Why hadn't Lin Anran shown up?
This was the classic race—the Oaks!
Agnes Tachyon hadn't expected that sincere, kind young doctor to miss it.
Had something unexpected happened?
It was rare for Agnes Tachyon to hold a human in such high esteem—outside of horse girls, that is. That young doctor, who'd even firmly refused to accept payment for medical fees… surely he wouldn't just forget and stand her up?
Or… had some urgent matter kept him away?
If the reason was valid, Agnes Tachyon could understand and accept it.
After all—she wasn't exactly normal herself, and she'd done similar things before.
There was a time when Agnes Tachyon, deeply immersed in her research, couldn't be bothered to even show up for training races or her debut race—to the point where she nearly drove Symboli Rudolf mad.
The scientist girl immediately lowered her head to stare at her phone, not even paying attention to the countdown and the imminent start of the race.
This scene was also noticed by her friend, Manhattan Cafe, standing beside her.
The quiet, black-haired girl couldn't help but feel a stir of surprise inwardly.
'Tachyon really is interested in that Dr. Lin, huh?'
She knew Agnes Tachyon all too well—she knew how obsessed this scientist was with research, even more than racing itself, and how captivated she was by geniuses like Platinum, with bodies and finishing kicks like hers.
It seemed that, to the current Agnes Tachyon, Dr. Lin held no small importance—enough to rival even a major horse girl race!
Just as Agnes Tachyon was about to press the call button, her eyes narrowed the next moment, catching sight of a message.
It was… a text from Lin Anran?
[Lin Anran: Something came up right before I was about to head out.]
[Lin Anran: A few days ago, I asked a colleague I knew from my time in the U.S. to help gather some materials on tendonitis symptoms and treatment cases for me…]
[Lin Anran: Those materials just came in, and once I started reviewing and studying them… I lost track of time and ended up late. There's no way I can make it now.]
[Lin Anran: I'm really sorry, Tachyon. I've let down your kind invitation.]
After reading the text, Tachyon's expression didn't shift much, nor did any dissatisfaction surface.
For this scientist girl, such a reason was acceptable.
After a moment's thought, Agnes Tachyon calmly typed a reply.
[Agnes Tachyon: Alright, understood. That's reasonable.]
After all, she'd stood up Manhattan Cafe beside her more than once like this too.
But being on the receiving end like this was a first for Agnes Tachyon—it gave her a novel feeling, like "the world had flipped upside down."
And moreover, he was engaged in research—something Agnes Tachyon was also deeply interested in—and he was doing it for the sake of her legs...
It wasn't because he admired her speed or running, nor was it because he wanted to gain fame as her trainer or share in her prizes. He simply wanted to heal her body—so much so that he'd even missed watching a G1 race!
A certain indescribable feeling flowed through her heart.
Putting down her phone, Agnes Tachyon turned her gaze back to the track. Her calm face belied the faint ripples that had already begun to stir within her.
But sometimes, the smallest ripple can build into a wave, and then…
—into a tsunami!
'He won't miss the next Japan Derby, right?'
'I'll have Cafe book two tickets again.'
And at that moment, the countdown to the race finally reached its end—the gates were about to open!
--+--
[3!]
[2!]
In the eyes of nearly half the horse girls skilled in front-running or escape-style running, a clean break from the gate was crucial. They couldn't afford the slightest lapse!
[1!!!]
And so, as the gates flew open, nearly twenty horse girls burst forth in unison with breathtaking speed.
From the original Gate 3, a silver-haired girl broke through cleanly—visibly a split-second faster than every other horse girl around her—charging straight for the inner track!
It was a stark contrast to her debut race, where a poor break had left her lagging as a closer.
In an instant, the ever-changing dynamics of the break sent a stir through the crowd.
Ever since Platinum had won a graded stakes race by a large margin two weeks prior, no one had doubted her potential or future.
But the main reasons she wasn't more highly favored or considered a top contender… were her lack of experience and her youth.
Beside those seasoned, fully matured horse girls, Platinum, who had only recently begun her own maturation, seemed like a mere child.
Yet, it was this "child" who, once she decided to break seriously from the gate, dashed straight for the inner track faster than anyone!
'The gate position is unexpectedly decent.'
'Well… this'll do. Time to try a new running style this time.'
Platinum, now racing along the inner track, wanted to test a new approach.
For her, as long as she was even slightly serious, there was no way she'd be late out of the gate.
As an assassin, she might not necessarily be the fastest runner, but her reaction speed and reflexes had to be sharp—otherwise, what kind of assassin would she be?
It was fair to say that quick reflexes and rapid response were instincts etched into her very body!
This time, unlike her lackadaisical attitude during her debut race, and starting from the decent Gate 3 position, Miss Platinum easily achieved a perfect break.
And this time, Platinum wasn't as casual as in her first race—she was a bit more serious.
'Let's go with chase-style running.'
--+--
[As the gates open, over ten horse girls burst out in an instant!]
[Incredible! Platinum, the fifth-most popular entry yet underestimated due to her inexperience, has achieved a perfect break and taken the lead along the inner track!]
[The top favorite, Mejiro Dober, is slightly slower but also hugging the inner track, while another favorite, Kyoei March, accelerates continuously, pushing past the mid-group toward the front.]
[Currently, it looks like a large chase pack is forming. The long distance of this race has led most horse girls to hold back early!]
The commentator's voice echoed across the vast stands, explaining the situation right after the break.
But out on the turf!
Platinum, who'd chosen a chase-running style to conservatively preserve stamina, soon raised a delicate eyebrow.
Despite being the first to break and charge down the inner track, horse girls began clustering around her along the same path—all opting for chase-running.
With the keen intuition and sharp perception of an assassin, Miss Platinum suddenly sensed danger!
'There are too many crowding near me!'
'With horse girls behind me, to my right, and two chase-runners ahead… soon, I might even lose my chance to accelerate and have to race at their pace.'
In other words, positioned in the mid-pack along the inner track, she was about to get "boxed in"—completely surrounded!
Seemingly lacking experience, the assassin小姐 made a decisive move without hesitation: she immediately abandoned her chase-running strategy.
The situation wasn't right!
Fall back…? No—forward!
The next moment, she dashed forth like a shooting star, accelerating past a startled Mejiro Dober beside her!
An Assassin refuses to be trapped!
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.