Yoshida looked at Symboli Rudolf on the track and couldn't help but marvel at the changing of eras.
A Triple Crown winner had appeared after many years. And following Representative Chiaki, the strength Symboli Rudolf was now displaying made people yearn for a second Triple Crown winner in the near generation, and quite possibly the fourth in history.
And while he was marveling, he noticed something beside him—
Not long after Koji left, a girl with a ponytail rushed over. She had the same crescent-shaped white forelock as Symboli Rudolf, and her soft chestnut hair was tied into a ponytail with a carrot hair ornament. Her stature appeared delicate and petite, with skin as fine and fair as a porcelain doll. Especially her constantly twitching, pointed long ears, and her tail wagging back and forth.
The girl's eyes seemed to be full of light, and she stared with an excited smile at Symboli Rudolf, who was surrounded by everyone on the track below.
"Hah~~"
If it were a manga, little stars would surely be sparkling around the girl. Such an ardent, adoring gaze; who she was watching, the answer was already obvious.
Looking at the girl's age, she seemed to be only in Middle School. Yoshida, seeing her like this, couldn't help but become interested.
For an Uma Musume, admiring winners is perfectly normal for many.
However, Yoshida saw more interesting things.
He always trusted his judgment, so he approached with a smile and asked:
"You seem to really like Symboli Rudolf, don't you?"
The girl turned her head and saw a kind old man talking to her.
She immediately nodded without thinking and replied, "Yes!! She's really, really amazing!!!"
Indeed, Symboli Rudolf's incredibly impactful performance and her almost dominating position gave her an unshakeable status among her peers.
Even though it was only the conclusion of the first crown's contention, she had undoubtedly become the most popular contender this year.
The highly anticipated monarch, expected to replicate Mr. CB's Triple Crown achievement, and then for the two to truly compete on the same stage.
Everyone hoped to witness history.
A monarch's path is solitary, but also one of being upheld.
Because the birth of a monarch is often universally desired, and Symboli Rudolf now had such momentum.
"Little one, have you ever thought about standing on the race track like her?"
Although this wasn't an enticement, Yoshida still asked kindly.
There was an indescribable quality about this girl that attracted him.
"Become an Uma Musume?"
The girl was slightly startled, but then, as if she had realized something, she nodded excitedly.
"Can I!? Can I become an Uma Musume like her too?"
"Hehe... No one can say for sure about such things, but if you don't try, how will you know?"
A person who has lived most of his life always makes people ponder when he speaks.
"Then... what should I do?"
The girl nodded as if she understood but didn't, looking a bit confused.
"It's very simple."
"Where are you studying this year?"
"I'm in third year of Middle School in Tokyo. Today, I came all the way to Chiba with my parents to watch the race!"
Yoshida replied with a smile, "That's quite a coincidence. If you can go to Tresen Academy to study when you advance next year, you might even get close to your idol, Symboli Rudolf!"
"Really!?"
Upon hearing this, the girl's eyes instantly sparkled. Just this one condition made it impossible to refuse.
At this moment, she was already looking forward to the future.
She was now in her third year of Middle School. If she adjusted her direction, she might actually be able to go to Tresen Academy that the old man spoke of for next year's entrance exam.
"Of course, as long as you have the will, it's never too late."
Yoshida smiled and then added another sentence.
"There's another one of her races in mid-May. If you want to go see it, I can give you a ticket."
As he spoke, Yoshida, as if performing a magic trick, pulled a paper ticket from his pocket and handed it directly to the girl.
Being treated so suddenly, the girl was flattered and even more puzzled.
"This... isn't this a bit much?"
"Hey, it's nothing. I, an old man, don't have time to go to Tokyo, do I? This ticket was given to me in a lottery. Since you like the 'Emperor' so much, don't you want to see her performance up close?"
Yoshida said it lightly, but those who truly understood the inside scoop would surely be astonished, their jaws dropping to the floor, if they saw someone directly give this ticket to a person they had just met.
The reason was simple: this ticket wasn't something you could just buy. As a VIP seat, it was only available through a limited lottery on the official website, and you could only purchase it after winning a spot.
Besides having a front-row seat, such tickets even allowed one to meet the athletes up close at the interview area after the race.
Such opportunities were hard to come by, yet Yoshida directly gave the Tokyo Yushun race ticket, which the association had given him, to the girl.
The girl held the ticket, somewhat hesitant, but Yoshida added, "With this ticket, you can meet the athlete up close after the race. Don't you want to meet Symboli Rudolf?"
"Of course I do..."
Although it sounded very tempting—
"Then don't hesitate. I also said that this ticket doesn't mean much to me. If you like it, it's better to give it to you than to let it expire in my hands, right?"
"Then thank you, Grandpa!"
The girl who took the ticket had a smile on her face that was incredibly bright.
The "Tokyo Yushun" in mid-May, also known as the Japanese Derby, Symboli Rudolf's second classic race, would take place at Fuchu Racecourse in Tokyo, Japan.
Seeing her smile like that, Yoshida also smiled happily. Because only when it's given to the right person can an item's value be realized.
This ticket was indeed just a piece of scrap paper to him.
But if it could serve as someone's stepping stone or a key to open a new world, then he didn't mind becoming that guide.
"Grandpa, can I know your name?"
When one receives a favor, one must remember that kindness.
Yoshida smiled and slowly said,
"Yoshida, just an ordinary old man who loves watching Uma Musume run on the Racecourse."
"Grandpa Yoshida, thank you! My name is Tokai Teio!! If I can also become an Uma Musume in the future, I will definitely thank you properly on the Racecourse!!"
The girl made a serious expression as if making a promise.
And Yoshida also seriously nodded in response to this small sentiment.
"Ah, I will definitely wait, hoping that one day in the future, I can see your performance on TV!"
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