"Tomakomai? I really want to go play there!"
Tosen Jordan's expression was currently incredibly cute. She wanted to go with her best friend, Gold City. However, when she thought of Gold City, her expression turned helpless. "City is just too busy..."
Gold City was a total superstar, taking fashion photos every day, training, and keeping up with her studies. In Jordan's eyes, she was practically a perfect existence.
Well, except for one thing: Gold City was terrified of alarm clocks. If she was sleeping during the day and heard an alarm, she would act spoiled and grumble inside her blanket.
Jordan had been stunned to see such a girlish side of Gold City. But that same Gold City always left her alone in the room. Who lets their roommate sleep alone?! Jordan rolled around on the bed, feeling desperately lonely.
She even searched on her phone: [Roommate isn't here, I'm all alone in the dorm, what should I do?]
Jordan felt like the saddest person in the world, nothing could make her laugh. That is, until she saw the description of Tamamo Cross at the end of the diary.
[Tamamo Cross was the same. She said she was the 'White Lightning of the Mall,' boasting about snatching up all the special-offer items.]
[Tamamo is also quite fun— small stature, but talks like a big shot.]
Jordan couldn't help it, the water she was drinking sprayed right out. Was that sentence for real? That was blatant bullying of Tamamo Cross-senpai! She couldn't hold it back.
"I can't... I'm sorry, I'm gonna die laughing!"
Jordan was a true gyaru, someone who loved excitement and laughter. Her cool facade shattered instantly as she burst into laughter.
As for Tamamo Cross herself, she almost fainted from anger after seeing the diary.
"Small stature, talks like a big shot?! WHAT IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!"
Tamamo took 10,000 points of critical damage. Her old wounds were ruthlessly ripped open. Her Kansai accent peaked in intensity.
Shortness was her only true weakness. Even Oguri Cap would sometimes ask if "Tama" ate too little because she never grew.
She hated the heavens, she had never even breathed the air above 150cm. To be precise, she was only 140cm— not even a single centimeter more!
And now, it wasn't just a personal complex— the whole world was going to know!
"Ahhh, I'm so mad! Trainer Mizuki, don't you get cocky! Let me catch you, and I'll definitely jump up and hit your knees!"
Tamamo was fuming. After thinking for a while, that was the harshest threat she could muster.
Meanwhile, Umas like Inari One couldn't hold it in. "Small stature, talks like a big shot"— it fit Tama's traits perfectly. She was dying of laughter, imagining Tamamo's furious tone.
It wasn't just Inari One. Even Mejiro Ramonu, for a split second, felt the corners of her mouth turn up. That line was just too ridiculous, yet somehow cute. She didn't dislike that kind of statement.
If anything, Ramonu appreciated this kind of spontaneous humor— perhaps because her childhood friend was Symboli Rudolf, a veteran pun-master herself.
At that moment, Taiki Shuttle was also looking at the log. She found it incredibly entertaining, but she suddenly remembered something: She had finished the Shinzan Kinen! Could she get a reward?
She didn't hesitate and flipped to the next page of the diary. What she saw next shocked her— her training reward had actually arrived! A line of text was recorded in the diary:
[Taiki Shuttle has completed the training goal. Reward: 30 days of automatic homework completion for Taiki Shuttle. Reward: 3 years of lifespan for the real-life horse, plus physical enhancement.]
"Wow, the reward really arrived! No homework for 30 days, AND the real-life horse gets a 3-year lifespan bonus! EXCELLENT!"
Taiki was beyond excited. The reward was real! She was incredibly happy for the real horse and secretly thrilled for herself. Study? Screw studying!
She wouldn't dare say that to a teacher's face, but in her heart, she had shouted it a hundred times! Now, her dream had come true.
However, after celebrating, Taiki was stunned again. Another voice appeared in her mind.
[Training goal completed. Obtained real-life horse information (1/6)]
Taiki froze, her eyes blinking. She couldn't believe she could see information about the real horse. Soon, the info unfolded before her. Her expression turned tense and curious— after all, this was "herself" from another world.
[Taiki Shuttle: Left behind a legend in mile racing that would be praised by the world. Possessed a powerful body and a beautiful flaxen mane. When running at full speed, the tail would cock up, giving opponents an invincible sense of pressure.]
[Its life was magnificent— powerful, domineering, and handsome. It struck fear into its rivals and became famous even abroad, a reputation that lasted even after retirement.]
[In the horse world, it was a top-tier existence, inducted into the Hall of Fame as a Hall of Fame Horse.]
[Taiki Shuttle's legend influenced countless people and brought dreams to many.]
[After retirement, it had many friends!]
[One of the most highlights includes being "lovey-dovey" with Meisho Doto.]
[It had a very good temper, if tourists came to visit, they could take headshots with it.]
"My... my real-life horse introduction is way too cool!"
Stretching her arms wide as she looked at the screen, Taiki Shuttle was stunned, speaking with immense excitement:
"Oh my god, is this really me? This is way too much praise! I'm starting to suspect I wrote this copy and introduction myself!"
Taiki Shuttle was beaming, she was so thrilled that she already wanted to share this good news with her family back in Kentucky. She patted her chest and swore to her real-life horse counterpart that she would definitely achieve such greatness at Tracen Academy as well.
However, Taiki became curious as she reached the end. What did "lovey-dovey with Meisho Doto" mean? She really wanted to see the actual photos.
"Haha, Doto! It looks like our real-horse versions have a 'VERY GOOD' relationship too!"
"It's a pity Dober isn't here today. I wanted to share my joy with her— she's such a cute and shy gal."
Taiki's curiosity was piqued, and she wanted to keep reading. However, there were no more messages following that.
[Notice: Real-Horse Information 1/6 has finished playing. If you wish to obtain more information, please continue completing URA Training Targets.]
[Upon completing all training targets, you will receive an extra reward.]
Hearing this, Taiki was taken aback. She hadn't expected a final reward, but it gave her even more motivation. She was now curious: could her real-horse self receive rewards too? She would keep working hard to earn more rewards for it!
Taiki began to fantasize. If she was truly that powerful, would she have any special titles? She suddenly thought of many cool names for herself.
For example— The Master of Miles. For example— The Champion of Miles. For example— Hero Taiki Shuttle.
... ...
There were many, many more. She thought it might be one of those.
However, Taiki Shuttle could never have guessed that the title she would eventually earn was far more powerful than anything she had imagined.
The year is 1998! Taiki Shuttle is known as The Invincible King in the Heavy Rain!
The Real-Horse World.
Northern Lake Farm. This was the retirement home for countless famous horses. The surrounding scenery was beautiful and secluded, Taiki Shuttle lived here, feeling very much at peace. he had a great neighbor at Northern Lake Farm: Meisho Doto.
Just as Taiki Shuttle was eating a carrot, Meisho Doto's silhouette appeared from next door. His frame was large as he munched on his own carrot, poking his head out to glance at Taiki from time to time. The two of them dined together, showing off their carrots and constantly nuzzling— their bond was incredibly deep.
The current time was August 16, 2022.
If nothing changed, by the time 5:00 AM arrived, Taiki Shuttle would meet his end. This was their last supper. After the meal, it would be time for grazing.
Unfortunately, a misty drizzle began to fall from the sky. Taiki Shuttle could no longer run in such weather. But it didn't matter, he could still snuggle with Meisho Doto.
However, at that moment, outside Taiki Shuttle's paddock at Northern Lake Farm...
A voice seemed to be calling him, a sound remarkably similar to the inheritance of the Three Goddesses. Taiki Shuttle unconsciously walked toward the voice. Then, a white light surged over she body, and his aged frame rapidly regained its vitality.
Soon, Taiki Shuttle became young once again.