...
February.
Lucian was quite busy. Haru Urara's high-stakes campaign continued, and after each race he still had to "pay tribute."
Dextrous Bailey also had a race, though she only placed fourth. But after Lucian's guidance, her condition improved considerably compared to before.
...
Time moved to early March: Hanshin Daishoten, full distance 3000 meters.
Only six horse girls were entered, among whom Mejiro McQueen had the highest recognition and naturally ranked first in popularity.
According to Lucian's pre-race data analysis, the other five horse girls' strength didn't reach a formidable level.
Therefore, as long as Mejiro McQueen maintained her rhythm, the championship would be within easy reach.
However, though Lucian's pre-race analysis greatly boosted Mejiro McQueen's confidence, she still treated the race with utmost seriousness.
"Clean gate break."
"The front-runner is 'nice nice nice'!"
"Third place is the most popular contender, Mejiro McQueen!"
"By the way, this is Mejiro McQueen's first race of the year."
"Mm, last year she won the Kikuka Sho and left a deep impression. I wonder what kind of performance she'll show this year."
...
The race continued.
Before the final turn, Mejiro McQueen stayed comfortably in the top three, looking completely at ease.
But in the latter stages, she began applying pressure to the leaders ahead, slowly closing in, displaying her terrifying dominance in long-distance events.
"Entering the final turn! Who will claim victory?"
Right as the announcer spoke, Mejiro McQueen surged into first the instant she exited the bend.
No opponents remained in her field of vision—only the open path ahead for her to run freely with all her heart.
A dazzling white pillar streaked like a shooting star.
In the final straight sprint, Mejiro McQueen pulled away with powerful burst and speed, visibly widening the gap from the horse girls behind.
She ultimately won by more than six lengths over second place.
...
Post-race interview session—reporters swarmed.
Reporter A: "Miss Mejiro McQueen, what is your next goal? The Tennou Sho?"
Reporter B: "Miss Mejiro McQueen, how is your recent training condition?"
...
In front of the big crowd, Mejiro McQueen remained composed and calm, answering each question one by one. "Yes, my next goal is the Tennou Sho desu, followed by Takarazuka Kinen, Kyoto Daishoten, Autumn Tennou Sho..."
With the absolute stance of a powerhouse claiming victory, no one would think Mejiro McQueen was boasting.
But even a mighty queen has a gentle, delicate side.
Mejiro McQueen glanced sideways at Lucian standing nearby with a faint smile on his lips, then continued. "These goals—I will give everything, and achieve them together with my Trainer."
...
The interviews continued, but Mejiro McQueen and Lucian slipped away to the rest room first.
Meanwhile, the defeated horse girls were also surrounded by reporters.
Loser A: "Mejiro McQueen is an incredibly strong contender... Right to the end, I could only watch her charge toward the finish line. There was no possibility of catching up."
Loser B: "The instant she came out of the turn, I just felt a figure flash past. I never expected her to have so much leg power left at the very last moment."
Loser C: "It doesn't feel like the same level... Miss Mejiro McQueen should go compete with those monsters instead of bullying us G2 sisters!"
...
Ignoring the ongoing interviews, Lucian waited for Mejiro McQueen to change clothes, then took her to a nearby steak restaurant.
"How does winning the race feel?"
"It feels amazing." Mejiro McQueen sat with elegant posture, tucking one corner of a napkin into her collar.
She appeared nonchalant, but that very haughty expression betrayed the joy in her heart.
Soon, two sizzling steaks were served to the table.
Lucian: "This time even Little Grass isn't here—McQueen can eat as much as she wants, haha."
"Torena-san... I'm not that big of an eater, and I'm not that selfish, okay." Mejiro McQueen held a fork in one hand, knife in the other, skillfully cutting neat pieces of beef.
But Lucian's chopstick-wielding, wolfing-down style made her frown slightly—he looked uncomfortable. "Torena-san, this is at least a high-class Western restaurant... mind your image a little desuwa."
"Mm, you're right." Lucian glanced at her, then tore off another piece with his teeth. He was so hungry his stomach stuck to his back—did she really expect manners?
"No one's going to kick me out anyway. Plus, I know the owner here—he trained under me for a while. Basically my apprentice."
"Or is it..." Lucian set down the remaining steak, feigning hurt. "You think Trainer is embarrassing you like this? Sigh, I'm just really hungry."
"Torena-san! Stop talking!" Mejiro McQueen shot him a cold glare, then pulled Lucian's plate in front of herself. "I... I'll cut it for you."
"Oh? Arigatou~ Having the young lady of the Mejiro family, Mejiro McQueen, cut steak for me—must be good karma from my past life." Lucian waved to the nearby server. "Another one!"
"Torena-san..." Mejiro McQueen kept a straight face, barely holding back a smile, helpless.
"The next steak too, please—I'm seriously starving."
"I know. I never said I wouldn't cut it for Torena-san."
Mejiro McQueen didn't resist this behavior.
Because she felt she had troubled Lucian many times already.
Mm, everything was just to repay Torena-san's kindness.
Mejiro McQueen secretly watched Lucian devour his food like a starving vagrant.
But she no longer emphasized his table manners. Even if it clashed with this upscale restaurant—so what? Wasn't what she liked precisely this carefree way of being with Lucian?
"This little juice has improved—steak's almost as good as mine." Lucian rubbed his full stomach after finishing, still chewing as he spoke.
Mejiro McQueen couldn't stand it anymore. "Torena-san, at least wipe your mouth."
"Oh~ Arigatou."
Lucian leaned his head forward.
Mejiro McQueen pulled her hand back. "Trainer, you... you wipe it yourself."
Though she could wipe this cute hamster's mouth, but... but... it was just too embarrassing!
"Oh, I thought McQueen was going to help." Lucian took the napkin—really just teasing her. "I'll go pay first."
"Actually... dessert would taste even better."
Lucian paused. "Then next time at a dessert shop."
Mejiro McQueen lifted her eyes; in her murky gaze, a faint thread of resentment finally appeared. "I meant the ones Trainer makes."
"Haha, should have said so earlier—McQueen really isn't straightforward at all."
Lucian fled right after saying it, missing the way Mejiro McQueen's scolding look softened into a gentle smile.
...