"Nice to meet you, Trainer Kuroha."
The voice of Mejiro Hiryu was calm, her smile gentle. "Please, sit."
"Nice to meet you, Madam."
Kuroha followed her instruction and sat properly across the low table, his posture formal yet composed.
He could clearly feel the weight of her gaze.
But it wasn't the gaze of a superior scrutinizing someone beneath them.
There was something else in it—something hard to describe.
Clink.
Hiryu lightly pushed a cup of tea toward Kuroha.
After a slight pause, she suddenly spoke:
"So, when are you two planning to get married?"
…!
The words hit like a thunderclap.
Kuroha's brain short-circuited instantly.
Wait… are all the Mejiro girls this straightforward?!
"C-cough, Madam, marriage is…"
Kuroha choked on his tea right in the middle of drinking.
Hiryu didn't reply right away.
Instead, she gracefully lifted her own cup, sipping with flawless elegance.
"Trainer Kuroha, I know why you came here. It's about Ardan's transfer, isn't it?"
She set her cup down, smiled, and continued:
"If it's only that… I'll allow it."
Her tone shifted, her words trailing long and deliberate:
"But the relationship between trainer and horse girl… is not a trivial thing~"
Even if Ardan had been the one to take the initiative, Kuroha had no excuse here.
After a moment of silence, he spoke up:
"Madam, Ardan is an exceptional horse girl. Her future holds infinite possibilities.
As her trainer, my greatest responsibility right now is to help her shine with the brightest light on the racetrack, so she never regrets her racing career.
As for the more distant future…"
He paused, meeting Hiryu's gaze head-on, and said each word firmly:
"As her partner, I will take responsibility for her."
Hiryu listened quietly, nodding from time to time.
The smile on her face grew wider.
"To take responsibility for her…"
She repeated his words slowly, savoring them as though tasting a fine tea.
"…What a reassuring promise."
Her eyes lingered on Kuroha for a moment, then she suddenly chuckled.
"Alright, no need to be so tense."
"Well then, I'll leave Ardan in your care, Trainer Kuroha."
Kuroha nodded seriously. "Thank you for your trust, Madam."
"Good."
She gave a satisfied nod before raising her voice slightly:
"And as for the two little mice at the door—haven't you heard enough? If you're so curious, why don't you come in?"
Click!
From the crack in the door came a startled gasp and the sound of hurried fabric rustling.
Kuroha turned his head, stunned, just in time to see the door swing open further.
Standing there awkwardly were Mejiro Ardan and Mejiro Ramonu.
"Cough, cough."
Ramonu cleared her throat, then casually shoved her younger sister forward before shutting the door behind her.
That left Ardan alone at the entrance.
"Mother…"
Hiryu looked at her daughter's flustered expression, her eyes softening with affection.
"Ardan, come here."
Taking a deep breath, Ardan walked over and sat beside Kuroha.
"…Does Ardan not love her mother anymore?"
When her daughter didn't sit closer, Hiryu put on a teary, pitiful look.
"Mother, please mind your image."
Ardan quickly regained her usual composure and answered softly.
Kuroha, watching the mother and daughter banter, felt warmth rise in his chest.
After their playful exchange ended, Hiryu once again regained her elegant posture.
"Well then, Trainer Kuroha, since the main matter is settled, let's discuss a few conditions.
First—since Ardan will become your horse girl, I have only one requirement of you."
She spoke softly but firmly:
"When she retires, I want to see her come back healthy, happy, and beautiful.
That is all. Can you promise me that?"
Kuroha blinked, struck by the depth of her request.
But immediately, he replied with unwavering resolve:
"Of course. Ardan will never suffer any grievance under me!"
Hiryu nodded, smiling as she poured more tea.
"Good. That's enough."
After setting the teapot down, she suddenly clapped her hands.
Clap.
A side door opened.
A maid entered carrying a folder, bowed, and stepped forward.
"This represents the sincerity of our Mejiro family."
Hiryu gestured for the maid to hand the folder to Kuroha, smiling as she explained:
"Since you will be the trainer of a Mejiro horse girl, naturally, the support you receive will not be lacking."
Puzzled, Kuroha accepted the folder.
It wasn't a contract, but a list.
—A monthly discretionary fund of ten million yen.
—Authority to use one of the Mejiro family's private training grounds.
—Dedicated nutritionists, physicians…
As Kuroha scanned the long list of staggering resources and numbers, even with mental preparation, he couldn't help but suck in a breath.
Finishing the page, he was momentarily at a loss for words.
"…Am I really… just living off a woman here?"
The thought struck him hard.
Then Hiryu seemed to recall something and added with a chuckle:
"Ah yes, McQueen is also in your team, isn't she?
In that case, this arrangement may need to be adjusted.
I'll discuss it with Aurora—ah, McQueen's mother.
If all goes well, this support will be doubled."
Kuroha fell silent.
Since the Summer Island incident, he was once again reminded of just how overwhelming wealth could be.
"Madam… such generosity is truly overwhelming."
He spoke carefully.
But Hiryu only smiled, lifting her cup with elegance.
"There's no need to feel burdened. This is not charity—it's an investment.
I trust your ability, and I trust Ardan's judgment even more.
These resources are to ensure that Ardan—and perhaps McQueen, if she joins your team—can run with no worries, chasing their dreams to the very peak.
So take it. And fulfill your promise."
"…Thank you."
Kuroha froze for a moment, then bowed his head in gratitude.
"Well then, with business concluded, you must be tired."
Hiryu set down her teacup, her gaze shifting toward Ardan.
"Ardan, see our guest out."
"Yes, Mother."
Ardan rose gracefully, bowed to her mother, then turned to Kuroha with a smile.
"Trainer, shall we go?"
Kuroha also stood, bowing once more.
"Thank you again, Madam. I'll take my leave."
"Go. I look forward to hearing Ardan's good news."
Hiryu's smile was radiant.
With Ardan at his side, Kuroha walked down the corridor toward the exit.
The cool night wind drifted through the courtyard, carrying the fragrance of grass and trees.
Moonlight spilled across the carefully tended stone path, casting their side-by-side silhouettes.
"Trainer…"
Ardan's voice broke the quiet.
"Thank you so much for tonight.
I know Mother can be overwhelming at times, but truly… she's happy that I chose this path."
Kuroha turned his head toward her, his voice steady and warm:
"It's me who should thank you, Ardan.
I won't let either of you down.
Whether it's you or McQueen, I'll give everything I have to make sure your brilliance lights up the track."
Ardan's steps faltered for a brief moment before she smiled brightly.
In that instant, her radiant beauty could outshine even time itself.
"Mm!"
She nodded vigorously, laughing softly.
"I believe in you, Trainer!"
Their footsteps echoed through the serene courtyard as they continued walking side by side.
(End of Chapter)
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