The moment Symboli Rudolf's gaze fell upon her, Yorozuya Eiyuu felt as if a mountain had been dropped on her shoulders. She could barely breathe.
So strong...
This was the "pressure" of an Emperor. Eiyuu's ears drooped slightly. Just being in Rudolf's presence made her feel small and insignificant. A warm current of energy flowed from the Emperor's calm eyes, enveloping Eiyuu completely.
"Every horse girl runs with a dream," Rudolf said, her voice deep and resonant, carrying the weight of indisputable truth. "To become such a horse girl, to bear a name that is not your own, is to bear a burden of effort that ordinary people cannot imagine. This kind of resolve is worthy of everyone's respect."
Tokai Teio, standing beside her, rolled her eyes at first, but her expression slowly turned serious as Rudolf spoke.
Eiyuu was deeply moved by the words. Dream... respect... Were these the things she had been pursuing all along? But then, Sakikawa's mocking voice echoed in her mind, crushing the fledgling warmth.
I think your brain is overheating. Maybe you need a couple of eggs?
Sakikawa put his hands in his pockets, a posture he adopted whenever he was bored. Still with the intangible stuff like 'willpower'? Unlucky. Everyone's here for the prize money, not to sit around and eat rice porridge.
He saw Eiyuu's eyes begin to glaze over and knew she was getting sucked into Rudolf's "Emperor" talk. He snorted internally. Look at you, getting brainwashed. Once your own race starts, you'll be crying like a baby whose candy got stolen.
"Your dream hangs on the wall, but don't let it be a mirror that only reflects your own vanity. The road ahead is still long," Rudolf finished, her speech coming to a natural and graceful conclusion.
Eiyuu's mind was still reeling. Gaining the respect of the Student Council President, of their Central Academy, felt like a distant, impossible dream.
Rudolf saw the flicker of doubt in her eyes and smiled. "You... also have a lot of principles," she said kindly.
Sakikawa watched Eiyuu's eyes, saw the small spark of pride kindle within them, and for some reason, he felt a strange sense of satisfaction. Victory, seeing the world in a different light... it seems this victory has given you your own set of principles.
"I'm starting to look forward to seeing you and your horse girl on the track at the Central Academy," Rudolf said with a final nod. She gave Sakikawa a look, then turned and walked away with Tokai Teio.
Eiyuu was left standing there, her hands and feet feeling cold. She had just survived a brief but intense conversation with the most powerful figures at the academy. It seemed her trainer's usual cynical theories didn't hold up so well in front of the Student Council President.
This woman, who was usually so arrogant and rude, had actually managed to hold her own in front of the "Emperor." She had a backbone of unshakable confidence and self-assurance. He was an incomprehensible man.
He's not so bad, she thought, a small, childish smile gracing her lips. This is my trainer.
"What are you smirking at?" Sakikawa's voice brought her back to reality. "Let's go, the race is about to start." He turned and headed for the spectator entrance without another word.
"Yes!" Eiyuu replied, quickly following him.
"Yo, Kitahara, you really splurged, huh? This seat can't be cheap."
Sakikawa plopped down in a seat and casually passed over a drink he'd been holding, not even asking whose it was.
"Today is a crucial battle that will decide Ogu-chan's fate. Of course I have to find a good spot to cheer her on," Kitahara replied, her expression a mixture of innocence and the look of someone observing an alien species.
"I'm surprised you actually showed up," she added. "I thought you wouldn't crawl out until after the race was over."
"Aren't I worried that your old man's horse is going to break down halfway? I came all this way to collect the corpse for you," Sakikawa said, taking a large gulp of his drink. His words were as sweet as saccharin.
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