Narita Brian.
The future Central Triple Crown horsegirl.
The monster praised by the countless opponents who had fallen beneath her hooves as "the shadow-roll monster."
Even later, in the "Top 100 Central Racehorses of the 20th Century" ranking held in this far-eastern island nation.
She would surpass hall-of-fame horsegirls of immense popularity and strength, such as Oguri Cap, Tokai Teio, and Special Week.
And rank near the very top.
In terms of record and talent, she was undoubtedly one of the most brilliant stars in the entire history of Japanese racing.
However, at this moment.
This future legend was still only a little girl who had yet to enter her growth spurt.
When Kuroha found her through one of the elementary division teachers, she was curled up in a secluded corner of the training field.
Her tiny figure looked somewhat dazed and adorable.
Her two little hands were secretly clenched into fists as she stared unblinkingly at another little horsegirl running on the track, quietly cheering her on.
"Come on, Narita…"
Brian murmured softly.
…
"Trainer, the one you're looking for… is that child?"
Not far away, beneath the shade of a tree.
Ardan followed Kuroha's gaze. Looking at the black-haired little girl with a single ponytail curled up into a ball, her tone carried a trace of uncertainty.
"She feels… even more introverted than Dober."
"Ardan-nee!"
Dober, who had suddenly been used as a measuring stick, instantly flushed red. She tugged at Ardan's sleeve with some displeasure and let out a bashful complaint.
"All right, all right. I won't say it anymore. Is that good enough?"
Ardan smiled, rubbed Dober's head, and coaxed her gently.
Kuroha did not explain right away.
His gaze crossed the crowd as he continued observing that little horsegirl, who was keeping her body tucked in.
Strange.
If this were Brian after her growth spurt, when she had begun displaying astonishing dominance, then that would be one thing.
But the little horsegirl over there was currently so timid and introverted that she even seemed a little socially anxious in both personality and behavior.
How had Eito discovered her talent?
Should he really praise him for it?
As expected of the best veteran Central trainer of the previous generation?
Kuroha asked himself honestly.
If he had not known Brian's future achievements in advance, and if he had not possessed a special ability like Sense Form and Sense Aura to assist him.
He would probably have had to squat beside this elementary division training field through eight or ten practice races in a row.
Only after carefully watching Brian run several laps would he barely be able to see a few clues.
"…"
Thinking this, Kuroha's expression suddenly turned strange.
His father-in-law…
Could it be that the man really had been bored out of his mind?
So he had simply guarded the edge of the elementary division training field every day, staring at this group of little horsegirls as they ran through more than a dozen practice races?
Damn. That really was possible!
At present, the only horsegirl remaining under Eito's guidance seemed to be Bamboo Memory.
And she had already reached the point where retirement was imminent.
On top of that, Ayano usually did not really want to deal with him either…
That bored, lonely old father might truly be capable of doing something like this.
"All right. You all find somewhere shady to rest for a bit. I'll go over by myself."
Kuroha reined in his wandering thoughts and turned to the horsegirls beside him.
The Brian of the present.
Where was there even the slightest trace of the dignity and heroic bearing of a future Triple Crown horsegirl?
With how timid and cowardly she currently looked.
If several strangers like them swarmed over in a grand procession, there was a real chance they would frighten the little girl on the spot.
…
In the corner of the elementary division training field, Brian was sitting on the grass by herself.
She had even deliberately avoided the shade beneath the tree.
As if only direct exposure to the warm sunlight could give her the slightest sense of security.
Mm… I'm a little thirsty.
The thought had only just popped into the little girl's mind when a bottle of mineral water, its cap already unscrewed, was silently held out in front of her.
"Thirsty?"
A gentle male voice came from above her head.
"Mm… thank you."
Brian subconsciously reached out to take the bottle and softly thanked him.
But half a second later, she abruptly reacted.
Where did this water come from?
And who did this voice belong to?
"Eek—!"
With a cry of alarm.
The black-haired little horsegirl with the single ponytail was so startled that she jolted all over, then scooted backward several steps on her bottom and legs.
Only after she clearly saw that the person standing beside her was a human male with a gentle smile did she barely stop retreating.
"I-I'm sorry!"
As if she felt that her startled reaction had been far too rude, the little girl awkwardly scratched her head and apologized in a tiny voice, her face bright red.
"Uh…"
Kuroha also had not expected her reaction to be that intense.
He could not help freezing slightly. Then he let out a helpless chuckle, reached out, and pulled the little horsegirl sitting on the ground back to her feet.
"That was my fault. Sorry, I scared you, didn't I? You didn't hurt yourself anywhere, right?"
"No, no."
Little Brian shook her head like a rattle drum.
As she borrowed Kuroha's pull to stand up.
Only then did Brian naturally raise her head and fully see the face of the person before her.
The instant she saw him clearly, the little horsegirl instantly turned to stone, frozen in place.
"What's wrong?"
Looking at her dazed expression, Kuroha found it somewhat amusing and waved a hand in front of her.
"G-G-Good afternoon! Trainer Kuroha!"
The daze lasted only an instant. Once Brian came back to her senses, she immediately stood ramrod straight.
Then, with an excited expression, she gave him a deep ninety-degree bow.
"Oh?"
Kuroha raised a brow when he heard that, his smile becoming even more approachable.
"You know me?"
"Mm…"
The little girl lowered her head somewhat shyly, her voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz.
"How could there be anyone who doesn't know your name…"
"All my classmates take pride in the idea of joining your Chasing Light team after their growth spurts."
"I see…"
Kuroha stroked his chin thoughtfully. Then the corner of his lips curved up, and he suddenly asked, "In that case, Brian, would you like to join Chasing Light?"
"Of course I would. Of course I would!"
Brian answered instinctively, but very soon, her mood sank again.
"But how could a horsegirl like me possibly be qualified to join Chasing Light…"
In her young heart.
The truly powerful horsegirls should either be outstanding like her older sister Hayahide.
Or strong, confident, and friendly like her classmates Amazon and Kiseki.
Only heaven-blessed talents like them were qualified to join that legendary team.
As for herself…
There was definitely no need to even think about it.
"So that's how it is~"
Beside her, Kuroha deliberately drew out his tone, his voice brimming with amusement.
"Good! In that case, Brian, from today onward, you are a Chasing Light horsegirl!"
"O-Okay…"
Brian looked at Kuroha and nodded out of habit.
"…"
An eerie silence.
In the corner of the training field.
Two figures, one large and one small, stared at each other, eye to eye.
As though she had finally realized something.
The slow-to-react little Brian's eyes instantly widened.
"Eeeh—?!"
(End of Chapter)
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