Compared with Kitasan Black's Debut Race, this race day was a little cloudy, but the track conditions were excellent.
It was her second time competing at Tokyo Racecourse, and Kitasan Black was clearly calmer than she'd been the first time. When Anjing Zhen brought her in, she didn't look around curiously like she had before.
Since her race was the seventh of the day, scheduled for 1:25 p.m., they went through the usual routine of getting accustomed to the track, warming up, and making an appearance. Afterward, the two of them headed to the designated dining area for a meal.
There, they ran into three unexpected horse girls.
"Don't even know they changed the restaurant windows, and you still claim you know Tokyo Racecourse well?"
"I really did race here a lot back then. Besides, I've been studying in Europe these past few years. It's not like they'd go out of their way to tell me Tokyo Racecourse was being renovated."
"Europe? Ha—hahaha! What a coincidence! I've been touring Europe a lot these past few years. Did you ever come see me, Vodka?"
"I heard about your performances, Senior. I was planning to go, but one of my projects reached a crucial stage... If you perform again, I'll definitely come support you."
"Ha—hahaha! Then it's a promise. I'll save you the best seat in the house."
"I'll come support Senior, too!"
"No problem. Leave it to me!"
"Hey, can you stop copying me all the time?"
"When have I ever copied you? And besides, I've got plenty of free time coming up!"
"You're talking as if I'm going to be busy..."
"Come on, you two are just as close as ever. Want me to arrange a private box for you?"
"Absolutely not! And we're not close!" x2
They could hear the conversation and bickering from a distance. When Anjing Zhen turned to look, he froze.
Beside him, Kitasan Black had already called out in delight.
"Ah! It's Senior T.M. Opera O! And Senior Yamato and Senior Vodka!"
...So how had those three horse girls ended up together?
As Anjing Zhen wondered, the three horse girls on the other side heard Kitasan Black's voice and looked over in unison.
"What a coincidence, Little Kita. I was going to come find you later... Come sit with us."
Daiwa Scarlet waved with a smile, then looked at the two horse girls seated at the same table.
"Senior T.M. Opera O, this is the junior I told you I was coming to cheer on, Kitasan Black."
While they were talking, Kitasan Black had already hurried over with her tray. Anjing Zhen followed behind her, lost in thought.
"Hello, Seniors! I'm Kitasan Black, a new student at Central Treisen Academy this year! This is my Trainer, Anjing Zhen!"
"Hello, I'm Anjing Zhen. It's nice to meet you. Please take care of us." Anjing Zhen introduced himself as well.
"You should already know Senior T.M. Opera O."
Daiwa Scarlet continued with the introductions.
"There's no need for me to say much about myself. As for this one..."
With a hint of disdain, she glanced at the brown-haired horse girl beside her.
As if she hadn't noticed Daiwa Scarlet's scornful look, the brown-haired horse girl pressed two fingers together against her temple, struck a dashing pose, and smiled at Kitasan Black.
"Hey, Little Kita. Long time no see."
Then she turned to Anjing Zhen.
"Hello, Trainer Yasui. I'm Vodka. It's nice to meet you. Please take care of me... Hey, could you make room for her?"
The last part was directed at Daiwa Scarlet, with undisguised annoyance.
Not to be outdone, Daiwa Scarlet glared back.
"I did make room for her! And have you put on weight while you were in Europe? It's so cramped."
"I train every day! You're the one who's put on weight, aren't you?"
"You train every day and you're still this heavy? What kind of training is that?"
"Don't believe me? Tokyo Racecourse is right outside. Want to run a lap?"
"Hah, you think I'm scared of you? Let's go!"
Seeing that the two horse girls were genuinely about to roll up their sleeves and head for the track, T.M. Opera O sat across from them as if she'd seen it all before, making no effort to intervene.
Kitasan Black could only twitch her lips awkwardly, while Anjing Zhen remained composed, though he felt a little strange inside.
Vodka was the horse girl known, along with Daiwa Scarlet, as the Peerless Duo.
During their racing careers, the two of them had shattered the prejudice that mares couldn't compete with male horses. On top of that, they were genuine rivals.
The first time they met on the track, they battled head-to-head for hundreds of meters in the Final Straight, taking first and second place and finishing a full six lengths—fifteen meters—ahead of third.
Vodka won that Tulip Sho, but Daiwa Scarlet immediately struck back by winning the Oka Sho.
After that, Daiwa Scarlet won the Shuka Sho as well.
Then, at the Tenno Sho Autumn the following year, Vodka won again—and improved Special Week's course record by a full 0.8 seconds.
Such a legendary career naturally became widely known in the industry, and fans loved to talk about it.
Anjing Zhen had paid attention to those stories before, but back then, he'd assumed that two horse girls who were so fiercely at odds on the track probably didn't get along outside of it, either.
But after seeing their relationship in person, how should he put it? They seemed to be arguing fiercely, but somehow...
It almost looked like they were flirting.
"...Trainer, don't be scared..."
While Anjing Zhen was quietly puzzling over it, Kitasan Black tugged gently at his sleeve and whispered:
"The two Seniors have always been like this. They're really close. It just looks like they're arguing..."
"We're not close!" x2
"...Uh, just like that."
All right, they really were flirting. Anjing Zhen nodded silently.
Just then, the horse girl across from them spoke up.
"Kitasan Black... I remember now. Your race is at one thirty this afternoon, right?"
"Yes! That's right, Senior T.M. Opera O!"
As if answering a question in class, Kitasan Black immediately sat up straight. Then she looked puzzled.
"How did you remember when I'm racing, Senior...?"
The horse girl called T.M. Opera O had a dazzling air about her, and her outfit was just as extravagant. She wore two jeweled earrings on each ear, and a brilliant crown atop her head.
"Because one of my juniors is in that race. I came to cheer her on. Do you know Sato no Takarazuka?"
"I do! We often hang out together, but..."
Kitasan Black hesitated. "I don't think Benten ever mentioned knowing Senior T.M. Opera O...?"
"She's probably heard my name, but I haven't met her in person yet," T.M. Opera O said with a natural nod. A trace of helplessness and wistfulness flickered in her eyes. "So, to be precise, I'm here to cheer on her Trainer."
"Her Trainer...? Senior T.M. Opera O... you know Benten's Trainer?" Kitasan Black's ears twitched.
"Of course I do. After all..."
T.M. Opera O sighed almost imperceptibly and stood up with a smile.
"She used to be my Trainer, too."
"All right, it's almost time for me to meet her as promised. I'll be going now.
"As for my upcoming tour performances, all of you... Oh, I mean the four of you—if you're interested, you're welcome to come watch. I'll save you seats.
"Don't worry. They'll be world-class spectacular. Ha—hahaha!"
(Here's a picture of The Overlord.
Vodka. Being cool is all that matters.
Peerless Duo
Before you continue