'Though that joke was just a joke, your intense reaction, Ardan, already told me what's on your mind. So even if it's just to help that child compete in the Triple Crown and make you a little happier, I'm going to lend a hand.'
Looking at the well-behaved junior seated before her, the head of the Mejiro family thought to herself. She had never forgotten her original intention.
'To give these young ones a happy life.'
Of course, Ardan was completely unaware of such thoughts. Right now, she was utterly baffled by what was happening to her.
"Grandmother, what does seeing me have to do with you making up your mind? Did you call me here just for a laugh?"
From Ardan's perspective, she had been told her grandmother needed to see her.
But upon arriving, her normally stern grandmother cracked a joke that nearly stopped her heart, then suddenly declared the decision was made.
???
'So why did she call me here?'
This confusing behavior left Ardan at a loss, but the Mejiro matriarch had no intention of explaining. She didn't want her junior getting tangled up in these affairs at such a young age.
'Troublesome matters should be handled first by us boring adults. You still have vibrant, beautiful, bittersweet youth to enjoy.'
Her gaze gentle as she watched Ardan, the Mejiro head mused.
But for this covert collaboration, the Symboli family hadn't just invited the Mejiro clan. They had sent requests to every notable Uma Musume family of any standing.
Why only Uma Musume families? Symboli Rudolf had an explanation.
"The purpose of this reform is ultimately for the benefit of Uma Musume. Ordinary people aren't stakeholders; involving them wouldn't be good, and distribution after success would also be problematic.
And honestly, Uma Musume make more reliable allies to entrust one's back to. Humans are still a bit too… unpredictable.
"Among them are the kind, the great; but also the greedy and the despicable. Their principles and bottom lines shift too easily, truly hard to pin down. Best not to involve them."
Therefore, all those invited this time were prestigious Uma Musume families, especially the two deeply-rooted great clans: the Enduring Mejiro and the Swift Sakura.
Besides them, many other renowned families, though not quite matching the stature of those two, also pledged their support and participation—families like the King family, the Northern family, and so on.
And of course, the C.B. family, whose relations with the Symboli family were rather chilly.
Speaking of the C.B. family's involvement, there was a bit of a humorous story.
As everyone knew, the relationship between the C.B. and Symboli families wasn't exactly hostile, but it was certainly mutually grating.
Usually, cooperation was out of the question; just managing not to pull faces when they met was considered good manners.
Originally, upon hearing this collaboration was initiated by the Symboli family, the C.B. family had no intention of participating whatsoever.
It wasn't that they didn't care about the future of Uma Musume; they just felt that rather than bickering with Symboli folks over logistics due to resentment, which would lower efficiency, it was better to simply not join.
But what they completely failed to anticipate was that Mr. C.B., after their decision was made, continued to hang out boldly with the Emperor, seemingly happy to be at her beck and call.
This put the C.B. family in a very passive position.
What kind of Uma Musume are you! Your name is Mr. C.B.! The significance of that name to the C.B. family is obvious just from the words themselves.
With their own representative showing such willingness, what else could they do?
So, the C.B. family could only hold their noses and agree to the collaboration.
--+--
Student Council Room.
"Hahaha, you should've seen it. Those old folks back home looked like they'd swallowed lemons this time, every one of them grimacing like their teeth were aching from sourness."
"Senpai, won't those elders really hold it against you? This decision of yours practically forced their hand using your influence. Surely they won't be pleased?"
Symboli Rudolf let out a helpless sigh.
"Who cares about them? You're doing the right thing, aren't you, Rudolf? If it's good, I'll help you. If it's bad, I'll beat you up. Simple as that. Those old fogies will help whether they want to or not!"
Munching on a banana burger, Mr. C.B. couldn't care less. To her, the grumblings of those stubborn elders weren't worth as much as the burger she'd just bought.
Yes, ever since Mr. C.B. was "expelled" from the Student Council by Symboli Rudolf, this was her first time back in this place.
Of course, the expulsion story was fake. In reality, once Mr. C.B. saw someone finally taking over her role, she simply bolted, completely ignoring Rudolf's attempts to persuade her to stay.
"Senpai, it's been nearly half a year since we last parted. You were truly heartless—only sending text messages to say you're safe all this time, not a single actual conversation."
Rudolf looked at Mr. C.B. before her, whose demeanor had noticeably matured and whose behavior seemed more casual and natural, her tone full of complaint.
But would Mr. C.B. care?
"Hahaha, what's this, Rudolf? You sound like a resentful wife. Have you become this naggy in the past six months?"
Mr. C.B. found this somewhat softer Symboli Rudolf rather amusing.
"Ahem! I was just worried! Who told you to vanish without a trace for half a year?"
"Oh, come on, it was just a six-month hiking trip. How dangerous could it be? Our strength as Uma Musume is no joke either."
"Just a hiking trip?"
Rudolf recalled Mr. C.B.'s rough appearance when they'd met again earlier, deeply skeptical.
"Yep. Carried a tent, walked and camped along the way. Bathing and cooking were a bit troublesome, but otherwise fine. I pretty much circled half of Japan in those six months."
At this, she scratched her head with some pride.
"Though hiking was pretty tough. A few of those heavy rainstorms were really scary—tore my tent apart."
"That's not traveling, that's vagabonding!"
Completely failing to grasp Mr. C.B.'s perspective, Rudolf retorted sharply.
"Same difference, same difference! As long as it broadens your horizons and cleanses your soul, isn't that enough?"
"It's dangerous. I really wish you'd consider those who worry about you."
"Alright, alright, let's change the subject. How far along is your plan now?"
Casually throwing an arm around Symboli Rudolf's shoulders, Mr. C.B. asked about the progress.
At this topic, the Emperor's expression turned serious as well. The person she was now seemed completely different from the relaxed figure chatting with Mr. C.B. moments before.
"We have enough support on the Uma Musume side. Several newspapers have agreed to publish our reports. Within the URA, there are also a few staff members who genuinely care about Uma Musume willing to provide evidence of what those good-for-nothings have been doing behind the scenes. Preparations are complete."
Slapping her hand on the newspaper spread on the table, Rudolf was brimming with confidence.
"Now, we just wait for Nearl's performance!"
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.