"Ah, but Karen-chan thinks she's better at being cute than at racing, you know~"
"Does Oni-chan really want Karen-chan to go run on the racetrack? Oh, there's nothing I can do Karen-chan isn't very good at it"
However, despite saying this, Curren Chan's address for Ikezoe had undergone a significant change at this moment. From the seemingly normal but somewhat distant "Trainer" at the beginning, it had become the very intimate "Oni-chan," a huge shift in attitude that was enough to make everyone else feel it was abrupt.
However, this was not abrupt for Curren Chan at all. As she herself said, Curren Chan was very cute, and it could even be said that she was the cutest Uma Musume, perhaps. In this world where being cute enough could gain more understanding and care, Curren Chan was often forgiven as long as she didn't do anything too outrageous.
The change in attitude and address actually indicated Curren Chan's inner approval of Ikezoe. She wasn't the type of Uma Musume who would just casually pick any Trainer. The Trainer she chose had to meet her requirements, someone who she could "decide at first sight to stay with forever."
Curren Chan's cuteness was a cuteness that could even tame the Trainer, even if it meant deciding to go to the racetrack~
"Oni-chan, do you really want cute Karen-chan to step onto the racetrack, then be drenched in sweat from running, tired but still having to maintain a cute smile? What a mean Oni-chan you are~"
Curren Chan had clearly recognized Ikezoe as her Trainer deep down, but she still chose to tease him. Curren Chan was a Horse Girl who was determined to conquer even her Trainer with her cuteness, and she quickly launched her "offensive."
"Uh… Karen-chan, you are indeed very cute, always very cute."
For a moment, Ikezoe was also a bit at a loss for words, as Curren Chan's image after becoming an Uma Musume was truly a huge shock for him—Curren Chan was one of the few Racehorses whose attitude towards him was very good, and he had imagined what Curren Chan would look like if she became an Uma Musume.
Perhaps a Japanese Yamato Nadeshiko type? Or a virtuous wife and loving mother type? But he just hadn't expected Curren Chan to be such a lively and cute high school student-like existence, and cute to the level that would almost only appear in a visual novel.
But Ikezoe was a Trainer, and he hadn't forgotten his identity, just as he hadn't forgotten that Curren Chan was an Uma Musume. No matter what Curren Chan became, Ikezoe would not forget her achievements as a Racehorse.
"No Uma Musume is bad at running, Karen-chan. Perhaps you haven't discovered your potential yet, but I think you might have a more dazzling shining point than your visible cuteness, and that is your talent as an Uma Musume."
"Perhaps Curren Chan might be lacking compared to Uma Musume like 'The Emperor,' but if anyone says you're not good at running, I'll definitely slap him directly and tell him to think carefully before speaking!"
"Karen-chan, you can dominate short-distance races for a time. Few Uma Musume can compare with you in terms of short-distance talent. For this, I am very confident in making Karen-chan dominate the short-distance GI!"
Relying on his memory, Ikezoe effortlessly declared his grand ambitions. This was not difficult for Ikezoe, as in his memory, Curren Chan's talent in short distances was indeed very good. He had also achieved five consecutive wins in short-distance races while riding Curren Chan, and GI was also not a problem.
The achievements he had accomplished the first time, to do them again, he was confident that they would only be better, not worse.
However, belatedly, Ikezoe realized that his words were somewhat of a slip of the tongue. Looking at Curren Chan, who was watching him with a mischievous smile on her face, Ikezoe's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately said:
"Ah, I'm sorry, saying Curren Chan's talent is in short distances, it sounds like you can't run long or middle distances, but that's not the case. It's just that I think you're better at short distances…"
"No, no, no, that's not it either. What I mean is that only short distances can win GI—ugh!"
"Hmph hmph~ No need to say more, Oni-chan, Karen-chan understands everything."
Curren Chan also turned around with her hands on her hips, feigning a huff with a slightly annoyed expression, and said angrily:
"Anyway, Karen-chan can only run unpopular races like short distances, and Karen-chan is only good at short distances. Karen-chan can't win GI if she doesn't run short distances, hmph hmph, you really dare to say that."
Although Curren Chan was saying words that should have conveyed anger, her tone couldn't even fake the feeling of being angry. Even Ikezoe, who was clearly quite dull, noticed that Curren Chan's words should have a second half.
"…However, Karen-chan doesn't dislike a frank Oni-chan, you know."
Sure enough, Curren Chan's next words suddenly changed. As she turned her body around, she smiled at Ikezoe and said:
"Compared to those fans who flatter Karen-chan that she can do anything, Karen-chan prefers your frankness, Oni-chan. Even the cutest Karen-chan has things she's good at and not good at. Making us shine in our strong points is the right thing to do."
"It seems Karen-chan is really lucky this time; I truly didn't pick the wrong person."
Saying this, Curren Chan also actively extended a hand to Ikezoe, and very playfully winked at him, saying in a lively tone:
"Then let me reintroduce myself now. I am Curren Chan. Although I am an Uma Musume who hasn't participated in a Debut Race yet, Karen-chan will work hard to make herself shine on the racetrack, you know."
"So, for the days to come, Karen-chan will be relying on you, Onichan~"
Curren Chan didn't forget to give Ikezoe an incredibly cute, angelic smile, instantly healing his fragile heart, which had been hurt by Gold Ship and various other Uma Musume, completely.
Indeed, Karen-chan is the cutest! She is truly his favorite Racehorse!
"To be honest, if it weren't for you, Karen-chan, I would have thought my face was disliked by the Uma Musume…"
Ikezoe was also a bit moved at this moment. Facing Curren Chan's somewhat puzzled gaze, Ikezoe quickly added, "Before finding Curren Chan, everyone was unwilling to approach me. I thought I wasn't likable to Uma Musume…"
"Hehe, Oni-chan might indeed not be likable to other Uma Musume, right?" Curren Chan also smiled mischievously and immediately added a jab, but quickly continued:
"But it's okay, Karen-chan doesn't dislike Oni-chan's appearance, you know. If Oni-chan spends more time with Karen-chan, I believe you'll become cuter and cuter in the future, because Karen-chan is always very cute~"
So, do I really have a face that Uma Musume don't like? Curren Chan's words made Ikezoe's originally joyful face suddenly fall. He subconsciously touched his cheek, suddenly feeling like crying but having no tears. He didn't know what difference his face had in the eyes of other Uma Musume compared to what he saw.
…But never mind, he had Curren Chan anyway, so it didn't matter if other Uma Musume didn't like him!
Thinking this, Ikezoe's mood instantly brightened. He felt that today was definitely his lucky day, meeting Curren Chan so quickly must be heaven's best compensation for his pitiful predicament yesterday!
However, what Ikezoe didn't know was that while Curren Chan finding him might have been an accident, Curren Chan was no longer thinking that way at this moment.
Curren Chan looked at Ikezoe in front of her, and for some reason, he felt more and more familiar. The more familiar he became, the more she felt that all of this was a fated arrangement.
You have to do well, Oni-chan, remember to always keep your eyes on Karen-chan, okay~
Otherwise, Karen-chan won't forgive easily. A slightly angry Karen-chan can become super~ scary.