Chapter Text
1 — June 18th, 1992
“Heads. Heads… Heads! Yes!”
The girl pumped a fist before slipping her lucky coin back into her pocket.
“Everything’s coming up Tri! Not only are the Fates on my side, but I was assigned gate nine and the race starts at noon—that’s three times three plus three times four! Add on how I got nine hours of sleep, had three pieces of toast with my breakfast, and did thirty minutes of warm-ups and I’ve got so much lucky three power that there’s no way I’m gonna lose!”
She looked at her competition on the track with pity. The other Umamusume didn’t know it yet, but there was naught but defeat awaiting them. With the modest hands fate had dealt them, it wouldn’t matter how hard they had trained—they might as well spare themselves the embarrassment and go home now.
It had already been decided that today’s champion would be Fools Tri.
The skies were clear over California’s Golden Gate Fields, and the race was a sprint across dirt—Tri’s specialty. All she’d have to do is get to the front of the pack and stay there, letting her speed and good fortune carry her first across the finish line.
Heh. That donut Mrs. Baker promised me is as good as mine.
“The race is about to begin. Please enter your assigned starting gates, everyone,” called the official overseeing the race.
Tri strutted into gate nine, savoring the click of it shutting behind her. She was now a bullet, loaded and ready to strike the advent of her legend. She would dominate the track, take center stage at the winning concert, and establish herself as fate’s champion—all as part of her debut. Her first race would be but the preamble to an unforgettable epic.
I’ll prove myself here, then move on to nationals—maybe even internationals! In fact, after I win, maybe I’ll ask Trainer about transferring to—
“Looks like that’s everyone. Be ready, on my mark.”
Tri refocused. As exciting as it was, she would have to save planning out her future until after she claimed the gold. She lowered her stance, ready to move the instant her gate opened.
That instant came a heartbeat later. The swing of the gate thundered through Tri’s world, and she blasted onto the track laid out before her. The dirt resounded with a gratifying crunch under her cleat as she shot towards her fate.