In the stands.
"A splendid race."
Kuroha watched the silver-white figure below soaking in the cheers, a satisfied smile on his lips.
All around them, the roar of the crowd surged up into the sky.
"Then, Ginjirou-senpai, Trainer Naise Hideto, if there's nothing else, I'll be heading back first?"
Kuroha rose to his feet and straightened his clothes.
"Mm, Trainer Kuroha, take care." Naise Hideto nodded.
Ginjirou Musaka simply waved, still looking down as if lost in thought. Only when Kuroha turned away did he lift his eyes, staring at Kuroha's back with unusual depth.
After their farewells, Kuroha took Bourbon's hand and followed the flow of people, about to leave through the exit corridor.
Just then—
"March-senpai!! That was amazing, amazing!!"
A crisp, familiar voice brimming with adoration floated to his ears.
Kuroha's steps paused. He turned toward the sound.
Near a railing in the stands, a little deer-like girl with chestnut-colored long hair was pressed up against it in pure excitement.
She clapped her small, pale hands as hard as she could. In those beautiful emerald-green eyes, admiration sparkled as she applauded her idol.
Silence Suzuka was still immersed in the joy of March's victory when she suddenly felt a shadow block the sunlight above her.
The little girl instinctively looked up—and saw a young man who seemed oddly familiar.
That delicate face flickered with confusion for an instant, as she tried to remember who it was against the backlight.
But only a second later, her eyes lit up, and she cried out in delight.
"O… Onii-chan!"
"Hello, Suzuka-san."
Kuroha looked at this still-unopened "Other-Dimensional Escapee" and gave her a gentle smile, lifting a hand in greeting.
"We meet again. Did you come to watch March race too?"
The moment March was mentioned, a shy blush spread across the chestnut-haired girl's face.
She fidgeted with her fingers, embarrassed. Yet those emerald eyes stayed bright and honest as she nodded, her voice soft and sweet.
"Mm… March-senpai's races… as long as they're near Tokyo, I… I'll ask for leave and come watch."
That was her idol, the back she admired most on the track.
That silver figure that always pushed forward, solitary yet dazzling on the breakaway path.
Though, sometimes… it wasn't always a full breakaway…
"Is that so?"
Seeing her starry-eyed devotion, Kuroha couldn't help but laugh.
"If March knew she had such a cute little fan cheering her on, she'd probably be very happy."
Then, Suzuka's attention was drawn to the figure standing quietly beside Kuroha the whole time.
"And this student is…?"
Silence Suzuka curiously looked at Bourbon.
She noticed the elementary division uniform Bourbon was wearing.
Hearing the question, Bourbon gave a slight nod and introduced herself.
"My name is Miho No Bourbon, a student in the Central Tracen Academy elementary division."
"Currently a reserve member of Team Chasing Light. Suzuka-san, please take care of me."
Her voice held not the slightest rise or fall.
"Ah? Oh…"
Silence Suzuka blinked. Clearly, this was her first time meeting someone who spoke with such a distinct cadence. She reflexively nodded in return.
"P-please take care of me too."
But the next second, her sharp little mind caught a key phrase.
"Chasing Light… reserve member?"
Kuroha looked at those pure, unblemished eyes filled with curiosity, and a soft chuckle slipped out.
"Onii-chan, what's a reserve member?"
Right now, this little deer wasn't yet the future "Other-Dimensional Escapee" with her cool, aloof air on the track.
Only two years into the elementary division, she still hadn't fully matured, carrying an innocent, slightly spacey youthful vibe.
"Hmm… how should I put it."
Kuroha rubbed his chin, thought for a moment, and explained as simply as he could.
"It's basically… Bourbon isn't old enough to debut yet, but she completed certain special requirements I set and showed potential that satisfied me."
"So, she earned my approval."
Kuroha pointed at Bourbon beside him.
"As a reserve member, before her True Blooming, she can join my team early to receive guidance and training."
"And… once she reaches True Blooming in the future, she won't need to take any entrance test at all. She can directly become an official member of Chasing Light."
"Oh…"
Silence Suzuka nodded, half-understanding, and a trace of envy flickered in her eyes.
To be acknowledged early by a trainer like Onii-chan, and to train on the same team as March-senpai…
That was simply the happiest thing in the world!
"Th-then!"
"Onii-chan, can I do it too?"
"Hm? You?"
Kuroha paused, slightly startled, looking at the naive little girl in front of him.
In truth, ever since that last chance encounter with Silence Suzuka, Kuroha hadn't not considered bringing this peak Uma Musume under his wing.
It was just that…
"Why does it feel like…"
"A huge chunk of the Uma Musume I like end up being mine…"
At that thought, Kuroha clicked his tongue internally.
Dobbin was very cute, sure.
But the Silence Suzuka before him—her late-phase strength would be an indispensable backbone of this track.
If he didn't intervene, she might one day face the tragedy known as "Silent Sunday," and in the Tenno Sho (Autumn), bring her brief, brilliant life to an end.
Since they had met.
Since she had reached out first…
"Suzuka…"
Kuroha crouched down so his gaze met hers.
Silence Suzuka's little face reddened even more.
But this time, she didn't back away.
As if she understood this might be the chance to change her fate, the little girl took a deep breath and gently pressed her pale hand to her chest.
She lifted her head. In her eyes, only a burning determination remained.
"Yes!"
"This is a decision I made a long time ago… from the moment I saw March-senpai running!"
"I want to… run like her, too. Run at the very front, and see that scenery no one else can reach!"
"…Is that so?"
Kuroha quietly watched her.
A moment later, he smiled, finally at ease.
He raised his hand and ruffled the little deer's soft, smooth hair, then spoke with a light chuckle.
"Tomorrow afternoon, come to the entrance of the Third Public Training Track."
At those words, Silence Suzuka's eyes seemed to ripple with rainbow light.
She nodded rapidly, then bowed deeply with all her strength.
"Yes!!"
(End of Chapter)
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