"Trainer, a record-breaking time for the Satsuki Sho isn't easy to achieve. Although it's no big deal for me, Teio-sama, you have to take this seriously!"
Now that she had made such a bold proclamation in front of the reporters, Tokai Teio was determined to train hard, but the Trainer kept going to other people, which made Teio very unhappy.
I'm the one who's racing this year!
Breaking the record for the Satsuki Sho, then winning an undefeated Triple Crown, surpassing Chairman Rudolf, becoming the best horse girl in the world, and finally marrying the Trainer. Tokai Teio had her entire life planned out.
But this guy was always thinking about others. Tokai Teio understood that a Trainer's job was to train horse girls, but if he started getting touchy with others while training, she wouldn't stand for it.
It's fine if he gets hands-on with me, but if he gets hands-on with others, he'll have to deal with me! If the Trainer gets carried away and his mind starts to wander, I'll keep him constantly "starving."
"Let's go, Trainer! You said you'd take me out today."
After the interview, Tokai Teio grabbed Luo Cheng's hand.
"Where to?"
"The arcade, and then the shopping district! And finally..." Tokai Teio's lips curled into a smile. "You said we'd play for two days, so we're sleeping outside tonight."
Luo Cheng opened his mouth to say something, but a dialogue box popped up in front of him.
[Event: Tokai Teio's Interview Completed]
The scene in front of him flickered, and the world shattered like glass. When Luo Cheng opened his eyes again, he found himself sitting in his office, with Tokai Teio standing in front of him.
"Trainer, what's today's training plan?"
Looking at Teio, Luo Cheng covered his face. He was back... After the second race and the random event, he was back in the game world.
After sitting in his chair in silence for a while, Luo Cheng looked at the real-world items on his desk.
[Gauze: Comfort +3, Mood +4, Pain -2, Recovery Time -24h. Can treat 'sprains,' 'contusions,' 'muscle strains,' and 'lacerations.']
[Painkiller: Mood +2, Pain -5, Recovery Time -36h. Can treat 'sprains,' 'contusions,' 'bruises,' 'inflammation,' and 'subcutaneous hemorrhages.']
[Calcium Supplement: Bone Recovery Time -72h. Multiple uses can treat 'joint stiffness,' 'osteoporosis,' 'hairline fractures,' and 'mild fractures.']
Luo Cheng's eyes widened as he examined the medicines. Just from the descriptions, these drugs' effects far exceeded what was possible in the real world; they could even heal fractures. Besides the medicine, the trinkets and food also had different effects. Just as Luo Cheng had thought, these things couldn't be used directly in training, but things like the coffee cup—[Mood +3, Fatigue -2 when used]—could definitely improve his training efficiency. He could keep the horse girls in top condition every day.
"Trainer, what's today's training plan?" Teio asked again, having been ignored by Luo Cheng. Luo Cheng turned his head and saw a hint of displeasure on her face, seemingly unhappy about being disregarded, and her mood seemed to have dropped slightly.
Luo Cheng reached out, and Tokai Teio came closer. A few minutes ago, Tokai Teio wanted to go out with him, and a few minutes later, she was like this.
Luo Cheng hugged her soft body and gently patted her head. Tokai Teio's tail wagged as she snuggled against him, her fair, smooth cheek pressed against his chest.
"Let's go for a walk, even if we can't go outside."
"Yes."
After putting away the items, Luo Cheng took Tokai Teio's hand and went outside the school. Students were active, and they ignored Luo Cheng as they greeted the horse girl.
"Teio! That race was amazing! I'll always support you!"
"Thank you!"
Tokai Teio waved at them.
"Yo, Teio," Rudolf said as she happened to walk by. Tokai Teio's eyes lit up. "Chairman!" She happily skipped over, pulling Luo Cheng with her.
"Chairman, did you see my speed?! Wasn't it amazing!"
"Yes, you've been training very hard with your Trainer."
"Hehe~"
Rudolf stroked her head, her gaze resting on Luo Cheng before slowly moving away.
"Chairman, I'm going for a walk."
"Okay. Remember to come to the student council later."
The two of them chatted casually, completely ignoring Luo Cheng. This was the game world. As long as he didn't actively greet them, he was an outsider, and the people around him would ignore him. Only Teio held his hand tightly, even when she was with Rudolf.
Since Teio likes to be so close to Rudolf, maybe I should try a mother-daughter-style meal with them one night.
After saying goodbye to Rudolf, Tokai Teio continued to pull him toward the park.
"Teio, it might be a little late to say this, but congratulations on your victory."
Tokai Teio stopped when she heard his words. She turned around, her sky-blue eyes on Luo Cheng. She then reached out, stood on her tiptoes, and hugged him.
"Thank you, Trainer."
Her brown tail wagged rapidly.
This world was changing, and he was changing. The horse girls were changing, too.
Tokai Teio looked up, her lively eyes glistening. She glanced around, then faced Luo Cheng and closed her eyes.
Seeing Teio's eager expression, Luo Cheng's heart fluttered. She's so cute. Teio is getting cuter and cuter. This constant affectionate behavior was something he felt was lacking in the real world.
He kissed her soft, pink lips. The girl grabbed his shoulders, her small, soft hands stroking his back.
"Trainer," Teio said after they broke apart, her cheeks flushed with a hint of cherry blossom pink. She wrapped her arms around Luo Cheng's neck, her voice, soft and childlike, was now filled with a mysterious charm. She whispered in his ear, "What's today's training plan...?"
Luo Cheng swallowed hard. Today's Teio was different. He couldn't quite put his finger on what it was. Of course, it might not be Teio who was different, but himself. Over the past half year, Luo Cheng felt that his mental state was getting worse. He was often lost in thought, and he could no longer find a connection with many things that were once familiar.
Only when Tokai Teio won did his heart, like still water, beat violently for a moment.
Am I still even a person at this point?
Tokai Teio's tail wrapped around Luo Cheng's waist, and her hand lifted his shirt, touching his muscles.
"Trainer..."
What a clingy little horse girl.
Luo Cheng picked her up, then put her down. The pleasant sound of a cat meowing came from the bushes.