"That was a bit too harsh on the juniors, don't you think? But since I'm in the same position, I can't really blame them."
Up in the school building, a young woman with a mature aura gazed out at the distant training field.
She had watched the entire match between Green Grass, Manhattan Cafe, and the others from start to finish.
Treating a training session with the seriousness of a Grade I race—aren't they afraid of crushing their juniors' spirits?
Especially you, Green Grass. If you keep this up, you'll never build a good relationship with your juniors.
Can't the Grass family be a little kinder during practice?
Maruzensky showed a wry smile.
As a Uma Musume from the same era as the TTG trio, it was a regret of hers that, due to the rules, she never got to compete against them before retiring.
Sometimes, when they gathered to chat, Tosho Boy would joke that if Maruzensky hadn't retired, the winner of the year-end Arima Kinen might have been different.
At the very least, it wouldn't have been just a three-way rivalry.
But that was all in the past now. Whenever she heard such remarks, Maruzensky would simply smile.
Now, as these three seniors began teaching the juniors and honing their skills, she found herself returning to the track.
It almost made her feel young again.
"Maruzensky."
Someone called her name.
"Oh, Rudolf-chan, what's up?"
Symboli Rudolf, who was patrolling the school as usual with her arms crossed, appeared beside her.
"There's something I'd like your help with."
"For you, Rudolf-chan, anything," she said with a smile. "What is it?"
If possible, Rudolf would have preferred not to do this.
But Sirius Symboli's demands had become too much to handle. Left with no choice, Rudolf decided to teach her a lesson.
"When we pick up Sirius Symboli at the airport this weekend, would it be possible to use your sports car?"
As a young woman of legal driving age, Maruzensky owned her own crimson red supercar.
It was an old car left to her by her father, but it was well-maintained and had impressive performance.
Every night, Maruzensky would take it out for a drive.
Rudolf, who had just finished dealing with Sirius-related matters, received yet another request from her today.
She wanted to be picked up in a way that wouldn't be boring.
Faced with such an audacious proposal, Rudolf readily agreed and immediately sought out Maruzensky, who loved speeding.
"Pick up Sirius Symboli? Sure, I don't mind," Maruzensky replied.
"But I'm surprised Sirius Symboli is coming back already," she added, caught off guard.
She had thought their next meeting would be at her graduation; she hadn't expected it to be so soon.
"Well, she has her own ideas. Once she makes a decision, she never considers the consequences."
"Then why not just go along with her wishes?"
Maruzensky lightly covered her mouth with her hand.
"Give her an experience she won't find boring, is that it?"
"The more thrilling, the better. I want Sirius Symboli to think twice before making unreasonable requests."
"You're so thoughtful, Rudolf-chan. Don't worry, leave it to me. I'll definitely give her an unforgettable experience."
With an eager smile, Maruzensky twitched her ears and sauntered off leisurely.
"But try not to overdo it... Ah, she's already gone?"
Rudolf had wanted to add a few more words of caution, but Maruzensky had already vanished.
Oh well, she could tell her later.
After all, once Sirius Symboli returned, she would soon be participating in her first race.
The 'Mainichi Okan' a month from now.
While she wanted Maruzensky's wild driving to give the troublemaking Sirius Symboli a scare, if things went too far and Sirius got hurt, she'd never hear the end of it.
It should be fine, right?
After all, Maruzensky had been speeding for so long without any issues...
Symboli Rudolf shifted her gaze back to the training field.
Aside from Sirius Symboli, several other players from Tracen Academy were also participating in the upcoming 'Mainichi Okan.'
One of them was a gray-haired young woman practicing weighted jumps at the edge of the track.
This was after Oguri Cap's participation in yet another major race following the 'Takamatsunomiya Cup.'
Since transferring from the local circuit to the central one, she had maintained a pretty good record, holding her own even against Hishi Amazon during joint training.
Rudolf had high hopes for her.
And after her pseudo-championship, Hishi Amazon had also intensified her training, forming an indoor duo with Narita Brian.
Every night after training, they would head to the gym for voluntary practice.
To maximize efficiency, Hishi Amazon even brought her own packed meals, eating with Narita Brian in the gym.
The place ended up filled with food smells, much to the complaints of the other Uma Musume.
It wasn't until Fuji Kiseki stepped in and gave Hishi Amazon a stern talking-to that things improved.
It seemed everything was moving in a positive direction.
Transforming the negative impact of rivals into positive motivation—that was what Rudolf, as student council president, needed to do.
The more troublesome issue was Biko Pegasus.
Her recent defeat had hit her hard, causing her to skip training for a long time afterward, hiding away by herself outside.
It was her first loss since her debut race, and a thorough one at that.
Not only was she overtaken by the black-maned Uma Musume who came from behind, but Hishi Amazon also passed her, leaving her in third place.
The once lively young woman was now sullen and withdrawn.
Rudolf was concerned about her mental state.
If this continued, she could easily be consumed by frustration.
Countless Uma Musume had been completely crushed by defeat, never to recover.
Only by climbing out of the whirlpool of failure could one become a true champion, strong in both body and spirit.
Like Narita Brian and Hishi Amazon, who transformed their losses into drive, using an unstoppable competitive spirit to reach greater heights.
That was the outcome Rudolf wanted.
Physical strength and mental fortitude.
Most Uma Musume could only achieve the former.
But a resilient heart was indispensable for a Uma Musume.
No matter how many times they fell, no matter how much effort it took, they had to keep striving for victory.
That was the Uma Musume, carrying the dreams of so many.
Rudolf planned to find time to guide Biko Pegasus, to help her get back on track.
This was her responsibility as student council president, as the 'Emperor' of the Uma Musume.
With her arms crossed, Rudolf kept her eyes on the training field.
Meanwhile, the dark-haired young woman at the edge of the training field folded her telescope and quietly left.
--+--
"Green Grass-senpai."
Green Grass, who was about to return to her dorm, heard her name called.
"Manhattan Cafe, what is it?"
"About that running style from earlier, there's something I'd like to ask."
"Of course! How can I help?"
"Actually, I'd like to have another match with you, senpai."
"Another match?"
"Yes. Just once wasn't enough to grasp the essence of your style, Green Grass-senpai. I want to experience it more deeply."
"That's fine with me. When should we do it?"
"Let me see..." The dark-haired girl thought for a moment.
"How about tonight?"
Her golden eyes fixed intently on the other.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, 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.