"Oh my~ It seems little Orfevre isn't very happy to see me~ Why such a big frown~?"
The instant Maruzensky arrived, she, of course, noticed Orfevre's undisguised expression of displeasure.
Contrary to her words, Maruzensky naturally knew why Orfevre disliked her; still, she put on a smile and continued approaching.
"Tch, you aren't even a part of our team. Why do you keep coming here?"
With malice in her words, Orfevre uncharacteristically made no attempt to hide the reason for her displeasure, a treatment that usually only Ikezoe had the privilege of.
"Keeping on coming here and taking my Trainer every other day... What exactly are you planning, old hag?!"
"Oh my~ Oh my~ Little Orfevre is reealllly unhappy with little old me~ I have feelings too you know~?!"
Making a feigned expression as if she were about to cry, Maruzensky spoke very piteously.
"I spent so much money to buy all your Winning Outfits and I'm even your Trainer's teacher~! Boo hoo hoo~!! I helped you all so much and yet you still treat me like this~! Boo hoo hoo~~ I'm so sad~~"
"..."
However, even though Orfevre knew Maruzensky was faking it, what she said was indeed irrefutable.
As she recalled everything Maruzensky had done for them, Orfevre had to admit that she truly had helped them unreservedly without asking or expecting anything in return.
But, it was precisely because Maruzensky asked for nothing in return that Orfevre felt wary against her.
Orfevre understood from a young age that 'free things are often the most expensive;' she always felt that Ikezoe had long since made a deal with Maruzensky where he had to repay her with a 'reward.'
If Maruzensky had been upfront and said she wanted money from them or something similar, Orfevre would've definitely seen her in a better light, and might even have considered Maruzensky a very sincere person.
But as reality seemed to be otherwise... Orfevre had nothing but the deepest of suspicions against Maruzensky.
"Alright, Orfevre, that's enough. Don't be rude to Miss Maruzensky; she has helped us a lot."
Taking his stance, Ikezoe moved to defend Maruzensky.
In this situation, even he couldn't blindly side with Orfevre.
"Sorry, Teacher, Orfevre is a bit shy... No, what I should say is that she's been under a lot of stress lately, so she's quite agitated."
"Yeah, yeah, Maruzensky-senpai. Big Sis Orfevre just has a bit of a bad mood."
Sweep Tosho, who was waiting for a chance to butt in, stepped forward to chime in; she didn't want Maruzensky to have a bad relationship with their team, she still wanted to learn how to use 'magic' from her, after all!
"Senior, are you here to see Onii-chan again? We can stop what we're doing now if that's the case."
Curren Chan, who also abruptly entered the conversation, asked Maruzensky with a smile.
"Aww~ Curren Chan is still the cutest after all~"
This Senior, whose age was unknown, slipped her young facade once more as she acted like how an old grandmother would to a favourite grandchild.
However, the others did not comment on this, as it was clear that Maruzensky had something serious to discuss with Ikezoe.
"But yes, I do have something important to talk about with my little student— Ikezoe? Shall we go to our usual spot?"
"I understand, let's go."
Without hesitation, Ikezoe agreed to leave with Maruzensky, but not before turning to Curren Chan first, giving her the sheets of paper he was holding.
"I'll leave Orfevre's training to you for now, Curren Chan— And Orfevre, keep up the good work! You're doing great! I'll be back real soon, just wait a bit and I'll return here in no time!"
"...Tch, what does that Ikezoe need to talk with that old hag about? Acting all mysterious like that..."
Watching Ikezoe slowly walk away with Maruzensky, Orfevre couldn't help but click her tongue in annoyance.
And, because of the surge of emotions in her heart, her Aura, which had been easily suppressed by the others, showed minor signs of fighting back.
—Unfortunately for Orfevre, she was quickly suppressed again by the combined efforts of the 'Orfevre Flattening Squad™.'
"...Big Sis Curren Chan, what are Kenichi and Senior Maruzensky talking about?"
Sweep Tosho, tugging on her large witch's hat, nudged Curren Chan curiously.
"Senior Maruzensky has been coming to see Kenichi a lot lately, hasn't she? This is like the third time this week! And last week, she came here five times! Isn't their lesson together on Sunday? Why are they meeting so frequently, and why are they not letting us know?"
"Could it be... that Senior Maruzensky is teaching Kenichi some super secret amazing magic that she's intentionally hiding from us?!!"
"...You're very smart, Tosho, maybe it really is that~"
After hearing Sweep Tosho's words, Curren Chan was rendered silent for a moment, before she quickly showed a doting expression as she tugged her cheeks.
Curren Chan truly was fond of this cute little witch who, despite caring about her Onii-chan, posed no threat at all.
But there was one person Curren Chan couldn't show the same attitude to: the seemingly harmless Maruzensky.
Yet, though Maruzensky was a major hidden threat, Curren Chan understood this senior enough that she knew Maruzensky would absolutely never cross that 'final line.'
The more one gets embroiled in the adult world, the more one understands reality and social etiquette, and thus, the more one cannot follow their true heart.
Truly, Curren Chan's feelings towards Maruzensky right now were less hostility and more of just plain pity.
To be beholden to the shackles of society, unable to follow one's inner desires... what a sad sight to see... (T/N: Get your distorting ass outta here Carmen 💀)
...
Meanwhile, Ikezoe and Maruzensky arrived at their 'usual spot'— the fountain where the two had their heart to heart talk after Maruzensky's mock race with Orfevre.
Since that day, it had become the go to place for Maruzensky and Ikezoe to meet privately.
Of course, this was not a secret spot or anything; she never hid it from others, andd she always openly said where she was going whenever she called for Ikezoe.
If she truly wanted to do something, Orfevre and the others wouldn't even notice anything strange after a whole day.
"So, Teacher, what is it that you need to talk to me about?"
"—My student, you and Orfevre better be careful."
As soon as she leaned on the railing, Maruzensky's expression became serious as she began explaining to Ikezoe.
"I've received news that, somehow, someway, Mihono Bourbon managed to gain the tutelage of Deep Impact, while Special Week also gained help from Tanino Gimlet; the Japanese Derby will definitely be infinitely more dangerous now."
"But really, I'm more curious as to how they suddenly got into contact with those two... Student, do you know anything?"
"Deep Impact, huh... I think I know."
Ikezoe was slightly stunned when Maruzensky delivered the news, but he quickly connected the dots.
Seeing that Deep Impact made no emphasis on Mihono Bourbon yesterday, it was likely that Deep Impact immediately picked up Mihono Bourbon hours, if not minutes, after their conversation.
Thinking of it this way... it was not hard to believe that this indeed had something to do with their conversation yesterday.
With these thoughts in his head, Ikezoe couldn't help but scratch his head in great distress.
"—It seems our Senior is intentionally making problems for us. This is much trickier than Shadai's petty tricks. A Mihono Bourbon guided by Deep Impact... sigh..."
"Also, Tanino Gimlet... is he Vodka's father?"
"My dear student, you're quite off the mark. Tanino Gimlet is a she, not a he; she's also quite the famous Uma Musume, you know."
Lightly flicking Ikezoe's forehead, Maruzensky wore a pair of glasses that appeared out of nowhere as she explained.
"Although Gimlet is notorious for destroying walls, doors, and fences, she is undoubtedly a top tier Uma Musume; far more powerful and skilled than other conventionally powerful Uma Musume."
"And for her to be teaching Special Week? Special Week would absolutely undergo a terrific transformation."
"This Japanese Derby is no longer comparable to the Satsuki Sho anymore. Although it's only one month, Orfevre will definitely suffer a crushing defeat if she stays at her level."
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Ran out of ideas on what to say today...
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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.