Uma Musume—they are born to run.
They bear names from another world, names that have had tumultuous lives or glorious histories…
They inherit those souls and run,
Because that is their destiny.
For the Uma Musume of this world,
The outcome of future races is yet unknown!
Their eyes are fixed only on the finish line ahead,
Never stopping their running…
“That’s how it is. As you can see, I just said a few words in front of the Three Goddesses statue, and when I woke up, I had become an Uma Musume.”
In Chairman Akikawa Yayoi’s office, a black-haired Uma Musume, somewhat unfamiliar to everyone, was earnestly explaining what had happened to her, her calm tone feeling a bit familiar.
“So you really are Trainer Hong Qi?” Chairman Akikawa Yayoi asked with a frown.
“Yes, it’s me,” Hong Qi replied.
“That’s truly strange. This is the first time something like this has happened at Tresen Academy, as the Three Goddesses have never responded to us like this before,” Chairman Akikawa Yayoi said, shaking her head after glancing at Hong Qi.
“Yes, I also think it’s very unusual. But now that it’s happened, nothing can change the current situation,” Hong Qi nodded.
“Since that’s the case, I’ve heard there’s an old Chinese saying: ‘When in Rome, do as the Romans do.’ Since you’ve already become an Uma Musume, why not participate in races as an Uma Musume? This way, even if you turn back into a human later, you’ll accumulate more experience and become an ace Trainer,” Chairman Akikawa Yayoi said thoughtfully. “Now, go customize your training uniform, race uniform, victory uniform, hoof shoes, and daily clothes. Since you’ve become an Uma Musume, it’s not appropriate for you to stay in the Trainer dorms anymore. How about living with Mejiro Bourbon? I remember Bourbon lives alone.” Chairman Akikawa Yayoi said. “Thank you, Chairman, I’ll take my leave now.” Hong Qi bowed and then exited the Chairman’s office.
The door to the Chairman’s office slowly closed. Akikawa Yayoi looked at the scene before her and couldn’t help but rub her brows: “Bizarre! This is the first time the Three Goddesses statue has responded to someone. Could it be that this Trainer from China has something special about him? Incomprehensible! I’ll just stop thinking about it.”
Akikawa Yayoi finished speaking and then shifted her gaze to a computer on the right side of her desk. She clicked it open, the screen lit up, and Hong Qi’s file appeared.
“Hong Qi, male…age twenty, height around 185 cm…Hmm?! Nothing special, huh…” Akikawa Yayoi immediately showed a puzzled expression after seeing Hong Qi’s information, then shook her head.
“Hmm! Since you’ve already become an Uma Musume, then participate in races as an Uma Musume. It won’t have any impact anyway,” Chairman Akikawa Yayoi muttered to herself after seeing the information.
……
“Height 175cm, bust and hip circumference 93cm, hoof shoe size 41…Little sister, you truly are broad-minded! I remember Daiju Express’s measurements were only 94/59/90 when she had her clothes fitted, and you’re not only taller than her, but your measurements are also a full size larger! Besides Mejiro Dober, there probably isn’t anyone bigger than you at Tresen Academy…”
The fitting room attendant was clearly a talkative person, chatting with Hong Qi throughout the body measurement. Hong Qi didn’t mind listening to her talk; after all, having someone to chat with in this foreign land was a good way to pass the time. After the attendant finished speaking, Hong Qi remained silent, waiting for the measurements to conclude.
After the measurements were finished, Hong Qi received her training uniform.
Looking at the clothes before her, Hong Qi’s expression was a bit complex. Finally, she sighed softly, then put them on.
......
“Phew~, finally done…”
After putting on the clothes, Hong Qi let out a long breath, then looked at herself in the mirror.
The person in the mirror had waist-length black hair, a slender figure, fair skin, a beautiful face, a slight smile on her lips, and a pair of dark eyes as unfathomable as an abyss.
“We need to design the race uniform and victory uniform. They should be ready in about a week. We’ll notify you when they’re done,” the attendant said to Hong Qi with a smile.
“Understood, thank you,” Hong Qi returned the smile.
“By the way, my name is Xiuli Shanqi. I don’t know your name yet?” the attendant asked.
“Shi Ri Zhu Long.” For some reason, Hong Qi blurted out these four words.
“Shi Ri Zhu Long…What a majestic name. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Xiuli Shanqi said with a bright smile.
“En,” Hong Qi nodded lightly, saying nothing more.
After bidding farewell to Xiuli Shanqi, Hong Qi left the fitting room and walked out of the training hall. By now, the sky outside had already darkened.
Hong Qi looked up at the sky, feeling the cold night wind blow past, and a sudden, inexplicable sense of sadness arose in her heart…
“Shi Ri Zhu Long, who are you? Why did I blurt out your name? Do you have any unfulfilled wishes?!” Hong Qi thought to herself.
“…I am not from this world. I am merely a failure from another world. A failed racehorse.” A girl’s voice echoed in her mind.
Hong Qi looked at her reflection in the night, silently thinking, “So, you are the soul of Shi Ri Zhu Long?”
“…You could say that,” the girl said faintly.
“Then why did you come into my body?” Hong Qi asked.
“I’m not sure either. I just felt a strong gravitational pull from this world, so I came here and entered your body…,” the soul of Shi Ri Zhu Long replied.
“Do you have any unfulfilled wishes?” Hong Qi asked again.
“Only one wish—I hope you can run for me,” Shi Ri Zhu Long replied. “My soul is about to dissipate. If you don’t want to, you can change back into a human at any time.”
Hong Qi was stunned for a moment, then slowly nodded blankly after a long pause.
“Thank you, Hong Qi,” Shi Ri Zhu Long said to Hong Qi.
“You’re welcome. Is that your only wish?” Hong Qi asked.
“Yes, that’s it. I just hope someone can run for me,” Shi Ri Zhu Long said.
“Can you tell me your story…?”
“If you’re willing, I will tell it to you…”
Shi Ri Zhu Long said.
……
“…To me, death isn’t scary. I’m only afraid of him being gone…Because my body was fragile, a left leg fracture in one race caused him to fall from the horse, severely injured and unable to return to the track. Since then, I’ve never seen him again…” The soul of Shi Ri Zhu Long flickered, seemingly about to dissipate. “Actually, I lied. There was no gravitational pull attracting me. It’s just because you are very similar to him, which created an illusion, making me mistake you for him. You are both equally kind, equally lonely, equally…equally gentle…”
Hearing Shi Ri Zhu Long’s words, a hint of bitterness welled up in Hong Qi’s heart, but she quickly suppressed it.
............
“She’s gone…” Looking at the soul vanishing with the wind, Hong Qi sighed softly. Shi Ri Zhu Long was a pure racehorse, worthy of her respect; she would fulfill her small dying wish.
“From now on, I am Shi Ri Zhu Long. I will run for you, even if I am crushed to pieces, I will not regret it.” Hong Qi, no, now she should be called Shi Ri Zhu Long, she said in her heart, looking at the departing soul. Anyway, she was alone, and becoming an Uma Musume was perfectly fine.
【Mini-Theater】
Shi Ri Zhu Long’s classic five-dimensional and six-dimensional panel (fusing now) Classic five-dimensional panel: Speed A Power A Stamina A Guts A Intelligence A
Six-dimensional panel: Strength? Influence E Aptitude S Stamina A Growth S Race Results E
From E to S