Chapter 61: The Cap's Successor Explores the Mejiro Residence by Night
Ines Fujin, the true first horse girl of this team, finally had hope for recovery.
Although Stardust Mirage had never met her and had only just learned her name,
seeing Toyama Hikaru's joyful expression made it clear that the two shared a deep bond.
Upon receiving the news, Toyama Hikaru sincerely apologized to the three and requested half a day off, saying she needed to visit Ines Fujin first to check on her condition.
El Condor Pasa also left, as she had younger teammates in her own squad to look after. Only Stardust Mirage and Mihono Bourbon remained, deciding to jog toward a secluded small cafeteria.
This served both as exercise and a chance to try the dishes Oguri Cap loved—a cafeteria highly recommended by Musaka Ginjiro.
The reason the two were free to go their own way wasn't because they didn't want to visit Ines Fujin, but because Toyama Hikaru had declined their offer.
Toyama Hikaru explained that the patient's condition wasn't stable enough yet and assured them there would be opportunities to visit later.
"Speaking of which, Bourbon, do you know about the trainer's relationship with Ines Fujin?"
Remembering this, Stardust Mirage turned to ask her teammate.
"Request confirmed: Explanation of Master's relationship with Ines Fujin?" Bourbon replied, still sounding like an AI, her tone completely flat and her expression unreadable.
"Please do. I'm also curious about what kind of senior could make Trainer Toyama show that kind of expression."
"Master originally worked at the Tracen Training Center in the regional branch. She only passed the central trainer qualification exam last year and came here."
"According to records, initially, some horse girls were willing to join Master's team, but most soon transferred out due to the unbearable training intensity. Only one remained: Ines Fujin."
"Speaking of which, I've been wanting to ask—why does Trainer Toyama always assign such heavy training regimens? Honestly, even though you and I can handle it, it's really not something most horse girls can endure," Stardust Mirage interjected.
"Because Master believes: If a horse girl cannot win races, she loses her reason for existence. Therefore, one must turn their heart into a demon and train relentlessly, to become a horse girl who wins races," Mihono Bourbon explained earnestly before continuing:
"According to most accounts, Ines Fujin's personality leans toward gentleness, which is why she was willing to diligently follow Master's plans. Before her debut, the two spent 84 days together."
"Ines Fujin's debut race was postponed three times due to various reasons before finally taking place. Immediately after, she chose to challenge the G1 race [Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes], where she achieved a resounding victory and tied the record set by Maruzensky in that race, instantly causing a sensation."
"She had both wins and losses in subsequent races. However, when she challenged the first leg of the Classic Triple Crown, the Satsuki Shō, Ines Fujin made a poor start, falling behind and unable to employ her signature front-running style. Although she managed to regain the lead toward the end, excessive stamina consumption caused her to lose the Satsuki Shō title by a neck."
"Despite the loss in the Satsuki Shō, many believed Ines Fujin possessed remarkable strength. Her failure was attributed to her trainer—Master being a novice—which prevented Ines Fujin from fully showcasing her talent."
"Calls for the Uma Racing Association to revoke Master's trainer license grew louder. However, Ines Fujin repeatedly stated in public that she would absolutely not change trainers. In fact, she insisted it was precisely because of Master that she had become so strong. She claimed any previous losses were entirely her own fault for not performing her best."
"But the pressure continued to mount, forcing the URA to intervene. Under URA demands, Master had no choice but to issue a public apology. In front of a crowd of reporters, she took full responsibility for all mistakes."
"Student Council President Rudolf Symbol and Ines Fujin both attended the apology session. They pleaded for everyone to give Master one final chance—the Japanese Derby."
"Ines Fujin declared to the cameras: If anyone is to blame for all this, blame me. But in the Derby, I will prove with my ability that my trainer is not at fault—I will win the Japanese Derby. Then, you'll have nothing left to say, right?"
"Finally, Ines Fujin entered the Derby in this state… She succeeded. Leading from start to finish, Ines Fujin defeated all opponents and even broke the record set by Sakura Chiyono Ō, proving with her strength that her partnership with her trainer was unquestionably solid."
"In that race, Ines Fujin's domain overpowered everyone. The name of that domain was—Icarus Chasing the Sun. Just like Ines Fujin's own journey, wasn't it?"
The final words, however, weren't spoken by Mihono Bourbon. Stardust Mirage and Bourbon simultaneously turned toward the source of the voice.
Standing not far away, addressing them, was a horse girl with short brown-black hair and a handsome appearance.
Stardust Mirage recognized this horse girl. In the game from her previous life.
Mejiro Ryan was her name.
"I almost caught up to her in that race," Mejiro Ryan said with a smile, waving at the two. "Unfortunately, I hadn't mastered my domain yet back then. That's why Ines Fujin was able to burn herself out, forcefully crushing all opponents to seize victory."
"After that race, she was diagnosed with multiple leg injuries and has been hospitalized ever since, right?" Mejiro Ryan grinned familiarly, showing no hesitation in sharing her own defeat as she spoke to the two.
"Hey, Mejiro Ryan, are you here for dinner too?" Stardust Mirage asked.
"I'm here for dinner? What are you talking about? This is the Mejiro family's exclusive training base," Mejiro Ryan replied, pausing for a moment before turning to look at the building behind her.
She pointed at the enormous characters "Mejiro" on the Estate behind her, her face full of confusion as she asked in return.
"Huh?!"
Only then did Stardust Mirage realize it. She had been so engrossed in listening to Mihono Bourbon's story that she hadn't paid any attention to the direction. Right now, forget about finding that cafeteria...
She didn't even know where she was!
This castle, which she was seeing for the first time, looked incredibly grand, something only a place like Central Tracen—a city within a city—could accommodate.
"Looks like you're lost. So, little lost kittens, how about coming in and taking a seat at Mejiro Estate?"
Seemingly noticing Stardust Mirage's panic, Ryan warmly invited them. "I'm also very interested in you, who defeated McQueen the other day. If you want to eat, you can also try the Mejiro family's chef's cooking. How about it?"
"Bourbon, what do you think?" Stardust Mirage turned to ask her teammate for her opinion.
"Master has not given any specific orders, so I will leave it to you to decide, Stardust Mirage," Bourbon replied, already accustomed to taking orders and showing no intention of making her own decision, tossing the choice right back.
"Hmm... then let's give it a try?"
Although she felt a strange aversion to the words "Mejiro Estate," Stardust Mirage was already starving and didn't want to take another step.
Why not just grab a meal and then ask for directions back?
Thinking this, she followed Mejiro Ryan's steps and headed into the estate.
Note: I'm new to translating so please be kind and tell me any mistakes you all find, I will try to release a chapter a day but don't expect much
(TL Note: I'll be dropping this fic so this will be the last chapter I'm posting on WebNovel)
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Raw: 赛马娘,我会圣诞 帽大招也要告诉你?