"Poached?"
Hearing Roppei's analysis, Su Luo started turning it over in his head.
Come to think of it, it really was possible. With how Oguri Cap was dominating the local circuit right now, she'd already surpassed the level of a mere regional horsegirl.
Just look at today—plenty of the spectators who came to Chukyo Racecourse were here specifically for Oguri Cap.
With that kind of buzz, it'd be weirder if Central didn't notice her.
"But the 'Emperor'… you mean the student council president from Central? She'd come all the way to Chukyo because of Oguri Cap?" Su Luo asked.
"Of course she didn't come specifically for that." Roppei adjusted his sunglasses and explained. "Today is an inspection day—Central makes the rounds of different racecourses. She's mainly here to check on the track's operation, and while she's at it, she'll watch Oguri Cap."
Then Roppei snapped at Kitahara, his tone sharp.
"Kitahara! Now you understand how serious this is, right? If Oguri Cap catches her eye, your Tokai Derby dream is finished!"
Roppei glared hard. And Kitahara—who'd been steady up until now—finally looked shaken.
The Tokai Derby.
That was his dream.
He'd always wanted to raise a horsegirl who could win the Tokai Derby.
And now… Oguri Cap actually had a chance to make it real.
If Rudolf Symboli took Oguri Cap first, it would basically be a public announcement: Kitahara's dream—over.
"Th-this…" Kitahara's eyes wavered wildly.
Noticing, Su Luo patted Kitahara's shoulder.
"What are you panicking for? Oguri Cap might not even win the Chukyo Cup. Don't spiral—just watch the race first."
"Yeah…" Kitahara replied, voice dull, not even sure he'd truly heard it.
Su Luo, on the other hand, couldn't have cared less. To him, this wasn't some big, catastrophic problem at all.
If the Emperor wanted Oguri Cap to go to Central—then let her go.
So what?
Honestly, Su Luo wanted Oguri Cap to go to Central.
For god's sake—she'd been "farming" the local scene so hard she was practically making the other regional horsegirls depressed… and the prize money was making Su Luo depressed too.
Su Luo figured if they really came to invite her, he'd just send Oguri Cap to Central and be done with it.
He'd heard the gap between regional horsegirls and Central horsegirls was like night and day.
A local standout who went to Central would quickly realize that horsegirls on her level were everywhere—like stars in the sky.
Trying to make a name for yourself in Central as a regional transfer?
Brutally hard.
Su Luo thought even for Oguri Cap, going head-to-head with those monsters in Central would be no easy thing.
And for him?
Perfect.
Heh.
Once she went to Central, she wouldn't be able to bully the small pond anymore.
Which meant she wouldn't be hauling in prize money nonstop either.
Good. Great, even.
The only possible risk was—what if Oguri Cap went and won one of Central's huge, high-paying races…
But come on, how likely was that?
Look—Kitahara only dared to dream about Oguri Cap winning one Tokai Derby.
As for her winning major prizes in Central?
No way~
Hahaha.
—
Honestly, there wasn't much to say about the Chukyo Cup result.
Even though it wasn't Kasamatsu and the competition was noticeably tougher, it still wasn't anything Oguri Cap struggled with. She won with basically no pressure.
Up in the stands, when Kitahara and Roppei saw Oguri Cap take the victory with a brilliant performance, both their faces turned ugly.
Meanwhile, Su Luo was grinning like an idiot.
And right then, a group of men in black suits and black sunglasses surrounded them.
"Are you Mr. Kitahara?"
"…Yes."
"Please come with us. Someone would like to see you."
Kitahara's body jolted.
Su Luo reached out and patted his shoulder again, signaling him to stay calm.
Then Su Luo looked at the men and said evenly, "We'll go."
"And you are…?"
"I'm Kitahara's investor—and Oguri Cap's investor too. If your boss wants to see Kitahara because of Oguri Cap, then I'm guessing they'll want to see me as well."
The men exchanged a glance, then nodded. One of them stepped aside slightly and bowed, guiding them.
"Then please, both of you."
So Su Luo and Kitahara, escorted by the group, headed toward the VIP seats.
Roppei watched their backs and let out a long sigh.
"…Haah…"
—
"Hello, Trainer Kitahara."
"I'm Rudolf Symboli, student council president of Central Trezan Academy."
In the VIP viewing area, Rudolf Symboli—wearing Central Trezan's uniform—stood high above and greeted Kitahara.
She stood straight at the railing, eyes bright and sharp.
She dipped her chin slightly, her voice calm but carrying unquestionable authority.
"Trainer Kitahara, Oguri Cap's ability has already far exceeded the scope of a regional horsegirl. Her performance in the Chukyo Cup only proves that again."
She paused briefly, gaze sweeping over the tense Kitahara below before continuing.
"Central is the stage where she truly belongs. The opponents there, the tracks there—only those can make her truly shine. I intend to bring her to Central Trezan."
Down below, Su Luo had been listening quietly—until his gaze lingered on Rudolf Symboli's face longer and longer.
That hair… those brows and eyes… that calm, aristocratic air…
His heart jerked.
Wasn't this… the "Miss Luna" who'd come alone to his shop a few days ago?
Su Luo's mouth twitched. Surprise faded into something amused.
So that was it—Luna was Rudolf Symboli herself…
Uh…
Should he say hello right now?
But how the hell would he even greet her?
"Hey, Miss Emperor—I'm Su Luo, the guy you met at the foot-massage parlor"?
That sounded insane no matter how you sliced it.
Rudolf Symboli's gaze flicked, almost casually, toward the young man beside Kitahara—who'd been keeping his head lowered.
The moment she saw his face, her smooth, measured tone faltered. A rare flash of surprise crossed her eyes.
"Su… Luo?" she blurted, even forgetting to add "Mr." "Why are you here?"
Su Luo scratched his nose. Under the astonished stares of the black-suited men and Kitahara, he stepped forward half a pace and gave an awkward smile.
"Well… it's kind of a coincidence, President Rudolf. I'm actually Oguri Cap's investor—and also Trainer Kitahara's partner."
He paused, meeting Rudolf's not-yet-hidden surprise with a helpless little smile.
"So when it comes to Oguri Cap's future… I figured I should be here too."
Rudolf Symboli's surprise lasted only an instant. Then the corner of her lips—usually so regal and intimidating—lifted into a clear, genuine smile.
It wasn't a polite, formal smile at all.
It was the kind of joy you couldn't quite hide.
She didn't respond to his explanation first. Instead, she stepped forward—right in front of a disbelieving Kitahara—and reached out with both hands, gripping Su Luo's right hand tightly before he could even lower it.
"So it really is you! Su Luo!" Her voice was brighter and stronger than when she'd just declared Oguri Cap's destination, brimming with the delight of someone who'd found treasure. "This is… wonderful!"
Her grip was natural but solemn, the strength in her hands clear—Su Luo could practically feel the sincerity and eagerness pouring out of her.
But Su Luo suddenly had a very bad feeling about where this was going.
"This proves my judgment wasn't wrong," Rudolf Symboli said, looking him squarely in the eye—the earlier authority replaced by pure admiration. "To support a horsegirl like Oguri Cap… Su Luo, your eye and your capability—I've already experienced them firsthand."
Her smile narrowed slightly, but the light in her eyes burned even hotter, and her invitation carried the weight of something you couldn't refuse.
"Then this becomes simple. Su Luo—please bring Oguri Cap to Central."
"Central Trezan needs a team like yours."
…Oh, hell.
This woman wants to drag me to Central and make me work overtime!
-------
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