"Oh... so you're Trainer Ikezoe Kenichi, the second-ranked Trainer. I've heard about you."
Inside the Student Council room, Symboli Rudolf had returned to her seat, while Tokai Teio curiously observed Ikezoe, speaking with her usual confident demeanor.
And as Tokai Teio was observing Ikezoe, Ikezoe was also curiously observing Tokai Teio, speaking with a mix of curiosity and surprise in his tone:
"You're... Tokai Teio, right? You're more… energetic than what I imagined."
It took Ikezoe quite some time to rephrase "young and tiny." While Tokai Teio was already a good deal smaller compared to other Racehorses, now that she had become an Uma Musume, Ikezoe hadn't expected her to literally have the body of an elementary school student.
However, the heroic aura she was emitting, and the similar streaked hair and appearance she shared with Symboli Rudolf, absolutely confirmed that this was, in fact, Tokai Teio—the legendary Racehorse known to almost every Jockey, a being who showed them miracles and hope, as well as regret.
Now seeing the Uma Musume herself, Ikezoe felt a pang of emotion. Watching the Racehorse, he might have only felt pity, but now looking at the Uma Musume version of Tokai Teio and thinking of her later incidents… a feeling of sorrow and reluctance welled up from Ikezoe's heart.
Seemingly noticing the change in emotion in Ikezoe's eyes, Symboli Rudolf's heart skipped a beat, then she quickly composed herself and spoke: "She is a highly anticipated rising star at Tracen Academy. Although she hasn't debuted yet, she is undoubtedly extremely talented."
"I also plan to select a suitable Trainer for her after her debut race—So, Trainer Ikezoe, based on your professional expertise and first impressions, what do you think of Tokai Teio?" Symboli Rudolf wanted to hear Ikezoe's assessment of Tokai Teio.
"She is undoubtedly an Uma Musume who is deserving of all the attention she is garnering. My assessment of her is that she definitely has a chance to achieve the title of an Undefeated Triple Crown Uma Musume. Currently, it seems that, apart from the 3000-meter long Kikuka Sho, none of the races in the Classic Triple Crown series would be daunting for Tokai Teio to overcome."
Ikezoe gave Tokai Teio an extremely high evaluation without any flattery, and Ikezoe's evaluation was quite pleasing to Tokai Teio. Teio puffed out her small chest and said proudly:
"That's right! That's right! I am the invincible Tokai Teio! I will definitely become an Uma Musume who surpasses the Prez!"
"Hehe, Trainer Ikezoe, you certainly have a good eye! Of course, I'm going to become an Undefeated Triple Crown Uma Musume! Even the Kikuka Sho is nothing in front of the unbeatable Teio Step!"
"…That's wonderful, Teio."
But Symboli Rudolf clearly didn't think so. She noticed Ikezoe's fluctuating emotions earlier. Clearly, Ikezoe had another half-sentence he hadn't spoken—was it inconvenient to speak because Tokai Teio was present?
Could it be that he saw something she didn't know about Tokai Teio? Maybe a weakness? Or perhaps… a hidden danger?
Is that possible? Symboli Rudolf felt a bit nervous for a moment, but she would never be careless about anything concerning Tokai Teio. She had to know everything. Of course, not now; at least after Tokai Teio leaves.
"Ahem, well then, Trainer Ikezoe, about Curren Chan."
Symboli Rudolf coughed dryly, quickly adjusting her state, and refocused her gaze on Curren Chan and Ikezoe Kenichi, the two who had come to apply for the agreement to become Uma Musume and Trainer. And thus, she fell into an awkward silence.
After all, Trainer Ikezoe being rejected by every student he asked was indeed caused by Symboli Rudolf behind the scenes, with the aim of making Orfevre and Ikezoe become true partners. However, she never expected that the student who ruined her scheme would be Curren Chan—a new Uma Musume who had recently transferred to Tracen Academy. (T/N: This is true, I checked the wiki)
Curren Chan's case was not special at Tracen Academy, as a number of new students did transfer here despite not living in the general vicinity of Central Tracen. Anyone with the talent to become an Uma Musume could join the Academy. Curren Chan was one of them. But she did have a specialty, which was that her "fan base" was already quite high despite not debuting yet. After all, Tracen Academy did not interfere with students' personal hobbies.
However, Rudolf never expected that because of this specialty, Curren Chan would actually disrupt her plans. Symboli Rudolf had only asked a few influential students to announce her arrangements, and Curren Chan's "fan base" caused those students conveying her message to be hesitant in telling Curren Chan, fearing that negative rumors about Trainers being bullied in Tracen Academy would spread. And thus, they did not tell her.
Which then caused Curren Chan, unaware of the news, to find Trainer Ikezoe, who needed comfort and healing. Now, there was nothing Rudolf could do.
But even so, Symboli Rudolf still wanted to make a final futile effort, asking tentatively: "Have you really thought it through? Trainer Ikezoe, and Curren Chan? Though Curren Chan's talent is certainly worth raising, I think that perhaps you might have a better choi—"
"—I will help Curren Chan step onto the GI stage and win them, please rest assured, President!" Ikezoe, upon hearing Symboli Rudolf's questioning, immediately replied without hesitation: "Please believe me, President, Curren Chan is my best choice!"
"Hehe, although I'm not very good at racing, I'm willing to trust Onii-chan~" And at this moment, Curren Chan, who seemed to have figured out what was going on, asked with a smile:
"Or do you think, President, that Curren-chan and Onii-chan are not a good match? Is Curren-chan's talent insufficient?"
"—Of course not, I misspoke."
Symboli Rudolf's eyelids twitched when she heard Curren Chan's retort; fearing that her behind-the-scenes machinations would be exposed, she had no choice but to reluctantly take out an agreement from the drawer.
Since things had reached this point, if Symboli Rudolf blocked Curren Chan from being Trainer Ikezoe's Uma Musume, she would truly become the "Ruthless President who thinks Curren Chan's talent is not worthy of Trainer Ikezoe's guidance." It could be said that Curren Chan's words were the final nail in the coffin, forcing her to allow Curren Chan to become Trainer Ikezoe's trainee.
This junior… is unexpectedly difficult to deal with. Symboli Rudolf narrowed her eyes slightly, but she handed the agreement to Ikezoe and Curren Chan, saying with a smile:
"Just sign your names here, and after I stamp it, your relationship as Trainer and Uma Musume will become official." (T/N: Sounds like a wedding vow to me)
"Each of us here will have a copy of this agreement. We, as the Student Council, hope that you two will dedicate yourselves to each other."
"Of course!"
Ikezoe and Curren Chan also quickly signed their names and handed them to Symboli Rudolf. And just as Symboli Rudolf stamped the seal representing Tracen Academy and handed the agreement to the two of them...
"Knock, knock, knock."
"—President, I brought Orfevre. She said she's willing to tal—Trainer Ikezoe? What are you doing here?"
However, the moment the Student Council door opened once again, Air Groove walked in with a hint of joy in her voice. Upon seeing Ikezoe there, she paused slightly and asked subconsciously.
And behind Air Groove, Orfevre—wearing a mask and with drooping ears, looking rather dispirited—waddled her way into the Student Council room. Immediately, she, Ikezoe, and Curren Chan made eye contact.
And immediately after, Orfevre's eyes saw the red-stamped agreement in Ikezoe's and Curren Chan's hands. After her pupils dilated for a moment, a powerful and wild Aura instantly surged from her body.
"Tsk—" A slightly displeased tone escaped Orfevre's teeth. Instantly, Orfevre's extremely aggressive gaze glared at Ikezoe.
"H-huh?!"
Ikezoe, of course, also noticed the gaze from Orfevre's eyes. Instantly, it was as if some PTSD in his body was awakened, and he subconsciously started to retreat backwards, only to bump directly into the Student Council President's desk, letting out a cry of pain.
Tokai Teio and Curren Chan on the side both immediately rushed to help Ikezoe, but from the expressions of the two little Uma Musume, they were clearly also startled by Orfevre's sudden change in temperament.
"—Orfevre, calm down."
And at this moment, Symboli Rudolf, as the Emperor, finally made her move. Instantly, an Aura filled with the "Emperor's" majesty completely enveloped the room, completely shutting down Orfevre's Aura.
Before Ikezoe and Curren Chan could react, Symboli Rudolf's Aura dissipated, as if nothing had happened. How could the still immature "Tyrant" be a match for the already legendary "Emperor"? Orfevre never stood a chance when she clashed against Symboli Rudolf.
Orfevre's aggressive facade was completely torn down; what was left was the revelation of inner timidity. Orfevre's emotions took another sharp downturn, and she cried out with tearful eyes:
"T-this guy already found his U-Uma Musume! W-why are you s-still looking for me?! I-I'm not... I'M NOT AN UMA MUSUME THAT YOU CAN JUST MESS WITH!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Orfevre rushed out the door without looking back. Air Groove seemed to want to stop her, but ultimately chose to give up, turning around and silently looking at the stunned Symboli Rudolf with a reproachful gaze.
That gaze was very easy to understand; it was clearly, "Look at what you've done."
"So… what exactly is going on?" Tokai Teio, realizing later, quickly turned her gaze to Symboli Rudolf, asking uneasily: (T/N: Girl is clueless)
"Prez? What happened? Why did Orfevre come and then leave crying? And she was so angry too?"
"…About this matter, please allow me to apologize to you, Trainer Ikezoe."
However, Rudolf, after seeing that the damage was already done, decided to step forward and proactively take responsibility for the mistakes and the misunderstandings she had caused, speaking to the bewildered and still pained Ikezoe with a guilt-ridden face:
"I'm... truly sorry. It seems like my personal wishes have been the cause of this mess… Please give me a chance to explain."
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The crash out is crazy!
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If you spot any errors, feel free to comment about it and I will fix it as soon as I can.