Kitahara Sota wasn't at all surprised that Symboli Rudolf had noticed his unusual relationship with Tokai Teio.
After all, even Special Week had vaguely caught on after a month, let alone Rudolf, who closely observed Teio every day.
What did surprise him, however, was that after he admitted the truth, Rudolf didn't show the dangerous expression from before. Nor did she insist he distance himself from Teio. Instead, she just sighed helplessly.
"So that girl really hasn't given up on that impractical idea yet, huh…"
The current Rudolf lacked all her previous intimidating aura; rather, she looked like an exhausted parent struggling to deal with a rebellious child—just seeing her tired expression made his own heart ache a bit.
It wasn't that Rudolf hadn't considered asking Kitahara to persuade Teio, but if even she couldn't change Teio's mind, what good would it do for him—a nominal trainer who'd barely known her for two months—to try?
If anything, it might even backfire, provoking Teio into leaving the team altogether or causing some other unintended trouble, like missing important races or disrupting training schedules.
Yet, not intervening at all felt wrong too…
"Actually, I don't think it's completely impossible."
Kitahara suddenly spoke up.
Although he wasn't eager to get involved with Rudolf, seeing the exhaustion in her eyes stirred unexpected sympathy in him.
After all, he'd worn that same expression countless times, staring helplessly at stubborn youngsters. He'd probably felt even worse than Rudolf did right now.
Moreover, Rudolf had been genuinely cooperative this time, even agreeing to investigate Kudou without requesting anything in return. Kitahara didn't enjoy feeling indebted, so he figured he owed her some honesty.
"Teio's talent and ability are exceptional, and she's studied plenty of trainer-related knowledge on her own."
"Sure, compared to actual trainers, she might be lacking—but she has her own strengths. She understands her own body better than anyone else, allowing her to adjust and improve in targeted ways."
"More importantly, she's very aware of her own advantages. She's consistently leveraged them, carving out her own unique path. The future is uncertain, but it's not hopeless."
Kitahara wasn't comforting Rudolf—he was simply stating facts.
Unlike Agnes Tachyon or Agnes Digital, Tokai Teio wasn't a genius theorist or someone with practical trainer experience. In fact, she was clearly inferior to even ordinary trainers at Tracen Academy. Logically, she shouldn't have been capable of self-training at all.
Yet, she'd managed to pull it off—and through methods Kitahara had never encountered before.
Unlike any other trainer, every bit of Teio's training was built purely on her deep personal understanding of herself.
She learned very little, but every bit was exactly what she needed.
She had little practical experience, but the little she had was completely her own.
Put another Uma Musume under her guidance, and they'd probably quit the next day due to her incompetence.
But for herself alone, it was just barely enough—just barely.
Rudolf clearly understood Kitahara's meaning, though her expression didn't change much. She merely sighed again with mild frustration.
"Still, having a trainer would definitely be better—even an ordinary one would be more reliable than her blindly feeling things out on her own."
Kitahara shrugged.
"But she still has a chance at achieving an undefeated Triple Crown, doesn't she?"
Rudolf shook her head gently.
"One percent or ninety-nine percent—both are technically 'possible.' But Uma Musume only debut once. She's risking her only chance on a whim."
"But isn't this also her only chance to chase after you?" Kitahara stared at Rudolf, his gaze calm but piercing.
"You said it yourself—an Uma Musume has only one debut in their entire life. It was the same for you, and it's the same for her. She's using her only chance recklessly, yes—but if she doesn't take this risk now, she'll never get another chance."
"But…" Rudolf tried to object, but Kitahara cut her off.
"But when you decided to chase the undefeated Triple Crown without relying on a trainer, did you worry about being reckless?"
He looked at her steadily.
"You're worried because you care deeply. President Rudolf, I understand that feeling—I hate seeing talent wasted too. But this is her choice, her dream. Not yours or mine."
"If you truly want the best for her, you should respect her decision and support her, rather than imposing your own ideas on her, even out of goodwill."
"…But she's still just a child."
"So were you, once."
Silence.
Then, another quiet sigh.
"You're right. Perhaps I've been overthinking things."
It wasn't that Rudolf didn't understand these truths, but she cared about Tokai Teio too much. She couldn't stand the thought of Teio making the wrong—or even just slightly suboptimal—choices.
Until now, she'd only shared these concerns privately with Air Groove and Narita Brian.
Air Groove was strict and disciplined by nature, fully agreeing that Rudolf should correct Teio's reckless behavior. Brian wasn't good at giving life advice, but after thinking it over, she too believed it best that young ones follow the guidance of adults—especially someone as accomplished as Rudolf.
Thus, although Rudolf had felt something was off, the unanimous agreement of those around her suppressed that nagging discomfort.
But now, after speaking candidly with Kitahara and having her illusion of correctness peeled away, Rudolf finally saw the essence of her actions clearly.
She was interfering—even controlling—Teio's life.
Exactly like that old woman, Symboli Speed, had tried doing to her.
Seems like Symboli blood really does flow in me after all, Rudolf thought mockingly.
She was about to speak again when she noticed Air Groove's odd expression.
"What's wrong, Air Groove?"
"…Nothing. It's nothing."
Air Groove's expression was complicated.
She couldn't exactly say she'd just watched them chat like an old married couple debating their child's future.
And why did it feel like they'd had conversations like this before? Rudolf certainly didn't talk this openly with people she hardly knew, nor would she show such vulnerability.
Could these two have met previously? Air Groove wondered suspiciously.
Yet Rudolf and Kitahara seemed oblivious, chatting a bit longer before Kitahara prepared to leave.
Just as he reached the door, Rudolf casually mentioned having heard his name at the Symboli estate, wondering if he might know someone from her family.
"Nope." Kitahara shook his head vehemently.
Knowing someone from the Symboli family? Ridiculous.
Had it not been necessary for investigating Kudou, he would've never approached Rudolf—or any Symboli, for that matter. Like he'd once told the elderly Uma Musume at the clothing store: Uma Musume were dangerous enough, and those from powerful families were literal walking disasters.
He'd rather keep a hundred-mile distance, and had always carefully avoided involvement with powerful figures—there was no way he'd know a Symboli without realizing.
Was she taking him for an idiot?
But Kitahara didn't doubt Rudolf's words. Given his infamous wandering lifestyle, it was plausible someone in her family had mentioned him in passing.
Rudolf didn't press the matter further, simply chatting briefly before seeing him out. Afterward, she returned to her seat, eyes deepening in thought.
She trusted her ability to detect lies; Kitahara clearly hadn't lied nor had any reason to. Thus, the mysterious interference from Symboli Speed was unrelated to him—he was probably completely unaware.
Yet what was the point of concealing Kitahara's existence from her? And why had Rudolf felt inexplicably comfortable around him, behaving as though she'd known him for years?
They'd spoken directly only twice—and the first time was far from friendly. Where was this familiarity coming from?
Fingertips tapping the desk, Rudolf sank deep into contemplation.
...
Elsewhere, after finishing his conversation with Rudolf, Kitahara returned to the training grounds, waiting for her investigation results.
Shortly afterward, Teio hurried over, anxiety in her eyes, asking if Rudolf had approached him about her again.
Considering this, Kitahara decided honesty might raise Teio's trust, so he shared selectively.
"We mostly talked work stuff. But she did mention having heard my name at the Symboli estate and asked if I knew anyone there…"
"And do you?"
"Absolutely not," Kitahara responded instantly, with certainty.
Teio tilted her head thoughtfully. "You don't know anyone from President Rudolf's family? That's weird… You do kinda resemble each other, though."
"…Resemble?" Kitahara stared blankly. "How?"
"Not entirely, just in certain little things—like your thinking habits or the way you tap your finger." Teio glanced at his hand, watching his index finger rhythmically tapping the clipboard. "President Rudolf taps her finger exactly the same way when she's thinking."
Kitahara instantly stopped tapping, then resumed with a shrug.
"So what? I once knew an old lady who did the exact same thing."
He paused, suddenly realizing he'd actually picked up the habit from that very lady.
Dammit. Why did I only pick up her bad habits…
Still, it didn't prove anything. Countless people tapped their fingers while thinking. It was a common habit—nothing strange about it.
"But it really feels similar…" Teio muttered quietly. Unable to articulate further, she soon returned to training.
Kitahara shrugged her words off as childish imagination. One was Tracen's undefeated Triple Crown emperor, the other a wandering nobody struggling to feed himself. How could they possibly resemble each other?
Chuckling softly, Kitahara pulled out his phone and returned to leisurely slacking off.
Behind him, however, whispers no one else could hear murmured softly:
"Does this guy really have zero self-awareness about his own danger?"
"Seriously. Rudolf's just strict, Eclipse is just rough, but have you forgotten what you've done?"
"…But aren't we three mostly to blame for how he turned out?"
Listening to their usual chatter, Eclipse's expression remained blank, though she didn't fully agree. Deciding to prove them wrong, she poked Kitahara's waist, and when he turned around, she spoke bluntly:
"I'm sleeping at your place tonight."
Kitahara instantly turned pale.
"Eclipse, lately I…"
"Jumping you in the sofa or sleep together. Your choice."
"…You know, actually, I missed you lately. Let's sleep together."
Satisfied, Eclipse withdrew quietly, casting a smug glance at the empty air beside her, silently communicating: See? He's harmless.
Yet, the whispers intensified behind her, becoming jealous mutters.
But Eclipse had already refocused entirely on Kitahara, no longer paying attention.
Only a gentle whisper escaped into the wind, heard by no one else:
"Aren't things just fine like this? He's not dangerous at all…"