Symboli Rudolf was somewhat surprised to see Sakura Baimu greeting Golden Crown Eagle.
"Trainer Sakura, you've met Miss Golden Crown Eagle before?"
Symboli Rudolf had initially assumed that Sakura Baimu simply knew Golden Crown Eagle but hadn't actually met her.
Now it seemed that wasn't the case.
Not only "Ogura," but even Sakura Baimu had interacted with Golden Crown Eagle.
"Yes, Miss Golden Crown Eagle came to our team yesterday afternoon, wanting to teach McQueen and Teiō how to activate their Zone," Sakura Baimu said with a smile.
"Hmm? You were originally planning to teach Teiō how to activate her Zone?"
Symboli Rudolf turned sharply to look at Golden Crown Eagle, her previously gentle gaze instantly becoming incredibly sharp.
Although she wasn't using her aura, the imperial majesty she had long held at the top was still quite terrifying.
"Uh...? W-what's wrong?" Golden Crown Eagle was startled.
"Miss Golden Crown Eagle, don't tell me you don't know that the more you understand about Zones, the harder it is to break through them," Symboli Rudolf said in a deep voice.
"I just wanted to help..."
"No!"
Symboli Rudolf suddenly raised her voice, startling Golden Crown Eagle so much she almost shrank back.
"What's wrong with you? I've never seen you so agitated when other Umamusume are injured..."
Golden Crown Eagle was utterly confused by Symboli Rudolf's unpredictable mood, but knowing she was in the wrong, she could only obediently nod.
"Let's get back to our previous topic." Symboli Rudolf's expression softened slightly upon seeing Golden Crown Eagle nod. "Who did you say Ogura looked like?"
Now that the conversation had reached this point, Symboli Rudolf no longer hesitated to mention Sakura Baimu.
She knew Sakura Baimu wasn't stupid; since they had come to Golden Crown Eagle's ward, Sakura Baimu must have already guessed their purpose.
"Uh..."
Golden Crown Eagle was speechless again. She glanced at Sakura Baimu, who stood behind Symboli Rudolf, a smile playing on her lips as she silently watched her. A cold sweat broke out on her back.
Just now, when Sakura Baimu approached, she had already confirmed that Sakura Baimu was the Umamusume from last night.
She had observed the Umamusume named "Ogura" up close last night and was deeply impressed by that Umamusume's eyes.
Golden Crown Eagle didn't understand why Sakura Baimu had kept her ears hidden.
But clearly,
Sakura Baimu didn't want her to reveal this.
Sakura Baimu had just said that she had only met her "once" yesterday afternoon.
Sakura Baimu had even emphasized the word "once."
The meaning was crystal clear.
Golden Crown Eagle, along with Symboli Rudolf and Maruzensky, two top Umamusume of Tracen Academy, had actually come to her to inquire about an Umamusume who should have been from their academy.
Finally, she understood what was going on.
It turned out that Symboli Rudolf and Maruzensky had absolutely no idea about Sakura Baimu's Umamusume status!
No wonder they came to ask her.
Under the dual gazes of Sakura Baimu and Symboli Rudolf, Golden Crown Eagle was so nervous she could hardly breathe.
"No... I misspoke. Aside from blue hair and blue eyes, she doesn't seem to resemble anyone else."
Golden Crown Eagle said slowly.
"Can you draw?" Symboli Rudolf asked again.
"No."
"Then never mind." Symboli Rudolf sighed. Describing someone's appearance with words alone was indeed difficult.
With Sakura Baimu right beside her, she didn't want to pry further.
So she gave up on asking any more questions.
"Get some rest, Miss Golden Crown Eagle," Maruzensky said with a smile and a wave to Golden Crown Eagle before leaving the room.
Sakura Baimu smiled slightly at Golden Crown Eagle, then followed Symboli Rudolf and the others out.
Once the door closed, Golden Crown Eagle, who had been incredibly tense, finally let out a long sigh of relief and completely relaxed.
"Thank goodness... thank goodness I didn't say anything."
She recalled Sakura Baimu's smile, still feeling a lingering unease.
--
Symboli Rudolf and the others left Golden Crown Eagle's room. After taking a few steps, she suddenly turned back and bowed to Sakura Baimu.
"I'm so sorry, Trainer Sakura."
"No, what's wrong?" Sakura Baimu quickly asked.
"I'm sorry for coming to inquire about 'Ogura' behind your back. I apologize."
"It's alright, it's alright. As the student council president of Tracen Academy, it's perfectly reasonable for you to come and investigate the situation that led to the exchange student's admission. There's nothing to apologize for."
Sakura Baimu smiled.
"Besides, it's your freedom to investigate whatever you want. I'm not 'Ogura's' trainer. I just benefited from Chairman Akikawa's connections and 'borrowed' Ogura. I'm not even that close to her."
"Wasn't Ogura someone you called over, Ms. Sakura?" Maruzensky asked.
"No, how could it be me? I don't know who hurt Queen Beret and the others. It was Chairman Akikawa. It has little to do with me."
"I see," Symboli Rudolf nodded.
She remembered that when she almost caught Ogura at the academy before, it was Chairman Akikawa who stepped in to save the day.
It seems that Ogura and Chairman Akikawa have a better relationship.
"Anyway, thank you, Trainer Sakura," Symboli Rudolf bowed to Sakura Baimu again.
"It's nothing; I didn't do anything." Sakura Baimu waved her hands repeatedly, indicating that she didn't mind.
"Thank you for taking the time to take care of Rice Shower after getting off work," Symboli Rudolf said with a smile.
"It was my own choice; after all, nobody dislikes Rice Shower." Sakura Baimu smiled back at Symboli Rudolf.
"You're a good trainer; I feel very reassured with Teiō under your guidance," Symboli Rudolf said, then said goodbye to Sakura Baimu and left the hospital with Maruzensky.
After Sakura Baimu watched Maruzensky and Symboli Rudolf disappear from sight, her own heart, which had been pounding with tension, gradually calmed down.
"Sigh, I knew competing against that Golden Crown Eagle wouldn't end well. Now my identity is exposed to her."
Sakura Baimu sighed.
Even a bad result today was better than Symboli Rudolf finding out that "Ogura," the one who sent Golden Crown Eagle to the hospital, looked a lot like her.
Today was the third day; the Umamusume of Pluto Academy would be staying at Tracen Academy for another four days.
"I just hope nothing else goes wrong in these next four days..."
---