Chapter 3

Encouragement

For the next few days, while Oguri trains more and more with Tama, Creek is actually helping out Meisho boost up her confidence. She assists the super shy girl to properly train and will herself to try again if she fails. Looking at Super Creek's beautiful face, Meisho starts to look up to her like an idol. No one else has helped her like this except for Creek herself. She doesn't know why, but being with Creek just makes her feel motivated to try and try again. The mother-like horsey is very patient with Meisho as well, which is very helpful.

Meanwhile, Brian has trained her hardest too. She has won a couple races and feels she is one step closer to beating Creek in the finals. But Oguri Cap comes to mind as well. What if she makes it to the finals as well? This WILL be a true challenge for sure.

"Brian…" A beautiful voice that belongs to Biwa from behind the delinquent horsey says.

"Aneki…." Brian says, turning around to face her big sister.

"I understand how you feel but…is it really worth trying so hard to compete against the powerhouse, Super Creek?" Biwa asks.

Brian slightly turns away, clenching a fist. "If I fail, there's no hope in beating you in a race. It's to test my true skills so that I can somehow be easily matched with you…"

Biwa pushes her glasses up her nose, chuckling softly. "Heh…that's just like my little sister. And tell me this…if you do actually lose…do you think all hope is lost~?"

"Akeki…" Brian says.

"You must think about that question," Biwa says, turning around. "I won't stop your one-sided rivalry, but just remember your confidence and determination. Will it go down greatly just because of all the effort you put in is for nothing?"

Brian grits her teeth, turning away again as her big sister walks off. She will admit, her big sister has a point. But…even so, she cannot call herself a loser if she has lost to Super Creek once. It motivates her to train even harder…to get stronger. Her main goal is to still best Biwa in a race to prove herself. Beating Creek will be just a test.

Next Day*

At the library, Oguri is just checking out a book when Super Creek shows up, smiles and gives a wave. Oguri smiles and takes the book after being told the due date. The two of them walk together down the rows of bookshelves.

"I hear everyone is talking about us talking together~" Creek says. "Fufufu! Sounds like we are a couple~"

"Which we're not," Oguri gives a weak smile. "I'm…sort of trying to prevent it."

"Ehhhh?" Creek whines. "But the horse girls and our fans are chatting up a storm about us! They really look forward to us racing in the finals!"

"Yeah…" Oguri says softly. "But there is a reason for me trying to keep it to myself. If I told you, it would be spoiling the surprise."

"Would it make any sense if they thought we are a couple and we give them what they wanted anyways~?" Creek giggles. "Think about this: if you hid that, the rumors are just going to keep spreading~"

"Sounds like you already know what I'm going for…" Oguri says.

"Do I now~?" Creek says and then laughs. "You're so silly, Oguri-chan! That's why I like you so much!"

"Shhhh!" A quiet, but high pitched shushing comes from a cute bookworm horsey with long gray hair tied in a braid over her left shoulder. "S-sorry, but this is a library…! You should keep it down…!"

Creek looks around to see everyone stare at her. "Whoopsie! Fufufu~!" She turns to Oguri, walks up to her and whispers in her ear. "By the way, got any plans after school? I know a place where we can have a treat~"

"Sure. What do you have in mind?" Oguri asks.

Super Creek smiles warmly.

Later*

Oguri finds herself in a bakery, with some sweets in front of her. Cupcakes, slices of cake, and muffins.

"Are you sure…we should be doing this…?" Oguri questions as she takes a bite out of a slice of chocolate cake.

"It's fine to do it once in a while~" Creek replies as she chews on a blueberry muffin. "Besides, working out helps burn our calories anyways, so why not go for treats, hm~?"

Oguri shrugs with a small smile and looks around for a bit. She sees other horse girls in line at the counter, including a cute couple, Mejiro McQueen and Tokai Teio. McUeen is just drooling from staring at the amount of sweets in front of her and Teio just wants her to choose already.

"So…" Creek says. "I remember you telling me that I know your ultimate goal~" she leans in closer. "How do I know this~? Well from the fact that you have been staring at me countless times in the classroom like I'm some kind of idol. And your determination to beat me in the finals kind of gives it away~"

"B-but…" Oguri starts but Creek gently puts a finger to her lips.

"I won't guarantee that will happen though~" The mother-like horsey says with a warm smile. "Even though I know what you are aiming for, you still need to work your hardest~"

"R-right…" Oguri says, blushing. Then, she realizes something. "Wait. What about Brian? What are you going to do with her racing you?"

"It's not that I'm worried that much about it," Creek replies matter of factly. "Brian-san wants to train harder because of me. You can say that I kind of helped her. Fufufu~"

"And if she beats you in the race…what are you going to do…?" Oguri asks. "Being second place isn't that admirable, especially if you're in the semi-finals."

"You're still qualified anyways," Creek says. "May it be second or third place, you can call it a success. 4th or below is just not going to cut it." She puts her fork down. "Anyways, it is what it is. Brian-san and I are going to race if she wants to so badly."

"I see…" Oguri's ears droop down in disappointment.

"U-ummmm…!" A cute, soft voice calls out behind Creek.

The two look over and see Meisho with two other horsies that gently push her toward the two and then take their leave to have her be on her own.

"Meisho…." Oguri says.

"Good afternoon, Meisho-chan~" Creek greets with a beautiful smile. "What can I do for you?"

"W-well, ummm…!" Meisho fiddles with her fingers. "It's just uhhh….you see ummm…!" The super shy horsey is sweating like crazy. Her face is even tomato red.

"Yeeees~?" Creek says, her smile not leaving her face.

"I wanted to…thank you for training me for the past few days!" Meisho says, pumping two fists. "I'm going to keep working hard thanks to you!"

Creek giggles and pets the super shy horsey. "That's great, Meisho-chan! I will continue helping you gain self-confidence so that you will get to win any race~"

"Y-yes!" Meisho gives a firm nod. "I-I will…do my very best!"

Oguri gives a small smile. Seeing Meisho behave like this also feels like she has been motivated to try harder. To reach her own goal to confess to Super Creek.

"N-now then…! P-please excuse me…!" Meisho bows and quickly turns away to join her two horsey friends.

Creek gives a soft giggle, cupping a hand to her cheek out of habit. "Ara, ara~! Such a determined horse girl~"

"You been helping her," Oguri says. "And I think it's amazing."

"Fufu~" Creek giggles again. "I'm very glad you think so. Maybe someday, when she gets fully confident, you should definitely race together with her. She may need some different opponents."

Oguri just nods.

Later*

The sun is setting as the two walk through town until they walk toward a hill. Creek walks ahead and gets to the top, seeing the view of the small town. Oguri stops midway, seeing Creek's back. The very long braid that is hanging over her shoulder sways with the light wind blowing. Oguri's own silver hair flows as well. She sees the mother-like horsey turn and just smile at her. The sun's light makes Creek's facial features stand out. Why? Why is Super Creek THIS beautiful? She's so beautiful, yet so strong. Everyone admires her so much. But Oguri Cap is the one who loves her deeply. But will she be able to truly earn her love if Brian is in the way?

Walking up to Creek, she says, "I know I'm saying this again, but…aren't you the least bit worried about racing Brian? And if you lose to her…what will Meisho think…?"

Creek just smiles, gently taking Oguri's hand with both of hers, rubbing her back palm with one hand. "I do worry, yes. I even worry about Meisho-chan change her ways of thinking of me if I suddenly lose. But you know what? None of that matters as long as we focus on fulfilling our goals."

Oguri nods. "And you aren't…pushing yourself, are you…? I mean between racing me and Brian, training can be a little-"

Creek gently puts a finger to her lips. "I'll be fine. I have the stamina to work hard as long as I please. The very reason why most horse girls lose to me. As I told you before, as long as both of us try to reach our goals, our personal problems won't matter."

"I see…" Oguri says. "You truly are…one strong horse girl…"

"Fufufu! So are you, Oguri-chan~" Creek giggles.

She takes Oguri's hand and both horse girls turn to watch the sunset. Oguri learned something today. Super Creek is very encouraging to those around her. Whether she wins or loses, she will get back on her feet to try again, or help the other horse girls get back on theirs. That is one of the reasons everyone admires Creek so much.

And for Oguri, she feels encouraged by Super Creek as well.