"I can't do it anymore... let Maya rest for a bit..."
Mayano Top Gun came to a halt on the training track. Seeing this, Tokai Teio, who was running ahead, also stopped and began jogging in place.
"You really do have a three-minute attention span, Maya."
"Teio, it's all because what you said was too abstract! Isn't there a more concrete method? Otherwise, Maya can't keep training!"
"There are no shortcuts on the road to success." Tokai Teio sighed. "That's why I told you to run with me first, to adapt to my rhythm and breathing."
"That's exactly what makes it so hard! Teio, do you even hear yourself? That kind of thing is too difficult, Maya can't do it!"
Mayano Top Gun rolled her eyes.
Although Teio made it sound easy, actually practicing it was as hard as ascending to the heavens.
And there was something she was too embarrassed to say.
When she ran alongside Teio, she couldn't concentrate on training at all.
Teio was just too handsome when she ran.
"Then let's take it slow, Maya. No matter when, I'm willing to practice with you."
"...Teio, you should really stop saying weird things like that!" Mayano Top Gun's face flushed red.
Tokai Teio said speechlessly, "What I said isn't strange at all; it's you who thinks too much, Maya."
It's just because you read so many weird books that your brain is filled with filth.
"Dammit, don't blame Maya for not warning you later if you keep being like this!"
Bickering back and forth, the two walked toward the bench beside the training field to rest.
As roommates, Tokai Teio and Mayano Top Gun had quickly built a good relationship.
"Teio, you're planning to participate in the Kyoto Junior Stakes (G3) next, right?"
"Yeah. Although I told the Trainer I could go straight for the Hopeful Stakes, the Trainer thinks we should run a G3 first to see my condition at the time."
"Damn, you say it so lightly. A G3 isn't a race you can just win casually!"
Mayano Top Gun felt the confidence that Tokai Teio was unconsciously radiating.
Damn, as expected of Teio.
She's really so composed, so handsome!
Hearing this, Tokai Teio realized that she was being somewhat disrespectful to other Horse Girls.
In reality, G1 races are the top tier, and it could be said that every single G1 is the highest honor!
For example, Satono Diamond, who is a strong character in the game, struggled immensely just to challenge G1 races in reality at the start.
She remembered the Satono family had a jinx, something about Horse Girls from the Satono family being unable to win G1 races. Although it sounded superstitious, it illustrated how difficult it was to challenge G1-level races. Even though in the game, any debuted character could easily win the Hopeful Stakes, it wasn't that easy in reality.
However, that only applied to regular Horse Girls...
Thinking of her own situation, Tokai Teio wasn't being arrogant or defiant.
She had genuinely just subconsciously forgotten those things; she honestly felt it would be very simple.
"Teio, Top Gun, you two are doing independent practice early in the morning again? Want to run with Big Sister?"
Maruzensky suddenly appeared and hugged the two from behind.
"Eh! Can Maya run with you too, Senior?"
Mayano Top Gun looked flattered, surprised to be invited by this legendary figure of Tracen Academy.
Tokai Teio remained calm.
"I'm fine with whatever. What do you say, Maya?"
"For something like this, of course, I can't refuse!"
This was a grand senior known as one of the Academy's Big Three!
And she was also the ideal big sister Maya looked up to, the kind of person Maya wanted to become when she grew up!
"Then wait for Big Sister to go change into training gear."
Maruzensky smiled brilliantly.
She finally found a chance to run with Teio.
It wasn't a waste to come to school so early today specifically for this.
If Luna or the Trainer were around, this sort of thing wouldn't be allowed no matter what.
Really, she just wanted to give some pointers to her cute juniors.
Tokai Teio thought suspiciously, The gaze that's been observing me lately was Senior Maruzensky, wasn't it? What is she planning?
She had noticed someone observing her departure times recently but hadn't taken it to heart.
After all, she knew from the start it was someone from the academy; she just hadn't expected it to be Senior Maruzensky.
"Teio, what do we do? Was Maya too rash just now? I actually agreed to run with that Senior!"
Only after Maruzensky left to change did a calmed-down Mayano Top Gun realize what she had just agreed to.
Wait, did she just agree to a mock race with that grand senior? Maya, you're too arrogant!
"It doesn't matter, right? Maya, just run at your own pace. Leave the winning to me."
"No, no, no, even you, Teio, can't beat Senior!"
Mayano Top Gun didn't expect Tokai Teio to speak so confidently even when facing such a legendary figure.
"Can't win? I don't understand."
"...You only said that because you thought it sounded cool just now, didn't you!"
Mayano Top Gun had long since figured out Tokai Teio's little quirks.
"Okay."
"Then, Maya, please watch—my, Tokai Teio's, race."
Tokai Teio's eyes suddenly became serious.
"I will win."
"Why did you suddenly enter serious mode!"
Mayano Top Gun was electrocuted by Teio's look.
She had to admit, a serious Tokai Teio... damn, she was just too handsome!
Soon, Maruzensky returned to the training field wearing her training gear.
"Sorry for the wait. Now, let Big Sister give you two cuties some guidance."
Mayano Top Gun had been nervous originally, but after goofing around with Tokai Teio, she suddenly found she wasn't so nervous anymore.
Because it was okay—Tokai Teio was here.
Maybe, she really could outrun the Senior?
"Yes, Maya is ready!"
"Good, very spirited."
Maruzensky patted Mayano Top Gun's head. She intended to pat Tokai Teio as well, but realized the latter had already stood up and walked toward the track.
Oh? Did Big Sister's little scheme get discovered?
The three of them arrived at the track.
Tokai Teio held a water bottle and took the initiative to speak: "Then, the race starts when the water bottle hits the ground. Is that okay?"
"Fine by me."
"Mn!"
"Then get ready."
After speaking, Tokai Teio tossed the water bottle high into the air.
The bottle flipped in the air, then fell straight down. The instant it hit the ground, a strong gust of wind flashed by, causing the half-filled bottle to wobble.
The three competitors completed their start simultaneously.
Mayano Top Gun's body subconsciously synced with Tokai Teio's movements. Although there were still some flaws, her start speed was much improved compared to before.
A hint of surprise appeared in Maruzensky's eyes. She hadn't expected even the child, Mayano Top Gun, to apply a little pressure on her at the start.
But Big Sister doesn't plan on admitting defeat.
Although she was slightly behind at the moment of the start, a golden light suddenly flashed beneath Maruzensky's feet.
[Plan X]!
This was an acceleration skill that ensured a leading position out of the gate. Even if she lagged slightly at the start, she could recover using this move.
However, that was assuming the opponent didn't have the same or a similar skill.
Mayano Top Gun stared in shock at Maruzensky, who suddenly shot to the front, dumbfounded.
"So amazing... is this the Senior's power? Even Teio's start couldn't gain an advantage!"
Tokai Teio didn't know that Mayano Top Gun behind her was underestimating her. She showed no surprise upon seeing Maruzensky use the skill.
As a legendary Runner (Escape horse), if Maruzensky couldn't do at least this much, then Teio would actually be surprised.
Besides, she never had any intention of taking the lead position; otherwise, she would have used Runner-specific skills.
One must know, her aptitude was Runner A, Leader S, Betweener B, Chaser A.
The Ultimate Fusion Warrior is all-powerful.
Unlike the "Demon King," who couldn't use Saint McQueen's skills because of a lack of Runner aptitude, Tokai Teio could use Saint McQueen's skills if she wanted to.
T.M. Opera O, who had arrived at the training grounds, saw this mock race and wore an expression of great interest.
"Ho! A showdown between the Legend and the Emperor? Interesting!"
Although Mayano Top Gun was in third place, her performance was commendable. She didn't panic just because her running style was suppressed.
Because Mayano Top Gun herself possessed the talent of changeability; her running style aptitude was even broader than the characters in the game.
So even if she couldn't take the lead, Mayano Top Gun quickly adjusted her state, entering Leader mode.
Real-life competitors exceed the limitations of the game in this regard. If a competitor inherently possesses aptitude for multiple running styles, then they can switch styles freely during the race.
However, even though she stabilized her footing, Mayano Top Gun still felt the strain.
"Teio and Senior are both so fast. Can my stamina really hold out?"
Just following behind them, she felt her stamina burning away rapidly.
But for Tokai Teio and Maruzensky, this speed didn't even count as a burst; it was merely the probing stage.
"She wasn't affected by my start at all. And this pressure... if it weren't me, one might not even feel it—that pressure, boundless like space itself!"
Maruzensky's sixth sense was flashing continuously.
Even though Tokai Teio was just following plainly behind her, she could feel that suffocating sensation of being surrounded.
This aura was simply too terrifying. An ordinary person might not even be able to detect it.
Tokai Teio's domination of the race rhythm had existed from the very moment the race began. Thinking of this, Maruzensky dared not relax any longer.
...
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