Nakayama Festa's story

Get back here! I know you. You're that Nakayama punk who used to raise hell 'round here!

Tch. I left that life behind me. Don't go tryin' to drag me back.

Say what you want, but everyone 'round here knows what you've done. Even the boss says you've got guts, more than us, his own boys.

Y'wanna know what he said when I told him I'd take you down? "No one plays the game like that risk-junkie. Give it up or you'll get your ass handed to you." ...But I ain't forgivin' you that easy.

It's your fault everyone's lookin' down on us! So quit pretendin' you've gone clean and let's settle this!

The hell?!

Hey... Is that idiot really gonna take Nakayama's place? They don't look like they've played chicken ever!

Hey. Your hands are shaking. Are you sure you can drive that?

If you've got cold feet, no one'll blame you if you run. I mean, I'm a complete stranger. You don't owe me anything.

......Sigh.

Well, wouldn't be the first time a well-intentioned idiot pulled a stunt like this. Why do people like you keep jumping headfirst into danger?

Listen up, the rules're simple. We both drive straight at the sea, and whoever chickens out and hits the brakes first loses.

You prove you've got guts, and I swear we'll leave your new pal Nakayama alone. That good with you?

Yeah, I keep my word. Assumin' you're still alive when I'm done with you.

Tch. Quit tryin' to freak the poor idiot out. Hey, you. Take a deep breath and listen to me for a sec.

If you get scared and start thinkin' maybe it's time to brake, it's not. Don't hesitate, just keep going. The line between life and death is just a line in the sand.

If you're gonna do this, you've gotta throw out any doubts now. Lighten up, and ride free. Don't think about anything but winning, and keep fighting.

Hehe, psych yourself up all you want, but we all know you're not really gonna floor it. Just don't embarrass yourself too bad.

DRIVEEE!

Huh?! That idiot's really going for it?! They're goin' way too fast!

HEY, IDIOT! You got a death wish or somethin'?!

...!

Tch. You're crazy. I'm not goin' down with you! ...Dammit!

HOLD YOUR BREATH!

HRAAAAH!

Panting... Hah. Hahaha! Well, this sucks. We're both soaked!

Hah... But we're alive. Haha... Damn. My heart's still going wild.

Ah... Hehehe. You just drove off the pier, and your first worry is the game? Man, you're outta your mind. Just look!

Hey, jump in and grab the bike! Hurry!

You got them scrambling, I'd say that's a win. C'mon, let's ditch 'em!

You should be able to figure out your way home from here, right? See ya.

I swear, I haven't had a thrill like that in a while. Haha...

...Sigh.

Ah... Oh nooo, I'm so nervous! This time, I've gotta win... or at least, hopefully I can make top five!

Heeey, new kid! So you did decide to come check out the tryouts, huh? Anyone here catch your eye?

Huh. Hmm... Nakayama Festa? Oh jeez, I swear I've heard the name before, but it's escaping me.

Hah... Hah... Tch!

Hm? Hey, the runner you marked doesn't seem to be doing all so well...

Uh oh, look. She's falling even further behind. She doesn't look all that tired though, so why?

Hah... hah... hahhh...

Sigh... I knew I shouldn't have got my hopes up. I'll have to try harder next time...

"Next time," huh? Maybe that's what's holding me back. The thought of a second chance.

Festa. Don't you worry about a thing.

I know you'll find what you seek at Tracen Academy, and you'll meet people who will truly satisfy that burning desire in your heart.

I promise. You'll feel alive at Tracen.

...Man. I guess it was too good to be true.

...Hey, new kid. Forget Festa.

I just remembered where I heard about Nakayama Festa, and let me tell you, you do not want to take on someone that difficult yet.

She's got a reputation amongst the instructors. They try so hard to help, then she blows them off. I heard she almost got expelled for causing trouble before a practice race.

You saw how she just ran. Did it look like she was giving it her best effort? You were just thinking that she could do better if she applied herself, right?

...Well, she's not gonna apply herself. Okay, kid? You've just started your trainer journey. You'd both be better off picking someone else than putting in all your sweat and tears just to get burned.

Like I friggin' said, quit bumming around here every damn day! If you wanna know about Nakayama, go ask her yourself!

That's your problem! Who knows where she is?! Damn it... Quit followin' me around! Don't adults have better stuff to do?

Are you the trainer that's been going around asking about Nakayama? I've been hearing rumors on and off campus.

Sirius Symboli. But... that's got nothing to do with Nakayama, now does it?

C'mere. Be a good puppy and follow my lead, I'll give you exactly what you've been longing for.

This is a freestyle racecourse. It's a casual place for people who just want to run without all the rules and regulations.

Them, and the freaks who like running on messy, unkempt grass like this. Nakayama used to play around here, from what I've heard.

Were you listening? I said she used to hang here. Not anymore though, or so she says.

What, so you are back already? Since when do you keep curfew? I thought you lived for your little games.

...I'm finally ready to run in the tryouts, so I cleaned up my act. That's all.

From here out, I'll have real races. I'll be staking my entire future on the big thrills... taking mind-breaking risks with my whole body on the line. I don't need the small fry anymore.

All bark and no bite. Tch. And here I thought she'd show me something entertaining.

...Listen well. You wanna know Nakayama's Achilles heel? Go visit her old mentor at the hospital. She'd know.

Yeah, one of my groupies used to go to school with Nakayama before Tracen. She was practically begging to give me info.

So, now I've got the hospital name and contact info. What you do with it's up to you.

Yes, or her old elementary school teacher, rather. She had me for fifth grade, and hehe... she certainly was a handful.

There are some things you should know about her, but before we get into that, there's something I'd like you to watch.

Yes! I'd like to show you her strong points first, before we dig into the nitty-gritty. I've got a video from two years ago...

The first time Festa took on the world with her own two feet.

It was the first time I'd seen Festa run since she graduated. She used to take my father's running lessons for Umamusume, so I thought I knew what she was like on the track.

I could hardly believe what I was seeing, but at the same time, she was still up to her same old antics, even as a new Tracen student.

You see, a wildly famous Umamusume was visiting from France, and somehow Festa got into a one-on-one race with her.

From what I heard, the French Umamusume didn't really consider Festa an opponent. The freestyle course's grass reminded her of home, so she only issued the challenge for a chance to run.

But none of the freestyle racers milling about wanted to accept a challenge they'd surely lose. This was a high-level racing star, after all.

Naturally, her physique and skills were a cut above. If the street racers were to contest that in good faith, all it would do is crush their confidence. And yet...

Hah. Hahaha! Go ahead, get all complacent. I'll make you... regret it!

Ah! ...Haaaaah!

Festa made her opponent take her seriously. A racer so obscenely experienced compared to herself. And Festa just egged her on with that gleam in her eyes... and the biggest smile.

Ahhhgh, shut up! Shut up, shut UP! I can't hear anything over how loud my heart's pounding! Haha, I feel so...

So alive!

Festa lost in the end, but she had her claws around the world's neck, if only for an instant. She ran herself ragged, then collapsed right past the finish line.

I imagine she'd been held up by adrenaline alone, so the fatigue caught up all at once. But she did it. A pre-debut street racer, up against a world-class Umamusume!

Cough, cough!

Y-yes, sorry... I got a little too excited there. Cough... cough... Haaah... Please excuse me.

Trainer... Please give her a place where she feels alive.

When she was younger, she was always darting into alleys, getting herself into danger. She and her troublemaker friends would take all kinds of risks, just for the cheap thrill of it.

But the adrenaline high from those games never lasted long. Deep down, what she really longs for is...

Races, competitions where she can let her instincts run wild. I believe that's the only place where she'll truly be able to set her heart free.

Huh? Wait, are you...

Well, that'd explain why the stranger staking out the dorm looked familiar. So what's your deal? Here to give me your lofty trainer opinion on why I should take my running more seriously?

That's! ...So you met Teach, huh?

That race was a one-time thing. Just a lucky fluke. And if you paid attention at the tryouts, you'd know it. I don't have another race like that in me.

At the rate I'm going, I might bomb all my debut chances and get the boot without a single win. All 'cause I'm actin' like a brat who's too cool to care about newbie races.

...What?

Heh.

El Condor Pasa seized the glory of second place at the world-renowned Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, and has been taking an extended break since.

...Yep. I spent some time looking for a runner I could pass the mask on to... but y'know what? I'm not throwin' in the towel yet! I'm gonna get back out there and prove I'm the world's strongest!

And to do that, I've been cookin' up plans for a looong tour! If all goes well, I can get the ball rolling as early as next yea...

...?!

Uh, rude. Right now, we're discussing the future of the world's strongest Umamusume. You just jumped into the ring and challenged the champ. You know what that means, right?

Yeah. It means that I'm gonna beat you and take those world tour plans for myself, El.

You already had your match with the global stars, and you lost. But I've got the potential to ride the new tour to the top.

...Hmm?

You want me to challenge El? The one who placed in the Arc? And you want my pre-debut ass to do it in front of all the reporters?

Haha. The chance to score a cushy career for free would get anyone excited. But odds are, El's just gonna kick my ass and that's the end of me.

If I make a bad impression at my debut race, it tells everyone that I'm not worth training. You know that could be career-ending, right?

Ah! ...Haha, well played. I'm the one that egged you on at that chicken race, huh? I've gotta take my own advice.

Let's decide who deserves those career plans, El. If you're in, we'll handle the rest on our end. I've got a real debut race to prep for once I beat you.

Huh?! You're callin' a match with me practice for your debut?! I can't believe you. You don't know what it's really like to take on the world!

I can't let you get away with all that smack talk, or you'll have other people underestimating overseas races too. Now... Failure, humiliation, or despair, which'll it be?

"El Condor Pasa Accepts Challenge from Rookie, Match to Be Streamed Live!" ...Man, the media's all over it.

But that aside, you've been having me work on shortening my stride nonstop. I thought long strides were better for turf. Are you sure you've got this the right way around?

A short stride takes a lot of small, quick steps, which is good for accelerating, but drains more stamina. Normally, it's recommended for dirt or sprints.

Oh, that's yet another big claim outta you. But I guess I'll go try out the short strides on the freestyle track itself.

It's nothing like the school tracks here, the turf or the dirt. Let's go test things out and plan from there. And then, we raise a storm on the big day.

Last night's storm passed as quick as it came, so we're lookin' at bright, sunny skies for our livestream of El Condor Pasa's race!

...That said, it turns out that her contestant really is a pre-debut rookie. So much for getting to see El Condor Pasa's full power.

Hey, at least we get to film her at all. Seeing her obliterate some rookie will show just how crazy fast she is, right?

Hah, they're dissing me without even knowin' how I run. Sounds like you've got the whole crowd on your side, El.

Of course! I'm the condor that's flown 'round the world. People have high expectations for me, and you're about to find out why the hard way.

Haha, they're arguing like preschoolers. Who knows if Nakayama's overconfident or just too green to know better, but it doesn't matter now.

You'd better not make us watch something as pathetic as last time.

And the two are off! The ground is a mushy mess from the storm, but that won't stop the world's Phantom Bird, El Condor Pasa!

(I see now. A world-class racer's concentration and acceleration really are different. I don't have a shot in hell, huh?)

Nakayama Festa is losing speed! Is she unable to keep up with El Condor Pasa?!

...Guess I'll set the pace then!

Whew, El Condor Pasa is crushing that rookie. She's already got a massive lead, so she can slow down and save her energy, no problem.

Guess all these Phantom Bird fans have bird brains themselves. They're not just "slowing down", take a look at the track ahead of them.

(...Ack, that ain't good. El's swinging away from the inner edge of the track. She must've caught on... The freestyle course isn't like the school's.)

What's this?! The inner edge of the third and fourth turns is completely flooded, but the section ahead of El Condor Pasa is clear! The champ's got luck on her side today!

It's not "luck" if she's deliberately avoiding the water. The puddles are so deep, it'd be like trying to run in a swamp. No one's cutting through that, which means...

(If I wanna pass El, I've gotta go all the way around the outer edge. It's that, or the swamp. Either way, it'll be a big hit to my stamina, so I should take the safe route...)

But I'm not chickening out of a shortcut!

...Huh?! No way!

HAAAAAH!

Hang on, that rookie's actually gaining ground in that swamp! It's a shortcut, yeah, but one slip and she could get hurt bad!

(Damn right, it's risky as hell! But that's what makes it exciting! This is what it's all about! This is a real race! A real contest! This feeling...)

This! THIS IS WHAT I LIVE FOOOR!

HAAAAH! AAAAAH!

The world-class El Condor Pasa swooped across the track for another flawless victory! No one deserves that world tour more than her!

Well, isn't this nice, El? The masses are celebrating your big return to racing. You clutched out a second chance at the global stage.

Huff... Huff... Wow, Sirius, way to rub it in. But you're right. Bein' out of practice is no excuse for almost gettin' upstaged by Nakayama. A pre-debut rookie! A newcomer. A literal amateur.

If I get all smug over this win, she's definitely outflyin' me next time. But I won't let that happen. The next match, the whole world, it's all mine!

...Oh, really? Are those the words of someone who was just whining about finding a successor at her press conference? Hahaha!

Nakayama's gonna regret not finishing that bird off when she had the chance. You'd better sharpen your claws if you want any shot at the Arc. The rest of the world's not gonna sit around.

Man, El Condor Pasa really is the champion! That other runner was just running her mouth after all. I mean, at least the hype was fun, I guess.

Still, I'd say that rookie's worth keeping tabs on. Cinderella stories are everywhere, but some readers just wanna watch the boy who cried wolf crash and burn.

Haha. Haaah. I blew it big time. Haven't even debuted yet, and my career's already shot.

Heh. Fair enough. Those reporters have got me marked now. If I bomb my next race, the tabloids are gonna rip me to shreds. Hehe...

There's gotta be something wrong with me. I feel like crap... but I feel so alive! This wasn't some kiddie sports match. My pulse is screaming for another hit of adrenaline!

Haha, what, you need a formal write-up to call us a team? You and me already jumped off the deep end together.

So do it. Tell Tracen you're mine. And then...

Train me for more races that'll make me feel alive.

I see... So she's not here either. I'm sorry to have bothered you while you're working.

Sigh, now what? If she doesn't get that assignment in this week, I'll have to give her a zero for it...

Where to find Nakayama? Uh... I dunno, I never really talk to her.

She's kinda got a bad vibe, like you shouldn't go near her. Like, I heard she literally got questioned by the police the other day...

Oh, um... One of my friends was out on a jog, and she saw Nakayama and a policeman arguing by the riverbank.

Huh? How the hell should I know? I don't care where she is, but I swear, if one more person comes whining about Nakayama this, Nakayama that...

Yeah, there was some guy asking around for her. But that's nothing new. I'm guessing she ripped you off too, huh?

Hm? What, so this isn't about some bet? See, the thing about Nakayama is...

I hear she's a damn good cheat at poker. She whooped a whole pack of idiots, and now they're after her.

I dunno what they put on the table, but they're lookin' for her like their life depends on it. Yeesh. Who knows what'll happen if they find her?

Hm? Oh, Trainer. You look like a mess. What's wrong?

Hahaha. I leave the scene for a little while, and suddenly everyone's makin' up fun stories.

Goes without saying, but none of it's true. They really believed that I'd cheat? What a bunch of idiots... Where's the thrill in a rigged game?

I guess whoever's making up rumors must really be trying to cover their ass. They lost, and now they're comin' up with excuses to call me the bad guy.

Oh yeah? You're awful cheery about it. There's every chance that the people after me might go after you.

Hmm? No matter what? Heh. Guess you can run your mouth all you want.

Just don't go overboard. You're my trainer, remember?

Far as I'm concerned, races are the real contests. I'm not gonna take on cheap thrills that could jeopardize them.

As long as you get that, I don't care what anyone else thinks. All right?

Now, let's ease up a bit, both of us.

I dunno what they put on the table, but they're lookin' for her like their life depends on it. Yeesh. Who knows what'll happen if they find her?

Huh? Oh, it's just you. I'm not up to much, just a bit of this and that.

Sigh... You've got weird taste too, huh? Suit yourself.

Here you are, Nakayama. Offal stew, hot outta the pot!

Hehe, now this is the good stuff. Man...

Looks great as always!

Ahh... Perfect... Heh.

Damn, that hit the spot. Nothing fills an empty belly like offal. Oh, also... could I get the beef and tofu dish and some pork stomach?

I was right, it was you after all. I've been looking for you. And... this is your guardian, I presume?

I know this is sudden, but if possible, could I ask you to come down to the station with me?

All right, all right. Just get it over with.

Arf arf! Arf!

Hehe, aw, Mugi. You remember her? She saved you!

She found a "stray" puppy, and was caring for her by the riverbank. Meanwhile, I was trying to get the lost pup back to her owner, and went to take her.

I caused a bit of a misunderstanding, so Nakayama Festa and I got off on the wrong foot, but I'm glad I could let you know how everything worked out in the end.

Sigh. You didn't have to keep me posted. And I didn't need to come all the way here to see the pup.

Hey, look! It's Nakayama!

Huh? Now what?

I've been lookin' for you, Nakayama. I hear you cheated my boys in poker, and acted like you beat them all legit.

I did beat 'em legit. They just lost on their own. I didn't use anything but my head, so shut up and accept that you got outplayed.

You shut up! Like hell you were playin' fair! No one'd ever go all in with a hand that bad, not without knowing what cards we had!

Yeah... Now quit playin' dumb, or we'll make sure you can never run again!

Nuh-uh, you stay outta this. This one's between them and me.

That badge... So you're this cheat's trainer, huh? If you don't mind your own business, you're goin' down first.

Oh yeah? You're actin' awful confident. You wanna spend the rest of your life phonin' in training plans from the hospital? Huh?

Hang on. You're joking, right?

Tch... The hell is with you two?! This ain't worth it. C'mon guys, we're outta here! Who knows what these cheats are up to...

Ahaha, ahahaha! You didn't bat an eyelash challenging a whole gang, and now you're shaking like a baby. Hahahah... so much for your big bluff.

If you ever run into guys like that, just brush 'em off and ig...nore...

Heh. Well, well. So that's how it is.

Hehe. See? Take a look at yourself. At what you really are.

Hehe. Now... workin' with you just got real interesting.

Hehe. See? Take a look at yourself. At what you really are.

Huff... huff... That's twenty sprints, complete. Which means we're done for today, right?

Haha. Man, you really need to work on your poker face.

Hehe... C'mere, follow me.

Okay, so we're definitely going the right way. Now we've just gotta go straight until we get outta the trees.

We're headed to a stretch of beach that's supposed to have a killer view. The woods are so thick, though, even the locals don't risk it.

You and me are gonna put our lives up on the table, the payout's having the best beach to ourselves. It's all up to chance what happens next.

Us versus the woods, whoever wins, wins.

Hehe... At least half the planks on this bridge have rotted off!

Hahaha, you've got some crazy good luck, having the plank beneath you fall without goin' with it.

Tch, a dead end. I guess we could double back and look for a way around the cliff. Or...

Hahaha! Now you're talkin'! You're getting as bad as me!

Hey, look at the claw marks on this tree. What do you wanna bet that a bear did this? An actual, real, wild bear.

Well, speak of the devil, huh? Luck is really playin' a game with us tonight.

Hahaha... Yeah. Yeah, it's showtime now. We don't got any choice left but to play big and go all in!

Ah! Here it comes. RUN!

Ahahaha! Hey, this is bad huh?! Crazy, right? Let's up the ante even higher! Here we go!

Raaaaaah! It's on, bear! Come outrun me, IF YOU CAN!

Huff... Hah... Hahh... We, we made it...

Huff... Huff... Dammit. That dumb bear... came outta nowhere... Huff... Runnin' after us... That was, one hell of, of...

Ahahaha! Ahahahaha! Man, it sure was! Hahahaha!

Haha, c'mon. You just figured that out now? How oblivious are you?

But... if you want another hit of that high, I'll give it to you. Here, look over that way.

Us two... we just scored the jackpot.

Hehe... You look completely out of it. Don't tell me that one round of the game burned up all your stamina already.

...Ah! Ahahaha!

All right, you're not down for the count yet, huh? Gotcha.

Just keep comin' with me. I'll take you there.