Hiroto is a JNR Class C51, he is the engine that pulls express trains to the two shrines at either end of the mainline. Because both shrines were Shinto, he was painted red with white lining to represent this. He sometimes would be boastful of his speed. Ahiru one day told Hiroto that even faster trains existed in the outside world.
"Pah! I'd beat those Shinkansen engines any day." Hiroto said,
"But you don't understand! They run on wider track than we do and they're powered by electricity." Ahiru explained.
"Electricity?! All proper engines are and should be steam powered."
Hiroto not one to be outdone, tried going as fast as he possibly could. His driver kept warning him that he might fall over on a bend if he's not careful enough. But one day, Hiroto was trying his best to beat yesterday's record when suddenly a birdlike youkai flew over the tracks, Hiroto used all his might to stop when his driver applied the brakes. But it was too late, he smacked the youkai over the top of his buffers, disconnecting his front break pipe. The youkai skidded several feet away. She got up on her feet, wobbled a bit and then fell back on the ground.
Hiroto's driver and firewoman got her up and into one of the coaches. She was transported to Eientei. Later that day, Ichihiro teased Hiroto about what had happened.
"I heard about what happened to that night sparrow you hit. Didn't like her song?" Ichihiro said.
"I didn't see Mystia Lorelei when she crossed the tracks. She should have been more careful." said Hiroto.
"She should be careful if a big fat engine like you ever goes too fast."
"Don't be sarcastic with me, Ichihiro."
"Suit yourself." Ichihiro left to go pick up some coaches.
The other engines thought it was a hoot to make fun of Hiroto's birdstrike.
"Hiroto hit a night sparrow because her song didn't with agree with him!" chuckled Akemi.
"At least I don't have a girl's name." rebutted Hiroto.
Akemi stayed silent.
That night the engines talked about Mystia and how she was.
"I heard her sing when I went to Eientei. It confused some of the passengers and some of them bought another ticket because they forgot that they bought it the first time." said Ichihiro.
"Is she getting better?" said Shiro, in earnest.
"Yeah, she has a broken wing and some broken bones, but she'll get better."
Hiroto was very quiet that night and he didn't say anything.