The matter between Kitano and Mejiro Palmer, and the consensus they reached, remained unknown to any third party. But there was no doubt that Palmer's heartfelt confession had touched a soft spot in Kitano's heart, which is why he had grabbed her just as she was about to leave.
"One week, Palmer. Leave your training, your running style, everything, to me. In this one week, I will do my utmost to help you transform."
"Perhaps I can't turn you into a genius like Mejiro Ryan or Mejiro McQueen overnight... but at the very least, I should be able to point you down a path that suits you."
"If you believe in me, give me one week. I will train you. And after that week, you will participate in the selection race. No matter the result, please come find me again and tell me your decision. How about it?"
That was the promise and agreement between them. In the end, it all concluded with Palmer choosing to accept.
Even as she dazedly made her way back to her dorm, she still hadn't fully processed what had just happened.
Have I... really become that genius trainer's assigned Uma Musume?
No, probably... not yet? He told me to find him after the selection race. Does that mean I'm an unofficially chosen member now? Is this considered pulling strings?
A Uma Musume like me... can be a 'connected household' too?
Palmer still found it hard to believe. Despite having Mejiro blood, she had never been valued by her family. It was the same at Tracen Academy. It was fortunate that she was an open-minded and approachable young lady; otherwise, with a true "ojou-sama" personality, she might not have had many friends.
But even so, she had always felt she was very ordinary, just an existence who could attract some admirers due to her slightly-above-average looks.
But now, Kitano's recognition and encouragement stirred an indescribable feeling in her heart... He didn't acknowledge her for her looks or bloodline, but for her, for the Uma Musume named "Mejiro Palmer"... Besides her family, he was the first.
"Can I really do it?"
She thought to herself, but for some reason, her ponytail had already found the answer before she did, wagging happily from side to side, making her look as cute as an adorable puppy.
Looking out from her dorm, she saw the Uma Musume who had been training hard for the selection race finally heading back in twos and threes.
She saw several prominent figures: her classmates El Condor Pasa and Grass Wonder, many other racers she respected, and the instigator of this whole incident, King Halo, all appeared in her line of sight.
Slowly, a smile crept onto Palmer's lips. She looked down on the backs of these "genius Uma Musume," and a thought suddenly bubbled up in her heart:
"Didn't see this coming, did you, geniuses? This time, it's my turn to take the lead."
"Achoo—!"
At that moment, in the student council office, Symboli Rudolf, who was processing documents while waiting for someone, suddenly let out a sharp sneeze.
"What's wrong, President?" Air Groove asked nervously. "Did you catch a cold? Should I turn up the temperature?"
"No... it's not a cold. It feels more like someone is talking about me," Rudolf shook her head, then put down her documents. She looked at Air Groove, then at Narita Brian, who was leisurely chewing on a piece of straw on the sofa.
"So, Air Groove, as of now, how many have signed up for the selection race?"
"To date, a total of twenty-four Uma Musume have announced their participation," Air Groove said, picking up a list.
"Although some of them are just joining in for the fun of it, we still can't stop them from competing. And judging by the number of girls on the training grounds now, the number of participants will only increase tomorrow."
"A preliminary estimate suggests that on the day of the race, there will be no fewer than one hundred participants..."
"—I hear quite a few high school students are also participating," Rudolf said, closing her eyes and pretending to be nonchalant.
"Several of them were already considering retirement, yet they're still thinking of becoming a rookie's charge. It's too unconventional, don't you think?"
"...A brilliant observation, President."
However, Rudolf's words made both Air Groove and Narita Brian flinch. The two exchanged a guilty glance before quickly avoiding each other's eyes.
Rudolf saw their subtle exchange but deliberately ignored it, saying calmly, "Exactly. T.M. Opera O, she's getting a bit carried away. Although she proposed this plan, it clearly has major loopholes."
"I don't want other high school students to follow her example. Most of them already have their own trainers. If this incident causes friction between other trainers and Trainer Kitano, it will be our failure."
"But I have great faith in you two, Air Groove, Brian. I trust that you would never get involved in this farce like Opera O did. Am I right?"
"...Yes." x2
Rudolf's pointed words made Air Groove and Narita Brian lower their heads even further. They didn't even know where this guilty feeling came from, just as they didn't understand why they had suddenly wanted to participate in this selection race in the first place.
After all, the race never excluded high school students from the start. While 99% of them had trainers, that remaining fraction wasn't forbidden from participating, were they?
And Air Groove, Narita Brian, and T.M. Opera O all met this requirement... although it was indeed Opera O who started it, they were, strictly speaking, accomplices from the high school division...
Just as the atmosphere became too awkward to continue the conversation, a knock on the door saved them. Rudolf, apparently already knowing who was coming, said faintly:
"Come in."
"Hahahahaha! Emperor, the Overlord T.M. Opera O has come to visit! To what do I owe the pleasure of this audience?"
With a narcissistic laugh, Opera O entered the student council office with elegant, lively steps. She first gave Rudolf an exaggerated bow before approaching the trio.
"Opera O, you..."
"—I've specially invited the proposer of this selection race, T.M. Opera O, to give us suggestions for revising the plan," Rudolf explained faintly, then turned her gaze to her, saying with an extremely amicable smile:
"Opera O, the student council takes your proposal very seriously. We have already received permission from the Chairwoman. The race will be held on campus in seven days."
"Hahahaha! A wise decision, President!" Opera O's brow relaxed, her voice filled with joyful adoration.
"To gather all the most talented wandering knights of Tracen Academy, all to compete for the beauty and wisdom of Her Highness the Princess, to be enjoyed by one alone... Ah~ the mere thought intoxicates me."
"—Indeed. I have seen it. The new students are all very joyful."
Rudolf maintained her smile, but the next moment, her tone suddenly shifted, and the atmosphere in the room grew heavy. Her smile didn't fade, but her aura became especially oppressive. She said, word by word:
"But, among this, I have also noticed that some overly experienced knights are attempting to break the rules of fair competition, intending to use their strength to secretly manipulate the outcome, catching those eager new students off guard."
"What do you think, Opera O? These seniors, who are far too strong for the new students, participating in a race that doesn't even have an official rank... Do you think it's... appropriate?"
Her words were soft, but the pressure they carried seemed to transport her back to her "tyrant" era. At the same time, the expression on Opera O's face slowly froze. She looked at Rudolf with a strange gaze...
-------
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