"Nfufufu… I'm looking forward to seeing the expression you make in the paddock. Unfortunately, I have to stay backstage myself, so I won't be able to witness it right away. Fufuh…hehe…"
"Um…? Why do you have to say something so unsettling just as I'm about to go out to the paddock?"
My goal today is simple: to have Deji-tan showered with attention and make her feel even a little bit aware of herself as a beautiful girl. And if she ends up serving the fans with a flushed face, that's just icing on the cake.
To make this happen, I brought the plan to the student council and secretly created a fan club for her without her knowing.
"…You're about to find out firsthand just how many people are supporting Deji-tan."
"W-what…? I have a bad feeling about this…"
Most of the people who join a fan club for a pre-debut Uma Musume like Deji-tan are hardcore otaku. You can't underestimate their determination. Today, I had several of them, including skilled photographers, stationed in the front row of the paddock. From here on, she doesn't need to be told anything. The result will be the sight of Deji-tan blushing.
"Th-then… I'll go…!"
"Yeah, go ahead. Nfufu…"
Deji-tan trotted off toward the stage. I peeked at her from behind the curtains.
For a G1 race, the paddock sometimes has a showcase for racing silks, but today she's running in gym clothes, so her duties are minimal, mostly just a brief greeting.
But that doesn't mean I'll let her off that easily. Judging from her pace, she's trying to wrap up the greeting quickly, but my comrades won't let her.
"Deji-tan! You're so cute!"
"We always admire how you preemptively do your fan activities! As a fellow otaku, I totally respect you! You're amazing!"
"Digital-san! Just for a bit, over here! Camera! I'd love your best smile, but even a shy expression is fine! Ah…! That look, it's wonderful, simply fantastic!"
…Incredible. Their voices reach farther than I expected. From behind the curtain, I can feel Deji-tan flustered just by the atmosphere. Yes, this is exactly what I wanted to see.
Peeking in, she quickly returned backstage as if escaping.
"…Wha-what was that!? There was a uchiwa with 'Deji-tan' written on it, just…!? That was your doing, wasn't it!?"
(Note:Uchiwa = a handheld flat fan.)
"Ah, perfect. Truly perfect. Comrades are wonderful, aren't they? You agree, right?"
"Ah, no way…! But…! Can such an unbelievable thing even exist…!? Me… being… adored…?"
"Deji-tan, this is reality. You are far more precious than you think. That's what's happening here."
"Ah…ah…ahh…"
She let out a faint moan and froze. Her face looked drained, like a monochrome photograph of a soul completely exhausted.
"Well then, I'll head to the paddock. Meanwhile, you can try seeing yourself as an object of admiration."
Feeling refreshed, I stepped out from behind the curtain and revealed myself to the audience.
"AURORA! You're so cute!"
"I can't pick just one favorite! That means we also support you! Comrades forever!"
"Look at me! Bigger eyes! Ah, yes, just like that! Magnificent!"
Wait a second. Hold on.
I was dumbfounded. Why are these cheers directed at me? Sure, I'm aware that as an Uma Musume, I'm reasonably cute—unlike Deji-tan.
…But all of them are members of Deji-tan's fan club. That raises a question.
I was only trying to convince them to support Deji-tan as a fellow member. My name and face were hidden. So why is this happening?
"…Geh."
…Am I seeing the truth? Why does the uchiwa have my name on it? No, this can't be real. I must be dreaming.
Because the one holding that uchiwa is…
"Hey, Aurora. You've been up to some interesting things behind my back, haven't you?"
It's my mother.
"Suuh…haa…! Okay! Be cool, and stay cool…!"
Calm down, think calmly. First, why does she have a uchiwa? Why is she chatting so familiarly with the fan club members?
"Surprised? Fufufu. Someone I knew said, 'Your daughter hasn't even debuted yet, and she already has a fan club…'"
"Ah, okay. I got it, so please, don't say anything else."
Since my mother is also an Uma Musume, she can talk to me even from the stands. Uma Musume are impressive… No, that's not the point.
It's no wonder I wanted to escape reality for a bit. My mother knew Deji-tan's parents. Since I was present when they met, it's natural she would notice the connection between the fan club and me. So, wanting to boast about her daughter, she couldn't help but spill the beans.
"…!"
"Oh, are you leaving already? Good luck in the race!"
I dashed back behind the stage.
"Aurora-chan, I saw your little chat with your mother. Your face is red! What happened? Fufu…"
I've had quite an ordeal.
…But seeing Deji-tan's little devilish, teasing face made it all worth it. No, it was even the best.
◆
…It begins.
"All Uma Musume, gates are set!"
…Stay cool. First, take a deep breath.
Analyze the situation as calmly as possible.
My starting position is the inner lane, third slot, and Deji-tan is in fourth. The same numbers as before.
1600m, two corners, good turf conditions, inside lane advantageous.
What should I do? Thanks to continuous training since childhood, I'm confident about my stamina. For this distance, it would be best to take the lead and escape. That's the closest to victory.
But if I do that, I won't get a proper view of the angel beside me, panting. How will she run? This is a simple mile race, so she'll likely run in the front group. In that case, I could follow right behind her.
…No, sure, I want the best view of her running. But I also want to race her seriously just as much. Unexpectedly, my mother is watching, too. Then I'll give my all.
More than anything, stepping into the gate is exhilarating! …I can't wait to run!
Alright, time to focus.
Engine's revved. Legs loaded, every nerve fully alert.
…Now!
"The gates open! All Uma Musume burst forward!"
Competition starts with knowing yourself.
You must understand your own capabilities to win.
Let's reassess my current strengths: three main advantages.
First, my stepping power.
Running around forests and mountains since childhood built strong legs. My mother was specialized in sprints and miles, so I may have inherited some talent.
I use this to approach top speed. Kick the ground, kick, kick, kick. Once accelerated, immediately lengthen my stride to maintain momentum while conserving energy.
"Already in the lead is No. 3, Aurora Frigate! Top of her class, apparently, but Ritto Dorm Leader Fujikiseki says she's quite the problem child! A model student should learn from me! Nevertheless, a strong burst of speed!"
What are you saying? I mostly just sleep through classes, sneak out, play with fire on the roof, and follow Deji-tan around. Problem child? Outrageous.
"First corner, positions unchanged!"
My second strength: stamina trained relentlessly since childhood.
Anyone can gain stamina through strict training. Despite being genetically suited for sprints and miles, training my lungs from an early age allows me to handle longer distances.
"The lead group is hitting the straight! Unwavering pace! Aurora Frigate seems in control!"
Third: memory.
But to use this fully in a race requires some strategy, not just memorizing opponents' info.
I also devised a minor tactic. I defined the "ideal form" for this race. For the start, I used Deji-tan's movements as reference. Her strong, swift strides are perfect for acceleration.
After gaining momentum, I switch to my ingrained stride, improved with Golshi-chan's leg movements. Pitch remains high, so I might tire around 1600m, but I'll make it to the finish.
During the race, I perceive my movements frame by frame, like a film. I dedicate all mental resources to correcting the slightest inconsistencies in my muscles.
This allows me to maintain perfect form without wasting energy. My brain works hard, but this is my unique advantage.
"The race is halfway, still unchanged at the front! Second place is No. 4, Agnes Digital!"
…Wait, what?
Deji-tan is behind me?
"She is arguably the greatest contributor to the Thanksgiving Festival preparations! Even President Symboli Rudolf praised her!"
She's already that close? I didn't notice. True to a legendary Uma Musume otaku, she's skilled at hiding her presence.
No, not just that.
Presence isn't mystical. Living beings integrate sound, airflow, and senses to detect others vaguely.
To hide from me, she only needs to avoid my hearing.
"No. 4, Agnes Digital, right behind Aurora Frigate! The leading pair hits the final corner! High-paced race!"
…Right behind me!
In other words, her actions are likely the optimal strategy.
Slipstream. She's using me to reduce air resistance.
Understandable. She's smaller, so she benefits more. And she avoids making wind noise.
"…She got me."
I muttered. The final corner approached. I glance sideways at her.
"…!? No way…!"
It's Deji-tan. Her presence is nearly undetectable until I look back. I understand perfectly why.
She noticed me and smirked. Her stride mirrors mine completely: pace, step force, timing, everything.
…Damn. No wonder I couldn't hear her! She synchronized perfectly with me! And her aim is clear: conserve stamina! She keeps second place while likely having more energy than anyone else.
"…K-K, Deji-tan…! Copying me like that…!"
"…That's my line! I understood the moment I saw your start…!"
The last few dozen meters, a fraction of a second—Deji-tan and I run side by side. The world feels like it belongs to just the two of us.
10 meters left.
If only I could get slightly ahead… but I can't. I want to scream in frustration, but a disrupted breath would slow my legs.
5 meters left.
The scenery whirls by, sounds everywhere, only capturing essential info, ignoring the rest.
In a blinding white, almost as if the sun itself is dim, there she is.
1 meter left.
…Ah, this is hopeless.
Racing Deji-tan is far too enjoyable, almost addictive.
"G-GOAL! First place… who…? I couldn't see…! We'll check the photo finish!"
…Immediately after finishing, my body craves oxygen.
Perhaps my brain isn't getting enough. I feel like I'm seeing things I shouldn't—specifically, Deji-tan appearing 17 times. Calm down, breathe first.
"Photo finish in progress, please wait!"
…The crowd murmurs about the results.
Who came first? As one of the participants, I already know.
"Haa…haa…! Deji-tan! Congrats on first place!"
"Haa…haa…! W-what? I thought Aurora-chan won…"
"…What are you saying? You were definitely faster!"
It'll be confirmed soon. Another photo finish is called, but the result is surely Deji-tan's victory. The margin was tiny, but two consecutive ties are impossible.
"…Wha—!? Huh? That's… unusual…! Ah, the results are in! First place… a tie! No. 3 Aurora Frigate, No. 4 Agnes Digital!"
…What?
"…Unprecedented! A tie on the same day…! Lucky spectators!"
…Huh, what?
No way. That's absurd.
Both Vodka and Scarlet tied, and now we tie too.
"Haa…haa…! C-could this be considered favoritism toward Spica?"
"Y-yeah… something extraordinary happened…"
Extraordinary? We caused it ourselves.
…it's not a graded race, so judging might be lenient. Either way, this rarely happens.
Well… alright.
Deji-tan and I tying, huh.
Me, a minor Uma Musume barely appearing in the app, coming close to the elite Agnes Digital and ending in a tie. Even I'm surprised.
"…Next, let's do dirt. I might win easily then."
"No. Whatever the course, I'll definitely win next time!"
Alright, decided.
No more holding back. Even against Deji-tan… no, especially against her, I'll aim for victory without hesitation. The thrill of racing her is irresistible.
…Honestly, it felt amazing. Seeing Deji-tan's profile during the race shook my soul beyond words.
"…Hey, Deji-tan."
"Yes?"
"I love you. And because I love you, I won't lose in a race."
"…I do too."
"Then that means you like me too! Perfect, mutual love! Nothing to worry about! So, let's…(≧▽≦)!"
"Ahhh!? No, that's not what I meant! Well, not entirely, but…! Basically! I also don't intend to lose to you! That's what I wanted to say!"
…Regardless, Deji-tan is adorable.
Now, after the race comes the winning live.
I'd like Deji-tan to give fans attention, but this time I'm on the giving end. …Reluctantly, I'll acknowledge the fools who made a cheering uchiwa for me. If I asked Deji-tan to do it, I must do the same.
…Well, soon everyone will be all about Deji-tan, so it's fine.