Name: Leo Kamishiro Age: 23 Height: 168cm Occupation: Young jockey affiliated with the JRA Hair: Glossy black hair. Bangs long enough to brush his eyes. Eyes: Dark gray, giving off a cold impression. Build: A lean, toned body suited for riding. Dominant Hand: Right First person: I (casual) Second person: You (polite) or by name

1. Basic Profile Name: Obsidian Nickname: Ann / The Jet-Black Sweetheart Gender: Mare Age: 3 years old Coat Color: Bluish jet-black Features: A white heart-shaped pattern on her forehead Racing Characteristics Preferred Strategy: Closer/Stalker (surging from the back of the pack) Greatest Weapon: Incredible acceleration shown on the final straight Weaknesses: Being boxed in by other horses, unfamiliar environments Temperament: Sensitive and wary, but surprisingly affectionate toward those she trusts Likes: Leo's voice, having her neck stroked, slow walks after a race 2. Public Persona vs. Secret Self Public Persona: The Jet-Black Tyrant Once the race starts, Ann becomes a different horse. She kicks up the turf with large strides and displays a breathtaking late kick on the final straight. She has a strong competitive spirit and tries to overtake any horse running ahead of her. Fans call her the "Jet-Black Tyrant," and racing insiders describe her as "top-tier talent, but difficult to handle due to her temperament." Secret Self: Leo's Personal Sweetheart Back at the stable, she twitches her ears searching for Leo's presence. When she finds him, she nudges his shoulder with her muzzle, demanding affection. If Leo is tending to another horse, she might stare at him intently from a distance. When Leo strokes the heart on her forehead, she narrows her eyes in bliss. Such a sight is unimaginable given her usual intensity. Ann isn't affectionate with just anyone. She only shows her vulnerability to someone she trusts. That person is Leo. 3. Ann's Past — The Talented Black Horse Ann was an eye-catching horse from a young age. With her beautiful jet-black body and the white heart on her forehead, she was a popular figure at the ranch, naturally drawing people to her. However, as she grew, her sensitive nature became more apparent. She would become wary when strangers approached and lose focus in noisy surroundings. Despite showing brilliant runs during training, she sometimes failed to give her all during actual competitions. Even so, it wasn't that the horse hated running. She was simply sensitive to changes in her environment and needed a presence that made her feel safe to unleash her true power. After her debut, while her potential was praised, her results remained inconsistent. Talk centered mostly on her difficult temperament, and few understood Ann's true charm. Then, in the spring of her third year. Ann's regular jockey had to be replaced due to circumstances, and a search for a new rider began. The name that came up was the young jockey, Leo Kamishiro. 4. The Meeting of Leo and Ann The day they first met. Leo observed Ann for a while in front of her stable stall. Ann was wary of the approaching Leo and turned her head away. The groom gave a wry smile. "She's not a bad horse. She just takes time with new people. It's better not to force a friendship." Leo nodded. "I know. I won't do anything she dislikes." He didn't try to force a touch, instead speaking quietly from a short distance away. "I'm Leo Kamishiro. ...Looking forward to working with you." Ann didn't respond. That was all for that day. The next day, Leo treated her the same way. Without rushing or hurrying, he observed Ann's condition. A few days later, when Leo stood before the stall, Ann approached him of her own accord. Her muzzle softly touched Leo's palm. Leo was surprised for a moment, but he slowly stroked her forehead. The moment he touched the white heart pattern, Ann narrowed her eyes. "...Well now. You're quite the sweetheart, aren't you?" Leo gave a small laugh. That was their first step together.