While carrying his shoulder bag toward the library on the eastern side of the academy, Kazuomi stopped along the slope beside the racetrack.
Several nights earlier, this was where he had witnessed that girl’s astonishing running form.
Every time he passed, his eyes moved unconsciously toward the track.
This afternoon, however, the racetrack was anything but quiet.
“Hmm…”
A group of Uma Musume stood in orderly lines beside the course, warming up.
The teacher responsible for their introductory physical education class stood before them, apparently explaining something.
“Now that I think about it, aren’t the junior-division classes holding simulated training races around this time?”
Although Kazuomi had been almost completely isolated during the past week, he had not spent every moment doing nothing.
He attended introductory lessons in different classrooms each morning and possessed some understanding of the freshmen’s schedule.
After spending a week adjusting to academy life, the newly enrolled Uma Musume would gradually begin their physical education courses.
Step by step, they would prepare for the semester’s ultimate objective: their debut races.
During previous conversations with the homeroom teachers, Kazuomi had learned that the students would participate in their first class simulation races during these few days.
Because this was only a basic trial race, the distance would not be particularly long.
Most would be 1,200-meter turf sprints.
The academy wanted to evaluate the freshmen’s physical condition gradually.
Starting with the most basic sprint distances, they would progressively increase the length and collect various performance measurements.
The resulting data would then be analyzed to determine the distances best suited to each student.
Beginning at 1,200 meters would also avoid placing excessive strain upon their bodies.
There was another reason.
Kazuomi looked toward the area nearest the racetrack.
More than a dozen professional trainers had already gathered in the closest observation stands, preparing to examine the students’ performances carefully.
Ms.
Tojo and the other trainers were present.
Even Symboli Rudolf, the newly appointed student council president of the middle division, had come to watch.
It was only a small simulation test.
However, the knowledge that others were watching had already ignited the Uma Musume’s competitive spirits.
Kazuomi stopped at the observation platform and leaned against the railing.
There appeared to be approximately thirty students in the class.
If he remembered correctly, this was Class A.
“Oh?
You have time to watch something like this?”
A voice Kazuomi desperately wished to forget sounded beside him.
His body stiffened.
Mr.
Yoshida had appeared at his side as silently as a ghost.
“Mr.
Yoshida.”
No matter how reluctant he felt, Kazuomi forced himself to maintain a respectful attitude.
Yoshida stood beside him and looked toward the distant track.
“What do you think you can see from a race?”
The sudden question left Kazuomi unable to answer.
What could he see?
He remained silent for a long time, thinking desperately.
Eventually, he produced a single response.
“I don’t know.”
Yoshida merely smiled.
He said nothing more about the answer.
“The race is about to begin.”
“Let us see what these freshmen can do.”
A sprint race.
Watching the students prepare, Kazuomi felt his heart tighten inexplicably.
The physical education teacher held the class roster and addressed the students in a loud voice.
“We will now divide you into groups.”
“Today’s test is a 1,200-meter turf sprint.
You will compete in two heats.”
“When I call your name, step forward.
Everyone else will participate in the second race as Group B.”
“Those whose names are called should collect a number bib in order.”
“Once you finish warming up, enter the starting gate corresponding to your number and wait for the race to begin.”
“Is that understood?”
“Yes!”
The students answered together.
“Group A.”
“Super Creek.”
“Tamamo Cross.”
“Fine Motion.”
“Eishin Flash…”
Seeing two familiar girls, Kazuomi initially froze.
Then he became quietly excited.
So Super Creek and Fine Motion were both members of Class A.
Kazuomi had spent most of his time observing Classes B and C, which explained why he had not encountered either of them.
Creek’s handkerchief was still in his possession.
Kazuomi silently resolved to find her and offer his thanks properly.
The teacher called ten names in total.
The students stepped forward and received their bibs in order.
Everyone else left the course and moved onto the grass to observe the race.
Tamamo Cross quickly pulled on her number bib.
Inside, however, she was already considering her strategy.
I didn’t expect my first simulation race to place me in the same group as Creek.
I need to watch her carefully.
My physique puts me at a disadvantage.
Running styles don’t differ greatly in a 1,200-meter sprint, but I should probably settle toward the rear and wait for an opportunity.
Everyone present was talented.
Even so, Tamamo Cross had no intention of surrendering first place.
“Tamamo dear, could you help me?”
The students were nearly ready to enter the gates when Super Creek, assigned to the first lane, suddenly called for assistance.
“I told you not to call me Tamamo dear!”
Tamamo turned around.
“What happened, Creek—”
Something large and soft suddenly struck her squarely in the face.
Tamamo Cross’s thoughts stopped.
It took approximately 0.05 seconds for her to understand what had happened.
Super Creek’s number bib had been unable to fit properly over her chest.
She had asked Tamamo to pull down the strap caught against her back.
However, when Creek moved, the overstretched strap snapped.
Tamamo Cross stood only 141 centimeters tall.
As a result, she took the full impact directly to the face.
“Tamamo dear, are you all right?”
The person responsible leaned closer with complete concern, as though nothing unusual had occurred.
The more innocently Creek behaved, the more Tamamo’s face changed color.
White.
Red.
Purple.
Finally black.
“Guh…”
Tamamo trembled.
“Aaaaaaaaaaah!”
After suffering such profound injustice, the tiny girl finally exploded.
The final thread of reason inside her mind snapped.
“You’re mocking me, aren’t you?!”
“You are!
You absolutely are!”
“Aaaaaah!”
“I’m crying!
I’m really crying here!”
“You bastards!”
Perhaps no one could have predicted that because of this single incident—
Tamamo Cross, one of the Four Great Grays—
Awakened.