"..."
Rudolf Symbol thought Sirius Symbol's train of thought was far too unrestrained. Sure, European and American horse girls were more open and passionate when it came to romance, but there was no way they would ambush someone at a banquet. What was this, a welcoming party or a trap?
Besides, things like that were usually something girls only thought about after transferring to the Dream Cup circuit or retiring. What kind of horse girl would make a move on one still in her classic year?
"Xingyun's out on the terrace enjoying the Baltimore night view. Trainer Chihaya is with her. Though... there are a few American horse girls out there too. I remember..."
Rudolf Symbol had just started recalling their names when Sirius Symbol abruptly clamped a hand down on her shoulder. Because in Sirius's mind, she had both the right and the duty to remind her:
The American horse girls were trying to poach Japan's greatest pillar—how could she possibly stay calm?
Of course Rudolf Symbol wasn't calm. Otherwise, she never would have accepted Xingyun Liuge's invitation and come with her to this welcoming banquet in the first place.
The problem was that no matter how nervous she got now, it wouldn't help. Better to keep a composed face and make the American horse girls think they still had everything under control.
If the Americans sensed that they were helpless in the current situation, then they really would turn into the kind of "useless husband" you saw in novels and films—standing there impotently while the other side buried Xingyun Liuge under wave after wave of sugar-coated persuasion.
"I see..." After hearing Rudolf's explanation, Sirius Symbol finally nodded in understanding. "Got it."
At the same time, Xingyun Liuge was out on the terrace chatting with Winning Colors and Goodbye Halo.
Tonight, Winning Colors had none of the showiness she'd displayed during the cowboy duel, nor did she have the touch of overblown confidence that defined Rising Star.
She wore a fitted off-shoulder evening dress that showed off her smooth, rounded shoulders and broad swathes of fair skin, yet somehow still gave off an efficient, capable vibe. It was just that her front armor looked a little...
Flat?
Could it be that precisely because she was flat, she came across as so sharp and streamlined?
Compared to her, a certain Goodbye Halo was a completely different story. She wore the same kind of off-shoulder dress, though in a different cut, and looked soft, pale, and very much well-endowed—the sort who looked destined to become a dependable mother one day.
Without changing expression, Xingyun Liuge stole a glance at those snow-peaked contours, then at the girl's literal valleys and ridges, keeping her face perfectly composed.
As for the other party, Goodbye Halo didn't notice her little glance at all. She was busy saying,
"This wasn't actually part of the plan, but after watching the Kentucky Derby, I really want to run against you myself, Miss Xingyun. I'm dying to know what it feels like from the first-person view on the track! I'm super curious!"
Goodbye Halo clenched her fist, her pretty face shining with obvious anticipation. Meanwhile, Xingyun Liuge's attention was on the conspicuous white fullness that bounced several times in response.
It wasn't that she was too preoccupied with such things—it was simply so dazzling it might as well have been a spotlight. Xingyun Liuge tipped her face up toward the sky and decided the ceiling lights directly above Goodbye Halo had to be the problem.
Winning Colors, on the other hand, wore a complicated expression.
"That wasn't exactly a pleasant experience. It felt like endless chains wrapping around me one after another until I couldn't move at all. You actually want to experience that, Goodbye?"
Winning Colors truly could not understand. She was honestly shaken. Goodbye Halo was a horse girl too—she had seen those huge, sky-piercing emerald lights and the chains appearing one after another. How could anyone look at that kind of thing and feel longing?
Was she secretly a masochist?
Noticing Winning Colors' increasingly dubious stare, Goodbye Halo arched an eyebrow and put her hands on her hips.
"You're definitely thinking something incredibly rude right now, aren't you, Winning?"
As rivals from the same generation, how could Goodbye Halo not read her old opponent and friend?
"Wouldn't that be nice, though?"
At that moment, a soft, gentle voice joined them. It was Mom's Command, of all people. Beside her stood Lady's Secret.
"Miss Command... Miss Secret..." Goodbye Halo snapped to attention so fast she looked like an ordinary student being caught by the dean. Whether or not she had actually done anything wrong, she instantly looked guilty.
Winning Colors handled herself a little better than Goodbye Halo, but her expression turned solemn too, like someone standing before the idol she admired most, determined to present only her very best self.
In front of these two legendary horse girls, the pair currently fighting their way through the classics suddenly seemed to have reverted to their foal days, adorably uncertain and nervous.
How could Mom's Command possibly suppress her overflowing maternal instincts when faced with such horse girls?
She couldn't.
So she pulled Xingyun Liuge straight into a hug.
At that instant, Xingyun Liuge felt as though an enormous tidal wave had crashed right into her. The sheer pressure nearly crushed the breath out of her, yet the softness was so intoxicating that she had no desire to pull away. She could only suffer and savor it at once.
Maybe this really was proof that bigger was simply better.
"W-Wait, Miss Command!"
Chihaya Yui hurried forward and grabbed Xingyun Liuge's small body, trying to pull her free from the "sea of suffering."
Watching the three of them "struggle" together, Lady's Secret couldn't help curling her lips into a smile. Then she patted Goodbye Halo lightly on the shoulder and murmured,
"The future looks bright."
Goodbye Halo and Winning Colors were both baffled. What was that supposed to mean? Did she mean she thought Goodbye Halo had potential and could achieve great things? That was no small praise.
Goodbye Halo fought hard to suppress the excitement surging inside her, but the way her tail wagged betrayed everything.
Winning Colors was sincerely happy for her friend's recognition, but it also stirred up a fierce competitive streak in her.
Goodbye Halo had just won the Kentucky Oaks in clean, decisive fashion, while she herself had taken second in the sibling race, the Kentucky Derby. That meant she had lost to Goodbye Halo by a head, and that simply would not do. She had to become stronger.
At that moment, her determination blazed.
Lady's Secret tugged lightly at Mom's Command's collar, making her let Xingyun Liuge go, then said,
"Command, calm down. We still have something very important to do."
As she spoke, Lady's Secret cast a discreet glance toward the banquet hall, where Rudolf Symbol and Sirius Symbol were both being held up by horse girls who had taken the initiative to approach them. It was the perfect chance to get serious.
What they meant to do was, in one sense, difficult.
In another, very simple.
Lady's Secret straightened her expression and said,
"Xingyun Liuge, transfer to our American Central Tracen. You have the ability to dominate the world and carve out a legend. It would be such a waste to let a petty little Japan limit you."
As she spoke, she stepped between Winning Colors and Goodbye Halo, placing a hand on each girl's shoulder.
"We have stronger horse girls, rules that actually keep up with the times, and hearts that truly support horse girls chasing their dreams."
Lady's Secret might have been better off not laying hands on them, because the instant she did, Goodbye Halo set off a veritable tidal wave. The swell rose high before crashing down again—not remotely subtle.
"?"
Slowly, Xingyun Liuge produced a question mark in her mind.
Miss Secret... is this really what you're using to tempt a horse girl?
"Of course, we won't mistreat Trainer Chihaya either. If she's willing, Central Tracen will treat her as a cherished friend. A green card, a house, a car, tax reductions—whatever you need, we'll provide the greatest support and the most favorable terms."
"I don't think anyone can offer better conditions than that."
And at that very moment, a third voice cut in.
"That's true. In this era, only British Central Tracen could probably offer something close. But that once-vast empire is already in decline. It simply can't compare to America anymore."
It was Rudolf Symbol. She had finally escaped from the social circle of American horse girls and "caught" Lady's Secret in the act.
"As for Japan..." She shook her head lightly. "No matter what Japanese Central Tracen says right now, it will only sound lacking in sincerity. It can hardly inspire confidence."
Join here to read ahead.
In Star Rail, Ultra-Beast Armored — Have I Caught "Equilibrium"? l (Chapter 80)
Uma Musume, But I Only Have Five Years Left to Live (Chapter 178)
Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Doctor, Not a Bangboo (Chapter 138)
Ben Tennyson Wants to Join the Justice League ( 126 )
TYPE-MOON: Redemption Beginning with the Holy Grail War (Chapter110)
Yu-Gi-Oh! — Transmigrated into the White Dragon Girl (Chapter160)
"Is this chat group even serious?" (Chapter98)
I, Lord Ravager, Utterly Loyal! (Chapter175)
Can Playing Games Save the World? 65
Crossover Anime Multiverse: The Demon Hunter of an Unnatural World 77
From Junkman to Wasteland 66
Weekly Refresh of Overpowered 31
I'm Grinding Proficiency Like 46
From Kiana, Lord Ravager, Onwa 163
Honkai: Is This Still the Prev 42
Elf: My Starter Pokémon Is Inc 65
Warhammer: My Primarch Is Remi 150
From Demon Slayer to Grand Ass 100
The Way the Umamusume Look at 68
Uma Musume, but My Cheat Power 170
Naruto: Weaving the Future, Be 65
Zenless Zone Zero, but Kamen R 76
Multiverse Crossover: The Perf 66
My Cyberpsycho Girlfriend 65
Uma Musume: The Dark Trainer 145
Uma Musume: A Calamity Born fr 125
I, a Reincarnation-Loop Player 69
The Violent Girl Group Is Beat 90
Uma Musume: The Horse Girl Who 66
Uma Musume: From Beginner 100
Becoming a Horse Girl, I Will 70
Uma Musume: I Want All 90
I Can Copy Unique Skills 65
Summoning an Evil God, but the 52
Supernatural Multiverse 65
My Harem Is Indescribable 55
Jujutsu Kaisen: Heroic Spirit 55
"I'm just a Valkyrie passing through." 66
Uma Musume: Today Is Another Romantic Battlefield 55
Still playing traditional Honk 35
The Most Filial Son Under Heav 35
What Should I Do After Switchi 24
Reincarnated as a Demon, Skill 35
Hell-Difficulty Dungeon? 27
Transmigrated as Sukuna 27
Checking In in Demon Slayer 32
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