"So that's… what happened."
After a while, Symboli Rudolf revealed all her thoughts and the actions she had taken behind the scenes to everyone in the room. Within the Student Council's office, apart from Air Groove, who had known of it since the beginning, everyone else—whether it was Ikezoe, Curren Chan, or even Tokai Teio—was stunned by Symboli Rudolf's words.
The dignified Student Council President of Tracen Academy had actually schemed against a new Trainer for her own selfish reasons, pushing for a specific Uma Musume to become that Trainer's assigned trainee and even actively preventing others from joining him… If others found out about this, it wouldn't sound good at all.
It made Tracen Academy's Student Council look like a dictatorship, controlling everything from behind the scenes… Although Symboli Rudolf had indeed resorted to "strong-arm tactics" and "moral blackmail" in the past to establish her authority, she had clearly improved a lot since then. Through the years, she had realized that a President needed a balance of kindness and authority to become a beloved President, rather than a distant "Emperor."
But even so, Symboli Rudolf still made this mistake, and it wasn't until her scheme completely blew back in her face that she realized her meddling had caused the situation to become even worse.
"Honestly—even for the Prez, this is going too far!" Tokai Teio pouted in dissatisfaction upon hearing this, her small feet restlessly tapping her unique "Teio Step" in place as she said to the guilty Symboli Rudolf:
"How can you interfere with Trainer Ikezoe's assigned Uma Musume slot? And it's not fair to Orfevre either. Isn't this manipulating her?"
"…Narita Brian and I finally managed to persuade Orfevre to come and talk." Air Groove, at this moment, was also not on Symboli Rudolf's side, standing by the door and remarking faintly:
"Orfevre was quite resistant at first. Brian and I had to talk her into it, and she finally softened a bit, saying that if Trainer Ikezoe really didn't have an assigned Uma Musume, she could reluctantly agree."
However, as she said this, Air Groove also sighed and looked at Ikezoe, saying helplessly:
"But I didn't expect Trainer Ikezoe to be here as well, and she just happened to see your agreement with Curren Chan… It would've been strange if she didn't get angry."
At this point, Air Groove also noticed the subtle change in Ikezoe's expression and immediately added: "No, I don't mean to blame you, Trainer Ikezoe. I have always supported the idea that Trainers should always be able to choose their assigned Uma Musume independently. A Trainer whose personality doesn't match their Uma Musume will only hinder each other's talent."
"I'm simply saying that to let you know that I oppose the President's methods, but I do understand why she did it—Orfevre's talent is absolutely astounding, and it would truly be a great pity if it was not unleashed properly."
"But Senior Air Groove, you also said that incompatible Trainers and Uma Musume will only hinder each other."
Curren Chan smiled and hooked Ikezoe's arm, looking at Air Groove and saying with a smile: "Curren Chan is Onii-chan's assigned Uma Musume now, and Curren Chan and Onii-chan are very compatible, don't you agree, Onii-chan?"
"…I'm just relieved that the reason those students rejected me wasn't because my face disgusted them."
However, Ikezoe was also a guy with a disconnected thought process. At this moment, the first thing that came to his mind was that his face was indeed in line with popular aesthetics—not particularly handsome, but at least it wouldn't cause Uma Musume to start bleeding from their eyes the moment they saw him.
But Ikezoe quickly realized that there were more important things at hand, and so he turned to look at Symboli Rudolf, asking in an unexpectedly calm tone:
"So… President, you want me to become Orfevre's Trainer? You think I am the most suitable person to unleash Orfevre's potential?"
"…Yes, even now, I firmly believe that."
Symboli Rudolf also nodded solemnly, saying to Ikezoe word by word: "Orfevre's potential is being hindered by her timidness, which is something none of us here want to see."
"All this time, Orfevre has not found a single person who can unleash the potential within her. She is timid, but deep within her heart lies a competitive spirit and ferociousness that even she is unaware of. But, as a Seven Crown Uma Musume, I can clearly see it. However, even I cannot unleash her potential."
"She needs a Trainer, a Trainer who can unleash her potential—just like you, Ikezoe Kenichi."
At this point, Symboli Rudolf's tone paused, and she continued: "You are the only person we have encountered so far who showed signs of being able to unleash Orfevre's hidden nature, which is why I took it upon myself to match you two together…"
"—You can be angry at me all you want, Trainer Ikezoe. I am even prepared to be suspended for this, but as the Student Council President, I truly hope to see Orfevre's potential in its full, unblemished glory."
"Angry… should I be angry?"
However, Ikezoe's expression was a bit strange upon hearing this, while Curren Chan next to him tilted her head in surprise and said softly: "Onii-chan, you definitely deserve to get angry. You were schemed against, you know."
"…I know, but..."
Ikezoe's words ultimately remained unspoken. Should he be angry? Of course, he should. He suffered from self-doubt for almost two entire days for no other reason than the Student Council President's self-serving actions. If it weren't for Curren Chan's timely appearance, he would have been on the verge of becoming insecure about his appearance.
But when Symboli Rudolf spoke of Orfevre's potential and said that he was the most suitable Trainer for her, Ikezoe simply couldn't get angry—even though he had originally planned to live a relaxed life this time.
He truly thought that Orfevre was the strongest Racehorse in Japan, and even if he hadn't transmigrated to this world, Orfevre's potential would definitely have eventually surfaced on its own. Although he was an excellent Jockey, there were plenty of Trainers at his level in the URA, and he could at most be considered an above-average Trainer.
Just as Wada's achievements were built by T.M. Opera O, Ikezoe Kenichi had no glory in the first decade or so of his career—not even a single Triple Crown—until he got Orfevre as his partner. He felt that Orfevre made him, not that he made Orfevre.
Therefore, Ikezoe didn't feel that he was special. Any slightly stronger Trainer could replace him in training Orfevre, and could even allow her to achieve accomplishments no less than, or even exceeding, his own.
And it's not hard to understand that he, having been gifted a second chance at life, would want a comfortable one, right?—But all of this had one prerequisite: Orfevre's potential could not be buried.
"…Where is Orfevre?" In the end, Ikezoe silently withdrew his thoughts and spoke the only thought in his mind at that moment.
"Trainer Ikezoe…"
Ikezoe's words startled all the Uma Musume present. No one expected that after being wronged, Ikezoe not only showed no sign of anger but instead turned to care about Orfevre's situation.
But soon, Ikezoe's words sparked hope in the eyes of Symboli Rudolf and Air Groove, and Symboli Rudolf immediately seized the opportunity to say:
"I can access the academy's surveillance footage. I will find Orfevre as soon as possible."
"I'll take Brian and the others to look for her." Air Groove also went without a word to call people to search for Orfevre. And just after Air Groove left, Tokai Teio put her hands on her hips and said with an appreciative smile:
"As expected of the person who understands my talent! The Invincible Tokai Teio will also come to help!—Big Sister Air Groove! Wait for me! I'm coming too!"
Tokai Teio followed closely behind Air Groove, also going out to find Orfevre. At this moment, Symboli Rudolf came to Ikezoe with a joyful expression and bowed slightly to him, saying:
"Thank you for your kindness and understanding, Trainer Ikezoe."
"Honestly… Onii-chan, you're too kind." Curren Chan, however, seemed a bit displeased by this, pouting unhappily and saying: "You should be angry, but you seem to not care at all... Is Curren Chan not enough for you?"
In fact, even Curren Chan herself didn't know why she said that. Normally, she would have already gone out with the others to help, instead of acting jealous here.
But for some reason, whenever Curren Chan thought of Orfevre, she felt a slight sense of displeasure—as if Orfevre had done something to make her very unhappy in a previous life.
"That's not right, Curren Chan. You shouldn't say such things at a time like this." Ikezoe also smiled and ruffled Curren Chan's little head, then raised his head and murmured:
"No matter what… she is my Orfevre, my best comrade… Let me handle her. At most, she'll just beat me up again."
-----+-----
I really wanted to translate "best comrade" as "Bruzza", but my integrity as a translator ultimately won in the end...
-----+-----
If you spot any errors, feel free to comment about it and I will fix it as soon as I can.