Shinzan strode down the wide corridor, her eyes skimming the documents in her hand almost ten lines at a glance before passing them to Richard, who followed behind.
"Proceed as planned."
"Understood."
Even though Richard had risen to a mid-to-high-level position within the association led by Shinzan, he still wore those shabby, gold-rimmed glasses.
The faded frames were visibly mended with glue at the corners.
For someone who frequently traveled to various racing districts for exchange activities, such glasses were undoubtedly unbecoming.
Yet for Richard, they represented an experience he could never part with in this lifetime.
Over time, people had come to see these tattered spectacles as his personal trademark.
"What's next on the agenda?"
Hearing Shinzan's question, Richard pushed his glasses up without a moment's hesitation.
"In half an hour, you'll be meeting with guests from the central racing world in the conference hall to discuss jointly establishing a new world-class event."
As Shinzan's secretary, such details were naturally committed to his memory.
"Got it. I'll go on my own. You go ahead and focus on that previous project."
Shinzan gave a nod to Richard and walked alone toward the far end of the corridor.
Although the Uma Musume, led by Symboli Rudolf, had established a student council at Central Tracen Academy, creating a link between the students and the association, Rudolf was still a student after all.
Juggling studies and races left her little time to handle these administrative affairs.
Thus, Shinzan, who still held considerable prestige in Japan, had voluntarily taken on this responsibility, handling matters unsuitable for student involvement.
But unlike before, when she was forced onto this path against her true desires, Shinzan had now returned to the racetrack, reveling in the challenges posed by Richard and the new generation of talents—all just to avoid awkwardness.
Logically, an Uma Musume like her shouldn't return to the track.
After all, a single accidental loss could inevitably cause a significant stir.
Yet whenever Shinzan pondered whether to devote herself entirely to administrative work, she would recall that Kikuka Sho.
'What she wanted to see wasn't a Shinzan who had merely exchanged one set of shackles for another, was it?'
Shinzan refused to betray Dream Weaver's efforts.
Whether in pioneering the future or staying true to her racing spirit, she wouldn't betray her.
And she, as the world's strongest Uma Musume today, possessed both the power and the freedom to do so.
Watching Shinzan's resolute retreating figure, Richard silently adjusted his glasses.
Come to think of it, how exactly had he ended up here?
He had originally just wanted to find any news agency to work as a familiar clerical staffer, adding his modest strength to the court of public opinion.
But somehow, he had crossed paths with Shinzan again, entered the interview process for the new Japan Racing Association she was forming, and—because they had interacted during her time in Europe—when Shinzan learned of Richard's current aspirations back then, she had nearly broken her poker face.
Richard even suspected Shinzan might have seen him as a spy sent from Europe at the time, hence the odd look in her eyes.
Fortunately, he later proved his genuine capabilities through solid performance, step by step rising to a senior position in the association, even becoming Shinzan's right-hand man.
He had merely wanted to witness this new era with his own eyes, yet without realizing it, he had become a driving force of that era.
For some reason, Richard suddenly recalled a poem from a neighboring country.
"Truly, misfortune may be a blessing in disguise…"
Before he could finish the line, hurried footsteps echoed from behind.
Richard didn't even need to turn around to guess who it was.
"Hey! Old Ri, I've got huge news!"
He sighed with a hint of helplessness and emphasized once again.
"My given name is Richard, but my surname is Phil. At the very least, it should be 'Old Phil.'"
"Anthony, as a European, do I really need to remind you? Have you been stationed in the Hong Kong racing scene too long and picked up their habits?"
Indeed, it was Anthony. Years ago, he had decided to stay in Japan with his good friend Richard, wanting to see just how his friend had been 'bewitched.'
But without realizing it, he too had followed in his friend's footsteps, becoming one of the diplomatic members of the Japan Racing Association, now frequently assigned to the recently allied Hong Kong racing scene for activities.
The elder from the European racing association's council, upon hearing this, had nearly fainted from shock. But Anthony couldn't be bothered with their opinions, forging ahead on his own path.
In his words, the mechanically cold competitions in Europe were utterly boring, devoid of any passion and unable to ignite his drive.
But now was different. Passion and dreams were things anyone could viscerally feel.
Considering himself a hot-blooded, upright man, Anthony believed this fiercely competitive arena, brimming with spirit, was the true stage worth fighting for.
Thus, he had long shed his former lazy demeanor.
Relying on passion and drive, he had actually carved out a niche in diplomacy, especially hitting it off with dignitaries from the Hong Kong racing scene.
"Those Europeans are nothing but a bunch of goldfish. How could they possibly stand against Lord Anthony?"
"Before me, so-called European tradition is destined to fall! I, Anthony, can easily crush and scorn it!"
Watching Anthony spout his incomprehensible declarations, Richard wordlessly steadied his glasses.
Ever since Anthony took up his diplomatic post in Hong Kong, his speech had grown increasingly peculiar, to the point where Richard often couldn't understand him.
Still, seeing his friend find his own purpose—transforming from that sheltered young master relying on family patronage into a man truly capable of standing on his own—Richard felt a quiet sense of relief deep down.
He wouldn't show it, of course. So Richard merely said flatly,
"Stop dawdling. You said you had big news. Hand it over then."
Anthony chuckled mischievously, saying "Don't be shocked now," as he produced a fax from behind his back.
Richard snorted dismissively, thinking to himself what major scene hadn't he witnessed? How could so-called 'big news' shake him? He then took the fax from Anthony's hand.
The moment his eyes fell on the characters and grasped their meaning, Richard's usually unflappable expression changed dramatically. His hand trembling, he looked up at Anthony.
Anthony understood his thoughts perfectly—he had just experienced the same himself moments ago.
"It's true. Her condition is starting to improve!"
Richard steadied his glasses, unrestrained joy and shock spilling out in a trembling voice.
"That's really... wonderful!"
As if suddenly remembering something, no sooner had the words left his mouth than Richard whirled around, his gaze shooting toward the end of the corridor, the corner where Shinzan had just disappeared.
"I have to tell her this."
The instant he spoke, he completely forgot about Anthony behind him and broke into a run toward where Shinzan should be.
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.