...
During the cool-down jogging phase.
"Silence Suzuka, you've gotten stronger," Symboli Rudolf suddenly remarked, watching the figure leading the run ahead. "You've grown so much since your time in 'Rigil.'"
"Thank you, President..." Silence Suzuka thought it was just a simple compliment.
"The next race is the Arima Kinen, right?"
"Yes."
"You should be quite familiar with Nakayama Racecourse, too?"
Nakayama Racecourse was where the Arima Kinen would be held this time.
"That's right. Lucian-kun analyzed the track a long time ago, and he'll probably go over it again before the race," Silence Suzuka nodded.
"Trainer Lucian truly is an outstanding trainer," Symboli Rudolf mused. "And what about you? What kind of feelings will you bring to repay him and yourself?"
"What kind of feelings..." Silence Suzuka glanced back, but Lucian, who had been behind her, was nowhere to be seen.
"Silence Suzuka, did you know? Trainer Lucian privately approached me, Maruzensky, and Narita Brian. He wants to arrange a simulated race after the training camp ends."
Symboli Rudolf understood Lucian's intentions.
To reach greater heights, facing stronger opponents was undoubtedly the best way.
"A race against the senpais?!" Silence Suzuka exclaimed in surprise.
"Yes, it feels a bit like being used as a whetstone, doesn't it?" Symboli Rudolf joked.
Silence Suzuka hurriedly defended Lucian, "I'm sorry, my trainer didn't mean it that way!"
"Of course I know, which is why I agreed to his request."
Symboli Rudolf, the president of Tracen Academy, was also a legendary horse girl.
In her career, she raced 16 times with 13 wins, including 7 G1 victories, sweeping the Satsuki Sho, Japanese Derby, and Kikuka Sho undefeated.
She had long entered the realm known as the "Zone"—what Lucian considered the third stage.
Though she had retired from the Twinkle Series and her physical condition was no longer at its peak, she could still enter that state.
This was also why Lucian had reached out to them.
Lucian had this idea a long time ago, but he only approached Symboli Rudolf and the others now because he believed the timing was right.
"President, please guide me well."
"Mhm, I look forward to racing against you."
Symboli Rudolf didn't agree just out of respect for Lucian—she also believed Silence Suzuka was a horse girl worthy of ushering in a new era.
That "worthiness" meant maintaining a pure love for running and entering that perfect state.
...
Lucian rode his scooter, weaving between the teams.
He noticed that the three captains were all very diligent, especially during the cool-down jog, offering advice and sharing their experience with their teammates.
"Some horse girls who've retired from the Twinkle Series really are quite suited to being trainers—or at least assistant trainers," Lucian mused, another idea sparking in his mind.
After all, horse girls understood races better than trainers did.
Even within "Rigil," El Condor Pasa and Grass Wonder must have received guidance from senpais like Symboli Rudolf.
So why couldn't he do the same? Lucian already had some good candidates in mind.
...
After running for over an hour, the three teams finally reached the mountaintop.
The times for all three teams were fairly close, but since it was a competition, a winner had to be decided.
Holding a small whiteboard, Lucian walked to the center of the resting horse girls and announced, "Now, let's announce the rankings for this morning."
For some reason, the horse girls felt the same tension as students waiting for their exam results.
"First place goes to Team 2, led by Maruzensky—3 points."
"Second place goes to Team 1, led by Symboli Rudolf—2 points."
"Third place goes to Team 3, led by Narita Brian—1 point."
...
"Yay! First place!" Haru Urara jumped up from the ground. "Rice-chan, Urara is first place!"
Rice Shower was also happy. "You did great, Urara."
"Let's keep it up this afternoon, Urara," Special Week, who was on the same team, smiled.
"To think... we'd be last," Narita Brian muttered, chewing on a blade of grass, her competitive spirit suddenly flaring up.
Seiun Sky, who was on Team 3, glanced at Silence Suzuka, who flashed her a peace sign, and pouted. "It's just a temporary loss—don't get too cocky."
After announcing the results, Lucian scanned the group. "These rankings are based on everyone's performance across all stages. Any objections?"
"None," the horse girls replied in unison, shaking their heads.
"Good. There's still a chance to catch up this afternoon. As for the last-place team... a super-nutritious drink awaits you."
"Trainer Lucian, I have a question." Gold Ship raised her hand high again.
"Go ahead."
"You mentioned the punishment for the last-place team, but you didn't say anything about the reward for first place."
A sharp observation.
"Well..." Lucian chuckled awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. He really hadn't thought of one.
The other teams stayed quiet, but his own horse girls quickly turned on him.
Seiun Sky: "Oh no, oh no~ Trainer wouldn't be this stingy, right~?"
Tokai Teio: "Of course not. Trainer's always been generous."
Rice Shower and Dextrous Bailey covered their mouths, stifling giggles.
Special Week was already imagining which carrot-based dishes she could ask Lucian to make.
"There should indeed be a reward, but I haven't decided yet. Does anyone have any requests?"
The other horse girls began thinking, but a few immediately went off the rails.
Haru Urara: "Urara's wish is to have more wishes!"
Seiun Sky asked, "Urara, what was that banquet from the China you mentioned before?"
"The Manchu-Han Imperial Feast!" Haru Urara reminded her.
"Oh right, that one!"
"What's the Manchu-Han Imperial Feast?" Taiki Shuttle looked puzzled, while Grass Wonder, the foodie, perked up with interest.
Haru Urara eagerly launched into an explanation for the two of them.
T.M. Opera O pondered. "If only I could have tens of thousands of people watch my theater performance at once... That'd be perfect, right?"
...
Lucian's eye twitched. "This isn't a wishing well—go to a shrine for that... As for the reward, the first-place team can make one reasonable request of me. Emphasis on reasonable."
"Got it! Trainer is the best after all!" Haru Urara beamed at him.
She was like a pink cotton candy, and even Lucian could feel the sweetness radiating from her smile.
Just then, a loud "growl" echoed.
Following the sound, they saw Rice Shower clutching her stomach.
She was embarrassed, but there was no point hiding it.
She looked at her trainer like a hungry housecat staring at its owner. "Trainer... I'm a little hungry..."
"Alright, the bus will be here soon to take us down the mountain."
...