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The time Wada and Doto spent together was just a small interlude, yet it was profoundly significant for both of them. After this interaction, both changed their initial thoughts and moved towards more resolute goals.
Perhaps in the future, Wada could recruit the Opera O he favored into his team, but that wouldn't change the fact that he was currently Doto's Trainer. After Doto became more resolute in this view, her training became even more diligent than before.
Now, Doto and McQueen trained together every day. Imanami and Wada were constantly busy overseeing the two Uma Musume's weight loss and training. After some time, Trainer Ikezoe even joined in with Curren Chan.
Suddenly, the three new Trainers of Tracen, along with the Uma Musume they had chosen, became the focus of much attention at Tracen Academy.
"Curren Chan, Mejiro McQueen, Meisho Doto... It seems our new Trainers have increasingly discerning eyes, to the point where even I don't know how to evaluate this list for a moment."
Around the training ground, Symboli Rudolf and Air Groove watched from above as the three Uma Musume trained diligently under the supervision of their Trainers. Symboli Rudolf looked at the scene and smiled faintly, saying:
"Trainer Ikezoe believes Curren Chan can win consecutive GI races in short-distance events. Trainer Wada is preparing Meisho Doto for the Mainichi Hai. And Mejiro McQueen... she is a rising star we all know."
"Mhm, McQueen is very strong!"
Beside Symboli Rudolf, there was another figure: Tokai Teio, the Uma Musume who always wanted to stick close to Symboli Rudolf, naturally wouldn't miss this scene.
Unlike the other two, Tokai Teio's gaze was entirely fixed on Mejiro McQueen, whom she considered her primary rival. Watching Mejiro McQueen constantly doing squat jumps around the track, Tokai Teio, holding a large cup of honey, smiled and said:
"McQueen is really working hard to lose weight, it's a good thing I, Teio-sama, don't have such worries~"
With that, Tokai Teio didn't forget to take a deep sip of the honey in her hand, a rather pleased expression appearing on her small face, feeling fortunate that she didn't have to suffer through weight loss like McQueen.
Teio's words clearly fell into Symboli Rudolf's ears. Watching Tokai Teio's leisurely demeanor, Symboli Rudolf shook her head with a faint, wry smile.
The child she cared for clearly didn't know that Mejiro McQueen's current training wasn't just about losing weight; she was also undergoing high-intensity training. Once Mejiro McQueen successfully lost weight, her increase in strength would likely be very unexpected.
It was a pity that even if Symboli Rudolf knew all this now, Teio would probably be dismissive. This child was good in every way, except for being a little arrogant and taking things for granted.
However, a thousand words are no match for a good beating. Symboli Rudolf had made up her mind: to make Teio grow, she first had to let her experience some hardship.
—Of course, now was not the time.
"Teio, among the training methods of the three new Trainers, if you had to choose one, which would you prefer?"
"Eh? Well..."
Facing Symboli Rudolf's sudden question, Tokai Teio fell into deep thought, and after a long deliberation, she said:
"Ugh... If I absolutely had to choose, I'd probably pick Trainer Imanami, since he's McQueen's Trainer! I really trust McQueen's discerning eye!" Tokai Teio first fixed her gaze on Imanami. This answer was not unexpected, after all, Imanami was McQueen's Trainer... although only provisionally, not yet officially joined.
Imanami's treatment could be said to be the best among the three, unbeknownst to Ikezoe, who was urged by the Student Council after only a day's delay. Now, almost a week had passed, and Symboli Rudolf had no intention of urging Imanami and McQueen to sign the agreement—and even planned not to urge them even if it went overtime.
Because everyone could see that Trainer Imanami had long been reserved by Mejiro McQueen, and even by the Mejiro Family behind her. Even the Student Council, represented by Symboli Rudolf, would find it very difficult to intervene.
"Ah, but—Trainer Ikezoe's enthusiastic training method is also great! And he's super confident! It feels like it matches my, Teio-sama's, rhythm perfectly!" But Teio quickly turned her gaze to Ikezoe, her small face scrunched up as if in great conflict, saying:
"And I heard that an Uma Musume like Big Sister Orfevre was even convinced by him to participate in her Debut Race! I really want to know what charm Trainer Ikezoe possesses that can even convince Big Sister Orfevre!"
"...What about Trainer Wada?" Seeing that Teio hadn't mentioned the last Trainer, Symboli Rudolf couldn't help but ask, "I thought you would like Trainer Wada's encouraging feeling and his silently supportive personality."
"Hehe, I do like him, I really like such a responsible Trainer. I'm very happy that Doto-san has such a good Trainer now," Teio first admitted this with a sweet smile, but then her expression immediately clouded over, and she said with a bitter face:
"But I, Teio-sama, know this: Trainer Wada only cares about Opera O! If I, Teio-sama, joined Trainer Wada's team, I wouldn't be number one! Because Trainer Wada would definitely play favorites with Opera O!"
"My Trainer must be someone who puts me, Teio, first with all his heart. I don't want to join a Trainer's team that puts me second!"
Symboli Rudolf, Air Groove: "..."
However, Tokai Teio apparently didn't notice that her words had silenced the two informed members of the Student Council. Others might not know, but they did: if these three Trainers were truly judged by Tokai Teio's requirements, not a single one would meet her standards.
Because apart from Trainer Wada, who barely hid his intentions, Trainer Imanami's primary concern should also be Gold Ship, and Trainer Ikezoe's current priority was still unclear, but it wouldn't deviate from the options of Curren Chan and Giant.
Thinking about it... the three Trainers on whom Symboli Rudolf had placed high hopes didn't seem to meet Tokai Teio's satisfaction. Moreover, there was one thing that greatly worried Symboli Rudolf—Trainer Ikezoe's hesitant evaluation of Tokai Teio back in the Student Council. Symboli Rudolf hadn't forgotten the situation where Ikezoe clearly swallowed the second half of his statement, which was not praise.
Teio... what is it about you that we don't know? And Trainer Ikezoe, what characteristic of Teio did you discern?
Symboli Rudolf was very uneasy, which was one of the reasons she came to the scene. She wanted to find an opportunity to make Ikezoe reveal the second half of his statement, and also to let the other two new Trainers, on whom she had placed high hopes, meet Tokai Teio and see if they had any different thoughts.
"...Teio, Air Groove, let's go meet the three Trainers."
"Okay." Air Groove was also well aware of the purpose of their trip, so she had no questions.
"Eh? Are we going to say hello to the three Trainers? Then I'll go too!"
Tokai Teio apparently had no idea of Symboli Rudolf's worries. Full of joy, she followed along. She had long been very curious about the three new Trainers!
..."Alright, McQueen, that's enough training for today." Imanami was the first to speak, stopping today's training. As the backbone of this team, as soon as Imanami spoke, Ikezoe and Wada immediately had their assigned Uma Musume stop training.
"Huff, huff... I, I can still go on." McQueen still wanted to continue training. On the other side, Curren Chan had already come to Ikezoe and received water, and after taking a sip, she smiled and said:
"Hehe, Oni-chan, were you watching Karen-chan's training? Karen-chan worked very hard!"
"Doto, you worked hard, that's enough training for today."
"Thank you, Trainer..."
Doto and Curren Chan had also returned to their respective Trainers, while Imanami and McQueen were together, beginning to analyze matters concerning the Debut Race.
"Your Debut Race is next month, McQueen?"
"Yes, next month. I'm worried my weight won't be ready..."
McQueen was clearly concerned that her current training intensity wouldn't keep up with her progress, and she immediately said: "Mr. Imanami, please give me more targeted training. This Debut Race absolutely cannot be a failure."
"Don't worry, actually, with your current condition, even with the weight issue, you don't need to worry about the Debut Race." Imanami was not at all anxious. First, there was no point in rushing weight loss; reckless dieting would only cause McQueen to break down prematurely. It had to be done step by step.
Moreover, Imanami was satisfied with McQueen's current performance. As long as they trained specifically for McQueen's running style, a mere Debut Race would be no problem at all.
"Thank you, Mr. Imanami." Seeing Imanami's confidence, McQueen also showed a relieved smile, and then, after a slight hesitation, she spoke a little uncomfortably:
"Um, Mr. Imanami."
"Hm?"
"...On the day of the Debut Race, please make sure to be there." Although McQueen wasn't very good at expressing her feelings so frankly, she suppressed her shyness and said to Imanami with reserve:
"Having trained under you for a while, though not long, I now feel that you are the most suitable Trainer for me, and even for our Mejiro Family."
"So, please come and watch my Debut Race. If I win, then I will invite you to become my exclusive Trainer—please, you must accept."