Tokai Teio's debut campaign ultimately came to an end in a way no one had ever seen before.
That girl, wrapped in crimson radiance, bared fangs sharp enough to devour an era, crushing the entire Central Tracen Academy—along with the overseas media watching closely—with an absolute margin of twenty-three lengths.
Headlines like "The Strongest of the New Generation" and "Chasing Light's Successor" flooded the papers. The noise and shock outside boiled like scalding water, refusing to settle.
But none of that had anything to do with the warm, relaxed atmosphere inside Team Chasing Light.
A few days later.
Tokyo, the Mejiro family's private training grounds.
The tail end of June arrived with early-summer heat. Cicadas began their long, thin cries from deep within the shade.
For Chasing Light, with Tokai Teio's world-shocking debut now behind them—and with the Takarazuka Kinen, hailed as the "final decisive battle of the first half," also concluded—the long, grueling spring campaign finally, officially, came to an end for everyone.
On this wide grassy training field, there was none of the usual, sweat-soaked tension. Instead, it was filled with a rare lightness and excitement.
"Whew… It feels like I haven't been here in ages~"
At the edge of the lush green field sat the former "strongest active runner," now a retired legend—Inari One.
With absolutely no regard for appearances, she sat cross-legged on the soft grass, idly shaking a can of ice-cold soda that hissed with carbonation. Her body swayed as she tipped her head back to stare at the blue sky.
"Five days ago, when Teio ran her debut, didn't you come help with training?" someone beside her said, shaking her head with an exasperated smile.
It was Obey Your Master, one hand on her hip.
As legends who had already retired, both girls had shed the formality of their race outfits. In light, stylish casual wear, they looked every bit like vibrant girls in the prime of youth.
Inari puffed out her cheeks, shaking her head as she wagged a finger.
"That's different."
"Back when I was active, I used to sweat it out here every single day. So for me now, five days is a long time~!!"
"If you're lonely, then go hang out with Mr. C.B. every day…" Obey teased, then suddenly paused mid-sentence.
Her eyes shifted as if she had noticed something. A bright smile instantly bloomed across her face, and she lifted her hand to wave toward the training ground's gate.
"Trainer, over here, over here!"
At the gate, Kuroha walked in while chatting and laughing with a tall, mature horse girl with brown hair.
Hearing the call, Kuroha smiled and raised a hand in greeting, then came over to them.
"Inari, Obey, you're early today."
Inari clicked her tongue, those lively eyes circling Kuroha once, then her brows flicked meaningfully toward the distance—toward Maruzensky, who was sneaking away from the main group and "infiltrating" in Inari's direction.
"If you'd been willing to keep me company last night, Trainer, I definitely wouldn't have come this early."
Thunk.
"Ow—!"
After the crisp sound, Inari instinctively clutched her head—though it didn't actually hurt at all—then looked up at Kuroha with watery eyes.
Kuroha calmly withdrew his hand-chop.
"No talking back."
After disciplining the naughty little fox, Obey asked at just the right moment, "Trainer, is everyone basically here?"
Kuroha glanced around the field and nodded.
"Pretty much. We're only missing Fumino and Creek."
"Huh? Creek's coming too?" Inari rubbed her head, eyes lighting up.
Kuroha explained, "This training camp is mainly for Fumino and me to handle adjustments for Cap's overseas expedition training."
"And as for Creek… you know. She has a special reason she needs to go abroad, so she's coming along."
"Got it…" Inari nodded in understanding.
…
At the same time, on the other side of the training grounds—
"Summer~ training camp~ I love you~"
Teio lay completely unguarded on a comfortable lounge chair.
Like a cat basking in the afternoon sun, she sprawled lazily against the backrest with her eyes closed, humming a bizarre little tune she'd sung a hundred times and never got tired of. Her legs swung happily in the air, her mood plainly at its peak.
Beside her, Mejiro McQueen licked at an ice cream with small, delicate bites.
Suddenly, McQueen noticed a familiar presence drifting closer without a sound.
"Maru—"
She was about to greet her, when Maruzensky raised a finger to her lips in a "shh" gesture.
McQueen blinked for a moment, then immediately understood.
She cooperated at once, lips closing, even her ice-cream bites turning quiet as amusement flickered in her eyes.
Oblivious, Teio kept humming. "...Seaside~ watermelon~ and fireworks—"
In an instant, Teio felt the world in front of her go dark.
Two soft, fragrant palms gently covered her eyes.
"Guess who I am~?"
A deliberately lowered, still-magnetic onee-san voice purred by her ear.
"It's Maruzensky-senpai!" Teio shouted without thinking.
"Correct~ Your reward is a biiig hug!"
The next moment, warmth wrapped around her from behind, and the small future monarch was pulled snugly into an enviably generous embrace.
"Teio really is the cutest, isn't she~" Maruzensky said with a bright smile, casually "playing" with the petite girl as if she were in the palm of her hand.
Nestled against her, Teio nuzzled into Maruzensky's chest and grinned.
"Hehe. Maruzensky-senpai is the prettiest too!"
Farther away on the track, Mejiro Ardan and Sakura Chiyono O jogged side-by-side at an easy pace, chatting softly, savoring this rare leisure.
At this moment, nearly all of Chasing Light's core lineup was present.
Of course, there were also a few omissions—those held back.
Mihono Bourbon, Rice Shower, and Silence Suzuka—three young horse girls who still hadn't reached True Blooming—were also part of Chasing Light's reserve roster.
But this training camp's destination was special.
If it were a domestic camp, that would be one thing. But because it involved Oguri Cap and Creek's special travel requirements, Kuroha had chosen an overseas location this time.
For safety reasons, the parents of those three young girls refused to allow them to travel abroad with the team at their age.
And so, the three of them were left under Aoi Kiryuin's care for training and supervision.
Before long, at the gate, Nase Fumino and Super Creek arrived as well, both dragging their suitcases as they entered.
Seeing them, Kuroha smiled and asked,
"All right, then. Let's go."
(End of Chapter)
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