"About yesterday… I'm truly sorry. I couldn't control my anger."
I bowed sincerely to all of them. Trainer and Kakak looked at me with gentle smiles, while the others remained silent. I suppose they were quite surprised by what I had just done.
"I'm sorry for causing you trouble."
"Ah, we understand, Milord-san. So please, don't think too much about it," Gavi replied.
"… Yeah."
"In that case, let's celebrate our postponed achievement today!" Trainer said.
"Huh?"
"I'll order GoFood first. Let's have a little feast!" Kakak added.
"Hah?!"
"Aru, Salva! Did you already bring the drinks?" Gavi asked.
"We did."
"They're in the fridge."
"Hey, you guys! You're just deciding that out of nowhere!"
"What else were we supposed to do? You were sulking yesterday, so we postponed our little celebration."
"Huh?" I let out a small snort. "Sorry about that."
—
𓃗 𓃗 𓃗
—
Sweet Martabak, also known as Terang Bulan.
A traditional Indonesian sweet pancake, round and soft with a porous, airy texture, commonly sold at roadside stalls or night markets. It comes in various flavors, filled with chocolate, cheese, peanuts, or jam, and generously spread with butter and sweetened condensed milk.
Which means… this thing is an absolute calorie monster. Around 300 calories per slice. One minute of exercise only burns about 5 calories. So it takes a full hour just to burn off a single piece.
Yes, I know horse girls have tremendous stamina. We need plenty of intake to recover our energy. But do you know how many boxes of martabak my sister ordered?
"Why did you order twelve boxes?!" I groaned, staring at the row of paper boxes lined up on the table.
"Hm? We're having a small party, aren't we?"
"What part of this is 'small'?! Don't tell me you expect each of us to eat two whole boxes?!"
"Yup."
"Don't you 'yup' me! Seriously! Can't you not overdo it for once?! We already have cassava chips and cola! How many calories are we trying to stockpile?!"
While I burned with embarrassment at my sister's behavior, the others could only smile wryly.
"Come on, it's not like we eat this heavily all the time. After a bit of training, it'll all disappear anyway."
I snorted. "Whatever."
"Okay~! Then it's time to eaaat!"
Everyone grabbed their own slice at once. Meanwhile, my sister immediately took two chocolate-cheese martabak pieces—one in each hand—cheerfully chomping away at the calorie monster.
"Looks like you're about to gain fifteen kilos again," I muttered.
"W-What do you mean 'again'? And my weight doesn't go up that much!"
I turned away. "Salva, can you pass me the cola?"
"Here."
"Thanks~."
"Hey! Don't ignore me!" she protested. My big sister then glanced to the right, noticing Argentine staring at her. "What's wrong, Argentine-chan?"
"… I've been wondering for a while. Why does Senpai keep coming to Team Emerald?"
"Eh?!"
"Now that you mention it, you come here almost every day."
"Eh? Um—, well, that's…"
My sister stumbled over her words, which only made me more suspicious.
"You're not skipping out on your duties again, right?"
"No, no, no! I'm not skipping!"
"Then?"
"Uh, um… actually…"
"Actually?"
We all stared at her flatly.
"Well, I…"
Her voice grew quieter. Her eyes darted around, avoiding ours—until a hand suddenly landed on her shoulder, from someone unexpected.
"Sunny~."
"Eek—!"
Right behind her stood a beautiful girl calling her name gently—wearing a smile that was anything but comforting. Cold sweat streamed down my sister's face as she slowly turned around. Her eyes widened the moment she realized who it was.
"T-T-Thalassa!" she forced a smile. It failed miserably.
"Yup. I'm Thalassa," she replied, still smiling. "By the way, why didn't you answer my calls?"
"I-I had something to take care of."
"Something? Hmm. If I recall correctly, you've been gone for four hours."
"Um, I…"
"…"
"I…"
"…"
"I'm sorry!" she finally gave in, bowing her head before Thalassa-senpai.
Yup. She really had been skipping out. While the others smiled awkwardly, I covered my face in embarrassment. Why do I even have a sister like this?
"I'm sorry, everyone. Sunny has caused you a lot of trouble," said Thalassa-senpai.
"N-No, it's okay. Sunny-senpai has helped us a lot too," Gavi replied.
"Is that so? Thank you very much for accepting her, Gavi-chan—and all of you as well."
"Y-Ya."
Thalassa-senpai grabbed the back of my sister's collar. "Well then, Sunny. Let's head back to the Student Council Room. The President is waiting."
My big sister's face turned pale instantly. "T-The President? No, no…" she whispered.
"Alright then, we'll excuse ourselves. See you later!" Thalassa-senpai said, dragging her away.
"Y-Ya."
"No! Nooo! Mi-chan! Heeelp meee!"
The door closed. And just like that, it was over—leaving silence behind in the room. I could even hear the faint beep from the air conditioner. Ah, the introvert must have lowered the temperature again.
"Your sister… is something else," Gavi said.
"Sorry."
"Alright. Since you're all here, I want to give you some information," Trainer said. He set down his coffee cup before continuing. "First of all, once again, congratulations on your achievement in your first national series. We managed to start on a positive note. But remember, this is only our first step. You'll be competing in the national series leading up to next year's grand series."
"The Triple Crown, right?" I murmured with a smile.
"From the races you've faced—and the ones you're about to face—you can already see what kind of opponents you're up against. You must keep learning and analyzing every single race. Especially you, Milord. You've felt it yourself, haven't you?"
"Yes, Trainer-san."
"It's not just Caraxes. You have to remember, there will be many incredibly strong rivals waiting for you. That's why training and teamwork are essential for our team. Understood?"
"Understood!" we answered in unison.
"Oh, and one more thing. This may be a heavy goal, but personally, I want to aim for something."
"...?"
He paused, then smiled with quiet confidence.
"Next year, we're aiming for the Triple Crown."
"...!"
No one could say a word after hearing that. We fell silent, struggling even to respond. It was an ambition so enormous it almost felt unreal just to hear it spoken aloud.
Gavi forced a bitter smile. "The Triple Crown? Isn't that a bit too much, Trainer-san?"
"You know how difficult that title is, right?" I added. "In Indonesia, only two horse girls have ever achieved it. After 'ManikTrisula'-senpai and Council President 'DjoharManik,' more than a decade has passed without anyone breaking through again."
"That's true. It's not an easy title to obtain. Even the strongest horse girls before you couldn't do it. Only a monster capable of conquering every opponent can claim it. And the last Triple Crown was won by the strongest horse girl in our nation's history."
We fell silent again. Motivation and pessimism clashed within my heart. Until now, I had never even thought of going that far.
All I wanted was to become like my older sister—and to make my family proud. I wanted to return home one day and show them everything I had accomplished. That was enough for me.
But the Triple Crown...
"...I have a question, Trainer-san." Across from us, Argentine raised her hand.
"Hm? Go ahead."
"Why do you want us to achieve the Triple Crown so badly? If that's your goal, wouldn't it be better for you to coach a team filled with the strongest racers? Like Onyx Team, for example."
"Yeah. That bastard's there," I added. Honestly, I still couldn't bring myself to say his name.
"When you think about it, that might be true. But even coaching the strongest horse girls is no guarantee. We need more than just strength." Trainer's eyes turned distant, as if revisiting the past. "I've experienced it many times. Twice, I almost won that title."
Gavi and Argentine's eyes widened instantly. They seemed to realize something. Watching them, I understood what was going through their minds.
For twenty years, the King Halim family had sought that title. Twice, they had nearly claimed it. Perhaps Trainer-san had been King Halim's personal coach back then. Now, he was training an academy team that included two members of the King Halim family. The situation was different, but the weight of the past never truly disappears. That lingering curiosity—the what-if—would always haunt him.
"Well. That's just the past. I've learned a lot since then. Now, I have reliable horse girls. I have you. I'm truly proud of you."
"...!"
His radiant smile warmed my heart. I could feel the sincerity behind his words. Before I realized it, I found myself smiling back. My heart began to feel at peace—no, more at peace than usual. A feeling I hadn't experienced in a long time.
"Trainer-san. Your smile's creepy. You look like a pervert," I shot back.
"Alright! For your next training session, you're running 100 laps on the track!"
"What the hell?! We're still in post–Series 1 break!"
"That's your punishment for losing yesterday."
"Hey! I lost because that bastard toyed with me!"
"Because you lack experience. That's why you fell right into his trap, didn't you?"
"Ugh!" Damn it! I couldn't deny it!
"And what was that before the race? A national-level racer shouldn't be so easily provoked by such cheap taunts."
"Ugh! Ch-cheap?!"
"I heard you almost passed out after running 2000 meters with Noel Sion. So that's all the stamina you've got?"
"Guagh!"
"Mi-Milord-chaan!" Salva shouted.
I collapsed helplessly after being struck by Trainer's fatal barrage.
"Oh right, how's your leg progressing, Gavi?" Trainer asked.
"It's starting to recover, Trainer-san. The doctor said I can compete."
"That's good to hear. Salva's ready too."
"Y-Yes."
"Alright, this time we'll be discussing the next race."
I rose to my feet again. "Triple Crown Series–2, huh?"
"Yup! And it's less than a month away. Our preparation window is pretty tight. So we only get a week to rest. After that, training begins."
Trainer pulled a tablet out of his bag. After tapping on it for a moment, our phones chimed at the same time.
"Go ahead and check."
We opened the message he sent. Data for the upcoming race appeared on our screens.
"Tegalwaton?" I murmured.
"Series–2 will be held there this coming May. You can take a look at the track design yourselves."
Argentine's eyes sharpened. "Isn't this…?"
"Yes. Four tight corners."
I gave a crooked smile. "Too bad. It's going to be hard for you to accelerate through the turns this time."
Across from me, Argentine shot me an annoyed look. Judging from yesterday's race, her strength lay in accelerating to overtake on the inside of corners.
"Besides that, there are two short straights and two long straights. A lot of duels will happen there. So if you don't want to get boxed in, you'll have to run along the outside."
"Heh! That's easy for me," I replied. "Outside or inside, I can burst forward either way."
"The biggest problem is here."
"…?"
"Thin sand, and hard ground."
"Eh?"
"Isn't that…?" Gavi muttered.
"That's right. You'll find it easy to run, but the load on your legs will increase."
We immediately fell silent. Seeing our reaction, Trainer continued.
"Hard ground won't disperse the energy generated by the force of your strides. Instead, that energy will bounce back, increasing the strain on you. It's quite dangerous. If your legs can't withstand it, you could fall. Worse case—fracture."
"…!"
What did he just say? A fracture? Is it really that terrifying?
I just joined the National Series, and I'm already facing a challenge like this?
A chill crept up the back of my neck. I even had to swallow hard.
My eyes shifted forward. The two sisters looked completely unfazed—serious, even. Even Salva, who's usually timid, seemed strangely calm.
What's with them?
Don't tell me I'm the only one reacting like this?
"Trainer-san, may I ask for something?" I said.
"What is it?"
"I just joined this Series, so I'm not fully familiar with the tracks used for the races. I was able to adapt in Bantul, but for Tegalwaton, I think I need to study it more deeply."
"Hm, I see. Alright! We might head over there to take a look. We can make it a little trip while we're at it. I'll arrange the schedule later. How about it? Everyone else ready?"
"Ready!" the three of them answered in unison.
"All right, the track is settled. Now all that's left is the race. Milord and Gavi, you'll be competing in Beginner Class C/D, 1000 meters, Division 1."
Hearing that, Gavi and I exchanged glances. I never imagined the day would come when we'd end up in the same bracket.
"Are you ready?"
"Ready!" we answered in unison.
"As for Salva and Argentine, you'll be entering Beginner Class A/B, 1200 meters, Division 1."
Unlike me, they looked genuinely surprised—almost as if they hadn't expected it. Even Gavi seemed taken aback.
"Division 1? Isn't that too soon for Aru?" Gavi asked.
"Hm? Why's that?" I turned to Salva beside me.
"U-Um, Division 1 is usually filled with the top horse girls from the previous races."
"Huh? So that means you…?"
"Y-Yes."
So my first impression when I met her had been right. This girl was definitely not someone I could underestimate.
"After seeing the positive results from her debut yesterday, I don't think there's any need to hold back anymore. Besides, the more she faces stronger opponents, the faster Argentine will grow."
Gavi lowered her head. "But… Division 1…" she murmured.
"I know you care deeply about Argentine, but you need to think about yourself too. You're the team captain. You have to set an example for the others."
"…I understand."
"Argentine."
"Yes."
"Judging from your race yesterday, you're very good at analyzing. Keep that up. In the next race, you'll be required to think even harder. Your opponents will be on a completely different level. Be careful. Don't get baited or rush in recklessly. We don't know what kind of strategies they'll use."
"I understand."
"That goes for you too, Salva. Got it?"
"Y-Yes, got it!"
"All right. That's all I wanted to say. Any questions?"
"No!" we answered together.
"Okay then. I'll head back to the office."
"Ah, Trainer-san! You can take my martabak. I can't finish it," I said.
"Ah, me too."
"M-Me too."
The two of them each handed a box to Trainer as well. There was one more girl who hadn't, so I turned toward her. The moment I did, I froze.
"Eh? You already finished a whole box?" I muttered.
"Hm?" She looked down at her empty box.
"You only just realized you ate the whole thing?"
"I haven't eaten since this morning. Maybe that's why," she replied.
I fell silent again. Honestly, I didn't know how to respond.
"By the way, I can't finish all of mine either," Trainer said.
"In that case, just give them to the other teachers in the office," Gavi suggested.
"All right then. Please pass along my thanks to Sunny."
"Sure!"
And just like that, one more person left the room. We stayed silent for a moment, then let out a quiet sigh.
"For some reason, today the tempo keeps rising and falling," I muttered.
"I-I feel the same way."
"From Sunny-senpai to Trainer, it feels like there's such a huge difference."
The three of us let out another sigh. Yes, the three of us. Do you know what the other one was doing? Yup, that's right—munching away!
This introvert really can eat, huh. Look away for a second and half the box is already gone. She must be starving.
I fell silent, like a father watching his child grow. Still, there was one thing that had always bothered me whenever I looked at her face. Apparently, I'd been staring long enough for the introvert to notice.
"W-What?"
"…I'm curious. Why do you keep your bangs so long?"
"W-Why does it matter?" Argentine tried to cover her bangs.
I kept observing her, no matter how uncomfortable she became.
"Gavi! Has your sister always been this emo?"
"Hm? Yeah, pretty much. I've told her countless times to trim her bangs, but she always refuses. Says she doesn't want people seeing her face. Even though Aru's actually cute."
"C-Cute?!"
"Hmm. If you look at her up close, yeah."
Argentine flushed when I stepped closer. She tried to turn her face away, but I moved in front of her again. She turned away once more. I faced her again. Over and over, until she finally gave up. The way she acted shy reminded me so much of Salva. The difference was, this horse girl was truly quiet.
"Gavi! Salva! Come here for a second! There's something I need to talk about!"
They both came closer, and I whispered to them with my back turned to Argentine. Of course, she grew curious. Or rather, she started to sense a bad premonition coming from me.
When we finished, the two of them smiled.
"So?" I asked.
"Okay. I get it."
"In that case…"
Our eyes immediately shifted toward the introvert. Her face stiffened the moment a sly grin spread across the three of us.
"W-What?!" Argentine panicked.
"Aru~." Gavi stepped closer.
"W-Why are you holding my arm? S-Salva! You too?!"
"Relax, Argentine-chan. It's nothing, really."
"What do you mean 'nothing'? Those smiles are terrifying!"
"Muehehehe!"
"Hii—!"
Argentine let out a shriek when she saw me pull a pair of scissors out of my bag. She tensed up even more, her face turning pale as she was forced to sit on a chair.
"Gavi, Salva. Hold her tight. Don't let this kid get away," I ordered.
"Roger~!" they both replied.
And just like that, it happened. Maybe that's why this introvert ended up traumatized by horse girls.
"N-No! Don't! Stop! NOOOO!"
※ ※ ※ (Chapter – 07) ※ ※ ※