"Welcome everyone to Tracen Academy's first Friendship Race! We will provide commentary and introductions for this Friendship Race with a process and style that is no less grand than an official race!"
On the commentary stand, two Horse Girls were serving as hosts and commentators. One of them, a shorter roan Horse Girl, looked quite excited, forming a stark contrast with the other roan Horse Girl beside her, who appeared rather quiet but was constantly eating a rice ball.
"So, I, Tamamo Cross, will be providing the live commentary for this race! And the person in charge of the general commentary is—Oguri? Oguri! Stop eating!"
"—I am Oguri Cap, pleased to meet you." Under Tamamo Cross's frantic prompting, the roan Horse Girl named Oguri Cap finally devoured the rice ball in her hand, saying faintly with a few grains of rice still clinging to the corner of her mouth.
However, even though Oguri Cap did nothing but speak, her mere words drew cheers from the audience and on the stage. Clearly, Oguri Cap's popularity made her a truly deserving star Horse Girl, and it was no wonder she was chosen to be a commentator this time.
"Alright, ahem, after layers of selection, there are thirteen new Horse Girls participating in this Friendship Race. To ensure consistency with a normal race procedure, we also conducted a popularity ranking this time!" Tamamo Cross coughed dryly before immediately chuckling:
"The popularity ranking was conducted by Tracen Academy's internal Horse Girls and does not represent a ranking of ability, but it is absolutely fair and just!"
"First up, with the thirteenth popularity, Twin Turbo! She looks full of confidence!"
"Twelfth popularity, Opera O! I hope you don't run into trouble before the race again!"
Tamamo Cross reported the results of the popularity poll conducted by the Horse Girls of Tracen Academy one by one. In the stands, Ikezoe and Wada, who had already arrived in the spectator area, heard several familiar names and couldn't help but feel a little emotional.
"It really is an all-star race, feels like running the Arima Kinen."
"Indeed, Twin Turbo, Opera O—we've already heard two familiar names." Wada also couldn't help but sigh. However, neither of them took it too seriously, as they knew the prototypes of these two. While they didn't want to be rude, these two truly posed no threat to them.
But soon, they heard other names that warranted their attention.
"Sixth popularity, Special Week! She recently joined Tracen Academy from Hokkaido and was the second-place Horse Girl in the last selection for the strongest Team 'Rigil'! I have high hopes for her!"
"Next up is the fifth popularity, Meisho Doto…"
"Special Week? She's a freshman too?" However, when Wada and Ikezoe heard this familiar name, they both unconsciously looked at Special Week, who had just stepped off the stage after her introduction, their eyes shining with surprise.
Among them, Wada was quite familiar with this name. Yutaka Take had once ridden Special Week in more than one confrontation with Wada riding Opera O, and their rivalry began after that.
The two could be said to have had their share of victories and defeats. For Wada, as a Jockey, Special Week was indeed a formidable rival—of course, so was Yutaka Take.
"So, what are you going to do? Focus solely on Special Week?" Ikezoe saw through Wada's thoughts and couldn't help but ask.
"…No, Special Week is still just a freshman, after all. She hasn't undergone systematic training for too long, and she poses little threat to Opera O… no, to Doto."
Although Wada was serious at first, he quickly regained his composure and shrugged, saying, "If we really want to win this time, then we should focus on Tokai Teio or McQueen. Special Week… she's still far from the Special Week I'm familiar with."
"Better safe than sorry." Ikezoe, however, had a slightly different idea from Wada. He had no intention of having Curren Chan aim for first place, as it was simply unachievable; a 2000-meter middle-distance race was essentially a death sentence for a sprinter. Ikezoe planned to use his own method to gain some popularity for Curren Chan.
And soon, they also heard several familiar names, such as Seiun Sky, Narita Road, and Agnes Digital, until finally, the true contenders for this race arrived.
"And now for the main event!" At this moment, Tamamo Cross finally announced the last two popularities, saying with some excitement to everyone, "Second popularity! It's the rising star from the Mejiro Family, Mejiro McQueen!"
At Tamamo Cross's announcement, Mejiro McQueen slowly walked onto the stage. As someone with Mejiro Family blood, she had been under the spotlight since she first enrolled, and this time, she undoubtedly secured second popularity without any dispute.
"McQueen! Go for it!"
"You must win, McQueen!"
As soon as McQueen stepped onto the track, cheers immediately erupted from the stands. McQueen looked over in surprise and realized that Mejiro Ryan, Dober, and a group of her sisters had all appeared in the stands to watch her race.
And beside them, there was another figure McQueen was very familiar with… "Everyone, and Grandmother…" McQueen hadn't received any news that they would come to watch the race, so she was quite surprised. However, she quickly nodded firmly, strengthening her resolve.
Trainer Imanami hasn't arrived yet… Last time I saw him, he seemed to be recovering well, but he probably hasn't been discharged from the hospital yet.
However, I will not lose, Trainer Imanami. I'm sure you're watching me on live television right now, aren't you? Please rest assured, I will definitely achieve this victory!
"And now, the undisputed number one popularity! Tracen Academy's highly anticipated rising star! Tokai Teio!"
"Tap."
With Tamamo Cross's announcement and the cheers of many spectators, Mejiro McQueen snapped back to reality and looked beside her. At this moment, Tokai Teio was already standing next to McQueen, maintaining a confident expression, and deliberately looking at McQueen.
At this moment, the eyes of both girls burned with a fighting spirit. Although it was not an official race, their mutual rivalry had already ignited.
"T.M. showdown, revisited!" Ikezoe also rubbed his hands together with a bit of excitement. Although neither of them was his in charge Horse Girl, witnessing the rivalry between Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen was enough to excite him.
On the other side of the two, Gold Ship was also mixed in with the crowd, silently observing the opening of the race. However, her gaze was no longer on Curren Chan, but rather on Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen, who were now displaying a desire to contend.
Why did they have such a strong fighting spirit? The timid Gold Ship was now trying to find answers in this race, to find a possibility that would allow her to unleash her strength… On the other side, Opera O was also looking down at Doto's figure. At this moment, the Horse Girls had already entered the gates. This time, Tojo Hana did not accompany Opera O, intending to witness Doto's growth firsthand.
"Well then, let me see, Doto, let me see how much you have grown under Wada-kun's training."
This would absolutely determine Opera O's tactics, whether to adopt a more aggressive approach or a more conservative one.
Even though she also wanted to join Wada's Team, this strong desire became more evident each day. But, the Overlord would not simply concede victory… Meanwhile, in the hospital room, Gold Ship was currently with Imanami. Gold Ship was peeling an apple for Imanami on the hospital bed and feeding him, taking care of him with such thoughtful detail that it would make anyone who knew her jaw drop.
Is this Gold Ship? Is this the Gold Ship who caused mischief every day at Tracen Academy? Isn't this just a granddaughter taking care of her beloved grandfather?!
But no one said anything at this moment. Gold Ship and Imanami were both focused on the live broadcast on television. At this moment, all the Horse Girls had entered the gates. Gold Ship also laughed:
"Heh heh, McQueen recovered so quickly! It's a pity I, Gold Ship-sama, can't participate, otherwise I would definitely show them my true power!"
"By the way, old man, do you think McQueen can win? Can she beat Doto and Tokai Teio?"
"Well…" Imanami himself wasn't entirely sure. Generally speaking, a Racehorse is not only a test of the Racehorse itself but also of the Jockey. The Jockey's judgment and actions influence the Racehorse's performance.
But in this world, Horse Girls run on their own in the arena. The Trainer can only set the tactics beforehand, and how to truly respond depends on the Horse Girls' own judgment and performance—a very important part of the Jockey's job is omitted.
However, even so, Imanami had great confidence in McQueen.
"If McQueen can win, perhaps she can surpass the achievements of the original Tokai Teio and become a new Miracle."
"Clang!" At this moment, a sound came from the television—the sound of the gate opening!
"A perfect start—no! Special Week was late! You, don't pull any tricks on me! I have high hopes for you!"
"No, now is not the time to say that. The Horse Girl currently in the lead is—Tokai Teio! Mejiro McQueen and Meisho Doto are close behind! Followed by Curren Chan!"
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