After having lunch together with family, John is now outside the mansion's gate.

"Okay. Time to explore Tokyo!" 

"Umm, John-sama? Should we give you a ride back to the city? Top Vintage speaks out from inside the jeep

*shake shake*

"No need. It's just a few kilometers. I run that much everyday. Plus it'd be good to burn what I just ate."

'I also need to hurry up and check out some food joints. I only had human portions for lunch..'

Top and Trim look at each other, nod, then look back at John.

"John-sama, we insist you at least let us escort you to the city. This residential area doesn't have many bystanders. We can't just leave a man like yourself alone."

'I can take care of myself, though. I once took down Fire Dancer in 8 seconds during a serious spar.'

"Okay. I'll take that offer."

'I'd rather not say that and risk them questioning me.'

John proceeded to get inside the jeep.

The two then drove John into the city.

"Okay. Here should be fine." says John.

"Understood." Trim Road proceeded to park next to the curb. They're currently at a wide city road in a bustling commercial part of Tokyo.

"Thanks for the ride, Top-san, Trim-san." John thanks the two as he gets out of the jeep.

"Please be cautious, John-sama. Even if Tokyo is generally safe, you can never be certain with a young man like yourself." Top advises John.

"I'll be fine, Top-san. I'm an adult now." John proudly said, with his left thumb pointing at his chest.

*gulp*

"Huh? What was tha-"

"Nothing! Please take care! Trim, hit it!"

"Aye, aye, Captain!"

*thump- skreet!*

Trim stomps the gas pedal and the jeep quickly left, as if escaping.

John stares for a bit at the escaping vehicle.

"... Okay."

"Now where I should start?"

 

=======

 

"Ugh! How much more stuff are you gonna buy, Tachyon?!" a tough-looking uma musume with hazelnut hair complained to the brown-haired uma musume in front of her. All while balancing stacks of boxes of goods.

"Now, now, Pocket-kun~ Bet losers don't get to complain~" the brown-haired uma musume, Tachyon, replied to Pocket.

Their full names are Agnes Tachyon and Jungle Pocket. They are both friends and rivals.

Tachyon, the mad scientist who pursues the limits of speed with science. Stopping at nothing to achieve it.

Pocket, the ex-yankee and ex-freestyle* racer who is now a Tracen Academy student alongside Tachyon.

(From my understanding, freestyle racing is unofficial racing that's akin to street racing in our world.

"Just because I lost a stupid bet..!"

Amidst another complaint, a tall young man with black hair walks past Jungle Pocket.

Pocket, as if sensing something about the man, jerked her head around to look at him.

Her eyes quickly travel to his legs. Intently observing them.

"Hm.. I see even Pocket-kun is interested in the fairer sex." Tachyon grins, amused at the situation.

Jungle Pocket reddens, embarrassed at how her actions may have looked.

"No, no! It's not what you think! His legs! I got the vibe that he's a strong runner! Like when I first met you!" Pocket frantically explains.

"Hm... but that's a human. And a male at that. Surely you're mistaken, Pocket-kun." Tachyon retorts. Her argument is supported by this world's common sense.

While still carrying stacks of boxes, Pocket turns once more to the man's retreating figure.

"But.. I'm sure I felt it. That that man is an incredible racer."

Meanwhile, the man in question.

'F*ck! I was too focused looking at the map that I didn't notice I just passed by Jungle Pocket and the lunatic Agnes Tachyon herself!'

Was internally panicking.

'What Pocket said, though.. I'm sure it's just a one-time thing. Which sane mind would ever think that a random man they passed on the street is the first and only male uma musume ever.'

John was able to safely escape this brief, accidental encounter with the perceptive Jungle Pocket and the mad scientist Agnes Tachyon.

'But for Jungle Pocket to have that assessment of me.. To say that I'm similar to Agnes Tachyon in terms of racing capability. Maybe I should take some pride in that.'

A few minutes later.

'Ah, there's the ramen place I was looking for.'

*rustle~ ring~! ring~!*

John brushed aside the curtains and disturbed the bells hanging on the door as he entered.

'I can check off visiting a ramen shop with those big curtains hanging on their doors.'

The inside is rather small, but gives off a cozy feeling from its wooden interior.

As for other patrons, John could spot a few separated from the counter. A group of three young human women and a pair of middle-aged men separately.

John proceeded to sit alone in front of the counter.

"Onee-san, could I have the uma musume special ramen?" John placed his order to the middle-aged chef lady and likely owner of this ramen shop.

"The uma musume special ramen!? Are you sure about that, young man? It's not good to waste food you know." the woman replied. Skeptical of the young human man in front of her.

"Yep! I can eat a lot, so don't worry!" the young man assured the chef, while handing the woman the payment.

".. Alright. If you leave any leftovers, I'll just wrap it up for you as takeout."

"Thanks, onee-san!"

'Not that you'll need to. I greatly appreciate the offer, though. What a kind lady.'

After just a few minutes, the woman, with both hands, places down a comically large bowl of ramen with contents equally as comical. The wheat-based noodles together would be the size of a soccer ball. About ten slices of pork were visible. Possibly more hidden underneath. 5 medium-boiled eggs sliced apart in the middle. Yard-like patch of chopped green onions. And 3 whole carrots.

'It looks f*cking amazing!' John thought to himself with sparkling eyes, barely containing his drool.

*clap!*

"Thank you for the food!" John clapped his hands together and thanked the lady for the meal before starting.

With chopsticks on his right and a renge (ramen spoon) on his left, John heartily began eating this monstrous meal.

*slurrpp~*

"So good! Despite it's size, it's still so flavorful and rich!"

"Of course! Who would want to eat such a large amount of food if it's bland or lacking in taste?" said the chef lady proudly.

'I like the boy's enthusiasm. I wonder what face he'll make when he taps out.' the chef lady thought to herself.

Her assumption isn't baseless as this "uma musume special ramen" is designed for uma musumes. The only humans who could finish this dish are competitive eaters.

A minute later. John has eaten 20% of the contents and his pace is still going strong.

'Ha. I gotta give it to the boy. He's doing great.'

Two more minutes later.

'H-He's not slowing down!? No. He'll surely slow down soon!'

*rustle~ ring~! ring~!*

Three uma musume entered. Wearing purple sailor uniforms; Tracen Academy uniforms.

"Oh, my~ So this is the place the head chef recommended." said the first and tallest of the three.

Her auburn hair tied into a massive braid reaching below her waist and reaching past the base of her tail.

Her appearance and vibe could be described in one sentence. "A mother cosplaying as a school girl."

"It's a shame Tamamo-san couldn't come with us." commented the second uma musume with a brown-purple bob.

"We can come again next time." said the last of the three, drool escaping her lips. Her long, light-gray hair reaching the back of her knees.

*slurrp~*

"Ah! Isn't that the uma musume special ramen?" the second girl pointed at John.

"My~ This young man is eating so well. So cute~!" the first girl commented.

"Could we order now? Please?" the third girl wants to eat asap.

Meanwhile John is busy eating. He's aware that new patrons had entered and that they seem to be three girls, but he chose to continue eating.

The three uma musume walked past John and sat to his right.

Immediately to his right is the second girl, afterwards is the third girl, and the furthest is the first girl.

"Hey, onii-san. Is it really good?" the second girl asked, while the first girl ordered three uma musume special ramen bowls.

*slurp- gulp*

After swallowing another bite of ramen, John turned to the voice.

His eyes soon after widen in recognition.

'S-Special Week?!'

John's eyes traveled past the girl and spotted the other two uma musumes.

'Oguri Cap and Super Freak- I mean, Super Creek.'

"Uh, yeah. It's really delicious. Not only does it have a ton of noodles and plentiful toppings, the broth is rich and flavorful too." John replied with a slight smile. Trying not to freak out.

'Special Week. The anime's first protagonist and the poster girl of the uma musume franchise. A legendary and powerful uma musume on a similar level to Oguri Cap.'

John then looks at the gray haired uma musume behind Special Week.

'Oguri Cap.. Growing up, I used her as a role model. Her explosive power, diligence in training, and her ability to run on both turf and dirt. Without knowing it, my running started to resemble hers a little bit in that it's unique to me.'

John then looks at the furthest uma musume and locks eyes with her for a second before he turns away and resumes eating.

'And Super Freak- I mean, Super Creek. The motherly uma musume who treats a majority of the people she meets, humans and uma musume, as children. I wonder if her desire to play "goo goo babies" is just from the game or if she actually does it regularly with her trainer.'

The young man glanced once more at Super Creek.

"Please~ keep going. Seeing a young man eat so well is just so soothing~" Super Creek comments, looking fondly at John.

John resumed eating.

'I need to hurry! Before Super Freak becomes interested in me any more!'

Meanwhile Oguri Cap is looking over at John, with a blank expression on her face.

*sluurrrp! thunk-*

"Finished!" John set down the comically large bowl after slurping up the last bit of broth.

"Y-You actually finished it all by yourself." the chef lady looked over shocked.

"Good job~ Good job~" meanwhile Super Creek snuck up behind John and is currently head patting him.

"Wow! I didn't know guys could eat that much!" Special Week commented.

"T-Thanks."

'Could somebody tell me why Super Freak is praising me like I'm a kid?'

John then stood up from his seat and handed the bowl back to the chef lady.

"Thank you for the meal, onee-san. It was amazing. I'll come again some time in the future with my future trainees."

The chef raised her eyebrow slightly.

"Young man, you're a trainer?"

John barely caught himself from glancing at the three Tracen Academy students to his right.

"Yes. I'm a new trainer entering Tracen. I just flew from the Philippines this morning, actually."

"Ohh! So you're a trainer from abroad! It's my first time meeting one!" Special Week said with interested eyes.

"Huh. I didn't think Tracen hired foreign trainers." the chef lady comments.

"It's a bit complicated. I was born and raised in the Philippines and so is my trainer license. However, my father is Japanese and we moved back here today since me and my twin sister are entering Tracen Academy."

"Interesting. Is your sister a trainer as well?" the chef lady asks.

She's prepping the three uma musume special ramen bowls, while chatting with John.

"Hahah.. She's actually my trainee. She's an uma musume." John replied sheepishly, scratching the back of his head.

"Twins... twins.." Super Creek mumbles, her eyes shadowed over.

"Adorable twin babies!!!" Super Freak screeched. 

"I think this is my cue to leave. Bye, bye!"

*ring~ ring~ rustle-*

John swiftly bolts out of the ramen shop.

"Ah, I forgot to ask for his name. I'll ask when I see him around the academy." said Special Week.

"..." Oguri Cap stared at the door John left through.

"Oguri-chan, you haven't said anything in a while. Are you thinking about something?" Super Creek asks, having calmed down from her fantasies of coddling twin babies.

".. He was hiding something. I felt something was off about him, compared to other boys." Oguri replied.

*thunk thunk thunk*

"Here you are! Three bowls of uma musume special ramen!" the chef lady placed down three bowls of comically large bowls of ramen.

Oguri's head snapped to look at the meal in front of her.

"Oooo!"

 

 

=====

 

 

*thud- thud- thud-*

John stops in the middle of a path overlooking a grass slope surrounding a riverbank.

(Photo taken from Google)

"It's the place from all those slice of life animes."

John admires the view of the river and the city buildings.

"To think I'd encounter several named uma musume I've only seen from behind a screen. I know this is Tokyo where Tracen Academy is located, but still."

John stood for a while. Recalling the events of today so far.

"This place is pretty nice. I should add this as a route for morning jogs." John said to himself.

"Affirmative.... Utilizing this location.... would be greatly appreciated..." a girl's voice replied(?) from John's left.

"Ah, f*ck!" John got spooked like a cat, raising his arms up to his chest and raised himself sideways up balancing on his right leg.

The one who spooked John was a small uma musume about 5'2 in height with long, wavy blonde hair that oddly seems to be floating on its own. The large S-shaped ahoge on top of her head makes it look like she's communicating with something far away. Her hair's light blue under dye makes her look otherworldly. Like she's an alien in the form of an uma musume. Her blue constantly half open eyes are only supporting this image. On both ears, she has white rounded diamond shaped charms with blue gems in the center. A star-shaped charm dangles on her right ear.

"Who..?" John quickly eyes up the girl.

He then locks eyes with her. And in that moment, it's as if time stopped.

John's vision is flooded with hundreds of fast moving images and videos.

His current life, his knowledge of the uma musume world, and even his past life played back in a matter of seconds.

"Haa! Haah!" John frantically catches his breath. Sweat pouring down his forehead.

The girl opened her mouth again.

"You are... not from this world.. You are... a boy uma musume.." Her blank expression unchanging.

The girl's dull voice was quiet, but to John it was if he was right next to a speaker.

This time, the confused John's world froze. His eyes shake with the girl in the center.

One question repeatedly appeared in his mind.

'How did she know? How did she know? How did she know? How did she know? How did she know? How did she know? How did she know? How did she know? How did she know? How did she know? How did she know? How did she know?'

 

 

==========

 

 

Name: Jungle Pocket
Title(s): Strongest Howling Uma musume
Background: An ex-yankee and ex-freestyle racer who was inspired by Fuji Kiseki's running that she entered Tracen Academy to race officially. She aims to become the strongest runner. She is a friend and close rival of Agnes Tachyon. In real life, Jungle Pocket bested foreign-bred horses in the Japanese Derby and won the Japan Cup at age 3, defeating the legendary T.M. Opera O and ending his "dynasty." Jungle Pocket later sired many G1 horses, similar to Agnes Tachyon.
Personality: Tough, mischievous, likes to boast.
Race Specialties: Excels at Turf tracks, Medium distance, and Late Surger style. Can hold her own as a Long distance runner and End Closer.
Wiki Page: https://umamusu.wiki/Jungle_Pocket

 

Name: Agnes Tachyon
Title(s): Phantom Triple Crown, Mad Scientist, Faster Than Light
Background: An uma musume devoted to breaking the limits of speed with science. She is a friend and close rival of Jungle Pocket. There's never a dull day with her. She often pushes those close to her to trying her concoctions. One of the biggest "What ifs" in Japanese horseracing. Although he only ran in four races and retired due to a leg injury, he dominated in every race and even overwhelmed future G1 horses. He was given the title "Phantom Triple Crown" due to the widespread belief that if he didn't retire, then he would've won a Triple Crown title. Post-retirement, he sired over 2,755 children, 6 of which became G1 winners. His most notable offspring is Daiwa Scarlet who is also an uma musume like her.
Personality: Chaos incarnate. She is either chaotic or a goofy uma musume who can't cook for herself.
Race Specialties: Excels at Turf tracks, Medium distance, and Pace Chaser style. Can hold her own in Long distance and Late Surger style.
Wiki Page: https://umamusu.wiki/Agnes_Tachyon

 

Name: Special Week
Title(s): Ruler of Japan, Supreme Commander of Japan, Great General of Japan
Background: The poster girl of the uma musume franchise. The anime's 1st season protagonist. Part of Team Spica. She was entrusted to a human woman by her uma musume mother shortly before passing away post-birth. A legendary racehorse and the representative of Japan's golden era of horse racing. 
Personality: Bright, cheery. A glutton only bested by Oguri Cap.
Race Specialties: Excels at Turf tracks, Medium~Long distances, Pace Chaser and Late Surger styles.
Wiki Page: https://umamusu.wiki/Special_Week

 

Name: Super Creek
Title(s): Speedy Stayer, Super Freak, Goo-Goo Babies Enjoyer
Background: A friend of Oguri Cap, meaning she eats heartily. Her motherly nature is inspired from her real life counterpart having "raised" his, yes his, jockey into claiming his first G1 race victory. There is a famous story from when his jockey was selecting a horse to race in a G1 race and Super Creek grabbed hold of his sleeve by biting it and refusing to let go until the jockey decided to choose Super Creek to race with.
Personality: Extremely motherly. Almost everyone is a child to her.
Race Specialties: Excels at Turf tracks, Medium~Long distances, and Pace Chaser style. Can hold her own as a Late Surger.
Wiki Page: https://umamusu.wiki/Super_Creek