Chapter Text
(Third POV)
Sato Hiroki was born in Tokyo Bunkyo City. He lives in a nice low rich apartment. His two parents are Kenji Hiroki, a normal male, and Sakura Soul, an Umamusume. They taught their children to love each other and not care what others think.
His brother, Jiro Hiroki was a smart guy, at least to him. He is three years older than him and later in life he would be an engineer for a big company his best friend was the boss of. He made good money and kept them all afloat and made sure their dreams were met.
Oh yes their… Sato had a sister named Swift Soul. She was a tiny Umamusume with big dreams. She and him were twins and are best friends. During most of the day they saw Umamusume races around the globe every time it was on.
They were so captivating and interesting. Most of the time whenever he looked to his right he saw his sister’s tail wagging. She wanted to run and he wanted to train. Both of the same coin. Their big brother saw this and made it his goal to be rich enough for them to follow their dreams.
- - - - - - -
During the last years of elementary school both Sato and Swift stayed together, they ate together, played recess together, copied helped each other on their work assignments.
They had each other's backs for everything and anything. They both had a crush on this one uma named Astral Fast. She was as beautiful as a garden of all kinds of flowers.
Unfortunately for them Astral played them like a fiddle and told everyone how she made two siblings fall in love with her at the same time.
Sato and Swift did not like that and when they found out they were furious. They set a plan in motion, during lunch while Astral goes to the restroom they plant hot sauce and fish juice into her food. Sato did the prank as Swift played the diversion.
When the deed was done they quickly ran and found spots to see the scene. Astral came back tired, and when she ate the rice and chicken it was laughable. Astral ate it and instantly made the ickiest face imaginable, tongue open, eyes wide open with a ting of shutness, nose moving frantically, and ears freezing.
Sato and Swift “hahahahahahaha!!!!” Everyone around them looked at them. They both looked around and then saw Astral. Astral was looking at them, and quickly got up from her seat to run at them.
Sato and Swift looked at each other slowly and laughed again. They smile as Swift grabs Sato’s arm and runs as fast as she can. The run lasted for minutes and when they stopped they were all the way in the other corner of the school.
Swift lets go of Sato’s arm as he breathes super hard. He says “Dang…. Swift…. That…. hahaha.... was… so…. funny…!” His knees buckle as he falls to the ground. Swift grabs his chest and back.
She pulled him to the wall and said “Yea… I….. know…. hahaha… I’m….. even…. out… of…. breath… too…” She put her hand on her chest, and her ears moved to the rhythm of her heart beep.
Sato looked up at her and said “Man that was so worth it. She deserves it. Playing with our feelings…. like that…. What does she…. think she is…?” His breathing still rough.
Swift instantly has an angry face, her eyes wide as her eyebrows turned down. Her ears flattening down, nose flinching. “Yea…. I know…. I just…. wish we knew…. She was going after both…. of us…” Her breathing is steadier yet still tough for all the running.
A minute passes by with just breathing and silence. Sato laughed as Swift giggled. They combine and make an echo in the hallway. It became so loud a teacher came over to them and said “What!? What are you two doing!?”
Sato, still sitting on the floor, looked at Swift standing against the wall looking at Sato. Both took a moment and grabbed each other's hands and ran.
Sato said “We’re so dead!” Swift laughs “I know! We’ll see what our parents think…” Sato said “Wait…” Both said out loud “Our brother!”
Hours past as school ends. They somehow didn’t get in trouble for the prank. But got in trouble for skipping class for a few minutes. Their parents got called and when they came to the school, they forcefully grabbed their hands and put them in the car.
Kenji said reluctantly and seriously “Why did you two skip class? What happened? What’s the cause?” Sakura continued “Tell us why now. We need to know. Depending on the answer will depend on how badly we treat you for the half of this week and the next.”
Sato and Swift looked down. Sato looked up and answered. “We… we skipped class because…” Swift continued for him. “We did a prank on a classmate during lunch.”
Sato “I put hot sauce and fish juice on her food as Swift was a distraction.” Swift continued “The reason is… because she played us like a fiddle. She had us both by her fingers as we thought she was liking us. We realized we were being played.”
Sato “After we found out we broke it off with her and she then told the whole school how she played us. Us two siblings for thinking she loved us.” They both looked back down. Wondering what the response will be from their parents.
Both parents sighed and Kenji said “We… did not know that. Who was this girl?” Sakura said “I’m so sorry that happened to y'all both. What's her name?”
Sato and Swift looked back up and saw them looking back at them. Their faces smiling softly at the two of them, they were on their side. The two siblings smiled softly and both said “Astral Fast.”
When they got home their big bro was cooking food for the whole family. Sato and Swift ran to him, Swift getting there first of course. THey hugged his waist and said “We miss you big bro! We got in trouble but it’s all right now!”
Jiro was flabbergasted by them saying everything so quickly. Jiro looked down and said “Huh!? Y’all got in trouble!? For what!?” Sato and Swift said at the same time “We left class for a few minutes, missing important work and lessons! And also did a prank on a classmate of ours…”
Jiro laughed and said “Alright, alright. Let go now, the food is almost ready. We’ll talk while having dinner.”
Sato and Swift smiled softly. When dinner happened they told him everything. He got angry and annoyed. Who could do that to his two siblings and at that age too. Jiro said “How could that girl do that to y'all? Y'all don’t deserve that. And at that age too. I guess school life is changing. I just don’t know if this is good or bad.”
He turned to his mom and dad. “Mom, dad, what do y'all think about this?” Kenji sighed and said “We’re gonna just let this slide. It seems nothing major happened.” Both Sato and Swift looked at him angrily. Kenji’s face turned nervous and had sweat on his forehead. “Well except for heart break to our two cutest son and daughter. I am really sorry she hurt your feelings, Sato and Swift.”
Sakura said “Yea. Just keep it as an open memory. It seems Astral definitely deserved it. And plus they only left for a few minutes. They went right back… Right?” Sato and Swift looked down in embarrassment and shame.
- - - - - - - -
Middle of Junior High School both were fourteen and already doing clubs and electives related to training and umas. It was after school, Swift was running outside around the school, ten other umas following her, while the regular human males and females run as fast as they can but never reaching.
Swift breathed heavily as she saw she’s in front of everyone. Swift looked behind her and yelled “ten more laps around the school guys! And for the rest of y'all do 5 laps! Unless you can prove me and yourself wrong! We all need muscles and to be fit! Work those muscles!”
Everyone cheered and praised each other for motivation. The running continued and continued.
Inside Sato was in a class writing in his Pokémon themed book. 15 other classmates were in the class writing too. Umas and humans alike. The main teacher in the front, wearing all black and blue, uma ears on top. She said “Okay class listen up!” Everyone looked up.
The teacher continued “Our writing club has been invited to the Tokyo Writing Organization! It is in Ginza and it is about writing 45 thousand words and making it into a story of anything you like! The best one from five judges wins it all! There is a prize for the winner! It is ¥50,000! Second is ¥35,000! Third place is ¥25,000! Y’all can join if y'all want! The more the better chance we win! And of course you will get the prize!”
Sato got excited and smiled happily, his eyes wide and shining bright brown. His black hair is sharp and stylish as ever. He raised his hand and said “I’ll join!” Then in an instant one by one everyone joined him.
When they got home on the bus, they talked about what happened. Sato looked at Swift and said “So my club is getting invited to a writing contest. I’m gonna join them and win the main prize! It should be easy as pie!”
Swift smiled and said “That’s so cool! I hope you make it. I’m just doing runs at my club. Everyone is so motivated. I’m glad I have a sub group of people that work like buddies.”
Sato said “Hmm. I’m happy for you Swift. You are looking… worse and worse by day.” He covered his mouth as he chuckled. Swift got angry instantly and jabbed him in the chest. “Don’t say that again Sato!”
Sato took a breather and then laughed, “Sorry Swift. Sorry. It was just a joke, you look great alright? You’re… passable.” He snorted quietly.
Swift looked dead serious. “Uh, you're the worst bro.”
Days passed as Sato worked hard in his shared bedroom with his sister. The window in the middle was super dark. Swift was laying down and turned to her right, where Sato was. She saw him sitting up writing in his book. Swift said lousy “Bro…. Go to bed… You got time…”
Sato looked to his right at Swift’s sleeping tired face. She snuggled like a taco with hello kitty blankets everywhere. He said “I will, I swear. Just a few more minutes. I got a good idea right now.”
Swift sighed and groaned. “Uhhhhh. Fine. Fine. At least you’re quiet. I can’t believe other people have more annoying siblings. Imagine being awakened by a loud video, snoring loudly, and moving loudly. So freaking annoying.”
Sato said “I agree. Luckily our brother is in his own room.” Swift smiled, “So true.”
A few more days pass and Sato gives his story to the judges online. He is now dressed up nicely as he and the rest of the writing club are at the contest. He’s holding 80 papers stapled together. He looks to his right and sees his family watching him. They all smile as Swift gives him a thumbs up. Sato gave a thumbs up back, both seeing each other excitedly.
He sits down at the row of chairs and waits for everyone to come. He sees the five judges sitting on the top of the stage. They talk to each other as lights are beamed on them. He sweats nervously and he hears a commotion on the right. He looks that way and sees Swift walking through the people and trying to move carefully. She fails miserably.
She finally gets to Sato and looks at the kid next to him with a furious eye. Whatever his peer saw he instantly moved. Sato looked at Swift “Hey! We were talking Swift.” Swift laughed with her hands covering her stomach. “Whatever Sato. He was a stranger. If he was someone you knew I wouldn’t.”
She began to sit down next to him and said “So how many joined this? I mean I see the audience but still. Who else would be crazy enough to write 40 thousand words?” Some people behind them looked at her weirdly. Swift looked back at them. Her hands above her shoulders. “Sorry. Didn’t mean it like that.”
Sato laughed and said “So clumsy. Figuratively and literally.” Swift said “Shut up.” They both chuckled as always.
It was long before it started. Half of the audience who were family and friends standing left. But he didn’t care, he worked his sweat and tears into this. He wouldn’t lose.
A guy on the telephone on the right corner of the stage screamed into the microphone. “Ladies and gentlemen! We are gonna finally announce the rankings! Sorry for the long wait! We had some issues we had to deal with before we got the show on the road!”
He grabs a paper from his pocket. “First we will pass out the side awards! We have Quick One Shot Award! The Horror Novelist Award! The Comedy Master Award! And Runner Up!”
Sato and Swift didn’t pay attention for a second. They even slept on each other's heads. Then finally the main show was on. A random student tapped Sato’s shoulders. Sato woke up and it made Swift wake up. They freaked out for a second but then paid attention to the stage. Eyes glistening with stars.
The speaker “Now People! We will announce the three top winners! Third place is…. Blocking Mine!” A group of people got up and jumped up and down. They seemed to look like university grads. Sato smiled softly.
“Second place is…. Singularity Place!” Two adults stand up as they grab a child and put him in the air. It seemed a child wrote the story. Sato and Swift now focused on the last one. First place. Sato looked to his right and saw Swift praying. He turned to his left and saw his whole writing club praying and hoping for them to win. He looks back in the front and holds his heart beat, teeth stuck in place, his body stuck to the chair, the breeze freezing him.
“Give a round of a pause for third and second place everyone!” Everyone cheered and clapped. “Now! For first place! Drum roll!” Everyone makes drum noises. “It is Stubbornly Yours!!!!!!!!”
Sato froze in time. Did he just hear his book being called out? His full vision showed Swift grabbed his arm and pulled him up. He got up instantly and just smiled with excitement. “Oh my God!!!”
Swift says “Oh my God!” The people behind them. “Oh my-” Everyone cheered with claps louder than ever before. The Writing club teacher grabbed Sato and ran to the middle and walked him to the front of the stage. Swift followed.
His parents and older brother followed suit. His mother seemed to get there faster than anyone else. She and the club teacher pulled him up on their shoulders, Sato saw everyone cheering and smiling for him. He began to cry happily as his mouth opened with excitement.
“There he is, folks!!! The Writer of the novel Stubbornly Yours!!!! It is about friendship, family, and love for everyone around them! It is set in Tokyo, Japan and shows a middle child going through life's battles of loses and wins! We will publish it with the author's permission! Sorry folks, you better try next time next year!”
Sato and his family waited for everyone to leave. When they did they saw the five judges coming up to them. The main one who was in the middle said “Hello! You must be the author right?” He pointed at Sato’s heart.
Sato nodded “Yes! Yes I am. Sorry I'm still so excited.” The guy said “It’s alright. Here is the gold metal.” He puts it on Sato. “So did you hear our plans?” Sato shook his head. The guy said “Oh… Well….”
Sato and his family said yes and his first ever novel got published on the web. Thousands of copies sold out as they shared the money. Sato got three fourths and the five judges got one fourth of the money made.
Sato was so very happy. One more step higher. They have more money to live their dreams.
- - - - - - - -
High School grew their dreams into possibilities. It was all a thought before this. They went to a school where they can wear whatever they want. Sato and Swift grew and grew. They were different yet the same as before. Sato had his friend group of writers, theater kids, some athletes, and popular kids.
Swift had almost every uma and human in the school to be her friend. But she hated how much people liked her, she hated the attention so much she purposely walked with Sato and her older brother Jiro. Everyone was threatened by Jiro. His body is a sleeper build and his eyes are brown that show hate and domination. At least that's what the rumors say.
As Sato… Well he has a rumor going around that he does the worst of pranks that will end a person's high school life.
Sato and Swift were at the benches outside. It was the end of the day and they grabbed snacks to eat. They ate peacefully as their friends joined them. Sato looked at his friends with annoyance. “Guys… Come on. We’re eating here.” Swift looked at her friends with the same face. “I get it guys. But please move. Before he comes.”
As if on cue their big bro shows up and everyone gets scared. One guy gulps and can’t speak, a girl says “um… so-....” They run away and Sato looks at Jiro with disbelief and disappointment “Really? When did you become so scary?” Swift said “Yea what gives? You are so cuddlable and soft. Who would be scared of you bro?”
Jiro sighed and sat down next to them both. “I honestly don’t know.” He laughed slightly. “I guess I have that kinda face and body. At least my real friends know me well and aren’t scared. But anyway, one more year left! Did you two get enough credits for next year!?” Sato and Swift nodded and sighed “Yes Jiro.”
Jiro continues “And y'all?” Both said “We made sure to not cheat at all, copy each other's works, do any pranks, be a bully, and plan for the wrong classes next year and this year for our third semester.”
Jiro said “Perfect! I know how hard it is to say all of this to our parents. I should know.”
Sato sighed “I know.” Swift chuckled “I get it.”
Time passes and it's the end of high school, they are all at graduation. Sato is sitting far away from Swift and only thought of one thing ‘I really hope we get accepted to the same universities. I mean we have too. She wants to be a trainee, I want to be a trainer. And especially to Tracen Academy later on. But if not… We won’t ever see each other other than phone calls and hangouts. Why do we have to leave our parent’s apartment???’
Swift on the other side of the floor sitting with two friends beside her. They talked endlessly but one thought came to her. ‘ugh Why do we have to leave the apartment? Why do Sato and I have to leave each other? We have to apply to the same universities… right? I don’t wanna leave him by himself. We are the great duo! We all applied to so many and if we don't get accepted to the same one… Uh stop thinking about this! We’ll just have to wait.’
Sato walks up the stage and grabs his diploma and smiles for the camera. He walks slowly as his family and extended family cheer for him. He smiles and waves at them all. He then sees his sister Swift standing, cheering for him. Sato chuckles and sits back at his spot.
Swift gets up and stretches. She smiles wide with teeth showing. She went up to the stage and Sato instantly stood up, cheering, clapping, everything to make noise. Swift laughed right in front of everyone.
Swift looked up and saw her family cheering for her. Her wide smile turned into a small one, not bad or anything but a nice warm one. She grabbed her diploma and jumped high in the air. She ran quickly back to her seat and smiled at Sato.
Up above the main area. Jiro is standing up with a warm smile. His parents saw him and his dad said “You good Jiro?” His mom said “You look positively angrily happy.” Jiro said “I’m just glad they made it. They achieved their dream goals. I even checked their emails… They are in for a surprise.”
Kenji and Sakura's faces were shocked. Their mouths wide open and eyes dead. Sakura “What!? Why? Their privacy and all that. Tell us what it is.”
Kenji said “As your parents we deser-” Jiro put his hand up to their faces and moved it left and right. “No no no. It’s a surprise. Plus you’ll like it. Trust me.”
Kenji and Sakura sighed. Sakura said “Okay okay. Sure, why not. We already trust you with bigger things.”
As the last people graduated, Sato and Swift ran to each other. They hugged each other and squeezed hard. “Ow.” Sato made a yelp noise but didn’t care. They both then let go and were crying tears of joy.
“I’m so glad I have you as my brother Sato! I love you so much!” Swift says loudly and emotionally. Her tears falling onto her chin to her body and floor.
“So am I Swift! So am I! I love you so much! I don’t want to let you go!” Sato’s tears all around his cheeks and lips. Both whimpered and re-hugged each other.
“Waaaaaaaa!!!!” Both bawled and wailed. “I don’t want you to leave either! *sniff* What do we do!?” *sob*
Sato said “I… *sniff* I don’t know Swift. *sniff*”
Around them were Sato and Swift’s friends. They froze as they saw the scene. They looked at each other and one said “We should give them this moment.” Another “Yea. We’ll talk to them later.” They left.
They still were stuck together, crying non stop, whimpering every five seconds. Jiro and their parents saw this and quickly ran down to the bottom floor. They breathed hard as they saw Swift hugging Sato’s back as Sato hugged her back.
Jiro ran to them and said “Hey hey. What's going on? Y'all are still gonna see each other. Y’all know that right?”
They both look at Jiro to their right and Swift’s left. Both said loudly “We know!!! It’s just…. We wanna be together forever!” Swift said furiously “He’s my twin!” Sato said angrily “She’s my twin!”
“We can’t be separated!! No matter what! We have too! We have too!” Both synchronized again.
Jiro sighed and said “Okay okay wait. I got news about that. It’s good news. I was gonna tell y'all and our parents later, but I can’t see y'all cry and be so sad.”
Sato and Swift stopped crying instantly. “Really!?” Jiro chuckled and said “Yep. Now let's go. Let's have some dinner and I'll tell you two the news. Don’t worry it’ll solve y'all's problems. Trust me.”
Swift and Sato gave him a suspicious look. Jiro put his hands up “Hey come on! Y'all should trust me on this.” Swift said “Maybe… It better help us out.” Sato said “Yea Jiro. You might be our big bro but we don’t believe you right now.”
Jiro sighed and looked down. “Alright. I guess y'all will see.” Their parents laughed loudly, Sakura said, “That’s our kids.” Kenji laughed louder “Yes they are. They really love each other.”
Sato’s family was in a Family Restaurant in a booth. Sato and Swift sat next to each other and fought for the windows. Jiro was on the same side but just looked at his parents calmly with a warm smile.
Kenji and Sakura were on the other side and the dad said “Hey Sato! Swift! Calm it down! Y'all aren’t children anymore.” Sato and Swift stopped, Swift froze as she grabbed his chin and a fist aiming to his stomach. Sato grabbing Swift’s right shoulder as his left hand is about to slap Swift’s face.
They stopped and quickly bowed their heads and put their hands on their thighs. Both together said “So sorry mom and dad.” Jiro smiled “Okay time to eat. Then the good news.”
Sato was eating hamburger steak as Swift got Curry Rice. Jiro was eating his curry bread and said “So how’s the graduation dinner? Is it to y’all’s liking?” He smiles amusingly.
Sato finished a piece of his hamburger steak with some carrots. “Hmhm.” His face lit up. Swift already finished her curry and burped somewhat loud. “Sorry. But yes, this is umazing!” Kenji put his hand in the air and saw the waiter come up. “Can we get five more curry rice please?”
The waiter bows and says “Yes sir.” He goes back and Sakura laughs. “Slow down sweetheart.” Swift said calmly “I will. I swear I will. Just-” The waiter has the five curries and she quickly grabbed one and ate it fast.
Everyone freaked out and Sato grabbed her arm. “Hey calm down Swift! People are watching.” Swift instantly stopped. Swift eyes moved to the left. “Wait… really? Damn it.” She put the bowl down and said “Sorry.”
Everyone wiped their plates clean and as their dad got the bill… He looked like he was dead. Sakura tried to tap his shoulders and pinch him and as that happened Jiro said “Okay you two. Time to bring the good news.
Sato and Swift turned to him and eyed him. Jiro nervously laughed and said “Woah chill out. Don’t look like you’re gonna kill me alright? *cough* Okay so if y'all didn’t know by now you do not have your phone on you.” Sato and Swift quickly checked their pockets.
“Woah chill out before you run to find it. I have them. And before you kill me I found out that you two…. have certificates from The University of Tokyo!!!! Together!!!!”
Both siblings' eyes wide, mouth open. “Really!?!?” Jiro smiled as wide as the horizon. “Yep. Both of you are going to UTokyo. Y'all have one year before going and will just have to accept it and deal with the credentials and all that. Y'all will stay together forever.”
Both of them hug Jiro on the one sided seat. Swift cries and as she squishes Sato he cries tears too. This is it, their dreams goals are almost there.
- - - - - - - -
A year goes by, they both trained and learned. Sato went to libraries to read everything related to racing and umas. While his sister watched tapes of older races they weren’t able to see normally. When they got to their university they made sure to get into their respective classes, and get the same lunch classes.
Sato walked with Swift “aahhh I'm starving.” He turns to his right “What abou-” He saw Swift eating a huge rice ball. “Can I have some?” Swift almost finished it and nodded. Sato laughed proudly as he took a snow chunk and bit into it. “Jeez Swift, we’re about to eat. How did you even-”
Swift gulped and burped quietly. “I had it this whole time, Sato. It was pretty easy to see.” Sato sighed and said “Sorry, my roommate was chatting with some super fan girl. Talking about umas all night.”
Swift laughed, “Maybe I should meet them then, yea?” “Sure Swift.”
All day and nights they trained and studied hard, making sure they got into their dream Academy. Tracen Academy. This is just one more step to their goal.
Sato was in a trainer class, he was writing notes on types of racers in Umamusume racing. When class finished he grabbed his big backpack and walked to the next class. But his Professor stopped him. It was a woman with elegance and blue eyes that can make anyone stop if serious.
She said, “Mr. Hiroki, a minute of your time please.” Sato answered back, “Oh okay.” He turned around fully and looked at her. “What’s going on?”
She said sweetly and excitedly, “I just wanted to say… How proud I am of you. I don’t say this lightly but you are the best of my class and I checked your core classes and your work there is pure gold as well.” Sato smiled softly and said “Oh thank you. I’m just working hard for my dream Mrs. Aya.”
Mrs. Aya continued talking, “Yes you have dear Sato. You are phenomenal. I talked to a few people and I got you into Tracen Academy!” Sato heard those words and was frozen. His mind was blank and dead.
A few long seconds pass and Mrs. Aya says “Um… Sato? Are you good? Did I break you?” Sato woke up and blinked rapidly. He instantly shook his body and said “Yes!!!” He jumped up with a fist and hugged his teacher. “Thank you, thank you, thank you! I can never repay you! Oh my God.”
Mrs. Aya smiled and giggled loudly. “No problem Sato. Only for your mom’s son. But not fully of course. If you were any lower, I wouldn’t even have done this for you.” She sighed “And also the exam you took two weeks ago proved you are qualified. You truly are lucky Sato. You struck gold.”
Sato laughed and smiled softly. He let go and looked at Mrs. Aya. “I really have, haven't I? I can’t wait to tell my family and friends!” He then thinks for a minute. “Wait… What about my sister?”
Mrs. Aya stopped smiling and reassured Sato. “Oh your sister Swift Soul. I am still working on that. She still needs to pass her exam. If she passes she’ll go with you. If not… I’m sorry to say but she would have to try another time. I’ll pray for her though. You should too.”
Sato’s smile faded and nodded. “Okay I will. She has to come with me. I don’t know what I would do without her by my side.”
(Swift’s POV)
‘Damn it! Come on, come on. I can’t fail Sato and myself. I have to get this right.’ Swift thought to herself. I had a big packet of papers with the left side having an answer sheet.
My ears twitched as I stared into the papers making it look like I was gonna kill them, I bet. ‘Why? Why does this have to be so difficult? But I guess getting recommended for Tracen Academy makes sense for this hard ass challenge. But still… I need to make this. I just have too.’
I looked up and saw everyone else was trying really hard too. One with pink hair seems to be crushing her pencils every 5 minutes, another on my left with pink eyes ripping a piece of the packet and then crying, And behind me, I just know she’s angry, probably gonna kill anyone who looks at her.
Fifteen minutes go by and I am on to the last question.
A Turf Medium-Distance race, a racer finds herself boxed in on the inside rail by four opposing runners. Three in front and one above them. The track conditions are rain and heavy. Which of the following is the most tactically sound decision to ensure a successful “Spurt” while minimizing stamina depletion?
- Force a straight path through the pack regardless of stamina penalty for lateral movement.
- Maintain inner position and wait for an opening to appear, to save stamina for a short, explosive burst.
- Decelerate slightly to create a gap behind the leading runner, then swing wide into the outside lane to utilize high centrifugal force of the turn.
- Use a “Pressure tactic to intimidate the runners on the outside, forcing them to yield the lane.
‘Okay. One more question! Okay. Let's see… Uh… No it can’t be D, some pressure can ruin stamina and the other runners are still there so useless. A is wrong, you could hurt yourself or the others, making you disqualified and the path might be too packed to even break through, also stamina will be used so much it’ll be pointless. C is close but the rhythm and pace will ruin the chances and will take too long to pass every runner. So it’s B!’
I accidently scream and cheer and instantly turn red. I get up so fast the desk accidentally falls, luckily I grab it quickly and safely. Everyone's faces are looking at me as if I killed their parents. But at least my professor seems proud.
“Hey Mrs. Kibo. Here’s the exam! How long do I have to wait for my grade?” Mrs Kibo grabs my packet and answer sheet. “It will be in a day. Luckily no one missed the exam so it’ll go quicker. As you know it’s a rare chance to get into Tracen Academy. It’s-” I finish “rare, yet not rare. But for my life and conditions it’ll be 75% percent.”
Mrs. Kibo said “Correct. I will see you tomorrow Ms. Soul. Have a good day okay?” I nod with happiness. “Yep see you tomorrow, have a umazing day!” I leave rapidly to the door, almost breaking it. The hallway was quiet yet I heard a faint laugh, one of those laughs where it’s a squeaky toy dying from being squished. “Dangit. That’s my brother. Hahaha!”
(Third POV)
Sato was waiting on the walls of a locker and turned to his left and saw Swift run towards him at rapid speed. Sato braced for impact but Swift stopped an inch away. She began to laugh loudly and said “Hey bro! How was your day!?” Sato laughed again. “It was great. Guess what!?”
Swift smiled happily with her fists in the air with excitement. “What!?” Sato said “I got accepted into Tracen Academy!!!!” He instantly hugged her. Swift hugged back aggressively “Really!?!?! I’m so proud of you Sato!!! You’re gonna be a trainer!!!” She lets go and puts her finger on her chin. ”Oh my which uma will you choose. I wonder. The aggressive types, psychopaths, weaklings, pioneers, funny ones, tsuanderes, childhood friends, calm peas, rich umas, poor umas, etc.”
Sato laughed with his hand behind his head. “Woah woah calm down. I don’t know what ones I would choose. I am just too excited. We’ll figure it out later.” He grabbed her shoulders and said “But I heard that you needed to pass your exam to get into Tracen. Did you pass? Do you know?”
Swift chuckled softly and said “well… I need to wait till tomorrow, so yea. But the answers were easy enough that I know I will pass.” Sato smiles “I hope you’re right. I really do hope. I need you to pass. I can’t be there alone.”
Swift said “I know. I hope so too. I can’t wait to be a rival to whatever uma you train. Just know I'm gonna beat whoever that girl is. Mark my words Sato.” She posed into a heart sign with a smirk.
Sato laughed “Already doing your victory pose huh? Don’t worry. You’re not gonna use that often.” He smirks and pets Swift’s head. “May the best twin win.” Swift said back with seriousness and intimidation “May the best twin win.”
A day passed and Swift was sitting at the front desk in front of the teacher. Mrs Kibo said “Okay class here is who passed! Matikane Kinohosi! Hot Secret! Offside Trap! Leo Ryuho! Erimo Brian! And Swift Soul! I am so sorry for the rest of y'all, y'all can take the exam next year. Do not fret, you will make it. It’s my fault for not making you pass. I am so sorry.”
She has her hands together in front of her chest, face saddened. Yet most of the class said otherwise. One said “It isn’t your fault Mrs. Kibo! It’s no one! We just didn’t make it!” Another said “It was our fault. We just need to practice more.” The third one said “Yea. We’ll get them next year.”
Classes end and Swift goes to Sato in the same hallway. “I got in!!!” Sato screamed “Yes!!!” He puts his hand out. “May the best twin win!” Swift grabbed his hand and shook it. “May the best twin win!”