Offside Trap's emphatic, high-quality victory ultimately failed to cause too great a stir in Japan.
Even though many professionals gave the race extremely high praise, all of it was overshadowed by another race held that very same day.
The Mainichi Okan.
This focal showdown, gathering the strongest names of both the new and old generations, ended with Silent Suzuka breezing away to victory, delivering yet another tremendous shock to Japanese racing fans and her own supporters alike.
Since the start of the year, this horse girl had not lost a single race. She had already strung together multiple graded wins and claimed a G1 title.
She had already earned the right to be deified.
And under the eager promotion of the Student Council and the media, that right was slowly being turned into an open road already laid out before her.
This was something one could have predicted.
The front-running style was captivating to watch, and El Condor Pasa and Grass Wonder were both powerful, lively representatives of the younger generation. It was only natural that Silent Suzuka's victory became the hottest horse-girl news ahead of the Autumn Tenno Sho.
Even Sakura Laurel and Narita Brian were not surprised by it in the slightest. They even felt it was only to be expected.
Terazumi Shinji sat at the head of the table in the restaurant, glanced at Offside Trap beside him, and quickly noticed the slight unhappiness in the horse girl.
The girl who had been sitting very close to him had now lowered her head slightly, and the curve that had been on her lips a moment ago was gone.
If it were merely a matter of being ignored, Offside Trap—who had already been through so much—would not have been sad.
But the problem was that both of them had won on the same day, both in G2 races, and both were now heading toward the Autumn Tenno Sho.
Inevitably, Offside Trap was being compared to Silent Suzuka.
And of course, in that imaginary comparison, Silent Suzuka—whose fanbase utterly dwarfed Offside Trap's and whose reputation in Japan currently stood at a ridiculous height—won by a landslide. Offside Trap was crushed.
Shinji found it rather funny.
In the comments, some people even dragged Seiun Sky into it to "prove" that Offside Trap could not compare with Silent Suzuka.
"Given: in the test race, when Special Week, after a two-second delayed break, crossed the line in second place, El Condor Pasa had already finished negotiating her conditions and goals with Tojo Hana and completed her team transfer; in the Japanese Derby, Special Week beat Seiun Sky by five lengths; Silent Suzuka then beat El Condor Pasa with ease by four lengths."
"Therefore: Seiun Sky probably shouldn't even be able to see Silent Suzuka's tail."
"What's more, according to an unreliable source, Air Groove once commented that Special Week wasn't that strong, which only further proves that Seiun Sky being weak isn't some baseless claim."
If Offside Trap had not clearly been upset, Shinji would have burst out laughing on the spot. He suspected that by tonight, Special Week's fans would already be storming Air Groove's social media.
As for whether Seiun Sky's fans would bother arguing with Silent Suzuka's fans, Shinji figured he probably would not live to see it.
After all, in a first-level comment thread, just how far down would he have to scroll before finding them?
He took another sip of his drink, then rested his hand against Offside Trap's back.
Startled, the horse girl hurriedly looked up and forced a smile at him.
"What is it, Trainer?"
"Nothing. You just stopped using your chopsticks… are you full already?"
"Ah—hahaha, kind of. I was just thinking I'd rest a little and keep eating after."
Offside Trap laughed it off and immediately started picking up food again.
Neither Narita Brian nor Sakura Laurel nor the others had noticed anything off about her. All of them were still immersed in the joy of her victory, and none of them had any idea how wildly the online discourse had already begun to spread and ferment.
Looking at Offside Trap's forced smile, Shinji said nothing.
He did not believe for a second that the current wave of media coverage and online commentary had nothing to do with the Student Council—or even JURA—pulling strings behind the scenes.
Silent Suzuka had participated in the Mainichi Okan because she had been invited.
As a race JURA and the Student Council wanted to elevate into a G1 in the future, strong results there would naturally attract more praise, more spotlight, and more promotional force.
What was more, Silent Suzuka's post-race interview—where she mentioned plans to travel to America and race abroad—was itself a perfect narrative.
Taking Japanese glory to the world, letting Japanese horse girls stand atop the global stage—was that not the Student Council's long-standing goal all along?
The faces of Rudolf Symboli and Air Groove surfaced in Shinji's mind, especially the latter.
He truly wanted to know what expression Air Groove would wear once the Student Council's own maneuvering indirectly caused Derby-winning Special Week's fans to bombard her online.
[Shinji, tally complete. Offside Trap's five stats are all +6, PT +180. Your current panel is as follows:]
Host: Terazumi Shinji
Emotion Energy: 1225
Assigned Horse Girl: Offside Trap
PT: 193
Attribute Points: 10
Inventory: First Graded-Race Victory Gift Pack
Hearing the system in his head, Shinji ignored it.
After settling his thoughts, he had already begun considering what excuse to use to end this celebration dinner.
After all, if even the main guest was no longer happy, it would be far better to spend the time doing something that actually would cheer her up.
As he thought about what time the nearby shopping mall would close, the corner of his eye suddenly caught a familiar figure.
A moment later, that figure turned around, and their gaze landed squarely on Shinji's face.
'?'
"Shinji!"
He muttered inwardly that this was going to be a pain and was just about to turn his head and pretend he had not heard anything, but the other person closed the distance far faster than he expected, hopping over in just a few bounds and arriving right in front of him.
"What are you doing here?"
Nishizaki Ryu was grinning like a madman, practically glowing with excitement.
After taking a deep breath, Shinji still failed to restrain himself and rolled his eyes.
"Did you watch the race today? Did you watch it?"
Nishizaki Ryu's expression was so smug his nose might as well have been pointed at the ceiling. Then he leaned in close to Shinji's ear.
"You have got to watch it, brother. Slay the grass, cut down the eagle!"
Shinji gave him the strangest look.
He could only assume this idiot had gotten drunk on the way over. Otherwise how had he managed to use a brand-new Silent Suzuka fan slogan so casually?
Did he not realize those two girls were both from the very team his darling was in?
Making a mental note to report him to Tojo Hana at the proper opportunity, Shinji leaned in close and whispered back,
"I was also leading a horse girl in a race today. I won too."
A trainer actively leading a horse girl in a race would naturally not have time to follow the details of the other race that day.
Nishizaki Ryu straightened up, his expression changing.
"Ah? Oh, right…"
He scratched his head in embarrassment, then abruptly realized the entire table was in the middle of a victory dinner for Offside Trap.
"Oh! In that case, want to combine tables and celebrate together?"
'?'
This time it was not only Shinji—Offside Trap, Narita Brian, and the others all stared at Nishizaki Ryu in disbelief.
"You can… combine celebrations like that?"
Even if we are close, that does not mean you can just do that…
Shinji pressed a hand over his forehead and let out a long sigh.
All he had meant by that was, Please take your own team and go find another table instead of hovering around mine.
Thinking that, his gaze slid past Nishizaki Ryu and landed on the lively group behind him.
Special Week, practically drooling as she stared at other people's food.
Vodka and Daiwa Scarlet arguing over what staple dish to order.
Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen discussing how they would train tomorrow.
Gold Ship, wearing sunglasses at night for reasons known only to herself.
And then there was Silent Suzuka, standing quietly among them. The instant her gaze met Shinji's, she gave him a gentle nod and offered a perfectly graceful smile.
This horse girl absolutely possessed everything one could obsess over—not just because of her running style or her performances on the track.
Off the track, too, she was almost flawless: lovely without losing her elegance, calm and gentle yet deeply thoughtful.
Shinji answered her with a faint smile of his own.
She really was close to perfect.
But perhaps it was simply his own sensitivity—after she transferred from Rigil to Spica, she could no longer be associated with perfection in his eyes.
Tojo Hana had laid the foundation for her. Yet once Silent Suzuka started producing results, all the credit had been handed over to Nishizaki Ryu.
Shinji knew this was partly the view born from his own position, so in reality he did not comment on it.
He simply could not approve of it.
[Negative emotion +70]
The sudden chime in his head was followed by a soft voice from behind him.
"Trainer?"
"Hm?"
Only then did Shinji realize he had likely been looking a bit too long. He turned his head naturally.
"Shinji, you can't possibly…"
Even Nishizaki Ryu looked wary. He had obviously thought of Shinji's past as well, which was why he stopped himself from finishing the sentence.
"What are you thinking? Do I look like that kind of person?"
Shinji pushed Nishizaki Ryu away irritably—but even as he did, he threw the system's detection skill toward Silent Suzuka.
[Horse Girl: Silent Suzuka
Condition: Excellent
Popularity: 2,513,942
Trainer: Nishizaki Ryu
Blessings of the Three Goddesses: 2
Unique Skill: I'll Never Yield the Leading View…! Lv.4
[When maintaining a certain lead on the final straight, her stride quickens and her speed increases.]
Special Status: Leg Instability
Equipped Item: Jade Crest [The horse girl is more likely to remain calm.]
More suited to Speed and Guts training.]
'Oh?'
What had begun as mere curiosity sharpened at once when Shinji saw the faint lettering in the special-status field.
"Then we'll be heading back first, okay?"
Nishizaki Ryu was still floating high off the euphoria of today's huge victory and had not noticed the shift in Shinji's expression.
By the time Shinji looked up again, he had already fixed his face into a calm smile and nodded.
Watching Silent Suzuka walk away behind Nishizaki Ryu, Shinji pressed his lips together, then turned back—
and met Offside Trap's eyes.
The pair of eyes that had made even him momentarily lose himself after the race now seemed faintly wounded, looking up at him with careful uncertainty.
"Trainer… do you really like Silent Suzuka that much?"
"Hm?"
Shinji stared for a second, then, with Narita Brian and the others also looking over, shook his head openly and directly.
Offside Trap bit her lip, but still could not help mouthing the word liar at him from an angle the others could not see.
Shinji could not help smiling.
Then, to everyone's astonishment, he suddenly took Offside Trap's hand and rose to his feet.
"Sorry, but we probably have to leave first. I just remembered there's something very important I need to do…"
"What—"
Before Maruzensky could even finish asking, the flushed-red Offside Trap had already been dragged out of the restaurant in a daze by Shinji, leaving behind Maruzensky and Offside Trap's same-generation friends all staring at one another.
"Did he pay the bill?"
"I didn't see him…"
"No, seriously—he didn't even have an assigned horse girl until recently. His resources and salary must've been bottom tier. Could he even afford this meal?"
As they spoke, Sakura Laurel and Sakura Super O both developed a terrible feeling. Air Dublin's expression changed too, and she half-rose from her seat.
"Relax. Terazumi Shinji is not the kind of man you're imagining."
Narita Brian was the one who stabilized the situation. The Student Council vice president carried a kind of natural authority, and the room settled almost immediately.
Slowly rising to her feet, Brian wore a calm smile and spoke with casual assurance.
"Don't worry about it. Just eat. I'm going to grab another drink."
"Mm, perfect. I'll go to the restroom too."
Maruzensky stood as well, swept her gaze around the room, and then sauntered off.
The other horse girls finally relaxed.
After all, no matter how unfamiliar they were with Terazumi Shinji, could they really doubt Narita Brian and Maruzensky?
"Alright, then we'll wait for you two to come back…"
"Don't take too long, okay…"
Join here to read ahead.
In Star Rail, Ultra-Beast Armored — Have I Caught "Equilibrium"? l (Chapter 80)
Uma Musume, But I Only Have Five Years Left to Live (Chapter 178)
Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Doctor, Not a Bangboo (Chapter 115)
Ben Tennyson Wants to Join the Justice League ( 126 )
TYPE-MOON: Redemption Beginning with the Holy Grail War (Chapter110)
Yu-Gi-Oh! — Transmigrated into the White Dragon Girl (Chapter108)
"Is this chat group even serious?" (Chapter82)
I, Lord Ravager, Utterly Loyal! (Chapter144)
Can Playing Games Save the World? 65
Crossover Anime Multiverse: The Demon Hunter of an Unnatural World 70
From Junkman to Wasteland 66
Weekly Refresh of Overpowered 31
I'm Grinding Proficiency Like 46
From Kiana, Lord Ravager, Onwa 99
Honkai: Is This Still the Prev 42
Elf: My Starter Pokémon Is Inc 65
Warhammer: My Primarch Is Remi 95
From Demon Slayer to Grand Ass 99
The Way the Umamusume Look at 68
Uma Musume, but My Cheat Power 92
Naruto: Weaving the Future, Be 65
Zenless Zone Zero, but Kamen R 76
Multiverse Crossover: The Perf 66
My Cyberpsycho Girlfriend 65
Uma Musume: The Dark Trainer 47
Uma Musume: A Calamity Born fr 44
I, a Reincarnation-Loop Player 43
The Violent Girl Group Is Beat 26
Uma Musume: The Horse Girl Who 32
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