"Wow… she's so fast!"
"How can she run with her body leaning that far forward? I seriously can't understand it…"
"Just like they say—she really deserves to be called a 'monster.'"
At Central Tracen's training grounds, beside the track, a group of horsegirls warming up stared at the gray figure sprinting down the course and sighed in awe.
That gray figure was none other than Oguri Cap, currently training hard for the Japan Derby.
"Her steps are really light…"
"And her condition is great!"
"As for speed… she probably still has room to improve!"
Watching Oguri Cap fly around the track, Kitahara couldn't help murmuring his assessment.
It was late April now, and there was still some time left before the Japan Derby.
He still had enough time to push Oguri Cap's strength up another level.
The Japan Derby.
Just the weight of that name was far heavier than the old dream he once had—something like the "Tokai Derby."
And yet, now he actually had a chance to reach the Japan Derby?
He had to consider whether this might be the only chance in his entire life for a horsegirl he trained to ever touch that trophy.
Because of that, ever since coming to Central, Kitahara hadn't stopped for a moment. He kept absorbing everything he could from Central Tracen's store of trainer knowledge—so he wouldn't hold Oguri Cap back.
Unlike the gifted Oguri Cap, he wasn't a genius. If he wanted to keep up with her, the only way was to study like crazy.
Oguri Cap's performance was even better than he'd expected.
If things continued like this…
The Japan Derby wouldn't just be a dream anymore!
"Hey, Kitahara!"
A familiar shout sounded near his ear. Kitahara turned and saw, at the entrance to the training grounds, a black-haired young man waving at him.
"Mr. Su Luo!"
Kitahara's face lit up.
"Why are you here?!"
"Hah, I heard Oguri's doing pretty well in Central, so I came to check on her condition."
As Su Luo explained, he watched Oguri Cap training and said,
"Looks like Oguri's in great shape."
"Yeah! If we keep training like this, it's not like we have no chance of winning the Japan Derby!"
Kitahara said it with sparkling eyes—completely unaware that Su Luo beside him twitched at the corner of his mouth.
Ahh, why did it have to start with bad news?!
The Japan Derby!
You're the Japan Derby!
The winner's prize is 200 million yen!
If she wins this, how long is it going to take me to lose all that money?!
If Oguri Cap earned 200 million in prize money, that meant Su Luo would need to pour another 200 million into her just to ensure his "investment returns" in her stayed negative.
If he didn't reverse this profitable trend, then the day he failed to complete his loss KPI, he'd get hit with the system's special punishment for "making profit."
That wouldn't do!
He had to find a way to suppress their training enthusiasm!
"Kitahara…"
Suddenly, Su Luo turned to Kitahara in a heavy tone.
At this point, he could only try to crush Kitahara with sheer "boss aura"!
"W-what is it?"
Startled by Su Luo's sudden seriousness, Kitahara's voice shook.
"Do you really think Oguri Cap is fine like this…?!"
Catch this, Kitahara!
This is the classic unreasonable nitpicking from your superior!
A rite every corporate drone must taste—
Workplace bullying.
Sorry, Kitahara. For the sake of my grand money-losing plan, you'll have to suffer a bit!
"…Huh?"
Kitahara was totally confused.
What did he mean, "fine like this"?
Was Mr. Su Luo dissatisfied with Oguri Cap somehow?
Or did I do something that disappointed him…?
Seeing Kitahara waver, Su Luo rejoiced internally and immediately pressed harder.
"Kitahara, do you really think it's okay for Oguri Cap to stay in this state?!"
"Kitahara, reflect on yourself!"
After throwing out that line, Su Luo kept a stern face, turned around, and walked away—giving Kitahara zero chance to talk back.
Kitahara could only stare at his retreating back, his brain going into overdrive.
Reflect…?
Reflect on what?
Oguri Cap is doing great, isn't she?
She can even reach the Japan Derby dream now!
And Mr. Su Luo still isn't satisfied?
"Kitahara, what's wrong?"
Oguri Cap finished training. Seeing Kitahara's face scrunched up and green like a bell pepper, she asked.
"…Mr. Su Luo was just here. He said some really strange things."
"Huh? Su Luo? He came to Central? Where is he now?"
The moment she heard Su Luo's name, Oguri Cap instantly brightened. Her gray tail swished rapidly behind her, full of energy.
"He just left. If you chase him now, you should still catch up."
"Mm…!"
Oguri Cap was about to run after him, but when she noticed how low Kitahara looked, she paused and asked,
"Kitahara, why do you look so troubled?"
"Haah…"
Kitahara let out a sigh.
"Before Mr. Su Luo left, he said something weird."
"He said, 'Oguri staying like this—is that really okay?'… Ahh, I seriously can't understand what Mr. Su Luo is thinking!"
He repeated Su Luo's words for what felt like the hundredth time, still unable to grasp the meaning, and scratched his head in frustration.
"Hmm…"
But Oguri Cap looked thoughtful after hearing it.
After thinking for a moment, she looked at Kitahara.
"Could it be that Mr. Su Luo thinks I'm growing too slowly?"
"How could that be? Oguri, your growth speed is already genius-level…"
Kitahara started to say it—then suddenly realized something and cut himself off.
That's right!
Mr. Su Luo was clearly expressing dissatisfaction!
If it was Mr. Su Luo—the one who picked Oguri Cap out of countless gray-haired horsegirls—then his eye for talent should be far stronger than mine!
The "best state" I think Oguri is in might not even be on the same level as the "best state" Mr. Su Luo sees.
He must believe Oguri Cap can still improve more, so he scolded me for being satisfied with the current situation!
But…
Can Oguri Cap really improve further?
Honestly, in Kitahara's eyes, Oguri Cap was already extremely strong right now…
To make her even stronger?
Or rather, to push her to the next level?
How?
Is there some new realm of "running" that I don't know about?!
Kitahara's brows knitted tightly, but realizing there might be an entirely new stage out there, his expression softened a little.
"Looks like you're fine now. Then I'm going to go find Mr. Su Luo."
Seeing that Kitahara seemed alright, Oguri Cap left those words behind and dashed off in the direction Su Luo had gone.
"Go on."
Kitahara didn't stop her. His mind was completely filled with thoughts of pushing Oguri Cap into a "new realm."
To be honest, he had no idea what that "new realm" even was.
But since Su Luo said so, it had to exist.
A realm only the strong could reach…
"If I don't know… then I'll ask someone who does!"
With that thought, Kitahara pulled out his phone, tapped twice, and dialed a number.
"Hello? Sixth Uncle? There's something I want to ask you…"
-------
My : pat*eon*com/RuneA
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