Work Text:
"What the hell do you mean you're joining the Japan Cup too?!", Bella's voice echoes the whole clubroom—perhaps even the whole school at the matter—her voice is as frustrated as it can get. "Tch, why not! Let me be in the same race with you for once!", Felicia retorts, before the war of arguments bursts between these two siblings. Sakura—who's also taking place in the Japan Cup—tries to ease the tension while Monica beside her just sighs.
Then the clubroom door opens, a loud voice coming through.
"Enough"
It's Masaoka Ryukyuusei, the trainer in charge of Team Axis Powers. He's also undeniably shocked that three of his trainees are participating the same race.
Both Felicia and Bella freeze, mouths still open as the words that were about to come out of their mouths hang in the air.
"Since three of you are in the same race, you'll be training by yourselves without me", Trainer Ryukyuusei suddenly declares, confused and surprised gazes from four people are ained at him. "WHAT?!?!?!", Felicia is the first to speak up, followed by Bella protesting: "Don't tell me you're slacking off, damn bastard!". Trainer Ryukyuusei explains: "If I train the three of you, then how are you going to hide your strategies?", then Monica, understanding the condition: "Of course, it'd be unfair if each other's strategies are known." Both the Italian sisters are left speechless, realizing the point. "Now go and train. Monica will help supervising you three", Trainer Ryukyuusei instructs as Monica stiffens the moments her name is mentioned, nodding in acceptance at the task given.
The three of them—Felicia, Bella and Sakura go to change into their tracksuits and head towards the race track, Monica following from behind.
D. DAY—JAPAN CUP / Tokyo Racecourse
The Tokyo Racecourse, packed with more than 200,000 spectators ready to witness the glory of the racers—local and international—competing in the Japan Cup.
Trainer Ryukyuusei and Monica, along with Trainer Asakawa and Team Alliance—Emily, Alice, Françoise, Chun Yan and Anya—head to their assigned seats.
The commentator's voice echoes the racecourse: "Now, let's introduce our racers that will be competing in the Japan Cup!". Firstly, the international Umamusumes make their entrance to the paddock—15 racers from Canada, the United States, France and Germany are introduced to the crowd.
Then the final three are introduced—the proud representations of Japanese horseracing.
"The Triple Crown Umamusume all of Japan loves, who has earned the title 'The Peak of Japan' and is the number one fan-favorite—Iemoto Sakura!"
Sakura steps forward to the center of the paddock, bowing politely to the fans who are cheering for her.
"The fierce racer all the way from Italy, ranked number on in her homeland that earned her the title 'The Beast of Europe' and the number two fan-favorite—Bella the Boss!"
Bella steps out, a proud glare in her eyes as she faces the spectators, swaying her hair as a common gesture.
"And last but not least—the little sister of the previous racer who certainly has some strength and guts. Currently the number three fan-favorite, will she manage to take over the victory her sister holds? It's Felicia the Boss!"
Felicia steps out, a wide grin planted on her face as she raised a peace sign up in the air—a signature pose she does before and after winning races.
"Now, listen to the fanfare as our racers prep up!", the commentator announces as trumpets and drums start to play all while the racers stretch and warm up.
At the end parts of the fanfare, the racers head towards their assigned posts—the starting point of the race.
Japan Cup/Tokyo/2,400 Meters/Turf/Sunny
"G1—Japan Cup, 2,400 meters on turf at Tokyo Racecourse"
It only takes a beat of silence before the starting gates open, the racers rushing out in a good start.
"And they're off!"
Bella—who is known to be a front runner immediately takes the lead, with Sakura at the far end of the pack—the usual position for an end closer, but Felicia?
"In the lead is Bella the Boss, with Canada's Maple Feline pacing right behind her. The fan-favorite, Iemoto Sakura at her position at the back of the pack and—Wait"
"Felicia the Boss is in the middle of the pack!"
The commentator's voice herself is filled with disbelief, which is not different from everyone else—the spectators, Trainer Ryukyuusei, Monica, Team Alliance and even Bella and Sakura themselves, because they all know...
...Felicia is a front runner like her sister.
And for her to switch positions like that? She must be planning something.
"What the hell are you planning, Veneziano?", Bella thought to herself as she takes a quick glance behind her towards Felicia, at the same time as a thought comes through Sakura—"Why is she suddenly in the middle?"
"The racers pass the second corner, with Bella the Boss maintaining her lead and Maple Feline behind by a horse length—Eh, Liberty Warrior from the US cuts through! But still not enough to cut Bella's lead."
Felicia remains in the middle, eyes focused at the lead of the pack—Bella. "I need to win this", she thought, "I need to prove that I'm better than Bella".
A FEW WEEKS BEFORE
Felicia is racing with Bella on Tracen Academy's racetrack—something she always does as a part of her training to test out her current speed and stamina. Sadly, Bella takes first place.
After Felicia crosses the finish line, she bends down with her hands on her knees as she takes a breather. She stands back up to declare snother round, before Bella suddenly speaks up.
"Listen up, Veneziano", her voice is as cold as ice.
"No matter how hard you train, you will never catch up to me"
Felicia's eyes wide in pure horror, processing each word. Bella continues: "I'm always better than you, especially when it comes to racing—and now you want to challenge me in a G1 when you've clearly only won G2 and G3 races?"
Bella scoffs, eyes glaring at Felicia with a challenging look—maybe even a mocking one, at that.
"Simply rot in hell"
Without another word, Bella leaves Felicia alone at the track. The four words hang in the air, each one hitting her like a stab through the chest.
Felicia could only stand there, jaw and fists clenching.
BACK TO PRESENT TIME
The positions remain the same, just some racers cutting through Felicia. The thoughts in her head are still going all over the place.
"I need to win this"
"I need to prove that I'm worthy racing against Bella"
"I need to steal her number one ranking and make it mine"
"I need to prove that I can win a G1 just fine!"
Felicia's spirit starts burning—quiet determination laced with rivalry and guts. She feels more powerful, more lighter than before. A certain energy starts building up in her.
"I will be better than you!!"
Felicia suddenly speeds up from the outside of the track, her movements sharper and faster than ever. "Felicia has started her spurt! She's faster than usual today!", the commentator excitedly announces, and everyone else had noticed that beforehand.
Felicia catches up to Bella in a whim—an overwhelming aura surrounding her entire body, eyes burning with determination.
—TESORO TRICOLORE / TRICOLORED TREASURE—
Chun Yan notices the sudden change in Felicia's physical condition, smirking.
"Welcome Felicia—to the Zone"
Zone—a certain state an Umamusume can reach caused by overwhelming determination and confidence, which only professional Umamusumes who exceed their limits can reach. In this state, an Umamusume's physical and mental condition increases more than usual, but fatigues also come at a higher risk.
Sakura and Bella's eyes widen at the sight—including the rest of Team Axis Powers and Team Alliance—for this is the first time they've witnessed Felicia's Zone unleashed.
Felicia is a quarter horse lengths close to cutting through Bella and taking the lead, but Bella can't just simply take that.
"If that's what you're giving me, then I'll give it to you right back!"
The same burning determination in Felicia's eyes are now in Bella's, her body also increasing its physical and mental condition just like Felicia did.
—FAVORE D'ITALIA / THE FAVORITE OF ITALY—
"Felicia and Bella are side by side each other as they pass the third corner, fighting for the lead! Will Bella defend her position or will Felicia finally cut through?"
Bella kicks up her spurt, leaving Felicia behind by twenty horse lengths. Felicia's eyes widen at her sister's incredible speed. She tries to catch up with her but her energy is simply not enough.
Even Sakura feels hopeless, thinking to herself "How is she so fast?!"
Bella has left every racer behind, now close to passing the fourth corner. Her speed remains, every spectator's eyes widening at the sight.
"Now you know, Veneziano. You're not worthy of me. You're not—"
A sudden freeze in time.
Bella's eyes widen in horror, things around her feel like it's moving in slow motion.
She feels a weird pressure on her right leg. Her breathing suddenly goes shallow, her lungs suddenly running out of air.
She takes another step, then another step—each step feels heavier, more energy drained the more steps she take.
"Bella the Boss is slowing down!"
She can't move normally—her body feels heavier, her steps are now out of place, her movements more sluggish as if she had lot coordination of her surroundings.
Then, everyone else notices it.
"There's something wrong with Bella the Boss! Her movements are slowing down rapidly! Is she okay?!"
Despite her condition, Bella keeps pushing herself forward, forcing her weak self to take a step. Unfortunately, her best efforts appear to be useless, as her body slumps forward slightly—like the Earth is pulling her towards the center of gravity.
"Oh no", Trainer Ryukyuusei mumbles.
However, Bella still pushes herself, a hand stretched out as if to reach an imaginary rope that can help her keep moving.
"I... I need to keep going forward..."
"I-I... can't lose here...!"
The other racers pass through her, before suddenly...
...Bella falls to the ground.
Gasps echo loudly in the racecourse—from the spectator, the commentator and the racers themselves. They've already reached the fourth corner.
"Sis!", Felicia shouts.
"B-Bella-san!", Sakura follows after.
The commentator falls silent for once, eyes widen at the sudden tragedy. Both Trainer Ryukyuusei and Monica's eyes widen, Françoise covering her mouth and Emily leaning forward in disbelief.
Felicia is conflicted—either she should continue on with the race and claim victory or turn back and help Bella.
Winning this race is her dream, but there's no way she can leave her family abandoned.
"Family always come first, even in races", her grandmother once said.
In the end, Felicia makes a sharp U-turn, heading back towards where Bella had fell unconscious on the ground. The commentator gets her voice back: "F... Felicia... turns back towards Bella!". The spectators lean forward in suspense, Felicia running in the opposite direction at full speed.
"Sis!", she shouts as she arrives beside Bella, crouching down with her hands hovering near her. Her eyelids are already welling up tears. "Medic! We need a medic here!", she shouts, her voice shaky as the paramedics rush over.
Sakura—now kicking up her final spurt to take the lead as the other racers reach near the finish line—clenches her jaw, wishing she had turned back and accompany Felicia. "Forgive me, Felicia, for I have been selfish and kept racing despite you being my teammate", she thought to herself, tears rushing down her cheeks as she crosses the finish line, taking first place with such guilt.
"G-Gold! Iemoto Sakura takes first place, Liberty Warrior in se—", the commentator abruptly cuts herself off, not taking this anymore.
The second Sakura crosses the finish line, she stops. She looks down to the ground, tears hitting the turf she's standing on. Usually when a racer claims victory the spectators would cheer out loud, but right now?
Pure, dreadful silence.
Even the racers stay silent, not knowing what to say about this.
A while after the race ends, Trainer Ryukyuusei, Monica, Felicia, Trainer Asakawa and Team Alliance gather outside Bella's ward at the local hospital. No one has uttered a single word, just painful silence swallowing them whole.
Then a nurse exits Bella's room, telling them that she's now awake. Everyone stands up and rushes into the room, shouting Bella's name in worry.
Emily: "Dude, are you alright?!"
Françoise: "I'm deeply sorry that you had to experience such pain.."
Chun Yan: "Are you better now or do you need medicine? I can get some for you, aru!"
Alice: "How are you feeling, Bella? Be hoenst with me!"
Bella sighs in frustration, not expecting all of these question to come up all at once, "God, one at a time, will you?!". She suddenly catches a glance at her right leg, seeing it fully casted. She then remembers back:
The Japan Cup.
The heaviness of her steps.
The victory she was so close on getting.
Felicia immediately notices the glance, "...Your right leg is fractured". The room falls silent, even Bella's violent mouth. She takes a moment yo process the fact that she can't run anymore for months—hell, even years.
"...Fractured?", Bella repeats as if tasting the word on her mouth. "...Can I still race after this?", she asks, hoping that this injury alone won't lead to the end of her racing career.
Trainer Ryukyuusei takes a moment to gather his words, "With the condition you're in right now... You might not be able to go full speed for a while". The words cut through Bella like a dagger, as if having her first taste of reality.
She then notices.
"Where's Sakura?"
A question everyone knows she won't like the answer, but eventually, Emily is brave enough to speak up: "..She's at the press conference after winning the Japan Cup". Bella gets hit again—more painful this time. Her own teammate leaving her behind when she's literally lying unconscious on the ground?
A sense of hatred builds in her.
Anya suddenly checks her phone, a news update got her eyes wide. "This just came in", she says as she turns her phone screen towards everyone else, revealing an online news article with the headline being: "Japan Cup winner Iemoto Sakura dismisses her victory due to teammate's near death experience". Near death? Well of course, because if you fall down when going full speed, you can die.
"Play it", Monica instructs as she notices a video attached to the article, Anya immediately hitting play.
The video shows Sakura at the Japan Cup press conference which she's attending right now, and the video's taken just minutes ago. She's giving her speech, eyes filled with guilt and her face tear-streaked.
"I request dismissing my victory in the Japan Cup and passing it to the racer placed second", is the first sentence Sakura said in the video. The reporters seem puzzled, all of them asking for a reason. "As you all know, a teammate and friend of I—Bella the Boss had fell down unconscious in the middle of the race. I had been selfish and kept racing despite the panicked shouting Bella's sister had let out, and I won the race in such injustice. I had taken the advantage of the situation to reach my own goals wihout even caring about my teammates, and what kind of Umamusume champions would abandon their own friends? If that's how I win my races, then I don't deserve to be an Umamusume at all."
"Therefore, I kindly request that my vicotry in the Japan Cuo is to be dismissed".
The others listen intently, taking in every word Sakura spits out of her mouth. This isn't a script—this is pure sincerity, the kind that shows how much she cares for her friends.
The hatred towards Sakura in Bella disappears instantly.
The video continues, a reporter asking Sakura whether she wants to say anything to the Italian sisters.
"Forgive me, Bella-san, Felicia-san", tears run down freely.
--END--