Chapter Text
Umamusume. They are born to run. Born with superior physical capabilities. Legs that can run faster than any human’s. Stamina unlike anything a normal human could have. They don’t just love running. It is their destiny.
As Sol Snowfall rolled her wheelchair towards the gates of Tracen Academy, she felt a pang in her heart. All around her, her fellow umas walked and ran, sat in the grass and talked, while she was bound to her chair.
Sol’s mother, an umamusume, was in a serious car accident shortly before her birth. Not only did this cause Sol to be born early and paralyzed, but her mother also died minutes after. Sol was raised by her father who, while an excellent parent, wasn’t good at helping someone like her cope with an inability to run.
”Good morning,” a tall woman with brown hair, a green uniform, and a green hat says to Sol. “Is there something I can help you with? You don’t look like a student here.”
”Yeah, I was sent here to see someone named Yayoi Akikawa? I was told she wanted to talk to me about an opportunity for me to be able to run,” Sol said, wide eyed, while looking directly at the woman. “I’m Sol Snowfall.”
”Oh, yes. My name is Tazuna Hayakawa, I’m the secretary at Tracen Academy.” Tazuna smiled at her. “Follow me.”
Sol followed Tazuna through the gates and towards the front entrance of the school. As they moved forward, Tazuna greeted each student by name. Wow, Sol thought. She can really remember all of those names? I couldn’t ever remember that one, what was it… Matichane something? The two reached the front doors, and immediately Sol felt a sense of dread. Stairs. Shit. But Tazuna was unphased, and simply led her around the back of the stairs to an elevator. “You guys have elevators? But I thought all of your students could walk.”
”When a student is injured, especially a leg injury, whether permanent or temporary, we find it best to accommodate their special needs in any way possible. This meant installing elevators so they don’t have to go up stairs even if they can. Most umas choose not to use the elevators unless they need to anyway, so they’re always functional for those that need them.”
”Mmmm I see. That makes sense.”
”Additionally, you may find a few students like yourself who cannot walk at all. This is because if a student faces a life-changing injury, or is even born with one, we still allow them to attend and finish their education, even if that means they cannot race.”
Sol’s eyes widened. So I could go here?.
Tazuna brought Sol on a tour of the academy, showing her the training facilities, classrooms, and track. “These are the dormitories. They house our students, both the trainees and curriculum-only students.” Sol looked up at her, startled. “One thing I forgot to mention before. Not all of our students plan to be professional runners. We provide training and education to all umamusume, and thus we offer a curriculum for those who don’t want that kind of life that still teaches umamusume history and provides career options in the world of racing outside of being an athlete.”
Tazuna proceeded to take Sol directly to the main offices. “This is where you’ll meet Director Yayoi Akikawa. She will be ready for you shortly; please wait patiently until then.” She gave Sol a small bow and walked away.
After several minutes of waiting, a very short woman with light orange and white hair and a white and blue dress burst out of the office. Atop her head sat a white blue hat with a black and white cat on it. “Greetings! Come in!” she said before disappearing back into her office.
Sol cocked her head to the side before slowly rolling her chair into the office. The room had white walls with brown trim and accents. A desk with a horseshoe logo on the front sat in the middle of the room. For such an eccentric seeming person, this room was rather plain. “You! You’re Sol Snowfall, right?” Akikawa asked.
“Uh, yes.”
“Tell me about yourself!”
“O-okay. Um. My name’s Sol Snowfall. I’m originally from Shibuya, but I move around a lot with my father. My mother is Rose Snowfall. She was also an umamusume. Right before I was born, she got in a bad car accident. I was born paralyzed, and she died a few hours after. So I’ve never been able to run.” She looked down at her legs. “As much as I want to, I don’t know if I ever will be.”
“Yes! That is why you’re here. I have an offer for you. If you become a student here, I can set you up in a program that’ll help you learn to walk, and eventually run. Tachyon! Enter!” An uma in a lab coat with dark brown hair strolled into the room. “This is Agnes Tachyon. She’s one of our most talented students, and she specializes in prioritizing science for form over sheer power and strength. She wants to use you for an experiment with a new training plan and medication she’s working on. I’ll let you two get acquainted.” Director Akikawa left the room.
Before she even had a moment to think, Tachyon was at her legs. “Gah! What are you doing!?”
“They’re a bit small, but otherwise pretty strong considering you’ve never used them.” Tachyon slid her hand further up. “Truly a specimen. So much potential.” She looked up to Sol. “All wasted on someone who can’t walk.”
Sol hung her head in shame. Figures. Even the uma who can help me sees me as less than her for being like this.
“I’d love to work with you. What I wouldn’t give to get you on the racecourse. I truly hope you accept this offer.” Tachyon stood up and walked out of the room. Sol sat in shock for a moment. What is wrong with these people? she thought.
That evening, when she returned to her hotel near Tracen, she spent several hours rolling back and forth, mulling over the options. “Well for one, it gives me a chance to race again. And even if I can’t, I get to learn more of umamusume history. And I could even be a trainer,” she muttered, sounding more excited. “But on the other hand, I’d be so far from dad for so long. And it doesn’t really set me up for a career outside of the racing world. False hope can be dangerous too.” She stopped moving and hung her head in her hands. “Well, I can’t choose when I’m this tired.” She transferred to the bed and laid back. The whole night, Sol tossed and turned, struggling to think about anything other than this life-changing opportunity.