February 2024, 08:00 AM (WIB/GMT+7)
It was a bright afternoon. It took about ten minutes on foot to reach my destination from the dormitory.
While taking a short break, I stopped to buy and pick up a can of carrot juice from a vending machine near a small bench. Then I followed the edge of the sidewalk and turned before finally arriving in front of the school gate. Here, I stood for a moment in awe.
"IndonesiaTracenAcademy."
That was what was written above the gate.
A place where selected Uma Musume gather. The best of the best at the national level. The dream we pursue to create history. Dormitories, gym, sports hall, swimming pool, dance studio, performance stage, high-class cafeteria, and of course the training track. Everything we need is here. That is what an elite school for horse girls is like.
"At last, it has arrived. The red carpet for me!" I muttered.
The front yard was filled with female students coming and going. They wore white blazers with blue ribbons, just like me. From here, I could hear songs being played from various musical instruments such as electric guitars, keyboards, and drums. It seemed they were doing a rehearsal. Surely, to prepare for the "Winning Concert" later.
From the gate, I stepped further into the school grounds. I looked at some of their faces, full of joy as they busily moved around. While observing, I noticed someone running toward me.
A beautiful girl with a crimson ponytail. Her long straight hair and tail swayed as she ran, covering the sporty-looking black bag on her back.
She immediately greeted me by shouting, "Mi-chan! You're late!"
I had been happily listening to the music from those practicing in the central field, and Sister's loud voice made me turn my head. I paused for a moment, thinking about turning around and retracing my steps, but I changed my mind and continued walking as if trying to avoid her.
"Don't know her. I absolutely don't know who she is," I whispered to myself.
When she got close, Sister immediately grabbed my hand and complained, "I'm bored waiting here! And now you're trying to run away!"
Even though she has changed since we were little, she still has a childish face and personality. The reason for her annoyance was simple. As agreed, we were supposed to meet here before 8 AM.
"What else could I do? I'd be embarrassed if too many people saw us!" I said, occasionally glancing around. "And don't call me Mi-chan!"
"Hee?! You used to love sticking to Sister. Even now you're not much different. You're still small and cute."
"I'm not small! I've grown three centimeters!"
"So cute~! Yosh, yosh!"
I immediately pulled away and freed my hand from her. Sister just laughed at me.
"So, why did you tell me to come here so early? There shouldn't be any classes today, right?"
Her innocent face looked at me as she answered, "Of course to take you to register for the team."
"I'm not a child! I can register myself! Besides, aren't you a member of the student council here? Aren't you busy?"
"I'm free. There are still two hours before practice."
"Heh~! Fine then. Let's hurry!"
"Okay~! Let's go~!"
"Huaa! Stop pulling me!"
—
Amid the singing voices of the students practicing in the central courtyard, we walked. Now, we were heading toward the corridor leading to the west block, where the announcement board of last year's National Series champions was displayed. Two minutes later, we passed several classrooms and people. While listening to the song they were playing, Sister unconsciously hummed along.
It didn't take long for us to arrive. A large videotron announcement board stood in the middle of the school garden. Lined up there were last year's champions. One of them was the horse girl standing beside me.
"Pertiwi Cup 2023," I murmured.
"How is it, Mi-chan? My photo is cute, right?"
"Yeah, yeah. How does it feel to get the 'Queen' title in 2023?"
"Ehe~!" She held her cheeks that had begun to blush. "Don't say that. I will get embarrassed."
That's Sister. She looks innocent like an ordinary girl. But she is one of the best horse girls in Indonesia. She is very famous and the pride of our hometown, North Sulawesi. Someone I greatly admire and want to follow in her footsteps.
The 'Queen' title holder after winning the Pertiwi Cup 2023.
Sunlight Nagari.
We used to live together at Bendang Family before Sister left to pursue her path and I moved to Miranda Family.
"Enjoy your victory euphoria, Sis. Soon, my face will be displayed up there! I'll defeat all the students here!"
Sister looked at me with a smile. "About that, Sister is also curious. Will your victories continue?"
"Oh my. Why are you asking that? I already proved I won overwhelmingly in my debut."
An annoying smile suddenly appeared on her lips. "Hmm. The National Series is tough, you know."
"Tch! You already know my abilities, don't you?"
For some reason, her smile changed into one I rarely saw. She straightened her shoulders.
"How about we make a bet on your next race? If you fail to get first place, you have to treat me to 'Honey Sweet Cake' for a month."
"What if I win?"
"You treat me to celebrate your victory!"
"No way! Why do I have to treat you in both scenarios?!"
"Come on! When else can you treat your cute older sister?"
"No!"
Sister poked my cheek with her index finger. "Ututu~! So cute~!"
"Even if your mouth breaks, I won't agree!"
"Hmm. Fine then. If you win, I will give you Thalassa's autograph."
"Okay! I agree!"
"The moment you hear Thalassa's name, you move fast."
"While you're at it, I'll trade you for Big Sis Thalassa."
"So mean!" Sister whined.
After finalizing the agreement, we realized we had been standing in front of the board for quite a while. We moved on. Sometimes Sister jogged lightly through the corridor, responding to greetings from passing students and introducing me to them. She was truly popular at school.
The hustle and bustle grew louder as we walked further. Some students carried items for the upcoming bazaar. Others wore training clothes and headed in the same direction as us.
Eventually, a large horizontal building came into view. Above it, a big running-text sign read "Training Track Race," as if welcoming us before we passed through the automatic doors.
It should have taken us five minutes to arrive, but the girl beside me kept zigzagging to greet almost everyone. I might need to put a bridle on her.
We walked down a corridor and passed through another automatic door. The bright morning wind immediately rushed in, making my crimson hair flow. Before us stretched a wide elliptical field. White iron fences surrounded it, separating the different types of track lanes.
Inside, many horse girls were training. The stands on the side were also filled with students. Some watched the trainees, others simply enjoyed the view of the sea beyond the stadium.
While I stood silently in awe, Sister scanned the area. "Ah, there they are!"
I followed Sister as she jogged toward two girls in training outfits standing near the fence. One had shoulder-length chestnut hair and held a water bottle. A turquoise butterfly accessory decorated her left ear. Beside her stood a girl with long chestnut hair, wearing a golden rumah gadang-shaped accessory on her right ear.
Both noticed our arrival.
"Ah, Sunny-senpai!" said the Turquoise Girl.
"Training?"
"Ah, yes." She glanced at me. "Um…"
"Ah, let me introduce. This is my younger sister I told you about yesterday. She wants to join your team."
I extended my hand. "Milord."
"Princess Gavi. I'm the captain of Team Emerald. Just call me Gavi."
"Nice to meet you, Gavi-san."
"I-I'm Salvatore Minang. Just call me Salva," said the girl beside her shyly.
"Nice to meet you too," I replied, shaking her hand.
For a moment, I observed them. Instinct or not, behind their calm and friendly demeanor, I felt they were fairly strong. Especially the Turquoise Girl. Proportional body, balanced posture, good legs and hips, and slim feet. As if her lean body possessed flexibility.
Sprinter? No. Or maybe Stayer? Either way, I need to be cautious if I race against her later.
"By the way, is it just you two here?" Sister asked.
"Ah, Trainer-san is taking care of our upcoming race. So the three of us are training independently. Salva and I just happen to be resting," Gavi replied.
"And then…?"
Sister's eyes shifted toward the track, searching for the remaining member who was still training. I followed her gaze.
Almost all the students were resting at the edge of the track. The rest were jogging lightly. But under the scorching sunlight, there was one figure that stood out. She ran swiftly across the hot sand. Dust scattered from the force of her strides, blown away by the sea breeze.
A girl with long jet-black hair. Tied in a low ponytail, fluttering with the speed of her run. Her body leaned slightly forward, maintaining aerodynamics. There was one thing that kept my eyes from blinking. Her long bangs partially covered her face, but I could still tell that her blue eyes were fixed straight ahead.
The eyes of a hunter.
Gavi waved her hand, signaling for the girl to come over. She noticed, then gradually slowed down and headed toward us.
Without a word, Gavi handed her a water bottle. The girl gulped it down, then poured the rest over her head. Her eyes were slightly red from irritation, perhaps from the dust during her run.
"You always train hard as usual," Sister said.
"Eh? Um," she replied, nodding slightly.
I had been observing her this whole time. Sweat flowed continuously, soaking her dirt-stained shirt in brown patterns. And what caught my attention most was her shoes. I don't even know how to describe them—they were torn in so many places. I could even see her toes peeking out.
"Ah, you ruined your shoes again?" Gavi sighed.
"Sorry… Hm?"
"…!"
I just realized her eyes were glancing at me. She then turned her head slightly.
"Why is there a little kid wearing this school uniform?"
"I'm not a little kid!"
Damn this girl! We just met for the first time and she calls me a kid?! I wanted to punch her! But her innocent face didn't seem to carry any intention of mocking me.
"She's Milord, the new student who wants to join our team," Gavi explained.
"Eh—? Ah, I see." She lowered her head. "Sorry... about what I said earlier."
"He—?! Ah—, um. It's fine."
Wait!
Why am I the one getting nervous?! Where did my intimidating aura go?!
Without realizing it, I even extended my hand toward her.
"I'm Milord, the younger sister of this girl whose name sounds like liquid soap (Note: Sunlight is a dishwashing liquidbrandinIndonesia). Nice to meet you."
"Hey!" Sister protested.
"Ah, yeah."
She took my hand. That was when I noticed an unexpected sensation from her palm. She didn't grip hard, but her skin was thick and rough. I wondered how hard she trained.
"I'm Argentine. Thalassa's younger sister."
"… Eh?"
Wait. What did she just say? Maybe I misheard. I turned toward the liquid soap beside me.
"Yes," she answered. "Gavi too."
"Ha?!"
I turned to Gavi, and she gave a bitter smile.
"We're also from King Halim Family," Gavi said.
Then I glanced at the girl beside her.
"Eh?! N-No! I'm not from the same family!" Salva stammered nervously.
Thank goodness at least one of them wasn't. If she was too, then I'd be the only one different.
Still, I started feeling suspicious about the girl next to me.
"Don't tell me Sister already…?"
"Oh, of course!"
"That's called nepotism!"
"Ah, um!" Gavi interrupted. "Actually, I was the one who asked Sunny-senpai for help. We're short on team members."
"How many do you need?" I asked.
"Minimum six. So right now, we need two more before the deadline. Otherwise, we'll be merged with another team."
"What's the problem if you get merged?"
"The captain and Trainer would be from the merged team, so we'd have to adapt again. And that doesn't guarantee we'd be compatible," Sister explained.
"Thats true."
I felt something similar about that kind of issue. The anxiety of being in a foreign land, trying to adapt to a new environment. Far from family. Getting used to independence. Truly troublesome.
"In that case," I grabbed the back of Sister's collar and lifted her like a kitten, "just tell this person to find more members."
"Eh? I don't even know who else to invite," Sister replied.
"Aren't MS Queen and Wulan Nuangan available? That makes two."
"They already joined Team Ruby. That's why you should check the group chat!"
I froze instantly, releasing Sister's collar.
"Wait... So I'm the only one here from... North Sulawesi?"
Suddenly someone tapped my shoulder from behind. "Don't mind. Wherever you're from, it's all the same."
I turned around and saw an unfamiliar adult man wearing a white cap smiling at me.
"Eh? Who's this mister?" I asked suspiciously.
"Ah, Trainer-san! How is it? Is everything settled?" Gavi asked.
"Ha?! He's the Trainer?!"
"It's settled." He placed his hand on my head. "Including this kid's race."
"Wait! I just joined! Why do I already have a race schedule? Don't tell me—!"
"Ehehehe~." Sister smiled bitterly.
"Can you not just decide things on your own?"
"Before you transferred here, I've long studied your data. I've watched all your race recordings. So I don't need to hesitate. You're a child with high potential. With a bit of training, you'll adapt well."
"I-Is that so?"
"Oh right, about the race schedule. Gavi, Salva, since you're still in recovery, you'll probably race later."
"Ah, yes," Gavi replied. Salva nodded.
Trainer turned to the girl in front of me. "Argentine. On April 28th, at Series 1 of the Triple Crown, you'll debut there."
"…!"
"Are you ready?"
"…Yes. I'm ready."
She said that, but I could see her clenched fists trembling. Back then, I was nervous too when I registered for a Premier Class race. I couldn't sleep the night before. The difference was—I was excited and couldn't wait.
But this girl… I don't know how to describe it.
Our debuts were different. Mine was at the provincial level. Hers would be at the national level. A Triple Crown Series at that. The pressure must be on a completely different scale.
But—
"Trainer-san. Will my race also be there?" I asked.
"Hm? Oh, of course. You'll compete in Beginner C/D. I want to test you at 1000 meters."
"Heh! No need to test me. If possible, just put me in the Candidate Derby Class. I'll defeat them all."
"Hahaha! I like spirited kids! But you just entered the National Series. We'll go step by step."
"Tch! I've been waiting for my chance for so long."
"About your race…," Sister muttered.
"Hm?"
"I just remembered most of the participants are from North Sulawesi. MS-chan seems to be joining too."
"Eh, really? Finally, I can face her."
"And also…"
"…?"
"Oh right. You still remember our bet, don't you?"
"Still talking about that?"
Sister smiled. "So?"
Actually, Sister and I often made bets like this. Most of the time we ended in a draw. Sometimes I won, sometimes she did. That's why I felt something was off about her confidence.
Still, I am me. Fear doesn't exist in my dictionary.
I returned her annoying smile with an intimidating grin. "You'd better prepare your savings to treat me for a month."
"Okay~! Eh, wait! I don't think that was the agreement!"
.
𓃗 𓃗 𓃗
[POV: Argentine]
.
So noisy.
That was my impression of her.
She had already debuted in racing, but this was her first time competing in the National Series. The pressure was clearly very different. Yet there wasn't the slightest trace of worry in her eyes. On the contrary, she was blazing with excitement.
What makes her like that? What makes her fearless?
Surely it isn't just spirit. There must be something more that she possesses. The fact that she came from a distant hometown and entered this school on a scholarship is already extraordinary. She even has a remarkable older sister. On top of that, they are very close.
Meanwhile, I…
I looked at the girl with the butterfly accessory beside me. A girl who has been with me since childhood. She also has something similar to this child named Milord. Something that someone like me—a loner—has never had.
Being someone their family can rely on.
What is this feeling?
Why? Why does my heart feel so heavy?
※ ※ ※ (CHAPTER - 01) ※ ※ ※