"Congratulations, Mr. Trainer. To think that less than half a year after joining Tracen Academy, a horse girl under your charge has already won a G1 race."
Inside the Student Council office, after Kitano's team had returned from the racetrack, President Symboli Rudolf had specially summoned both Kitano and the winner of the race, Silence Suzuka. The President seemed to be in a particularly good mood, the delight in her eyes nearly impossible to hide, especially when her gaze fell upon Kitano.
"Speaking of which, you look much better, Mr. Trainer. During the live broadcast, I saw that you were able to walk on your own?"
"Ah, that. I was probably just overjoyed. Winning a G1 so quickly put me in such high spirits that I felt my whole body had recovered."
Though Kitano was still in his wheelchair, it wasn't because he couldn't walk. Just as he was about to celebrate his return to a life on two feet after the race, Nakayama Festa had firmly pushed him back down.
"Are you trying to get yourself killed? I let it slide when you were caught up in the excitement, but now you think you can fly just because you're feeling a little better?" she had scolded. "Your body hasn't recovered enough for you to be walking around. Stay put in this wheelchair! If I ever catch you sneaking around when I'm not here, I'll seriously beat you up!"
Nakayama Festa's threat was wholeheartedly endorsed by Gold Ship, Mr. C.B., and the others. Their unanimous opinion was that Kitano shouldn't overexert himself and should rest as much as possible. Not wanting to worry them, Kitano had obediently returned to his seat.
Honestly, though, Kitano had always found it strange. Across all his previous playthroughs, none of his horse girls, including Nakayama Festa, had ever suggested an "electric wheelchair"—a convenient, labor-saving device. At first, he thought perhaps they didn't exist in Japan, but he later discovered that wasn't the case. His horse girls simply disliked the idea of him using one.
The reason… Kitano wasn't entirely sure. He had asked a few of them about it before, but the common answer was, "If you have an electric wheelchair, you'll just run all over the place, Mr. Trainer. What if I can't find you and you get into trouble?"
He had also noticed in past timelines that whenever he bought an electric wheelchair, the horse girls responsible for pushing him would become inexplicably sullen. And within a week, the wheelchair would mysteriously break down.
It was then that Kitano gave up on the idea. He slowly came to realize that the act of them pushing his wheelchair was a precious opportunity to deepen their bonds. On this point, it was better to just go along with their wishes.
As for the present, Kitano understood their anxiety. Seeing a patient who once struggled even to stand suddenly start walking would naturally make them nervous. He decided it was best to let them gradually get used to his improved condition, rather than startling them with what might look like a final burst of energy before the end.
"I can certainly breathe more easily now, and my body feels much better. Thank you for your concern, President."
"Seeing you healthy brings me joy from the bottom of my heart, Mr. Trainer," Rudolf said, smiling and nodding. However, when her gaze shifted to Suzuka, a profound look entered her eyes, and her tone grew serious. "However… Miss Silence Suzuka, as the Student Council President, I never received an application for you to join his team. I didn't even receive a request for your return to racing."
"While I don't wish to press the matter, I am curious. Which member of the Student Council approved these documents for you?" Rudolf's voice was sharp. "Was it Air Groove? Narita Brian? Or Takamine? Surely you didn't go directly to the Chairwoman?"
At that moment, what concerned Rudolf most was who had bypassed her authority to approve Suzuka's transfer. While she was happy that Suzuka's victory seemed to have improved Kitano's health, business was business. Rudolf could not tolerate such a challenge to her authority. If someone dared to use the President's seal without her consent today, they would only grow bolder tomorrow. This would create a loophole in her plans to use her power to get closer to Kitano. The Student Council had to remain under her absolute control. This time, she was serious. Even if the name Suzuka uttered was Mejiro Takamine, her own childhood friend, Rudolf would handle the matter with unwavering severity. In her heart, Takamine's place couldn't compare to even a ten-thousandth of Kitano's, the boy who had once brought light into her life.
Hearing Rudolf's question, Kitano and Suzuka exchanged a bewildered glance. They both knew who the mastermind was, but Rudolf's reaction was startling.
Did Mr. C.B. really bypass Rudolf and use the President's official seal herself?
Kitano had originally intended to speak to Rudolf about Suzuka joining, but Mr. C.B. had volunteered to handle it. He hadn't worried at the time—what harm could C.B. possibly cause? So he had left it all to her. But now, seeing Rudolf's fury, it was clear she had been kept completely in the dark.
Then again, it was exactly the kind of thing Mr. C.B. would do. In previous playthroughs, she and Rudolf had always been at odds. Though they smiled politely at each other, Kitano could feel the tension between the two rivals. C.B. often used her own methods to provoke Rudolf, seemingly for the sole purpose of raising the President's blood pressure. Their relationship only improved slightly after they both retired.
C.B.'s actions often made Kitano wonder if she knew about his past with Rudolf. Why else would she seize every opportunity to provoke her?
"I cannot say, President," Suzuka suddenly said, breaking the silence. A faint, apologetic smile appeared on the usually quiet and sincere girl's face. "The senior who helped me may have bypassed you, but she helped me make a choice I will never regret in my life. It is thanks to her that I can now be Mr. Trainer's charge and overcome the weakness and fear in my heart."
"So, please forgive me, but I cannot tell you her name. I am truly sorry."
"...I see. That is a pity," Rudolf said after a brief pause, her expression outwardly understanding. Suzuka's words, however, had narrowed down the suspects. She ruled out Air Groove and Narita Brian. Although they were Suzuka's seniors, Suzuka rarely used the formal term "senpai" for them, as they were close in age.
That left three possibilities: Sirius Symboli, Mr. C.B., and Takamine. A glint appeared in Rudolf's eyes. The most likely culprit was Mr. C.B. Given her subtle attitude towards Kitano and her sheer audacity, she was the prime candidate.
A deep resentment flashed across Rudolf's face. Mr. C.B.'s growing closeness to Kitano gave her a powerful sense of crisis. She could no longer stand by and do nothing.
Someone must stop her. At the very least, I need to know her every move... The thought surfaced in Rudolf's mind, but her expression remained that of a dignified and benevolent president. "Very well. Thank you for your cooperation. Mr. Trainer, Miss Suzuka, please take this time to rest well. I look forward to your future performances."
"Thank you for your time," Kitano said.
He and Suzuka obediently left the Student Council office. The moment the door closed, Rudolf immediately took out her phone and dialed a number. A moment later, a familiar, cheerful, childlike voice came through.
"President? Why are you calling? Did you miss me?"
"—Teio, I need to see you. Can you come to the Student Council office?"
Her most trusted confidant, the one who would follow her orders without question. Symboli Rudolf immediately thought of the "crystal" she and Kitano had once nurtured together. Only Tokai Teio could be entrusted with the critical mission of monitoring Mr. C.B. and the other predatory cats.
And... Rudolf also hoped that, under Kitano's guidance, Teio could achieve victory after victory, fulfilling the promise of the "Undefeated Triple Crown" that Rudolf had witnessed but Kitano never had the chance to see.
"Suzuka, thank you for not giving up C.B.'s name. Otherwise, things could have gotten very heated between her and Rudolf in there."
Leaving the office, with Suzuka now pushing his wheelchair, Kitano smiled at her. Having this kind and understanding girl by his side again brought him a long-missed sense of ease.
"You don't have to thank me, Mr. Trainer," Suzuka replied from behind him, a mysterious smile on her face that only she understood. "I would never do anything you wouldn't want me to do. Please, rest assured."
With her memories restored, Suzuka was now intensely curious about the new horse girls surrounding her trainer who hadn't been there in her past. She realized she might not be the only special one. Her trainer... he might have attracted many, many other horse girls, just as he had attracted her. The ones in his current team might just be the tip of the iceberg.
Even with this thought, and the slight pang of jealousy and insecurity it brought, Suzuka knew one thing for certain: her trainer could only be the man in front of her. Her entire being was devoted to him, and she had no regrets about her choice.
However, that didn't stop her from wanting to become the "most special" one in his heart. For now, it seemed she was the only one with memories of the past. That meant she was the one closest to his "heart"... right?
For now, I'll have him all to myself. At least let me make up for all the time we lost.
"Mr. Trainer, if you're free, would you come with me to buy some suitable running shoes?" Suzuka mustered her courage, her cheeks flushing slightly as she made her invitation. Despite her thoughts of monopolizing his gentle nature, the innocent girl couldn't hide her shyness.
"Running shoes? Of course," Kitano replied, almost always obliging such requests. He had some free time now and could relax a bit. "Let's all go together to pick them out. We can get new horseshoes made for everyone at the same time..."
"—Just the two of us... is that okay?"
Suzuka pressed on, pushing her luck through her shyness. She stopped pushing the wheelchair so Kitano couldn't see her expression. Her voice grew even softer. "It's not just the shoes... I'd also like your advice on clothes. Wearing only sportswear and the school uniform isn't really enough."
"I'm not very good at picking them out, and neither is Spe-chan. So... I was hoping you could give me some advice, from a man's perspective... on what clothes would suit me. Is that... okay?"
The shy girl sounded as if she were desperately asking a boy she liked out on their first date. Though Kitano couldn't see her face, her voice made his heart flutter. He was tempted.
Just as he was about to answer, a luxurious black sedan inexplicably pulled up in front of them. The sight of the high-end car surprised them both—vehicles were forbidden on campus grounds. Who had such privileges?
The car window slowly rolled down, answering their unspoken question. Inside, the "Alpine Flower" of the Mejiro family, Mejiro Takamine, rested her head against her hand on the windowsill. Exuding a bewitching charm, she smiled mysteriously at Kitano.
"—Mr. Trainer. I know this is sudden, but I have an urgent matter to discuss with you."
"If you would be so kind as to get in, I will explain the details. It's a private matter, so I cannot invite anyone else. Please forgive me."
Though it was phrased as a request, Takamine's tone was one that brooked no refusal. Just as Kitano, shaking himself free from her charm, was about to decline, Suzuka suddenly smiled from behind him.
"—Don't worry about me. Please, go, Mr. Trainer."
"But in exchange, please keep our promise. Next week, let's meet at the school gate."
Without giving Kitano a chance to feel awkward, Suzuka swiftly let go of the wheelchair handles. Before anyone could react, she had already dashed a good distance away...
"...Well then, please?" Mejiro Takamine was slightly taken aback by Suzuka's quick compliance but soon refocused on her goal, formally extending the invitation to Kitano.
"Trust me, you won't regret this. When you see her, you might just feel like the luckiest man in the world."
"...In that case, I'd be honored."
After a moment of hesitation, Kitano chose not to resist. Perhaps it was because his memories of the Mejiro family from a previous playthrough were quite positive. And even though Takamine had given him some psychological scars in the past, he still believed she wouldn't harm him.
With that thought, Kitano moved forward and opened the car door. He didn't know it then, but in opening that door, he was also opening a path... from which there was no turning back.
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