Chapter 491: NO.74: You wait, a deeper impression will surely be taken!

NO. 74: You wait, a deeper impression will surely be taken!

The Asu Stakes, the Dahlia Prize, both OP‑level races in the first half of August, have a fan threshold of 500.

The former is Kokura Racecourse in the Jidong area; the latter is Niigata Racecourse located within the Kaimon area.

They are hundreds of kilometers apart.

Considering both races are scheduled in the afternoon, even with a gap of nearly half an hour, it's usually hard to follow both at the same time.

Unless you take a shortcut through the data channel, or have mastered duplication, like the Gasu aliens who once gave Sevin a hard time.

Aomo can't imitate the Gasu aliens, but he can perfectly cosplay the Mefilas aliens.

His high‑precision teleportation ability is enough to handle these two races, and he can even bring others along.

Of course, if he had a choice, Aomo would only want to bring a few people—some from his agency, some of their friends, and Bi Ze, whom he'd promised early on, as well as that Metron alien he'd bought with a horse‑girl‑related promise.

About right?

All together they're already over five, and this is the first time Aomo has thought that the kids having few friends is actually a good thing…

But sometimes, people inevitably end up volunteering for something.

Especially under the gaze of those pairs—full of expectation, or feigning pity, dissatisfied yet satisfied—Aomo, holding a sign somewhere between an airport pickup and a student spring‑outing placard, leading a crowd with a tour‑guide's manner, feels his heart go numb.

This hasn't changed yet; it's merely based on the result of an online communication.

【Master says he's willing to take us straight by teleport】→【Linton trainer says he's willing to take us over by teleport, eh!】→【Eh eh eh? Aomo trainer never told me, oh! I've got to go ask him】→【Aomo never told me either, I'll go ask what's going on!】……

Obviously, the problem lies with oneself.

The kids have few friends, but one's own friends seem too many.

Aomo had already realized this yesterday, but he didn't dwell on it too much.

He even tried to find solace in the thought that among these people, a few overly conspicuous horse‑racing stars were missing.

Miss Rudolf has again been caught up in government affairs, dragging the Sirius symbol along to jail, while Maruyama has been waiting for a car race, and she left a remark with Qianming's representative: "If I have time after the race, I'll come over—"

So today only Qianming's representative and the adult team of Narita Shirohito remain.

Zhouri Ningjing is dodging fares in spirit form, but we needn't mention that for now.

Meanwhile, the underage horse‑girls' lineup stays the same, except they're missing Professor Daku, who was supposed to run neck‑and‑neck with Miss Ruby.

Watching the race from afar is fine—Aomo replied that way to the message, and while he truly doesn't mind, to really put the other side at ease, the attitudes of the two other parties involved still matter.

Bourbon and Suzi are today's main characters.

Now, Bourbon, having already put down her phone, is walking through the athletes' passage.

She will be the first to step onto the stage, but unlike Chazuo and Suzi, she is extremely familiar with this——

"From here on, go this way; your side is the entrance to Gate 2."

"…Yes, Master."

The cyber horse‑girl's tone was slightly awkward, and the words she wanted to say but held back got stuck.

She and her trainer walk together through the athletes' passage.

This passage remains dim; without spiritual interference, the actual lighting is indeed inadequate.

Kokura Racecourse is inherently a remote, small track; although it holds the rights to host off‑season races, its own construction standards are quite mediocre.

This hardly matches Bourbon's former worth at Mihama.

Yet the cyber horse‑girl's face shows no displeasure; her blue‑green eyes hold only a hint of embarrassment.

"The structure here is more complex than Sapporo's, but good thing I brought the layout diagram to look at earlier," the trainer walking ahead said, turning his head slightly to her, "What did you want to say before?"

"Reviewing the log, I want to carry out a solo operation."

"I think proper accompaniment is necessary, especially when you're not familiar with this space."

"I understand, but I judged it merely a temporary mistake."

"I understand," Aomo replied similarly, "Based on your judgment criteria, how do you assess the condition of this athletes' passage?"

"Judged as crude."

"Just like this race?"

"I can't confirm; I've only participated in two OP‑level races."

"Haven't the player data all been organized for you to see?"

"Master's speech logs mention that those are just references."

"That's indeed true…" Upon seeing Bourbon's gate number sign, Aomo stepped to the door and gestured for her to go in.

Bourbon then pushed open her changing room door; according to Aomo's habitual overview, this changing room's specs are actually better than Sapporo Racecourse's.

However, the previous user here was generally a bit taller than Bourbon—the height of the light fixtures, the spacing between seats and desks, even the leftover disposable cosmetics—all tell Aomo that the former girl placed too much importance on her appearance.

Kokura Racecourse's previous event's first‑frame, first‑place result…… Aomo briefly recalled it, then let out a silent sigh.

Excessive confidence wasted the makeup.

"I wanted to say that, since you've had OP‑race experience and watched Chazuo's races, you should be wary of the non‑race‑spec veterans in OP events, but actually…"

He placed his clothes and shoes on her table, met her gaze, and gave a helpless expression: "This race has no notable OP‑race veterans, and you don't look like you'd take them lightly, so this lecture isn't really necessary."

"According to analysis, Master never says useless things."

"That's a bit blind—I only maintain that efficiency in training, and of course the same before a race."

"Did Master ask the Chazuo team the same thing?"

"That's still different—although she has two race records, she's truly a newcomer, but you aren't; you even have a full set of decisive gear."

Standing behind Bourbon, looking at the bag of clothes on the table, Aomo then gazed at her back—her reddish‑brown hair swaying in the light—as she tidied her earrings and hairstyle.

"But this race isn't a G1, and it's far from the time to wear decisive gear, so I can't help worrying that you'll grow bored with these lower‑tier races, or even look down on them."

"I reject that; as long as it's Master's decision, I'll carry it out fully."

"You can't be that rigid, you've got to judge a bit." Aomo sounded helpless.

Confirmed as an answer derived from analysis and judgment, Master, the girl who had just put on blue circular earrings said, her ears twitching slightly as she turned her head, "Master changed my living situation."

If you're referring to the electrocution killer physique, there's no need to take it so seriously.

No, Master not only allowed me to handle electrical equipment, but also introduced me to Yuzhao, took me to see Miyu and her trainer, and brought in seniors Qianming, Narita, and Maruzen for guidance, and furthermore didn't mind my manner of speaking.

Your speech now is no different from that of an ordinary person.

I trust Master's decision, Meipu Bourbon, will absolutely obey the orders!

You completely aren't listening to me, huh...

Aomo looked somewhat speechlessly at this solemn-faced cyborg horse girl, asking a question he had wondered about while in the passage:

Didn't the previous trainer take you through the athlete's passage?

... Master's observation, even this can be done?

Just a simple deduction." Aomo raised his hand, adjusted the overhead light tube's direction, so she could see herself better in the mirror.

After checking that trainer's data, and combining it with your occasional remarks about the past.

In my personal opinion, many of his actions are quite derelict.

He said indifferently.

So you really don't need to compare me with him in your mind, thereby inflating your evaluation of me.

Received, but Master still holds the highest rating in my memory bank.

Thank you for your evaluation; this also proves my efforts are on the right track," Aomo nodded slightly, "but to ultimately prove it, we still need to look at your results.

I judge that after adjusting the state to flawless, we can achieve the best results." Bourbon raised his hand to his chest, assuring Aomo.

Then he also said: "So, Master need not worry; just act with confidence."

This remark made Aomo slightly startled, he tugged at the corner of his mouth: "... This really sounds familiar; could I have a chance to hear it once more from Suzi?"

The analysis probability is: extremely low.

Even you think so.

Request to speak: the Chazuo team members also said that before?

No need to beat around the bush; you and the Chazuo and Suzi were quite engaged in chatting in the living room at eight last night, right?

... Sorry, concealment was my own judgment.

In a vague manner, Aomo seemed to see a reddish flush on the cyborg's face.

Besides, I don't intend to blame anyone; there's no need to rush to blame oneself, but if you have something to say, you might as well speak frankly.

If you want to say something… I will do better than the Chazuo team members, Master," the chestnut-haired horse girl said solemnly and seriously, her words devoid of any daily mechanical feeling, "so you need not worry about my side.

Although your saying that makes me happy, there's really no need to compete with her.