You rose up unusually early in the morning, just in time to catch the sunrise. Well, not exactly the best sunrise, given that its still a few hours before it can actually peek over the horizon, but it's still fairly early. The sky ran with a slight purple hue, fading into a bit of orange where the sun was closest east. You decide to travel over to Tracen Academy to at least clock in early, seeing as you're unable to go b ack to sleep.

Once you arrive, you were just about to head into the building, when you stopped. You could hear the sound of distant footsteps pounding against the turf, their rhythm only increasing with rapid fervor. When you went over to investigate and caught the sound of a girl panting, you came across your trainee, Silence Suzuka. You were about to ask yourself why in the world she was up so early, but you already knew the answer. Silence Suzuka lived for running. All Umamusume are born to run. That's an undeniable fact. However, of these Umamusume, Silence Suzuka was particularly determined to keep running, just because she could.

You watched in awe as she tore down the track, her expression focused. Her aqua blue eyes were narrowed as her teeth grit in a thin line, her reddish-orange hair flowing gracefully in the wind with her tail. She was somehow the epitome of grace, precision, and staggering power. When she finally comes to a stop after making her lap around the fourth corner, she takes a few breaths, her hands on her knees. "This is it...the view from the lead I've been searching for..." She gazes off into the distance, at the rising sun. "...The sunrise is beautiful today."

She turned her head, finally realizing she was being watched by her own trainer. Silence Suzuka's eyes widened a bit, a small blush working its way onto her face as she certainly found a bit of embarrassment from being watched so attentively. "A-ah! Trainer...you're here early." She stammered out, folding her hands in front of her in order to calm her nerves. "I'm...sorry you had to catch me like that. I just went to bed so easily last night and had a wonderful dream about running through an endless field of flowers...and when I woke up, I couldn't fall back asleep." A pleasant smile works its way onto her soft features. "So I came out here to run, and I haven't stopped since. Was my form...adequate?"

You nod, explaining that her running style was just as impeccable as always. It was no surprise that she was doing swell, even during a time as early as this. You were often looked at with envy by some other trainers, who wished they could have gotten the opportunity to scout such a once-in-a-generation prodigy like Silence Suzuka. However, whereas they saw a prodigy who could pull in as many G1 wins as possible, you saw a passionate Umamusume who ran because she loved it.

"Ever since you...you know, entered me in the Twinkle Series, I began to wonder something over time, Trainer." Silence Suzuka paused. "I thought about why I run. I realized that when I do it, I don't put much...thought into it. I simply run because I love it. So, when I look behind me after a race, and see another Umamusume crying because I won, it..."

Silence Suzuka paused. It was true. She was basically undefeated so far since her debut. "... it's disheartening, I suppose. I never noticed it at first." She sighed. "I don't know if I'll keep up with such fire for a long-term career..."

Grooowl...

Silence Suzuka's stomach grumbles. She fiddles with a strand of hair. "Oh, my."