The races Lily-chan and the others enter are based on races in the app.
After the summer training camp Lily-chan powered up. Now I could run 2000 meters and be fine!
And I made new friends. Ash Stone-san and Kyoei Bogan-san (now we call them Ash-chan and Kyo-chan). Thanks to these two running with Rice-chan and me, we got a lot stronger. This is what they call friendship training!
But we didn't just train, you know? We had a barbecue together, wore normal swimsuits and went swimming… Speaking of which, Ash-chan's abs were totally ripped. Kyo-chan's were a little defined, and Rice-chan had a nice clean line. You can see the effects of training in places like that too!
…Me? I'm the same as Rice-chan — not ripped, but a very nice line. I'm proud of it! Because Rice-chan stroked me all over! Lily-chan isn't just cute, she's got a great figure too!
On the last day we went to a local summer festival. At first everyone planned to go together, but Rice-chan… um, invited me on a date.
Have you ever been on a date? Before Rice-chan invited me, I'd never been on one.
If trips with mom and dad count, I've had lots… but that doesn't count? …I'm a sad Lily-chan.
Back to the story… Rice-chan asked me on a date, but it turned out it was Rice-chan's first time asking someone too! We were both first-timers! It was a little awkward but kind of nice!
The date wasn't much different from normal though. We held hands while walking, ate lots of foods at the stalls, looked at pretty scenery… But thinking of it as a "date" made my heart beat faster than usual.
While watching fireworks with Rice-chan, Rice-chan said they wanted to get even closer to me. I was wondering how we could become closer, and then — our faces got really close.
…That moment was so embarrassing. It felt like time stopped and we stared at each other forever… and, um, our lips drew close…
…It was so close.
…Anyway! After that we met up with Ruru-chan and everyone and walked around the festival! Ash-chan cleared one of those hard mold-cutting games in one try, Kyo-chan missed all the shots at the shooting stall and was frustrated… so many things happened!
There were lots of other fun things. But starting in September we have a lot of races planned. Using the memories and what we learned at summer camp, we'll win many races! Let's go — fight!
---
The two who grew dramatically over summer camp decided their next races: Shirono Lily would run the Noji-giku Stakes and Rice Shower would run the Fuyo Stakes. On race day they showed the results of their camp with strong races and won brilliantly. That made both of them two-time winners.
Convinced they could compete even higher, the trainer set the next goals: the graded GIII Saudi Arabia Royal Cup for Shirono Lily, and the Kyoto Junior Stakes for Rice Shower.
─────────
───────
─────
──
"Pittsun, pittsun! We can run a graded race!"
"W-We're finally in a graded race… Saudi Arabia Royal Cup… I-I'm getting nervous—"
"It's not race day yet, you know? It's too early to be nervous—"
These two horse girls are Red Bomber and Pencil Dash. Red Bomber is the energetic one; Pencil Dash is the odd, jumpy one. They're first-year high school, debuted this year.
Red Bomber has red, super-fluffy hair and is bright, energetic, and very honest… outwardly, that is.
In truth she's more self-deprecating than anyone; when she gets depressed it takes her a long time to recover. To hide that she puts on a bright, energetic act. Compared to other quirky horse girls this is cute, but she's pretty bothered by it herself.
She mainly runs turf sprints and miles, and favors leading or stalking tactics.
Pencil Dash is extremely shy—an archetypal shadow person who panics at sunlight.
Like Red Bomber, she races turf sprints and miles. She's supposed to be a front-runner… or rather, she can't run anything but a front because she loses motivation when mixed into the pack and feels uncomfortable at the very back—an unfortunate reason, but true.
At first glance the two seem incompatible, but Red Bomber's hidden, not-so-public personality drew Pencil Dash to become attached. According to Pencil Dash, "the shadow's longing for the sun has a comforting aura."
They've been roommates since school started. They're on different teams but have supported each other like comrades.
"I-I hope there aren't any scary people in the race… Ahhh!?!?"
"Hey?! What's wrong, Pittsun! Was there a scary person in the lineup… Waaah!?!"
""Lily-chan is running!?!?""
They're victims of having their brains melted by Shirono Lily — Lily's big fans.
"What do we do, Bon-chan!! Seeing Lily-chan in person is too much, I'll die!!"
"Ahhh! I can't handle it either, I'll die!"
"She got even stronger after the summer camp and is scary in a skill sense!! And the swimsuit pics uploaded to Uma-tter were lewd!! If I had to say anything it was especially her stomach!!"
"Right! But those thin thighs drive me mad… I want to rub my face against them… Ah! Wrong!! Don't look at Lily-chan like that! …We trained this summer too, so maybe… no, it won't work. Sigh… at least let's get an autograph."
"Don't give up before fighting… maybe at least smell her first before dying."
Completely unrelated, if you search "Shirono Lily" on Uma-tter the suggestions include "nice smell" and "cute." What are the central horse girls and people thinking?
Banning social media by their parents was a wise decision.
---
Early October, the day of the Saudi Arabia Royal Cup. The horse girls were being presented in the paddock.
Nine runners in this race. The ones drawing attention were Pencil Dash, Red Bomber, and Shirono Lily.
"—Number 1, the third-favorite Pencil Dash. She's pretty nervous."
"It's her first graded race. If she can perform normally, she should do well. We hope for a good run."
(People… so many… ugh… please help… Bon-chan…)
Her eyes were teary and she was frozen, almost about to vomit from nerves. The one she's asking for help is her opponent today, Bon-chan. Will her mental state hold up?
"—Number 3, second favorite Red Bomber. She looks good."
"She's in great shape. With that finishing kick she could aim for the win."
(Ahahh! So many people… it's scary~)
She didn't show it outwardly but was trembling with nerves. To deceive the commentators—what acting ability. Iron muscles in her face.
"—Number 5, favorite Shirono Lily. Excellent condition."
"She shows no signs of nervousness even in her first graded race. She's currently on a two-win streak; it will be interesting to see if she extends it."
(Today Lily-chan is in top form!)
She struck a proud pose with hands on her hips.
Lily-chan is cute.
"This race will probably be led by Pencil Dash, and the others will follow…"
"What's wrong, Onee-sama, suddenly?"
"With Lily's finishing kick she could come from far behind, but Red Bomber's kick shouldn't be underestimated… I told Lily to go for a forward strategy this time, but we'll see…"
"Lily-chan will win, right?"
"…We just have to believe. But I have a bad feeling."
Shirono Lily had two wins and was attracting attention for her strength.
(If it's a slow pace, Lily-chan will have too much stamina left and could be easily overtaken… So today—)
(Although I'm frustrated, my technique probably won't work to mark Lily… so this time—)
((—I'll ignore Lily and go hard to the front!))
So the two avoided direct confrontation. The other six did not.
"Gate in complete. They're ready to start."
"The gates open. Oh? Did Shirono Lily get a bit slow out?"
"Who will take the lead — let's see."
The iron gates opened and all the horse girls sprang out.
This time Shirono Lily didn't so much start slow as everyone else got a perfect break. Pencil Dash surged ahead and took the lead. Red Bomber chased a bit behind by about three lengths. Then, two lengths behind them were seven girls fighting for position, including Shirono Lily.
(—Pencil Dash is surging forward. Red Bomber is following. If they get too far I should move forward too… huh? Two of them are in front of me… two on my right diagonally… glancing back I see two behind to the right—)
—Lily-chan is surrounded, isn't she?
Everyone else had marked Shirono Lily.
"No way… seriously?"
"Maybe it's just coincidence, but everyone except Pencil Dash and Red Bomber are marking Lily?"
"Forcing my way out might cause contact… this is bad. I didn't expect to be marked this much — my mistake."
"You're not at fault. If Rice noticed Lily's cuteness would draw attention, maybe—"
Shirono Lily was completely boxed in as the race progressed to the first corner.
(…everyone's clustered behind? Maybe they're marking Lily? …Good for me! I'll leave them behind and pull away!)
(Glance… Lily is getting marked hard… I'm glad I'm not marking her. If we got tangled it would be bad. Sorry, but the world of competition is cruel. I'll chase Pitsun and win!)
They entered the corner and slowly accelerated to try to pull away and keep the lead. Pencil Dash and Red Bomber were three lengths apart, then the pack was four lengths back. But Shirono Lily wasn't panicking.
(…front is bad, sides are bad… the leaders are already in the corner…)
They absolutely would not let Lily get to the front — an ironclad mark. She thought.
(I have stamina left… my legs are fine… then I—)
Shirono Lily suddenly slowed and dropped to the back. Surprised, the six saw an opportunity and all sped up through the corner.
"…Lily, could it be—"
"…Normally you wouldn't try to go that way—"
(…I'll kick on the final straight and win!)
(…I trust my finishing kick; don't think you'll beat me easily, Pittsun!)
The two leaders launched their sprints simultaneously. Advantageous distance; the favored Lily seemed finished. The two rivals would duel straight to the line, then embrace and praise each other.
But that didn't happen. Because there was—
(First graded race, a straight showdown with rivals… feels like drama. But I'll win today, Bon-chan!)
(I won't let you escape, Pittsun! I'm here to win!)
—Shirono Lily was there.
Far behind the two, the turf made an explosive sound.
"…Huh? What was that sound…?"
"Eek!? What just—"
Startled by the thunderous noise, they instinctively turned.
That approaching sound was the turf's scream. Something was rushing straight at them with a huge sound.
Standing there was an eerily beautiful, pure-white horse girl, flawless and immaculate.
(Lily-chan!? Is that Lily-chan!? How is she here!? She got out on her own!?!)
(Pit…!? Huh!? What!? No way! How did she escape from that mark!?)
They were shaken by what they thought was Lily's demise and slowed for a moment. Shirono Lily paid no mind and was charging with terrifying speed.
(So fast! It's totally different from video! At this speed— Uh!? Her face looks scary! She's too beautiful, it's frightening!)
(No, I don't want this! I don't want to lose! I absolutely, absolutely want to win!)
The gap between Pencil Dash and Red Bomber closed to nearly even. Fifty meters to the line. But the distance to Shirono Lily had almost vanished.
(I don't want this! I don't want to lose! I want to win and live proudly!)
Shirono Lily powered past them with that momentum, pulled away by a length, then two, and crossed the finish line.
(—…Ah…)
(—…It smells so nice…)
On the turf, every horse girl there had wishes. Promises to friends and family, dreams to fulfill. But only one can realize them.
Trampling all of them, Shirono Lily seized victory.
"She's shown her strength — Shirono Lily wins! A stunning performance to take the race! Shirono Lily! A resounding victory in the Saudi Arabia Royal Cup! Second place Red Bomber. Third place Pencil Dash—"
"…She dropped to the back to lose the mark, feigned being done, then ran the outer-most line to disappear from everyone's sight. From outside their awareness she unleashed that thunderous sprint, caused confusion, and rode that momentum to overtake… Amazing, Lily. I can't believe she thought of all that in a moment… Hm? Rice?"
"......"
"Rice? …Heeey, my cute Rice? …Rice-chan..."
"—Cool…"
"Huh? What was that…?"
"Aaaahhhhhhh!!! Lily-chan is so cool and wonderful! I looove you!!!!! I love you I love you Lily-chan!!!!!!"
"Whoa! Don't shout all of a sudden!"
"But!! Senior!! I love Lily-chan!! Did you see that!! So cool!! I love you!!"
"Okay already! Look, Lily is waving!"
"Aaaahhh!!!"
"I'm speechless…"
The trainer had no words to say to his own overblown affection.
---
Shirono Lily won the Saudi Arabia Royal Cup. I have to say, today Lily-chan was super cool!
When I was boxed in at first I didn't know what to do, but I remembered I could come from behind. So I slid back and stored my strength, then unleashed a huge sprint!
Hmph! Lily-chan is clever and can change tactics flexibly! Ruru-chan praised me a lot! I was so happy!
We've just finished the winning live and returned to the academy. The celebration is tomorrow, so right now I'm back at the dorm with Rice-chan.
"Lily-chan! Today's race was really so cool! Rice is so moved I'm speechless!"
"Hehe! Thanks, Rice-chan! Rice-chan, your race is in late November, the Kyoto Junior Stakes, right?"
"Yeah! Rice's first graded race too, I'm so excited! …I'll run a race as cool as Lily's!"
"I'll look forward to Rice-chan's race! …Huh? Who's that—"
While walking with Rice, some friends approached.
"Yo! Shi—congrats on your first graded win!"
"Ah! Ash-chan! Thank you! You watched the race!"
"On TV, but yeah. Getting out of that crazy situation and blasting past everyone was satisfying to watch."
"Fufun♪ You can praise me more!"
Ash-chan ruffled my head while saying "amazing." That felt kind of like being treated like a dog.
My hair is super smooth so it won't get messed up by that!
"Woah… seriously? It feels so soft… Hey! Don't glare like that, Rice…"
"..."
Rice-chan hugged me from behind and looked at Ash-chan. What expression did Rice-chan make?
"Well, whatever. Wasn't Bogan with you, Ash? I expected Bogan to come straight for Lily."
"O-Oh. Bogan kind of fainted after the race."
"He couldn't handle it."
Kyo-chan couldn't withstand my coolness and cuteness… sinful Lily-chan…
"Anyway, I forgot to ask at camp… Shi, will you keep going the mile route?"
"No, I'm going for the Triple Crown route with Rice-chan!"
"So you'll run the G1 at year-end, the Hopeful Stakes?"
"I haven't asked Ruru so I don't know, but probably!"
"…I see."
Ash-chan looked thoughtful and then stared at me seriously.
"I wanted to fight you on a big stage to surpass the me of that day. So I thought to invite you to the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes, but with the Hopeful coming up, that's tough…"
"…Um, about that…"
Before I could apologize, Ash-chan cut me off and muttered.
—A big stage would have been better, but oh well. In early November, the GII Daily Hai Juvenile Stakes… Enter it, Shi—
The gray beast Ash Stone showed a ferocious grin as if to devour the pure white Shirono Lily.
"—Next time I'll kill you, beat you…!"