Just like that, Oguri Cap and Brand New Shine spent the better part of a month getting used to their new training content and intensity, which was different from the other Horse Girls at the academy.
During this time, Zhou Tai'an recorded the two Horse Girls' training data during the day, and at night, in his dreams, he continued to increase his Affinity with Oguri Cap at a rate of 1 point per day.
This continued until the last day of April.
"We're going to the shrine to run the slope today, right?" Brand New Shine asked as soon as they met in the morning.
"So eager?" Zhou Tai'an was quite surprised, raising an eyebrow. "Don't tell me you've fallen in love with running the slope, Brand New Shine?"
"No," Brand New Shine turned her head away, muttering, "But what's coming can't be avoided. And I can feel myself improving, so even if I don't like it, I can bear it."
"Well," Zhou Tai'an's gaze shifted to Oguri Cap, who was rushing towards them, "we're not going to run the slope today."
Oguri Cap, who had just run up to him, heard this and was very puzzled. "Then what are we doing today?"
"Tomorrow is the start of May. That means, starting tomorrow, Kasamatsu Racecourse will be holding debut races that you two can enter."
At this, Zhou Tai'an glanced at Oguri Cap and Brand New Shine. Both of them had looks of anticipation, but with a slight difference. The former was genuinely excited to stand on the racetrack and compete against other Horse Girls, while the latter's anticipation was mixed with a hint of relief.
"As for your debut races, my plan is this—" Noticing Brand New Shine's expression, he changed his mind on the spot. "May 5th, Kasamatsu, 800 meters on dirt."
Hearing this, Brand New Shine became nervous. "Trainer, you're not putting us both in the same race, are you?"
Although Brand New Shine didn't plan to continue as a racing Horse Girl, she didn't want to be crushed by her teammate in her one and only race.
"Of course not," Zhou Tai'an's mouth twitched. "It's not like it's some unavoidable race. From my own perspective, it's obviously better to register you in separate races."
"That's good," Oguri Cap said, her face relaxing. "I didn't want to face Brand New Shine in my debut race either."
She turned to her teammate and said, "Because I want to win with Brand New Shine."
"Since neither of you has any objections, I'll register you just like this." Zhou Tai'an took out his pen and made a mark on the race page in his notebook. "We won't see the final entry list until the day after tomorrow. So, on the 3rd, we'll cut our morning training time in half. I'll use the rest of the time to develop your race tactics and introduce the rivals you need to watch out for."
"Understood!" the two Horse Girls nodded vigorously.
During his lunch break, Zhou Tai'an finished his meal and returned to the office.
Unsurprisingly, he ran into Kitahara again outside his office door.
"I'm telling you, you love coming over here so much, why don't you just apply to move into my office?" Zhou Tai'an teased his friend. "It would save you the walk every day."
"I'm here on serious business today." Kitahara's expression was grave. "We can start registering our Horse Girls for their debut races today. Which race are you planning to enter Oguri Cap and the other one in, Tai'an-san?"
"I'm not planning to drag it out," Zhou Tai'an didn't hide it from his friend. "May 5th, Kasamatsu Racecourse, both 800 meters on dirt. Oguri Cap in the first race, Brand New Shine in the second."
"Well, that's a coincidence," Kitahara grinned. "I just registered Fujimasa March for the first race on the 5th."
"Is that so?" Zhou Tai'an smiled back. "I'm looking forward to that race."
"Hmph! Fujimasa March's talent is strong, and she trains very seriously. We will definitely win!" Kitahara clenched his fist.
Zhou Tai'an could sense his friend's inflated confidence from his expression and tone.
But he wouldn't show any weakness here. "Oguri Cap's improvement will only be more obvious than Fujimasa March's!"
"Then let's wait and see!" Kitahara held out his hand. "Let's see whose Horse Girl is stronger!"
"You're on!" Zhou Tai'an high-fived his friend. "How about this: the loser treats the winner and their Horse Girl to a meal."
"Haha, then you're definitely paying, Tai'an-san!" Kitahara was ecstatic. "Matsuhiro's kaiseki cuisine! It's been a while since I last had that."
"If you're paying, Kitahara-san, just any family restaurant will do," Zhou Tai'an said, mercifully giving his friend an out in advance.
But Kitahara didn't understand his colleague's kindness.
Hearing Zhou Tai'an's reply, he thumped his chest. "I'm already planning on kaiseki! If I'm the one paying, how can I take you to a regular family restaurant? Let's go a bit further, to Rian in the city, for authentic Chinese cuisine!"
"Alright, then." Seeing his friend refuse his mercy, Zhou Tai'an could only shrug.
As he said this, he was already offering a silent "moment of silence" for his friend's wallet.
That night, after finishing his work, Zhou Tai'an changed into his pajamas, got into bed, and fell asleep.
Once again, he fell into the dream world. When he arrived at Saginomi Masao's stable, the trainer called him over. "Zhou-kun, don't go ride yet. Come with me."
Zhou Tai'an was surprised. This was the first time Saginomi Masao had called him aside since he entered the dream world. And judging by his expression, it was probably something important.
He replied in agreement, while inwardly guessing what Saginomi Masao wanted to discuss.
"He's not going to fire me because he thinks my riding practice is bad, is he?" Zhou Tai'an was confident that, thanks to "Ryan Moore's Riding Technique," he hadn't made any mistakes in the dream world.
"Just follow him. I'll know the answer soon enough."
He followed Saginomi Masao out of the stable.
"Technically, you've been eligible to ride in races since the day you started your internship at my stable," Saginomi Masao said, his back to Zhou Tai'an. "But I haven't given you any riding opportunities, just had you help with training. Are you a little dissatisfied?"
"Not at all. I believe Sensei must have his reasons for doing so," Zhou Tai'an immediately denied.
"Some of the other jockeys from your cohort have already gotten their first win. I've seen that your performance in training is also very good. So I think it's time for you to go to Kasamatsu Racecourse and experience the atmosphere of a race." Saginomi Masao paused and turned around. "Five days from now, the first race at Kasamatsu Racecourse. A 3-year-old maiden race, 800 meters on dirt. Zhou-kun, you will ride Oguri Cap."
"Can I trust you?" he stared at his stable's apprentice jockey.
"Of course!" Zhou Tai'an nodded vigorously.
"I can't believe it. I scheduled Oguri Cap's debut in reality, and now Oguri Cap is debuting on the same day in the dream world," he thought, astonished.