Kurofune and Gold Ship could be seen within Team Spica's base, sitting on their knees. While the rest of the team were scattered around the room, Okino could be seen towering over them with his arms crossed.
"I left you guys alone for four hours and you guys caused havoc on campus," Okino rubbed his forehead. "I mean, the stuff I've heard are honestly just absurd."
"It wasn't that bad, Trainer-san. You're overexaggerating," Gold Ship casually replied.
"Really?" Okino frowned before beginning to list things off. "You chased Kurofune around the entire campus on a segway. You broke into the archery club and stole a goddamn crossbow. You stole even more equipment from the Fencing Club and didn't decide to return it back to them. You want me to keep going…"
"Point proven…haha," Gold Ship chuckled as she sheepishly scratched the back of her head.
"In hindsight, choosing you for this kind of task was probably not my smartest moment," Okino commented. "But I can't entirely blame it on you, especially when Kurofune took part in it too."
"Huh? Me?" Kurofune looked surprised. "I was the victim here."
"I believe that, but you still ended up going along with all of Gold Ship's games," Okino sighed. "Even if you did think it was actual training, that isn't an excuse enough to completely clear you of guilt."
[...] Kurofune and Gold Ship both silently look at the ground.
Okino let out another sigh as he took out the finished lollipop in his mouth, tossing it behind him and landing it perfectly into a trash can. He then smiled.
"But…at the end of the day, you guys didn't break anything major, so I'll let you off the hook just this once," Okino said. "Just…don't do that again."
"Thank you, Trainer-san."
"No promises."
Kurofune and Gold Ship respectively say as they stand back up.
"Anyway, with that settled, we can get to the actual reason why we're here," Okino changed the subject. "Kurofune, your debut race has already been scheduled for two weeks from now."
"..."
[WHAT!?] Everyone in the room shouted in unison.
—BAM!
Scarlett and Vodka kick Okino to the ground, stomping him out as they complained.
"You already pulled that stunt with Spe-chan!" Scarlett shouted.
"When are you going to give us our chance to debut!" Vodka shouted.
"Ow…ow! I get it! Just give me a moment to explain!" Okino replied.
[Fine…] The two reluctantly stop.
Okino rises back to his feet, rubbing his aching back a bit as he does so. To help soothe the pain, Okino opens up another lollipop and places it into his mouth.
"Kurofune's body is much more prepared for a race than the two of you currently," Okino explained. "Honestly, even if he had his race tomorrow, I doubt he would do too bad."
[...]
—BAM!
Scarlett and Vodka kick Okino to the ground again, stomping him out even harder than before.
"You're calling us slow!?" Vodka shouted.
"Yeah, what the hell do you mean by our body's not being prepared for a race!?" Scarlet asked.
"Ow, ow, ow!" Okino hissed in pain. "If you guys want to know so bad, just have a race with him to see for yourself."
The two stopped what they were doing.
"That doesn't sound like a bad idea," Vodka said.
"If we're able to beat him, that'll mean that we're ready to debut as well," Scarlett reasoned.
'A race, huh? That sounds pretty fun.' Kurofune thought.
"Ooh! Can I join!" Teio immediately volunteered.
"I'd like you to sit this one out, Teio," Okino said as he stood back up. "It wouldn't be much of a contest if you did join."
"What!?" Teio was devastated.
"It's okay, Teio-san. You can race them all next time," Special Week went to comfort her.
"Let's make our way to the track," Okino said as he walked out. "The track should be empty around this time."
<><><><><><><><><>
The group make their way to the track. Since the three Uma were already in their training uniforms, they were able to go straight there. Off to the side, Okino, Special Week, Teio, and Gold Ship could be seen. On the track, Kurofune, Scarlett, and Vodka could all be seen doing their stretches to prepare for their run.
Once the three were done, Okino instructed them to line up on the 1600 meter line.
"The race will be 1600 Meters, just like the conditions of the Tryouts. It's a short distance, so the race will mainly be a test of your speed." Okino provided a short explanation. "I'll be counting down from three. The timer will begin when I say go."
"The conditions don't matter to me," Scarlett comments. "I'll be number one, no matter the race."
"I think you mean number two, since I'll be the one winning," Vodka confidently declared.
"As if!" Scarlett butt heads with Vodka. "This won't even be a contest!"
"Yeah, because I'll be the one leaving you in the dust!" Vodka replied.
"..." Kurofune just silently watched the two argue.
'Arguing even at a time like this. It's like they completely forgot why they're here in the first place.' Kurofune thought. 'It makes sense though, since they're rivals and all.'
"The race will begin in three…!" Okino began counting down, bringing the two girls out of their argument.
"Two…!"
The three of them get into a running stance.
"One…!"
Kurofune takes a deep breath, his body tensing up in anticipation.
"Go!"
The three of them dart off, beginning their race. Scarlett immediately moves to the front, setting the pace. Kurofune paces around a length behind her, while Vodka paces a length behind him.
'I think this position is good. Not too far away from either of them, so when they start making their move, I'll be right behind them.' Kurofune assessed.
The state of the race doesn't change as they pass the first two corners of the race, each of them maintaining their positions. This continues even to the third corner, none of them making their move yet.
However, this changes as they approach the fourth corner.
Vodka is the first to make a move, suddenly accelerating past Kurofune. She then sets her sights on Scarlet, closing the gap between them as they reach the final straight.
"Sorry, honor student. I'll be taking that number one spot of yours!" Vodka declared as she now ran neck and neck with Scarlett.
"I'm not giving up this number one spot to anyone!" Scarlett declared back as she began speeding up using everything she has.
She manages to reopen the gap as they reach the last 200 Meters.
"Tch," Vodka clicked her tongue. "Damn…I'm not letting you get away!"
—WHAM!
Vodka slams her foot into the ground hard as she starts channeling all of her power into her legs, accelerating. She managed to close down the distance between them once again—the two of them neck and neck as they reached the last 100 Meters. It was looking like any one of the two could be the victor.
"Come on!" Vodka shouted as she gave this last spurt her all.
"The number one spot will be mine!" Scarlett shouted as she too gave it her all.
Victory was in either of their sights. They were so close. All the had to do was run past the other and—
Suddenly, the two felt an ominous presence coming from behind them.
"You two should really pay attention to your surroundings more."
Shortly after, a grey streak dashed past them. It all happened so fast that they didn't have time comprehend it. Kurofune had suddenly darted past them, already being a length ahead of them. He glances back at them briefly as he says:
"Otherwise, you'll lose sight of the goal ahead."
The race concluded shortly after that, with Kurofune being declared the winner by three lengths. Right after the race, Scarlett and Vodka could be seen panting heavily. Kurofune on the other hand was in much better condition, only being slightly tired.
"Hah…hah…hah…" Scarlett panted. "I can't believe it."
"Damn…" Vodka clenched her fist. "He completely blew past us. We didn't even have a chance."
"Now do you understand what I mean?" Okino asked as he approached the three. "The Twinkle Series is a brutal place, requiring an Uma to be at their absolute peak condition if they want even a chance to win a race."
"Yeah…"
"Perfectly clear…"
Scarlett and Vodka both reluctantly respond.
Okino then smiled.
"You two shouldn't rush things. You're still working up to your prime," Okino commented. "Once you guys do eventually reach your primes, I'm sure you'll both win plenty."
"Trainer-san," Kurofune suddenly addressed Okino. "Don't you think it's all still too fast. Two weeks is nowhere near enough time to actually prepare for an actual race."
"Well, I sort of lied. You don't have a debut race in two weeks."
"Oh, that's good to hear," Kurofune sounded relieved. "I'm glad you weren't being serious about that—"
"You actually have it tomorrow."
"..."
<><><><><><><><><><>
The next day…
Kurofune could be seen standing in a gate along with nine other runners. All of them looked serious as they all got into running stances. He on the other hand was panicking.
'Why the fuck am I here right now—!?'
—Thunk!
The gates suddenly opened, with all of the other runners leaving the gates.
"Shit!" Kurofune shouted as he left the gate late.
Safe to say, this race didn't go too well.