts of the ceremony from start to finish.

There will be rehearsals mid-camp and on the last day. I'll be using them to evaluate your progress, so please practice with those milestones in mind.

We all gotta be able to do every part of the ceremony, huh? Sounds like a lot to learn. This won't be easy.

After the final rehearsal, if I judge your progress to be satisfactory, you will then decide amongst yourselves who will perform which role in the ceremony.

That was only an overview, but I won't belabor you with specifics for now. Are there any questions about what was just discussed?

Yes.

Yaeno Muteki, was it? Please.

...I doubt it will happen, but supposing we do not sufficiently master the rituals by the final rehearsal, what will happen?

If it comes time for the final rehearsal and your performance has yet to attain a certain standard, there will be no Heartfire Ceremony this year.

...!

Let that be a reminder as to just how important this ceremony is. I can only hope that you will take your duties just as seriously.

...Talk about responsibility. But that's what makes it worth doin'! Right, guys? Let's do this!

It seems I have nothing to worry about. Your training will begin in earnest tomorrow.

For the sake of all Umamusume who choose to run, I ask that you work hard to become the best Heartfire Bearers you can be.

Today, we begin work on the first of the two rites, the Entwinement. You'll be practicing the initial portion.

The Entwinement begins at an altar constructed at the foot of the mountain, where sole slates inscribed with the wishes of retired runners are fed into a bonfire.

You will face the altar's flame and perform a dance expressing feelings of awe, that is the first job of a Heartfire Bearer.

Before anything else, you must learn the proper posture and breathing technique, then we will go through the choreography one move at a time.

That's enough! You are still rushing, all of you. Focus on creating a contrast between stillness and motion. Same part, one more time.

Yes, ma'am!

You two, your steps are still too fast. Feel the spacing and the rhythm with your body. Once more, from the top.

Yes, ma'am!

Well, that concludes this morning's group practice. Good work.

We'll have another group practice tonight. Until then, get some rest, and be sure to review what you were told this morning. Dismissed.

Thank you!

GAAAH! I knew it'd be rough, but that was somethin' else! A full-on physical AND mental workout, training never gets me this tired!

This is what it takes to perform the duty entrusted to us... A true test!

Heh, if this is how things're startin' out, I can't wait to see what's comin'. This is shapin' up to be one helluva boot camp!

All right, today we'll take it from the top and do it once through, see what we all need to work on.

But first, Oguri! The Rites of Entwinement and Procession, how many parts are they each split into? Go!

Huh? Umm... The Entwinement has four, and the Procession just one... I think.

Ding, ding, ding! Glad to see there's no need for one of my quips. Right then, let's start with a refresher on the Entwinement.

In the first part of the Entwinement, ya face the sole slate bonfire and do a slooow dance, then use the flame to light your torch.

In the second part, the Bearer takes their torch and runs all the way up the mountain to the Ring, carryin' the flame with them.

Then when they get there, the Bearer does a lively dance with torch in hand, all while runnin' 'round the Ring and yellin' at the top of their lungs.

You gotta scream, dance, and run around at the same time with all of your energy, it's gonna do a number on ya!

So today, we're gonna tackle the second part, startin' from when we run 'round the Ring!

HAHHHHH!

...Tama and Inari are really something. I don't know how they can yell so loud while running.

And not only that, the fierce dance seems to be no trouble at all for them either. That takes impressive stamina and athleticism!

Phew! This is killer, but at least you get to improvise a little and go wild. Don't gotta worry about messin' up like with the first dance.

Ahaha! And you really know how to go wild, don'tcha? Well, not enough to one-up me, though!

Huh? You talkin' down to me? Bring it on! Next group practice, I'm gonna upstage you big time!

...I have much to learn from the way you two give voice to passion. This part is surely my biggest weakness, so I must redouble my efforts.

Yeah, I guess screamin' bloody murder doesn't really fit your image. But y'know, I've been hearin' a lot more outta you compared to when we started, so keep at it!

If anything, Yaeno, I woulda expected you to have this part in the bag, but... Somethin' the matter? I know you got more volume and energy in you.

I... My apologies. I will practice hard until I am on the same level as you two.

Hey, you're a cut above when it comes to the slow ritual dance in the first half! For now, how 'bout you get the rest of us up to speed on that one?

...I'll do my best.

All right, now we're gonna practice the third part of the Entwinement. Here's where the mood takes another 180.

After rompin' 'round the Ring, you take your torch to the altar in the middle and transfer the flame to the brazier there, then swap out with the next Bearer.

Now after that comes the Dedication, a document to honor the wishes of runners from the past, with a whole lotta stuffy language you gotta read out loud.

"We are gathered here... before our forerunners... to offer these our felicitations?" Uhh...

"From past to present, present to future... those who run a path known to none..."

"Those multitude who have passed before. We here entwine them all to illuminate, praise, console, ignite anew, and to spark a flame that shall be our guide."

...Well, this is one thing I can't give Tama and Oguri a hard time about. Like c'mon, these characters got so many strokes, I'm gonna have one of my own!

Meanwhile, Ardan here can already recite it from memory. And with beautiful enunciation, at that.

O-oh, crap! I can see da steam comin' outta Oguri's noggin again! Ardan, lay off it for a sec!

...S-sorry, it feels like I had you write down all those definitions and pronunciation notes for nothing.

Nonsense. Your reading has already improved markedly, just take it one word at a time. I'll help you get there.

Thanks... You'd make a good teacher, you know.

Well, thank the Goddesses we have Ardan with us. Imagine if it was just us pea brains...

Next up is the fourth part of the Entwinement, then we're gonna start practicin' for the other rite, the Procession.

After readin' the Dedication, the Bearer takes a special flower arrangement meant to bring good luck and tosses it from the altar, spreadin' the fortune.

Once the fourth part's done, that's it for the Entwinement. Then it's time for the next rite, the Procession.

There's only one thing to do in this one. It's real simple!

Phew... I like the Procession. Just a fun sprint from the Ring down the mountain. It's basically a race.

C'mon, we're just scopin' out the course and ya take off at full speed? Thanks to you, I had to put some fire in my step, ya nitwit!

Seconded. You basically had us doing partner runs... Though I'm not sure what else we were expecting from you.

...I don't foresee us having any trouble with the Procession. In fact, it seems everybody's enjoying themselves much more compared to the other parts.

Got that right. Anyone who runs with Oguri ends up like this, she just has that effect on people, dunno what it is.

But we can't rest easy, the Entwinement's gonna be a problem. All the parts had some major issues we gotta work on.

The midterm rehearsal is already just around the corner... I fear we can only improve so much between now and then.

...Sorry I keep messing up on so much of it. Feels like I'm just dragging the team down at this point.

Nope, 'nuff of that! I get why you're nervous. I make plenty of mistakes myself, and we don't got much time to practice. But you know what?

Right now, we're a team. We're not goin' at it alone, which means we can play to our strengths and cover each other's weaknesses. So let's hunker down and do this!

You said it, boss! Got us all on the same page, just like that! Now that's style!

I couldn't have said it better myself. To fulfill our duties as Bearers, we must come together as a team and devote ourselves to practice!

Hear, hear! We gotta come together... as a team. And teams... wait a sec...

That's it! I got an idea! All right, hear me out...

Ahem. Okay, here's to the success of our boot camp and the Heartfire Ceremony.

Cheers!

Man, a kickoff party, now that was a stroke of genius. Nothin' like a good ol' get together to build some team spirit!

You know it! What Ardan said gave me an idea. If you really wanna come together as a team, you gotta get around a table and let the drinks flow!

Right then, I better do my job as the organizer. Let's get this Team Spirit Takoyaki-and-Sometimes-Meat Party goin'!

Orarararara! Let's gooooo! Hryahhhh!

Look at those hands! Truly fast as lightning! Takoyaki are materializing in the blink of an eye!

You haven't seen nothin' yet! I'm gonna needa pick up the pace with the gluttonous Beast of Tracen here!

Tama's takoyaki... My stomach's getting impatient.

Hehe. I have some meat on the grill over here, so you can have some to whet your appetite if you'd like.

And after the meat, it's yakisoba time! Hope you're ready, 'cause you're 'bout to see a food stall pro in action!

Ooh! It's starting to feel like a festival!

All right, everyone dig in! Oh, except Oguri, just nibbles for now! Leave some for the others!

I-I'll try!

Wazzup, you Oguri's mom or somethin'? No eatin' too much, no taste testin' before it's done?

Who da hell ya callin' "mom"?!

Eating at one big table with everyone sure gets... rowdy. But equally fun and exciting, too.

Indeed, it was a nice change of pace. Tamamo, thank you for proposing the idea.

Haha, don't mention it! I just blurted out what I thought sounded fun, and you all humored me, so I'm the one who should be sayin' thanks.

Ever since this ceremony business got dropped on us, you've constantly been takin' the lead. Care to let us in on what's got ya so fired up?

Where's this comin' from? ...It's nothin' dramatic like you're thinkin', just some personal stuff.

They say good luck comes to whoever bears the Heartfire, don't they? Well, I figured I'd get what luck I can for my upcomin' races.

'Cause from now on, I plan on doin' a whole lotta winnin'. I wanna win and win and win... and grab my dreams by the tail!

And to do that, just trainin' like hell's not gonna cut it. Luck, fate, what have ya, I gotta have it all on my side.

And that's why I wanna be a Heartfire Bearer. If this opportunity will get me even an inch closer to those victories...

Then I'm gonna pounce on it. Every single chance that presents itself to me, I'll seize 'em all... And then, I'm gonna win. That's all there is to it.

...Pure, unadultered ambition. I understand, now, where that strong will of yours draws its source from.

Hey, no bein' overdramatic! All right, enough about me. Let's clean up and get ready for tonight's group practice!

Not so fast, now! You can't drop that on us then call it just like that. We gotta gather 'round and end this the proper way, don't we?

Round? Well, my stomach's gotten pretty round...

Ahaha! That's not what I'm talkin' about, Oguri. We gotta gather 'round, solidify our team spirit! In a circle! Y'know, a huddle!

Haha! I getcha, I getcha. Fine by me! All right, everyone gather round!

We're gonna make this Heartfire Ceremony a success! Ready?

Hip, hip, hooray!

Phew...

Heh.

HAHHHH!

That's it, you two! Just like that, go wild!

From past to present, present to future, those who run a path known to none, we pray they find fortune at its end and, in this moment, invoke their myriad emotions.

...I did it! I got through it without tripping up!

Booyah! This midterm rehearsal is gonna be a piece of cake! Ms. Mukai won't know what hit her!

That concludes your midterm rehearsal. Now then, I'd like to offer my current thoughts on your performance.

First off, I commend you for coming so far in so short a time. You left no doubt in my mind as to how seriously you're taking this.

Your performance has certainly reached the level expected of you at this midway point. Which makes it all the more important that I make one thing clear...

If nothing changes, I'm afraid I won't be able to let you perform the ceremony.

Wha?!

Aghh! I don't get it! What'd we do wrong? And why didn't she tell us nothin'?!

W-wait, what did we get wrong?! I mean, you just said we were at the expected level!

I'm sorry, but there's nothing I can teach you on this front. This is one answer you must find by yourselves.

I will scale back our group practices, so for the rest of camp, I'd like you to practice on your own and reflect on what you still lack.

...This is a trial that all previous Bearers had to face. I look forward to seeing the answers you arrive at on display in your final rehearsal.

We came all this way, and we were doin' so well! I thought we had it in the bag, but I guess I was just bein' naive.

...Perhaps she saw through my failure to gain mastery over my mind. I knew I was still unable to fully restrain my inner tempest.

Enough. Sittin' around and whinin' like this is just wastin' time! First things first, let's get some practice in and improve our performance!

...But Ms. Mukai said our performance was up to the expected level. How about we try considering aspects other than technique?

Other aspects? And what 'xactly are we s'posed to consider, huh?

Well... I'm afraid I can't say. I'm not quite sure how we ought to proceed, to be honest...

We don't got much time left. For now, we just gotta do whatever we can! We can't let all the hard work we put in together go to waste.

Stop right there!

Wh-what's da matter, Inari? You don't gotta shout like dat!

How 'bout you stop yappin' for a sec and we all take a nice bath together?

Huh? We don't got time for a bath! Don'tcha know what kinda pickle we're in?!

I know full well, and that's why I'm sayin' we gotta turn it down a few notches!

You see, Tama, I'm here to do justice to the Heartfire Ceremony and its long history. As an Umamusume, I wanna make it a festival to remember.

And when it comes time, I'll announce myself to the world as the great Heartfire Bearer Inari, that's my goal!

But if I wanna do that, just goin' at it alone won't get me very far. It's never gonna be a real festival unless we all come together.

And to bring us all together, we need colorful folks like you, a big leader with a big heart in a tiny body.

All of us here are bamboozled at this sudden turn of events. So I say we talk about it after we've had a nice bath. Howzat sound, boss?

...Hmph. You coulda left out the "tiny" jab.

Sigh... Inari's right. Sorry, guys. I started freakin' out.

No, I'm sorry too. I was so desperate for a solution, I blurted out a half-baked idea... I think we could all use a break.

Ahh... I'm melting... I'm gonna turn into a puddle... Y'know, I just realized we were still covered in sweat from the rehearsal.

Tama... Don't melt...

You look like you're just about to melt yourself. We shouldn't stay in too long. Let's pop out real quick.

Haha, looks like all that tension melted away too. Wazzat a good bath or what!

Someday, it might be nice to go on a hot springs trip with the two of us plus Chiyono O.

That... sounds like an exciting idea. I can already see Chiyono O's jubilant smile as we pitch it to her.

Whew! That hit the spot! All right, now to figure out what to do.

After soaking in the water and catching my breath, an idea came to me. If you don't mind, how about I share it with everyone while we take in some fresh air?

So I got to thinking, what if we did a little research into the Heartfire Ceremony?

Research? Like why it got started, stuff like that?

Precisely. Earlier, I was pondering the Heartfire Ceremony, and realized that maybe I don't truly understand what it's about.

What it's about? Now that you mention it, I don't know anything beyond it being a ceremony to honor the dreams of retired runners from the past.

See, a thought occurred to me whilst reading the Dedication, perhaps there's a deeper history behind the ceremony, some other significance to it.

And what if what we lack... is an understanding of that aspect?

And that's where research comes in... It's a good idea. If we're gonna be Bearers, it can't hurt to know more anyways.

Well, good thing we have you with us! Truth is, I wasn't payin' any attention to the history and all that.

Please, I haven't done anything. It's just, this has to do with why I wanted to be a Bearer.

Being stuck in this fragile body, yet still trying to leave my mark on this world nevertheless, I look to history for role models to aspire to.

So the prospect of participating in such a storied ceremony, of adding my name onto the end of that long succession gave me great joy.

And if I perform well, the success could help me shine brighter in the future... That is the hope I came here with.

It is also what led me to ask myself: I say I want to become a part of this history, but have I ever truly grappled with it?

...Well, today's the day we start grapplin', then. I'll join ya. We're all tryin' to be Heartfire Bearers here.

Wait, if we're to do research, we're going to need sources. It'd be nice if we found some at a nearby library, but...

That's right, and in fact there's someone whose help I'd like to enlist. I was thinking of paying them a visit after this.

Here are the documents relating to the Heartfire Ceremony held by the Preservation Society. Feel free to make use of them.

Thank you for giving us permission to look at these. We'll treat them with the utmost care.

...I hope you find what you're looking for. Well, that's all from me.

Only Ardan would think to go directly to Ms. Mukai. Truly you know no fear. And thanks to that, we now have more materials than we could have hoped for.

I know I talked a big game about grapplin' with history and what not, but are we really gonna read through all these? Look, Oguri's already sweatin' buckets.

We'll just have to tackle it as a team. I have a feeling that the answers we seek are somewhere in here.

Oh, here we go! This one's about the Entwinement, yeah? And this one... should be about sole slates, I think?

Thank you. It looks to be... a record kept by a slate artisan. "Autumn. Divers artisans met together for to gather wood wherewith they fashioned sole slates."

So back then artisans used to gather 'round and all make the slates together? Also, I dunno how you can make heads or tails outta this mess of squiggly lines.

It's a hobby, you could say. I can't do much without my calligraphy handbook, but I'm glad to finally put these skills to use.

"With raised voice... dancing flame... to dispel evil in the bowstring's stead... thundering feet... lost connections strung together... shining as one..."

...This part seems important. I should take notes.

Gahh! There's so many pages left. This might be enough readin' for a lifetime...

But there's no time to rest! Let's see here... "The roots of the Heartfire Ceremony remain shrouded in mystery, though one convincing theory holds that..."

This drawing looks like running Umamusume. They're side by side, so I guess it's the Procession? They ran it with a lot more Bearers than we do now...

Oops. Almost fell asleep. Focus, focus...

Well then, why don't we go over what we've all learned from the documents we read?

So the Heartfire Ceremony, it started out as a ritual prayer to the Three Goddesses for the fortunes of Umamusume, but then racing culture changed it.

It went from bein' about good fortune to prayin' for safety and success in races. So basically, it wasn't about the past at first, it was about the future.

Later, the prayers of retired Umamusume gave rise to the new dedicatory aspect of paying homage to the glory and struggles of their forerunners.

So it was a wish for the future, then expanded to include a prayer for the past, which connected past and future... Something like that?

That's right. The Heartfire Ceremony connects past, present, and future, tying together the wishes of all Umamusume across time, to rephrase what you said.

...So all the different rites have their own meaning, some sort of wish or prayer behind them.

I was ignorant of the prayers demanded in each, yet I had the gall to force my assumptions of what a Bearer ought to be onto the ceremony.

Your assumptions? What do you mean?

Yes, well... In my head, a Heartfire Bearer was the centerpiece of a historic ritual, and as such must embody purity and gravitas.

And if I could do that... if I could be that kind of Heartfire Bearer... then I could stand proud.

But to do so would be no more than performing my own ego. What's truly important is embodying the prayers at the heart of the ceremony.

...I wasn't much better. I was so focused on my goal of winnin' a bunch, all I could think about was makin' this a success no matter what.

And I guess I needed a hefty dose of respect for our forerunners. All I was thinkin' about was makin' it a grand ol' time... Boy do I feel dumb.

I think I understand now... What it was we lacked. The voices we should have heeded all this time.

Hey, guys? If it's okay with you, there's something I want to ask Ms. Mukai about...

You want to know the feelings of Umamusume who ran in the past?

As I studied up on the ceremony, it made me want to know more. All those Umamusume from the past, what prayers, what wishes did they have?

Up until now, I only had this fuzzy notion that it would be nice to perform the duty of a Heartfire Bearer for the folks alive today. That's all I had coming into this.

But now, there's more. I want to be the best Bearer I can be for the Umamusume of the past, too. Could you help me?

...Very well. There is something I can show you. I think you're all ready to see it now.

What are these books?

In your hands are the sole slates burned in past ceremonies. The wishes of participating Umamusume have all been copied down and compiled.

I will allow you to borrow them, so please give them a read.

H-hold on a second! You sure we can look at these?!

Yes. Seeing as you are grappling with what it means to be a Heartfire Bearer, I'm sure you'll find them to be useful.

...Thank you so much!

"I ran for so long, only to fall short in the one graded race that really mattered. I still dream of what could've been."

"So I pray on behalf of some future runner I'll never know, that she'll be able to win the race she really wants to win."

Huh... So there were Umamusume prayin' for us. For the victories of folks in the future just like us.

"I had to give up racing early on. Although I was able to make a name for myself off the track..."

"If things had gone my way, I would've wanted to gain fame through running too."

...I don't blame her. If you choose to race, there's nothin' you want more than to announce yourself to the whole world with your runnin'.

"I had a strong rival, and friend, who I wished to compete with on the big stage. However, unforeseen circumstances suddenly took her out of racing."

"The hole in my heart left by her departure remains unfilled. I pray that no one need suffer this misery in the future."

If I lost a worthy opponent so dear to me, just like she did... What would I do?

"I don't want anyone else to know this feeling. The pain of being one step away from becoming the best in Japan, only to have your legs give out on you."

"So I pray... that no one else becomes like me. That no one else feels the unquenchable thirst I now feel."

Ahh... I can only imagine the cold depths of her despair... It saddens me. I will finish what you started, if you'll allow me.

"Running for the folks who supported me, winning for them, it was pure bliss. And when I made it on the cover of that magazine, they were all so happy, and so was I."

"I pray that the Umamusume of the future experience this joy as well." I guess there were always Umamusume who ran for the sake of others.

So many runners... and their dreams live on here... And now... now, I...

Looks like we're all done reading. Heh, everyone's makin' the same face, now this is a sight.

That includes you, too, Tama.

Say, before the final rehearsal, there's something I wanna hash out with you guys.

We will now begin your final rehearsal of the Heartfire Ceremony. I presume you are all prepared?

Ms. Mukai, before we begin, I'd like to suggest something.

We decided to divvy up the roles like it's the real thing. So can we go through the whole ceremony with those roles today?

Very well. Show me the ceremony that you have chosen for yourselves.

Thanks so much! All right. Team, let's do this!

Once again, congratulations on a successful training camp. It was a delight to see you all prove yourselves worthy of taking on the mantle of Heartfire Bearer.

I admit to taking a stern attitude during camp in order to test you... but you responded with astounding dedication.

I was wondering why you were so eager to lend us those documents... Were you expecting us to want to learn more on our own?

It would be simple for me to teach you everything from the start. But that approach would not test whether or not you were truly fit to be Heartfire Bearers.

A true Bearer must of her own volition discover a role for herself in the ceremony, just as you have done. It is that sincerity which is most important.

I understand now. The reason we needed to practice all the different rites was so that we could find which prayer we wanted to carry on.

...I had an old friend who wished for a bright future for the Umamusume of this country, that was the prayer she offered at the Heartfire Ceremony.

I would ask that you take her prayer with you too... as you each run toward your futures.

You have our word, we will carry your friend's prayer with us.

Then I'll ask for you to watch us, we'll take everything you taught us to heart and fulfill our duty as Bearers!

Of course. I await your performance on the day of the ceremony with great anticipation.

Ms. Mukai, thank you for everything you've done for us during our stay here!

Thank you!

A festive melody echoes in the late autumn air as night falls. It seems as if the Fleetfoot Festival has suddenly become enveloped in an otherworldly atmosphere.

In just a few moments, the first rite, the Entwinement, will begin. A Heartfire Bearer now makes her appearance before the sole slate bonfire.

(All eyes are on me. I must perform the opening rites with my head held high, and stay true to myself.)

Coming together as a team and relearning everything I thought I knew about the ceremony, I found a dream, a prayer I want to help come true.

There's a prayer that only I can offer, and now I know what it is!

In the Entwinement, we light a fire to symbolize the dreams of our forerunners, and make them blaze bright once more.

With fierce yells as we dance around the Ring with flame in hand, we chase away all calamity that may befall us.

By dispelling evil, we protect those dreams as they pass from past to future. And the spark, the ignition, must come from the strength of our prayers!

Now is my time! Through me their dreams shall burn bright, safe from misfortune, I am the Bearer of flame!

Concluding her ceremonious dance, the Bearer transfers the flame to a torch. Next she must ascend to the Ring at the top of the mountain.

UOOOOOGH!

Here I stand! Here we shine! Dreams entwined, I their conduit, to the Ring I now go!

The Bearer's powerful voice seems to shake the very trees! And now, with torch in hand, she begins her run up to the Ring.

Here at the Ring, the crowd eagerly awaits the arrival of the Heartfire Bearer from the foot of the mountain.

And here she is! With torch in hand, the Bearer has come running up the mountain!

HAHHH!

(Heartfire! Dreams of my forerunners! Tempest swirling within me! Burn bright! Scorch the heavens, and shine a guiding light for all to see!)

(Protect the runners of today, and the runners of tomorrow! Dispel the dark clouds that would bring calamity upon them!)

What a sight to behold! As the Bearer dances around the Ring, the entire mountaintop roars to life as if swept up in a great blaze!

The flame carried up from the bottom has been transferred to the brazier. A new Bearer will now read the Dedication and scatter the flowers.

(...It is time. This is for those noble souls who came before.)

Here I stand. Here we shine. Dreams entwined, I their conduit, words I now offer.

To all Umamusume in days past who stepped off the track with regrets, held back by the shackles of your circumstances, bodies, or both...

I have heard your prayers for none to suffer the same fate, and felt their warmth. As one bound by the same shackles, I wish to join you.

But also... know that your prayers have blessed those running today with a future, and one day I shall prove it with my own two legs!

Having recited the Dedication, the Bearer will now take the beautiful bouquet and toss its flowers toward the crowd.

Prayers and wishes, receive warmth from the flame and bloom proud!

(We will bloom proud like these flowers in our time. No matter what hardships await, we will press on, with your prayers as the fire at our heels.)

Flowers bloom, dreams to follow. Now and forevermore, may all paths yet unknown be lined with peace and glory.

Next in the Heartfire Ceremony will be the climactic Procession race, starting momentarily.

Might as well say this now, Inari, I owe ya one. If you didn't talk some sense into me that one time, I wouldn't be standin' here.

Don't mention it. I just wanted to make sure the ceremony packed a punch. If you wanna thank me, then show me a run full of class!

You're on! Just to be clear, I'm winnin' this thing. 'Cause today, I'm runnin' with the prayers of folks hungry for a win at my back!

Heh. And I got the prayers of folks wantin' to make a name for themselves. So as their Bearer, I'm gonna get 'em a win, and make sure everyone knows who I am!

I'm going to be a Bearer for all the Umamusume who ran to answer the cheers of their supporters.

I'll carry their will and their prayers forward into the future! So Tama, Inari... this one's mine.

Now things are really startin' to heat up. All right, let's get started.

Hark, hark! Flames, guests, Goddesses!

Tonight, hark and bear witness.

As we carry the Heartfire hence, and bear it thither.

Dreams entwined, now joined in procession!

HAAAAHHHH!

The intensity is incredible! They're putting up a fight worthy of an actual race, and the crowd is loving every second of it!

(Are you all watchin' from up there? Watch me! Watch us!)

(We'll carry on your prayers in the present, connect your dreams to the future, this is who we are!)

(You won't have run in vain! You won't be forgotten! Your time on the track, your dreams, they led to this moment and we'll scream that truth out loud!)

(Not with words, but with our runnin'! We'll prove that you left your footprints on this world!)

(So many have run before us! And even more will follow after! As long as we're here running... as long as there are Umamusume running!)

UOOOOOOGH!

The finish line is coming up fast! Which Bearer will reach the bottom and finish the Procession first?!

The ceremony was amazing. I'm so glad we came... And is it just me, or does something feel almost magical?

No, I feel it too. Something in my chest... like a flame. Guess I gotta run it off at training tomorrow.

So you know my next race? Yeah, I'm so gonna win it.

Whoa, you too? I was just thinking the same thing! I wanna take off running right now!

Girls, you performed your duties as Heartfire Bearers splendidly. And for that, I thank you.

Entwinement, Procession, it is a never-ending cycle. I pray that the joy you have given me one day finds its way back to you.

Ahem. Here's to our successful Heartfire Ceremony!

Cheers!

Y'know, for a time I thought we were done for, so boy does it feel good to be celebratin'. Good work, team! And thank you!

It was tough, but I had a fun time. I'm glad we all got to be Bearers together.

We learned a lotta important stuff, and received somethin' even more important. I still feel like I got that flame burnin' in me, right here.

The heat of that flame will have reached the others watching. And now... it will spark new dreams in them.

We have our own dreams to pursue, and dreams we've yet to find. And one day, others will come to carry them on for us.

Well, when you put it like that... makes ya feel a little brave, don't it?

Every time we run, we're drawing connections. Between the past, the present, and the future.

I wonder what kind of future we'll find... Can't wait to find out.

Yep. But y'know...

We still got a whole lotta present to get through. Don'tcha think it's a bit early to be dreamin' about the future?

Hah, you said it! If we wanna greet the future with a bang, we can't be snoozin' through the here and now!

Heh, I never intended to. I shall illuminate our present with all that I am.

And I will join you, as we are fated to share the same moment on the track. We will leave our mark, so all can see where we ran.

We'll keep running. As far as our legs will carry us, to the ends of the earth.

Because that's what it means to be an Umamusume.

Forth, forth, Umamusume! Run hence, run thither, carry far our dreams.