Uma Musume: Pretty Derby story · Character stories
Sakura Chiyono O's story
7 scenes, 379 lines
1. Sparks Fly at Light Speed
54 lines
(The vaunted Tracen Academy attracts only the most gifted of students.)
(Those born with exceptional racing instincts. Those whose greatest purpose in life is to run. Those who never stop climbing to greater and greater heights.)
And me... What can I become here?
(Then, one day... one fateful day...)
Maruzensky is shooting farther and farther ahead! Three lengths, now four lengths in front, there's no stopping her!
Hehe. Here I go!
Can we really call this a mere scrimmage? What a show of strength from Maruzensky! And now, she flies across the finish!
(A flash of light darted past... and lit up my world.)
A few months later...
Pant, pant...
As I'm taking a stroll early one morning, I see students doing some light running on the track.
Nice going. Your form was perfect! But those last 400 meters had you lagging behind your target pace.
Yeah, maybe aiming for such a fast pace right off the bat wasn't a good idea. I'll hold off on that until my cardio improves a bit more.
Okay, tomorrow I'll dial down the pace and work back up little by little!
Hehe. Yes, that sounds like a plan. Now, I will say... call me biased, but you've improved quite a lot recently.
Ehehe, thank you! Actually, I think you're right, it's like I've sprouted and shot up all at once!
If I keep working at it step by step, then s-someday, I... I might even be able to go toe to toe with Maruzen... maybe?
Or not! Ahaha, forget I said anything.
No, I think that's a wonderful dream. Oh, it's about time for breakfast. Were you planning on...
Oh, I still have some drills to get through, so I'll head over once I'm done! Thank you so much, Ardan!
No worries. I'll go on ahead, then.
All right, let's see what's left...
Muttering intently to herself, the young racer scribbles away in her notebook. As I watch with curiosity, I hear footsteps approaching.
That kid there caught your interest, Trainer? Her name's Sakura Chiyono O. She was with a friend today, but usually she's at it all by herself.
You won't see her doing back-to-back hill sprints or anything like that, but she's here running every single morning, and makes sure to reflect on it after.
Through trial and error, she gets a little faster each day, improving slowly but surely. Well, all I'm trying to say is... you might like to think about scouting her!
Looks like she's already got a devoted fan.
Haha! You know, you might be right. I do watch her every morning. Ah, just seeing her hard at work puts a spring in my step.
Phew... Gotta love being out on a nice day... Oh, I got one!
"The morning sun is an Umamusume's best growth hormone"! Hehe, nice one, me!
Just then...
Ahh!
A gust of wind snatches up her notebook and delivers it to my feet. I catch a glimpse of pages packed to the margins with writing.
M-my Chiyonotes! Sorry about that! Thank you!
Chiyo...notes?
Oh, um... it's like my entire life squeezed into notebook form! That's why I call it my Chiyonotes.
Any lessons I learn, facts I find out, or sayings I come up with, I write in here.
That's an admirable habit to have.
Oh, no, I'm really nothing special... so I just try to do what little I can, that's all.
A few days later...
I've admired you ever since I started here! When I saw you run, it was love at first sight!
(What's going on here?!)
Chiyono O grips a letter in her shaking hands, cheeks flushed bright red. I get the feeling I shouldn't be witnessing this and quickly hide myself.
One day... one day, I want to stand by your side! That's my dream! So for now, I just want to get closer to you, one step at a time.
I know I'm nowhere near good enough to earn that spot yet! But... but please give me a chance!
Please do a practice race with me, Maruzen!
(This is about practice?)
...Maybe I should say more about what exactly I like about her running. No, that might be too mu...
Curiosity getting the better of me, I peek my head out only to find that Chiyono O is talking to herself. As I'm taken aback by this, our eyes meet.
...
D-did you hear all that?
Yeah... Sorry.
Oh, um, uhh... WAHHH! You saw nothing!
2. Adoration Is Like the Sea
51 linesA few days later, it's time for the Tracen Meet, an internal event designed to give students an opportunity to push their limits. This time, the competition seems even more heated than usual.
It's a runaway Maruzensky, with Symboli Rudolf on the chase! Will it be a dead heat between these two? They're leaving the pack behind!
How lucky are we to be seeing a show like this at school? Oh, they're on the final corner!
Hahhh!
I-incredible! Simply incredible! Can the Emperor catch up? Will the Hot Rod run away with it?! They're down to the last 100 meters in this battle of the century!
...!
Seeing Sakura Chiyono O leave the stands with a grimace on her face, I find myself wanting to follow.
When I finally find her, she's absolutely soaked.
Are you okay?!
Oh! T-Trainer! I, um, I'm fine! I was just feeling a little bleh, so I splashed myself with some water!
You were feeling... "bleh"?
Yeah, or more like... meh? Or "hnghh"? You know, when your heart and head are all like whoo...
That sort of... feeling...
...Sorry. To be honest, there's nothing cutesy about how I feel.
The race was amazing. It felt every bit as exciting as a G1. The crowd all held their breath, overwhelmed by the spectacle...
Watching a race like that, I... I felt like...
I could never stand shoulder to shoulder with them.
S-something like that, anyway! Ahaha! Sorry, I'm not making any sense!
You don't know until you try.
I'm... not sure about that.
Th-the thing is, ever since the day I was captivated by Maruzen, I started doing everything I possibly could.
I-I felt like I was growing, and my times did actually improve. My form even got compliments from my instructor...
It wasn't much, but I was getting closer, closer to her! I really believed that, but...
After all that hard work, all that improvement, I realized something!
...We're still worlds apart.
She whips the letter from earlier out of her pocket and tears it to shreds.
...!
She picks up the shreds one by one and tosses them into the trash can, then runs off before I can stop her.
If I could one day run alongside you in front of thousands, it would be a dream come true.
I catch a glimpse of her letter, written in large, neat, but shaky letters.
Over the next few days, I can't stop worrying about Sakura Chiyono O, but I struggle to figure out the best way to approach her.
You wanted to talk about Chiyo? What's this all about, Rudolf?
You must already be aware, but... ever since our scrimmage race, she's been feeling down. Hishi Amazon alerted me to this.
I kept tabs on her for a few days, and it seemed her mind was elsewhere. Her face looked sickly too.
Adulation and despair are two sides of the same coin. Many leave the academy in tears over broken dreams... "I'll never catch up to you." I've heard those words countless times.
As have you, I imagine.
...Heh. Ever the worrywart, aren't you?
It's true that she might not be the most gifted. But she knows that.
That's why she's out on the track every morning, monitoring her condition, racking her brain over how she can improve.
What I mean is, she stares her weaknesses in the eye every single day. It takes a strong heart to do that... So she'll be just fine.
She has a point. Coming to terms with your own weaknesses sounds easy, but surprisingly few can do it.
I'm sure some of that tenacity stems from Chiyono O's own personality, but the biggest factor must be...
If I could one day run alongside you in front of thousands, it would be a dream come true.
(She has Maruzensky to look up to.)
She's just not quite ready to take the dive and get hurt yet. Once she is, she'll be on our heels in no time.
...I see. Forgive my ignorance, then.
Sakura Chiyono O might bend, but she won't break. With just a little more courage, she'll be back on her feet running with a smile.
Before I know it, I'm dashing down the stairs and off looking for her.
3. The Key Is Always in Your Pocket
53 linesHuh? Why I chase after Maruzen?
I know what it is that's kept Sakura Chiyono O going all this time. It's pure admiration, unadulterated by fear or resignation.
If she can just remember that feeling, maybe she can pull herself out of this slump.
Well, um... Because she's faster than anyone, and stronger...
She's... everything I'm not.
...
Ever since I was little, I've been good at running, and I loved it... so I joined a club, ran in races, and took lots of first places.
My my, Chiyo, well, aren't you talented! I hear you're going to join Tracen Academy one day?
Yeah, I'm gonna be the best runner ever! My brother helps me train at home every day!
With my smart brother's help, I managed to pass the academy's brutal exam with decent grades. I arrived on campus with my head held high, only to find...
Hey, did you see Mr. C.B. in that scrimmage?! The way she passed everyone at the end was sick, I've never seen anything like it!
No, no, it's all about Oguri Cap! Like, she has to be a genius runner, her acceleration is insane!
Oh, Chiyo. The instructor isn't here, so there's no training today.
Oh, I know! I was just going to practice by myself!
Pant, pant... Hahhh!
The more I ran, the deeper the truth sank in.
Huff... wheeze...
Mm, not bad for a new student! We have some things to work on, but we'll tackle them one by one!
Well, while you don't put on a show, you play it safe and win in the end. Plus you're dedicated, and clearly put in a lot of work on the fundamentals.
A safe, dedicated runner.
Is that enough to become anything?
What do I even want to become here?
Then, one day... one fateful day...
Maruzensky is shooting farther and farther ahead! Three lengths, now four lengths in front, there's no stopping her!
Hehe. Here I go!
There she was... a logic-defying, breathtaking "hot rod."
W-wow...
Everything I wasn't, it was all bundled together there in red. I was awestruck.
My pounding heart refused to calm down. Unable to resist, I rode that wave of emotions, piecing together the words scattered about my brain...
I may be a safe, dedicated runner... but I won't stop there. I want to go further... further and further beyond!
I don't care how tough training gets, or if she's way out of reach, or how long it takes. I want to be faster, stronger, like her...
I want to be Maruzensky!
In an instant, my whole world lit up.
Time to dig in!
Spaghetti with... coconut jelly and tiramisu? Are old trends making a comeback?
Huh? Oh, ahaha! Nothing like that. It's just, someone I really look up to was eating this, so I couldn't help myself.
Umm, this should be all the magazines with a special feature on Maruzensky.
Wow, that's a lot! Thanks a bunch! Mind if I borrow them all?
Of course not, by all means... Hehe, you must really like Maruzensky.
Hm? Ah... Ehehe, yeah!
Pant, pant...
(Maybe this is a little too early... No, you know what? "To see the dawn, you must run toward it"!)
All right, this is going to be my new morning routine! Chiyono O, G-O!
Oh...
Yeah, I remember now... I wanted so badly to stand by Maruzen's side.
But I forgot all that, and became so lost I didn't know what to do with myself...
And what do you want to do now?
4. Sakura Weather, Never Wither
60 linesMm, sounds good. Lookin' forward to it! Hehe. Whew! Just 'cause it's practice doesn't mean I'm gonna go easy on you! ♪
...Of course! Thank you so much!
Ever since that day, Sakura Chiyono O has been back on the track from morning until evening, hard at work.
Okay, starting tomorrow I'll try a faster pace during rest intervals and... Oh, hello!
She's poring over the notebook she once dropped in front of me, her "Chiyonotes."
Putting those Chiyonotes to good use, I see.
These pages contain everything I've learned up until now. I want to fight with all I've got... or that's the idea, at least.
Because if I'm not in it to win it, well... what's the point?
Soon enough, the day of her practice race with Maruzensky arrives.
Um... T-today, I... I'm going to run like it's the Japanese Derby! And I hope you will too!
Hehe, I'm honored. Well, I guess I'll just have to pull out all the stops then.
Hm? Hey, look over there! Maruzen's walking up to the gate... with Chiyo?!
As spectators trickle in, the left-handed race over 2,400 meters of life-changing turf begins!
Hup!
Whoa, Maruzen just keeps widening her lead. But Chiyo is playing it totally cool. I know I'd panic and shift gears right away if it was me...
...
Huh? Strategy? Well... I do sort of have something in mind. Basically...
If I try to keep up with the fast pace Maruzen likes to set, it'll become a battle of endurance, which I can't win.
So no matter how big a lead she gets, I have to run at my own pace and conserve strength.
And then... a-as I head into the final corner, I'll pick up the pace, somehow close the gap to Maruzen...
And once I close the gap, if I can just hold on and come out slightly ahead at the very end... No, not "if"! I will, and then I... I'll win!
To be honest, I'm lacking in almost every department... But if I'm going to win, I think that's the best shot I have!
(Calm down. Just calm down, and keep your own pace... We're almost at the final corner!)
...Now! Hahhhh!
(...That acceleration! I didn't think she had so much left in the tank.)
...
(...I see you, Chiyo. You really want this, don't you?)
(So close now. Finish the job. Now's the time to pull ahead!)
Hehe. Bring it on!
Hryahhh!
Geez, Maruzensky's acceleration is really something else! ...Wait, Chiyo's catching up!
Haha!
Pant, pant... No, I'm not done yet! Faster! Faster! FASTER!
Hyrahhh!
Pant, pant...
(...Still out of reach. I planned, fought with everything I had, and it still wasn't good enough.)
(Nothing's changed. She's still so far away...)
Chiyo.
Thanks for the killer race! It's been a minute since I felt a thrill like that! Good luck in the real Japanese Derby. Do what I could only dream of doing.
You would entrust your dreams... to me?
Mhm. I wouldn't entrust them to anyone else.
...
Sniffle!
I-I... I thought I would break! You always felt larger than life, so far out of reach!
Every time I ran, I would get scared, and couldn't win a single race! But... but still...
I... I want to stand by your side!
...Mm.
And I... I swear, I will win the Japanese Derby! I will become the number one runner!
So when... when that happens, when I'm stronger... Will you run with me again?
Haha! Of course!
With the sun itself smiling down on her, Chiyono O's race of a lifetime comes to a close.
Afterwards, as I'm on my way back to my office...
Oh, um, e-excuse me! Will you be my trainer?
Wait... huh? Me?
You made this happen! You were the one who helped me remember my feelings for Maruzen, who gave me the push on the back I needed!
So when I make it big, when I have my next showdown with Maruzen, I want you to be by my side!
Her unwavering drive to grow as a runner makes me want to see just how far she'll go. I have no reason to decline.
I'd be honored.
Wow, um, yay! Thank you so much! Uhh, in that case... to commemorate this moment, here's a proverb that just came to me!
"The carrot knows not when the rain will fall." I look forward to working with you, Trainer!
5. Youth Is Infectious
44 linesIt's been some time since Sakura Chiyono O chose me as her trainer. On a day off...
Oh, Trainer! Hello.
Hey. Getting some training in?
Yep! If I want to compete in the Derby, I have to work my body harder than ever!
Maruzen, she's... always been my role model, and now she's entrusted her dream to me. I have to make it come true!
I'll do whatever I can to help!
Hehe... Thank you!
Well, I'm going to go run some more! "Three years make a peach, eight a persimmon, and infinite belief a Derby winner!"
The meaning of her saying is lost on me, but I do get a strong sense of conviction coming from her.
I need to do more to support her dreams. Or rather, I want to do more. That desire has never been stronger.
After finishing up some work, I stop by the riverbank again.
(Are they... sumo wrestling?)
Hahhh!
Wh-whoa!
An underarm throw, beautifully executed! Well done!
Aww! I thought I had a chance when she stumbled!
Well, you have to watch out for feints. If your opponent comes low, be sure to watch your legs!
That makes sense... Thanks, Chiyo!
You sure know a lot about sumo.
Wait, Trainer?!
My dad's a sumo wrestler, you see. So ever since I was little I've been going to watch his matches, and...
You wanted to try it yourself?
No, no, I'm perfectly fine just watching!
But those two... and the others in the neighborhood Umamusume Sumo Association, they're serious about sumo.
A sumo advisor? Me?
Even if it's only once! We really want to get stronger!
Get... stronger...
I lost again... Being short is just an automatic loss, isn't it?
That's not true! Being small means you can be more nimble. Let's see, I think my dad taught me a few moves you could use...
Chiyo! I won my practice match! My very first win!
Thank you so much! It's all because of your lessons!
Your hard work is what made the difference! Congratulations on the win!
At first, I only planned on doing it once. But the more time I spent with them, the more I wanted to help.
They were just so devoted... it gave me courage, made me want to do better in my races.
I get the same feeling watching you.
Huh? Watching me?
Your hard work and dedication give me courage.
N-no, no, I... I don't deserve that! I'm really not doing anything out of the ordinary!
It's just that being ordinary means I have to do a lot more than everyone else and, yeah...
But... if me doing that gives you strength, then I'll work even harder!
For the dream I share with Maruzen... and starting from today, for you too!
Seeing Chiyono O reaffirm her ambitions, I feel invigorated yet again.
6. Destiny Awaits 2,400 Meters Away
49 linesIf I want to compete in the Derby, I have to push my body further than ever!
I'll work even harder!
For the dream I share with Maruzen... and starting from today, for you too!
Sakura Chiyono O needs no reminder to work hard. So if there's anything I can do as her trainer, it would be...
Oh, are you going somewhere too?
Thought I'd check out the bookstore.
The bookstore! Wait, are you after The Complete Book of Winning Proverbs that just went on sale today too?!
Er, I had another book in mind, actually.
Oh, n-never mind then. For a second there I thought you were one of us... Ahaha...
Oh, but we're still going to the same place. If you don't mind, how about we go together?
I don't have any reason to say no, so we head to the bookstore together.
Yay! Got what I came for!
The hottest new publication in the proverb world... I don't know what I would've done if it was sold out.
Wait, Trainer? Don't tell me you're going to buy that entire mountain of books!
I-I'll have them split it into two bags, so we're good!
Whoa! Your arms are shaking! I'll help carry some!
There we go... I didn't know you were such an avid reader.
Umamusume Growth Theory, and Post-Debut Training Techniques? Wait, are these all...
They're for me, aren't they?! You really didn't have to...
There's not much I can really do to help you.
Huh?
So I might as well go all out where I can.
Trainer...
Ohh... Thank you!
Maybe you and I do have something in common after all.
All I could ever do was play it safe, sticking it out and staying dedicated to practice, practice, and more practice...
If I just kept fighting, maybe I could move at least a few steps forward... That was what kept me going.
The shoes I was trying to fill were so big, there were times when I almost lost my footing, but...
I'm glad I kept working at it! Because otherwise, I never would've met such an amazing trainer.
In my room that night, as I'm digging into the books I purchased...
A text... from Chiyono O?
To my hard-working trainer...
Today was fun! I feel like I was able to learn a little more about you.
Oh, and those training books! I bet you're reading them right now, aren't you?
It made me really happy to hear how you felt! But don't feel like you have to do so much, okay?
Lastly, a little proverb to cheer you on. "Walk as two, leave footprints of four!"
So let's keep on forging ahead as two! Okay, I'll see you at training!
The proverb doesn't quite compute, but it's the thought that counts.
I start typing out a short thank you, then change my mind and reach for the call button.
H-hello? Chiyono O here! Did something urgent come up?
Oh, is this about the message I just sent? D-did I say something weird?
No, I just wanted to say thanks.
Thanks?
You really got me motivated. Thank you.
...!
Oh, no, I'm just glad I could be helpful!
I think that was one of my best proverbs yet! Feel free to use it!
I-I will.
The proper usage of her proverb still eludes me, but for now, I'll just enjoy this chat with Chiyono O.
7. Dreams Are for the Taking
68 linesToday marks the start of summer camp. I show Sakura Chiyono O my notes on our agenda and what I want her to focus on.
Okay, okay... I guess that's summer camp for you, we have a ton to get through!
It is a bigger workload. Think you can handle it?
Of course! I trust you and your Trainynotes!
"Trainy...notes?"
Yes! Problems I need to work on, techniques I can use to improve, they're all written here in this notebook.
I'm guessing you read those books you bought and put a lot of thought into coming up with this regimen.
Which means, all your care and hard work as a trainer is packed in here, it's your Trainynotes!
Just watch, I'll use our time at camp to improve as much as I can!
Her eyes light up, burning bright with determination.
Gasp! ...Almost to shore!
Can't stop yet! Ten more sets! "The Chiyo that walks about finds the starting gate"!
Hey, don't you think Chiyo seems almost like a different person since coming here?
Yeah, she's like super into it. We have to train harder too!
Pant, pant... That should be everything for today!
I feel like everyone was staring at me on the way here... Was I doing something weird?
Nope, you were just being yourself.
Oh? Guess there's nothing to worry about then...
Our days of endless training continue, and before we know it, camp draws to a close.
R-really?!
Yep, your time's definitely improved since the start of camp.
0.1 seconds... Our 0.1 seconds!
It's not much... almost nothing really, but still! I'm that much closer to Maruzen now, aren't I?
You sure are. Do you feel it?
Yes! Ehehe...
Our summer camp comes to an end. And now...
I didn't know there was a festival going on so close by. Thanks for bringing me here!
A little treat for all your hard work.
Hehe. Then I'll be sure to make the most of it! Cotton candy, yo-yo fishing, goldfish scooping, and... Oh!
This plush doggie, doesn't it kinda remind you of Maruzen? Like how fluffy it is, and those kind eyes!
It's so cute! Hey there, little guy, you wanna come home with me?
It reminds me of you, actually.
M-me?! You mean...
Wait, n-n-no! Never mind! Ahaha. Oh, Trainer, you're funny, you know that?
You two take a liking to that stuffed animal? Then why don't ya have a go at our katanuki challenge?
Katanuki?
Here's how it works: you take this sheet of candy here, and using a needle and your fingers, cut out the shape in the middle!
Make a clean cut, and I'll give ya the doggie as a prize! How about it? Up for a try?
Ooh, I do really like the doggie, but... this looks kind of hard.
I'll give it a try!
Hm? ...Wait, what?!
All fired up to win Chiyono O her prize, I give the katanuki challenge a go, only to find it more difficult than I thought...
Oof, close but no cigar. How about another go?
Okay! I'll get it this time!
Wait, um, Trainer? Maybe you should start out away from the indents!
Looking at your previous tries, slowly chipping away at the perimeter seemed like the safest option, so...
Got it! I can always count on you, Chiyo!
W-what? No, I was just jotting down notes as I watched... A-anyway, you've got this!
Ohh! We have a winner! And to the victor goes the stuffed animal!
Y-you're sure I can have it?
Yep, another reward for your work at camp.
He really does look like you.
Y-you're the only one who thinks that!
Ahem! Whether it looks like me or not aside, um... thank you once again.
Not just for this little guy, but for all of summer camp, and everything before that too...
Remember what you told me once? That watching me gives you strength, and seeing me work hard gives you courage.
I feel the same way. When I see you working hard, it makes me want to do my best too.
I've found more strength than I ever did alone. I've come so much farther than I ever could alone.
So I know that as long as we keep working hard together, I can get even stronger!
I'll be your source of strength, and you'll be mine.
And then, even winning the Derby won't just be some faroff dream, we'll be strong enough to do it for real!
Or, um... th-that's what this little fella thinks, anyway...
Well, I agree with Dogg-O.
I... I'm going to make my dreams come true! Even if I can't grow as quick as everyone else, no matter how long it takes, I swear I will!
"The late-blooming sakura is still a sakura," am I right?
As if in agreement, fireworks bloom bright in the night sky.