Horse Girl, Your Friend is Fighting Her Way Out of the Horse Racing Track

She made a grasping motion in mid-air, as if catching a wisp of wind that brushed past the cheeks of poetry and wine.

Then, with a hint of reluctance, the silver-haired girl slowly withdrew her hand and placed it on her chest.

"...So, please look at me."

The persistent voice of Diamond Treasures reached the ears of Poetry and Wine.

"Even just one second on this long 3200-meter journey would be wonderful..."

She raised her eyes, her gaze fixed intently on the poetry and wine.

Dark Meteor: Chapter 218 - Is the competition about to begin?

"Please let your eyes see only me."

Poetry and Wine stared blankly at the silver-haired girl who was usually so mild-mannered, always saying "as long as I'm happy," and who liked to find all sorts of excuses to be lazy and slack off.

At this moment, the other party was more serious than anyone else.

'What a cunning fellow. How can anyone refuse him with that expression?'

Poetry and Wine sighed softly.

She took half a step forward, shortening the distance between them.

Then she reached out and covered Diamond Treasure's messy gray hair.

The touch from my palm was warm.

She applied a little force, as if to confirm the other person's presence, and then gently patted them.

"nonsense."

The sounds of poetry and wine carry a hint of helplessness.

"Who do you think I bought a Shinkansen ticket and traveled all the way to Kyoto, a place I know no one in, just for?"

Her fingers slid down the strands of Diamond Treasure's hair, her fingertips brushing lightly against the other's silver ear, causing Diamond Treasure to shudder.

"I didn't come here to hear you say such discouraging things."

Withdrawing her hands from the poem and wine, the girl put them in her pockets, slightly raising her chin. Her dark eyes reflected only the image of the other person.

"Go."

"Don't look at anyone else. And don't worry about how many meters are left."

Poetry and wine spoke earnestly.

"Just keep your eyes on the road ahead."

She paused, her gaze shifting slightly, a faint blush creeping onto her black horse ears, before fixing her gaze firmly on the other person again.

"I'm at the finish line."

"If you're not the first one to rush over to see me..."

Poetry and Wine narrowed his eyes and threatened in an awkward tone.

"You will bear the consequences."

Diamond Treasure was stunned for a moment.

"Ok!"

Then a radiant smile instantly bloomed on her face.

"Then I'm off."

"I will definitely be the first one to appear at the finish line."

She turned around and ran lightly toward the check-in area.

After running a few steps, she stopped as if reluctant to leave and suddenly turned around.

Completely ignoring the astonished looks from the surrounding staff and passersby, she waved her hands vigorously and shouted loudly:

"See you later, Xiao Jiu! Remember to wave the flag—!!"

"Keep your eyes on me, okay?!"

The girl's clear voice echoed in the corridor.

Poetry and Wine stood still, watching that figure disappear around the corner of the passage until it was no longer visible.

The surrounding noise returned.

She looked down at the slightly crumpled paper bag in her hand.

Through the gaps in the paper bag, you could vaguely see that ugly-cute pattern.

It's something that's clearly shameful.

If it were the old her, she would probably have thrown it into the trash can without hesitation, or stuffed it at the very bottom of her bag.

"What an idiot."

Poetry and Wine muttered something under their breath, but there wasn't a trace of annoyance in their voices.

She raised her hand and pulled the brim of her hat down even lower, covering most of her face.

Under the cover of shadows, a very faint curve appeared at the corners of his mouth, which were usually pursed into a straight line.

"...Then run well and show me."

She tightened her grip on the paper bag in her hand, then turned and walked toward the entrance to the audience seating area.

From the shadows behind him, Rifar quietly peeked out.

She glanced at the slightly crumpled paper bag clutched in Poetry and Wine's hand, and then at the distinctly red horse ears of Poetry and Wine.

The European horse girl's empty eyes revealed a hint of surprise. She let out a silent sigh, then obediently shrank back into the shadows, no longer disturbing the girl's unique fluttering heart.

The afternoon sun pierced through the thin clouds above Kyoto Racecourse, making it somewhat dazzling.

Poetry and Wine pressed down on the black brim of his hat, trying to hide his face in the shadows, and sat alone in a secluded corner of the audience.

The surrounding seats were already packed.

The air was thick with a frenzied atmosphere.

Countless fans waved their hands to express their support for their favorite Uma Musume.

"This is the pinnacle of the long distance, Tato Batram! Show us your elegant leadership today!"

"Tsurumaru-kun is in superb shape! Those muscle lines are simply perfect!"

The big screen flickered and displayed the popularity rankings for this competition.

Popularity #1: Taitaku Batram

Popularity #2: Tsurumaru Yoneshi

……

7th most popular: Diamond Treasure

Upon seeing the number "7", Shi Yujiu's hands, which had been resting flat on his knees, tightened slightly.

"Hey, what's going on? Diamond Treasure is only 7th in popularity?"

A fan sitting in the front row of the Poetry & Wine section, who looked like a seasoned horse racing commentator with binoculars, made a dismissive sound.

"Huh? Seventh place is already being lenient, isn't it?"

His companion waved the newspaper in his hand and analyzed it with an expert look on his face.

"Look at her previous records. She ran terribly at the Arima Kinen race, and her rhythm was completely off at the last Hanshin Grand Prix. How could she possibly win the 3200 meters, a race that demands extremely high endurance, when she was in that condition?"

"That's true... So what about last year's chrysanthemum appreciation?"

"Just luck! Pure luck in the chaos of battle!"

Another, younger fan chimed in, his tone dismissive.

"At that time, everyone was in a chaotic mess, which allowed this unknown girl to break through. It's like an occasional long-range three-pointer that goes in, that's called a 'miracle,' and since it's a miracle, it can't happen a second time."

"That's right! The Spring Imperial Prize is a real test of endurance. Those horse girls who rely on luck will run out of energy and sink to the bottom after passing Yodo no Slope!"

"It's a pity that most of the strong horse girls have avoided the battle. This time, there are only two horse girls in G1: Tsurumaru and Diamond Treasure."

"Heh, this must be the worst Spring Emperor's Prize in recent years."

"Luck", "chaotic battle", "flash in the pan".

This is the world of competitive sports.

People only remember the undefeated champions, while public opinion quickly becomes harsh and forgetful of players with inconsistent performances.

Poetry and Wine remained silent upon hearing this, nor did they stand up to refute it.

She silently reached into the paper bag at her feet and grasped the rough, prickly wooden flagpole.

'luck?'

Poetry and wine glanced coldly from the shadows at those who were talking loudly.

The scene from that day on the commercial street flashed through my mind.

A fool wearing dirty tracksuits, carrying heavy horseshoes weighing dozens of kilograms, sweating profusely but not even bothering to wipe it off.

'If you could carry that weight just by luck...'

Poetry and Wine gripped the flagpole so tightly that their fingers turned white.

"G1 Spring Emperor's Prize, all horse girls have entered the gates!"

Suddenly, the loudspeaker in the stadium blared, and a stirring symphony began to play.

It was as if a mute button had been pressed; the previously noisy discussions instantly disappeared.

Dark Meteor: Chapter 219 Long-Distance Race

The entire audience of 100,000 people held their breath, and countless eyes focused on the starting gate of the race track like spotlights.

At the center of immense pressure, located at the innermost part of gate number 3.

Poetry and wine saw a figure with silver-gray hair.

Diamond and Treasure stood there.

She quietly adjusted her breathing, her light green eyes fixed on the meadow stretching out in front of her.

Poetry and wine also stirred the heart.

Even though Diamond Princess claims to be an ordinary horse girl, once she steps onto the racetrack, her competitive spirit will drive her to want to lose more than anyone else.

"boom!"

With the sound of the gates opening, all eighteen gates sprang open simultaneously.

The enormous footsteps shook the earth instantly.

The long journey of 3200 meters officially began in Kyoto in the spring.

Long-distance races are a tedious, lengthy, and brutal endurance test.

No intense, spark-filled clashes occurred on the track during the first 2000 meters.

The herd of horses resembled a giant, stretched-out serpent winding its way across the verdant meadows of Kyoto, the heavy thud of their horseshoes striking the earth.

The Diamond Treasure is located in the middle to rear position.

She didn't try to grab a spot or get caught up in the rhythm of the crowd.

Amidst the vibrant colors of the final battle outfits, the blue and white-clad Lu Mao Ma Niang, like an inconspicuous stone, lay at the bottom of the formation, rising and falling with the current.

[Be humble and composed]

"Tsurumaru-kun's rhythm is perfect right now!"

"As expected of a long-distance expert, his stride frequency is as precise as a clock."

In the stands, almost everyone's attention was drawn to the star horse girl leading the pack.