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The actions of Opera O and Tojo Hana, as well as Gold Ship, who was hiding on the other side, were all unknown.
The three Trainers were still intently discussing Tokai Teio's matters with Symboli Rudolf, while Tokai Teio and her companions had just finished a Friendship Race and were now walking towards Symboli Rudolf.
"Hey—! President! We're back!"
Still a long distance away, Tokai Teio, who had plenty of energy left after the race, immediately ran up and hugged Symboli Rudolf's back, speaking like a child sharing her joy with her parents:
"President, I beat McQueen and Doto, I was first again—President?"
However, Tokai Teio, not receiving an immediate response from Symboli Rudolf, sensed that something was amiss.
She looked up and saw Symboli Rudolf gently tracing her cheek with her finger, as if trying to conceal something, before turning her head and revealing a smile, saying:
"Ah, as expected of Teio, you certainly didn't disappoint us."
"...President, were you crying?"
Teio was not foolish; seeing Symboli Rudolf's reddened eyes, she immediately knew Symboli Rudolf had been crying.
She instantly became anxious and looked at Imanami and the other two with an unfriendly gaze.
"Hey! Why did you make the President cry?! The President might be considerate of her Student Council status, but I won't be afraid of you!"
"—Teio, you've misunderstood.
I was just so happy to hear such high praise for you from the three Trainers."
However, Symboli Rudolf immediately stepped forward and said this to Teio.
She subtly wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, then gently stroked Teio's head, her gaze and actions more tender than ever before.
"Teio, the three Trainers all gave you high praise, saying you are a miraculous genius.
You should thank them properly."
"Eh? Is, is that so?"
Tokai Teio hadn't expected such a possibility.
Her expression, which had been tinged with anger due to Symboli Rudolf's crying, instantly softened, becoming a little embarrassed as she said:
"Hehe, President, you should have told me earlier.
I thought they were bullying you."
Immediately after, Teio also apologized to Imanami, Ikezoe, and Wada:
"Um, I'm really sorry, I was too nervous.
After all, it's my first time seeing the President cry, so I misunderstood you all, I'm truly sorry."
"But, you're actually so good at praising people?
You even moved the President to tears.
Hehe, Teio-sama doesn't quite know whether to praise you or what to do now~"
However, despite saying this, Tokai Teio's face was still beaming with a brilliant smile.
Her self-confidence and competitive spirit were already strong, and coupled with her status as Tracen's highly anticipated rising star, she had always received endless praise and flattery.
But Symboli Rudolf was different; the President was her idol and the goal she wanted to surpass.
Now that even the President could be moved by praise, there was no doubt that in Tokai Teio's heart, her favorability towards the three Trainers had risen once again.
"Let's stop here for today.
Thank you, Trainers."
Symboli Rudolf saw that Air Groove and the others were also approaching, so she immediately composed herself and, after bowing slightly to the three, said:
"I'll leave the Friendship Race matters to you later.
We won't bother you any longer."
With that, Symboli Rudolf left the scene with Tokai Teio and Air Groove.
The three Horse Girls who had followed from the other side exchanged glances, and finally, Mejiro McQueen asked Imanami:
"Mr. Imanami, what did you tell the President?
Why did the President look like she was about to cry?"
"Nothing much, just some things related to Teio.
It seems the President is quite concerned about Teio's condition."
Imanami didn't say much more, then turned to McQueen, his gaze still fixed on McQueen's legs, and asked:
"McQueen, after running just now, did you feel any discomfort in your legs?"
"No... why do you ask?"
McQueen also found it a little strange.
She subconsciously looked at her legs, tried to move them, and still found no problems.
But this still couldn't alleviate Imanami's worries.
As a stableman, though he was old and didn't remember some past events very clearly, he did remember one thing about Mejiro McQueen—a problem he had noticed before Mejiro McQueen's Debut Race.
Imanami slowly squatted down in front of Mejiro McQueen, and, facing everyone's somewhat puzzled gazes, said to McQueen:
"McQueen, please roll up your pant leg."
"Eh? Th-that..."
McQueen hadn't expected things to turn out this way so suddenly, and she immediately became nervous.
She knew Imanami was concerned about her condition, but at this moment... it seemed a bit awkward...
She had just finished training and then ran another Friendship Race, so she was covered in sweat.
Although Horse Girls are much stronger physically than ordinary people, they are not some magical species that "exudes fragrant sweat"; of course, they smell of sweat after sweating!
However, McQueen's shyness instead made Imanami anxious.
The old man, whose mental age was already seventy or eighty, suddenly changed his Presence and immediately shouted:
"Wada, Ikezoe, help me hold her."
"Yes!" X2
"Wait—why are you doing this?! Trainer Ikezoe?! Trainer Wada, why are you too—"
Before McQueen could react, Ikezoe and Wada each grabbed one of her arms and immediately held her in place.
Old Man Imanami, without another word, pulled up the pant leg of McQueen's left leg and gently pressed a spot... "Ow!"
McQueen instinctively cried out, but this pain caused McQueen's Horse Girl strength to subconsciously erupt—she immediately reflexively kicked forward!
"Bang!"
"Imanami-senpai?!" X2
Old Man Imanami, who was kicked flying by McQueen, caused Ikezoe and Wada to immediately put down McQueen and rush over to him.
Doto and Curren Chan were also startled by this sudden scene and subconsciously gathered around.
"Imanami-senpai? Are you okay? Are you alright?"
"...I'm fine, my bones are still quite sturdy."
Imanami, supported by Wada and Ikezoe, stood up, clutching his nose.
His nosebleed wouldn't stop, but at that moment, he didn't care about his own condition at all.
He said to the still-startled McQueen:
"Just as I expected... McQueen, there's a problem with your calf.
Based on my experience, it might be periostitis."
"...Eh?"
A flustered McQueen was still pulling her pant leg back down, not yet having time to apologize, but she was directly stunned by Imanami's words.
She subconsciously looked up, her eyes flashing with an expression of disbelief.
However, Imanami, still bleeding from his nose, took the handkerchief Doto offered him, covered his nose, and said to McQueen:
"You need to go to the hospital for rehabilitation.
Hopefully, it was discovered in time.
If we're quick, we might still be able to cure your hidden problem before your Debut Race."
"Um... Imanami-senpai, I think your current symptoms are more serious..."
Ikezoe, seeing Imanami's unstoppable nosebleed, also asked cautiously from the side.
"—Mine are minor matters."
Imanami glanced at the handkerchief, but as soon as the handkerchief left his nose, the blood wouldn't stop flowing.
Imanami had a general understanding of his nose's condition and immediately said to Ikezoe and Wada:
"Ikezoe-kun, please help me call a car.
We need to go to the hospital.
Wada-kun, go to my room.
I have a compiled notebook in the cabinet; please retrieve it for me and bring it to the hospital."
"I, I can have the Mejiro Family's attending physician come.
It's not that much trouble."
Mejiro McQueen also carefully extended her hand, her face showing guilt, and stepped forward to support Imanami, saying softly:
"Mr. Imanami, you need to rest now.
If Gold Ship finds out, she'll bother me to death..."
"Ah... yes, Gold Ship, that's the most troublesome part."
And when Imanami thought about what Gold Ship would do if she saw his current condition and learned the whole story, Imanami himself couldn't imagine.
He quickly waved his hand, stopping Wada and Ikezoe, and said:
"Let's go to the infirmary first.
Also, don't tell Gold Ship about my injury."