Tokyo Racecourse was a sea of people. Guided by the staff, Luo Cheng and Tokai Teio reached the paddock area. Horse girls from other stables bustled in and out, making final preparations, while Trainers offered words of encouragement. For these horse girls, this was their first official race.
Luo Cheng didn't quite know how to comfort someone, and Teio didn't seem to need it, but after all this time, he felt a certain weight to the moment. Even if she was just a program, Teio was the one who had reached out to him when he was in danger. She was the one who reacted to his words. She was the one he held most often. Tokai Teio was the indirect motivation for his survival; the training schedules he arranged for her filled those unbearable hours. Only with her did Luo Cheng have a goal.
Therefore, Luo Cheng harbored special feelings for Tokai Teio.
"Go out there and win, Teio."
Teio gave a cheeky grin and lunged into his arms. "Trainer, just you watch! Watch how the Great Tokai Teio becomes an undefeated Triple Crown winner!"
The announcer's voice rang out from outside. The contestants began to enter the track. Teio let go, looked at Luo Cheng, stood on her tiptoes, and pecked him on the cheek.
"I'm off then, Trainer. Sing praises of the Great Teio's heroic posture!" Like a happy child, she ran out of the room, her footsteps thump-thump-thumping as she dashed toward the track.
...
"Welcome, everyone, to Tokyo Racecourse! Fourteen newcomers are about to face their very first race. First up, our number one favorite—Tokai Teio!"
Teio had been the center of attention since training began. She had won frequently in mock races, displaying her immense talent. Naturally, she was the focus of the entire crowd. Standing on the track in her racing silks, Teio tilted her head back proudly and pointed a finger at the audience.
"Victory is mine!"
It had rained slightly the day before, so the turf wasn't in great condition. Even Luo Cheng could see it was uneven and muddy—easy for a horse girl to lose her footing. However, unlike in the game, there was a specific type of training for this called "Heavy Track Training." They practiced on turf that had been churned up by previous runs. Luo Cheng had found that Teio's performance on such ground was no different from normal turf. Her adaptability to heavy tracks was incredibly high.
"Talented" was the perfect word for her.
The race began. Fourteen horse girls burst from the gates. The one in the lead was Fine Motion, with her striking long red hair. Teio was in second. The start was smooth.
This was also different from the game. Every horse girl had a different running style. Some had short, high-frequency strides; others had long, sweeping gaits with a lower frequency. Almost every girl ran differently. Luo Cheng had read about the impact of these different styles; every foot movement and arm swing affected speed. In terms of technical training knowledge, he was severely lacking. He only knew how to combine different training methods to maximize attributes, but he couldn't give specific advice on her running form.
Fortunately, Teio didn't need that advice. Her body seemed weightless as she danced across the grass. Wasn't this called the 'Teio Step'? The moment her front foot hit the ground, she straightened her calf and lunged forward. From both an aesthetic and technical perspective, it was flawless.
"We're at the final corner! Age of Time is in the lead!"
"Trainer, I'm going!"
Luo Cheng heard her voice. Despite the distance, he heard her clearly. He saw her crouch slightly into an acceleration stance, then her legs exerted force, and her speed surged. Her pale thighs erupted with power as her speed climbed higher and higher. The power of an Uma Musume was on full display!
"Tokai Teio is making her move! Teio is coming up! Teio breaks through the pack! Two lengths, three lengths, four lengths!! Tokai Teio is pulling away from the field! She's strong! She's incredibly powerful!!"
As she crossed the finish line to the announcer's roar, the crowd erupted. Teio had won by four lengths—an overwhelming victory. Luo Cheng let out a long sigh of relief. The training plans he had wracked his brain over hadn't held her back. Watching Teio wave to the crowd after the finish, Luo Cheng's heart beat rapidly.
What is this feeling? Watching the "child" he had raised bit by bit basking in the cheers of the crowd, Luo Cheng felt like crying. He remembered the emotion he felt the first time he had ever played the Uma Musume game. The moment they cross the line, you stand and cheer.
...
"Trainer! Did you see? The Great Teio's heroic posture!" After the race, Luo Cheng held a victory party in his office. He bought a massive cake and hired the best chef to prepare a meal on the spot. This party had emptied more than half of his wallet.
But it didn't matter. Money was the most useless thing to him; he'd rather spend it lavishly to make Teio happy. Teio was currently clinging to his waist, giggling and bragging about herself, while Seiun Sky hovered nearby.
"You're amazing, Teio. Let me toast you." Sky picked up Luo Cheng's cup and clinked it against Teio's.
"Hey! It's fine to recognize my greatness, but what do you mean by taking the Trainer's cup!"
"Because I don't have one. I have to use the Trainer's. Besides, Trainer doesn't mind sharing with me, do you?"
"How could you not have one! I clearly gave you one!" Teio had been worried Sky would pull something like this, so she had prepared a very conspicuous red cup for her. It had been on the table, but now it was nowhere to be found.
Sky glanced sideways at the red cup she had hidden under the sofa and smiled.
"Trainer, praise me more."
"You're amazing, truly amazing."
"Hehe~"
Teio nuzzled against him. The party lasted until midnight. Sky licked the rim of the cup where Luo Cheng had just drunk, noticing that the Trainer kept checking the clock on the wall.
"What is it, Trainer?"
"...No, it's nothing." Luo Cheng shook his head. He remembered the Debut Race deadline in the handbook was midnight tonight. It was 11:40 PM. The end was near. What would happen to him then?
"You two, it's late. Go back to your dorms."
"No! We've only just started, and you're already sending us back."
"We've been eating for four hours." Luo Cheng counted on his fingers. A horse girl's appetite was truly immense. He thought he had bought plenty, but these two had vacuumed it all up. Teio's little belly was even slightly rounded, yet she kept eating.
"I want to stay with Trainer a bit longer!" Teio acted spoiled. Who would believe this was the same girl who had dominated the racetrack?
"I'll come find you first thing in the morning."
"You better."
"I promise. Sky, please take Teio back."
"Alright. Oh, and Trainer..." Sky hesitated, the words on the tip of her tongue eventually becoming: "See you tomorrow morning."
The two of them left the office. Luo Cheng sat on the sofa. He looked out at the sky, which had turned completely black, then at the clock. Time ticked away. The tick-tock sound felt like a blade pricking his sensitive nerves. He picked up the leftover half of Teio's cake and took a bite.
So sweet...
The moment the second hand passed twelve, a semi-transparent screen appeared before his eyes.
[Story Quest: Debut Race - COMPLETED]
Instantly, the world turned black.
When Luo Cheng opened his eyes, he found himself sitting in his office. The room was a mess, littered with trash and leftover chicken bones. He rubbed his face.
Did I fall asleep? When? He remembered the victory party for Teio last night, and then... a prompt appeared before him.
Recalling the content of the prompt, Luo Cheng stood up. He dashed out of the room. Passing several students in the hallway, he grabbed one by the shoulders.
"Hey, you!"
Before he could finish, his arm went limp. The moment she turned around, he saw the status UI floating over her.
He was in the game world. He was back.
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