Mizuki woke up around 7:00 AM. After a quick wash, she felt a bit drained, she had played too enthusiastically the day before and lacked energy this morning.
"Time for breakfast. There's a mock race between Mejiro McQueen and Tokai Teio this afternoon. It should be interesting, though I think McQueen has the better chance— after all, it's a 3000m long-distance race."
"But the 'Teio-step' can't be underestimated. Apparently, Twin Turbo is also participating. Can that girl really handle a 3000m burst without crashing?" Mizuki wondered.
On she way, she ran into several Horse Girls: Oguri Cap, Tamamo Cross, Yaono Muteki, and Sakura Chiyono O. The four of them were walking together.
"Good morning, Trainer Mizuki," Oguri Cap greeted her.
"Good morning."
Sakura Chiyono O bowed politely, but internally, she was thinking about the diary Mizuki wrote yesterday. This is the girl who started rumors that I'm a dummy, nicknamed me "Silly Cow," and said I have four ears.
'Unforgivable!'
But Chiyono O couldn't say anything, she was unable to speak about the diary's contents. She felt so frustrated she wanted to headbutt Mizuki into the horizon with her "horns."
Tamamo Cross felt the same way. She was furious about yesterday's entry, and besides— this Mizuki was way too tall. It wasn't fair.
"Chiyono O-san, Tama-san, what performances are you preparing for the Freshman Orientation Party?" Mizuki asked.
"Me? I'm doing wrestling! I'm having a real martial arts match with Yaono Muteki. Since it's the first orientation party, we wanted to make it interesting," Sakura Chiyono O said, striking a combat pose with a smile.
Yaono Muteki wasn't about to back down either: "Watch out, Chiyono O. My Yae-gaki style is very strong."
Oguri Cap wore a thoughtful expression. "As for me, I'll just sing a song from Kasamatsu. What about you, Tama?"
"I don't know yet, but Biko Pegasus asked me to perform a 'Hero Show' with her. She's playing 'Carrot Man,' a hero who upholds justice."
"Shinko Windy is playing the villain. As for me, I'm probably 'Hero Number Two,' the White Flash. What do you think? Not bad, right?" Tamamo Cross put her hands on her hips, looking quite proud and wearing a cheeky grin.
"Carrot Man... I see. Biko Pegasus's dream really is to become an ally of justice," Mizuki remarked.
She knew Biko Pegasus, she was obsessed with heroes. Things like "Carrot Man" and "Carrot Rider Kicks" had her completely hooked. Shinko Windy, being a Tsundere, secretly wanted to be a hero too but was too embarrassed to say it. She kept pestering Biko until Biko finally realized she just wanted to join in the hero play.
Speaking of which, Mizuki realized her diary entry for today would have plenty of material to roast...
The theme for today's diary was set.
"Tama! Hello everyone! Have you seen any villains today?"
As they were talking, Biko Pegasus ran over, dressed extravagantly. She even had a "Carrot Rider" belt around her waist— a true fan who even bought the merch.
"Honestly, this is Tracen Academy. Of course there are no villains. We live in an era of peace," Tamamo Cross said in her Kansai dialect. But then she paused.
'Wait, no villains? Maybe we should drag Trainer Mizuki out and give her a beating first!'
"I... I guess so. In a peaceful era, heroes aren't needed... I'm so conflicted! I want villains to appear, but I also want everyone to be at peace. Dammit, dammit!" Biko Pegasus looked incredibly frustrated.
"Anyway, I have a dream: I want to be an ally of justice! So if there are villains, please tell me. I'm counting on you!" Biko's gaze was firm. After speaking, she continued her "patrol."
Mizuki sighed, thinking that while Tracen was indeed peaceful, she respected her heroic heart. The four of them chatted as they reached the cafeteria.
"Oh! Isn't this Trainer Mizuki? Hello, hello!"
Suddenly, Maruzensky appeared before them with a sunny smile, waving energetically. Unlike the super-socially-anxious Mejiro Dober, she was proactive, warm, and boisterous.
"Oh, if it isn't Maruzen Auntie— er, Maruzen-san! Ahahaha..."
Mizuki quickly corrected herself. She noticed Maruzensky's expression twitch slightly. Truly, even in the world of Uma Musume, all women care about age.
"Come on, let's have breakfast together. Let's sit here," Maruzensky said with a smile. She was very open-minded, carrying herself with the sophisticated and charming aura of an older sister.
Sakura Chiyono O's idol was Maruzensky. She knew Maruzensky hadn't run in the Classic Triple Crown. Therefore, Maruzensky had entrusted her dream to her. This made Chiyono O feel a sense of protagonist-like destiny— she had inherited the unfulfilled dream of her senior. When it came time for the Derby, she would give it everything she had.
After that, they finished breakfast together. Special Week and the others arrived, Mizuki had arrived earlier than them, so she helped them get their food.
Spe-chan had a massive appetite and ate until her stomach was round. Oguri Cap was the same, the height of the food those two were eating today surpassed Tamamo Cross's 140cm height.
After eating, Mizuki watched them head off to class. Their expressions were full of agony, while Mizuki had no such worries. She soon arrived at the Spica clubroom and began writing today's entry.
[Ran into Sakura Chiyono O, Oguri Cap, and the others this morning. We discussed the Freshman Orientation Party.]
[On January 30th, the Tracen Welcome Party begins, and the school will be fully open to the public.]
[I'm really looking forward to seeing what kind of performances they put on.]
[While walking through campus, we ran into Biko Pegasus.]
[I hereby declare her Tracen's designated— Ally of Justice!]
[However, in the Tracen world, the only Power Rangers type of show is 'Carrot Man.' Next time, I should tell her about the other Kamen Riders, they are incredibly cool too.]
[I wonder how she'd react to those stories?]
[To be honest, watching those heroes beat up kaiju-sized monsters is really satisfying. I'm sure she would love it.]
Just as Mizuki finished writing the first paragraph of her diary at Spica, the first period ended. Her diary materialized again, and everyone immediately gathered around to read.
Biko Pegasus's eyes widened to the size of saucers, she was shocked beyond words.
"What? The real-horse world has heroes too?!"
"They can even defeat giant monsters?"
"That is way too cool!"
Biko Pegasus was trembling with excitement. Especially those evil monsters— she started wondering if she, Shinko Windy, and Tamamo Cross should perform a play like this at the Orientation Party.
Biko's eyes sparkled. She felt it was a perfect fit for a hero. It was magnificent. Overcoming the odds to defeat a villain that towers over her?! Incredible!
"Oh! I'll have Shinko Windy play the villain. We'll have her wear stilts, then she can kidnap an old grandmother, and Tama and I will set out together to rescue her and everyone else!"
"As for the grandmother... I have the perfect candidate. Let's get Wonder Acute to do it!"
Biko Pegasus was certainly sharp, already setting her sights on Tracen's "Old Baby," Wonder Acute.