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"The Debut Race next month… Time is indeed very tight."
Faced with Mejiro McQueen's invitation, Imanami was also filled with emotion for a moment. He was one of the witnesses who saw the Mejiro Family go from prosperity all the way to eventual bankruptcy. He was much older than a Racehorse, and he had witnessed countless changes, the rise of many chosen Racehorses, and then their retirement, or their collapse on the track, eventually becoming tombstones that only left memories.
Imanami was too old; even if he became younger after transmigrating, mentally, he was just like Gold Ship said, an "old man." He had seen too many Racehorses, whether as a former Jockey or a current stablehand.
In terms of emotions, Ikezoe and Wada were children in front of Imanami. Imanami was truly someone who had spent his entire life in this industry. His feelings for Racehorses, and now as a Trainer, his feelings for Uma Musume in this world, were incomparable to Ikezoe's and Wada's.
Therefore, facing Mejiro McQueen, the glory of the Mejiro Family, although Imanami had never really interacted with Mejiro McQueen herself, because Gold Ship also had the bloodline of the Mejiro Family, he was quite attentive.
—It was the same in this world. Actually, Imanami was initially only interested in Gold Ship, and McQueen was just a bonus, but now it seems he can no longer treat this pride of the Mejiro Family with such a casual mindset.
"I will go, Miss McQueen." Imanami didn't think for too long, and quickly nodded, saying, "I look forward to you winning the Debut Race."
"Thank you very much!"
McQueen was also overjoyed and immediately bowed deeply to Imanami, her heart even more fueled with the motivation to win the Debut Race!
Because McQueen herself knew very well that the exclusive Trainer she chose, let alone herself, even her Grandmother would absolutely not accept her exclusive Trainer being distracted to teach other children, especially when that child was the notoriously boisterous Uma Musume of the Gold Family.
McQueen was originally still hesitating whether to do this, but several days of training made McQueen realize that excellent Trainers are not just chosen by one Uma Musume. As an Uma Musume of the Mejiro Family, at this time, she should put aside her reserve and take the initiative!
So, early that morning, she asked her roommate Diduce for a way to help her stall Gold Ship, so that she wouldn't bother Imanami at least today—and it seemed Diduce was indeed reliable! Gold Ship hadn't appeared all day!
And she had already basically finalized Imanami as her exclusive Trainer, and McQueen felt that a major task of hers was finally completed.
"M-McQueen is also participating in the Debut Race?"
Meanwhile, Doto, after receiving her daily routine head pat reward from Wada, also walked over with Curren Chan, timidly saying,
"As expected of McQueen, she's so strong. She can participate in the Debut Race after only a month of training."
"Hehe, Karen-chan's Debut Race is still a long way off, but Oni-chan did say that after the Debut Race, we can immediately book the next sprint race, so Karen-chan isn't worried at all~" Curren Chan also hooked one arm through Ikezoe's, and said to McQueen:
"Good luck, McQueen. Karen-chan will post messages on the channel and have all my fans cheer you on~"
"No… that won't be necessary…"
The three Uma Musume, under different Trainers but whose relationships had also become good because of their Trainers' good relationship, encouraged each other. They all knew that they each had new goals, and their prospects were undoubtedly bright.
And at this moment, a female voice from not far away interrupted everything.
"Three of you, long time no see. I am very pleased to see that you have all gotten on track."
"President?" X3
The arrivals were Symboli Rudolf, Air Groove, and Tokai Teio. The three Trainers had not expected Symboli Rudolf to specifically come to see them, and immediately stood up and walked over with their respective Uma Musume.
"We did not disappoint you, President. We have all found our Uma Musume."
"I see. Your choices are somewhat beyond my expectations, but I can tell that you are all very responsible." Symboli Rudolf replied with a smile, her gaze sweeping over the three slightly reserved Uma Musume, and then she actively stepped aside, allowing everyone to see the petite Uma Musume behind her.
"Three of you, Trainer Ikezoe has already met her, but I would like to introduce her here as well. This is Tokai Teio, a highly anticipated new star of Tracen Academy."
"Hello everyone~" Tokai Teio, holding honey, also greeted the three very lively, then her gaze turned to McQueen, and she said in a voice as sweet as honey:
"McQueen Long time no see. It looks like your diet was very successful"
"Teio…"
However, McQueen had, of course, noticed Tokai Teio early on, this being she regarded as a rival. Yet, McQueen's gaze kept intentionally or unintentionally looking at the honey in Teio's hand, occasionally swallowing, as if she really wanted a sip.
For the sake of her diet, she hadn't touched any sweets for a long time. The meal plan Imanami designed for McQueen was very reasonable; its only drawback was that it couldn't satisfy McQueen's desire for sweets… After all, before this, even Imanami, before transmigrating, didn't know that horses could eat cake.
So carrots and bananas became the only foods McQueen could eat as "sweets." Although McQueen wasn't very fond of honey, especially Teio's honey which was too sweet and cloying, after "fasting" for several days, McQueen was a bit tempted to try what Teio's honey special tasted like.
Thinking this, McQueen unconsciously looked up at Tokai Teio, only to meet the mischievous smile of Teio, who was drinking honey, and immediately blushed, grabbing Imanami's sleeve beside her.
Teio! This guy is definitely drinking it on purpose in front of me!
"Tokai Teio… it's actually Tokai Teio."
On this side, Wada was also surprised by Symboli Rudolf's introduction, his gaze repeatedly comparing Tokai Teio and Symboli Rudolf several times before he secretly nodded and murmured, "They really do look alike…"
"?" Symboli Rudolf heard Wada's words but was a bit puzzled, though she didn't ask further.
After all, even she herself found it strange that Tokai Teio resembled her so much. If it weren't for their different surnames, they might really be mistaken for mother and daughter. For this, she herself had even come forward to dispel the rumors.
But… it seemed that Trainer Wada didn't find it surprising that they looked alike, but rather took it for granted?
Clearly, as Uma Musume in this world, Symboli Rudolf, who didn't know the thoughts in the three Trainers' minds, didn't understand the meaning of Wada's words. However, Ikezoe and Imanami both understood implicitly and secretly nodded.
"Tokai Teio, truly seeing is believing." Imanami also nodded, expressing his admiration for this Uma Musume who represented a "Miracle," and then turned to Symboli Rudolf and asked, "I just wonder, President, what do you intend to do by bringing Tokai Teio here? You're not thinking of having one of us be Miss Teio's Trainer, are you?"
"—I don't have such an idea for now." Symboli Rudolf also smiled lightly, using a tactful way to say, "This child, Teio, has not yet participated in her Debut Race, so it's still too early to find an exclusive Trainer."
"I brought her here to meet the three of you because I hope you can discuss your thoughts on this child. I asked Trainer Ikezoe this question before, and now, I want to know your two opinions."
"Finally, I have an idea that I hope to get your support for."
At this point, Symboli Rudolf also slightly reined in her smile, releasing her imperial dignity as the "Emperor," and said calmly to everyone, who gradually became serious:
"I want to hold a Friendship Race within Tracen Academy for the newly enrolled students. I hope that the Uma Musume under your care can all participate, and Teio will also participate in this Friendship Race."
"This Friendship Race can stimulate the training enthusiasm of the Uma Musume at Tracen Academy, and it can also let outsiders know the overall strength of our new generation of Uma Musume. Therefore, I hope to receive the supportive attitude of the Trainers of Tracen Academy."