Hearing Meisho Doto's shout, Chiya felt his head explode. The girl who always called him 'Onii-sama' was the most reliable member of his entire team.
Although she was soft-spoken and timid, compared to Gold Ship and Meisho Doto, Rice Shower was far more dependable. She was practically the team's second-in-command. Anything that needed doing, Chiya would entrust to her.
Not only that, but her skill was also the best on the team. Although he had never formally tested her, she was always the most serious during training. It was safe to say he was grooming her to be the team's ace.
And now, she had gotten injured during a warm-up. This terrified Chiya.
If she's injured, half the team is done for!
And how do you get injured during a warm-up?!
He hurried over to them, looking at the petite girl. "What's wrong, Rice Shower? Where are you hurt? Let me see."
"Onii-sama..." Rice Shower's eyes darted away. "It's just a small sprain, it's nothing. Please continue with the training, you don't need to worry about me. I... I'll train by myself after I rest for a bit."
"I'm sorry! It's all because I accidentally bumped into her! Rice Shower-san's foot hurts so much she can't even stand up!" Meisho Doto wailed.
"Can't even stand up... then how did she get here?" Chiya looked at Rice Shower's feet.
After a moment's thought, Meisho Doto's mouth dropped open with an "Ah!"
"I forced her to come with me! I'm an idiot! I'm sorry, Rice Shower!"
"Doto-san, it's just a sprain, it's fine..." Rice Shower comforted her like an older sister.
Although compared to the well-endowed Meisho Doto, Rice Shower looked like a child, she was indeed a high school student, a year older than Doto.
"In any case, her foot is sprained, right? I'll take her to the infirmary first. The rest of you continue with your training."
"Onii-sama, I'm really fine. You don't need to trouble yourself... Um, I can still train, so... it's okay."
As if to prove she was fine, Rice Shower even took a few steps in front of him. But with his trainer's experience, Chiya could clearly see the falter in her ankle.
For a Horse Girl, a sprain was as common as drinking water. An abnormal running posture, overtraining, sudden stops, falls, or stepping on uneven ground could all cause it.
Most Horse Girls would choose to train through the pain. Even if left untreated, a sprain would heal on its own.
But Chiya wouldn't allow that.
Because there was an incurable condition that could cause a Horse Girl's tendons to thin, making them prone to injury with even slight overexertion, and the recovery period was long. For a Horse Girl, getting this disease was practically the end of her racing career.
And the root cause of this disease was sprains—or more accurately, running on a sprained ankle.
Chiya's father had once warned him that if he wanted his Horse Girls to have a safe racing career, the best way was to take meticulous care of their bodies and take every injury, no matter how small, seriously. Because any of them could become a hidden trigger for a 'terminal illness' later on.
Looking at the stubborn Rice Shower, Chiya patted her head.
"It might not be a serious injury, but it's best to apply a cold compress and some medicine."
"Onii-sama, I... I don't want to be a bother to you," Rice Shower said softly, her hands clasped nervously in front of her.
"This isn't a bother at all. In fact, you've helped me out a lot. I haven't even had a chance to thank you properly."
"Onii-sama..." Rice Shower's eyes sparkled.
"President Rudolf, I'm taking Rice Shower to the infirmary. You can continue with the training for now. I'll ask Shirayuki for the details when I get back."
"Are you planning to have Shirayuki train in your place?"
"Don't worry, she's capable of spotting any issues."
"If you say so, Trainer Chiya. We'll proceed as you wish."
"Let's go, Rice Shower." Chiya offered his hand. For some reason, her expression seemed heavy.
What's wrong now...
Ah, right.
Chiya slapped his forehead and then crouched down.
"Hop on, Rice Shower. I'll carry you."
"Eh... eh?"
"It's best not to move around before applying medicine. Didn't Doto say you couldn't even stand? Let me take you there."
"Won't it be a bother for Onii-sama...?"
"Of course not."
"Then... I'm coming on."
With that, Chiya felt a pair of soft, delicate arms wrap around his neck, followed by a gently curved body pressing against his back. Due to his sweat, the warmth was especially noticeable. He could even vaguely imagine two soft, round shapes pressing against his back.
This is a reward!
"Onii-sama's hair is all wet," Rice Shower's face was close to his shoulder, her voice soft.
"I-is it? I got nervous during the race and sweated a bit. Does it smell?"
"It smells like Onii-sama. But... Rice doesn't dislike it."
As expected of the little angel of the team, her words always put him at ease. If only Gold Ship and Meisho Doto were half as considerate. At that thought, Chiya couldn't help but sigh.
"Onii-sama... Shirayuki-san is really amazing." Out of nowhere, Rice Shower brought up Shirayuki.
"Rice is different from her. Rice's talent... is far inferior to hers. As expected of Onii-sama's sister, she's very... enviable."
"It's alright. She's just taking a few shortcuts. The truly amazing ones are the Horse Girls who work steadily, one step at a time."
"Short... cuts."
"That's right. She wouldn't be able to achieve that if she closed one of her eyes."
Closed one of her eyes?
Rice Shower didn't understand what he was talking about.
"You've improved a lot compared to before, Rice Shower. At least in my eyes, you're much more amazing than Shirayuki."
"Really? Does Onii-sama really think so?" Rice Shower's voice was filled with excitement.
"But of course."
"That's wonderful..." Rice Shower hugged his neck tightly. "Rice wants Onii-sama... to always be Rice's Onii-sama."
"And I want Rice Shower to always be my Horse Girl."
"Yes!"
Rice Shower closed her eyes.
I will always be Onii-sama's Horse Girl.
-------
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