Uma Musume— they are girls born for the sake of running.
Some remain unknown, while others are born possessing names that have written glorious histories in another world. They inherit the souls of those names, that is their destiny.
The Uma Musume of this world will face their own duels in the future, where victory and defeat remain uncertain. They will continue to run, their eyes fixed solely on the finish line.
Tracen Academy.
On a small path leading to the school building:
"Mejiro-san, I truly love you! Please, please go out with me!"
A Uma Musume with grey bangs covering her forehead was holding up a bouquet of flowers. She was one of those unknown Uma Musumes.
Standing opposite her was the girl with snow-white hair who possessed a name of glorious history: Mejiro McQueen.
After those words were spoken, the entire area fell into a long, heavy silence.
'Wh-what is going on?! Why am I here confessing to a Uma Musume?'
"Sigh... I have said this many times, Senpai. I will not accept your feelings. Please, just go back," Mejiro McQueen said, her brow furrowing, before the grey-haired girl could even clear the confusion in her mind.
A fair number of Uma Musumes were spectating nearby. Their gossiping voices drifted clearly and sharply into the grey-haired girl's ears.
However, she had no time to worry about that now. A virtual panel for text input had suddenly appeared in front of her.
Time itself seemed to have frozen in the surrounding area.
[Please input your name...]
The frame of the panel featured three after-images in gold, red, and blue.
Is this some kind of dating sim game?
Despite her doubts, the vivid reality of her surroundings stimulated her senses intensely. Trembling, she reached out and tapped the panel.
[Divine Starlight, welcome to this world. Please enjoy your life as a Uma Musume.]
'Wait, that's not what I typed—!'
[Please enjoy your life as a Uma Musume.]
...Fine. Divine Starlight? It wasn't a bad name. She'd roll with it.
Next...
Looking up at Mejiro McQueen, two options appeared before Starlight's eyes:
[Option 1: Continue to pester her.]
[Option 2: Throw the flowers in the trash and declare your resolve.]
Taking a deep breath, Starlight let a smile play on her lips.
Alright then. Since it's come to this, there's no need for me to keep being a simp.
My goal is the entirety of Tracen!
The greyish, desaturated scenery gradually regained its original color. The sound of a distant fountain began to splash again. The murmurs of the surrounding Uma Musumes became distinct once more.
Divine Starlight smiled. Under McQueen's confused gaze, she gave a slight bow.
"I apologize, McQueen-san. I have caused you trouble."
With that, she turned toward a nearby trash can and, without a hint of hesitation, tossed the beautiful bouquet inside. Then, she clenched her fist and turned back.
"From this day forward, I will no longer bother you."
"I will let my own brilliance bloom on the racetrack. Next time, please call me by my name: Divine Starlight."
As she finished speaking, a light breeze fluttered by. As her grey bangs swayed, they revealed a pair of eyes with golden, six-pointed star-shaped pupils.
Mejiro McQueen froze instantly.
Initially, she had doubted the girl's words, after all, this person had approached her many times before.
But now, seeing the grit and decisiveness in Starlight's gaze, McQueen felt as if the senior standing before her was a completely different person.
"For real? That Senpai has confessed so many times."
"Hehe, that's a Uma Musume from a prestigious family. Of course she wouldn't say yes."
"Want to bet? In a few days, this Senpai will start all over again."
"So her name is Divine Starlight. It's the first time I've heard it."
... Amidst the various murmurs, Divine Starlight turned and walked toward the teaching building. Following her memories, Star arrived at her classroom.
"The seat is in the first row, second to last from the back."
'It's a pretty good spot', she thought as she walked over, sat down, and put away her bag. Suddenly, a similar virtual panel appeared before her.
[Detection complete. Decision confirmed: Option 2. Reward: One bottle of Muscle-Building Bone-Strengthening Liquid.]
[Muscle-Building Bone-Strengthening Liquid: Enhances the strength of bones and muscles, improving your physical constitution. Makes you less prone to injuries.]
Suddenly, a bottle containing an unidentified brownish-yellow liquid appeared on her desk. Starlight picked up the bottle and examined it.
"I feel like this color is a bit nauseating... Forget it, I'll put it away for now and deal with it when I get back to the dorm."
"Oh my, Starlight-san? You're in the classroom this early?" A gentle voice drifted over. Star looked up to see a chestnut-haired Uma Musume smiling at her. A blue ribbon was tied below one of her ears, and her eyes were a deep blue.
"Super Creek-san! Ah, haha... Hello—"
"Hmm... You seem a bit different today."
"I-is that so?"
"Could it be... another failed confession? Don't lose heart~ I believe you can do it!" Super Creek sat in the seat directly in front of Starlight, turning around to give her a word of encouragement.
"Thank you, Creek-san, but I won't be harassing Mejiro-san anymore."
"Eh! What happened?"
"I'm going to run for myself now!"
"Is that so? Well, that's fine too. I believe in you, Starlight-san."
"Mhm. Thanks, Creek-san. You can just call me Star."
"Alright, then you can just call me Creek. By the way, have you had breakfast? I have an extra sandwich here."
Looking at the sandwich handed to her, Starlight didn't hesitate long before reaching out to take it. "Thank you, I'll help myself then..."
Just as she opened the white wrapping paper and prepared to eat, an announcement suddenly blared over the PA system.
"Would student Divine Starlight please report to the Student Council office. The President has a matter to discuss with you."
Setting down the sandwich, Starlight felt her body tremble slightly as she stood up.
"I'm going now, Creek."
"Mhm, see you later."
After Starlight left, the blue-haired Mejiro Ardan sat nearby, squinting with a smile.
"I wonder if this is about her races again?"
"Hard to say. Maybe it has something to do with McQueen-san."
"Hmph. This girl finished her debut race ages ago but hasn't run a single race since. Who else would they look for if not her?" said a black-haired Uma Musume with a white streak in her bangs, crossing her arms with a face full of disdain.
"Don't be like that. To be able to persist for so long without giving up, Starlight-san is actually quite impressive," Ardan said, waving her hand.
From the front row, a Uma Musume with short pink hair spoke up. "
I hope she'll be alright..." Sakura Chiyono O clasped her hands together, praying for Starlight.
Student Council Office.
Divine Starlight stood ramrod straight, looking at Symboli Rudolf, who was currently processing documents. "I assume you know why I've called you here?"
"...Haha, I'd ask the President to speak plainly."
Hearing this, Rudolf slammed her pen onto the desk, stood up, and glared at Starlight.
"Since your debut, you haven't run a single race. Furthermore, you have repeatedly approached a junior to solicit an improper relationship."
"Starlight-kun, I really must be strict with you."