Tracen Academy Central, Student Council Room.
"Rudolf, how many issues has your magazine put out now? How's it going?"
As usual, Mr. C.B was slacking off. Hugging a pillow and lounging on the sofa, she idly asked Rudolf about the magazine.
"Well, it's not going too great."
"Is it still low readership? Or are production costs too high?"
Hearing the bad news seemed to excite Mr. C.B. She tossed the pillow aside and eagerly leaned in close to Rudolf.
"..."
Rudolf looked at the troublemaker before her with utter disdain. Dark emotions churned in her heart, but were ultimately suppressed by mercy.
"You've just saved your own skin, senpai..."
Symboli Rudolf quipped, venting a bit of her frustration.
"?"
Mr. C.B blinked her beautiful eyes innocently.
"It's not that the magazine lacks readers. On the contrary, its sales have far exceeded my expectations."
"In terms of sales alone, it's already ranked in the top five among all Uma Musume-related magazines. It seems my reputation as the founder still carries some weight."
"That high!"
Mr. C.B, who never paid much attention to these magazines, was stunned. She lowered her head and started counting on her fingers.
"One, two, three... But you've only published fourteen issues, right?"
"Correct, one issue per month. To be honest, the number of readers buying from the very first issue was beyond imagination. I was fully prepared to operate at a total loss, but in the end, I only lost about half."
Thinking back to her surprised expression when she saw the first month's financial report, Rudolf smiled faintly.
"With sales that high, how are you still losing money?"
"Have you forgotten the purpose behind me starting this magazine? I didn't do it for money."
"Each issue's cover features a different local Uma Musume, chosen as the one with the best results that month. In return, she receives ten percent of that month's revenue."
"Wow, that's almost like a competition in another sense. The Uma Musume who wins first place comes to claim your bonus."
Mr. C.B offered her perspective. This novel idea felt somewhat fresh to Rudolf as well.
"Indeed, in a way, you're not wrong, senpai. Perhaps my magazine could even become the Oscars of the Uma Musume world someday?" At this thought, Rudolf herself laughed first.
"No, that's probably impossible."
"But it's already been a year. Time flies."
Mr. C.B deflated, flopping back onto the sofa to continue her lazy sprawl. Her school uniform skirt was already hopelessly rumpled.
From Rudolf's angle, she could even catch a glimpse of the mysterious 'tip of the iceberg'.
"Seems like a lot of strong kouhai appeared this year too. One even nearly replicated your glorious achievement."
She propped her feet up on the sofa's backrest, her legs clad only in ankle-length white bubble socks swinging restlessly.
Those beautifully shaped calves displayed their charm, pale and alluring, drawing Symboli Rudolf's gaze.
"Ahem, senpai, what did you say?" Rudolf coughed inexplicably and snapped back to attention, but she hadn't actually caught the last part of the conversation.
"What's going on? You can space out even while talking to me, Rudolf?"
She straightened her legs vertically, then pressed them together and tilted them to the side. Mr. C.B pushed herself up from the sofa, staring at Rudolf with dissatisfaction.
"..."
Feeling guilty, Rudolf put on an appeasing smile. This expression seemed to satisfy Mr. C.B greatly, and she nodded.
"Whatever, I'll say it again. Do you remember this year's 'Phantom Triple Crown' winner? That absolute genius who debuted with four wins from four starts and possessed a 'Domain' from the very beginning."
"Are you referring to Agnes Tachyon?"
With that prompt, Rudolf immediately recalled that particle seemingly striving to surpass the speed of light. The brown hair and white lab coat—who knew how many fans would fervently adore that image.
"The winner of this year's Satsuki Sho. Indeed, her genius even shocked me. But sadly, 'by the wings of talent she rises, and by them she falls'."
Rudolf sighed mournfully.
As a senior still fighting for the happiness of all Uma Musume, she felt powerless about Agnes Tachyon's situation. It was undeniably a great tragedy.
"She activated her Domain far too early. So early that her Maturation wasn't even finished. Her body simply couldn't withstand that power, leading to a host of underlying ailments that made it impossible to continue."
"Thinking back now, it was my failure. I should have stopped her from stepping onto the track in the first place."
Pressing two fingers against her temples, Rudolf felt a regret she hadn't experienced since first hearing about Agnes Tachyon's collapse.
"Don't dwell on the past. Besides, it's not your fault. Don't let your sense of responsibility consume you."
Mr. C.B offered a rare word of comfort to Rudolf, then changed the subject.
"So, did you invite her to join the Student Council? She's different from an instinctual type like me. Someone who races with wisdom like hers could definitely be a big help to you."
"I did extend an invitation. But something went wrong. She seemed hostile and kicked me out. Looks like that's a dead end."
"Mmm, she refused? What a shame."
Rubbing her face vigorously into the soft pillow, Mr. C.B spoke with regret. But Rudolf smiled slightly.
"Although Agnes Tachyon refused, another Uma Musume expressed strong interest. She's also an excellent candidate I've had my eye on. I'm sure she'll be a great asset."
"Eww~~ Rudolf, could you phrase that properly? You make it sound like you're picking a concubine."
Mr. C.B's face was a picture of disgust.
"Cough! Cough!"
Rudolf's breath hitched, and she choked several times.
"Hahaha! Oh, Rudolf, you're still so much fun."
Mr. C.B laughed, curling up on the sofa.
Her careless posture, disheveled clothes, and the occasional glimpse of 'spring scenery' made Rudolf abruptly swivel her ergonomic chair, turning her back to Mr. C.B.
"Stop joking, senpai. That Uma Musume is a promising talent. She might just break the long-standing prejudice people hold against Uma Musume who wear left earrings."
"That strong?"
"Yes. Her name is Air Groove. She's serious, stern, demanding, and meticulous. Such talent is hard to come by."
Symboli Rudolf praised the member she had selected without reservation.
But her words sparked some imagination in Mr. C.B. She suddenly sat bolt upright on the sofa.
"Speaking of which, Rudolf, don't you think that description fits another Uma Musume perfectly? It might even be an understatement for her."
"Senpai, the person you're thinking of is..."
Prompted by Mr. C.B, Rudolf seemed to recall something too.
"Rudolf, how many races does Nearl have left in the local circuit?"
"I think just one."
The two looked at each other, a peculiar feeling stirring in their hearts.
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.