Time seems to pass so quickly. Am I getting old, I wonder?
Wait, hold on. Think about it rationally—if I include the memories from my past life that are still vivid, then my actual mental age is…
…No, let's not go there.
The perception of time is said to be influenced by new experiences: when something fresh happens, it leaves a strong impression, making time feel long; otherwise, it feels short. As we get older, new experiences become scarcer, which is why time seems to fly by. In other words, for someone like me, whose every sight is etched into memory, the same logic applies—so it makes sense that time feels fast… Yeah, let's just go with that!
And so, before I knew it, the morning of the Thanksgiving Festival had arrived.
"It's finally here! The day has come! The day Deji-tan takes the center stage for her live performance…!"
"…It's not actually decided yet, right? There are plenty of rivals running on the turf."
"No, Deji-tan will be fine. I… haven't actually seen her race directly, but I know she'll place. I just believe in her."
Deji-tan is adorable. But more importantly, she is a horse girl who carries the soul of the famous racehorse Agnes Digital. She once told me she never compromises when it comes to racing, so today, she's coming to win in earnest. Unlike me, a mixed-up mess, Deji-tan has a solid, singular soul—an undeniable "horse girl."
"Well, in that case, Spica can sweep the podium. Make a little mark in history: the inaugural Un-debuted Horse Girl Cup champions are Team Spica! …Might even attract more members."
"…Looks like I really have to try my best. But it's good that it's a different race from Vodka and Scarlet. Those two have bodies that are already well-developed for their age, so competing against them would be tough."
With so many participants, including both turf and dirt horse girls, there were supposed to be four races. The races for Vodka and Scarlet, and the one for Deji-tan and me, were all 1600m turf, 18-horse fields. After all the races, a live performance would take place—but only the top five from each race could take the stage, and the winner of each race would stand at the center. Who would end up there?
"Oh, by the way, can you dance at the live? Come to think of it, our trainer hasn't practiced any dancing with us."
"…Ah, that's true. But it'll be fine."
The live performance would be after the race. In the anime, the Spica members were all completely exhausted after their races. Well, that was mostly the trainer's fault for not preparing them at all.
But I have no problem. I can memorize choreography at a glance, so dancing is fine. As for Deji-tan, she's watched live performances from the front row many times, sometimes staying up late just to watch them—so she can dance too.
…Vodka and Scarlet, though.
…Will they be okay?
"…Hey, Golshi-chan, do you think Vodka and Scarlet can dance? I'm sure they'll place in their race, but whether they can dance is a serious issue."
"Well… maybe they can just go with the flow? At this point, there's nothing you can do."
"Yeah, that's true. Too late now…"
Our turn is in the morning. The afternoon is mostly for the seniors' performances.
…I completely forgot about that.
"If they can't dance… well, we're un-debuted, so maybe it will be seen as charmingly innocent. But those two wouldn't want that kind of reception…"
"Then just go with the flow. Seriously, that's the only option."
"Yeah. They're naturally talented, so I'll just give them a quick run-through of the choreography and let them handle the rest…"
In the end, it's all the trainer's fault.
…He took us out for yakiniku with his money; next time, maybe sushi. He'll just have to tremble and sleep it off.
◆
Today is busy. I need to talk to Vodka and Scarlet about dancing, and there's also the final stage of the First Deji-tan Support Plan to prepare.
While thinking this through, I open the door.
"Ah, Aurora. You're finally here… I just took a quick look, and it seems like quite a crowd has gathered."
"Scarlet… Indeed, a lot of people have come. Many are probably hoping to see an undiscovered genius, and since this is an event that won't appear on TV, it's a unique chance to see it today."
It's just before the races start. Without me having to go to them, Vodka and Scarlet came over to talk to me.
"By the way, did either of you see Deji-tan?"
The door I opened leads to the changing room. Since this isn't a G1 race, they aren't wearing racing outfits, nor are they in school uniforms. So everyone, including Deji-tan, should be in gym clothes… presumably.
"Ah, right. Before you came, I bumped into her while changing. Before I could even ask if she was okay, she dashed to the bathroom."
"To the bathroom? That's unusual for Deji-tan at this hour. She usually only goes between 7:39 and 7:54 in the morning…"
"…Ah, she was holding her nose really hard. I thought maybe it was a nosebleed and tried to ask, but she moved too fast. But come to think of it, we didn't collide forcefully; I only bumped her face with my chest a little, so she probably didn't have a nosebleed…"
"Ah, I see. Understood."
Deji-tan… I get it. If I were that close to it, I'd probably react similarly. No shield could protect against that.
"Well, setting that aside for now. I need to ask you two something."
"What is it? Me and Vodka?"
"Yes. Straight to the point: can you dance at the live?"
"Da… dance…?"
Ah, you don't even need to ask—her expression says it all. They haven't practiced the live dance at all.
"Our trainer didn't teach us anything about the live dance, right? But this time, if we make it onto the bulletin board, we'll need to dance on stage."
"…I'll manage! I'll pull off something super cool!"
"W-Well, I think I can manage too? I've been taught the basics, so I can somehow…"
"No, I don't think so. I can at least teach you the lyrics and choreography, so you'll just have to learn it now. Can you do it?"
"…It's not completely new to us, probably."
And so, a sudden dance lesson begins. In the changing room.
"The song for the live is 'GIRLS' LEGEND U.' You know it, right?"
"Well, of course."
'GIRLS' LEGEND U' is a song almost every horse girl fan knows. The song that plays when you open the app, the opening song. When I first watched the horse girls dancing to it, I was impressed.
"The choreography itself isn't too hard. But as with most live songs, there are a few versions: for the center horse girl—the first-place finisher; for the sides—for top three finishers; and for back dancers…"
"Then it's enough to teach us just one version, Aurora."
"Yeah, that's enough for us."
The two smile defiantly. I roughly understand what they mean.
"I see… but you're in the same race. So one of you will inevitably…"
"I'll definitely win!"
…Vodka.
"Shut up! I'm winning!"
Scarlet, of course. I expected as much.
"Yes! The loser will be embarrassed! Isn't that enough? I can't lose to Vodka!"
"Just wait, Scarlet! I won't help you if you freeze on stage!"
…They don't doubt their victory even a little. Even against rivals they've trained with, they intend to win. Maybe I should learn from that.
Honestly, I'm not aiming to beat Deji-tan in this race. If anything, I'd be happier if she won. But I think it's only polite to give my all against her. And someone like me might not even deserve to believe in victory.
That's why I encouraged Deji-tan to enter the turf race. I'm better at dirt anyway.
"Come on, hurry up and teach us, Aurora. I'm going to learn it faster than her and head to the paddock."
"Huh? I'll prove that you can't beat me at anything! Learning speed, and… racing too!"
They're unusually fired up for their first public race. Their determination is palpable. Time is short, so I'll let them have it their way. I wonder how it will turn out.
◆
Just before the race begins… Vodka and Scarlet are in this one. Our race is next, so I can watch their showdown from the stands. Deji-tan is probably watching too—no need to push through the crowd; I can see her wagging her tail in the front row.
"…Deji-tan."
"Oh, Aurora-chan! Come on, hurry! It's starting! Hehe… I can't miss the 'Uosuka-too-adorable' moment that will happen after the race!"
She even brought binoculars, ready to go.
"…Just so you know, looking through binoculars doesn't make it invisible. You'll still be noticed."
"Yeah, I know, I know."
I withdraw my hand from her waist, unrelated to her comment. Damn, missed my chance for some oxytocin.
The venue suddenly grows quiet.
"Ah… looks like everyone's in the gate."
Hmm. Scarlet is in lane three, Vodka in lane four. The Tracen Academy course is a simple loop, and being the first race of the day, the turf is pristine. The more inside, the more advantage.
"All horse girls have entered the gate."
The air tightens. The stands are packed, but I can hear the horse girls' breathing in the gate.
Tension fills the air. Everyone waits for the gates to open—and finally, they do.
"The gates are open! All horse girls make a good start!"
At that moment, the world changes. Their souls cry out as they run. Not an official race, but everyone is serious. The energy of the horse girls fills the venue instantly.
Scarlet quickly takes the lead.
"The early leader is… number three, Daiwa Scarlet! She's reliable in her class, just like me! And now, focused on the race, her eyes show only victory!"
What's with this commentary? Some kind of introduction? Maybe the student council arranged it to promote un-debuted horse girls?
Following Scarlet, other horse girls are introduced by commentary. Wait, is that Sakura Bakushin O doing the commentary? She keeps saying "Chowa!?"
"The leader of the mid-pack is number four, Vodka! She's often seen pouring barley tea for Skittles in the academy!"
Who comes up with this? Bakushin O's ad-libs? Maybe. Anyway, some audience members are reacting with voices familiar to me, like "So cute!"
"Chowa!? Number four Vodka breaks through the front pack! Closing the gap with the leader! Amazing Bakushin-ness!"
It's a mile race. The distance is short, so closing the gap has to be done quickly. Vodka is focused entirely on Scarlet, ignoring the rest. Scarlet and Vodka, genetically gifted, are already a level above others. Physical differences may even out, but their talent ensures they leave everyone else behind.
"The final stretch! Scarlet leads, but Vodka is right behind! Neither yields!"
"Whoa! This is… more emotional than I expected! A fated rivals showdown! I can't… breathe!"
Everyone wants to witness this moment. A dead heat approaching the last furlong—nobody knows the outcome.
"Go, both of you! Losing would be embarrassing!"
"Standing still or rolling on stage, both are good… Oh no, Deji-tan! Don't think like that! …Go, both of you!"
Their pace doesn't falter; they move faster than ever toward the finish line.
"They're side by side! Neither yields!"
They cross the finish line together.
"…Uh, first place…? A photo finish! One moment, please!"
"Wow… Deji-tan, could you tell who was faster?"
"No, I couldn't see. But that was amazing! Their spirit! It reached the stands! So emotional… uncontainable… sublime…"
What do you do when a beautiful girl is crying beside you? You hug her, of course. No matter the reason, just hug.
"Whoa!? Careful! There are so many people around! What do you think you're doing?!"
"…Impressive, Deji-tan… Seems like I can't win against you."
In the crowd, she dodges my arms with skill, using her small body.
"Aurora… such a terrifying child! But you're more proactive than usual today."
"…Haha, I wanted to supply some Deji-tanium before the race."
"You can only get it through hugging…?"
Deji-tanium is an essential nutrient Deji-tan absorbs directly through skin contact. Some creatures are famous for dying within days without it.
"The results are in! It's a tie! First place: number three Daiwa Scarlet and number four Vodka!"
…A tie. The crowd murmurs—no wonder, it's rare.
"Those two are legendary. The first-ever un-debuted horse girls' champions are these rivals. Like something out of a manga or novel."
"…I have no words."
…I wonder how the live will go. Will they dance well, or be embarrassed?
"…Our turn is coming soon."
"Yes, we need to head to the paddock in about ten minutes. Let's go."
She reaches out her hand to me.
"…Wow, Deji-tan. That's exactly what I like about you."
"…It's easy to get lost in the crowd!"
"I'll interpret it however I want. That's what it means, and I'll believe it!"
I take her hand, and she holds it back.
…Voices from around us reach my ears. Some whisper things like "So precious…" or "Cute… an angel."
See? Everyone loves Deji-tan ( ꈍᴗꈍ). No one can resist her charm. In many ways, I can't compete with her.
"…We've cleared the crowd, so… shall we?"
…Just a little longer, I'll keep holding her hand.
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T/L:Finally, these guys are actually trying to run (*´ω｀*).