Perfect figure, beautiful face, with a head of silver curly hair like snow. Her deep, blood-red eyes were captivating, like an ice fairy from a fairy tale, cunning yet charming.
Sayus Academy is a prestigious Academy built through a joint venture between Japan and the German Sayus Group, specifically for foreign Uma Musume studying in Japan.
Its aim is to better connect domestic and international Horse Racing events. On one hand, it promotes dirt racing, and on the other, it allows more foreign Uma Musume with talent in turf racing to receive excellent training here.
Compared to the Japanese Racing Association, which had been unwilling to open up its race formats before, this school-enterprise collaboration was considered the first step taken by everyone.
And this heiress Chairman was also the leader who pushed all of this forward.
At less than 25 years old, she had already become the Chairman of an Academy, her capabilities were self-evident.
Of course, this beautiful Chairman had another identity: she was Toujou Hana's university classmate.
However, their relationship was comparable to that of arch-rivals who competed in everything.
It was precisely because of this that Toujou Hana extremely disliked seeing this person, who should have returned to her home country, here.
"So it's the Academy's Chairman… It's truly a pleasure."
Of course, Mr. CB was clearly using a professional smile.
Chloris didn't mind this aloof attitude at all, as if she hadn't noticed it, and still greeted her with her perfect smile.
"If possible, I would very much hope that Miss CB could join our Academy."
"Is this a poaching attempt?"
"Of course, this is poaching."
Chloris made no attempt to hide her desire for talent, and she extended her hand.
"If you can join us, I can make you not just a national star in Japan, but a world champion Shining across the globe. All our resources will be dedicated to you, with the full strength of the entire school. What do you think?"
This was Chloris's confidence and the capital she relied on.
The conglomerate behind the Academy is one of the top hundred companies in the world. Their investment in the Academy, while ostensibly to inject new vitality into Japanese Horse Racing, was actually to become an entity comparable to Tracen Academy.
It was precisely because of this that Chloris would not hesitate in her desire for talent.
"It sounds very tempting… but isn't your Academy primarily for international students? I'm a pure Japanese, you know?"
Mr. CB seemed to be seriously considering these matters, but the question she posed was also very sharp.
The reason Mr. CB was called a national idol, besides her Classic Triple Crown ability, was also because she was the purest Japanese Uma Musume.
A presence like a flag, that was Mr. CB.
"Of course, our demand for talent knows no nationality. While our primary goal is to seamlessly integrate foreign exchange students, we also welcome local athletes. Especially Miss CB, who can usher in a new era, we extremely hope you can join our Academy. To remain in a Branch School of Tracen Academy is truly a waste of talent."
"What you say makes a lot of sense… Unfortunately, I am also very comfortable and happy at the Branch School. At least for now, I have no such considerations."
"Is that so…?"
Miss Chloris slowly retracted her hand. Although she was politely refused, she still maintained her characteristic smile without changing her expression.
"While it's a pity, I will always keep a position open here and maintain a welcoming attitude."
She clearly had her own agenda. Even if CB refused, it wouldn't affect their relationship.
As for—
"The Classic Triple Crown race, why is a foreign Academy's Chairman like you coming to join the fun?"
After being invisible for half the day, Toujou Hana finally spoke, with a particularly disgusted tone.
Even if the JRA had made concessions now, agreeing to allow foreign investment, it didn't mean they had loosened their grip on this particular aspect.
Maruzensky was a particularly clear example: as a foreign Uma Musume born in Japan, even after living in Japan for so many years, she was still unable to participate in Classic races. Otherwise, with Maruzensky's strength, in middle-distance races alone, she could definitely cause the Emperor no small amount of trouble.
"Well, to see an old classmate, and incidentally to watch the most highly anticipated race in Japan, and to witness the strength of the strongest card my old classmate currently holds—"
Chloris's tone paused, finally revealing the dangerous aura she had hidden for so long.
"Symboli Rudolf, whether you can possess the strength of Miss CB, a battle to prove yourself in the name of the Emperor, I too would very much like to witness it firsthand."
After speaking, she showed her characteristic smile again.
That's what she said, but knowing this person...
Tojo Hana knew one hundred percent that this person had ill intentions. Those who play power games have dirty hearts. Now that she was meeting this person here, Tojo Hana only hoped she would be honest and not cause her extra trouble.
At this moment, Mr. CB also realized something. She couldn't help but smile and shrug, saying,
"Since you two are old friends reuniting, I won't bother you any longer."
She said she wouldn't bother them, but in reality, CB also realized that a difficult person had appeared. Seeing that the situation was not right, she quickly found an excuse and prepared to leave.
As last year's Triple Crown winner, even she herself was full of anticipation for how far the Emperor, whom she saw today, could go.
The king of each generation always needs a strong person to prove their height, and she thought the same.
After CB left, Tojo Hana silently turned to leave as well.
But Chloris suddenly called out to her.
"You're really cold, Tojo. If you don't change your temper, you won't even have a man who likes you, you know?"
She covered her mouth and chuckled, her mockery fully apparent.
"I have nothing to say to you."
"But I do—I've heard about Koji's current situation... Regarding that race, I was actually there, but even I couldn't help him..."
With her back to her, Tojo Hana couldn't imagine what her expression was like now, but—
These words struck her heart like a heavy blow.
"He probably can't get over it right now. If you don't seize the opportunity, he might run away forever, you know? This is a piece of advice from an old classmate."
"..."
She slowly closed her eyes.
She simply left one sentence.
"None of your business."
Watching her leaving figure, Chloris couldn't help but turn her gaze back to the racetrack. But at some point, even Symboli Rudolf had left.
A clear, cold moonlit night, accompanied by a gentle evening breeze.
April's spring, wrapped in melancholy, excitement, and races, that race was also about to arrive.
However—
For everyone,
Tonight was undoubtedly a sleepless night.
PS:
This is the third update today. Indeed, due to poor internet and a power outage, I have to work overtime tonight.
These two chapters are foreshadowing and lay the groundwork for subsequent plot developments.
How to put it, although the protagonist is Kazuo, it's essentially a bit more like a group portrait.
After all, in this world, there isn't just one team for the protagonist, and not just one Trainer for the protagonist.
Similarly, the emotional lines aren't just for the protagonist alone.
The next chapter will be the race chapter. I promise not to break the race chapter. I estimate this chapter should be 6k to 10k words. Let's see if I can write it before 5 AM tonight.
The Emperor's quest for the Triple Crown is also a major storyline in this book.
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