Chapter 437: 549

[Fuck it, lets finish the fic today!!]

Inside the spacious villa, dozens of horse girls gathered in small groups, enjoying themselves to their hearts' content.

Some played video games in front of the television. Others raised their glasses in a toast, while a few huddled together and whispered among themselves.

Bursts of delighted laughter rang out from time to time.

The entire living room overflowed with a lively, celebratory atmosphere.

"Trainer, I'm so dizzy. Hug me!"

On a sofa in the corner, the star of tonight's victory party pretended to be adorably drunk and staggered into Kuroha's arms.

"Teio, haven't you been drinking carbonated fruit juice all night? How did that get you drunk?"

Laughing helplessly, Kuroha opened his arms and caught her securely, then gently ruffled her silky brown hair.

Teio rubbed her face comfortably against his chest and whined coquettishly.

"I don't care. Just looking at Trainer makes me feel drunk!"

"...You're talking nonsense again."

"Hmph! Teio-sama is an undefeated Triple Crown champion now! A mere Trainer is not allowed to defy me!"

Teio made her declaration with complete confidence.

As she spoke, she wrapped both arms tightly around Kuroha's neck like a koala and began climbing over his shoulder.

Kuroha sighed helplessly and allowed her to fool around.

Brave, who had already finished three glasses of whiskey, was sitting on the adjacent sofa with her long legs elegantly crossed.

She gently swirled the drink in her hand while observing their affectionate interaction with great interest.

"Trainer Kuroha, didn't you two just see each other?"

"What do you mean?"

After some effort, Kuroha moved the Teio-shaped facehugger rubbing against his chest onto his back. Then he blinked at Brave in confusion.

Brave raised a finger and gestured toward them.

"I mean what you're doing right now."

"This is the first time I've ever seen a trainer interact so intimately with one of his assigned horse girls."

"No wonder so many horse girls fall in love with you."

The moment she heard that, Teio's eyes lit up. Still clinging to Kuroha's back, she nodded repeatedly like a chick pecking at grain.

"That's right! Trainer is definitely going to marry me someday too... Ow!"

Before Teio could finish her bold declaration, a crisp smack landed on her rear.

"Enough nonsense."

Kuroha gave her an exasperated pat.

"You can think about that after you retire. Your only job right now is to work hard and win your races."

"Okay..."

With her chin resting on top of Kuroha's head, Teio obediently answered. Her entire body immediately went limp and docile.

Watching Teio transform from a swaggering tyrant into an obedient girl in a single instant, Brave's eyes filled with even greater amusement.

In Europe, and even throughout most of the world, trainers and their assigned horse girls generally maintained a strict superior-subordinate or teacher-student relationship.

The two sides might become a little closer when an inexperienced trainer was paired with an equally inexperienced horse girl, but that was usually the limit.

The complete lack of hierarchy before her, with both sides treating each other as family or even as future partners, was an entirely novel sight for Brave.

Come to think of it, where did Suave go?

Didn't she ask me to come here and serve as her wingwoman today?

How did she disappear while I'm the one doing all the talking?

Brave glanced around in confusion.

Before she could locate Suave, a calm and dignified voice came from beside her.

"Teio, even if tonight's celebration is for you, you should not behave so improperly in front of guests who traveled such a long way to join us."

Brave turned toward the voice.

Rudolf approached in comfortable casual clothes. Even dressed for an evening at home, she could not conceal her natural elegance.

She carried two plates of freshly baked pastries, which she placed on the coffee table before looking at Teio, who was practically growing out of Kuroha's back, with a slight headache.

As Kuroha's partner, Rudolf was still not entirely accustomed to seeing other horse girls cling to him.

However, even though she was Teio's senior, Rudolf understood that when it came to this particular Pokémon-style battle royale, Teio had been in line long before she had.

"Aww, Kaichou! This is my victory party. Just let me go a tiny bit wild tonight. Only a tiny bit!"

Although Teio grumbled, her body honestly slid down from Kuroha's back.

She sat close beside him on the sofa and casually picked up a pastry, stuffing it into her mouth.

Rudolf sat down on Kuroha's other side. Her eyes met his briefly before she turned toward Brave and inclined her head.

"Please forgive the embarrassing display, Brave-san. Kuro-kun spoils this child far too much, so she clings to him no matter where they are."

"Not at all."

"If anything, seeing how you interact has taught me quite a lot."

Brave waved dismissively. At last, she spotted Suave not far away.

Suave was surrounded by Ardan, Maruzensky, Godolphin Barb, and Obey Your Master.

The five horse girls had their heads together, secretly discussing something.

Suave nodded repeatedly as she listened, occasionally looking shocked before her face lit up with sudden understanding.

McQueen had apparently listened for a few moments before shuddering from head to toe. With a strange expression, she hurried away to March's table.

Brave stared at them in confusion.

What in the world are you doing, Suave?

Weren't you supposed to be seducing the handsome trainer tonight?

Why am I the one doing all the talking?

While she silently complained about her junior, she noticed that Kuroha was also staring in that direction. Every so often, the corner of his mouth twitched.

"Trainer Kuroha?"

"Hm?"

Kuroha returned to his senses and pushed the outrageously bold suggestions from Godolphin Barb and the others out of his mind.

He turned toward Brave.

"Come to think of it, Brave-san, when are you planning to return to France?"

Brave smiled. "Why? Are we no longer welcome at Central?"

"That's not what I meant."

Kuroha smiled and waved his hand.

"I was thinking that if you have the time, you could stay a little longer."

"The New Year is only another month away."

"You could remain at Central until after watching McQueen compete in the Arima Kinen, then experience the New Year festivities before returning home. That way, you'll have made the most of your trip."

"The Arima Kinen?"

Brave thought for a moment before nodding.

"That shouldn't be a problem."

"There aren't many races scheduled around the end or beginning of the year, so Suave has plenty of free time."

"Besides..."

She paused, then gestured toward the tanned girl in the distance with a peculiar expression.

"Forget staying for another month. If you asked her, Suave might transfer directly to Chasing Light."

"..."

Kuroha showed no immediate reaction.

He first raised his eyes and looked at Suave. Then he turned back to Brave.

"What do you think about that, Brave-san?"

Brave fell into thought.

I'm only her wingwoman. How am I supposed to know what to do?

I've never even been in love myself...

Feeling slightly helpless as her thoughts descended into chaos, Brave remained silent for a while. Then her eyes shifted, and she smiled sweetly at Kuroha.

"If you're asking me that, Trainer Kuroha, does that mean you're actually interested in our Suave?"

"I suppose I am."

Kuroha nodded calmly.

Anyone pursued across international borders for several months by an incredibly beautiful girl would inevitably develop at least some affection for her.

"I don't have any objections when it comes to your relationship."

Brave chuckled softly.

Not that I'm really in any position to object.

"However, if you want Suave to transfer to Chasing Light, it will probably be extremely difficult."

Brave began explaining.

"Although she lost to McQueen in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Suave's current dominance still far exceeds that of most previous Arc champions."

"She is also in exceptional condition. Forget racing for one more year, she could easily continue for another two."

"In other words, the association would never release a strong contender who might dominate the next two editions of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe."

"Even if Suave never wins the Arc, adding several more G1 victories to her career would hardly be difficult. There's no chance the association would let a horse girl of her caliber go."

"I see..."

Kuroha did not seem particularly concerned.

He wanted horse girls to transfer to Chasing Light because it would make living together more convenient in the future, not because he needed their racing achievements.

With the current quality of Chasing Light's roster, they could enter practically any race and win with ease.

There was no need for him to make elaborate plans for victory.