...
In just half a day, Special Week had already gotten along well with her classmates.
During lunch, she sat together with Seiun Sky, Grass Wonder, and El Condor Pasa.
"Spe-chan, you're taking the 'Rigil' test this afternoon, right?" Seiun Sky pointed at the mountain-like pile of rice in Special Week's bowl. "Won't eating so much be hard to digest?"
"It's fine, this is my normal portion. On the contrary, I think you all eat so little—are you sure you're getting full?"
The other three smiled awkwardly, a few dark lines appearing on their foreheads.
"Spe-chan, do your best this afternoon," Grass Wonder said softly.
"That means we're rivals now," El Condor Pasa suddenly interjected.
"Eh?" Special Week looked surprised. "El Condor Pasa, are you taking the test too?"
"Of course! After all, 'Rigil' is the strongest team in the academy, and they're only recruiting first-year horse girls this time."
"I see..." Special Week nodded, then reignited her determination. "I'll give it my all!"
Actually, Special Week had wanted to join the team where Silence Suzuka was, but she hadn't expected the other to have already left.
Special Week's dream was to become Japan's number one horse girl, so she was also aiming for 'Rigil'—the academy's strongest team—to test herself.
"Seiun-chan, are you taking the test too?" Special Week turned to Seiun Sky.
Compared to Special Week and the other two, Seiun Sky seemed detached, leisurely enjoying the food on her plate.
She hadn't expected Special Week to suddenly ask her.
"I don't really have that intention~" Seiun Sky had attended 'Rigil's' trial training before, but the conclusion was that it wasn't suitable for her.
"Oh, I see."
"By the way, I really like Lucian-sensei's class. It's a shame he only teaches twice a week."
"Lucian-sensei?"
Special Week had just transferred and hadn't attended Lucian's class yet.
But she felt that Seiun Sky seemed like a laid-back person who didn't care much about anything—yet she was actually interested in a particular class?
"That's right! I want to take his class too—it's so relaxing!" El Condor Pasa chimed in.
At this point, Grass Wonder calmly took a sip of water, her brows slightly raised with a hint of pride. "I went to Lucian-sensei's house for a big feast yesterday."
"What!?" Aside from Special Week, both Seiun Sky and El Condor Pasa looked at her with curiosity.
"Lucian-sensei invited our whole team yesterday."
"Tell us, was his cooking really that good!?" El Condor Pasa asked eagerly.
Seiun Sky, on the other hand, pouted. "Eh... I want to go too."
"It was delicious—the kind of taste that shocks you with the first bite." Grass Wonder glanced at her untouched plate and smiled. "It was so unforgettable that I don't even feel like eating the cafeteria food today."
After saying that, she straightened up and declared, "I've decided—I'm signing up for Lucian-sensei's practical class!"
"Oh? Then we'll be rivals."
Seiun Sky and Grass Wonder locked eyes, faint sparks seeming to flicker in the air.
"Me too! Me too!" El Condor Pasa raised her hand, though she was purely doing it for fun.
Only Special Week quietly ate her meal, wondering if this Lucian-sensei's cooking could really compare to the carrot in her hand.
...
In the afternoon, a crowd of horse girls gathered on a grassy area of the training field.
The test hadn't started yet, so Lucian first let them warm up freely.
"Lucian-kun, gather everyone up," Toujou Hana said as she walked out of the break room, holding a list in her hand.
Based on basic indicators, she had spotted quite a few promising candidates.
But she still didn't plan to lower the strict admission standards.
"Got it." Lucian gave an "OK" gesture before walking over to the warming-up horse girls. "Everyone, gather up for a moment."
Among those taking the test, Lucian spotted quite a few familiar faces, including KIng Halo, El Condor Pasa, and Special Week.
Special Week also noticed him and was a little surprised—she hadn't expected Lucian to be at Tracen Academy too.
But since they weren't very familiar, she didn't go up to greet him.
After gathering everyone, Toujou Hana had them line up in formation.
Lucian wondered if he should learn a bit of Toujou Hana's commanding presence—just by standing there without even speaking, the previously noisy crowd quickly quieted down.
"Thank you all for coming to participate in 'Rigil's' entrance test today," Toujou Hana said, scanning the group. "Now, let's begin the test officially. First, I'd like to ask—why do you want to join this team? Or rather, what is your goal?"
Toujou Hana began calling names from the list.
"I hope to win my debut race and take first place!"
...
"I hope to shine on the track as a member of 'Rigil'!"
...
KIng Halo: "I want to become an outstanding horse girl and live up to my family's expectations."
El Condor Pasa: "I want to win every race I compete in!"
...
"Next, Special Week!"
"Special Week?"
Special Week was a little too nervous and didn't react at first. "I want to become Japan's number one horse girl."
The crowd froze for a moment, staring at Special Week in surprise.
But she didn't seem to notice, only growing more confident. "My mother told me to become Japan's number one horse girl, so that's why I came here."
A faint snicker broke out, quickly spreading through the group.
Special Week lowered her head in embarrassment, gripping the hem of her clothes tightly.
Until a round of applause drowned out the laughter.
The horse girls turned to look—it was Lucian, sitting on the grass.
Now that all eyes were on him, Lucian awkwardly lowered his hands.
"Having a big dream... I think that's great."
The last person who said something like this ended up becoming Hokage.
Whether Special Week was the protagonist or not, Lucian genuinely thought her dream was amazing.
"Alright, let's continue," Toujou Hana said, bringing everyone's attention back.
The matter was quickly brushed aside, though Special Week did glance at Lucian a few more times.
Also watching Lucian was Seiun Sky, who had come to spectate from a distance.
Leaning against the railing, she smiled as the breeze brushed against her cheeks.
...
After Toujou Hana finished calling names, the starting gates at the other end of the track were ready.
"Amazon, go be the finish line marker," Air Groove said.
"Eh, why me!?" Hishi Amazon grumbled, though her body obediently moved.
"Alright, next is the group test. Only the fastest horse girl will be able to join 'Rigil'."