The victory at the Satsuki Sho elevated Tokai Teio's fame to a truly terrifying level. Recently, many variety shows could be seen broadcasting the recording of that race.
And the official Satsuki Sho poster had been completely replaced by a freeze-frame photo of Tokai Teio. For a time, various merchandise and toys related to Tokai Teio were hitting the market crazily.
Even in the claw machines at arcades, various styles of Tokai Teio dolls had already been updated.
There were versions in her school uniform, her race outfit, and her performance outfit; in short, every image Tokai Teio had ever shown was made into a doll.
The prizes in gachapon machines were the same.
Compared to previous Satsuki Sho winners, the treatment Tokai Teio received was unprecedentedly hot.
This result occurred partly due to promotional issues, and partly because of Tokai Teio's image and strength.
Precisely because Tokai Teio's image was very cool, and her performance in the race was exceptionally dazzling, the combination of these elements facilitated this "god-making" plan.
Everyone could already foresee that as long as Tokai Teio kept winning until the moment she claimed the Undefeated Triple Crown, she would thoroughly become the most brilliant sun in people's hearts!
However, the center of attention herself, Tokai Teio, wasn't affected much because she had long been accustomed to the feeling of being watched.
Whether it was Saint McQueen or Demon King Ship, they had all once been the center of a world.
After finishing today's training, Tokai Teio and Mayano Top Gun walked to a bench near the training field to rest and rehydrate.
"Teio, Maya is going to debut too!" Mayano Top Gun suddenly told Tokai Teio her thoughts.
Tokai Teio stopped drinking water and asked naturally, "Is that so? Then do you need me to go to the venue to watch?"
Although she had little interest in debut races, Maya was her roommate and good friend after all, so going to cheer for Maya would be a nice experience.
"Your reaction is really cold. This concerns whether Maya can successfully become an official competitor!"
Seeing Teio's calm demeanor, Mayano Top Gun was actually dissatisfied. Shouldn't she give a more exaggerated reaction at a time like this?
One must know that if she lost, she would have to wait for the next debut race.
Although debut races were available anytime, if she couldn't win, the Trainer definitely wouldn't be willing to let her challenge again in a short time.
"If it's Maya, there won't be a problem, right?"
Tokai Teio said with a "matter of course" expression, full of confidence in Mayano Top Gun's debut race.
She genuinely didn't think there was a possibility of Maya losing. After all, Maya was a genius herself, plus she had been training with Teio for this period.
If she still lost, Teio didn't dare imagine what kind of godly opponent Maya had encountered.
"...Are you that confident in Maya? Hmph~ Is that so."
The corners of Mayano Top Gun's lips curled up gently, feeling as sweet as if she had eaten a candied date.
"That's right, Maya, you are my, Teio's, number one disciple."
"No, I'm not!"
Her mood, which had just improved, was instantly sunk by Teio's sentence.
Mayano Top Gun didn't want to be Tokai Teio's disciple. Besides, being a disciple to a roommate from the same generation was too embarrassing to say out loud!
Tokai Teio pretended to be surprised and asked, "Eh? Are you not? But you clearly learned so many things from me!"
Hearing this, Mayano Top Gun instantly lost her confidence.
She had to admit, Teio had indeed taught her a lot, and it was because of this that she had the confidence to debut at this time.
One must know that debuting now meant she would become a true rival to Tokai Teio, who had taken the first step of the Undefeated Triple Crown, later on. Just imagining it made Maya's scalp tingle.
But even so, Mayano Top Gun wanted to run a race with Teio in an official competition.
If she couldn't do this, she felt she would definitely regret it later!
"This, that... anyway, Maya is not your disciple, Teio!"
Hearing Mayano Top Gun's lack of confidence in her reply, Tokai Teio immediately pressed the attack.
"Damn it, Maya, you rebellious disciple."
"I said I'm not!"
Mayano Top Gun clenched her small fists. Unable to win with words, she prepared to use action to stop Teio's mouth.
But who is Tokai Teio? She picked up her water bottle and bolted immediately.
"Don't run!"
Mayano Top Gun shouted angrily from behind.
Originally not angry, now that Tokai Teio ran, she felt she really wanted to get angry.
"Hahaha, Maya, let's see who gets to the club room first. If I win, I'll go watch your debut race."
Tokai Teio laughed as she ran ahead.
Mayano Top Gun puffed her cheeks and said, "How could Maya possibly outrun you, Teio!"
"Then I'll bring a banner to cheer for you, Maya!"
"!!!"
Thinking of that scene, Mayano Top Gun's head was about to explode.
If Teio did that, she would definitely be noticed by everyone immediately.
Although she didn't hate attention, that level of attention all at once was too difficult for her.
"Then Maya absolutely has to win!"
"Really? But I, Tokai Teio, won't lose."
The two ran toward the club room.
When they arrived at the central fountain, Tazuna Hayakawa saw the figures of the two running on campus, and the smile on her face instantly turned terrifying.
"Tokai Teio, Mayano Top Gun, please don't run wildly on campus!"
Under the surprised gazes of students nearby, the Green Hat Lady caught up to Mayano Top Gun in an instant and pinned her down.
"Huh?"
Like the average student, Mayano Top Gun hadn't expected the Chairman's secretary to have such strength.
Is Miss Hayakawa not an ordinary human?
Maya was shocked. Why can't I see ears and a tail?
"It seems the contest was interrupted. Let's leave it at that. I'll just go watch your debut race normally, Maya."
Tokai Teio walked over proactively. Everything was within her expectations; she knew Miss Hayakawa wouldn't sit by and watch them run seriously on campus.
If it were a jog at human speed, it would be fine, but running at Horse Girl speed was definitely not allowed. If they accidentally bumped into a Trainer, it would be a real accident.
And although Miss Hayakawa had disguised herself as a human through unknown means, Tokai Teio was certain the other party was a Horse Girl.
"You two students, don't run wildly on campus at this speed next time, understood?"
Tazuna Hayakawa released Mayano Top Gun, the expression on her face returning to that of the gentle secretary.
"Yes, Maya knows she was wrong."
"No problem."
"That's good. I wish you two a pleasant campus life today as well. Also, don't forget—good morning, Maya, Teio."
"Yes, good morning, Miss Secretary!"
"Mn, good morning, Miss Hayakawa."
Thus, a new day of campus life began in this cheerful morning.
Time flew to one week later—Mayano Top Gun's debut race.
"Competitors have completed the start; leading is Competitor #6, Mayano Top Gun!"
Through the connections of the competitor's family and friends group, Tokai Teio arrived at the very front of the venue.
However, in reality, even without using privileges, there weren't many spectators for this race. Basically, they were friends and family of the various competitors, or reporters looking for new material.
Tokai Teio appearing in the audience seats was immediately noticed by many sharp-eyed reporters.
"That is this year's Rookie King, the Undefeated Satsuki Sho winner..."
After looking through the camera lens for a while, they ultimately didn't press the shutter.
Without permission, the consequences of candidly photographing such a star competitor could be severe.
Better wait until after the race, then try to see if I can approach competitor Tokai Teio and ask for a photo.
The most urgent matter right now was still focusing on the competitors in the race. I wonder which competitor Tokai Teio is watching?
Because information at Central Tracen Academy was basically classified, ordinary small-time reporters really had no way of knowing the relationship between Tokai Teio and Mayano Top Gun.
The race entered the middle leg. Mayano Top Gun, who had used the "Great Escape" (Silence Suzuka-style Runner) tactic in the opening leg, suddenly slowed down, falling behind two other competitors.
This scene made many people feel very strange. Could it be that this competitor's stamina was exhausted so quickly?
Only Tokai Teio knew that Mayano Top Gun was executing a tactic they had discussed before, a tactic only they, possessing aptitude for multiple running styles, could use.
The essence of the tactic was simple: use a fake Great Escape in the opening leg to drive the rhythm of all competitors, then choose to conserve stamina and switch to the Leader position in the middle leg. If there were other Runner (Escape) horses in the race, under these circumstances, their rhythm would be affected, forcing them to continue leading with a Great Escape style, severely consuming their stamina and losing the chance to burst in the final leg.
If there were no other Runners, then this tactic wouldn't be needed; she could just Great Escape all the way to the finish line.
And in this race, besides Mayano Top Gun, there were two other Runners.
It could be seen that even after Mayano Top Gun slowed down and dropped back, these two competitors still dared not slow down a bit, afraid that if they let up, they wouldn't be able to charge up again.
And perhaps thinking Mayano Top Gun had lost her threat, the competitors behind didn't pay much attention to her either.
But this was normal.
After all, competitors born with aptitude for multiple running styles were rare, and Maya was just such a genius.
Maya's running style aptitude was the all-powerful domain of Runner A, Leader A, Betweener B, Chaser B.
If Teio weren't cheating, she wouldn't compare to Maya's talent in this aspect.
"Broken through the fourth corner, entering the final straight! This is the final decisive ground!"
All competitors were bursting with speed, but because their rhythm had been affected by the Great Escape early on, they appeared to be struggling now. Just then, Mayano Top Gun, who had fallen behind, rushed out.
"Mayano Top Gun is charging up from the outer lane! Can she catch up?!"
"She broke through! Mayano Top Gun completed the overtake by a narrow margin and snatched first place!"
After crossing the line, Mayano Top Gun first clenched her fist excitedly, then waved toward Tokai Teio in the audience seats.
"Won! Maya won!"
Tokai Teio nodded. As expected of my number one disciple.
...
Get 20+ chapters ahead on - P.a.t.r.e.o.n "RoseWhisky"