I sit at one of the circle tables in the cafeteria. I examine the three umamusume sitting next to me. The short, brown haired with a white streak in her bangs, Teio. The refined uma with light lavender hair, McQueen. Lastly, the tall uma wearing the brown hat that’s strapped around her head, Gold Ship.

  Already, I’m on edge, I wasn’t expecting to sit next to anyone. I assumed as a new recruit to Tracen, that most others would treat me with animosity. I thought the first day was simply due to me having Rudolf next to me that peers treated me so kindly.

  I was not treated well in the military academy by peers, only recognized by instructors. Yet… Here these three insisted I sit with them, and I can sense no maliciousness from any of them. Perhaps the change of my last name was the correct call.

  I look down at our trays. They had grabbed their food with such normalcy. Probably used to the selection, however I had focused on the smells, trying to grab what smelled unfamiliar. Looking down at my tray and plate, I have different sorts of bread like food, as well as some kinds of meats. But that’s not the only difference. Each of them had only grabbed two of those sticks that Rudolf mentioned she would teach me. But I had grabbed a fork like I had yesterday.

  Mejiro McQueen seems to notice this also, as she follows my eyes. “So, Aven Doram.” She smiles politely. “Do you have anything you’d want me to call you?”

  I stare at her. “Just Aven is fine.” I say blankly. Was this not normal? I did notice Teio has been using my full name. Maybe testing it? Was this something I’m supposed to ask? Quickly I clear my throat. “Would you wish me to call you McQueen?” I noticed the other two had been calling her that.

  McQueen gives a dignified nod. “Yes, McQueen is fine.”

  Teio perks up. “Yeah, you can just call me Teio!”

  Gold Ship is next. “You can call me the all amazing, wonderful and flaming hot Golshi!” She raises the palms of her hands up, moving them symmetrically left and right.

  McQueen sighs, as she prepares a bite using her sticks to grip one of her pieces of food. “You can just call her Golshi.”

  Golshi looks exasperated at McQueen. “I prefer the full name, thank you!” Her pupils quickly glide over McQueen before stopping at the food she has between her sticks. Instantly her own sticks go and clench it, the two seem to be having a dispute using the sticks over the piece.

  The two wrestle for a few seconds before I turn to Teio. “Is this a normal tradition?”

  Teio snickers. “It is for Golshi.” She places her hands on her hips as her chest puffs up. “I knew you had to be foreign! But that just confirms it!”

  I pause. Happy they filled in an explanation for my differences, but it’s unfortunate I don’t fit in correctly. It’s best if I use this as a learning experience. “How could you tell?”

  Teio smiles and rubs her finger under her nose. “Well, I’m super observant! I might be the most observant uma in school, other than Prez! First, the way you greeted me, your arms didn’t know what to do.” She leans forward as she continues. “Next, you were being led around by Prez and the Director. So I knew it must be something big! Like culture shock!” She leans back with her arms folded. “Then, the way you just greeted me, normally we use full names while we’re unfamiliar with each other!” She then points to my plate and tray. “You also grabbed tons of different foods, as if you haven’t tried them before! You didn’t know who the Mejiro family was.” She points to a portion of small white specs. “You also grabbed a fork to eat rice with, with no chopsticks at all.” Having given all her reasons, she puffs up with pride. “Huehuehue! You’re free to compliment me as much as you want!”

  I take in all the information. So it was not just the way I acted, but prior context as well? I can’t control that, as there’s only so much I know. In fact, it might still be dangerous to let myself wander alone, but this experience is needed, and I would prefer not to be a burden on those treating me so kindly-

  “WAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!” A sudden wail lets out. My head swiftly turns to the cause. I see Golshi on the ground, feet kicking as she holds her eye head. McQueen is munching with the food in between her sticks being absent.

  I stand up, trying to get a better view at Golshi. “You won the skirmish? Is she okay?” For a land full of peace it seems that was quite violent.

  McQueen lets out a small breath of air. “That’s just Golshi for you.” She dabs her mouth with the parchment handkerchief. “She loves pulling pranks and bothering others.”

  I continue to watch as the yelling quiets down. “And her injury?”

  “That? That just seems to be divine justice.” McQueen lets out with a refined sigh, watching Golshi on the ground herself.

  I pause for a moment. “The Three Goddesses dislike her?”

  Teio chuckles next to me. “Okay, it’s not THAT bad, but it’s just karma.”

  I sit back down quietly. I don’t know what karma is, but Teio knows I’m foreign and used it, so it’s something she assumes I know.” I nod along. Considering the world is at peace, and those Three Goddesses offered me this chance despite how many lives I have taken in combat, they most likely don’t care about mild pranks in such peaceful times. Although if I have another vision, I should ask about that.

  McQueen looks over towards me. “If I may inquire, which country did you come from?”

  I freeze. I was afraid they would ask that. In a world of this instant communication of those slabs… any attempt at lying could corner me. The only country I’m aware of in this world is Japan, which is where we are currently located. Quickly, I scan for a solution. I feel the only realistic step forward is to be vague, perhaps they will give me an answer I can use in due time.

  “A small country to the west.” I mumble out, ears leaning forward.

  From the corner of my eye I catch Teio and McQueen looking at each other for a moment. Sharing a glance.

  “Oh, I see.” McQueen responds. “Well, we’re happy you’re here now.”

  The problem appears to be averted for now.

  Suddenly Golshi forces her way up. Her right eye is squeezed shut with the bother of red around the skin. Her ears stand tall and attentive. “You can’t just say that!” She insists loudly. “How far west?! How small?! Iceland? Hungary? Turkey? Taiwan? United Kingdom? Greenland? In Europe? The Americas?”

  This one is a problem. Vague answers were enough for the other two. But this one is unpredictable.

  “Gold Ship! You’re being rude and intrusive!” McQueen lets out. “If she doesn’t want to discuss it she doesn’t need to.”

  “Bah!” She points to Teio and McQueen. “You two are curious too! You’re just cowards!” She turns back to me, each word I find her face gaining ground towards mine. “Scotland? Prussia? Germany? Portugal? Italy? Czechoslovakia?”

  I do not know any of the names she is saying, do I make a guess and pick one? Whatever I would choose will be held as standard for the rest of my time here. I cannot speak of anything of my country of origin, as others are able to question it. My ears droop forward, displaying my inner feelings. My mind scans the situation, trying to figure out the best tactic to use here.

  “Gold Ship, stop pestering her.” A voice comes from behind me. I turn to see a mature looking Uma with shorter black hair with a straight cut. Her ears stand tall with visible pink inside them with a yellow ribbon tied around her right. She also appears to be wearing red paint above her eyes. War paint?

  Golshi turns. “Eh? The villain!” Her tail shoots up in surprise as she gives a glare to the girl.

  “I’m watching you.” She mutters. “Don’t pull any of your pranks on the new student. Am I clear?” Quickly the uma’s eyes glance to me, the same stern expression viewing me before she turns.

  I pause, my ears perk up slightly as I look in her direction. Unsure who that is, but I appreciate the support regardless.

  “Bah.” Golshi pouts, her ears leaning forward as she falls back into her seat. She grabs her two sticks and begins munching away at her meal. “Ignore her!” She says to me before her red eye finally opens. “So, Aven, do you plan to study the art of Yakisoba?”

  I have no idea what that is, but before I can think too deeply about it-

  “Don’t force her into that stuff either, Golshi!” McQueen swiftly interjects. “It’s already enough that I have to get dragged into it.”

  Things are getting too hectic. I don’t know what a Yakisoba is. I sigh, absentmindlessly raising my fork to my mouth. As the food makes contact with my tongue, everything around me dulls. The only thing that matters is the flavor and spices that invade my sense of self. Not even invade, but, convert. I give myself up to them willingly. The flavor beyond any pork or beef that I could afford even on my brigadier commander salary. My hand raises naturally to my cheek, as I drown in the overwhelming sense of flavor. Everything outwardly blends together, as I continue, bite after bite, trying to keep it in my mouth as long as I possibly am able, to extend the sensation.

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  I regain my bearings once my plate and tray finds itself empty. My fork fails to add more weight to itself. Slowly I’m able to recognize my surroundings. I blink, vision coming back into focus. I hear the voice of both Teio and McQueen talking to each other. I turn, seeing Golshi eat with a ladle. I’m... not sure where she obtained or, or if that is a normal thing or something that pertains only to her.

  Teio notices me and smiles. “Are you back with us, Aven?

  I stare for a moment, as I feel my face heat slightly. “I... apologize. I appear to have lost focus for a moment.”

  Teio snickers leaning on her hands. “It was longer than a moment!”

  McQueen smiles with a dignified smile. “Yes, it looked as if you discovered inner peace.”

  “If that’s how you react to breakfast, wait until you try my yakisoba!” Golshi barks, pointing her ladle at me.

  Right, so Yakisoba is a type of food. I have to keep that in mind. I stand up. “It was nice meeting all of you. But I need to get my running uniform. Director Yayoi told me it’d be ready in the morning.”

  Teio perks up. “Oh! You should join Team Spica!”

  I pause. “Team Spica? What’s that?”

  McQueen smiles. “Well, you see certain trainers have teams that practice and work together. It helps with a sense of camaraderie.”

  Teio nods, joining back into the conversation. “Yeah, and Trainer is really nice, even though he’s weird and lazy sometimes. But when things really matter he shows himself!”

  I let out a sigh. Having a trainer would be helpful, but I need to know how well I can actually run... There was that goddess vision that felt like I could run, but I’ve never learned how to run anything faster than forced marches for military training. I do not want to dismiss the idea altogether though, as it could be helpful to have fellow umamusume give me advice. It’s like how horses enjoyed running with each other. But... for now I must see what I can do, and perhaps get an opinion from the Director, Tazuna or Rudolf, as they are the only ones who are aware of the truth.

  “I’ll consider it.” I let out, averting my eyes. “I wish to get used to running in this environment before I join something like this.” I bow slightly. “If you understand.”

  I spot Golshi pulling out what appears to be a sack, before noticing Teio is signalling with her neck to stop it.

  McQueen smiles. “We understand. A new environment may take some getting used to.” She stands and bows slightly. “Well, it was a pleasure meeting you, Aven.”

  Teio waves. “Yeah! See you around Aven!”

  Golshi stands. “I will keep a radar open for you! You’ll help me with some of my jobs!”

  “Jobs?” I mumble.

  McQueen lets out a dignified sigh. “Forget about what she’s saying.”

  I nod. “Yes, it was a pleasure.” I bow again, grabbing my tray and head towards where they wish to be returned.

  After setting it aside and thanking the human lady inside for cooking. I exit the cafeteria into the main hall of Tracen Academy.

  It is far less filled this time than when I’ve previously passed through. Quickly, my eyes gaze for the familiar signs of the office. This main hall is gigantic, but quickly I notice Tazuna standing behind a desk. Swiftly my steps move towards her location. I naturally weave around other students, although my tail appears to be hitting them slightly as I do. I pause. Normally it was easy to weave around people back as a human.... But I suppose I must remember that this tail is part of my body now.

  I continue to move, but being less evasive, and… waiting more for others to pass. I get closer to Tazuna’s smiling face as she looks around at the students. She then notices me before smiling. “Aven!” She bows slightly. “I’m surprised you aren’t with Rudolf. Did you sleep well?”

  “I slept adequately.” I look at her, ears perk up. “I had a dream about Archibald.”

  Tazuna smiles. “Well, let’s go to Director Akikawa, she’s been more excited than ever about your running career.”

  “Excited?” I tilt my head slightly as my ears raise as well.

  Tazuna nods. “Yes, Director Akikawa loves seeing umamusume thrive, and since this is your first time running as an umamusume, she told me she was hardly able to get sleep.”

  I sigh, folding my arms under my chest as my ears go forward. “I hope you will have some advice for me if I don’t run in the most efficient way.”

  Tazuna smiles. “Of course, we want to see how you’ll start.”

  “Do you know some correct postures for uma running?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.

  “Oh, don’t worry, I have a lot of experience. I can give you advice” She nods, eyes closed as she clasps her hands together.

  I raise my other brow. “You have a lot of... experience? Firsthand?”

  She stops moving, as still as a statue for a few seconds before she responds. “Well, I have been interested in umamusume racing for a long time.”

  “Oh, that kind of experience.” I sigh. “For a second I thought you were implying you knew on the field.”

  Tazuna’s expression remains unreadable. “Don’t underestimate me," her eyes open as she gives me a friendly smile. “I did earn this position for a reason.” She nods as she turns towards the director’s office. “We want to make sure you don’t get injured.”

  The thought makes me wince. “You have better injury relief capabilities nowadays, right?” I mutter, turning my head. “The way some regiments treated injured horses were...” My face darkens as I look down.

  Tazuna raises her hands. “Ah, don’t worry. Technology has gotten much more advanced since the time of cavalry, and Tracen has access to top medical care facilities as well. She turns her back to me as she continues talking. “Let’s let the Director know you are ready.”

  I take that cue as orders to follow her. So I do, following the familiar carpeted area I visited briefly yesterday.

  “Director Akikawa?” Tazuna asks, knocking on the door lightly with the back of her knuckles. She waits for a few moments, not hearing a response. “I didn’t see her leave...” She mutters with worry. “Director? I’m going to open the door.” Slowly Tazuna opens the door, revealing the Director sleeping on her desk. Hat still on her head as her small cat paws her face lightly. “D-Director??” Tazuna lets out, surprised.

  Director Yayoi stays laying down on her table, almost looking like… drool is seeping from her mouth? I suppose even as my current master, she still is in the body of a child.

  Tazuna walks up to the Director and moves her slightly. “Director Akikawa, Aven is here.”

  Suddenly she jolts awake. “Ah! Aven!” She smiles scooting her seat back, then jumping down from it, her height diminishing as she does. “Sorry! I had trouble sleeping! I was so excited to get you started today!”

  I stare down at her. “You’re really that excited for me?” I avert my eyes slightly. “I already warned you, I might not be as good as you hope, even with that goddess vision.”

  “Don’t worry about that, Young Aven!” The Director says as she points her fan at me. “After my workday ended yesterday, I went out and grabbed everything else you’d need for practice!” Quickly she opens a drawer on her desk, pulling out an assortment of white and red garments and setting them on top of her desk.

  She first holds up a white and red top that seems to be a tight fit. “This is your undershirt!” She says, showing both sides to me. The color is white all along the main portion of the shirt with the collar having red circling it. She then sets it down, pulling out the next.

  “I didn’t know which one you’d prefer! So I got you shorts and bloomers!” She says, showing two different types of short red legwear, each having a hole for the tail. But one seems more snug and would show off more legs, while the other seems looser. She sets them down.

  “Here is your track top!” Excitedly she holds up a top that appears to have the zipper down the middle, for easy secure fitting. There’s a large white stripe down where the zipper is with the arms and sides being red. After waving it back and forth she sets it down.

  “Then I prepared your running shoes!” She holds up red and white colored footwear, the heels appeared to be raised. Staring at it I pause and then raise my hand. “Yes, Young Aven?” She asks, pointing her fan at me.

  “Are those… particularly good for running in?” I mumble. “They look… like the shoes I’ve seen ladies wear at royal events…”

  Director Yayoi snickers. “Heh, afraid of aristocracy, right?”

  I pause. “I trust your judgement, you’ve been in this world longer. But… it just appears to look hard to balance with my feet.”

  Tazuna perks up. “Oh, don’t worry, the way umamusume run you put a lot of pressure on the front of your feet.” I turn to see her smiling. “That’s also why we attach cleats to the front of the shoes before we run.”

  “Before we run?” I ask, turning to her

  Tazuna’s face stays the same for a moment. “Well, I meant the exclusive we! As in, you and other umamusume. As secretary I suppose I feel the need to include myself with you.”

  “That makes sense.” I mumble. “But what do you mean by cleats?”

  Director Yayoi perks up, and shows me the underside of the footwear. On the front of the sole I see a horseshoe sitting, what appears to be out of place there.

  “Horseshoes??” I gasp, getting a little closer. “You mean horseshoes?”

  “Oh?” Director Yayoi perks up. “Did you have those back in your world of giant mules?”

  I nod. “Yes, it was to help protect the horse’s feet. We used them to help keep the horse healthy. As horses enjoyed running, but they could only do so much with their natural hooves.”

  The Director smiles at me. “Well, it appears you’ll get to see how it is to wear them now, I think you’ll find them most comfortable to run in!”

  I blush slightly. I suppose I really am in the horse’s position. Did Archibald like wearing horseshoes? He always looked at me confused as I put them in. But he never expressed any displeasure or pain. Maybe he just trusted me to be doing something helpful for them. In the same way I must trust the Director to do the right thing for me. “Very well.”

  Director Yayoi smiles. “I also have your socks!” She holds up some leggings that appear shorter than what came with my Tracen Uniform. “And, I also found something that you might like until your helmet is finished!” She quickly goes into the drawer and pulls out what appears to be a type of knight helmet with the visor, however, it also has a hole for, what I can assume would be, my ears.

  “H-Huh?” I blink, staring at it. “I thought you had mentioned that it’s harder to get helmets and armor made?”

  “Yes, real armor-y type things made!” Director Yayoi smiles as she approaches me to hand it to me. “See how it fits.”

  Feeling it, it certainly was weak, almost brittle. “Where’d you get something like this?” I ask, as I slowly raise it to my head, trying to aim it so my ears will fit through the holes.

  “Well, there’s a holiday called Halloween, where you dress up in a costume. And so I found this helmet while out grabbing all the other things!”

  Tazuna blinks. “Director? We already had all of the uniforms here, what else did you go out and grab?”

  “Huehuehue! It’s a secret! Stuff that will help Young Aven adapt to the modern day Japan!” Yayoi points her fan towards Tazuna. She nods. “And that’s not all! I have set an appointment!”

  “An appointment?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.

  Director Yayoi nods. “Yes, it is something that Young Aven will be very interested in! But it will be a reward for later!”

  As I fit the helmet onto my head, the visor is able to move, while unable to take a real hit, it will be useful until the armor they had discussed will be made. My lone head will stand out less than normal. “Okay. Shall I change? I look at the running uniforms set on her desk. Do you have a place where I can practice without other umamusume watching?” I turn my eyes slightly. “I do not wish to gain suspicion by lacking natural grace umamusume may have grown up with.”

  The Director smiles at me, pointing her fan at me. “Don’t worry about that. I have just the place! For now, get yourself changed in the staff restroom.”

  At the mention of the restroom I realize something I have forgotten. I had not returned to my dorm to clean my teeth after breakfast, as requested from Rudolf. But I do not wish to return to my dorm to do that and then come back… I will do it later.

  I nod to Director Yayoi, as she gathers all my clothes and hands them to me. “Feel free to try both the shorts and bloomers. Pick which one you’d prefer.”

  Tazuna smiles towards me. “I assume now you know how to put each of these on?”

  I nod. “Yes, I know how zippers work now, and the rest look normal to wear.” I look to the clothes in my arms than to the Director. “Director Yayoi…? Are you truly excited to see me run?”

  The Director folds her arms proudly at me. “Yes I am! I want to see all umamusume grow, and you, as a human, have a lot to learn! So it’s my duty to help educate you!” She smiles at me. “Is it really that hard to believe?”

  I sigh. “Compared to how I was treated until I became a brigadier, yes.”

  The Director points her fan at me. “Well, You’re my cavalry commander now! Besides…” She continues as she unfurls her fan. “I think a time of peace allows everyone to be nicer to each other than your time did.” She gives me a kind smile. One I’m not familiar with seeing. She then points her fan at me. “Now, Aven, I couldn’t sleep all night waiting for your debut as an official umamusume! So please get changed! I do think I need a nap.”

  Tazuna turns to Yayoi. “Director! I thought you meant it as a metaphor!”

  Yayoi smiles at Tazuna. “Nope! My mind was going through all the options! We are living history here! The first human to become an umamusume! And what type of racer will she be? Turf, Dirt? Mile, Sprinter, Long or Medium Distance? I will make sure to call Rudolf here to witness it as well!”

  I slowly bow. “Thank you, Master.” I manage out. I try to hold back tears, but they continue to come out.

  Director Yayoi pauses in shock. “How about you just continue to call me Director?” She smiles. “Things are different now. While I want to help you. I’m not your master.” She nods, closing her fan and pointing it at me. “You alone are responsible for your own future.” She smiles. “I don’t mean this rudely, Young Aven but these days, that word has different meanings!”

  I slowly raise my head. “Very well… I promise… After finding Archibald, I will continue to dedicate my service to your cause.” I turn, before pausing. “And… I do not know where your water magic room is.”

  Tazuna perks up. “Oh I can show you, but… please, call it a restroom.”