u/Tokai--Teio

Wait... what do you mean you don't take the Bat-Credit Card??? How about Discovery??? No to that, either??? Rats... errr... Bats!!!!

Tokai Teio blinked her eyes open, greeted by the stark ceiling of a hospital room with absolutely no memory of how she got there.

The race had been going so beautifully. By the halfway mark, she had already surged ahead to secure the lead. Her entire focus had been locked on the remaining turf when a sharp, deafening pop pierced the air, immediately swallowed by the horrified gasps of the crowd. Barely a minute passed before a second shot rang out. Then, before she could even process the sound, a heavy weight slammed into her from behind, tackling her to the turf. Her last memory was the violent impact of hitting the ground before everything faded to black.

As her vision slowly cleared, she recognized the figures gathered around her bed: an attending doctor, her trainer, Rin Kagamine, and her teammate, Still in Love.

Sensing her confusion, the doctor was the first to break the heavy silence. Miss Teio, I see you're awake, he said, immediately beginning his examination. Fortunately for you, you merely lost consciousness from a mild concussion—the result of someone forcefully tackling you from behind right out there on the track. Given the circumstances, you are without a doubt the luckiest of the racers who didn't cross the finish line today.

Teio’s head spun as she desperately tried to piece the fragmented memories together. What… what exactly happened out there?

Before the doctor could answer, Rin stepped forward, her expression grim. Gently, her trainer broke the horrifying news: there had been an active shooting during the event.

Flabbergasted and overwhelmed by a sudden wave of dread, Teio immediately asked about the other girls on the track.

Rin cast her gaze downward. We still don’t have any updates on the condition of the other racers, she answered, her voice unusually tight and soft. We can only pray that they are safe. But right now, Teio, your recovery has to be our absolute top priority.

Feeling as though she were trapped in a terrible, suffocating nightmare, Tokai Teio gave a slow, somber nod. I hope they are, she whispered, her voice shaking slightly. Every single one of them, Torena.

Punctual as always, Tokai Teio arrived right on schedule for her joint workout with Hasumi. She immediately dropped her gear and launched into her usual pre-run stretching routine, loosening up her muscles exactly as she would for any major training session at Tracen.

She paused mid-stretch to evaluate the overcast sky above them. Mmm... well, at least it’s cloudy, so the glaring sun won’t be an issue, she murmured to herself. I just hope the rain holds off until we're done.

Teio carefully took off her armor, packing the pieces into their custom case. The compact design was incredibly handy, allowing her to easily slide the entire thing into a nondescript duffle bag to keep it hidden.

Outside, the morning sun was already shining brightly, and the city streets were bustling with open shops. Walking around in high-tech armor in broad daylight was a surefire way to attract unwanted attention. A sharp pang of guilt hit her when she thought about leaving Ribbon Carol alone, so she made a quick detour to a local café to make up for her sudden disappearance. She went a little overboard, grabbing a box stuffed with muffins and doughnuts, along with a drink carrier holding two regular lattes and two chai lattes—just to make sure Ribbon had options.

Precariously balancing the tray of hot cups, the bakery box, and the heavy duffle bag slung over her shoulder, Teio hurried back to the apartment. Easing the front door open, she tiptoed inside, trying her absolute best to slip back in completely unnoticed in case Ribbon was still fast asleep.

Tokai Teio jolted awake, gasping for air. A cold sweat traced a shiver down her spine as she bolted upright in the darkness.

She couldn’t remember if a nightmare had startled her or if it was just pure, unadulterated anxiety, but the trembling of her body told a vivid story. Catching her breath, she turned to look over at Ribbon Carol.

It was a miracle Ribbon was even alive after her brutal encounter with Mermaid and Fishbone, yet here she was, sleeping as peacefully as if nothing had happened. Teio’s heart swelled; she couldn't be more smitten. Watching the rhythmic rise and fall of her girlfriend's chest, she realized just how incredibly lucky she was to still have her.

I’m not good enough for her, Teio thought, a pang of guilt settling in her stomach. She’s compassionate, kind, loyal, and brave enough to kick the absolute scrap out of both Aqua Ocean and Fishbone. I wish I could be more like her, instead of living with my head in the clouds half the time and acting on reckless impulse the rest.

Moving with deliberate silence, Teio slowly slipped out of bed, hyper-aware of every sound to ensure she didn't wake her. She began to pace the room, her mind racing to formulate a plan to keep everyone safe. Ribbon wasn't the only casualty; her dear friend Applejack had also been severely injured during the vicious confrontation with Mermaid.

Then there was Bizkit, who had somehow miraculously survived the entire ordeal. And, of course, there was Aqua Ocean. The fallen Decepticon had ruthlessly used everyone as expendable fodder to achieve her twisted goal of overtaking Tracen’s administration. Yet, despite their bitter rivalry, Teio couldn't help but feel a twinge of pity for her. Teio had been Mermaid’s prime victim from the moment these sick games began, and now, Aqua was trapped in a deep coma suffering the exact same fate.

To make matters more complicated, Aqua had an entire list of people deeply worried about her—Jewel, Juli, Null, Vodka, Megatron, and even Ribbon Carol herself. Teio knew she had to find a way to make things right. Desperate to clear her suffocating thoughts, she silently slipped out of the apartment, taking with her the single gift she had received from Megatron not too long ago.

To Teio’s surprise, it only took a couple of minutes before the device's operating system triggered a blaring alert. The screen flickered wildly for a few seconds before stabilizing to broadcast an emergency transmission.

It was Lord Megatron. He had returned to Tracen, and his booming command left no room for misinterpretation: "Decepticons, split up and find Aqua Ocean and Juli! I am going to get answers, no matter the cost!"

Teio froze in her tracks, her racing thoughts instantly replaced by sharp focus. Relying on her training, she quickly traced the origin coordinates of the signal. Without a second thought, she pivoted and dashed toward Megatron's location at blinding speed.

The arena is plunged into pitch black, the air buzzing with the anticipation of a sold-out crowd. Suddenly, blinding spotlights cut through the darkness. Three dynamic figures leap onto the stage to the deafening roar of the audience, and the concert begins. Stepping front and center, Kagamine Rin grabs the mic.

Ladies and gents, this is the moment you’ve waited for! her voice booms across the venue. To your left, you know her—the very first member of Team Road Roller... TOKAI TEIO! And to your right, our newest sensation... STILL IN LOVE! As for me, well, you already know who I am. I’m KAGAMINE RIN! Certified idol and head trainer of Team Road Roller! So get ready, because this is the greatest show!

I promised Sumi-Sumi yesterday that we'd go get sweets together, so I’m on my way to pick her up right now!

Recently, thanks to a hilarious mix of blind luck and completely terrible directions, AppleJack accidentally led the whole team to this amazing coffee shop. They have a huge variety of desserts, ranging from classics like Ichigo Shortcake and Kasutera to more exotic treats like Flan and Sans Rival.

I really wonder which one she’s gonna pick...

Ladies and gentlemen... are you ready for a show?

Good, good.

Wow, it is absolutely packed in here today.

And I’m glad, because you are all about to witness the rise of a true star.

Team Road Roller is proud to introduce our newest member.

Come on, let me hear you! ... That’s what I’m talking about.

Now... hit the drumroll, Void!

I give you...

the ace,

the legend...

my sister...

Tsurumaru Tsuyoshi!

Teio’s plan was simple: keep the Council President out of the danger zone. After some serious convincing, she’d sold Kaichou on a "Father/Son" day out. Every hour was scheduled to keep Rudolf far away from the Academy, safe from whatever the UMA X crew was scheming. Teio had promised Ribbon she wouldn't drop the ball, and she meant it.

The day started great. The tension faded, and they hit every stop on the itinerary. But as the hours ticked by, the silence from Ribbon started eating at Teio's nerves.

The final stop was Korakuen Hall. The stands were packed for the Kenny Omega vs. Swerve Strickland opener. Teio and Rudolf navigated the sea of fans to their seats. The crowd was roaring, the match was spectacular, but Teio was totally detached. She stared at the ring, hyper-focused on the phone vibrating in her pocket. When the buzz finally came, she was out of her seat in a flash, heading straight for the restroom.

She fumbled the phone. It dropped into the sink with a sharp clack as her hands shook. Deep breaths, Teio. Trust Ribbon. She’s got this. > She grabbed the phone, unlocked it, and her heart dropped into her stomach.

It was a message sent from Ribbon’s cellphone, with a picture of her, bruised, battered, and out cold on the floor.

Teio’s vision blurred with tears. She wiped her eyes fiercely just to read the caption underneath.

[ You lose again, Teio... and now we have RC.... I'll be seeing you... UMA X ]

Aqua... you've gone too far. The frustration boiled over. She started pacing the tiles, grateful the incredible match outside was keeping the restroom completely empty. She needed to get to the Academy. She needed to find the exact spot that photo was taken.

But Rudolf was just outside. Taking her back to the Academy would be delivering her right into UMA X's trap. She couldn't risk it.

With no time to formulate a better plan, Teio made the only play she had left. She bolted. She left the restroom, bypassed her section, and sprinted out of the arena entirely.

I’m sorry, Dad. I'll explain later. > Teio wasn't thinking as a strategist anymore. She was a runner acting purely on instinct, desperate to save her girlfriend.

//This one is merely informative to move forward the arc.

I promised I'd be back with the cream... and that was over ten hours ago.

Teio felt a pang of guilt over her intentional stalling, but her mind was a whirlwind of confusion. She had a history of ruining relationships by acting on pure impulse. Granted, it was really only one relationship, but it had meant the world to her. Now, that connection was awkward at best, and effectively non-existent in reality. She was terrified of repeating the same mistake.

Closeness wasn't a foreign concept to her, at least not in friendship. But this... this felt entirely different. She couldn't stop overanalyzing every detail.

True, we haven’t known each other all that long, but I feel like I know her inside and out. I know her likes, her dislikes, her fears, and her passions. Am I just imagining things? Maybe I should just skip this and head straight to the stakeout... No! I made a promise, and I’m going to keep it.

Swallowing down the last of her agonizing inner debate, Teio finally reached out and rang the bell.

As the sun set, Teio got ready. Flashlight? Check. Cellphone? Check. Water bottle? Check. Binoculars? Well, she didn't have any, so that was a no. Night vision goggles? She lacked those, too. That was as ready as she was going to be.

Just as she was about to leave her dorm room, Teio remembered she needed to make a stop before executing her plan, snatching up a small pouch to bring along.

Once her detour was out of the way, she strolled casually toward the Academy's main building, eventually settling into the perfect vantage point to begin her stakeout and catch the vandals. She had promised to take care of everything, and she fully intended to keep her word. It was going to be a long night.

Tokai Teio stood proudly at the gates of Nox’s garden, hands resting confidently on her hips. A wave of peace washed over her; this was her designated ‘me’ time, safely tucked away where no one would interrupt her. It was a world away from the roaring crowds and sun-drenched turf of the Tracen Academy racecourse, serving as the perfect change of pace.

Alright! Here we go! she cheered, her tail swishing back and forth with boundless energy.

Wielding a silver watering can and a pair of heavy shears, she did a quick leg stretch before diving into the foliage. She methodically pruned away the dead leaves and dry branches, packing the yard waste into three large plastic bags, neatly tagging each one: 4 BURNICE.

Midway through watering the remaining plants, a stubborn, oversized weed in the corner caught her eye. Without missing a beat, Teio brandished her shears and swiftly snipped the unwelcome intruder away.

When she finally stepped back, the garden was absolutely immaculate. The only chore left was to take a quick inventory so she could let Nox know exactly how much fertilizer and soil mix she had used.

Exhausted but satisfied, Teio wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead. She leaned back against the wrought-iron gate and downed some water to quench her thirst.

Mmm… I definitely earned a quick stop at the hachimi stand before going home, she mused, a smile creeping onto her face. Ah! That reminds me—I need to leave Nox a note about trying out Yuzu as an alternative crop for the new greenhouses.

Exhausted from a long training session, Teio practically flies through a quick shower and throws on her clothes. She is supposed to be taking her new friend, Hanekawa Hasumi, to the mall to shop for a brand-new swimsuit! Pinning her hair up as fast as humanly possible, Teio bolts out the door, racing the clock to avoid being late.

Teio buzzed with energy as she got ready in her dorm, meticulously running through the game plan for her day out with Mudrock.

Right... first stop, the hachimi stand. Obviously. After that, we could hit up karaoke, the bowling alley, or the arcade. She paused, a comical image flashing through her mind. Actually, scratch bowling. Mudrock would absolutely shatter the back wall with every single throw.

Turning to the mirror, Teio took one final peek at her reflection and beamed. Perfect. She admired the way her new hairstyle framed her face. It definitely makes me look a lot more mature. I can't wait to see what Mudrock thinks of it!

Riding a wave of excitement, Teio grabbed her things and bounded out of the room to go meet up with her friend.

While the rest of the teams are busy training on the track below, a solitary Uma is up in the stands practicing her cheer routine, executing a flawless series of backflips, cartwheels, and splits.

Here we go... one, two, three, flip... Mmmm... She pauses, muttering to herself. I should probably try a different transition if I'll be cheering all by myself.

She's dressed in a cheerleader uniform—one you may or may not recognize from someone else. She seems entirely focused on her routine, yet strangely, she has her back to the track and is performing strictly for the empty seats.

Source: https://www.zerochan.net/3846392