"Please, just give Maruzensky a chance! I don't care if it's the outermost gate!"
Maruzensky jolted awake from the dream, her eyes heavy with exhaustion. It was obvious she hadn't slept well the previous night.
"This dream again... How many more times must I endure it?"
Maruzensky gazed out the window, watching birds soar freely in the distance.
"Hey! Maruzensky! Time to get up!"
Someone was shouting at the top of their lungs from downstairs. Curious, Maruzensky walked to the window and leaned out. CB was looking up with a beaming smile, seemingly overjoyed about something.
"CB, what's all the commotion so early in the morning?"
"Let me in first! I have great news!"
Maruzensky went downstairs to let CB in. The moment she stepped inside, CB rushed to find the television.
"What's got you in such a hurry?" Maruzensky asked, bewildered.
"It's the little one, of course! She said something incredible!"
"Kousei?"
"Who else?"
Every major news program was scrambling to cover the story. Thanks to Rohan Ye, the Eastern Lands tour had rapidly gained traction, and discussions about it dominated online forums.
Kousei's challenge had ignited the world's passion. As people dug deeper into the mysterious Umamusume's background, they discovered her original affiliation wasn't Northern Academy but Central. Witnesses to the Takarazuka and Tenno Sho Events also began to surface online.
The world is interconnected; no matter how powerful the Central Committee was, they couldn't silence everyone.
With certain individuals pulling the strings, Kousei's identity gradually came to light. Naturally, more people learned that she was the main culprit behind the Takarazuka Event.
Public opinion instantly polarized.
Kousei didn't care about any of this. In fact, it was all part of her plan. Her bold declaration was a message to the world:
If you want to know my past, then go ahead and investigate.
Rather than letting others exploit her vulnerabilities later, it was better to lay everything bare now. Besides, Kousei wasn't the one who should be worried.
"She seized this opportunity perfectly," CB said, filled with pride. "By competing on a grander stage, more people will get to know her and remember her."
A gentle smile touched Maruzensky's lips, a mix of bitterness and joy. "That's wonderful," she murmured.
CB glanced at Maruzensky and lowered her voice. "Yes, it is. She was born in a good era."
Maruzensky looked out the window again. The birds were long gone, and her smile softened even more.
"Yes... wonderful."
-
Dim lights flickered in a dark room.
"What is the meaning of this? Why is she still allowed to compete?!" one of the ten shadowy figures roared, their face obscured by the gloom.
The unrestrained fury filled the meeting room with a suffocating tension, yet the few being questioned seemed completely oblivious.
"T! What is the meaning of this?!"
T, who had been spacing out, snapped back to reality only when his name was called. He immediately spread his hands in a helpless gesture. "I have no idea."
"You have no idea? You're her trainer, and you have no idea?"
"Maybe she had some kind of miraculous encounter after going abroad?"
"Even so, how could we have received no information at all? Weren't you supposed to report to us?"
"Come on, I'm not her father. Besides, I'm just a humble trainer; I don't have that kind of power. If even you couldn't find anything, what makes you think I could?"
T's argument was logical and well-reasoned, leaving the Central Committee momentarily speechless.
"Don't forget," the Committee warned, "if you want to climb the ranks, you need our support. Don't try any tricks."
Even so, the Committee couldn't resist issuing a reminder.
T looked up, his eyes glinting with an unreadable smile. "Of course. I will certainly do my utmost."
"Then, President Rudolf, I trust you understand as well. Kousei is an obstacle to the Academy. We cannot allow her to continue unchecked."
The Committee's attention shifted to Rudolf. She sat with an air of nonchalance, speaking in an unhurried tone. "Of course, I understand perfectly. Rest assured, as long as I'm here, there will be no problems."
"As expected of President Rudolf, truly reliable."
As the Student Council President and the benchmark for all Central Umamusume, Rudolf represented one of the three major powers. Her authority was fundamentally different from that of the Director and the Committee; neither side had any right to command her. All cooperation depended entirely on Rudolf's willingness.
"However, there is one thing I'm curious about," Rudolf said, propping her chin on her hand with a playful glint in her eyes. "Perhaps the members of the Committee could enlighten me?"
"President Rudolf asks, and we shall answer all we know."
"I'm curious," she began, her tone laced with amusement, "why the return of a single, ordinary Umamusume has thrown you all into such a panic, to the point of convening an emergency meeting. So, what exactly are you so afraid of?"
Rudolf's question plunged the Committee into silence. She didn't press them, simply waiting quietly for their response.
"Everything we do is for the good of the Academy," one of them finally said. "That Umamusume will inevitably inflict severe damage on the Academy in the future. We must take preventive measures."
"Didn't I already say? As long as I'm here, there will be no problems. Or perhaps... the members of the Committee look down on me?"
For the first time, a palpable tension emanated from the Committee. As Rudolf spoke, she seemed to transform into a different person, her eyes filled with genuine indifference.
"We take any potential threat to the Academy very seriously," one member countered. "That's why we recommended Kashimoto Riko for the position of Acting Director. Her 'Thorough Management Education Program' is an exceptionally advantageous philosophy. Didn't you agree with this, President Rudolf, when you chose to cooperate with us?"
The old fox was a master at deflecting questions. Rudolf tapped her index finger on the table three times and raised an eyebrow. "Of course."
With that, she rose to leave.
"The Academy's internal affairs are demanding. I'll be taking my leave now. If you have any requests, you can send them to my office as usual. And yes, I will read them."
Rudolf turned and walked away. Though some Committee members were displeased, they were powerless to stop her. While they controlled the majority within Central, Rudolf was part of the minority they couldn't command.
T, who knew how to read the room, followed Rudolf out. After the two had departed, the Committee began to stir again.
"She did that deliberately to send us a message. It was a provocation."
"Of course we know that, but what can we do? Northern Academy is under Akikawa Yayoi's watch, and our reach doesn't extend there."
The place was too small, so small that they had overlooked her presence. They should have realized this when Akikawa Yayoi voluntarily left. Years spent in high positions had made them somewhat arrogant.
"The Student Council's victory over Sirius was indeed a great achievement, but Rudolf may not be on our side. To be blunt, only Rudolf and Air Groove have made their positions clear. Maruzensky and Mr. CB remain silent, while Narita Brian acts as if it's none of her business."
"That's enough. The Student Council, led by Rudolf, is our strongest asset. As long as Rudolf remains on our side, we have nothing to worry about."
"Exactly. At the very least, we can ensure Rudolf won't betray us. After all, we hold a card of our own."
A hand in the darkness slapped a photograph onto the table. It clearly showed the face of Sirius Symboli.