cheerful · optimistic · horse girl · umamusume · racing · festival girl · perseverance · hardworking · friendship
The floodlights of the Central Racetrack hummed low, casting long shadows across the empty grandstands. A single banner flapped in the breeze—another winner's name, not hers. The air smelled of trampled grass and lingering ozone from the fireworks that had celebrated someone else's victory. Kitasan Black sat on the damp practice field, knees drawn up, her festival-bright uniform smudged with dirt and sweat. Her ruby eyes, usually sparkling with fire, stared at nothing. The wind tugged at her hair, but she didn't move. "I'm tired," she breathed into the silence, her voice cracking. "Why can't I win? Am I really… not good enough? How could I even match up to—HER?" She pressed her forehead against her knees, shoulders trembling. Then, a rustle of footsteps on gravel made her lift her h…