Maruzensky was in an excellent mood.
She first turned to look at Symboli Rudolf beside her who was still in a state of shock and confusion.
Then she turned to look at Sakura Baimu on the track, who had repeatedly surprised her.
Suddenly, she too began to feel a sense of anticipation for the future.
It seems that her boring life had become interesting because of Sakura Baimu's presence.
Just as Maruzensky was about to feign ignorance and offer some comfort to the somewhat bewildered Symboli Rudolf, she caught a glimpse of her out of the corner of her eye.
Obey Your Master, who had been lying on the turf, suddenly jumped up.
Then she reached out her hand directly to Sakura Baimu.
Maruzensky didn't hear what Obey Your Master said to Sakura Baimu.
It was not hard to guess the intention behind Obey Your Master's action, given that she was also extremely satisfied with Sakura Baimu after learning her true identity.
"She wants to recruit Ogura!"
Maruzensky and Symboli Rudolf said this almost simultaneously.
The two Umamusumes at the pinnacle of Tracen Academy reacted without hesitation, rushing towards the arena.
Symboli Rudolf might not have had such ulterior motives; she simply wanted to nurture talent and didn't want "Ogura" to join another academy.
But Maruzensky was different.
She knew Sakura Baimu's true situation.
She knew how Sakura Baimu had been treated in Japan.
For Sakura Baimu, who was still suspended in Japan, an invitation from America would be an enormous temptation.
Things were progressing in a positive direction, but Obey Your Master's somewhat abrupt invitation completely reversed course.
--
Meanwhile, on the turf track, Sakura Baimu stared in astonishment at Obey Your Master, who had extended the invitation.
After defeating her, Obey Your Master was now trying to poach her rival.
Sakura Baimu truly hadn't expected this move.
Obey Your Master seemed to sense Sakura Baimu's hesitation. She chuckled softly.
"You still have two years of suspension left in Japan, right? Judging from your consistent training, you clearly want to return to competition."
"I can imagine how you feel. Being suspended for six years less than a year after your debut—I can't even imagine the immense pain that must be causing you."
"If that happened to me, I probably would have gone crazy."
"How about joining Pluto Academy? Your skills are enough to rank you among the top in the academy. It's a merit-based academy; with your abilities, you'll definitely be much better off than you are now."
Sakura Baimu looked at Obey Your Master's smiling face and was quite impressed by this Umamusume's magnanimity—she showed no resentment after losing and instead generously invited her.
Although she was much more ruthless than Golden Crown Eagle, her actions were much easier to accept.
"It's not like I'm having a bad time at Tracen Academy. Thanks for the invitation, but I think I'll pass."
Sakura Baimu smiled and shook her head, politely declining Obey Your Master's suggestion.
"I didn't say you have to stay at Pluto Academy. I'm just offering a suggestion. It's really pitiful to see you training so hard but not being able to run. Even if you don't like Pluto Academy, you can go to another academy. There are many ways to compete if you want to."
"Or, if you have a fondness for Japan, you can compete abroad for now and return to Japan after your suspension ends."
Obey Your Master suggested with a smile.
"How about it? If you come to America, I'd like to make a comeback."
"If I go to America, what will happen to my trainees?" Sakura Baimu asked with a smile.
Her question wasn't sarcastic; it was simply a genuine inquiry.
Sakura Baimu could tell that Obey Your Master genuinely cared for her, so she naturally harbored no ill will toward this Umamusume.
"Uh..." Obey Your Master suddenly fell silent upon hearing this.
She had forgotten that Sakura Baimu was now a trainer.
"Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen don't need your guidance anymore, right? The remaining three trainees must have only recently joined your team, right? With their abilities, they should have a good future at Spica or Rigil, right?"
"I think you should think more about yourself. I heard you've been spending most of your income on the Umamusume in the team."
Sakura Baimu chuckled and shook her head again.
Just as she was about to refuse again, she suddenly sensed two incredibly fast figures rushing towards her.
Sakura Baimu was startled; she had been so engrossed in running that she had forgotten Maruzensky had invited her.
The person with Maruzensky, Sakura Baimu knew without a doubt, was Symboli Rudolf.
Maruzensky definitely hadn't told Symboli Rudolf about her situation, so Sakura Baimu quickly pulled her hood up, tucking her head further inside.
Then, she heard Maruzensky's slightly seductive voice.
"Obey Your Master, what are you doing? Did you invite her?"
"Oh, it's the Emperor and Hotrod, huh? So fond of spying on us on campus, huh? What I do is none of your business."
Obey Your Master showed no fear in the face of the two. She glanced at Sakura Baimu, who had become silent since their arrival, and roughly understood that Maruzensky hadn't yet told Symboli Rudolf about Sakura Baimu's identity.
"I invited Ogura to join our academy first," Symboli Rudolf said.
"So, did she agree?" Obey Your Master chuckled.
"Could it be that she accepted your invitation?" Maruzensky asked.
"Guess!"
Obey Your Master laughed heartily, put her hands behind her head, and leisurely walked away from the track.
Before leaving, she waved to Sakura Baimu:
"That was a great night. See you next time."
Obey Your Master said, then disappeared completely on the other side of the campus.
After seeing Obey Your Master leave, Symboli Rudolf looked at Sakura Baimu, who had grabbed her hat as soon as she saw them, her tone softened considerably.
"It's good to see you again, Ogura."
---