"...Bamboo Elegance, are you really just a Horse Girl who hasn't run in a Debut Race?"
On the training field, the man holding a stopwatch pulled out his phone.
After finding a race online that matched the distance Bamboo Elegance had just run and comparing the results, Chairman Saito Asuka looked at Bamboo Elegance with disbelief in his eyes: "The time you just ran could potentially win even in a G1 race?!"
As he said this, he walked over to Bamboo Elegance and stared intently into her eyes, as if trying to discern something from them.
"Are you really not some reincarnated Race Horse Girl?"
"...Trainer, have the recent light novels been good?"
After resting for a while and catching her breath, Bamboo Elegance smiled and countered when she heard Saito Asuka's words.
"Not particularly good, just something to pass the time."
Unaffected by Bamboo Elegance's attempt to change the subject: "...I'm quite curious about how you trained before. Can you tell me?"
"How I trained before..."
Bamboo Elegance repeated Saito Asuka's words while subtly avoiding eye contact with him.
"Oh, I don't really remember clearly."
"..."
Looking at Bamboo Elegance putting on an exaggerated thinking expression, the young chairman remained silent.
"It's fine if you don't want to talk about it."
Saito Asuka shook his head, then lowered his head and stared at his stopwatch for a long time.
"But... it's unbelievable."
The man put away his stopwatch and looked up at the black-haired Horse Girl with a complicated expression: "...A Horse Girl who hasn't even completed her Debut Race can actually achieve such results."
"A beautiful girl can do anything!"
Then, Saito Asuka saw Bamboo Elegance say these words with a smile on her face.
...Although Horse Girls are all naturally beautiful, does being pretty mean you can do whatever you want?
Then, he remembered how Horse Girls' physical abilities are comprehensively superior to humans'.
It seems... they really can.
"Trainer, what should we do next?"
While the man was still lost in thought, Bamboo Elegance's words brought him back to reality.
"Well... let's call it a day for now."
Saito Asuka thought for a moment, then closed the notebook in his hand.
"Huh? Won't you experience it a bit more?"
Hearing the man's words, Bamboo Elegance asked with feigned surprise: "The feeling of being a trainer?"
"...No need."
A helpless smile appeared on the man's face: "I can't be of much help right now."
Based on everything he had just seen, Bamboo Elegance had given him another surprise.
Although she hadn't debuted yet, she had already demonstrated the powerful ability to win in G1 races.
But this also meant... that he, who wasn't even a proper trainer yet, couldn't be of much help beyond providing logistical support.
The greatest help he could offer now was to pass the upcoming Trainer Qualification Certificate exam.
At this thought, the man felt his confidence somewhat shaken.
Though he was reluctant to believe it, such a genius truly existed in this world...
My only role is to help her step onto the racetrack, isn't it?
Realizing he was of no help to Bamboo Elegance at all, Saitō Asuka thought dejectedly.
"Hmm… Ending so early—are you eager to see your fiancée?"
The black-haired Horse Girl teased, "The two of you really do have a close relationship."
"The Trainer Qualification Certificate exam is coming up soon."
Hearing Bamboo Elegance's words, Saitō Asuka furrowed his brow. "…Before that, I need to study more."
"If I fail this exam… I'll have to wait another month for the next one."
At this point, the man couldn't help but sigh.
The Trainer Qualification Certificate… could only be taken a maximum of five times.
If all five attempts failed, everything would have to start over from scratch.
…Don't panic. Even if I fail this exam, I still have four more chances, right?
But… if this drags on too long, the situation at Himeji Local Tracen Academy will only worsen until it reaches a point of no return.
Originally trying to console himself, Saitō Asuka's mood grew increasingly anxious.
No… I can't keep thinking like this!
The exam is still three days away. I can't let the pressure affect my performance before it even begins.
The current state of Himeji Tracen doesn't allow him to delay any longer.
I must… turn things around before everything becomes irreversible!
"Though the exam is important, Chairman, you also need to rest."
Watching the ever-changing expressions on Saitō Asuka's face finally settle into determination, Bamboo Elegance said, "…If we succeed in the end, but you collapse due to health issues and can't witness the results of our hard work, wouldn't that be a terrible shame?"
"Thank you, but I won't let myself collapse before that happens."
Saitō Asuka, with dark circles under his eyes, shook his head, then turned and left under Bamboo Elegance's gaze.
I absolutely… won't let this academy be abolished like this!
"…Honestly, can't you just listen to me?"
Watching Saitō Asuka gradually walk away, Bamboo Elegance pouted in dissatisfaction.
Wanting to protect cherished memories is important, but if you collapse because of it, wouldn't that be putting the cart before the horse?
Such a simple truth—why is it that some people just don't understand?
Bamboo Elegance sighed, then glanced once more at the transparent screen only she could see on her left.
But… wouldn't the effects of the medicines displayed in the shop be too strong for humans?
Staring at the shop page she had pulled up, Bamboo Elegance rested her chin on her hand, lost in thought.
Well, it's better if that doesn't happen.
The black-haired Horse Girl looked in the direction Saitō Asuka had left.
But if something like that really happened...
"...I'll just switch it out for the bitterest medicine I can find."
Bamboo Elegance murmured to herself.
Consider it a little punishment for not taking proper care of his health?
Mm-hmm, that's what I'll do!
"Well then... since the trainer has left, what interesting thing should I do next?"
Bamboo Elegance looked around, raising her head.
Gazing at the training ground where she stood alone as the only Horse Girl, she felt somewhat dejected remembering that she was currently the only student at this academy.
Being the only student here really means missing out on a lot of fun.
Sigh... when will I get to see another Horse Girl besides myself at this academy?
Bamboo Elegance pondered troubledly in her heart.