The time Wada and Doto spent together was just a small interlude, yet it had a profound impact on both of them. After their interaction, they finally knew what they truly wanted to do and are now resolutely moving forwards to achieve those goals.
Perhaps in the future, Wada would recruit T.M. Opera O as his Uma Musume, but that wouldn't change the fact that he was Doto's Trainer. After Meisho Doto became more resolute in this idea, her training became even more diligent than before.
Now, Doto and McQueen trained together every day. Imanami and Wada therefore were also constantly busy overseeing the two Uma Musume's weight loss and training. Not only that, after some time, Ikezoe even joined in with Curren Chan.
Suddenly, the three new Trainers of Tracen, alongside their assigned Uma Musume, became the focus of much attention at Tracen Academy.
"Curren Chan, Mejiro McQueen, Meisho Doto... It seems our new Trainers have increasingly discerning eyes, to the point where even I don't know how to evaluate this absurd lineup."
At the training grounds, Symboli Rudolf and Air Groove watched from above as the three Uma Musume trained diligently under the supervision of their Trainers. Symboli Rudolf looked at the scene and smiled faintly, saying:
"Trainer Ikezoe believes Curren Chan can win consecutive GI races in sprint races. Trainer Wada is preparing Meisho Doto for the Mainichi Hai. And as for Mejiro McQueen... well, she is the rising star of the Mejiro Family."
"Mhm, McQueen is very strong!"
Beside Symboli Rudolf, there was another figure: Tokai Teio, the Uma Musume who always wanted to stick close to Symboli Rudolf, and thus naturally wouldn't miss this scene.
Unlike the two, Tokai Teio's gaze was fixed solely on Mejiro McQueen, whom she considered to be her main rival. As Tokai Teio watched Mejiro McQueen constantly doing squat jumps around the track while holding a honey drink, she smiled and said: (T/N: Hachimi, hachimi, hachimi~)
"McQueen is really working hard to lose weight, huh? It's a good thing I, the perfect Tokai Teio, won't gain weight~"
With that, Tokai Teio didn't forget to take a deep sip of the honey drink in her hand, a rather pleased expression appearing on her small face, feeling fortunate that she didn't have to suffer through weight loss like McQueen did.
Teio's words were clearly heard by Symboli Rudolf's ears. Watching Tokai Teio's leisurely demeanor, Symboli Rudolf shook her head with a faint, wry smile.
This still-green child clearly didn't know that Mejiro McQueen's current training wasn't just about losing weight, but to also train her leg strength. Once Mejiro McQueen successfully lost weight, she would likely experience a dramatic increase in power.
It was a pity that even if Tokai Teio were to know all this, she would probably still be dismissive of it. This child was good in every way, except for being a little arrogant and taking things for granted.
However, the effectiveness of long lectures is no match for a good beating. Symboli Rudolf had made up her mind: to make Tokai Teio grow, she first had to let her experience some hardship.
—Of course, now was not the time.
"Teio, among the training methods of the three new Trainers, if you had to choose one, which would you prefer?"
"Eh? Well..."
Facing Symboli Rudolf's sudden question, Tokai Teio fell into deep thought, and after a long deliberation, she said:
"Ugh... If I absolutely had to choose, I'd probably pick Trainer Imanami, since he's McQueen's Trainer! I really trust McQueen's judgment!" Tokai Teio first fixed her gaze on Takatoshi Imanami. This answer was not unexpected; after all, Imanami was McQueen's Trainer... although only provisionally, not yet in an official Trainer-Uma Musume relationship.
The treatment Imanami received could be said to be the best among the three, unbeknownst to Ikezoe, who was urged by the Student Council after only his first day. Now, almost a week had passed, and Symboli Rudolf still had no intention of urging Imanami and McQueen to sign the agreement—and even planned not to urge them even if they went beyond the one-week time limit.
Because anyone could see that Trainer Imanami had long been reserved by Mejiro McQueen, and thus, by the Mejiro Family behind her. Even the Student Council, represented by Symboli Rudolf, would find it very difficult to intervene.
"Ah, but—Trainer Ikezoe's enthusiastic training method is also great! And he's super confident! It feels like he perfectly matches my wavelength!" But Teio quickly turned her gaze to Ikezoe, her small face scrunched up as if in great conflict, saying:
"And even an Uma Musume like Orfevre was convinced to participate in a Debut Race by him! I really want to know what charm Trainer Ikezoe possesses that can even convince Orfevre!"
"...What about Trainer Wada?" Seeing that Teio hadn't mentioned the last Trainer, Symboli Rudolf couldn't help but ask, "I thought you would like Trainer Wada's caring atmosphere and his silently supportive personality."
"Hehe, I do like him a lot, he seems like such a responsible Trainer and I'm very happy that Doto-san has such a good Trainer now," Teio first admitted this with a sweet smile, but then her expression immediately clouded over, and she said with a bitter face:
"But I, the all-knowing Tokai Teio, understands this: Trainer Wada cares about T.M. Opera O the most! If I were to become Trainer Wada's assigned Uma Musume, I would never be number one! Because Trainer Wada would definitely play favorites with T.M. Opera O!"
"My Trainer must be someone who puts me, Teio, at the forefront with all their heart! I don't want to join a Trainer that puts me second!"
Symboli Rudolf, Air Groove: "..." (T/N: What is Air Groove even doing here? She ain't even talking. Is she looking east alongside Dragon?)
However, Tokai Teio apparently didn't notice that her words had silenced the two informed members of the Student Council. Others might not know, but they did: if these three Trainers were truly judged by Tokai Teio's requirements, not a single one would meet her standards.
Because apart from Trainer Wada, who did not hide his intentions, Trainer Imanami's primary concern should be Gold Ship, and though Trainer Ikezoe's current priority was still unclear, it would most likely be between Curren Chan and Orfevre.
Thinking about it... the three Trainers on whom Symboli Rudolf had placed high hopes didn't seem to be interested in Tokai Teio all that much. Moreover, there was one thing that greatly worried Symboli Rudolf—Trainer Ikezoe's hesitant evaluation of Tokai Teio back in the Student Council. Symboli Rudolf hadn't forgotten the moment where Ikezoe clearly held back the second half of his statement, which was most definitely not more praise.
Teio... what is it about you that I don't know? And Trainer Ikezoe, what did you discern about her...?
Symboli Rudolf was feeling very uneasy, which was one of the reasons she came to the training grounds. She wanted to find an opportunity to make Ikezoe reveal the second half of his statement, and also to let the other two new Trainers, on whom she had placed high hopes, meet Tokai Teio and see if they had any thoughts about her.
"...Teio, Air Groove, let's go meet the three Trainers."
"Okay." Air Groove was also well aware of the purpose of their trip, so she had no questions.
"Eh? Are we going to say hello to them? Then I'll go too!"
Tokai Teio apparently had no idea of Symboli Rudolf's worries. Full of joy, she followed along. She had long been very curious about the three new Trainers!
..."Alright, McQueen, that's enough training for today." Imanami was the first to speak, stopping today's training. As the backbone of this team, as soon as Imanami spoke, Ikezoe and Wada immediately had their assigned Uma Musume stop training as well.
"Huff, huff... I— I can still go on." McQueen still wanted to continue training. On the other side, Curren Chan had already gone to Ikezoe and took the water bottle in his hand; after taking a sip, she smiled and said:
"Hehe, Onii-chan, were you watching Curren Chan's training? Curren Chan worked very hard you know!"
"Doto, you worked hard, that's enough training for today."
"Thank you, Trainer..."
Doto and Curren Chan had also returned to their respective Trainers, while Imanami and McQueen were together, they began talking about matters concerning McQueen's Debut Race.
"Your Debut Race is next month, McQueen?"
"Yes, next month. I'm worried my weight won't be ready..."
McQueen was clearly concerned that her current training intensity wouldn't be enough, and she immediately said: "Imanami-san, please give me more intense training. I absolutely cannot lose this Debut Race."
"Don't worry, actually, with your current strength, even with the weight issue, winning your Debut Race shouldn't be a problem." Imanami was not at all anxious. First, there was no point in rushing weight loss; reckless dieting would only cause McQueen to break down prematurely. It had to be done step by step.
Moreover, Imanami was satisfied with McQueen's current progress. As long as he trained Mejiro McQueen's running style, a mere Debut Race would be no problem at all.
"Thank you, Trainer Imanami." Seeing Imanami's confidence, McQueen also showed a relieved smile, and then, after a slight hesitation, she spoke a little uncomfortably:
"Um, Trainer Imanami."
"Hm?"
"...On the day of the Debut Race, please make sure to be there." Although McQueen wasn't very good at expressing her feelings so frankly, she suppressed her shyness and said to Imanami with reserve:
"Having trained under you for a while, though not long, I now feel that you are the most suitable Trainer for me, and perhaps even our Mejiro Family."
"So, please come and watch my Debut Race. If I win, then I will invite you to become my exclusive Trainer—please, you must accept."
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HACHIMI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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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.