‍ ‍ ‍ ‍⸝⸝ 𝒓𝖊𝖉 ⛧ 𝒅𝖊͟𝖛͟𝖎͟𝖑 °. ⋆ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍

[‍ ‍ ‍ ‍⸝⸝ 𝒓𝖊𝖉 ⛧ 𝒅𝖊͟𝖛͟𝖎͟𝖑 °. ⋆ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ @punkishbites]

⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀「⠀⠀ うっせ .ᐟ.ᐟ
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀怒らせないで .ᐟ ⠀」
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⋆༺𓆩⛧𓆪༻⋆
⠀⠀⠀⠀

[Ha10gen(はろげん)🎨 @HaC0N1WA]

メイド服の日らしいのでジャージメイドリッキーとエスポを再掲！

[朱天@Skeb募集中 @shutehaan666]

ただの強がりも嘘さえも
願いを込めれば誇れるだろう
望めば勇気にもなるだろう
（BUMP OF CHICKEN／バトルクライ）

エスポワールシチーの育成感想！
いやー、純粋に「指導者と教え子」の関係性の物語でたいへん素晴らしかったです！
純度の高さではトーセンジョーダンのストーリーと双璧でしょうか。大好物です。

まとめるなら「強がりを強さに、嘘を真実に変えていく物語」でしょうか。

実はエスポのことは最初ちょっと苦手だったんですよ。
トレーナーや周囲に事あるごとに当たり散らすさまが、怯えた子犬がキャンキャン吠えたてているようで、見ていて痛々しさすら感じるほどでした。
それはすなわち、自分の弱さを正面から見つめることすらできないという弱さ。
精神面ではある意味もっともどん底からのスタートであり、「ちょっとこの子の指導は俺には荷が重すぎるかも…」とリアルに尻込みしてしまいました。

それがさ～～～～
考えて考えて考え抜いて、王道的手法にとらわれない"エスポだけの正解"を地道に突き詰めていくトレーナーとさあ！
ときに間違えたり、手に入れかけた自信をまた失ったりしながらも、”自分だけの強さ”を見出していくエスポがさあ！
お互いの背中を預け合える相棒になっていくんですよ～～～！
”師弟"が対等の"戦友"になる瞬間がたまらないです。最高of最高！

そしてクリスマス～EDまでの流れ！
スポーツ選手が次のステージに進むときには、チームや指導者が変わることは当たり前で、そこにとびきりの切なさがあるわけですが、それを現実の騎手の乗り替わりエピソードと絡めながら真正面から描いたうえで、フィクションとして我々の想像を越えていく、まさにウマ娘の真骨頂といえる展開で、必読です！！

は～～ほんと理想の師弟関係ですよ！
いや～～こんなにエスポのことが好きになるとは、想像もしなかったなあ～～！

過去の選択を間違いだったと悔んだり、目の前の分かれ道に迷ったりすることって誰でもあると思うんですけど、でもその選択の結果を「正解にする」のは、いつだって自分の意志と行動なんですよね。
この物語を胸に刻み込んでおけば、人生の岐路に立った時に、ちょっとだけ勇気をくれるはずです。

ちなみに冒頭引用したのは国民的ロックバンドの初期の名曲なんですが、歌詞がまんますぎて育成ストーリーを終えて真っ先に思い浮かびました。
亜咲花さん、いつかカバーしてくれないかなあ。

[‍ ‍ ‍ ‍⸝⸝ 𝒓𝖊𝖉 ⛧ 𝒅𝖊͟𝖛͟𝖎͟𝖑 °. ⋆ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ @punkishbites]

⠀
“ just lemme go! what do you even want with me?! i was just chillin’! mindin’ my own business! “

desperation in her voice is starting to set in …
⠀

[#UMA3H × 𝚂𝚞𝚗𝚍𝚊𝚢 𝚂𝚒𝚕𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎 | サンデーサイレンス @SUNDAYMAGIC88]

“ Really now? After that? Use yer' common sense on what you are gonna do to get out of this. ”

Biting... Isn't gonna do much to someone like her.

[‍ ‍ ‍ ‍⸝⸝ 𝒓𝖊𝖉 ⛧ 𝒅𝖊͟𝖛͟𝖎͟𝖑 °. ⋆ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ @punkishbites]

⠀
“ use your WORDS. don’t just stare at me! i don’t deserve this! “

she’s going to resort to biting soon if she doesn’t break free!
⠀

[#UMA3H × 𝚂𝚞𝚗𝚍𝚊𝚢 𝚂𝚒𝚕𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎 | サンデーサイレンス @SUNDAYMAGIC88]

Nope. Not the words she is looking for.

She is giving Espoir the deadpan stare as she keeps the other dirt racer locked in the submission hold.

[‍ ‍ ‍ ‍⸝⸝ 𝒓𝖊𝖉 ⛧ 𝒅𝖊͟𝖛͟𝖎͟𝖑 °. ⋆ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ @punkishbites]

⠀
“ HEY. get your hands off me! let me go! you were the one that started it by starin’ at me!! “

she’s squirming about trying to break free …
⠀

[#UMA3H × 𝚂𝚞𝚗𝚍𝚊𝚢 𝚂𝚒𝚕𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎 | サンデーサイレンス @SUNDAYMAGIC88]

Just like in a comedic anime, it cuts to Sunday putting Espoir City in a submission hold for that comment.

For this one, it is a certain Nature Boy's Figure Four Leglock.

[‍ ‍ ‍ ‍⸝⸝ 𝒓𝖊𝖉 ⛧ 𝒅𝖊͟𝖛͟𝖎͟𝖑 °. ⋆ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ @punkishbites]

⠀
( a package of fake nails that looked way too ‘espo’, a small scented candle that was made in funabashi, and a wooden plaque carved with the outline of funabashi. )

it’s uh .. um. i have the receipt if you think it’s lame. so you can return it. but yeah, happy birthday ..
⠀

[𝙃𝙀𝙍𝙊 @FUNABASHICHAMP]

Hm.. alright then.

( With careful precision, Furioso unraveled her present to take a look at the contents. )

[‍ ‍ ‍ ‍⸝⸝ 𝒓𝖊𝖉 ⛧ 𝒅𝖊͟𝖛͟𝖎͟𝖑 °. ⋆ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ @punkishbites]

⠀
“ me? i’ve been around. i just don’t hang out at the retirement home like the oldies do, you and maruzensky. gotta get ready for my next race against furioso anyways. “
⠀

[#UMA3H × 𝚂𝚞𝚗𝚍𝚊𝚢 𝚂𝚒𝚕𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎 | サンデーサイレンス @SUNDAYMAGIC88]

“ Been a while since our last conversation. Just got back recently? ”

[‍ ‍ ‍ ‍⸝⸝ 𝒓𝖊𝖉 ⛧ 𝒅𝖊͟𝖛͟𝖎͟𝖑 °. ⋆ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ @punkishbites]

⠀
“ yeah? that doesn’t answer my question though. whatcha starin’ for? or do you just have a crush on me? “
⠀

[#UMA3H × 𝚂𝚞𝚗𝚍𝚊𝚢 𝚂𝚒𝚕𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎 | サンデーサイレンス @SUNDAYMAGIC88]

“ Damn woman, you are as hot headed as a Californian in Los Angeles traffic... ”

[‍ ‍ ‍ ‍⸝⸝ 𝒓𝖊𝖉 ⛧ 𝒅𝖊͟𝖛͟𝖎͟𝖑 °. ⋆ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ @punkishbites]

⠀
…. you’re not even gonna open it? i spent a lotta time pickin that out you know.
⠀

[𝙃𝙀𝙍𝙊 @FUNABASHICHAMP]

Ah.. thank you then, Espo. I’ll be sure to cherish whatever it is you got me.

[‍ ‍ ‍ ‍⸝⸝ 𝒓𝖊𝖉 ⛧ 𝒅𝖊͟𝖛͟𝖎͟𝖑 °. ⋆ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ @punkishbites]

⠀
staring back. eyes narrowing.

“ what’re you lookin’ at. somethin’ on my face? or are you just rude? “
⠀

[#UMA3H × 𝚂𝚞𝚗𝚍𝚊𝚢 𝚂𝚒𝚕𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎 | サンデーサイレンス @SUNDAYMAGIC88]

@punkishbites

Staring at the delinquent.

Heard she just got back... Still the usual Espoir City she sees.

[‍ ‍ ‍ ‍⸝⸝ 𝒓𝖊𝖉 ⛧ 𝒅𝖊͟𝖛͟𝖎͟𝖑 °. ⋆ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ @punkishbites]

⠀
huh? no .. it’s your birthday gift, stupid. just … take it, and be happy. or whatever .,
⠀

[𝙃𝙀𝙍𝙊 @FUNABASHICHAMP]

For me?
I will do my best to reciprocate this gesture.

[‍ ‍ ‍ ‍⸝⸝ 𝒓𝖊𝖉 ⛧ 𝒅𝖊͟𝖛͟𝖎͟𝖑 °. ⋆ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ @punkishbites]

⠀
[ @FUNABASHICHAMP ]

… take it … ( mumble grumble .. )
⠀

[VAMI＠お仕事/skeb募集中 @VaMi_exk]

にゃんこなエスポ🐱💢

[Ha10gen(はろげん)🎨 @HaC0N1WA]

#今月描いた絵を晒そう

[Ha10gen(はろげん)🎨 @HaC0N1WA]

舐めてるとピヨっピヨにするぞ！？
#エスポワールシチー #ウマ娘 #umamusume

[‍ ‍ ‍ ‍⸝⸝ 𝒓𝖊𝖉 ⛧ 𝒅𝖊͟𝖛͟𝖎͟𝖑 °. ⋆ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ @punkishbites]

⠀
espo’s expression turned to her usual grimace, “ i said just order the chicken. stop with the stupid race heroics, save it for next week. “

“ you add your card yet? “

and snatching back her phone so she could get back to scrolling.
⠀

[𝙃𝙀𝙍𝙊 @FUNABASHICHAMP]

“Hm, if that is the case it will be just me against you, and I will ensure you lose to me no matter what.”

She fully faces the other with a look of pure determination as she picked through the options on her phone mindlessly.

[‍ ‍ ‍ ‍⸝⸝ 𝒓𝖊𝖉 ⛧ 𝒅𝖊͟𝖛͟𝖎͟𝖑 °. ⋆ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ @punkishbites]

—

we’re goin’ up against a buncha no names. “
⠀

[‍ ‍ ‍ ‍⸝⸝ 𝒓𝖊𝖉 ⛧ 𝒅𝖊͟𝖛͟𝖎͟𝖑 °. ⋆ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ @punkishbites]

⠀
“ yeah yeah, just order the damn chicken. i can respect your determination at least. “

giving the other a small side eye ..

“ besides, i don’t even know who’s enterin’ other than us two. falcon won’t be there, rickey won’t be there. kinda sounds like

—

[𝙃𝙀𝙍𝙊 @FUNABASHICHAMP]

“Save it for MY win next week, I’ll bring out some champagne for us all to enjoy instead, after all. Something so expensive should be savored for the proper victor.”

Furioso had a small smirk as she looked at the other confidently, her hard work and determination will pay off.

[‍ ‍ ‍ ‍⸝⸝ 𝒓𝖊𝖉 ⛧ 𝒅𝖊͟𝖛͟𝖎͟𝖑 °. ⋆ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ @punkishbites]

⠀
“ aaaaand we can break out the alcohol? i have some coconut rum stashed away. we can either have it now or we can have it for celebrating my big win in funabashi next week, your choice. “

snarky smile. she’s putting her order in and handing her phone over.
⠀

[𝙃𝙀𝙍𝙊 @FUNABASHICHAMP]

“That is.. acceptable, just put in your order on the app and I’ll add my card. I can also pick out a few movies for us to all watch together.”

Eyebrow raises as she looks at the other, curious as to what else they could do for this day.