When he looked ahead, Kitahara could indeed faintly see two Uma Musu — one tall, one short — chatting happily as they walked out of the cafeteria entrance. But they were still quite a distance away, so he couldn't make out exactly who they were.
Amazing eyesight — to be able to see so clearly from so far away…
Casting a thoughtful glance at Tazuna Hayakawa beside him, Kitahara then heard Oguri Cap and Belno Light suddenly raise their excited voices.
"Hey— Tama-chan, over here! Over here!"
"Tama-chan! We ca to hang out with you!"
Their voices quickly caught the attention of the two horse girls near the cafeteria. The shorter one clearly froze for a mont, then happily raised her arm, waved, and sprinted toward them.
She even shouted as she ran:
"Ahahaha! Oguri! Light! You really ca to see ! Have you eaten yet? Let treat you to sothing at the cafeteria!"
Her voice carried rapidly from far to near — one mont still at the cafeteria door, the next already almost in front of them.
In the blink of an eye, a lively, full-of-energy little figure appeared before Kitahara and the others.
She wore blue-and-white hair ornants, had long silver-gray hair, bright blue eyes, a little mouth curled into a grin revealing a cute fang, hands on her hips, laughing with her whole face.
It was none other than Tamamo Cross, whom they had parted ways with not long ago at the station.
Kitahara had intended to greet Tamamo Cross, but Oguri Cap and Belno Light were even more excited. In a flash, they surrounded Tamamo Cross, and Oguri Cap, brimming with emotion, scooped her right up.
"Tama-chan! I'm so happy to see you!"
"Whoa, hey! Put— put down already! Why do you like picking up just like Creek does?! Hurry and put downnnn!"
Oguri Cap was 167 cm tall; Tamamo Cross only 140 cm. As soon as Oguri lifted her, the latter's feet left the ground completely, her little legs kicking in the air — an irresistibly funny and charming sight.
Seeing the horse girls caught up in their cheerful reunion, Kitahara, not sure how to join in, naturally turned his eyes toward the Super Creek who had been walking with Tamamo Cross earlier.
…Fast…
Kitahara recalled that when Tamamo Cross had co running over so excitedly, Super Creek had seed a little stunned, staying in place.
But now, with just a turn of his head, she was already standing not far in front of him.
No wonder, with such speed, she would soday beco one of the "Eternal Big Three"…
At close range, it was easy to notice: compared to the other horse girls, Super Creek truly exuded a strikingly mature aura.
They were all the sa age, yet Oguri Cap and Belno Light both had standard teenage builds full of youth and vitality; Tamamo Cross was petite and delicate, almost childlike.
Super Creek, however, had an incredibly graceful figure — not at all like a girl. It would be no stretch to say she looked like a mature woman in her twenties.
Her temperant, too, was calr and steadier than her peers. Facing a strange young man and unfamiliar horse girls, her gentle features carried a warm, llow smile; at a glance, she gave off a composed, experienced air not unlike Tazuna Hayakawa.
This imdiately reminded Kitahara of certain anecdotes.
The real-life horse behind Super Creek had early problems with pain in her legs. But like an adult who knows better than to trouble others, she was aware her pain would burden the team.
So even when her legs hurt, she forced herself not to show it — only when the pain beca unbearable and her gait unsteady did her trainer and stable staff finally notice for the first ti.
Too mature and considerate — almost to a fault.
Whether in reality or in the original story, Super Creek often suffered from ailnts, if not leg trouble then stomach issues, which prevented her from fully displaying her astonishing talent.
The trainer and staff in that other world were too inexperienced and deserved bla — but here, could she still have the sa problem…?
Kitahara began to worry.
"…Excuse , is there sothing wrong with my face or clothes?"
The unfamiliar young man before her had been watching her carefully for so ti — Super Creek had already noticed.
Though she didn't know why, his gaze and expression seed filled only with concern, no other oddity. Her curiosity piqued, she couldn't help but ask.
"…No, I was just thinking about sothing. If I made you uncomfortable, I apologize."
Offering a quick apology, Kitahara pulled back his thoughts, smiled, and gave a small bow.
"Hello, my na is Kitahara Jo. I'm a trainer from Kasamatsu Tracen Academy."
"These two are Oguri Cap and Belno Light — both are Uma Musu I'm in charge of." He pointed at Oguri Cap and Belno light, who were still playing around with Tamamo Cross.
Though he already had the idea of recruiting Super Creek, after the polite rejection from Tamamo Cross, Kitahara decided to proceed carefully this ti — to interact, get to know her, and find the right mont to express his intentions.
"You're a trainer?!"
With a gasp of surprise, joy spread across her gentle features. Super Creek stepped forward, tugged on Kitahara's sleeve:
"Could you please watch practice?!"
"I think my running style has so quirks — it's been keeping from winning the selection races… but I can't figure out what's wrong on my own, so I wanted to ask soone else to take a look!"
"If you're a trainer, I'm sure you can help find the problem!"
Super Creek's sudden move caught everyone off guard.
Kitahara froze.
"No problem! Kitahara's really amazing!"
"Mr. Kitahara will definitely be able to figure it out for you!"
"Eh? Creek, you haven't found a trainer willing to take you on yet?"
Oguri Cap, Belno Light, and Tamamo Cross, after their initial surprise, each voiced either reassurance or confusion, while Tazuna Hayakawa glanced at Super Creek with a faintly reminiscent look — one that gradually shifted to worry.
Just then, Kitahara ca back to his senses, but before he could even consider Super Creek's request, Super Creek herself pulled back.
"…Ah, sorry, that was… a bit rude of . Please pretend I didn't say anything just now — my apologies."
As she said this, a fleeting trace of self-mockery flashed in her eyes, quickly replaced by a gentle smile. She folded her hands in front of her and gave a small bow.
"It looks like the three of you are Tama-chan's friends. I'm usually quite close with Tama-chan, too. If you don't mind, could we be friends as well?"
She stepped back, bowing again, her expression calm and mild.
"Hm? Weren't we going to train?" Oguri Cap was the first to react. "But if it's just making friends, no problem — I'm Oguri Cap… oh, right, Kitahara already introduced ."
"It's fine to introduce yourself again," Belno Light said with a cheerful wave toward Super Creek. "Hello, Creek — I'm Belno Light. Nice to et you!"
"I'm Tamamo Cross! You'd better rember that na!" joked Tamamo Cross with a grin, even though she and Creek were already acquainted.
"Huh? Tama-chan, aren't you already friends with Creek?"
"Oguri, she's joking."
"Joking…?"
"This airhead doesn't get my humor — at least Light does!"
"Then, I'm Super Creek. Tama-chan — ah, no, Miss Tamamo Cross — I look forward to your guidance from now on."
Seemingly fond of the friendly atmosphere among Oguri Cap and the others, Super Creek gave another self-introduction with a warm smile.
As the horse girls laughed and chatted, Kitahara suddenly let out a quiet chuckle and spoke abruptly.
"Then, let's head to the training grounds. Miss Hayakawa, could you make the arrangents?"
(End of this chapter)
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