"Peach Waves, why are you standing frozen in the hallway?"
Grandpa Longjing's voice echoed gently from behind. Startled, Peach Waves snapped out of her thoughts and turned around with a bright smile.
"Oh, nothing, Grandpa. I was just thinking… about becoming a race girl."
Longjing chuckled softly, walking over with a warm smile and patting her gently on the head.
"Really now? Well, I've already contacted the tester. We'll go next month to check your qualifications. But until then…"
He stroked his white stubble thoughtfully.
"Let's start with some light training. To be honest, your grandpa used to be a trainer back in the day."
Peach Waves' eyes widened in awe.
"Seriously!? Grandpa, that's amazing!"
Pleased by her reaction, Longjing straightened his back proudly and thumped his chest.
"Of course! Now, it's getting late. Tomorrow morning, we head to the training ground."
"Eh? What about the restaurant?"
"Hmph. That kid Tian Si has been studying under me for three years. If he can't manage the shop for a day, he's not worth keeping!"
Peach Waves blinked, recalling Tian Si and Xiao Ning's comments. Grandpa could be… intense.
"Alright then. It's getting late, Peach Waves. Off to bed now—don't stay up!"
Before she could reply, Longjing gave her one last affectionate pat and shuffled off to his room.
"Got it, Grandpa."
Back in her room, Peach Waves lay on her sky-blue bed, staring at the ceiling—or rather, at the glowing virtual panel hovering above it.
"This doesn't feel like a system… more like a game interface."
She reached out and tapped the avatar resembling herself. With a soft chime, her stats appeared:
Name: Peach Waves (Little Mare)
Weight: 43kg
Height: 145cm
Track Type: Turf B / Dirt B
Distance Aptitude: Sprint C+ / Mile C+ / Medium B / Long B
Running Style Aptitude: Front Runner C+ / Pace Chaser C+ / Late Surger C+ / End Closer B
Summary: Aptitude—balanced, but unremarkable.
Peach Waves stared at the screen, stunned.
"This feels like pulling a rare relic with double SSR tags… only to find out it's all fluff."
"Wait, even Little Angel Urara has a few A-ranks. I…"
She paused, trying to stay hopeful.
"Maybe I haven't awakened yet? Maybe my stats will improve?"
But deep down, she knew: innate talent couldn't be changed. Only training could shape performance.
"Am I just going to be a support character for the horse girls I admire?"
She clutched her head, frustration bubbling up. In her past life, she had been a gifted athlete—until her legs failed her. Her dreams had been stolen.
Suddenly, a mechanical chime rang out:
[Big Turntable Function Activated]
The sound pierced her heart like sunlight breaking through clouds.
She swiped quickly to the new interface.
"The turntable offers support items—fatigue recovery, training boosts, skill enhancers…"
Her eyes lit up.
"I knew it! I'm the protagonist! Even if I don't have top-tier stats, with grit and these tools, I can still compete!"
She tapped the single-draw button.
[Insufficient Radish Points]
"Radish points? What are those?"
After some fumbling, she spotted a colorful radish icon with a question mark. Tapping it revealed:
Radish Points: Earned by trading with other horse girls. Points vary based on their needs and the value of your items.
"So I need to become a merchant… sell things to horse girls to earn points."
She nodded slowly, then powered down the interface and turned off the lights.
Tomorrow was training day. She needed rest.
"I'll make the most of this chance—for my lost dreams, for Grandpa Longjing, and for myself."
As moonlight bathed her room, Peach Waves drifted into sleep, her heart full of hope.
Knock knock knock.
Morning sunlight spilled into the room as Grandpa Longjing's voice called out:
"Peach Waves, time to get up! We're heading to the training ground!"
Still groggy, she mumbled with a sleepy smile:
"Okay, Grandpa…"
After a few moments, she sat up, patted her cheeks, and began getting ready.
In the living room, Longjing sat with two boxes beside him. Peach Waves walked over.
"I'm ready, Grandpa. Let's go!"
"Not so fast. These are for you—your training outfit and shoes."
Opening the box, she gasped. Inside was a blue-and-white training suit and pink-and-white shoes, styled like Tracen Academy's gear.
She quickly changed and twirled in front of Longjing.
"How do I look?"
Longjing smiled warmly.
"Perfect. I even nailed those shoes myself. Next time, I'll make you another pair."
"Thanks, Grandpa!"
"Now take them off for now—we'll put them on at the venue."
Together, they headed downstairs. The restaurant was already bustling. Guests turned to look at Peach Waves in her training gear.
"Peach Waves-chan, are you…?"
"Going to train!"
"Wow! Is she going to become a race girl? That's so cool!"
A little girl cheered, eyes wide with admiration.
"Um… maybe!"
After answering a few curious questions, Longjing gently pulled Peach Waves outside. They climbed into a car he had arranged in advance and head to the train station.