Wada Ryuji himself was unaware of the friction between T.M. Opera O and Meisho Doto; even Curren Chan didn't know how things ultimately developed. However, when the two emerged from the hotel the next day, T.M. Opera O was as high-spirited as ever, and Meisho Doto was as timid as usual, as if nothing had happened.
They quickly returned to Tracen Academy, but during the process, a small incident occurred.
"Ugh... it's a muscle strain. It's nothing serious, just a bit swollen because I didn't pay much attention after the race."
In the Tracen Academy infirmary, the attending doctor bandaged Meisho Doto's leg. After arriving at Tracen Academy, Meisho Doto suddenly felt some discomfort in her leg, and Wada naturally didn't take this lightly, immediately bringing her to the infirmary.
The final diagnosis relieved Wada; a muscle strain was a minor issue for both an Uma Musume and a human.
"Rest well during this period. Don't participate in strenuous training, and you'll recover quickly."
"Thank you, Doctor," Wada said gratefully, and Meisho Doto slowly stood up, supported by T.M. Opera O.
As the group exited the infirmary, Ikezoe was anxiously waiting outside. Seeing Wada and the others emerge, and Meisho Doto with a bandaged leg, his heart skipped a beat. He instinctively stepped forward and asked, "Meisho Doto, are you okay? How bad is the injury?"
"A minor issue, a muscle strain. She'll be fine after some rest," Wada's reply relieved Ikezoe. As Jockeys, their greatest fear was their Racehorse being afflicted with an ailment. Hearing that Meisho Doto was fine, he immediately relaxed.
"Ugh... I'm sorry, Trainer, I can't train..." Meisho Doto said softly, feeling very wronged. She now regretted not reporting the discomfort she felt yesterday; otherwise, it might have healed faster.
Meisho Doto was worried that this would affect her race schedule. If training was delayed because of this, it would be a huge loss.
"Hahaha, my most beloved subject, Meisho Doto, there's no need to worry. You still have me!"
At this moment, T.M. Opera O laughed heartily, completely unburdened. She confidently declared, "Meisho Doto, you just focus on recovering. Leave the team to me!"
"Yes, Meisho Doto, rest well during this time. This isn't a very serious injury; you'll recover in a week at most," Wada nodded and patted Meisho Doto's head, soothing the anxious Uma Musume. He said, word for word:
"As for you T.M. Opera O... even if I don't say it, you know where our next stop is, right?"
"The Satsuki Sho, right?" T.M. Opera O answered the question with ease, full of confidence. She had now decided to pursue the classic three crowns—although she could no longer achieve the Undefeated Triple Crown, she was determined to claim the honor of a Triple Crown Uma Musume!
The Satsuki Sho was approaching quickly, and T.M. Opera O only had a month to prepare. Luckily, based on T.M. Opera O's current performance, her qualification for the Satsuki Sho was assured, with no issues.
"The opera starring me winning the Satsuki Sho will be sung across the world!" T.M. Opera O said, completely engrossed in herself. She naturally grabbed Wada's hand and said with deep affection:
"Come, my Trainer, let's conquer that mountain together with me!"
"Okay!" Wada, rarely, got into the chuunibyou spirit with T.M. Opera O. Or rather, he was actively engaging with T.M. Opera O's emotions.
Of course, Wada was determined to win the classic three crowns this time. Last time, due to his mistake, they lost both the Japanese Derby and the Kikuka Sho. But this time, Wada would not make the same mistake again.
Satsuki Sho, Japanese Derby, Kikuka Sho—he was determined to win all three classic triple crown races! And not just these three GI races, but all the other GI races he had missed; he would reclaim them all this time!
Seven GI wins were definitely not T.M. Opera O's limit. Wada was determined to make T.M. Opera O surpass the legend of the "Emperor," even if it meant facing several blockades. He would not hesitate.
So what if they blocked him? Did they think he had been slacking all these years? Even if all the other Trainers from Shadai united to protect their so-called "glory of the Seven Crown Emperor," he would personally break through that limit—together with T.M. Opera O.
"Um, Trainer... I also want to participate in the Satsuki Sho."
However, at this moment, Meisho Doto, who felt somewhat ignored, quickly tugged at Wada's sleeve and asked anxiously, "I- I should also be qualified for the Satsuki Sho, right? After all, I beat T.M. Opera O in the Mainichi Hai... and so..."
"The Satsuki Sho... this..."
However, as Wada spoke, he suddenly noticed something was amiss—Meisho Doto and T.M. Opera O's race schedules almost completely overlapped. Their clash in the Mainichi Hai indicated that all their current races were basically identical. T.M. Opera O finished second in the Mainichi Hai, but with her victory in the Yukinayanagi Sho, she was certainly enough to enter the Satsuki Sho.
As for Meisho Doto, her only first-place finish in the Mainichi Hai meant that entering the Satsuki Sho would be quite difficult. And even if she managed to qualify... wouldn't that just mean Meisho Doto would once again begin competing against T.M. Opera O?
Most importantly, as Wada had decided the goal of T.M. Opera O winning the classic three crowns, he was somewhat worried that Meisho Doto, whose overall strength might be slightly stronger than T.M. Opera O's right now... would snatch T.M. Opera O's Triple Crown at the Satsuki Sho a month later.
But if T.M. Opera O won, wouldn't Meisho Doto be sad? What if their race schedules clashed again? Wouldn't that be unfair to Meisho Doto?
For a moment, Wada couldn't help but ponder, but his silence was interpreted completely differently in Meisho Doto's eyes.
Meisho Doto instinctively bit her lower lip. She thought about how Wada had just been so energetic, saying he would challenge the classic three crowns with T.M. Opera O, but when it came to her, he hesitated so much... her chest felt a little tight... "What's wrong... can T.M. Opera O participate, but I can't?" Meisho Doto uttered this sentence with a sour tone. However, as soon as the words left her mouth, Meisho Doto was startled by herself.
What had she just said? Why did she say such a thing to her Trainer?
Her Trainer had been so kind to her; his hesitation just now must have been out of concern that she would affect T.M. Opera O's dream of the Triple Crown. She... she shouldn't affect T.M. Opera O's dream.
"—Alright, Meisho Doto, I will register you for the Satsuki Sho."
However, unexpectedly, after some thought, Wada ultimately decided to let Meisho Doto participate in the Satsuki Sho. Meeting Meisho Doto's slowly regaining luminous eyes, Wada said encouragingly:
"Whether it's you or T.M. Opera O, I will treat you both equally. If you want to participate in the Satsuki Sho, then I will register you."
"But before that, you must first heal your injury. I will not allow my Uma Musume to step onto the track with such a risk. Therefore, rest well, Meisho Doto."
"—Mm!"
Meisho Doto, having received Wada's approval, nodded heavily with joy, and the gloomy feeling in her heart instantly vanished.
Indeed, the Trainer was a truly kind person. She was so lucky to be with her Trainer.
"Oh, another showdown with my most beloved subject? How— exciting."
After seeing Meisho Doto and Wada's intimate actions, T.M. Opera O, who was holding Wada's hand, instinctively tightened her grip even more. She used an exaggerated gesture to hide her emotions and said:
"But this time I will face you with a brand new attitude! Alright, my Trainer, come with me to practice my Pace Chaser skills!"
T.M. Opera O's mind involuntarily recalled Meisho Doto's words to her yesterday. She hadn't slept well the entire night, repeatedly replaying Meisho Doto's words... and those fragmented memories of hers.
Although she didn't quite understand, T.M. Opera O had already made up her mind... She felt that by staying with Wada, she would definitely figure out the answers to these questions.
I'm sorry, my most beloved subject.
What belongs to me, if not bestowed upon you myself, will always belong to me.
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Wada is going to get split in two at this point.
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If you spot any errors, feel free to comment about it and I will fix it as soon as I can.