Super Creek's story

She lives up to the hype! Her speed is incredible! She's crossing the finish line with two whole lengths ahead of the pack!

Excuse me! If you join me, I'll make sure you win a graded race! Even G1 races will be in your reach!

Th-thank you very much! I'll do my best!

...

I take it you haven't found your perfect trainee yet?

Hehe, excuse me for coming up to you so suddenly. My name is Super Creek.

You're new to Tracen Academy, right?

Hmm... I just had a feeling. ♪

I noticed you were struggling to talk to the runners and how you were intimidated by the other trainers.

But I'm sure there's a runner out there waiting for you, so please don't give up!

It seems like there's a reason why it's hard for you to speak up.

Would you like to share your thoughts with me? Sometimes it helps to get things off your chest.

...I see, so that's how you feel.

Everyone's nervous and wants to be extra cautious in the beginning. But that's a good thing.

It shows that you're a kind and considerate person. You really take your job seriously... At least, that's how I feel.

By the way, I'll be running in a race later this afternoon. If you're interested, would you like to come and see?

Hehe, thank you. You won't regret it! ♪

The leading pack has rounded the first corner! Super Creek is already breaking away from the group!

Super Creek charges down the track and finishes in first place!

Creek! Let's work together to win G1 races!

I'll definitely help you reach your full potential!

Oh my. Thank you for all of your offers, everyone.

Super Creek, you've lived up to all of my expectations. Come with me, and I'll prioritize your training.

Y-you! I knew it, you just had to show up and snatch her away...

Oh my, it's an honor to have a famous trainer such as yourself show interest in me.

Oh, Trainer! Please wait!

Yes! ♪

I received many good offers today, but I believe you're the best fit for me.

Wh-what?! Are you out of your mind?! This rookie has no track record at all!

A rookie trainer is still a trainer. Isn't that right? ♪

Will you partner up with me?

Hehe, the honor is all mine. I look forward to working with you! ♪

Hehe, I'm suuuper excited to see what kind of plan you made for me.

Let's do our best, Trainer!

Great, I'm looking forward to it! ♪

Phew... I finished all ten laps.

I'm sorry that it took me so long to finish.

Hehe, you're doing well.

Don't worry. As we get to know each other better, things will smooth out in the future.

...What are ya guys doin' in the middle of the track, huh?

Why hello there, Tamtam!

Trainer, allow me to introduce you to my friend, Tamtam.

It's Tamamo Cross, ya hear?! If you're gonna introduce me, then do it right, yeah?!

Anyway, I came over here 'cause I heard ya got yourself a trainer...

And I can see ya already gettin' all pampered up.

That's right, it doesn't matter who ya are, Creek'll do her thing. She just loves takin' care of the people 'round her.

Hehe. It's true, my family runs a day care center.

Since I've spent so much time looking after children, it's become a habit of mine now.

Huh, so that's why ya like goin' 'round bein' a mom to everyone. Makes sense now.

...Hang on a sec. Don't tell me ya see me as one of your lil' kids too?

Hmm... Sometimes I do, but I also think you're mature in your own way.

Sometimes! ...I could say lotsa things 'bout that, but whatever. Creek's one of my besties, yeah?

That's why ya better not get too spoiled and slack off now! Make sure ya watch her carefully!

Aww, you're leaving already? Come back and visit again, okay? ♪

Good work today, Trainer. I'm looking forward to tomorrow's training!

...Oh?

Are you always eating instant noodles?

Hm... You won't get enough vitamins if you don't eat your vegetables.

How about I cook you something for dinner tonight? I'll bring it to you later. ♪

In that case, I'll head out now, huh?

Do you often leave your clothes out like this?

It'll get all wrinkly if you don't hang it up properly.

I'll iron it for you this time, so make sure to be careful in the future, okay? ♪

...Oh my! There are magazines everywhere.

Huff, huff. Phew...

The new training plan is great! It's much easier on my legs too.

Hehe, you did such a good job! ♪

So next on the list is a light sprint on the dirt track, right?

How do you ever expect Super Creek to debut with that laughably meager training regimen?

Oh, it's you again.

If only you had chosen me, then you would've debuted a long time ago.

Hmm... But I think that my trainer's plans are very well made.

You vastly overestimate the ability of this rookie. ...I should show you what a real trainer can do.

I suggest that we hold a scrimmage between our racers to show which of us is more capable of developing talent.

I presume you'll accept the challenge... That is if you truly believe you're the best fit for Super Creek.

Oh dear, what should we do...

Oh my, Trainer! ♪

It's only natural that trainers are proud of our trainees, and are willing to do whatever it takes to help them reach their full potential.

We believe that they deserve to work only with the best. Which means that if I win, you'll hand over Super Creek to me, correct?

Of course, that's fine with me.

I didn't think you'd be the one to agree. Perhaps you admit that joining me is the best option.

No, you must be mistaken. I don't plan on losing at all, not one bit.

Heh, it doesn't matter though, you'll be transferring to my team soon enough.

Well, we better train hard then!

Well, you accepted his challenge because you believe that you're the right trainer for me.

It made me so happy to hear that you want to help me become my best. ♪

That's why there's nothing to worry about at all. I'll make sure that everything's going to be all right.

Basically, ya guys want me to help out with the trainin' and stuff?

Hehe, that's right. It was my trainer's idea. We agree that it would be good to practice with the same conditions as the scrimmage.

Nah, I think she's just tryin' to spoil you again.

But whatever, it's all good. Besides, any sleazeball trainer who uses his own trainee in a bet and tries to steal my girl like that needs to be taught a painful lesson, yeah?

Thanks, Tamtam! You're such a good girl.

Hey! Ya tryin' to pat my head again?! Get ya hands away from me! I'm not a kid anymore!

Ah! Come back, Tamtam!

Good work today, Trainer. Looks like tomorrow's the day of the race.

Hehe, don't worry... We'll be just fine. ♪

...Do you remember what Tamtam said? That I like to spoil people?

But the truth is... I just want to make others smile, whether it's the kids at the day care or you...

I perform my best when I'm taking care of those around me.

So it doesn't matter if you're a rookie, I believe in your skills, and you can count on me to prove it to everyone.

I'm so glad you came today to support me, Tamtam.

Whoa! Ya don't gotta pat my head every time ya see me!

But anyway, 'course I'd come. We trained together this whole time, so ya better show me some results!

You got it!

How are you feeling, Trainer? Feeling nervous?

You know best, but I can't help worrying about you a little.

I feel great though, because I know you're behind me all the way.

Good morning, Rookie and Super Creek. It looks like you've done your training accordingly.

Good morning. I look forward to today's race.

You're taking this quite casually. I suppose this means you're fully ready to join my team.

Oh my, when did you become so bold? ♪

I-I can see that you two are close, but that relationship ends today. I already have Super Creek's new training plan ready.

Now that we've finished saying hello, why don't we go ahead and get ready ourselves?

Even though today's race isn't official, I'll be sure to grab our first win. Think of it as a little present from me.

Yup! I'm gonna give it all I have! ♪

Huff, huff!

Pant, pant... As I expected, she's pretty fast.

But I won't let my trainer and Tamtam's efforts go to waste!

She's not even at the halfway mark, but she's already breaking into a sprint?

Nah, ya just don't get it. That's not a sprint, it's her runnin' style. She always had the skills to make her debut whenever she wanted.

The whole reason she hasn't debuted yet is 'cause her trainer was lookin' out for her.

Bein' as she's not in great shape right now.

You're saying this isn't her peak condition?!

Da heck, ya didn't know?!

She wasn't doin' well for a few days since you became her trainer... Well, I s'pose you wouldn't know, since she's not the type to tell anyone. She doesn't like worryin' people.

...But ya did switch up her trainin', yeah? It made her real happy. Kept tellin' me how you were growin' day by day.

In the end, any mistakes you made with your plan don't matter. What's most important is that you care 'bout her.

Oh my, Trainer! ♪

I'm gonna win so I can keep giving you all the attention you need!

Ooh, I'm actually kind of nervous now that my debut race is approaching.

Oh dear, we can't have that now. Everything is going to be just fine, Trainer. You're doing such a great job.

Once I debut, I'm going to bring home all the trophies for us. I'll show everyone what a wonderful trainer you are.

I promise I'll take good care of you, okay? ♪

Trainer, I won first place! I know it was just a scrimmage, but I'm still very happy about the results. ♪

Phew, it's hot today, isn't it? Oh... you're sweating a lot, Trainer. Let me help you wipe it off.

Hehe, don't worry. I'll take care of it.

Stay still now. There we go! ♪

Doesn't that feel much better now? ♪ Remember to check if you've brought tissues or a handkerchief with you next time before you leave, okay?

Second place, huh... You were close. What matters is that your time is getting faster, so keep it up!

Yes! It's all thanks to your guidance! I'm going to work even harder from now on!

Did you say something?

Really? Well then, shall we head off to lunch now?

Good question... Well, I'd love for you to have a balanced diet, so please eat lots of veggies for me.

...This is just who I am, I love helping everyone. Being able to bring a smile to someone's face makes me happier than anything else.

So don't worry about me. Let me keep doing what I do best. ♪

Hmm, I don't know. When I think back to my childhood, I don't remember a time when I ever felt that way.

As a little kid, people often remarked how I never really needed much help with anything. I was very easy to handle.

In fact, I remember taking care of other kids my age whenever they were crying. I'd be making them feel better along with their parents.

How? Hmm, that's a good question. It's hard to say...

Back home, watching the kids at our day care grow up, I began to realize...

At first, it's hard to do anything by yourself. We all need someone's help to learn how to navigate the world around us.

No matter who you may be, whether you're a parent, teacher, or friend, we all can benefit from a little bit of love and support.

And that's why, if I can be a part of someone's journey of growth and self-discovery... then isn't that just wonderful?

Hehe, I'm so happy you feel the same way.

Now I understand why you asked me that question earlier.

Hmm, something that you can do for me... Oh, I know.

Trainer... will you let me fix the button on your shirt?

It caught my eye earlier, and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it.

So please, give me your shirt for a moment. I'll be done in a second!

No, you are doing something nice for me! This is what I want, so come here please. ♪

Sob, sob...

There, there. I'm sure it was scary, right? But everything's gonna be okay now.

Just wait here for a second, okay? I'll... umm...

Trainer! Perfect timing, it seems like this little girl here got lost.

I found her crying in the corner by herself and tried to ask her what's wrong...

Sob, sob...

Aw, was it scary being alone? There, there. It's okay now.

...

Umm... I... don't know... waaaah!

Sob, sob...

Aww, Trainer! Thank you so much.

Your face is all cleaned up now. Isn't that nice? So tell me... were you out here shopping?

I see! What did you want to buy?

I wanted... an Umagical Wand... because Papa and Mama said... they'd buy it for me...

Well, isn't that nice? You must've been excited! Does that mean you came here together with your Papa and Mama?

Yes, please do. I'll stay here with her.

Trainer, thank you so much for your help today. I'm so glad that little girl was able to reunite with her parents.

No, really. Be proud of yourself, you were such a big help.

Until you showed up, I wasn't sure what I was going to do. I couldn't just walk away with the girl, so I thought about calling for help...

But there weren't any staff nearby either. Honestly, I felt stuck.

So when you came, it was a huge relief. I was really happy to see you.

Hehe, maybe it wouldn't hurt to learn a bit more about how to handle little kids.

But really though... I felt safe with you being there.

I appreciated having you with me, so please don't put yourself down.

Of course!

And you didn't forget your handkerchief this time. Good job! ♪

Hehe, I can't help myself though. ♪

(I'm glad I can depend on you, Trainer.)

Huff, huff...

Phew... How was that, Trainer?

Okay!

...Oh my, it's already this late. Time flies when you're focusing hard.

Hehehe, I'm feeling really good lately. Even though I've already hit today's targets, I feel like I could keep running. ♪

Yes, you're right. We've still got plenty of time left at camp.

...

Hehe, it's nothing. I was just thinking how productive I was today.

I feel like I'm really taking to the plan you created for me.

I shouldn't be surprised. You thought about all my needs when you made it.

And that's why I think it's time to give you a reward for all your hard work! ♪

Yes! ♪ There's a summer festival not far from here. Would you be interested in going with me?

Hehe, there are so many kids here. It's so nice to see everyone having fun!

Well then, shall we take a look at the stalls ourselves? ...But there are so many, I don't know where to begin.

Oh, and of course, we should get some food after all that training.

Let's buy something, find a place with a nice view, and dig in. ♪

There are so many people here now. Let's try not to get separated...

Oh! Oh my!

Trainer! We should...

...Okay!

I think we'll be fine over here. It was getting really bad back there.

But I'm glad we were able to hold hands and not lose each other. Hehe... ♪

Hehe, there's no need to get all flustered. You were the one who told me to take your hand.

Oh, did I?

...Well, we can talk later. The takoyaki is getting cold.

About that moment earlier...

Yeah... when you asked me to take your hand.

Actually I... was going to say the same thing, but you beat me to it.

The way you reached out to me... I felt that you were so dependable.

Yes, definitely. You've already grown so much since the day we met. I'm really proud of you.

Um... Trainer... hehe.

I know this is a serious moment right now, but you've got takoyaki sauce on your face.

Stop! Don't move, just a second.

...There we go. All clean now.

Trainer, do you remember when you asked me if there was anything I wanted from you?

I think I know now. Would you like to hear?

By gaining more and more experience, I know that you'll become an even greater trainer than you already are.

But no matter how much you grow... will you still let me take care of you?

Hehe... Thank you. It means a lot to me.

And I hope that we'll continue to spend lots and lots of time together.