Chapter 4

Battle of the Races

"Super Creek is speeding ahead! She's speeding ahead!" The female announcer exclaims. "She runs past Manhattan Cafe! She passes Special Week! She even passes Mihono Bourbon! Super Creek doesn't look the least out of breath! What an outstanding horse girl she is!"

Oguri and Tamamo watch from the sidelines since the race started. The taller silver haired horsey just focuses on Super Creek. How she runs. The way her posture is. She focuses on anything and everything in order to read her rival's moves.

Creek is way far from her opponents she is at least 200 meters away from all of then. She does the final turn and uses her burst of speed as a last minute. The other horsies cannot keep up with her. Creek has won before she even crossed the finish line. As quick as a flash, Creek shoots past the finish line with Bourbon coming in second and Special Week coming in third. The crowd goes wild as Creek claims her victory, waving to her fans and then shaking hands with the horsies who lost.

"Creek…" Oguri says softly. "I shall see your capability in the finals soon…"

Tama looks over at her taller friend. She knows Oguri is determined to train hard to make it to the finals.

Later*

After training with Tama, more than she did earlier in the week, Oguri finally takes a break and sits down on a hill with Tama plopping down next to her.

"Yaaaah….Ogurin, you've been training quite hard lately," the petite horsey says.

"Yes…I have," Oguri gives a nod. "It's all for Creek…"

"Ya sure are head over heels for her," Tama stretches out her arms. "Ya know, I've been wondering for quite a while. What if Creek were to actually beat you again? Will ya challenge her again just so that ya can meet yer goal once more? Isn't that a little…I dunno…boring?"

"Boring or not, I have to be worthy of Creek's love," Oguri says. "I want her to see how strong of a horse girl I am."

"But…what if Creek doesn't mind that? Whether winning or losing, you're still the strong horse girl she knows," Tama says. "As her classmate and rival."

"Tama…" Oguri looks over at the petite horsey.

Tama chuckles and pets her dear friend on the head. "I'm not against yer goal, Ogurin. But I just don't want ya to feel so down if ya DO lose to her."

"You have a point…" Oguri says and then looks up at the sky.

Next Day*

"Super Creek-san! Great race yesterday!"

"I cannot believe you beat Mihono Bourbon-san! One of the fastest horse girls!"

"Super Creek-san! I have a question!"

"No I'm asking the questions first!"

The interview with the press is underway. Not only Super Creek is there, but Oguri Cap is as well. Both of them wearing their signature race outfits. There are only 4 more races until the finals. Right now, there is a large interview with the press with the two rival horsies. Apparently, everyone is getting hyped to whether or not they will race each other again.

"Oguri Cap-san! Do you have any goals you want to achieve before the finals?"

"Same goes for Super Creek-san!"

Creek giggles, putting a hand to her cheek while Oguri gives a soft chuckle.

"Actually…" Creek moves over and takes Oguri's hand, making the silver haired horsey blush bright red. "Both of us have the same goal!"

The crowd exclaims with "Ohhhhhh~!"

"Fufufu! Oguri-chan and I will race together in the finals," Creek continues. "But there is one little catch that I probably shouldn't tell anyone just yet~" She puts a finger to her lips and then eyes Oguri with a wink.

"Y-yes…." Oguri nods.

"One question! What is Oguri Cap to Super Creek? We have been hearing a lot how close the two of you are! Can you give us a bit of insight?"

There is a bit of silence before Creek giggles again.

"For now…~" The MILFy horsey says with a finger held up. "We are just friendly rivals. Nothing more~"

The crowd applauds and starts begging for more answers to their questions. But Oguri is far from paying attention to that anymore. Creek is on the right track, but Oguri still wants to be called her girlfriend.

"One last question! In the next race, who shall you race next, Super Creek? Oguri Cap?"

Just then, two other horse girls emerge from the crowd. Two brunette horse girls. One who closely resembles Creek while the other has a black and white streak on the front.

"I shall race Oguri Cap!" Symboli Rufolf declares.

"Ufufu! I shall race against Super Creek-san~!" The other MILFy horsey named Maruzensky says.

The reporters and the others' jaws drop.

"Interesting match up!"

"This will be the battle of the races!"

"Everyone will be so hyped to see who gets to go forward!"

Rudolf turns to Oguri and just gives her a nod with a smile. Oguri, though surprised that her opponent is one of the strong horse girls, nods back. She is up for the challenge. And if she can beat her, she is one step closer to making it to the finals.

Later*

Oguri Cap is on her way to the dorm that night when she sees Rudolf approaching her with a wave of her hand.

"Hello," the Student Council President says. "Sorry for the sudden call earlier. You know, about the next incoming races."

"It's alright," Oguri replies with a small smile. "I actually…did not mind at all."

Rudolf walks up to her and puts a hand on her shoulder. "Rumor has it that you and Super Creek are going to race together in the finals. Is it true?"

"Um…most likely…we promised each other…" Oguri blushes bright red, slightly turning away.

"Heh, a promise is a wonderful thing to motivate one another," Rudolf chuckles. "However, sometimes a promise is broken unexpectedly. Tell me…if any of you break that promise…will you feel down?"

"That's what Tama told me…" Oguri says and then looks at the Prez. "I do not want to break the promise and I'm sure Creek doesn't want that either. But to answer your question…maybe…maybe…" Although Oguri wants to admit she will feel down about losing and breaking her goal to confess to Super Creek, she feels that Creek will love the silver haired horsey the way she is no matter what. Just like what Tama was trying to tell her.

Rudolf pets Oguri with a gentle smile. "You don't have to say it. I know what you are aiming for. That is a very big goal you have. All I can say is: keep going for it. No matter what the circumstances, no matter if the odds are going against you, keep chasing after your dream. Especially when you go against me later on."

Oguri gives a determined nod. "You're right. I should keep on thriving!"

Rudolf nods and turns to leave. "Let's see how much determination you have when we race against each other. I'll see you around, Oguri Cap."

While the Prez walks away, Oguri gives one last look at Rudolf before turning to head for the dorms.

A few Days Later*

The race with Maruzensky against Super Creek is about to start. Creek pumps her fists, her breasts being squished from her forearms. And Maruzensky blows kisses to the crowd, earning a lot of swooning from them. What she is wearing is basically all red race outfit. On the chest area, resembles that of a sailor uniform with a white ribbon at the front, a red short jacket over it, short frilly skirt, and on her legs are red thigh high stockings with red ankle boots on her cute feet.

Oguri and Tama are at the sidelines again.

"I still cannot believe ya are gonna race against the Prez," Tama says. "Why isn't she part of the…finals thing? That would've made way more sense."

"Beats me," Oguri shrugs. She then turns her head to see a familiar cute horse girl watching as well. "Oh…Meisho…"

"Eh? Meisho?" Tama turns her head to see the cutie right next to her. "Whoa! Meisho, yer watching too!?"

"EEK!" The poor cutie squeaks, jumping back in surprise. "S-so sorry, Oguri-san! Tamamo-san! A weak horse girl like me shouldn't be in the sidelines with you, but…but…!" She shuts her eyes tightly, pumping two shaky fists. "I am here to watch Creek-san!"

Tama and Oguri blink twice, exchange looks and then chuckle.

"Meisho, yer fine! Yer fine!" Tama says, giving the cutie a pat on the back.

"Come and watch as you like," Oguri says with a small smile.

Meisho nods and slides over closer to Tama.

Creek and Maru go to the gates, next to each other. They have determined smiles on their faces and get in ready position. Once the bell rings, the gates open and they are off.

Of course, Maruzensky zips past every single horsey at the start.

"Whoa! Here goes Maruzensky, one of the fastest horse girls!" The female announcer says. "She is ahead about 200 meters! What an amazing start!"

Creek gasps a little at this. She did not expect Maru to be THIS fast. But it's too early to give up. She decides to pace herself for a bit before making the first turn. The other horse girls pace themselves as well, heading for the corner. They then make the first turn.

"Maruzensky is still ahead by 200 meters!" The female announcer says. "Super Creek is in 7th place for right now! When will the tides turn?"

"Holy crap!" Tama exclaims. "Maruzensky is super fast!"

"I wonder if Creek will be able to match against this Speed Demon," Oguri says. She has to admit, she IS a bit worried for the MILFy horsey. Creek isn't the speedy type completely, but even with unlimited stamina, she may be outmatched.

Unbeknownst to Oguri, Tama and Meisho, Brian and Biwa are also watching. Far from where the three horsies are. Brian looks at Creek intensely, eyeing everything she needs to know in order to read her moves.

The horsies make their second turn and start to speed up just a little bit.

"Daiwa Scarlet is pulling forward! Oh, wait! Now Super Creek is zipping past her!" The female announcer says. "Super Creek is passing Air Groove and now Smart Falcon! Is she really going to catch up to Maruzensky before she gets to the finish!?"

Creek focuses her eyes on the red-clad MILFy horsey. She is a bit far ahead of her, just about 3 horsies away. She will have to speed up a little more. She does just that, speeding past Grass Wonder.

"They are on the third turn! Super Creek is now in 3rd place!" The female announcer cries out. "Maruzensky is still speeding ahead! Oh, but it looks like she is slowing down a little! Can either horse girl catch up?"

Creek speeds up a bit more, passing another horsey. She is now behind Maru and they are about to make the final turn. Oguri, Tama and Meisho watch in anticipation. The suspense is starting to be unbearable.

"Who will push ahead…?" Oguri says to herself.

"Yeah! Go Creek!" Tama cheers, pumping a fist in the air.

"D-do your very best!" Meisho yells as loud as she can. "I believe in you!"

"Here comes the final turn!" The female announcer says. "Maruzensky and Super Creek are head to head! Will Maruzensky beat Super Creek? Oh, no! She's slowing down, giving Super Creek the advantage! But wait! Maruzensky is speeding up again! Only 400 meters left! Time will tell if one of them will make it!"

Maru and Creek glance at each other as they gain a burst of speed. One horsey pulls ahead, but the other dashes forward shortly after. Creek has to win this. If she does, she will make it to the next round. Maru's speed is powerful, but Creek knows that even she has her limits. Maru is slowing down again. Creek speeds up once more, getting farther ahead of the red-clad horsey.

"Super Creek is running ahead of Maruzensky!" The female announcer cries. "Super Creek is ahead of Maruzensky! The Speedy Horse Girl has tired out! Super Creek isn't even stopping! A little more! Super Creek is almost there!"

The blue clad MILFY horsey leans forward and uses the last of her speed to burst through the finish line. The crowd goes wild as Maru comes in second. The red-clad horsey slows down, panting heavily and then drops to her knees. Admittedly, Maru is just amazed how Creek has been able to get past her like that. She has the speed, but she doesn't have the stamina. Not as insane as Super Creek's.

Creek walks over toward the red-clad MILFy horsey, leans down with a hand on her thigh and outstretches her other. Her smile is angelic.

"Good race, Maru-san~" Creek says sweetly.

Maru lifts up her head, still panting and sweating up a storm. But she manages to give a weak smile and reach out to grip Creek's hand.

"Haaaah…haaah…you are an….amazing racer," Maru says. "Truly…you are."

"Fufufu~" Creek giggles. "I'm just racing the same way I have always been."

"Ufufu! Tell me…what's your secret~?" Maru asks, smirking.

Creek's smile never leaves her face. "My advice? Speed isn't everything~"

Maru gives a chuckle. "You are a wise horse girl as well~"

"Ufufu~" All Creek can do is giggle.

Both of them hold each other's hands, face the crowd and raise them up in the air, making the crowd go nuts.

Brian, who is watching the whole thing, closes her eyes and turns to leave. Biwa follows close behind.

Meanwhile, Oguri smiles and gives a nod while Tama hops up and down joyfully. Meisho pumps two shaky fists as she sees her idol waving to the crowd. Both Creek and Maru head for the long dark hallway shortly after.

When the two MILFy horsies stop midway, Maru turns to Creek with a beautiful smile.

"One more thing~" The red-clad horsey says. "If you and Oguri-chan do get together, I wish you two happiness~"

"Ufufu~" Creek puts a hand on her cheek out of habit. "Thanks for your kind words~"

"You're welcome~" Maru replies.

A few Days Later*

A few more training sessions and Oguri feels she can take on the next big race. This time facing none other than Symboli Rudolf herself. She looks to be a very strong horse girl. Her race outfit consists of a military like dress with a white cloth in the front, short skirt, a half cape hanging from her left shoulder, white gloves on her hands and on her legs are black thigh high stockings with black high heels on her feet. Oh, yes. She definitely looks to be a strong horsey.

Orguri Cap, wearing her own race outfit, just eyes Rudolf. She seems pretty ordinary compared to her, despite coming from the countryside. But other than appearances, Oguri needs to get her game on in order to move forward. Rudolf is a real challenge compared to the other horsies she raced against.

Rudolf notices Oguri and gently approaches her. She smiles and holds out her white gloved hand.

"Let's have a good race, okay?" She says. "I would like to see you give it your all."

Oguri gives a determined nod and gently grips Rudolf's hand. "May the best horse girl win."

Both of them give a nod and let go. They head toward their own gate.

Meanwhile, Tama, Super Creek and Inari One are at the sidelines, having some popcorn.

"This is so exciting!" Inari says.

"Ogurin's got this!" Tama says, pumping a fist. "I just know it! Wah!" Just then, she feels a lick on her cheek and Creek pulls away, licking her lips.

"There were some crumbs on you~" The MILFy horsey giggles, cupping a hand to her cheek out of habit.

"Gaaaah! Creek, ya really need ta think about time and place, ya hear!?" Tama screeches.

"Ufufu! Let's watch the race now~" Creek says as she looks ahead.

The horsies at the gates get into their ready position. Oguri glances over at Rudolf who is next to her and then looks ahead. The bell rings and then…the horsies are off.