Unlike Inari One and Obey Your Master, who were returning home in glory…
Fujimasa March and Mejiro Ardan had gone right back into their regular training schedule.
The two of them had only just finished their Senior Year and were just stepping into their true peak. Right now, they held an overwhelming dominance over Central's racecourses.
So long as no accidents occurred, they were more than capable of rampaging for at least another year.
Naturally, there was no room to slack off in training.
As for Sakura Chiyono O…
Kuroha leaned against the kitchen doorway, sipping from a glass of water as he watched the two beautiful horse girls in front of him bicker.
Or rather, it was really just one of them bullying the other.
On the sofa—
"So you've grown some guts, huh, Chiyono-chan? You're planning to hog your trainer all to yourself for a whole day?"
Maruzensky, dressed in a simple white one-piece dress, had Sakura Chiyono O wrapped in her arms, her fingers playfully digging into the girl's temple.
"What, if I don't personally come over, you're not even going to reply to my messages anymore?"
The cherry-haired girl in her arms went a little limp, whining in grievance.
"But Maruzensky-senpai, what do you mean 'hog'? He's my trainer to begin with…"
Hearing that, Maruzensky's hands paused.
She made a point of glancing at Kuroha, then gently pressed Sakura Chiyono O's little head into that soft, snowy valley and leaned close to whisper in her ear.
"Ahem… he'll very soon be more than just your trainer, you know~"
"Eh?"
Sakura Chiyono O blanked for a moment.
More than just my trainer?
The girl blinked up in confusion, lifting her head slightly from between those two towering mounds to look at Maruzensky's face.
Maruzensky simply gave her a playful wink.
"Alright, after today, I'll make a proper introduction for you, Chiyono-chan, about just what kind of 'trainer' he's going to be."
Maruzensky chuckled softly as she squished Sakura Chiyono O's cheeks.
And what's that supposed to mean, 'give me the whole day'?
The cherry-haired girl didn't get it at all.
She just reflexively nodded, looking adorably clueless.
"Okay then. If Maruzensky-senpai has business with trainer today, you two go ahead."
Maybe it was the influence of some of those less-than-virtuous seniors…
Ever since retirement, Sakura Chiyono O had started to lean pretty hard into "just vibing."
The double G1 crowns of the Japanese Derby and the Takarazuka Kinen were more than enough to guarantee her a carefree life.
Not to mention the pile of G3 and even G2 graded stakes victories on top of that.
These days, instead of the nerve-wracking thrill of the racetrack, she seemed to enjoy this leisurely, laid-back life far more.
"Heehee, as expected, Chiyono-chan really is the cutest~"
Seeing her reaction, Maruzensky laughed in satisfaction, pinching the girl's cheeks once more before finally letting her go.
Face flushed, Sakura Chiyono O wriggled her way out from that majestic embrace and hurried to straighten her slightly rumpled clothes.
Maruzensky, meanwhile, rose to her feet with a smile, smoothed down her pure white dress, and glided over toward the kitchen door with light, graceful steps, coming to a stop in front of Kuroha.
Her eyes, clear as water, shimmered with a smile as she stared up at him at close range. Then she bent her slender waist slightly and leaned in.
"Yu-kun, shall we?"
Maruzensky's cheeks were tinged with pink.
Her way of addressing him had gone from "Trainer Kuroha" at the very beginning, to just "Kuroha," and now it had speedran all the way to "Yu-kun."
Hearing it, even Kuroha was taken aback for a second.
He cleared his throat twice, feeling a bit unnatural.
Everyone else either called him by his name, or respectfully used his position.
Even the horse girls closest to him, like Fujimasa March, basically always called him "trainer."
So in this far eastern island nation, this was the first time he'd ever heard such an intimate form of address.
"Mm. Then let's go."
Kuroha nodded, then walked over to Sakura Chiyono O, leaning down to ruffle her hair.
"Alright, Chiyono, I'm heading out with Maruzensky for a bit."
Sakura Chiyono O rubbed her head against his palm and smiled.
"Okay. Then I'll go hang out with Ardan or Oguri for a while. I haven't left the house in four days."
Oh, so you do realize you haven't gone out in four days.
Kuroha could only smile wryly.
After gently reminding her of a few more things, he left the apartment together with Maruzensky.
…
Outside the apartment building, the winter sun was warm and gentle.
The moment Maruzensky stepped out the door, she looked back at the entrance of the building, then turned toward Kuroha.
A mischievous glint flickered in those blue eyes as she teased,
"A full four days, Yu-kun. Do you still… have the strength to keep me company?"
Kuroha rolled his eyes at her.
"You could just test it yourself."
"Really?"
She eyed Kuroha's calm, steady posture and, hearing his answer, her long lips curled up in excitement.
She closed the distance between them, carefully reached out with a finger, and poked his abdomen—then gave it a little squeeze.
"Mm…"
Feeling the solid muscle there, she murmured, "You really are something."
Kuroha only felt a light tickle across his stomach.
Seeing the speed-loving big-sis beside him, with that mix of curiosity and shy hesitation, he couldn't help finding it a bit funny.
Having seemingly taken advantage, Maruzensky's mood soared.
She cheerfully wrapped herself around his arm and asked,
"So, what's on the schedule for us today?"
"Hmm…"
Kuroha thought for a moment at her question, then glanced at her and smiled.
"How about… we go for a drive?"
"A drive?"
Maruzensky paused, the light in her eyes suddenly brightening.
Kuroha added, "In your car."
"In my car?!"
The sparkle in the brown-haired onee-san's eyes grew even more intense.
In the next second, she grabbed Kuroha's hand and took off at a brisk trot toward the parking lot.
"Then hurry up, Yu-kun! My car is very comfortable to ride in, you know~!"
Her clear voice echoed in the winter air, her face lit by a bright, exuberant smile.
…
Before long—
"Vrooooom——!!!"
With a wild, high-pitched roar, a sleek red sports car shot out of the parking lot like a waking beast.
Maruzensky sat in the driver's seat, hands wrapped around the steering wheel, her whole being radiating that same "fish in water" joy.
"I honestly thought you'd be like everyone else, too scared to even get in my car," she said happily.
Kuroha sat in the passenger seat, watching the stunning woman beside him beam with such pure delight, and chuckled.
"If I didn't even dare get in your car, how would I ever catch up to the god-speed red supercar?"
"…"
Maruzensky blinked cutely at that, then a second later realized what he meant and let out a playful laugh.
"If you want to keep up with a supercar… you'd better hold on tight, Yu-kun!"
With that, the brown-haired, speed-demon onee-san stomped on the gas.
A powerful surge of acceleration slammed into them as the car shot forward like a streak of red lightning, smoothly merging into Tokyo's traffic.
(End of Chapter)
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