Uma Musume: Pretty Derby story · Character stories
Meisho Doto's story
7 scenes, 391 lines
1. Sorry for Being a Klutz
44 linesIt's been several days since I began my job as a trainer, and I'm itching to recruit a racer of my own. I'm heading down to the training grounds when...
Whoosh!
WATCH OOOUT!
Suddenly, the leg of a desk is flying straight at me!
...?!
A-are you okay? I'm so, so, sooo sorry!
Thanks to the warning, I manage to avoid a very untimely death... But that still begs the question...
Since when do desk legs fly?
Huh? D-desk legs? Fly? Ah... r-r-right! Wh-wh-what have I doooone?!
Wh-wh-wh-what am I going to do NOW?!
Behind her I notice a desk missing one leg. I do my best to calm down the panicking student, and eventually, I'm able to get the story out of her.
I-I... I'm pretty much a walking disaster. I can never do anything right, but, um... Well... I-I still want to help when I can...
So when someone told me Opera O's desk has been w-wobbly lately... I-I thought I'd fix it for her...
But... When I tried to bend it back into place, the leg broke off instead! I-I panicked, and the next thing I knew... the desk leg flew out of my hand...
I'm sorry! I should've known I would make a mess of things! And now I involved an innocent trainer too... I'm the wooorst!
I-I need to do something before I cause any more problems... Think, think... I know! I'll just glue the leg back on and then leave!
WH-WHYYY?! Why won't you stick to the desk, leg?! A-and now everything's all sticky...
I-I know... I can secure the leg with rope!
THAT DIDN'T WORK EITHEEER!
Crack!
Hyah?! It broke! Wh-wh-what do I do nooow?!
(It's like watching a train wreck in slow motion...)
It's already late... I'm just about to tell her that she can ask for a replacement desk tomorrow, when suddenly I hear a thunderous laugh.
Haaah ha ha ha!
I was wondering what all that ruckus was about! To think I would come across such tragedy! My desk, once as beautiful as me, is in pieces!
O-O-O-Ope...Ope...Opera O?! I-I'm so sorry! I-I can explain! I was just...
EXCELLENT!
Huh?
My shining desk, lying in disarray... Two of its legs strewn about the floor! The blanket of moonlight draping it in sorrow!
What more could I ask for in a display of true grief? Behold, Doto! Do I not shine all the more against this tragic backdrop?!
Y-yes! You're shining brightly!
Marvelous! And please, take as many photographs as you like! You there! Work the fan so that I may have a breeze to flutter my locks!
Uh...
Before I know it, I'm working behind the scenes at an impromptu photoshoot for T.M. Opera O...
Oho... Excellent shots! Chaos and creation! Despair and hope! And towering above it all stands I, T.M. Opera O... Bravo!
It seems I've underestimated you, Doto! To think you had such passion for stagecraft!
Huh? N-no, I was, uh, ummm...
T.M. Opera O seems completely oblivious to Doto's anxious behavior... Beaming with pride, she nods with satisfaction before continuing.
My eyes have never deceived me before! Therefore, I have a proposition for you!
For my next operatic performance at the Tracen Meet to be a success, I want, nay, I NEED your help! Tales of our fierce battle shall spread far and wide!
Huh? B-battle? M-m-m-me?
Precisely! To you, my dear, I deem a central role in my saga. You shall be... the villain!
2. Sorry for Overdoing It
66 linesThe event T.M. Opera O invited Meisho Doto to is the Tracen Meet, a competition held multiple times a year to both challenge and celebrate the students.
And for our showing to be a success, we must rehearse! We shall meet on the turf course tomorrow at one o'clock sharp! Ta-ta for now, Doto! Hah ha ha ha!
...Phew. Wh-what a shock... I-I think I lost consciousness for a second there...
You okay?
Hm? Yes, of co, huh?! D-did O-Ope...Opera O really just... ask me for something?! A-and a battle at that?! Whaaat?!
She's a lot more flustered than I would've expected. Not to mention the way she was looking at T.M. Opera O with so much... admiration. Could it be...
Are you a fan of hers?
N-no, I don't deserve to call myself a fan... It's more like... I-I look up to her, I suppose...
M-maybe that's a bit confusing... Um... W-when I first saw Opera O at our entrance ceremony...
Hah ha ha! Look at these decorated walls, the gilded stage, an auditorium at full capacity! Good to see the school celebrate my enrollment appropriately!
To say she stood out would be an understatement. Her laugh echoed through the halls as she entered, and then...
Listen well, my comrades and rivals! Today, my journey along the road to victory...
She tripped in the middle of her speech.
A-are you okay?!
Can you imagine? Tripping over your own two feet... in front of the whole school... on the first day?! I would've had nightmares for months! But not her...
Heh... Haaah ha ha ha ha! Excellent! Could there be more crushing humiliation than this?! What luck to come across such emotion so serendipitously!
(Sh-she's not embarassed? In fact... sh-she seems even more majestic than before... A-amazing... H-how?)
(I-I want to be like that too!)
Opera O asking me for help... was likely, no, probably, no, surely, no, definitely pure coincidence...
B-but even so... if she thinks I can somehow be of help to her, I-I want to do my very best!
The next day, curiosity gets the better of me, and I decide to watch Meisho Doto and T.M. Opera O. However, something's amiss when I get there...
Hah ha ha! To think she would be thirty minutes late on our very first day!
Recalling her overall clumsiness, I start to worry that she may have fallen and injured herself somewhere. But just then...
I-I'M SO SORRY!
F-forgive me! Prepping took me a little longer than I thought! I-I'll enter the gate right away! I'm so, so, soooo sorry!
Hold it right there, Doto. Do you truly believe we can race with you in such a state?
Eep! I-I-I mean... that is... I'm sorry!
You're still wearing your slippers.
...!
And so, Meisho Doto rushes back to the dorms to retrieve her running shoes. Just a little longer, and this race can begin...
...Or so I thought. Night has fallen.
Hah ha ha ha! What incredible tardiness!
Too tardy if you ask me... Surely something happened this time...
No, please do.
W-well... I-I was so excited yesterday that I decided to polish my shoes... But when I was done, I put them in a different place than usual. So when I went looking...
Are they here? What about here? What about over here?! Surely they're right here! Why aren't they here?! WHERE ARE THEY?!
Eventually I did manage to find them, but...
Th-the cleats fell off! Whyyy?!
Ah... I must've reapplied them too many times last night... The holes from the nails are too big! B-but that means... Ohhh, I'm such an idiot!
S-so I had to go buy new shoes, which took even longer... S-sorry doesn't even begin to cover...
Why didn't you just call us?
Ah, y-you're right! I should've just, Wait, no, it's a little late for that now! What's done is done, and I-I need to make up for being so tardy!
Well, it's a little late to race now. Should we try again some other day?
It's already nighttime, and surely Opera O is sick of waiting. But when I look over at her, she only smiles.
Heh, a few accidents will not sway the heart of the Overlord! Besides, look yonder at the moon! O how she shines! She urges us to run, so run we shall!
Th-thank you, Opera O...
(Th-then for your sake, I have to at least be a good running partner! I have to be useful!)
Heh... You're showing true grit there, Doto! But I will not falter! Haaah!
...Ha! Well, villain? Did you enjoy that small sample of my, oh? Did you trip?
I-I'm so sorry! Not only did I make you wait for me until it was pitch black outside, but I couldn't even give you a proper race!
H-how can I even begin to make this up to you... Ah, I-I know, I brought th-these refreshments with me...
Although preparing this was another reason I was late... I'm sorry...
Meisho Doto hands over a hot cup of coffee and all is well... for about half a second.
This... isn't coffee, is it? Tastes more like soy sauce to me!
S-s-soy sauce?! Oh no, now I've done it! Um... Uh... I-I also brought this towel, which I sprayed with a lovely fragrance! Please take it and...
Cough, cough! T-the stench... It burns...
EEEK! A-are you okay?! ARE YOU OKAY?! OPERA O!
Hic... Sniff... I-I can't believe I caused the Opera O to faint...
At least it wasn't anything serious.
S-still... I thought I'd finally be useful for once, but in the end... all I did was cause trouble... Sniff...
I-I really am the most worthless Umamusume everrr!
Doto races off, distraught by her own failures. It's clear she put a lot of effort into today, so I understand why she's upset... Concerned, I race after her.
3. Sorry for Not Giving Up
49 linesChasing after a budding racer was not my brightest idea. I've completely lost sight of her... Her distressed expression still vivid in my mind, I continue my search.
Her enthusiasm completely backfired today. Between being late, tripping during her run, and causing Opera O to have a near-death experience...
(I hope she's okay...)
Worried, I search the academy grounds. After what feels like half an hour...
Huff, puff, huff, puff!
I... I can do better... I will do better! For Opera O!
I have to run properly on the day of the race... Th-then... maybe someday I'll... O-one more lap!
Raaaah!
Meisho Doto wipes the tears from her puffy, reddened eyes and makes a dash for the riverside.
Thud!
Eeeaargh?!
...Only to fall into a ditch.
That could've been bad... Thank you... Sniff...
You okay?
Yes... I'm, um... kinda used to falling at this point... Sigh...
...Why am I... like this?
Her clothes are completely covered in mud, and it's already quite late. Just as I'm about to urge her to return home, she raises her head.
I... have to try harder! Yeah! Time for some long-distance running!
Now?!
Huh? Ah, I'm s-s-sorry! Is that a... problem?
I'm just surprised by how hardworking you are.
N-no, not at all! I'd say I'm more, um... stubborn than hardworking...
Whenever I think about quitting, I just start remembering... and I start feeling like maybe... just maybe... even I can...
Remembering...?
Huh? Um... It's not a very exciting story...
It happened a long time ago, when I went to see my first G1 race... The racers, the crowd, the very race itself was just so... magical.
At first, I thought of it all as a completely different world... One where someone like me could never exist... until I heard the winner's speech.
I used to have no confidence in myself. I truly believed I could do nothing right... But as I started winning races, I began to see myself in a new light.
Now, after winning such an amazing race, I can sincerely say that I love myself!
...!
Does... Does that mean that if I try hard enough, I can change too?
After that, I got all excited and applied for Tracen Academy... And somehow I got in. Ahaha...
That's quite the story.
Yeah... I-I know I'm a klutz, and nothing I do ever turns out right... But I still have a hard time telling when it's time to give up...
I keep hoping that if I keep trying, someday I'll be like that winner back then... or maybe even a majestic racer like Opera O...
And before I knew it, it became even harder to give up... So not only am I a klutz, I'm a stupid one at that...
Meisho Doto's already hard on herself by default, but she's even worse today. It's clear she sees herself in a negative light, but...
Isn't not giving up a good thing?
Today was an indisputable disaster, but even then, she's out here preparing for the Tracen Meet. To me, that takes true grit.
Huh? A g-good thing? S-s-sorry, I must've misheard you...
I think tenacity's one of your strong points.
I didn't mishear you?!
U-um... A-a-are you sure about that? I mean... all I'm doing is just trudging along, not knowing when to give up...
Not everyone can do that, you know.
I-I'm not so sure about that...
...Ehehe, I'm glad you think so, though...
A-anyway, I, ummm... I think I'm going to run a little more before going back to the dorm! H-have a good night!
As Meisho Doto runs off into the distance, I can feel a faint strength coming from her unlike anything I've ever felt before.
Huff... Huff... Here I go!
4. Sorry for Still Having Hope
64 linesSince that day, I'll often spot Meisho Doto training for her big race.
Huff... Huff... Huff... O-one more lap!
Huff, puff... Wheeze... S-so tired... No! I've got to keep going!
No matter how exhausted she looks, she just keeps pushing forward, one step at a time.
Heh! Impressive, Doto!
Finally, the day of the Tracen Meet arrives! The stands are filled to the brim with racers who have come to participate, and those here to see them.
Did you hear? Opera O and Doto are gonna have it out in today's 1,800-meter race! Check out this flyer! "Doto vs. Opera O, A Beautiful Symphony!"
"A Symphony"? Uh... Marketing aside, why Doto? I mean... She's just gonna goof up, right?
(Prove 'em wrong, Meisho Doto!)
Finally, today's the day our symphony will ring louder and more beautifully than any other! May the best racer win, Doto!
R-right!
Inhale... Exhale... Okay... Shoes, check. Running number, check... Crippling nausea... None! I've got this!
All the racers have entered the gate... Who among them will be the winner of today's 1,800-meter? And... they're off!
The racers have reached the third corner. The favorite for today, T.M. Opera O, is in the center of the pack, but clearly has her eyes on the front!
(I-I can feel Opera O's presence... Now it's just a matter of time before...)
We've reached the homestretch! T.M. Opera O races forward from the outside!
(Here she comes!)
The only fitting ending to today's story is... me taking another step down the road to victory!
Haaaaah!
Oh dear, Meisho Doto loses her balance! Did she trip over herself?!
(Why? Why now of all times?! I-I really am a worthless...)
"I think tenacity's one of your strong points."
Urgh... Urrraaagh!
And she quickly recovers! Now she's got her eyes on Opera O! Two hundred meters to go... Will Opera O maintain her lead? Or will Doto overtake her?!
...!
T.M. Opera O and Meisho Doto are battling it out for first place! Our winner is... T.M. Opera O!
Huff, huff... Sigh... I couldn't catch up after all...
(Still... It's nice to see so many smiles... Maybe I was a good villain for Opera O after all...)
Ahhh, listen to those cheers! I feel the gazes of adoration upon me! Excellent! Thank you, thank you, one and all!
However, the starring role is nothing without her supporting cast! That's right, I speak of the villain with an indomitable spirit, the tenacious Meisho Doto!
Eh?!
She went up against my brilliant genius yet still managed to put on a magnificent show! Let's hear it for Meisho Doto!
Wooo!
Wh-what?! Th-thank you very much, b-but why?!
The persistence you showed in your training was beyond my expectations, just as I expected! You proved once again I was right about you!
Huh? B-but wasn't it just a coincidence that you chose me?
Ha ha ha! What are you talking about?! In any case, I look forward to racing you again, Doto!
...!
Meisho Doto stands there, motionless, as the thunderous applause rushes over her once more.
What a race! I was so scared when I thought she was gonna fall! Nice recovery, Doto! You really did it!
Nobody's mocking Meisho Doto now. Excited, I rush down to her side.
So you came to watch the race too... Thank you. I-I'm just glad I was able to finish... Ehehe...
But you know... I feel like I took a step forward today.
She's clearly downplaying what she accomplished today, as well as how hard she worked. Glancing down, I see all the bandages on her legs.
This racer has fallen countless times and cried innumerable tears. Yet every time, she wiped her eyes and picked herself back up.
You're a tough one.
Huh?! Wh-where did that come from?!
If it's change she wants, I know she has what it takes to make it happen. After all... she never knows when to quit.
I want to see where that strength takes you.
W-wait... Does that mean...
Please be my trainee!
What?! A-a-are you sure you want m-m-m-me?!
Positive!
A-actually, I... I thought of your words while I was racing today!
You told me my tenacity is my strength... A-and that seemed to push me forward. S-so, u-um…
I-if you're by my side, I feel like I can change! So, um, I look forward to working with you, Trainer!
Stumble!
Hyah! I-I stepped on your foot?! A-are you okay?! Trainer?!
5. I Don't Want To Bother You
42 linesToday I have a training session with Meisho Doto, but...
(She's nowhere to be seen...)
She's not the type to skip practice, so it's likely that she's had another of her accidents. I decide to go look for her.
I search around for the better part of an hour before I finally spot the shivering, muddy figure in front of the flower beds.
Ohhhh... Urgggh... Pat... pat... pat...
Doto?
Eep! Ah... T-Trainer?!
What happened to you?!
Ah! W-well, um... I suppose this was unavoidable... given what happened. It's kind of a long story...
Tell me after you get changed!
O-okay!
Together, we wash her muddied jersey and hang it out to dry. While we wait, I ask her to explain what happened.
Well, I-I thought I'd do some solo training before our session today, so... I went for a jog.
B-but I slipped and fell, and while I was trying to recover, I ended up falling right into the flower bed...
So that's why you were covered in mud...
Yes... Ah, b-but at least I landed in a spot where there were no flowers or other plants!
However, my fall left the impression of my body in the soil, so I was pat-pat-patting it in... when you found me...
Well, that explains why you were late.
Eep! I-I'm sorry... You must be furious...
She has a reason for her tardiness, so I'm actually not that mad about it. However...
I wish you would've told me you were doing solo training.
Huh? B-but if you joined me... then it wouldn't be solo training.
I'd still like to give you advice.
Th-that's okay. It's just something I do from time to time... I don't want to bother you any more than I already do...
Bother me?
I-I mean... My clumsiness caused me to be late today, and it's interrupted our training before, right?
Like the time I tried to organize your files and erased all our training records, or when I tried to help prepare the course and ran myself over with the turf roller...
Or the time I covered you in sand, or when I spilled the water all over you... And the incident with the towel and the zipper and the explosion and the...
O-okay, I get it...
No, you don't!
I've caused so, so much trouble for you... I don't want to take up any more of your time than I already do!
It's true that her clumsiness is out of this world, but she always takes responsibility for any tardiness or other issues it causes. Besides...
I'm her trainer. She's supposed to take up my time. In fact, as long as it's for her growth, I'd be more than happy to help.
Say, Doto...
AAAAAHHHHH!
...?!
M-m-my jersey! It's flying away!
Ah! When I hung up my jersey, I angled it so that the wind would hit it more! I-I thought that would help it dry faster, not make it fly away! I-I need to catch it!
Ah! E-excuse me, sorr, Ugyah?! Sorry, sorry, sorry! C-come back, jersey!
Before I can stop her, Doto dashes out of the room, stumbling over chairs and tables along the way.
How do I help her understand that it's okay to "bother" me? I contemplate that question as I chase after the frantic Meisho Doto.
Jerseyyy, slow dooown! Pleeeeas, Oof!
6. I Could Never Bother You
59 linesOn my day off, I decide to take a stroll through town.
Ohhh... Urrrgh...
And along the way, I happen across a very familiar figure, shaking in an equally familiar way. Could she be crying?
Doto...
Wah! I-I'm sorry for loitering! I'll move along right...
Hm? Wait... Trainer? Ahhh, thank goodness it's just you! H-hello!
What are you doing?
I-I, ummm... I came out to buy some clothes, but... All these stores are so stylish... Am I really allowed to just walk in?
N-no, of course not! Someone like me could never wear such pretty things! Th-the only thing that suits me is that plastic bag over there! I'll just wear that!
Please don't!
H-huh?! B-but I need new clothes... All my others got destroyed...
How in the world...
I-I was going through my clothes to see what I don't wear anymore... and before I knew it, all my clothes were torn to shreds...
How in the world?!
I-it's my fault, really... I shouldn't have had the window open...
I-I was just trying to bring some fresh air into the room! I never expected my blouses and skirts to... to... Ooohhh...
I... don't think I need to know any more. In summary, it sounds like Doto needs new clothes, but she's too scared to enter the shops alone.
In that case, why don't I join you?
Huh?! No way!
A little harsh, but at least she told it to me straight...
Ah, wait! I-i-it's not that I don't want to go shopping with you!
It's just... N-never mind! I'm fine! I... I...
I'll just wear plastic bags for the rest of my liiiife!
Doto?!
She dashes off, but thanks to her long skirt, she can't run as fast as usual. I might actually be able to catch up to her!
Finally, we reach the end of our chase...
Doto!
Waaah! Wh-why do you keep chasing me?!
Why do you keep running away?!
Eep! I-I'm sorry! I really am!
B-but I don't want to bother you! I mean, today's supposed to be your day off!
A-and if I take up your time even on your day off... That would make me the worst of the worst!
What? How?
You already have to deal with me and my blunders on an almost daily basis...
I don't want to tire you out any more than I already do... You need a break... away from me...
Setting aside the self-deprecating way she expresses it, Meisho Doto is clearly trying to be considerate.
That's why I was running away... But then you had to go and chase after me! I'm telling you, I'll cause you trouble!
That's what I want though!
Huh?! Y-you do?! Wh-what?
Ah, wait... Is this... Trainer... Are you... into that sort of thing?
Uh... No.
I explain that, as her trainer, it's only natural that she takes up a lot of my time. In fact, I want her to trust me, to lean on me more.
U-uh... If I were to l-l-lean on you... I'd probably crush you...
The minute we lock arms, I'd probably trip and drag you down with me... Oooh, there'd be bits and pieces everywhere...
But as long as I get back up, it's fine, right?
...!
Don't worry so much. Just trust me.
I-I... Um... Thank you?
She seems a bit confused, but at least now she knows that she can ask me for help when needed. It's up to her whether she takes me up on that or not.
Now then... Let's get you some clothes!
The perpetually perplexed Meisho Doto and I make our way back to the streets, ready to shop...
I'm sorry... We're closed for today.
Already?! W-we would've made it in time if I hadn't run away... I'm sorry...
M-maybe I really am... destined to wear plastic bags...
I comfort the crestfallen Meisho Doto. Perhaps someday, she'll ask me for help of her own will, but until then, I'll just have to keep offering...
7. I Might Bother You... Maybe
67 linesHuff... Huff... Fini, hm? M-my feet! Oh no, did a shark bite me?!
Ah, ah... Aaaahhh! T-Trainer, tell me, do I still have legs?
Huh?
Th-they feel weird, but I'm too scared to look! They feel all slimey... Are my feet inside the shark's mouth?!
Nope, just wrapped in seaweed.
Seaweed?! Ah, you're right, it's all over me... Uurgh... I just jumped to conclusions again...
Sorry... I caused a real scene, didn't I? Ah, b-but I think I cleared the time you wanted me to reach... right?
Yup, you sure did!
We're about halfway through the academy's summer camp. Doto might not have changed much in terms of demeanor, but her racing skills are steadily improving.
You're getting better!
No, I still have a long ways to go! B-but if by some chance, some miracle, I did improve...
Then it would definitely be thanks to your guidance! Th-thank you so much!
Nah, your perseverance is what got you results.
What?! N-no, I-I'm telling you, I'm just stubborn... It's all thanks to your clear instructions.
Well, you've got the skills to carry out those instructions.
Huh?! Th-that's not, I-I only do well because you're so serious about training me!
Because your enthusiasm inspires me.
Somehow, we've started a never-ending compliment cycle. Still, this is a good chance for me to boost Doto's confidence, so I continue...
Aaauuugh! P-p-p-please... stop! I'm sorry!
Um, there's no need to apologize.
R-regardless, I can't take it anymore... Please... I've never been complimented this much before... Urgh...
But... it's nice to know you believe in me so much...
I wish I could... thank you somehow...
What was that?
Once our training for the day is finished, Meisho Doto and I part ways, and I make my way back to the dorms alone... Or so I think.
You okay?
Eyah! Ah, y-yes! Sorry...
Need something?
Um... N-not really, but... maybe? I don't need anything, but... um...
Doto struggles to find the words she needs, but I know she'll get there. I wait patiently as she gathers the courage needed to make her request.
U-UM!
I-I know this might be just a bother for you... a-and we might end up in a huge mess because of me...
I-In fact, worst-case scenario, we could get caught up in an explosion, and the resulting shockwave would...
It's okay. Keep going.
It's been several hours since I accepted Meisho Doto's unexpected invite. We left for the fireworks shortly after, with Doto leading the way, but...
AAAAHHHHH! The fireworks are probably o-over by now...
I'm sorry, this is all because I got lost... And then I was almost kidnapped by that owl…
Who knew owls were so vicious?
Urgh... But no matter what happened, you never turned back... We just kept going, but now that we're finally here... Nothing.
I-I saw online that this place is perfect for viewing the fireworks... Not a lot of people know about it, so you're guaranteed to get a good view...
I don't know why I even try. I'm a walking disaster... No matter how hard I try, things never work out right...
I really, really wanted to make you happy too...
I am happy.
Huh?
B-but there's no fireworks. You did all that walking just to stare at an empty sky...
I just ended up wasting your time again. I-I'm so...
Doto.
Y-yes?!
Thanks for doing so much for me.
I-I... Urgh... Trainer!
Sure, we missed the fireworks, but Doto showed me how much she cares. Just as I'm about to suggest we see the fireworks some other time...
Boom...
A quick search on my smartphone reveals that they were delayed due to an unspecified setback.
Good thing we got lost. We would've missed it otherwise.
Y-you think so? Does that mean... my clumsiness was useful?
Ah, wh-what am I saying?! Of course not! I-I promise I'll be more careful going forward! But...
Ehehe... I'm glad I did all that research. ♪
As Meisho Doto looks up to the sky, the light from the fireworks reflects in her tears, making her sparkle in turn.
Maybe... just maybe, she's gained a little confidence after today.