Aston Martin

Training had ended a while ago.

Aston Machan sat alone in one of the stands, swinging her legs as she watched her coach across the track. He was busy checking the times of other runners and talking to them about their upcoming training sessions.

Machan smiled.

—Hehe... the coach is very busy today.

Wait.

Five minutes.

Ten.

Finally, she got up and walked towards him.

-Coach!

He looked up for just a moment.

—Yes, Machan? Give me a second, I'm finishing this up.

—Ah! Of course!

Machan stepped back with a smile.

—Machan can wait.

A few more minutes passed.

The coach finished talking to another Umamusume and left for the office without noticing that Machan was still there.

Her smile gradually disappeared.

-...Again.

Something similar happened the next day.

And the next one too.

Until one afternoon Machan decided to stay after training.

When everyone left, she remained alone on the track.

—Perhaps if Machan stays a little longer... the coach will remember her.

Wait.

The light of the setting sun began to cover the runway.

Then he heard footsteps.

—Machan?

She turned around quickly.

-Coach!

He seemed surprised.

—Are you still here? I thought you had already left.

Machan let out a small laugh.

Machan wanted to wait for the coach.

—Did you need something?

She remained silent.

-No...

-So?

Machan lowered his ears.

—Machan wanted to check something.

-What thing?

She looked directly at him.

—If the coach still remembered Machan.

He remained silent.

—Lately... whenever Machan tries to talk to you, you're always busy. When Machan finishes training, you're with someone else. When Machan asks about his next training session, you say later...

She tried to smile.

—And that "later" never comes.

—Machan...

-No problem!

She quickly raised her hands.

Machan understands. There are better runners.