After a taxi-chasing sprint led by Rokuhira's scooter, they finally stood at the academy gate.
Central Tracen Horse Girl Training Academy—the highest-level horse-girl school in Japan. Entering here meant a Central debut: the start of a racing career.
It was also where Stardust would stay next.
But at the gate, she found the place already on a war footing. A phalanx of men in black had cleared the entrance. Beyond them, a wall of people strained with cameras to shoot inside.
"Uh… what's going on?"
Seeing Rudolf, Air Groove, and a lady in green coming out toward them, Stardust wondered—were they here to welcome Oguri?
"Haha, the Emperor is of course here to welcome you and Bakushin."
The old man roared with laughter and clapped Stardust on the back, shoving her toward Rudolf.
Catching her completely off guard, she stumbled, her left foot tangling her right, her weight tipping, and she pitched forward—
—No.
Before she fell, a pair of strong hands steadied her. Her face landed in a soft, ample cushion, and the citrus scent flooded her senses. Without thinking, she inhaled deeply…
"Steady?"
Rudolf's gentle voice at her ear made Stardust bounce back several steps to stand.
What, what, what?!
Whirr-whirr-whirr—
The frenzied camera shutters in the distance made Stardust's ears burn. Her ears flattened against her hair; her tail flicked wildly.
She wished she could rewind a few seconds and kill the version of herself who just dove in and sniffed.
What were you smelling for?!
"Stardust Mirage, Sakura Bakushin O—welcome to Central Tracen. And—welcome home, Oguri Cap and Trainer Rokuhira."
Rudolf wasn't fazed by the little incident. With perfect aristocratic poise, she bowed to them.
"Cooperate with the Emperor—she has it rough too," the old man muttered just loud enough for Stardust to hear, then went with Oguri to help Rudolf up.
"Good morning!!!"
Bakushin didn't catch the subtext, raised her hand high, and shouted her greeting.
Seeing everyone react, Stardust didn't want to stand there alone. She hurried to the Tracen "Big Three" and stammered:
"Um… I mean—right. Hello."
"Good afternoon. You should know Rudolf and Air Groove already?" The green-hatted girl smiled. Her tone was warm. "I'm Central Tracen's board secretary, Shunkawa Tazuna. On behalf of the chairwoman, welcome to Tracen."
Eyeing the green hat, Stardust pondered.
In her previous life, the board secretary seemed human—but rumors said she might secretly be some invincible horse girl. In any case, very mysterious and not to be messed with… so under that hat—were there horse ears?
"All right, everyone, a few words." The Emperor clapped to bring them back.
"Today we're here to welcome two new students to the academy, and to welcome back the new queen of Japan's racing world, Oguri Cap.
We've all met before in one setting or another. Going forward, whether professional or personal, bring any problem to us and we'll do our best to help."
"Why not 'No more being rude to Central'?"
Hearing Oguri's aside, Stardust froze.
So Oguri really held a grudge?!
Calling out the Emperor's black history in public… She'd thought they were on great terms after Rudolf interceded for her!
"Haha, you still remember that, Oguri."
Rudolf didn't mind at all; she laughed generously.
After years with this slightly airheaded gray Cinderella, Rudolf was used to her sudden deadpan quips.
She put an arm around Oguri affectionately and told the others:
"That was my mistake then, for underestimating Oguri. Now I understand deeply that both Central and the regions produce strong horse girls—like Oguri here, and like you…"
Turning, she looked at Stardust. In her eyes was dignity—and a shade of apology:
"'Oguri Cap II' Stardust Mirage—since Oguri herself has named you her heir, don't disappoint us. Teio's been waiting for you a long time!"
"Mm!"
At the mention of Teio, Stardust grew serious.
The day after Oguri's win, she heard that Tokai Teio had claimed her own second victory—in the Senkuri Kinen (if that's the name? I only found a phonetic)—at Kyoto on the same day as Arima Kinen.
Watching the replay, Stardust understood that Teio had evolved again. She was desperate to face Teio—Triple Crown stage or not—
"How is Tokai Teio now?" she asked. "Is she training at the academy?"
"That child…" At Teio's name, Rudolf covered her face. "She pushed so hard she pulled a muscle. She's in the hospital, probably a few days before she's out."
"Eh?! Stardust—you're the 'Oguri Cap II' Sis kept talking about? Ah! So that's Oguri Cap herself!"
After listening forever, Bakushin suddenly had a revelation—only now realizing who the others were—leaving everyone speechless:
So you just figured out Oguri Cap is Oguri Cap?
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