--
"Then let me ask her for you," Sakura Baimu spoke to Symboli Rudolf.
"I invited her once before, but she refused. Ms. Sakura, do you know why?" Symboli Rudolf asked.
"Because she's stopped running." Sakura Baimu paused for a moment, then spoke slowly.
"Stopped running? But I clearly saw her still training, even coming over to train in the middle of the night."
Symboli Rudolf looked at Sakura Baimu with suspicion.
If that "Oguri" really hadn't stopped running, why would she still come over to train in the middle of the night?
Look at Tamamo Cross and Oguri Cap, eating and drinking every day—that's the life of a retired Umamusume.
Therefore, Symboli Rudolf didn't believe Sakura Baimu's words.
"I think she still has a passion for the competition. Such a hardworking and diligent Umamusume shouldn't be wasted!"
Thinking about how "Ogura" only dared to run inside the academy in the middle of the night, Symboli Rudolf couldn't help but feel a desire to help her.
Hearing Symboli Rudolf's high praise, Sakura raised an eyebrow and spoke calmly.
"You flatter her a bit. She doesn't deserve such praise."
"No! I think she absolutely does!" Symboli Rudolf affirmed.
"'Ogura's' training environment must have been incredibly tough, yet she persevered under such difficult conditions and reached this level. I'm certain her talent is no less than that of the Heisei Three!"
Sakura Baimu raised an eyebrow again, and her invisible tail twitched slightly.
"Not at all, really not at all," Sakura Baimu said again.
"I don't know why you don't trust Ogura, Ms. Sakura, but I believe she is an exceptionally talented Umamusume. Even in the elite Tracen Academy, she would be among the top talents!"
Upon seeing Sakura Baimu still hesitant, Symboli Rudolf suddenly became anxious.
"Ms. Sakura, you are still very young, even younger than me. But I assure you, with my standing in the Japanese horse racing world, my judgment is never wrong! Oguri Cap was recruited from Kasamatsu to Chuo, which led to the current Heisei Three. That Ogura is exceptionally talented; please seriously consider my words!"
Sakura Baimu was overjoyed listening to Symboli Rudolf's words.
This was the evaluation of "Emperor" Rudolf!
The evaluation of a Umamusume at the pinnacle of the elite Tracen Academy!
Speak more if you can!
Sakura Baimu had thoroughly enjoyed herself today, her mood was absolutely fantastic.
Symboli Rudolf was an authority in the Japanese uma racing world, and Sakura Baimu wouldn't question her words, readily accepting them.
Sakura Baimu nodded emphatically to Symboli Rudolf with a serious expression.
"Symboli Rudolf, I think you're absolutely right. Ogura is exactly that kind of Umamusume, without a doubt."
"So...?" Symboli Rudolf asked excitedly.
"But unfortunately, this is really very difficult to accomplish." Sakura Baimu shook her head again.
She was already banned from racing; what can she even do after attending Tracen as a student?
Going to the academy to learn things she already knows every day, training with other trainers, and then not being able to compete?
That's not as comfortable as being a trainer.
"Ms. Sakura, is Ogura having some difficulties?"
Hearing Sakura Baimu's refusal, Rudolf sensed something was wrong. She placed her right hand on her chest and assured her.
"Tell me, and if I can do it, I will do my best."
Sakura Baimu was somewhat moved by Symboli Rudolf's persistence.
She gently shook her head. "If even the chairman can't do it, Symboli Rudolf, you can't either."
Although Symboli Rudolf held authority and influence in the Japanese uma racing world, as the student council president of Central Tracen Academy, she naturally wielded considerable power.
However, she was still significantly inferior to Akikawa Yayoi.
Sakura Baimu's directness was intended to dissuade Symboli Rudolf.
She couldn't possibly tell Symboli Rudolf that "Ogura" was banned. After all, there aren't many Umamusumes banned in Japan. If Symboli Rudolf found her past self, wouldn't she be exposed?
The name Sakura Baimu might not seem suspicious to those unfamiliar with it.
However, if you compare Sakura Baimu's original name, "Mejiro Sakura," with "Sakura Baimu," her identity becomes easily revealed.
Rather, it's truly unbelievable that someone like Mejiro McQueen hasn't discovered it yet.
Symboli Rudolf was startled by Sakura Baimu's words; she hadn't realized the situation was far more serious than she had imagined.
"I see..."
Symboli Rudolf sighed, feeling quite regretful.
She asked one last question:
"So, now she can only run at night, doing something like a logistics assistant?"
"Yes." Sakura Baimu nodded.
"She must be very resentful, right?"
"I don't think so. After all, she has helped a lot of people."
"Okay, I understand."
Symboli Rudolf finally dismissed the idea, but at the same time, she became even more curious about the identity of "Ogura."
It's rare for something like being unable to compete—something even the chairman couldn't solve—to occur.
Symboli Rudolf and Sakura Baimu returned to TCB and heard Tokai Teio calling out to her again.
"President~! What did you talk about with Trainer-san?"
"Nothing much, just some things about the competition," Symboli Rudolf replied with a smile.
She sensed that the TCB members were unaware of "Ogura's" existence, so she intentionally kept it a secret for Sakura Baimu.
"How rare! The president is actually discussing competition matters with Trainer-san!"
Tokai Teio drawled, then excitedly told Symboli Rudolf,
"President, listen to me! Trainer-san wants to register me for the Breeders' Cup Classic in America!"
Symboli Rudolf immediately looked at Sakura Baimu in surprise, instantly understanding that Sakura Baimu still harbored resentment toward Pluto Academy and therefore wanted Tokai Teio to participate in their highest-level competition!
That temper of hers is really something.
Symboli Rudolf suddenly felt that Sakura Baimu's temper seemed familiar.
To be precise, wasn't it exactly the same as "Ogura" from last night?
