Mejiro McQueen's story

To reach the upper echelons of the Twinkle Series and to achieve a first-place victory in the Tenno Sho, these are my goals as a Mejiro.

I'll show you all exactly what I'm capable of during this tryout race!

The Mejiro family is rich with a history of top-class runners, and I hear that McQueen is their most promising up-and-comer. I'm lookin' forward to this.

Even before entering the Academy, she's made a name for herself as a talented stayer. I'm eager to see just how far she's honed her skills!

...

Hey, McQueen! Our group's up next. Let's get over to the gates!

Ah, yes! Thank you, Ines Fujin.

Let's make haste!

Pant, pant, pant...

The runners are fast approaching the finish line, but Mejiro McQueen lingers at the rear!

Pant, pant... Geh!

She can't seem to catch up... Has she run out of steam?

Yeah, she's not quite matching her reputation as a stayer, but maybe we were expecting too much.

Wheeze, wheeze...

She's giving it her all, but she can't catch up!

Ines Fujin leads the pack... and crosses the finish line!

Ines Fujin has won the tryout race! The shouts heard echoing across the track are sure to follow her for years to come!

Pant, pant... Hehe, thanks, everyone! Your cheers are what carried me to first place!

A good pair of legs on her, that Ines Fujin. I bet that she could be an absolute beast given the right training regimen.

Right. I'd love to have her on our team!

Today's supposed star, though... She didn't quite hit the strides I thought she would.

Pant, pant...

Tch... How shameful!

Pant, pant, pant...

No... I can do much better than that!

Hey, thought I spotted you, McQueen!

Huh? Oh, Ryan. Did you need something of me?

No, not really. I just saw you running from over there...

McQueen, you've got moxie, but don't you think you're overdoing it a bit? That tryout race must have you beat...

I appreciate the concern, but I'm going to keep going for a little longer.

McQueen, you...

My rivals in today's tryout race were of much higher caliber than I anticipated.

I shouldn't have underestimated anyone. I knew that Tracen Academy is full of talented individuals.

But I can still recover. I'll show everyone what I am capable of at the next tryout race!

I wouldn't be able to call myself a Mejiro otherwise.

Oh? Well, if it isn't the new trainer everyone has been talking about!

Were any of the students on your mind after today's tryout races?

Pant, pant, pant...

This won't do. I can't seem to channel strength into my legs, just like yesterday. This is worrisome...

Sigh...

Huh?!

You... I'm sorry, have we met?

My, a trainer? Have you come to observe my routine, perchance?

What an honor! I must thank you for coming out here for me.

Though, I must ask: what is it about me that you wish to observe?

As you no doubt saw, I did naught but practically drag my family's name through the mud at yesterday's tryout race.

So after seeing that, why me?

Tenacity... I see. Thank you for looking beyond the surface level.

As an Umamusume of the Mejiro family, it wouldn't suit me to be weak of will.

At the very least, I am glad I was able to show that I remain unshakable in my efforts to succeed.

Though, I do hope that you will refrain from deciding whether or not to bring me under your tutelage until after you have seen me run more.

Another thing that I possess as a Mejiro is a certain lofty ambition, one that I cannot afford to leave unfulfilled under any circumstances.

Yes. Namely, victory at the Tenno Sho.

That is, of course, something I cannot hope to accomplish without the proper guidance from a trainer.

If that trainer were not able to place their full confidence in my ability, then there is no conceivable way that I would receive said guidance.

So again, please wait to decide whether or not to scout me until you have properly assessed my capabilities.

I need to be assured that my trainer will uphold me to the standards expected of a Mejiro.

Of course! It is such a privilege to have been born to my house.

I am surrounded by a caring family, people who have supported me my whole life. I could not abide letting any of them down.

It is thanks to them that I even stand on this training track now.

Which is why I, as a Mejiro Umamusume, want nothing more than to achieve the glory befitting of my family name.

To that end, I must insist that you only make your decision after you witness my physical ability as well.

Thank you. I know very well that my showing yesterday was incredibly poor... But I will redeem myself here!

Here I go. Observe the fruits of years of training within the Mejiro estate!

Pant, pant, pant...

Phew...

All right... Once more!

Pant, pant... What did you think?

Huh? W-well, um...

Urgh...

Oh, n-no! That's not the case at all!

Um, please excuse me! I'm going to run one more lap!

I can't embarass myself again!

Pant... pant... I need... to train more!

I cannot afford to let myself disgrace the Mejiro name any further.

"Do I find it hard to channel strength into my legs?" I don't think so!

Wh-what's this? My entire body is...

Ah!

McQueen! I heard you collapsed! Are you all...

Oh, uh... Sorry!

Um, hello. I'm Mejiro Ryan.

Are you McQueen's trainer?

I see... but you still went out of your way to help her, right? Thank you.

Do you know why she ended up collapsing out there?

Anemia caused by a lack of nutrients... I see.

I thought something was off leading up to her tryout race. I really should've spoken to her...

Yeah. But I wasn't able to do anything for her...

You've probably figured it out already, but I'm also a member of the Mejiro family. We're not siblings, but...

McQueen and I grew up on the estate together.

She's always taken her future objectives real seriously; to the point where I think she pushes herself way too hard sometimes.

I wish she'd realize she's perfect just the way she is.

Oh, shoot! I need to go!

Sorry for barging in. Please excuse me!

And, um... please take care of McQueen!

So that's what happened... Losing consciousness in the middle of training...

I'm very sorry for causing you so much trouble, Trainer.

I'm feeling right as rain now! I should get back to traini...

Eek!

O-of course I am! A Mejiro always has her day planned out perfectly, and that includes the consumption of three nutritious meals!

Though with the tryouts, I may have decreased the amount I ate during those meals...

My collapse had nothing to do with my eating habits! I simply haven't been training hard enough!

What? Um, I suppose that's fine...

Well? As I said, this should be plenty good enough.

Wh-what? Really?

I suppose I shouldn't feel the need to hide anything from you, given how much you've been looking out for me...

Very well. The truth of the matter is that I have a good reason for following this plan.

It's just that... You see...

I have a tendency to gain weight easily.

It can even happen just by following a normal dietary plan.

I couldn't possibly allow anyone to see a flabby Mejiro belly at the tryouts!

So that's why I thought it best to limit myself...

But in the end, I had my priorities backwards.

It seems I have some reflection to do. I apologize again for all the trouble I've caused you today.

Ugh... this is nowhere near enough...

No, stay strong! You must stick to the plan!

Not sure what Miss Prim-and-Proper over there's tryna prove. I just know that all she can think about is wolfing down a bunch of those cakes she loves.

Oh, did'ja hear that? Suppose you would, bein' right there and all.

Anyways, yeah! She loves sweets just as much as I love justice and liberty!

I thought her reign of terror over the strawberry-flavored realm would resume after the tryout race, but I guess not.

Oh, speaking of reigns of terror, it sounds like the denizens of Planet Thirteen require my strength. See ya nara!

Oh... There you are again.

At... your notebook?

All right, I'll take a look.

A meal plan... There are so many options that shouldn't cause much weight gain... Did you really put this together just for me?

And it looks like... I can eat certain sweets?!

Sweets are on the menu?! Are they really okay to eat?!

You...

Thank you very much. To think that you'd do so much for my sake, even before scouting me.

Would you mind if I borrowed this notebook for a while?

Oh... One more thing. Would you mind coming to watch me train next week?

Excellent. I look forward to meeting you then.

I hope you've had a productive week, Trainer.

Now then, I'll begin running. Please watch.

Ha!

Pant, pant, pant...

Hehe, I'm feeling light as a feather!

Phew...

What did you think?

Hehe, I'm honored to hear you say that!

I feel like I can finally exert my full strength thanks to that meal plan.

When it came to my diet, I thought that trying to eat less was the only way to go.

Your meal plan had more nutritients despite lower caloric intake, meaning I could afford to eat more.

To think that sweets could even be factored in... Hehe, I'm feeling so much better now!

In any case... I believe I've finally shown you exactly what I am capable of.

Thank you. So allow me to introduce myself once more...

I am a member of the Mejiro family. My name obliges me to run with the utmost of grace, splendor, and perfection.

If you are to insist on being my trainer, then you should also be prepared to call yourself a Mejiro Trainer.

What do you say? Are you prepared to shoulder the responsibility that would entail?

Hehe, I can certainly hear the confidence in your voice!

Thank you very much. Now then, Trainer...

With your guidance and encouragement, I'm looking forward to working together.

So if I were to substitute this formula here... That makes sense.

Oh, Trainer! Yes, there's a short quiz tomorrow. I thought that I would conduct a quick review.

I was having a few difficulties, however, which is why I'm still here.

Oh no, there's no need to do that. As a Mejiro, I am accustomed to balancing both mental and physical discipline.

Therefore, I expect the standard regimen at practice tomorrow.

...

Eek!

O-of course I am! A Mejiro brings nothing but her full attention to every interaction!

We were reviewing all of today's training exercises, yes?

...

Gasp!

I-I really wasn't sleeping, dozing, or even dreaming! It must be your imagination.

Please continue. I'm all ears.

Huh? But we were in the middle of a meeting...

Oh... but...

It looks like I've exhibited cause for concern once again.

I don't want to cause you any more undue trouble, so let's wrap it up for today.

Thank you as always, Trainer.

Huh?!

I'll have you know that I am managing my sleep schedule perfectly fine!

AND I was actually paying proper attention back there!

I must ask that you believe me! I insist!

Hm hm hmm! ♪ Don't stop! Go for victory!

Hehe, I've been waiting all week for this!

Better enter the karaoke place before someone spots...

Eek! T-Trainer?

Urgh... Th-that's right.

That is to say... I was thinking of going to practice my winning concert songs.

Eh? You wish to come along too?

W-well... Thank you. Let's be on our way, then...

Whew. Let's pause it there for now.

What did you think about my singing? Did you identify any points for improvement?

Is something the matter?

Huh?! What makes you say that?

That's not the case at all. But how can I say this...

...

Yes, I should just be honest here.

The truth is, I didn't come to karaoke today to practice Winning Concert songs. Actually...

I wanted to sing some fight songs.

Yes, like the ones you hear fans sing at sporting events to support their team. They're called fight songs.

I happen to attend sporting events myself sometimes... Once in a blue moon, really.

I occasionally like to sing fight songs at karaoke on my days off as well.

That's the real reason why I came here today...

I-I shall do nothing of the sort! I can't have you seeing me act in such a juvenile fashion!

Uh... Y-you want to join in?

Now w-wait just a moment. I can go without doing it today, okay?

But again, I don't want you to see how I get...

Wait, you've already entered a song?!

Urgh, in that case...

BRING 'EM HOME, YU-TA-KA!

BRING 'EM HOME, YU-TA-KA!

Hehe, well, that was a bit embarrassing. Though, admittedly, it was also quite fun.

If I could, I'd go watch a game right this instant.

If I had to say... I suppose I love the atmosphere at the venue.

As a member of the Mejiro family, I've always felt it important to maintain my composure at all times.

So when I went to my first sports stadium, I was quite taken aback. It all just seemed so lively.

The fact that there could be a place where no one would judge you for shouting and flouncing about...

I found the experience to be very fresh and inviting.

Yes, you could say that.

In any case, what do you say to getting back to singing? I'm still rather fired up!

Oh, now that we've left, I can't help but feel embarrassed after all. I hope the other patrons weren't able to hear me.

Well yes, that is true. It has been a long while since I was able to let loose to such an extent.

Though you must promise me this, Trainer...

Not a word about this will get out to the other students or staff. And if possible, I would like you to completely forget about it too...

Pant, pant...

The sand provides such a different experience from running on turf. I can truly feel the impact it's having on me.

All right, I should give it another...

Hey, did you hear there's gonna be a festival held around here tonight?

There is? Let's go after training, then!

Oh, a festival? That sounds rather charming.

I have some fond memories of going to one when I was younger. It was fun to see all the stalls and activities on offer.

Ah, would that be all right?

In that case, I'd best wrap up my training quickly. I'll put everything into this last sprint.

Oh, it's all so lively!

There are so many stalls that I almost don't know where to start... Ah!

Um, would it be okay to take a look at some of the stalls farther that way?

Thank you! Let's be off, then.

A lost person has come to the staff tent. Mejiro McQueen is seeking her trainer. Please come to the event staff tent upon hearing this message.

Oh, there you are!

I'm sorry, it's all because I went on ahead without so much as looking back.

This time I'll be sure to stick by your side as we walk around...

Even so, I don't want to cause you any more trouble...

Huh? That's... a rule?

Hehe, it would appear that everyone is following the edict well.

In that case, I have a request. Can we head back towards the stalls I had originally taken an interest in?

I'd like you to join me in the festivities.

Just have to fish this little one out... Ha!

Oh no, the string snapped... Shopkeep, I'd like to try again!

I did it, Trainer!

Hehe, that ended up being more of an ordeal than I thought. I'm glad I could scoop it up in the end.

I feel like I could conquer any of the games here. Let's head to the next stall!

Oh, look over there! A shooting game! It says they have premium prizes as well!

I wonder what we can get... Shall we take a look?

Trainer, come with me!

Thank you so much for accompanying me tonight. It was very enjoyable.

That's not true! Well, how do I put this?

If anyone else had come along, I certainly wouldn't have "let loose," as you mentioned.

As a Mejiro, I've always strived to maintain a certain level of decorum at all times. However...

If I'm with you, I... I feel like I can afford to relax a bit.

You don't mind that, do you?

That makes me so happy to hear! I have another request, then.

Would you care to take a bit of a stroll with me? We can eat these carrot sponge cakes I purchased along the way.

Normally, I would consider eating while walking to be poor manners, but it's just you and me out here tonight...

Hehe, thank you! All right then, please go ahead and help yourself.