"Come to think of it, the Japan Derby is almost here…"
"I wonder who's going to win this year?"
As the date of the Japan Derby drew closer, news and chatter about it began spreading throughout Central Tracen Academy.
You could hear discussions like that in every corner of the school.
Which was only natural—after all, the Japan Derby was exactly the kind of race people should talk about.
The race itself carried the dreams of countless horse girls. With that kind of weight behind it, this level of attention wasn't surprising at all.
And right now, in the Central Tracen cafeteria, a group of students had gathered and were debating the topic.
"So, who do you think is going to take the title in this year's Japan Derby?"
A bespectacled horse girl raised the question.
Beside her, a horse girl with a high ponytail answered without hesitation.
"Obviously Yaeno Muteki! She just took the first crown of the Triple Crown not long ago!"
"True," the glasses-wearing girl nodded. "Yaeno Muteki is definitely the real deal."
"What about the Mejiro family's Mejiro Ardan?"
A horse girl in a short skirt raised her hand to ask.
"Mejiro Ardan is a seriously strong contender too, if you ask me!"
"Yeah, yeah—her running form on the track is unforgettable."
"And she's a Mejiro lady, too… I heard there's an academy in Hokkaido connected to their family…"
The moment Mejiro Ardan came up, the atmosphere grew even more heated.
Clearly, plenty of people believed Mejiro Ardan of the Mejiro family was one of this Derby's top favorites.
"But…"
"If we're talking about the biggest favorite…"
"Oguri Cap!"
When that name was spoken, several horse girls clustered together exchanged knowing looks and nodded in agreement.
Since transferring to Central, she'd kept up an astonishing winning streak.
Undefeated since her debut…
And especially her finishing kick—anyone who'd watched her race was left stunned by Oguri Cap's monster-like late surge.
"This year's Derby is terrifying…"
All the major contenders looked frighteningly strong. No matter who won, it wouldn't feel strange.
Those voices carried across the cafeteria—reaching a quiet table on the other side, where several girls were eating in calm silence.
"Oh my~ Muteki, they're saying you're one of the favorites to win."
A horse girl with clear, lake-blue long hair and delicate features teased the chestnut-haired girl eating quietly beside her.
"Ardan," Yaeno Muteki replied without even looking up, "they listed you as a favorite too."
"Heehee~"
Mejiro Ardan covered her mouth and laughed softly.
"Must be nice… you two are getting talked about."
At their side, a girl with an "elf-ear" hairstyle and a cherry-blossom hair ornament had collapsed on the table like a little dumpling, her voice full of envy.
"Chiyo-chan just needs to be cute—that's enough~"
Mejiro Ardan smiled and gently patted the dumpling-like girl. Even though they were classmates, Sakura Chiyono O always made Ardan feel like she was looking after one of her younger sisters back home.
"Mmph, Ardan… I want to win the Japan Derby too!"
The cherry-blossom girl lifted her tiny pink fist in protest.
And to be fair, Sakura Chiyono O had won a GI-level Asahi Cup back in her rookie year.
Despite how harmless she looked, she was unexpectedly a dangerous opponent.
It was just that she could never quite make a truly serious expression—so her fist-waving looked less like intimidation and more like an angry little hamster.
Pure cuteness, through and through.
Just as Sakura Chiyono O said, the three of them at this table were all planning to enter the upcoming, widely anticipated Derby.
"But I didn't expect that Oguri Cap's presence would be even bigger than yours, Muteki…"
"..."
At that, Yaeno Muteki's hand trembled slightly as she ate.
"…It can't be helped. I lost to Oguri Cap in the Mainichi Cup. That's just how it is."
Yes—this wouldn't be Yaeno Muteki's first time facing Oguri Cap in the Japan Derby.
Before she won the Satsuki Sho, she'd already clashed with Oguri Cap in a Central race.
Back then, she'd been overflowing with confidence, convinced she'd make her mark even at Central.
And then she'd been completely crushed by that ash-gray horse girl who'd appeared out of nowhere.
She'd thought this transfer student from the regional circuit wouldn't be anything special—only for reality to prove the opposite.
That girl from the countryside clearly had strength that couldn't be underestimated.
"I'm just saying—if you look down on Oguri Cap, you're going to pay for it."
Yaeno Muteki silently finished the miso soup in her bowl, then spoke in a calm, flat tone.
"Muteki, you rate Oguri Cap pretty highly~"
"Of course."
Yaeno Muteki answered without a second of hesitation.
"She's beaten me before. How could my opinion of her be low?"
"Besides, Ardan—do you think your younger sisters back in the regional schools are weak?"
"Of course not" Mejiro Ardan replied with a gentle smile. "Those girls all have remarkable potential. Once they come to Central and get proper training, they'll absolutely be stars of the future"
"And besides… isn't the horse girl with the hottest momentum right now also from the regional circuit?"
"You mean Senpai Tamamo Cross?" Sakura Chiyono O's eyes immediately lit up.
"I watched her race! Senpai Tamamo was so cool in the Spring Tenno Sho! She's basically the strongest!"
"Even though she's so tiny, she runs like she means business!"
"And her hometown is Hokkaido too—same as yours, Ardan!"
"Hokkaido is amazing!"
Once Sakura Chiyono O started talking about Tamamo Cross, she didn't stop—she was a full-on fangirl now.
Clearly, she'd been completely conquered by Tamamo Cross's strength.
But as Mejiro Ardan listened, her mood turned subtly complicated.
Huh… Tamamo Cross is from Hokkaido too?
I wonder which academy she's from…
It shouldn't be North Lake Academy, the one tied to the Mejiro family…
Versailles Academy, the one connected to the student council president?
Doesn't feel like that either…
Could she be from Dahong Academy?
…It's been so long since I went back to Hokkaido. I didn't realize they could produce someone like Tamamo Cross now.
I'm really curious who the trainer behind her is.
....
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