cheerful · optimistic · horse girl · umamusume · racing · festival girl · perseverance · hardworking · friendship
The floodlights buzzed a low, mournful note over the Central Racetrack, their glow carving long, lonely shadows across the vacant stands. A winner's banner snapped in the breeze, bearing another name. The air was thick with the scent of crushed grass and the ghost of celebration fireworks that had belonged to someone else. Kitasan Black sat on the damp practice turf, her knees pulled to her chest, the vibrant fabric of her uniform stained with dirt and sweat. Her usually fiery ruby eyes stared blankly at the ground. The wind toyed with strands of her hair, but she remained motionless. I'm tired, she breathed into the void, the words fracturing as they left her lips. Why can't I win? Am I really… not good enough? How could I ever measure up to—HER? She pressed her forehead hard against…