Why do we dance after the race?

  Echo Eclipse once asked Kazuo and Rudolf this before she started learning how to dance. She wouldn’t understand why dancing is important when racing is all they need to do. And the answer she received in return?

  “To inspire.” “To prove yourself.” Two separate answers from Kazuo and Symboli Rudolf arrived at the same time, not really helping her understanding.

  “To inspire the umamusume in the future, to be a role model to others. That is why umamusume dance and sing after each race-” Kazuo's expnation was interrupted by Echo.

  “I have to sing too?”

  “...”

  “...”

  “...”

  Symboli Rudolf sighed deeply before rubbing her eyes. “You’re doing singing css too.”

  “Ehhhh-”

  “Don’t Ehhh me.”

  “...”

  “...”

  Echo Eclipse pouted and crossed her arms, acting cutesy, but it isn’t working on them both. And Symboli Rudolf the Reindeer gave her take on her question.

  “To prove yourself on the stage, where you’re the protagonist. Prove to the world that you are not like the other normal Umamusume. Let them burn the image of you at your peak in their mind; that is the reason why we have concerts after races.”

  “I like Trainer’s expnation much better.”

  “...”

  “...”

  “I’m adding one more hour to your dancing css.”

  “What! Nooooo!”

  “...”

  “Mhhh….” Echo Eclipse defted onto the ground. One more hour meant one more hour less of her running on the track. How woeful her life is…

  ***

  Echo Eclipse giggled while reminiscing. The stage isn’t big. There are only 8 girls with her; everyone can see them in the sunlight, and her legs are shaking. Her lungs still burn from pushing herself during the race. But it all seemed to fade away once the song appeared from the speaker.

  Her eyes shine bright like a star in the night sky, and her legs move as she spreads her arms. Getting ready to dance, she feels calm. Countless fans are here to watch her, and reporters are taking photos of the concert.

  “Tooi Ikoku Tabi shite Kita no…” (I travelled to a distant foreign country) Echo first sang, and despite the girls' first time dancing together on the stage, they moved and danced as if they choreographed and rehearsed it for months.

  “Kazukazu omoide tsurete.” (Bringing back many memories) Despite the song being new, coming out in February, she loves the song. It is simply bringing hope and looking forward to the future. What better song could she have picked?

  Her white silk floated and fluttered in the air as she danced, making her look like a spirit of the forest, ethereal and majestic.

  “Keso mo todoku nyuusu no kaka ni, uhuh~” (Even in this morning’s news, uhuh). She is singing and dancing on the stage in front of all these people. All of these people, strangers with different backgrounds, here to cheer for her. At the thought of that, her heart warmed up while she smiled brightly.

  ‘How beautiful… There is nothing in common between them, yet they support and cheer for me. Harmony…’ She gotten a glimpse of her understanding of why Umamusume dances after the race.

  “Nineteen eighty four~” She hummed the date repeatedly, with a chorus of hymn from the 2nd and 3rd pyer backing up the lyrics. No matter who won the race, no matter who lost the race, they are all dancing and singing on the stage with a bright smile.

  “Sekai wa kawari.” (The world is changing) The 3rd pce sang the line as she was in front of Echo now, before transitioning to the 2nd pce singing.

  “Hate shinaku tooi kuni made mo.” (Even to the endlessly distant countries.) The 3rd and 2nd pce created a line who they peaked their head to the side in front of Echo, before creating a path for her.

  “Nineteen eighty four~” The three girls, standing and dancing beside each other, sang out in harmony, creating a soothing and beautiful melody out of the lyric. Before the 2nd and 3rd pce back away, and Echo Eclipse is now the only one in front.

  “Kin’iro no tsubasa~” (With golden wings~) The intensity of the song started to rise as Echo Eclipse’s tone of singing became energetic and soothing.

  “Watashitachi wo hakonde yuku~” (Carrying us away~) ‘Do not be sad or dejected because you lost to me, be happy that we ran together. I will not forget those who ran with me.’

  “You’d better stand up now!” This time, she had to speak in English and failed mostly. Speaking with a sweet Japanese accent with broken English wordings.

  “Tsuki ni orita rekishi mo ima wa.” (The history that nded on the moon) ‘We will always be remembered, no matter our winnings or failure. I will always remember you all.’

  “Eiga no skurin.” (Is now on the movie screen) ‘Mom, Dad. You will see me in the newspaper one of these days. I hope that the picture will reassure you that I am having fun here.’

  This time, all of the racers gathered in the front and sang together in a choir.

  “Nineteen eighty four~”

  “Sekai wa mawari~” (The world is spinning) ‘No matter how much we run or rest, time will keep moving forward. We aren’t the main characters.’

  “Seireki nisen-nen ni mukau” (Heading towards the year two thousand) ‘Even if we aren’t the main character of this world, we are at least the main character in our own story.’

  “Nineteen eighty four~” ‘I know that I can’t run on the track forever, but I’m not sad about it. I will simply enjoy the moment whenever I can.’

  “Kagayakeru gondora…” (The shining gondo…) ‘I am grateful for being born here, I am grateful for being here to race with others. That is why I run. The three goddesses… Thank you for reincarnating me.’

  “Hitobito wa min….”

  “Nin…”

  …

  ..

  .

  The dancer slowed down to a snail's pace as Echo Eclipse slowly lowered her knees to the ground and cpped her hands together in a prayer.

  “Heiwa no inori wo sasgete…” (Offers prayers for peace.) ‘No matter how the world changes, no matter if I’m overtaken by those I inspired. I am happy. Nothing is meant to be forever.’

  Echo Eclipse closed her eyes as the song started to fade away, before she opened them again. Countless cheers and celebrations appeared from the audience; she could hear her name among them, but she could also hear her opponents' names among them. Making her smile in happiness, because they now know that no matter if they don’t get 1st pce, they still have fans that support them.

  Tears started welling up before she stood up, she winks her eyes to get rid of the tinks.

  Among the crowd, she can spot Symboli Rudolf staring at her. Without any words or emotions, they talked to each other, as rivals and as friends. Just a gnce at each other can tell them everything about each other.

  Echo Eclipse bowed to the audience before leaving quickly. She remembers Kazuo being insistent on running away fast to the van and escaping.

  “Ms Echo Eclipse!” “Can you please accept the interview?” “How do you feel abou…” “Do you think you will ke…”

  …

  ..

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