"President, are you here to train with Teio today?"
Seeing Symboli Rudolf, Kitano's mood lightened considerably. Although his health had improved recently, the psychological pressure had been mounting. With the arrival of Ardan and Muteki, two individuals he felt deeply indebted to, he felt not just a fatherly responsibility but also a fatherly pressure.
Rudolf's presence was a welcome, stress-free change. After all, Kitano felt he owed Ardan and Muteki, but he had done everything he could for the Rudolf of the previous playthrough. Seeing her again, he felt no psychological burden, and a smile naturally graced his lips.
"Yes, and to check on everyone's training," Rudolf replied, her heart fluttering at his smile. Her tail swished happily behind her. But when her gaze fell on Mr. C.B. and Ardan, she quickly composed herself, her expression unreadable. "Ah, C.B., and Takamine's sister. I heard a new horse girl had arrived, but I was completely unaware."
"My apologies... I've been away from Tracen Academy for so long. I was a bit too excited to be back and forgot to report to you, President," Ardan said.
Her words, however, had a different meaning to Rudolf. Because of Suzuka's earlier trick and Takamine's "abduction" of Kitano, Rudolf was convinced that the reason she hadn't been kept in the loop about the changes in Kitano's team was that Takamine had used her presidential seal behind her back to handle the team's affairs.
And now, Kitano had returned from the Mejiro estate with Ardan, Takamine's most cherished sister. Rudolf didn't believe for a second that Ardan would have joined Kitano's team so readily without Takamine's influence.
In Rudolf's eyes, Ardan and Takamine were definitely in cahoots. The Mejiro family's approach to her Kitano was definitely part of a larger Mejiro plot! The most likely scenario was that this "man-eating den" of a family planned to claim her Kitano as one of their victims!
How could Rudolf tolerate this? It was bad enough that the heartless C.B. was obstructing her, but now the Mejiro family was trying to put a green hat on her too?
Therefore, she didn't believe Ardan's apology was sincere for a moment. She continued with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "I can understand such a small mistake. But... won't you introduce me to this little horse girl from the Mejiro family?"
"Ah, of course."
Ardan quickly placed her hands on the shoulders of Muteki, who was still glaring at Tokai Teio, and gently guided her in front of Rudolf. "This is Muteki. My grandmother recommended her to Mr. Trainer. I'm here this time as her guardian, to assist with her training."
"Muteki? A very ambitious name," Rudolf said with a nod, carefully studying the girl. The more she looked, the more she found herself captivated by Muteki's slightly childish face, unable to look away.
...Is it my imagination? I feel like I've seen this face somewhere before. But this little horse girl doesn't exist in my memories of the past.
"Hello, Auntie Ru—I mean, President."
Muteki, having learned Rudolf's identity, was no longer intimidated by her "Horse King" status. In her memories, though she had only met Rudolf once, the encounter hadn't been tense. The "Auntie Rudolf" of her memories was already 29 years old.
Though she hadn't recognized her at first, the aura was the same. What Muteki remembered most vividly was that the only time she had seen Auntie Takamine so joyful was during Rudolf's visit. The two were very close; Muteki knew that much.
But she was more curious about the other one... She turned her gaze back to Teio. After careful consideration, she didn't sense any blood connection between them, and her worst fears were allayed.
But just in case, she asked solemnly, "What's your name?"
"Tokai Teio!" Teio announced proudly, her voice high and clear. She had expected her name to intimidate Muteki, but was surprised to see the initial hostility in Muteki's eyes inexplicably lessen.
What's going on? Was I not imposing enough? Teio blinked, comparing her height to Muteki's. She was clearly a few centimeters taller.
"You're strong! I saw you just now. In terms of stamina alone, you're probably the strongest I've ever seen. Maybe only McQueen can compete with you."
"But I will never lose to you! Races aren't won on stamina alone! Let's meet on the track in the future!"
Yes, that should definitely intimidate her. Tokai Teio was certain. Her first impression of Muteki was that she was a threat, but she couldn't pinpoint where this feeling came from.
After some thought, Teio defined this threat in terms of competition. That was the only thing she could think of. She saw Muteki as her rival, her formidable opponent, the only one besides McQueen who could possibly defeat her.
But this thought was soon shattered. Muteki just gave Teio a strange look, and realizing this person was no threat to her, said flatly, "I haven't fully matured yet, so I can't race you officially... but if it's a mock race, I'm willing to participate."
"I remember the longest race in Japan is 3600 meters, but I don't mind. 4000, 5000, 8000, pick your poison."
"You'd run someone to death! And those are all your strongest distances!" Teio yelped, before realizing the key point. She looked at Muteki, who was no shorter than her, and exclaimed in horror, "Wait, you haven't fully matured yet? Are you lying? How big are you going to be when you're fully grown?! Are all the McQueens in your family giants?"
Wait, McQueen isn't that big, is she? About the same as me? The thought brought a sense of balance to Tokai Teio's heart. But she looked at Muteki, who seemed to be her equal in size even before maturing, with a mixture of vigilance and unwillingness, her hostility growing stronger.
"Hmph—you have too much of an advantage in long distances! As your senior, I have to teach you that not every race will be to your liking!"
"So, this time, let me, your senior Teio, teach you a lesson. How about we run 2400 meters?"
"...That's your best distance," Muteki replied dryly, looking at Teio with a bored expression. But then, she remembered Kitano's advice to get used to the Japanese tracks and rhythm. Though she was a bit hesitant to follow his advice, she took it to heart.
This Tokai Teio... seemed like a good benchmark. Though she had never heard of her, her confidence suggested she had some skill.
I wonder how she compares to the ones from Inner Mongolia and Hong Kong. I remember a junior named Golden Sixty who won a G1 race in Japan. Maybe I should get used to the Japanese rhythm.
"...Whatever. I can run until you can't anymore."
After some thought, Muteki accepted Tokai Teio's challenge. She had lost once already and knew her weaknesses. Losing a few more mock races didn't matter to her.
"Let's go then! Hee hee, don't say I'm bullying you!"
Muteki's quick agreement was seized upon by Tokai Teio as an opportunity to defeat her. She was confident that one race was all it would take to show Muteki the gap between them.
Teio dragged Muteki towards the track. Kitano, watching them, chuckled and turned to Gold Ship and Nakayama Festa. "What are you waiting for? Teio is your future rival. Go and learn about her while you have the chance."
"Tamamo, Oguri Cap, and Suzuka, could you please continue the training with them? It would be great if you could teach Festa and Gold Ship a thing or two. Please."
"Then I'll supervise," Ardan immediately took over the task of overseeing everyone's training, smiling as she walked towards the track with Nakayama Festa and Gold Ship. Soon, only Kitano, Mr. C.B., and Rudolf remained.
"What a great atmosphere, don't you think?" Rudolf said, pointedly ignoring Mr. C.B. and speaking only to Kitano beside her. Her words seemed to be about Tokai Teio and the others, but her eyes kept darting towards Kitano. "Seeing these juniors so full of life reminds me of my own racing days. Hehe, the environment wasn't quite so friendly back then."
"Rudolf was terrifying back then, a total tyrant," C.B. interjected, not giving up her search for Kitano's secrets. Having gotten no useful information from Muteki, she immediately turned her attention to Rudolf.
"...That's all in the past, C.B. I'm different now."
However, after glancing at C.B., Rudolf quickly changed her tune, avoiding any topic that might test Kitano's memories of the past. She turned the conversation to Muteki. "But Mr. Trainer, you seem to be paying special attention to Miss Muteki. Are you the type of trainer who dotes on the youngest member?"
"A little, I suppose," Kitano replied, his heart filling with a strange warmth as he watched Teio and the others run on the track. In fact, it wasn't just Muteki, his own daughter. He had treated so many of his past charges—like Oguri Cap and Teio, the ones he couldn't help but worry about—like his own daughters.
Even on his deathbed, he had done his best to take care of these "daughters" he couldn't let go of... If he were really their "father," he would probably be considered a good one.
But, if he were to rank them by experience... Teio would be his first "daughter." If Muteki was his and Ardan's daughter from that playthrough, she would be second. Then Oguri Cap, and finally Festa and Gold Ship... So Gold Ship would be his youngest daughter?
As for Tamamo, she was more like a younger sister. He had been her earliest "angel investor." He never thought he would end up as her family instead of her trainer...
After mentally ranking his daughters, a smile unconsciously graced Kitano's lips. Rudolf keenly observed his good mood, her heart leaping with joy. She immediately launched the "final plan" of her trip.
"Seeing these juniors so full of life is truly uplifting."
"I'm going to take a walk around the campus, but it's boring alone—what do you say, Mr. Trainer? Will you join me for a look around Tracen?"
"Hmm? But the training here..." Kitano was a bit surprised by Rudolf's abrupt invitation and was about to decline, but she quickly cut him off. "Takamine's sister, Oguri Cap, and Tamamo are here to watch them. It will be fine."
"It's a bit lonely by myself. If you come with me, Mr. Trainer, I'll have someone to talk to. And I can introduce you to everyone. You have no idea how curious everyone at Tracen is about you."
It was such a sincere invitation, and with Rudolf smiling at him, Kitano found it hard to refuse. He nodded helplessly. But with his Nth playthrough's worth of experience, he was all too familiar with Tracen, probably more so than Rudolf... He couldn't think of anything worth seeing.
Just then, Mr. C.B.'s eyes lit up. She subtly moved behind Kitano and grabbed the handles of his wheelchair. "Then let's all go together. It's been a while since I've walked around the campus with you, Rudolf, and seen the juniors. It's a rare opportunity."
"—Yes, let's go together. With you here, C.B., I'll be more at ease."
However, to C.B.'s surprise, she had expected Rudolf to resist her joining, but she agreed far more quickly than she had anticipated. Looking at Rudolf's perfect smile, this time, even C.B. couldn't see through to the thoughts behind it...
And the moment C.B. turned to push Kitano's wheelchair, Rudolf's smile finally cracked. A cold sneer flashed across her face, her eyes filled with a deep ice and killing intent as she looked at her rival's back.
So... even now, you're the one who stands between me and my trainer, Mr. C.B.
But I won't let you have another chance... I will unravel the mystery of Kitano, step by step. This time, I will know if he remembers me—and no matter the outcome, I will never let you near him again.
For this moment, Rudolf had prepared a "plan," a plan that would allow her to see at a glance whether Kitano held the memories of their past. Once she confirmed this, her future actions towards him would have a clear, unerring direction.
Rudolf's gaze shifted from C.B.'s back to Kitano. In an instant, the ice in her eyes melted, replaced by a spring-like warmth, a gentle smile, and... a twisted, possessive glow that even she didn't realize was there.
My Kitano... you will be mine soon. This time, I will never let you go.
From now on, let's be together forever, just like in the past, forever frozen in that single moment of our happiness...
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