Why was I assigned to be a horse girl?

Not long after, the saleswoman returned with a strange expression on her face, holding a bunch of keys to the display window in her hand.

Fei Tu Hu Po was a little nervous, "By the way, isn't it too expensive? If it's too expensive, I won't try it on..."

"No, it's not expensive at all..."

The shop assistant's expression became increasingly interesting and strange. While waving her hand, she hesitated and said, "Rather than saying it's not expensive, it's more like... it's too cheap."

"Huh? Cheap?"

The saleswoman lowered her head and used a key to open the glass display case, explaining as she did so, "The price of this shoe is... 100 yen. The electricity cost for our spotlights for an hour is more than that."

Wow, that's so cheap!

Forcibly suppressing the smirk on her lips and the excitement that made her want to jump for joy, Fei Tu Hu Po continued to ask, "Why is this happening?"

“I’m not quite sure either, and the designer doesn’t know either… I only know that it was put into the warehouse about four years ago, and the designer left a note for the customer who bought it.”

"I want to buy!"

Hitoko Amber pulled a 100-yen coin from her shirt pocket and handed it to the saleswoman. "Perfect! No need to try it on, I'll just buy it!"

The saleswoman, with a strange expression, lent the money and bowed deeply to Fei Tu Hu Po: "Thank you for your patronage... and then the designer of these shoes said..."

"I'm such an idiot for designing these things. I can't believe there are idiots who would actually buy them. Are you guys stupid?"

"Uh, I approved of your design and even bought the shoes you designed. Do you think I'm stupid for accepting this?" Fei Tu Hu Po's face fell.

"If I find out who designed these shoes, I'll bite them to death! I'll bite them until they beg for mercy! TouTou, help me curse them out!"

"Um... I guess I'll pass."

Chapter Thirty-One: The Meat Pie Made by the Horse Girl is a Must-Try

"Da da da~"

The girl's light footsteps echoed in the room, and Fei Tu Hu Po excitedly stomped her feet back and forth.

"Hehehe, I actually managed to snag a bargain!"

At this moment, Fei Tu Hu Po's feet were already wearing those rugged crimson running shoes. She walked back and forth excitedly, occasionally kicking her legs to check on her running shoes.

Hitoko Amber never expected that she, who originally came to buy shoes expecting to spend a lot of money, would actually find a bargain... She actually managed to get the Venus concept running shoes for only 100 yen!

What a blessing!

Even though they're from the same brand, these shoes completely lack the light and uncomfortable feel of the previous Mejiro collaboration running shoes.

"TouTou, how do these shoes look?"

"Honestly, not bad?"

Qin Chuitou rested his chin on his hands, looking Fei Tu Hu Po up and down.

From a visual perspective, these crimson running shoes are hardly aesthetically pleasing at first glance, exuding a rugged and casual feel, and appearing rather bulky. However, Amber's ankles, encased in black tights, are slender yet powerful, cleverly compensating for the shortcomings of the running shoes as if by divine inspiration.

The interplay of ruggedness and grace, the perfect fusion of bulkiness and dexterity, creates a unique aesthetic of contrast.

It would be even better if Fei Tu Hu Po could change out of those old, thick-legged sweatpants.

The fact that Kotobuki Toru said it was "not bad" was enough to make Hitoko Kohaku even happier.

And all of this is truly thanks to Kotobuki Touchi's words, "How will you know if you don't ask?"

So Hitotsu Kohaku immediately moved closer to Kotobuki Toru, bumped him with her shoulder, and laughed, "Toru, you got a good deal, all thanks to you."

Kotobuki Toru was overjoyed that his self-designed "junk" had been chosen by Hitoko Amber.

But he still didn't dare to show too much excitement in front of Fei Tu Hu Po: "Great news, how does it feel to wear?"

"Concept running shoes are just different. This [runway show] is really something else. The shoes are great, with excellent stability and soft cushioning. They are stable when you step and there are no strange noises. They are really comfortable to wear."

Fei Tu Hu Po swung her toes and exclaimed in admiration, "The fit and feedback are excellent. With every step I take, I feel like I'm beating up the earth... I never thought such cheap shoes could be made so well."

Kotobuki Toru continued to smile silently. These shoes were cheap and ugly, but the materials and internal components were absolutely worthy of the name "Venus Concept"... When they were designed, there was a group of professional designers next to him who were losing their hair while helping to optimize them.

If we're really talking about the cost, one million might not be enough.

However, since the good stuff shouldn't go to outsiders, the shoes were acquired by Fei Tu Hu Po, which can be considered a peaceful ending.

Wait... isn't Hitoko Amber an outsider too...?

Kotobuki shook his head, deciding to ignore these trivial matters for the time being. He pointed to the sofa, gesturing for Hitotsu Amber to sit back down. "If you don't feel any discomfort wearing them, I'll check you over again. If there are no problems, you can go get your horseshoes fitted."

Hitotsu Amber obediently sat back on the sofa, her slender legs still swinging excitedly. Kotobuki Toru had to exert a lot of effort to grab the girl's ankles again.

"We're about to install horseshoes, but what kind should I get?"

This time, the two worked together seamlessly, tacitly advancing Kotobuki Toru's evaluation work, and even chatting while working.

Kotobuki Toru had done his homework before coming, and after measuring and assessing Hitoko's legs twice, he had a thorough understanding of the condition of Hitoko's feet, so he could offer suggestions with ease.

"The draft horse race you're participating in is mainly on dirt ground, and the only requirement for running shoes is sufficient traction. So there's no other option but to use horseshoes. Use three-centimeter-long metal spikes, nine in each shoe. Between ceramic spikes and alloy spikes, I recommend alloy."

"Wow, alloy spikes..." Hito Amber tilted her head, imagining what her shoes would look like with long steel spikes on the soles, and asked with some concern, "Two-centimeter metal spikes, wouldn't it be dangerous if I accidentally stepped on someone?"

Kotobuki Toru nodded: "It can cause injuries of more than comminuted fractures, and it has happened more than once, so now the use of spiked horseshoes is banned in urban areas all over the world."

Racehorse girls are already terrifying creatures; the force of their stomping alone is enough to break a human's bones. But a racehorse girl wearing spikes... one stomp could destroy something even more.

But everything has two sides. Although racehorses wearing spiked shoes are incredibly destructive, it is said that the beef and mutton they trample with their feet while wearing spiked shoes are incredibly tender and delicious, melting in your mouth, and a must-try.

However, I haven't had the chance to try it yet.

Hearing Kotobuki's words, Hisako looked somewhat worried: "Although these shoes are very comfortable, they are still new shoes after all, and they need to be broken in and adapted to... Especially the weight of the shoes, I was planning to get used to them while delivering food... So what do we do now?"

"I didn't expect you to think of that too." Kotobuki Toru nodded approvingly. "There are ways to adapt to the weight distribution. You can prepare another weighted shoe with the same weight and run in the city. The shoes can actually be replaced."

"Wow, that's pretty convenient?"

"Actually, it's not convenient either. Many racehorse girls find it troublesome to learn how to fit horseshoes and to find a fitter, so they just buy many pairs of shoes and fit different horseshoes on them. When they need to change horseshoes, they just change the shoes."

"Wow, that's so extravagant..." Hito Amber tilted her head, completely unable to imagine herself having a bunch of racehorse girl shoes and equipment. "Then I'll change to horseshoes. There's a lot of mud in the suburbs of Sapporo, so I'll wear spikes to run. I'll change to weighted horseshoes when I need to deliver food in the city!"

"Easier said than done... Do you know how to change horseshoes?"

"Can't I learn something just because I don't know how? Let me tell you, I learn things very quickly! Try changing it in front of me in a bit! I guarantee I'll learn it."

Looking at the confident Hitotsu Kohaku, Kotobuki Toru felt a little uneasy.

----

Chapter Thirty-Two: Who is Waiting for a Deal?

"Jingle, jingle, jingle."

The sound of metal striking metal rang out at a soft and steady frequency, a sound that instinctively made one feel as if they were in a blacksmith's shop on a snowy night, warm and full of security.

Hearing such a sound, even the most irritable person will gradually calm down...

"Here, the counterweight horseshoes have been made for you."

"..."

"Should we fight the other one too?"

"..."

"You have a new XX takeout order, delivery order. Please accept and process it promptly."

"coming!"

Hitotsu Amber suddenly opened her eyes, her gaze filled with fighting spirit... A moment later, Hitotsu Amber looked at Kotobuki Toru sitting next to her, holding the pair of [Fashion] running shoes in her arms, and awkwardly wiped away non-existent drool from the corner of her mouth.

"Ha, ha, ha... You've worked hard, ha."

Kotobuki Toru rolled his eyes and said speechlessly, "Didn't you just say you could learn it in one look? Now you've even replaced the horseshoes on a pair of shoes."

Fei Tu Hu Po thought for a moment, then said in a serious tone, "Well, I did watch very carefully at first, but when I saw you hammering, I just fainted... I must have been stunned by the aura emanating from your power."

Did you faint?

Kotobuki Toru handed the running shoes to Hishiko Amber, saying, "Take a look at these shoes first."

Fei Tu Hu Po took the running shoes. The already rugged running shoes now looked even more aggressive. The fixing spikes and the special rubber grooves on the sole were tightly interlocked, and a silver-gray horseshoe, slightly wider than the sole, was embedded in the sole, making these running shoes look like they could be called iron horseshoes.

"That's great, you!"

"Don't just praise me; what will you do when you need to change it yourself?"

Hitotsu Amber looked at the running shoes in her hand, then cautiously looked up at Kotobuki Toru beside her. "Um, Toru, based on your takeout orders these past few days, you seem to be the type who can't get out of bed and doesn't have time for breakfast."

Kotobuki Toru was shocked: "How could you even analyze this?"

"Hehe, actually, I've been delivering all the takeout you've ordered these past few days to your door."

I was checking my phone regularly to keep track of the orders for Qin Chui Tou.

"After all, you've helped me so much, I can never repay your kindness!"

Qin Hui covered her face, saying, "No wonder my takeout orders have been a little spilled these past few days..."

He originally thought that mixing takeout food evenly and bullying college students who dared not give bad reviews was part of the takeout company's corporate culture.

Unexpectedly, she ultimately couldn't escape the clutches of the Scarlet Amber...

But then, based on the principle that one shouldn't visit a temple without a reason, it was quite abrupt for Hitotsu Amber to suddenly bring up her habit of not liking to eat breakfast.

Kotobuki Toru kept a straight face: "So, what are your thoughts?"

Fei Tu Hu Po chuckled: "Tou Tou, I'll bring you breakfast these next few days! In exchange, when you're free in the mornings, can you help me exchange for horseshoes?"

Actually, at times, Hibiki Amber's intelligence is quite remarkable...

How much are the hoof-cooking skills and labor costs worth? How much is a breakfast worth? This seems like a sure-fire way for Scarlet Amber to make a profit.

"Yeah, okay!"

Kotobuki Toru still readily agreed to Hitoko Amber's request... After all, there are many things in this world that cannot be measured by gains and losses, otherwise she wouldn't have fallen out with her father and run away from home in the first place.

Previously, Kotobuki Toru felt that Hitsukoha was full of trouble and mystery. Now, although Kotobuki Toru still felt that Hitsukoha was still full of all sorts of trouble, being able to confirm every morning that Hitsukoha was still alive and well would put his mind at ease.

"Great! Then I'll leave the rest of the shoes to you too!"

Fei Tu Hu Po clapped her hands in great joy, then lifted her remaining foot, which was wearing a running shoe. With just a gentle twist of the lace-up knob on the side, the rugged running shoe instantly slid off her foot like a cicada shedding its shell.

Pantyhose and stockings are indeed good things. They can not only reduce the number of times shoes are violently taken off and put on, and increase the lifespan of shoes, but also bring physical and mental pleasure to nearby spectators, indirectly increasing their lifespan.

"Here, this shoe."

Hitotsu Amber handed the running shoes she had just taken off to Kotobuki Toru, then sat on the sofa with her legs crossed, toes curled up, and head tilted back, ready to enter standby mode again.

"Hey, you're actually sleeping?" Kotobuki Toru reached out and grabbed Hitoko Amber's long hair, forcibly waking the relaxed racehorse girl.

Fei Tu Hu Po slightly opened her eyes: "I still have to deliver food tonight... I'll rest for a bit now, anyway, I don't have anything to do right now."

Although I had just vowed to learn how to fit horseshoes, watching Qin Chuitou just now was all about finding the horseshoe clips and adjusting the installation angle of the horseshoes...

Fei Tu Hu Po felt that she might not be able to learn this in a short time, so she had to trust the wisdom of those who came after her.

Please! Tomorrow's Hibari Amber!

Kotobuki Toru glanced around before reminding her, "Have you forgotten your two purposes for coming here? First, to buy shoes, and then what?"

“Then…” Fei Tu Hu Po slapped her palm, suddenly realizing, “Oh right, I still need to buy clothes!”

My original plan was to prioritize buying shoes and other equipment with my budget, and to postpone buying clothes until later. In fact, if I spent too much on shoes, I would skip buying clothes today.

But since I bought the shoes almost for free, I can now significantly increase my budget for clothes.

But these are clothes that truly belong to girls.

"TouTou, aren't you coming with me?"

Kotobuki Toru, upon hearing this, even deliberately slowed down the movement of turning the phone's mounting pin, saying, "I'm busy right now... Why don't you go by yourself? I'll definitely go with you next time!"

"Hey, you bastard, what happened to our agreement..."

But Kotobuki Toru raised his hand directly and said loudly, "Hello, shop assistant, my companion wants to buy a few clothes. Could you please give me some suggestions?"

"Here it comes!"

The shop assistant appeared beside Hitotsu Amber in a flash, grabbed the girl's hand, and said, "Come on, Miss Ma, let me recommend some trendy outfits to you!"

"Eh."