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Tachyon had just announced her retirement after winning the Satsuki Sho…and it was a disaster. Trainer was asked questions she couldn’t answer. How could she? Tachyon never told her anything about taking a hiatus.
“Tachyon.” Trainer called out to her. The scientist stops drinking her now lukewarm tea. “Trainer-kun! What brings you here? Pocket, Cafe and Dantsu just left earlier so your arrival was perfect. I have a new experiment I wanted to do-”
“Agnes Tachyon.”
“Hm?” Her smile became a little too wide for it to be genuine. “Stop this! As your trainer, I can’t just let you stop out of nowhere! You have to tell me the truth…” The trainer looked at Tachyon, her gaze unwavering. She knows something was wrong, but she also knows that Tachyon won’t say anything about it.
Tachyon stares unblinking, her smile drops a little. She can feel her foot aching, her hands barely able to hold the teacup…but she keeps it steady for the meantime. Now isn’t the right time. Not yet. “Sorry, Trainer-kun. I did tell you I wouldn’t guarantee to come to training or races. But, when the time comes, you’ll know.”
The trainer looked at her blankly. She felt angry, but she knows she can’t force Tachyon. She never could. “I know that… I chose to help train you while knowing you won’t come to most of the training or races. But this… You don’t quit, Tachyon… You never did. Why now?”
“I’m not quitting, just taking a hiatus.” The uma musume takes a sip of her tea. It doesn’t taste good. It doesn’t distract her from the ache. That painful reminder she may never race again.
“A ‘hiatus’? You never take breaks from your experiments, Tachyon. Let alone a whole hiatus! It’s not like you! What about the research you did your hardest to do? What about all that training you did just to race? What about all the things you put me through just so you can finish it?!” The trainer screamed. She knows she shouldn’t. She knows that Tachyon must’ve had a reason to stop. But, she can’t help but feel like Tachyon is throwing it all away. At the very least, she would like to know the reason why.
“Experiments?” Her ear twitched a little to the right as she tilted her head in confusion. “Yes! The experiment you wanted to do when we first met, remember? You said… You wanted to race with the best umas around. To test their full potential. Isn’t that one of the reasons why you ran to begin with? Why were you willing enough to take on races and train with me?”
For once in their entire conversation, Tachyon blinks…once, then twice, before bursting into laughter. “HAHAHA!! T-Trainer-kun, I never gave up on that. It’s just that Plan A isn’t feasible at the moment, so I will have to let Plan B continue.” Jungle Pocket was a good candidate for that, she had the potential at least.
The trainer clenched her fists. She had just about enough of Tachyon's excuses. “You know what? Fine. I'll take care of the rest. Just as I always do. I know something happened that day. I can tell. But I know I can't force you to tell me. I never had that ability. So fine. I'll do most of the paperwork myself. I'll drop them off later so you can fill in the reasoning.” Without another word, the trainer spun on her heels and walked away.
Tachyon was left alone once again. She let out a sigh as she dumped her tea down the drain. Tomorrow would be her appointment to get her medical certificate. It would be easier if it could be done online but due to the nature of her injury and her fragile body, it wasn’t possible. She wasn’t sure if she would be able to run again, she wasn’t sure if she was given a second chance to shatter the limit. But that image of herself shattering at the race haunted her.
Tachyon couldn’t hear the white noise of students or trainers around the room so for once, she let herself cry.
For one week, Tachyon isolated herself in the classroom-turned-lab to research. Although, isolation wouldn’t be the correct term. Manhattan Cafe would come into her corner of the room to drink her usual coffee, and Trainer would come every now and then to check on her. But Tachyon knew the trainer's visits wouldn't last long. After all, as a trainer, she couldn't simply stand idly by and wait until Tachyon could race again.
Trainer receives a text from Tachyon, prompting her to rush into the makeshift lab in a panic. “Tachyon!? What’s wrong!?” She slammed the door open only to find her trainee seated on her chair, laughing like a maniac. Trainer glanced at Cafe for any explanation, “Don’t ask me. She’s been like that for the past few minutes.”
“Ah! Trainer-kun!” Tachyon’s laughter finally died down, “I was wondering if we could experiment on this training regimen I have created.”
The trainer sighed and rubbed her temples. “You can't just send a random text saying I have to come here asap as if you’re in trouble…” She rubbed her eyes, readying herself for what's to come. “Alright… What's this new regimen that you have to test on me? Can't you get Cafe or Pocket to test it for you?”
Tachyon’s smile falters a little, sure she could ask Jungle Pocket but considering their last encounter…it would not end well. And Cafe already rejected it.
“Well, because you're my personal Guinea pig! Besides, this new regimen would be most optimal done by someone who hasn't trained before…In fact, we should head to the track right now!” It wasn’t like her to be so enthusiastic about training, she really must have discovered something if it made her this excited.
Trainer sighed once again. She's supposed to be used to this by now, but the experiments never get better. “Cafe… Give me your coffee…”
“I can make you one if that’s what you’d like?” Cafe says as she places her mug on the coffee table. “ No . Give. Me. Your. Coffee.” Trainer gives Cafe a very tired glare. As if telling her she had no time to wait for a new batch of coffee. “Eh?” Cafe watches Trainer snatch the mug out of her hands. “It seems I would have to factor the caffeine in your system…Oh well!” Tachyon begins packing up her equipment with a smile on her face.
Before they knew it, the two stood in the track field. Tachyon was seated on the stands with a clipboard in hand while the trainer stood on the track, visibly confused.
“My, my! I’ve always observed other uma musume train, I wonder what results I could get from observing humans…Trainer-kun, you read the notes I gave, right?” Tachyon asks as she sets down her clipboard to set up her laptop and camera. “Right… just try to run as you do, got it.” Trainer stood on the starting line, preparing herself to run as if she's in a race. Something she hadn't done in a while.
“3…2…1…START!!” Tachyon announced. Humans weren’t as naturally strong nor fast as uma musume so expectations had to be kept to a minimum. If her math was correct, humans were about 3 times slower than uma musume and yet…
Trainer ran. But she didn't run the way most amateur runners do. She saved her stamina while keeping consistent speed. That's not something someone without experience racing would do. And trainer herself? She had never felt more alive. She loved it. She missed it. The feeling of running, the feeling of freedom. Sure, she ran during times where she had to rush, but this is different. A feeling she hadn’t felt since middle school.
Tachyon watched…and she felt a spark…was there a possibility that a human could keep up with an Uma Musume? She was so narrow-minded in thinking of breaking the limits of an Uma musume when there were other limits to break. That spark was right in front of her. She was afraid that if she blinked, that spark would disappear but it was consistent.
Trainer completed a lap, she had unintentionally disregarded trying to run like Tachyon. It wasn’t like she had ignored Tachyon’s instructions, it’s just that she had never run as a pace chaser before. Having only been a front runner throughout her time racing.
Trainer stopped at the finish line and panted. She hadn’t run like that in a while, so her stamina wasn’t as good as it was before. But it was good enough for Tachyon to collect enough data. Trainer approached Tachyon who stood on the side. “Hah… how was that..? Tried to copy you, but I’ve never ran as pace chaser before…”
Tachyon took a few moments before acknowledging her, “Trainer-kun, did you perhaps participate in track and field?” Trainer looked away before grabbing her water bottle and dousing it. “Yea… During my elementary and middle school years. Had to quit after though…” She sets down her water bottle before sitting down on the ground, her legs spread.
Tachyon pauses, she looks through her clipboard then her laptop. It wouldn’t be practical to use the training regimen she had prepared on an experienced front runner. She glances through her peripheral vision and sees Daiwa Scarlet warming up. She wanted to test that theory. “Scarlet-kun! What a coincidence seeing you here.”
“Tachyon-san? I thought you were on a hiatus.” The other uma musume approaches them. “I am. It’s just that I needed to analyze a race between the two of you.” Tachyon glances at Trainer then back at Scarlet. Trainer’s eyes went wide. “Wait… between the two of us? Tachyon, that’s impossible! Even you would know who the victor of this ‘race’ is.” “Yeah! I mean, I’m willing to help but isn’t this a bit…unfair?” Scarlet added.
“I just need to test a theory. Race as you usually do.” Tachyon was back to setting up the camera on her laptop and flipping the pages of her clipboard to a blank sheet. She wasn’t giving them an explanation but they trusted her despite their doubts.
Trainer was better than to question Tachyon. Doesn’t matter how many times she asks, she knows she’ll never get an answer. So she stood up and started to warm up. “Scarlet, I hope you don’t mind indulging just a bit. I suggest you to not go easy on me.”
“Eh? Are you sure?” Scarlet gets into position after finishing the last of her warmups. “It’s preferred unless we do this endlessly until you give it your all.” Trainer sets herself into position, readying herself for her second race. She’s nervous, but already knowing the outcome prepared her for what's to come.
“START!!” Tachyon announced. From the get go, Scarlet had the lead and that would be consistent throughout the lap. The moment Trainer passed through the finish line, she collapsed to the ground from exhaustion. Her legs gave out, her breathing heavy. Though she was prepared, the bitter taste of defeat fills her mouth.
“Trainer!? Are you okay?” Scarlet runs back over to check up on the fallen runner. “I’m… fine. Just let me catch a quick break…” Trainer sat there, thinking about the race she had just finished. Truly, her body hasn’t been trained in a while to do that much racing. But even with the exhaustion, she turned to Tachyon. “So…? How was it?”
Tachyon reviews the footage over and over and over again…the distance between the two was only two and a half lengths. Not many humans would be able to reach a speed to catch up with an Uma Musume…if they had to catch up with an Uma Musume they would have to reach past their limit and possibly shatter every muscle and bone in their body. But Trainer seemed completely fine, despite being exhausted…there was only one possible theory.
“Trainer-kun, do you perhaps carry the genetics of an uma musume?” She asked. “Huh? Uh… yea. My mom’s an uma musume. Why? Is that unusual?” Trainer asked, a bit tired to think clearly. “I need a sample of your DNA.” The statement brought the trainer back from her trance. “Wai- huh???” She scrambles and tries to stand up. She wobbled a bit, almost falling, but somehow managed to make her way to Tachyon. “What do you mean my DNA??? What do you need that for?”
“I have a theory…but I need a sample to prove it. A lock of your hair would suffice.” Tachyon said. “U-Umm…shouldn’t we take Trainer back inside?” Scarlet interrupted. “Hm? Ah yes, you do that Scarlet.” Tachyon takes out an empty test tube and plucks a bit of Trainer’s hair. “Ow! Hey! Be more gentle…!” Trainer rubbed the spot Tachyon grabbed her ‘sample’ from. “I’ll be in my lab as usual, Trainer-kun!” She waves them off without another word.
“Tachyon-san…is really cool!” Scarlet looked at her shrinking figure with admiration. Trainer looks at Scarlet in bewilderment. “I… would like you to define ‘cool’...” “!? I-It’s none of your business!” She puffs out her cheeks, flustered, before letting out a sigh, “Anyway, what matters right now is that we get you checked up.”
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A few days go by and Tachyon calls Trainer to her lab, a scenario that is familiar to them. Cafe doesn’t seem to be inside today, unfortunately. The mess seems to have gotten worse somehow. “Tachyon! Is everything alright?” Trainer asked worriedly, a familiar sight, as she panted under the doorframe leading to Tachyon’s ‘lab’.
“I’ve received the results of the DNA test.” She held out a brown envelope. “What I’ve discovered was…fascinating! Your genes are mostly human yet you somehow inherited the speed and stamina of an Uma Musume. It’s no wonder the gap between you and Scarlet isn’t too far off! It makes me wonder if you could possibly go beyond your limits and participate in races as a human-” “Tachyon.” “Hm?” The scientist snaps out of her rambling. “I told you over and over again to never type ‘SOS’ unless you’re really in trouble… Besides… I already know all of that if you had just asked-”
“I wanted to time your speed. Reaching the lab from your private dorms in 3 minutes is nothing to scoff at!” She gets up from her chair to make tea. “So trainer…do you accept my proposal? To go beyond the limits of physiology-” “No.”
Tachyon stops stirring her cup. She blinks for a few seconds before facing her trainer. “T-trainer-kun?” her smile was a little forced. “I said no, Tachyon. I understand you’re excited about this, but I can’t do it. I am more than willing to support your usual experiments, but not this time. I may have raced once before, and yeah, I enjoyed it. But that was a long while ago. I haven’t run anything like that in months, or… maybe even a year or two. I can’t risk it. Not when I have a job on the line… I can’t risk everything I worked so hard for…” Trainer didn’t meet Tachyon’s eyes, feeling the guilt in each word that fell out of her mouth.
There was an uncomfortable silence around them. Both women had unattainable dreams. Tachyon felt like she was so close and yet it was out of her grasp. “I see.” She sits back down on her chair, adjusting her sitting position to hide her bandaged ankle from her trainer’s eyes. It seems her research was all for nothing. She has a weak body and she couldn’t risk losing Trainer too. “You may go now. I have other matters to do.” She forces herself to focus on her computer, but she can’t ignore the reflection of her Trainer behind her.
Trainer opened her mouth, but nothing came out. She slowly left, guilt hanging behind her, heavy and painfully obvious. In all honesty, she wanted to do it. She really did. The initial experiment where she had to run as if she was racing made her feel alive again. It reminded her of the reason why she became a trainer to begin with. She wanted nothing more than to run again. To race against the other Umas again. Even if she knew she would lose. But she couldn’t. Human races weren’t common. It only existed as an after school activity during middle school. It was the reason why she stopped running. Why she stopped racing. What else could she do? So she decided to be the next best thing. A trainer. That way, at the very least, she could see her trainees run with their might to win. Even if they don’t win, she hoped it would be enough to fulfil the void in her to run and race the way they do.
And then… that offer. She was truly conflicted. But she knew if she stopped training umas, she would lose her job in Tracen Academy. It was a school for uma musume after all. She wouldn’t fit in. Not as a student anyway. Meaning if she stopped, then her only choice… is to leave. But she didn’t want to leave. She worked so hard to get this position. She studied all she could from her mom about uma musume to make the best training regimen she could think of. If she left… then all her dreams… may as well be crushed.
But was it truly worth it? She might lose her first trainee. Her first friend. Though Tachyon subjected her through many tests and experiments, but the two bonded regardless. They had become quite close. So was it truly worth it to break Tachyon’s spirit knowing she wasn’t well to begin with?
Trainer wanted to think about such things. She had the will to. But she didn’t want to. She had a job to do and she needed to do said job. She will think about the offer more carefully, but she can’t just give up on something she worked so hard for. So the trainer went back to her room. In the back of her mind, voices screamed justifications for her actions saying that Tachyon would find another experiment to bury herself under. She could only hope that was the case.
A week or two has passed and the two never interacted after that incident. Trainer never received a message from Tachyon nor did Tachyon get reprimanded for skipping on training.
“Oi!! Tachyon’s trainer!!” Someone was banging on Trainer’s door. Trainer opened the door, revealing Jungle Pocket and Manhattan Cafe. “Yes? Is there anything I can-”
“Tachyon’s not talking to us.” Pocket yelled out. A beat of silence passes by, enough time to let Trainer process her words. “What…?” Trainer looked at the two, worried laced over her face. “What… do you mean…?”
“Um…Tachyon-san has been in her lab all day, week maybe. I don’t know what happened between you two but this isn’t normal.” Cafe said. Trainer couldn’t say a word. Her face was laced with guilt. She knew why, but she had been in denial for the past week. She really did believe that Tachyon would move on and that was that. Clearly, that wasn’t the case. Quickly, Trainer shoved Jungle Pocket and Manhattan Cafe aside and ran off to Tachyon’s room. She ran as fast as she could. Maybe even exceeding anything she had done before. All she knew, she had to see Tachyon. She couldn’t avoid her anymore. Not while knowing how bad Tachyon’s condition is.
She slammed the door to Tachyon's lab wide open, taking a moment to catch her breath as she held the door as if her life depended on it. Tachyon was hunched over her desk. There was a pile of cardboard boxes surrounding her. “Hm…? Ah, Trainer-kun!” She raises her head and tries to muster up her usual smile, but it’s clear that she hasn’t left…probably hasn’t eaten anything other than whatever supplements she has with her overly sweet tea.
The trainer was unfazed by her smile. After recovering some of her strength, the trainer walked towards Tachyon with a stern face. When she got close enough, she said something under her breath.
“T-Trainer…?” Tachyon freezes up and leans away, raising her hands covered by oversized sleeves in defense. She’s confused and…scared? Why would she be scared? They’re merely trainer and trainee nothing more-
“I said train me!” Trainer spoke up, her face turning red. Is it because of anger? Embarrassment? She didn't know. But she was sure of one thing. “I… want you to train me… for real this time. You can tell me to run… to… to… jump! Study! Or whatever! Just…!” Her face drooped, tears piercing her eyes. “Please… Stop this… I… I'm sorry… I shouldn't have… I shouldn't have said it so coldly to you… please… snap out of it. I'll do whatever you want… I… I promise!”
Tachyon drops her smile, too stunned to speak. This was what she wanted, right? So why? Why does it still hurt? She should be able to accept this with open arms and yet she finds herself struggling to make a response. She unconsciously bounces her bandaged foot as a million possibilities race her mind.
“Tachyon…?” Trainer called out, breaking Tachyon from her train of thoughts. “Please… Please… Just… say something!” She couldn't hold back the feeling of suspense within her. She wanted Tachyon to answer her, to tell her she'll be alright, to use her on experiments again. She wanted… her Tachyon back. The Tachyon who would call her Guinea Pig, the Tachyon who would drag her around instead of training, the Tachyon who would whine to her to cook food so she didn't have to cook herself. Anything… anything… other than the Tachyon sat in front of her at this moment.
“I…I want to run too.” Tachyon’s voice was so quiet it was…unlike her. “Tachi…” Trainer called out. It has been a long while since Tachyon heard that nickname coming out of the trainer’s mouth. “Please… talk to me… what actually happened?”
Tachyon couldn’t bring out the words to speak. She was supposed to tell her about this at a later time, not now! But the trainer already had her suspicions. Slowly, she knelt down and with her right hand, she grazed the foot right in front of it, Tachyon’s left foot.
“T-Trainer-kun!?” Tachyon’s face burns bright red. So this was what Pokke felt like when they first met- No, now wasn’t the time to think about that. Trainer could clearly see her bandaged ankle. The monitor reflecting light onto her face still showed her x-ray, her most recent scan. “I knew it…” Trainer softly said. She gazed solemnly at the bandaged foot. “You were hurt this whole time… And yet you didn’t say anything… why…?”
“Ah…haha. There simply was a time and place for everything.” Tachyon’s smile doesn’t reach her eyes. She was trying to reassure Trainer but it wasn’t working. Trainer stood up, this time she stared back to Tachyon. “Don’t lie to me… I can tell that’s not true… I mean… You’re Tachyon. Not even an injury will stop you from your experiments. But it seemed like you lost all hope. There has got to be another reason… right…?”
“You’re quite persistent. Very well. you deserve to know after putting up with me…” She takes a deep breath, “Ever since birth I was born with this body, capable of insurmountable speed. However, it is also fragile.” Tachyon was nearly choking on her words. “You are aware of my fascination with the physiology of Uma Musume, and I hoped to reach past the limit of speed, much like my name. Tachyon…a theoretical particle that is faster than light.” She takes another breath to hold back the tears. “With the limitation of this body in mind, I came up with Plan A: reach that goal myself or Plan B: pass down my knowledge onto someone capable of reaching it in my stead.” It takes everything within her to not burst into tears.
Trainer slowly hugged Tachyon, something she had never done before. “That’s why you went on a hiatus… wasn’t it..? And I was so oblivious… I had my suspicions… but… I ignored them… I brushed them off… I'm sorry… I hope you can forgive me… what type of trainer am I… to ignore my trainee's injuries…?” Trainer’s tears started to fall one drop at a time, unable to stop the tears.
“T-Trainer..!? I- No this is fine! Everything is fine! I still have Plan B, C-Cafe, Pokke and Dantsu are capable of accomplishing it-” Tachyon smiles and rambles like usual, but it’s clear that she feels hurt.
“Still… you said you wanted to run too, didn't you…? Please… don't lie to me… don't lie to yourself… I can’t bear it… if not for your own sake… can you at least do it for mine? I may be just your guinea pig… but please…don't lie to yourself. Just let it all out… It'll be alright… I promise…” She hugged Tachyon tighter.
Tachyon falters, hesitant to give in…tears begin to well up and drop down, like rain after a drought. She immediately wipes her tears with her sleeves yet they don’t stop. “T-trainer-kun…” She hiccups and after a few moments, finally wraps her arms around Trainer and gives into the warmth she hasn’t felt in so long. Trainer softly patted on Tachyon's back while wiping away her own falling tears. “There, there… you don't need to hide it anymore… not with me anyway…”
They stayed like that for as long as Tachyon needed to be in her arms. Once the tears died down, she was fast asleep in Trainer’s arms. Exhaustion has finally kicked in, Trainer notes that she should cook more often now…and maybe clean up the room until Tachyon’s injury fully recovers.
Trainer gently carried Tachyon to the couch, trying her best to not wake Tachyon up. Once laid down, Trainer finally saw Tachyon's sleeping face for the first time. It was peaceful, oddly enough. After all, the Tachyon she used to know was anything peaceful with her experiments left and right. But then again, this is a new version of Tachyon that she has never seen before. But she thinks she can get used to it.
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Over the weeks of recovery, Tachyon was back to her usual self…in a good way. She spent her time researching a possible training regimen both she and Trainer could do. And Trainer would be handling all the cooking and cleaning. “Trainer-kun! Where’s my lunch? Hurry up already!” Tachyon whined like a spoiled child. Trainer gave a soft sigh with a smile, like a parent towards their children's antics. “Yes, yes. Coming.” She then placed a lunchbox in front of Tachyon and sat down with her own lunchbox.
Trainer went ahead and asked for permission regarding the experiment Tachyon had about her breaking the limits of any normal human would to Symboli Rudolf. It was a long and hard process, but they were given the green light regardless. As long as the trainer continues to support her trainee, it doesn't matter who actually got trained.
“You’ve certainly improved your culinary skills. However, the ratio of rice to meat and vegetables could use some improvement. Next time, increase the amount of meat and vegetables.” Tachyon commented as she ate her meal. Trainer raised her eyebrow as she gave Tachyon an amused chuckle. “Really? Isn’t that what you said last time too?”
Her ears perked up, then she quickly turned away to hide her flustered face, “W-Well you clearly haven’t improved!” Trainer continued to chuckle as she ate her food. “Yes, yes. I understand. I will cook more meat and vegetables next time.” She was amused by the flustered Tachyon. It was rather… Cute.
Once the two finished their meals, Tachyon was back to her corner of the room to research. “So far, I have created a total of 15 different training schedules we may try once my ankle heals, which is in about…a few days I believe.” she mutters to herself.
“Sounds good to me.” Trainer called out from where they had eaten their meals, cleaning any stains and repacked the lunch boxes she had brought with her. It's a tedious task, but she has come to enjoy it. As long as both her and Tachyon could fulfil their dreams, making 3 meals a day didn't seem like much.
“Why does it seem like every time I come over, you two are acting more and more like a couple.” Manhattan Cafe comments as she enters the room to make her usual coffee. “S-Sorry for the intrusion…” Dantsu gave out a smile as she followed behind Cafe.
Trainer blushed at the comment but quickly tries to brush it off. “Please, don't really mind me. Just doing my job of taking care of Tachi. Sometimes I wonder how she survived this long…” Of course, the last comment was mostly kept for herself rather than for others to hear. “Tachyon!” Jungle Pocket runs into the room, “Let’s have a rematch, ‘kay!? I’ll definitely beat you for sure in the next race!”
“Hasty as ever, Jungle Baguette! Unfortunately, I am preoccupied with another experiment.” Tachyon teases. “Damn it!! Hey, Trainer! Mind if I join you guys some time? I’m pretty curious about your strength as a racer!” Pocket exclaimed. “If Tachi is fine with it, I don't see why not. It would be nice to race for once. Even… if I don't win.” Trainer was still pretty new, even with experience. It took her a while to get used to the usual training regimen to get her body back into running shape.
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This was it, today was the day Tachyon gets to run again. This time with her trainer by her side. She takes a deep breath…the turf beneath her feet, the scent of moist grass, and the wind blowing her hair. Then footsteps from behind, “Oh my, Guinea Pig! You’re certainly well dressed for our first test in today’s experiment.”
“Of course I have. It wouldn’t be comfortable using my usual outfit to run in. Besides… this is much more comfortable.” Trainer started to warm up in her new blue tracksuit she bought specifically for this experiment. Tachyon looks out to the track “Fortunately, it will be just us two for today.” she turns to Trainer, “Do you think you can keep up with me?” Trainer scoffed playfully. “No. But that doesn't mean I can't try.”
The two take their positions on the track, then take off, running past the morning breeze and into the rising sun.