After the Winner's Stage, Anjing Zhen had been debating whether to tell Saburo Kitajima about Onsen Therapy.
How should he put it? The goal was to help Kitasan Black's health and training, that much was true.
But taking a lively young girl to an onsen, especially when he was only eighteen, would honestly draw some attention.
He didn't care what other people thought of him, but he felt he should explain things when he met Kitasan Black's family, especially the elders.
He hadn't expected that when he brought it up with Kitasan Black, he would find out Saburo Kitajima had already gone backstage to see his granddaughter and then left.
Anjing Zhen was a little surprised, but when Kitasan Black said her grandfather had things to take care of that evening and would make time to spend with her tomorrow, he felt relieved.
Someone with his status was probably very busy most of the time.
There was no need to chase after him and bring up the onsen, then. That might make it seem as if he had something to feel guilty about.
So, just as they had after the Debut Race, Anjing Zhen took Kitasan Black to the same Onsen Inn as last time.
He invited not only the two of them, but Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka as well.
With two more people, Anjing Zhen simply booked a Small Villa.
It was certainly quite a bit more expensive, but aside from the prize money from this race, the two million or so from last time had already arrived. He didn't have many other expenses, so he could afford it.
Besides, the place offered excellent therapy and comfortable service.
He was the sort of person who liked to enjoy life while he could, and there was no reason to turn down a more comfortable option.
After they had all washed up, the four of them held a simple celebratory barbecue in the small courtyard.
"Cheers!" x4
"Haah! This is so good!"
After downing a huge mug of beer, Vodka said nostalgically:
"Even back at the Academy, I wanted to drink like Senior Gimlet. Too bad I wasn't old enough back then, and I couldn't drink while racing."
The "Senior Gimlet" Vodka mentioned was Tanino Gimlet, a first-rate Horse Girl whose signature victory was the Japanese Derby, one of the Triple Crown races.
"Hey, hey. You haven't been drinking yourself into a stupor every day in Europe, have you?"
Daiwa Scarlet said with a disapproving look, sipping her own beer.
"If you're going to be a Dormitory Manager, I'll be keeping a close eye on you. Alcoholic drinks are banned in the dorms and on campus."
"Relax, relax. Of course I know that. Besides, how could I drink myself into a stupor every day over there? I had plenty of research to do."
Vodka waved a hand dismissively.
"Anyway, I can still drink nonalcoholic Carrot Fruit Beer with Little Kita here."
Just as Vodka said, although Kitasan Black was holding a large beer mug like everyone else, its contents were a golden, fizzy drink. She was actually drinking fruit beer.
She had just taken a big gulp, leaving a ring of white foam around her lips. There was especially much on her upper lip, like a thick, straight mustache.
At Vodka's words, Kitasan Black twitched her white "mustache" and asked in surprise:
"Eh? Is Vodka Senior going to be a Dormitory Manager like Senior Yamato?"
Anjing Zhen was also a little surprised. He hadn't heard anything about this from Tokai Teio, so he couldn't help looking at Vodka.
"Yeah. If this girl can be a manager, then I'm sure I can handle it."
Vodka pointed at Daiwa Scarlet and grinned.
"Besides, our research has some things in common. I talked it over with her, and I think spending more time with you juniors might help me come up with ideas for research topics."
"Senior Yamato is a medical graduate student... Is Vodka Senior one too?" Kitasan Black asked curiously.
"Not quite. I studied mechanical manufacturing engineering in Europe."
Vodka perked up.
"I've loved motorcycles since I was little, and I love riding them at full speed!
"Vroom, vroom—it's just so cool!
"So before I graduated from the Academy, I wanted to build the fastest motorcycle in the world myself.
"Japan and some European countries are really good at that, and I figured I could always come back later, so I went to Europe to study for a few years first.
"As for my current research topic, broadly speaking, it's Horse Girl Aerodynamics.
"More specifically, it's about reducing the wind resistance a rider experiences during the design process.
"So spending time with you juniors might give me some inspiration."
"I see... Huh?"
Kitasan Black nodded, only half understanding, then suddenly lit up.
"If Vodka Senior is going to be a manager too...
"Then you should be able to help train me like Senior Yamato, right?"
At that, Vodka and Daiwa Scarlet exchanged a smile, while Anjing Zhen's heart stirred.
If Vodka really did help train Kitasan Black, it would be nothing but beneficial.
Compared to Daiwa Scarlet in particular, Vodka had experience in one race that was extremely important.
The prejudice over the distinction between male and female racers had been deeply rooted before the Peerless Duo, and even their Trainer had shared it.
Influenced by that old prejudice, their Trainer had initially scheduled them for the Female Triple Crown during their Classic Year, rather than the Triple Crown.
Like the Triple Crown, the Female Triple Crown consisted of three G1 races: the Oka Sho, the Oaks, and the Shuka Sho.
After winning the Oka Sho, Daiwa Scarlet had to withdraw from the Oaks because of a severe cold.
After Vodka lost to Daiwa Scarlet in the Oka Sho, she and her Trainer agreed that since the Female Triple Crown was out of reach, they might as well try the Triple Crown instead. So they entered the Japanese Derby.
That race was the first Japanese Derby in eleven years to feature a Female Horse Girl.
All seventeen of the other competitors were Male Horse Girls.
In the end, Vodka won in stunning fashion, finishing a full three lengths ahead.
That victory announced to the world that Female Horse Girls were no mere stepping stones, while also making history as the first time in 64 years that a Female Horse Girl had conquered the Japanese Derby.
The significance of that victory went without saying. It was the only one of its kind in 64 years.
More importantly, Kitasan Black had already entered the Triple Crown. Learning this uniquely valuable experience from a senior now could only do her good.
While Anjing Zhen was eagerly wondering whether to ask, he was delighted to see Vodka smile and nod.
"Of course!
"Little Kita supported us so much back then, showing up to cheer us on at almost every race. How could I let her down now?
"Besides, this girl, Daiwa, already got a head start by training with you. Am I supposed to keep dragging my feet?"
Almost out of habit, after agreeing, she teased her longtime rival and close friend.
Unlike their old head-to-head rivalry, Daiwa Scarlet just smiled as if she'd known this was coming and raised her glass.
"I knew you'd say that. I don't care about other things, but I was worried you wouldn't compete with me over something like this!"
"Like that could happen!"
Vodka raised her glass too, then held out a fist and bumped it against Daiwa Scarlet's with a grin.
Then the two Horse Girls looked over at them.
"So let's do our best together, Little Kita! And you too, Anjing-kun!"
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