Change the world? You don't even need three minutes.
Morning sun poured through the villa's floor-to-ceiling windows and spilled across the gleaming floor.
Kuroha sat at the table, sipping tea, eyes on the newspaper's headline—so bold it was almost comical.
Ever since yesterday's Japan Cup ended…
This morning, whether online discourse or print headlines in the real world, everything was blazing with a feverish sheen.
No mystery why.
Yesterday's Japan Cup didn't just set a 2:21.4 and shatter a long-standing meet record, pushing the winning time forward by more than three whole seconds.
Even the top three of that race all reset the turf 2400 m world record in one go.
One race produced three world-record-breaking horses.
An achievement that borders on earth-shaking.
"Still… on these ultra-fast tracks of this far-eastern island nation, records are easier to break."
"But the 'gold content'—the true weight of it—eh, I'd call it only so-so."
Kuroha smiled, unconcerned with the world's revelry, and took an unhurried sip of warm black tea.
His girls had already finished morning training and gone off to their first classes.
Obey Your Master had exhausted herself last night and was still resting in her room.
Kuroha didn't disturb her. He set down his cup and looked to the prepared stack of documents beside him.
Gazing at those stark titles lined up across the pages, his eyes narrowed and his expression grew complicated.
In the end, he exhaled a quiet sigh. "So… the day really has come, after all."
With that, Kuroha gathered the documents, left the house, and headed for the Academic Affairs Office at Central Tracen Academy.
"Good morning, Trainer Kuroha."
"Morning, Kuroha-sensei."
"Morning."
It was class time, so there were hardly any horse girls laughing and sprinting down the walkways.
Only a few colleagues, hurrying along; when they saw him, they stopped with warm greetings.
Kuroha returned each with a smile.
By now, the team he led—Chasing the Light—
was the brightest star in all of Central Tracen Academy.
And as their head trainer, Kuroha himself was a household name on campus.
In standing, he no longer lost out to veterans like Ginjirou, who had decades of experience.
In results, he had long since surpassed them.
After all, his six active girls had maintained a terrifying undefeated all year, sweeping virtually every turf G1 on the calendar.
Such overwhelming dominance was likely unprecedented—and perhaps, never to be seen again.
Just as the familiar bulk of the Academic Affairs building came into view, a tall, long-legged figure stepped into Kuroha's line of sight.
Maruzensky, hands clasped behind her back, was walking down the tree-shaded lane with a lively bounce.
The light sway of her brown ponytail alone said her mood was very, very good.
Judging by her direction, her destination seemed to be the Student Council President's office—Rudolf's place.
Hmm…
Come to think of it, both Maruzensky and Symboli Rudolf were, nominally, Central Tracen students.
But if Kuroha dug through his memory… he actually couldn't recall either of them ever, you know, attending class.
…No wonder Representative Chiaki loves to skive off and play every day. When the beam's crooked at the top, the rafters below lean too.
While Kuroha was silently roasting them in his head—
the statuesque, brown-haired onee-san's sixth sense kicked in like a wild animal's.
She glanced instinctively his way and, recognizing him, a brilliant smile bloomed across her gorgeous face.
"Kuroha, Kuroha!"
With an eager call, she trotted over and, with complete naturalness, hugged his entire arm into her embrace.
Soft grandeur pressed in, familiar and startling all at once.
"Where are you off to?" Maruzensky asked, eyes laughing.
Ever since returning from that trip to Tōkō (東煌), the legendary supercar had completely let herself off the leash—always this warm, always this bold.
Kuroha was used to it by now. Unfazed, he lifted the three stacks of documents in his hand. "Reporting a few things to Academic Affairs."
"Academic Affairs?"
Maruzensky dipped her head curiously at the thick stack, and at the titles her gaze dimmed for a heartbeat.
But then she looked up again, long lashes fluttering over those captivating eyes.
"How about we swing by Rudolf's for a bit? We haven't hung out together in days."
…We literally had tea three days ago.
Kuroha grumbled to himself.
But with time to spare, early or late didn't matter.
He nodded.
"Let's go together."
…
Central Tracen Academy, Student Council President's Office.
On the wall hung a calligraphy plaque, bold strokes brimming with momentum:
[One horse in front—ten thousand left in the dark.]
At the desk, Rudolf set down her pen, capped it, and stretched lightly.
Even in a standard Central Tracen uniform, her figure was impossible to hide.
"…Ten thousand… in the dark, huh?"
The girl murmured, blue eyes reflecting the sky beyond the window, mind drifting back to yesterday's earth-shaking Japan Cup.
Of course she knew—every horse girl on that track had her own obsession, her own vow.
But the instant Obey Your Master was first through the wire, any desolate wish, any unbending will—shattered in an instant.
No matter how many times she saw that sight, it never sat entirely well in her heart…
After a brief rest, Rudolf drew a deep breath, rallied herself, and turned back to work.
Knock, knock.
Just then, a light rapping sounded at the door.
"Hm? Come in."
A vivid silhouette peeked in, face lit with energetic cheer.
"Ah, Rudolf—knew you'd be here~" Maruzensky chimed.
"Good morning, Maruzensky. You're early today."
Rudolf's expression softened when she saw her, and she greeted her gently.
"That's my line!"
The brown-haired onee-san playfully huffed, then breezed in, hand snug around Kuroha's arm.
"Oh? Kuroha, you came too?"
Rudolf's gaze fell on the two dear friends before her.
She rose, casually gathered a few files from her desk, and joined them on the office's lounge sofas.
(End of Chapter)
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