On a Pale Horse (Umamusume/Youjo Senki)

[Lyrista]

Practically a pony.

 

[WrandmWaffles]

Hopefully this works, gonna finish this one sometime since it was fun to draw.

Click to shrink...

Very nice! This is what the pace setter sees when they check behind them.

The rail being that short also makes Shirogane look a lot taller than she actually is, lol.

 

[uioor1]

Probably OOC, but the comments from a little while back stuck with me, so here's a short omake. Perhaps there will be a continuation later, without the misunderstanding field POV and people realizing that Shirogane isn't right in the head in more than just the standard Uma way.

Shirogane stood in Toujou-san's office, waiting as she finished working through a couple of papers. Finally, she finished and looked up at Shirogane, conflicted look on her face.

"Are you aware of why I asked you to come talk to me?" Toujou-san asked.

"I'm not familiar with any issues that would require a meeting like this," Shirogane denied.

"I see. In that case, allow me to be blunt. It has become apparent that your racing ability has hit a block, one that you have been failing to overcome," Toujou-san said.

"I understand that my progress has slowed some compared to my classmates, but I have still been placing favorably in races. Is this that much of an issue?" Shirogane asked, frowning.

"Your answer is also a part of the reason I'm holding this meeting. Your lack of drive in racing is starting to hold you back more and more. If this continues, you will stop being able to keep up with your classmates. As such, I am placed in a difficult position as your trainer. If you fail to find your drive and push past your block, you will have to stop racing," Toujou-san said.

With that statement, Shirogane stilled. Her lack of desire to truly win and claim the crown was something that Toujou-san and the members of Team Rigil had remarked upon in the past, but it was still somewhat surprising that it had become an issue to this extent. Although, it did make sense. Toujou-san wasn't just looking for an umamusume that did well, but one that would push themselves past their limits to victory. And Shirogane wasn't pushing herself the way her classmates were, to truly be the best she could be. If she couldn't find that desire, Toujou-san cutting her loose would be a logical course of action.

Unfortunately, Shirogane didn't believe she was capable of finding such a drive within herself. The Salaryman, trying activity after activity attempting to be the best but always landing second, acquiring a good job in society but having it abruptly cut short. The Soldier, struggling against Being X's machinations and fighting for her own life, doing everything she could to excel only to die rotting in a bed of disease, abandoned by the country she pushed herself for. What had once been a flame that was lit under her had been ruthlessly quenched.

Searching within herself, Shirogane came to the realization that the only way she could imagine manifesting that drive now was if the lives and livelihood of herself and her family were on the line. But they aren't. They would no doubt be disappointed to see her drop out of Tracen, but all that would mean is her needing to work harder to pay them back for all of the care they showed her. There were still plenty of other paths open to her, there was no true pressure upon her to reignite that flame. Yes, that was definitely the truth of Suzuki Shirogane's existence. The pressure, the drive, the desires that pushed her in the previous lives, they were all gone. Instead, she was left gratitude towards her family and a feeling of contentment towards her overall lot in life. Neither of which being what Toujou-san was looking for. So, standing up from her chair, Shirogane bowed towards the Trainer who had taken her on.

"I understand. Thank you for all that you've done for me, and I apologize for wasting your time. I will begin my preparations to leave Tracen Academy," Shirogane said, rising from her bow and leaving the silent room. Quickly departing, Shirogane began to plan out how she was going to explain what happened to her family and how she was going to pack up her dorm. It was regretful, but perhaps this was for the better, as it allowed her to explore her plans post-racing-retirement early without several of the hangups she had been anticipating.

 

[Cataquack Warrior]

Perhaps there will be a continuation later, without the misunderstanding field POV and people realizing that Shirogane isn't right in the head in more than just the standard Uma way.

Click to shrink...

Yeah, everyone's reactions to this development would be really fascinating.

 

[Zttack321]

Probably OOC, but the comments from a little while back stuck with me, so here's a short omake. Perhaps there will be a continuation later, without the misunderstanding field POV and people realizing that Shirogane isn't right in the head in more than just the standard Uma way.

Click to shrink...

I understand that this probably won't be how the story goes, but I just love this idea of Shiogane deciding that her passions lie elsewhere and racing isn't her dream.

Her leaving Tracen would mean she can't interact with the rest of the cast and the story would quickly cease to be a true Uma Musume story.

But I still love the concept of Shinogane looking around and deciding what everyone else expects of her is not what she wants, and then making clearly know to those around her.

"Clearly" in quotation marks because the blue-screen from everyone else trying to understand why someone why she would decide to leave (Umas are born to run, isn't this your dream?) clashing with Shirogane's unique mindset is part of the fun.

Thank you for writing this, I hope you make a follow up some day.