Narita Brian's story

Hurry up, Brian!

That dream again. I'm always chasing her in it. Every step I take is so satisfying. So sweet. But...

It's just a dream now.

That's Narita Brian. She hasn't debuted yet, but just look at that imposing demeanor.

I guess the rumors are true, she's challenging prizewinners to unofficial races!

How about we set the distance to whatever you're best at? Which I'd say is... 2,000 meters?

Can you offer a serious challenge at that distance?

Sure, if it's against you. I'm the experienced runner here, so it's only fair I give you a handicap. That's non-negotiable if I'm going to accept this race.

Fine, if you insist.

Wooo! Hayahide, here! Over here! Brian's race is starting!

Thank you, Ticket. The volume of your yelling is more than sufficient, so would you kindly lower it?

Whoa, whoa, how could I keep quiet?! Her opponent today is super strong!

Brian's a tough cookie, but if she fails big-time, she's gonna be seriously bummed out!

She will not.

I'm more acquainted with Brian's ability than anyone. I also know the burden she bears because of it.

...

(She's way ahead. Her hair and tail are waving in the wind...)

(They say she races at the G1 level, so her talent is no fluke. Which means I don't need... to hold back!)

...There she is.

Waaagh! H-Hayahide! They're already past the last turn, but look at the gap between them now...

Yes, Brian is far behind. Any normal runner wouldn't be able to make up that distance...

But she is no normal runner.

Wh-what the heck?! That speed is crazy! She'll catch up at this rate!

Three lengths... Two lengths... Whoa, she's already in passing range! Geez, this Brian's amazing!

Agh... No way... I was in total control of this race! How can a pre-debut rookie... possibly... catch up to me?!

(You're strong, all right.)

(So keep letting me chase you like this. Don't let me pass you just yet.)

(Show me all the fight that's in you. Maybe then...)

Wha?!

...!

(It always happens right here...)

(How many times have I seen this moment, when the fire in their eyes goes out, swallowed up by darkness? Too many to count...)

Narita Brian slowed down right before the finish... I guess she ran out of stamina at the last moment.

Th-then the winner is...

Wheeze, pant... wheeze...

...

Ah, there you are! What were you thinking accepting a race without talking to me first?!

I'm... s-sorry.

Still, I'm impressed. She may be inexperienced, but beating her in a 2,000-meter race is no small feat! You did we...

Stop, please. She's so much better than me, it wasn't even a real race... at all!

That was no win! I should never... have gone up against a beast like that!

Whoa... What's up with this mood? How come the winner isn't even a little happy?

Because she saw it. When you experience an insurmountable power up close, what you feel isn't excitement, it's fear.

A beast who instills despair in everyone she faces... That's Narita Brian, my sister.

There's nothing to talk about.

Scram.

...

Hey, it's that trainer. Pretty gutsy to come again.

That's the most persistent one we've seen yet, huh? I'm sure Brian will say no, just like at the tryouts.

Hraaagh!

...!

Hishiama's really fired up today! Like, we're talking a whole 'nother level!

Well, she's the one who suggested they race, so she can't afford to lo, Whoa! Hishiama's making her move!

I'm gonna... crush you! Wraaaaagh!

...Hup!

Wha?!

Gah... Damn it! Aaaaagh!

Pant... Pant... Ugh!

...

Hold it!

Just where do ya think you're goin'? Our battle isn't over. I challenged you to a one-on-one, best outta three.

And I ain't losin' again! So get ready for the next...

The outcome's already decided. You know full well that if we race again, the results'll be the same.

...!

I don't want to see anyone's fire go out anymore, much less extinguish it myself. I'm... sick of it.

Damn it... I know, okay? I know I can't beat you right now!

But... that doesn't mean I'm a quitter who gives up after one measly defeat. Don't you dare go 'round assumin' you know what everyone's like!

...

...You again.

Didn't I tell you to scram? Don't let me see you again.

Fine, I'll say it. Racers like that might put on a tough front, but once their spirit's burned out, it ain't coming back.

I've seen it a hundred times. There's no point in me racing them.

It wouldn't satisfy anyone.

(It's always been like this. Ever since back then.)

(When... I first felt this hunger.)

Hurry up, Brian!

Coming!

(She was always ahead of me. I felt like a wild animal on the chase, but she never let me pass her. It was the most fun I've ever had.)

(I'd run and run... I'd keep running and chasing after her... But no matter how satisfying it felt, I only wanted more.)

(And then it happened.)

Sis? Sis, wake up. Sis... Sis!

Ugh... Sorry, Brian.

I'm sorry, Brian. The doctor says I can't run with you for a while.

...Yeah.

But there are lots of other people you can race with. So don't worry about me, go have fun.

...'Kay.

Huff, puff... Brian... You're too fast!

I'm gonna run even faster next time. So let's do another lap.

G-gimme a break! You might be having fun 'cause you're winning, but I'm not!

...Huh?

Sniffle... You're too fast... I... I hate you!

U-um... Brian, do you wanna try racing lessons? I bet there are lots of fast runners there.

Huff... huff...

That Narita Brian runs very well. I heard she hasn't been able to settle anywhere, though.

Huh, I can't imagine why. One look at her talent and anyone would be sorry to miss out on having her.

I... quit... This sucks. Why's such a fast kid here, anyway?!

(Not again! Why don't you try harder? This is a race! But you just...)

I caaan't... Ugh, this is hopeless, no matter how hard I try.

I'm leaving after today.

B-but why?! I'm sure our class was much better than your last! Our track is near professional level, you can't find a higher quality experience elsewhere!

Forget it. This place isn't a challenge anymore... It's pointless when everyone else has lost their drive to win.

There you are, Brian.

...Sis.

Come to Tracen Academy. That's where you'll find real racing. It may just satisfy that hunger of yours.

...

And they're off! First out of the gate is number six!

Number eight, Narita Brian, is waiting for the perfect opportunity to break ahead! But number six's lead keeps growing!

Haaagh!

...

...!

Wha...

...

(Is it really happening here too?)

No matter where I go, no matter who I challenge, it's always the same. I'm left feeling hungrier than before.

I guess there's no point in staying here...

You're really going to do this?

Yeah... I never want to fail like that again. That's why...

Excuse me. May I have a word?

Hehe, I didn't mean to take you by surprise. I'm Biwa Hayahide, Narita Brian's sister.

I've heard stories about your many stubborn attempts to speak with her. So when I saw you here, I had to come talk to you.

There's no need to be nervous. I'd just like a few minutes of your time.

Phew. Time for a cooldown. Would you write down my latest time with the blue pen?

Thank you. This will make excellent data. That wind sprint you suggested was effective as well. I'm always looking for ways to improve.

More importantly, you kept me company until this late hour, meaning you put your trainees first... Yes, I think you'll do well.

Shall we move on to the main topic of discussion?

Forgive me. I wanted to test you. According to my hypothesis, one's attitude toward training also expresses who they are as a person.

I'm well aware of my discourtesy, but I simply had to know for sure, whether or not I can place my hopes in you.

I would like to ask that you accompany Narita Brian to my debut race.

You see, I heard a concerning rumor making the rounds. If it's true, I want her to see a real race...

Before she leaves the academy for good.

You'd better have been telling the truth this morning.

Don't play dumb. I won't let you back out of your promise after coming this far.

Tch... You just don't quit! Why in the world would I go with you?

Fine, but you'll promise to never come sniffing around me again. Wait, that's not enough, turn in your trainer's badge too!

...Hmm.

It's time for the Junior Make Debut! Who will shine as our victor today?

She's next.

(Are you watching, Brian?)

(You've always loved running more than anyone. It's only natural for you to crave a worthy opponent.)

(But you're simply too talented, so your hopes were always dashed... That's why you're so quick to give up on others.)

(But you must learn, Brian, that a worthy opponent can come from anywhere, even from the depths of failure!)

Haaaaah!

Biwa Hayahide's in the lead! She's way ahead of the pack! She's two, no, three lengths, wait, this is turning into a landslide victory!

What is this? Since when could she run like that? It's as if she's on the hunt and all she can see is the finish line...

Tch!

Sis! Why have you been hiding that amazing skill all this time?! Why haven't you ever asked me to race you?!

I see you made it, Brian... And you too.

Let's go over to the stands, shall we?

Huh? I'm trying to talk to you here...

Huh?! What's with that cheering? It's even louder than when you raced...

It's loud indeed. However good a race I ran, it was merely a debut. It pales in comparison to the main event.

Do not underestimate others, Brian. There are racers here far greater than me.

It's finally time for the main race of the day! Among all these amazing athletes, who will break ahead and achieve glory?

Who do you think will win this race?

To be honest, I don't care. All I want is to race you...

I think it will be her.

Hraaaaagh!

Wait, that voice...

That was no win! I should never... have gone up against a beast like that!

You're kidding me. She was nothing like this when I raced her. She didn't even have the drive to win!

She told me something... "I don't care how far ahead Brian is, I'll defeat her." She even started training from scratch to face you again one day.

But she said she's going to win this race first.

This is the Twinkle Series, Brian. Everyone here struggles until the very end to achieve a spot at the top.

This world is where you belong. But you've yet to take your first step into it.

When you do, I'll be there waiting, at the pinnacle of racing, the G1 level.

...

Damn right, I do! Tch!

I'm changing the terms of your promise. You can keep being a trainer, but on one condition...

Be my trainer... And get me to the Twinkle Series!

Brian... What race are you goin' for next?

Sigh... Why? It's got nothing to do with you.

Yeah, it does, you jerk. I'm gonna put myself through special training just for that day. And I'm gonna crush you.

You know what one-on-one means? We race until one of us drops. And I ain't on the ground yet, so don't you dare back out now.

...!

Haha! I get it now, I really was underestimating people. So this is what Tracen is all about.

It'll do. I'll stay so I can shred every last one of them. Let's get to it, Trainer!

So, like, I have some friends who're fans of yours too, and we wanna go to karaoke with you sometime...

I'm busy. Go ask someone else.

Oh...

There's nothing to talk about.

Scram.

No need. You're my trainer, nothing more, nothing less.

Conversation over. Let's start training.

...What good would that do?

Just think about it. Why get involved in other people's lives?

I never expected you to get to know me. You don't need to understand my motivation.

All you need to know is that I want to run. Help me do that, and we're good.

That's enough for me.

I don't want to see anyone's fire go out anymore, much less extinguish it myself. I'm... sick of it.

No matter where I go, no matter who I challenge, it's always the same. I'm left feeling hungrier than before.

It's not enough. I need more!

That's enough. Talking more won't get me anywhere. Let's drop this pointless discu...

...

You really...

...Sigh. Fine.

Don't expect me to like it, though. I'm still going to do what I want.

Simple as that.

Phew... That's it for today.

Sure.

I guess.

Me too.

Still feeling chatty, huh?

I'll just hit up the cafeteria. Laters.

...Oh, it's you.

Sigh... The student council is being a pain. They asked me to get something for them.

Hey.

What's the holdup? Come on.

You're going to the mall too, aren't you?

Hurry it up then.

Let's go.

Whoa, it's Narita Brian! I saw you race! Hey, can I take a pic?

...Get lost.

Finally... Took you long enough.

...Nope. 'Cause it's dark.

Let's go.

Just walk already. Or I'll leave you behind.

...

(Worried... Was I worried? I'd actually like to know.)

When we got separated, I imagined my trainer looking for me.

I didn't even consider any other possibility.

So I just... stopped right there. I chose to wait.

I didn't complain or feel frustrated... I just stood there patiently.

This feeling is kind of familiar.

Is this nostalgia? It feels like when I was a kid...

...

...You never get tired of trying to talk to me, do you?

Even though I never say much in return. Normally that'd drive a person away.

Hmph... You must be out of your mind.

I don't have to hand this stuff in until tomorrow. Laters, Trainer.

...

Huff, puff... huff...

Phew... That's the morning routine done.

The afternoon will be free practice as planned... Hm?

Hey, Trainer. Get your head in the game.

...

...I know.

Hm... Is that my trainer? What's going on over there?

A scrimmage against Narita Brian?! Absolutely not! I can already picture my humiliating defeat!

W-well, sure, but still... Umm, geez... I dunno...

I'm sorry, I'd need to build up my skills first before racing Brian. It'd be rude to waste her time.

I hear what you're saying, and maybe I'm just making excuses... But sorry, I'll need to think about it.

...What's the deal? Why are you trying so hard?

(Thinking back, that stubbornness was the same when we first met. It never mattered how dismissive I was...

Are you... trying to share my hunger for racing? This... painful burden of mine?

I guess that's just who my trainer is.

Heh... Thinking about it like that, maybe we're both looking for some extra fire to keep us burning.

(After all, it was you who gave me this chance. You got my passion for running to thrive again.)

My desire is still strong. It only gets stronger the more I run. And yet...

It feels nostalgic too... Like something I thought I'd lost...

It's summer, but the breeze gets chilly at night. You'll catch a cold out here.

...I know what you've been up to all day.

Don't worry about it. Plenty of opponents will be waiting back at the academy.

I did find something, though. In all my craving for a challenge, I realized I had hope too.

I think maybe you taught me that. So, well...

You know...

...

...Good. Let's get back.

...What?

I thought about it, and I'd like to at least give it a try. A chance like this doesn't come often after all.

And it's important to get a real sense for where you're at! So, like...

You're on, Narita Brian!

...

Pfft, haha! I guess drive is contagious. I can see you're all burning with it.

But it's the same for me... All right. I'll take each and every one of you on!

Hey, Brian?

What?

You've found yourself a great trainer. Honestly, I'm jealous.

...

Heh... Damn straight.