A Competition Experience Unique in 64 Years

After the Winner's Stage, Anjing Zhen was initially hesitant about whether to tell Saburo Kitajima about the "Onsen Therapy."

How should he put it? His intentions were purely for the health and training of Kitasan Black, which was true.

However, taking a youthful and lively girl to soak in a hot spring—especially when he was only 18—would, honestly, draw some sideways glances.

He didn't care what others thought of him, but he felt he should explain it to Kitasan Black's family, especially her elders, when he had the chance.

He just hadn't expected that when he mentioned it to Kitasan Black, he would learn that Saburo Kitajima had already visited the backstage area to see his granddaughter and had since departed.

This caught Anjing Zhen by surprise, but after hearing from Kitasan Black that her Grandpa had business to attend to that evening and would find time to spend with her tomorrow, he felt relieved.

Given the man's status, he must be very busy indeed.

There was no need to chase after him to talk about the hot spring; doing so might make him look like he had something to hide.

Thus, just as they had after her Debut Race, Anjing Zhen took Kitasan Black to the same Onsen Inn as before.

It wasn't just the two of them; he had also invited Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka.

With two extra people, Anjing Zhen simply booked a small villa.

It was certainly much more expensive, but not to mention the prize money from this race, the 2 million-plus from last time had already arrived in his account. He didn't have many major expenses, so he could easily afford this current expenditure.

Besides, the place offered not only excellent therapeutic effects but also very comfortable service.

He was a person who believed in seizing the day, so there was no reason to refuse a more comfortable option.

After everyone finished bathing, the four of them held a simple barbecue celebration in the small courtyard.

"Cheers!" x4

"Ah! That is so refreshing!"

Downing a large glass of beer in one go, Vodka reminisced:

"Back when I was still at the Academy, I wanted to drink like Tanino Gimlet-senpai, but I was too young, and we weren't allowed to drink because of the races."

The "Gimlet-senpai" Vodka mentioned was Tanino Gimlet, also a top-tier horse girl whose representative victory was the Japanese Derby, one of the Triple Crown races.

"Hey, hey, don't tell me you've been an alcoholic in Europe all these years?"

Also drinking beer, Daiwa Scarlet said with disdain:

"If you're going to be a Dormitory Manager, I'm going to keep a close eye on you. All alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited in the dorms and on campus."

"Relax, relax, I'm well aware of that. Besides, how could I be an alcoholic over there? I had plenty of research to do, you know?"

Waving her hand dismissively, Vodka said:

"And besides, I can just drink non-alcoholic carrot fruit beer with Little Kita like this."

Just as Vodka said, while she appeared to be holding a large beer mug like the others, filled with an orange, bubbly drink, Kitasan Black was actually drinking fruit beer.

After taking a big gulp, the black-haired girl had a ring of white foam around her lips, especially on her upper lip, making it look like she had grown a thick, straight mustache.

Hearing Vodka's words, Kitasan Black twitched her white "mustache" and asked in surprise:

"Eh? Is Vodka-senpai going to be a Dormitory Manager like Daiwa-senpai?"

Anjing Zhen was also a bit surprised; he hadn't heard anything about this from Tokai Teio, so he couldn't help but look at Vodka.

"Yeah, if this one can be a manager, I definitely can too."

Pointing at Daiwa Scarlet, Vodka laughed:

"Plus, our research has some common ground. I've discussed it with her, and I feel that interacting more with juniors like you helps in finding inspiration for research topics."

"Daiwa-senpai is a graduate student in medical science... is Vodka-senpai one too?" Kitasan Black asked curiously.

"Not exactly. I studied mechanical engineering in Europe."

Vodka grew excited.

"I've loved motorcycles since I was a kid, and I love speeding down the road on one!

"Vroom, vroom, vroom—it's just so cool!

"So, before I graduated from the Academy, I thought about building the world's fastest motorcycle myself.

"Japan and some European countries are top-tier in this field, and I figured it wasn't like I wouldn't come back, so I went to Europe for a few years of study.

"As for my current research topic, it's roughly related to horse girl aerodynamics.

"Specifically, it's about reducing the wind resistance experienced by the rider during the design process.

"That's why I think interacting with juniors like you often might give me some inspiration."

"I see... wait?"

Nodding as if she understood, Kitasan Black's eyes suddenly lit up.

"Since Vodka-senpai is also going to be a manager...

"Then, shouldn't you be able to help me with my training, just like Daiwa-senpai?"

Hearing this, Vodka and Daiwa Scarlet exchanged a smile, while Anjing Zhen felt a stir in his heart.

If Vodka were to also assist in Kitasan Black's training, it would be absolutely beneficial and carry no drawbacks.

Especially when compared to Daiwa Scarlet, one particular race experience of Vodka's was of extreme importance.

Before this "Peerless Duo," the prejudice regarding the "distinction between colts and fillies" was deeply ingrained, and even their Trainer could not escape such conventions.

Influenced by these past biases, the Classic Year schedules their Trainer initially arranged were for the "Fillies' Triple Crown" rather than the "Triple Crown."

Corresponding to the Triple Crown, the Fillies' Triple Crown also consisted of three G1 races: the Oka Sho, the Oaks, and the Shuka Sho.

After winning the Oka Sho, Daiwa Scarlet was forced to cancel her participation in the Oaks due to a severe cold.

As for Vodka, after losing to Daiwa Scarlet in the Oka Sho, she and her Trainer reached a consensus: since the Fillies' Triple Crown was out of reach, they might as well try for the Triple Crown, so they entered the Japanese Derby.

That race was the first Japanese Derby to feature a female horse girl in 11 years.

Except for Vodka, the remaining 17 contestants were, without exception, male horse girls.

In the end, Vodka achieved a stunning victory with an absolute lead of 3 Horse Lengths.

This victory announced to the world that female horse girls were by no means mere stepping stones, while also setting the feat of a female horse girl dominating the Japanese Derby for the first time in 64 years.

The value of such a victory goes without saying; it was a one-of-a-kind achievement in 64 years.

More Importantly, Kitasan Black had already registered for the Triple Crown, so learning about this unique experience from her seniors now would definitely have only benefits and no drawbacks.

While she was secretly anticipating this and wondering whether to ask, Anjing Zhen was pleasantly surprised to see Vodka nod with a smile.

"That goes without saying!

"Little Kita supported us so much back then, coming to cheer us on at almost every race; how could I drop the ball at a time like this?

"Besides, since that Daiwa already took the first step to train with you, how could I keep dragging my feet?"

Almost out of habit, after agreeing, she teased her career-long rival and close friend.

Unlike their previous tit-for-tat exchanges, Daiwa Scarlet wore an "I knew it would be like this" expression as she smiled and raised her glass.

"I knew you'd say that, but forget about other things—I was actually worried you wouldn't compete with me on this!"

"As if that would happen!"

Also raising her glass, Vodka extended her fist and smilingly bumped it against Daiwa Scarlet's.

Following that, both horse girls looked over together.

"So let's do our best together, Little Kita! And Anjing-kun!"