"Let's go. I'm taking you to the buffet."
"Stop standing around like an idiot. Hurry up, fill your stomach, and then get back to your sty."
With that, he turned on his heel and walked away, not even giving Eiyuu a chance to respond. His back radiated a sense of urgency.
Yorozuya Eiyuu stood frozen for several seconds, trying to process his words.
A buffet? The trainer is treating me to a buffet?
She blushed and quickly trotted after him, a shy smile on her face. As she walked beside Sakikawa, the emotionless voice of the system was still echoing in his mind. He glanced at the girl beside him, who was happily chattering about her victory, and the faint stirring in his heart was easily suppressed.
Forget it, he thought. What's the point? It's all just fleeting anyway. Nothing to get worked up about.
The Tracen Academy cafeteria was famous for its food. Today, the buffet was even more lively than usual.
At the center of it all was a mountain of empty plates, and at the center of that mountain sat Oguri Cap. She shoveled food into her mouth, a whirlwind of motion.
A short distance away, Eiyuu was also piling her plate high.
Sakikawa had no appetite. He just picked at a piece of chicken.
"Slow down, Ogu-chan, you'll choke," Kitahara said, handing her a glass of water.
Oguri Cap just grinned sheepishly. "Mmmph... so good..."
At that moment, Kitahara looked up and saw Sakikawa and Eiyuu at a nearby table.
"Oh, Hyuuga-san," she said, nodding politely. Her gaze, however, was filled with suspicion.
"Oh, it's you," Sakikawa replied, not even bothering to look at her.
The tense atmosphere was broken by Oguri Cap, who swallowed a large piece of meat and bounded over to their table, her eyes sparkling.
"You're amazing!" she said, looking at Eiyuu. "I saw your race today! You're a really strong newcomer!"
Eiyuu looked up from her plate, her cheeks full. "Th-Thank you..." she mumbled.
"That last spurt... your form was incredible. It looked like something was pushing you from behind. It was very powerful."
Eiyuu's breathing hitched. She shot a quick glance at Sakikawa, who just shrugged. "Thank you... senior... I... I'll just go eat now," she stammered.
Oguri Cap laughed. "Don't be nervous! You should eat more. Today's chicken and carrots are really good!" She pointed at Eiyuu's plate. "Congratulations on your victory. It was really amazing."
After a few more words of praise, Oguri Cap's expression turned serious. "Actually," she said, looking at her friends, "I'm planning to participate in the upcoming King's Cup at the Central Tracen Academy. It's a 1600-meter race."
Her eyes were shining with determination. "My dream," she said, "is to go to the Central Academy."
That last sentence struck Eiyuu like a bolt of lightning. The Central Tracen Academy. It was the dream of every horse girl.
A new fire ignited in her eyes.
Kitahara's gaze shifted from Oguri Cap to Eiyuu, then back to the nonchalant trainer who was still poking at his food. A familiar sense of protectiveness flared up.
"I don't think that's a good idea, Kitahara," she said, her voice sharp.
"You're raising this monster just to send her to the Central Academy? Are you trying to get her eaten alive? Or do you just not understand?"
Kitahara was so worked up her voice cracked, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. "Let me tell you, shut it! Ogu-chan has a long-term growth plan! And the selection standards for the Central Academy are incredibly strict! It's not something a wild horse like yours can just waltz into!"
"So? What's the holiday for?" Sakikawa asked, not even looking at her.
"The so-called standards," he continued, "aren't they just put in place for guys who aren't fast enough to be prepared?"
His words stunned Kitahara into silence.
"You seem to be thinking too much. It's starting to get on my nerves, old friend." He didn't bother to keep arguing. He turned to Eiyuu, a lazy, mocking tone in his voice. "Since the little monster has spoken, then you should go and see for yourself."
"You should also go and see what a real race looks like."
"Winning a kindergarten sports day doesn't mean you know who you are."
Yorozuya Eiyuu nodded forcefully.
Her gaze fell on Oguri Cap, and she couldn't look away.
She had to go too.
To that place called the Central Academy. To a bigger stage.
To follow that figure, and become a true hero.
-------
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